Describe an Occasion When You Saw a Lot of People Smiling- IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer

There are many occasions when people gather together with friends and family and enjoy themselves. Such occasions are typically filled with laughter and joy. One such occasion where I witnessed quite a few people laughing and smiling was the wedding of a close relative of mine. On this auspicious occasion, everyone, from distant cousins to my immediate family members, was present. Since weddings are known to be exuberant and lively events, everyone present at this wedding was cheerful, and the atmosphere was also joyous.

The wedding and the reception ceremony were held at a luxurious five-star hotel in an extravagant fashion. The bride’s father, who was closely related to my father, spared no expense and made sure everything was top-notch. Everyone present at the ceremony was pleased to be part of the bride and groom’s special day, and since most of the guests were acquainted with one another, the ambience was homely.

The main reason everyone present was smiling was obviously because of this new journey that my cousin was about to embark on, and she had all our prayers and well wishes for her future. Marriage itself is a momentous step in a person’s life, and everyone expects their family and relatives to support them in moving forward with such a decision. Fortunately, our entire family was quite elated when my cousin decided to tie the knot with her partner as they had been childhood friends. Eventually, the bride and groom’s family also became quite close over the years. Thus, both the families were delighted with this union, and their feelings were clear in their cheerful and smiling faces.

Vocabulary

• Exuberant

Meaning: full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.
Eg.: The Annual Sports Meet this year was quite exuberant.

• Extravagant

Meaning: lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.
Eg.: She wanted her 21st birthday party to be extravagant and over the top.

• Ambience

Meaning: the character and atmosphere of a place.
Eg.: They did not like the ambience of the hospital.

• Momentous

Meaning: of great importance or significance, especially in bearing on future events.
Eg.: They spend a lot of time choosing a new team leader as it was a momentous decision.

• Elated

Meaning: ecstatically happy.
Eg.: He was elated to receive his degree and gold medal for his excellent performance.

Speaking Part 3 – Follow up Questions

• Why do people smile?

A smile is an expression of joy and happiness. People tend to smile on numerous occasions, which uplifts their spirits. Usually, people smile when they receive some sort of good news. People also smile when they are in the company of close friends or family and are part of a jovial ambience. Some individuals don’t require a particular reason to smile and are naturally content human beings.

• When do people smile?

People are known to smile when they are in high spirits. When people smile, it is a manner of expressing their delight and sometimes agreement. People also break out laughing and smiling when they are having a good time with friends and family. Smiling is also an expression of being courteous and amicable during conversations.

• What’s the difference between a fake smile and a genuine smile?

A smile is not always an expression of gaiety. Sometimes, a person can smile, but their heartfelt sentiment can be far from bliss. They often tend to hide their feelings by putting on a fake smile to avoid addressing them. Such an expression is different from a genuine smile, as a sincere expression of jubilation exhibits how a person feels inside.

• Why do people smile when they take photos?

It is a well-known fact that a person looks more attractive when smiling. In addition, a smile is often known as the best accessory a person can fashion. Thus, people generally put on a pleasant smile when they take photos.

• Who smiles more, men or women?

The frequency of smiling can vary from person to person. If a person smiles more often, they are known to be carefree. On the other hand, people who smile less frequently tend to be more rigid. In my opinion, women tend to smile more than men as they are naturally more easy-going and affable.

• Do you think people should control their moods?

We are often told that suppressing feelings is not a healthy practice. However, in particular social situations, having a restraint on emotions and displaying self-control is better than making rash decisions. Thus, I believe that a person should judge their surroundings and express their emotions accordingly.

Vocabulary

• Jovial

Meaning: cheerful and friendly.
Eg. Robert was always a jovial and fun-loving person.

• Amicable

Meaning: characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.
Eg.: They started the venture in an amicable manner.

• Gaiety

Meaning: the state or quality of being light-hearted or cheerful.
Eg.: Children’s laughter brings a sudden sense of gaiety to people.

• Jubilation

Meaning: a feeling of great happiness and triumph.
Eg.: The school football team was filled with jubilation after their 3rd consecutive victory.

• Affable

Meaning: friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
Eg.: It is important to have affable and kind-hearted friends.