Step 1: Identify the Part 2 question requirements The question asks you to describe a specific occasion when many people were smiling. You need to mention: - When it happened - Who you were with - What happened - And explain why most people were smiling Step 2: Strategies for a better answer - Expand your answer with vivid details and perhaps a short story about the event. - Ensure coherence by linking each part of your answer smoothly. - Paraphrase the question and use signposting language to guide the listener. - Use a range of vocabulary and grammar structures, including synonyms and substitution. - Refer to your feelings and the atmosphere to add depth. - Make sure the answer is over 300 words and connects all the clues logically. Topic:A joyful wedding celebration When it happened I’d like to talk about a wonderful occasion when I saw many people smiling, which was my cousin’s wedding last year. The event took place in early autumn, around September, when the weather was still pleasantly warm. The wedding was held at a beautiful countryside venue just outside my hometown, which made the whole atmosphere even more cheerful and relaxed. Who you were with On that day, I was with my immediate family, including my parents and my younger sister, as well as a large number of relatives and family friends. In addition, there were many of my cousin’s friends from university and colleagues from work. The guest list was quite extensive, so the venue was filled with people from all walks of life, all gathered together to celebrate this special day. What happened The ceremony itself was quite touching, with the bride and groom exchanging heartfelt vows. After the official part, everyone moved to the reception area, where there was a delicious buffet, lively music, and plenty of dancing. One of the highlights was when the newlyweds had their first dance, and then invited everyone to join them on the dance floor. People of all ages, from children to grandparents, got up to dance, laugh, and enjoy themselves. There were also some funny games and speeches, which made everyone burst out laughing. I remember at one point, the groom’s best friend gave a hilarious speech that had the entire room in stitches. And explain why most people were smiling The main reason why most people were smiling was simply because it was such a joyful and heartwarming occasion. Weddings are always associated with happiness and hope for the future, and seeing two people you care about start a new chapter in their lives is truly uplifting. Moreover, the atmosphere was filled with love, laughter, and a sense of togetherness. People were reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and sharing in the couple’s happiness. The combination of good food, lively music, and the beautiful setting also contributed to everyone’s good mood. Personally, I felt a deep sense of contentment and gratitude to be part of such a memorable event, and I think that feeling was shared by everyone present. It was a day when worries were forgotten, and smiles came naturally to everyone’s faces.

- **Complex Sentences & Subordination:** The answer skillfully uses a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences, which is a hallmark of Band 7+ speaking. For example: "The event took place in early autumn, around September, when the weather was still pleasantly warm." Here, the subordinate clause "when the weather was still pleasantly warm" adds detail and variety. - **Relative Clauses:** There are several well-placed relative clauses, such as "which made the whole atmosphere even more cheerful and relaxed" and "that had the entire room in stitches." These clauses add depth and help to describe situations and people more vividly. - **Past Tense Consistency:** The narrative maintains consistent use of the past tense when describing the event, which is appropriate for recounting a past occasion: "I was with my immediate family," "The ceremony itself was quite touching," "People of all ages... got up to dance." - **Passive Voice:** The passive is used naturally, e.g., "The wedding was held at a beautiful countryside venue," which adds variety to the grammatical structures. - **Cohesive Devices & Signposting:** The answer uses linking words and phrases to guide the listener, such as "On that day," "After the official part," "One of the highlights," "The main reason," "Moreover," and "Personally." This helps organize the answer and makes it easy to follow. - **Pronoun Reference:** Pronouns like "they," "everyone," "I," and "we" are used accurately to avoid repetition and maintain cohesion.