Describe a party you went to

You should say:

• When and where it took place
• Who held the party
• What people did at the party
• And explain how you felt about the party

Describe an interesting talk or speech you recently listened to

You should say:

• When and where you heard it
• Who gave the talk or speech
• What it was about
• And explain why it was interesting

这个小问题涉及时间和地点信息，我们就拆分开来进行作答：

• When

对于这个话题，我们有两种方式来给出时间信息。

一开始，具体时间点拓展。

我们需要给出参加的具体时间信息，比如：我是在两个星期前参加的，那也是一个晴朗的周日下午。虽然派对是下午5点举行，但我差不多2点就出发了, 因为这是我初次参加派对，所以我有点兴奋。

Example one：

I clearly remember the party took place two weeks ago. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. After having a cat nap 午睡, I set off to the venue at around 2, even though the party didn’t start until 5. It was my first ever party I had been to, so I was excited to get there.

Example two：

The party took place during the summer holiday. I had just finished my dinner when I received a phone call from my friend. He asked me if I wanted to go to a party. As I had nothing to do that night, I went along.

Example three：

The party took place about 3 months ago, on the first day of the National Holiday. While I was having lunch with my family, I received a message from my friend who asked me to go to a party with her that night at around 8. As I didn’t have school the next day, I went along.

第二种，则是按“How you know about it”的结构进行作答。

像party这样的活动是可以有一个认知过程在里面的，从你开始知道它，到去参加它。

Example one：

A party that comes to mind took place about a year ago. It was my friend who asked me to go.  She told me it would be really fun and that we would meet lots of new people. It sounded like a great idea, so we went to the party together.

Example two：

I am going to talk about a party that I went to. It took place a month ago. Actually I knew nothing about it until I saw the advert for it on our school notice board. It said everyone was welcome and there would be food and drinks available. Even though I had a class that night, I decided to skip it, so I could go to the party with my friends.

• Where

如果你和我一样是在编造话题的话，我们对于地点的选择还是没有方向的。这个时候我们就可以通过三大类地点类话题来帮我们确定地点，地点类话题包括：

Accommodation/ Public place/ City & Country。

- Accommodation

我们可以直接把地点设在“Accommodation”里。它可能是在一个公寓，也有可能是在别墅。不管在哪，我们都可以从“Location/ Appearance/ Price”登上给出细节的拓展。

Example：

The party was held in a villa, very far from my home and took around 2 hours to get there by bus. When I arrived, I was really amazed by the place. It was very big with 4 floors and there was aninfinity swimming pool 无边泳池 on the rooftop terrace 屋平台. The whole villa had been nicely decorated with beautiful flowers, balloons and fairy lights 彩色小灯.

- Public place

我们也可以把地点设在“Public place”里。公共场所的选择有很多，任何一个都可以。它可以是公园、图书馆、体育馆、活动中心等。然后我们就可以从公共场所的角度出发拓展细节，比如：Location/ Appearance/ Popularity/ Name/ History/ Architect等。

Example：

The party was held at a trendy 时尚的 new bar in town, which is in the West of my city, very close to my home, so I cycled. The bar was very popular. When I arrived, it was packed out 拥挤的, even though it was only 7 o’clock. It was not really big but very clean. They had over a hundred different types of beers which I had never seen before.

- City & Country

我们也可以把地点设在“City & Country”里，这也就意味着你需要有一定的位移。从一去到另一，或者从一个国家飞去另一个国家。有些同学可能会觉得不可思议居然有人会为了一个派对专门坐一趟飞机，但我想告诉你的是“有钱人的世界你并不懂”。

Example：

The part wasn’t held in my city, but in Shanghai. Even though it was a bit far to travel for a party, I knew it would be worth it. It was a very unique party which was held in the famous botanical gardens 植物园.

派对的组织者涉及的是和人或组织相关的角度。因此，你可以从“People”出发给出拓展信息，比如：外貌、性格、爱好、教育背景、工作、国籍等给出信息；你也可以从”Organization”出发给出拓展信息，比如：受欢迎程度、名字、历史等。除此之外，你也可以从”Activity”的角度着手额外给出一些信息，比如：受欢迎程度、历史、赞助商、费用、收费等。

- 从人着手

Example one：

The party was organized by an old school friend. We have known each other for over 10 years, since primary school. After the summer holidays, he was going to Japan to study, so for him, it was a farewell party.

Example two：

The party was organized by a senior student from my university. He is renowned for throwing parties all the time. He likes to invite different people to come and have fun.

Example three：

The party was organized by a lady who I had never met before. Even though she was almost 50 years old, she was still beautiful and looked very elegant. She liked to throw parties and spend time with young people. It was her secret to keeping young.

- 从组织着手

Example one：

The party was organized by our student union. They organize parties at least once a month to give new students the opportunity to meet new people.

Example two：

The party was organized by Alibaba, one of the biggest companies in the world. Not only are they famous for E-commerce, they are also famous for hiring lots of young and creative talent. The parties are held every month as a way of saying thank you to all the staff. Staff members can invite their friends and family.

- 从活动着手

Example one：

The party was organized by my neighbor and he spent the whole week organizing it. The men had to wear a suit and tie while the women had to wear an evening gown.

Example two：

The party was organized by my classmate. As she didn’t have many money to buy enough food and drink, we all brought some from home. I took chocolates and chips I bought from Japan and they loved them.

我有遇到过一些学生他们从来没有参加过任何的派对，对他们而言，第三小问是缺乏想象的。但是，派对既然是一个放松的场所，我们大致也能猜测出来可能会有的一些活动类型。我大致把它们分为五大类：

• 游戏类

派对会玩各种各样的游戏，可能是室内的（电子游戏/桌游/纸牌游戏等），也可能是室外的（球类等）。为此，我们可以参考“游戏类”话题里和游戏相关的内容。

• 吃喝类

对于一场派对，吃喝肯定是少不了的。你可能就是在那边吃吃喝喝，或者你参与进去一起制作食物和饮品。为此，我们可以从“食物&饮品”的角度着手来丰富素材。比如：一起做烧烤、调酒等。

• 唱跳类

很多派对都会融入跳舞环节，比如：Winter Ball (冬季舞会)；有些则可能有现场乐队或者有卡拉OK设备，它们都可以满足你一边吃一边享受音乐的魅力。

• 媒体类

我把“电影/电视剧/照片”等归类在媒体里，也就是说我们可以在派对上看电影或者刷电视剧，除此以外，我们也可以各种拍照片。

• 闲聊类

因为派对主要就是一个社交场所，所以聊天肯定是少不了的。但聊天可以有两种场景，要么你是和参与派对的人一起聊天；要么你是在手机里和其他人聊天。如果是后者，它也反映了你对这场派对是不满意的，觉得很无聊。

现在我们就可以从中挑选内容，然后根据“What”类型问题的答题格式按“主次”/“时间线”进行回答。

- 按主次拆分

Example one:

We did a lot that night. We had a BBQ on the rooftop terrace. The boys were in charge of the cooking while the girls enjoyed eating the food. The dinner lasted for 3 hours. After the meal, we played a tonne of games, for example, Truth or Dare, Monopoly and Rummy. I wasn’t very good at playing, so I just watched.

Example two:

It was a crazy night and we did a lot of crazy things. As teenagers, we were not allowed to drink alcohol, but we did anyway. Actually we drank a lot and got very drunk. We also talked a lot and reminisced about 回忆 our school days. We talked about the importance of working hard to ensure we all have a bright future.

- 按时间线拆分

Example one:

I was never really into parties, as I thought they were quite boring. Usually I ended up sitting in the corner playing on my mobile phone. However, this party was different. It was actually a lot of fun. They had invited a professional bartender to prepare cocktails for us. It was fascinating watching him make all the different drinks. He even showed me how to make a Bloody Mary.

Example two:

All the parties I have been to before usually involved playing computer games but this one was different. It was like we had gone back in time to the parties we had when we were young. We played things like pass the parcel, musical chairs and hide and seek. It was a lot of fun. We giggled and laughed a lot.

提到你对派对的感受，我们可以是正面的，也可以是负面的。或者你可以把正负结合在一起说，毕竟没有一场派对是你完全满意的。至于你喜欢或不喜欢的点，我们可以从“Party”涉及的角度着手。比如：

• Participants

一般而言，我们对派对的印象首先来自于参加派对的人。从好的着手，你可能会觉得这次派对很有意义，因为结交了很多新朋友或者巩固了友谊；从坏的着手，你可能会觉得不自在，因为派对里的人都是你不熟悉的人或者大家都维持沉默，然后自顾自的玩手机。

Example one:

It was an unforgettable party. I met lots of new people and made new friends. Most of the people I met at the party were very interesting. They were from all walks of life 各行各业. It was fascinating listening to their stories. The party ended very late and I was exhausted, but it was worth it.

Example two:

Even though the party had lots of interesting activities, delicious food and great drinks, I didn’t really enjoy it because I didn’t know anybody there. I always find it difficult talking to people I don’t know, so conversations are usually very awkward. I was happy to leave early and go home.

• Activities

派对里出现的活动也会给我们带来很多感受。从好的来说，这些活动可以让你放松心情或者你也可以从和别人的交流中悟出很多道理；从不好的来说，你可能会觉得很吵闹，同时参加这些活动也会让你觉得很累，毕竟参加派对是一个力气活。

Example one:

I had a great time and it changed my attitude towards parties. I was never into going to parties, because I thought it was a waste of time. I preferred staying in my dorm reading books or watching movies. But after that night, I realized going to parties was a great way to kick back 放松 and relax. The music, the drinks and the people all helped me switch off and forget my troubles.

Example two:

The party was a turning point in my life. It made me reflect on the importance of education. I stopped studying four years ago and dropped out of middle school, because I was not really satisfied with the Chinese education system. But at the party, my friend suggested I should continue studying, maybe in another country. Afterwards, I gave it a lot of thought and decided to go back to school. That’s the reason why I am here now taking the IELTS exam.

Example three:

Even though the party was fun, I was so jaded 疲倦的 after that night. I used to think parties were a great way to help me relax and unwind after a long day’s work. However, after that night, I realized how stupid I was. Parties are actually hard work. You have to be sociable and step outside your comfort zone. Then there is the loud music, chaos, standing up for long periods and queuing for drinks. it is all very exhausting. Because of this, I stopped going to parties and now prefer a quiet life.

• Refreshments

你的感受也有可能来自于派对提供给你的食物或者饮品。从好的来看，你可能很享受那一晚的食物。你可能忙于学习已经很久没有享用过一顿大餐了；也有可能你初次吃到了米其林级别的菜肴。从不好的来看，你可能会因为吃了很多高热量的食物而感到罪恶；你可能不胜酒力却被灌了很多酒；你也可能觉得那晚的食物不是很够，所以一晚上都很饿。

Example one:

I enjoyed that night very much. What impressed me the most was the food. Before I went to the party, I had been living off instant noodles, as I had ran out of money. So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw the huge spread they had put on. I wolfed down 狼吞虎咽 three plates of meat and noodles. After that, I had many cakes for dessert and I drank two big bottles of bubble tea. The next day, I woke up with a terrible stomachache.

Example two:

I had a great time at the party even though there was a lot of pressure to drink. I am not really into drinking alcohol as it makes me feel sick. However my friends all gave me a hard time when I refused and after a while I just gave in as it was easier. I got quite drunk and woke up with a shocking hangover 宿醉 the next day. I felt horrible. Next time I will stand my ground and say no.

• Duration

你也可以从派对时长上思考自己的感受。从好的来看，你参加的派对在时间上控制的很好，不长也不短，所以你很尽兴；从不好的来看，派对是在深夜结束的，所以你很累，第二天都起不来；或者那次的派对结束的太快，你都还没有嗨起来它就结束了。

Example one:

I really enjoyed the party and what I really liked was that it finished at a sensible hour.  It started at 8 and finished at 11. It meant that I was home by 12 and got a good nights sleep.

Example two:

Even though it was a fun night I was exhausted by the end of it as it went on for 6 hours.  I didn't get home until 3 am and I had to get up at 6 am for work. I was useless all day and just wanted to go home to bed. I must remember not to go to parties when I have work the next day.

• Regulations

你对这个派对的感受也可能来自于它的规则，比如：禁止使用手机。从好的来看，你可能会觉得这条规定让大家有了更高质量的交流；从不好的来看，你也可能觉得很没有安全感，一晚上都在担心是否有人会发信息给你。

Example one:

It was an unforgettable party and quite unique, as it was the first party that I had been to which didn’t allow mobile phones. I was a bit shocked when they asked to take my mobile phone from me, but they promised me they would keep it safe. They said that they wanted people to enjoy a good night without being glued to their mobile phone. They were right. People were having more conversations and they were far more sociable. I think all parties should do this.

Example two:

I enjoyed the party a lot, as I met many new people and even made new friends. However, they had an annoying rule where you were not allowed to use your mobile phone during the party. As I am addicted to my phone, I felt uncomfortable all night long. I was really happy to reunite with my phone again at the end of the night.

• Requirements

你也可以从派对的要求来阐述自己的感受，比如：着装要求。从好的来看，当大家穿着同一主题衣服的时候，你会发现你们间的共同话题不自觉的增加了；从不好的来看，你可能并没有按着装要求来穿，为此整个派对你都会觉得很尴尬。

Example one:

It was the most interesting party that I have ever been to. It was a fancy dress party and everyone had to dress up in clothes from the 60s. Many girls were wearing a Qipao, a Chinese-style gown while the boys were wearing Chinese tunic suits. It was so good to see everyone dressed up. We all had something in common, so it was easy to make friends and talk to new people.

Example two:

I felt awkward for the whole evening. There was a dress code, but nobody had told me. Everybody was dressed up in formal outfits. However, I turned up in my jeans and T-shirt. When I arrived, everybody stared at me and I really stood out. Because of this, I made a quick exit.

通过对以上四小问的讲解，现在你可以完成属于你自己的话题啦。

参考答案：【派对】