Describe a party you have attended. v.1

Describe a party you have attended. what type of party it was where the party was held who attended the party and describe what you did at that party. [You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. ] Part 3: Details Discussion: •  What are the differences between a serious party and a friendly party? •  Why are some people late for parties intentionally? •  Why do some people like the party while others hate it? •  What would you do if the guests you have invited to a party feel bored? •  Will there be more and more people to attend parties? •  Why do some people like to host parties at a restaurant or hotel rather than home?   Model Answer 1: I never really like to consider myself as a “party animal”, but I don’t really mind attending a party once in a while, especially, when I become a bit more “burned out” than usual from my job. So, a few months ago, when I got an invitation from a friend to celebrate his new job, offered by one of the prestigious accounting firms in my country, I just couldn’t wait to attend the party! But, before that special day actually arrived, my friend had to wait almost one agonizing year, after quitting his last job, as he had to go through numerous job interviews one after another. So, when the good news had arrived, my friend immediately decided to celebrate at one of the biggest hotels in his home town because he wanted to invite all of his friends and classmates from his high school and university as well as all of his family members and relatives. Besides, he also wanted the occasion to be really special because it was his ‘dream job’ that he was celebrating, for which, he studied and worked really hard for years. So, anyway, everybody, invited to the party, started to get busy talking and laughing with each other while enjoying some drinks and snacks, as soon as they arrived in the evening. I, along with my old school and university friends, got busy catching up with each other’s life story of the past years during which we didn’t get to meet. We also enjoyed a special music show by one of our local musical bands. Some of the guests even joined the music band to display their “musical talent” which was refreshing and entertaining. Finally, it was time for us to enjoy the food which, I must say, was cooked and made to perfection. In fact, there were just so many different kinds of dishes that one just had no choice but to satisfy his or her appetite completely. Anyway, having said and done everything, it was a great party at the end of the day, and everybody left the hotel with some great memories in their minds. Sample Answer 2: Today I’m going to tell you about a particular party I attended earlier this year. I’ll tell you where it was held, who was present at the party and what I was up to whilst I was there! Honestly speaking, I can be a bit grumpy about going to parties!   I never know what to wear as I don’t really like dressing up for parties. I feel self-conscious in dresses and too much of a scruff if I don’t make an effort. I worry about whether I’ll know anyone, and I dread sit-down meals because I’m a vegetarian and I always seem to be a problem. This being so when a close friend of mine announced she would have a big celebration for her fiftieth birthday, my heart sank a bit. Of course, I put on a smile, and said ‘that’s great! ’ but I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I knew that it was important to her, though, so I was determined to make a real effort, and of course, I agreed I would go. Well, I should have had more faith. The party was great. It was held in a beautifully converted barn in a rural location on the edges of Sheffield in England. The venue had a wooden polished floor and was very simply decorated with some tastefully positioned fairy lights and candles. There was low-level music playing and lots of places to sit and chat or mingle with other guests. If I remember correctly, there were white tablecloths over the tables and some simple but lovely floral decorations. The food was provided by a friend of the Birthday Girl, who specialises in fast street food. You could queue up for a delicious meal presented in a wrap from a very jolly woman serving from an open-sided vehicle parked in the cobbled courtyard outside.   In a separate annexed room inside was a table almost collapsing under the weight of delicious home-made cakes and puddings on one side, and glorious British cheeses on the other. There was also a small bar serving drinks, for which my host picked up the bill at the end, it was beautifully done – very tasteful, calm and joyful too. My friend, whose birthday it was, has a really wide network of friends. She decided to invite anyone and everyone from her social circle. So there were old school friends; people she knew from her voluntary activities with scouts; fellow runners – she is very active in a number of running clubs. Former work colleagues; people she’d come to know just from waiting with other parents at the school gates when her children were little; fellow entrepreneurs (she runs her own small business) as well as neighbours and acquaintances from every area of her life. Before I went, I was worried about whether I’d know anyone else there. I hadn’t been living in the area for all that long before being invited, and so I was a bit hesitant about what to expect. I should have remembered what a good judge of character my fantastically friendly friend is! What did I do at the party? Apart from eating my body weight in delicious food, I met and talked to many interesting people that I might otherwise never have come across!   This included the self-employed interior designer, marathon runners, a former Bluebell girl, artists, writers, medical doctors, IT workers, academics and students. It was a remarkable cross-section of fascinating folk. I had a wonderful time. What’s more, I discovered that actually, I did know quite a few people there after all. It was great fun trying to discover how we all came to be there and what connected each of us to the – "hostess with the mostest" to coin the old phrase! I am almost won over. Next time she offers to host a party, I might even find myself looking forward to it, you never know. [ Written by - Lucy Marris |  Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]