Table of Contents
Describe a Live Sports Event You Watched and Liked
IELTS Speaking Part 2
You should say:
- What it was
- When and where you watched it
- Who you watched it with
- And explain why you liked it
Sample Answer 1
I’d like to talk about a live sports event I really enjoyed. It was a community shared match between Manchester City and Manchester United.
I watched it last two years at Wembley Stadium in London with one of my friends. I was very excited because Wembley is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world and it was my first time to watch a Manchester Derby live.
The atmosphere was amazing. Fans from both sides were singing, shouting and supporting their teams throughout the match. The match itself was also very dynamic, dramatic.
It finished 1-1 in regular time and Manchester City finally won on penalties. During the penalty shootout, the whole stadium became extremely nervous and every kick felt important.
I really enjoyed it because watching football live is completely different from watching it on TV. I could feel the passion, tension and energy of the crowd.
As a football fan, I think Wembley is a dreamland for every football fan and I really love Manchester City’s players. I can very closely watch every detail of Manchester City’s players like Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva. That’s why these sports events leave an unforgettable experience and leave an impression on me.
| Word / Phrase | Type | Definition | Example |
| live sports event | Noun phrase [B2] | a sporting competition watched in person | Watching a live sports event is far more exciting than TV. |
| community | Noun [B2] | a group of people who share a location or interests | The local community strongly supports this change. |
| stadium | Noun [B2] | a large sports venue with seating for spectators | The stadium was packed with over 90,000 passionate fans. |
| derby | Noun [C1] | a match between two teams from the same city or area | A Manchester derby is one of the most watched fixtures in football. |
| atmosphere | Noun [B2] | the feeling or mood in a place or situation | The atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electric. |
| dynamic | Adjective [B2] | characterised by constant change, activity and progress | It was a dynamic and fast-paced match from the first whistle. |
| dramatic | Adjective [B2] | exciting and impressive; full of tension | The dramatic finale had everyone on the edge of their seats. |
| regular time | Noun phrase [B2] | the standard duration of a match, before extra time | The score was level after regular time, so it went to extra time. |
| on penalties | Phrase [B2] | decided by a penalty shootout after a draw | After a 1-1 draw, City won 4-3 on penalties. |
| penalty shootout | Noun phrase [B2] | a way of deciding a tied match by each team taking turns to kick | The match was decided by a nail-biting penalty shootout. |
| nervous | Adjective [B2] | feeling anxious or worried about something | We were all incredibly nervous waiting behind the door. |
| passion | Noun [B2] | intense enthusiasm or excitement about something | The passion of the fans was incredible from start to finish. |
| tension | Noun [B2] | a feeling of nervousness or excitement | The tension in the stadium was almost unbearable. |
| energy of the crowd | Noun phrase [B2] | the collective excitement and enthusiasm of spectators | The energy of the crowd lifted the players in the second half. |
| fan | Noun [B2] | an enthusiastic admirer of a person, team or sport | As a lifelong fan, attending the match was a dream come true. |
| dreamland | Noun [C1] | an ideal or wonderful place | For any football fan, Wembley is an absolute dreamland. |
| unforgettable | Adjective [B2] | so special it cannot be forgotten | The look on her face made it a truly unforgettable moment. |
| leave an impression | Phrase [C1] | to have a lasting effect on someone’s memory | The experience left a lasting impression on me. |
Sample Answer 2
I’m going to talk about one of the most exciting football matches I have ever watched. It happened several years ago when I traveled to Germany with my best friend.
We stayed there for around a week and the whole trip was a blast. And this match was absolutely the highlight of our trip. Before we left for Germany, we already found out that it was pretty hard to get tickets. So we decided to pay a bit extra to buy tickets in advance. It was quite expensive, but it was totally worth it.
I had already watched plenty of football matches on TV, but nothing compared with watching my life. I mean, the atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely electric. Everyone was cheering and eagerly waiting for the match to begin. To be honest, I wasn’t a supporter of either team, but excitement was so contagious that I just couldn’t help cheering along with everyone else.
At one point, I realized I was celebrating with people sitting around me. We were complete strangers and we didn’t even speak the same language, yet none of that seemed to matter. For those 90 minutes, it felt like we were on the same team. I think that’s the magic of football. The match stood very close most of the time, but in the final few minutes, one team suddenly scored two goals and the whole stadium just exploded with excitement. But what I liked most wasn’t which team won the game.
It was the atmosphere and the fact that nobody knew the result until the very last minute. That’s exactly what made the match so thrilling and unforgettable.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a blast | C1 | Noun (informal) | A very enjoyable, fun experience. | The whole trip was an absolute blast. |
| the highlight (of something) | C1 | Noun phrase | The best or most memorable part of an experience. | The match was easily the highlight of our trip. |
| buy (tickets) in advance | B2 | Verb phrase | To purchase something ahead of time, before it is needed. | We decided to buy the tickets in advance to be safe. |
| totally worth it | B2 | Fixed phrase | Fully justified despite the cost or effort involved. | It was expensive, but it was totally worth it. |
| nothing compares with (something) | C1 | Fixed phrase | Nothing else is as good as a particular thing. | Nothing compares with watching a match live. |
| the atmosphere was electric | C2 | Collocation | The mood was full of excitement and energy. | The atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely electric. |
| cheer (someone) on | B2 | Phrasal verb | To shout encouragement to support a team or player. | Everyone was cheering the players on from the stands. |
| contagious | C1 | Adjective | (Of a feeling) spreading quickly from person to person. | The excitement was so contagious I joined in straight away. |
| can’t help (doing something) | C1 | Fixed phrase | To be unable to stop yourself from doing something. | I just couldn’t help cheering along with everyone else. |
| complete strangers | B2 | Noun phrase | People you have never met and don’t know at all. | We were complete strangers, but it didn’t matter at all. |
| neck and neck | C2 | Idiom | So close in a contest that neither side is clearly winning. | The two teams were neck and neck for most of the game. |
| explode with excitement | C1 | Verb phrase | To suddenly show a huge burst of excitement. | The whole stadium exploded with excitement after the goal. |
| thrilling | C1 | Adjective | Extremely exciting and full of suspense. | The uncertainty is what made the match so thrilling. |
| unforgettable | C1 | Adjective | So special or striking that you will never forget it. | It was a truly unforgettable experience. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: An exciting football match
Part 3
1. Why do some people like to watch sports events?
In my opinion, people are hooked on watching sports because it really gives some excitement and drama. Say, you never know what’s going to happen next or who’s going to win until the final whistle. That uncertainty keeps you on the edge of your seat. Moreover, sports create a sense of belonging and you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself, especially when watching a favorite team or athlete. It becomes a kind of ritual. You wear their jersey, celebrate with them when they win and suffer with them when they lose. That’s why people find it hard to miss a single moment of the journey. Competitive sports never fail to move us and that’s probably the deepest reason why people keep coming back to watch.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| be hooked on (something) | C1 | Adjective phrase (informal) | To enjoy something so much that you can’t stop doing it. | People get hooked on sport for the excitement and drama. |
| excitement and drama | B2 | Noun phrase | A mix of thrill and emotional, unpredictable events. | Sport gives you a real sense of excitement and drama. |
| the final whistle | C1 | Noun phrase | The signal marking the end of a match. | You never know who’ll win until the final whistle. |
| uncertainty | C1 | Noun | The state of not knowing what will happen. | That uncertainty is exactly what keeps people watching. |
| on the edge of your seat | C2 | Idiom | Very excited and nervous about what will happen next. | A close game keeps you on the edge of your seat. |
| a sense of belonging | C1 | Noun phrase | The feeling of being accepted as part of a group. | Sport creates a powerful sense of belonging. |
| part of something bigger than yourself | C2 | Fixed phrase | Connected to a cause or community greater than the individual. | You feel like part of something bigger than yourself. |
| a ritual | C1 | Noun | A set of actions performed regularly in the same way. | For many fans, match day becomes a kind of ritual. |
| wear their jersey | B2 | Verb phrase | To wear a team’s shirt to show support. | Supporters wear their jersey with real pride. |
| never fail to (do something) | C1 | Fixed phrase | To always succeed in doing something without exception. | Competitive sport never fails to move us. |
| move (someone) | C1 | Verb | To cause someone to feel strong emotion. | A great comeback can really move you. |
| keep coming back | B2 | Verb phrase | To return again and again to something you enjoy. | That emotional pull is why people keep coming back. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Why people watch sports
2. Where do people normally watch sports events?
I think there are two main places where people usually watch sports events. The first one is that people watch sports events at home, on TV, or online. This kind of place is usually more comfortable and convenient. People can just sit on the sofa and enjoy some snacks and drinks. They don’t have to carry out other audience and they can just enjoy the moment by themselves. Even for some real sports fans, I think they prefer to watch the sports events live in the venue because the atmosphere is just better. For example, when we watch a football match in the stadium, we can feel the strong passion more directly and we will have a chance to share with other fans. This will bring us an extraordinary experience that we can never forget.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| comfortable and convenient | B2 | Adjective phrase | Both relaxing and easy or practical to do. | Watching at home is usually more comfortable and convenient. |
| enjoy the moment | B2 | Verb phrase | To appreciate and make the most of the present experience. | You can just relax on the sofa and enjoy the moment. |
| sports fans | B2 | Noun phrase | People who are very enthusiastic about sport. | Real sports fans often want to be there in person. |
| watch (something) live | B2 | Verb phrase | To see an event as it actually happens, in real time. | Some prefer to watch the match live in the venue. |
| the venue | C1 | Noun | The place where an event is held. | The atmosphere is simply better at the venue itself. |
| the atmosphere | B2 | Noun | The mood or feeling of a place or event. | Nothing matches the atmosphere inside a packed stadium. |
| feel the passion | C1 | Verb phrase | To strongly sense the intense emotion around you. | In the stadium you feel the passion far more directly. |
| share (an experience) with (others) | B2 | Verb phrase | To go through an experience together with other people. | You get to share the excitement with other fans. |
| an extraordinary experience | C1 | Noun phrase | A remarkable experience that is far beyond the ordinary. | It gives you an extraordinary experience you never forget. |
| unforgettable | C1 | Adjective | So striking or special that you can never forget it. | Being there in person is truly unforgettable. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Where people watch sports
3. What are the advantages of watching sports events online?
I think there are several advantages I can think of. To name a few, it is firstly, very convenient. People can just watch games at home or on their way to work, as long as there is an internet connection. So they don’t have to be limited by time or space, they can just take out their phones and enjoy a few moments of excitement. And what is more, I think watching sports events online has another advantage of being cheaper than going to the stadium. Because people don’t need to buy the expensive tickets, and they don’t even need to pay for transportation. They only need to pay for the Wi-Fi or online TV programs, and they can just watch the match with the clearest image and the best sound effects.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| to name a few | C1 | Fixed phrase | Used to give a small number of examples from a larger set. | There are several advantages — to name a few, it’s cheap and easy. |
| convenient | B2 | Adjective | Easy to do or use because it saves time or effort. | The biggest advantage is that it’s incredibly convenient. |
| an internet connection | B2 | Noun phrase | A link that lets a device access the internet. | You can watch anywhere, as long as there’s an internet connection. |
| on your way to work | B2 | Fixed phrase | While travelling towards your workplace. | People even watch games on their way to work. |
| be limited by time or space | C1 | Verb phrase | To be restricted by when or where you can do something. | You’re no longer limited by time or space. |
| what is more | C1 | Discourse marker | Used to add a further, often stronger, point. | What is more, streaming is cheaper than going to the stadium. |
| pay for transportation | B2 | Verb phrase | To spend money on getting from one place to another. | You don’t even need to pay for transportation. |
| expensive tickets | B2 | Noun phrase | Tickets that cost a lot of money. | There’s no need to buy expensive tickets to the game. |
| a crystal-clear image | C1 | Noun phrase | A picture that is extremely sharp and easy to see. | You still get a crystal-clear image on your screen. |
| sound effects | B2 | Noun phrase | The sounds produced to accompany what you watch. | The best streams come with great sound effects too. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Advantages of watching sports online
4. What sports matches are suitable for children to attend?
In my mind, I think there are many kinds of sports that children are loving right now, but the most suitable ones are still go with football and basketball. For the reasons, I think the first reason is that they’re easy to understand. The children can understand how the game works and pick up some basic moves very quickly, even on the first day. And with the strong influence of the media, they can watch a lot of football stars and NBA celebrities. And then, they’ll even develop a deeper interest by themselves. What is more, I think another reason why these two sports should be chosen is that they require teamwork. For children, team sports are usually more interesting than solo sports. They need to interact and communicate with both their teammates and their rivals, and they can get so much fun in playing these sports. In this case, it would be beneficial for them to keep these sports as a long hobby, and then develop the habit of exercise.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| suitable (for someone) | B2 | Adjective | Right or appropriate for a particular person or purpose. | Football and basketball are the most suitable sports for kids. |
| easy to understand | B2 | Adjective phrase | Simple to grasp or make sense of. | The rules are easy to understand, even for beginners. |
| pick up (basic moves) | C1 | Phrasal verb | To learn a skill casually and quickly. | Children can pick up the basic moves on the very first day. |
| the influence of the media | C1 | Noun phrase | The effect that TV, the internet, and news have on people. | With the strong influence of the media, kids know the stars. |
| develop a deeper interest | C1 | Verb phrase | To grow a stronger, more serious liking for something. | They gradually develop a deeper interest all by themselves. |
| require teamwork | B2 | Verb phrase | To need people to work together cooperatively. | Both sports require teamwork to play well. |
| team sports vs solo sports | C1 | Noun phrase | Sports played in groups versus sports played alone. | Team sports are often more fun for kids than solo sports. |
| interact and communicate | C1 | Verb phrase | To engage and exchange information with other people. | They learn to interact and communicate with teammates. |
| teammates and rivals | C1 | Noun phrase | The people on your own side and those you compete against. | Kids deal with both teammates and rivals on the pitch. |
| develop the habit of exercise | C1 | Verb phrase | To build a regular routine of physical activity. | It helps them develop the habit of exercise for life. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Best sports for children
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