Describe a time when you organized a happy event successfully: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the event was?
  • How you prepared for it?
  • Who helped you to organize it?
  • And explain why you think it was successful event.

Band 6-7

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I would like to speak about my sister's wedding. I took a main part in organizing everything. I actually came 10 days before the wedding so I could help my parents in organizing everything. On the day of the wedding, we received our guests and I actually arranged all the food for them. Moreover, I also took care of the rooms and everything for them. Consequently, we also received our in-laws at the wedding ceremony and arranged their rooms and also their food. Moreover, when it comes to the events, I came up with a lot of ideas to make the wedding more fun. We added a few games in the wedding and also I arranged the mehendi session and sangeet. I personally went and selected the songs so that they would dance and have a lot of fun. At the end of the wedding, that is mainly during the reception, I personally took care of the gifts and stored them properly so my sister could open them later. And also, I arranged the food for my sister and my brother-in-law. I am the one who ate at the last. Overall, it was a good experience and I am very happy that I took a vital part in it.

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while organizing the wedding?
One of the main challenges was coordinating with different vendors for food and decorations. There were also last-minute changes in guest lists that required quick adjustments. However, I managed to stay organized and communicate effectively with everyone involved.

How did you feel after the event was over?
After the wedding, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and relief. It was rewarding to see everyone enjoying themselves and appreciating the efforts put into the event. I was also happy to see my sister and brother-in-law starting their new journey together.

Would you organize another event in the future?
Absolutely! Organizing my sister's wedding was a fulfilling experience, and I learned a lot about event planning. I would love to take on another event, perhaps a family reunion or a birthday party, as I enjoy bringing people together and creating memorable experiences.

Band 6-7

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00:00

I'm generally not one to plan parties or events but one event in particular I really enjoyed organizing was the proposal to end off my sister. I have known my brother-in-law even before they got engaged so I hatched a plan with him where they went on the regular morning run and she and he proposed to her. In fact I had discussed the same plan with her and neither of them knew about the other plans so it ended up being a double proposal. I took them on the morning run and nobody suspected a thing and sharp at 8 15 a.m. both of them like on a queue got down on their knees pulled out their rings and proposed to each other. I had two friends who helped me organize this. They helped me pick out the rings and I'd say it was a very successful event because both my sister and my brother were left very happy and we returned home with big smiles on our faces.

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while organizing the proposal?
One of the main challenges was keeping the plans a secret from both my sister and brother-in-law. I had to ensure that neither of them suspected anything while coordinating the details. Additionally, timing was crucial to make sure everything went smoothly on the day of the proposal.

How did you feel when the proposal was successful?
I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and relief when I saw both of them on their knees proposing to each other. It was a moment of pure happiness, and knowing that I played a part in creating that memory made it even more special for me.

Would you organize another event like this in the future?
Absolutely! Organizing this proposal was such a rewarding experience that I would love to plan another event. It brought so much happiness to my sister and brother-in-law, and I enjoy being part of special moments in people's lives.

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Band 6-7

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00:00

It was my parents 50th anniversary and I know that they did not want to have a big party and wanted to keep it low-key as lockdown was there in India as well. So I made all my relatives send a video to me saying good things about them and I combined all of the videos and made a clip for my parents and my parents were really happy when they saw it and I could just see it on their face how happy they are. So that was a success for me. Other than that it was really nice to hear some conversations that were down the memory lane and reminded me of a simpler time when we did not have this sort of connectivity like calling everyone online and talk to them but it was fun.

Follow up questions


How did you feel while organizing the video messages for your parents?
I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I wanted to ensure that the video would be special for them. It was heartwarming to see how much effort everyone put into their messages, and it made me feel connected to my family despite the distance.

What challenges did you face while organizing this event?
One challenge was coordinating with all the relatives to get their videos on time. Some were unsure about what to say, and I had to encourage them. Additionally, editing the videos together took time and effort, but it was worth it in the end.

What other ways do you think you could celebrate special occasions during lockdown?
Besides video messages, virtual gatherings could be a great way to celebrate. We could have online games or even a virtual dinner where everyone eats together over a video call. Sending care packages or handwritten letters could also add a personal touch.

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Band 6-7

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00:00

One of the few events that I have arranged in my entire lifetime, the one that has still stuck to my memories, had to be the inauguration, or to be precise, the celebration of the inauguration date of the Ethophilia Research Foundation, which is on 13th March. This event took place on 13th March 2024 last year, and probably this was the first event that I organized myself, or I was a major part of an event. I was helped by my seniors as well as my classmates to arrange everything. There are a lot of things I learned while doing this, such as managing an event as well as learning how to decorate things from my seniors, being more punctual about the steps and all.

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while organizing the event?
One of the main challenges was coordinating with different teams and ensuring everyone was on the same page. There were also last-minute changes that required quick thinking and adaptability. However, with the support of my seniors and classmates, we managed to overcome these obstacles.

How did you feel after the event was successfully completed?
After the event, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment and joy. Seeing everyone enjoying the celebration made all the hard work worth it. It was rewarding to know that I played a significant role in making the event a success, and it boosted my confidence in organizing future events.

What skills did you develop from organizing this event?
I developed several skills, including time management, teamwork, and communication. I learned how to delegate tasks effectively and ensure that everyone was contributing. Additionally, I gained experience in event planning and decoration, which will be valuable for future projects.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

00:00

I remember the last time I celebrated my mother's birthday. It was a very immense pleasure, I feel, on the occasion of my mother's birthday. Before that, I prepared a lot for this event in order to succeed. I took help from my own sister. She and I together planned a lot before the event took place. As we were planning, we discussed a lot of things, how to organize things in a good manner. We also planned a surprise gift. Moreover, we planned a budget using our savings. Finally, the day arrived, my mother's birthday, on 14th September. It was very auspicious. We had never celebrated her birthday before. This was the first time we celebrated. We invited so many relatives and friends. It was a very surprising event for my mother and for me. Also, the organization and the event was very successful. I never imagined in my life it was going like that.

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while organizing the event?
One of the main challenges was coordinating with everyone involved, especially since it was a surprise. We had to ensure that my mother wouldn't find out about the plans. Additionally, managing the budget was tricky, as we wanted to make it special without overspending.

How did your mother react to the surprise birthday celebration?
My mother was completely taken aback and overwhelmed with joy. She had no idea we were planning anything, and when she walked into the room filled with friends and family, her expression was priceless. It was heartwarming to see her so happy and surprised.

What did you learn from organizing this event?
I learned the importance of planning and teamwork. Working with my sister taught me how to delegate tasks and communicate effectively. It also showed me how rewarding it can be to create special moments for loved ones, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment afterward.
Show all 21 answers

Cue 1:What the event was?

  • Begin by clearly stating the event you organized, including its name and purpose.
  • Mention the significance of the event to you and the people involved.

Example

The event I organized was my sister's wedding reception. It was a grand celebration that brought together family and friends to celebrate her new journey in life.


Cue 2:How you prepared for it?

  • Describe the steps you took to plan the event, including any research or decisions made.
  • Highlight any challenges faced during the preparation and how you overcame them.

Example

I started preparing for the reception three months in advance. I created a checklist of tasks, such as booking the venue, catering, and decorations. One challenge was finding a suitable venue that could accommodate all our guests, but after visiting several places, I found one that was perfect.


Cue 3:Who helped you to organize it?

  • Mention the key people who assisted you in organizing the event.
  • Explain the roles they played and how their support was valuable.

Example

My parents were incredibly supportive throughout the process. My mother helped with the catering choices, while my father took care of the logistics. Additionally, my friends assisted with decorations and managing the guest list, which made the whole process smoother.


Cue 4:And explain why you think it was a successful event.

  • Reflect on the outcomes of the event and how it met your expectations.
  • Share specific moments or feedback that made you feel it was successful.

Example

The reception was a huge success, with over 200 guests attending. Everyone enjoyed the food and the music, and I received many compliments on the decorations. Seeing my sister happy and surrounded by loved ones made all the hard work worth it.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, organizing my sister's wedding reception was a fulfilling experience. It taught me valuable lessons in planning and teamwork, and the joy it brought to our family made it one of the happiest days of my life.


    Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.


    Tips to answer this Cue Card

    1: Vague Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your response unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the event to engage the listener and demonstrate your language skills.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Use descriptive language and specific examples to illustrate your points, such as mentioning the location, activities, and emotions involved in the event.


    2: Ignoring Preparation Details

    Failing to explain how you prepared for the event can make your answer seem incomplete. Preparation is a key aspect of organizing any event and should be highlighted.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Outline your preparation steps clearly, including planning, gathering resources, and coordinating with others to show your organizational skills.


    Lack of Reflection on Success

    Not explaining why the event was successful can leave your answer lacking depth. Reflecting on success helps to convey your understanding of effective event management.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Discuss specific outcomes, such as positive feedback or memorable moments, to illustrate why the event was successful and what you learned from the experience.


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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6-7

    Currently, there was not as such occasion where I felt very happy but the most recent one that I remember was occasion of my sister where she got married. It was a very much overwhelming circumstance because marriage is something that is very important for Indian family. At the same time, me being at the age of 20 was very much excited to deal with the obstacles that could be part of this ceremony. But at the same time, I was helped with my family members as well as we hired a consultant to help.

    Band 6-7

    I'm generally not one to plan parties or events but one event in particular I really enjoyed organizing was the proposal to end off my sister. I have known my brother-in-law even before they got engaged so I hatched a plan with him where they went on the regular morning run and she and he proposed to her. In fact I had discussed the same plan with her and neither of them knew about the other plans so it ended up being a double proposal. I took them on the morning run and nobody suspected a thing and sharp at 8 15 a.m. both of them like on a queue got down on their knees pulled out their rings and proposed to each other. I had two friends who helped me organize this. They helped me pick out the rings and I'd say it was a very successful event because both my sister and my brother were left very happy and we returned home with big smiles on our faces.

    Band 6-7

    I remember the last time I celebrated my mother's birthday. It was a very immense pleasure, I feel, on the occasion of my mother's birthday. Before that, I prepared a lot for this event in order to succeed. I took help from my own sister. She and I together planned a lot before the event took place. As we were planning, we discussed a lot of things, how to organize things in a good manner. We also planned a surprise gift. Moreover, we planned a budget using our savings. Finally, the day arrived, my mother's birthday, on 14th September. It was very auspicious. We had never celebrated her birthday before. This was the first time we celebrated. We invited so many relatives and friends. It was a very surprising event for my mother and for me. Also, the organization and the event was very successful. I never imagined in my life it was going like that.

    Band 6-7

    I work as an Educational Instructor, in the year 2024-25, the academic year, it was the time for the school to go for the inspection for the process of affiliation, and I was given the in-charge of all the document work, such as lesson planning, monthly planning, year plan, organizing the events, writing the reports, so on. In addition to that, I was elected as the orienter of the inspection, and moreover, I was given lot of responsibilities, like preparing the students to answer the questions, maintaining the records of each student, such as, and it was, I worked hard for that, and sometimes I used to burn the midnight oil, and sleep at 2-3 am, again, I used to get up at 4 am, I hardly got 2-3 hours of sleep, and I went extra mile to complete the task which was entrusted to me.

    Band 6-7

    It was my parents 50th anniversary and I know that they did not want to have a big party and wanted to keep it low-key as lockdown was there in India as well. So I made all my relatives send a video to me saying good things about them and I combined all of the videos and made a clip for my parents and my parents were really happy when they saw it and I could just see it on their face how happy they are. So that was a success for me. Other than that it was really nice to hear some conversations that were down the memory lane and reminded me of a simpler time when we did not have this sort of connectivity like calling everyone online and talk to them but it was fun.

    Band 6-7

    One of the few events that I have arranged in my entire lifetime, the one that has still stuck to my memories, had to be the inauguration, or to be precise, the celebration of the inauguration date of the Ethophilia Research Foundation, which is on 13th March. This event took place on 13th March 2024 last year, and probably this was the first event that I organized myself, or I was a major part of an event. I was helped by my seniors as well as my classmates to arrange everything. There are a lot of things I learned while doing this, such as managing an event as well as learning how to decorate things from my seniors, being more punctual about the steps and all.

    Band 6-7

    Here today, I would like to talk about the time when I organized a happy event successfully. Recently, my brother came from Canada on his birthday. On that time, I organized a birthday party for him at the restaurant which is nearby my house. I organized this birthday party by calling many decorations people for decorating the restaurant. I also ordered the beautiful cake from the bakery. The theme is black because his favorite color is black. For making this event successfully, my parents also helped me by providing the money and also his friends are helping me to collect all the resources which is used in this birthday party and also invited his school friends because he came from Canada from many years. He came from Canada from 3 years so he cannot meet with their friends so we called them. I think that this event is successful because when he entered the restaurant, he felt very happy by seeing all the decorations and also welcomed me for making his birthday party in a big way so that's why I think that I organized this birthday party successfully.

    Band 6-7

    I would like to speak about my sister's wedding. I took a main part in organizing everything. I actually came 10 days before the wedding so I could help my parents in organizing everything. On the day of the wedding, we received our guests and I actually arranged all the food for them. Moreover, I also took care of the rooms and everything for them. Consequently, we also received our in-laws at the wedding ceremony and arranged their rooms and also their food. Moreover, when it comes to the events, I came up with a lot of ideas to make the wedding more fun. We added a few games in the wedding and also I arranged the mehendi session and sangeet. I personally went and selected the songs so that they would dance and have a lot of fun. At the end of the wedding, that is mainly during the reception, I personally took care of the gifts and stored them properly so my sister could open them later. And also, I arranged the food for my sister and my brother-in-law. I am the one who ate at the last. Overall, it was a good experience and I am very happy that I took a vital part in it.

    Band 6-7

    Okay, so on 31st of December, I had my birthday, so at that time I want to celebrate with my friends and family, I want to gather all the friends, all the close relatives that are with me through all the difficult situation all the time. So I really want, because before my birthday there is something happened that is very difficult and for me I have so many bad situation arises, at that time my friends and family helped me a lot, so on my birthday I decided to organize and that time my father who is very a busy person and that time my father has really helped me a lot to organize the event and after we organized my birthday party, actually I organized my birthday party with the help of my father, so firstly I just prepare a few invites to the close relatives and send it to them, after on the day of the celebration we have a karaoke and we have a dances of my friends who prepare a surprise dance for me and after that I gave a beautiful speech to my parents that they support me in very difficult situation, I mean every terms and every terms of life they help me a lot and I think it's a very fantastic event, why? Because all my friends and family are all together and it's very, nowadays it's very hard that everyone gets time for me because everyone busy in their own schedule but I really happy that everyone has got time for me to come in my birthday and after that we dance a lot, we cut the cake, we taste the food of, I booked a very Italian-Spanish very famous restaurant of the hotel dinner, so

    Band 6-7

    Hi, the happy moment or the successful event that I have organized in my lifetime was organizing a birthday party for my mother and I feel it's so special because those are the times which I can reflect my love towards her. I prepared it with a group of people of my neighbors and it was a very successful event. By the end of the day, I could see the happiness on my mom's face. So I feel that that is a successful and special moment to me which is close to my heart. And celebrating birthdays are a happy day in everyday's life because it's only a one day in 365 days where we get some time for ourselves and the time to spend with our close people or showcase or give our love towards them and getting preparations to be done for them. All that together, I felt so much engaged and involved in doing so.
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