Describe a party that you enjoyed.
You should say:
- 1when and where the party was held~30s
- 2who was there~30s
- 3what kind of party it was~30s
- 4and explain why you enjoyed it~30s
Reported in September–December 2026 Hobbies & Free Time
Plan it in one minute
What each point needs, about 30 seconds on each.
- 1When and where the party was heldSet the scene: a real time, place or person. Specific beats impressive.
- 2Who was thereSay it in one line, then add one detail.
- 3What kind of party it wasSay it in one line, then add one detail.
- 4Explain why you enjoyed itThis is your ending. One clear reason or lesson, said with confidence.
Sample answers: Band 6, 7 and 8
One story told three ways. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Band 6
Um, the party I enjoyed most was my friend Minh's twenty-second birthday party. It was held last August on the rooftop of a small cafe in Da Nang. We went there on Saturday evening, and there were about fifteen people - no, maybe twelve people were there1. Most of them were our university friends, and Minh's sister and two cousins came too. It was a simple birthday party, not a formal event, so we brought some snacks, balloons, and a cake. At first, we was all sitting around and talking, but then the music got louder, and people started dancing2. The rooftop became very fun, you know, because we could see the city lights3 and feel the wind. I liked being able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen for a few weeks. Minh look really surprised when we brought out the cake, and that made us laugh. I enjoyed it because I could relax after a stressful semester and let my hair down. Nobody was trying to impress anyone, so it felt friendly. The food wasn't special, but the evening was really enjoyable, and I remember it very clearly.
Why it's a Band 6
there were about fifteen people - no, maybe twelve people were there
The speaker corrects a number naturally, although the first idea is repeated.but then the music got louder, and people started dancing
Simple linkers like but then and and put the events in a clear order.The rooftop became very fun, you know, because we could see the city lights
This complex sentence gives a reason, but fun is a general word.
What lifts it to Band 7 Change “we was all” to “we were all”, “Minh look” to “Minh looked”, and “became very fun” to “came alive”.
Phrases to borrow
catch up with
/kætʃ ʌp wɪð/
talk to someone and learn their recent news
I met my old classmates to catch up over coffee.
let your hair down
/let jɔː heə daʊn/
relax and enjoy yourself freely
After finishing the project, I finally let my hair down.
Band 7
The party I enjoyed most was my friend Minh's twenty-second birthday party. It was last August, on the rooftop of a small cafe in Da Nang. It was on a Saturday evening, and there was about twelve people, mainly our university friends, plus Minh's sister and two cousins. It wasn't a formal or expensive event. We wanted it simple, so we brought a few balloons, ordered some snacks, and had a homemade cake. At first, everyone was chatting in small groups, but once the music started, the whole rooftop came alive1. A few people danced, while the others sat near the edge and enjoyed the city lights. What I liked most was being able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen since our final exams2. We joked about our lecturers and talked about our plans for the summer. Minh looked really surprised when we appeared with the cake, so that moment felt quite personal, even though the party was very simple. I also liked the relaxed atmosphere. After a difficult semester, it was, you know, a really good evening to let my hair down without thinking about assignments or deadlines. I mean, nobody was trying to look impressive3. We had a really good time, and I left feeling more relaxed than before. That was the best part, really.
Why it's a Band 7
once the music started, the whole rooftop came alive
Once shows the moment the party changed, and came alive makes it vivid.I hadn't seen since our final exams
This past-time clause explains why meeting the friends was enjoyable.I mean, nobody was trying to look impressive
The rephrase sounds spontaneous and gives a clear reason for enjoying the party.
What lifts it to Band 8 Change “there was about twelve people” to “there were about twelve people”, and “the party was very simple” to “the party was pretty modest”.
Phrases to borrow
come alive
/kʌm əˈlaɪv/
become lively and full of activity
The quiet street comes alive after sunset.
catch up with
/kætʃ ʌp wɪð/
talk to someone and learn their recent news
I met my old classmates to catch up over coffee.
let your hair down
/let jɔː heə daʊn/
relax and enjoy yourself freely
After finishing the project, I finally let my hair down.
Band 8
The party that stands out most was my friend Minh's twenty-second birthday celebration, held last August on the rooftop of a small cafe in Da Nang. It was a Saturday evening, and we deliberately kept the group small. About twelve of us came, mostly university friends, along with Minh's sister and two cousins. We weren't looking for anything lavish, so we decided to keep things low-key, with a few balloons, shared snacks, and a homemade cake. The setting did much of the work. As the evening went on, the city lights came on and a cooler breeze drifted across the rooftop1. Then someone found a decent playlist, and the place gradually came alive. Some people danced, while others stayed near the railing, chatting and taking photos. For me, the real pleasure was being able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen since our final exams. We laughed about our lecturers and compared our summer plans. Minh's reaction to the cake was priceless because he clearly hadn't expected us to organise anything2. More than that, it was a chance to let my hair down after several weeks of deadlines and revision. I mean, I didn't feel I had to put on a show for anyone. I could just chat and be around people who know me well. We didn't have much - just an ordinary rooftop and a bit of music - but we made the most of it3. By the time we left, I was still smiling, which says pretty much everything.
Why it's a Band 8
As the evening went on, the city lights came on and a cooler breeze drifted across the rooftop
This smoothly develops the setting with an accurate time structure.because he clearly hadn't expected us to organise anything
This complex sentence gives a precise reason for Minh's reaction.We didn't have much - just an ordinary rooftop and a bit of music - but we made the most of it
This natural contrast links limited resources to the speaker's enjoyment.
What would make it a 9 For Band 9, change “someone found a decent playlist” to “someone put on an old V-pop playlist we all knew the words to”.
Phrases to borrow
keep things low-key
/kiːp θɪŋz ˌləʊ ˈkiː/
keep an event small and relaxed, without any fuss
We kept things low-key after our difficult exams.
come alive
/kʌm əˈlaɪv/
become lively and full of activity
The quiet street comes alive after sunset.
catch up with
/kætʃ ʌp wɪð/
talk to someone and learn their recent news
I met my old classmates to catch up over coffee.
let your hair down
/let jɔː heə daʊn/
relax and enjoy yourself freely
After finishing the project, I finally let my hair down.
make the most of
/meɪk ðə məʊst əv/
use an opportunity as well as possible
We made the most of our short holiday.
Part 3: what the examiner asks next
Real follow-up questions candidates reported with this card.
- Why do people like parties?
- Why do some people not like going to parties?
- Do you think music and dancing are a must at a party?
- What are the differences between having a party at home and having one somewhere public, like a restaurant?
- What would you do if a neighbour's party was disturbing you?
Your turn: talk through the card
Describe a party that you enjoyed.
Talk for one to two minutes, one point at a time. Nothing is uploaded.
0:00 / 0:00
Answer it with the examiner
Sign in free, then speak for 1–2 minutes and get a band score with one thing to fix.
Which phrase means…
become lively and full of activity
“The quiet street comes alive after sunset.”
come alive
heytardy