Public Events: IELTS Speaking Practice Test

Public events are an integral part of community life and culture, offering people opportunities to celebrate traditions, support social causes, and recognize local achievements. The topic ‘public events’ for IELTS Speaking practice test is one of the common IELTS Speaking topics you should prepare for because it helps examiners assess how well you describe experiences, express opinions, and use event-related vocabulary. 

Therefore, in this blog, we have provided some Part 1 questions and two high-scoring sample answers for ‘Describe a local event you have attended’, which will guide you on how to prepare a cue card for IELTS Speaking. They, along with some relevant Part 3 questions and answers and a list of useful vocabulary, will help you prepare for other similar topics.

Public Events IELTS Speaking Part 1: Common Questions & Band 8+ Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner asks general questions about you and your experiences. Keep your answers short, natural, and engaging. 

Below are some common questions you can prepare. They will help you respond confidently and naturally using advanced vocabulary. For more related Part 1 questions and sample answers, check out the events IELTS Speaking Part 1 sample answer.

1 How do people in your country celebrate public events?

I think it’s different for every country. In some countries, people get holidays on the particular event. Hence they choose to spend time with family or to celebrate the occasion for its purpose.

2 Do you think it is important to celebrate events?

Yes. In today’s world, most people have no idea why they are getting a holiday or what the event signifies. Therefore it is very much important for us to celebrate events to understand their significance.

3 Should events be prepared in advance?

Events are always prepared in advance. It takes a lot of planning and calculations to execute a particular event. Thus one should always pre plan an event to avoid chaos and last minute rush.

Describe a Local Event You have Attended IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, it might be difficult for you to use the one-minute preparation time and frame your Band 8+ answer if you are not aware of how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 effectively. So, explore the sample answers to ‘Describe a local event you have attended’ cue card that will help you score better in IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Describe a local event you have attended - Sample Answer 1

Here is an audio of the sample answers given below. Please listen to it for more clarity on the speaking test. 

• What this event was?
• When and where it was?

Sometime during 2001, when I was living in Kunming, some friends of mine in the Bei Chen area invited me to the street party to promote a new housing compound that some company had just finished building. It was a very- bizarre event. It was held outside in a little park near the new compound. It was a very cute little park with benches and a small playground for little children.

• What happened in the event?
• And explain what you liked about this event.

I think the event was funded by the owners of the compound because they were giving away food. There was ice cream, soft drinks, beef, lamb, and pork meat sticks, and some other snacks of which I can’t remember the names. The only problem, though, was that you had to stand in a line the length of the Great Wall. Sometimes the line would move fast, like when a bunch of the meat was cooked, but other times it just seemed to take forever. I can’t remember so well, but I think that you had to be living in the Bei Chen area to attend the party. Oh yes, that’s what it was; our friend was living in that area, so we were able to go in for free. The party was so much fun because it was at night and we were allowed to stay out later than usual. My cousin, who lives abroad, was visiting and went with us to the party. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that time.

Describe a local event you have attended - Sample Answer 2

• What this event was?

One of the most memorable local events I have attended was our Annual Community Cultural Fair, held inside our housing compound last summer. It was a two-day celebration that brought together residents from every building in the multiplex, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

• When and where it was?

The event took place in the central playground, which was beautifully decorated with colorful lights, paper lanterns, and handmade stalls. The organizing committee, which included my parents, had funded the event through small contributions from each family. There were food stalls selling traditional snacks, a mini talent show for kids, and even a charity raffle draw to support an orphanage.

• What happened in the event?

I vividly remember helping my friends set up a stall where we sold homemade lemonade and cookies. The queue of people seemed to take forever, but the excitement made it worthwhile. In the evening, there was a cultural performance featuring dance, music, and a short play that reflected our city’s heritage.

• And explain what you liked about this event.

What I liked most about the event was the strong sense of community it created. People who usually just exchanged polite greetings became genuinely connected through laughter, teamwork, and shared memories. It was heartwarming to see everyone - young and old - come together to celebrate our neighborhood’s spirit. Overall, it was not just an event; it was a reminder of how meaningful it is to belong to a close-knit community. I still look forward to it every year because it brings joy, togetherness, and a touch of nostalgia.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Local Event You Have Attended

Here is a list of the latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score related to the topic, Describe a local event you have attended.

Public Events IELTS Speaking Part 3 Question & Sample Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the examiner asks analytical and opinion-based questions. Use complex sentences and examples to show higher-level reasoning. So, let us explore some Part 3 questions related to public events. In case you need to practice similar questions with sample answers, go through the events/celebration/festival IELTS Speaking Part 3 sample answers.

1 Should businesses support local events?

I think that businesses should support local events. It not only helps to create a good image tor the business, but shows customers that the business is interested in their welfare. It can also provide good advertising opportunities for the business. Everyone likes to do business with a community-minded business.

2 Should the government preserve traditional events like temple fairs?

I think the government should preserve this kind of event. And furthermore, I think that the best way they can support them is to help financially. Although if you only let the government help to support and sponsor these kinds of events, then companies like Coca Cola, Budweiser, and McDonald’s will have nothing to do. Therefore, I think it’s important to let everyone help to organize and fund the events, but the government should definitely preserve and support these kinds of events.

3 Do you think it’s important to take part in local activities?

I personally don’t enjoy participating in local events, but for some reason many people actually do. I’d much rather watch the event from a distance. Maybe this is just because I’m lazy, but I just don’t really feel the need to go out there and be another nameless person in a crowd that won’t miss me at all.

4 Do you think it’s important to have a sense of local community spirit?

If a community wants to prosper, everyone must make a concerted effort to put as much into their community as possible. If you don’t take care of your community then your community can’t take care of you. What I’m trying to say is that if you’re in the habit of helping others in your community, then others will he more inclined to help you. It’s also important that you don’t litter, because if you do then the place will look like a mess. Another thing that would help is that if parents and pet owners would clean tip after their kids and pets relieve themselves then there won’t be any excrement on the grass, sidewalks and benches.

5 What are the advantages of being part of close-knit community?

Well, one of the advantages is that your community will look out for you. If you’re in trouble you’ll get support from your neighbors, and they’ll be more likely to accept whatever you decide to do. Also, if you are in a close-knit community, more people will be your friend and invite you and your family over to their house for dinner. Like the saying goes, a man is only as rich as how many friends he has.

6 In what ways do neighbors cooperate and help each other in China?

This is a tough question, because I personally don’t think that they do. Most of my neighbors are just nosy or busybodies who are always trying to find out some new piece of gossip. All the rest are out working all day and when they come home they just want to watch TV or sleep.

7 How has the sense of community changed in recent years in China?

Before the community was very strong in China. You always did things with your neighbors and helped them in whatever way that you could. Also, whenever anyone did something that wasn’t quite right, everyone knew about it, and the person was very embarrassed. But now everyone is out working, and aside from a few old busybodies. no one has time to help or get involved with the affairs of their neighbors.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on Public Events

Listed below is a list of IELTS vocabulary that includes words used in the above Part 3 questions and additional topic-specific words and phrases that will help you to frame your answers on similar topics.

To conclude, public events are not only exciting to attend but also make for excellent IELTS Speaking topics. Whether it is a local fair, charity marathon, or traditional festival, they offer endless opportunities to use rich vocabulary and coherent storytelling. So, by mastering how to describe events and express opinions confidently, you can impress the examiner and aim for a Band 8+ in the IELTS Speaking test.

Useful Links:

• Describe a Festival that is Important in your Country – IELTS Cue Card
• 50+ Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Boost Your Score in 2025
• 50 Recent IELTS Speaking Topics 2025 for Part 2 and 3
• How to Organize Your Responses on the IELTS Speaking Exam?
• How to Give Your Opinion in IELTS Speaking | Useful Phrases & Tips