Describe a seminar or workshop you have attended – IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer 1

Seminars and workshops are for people interested in a topic or who want to learn more about a particular skill. Many academic institutions conduct seminars on various topics for their students almost on a regular basis. These workshops are also a great addition to a person’s resume. I have attended quite a few seminars during my college years, and all of them have taught me something new and useful. For instance, I would like to talk about a seminar on starting and managing a business that I attended during my first year of college.

This seminar was specially organized by our college for the batch of 2018, of which I was a part, and participation was made compulsory for all the students. Our professors made sure that no one skipped the seminar because it was being facilitated by a successful businessman who was also part of our college alumni. All the first-year students, including myself, were present at the seminar, and most of our college professors were also present.

The seminar was scheduled on a Friday after our classes for the day were over. The duration of the seminar was set as one hour. Initially, almost every student present had a sullen expression since it was after college, and everyone wanted to enjoy themselves and not sit for an hour-long session. However, as the discussion continued, the facilitator was able to pique the interest of everyone in the audience.

Frankly, the only reason I attended the session was that it was made compulsory by our college. However, as I listened to the speaker, I was engrossed in his talk about the various intricacies of the business world and how he was able to tackle all the hardships and create a successful business. I learned several new facts and ideas that day and have always kept an open mind about such workshops and sessions.

Sample Answer 2

I am a student pursuing development studies at Delhi University. Lately, my department invited me to be a part of a day-long seminar on the environmental issues rising at an alarming rate in New Delhi. The idea was to get a handful of real-life ideas from students. For me, the entire seminar offered an excellent experience. 

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This seminar was held in association with some international environmental health control organisations and local NGOs working toward these issues. Primarily, the reason behind this organization was to spread knowledge about the detrimental effects of global warming and other life-threatening issues that humans were causing to the environment. The seminar also made us realize how our actions were impacting the economy, health and the country. I came to understand an array of negative effects of rising pollution and never-ending deforestation and how it was affecting our lives.  In fact, the seminar highlighted both the positive and negative aspects of the story. It taught us the perfect measures that can be effective in decreasing the prevalent issues. 

Initially, I thought I was the only person from my department in that seminar. However, a quick glimpse made me recognise several familiar faces. Thus, I came to know that my entire department participated in this seminar. 

The seminar lasted only a few hours. It commenced at 10 am. Following this, we took a lunch break around 1.30 pm. Then, the seminar re-started at around 2 pm and ended at 6 pm. 

The only reason behind participating in this seminar was to understand how we could curb our effects on the environment and make it a better place to live. 

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Vocabulary

• Pursuing: to follow something
  Example: She was keen on pursuing an acting career. 
• Prevalent: most common in a particular place at a particular time
  Example: The practice of exchanging gifts during festivals is prevalent across India. 
• Detrimental: bad
  Example: Too much alcohol is detrimental for one’s health. 
• Commenced: started
  Example: My exams commenced last week. 
• Curb: to control or limit something
  Example: The government should act sooner to curb environmental issues. 

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