Cue Card

Describe an occasion when many people were smiling

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who you were with
• What happened
• And explain why most people were smiling.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do you think people who like to smile are more friendly?
2. Why do most people smile in photographs?
3. Do women smile more than men? Why?
4. Do people smile more when they are younger or older?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was at a music festival last summer, and it was one of those days where everything just clicked. The sun was shining, the music was pumping, and the crowd was electric. I was dancing with my friends, and we were all grinning from ear to ear. But what really caught my attention was the sea of smiles around us. Everyone was having the time of their lives, laughing, singing along, and just letting loose. It was infectious – you couldn't help but smile when you saw how happy everyone else was.

At one point, the lead singer of the band started telling a story about how they wrote their hit song, and it was this hilarious, relatable tale that had the whole crowd in stitches. People were wiping away tears, holding their bellies, and just generally having a blast. I looked around and saw a group of strangers high-fiving each other, a couple sharing a kiss, and a group of friends taking a selfie with huge grins on their faces. It was one of those moments where you felt like you were part of something bigger than yourself.

What struck me most, though, was the diversity of the crowd. There were people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, all united by their love of music and good vibes. It was a powerful reminder that, despite our differences, we can come together and find common ground. And in that moment, it felt like nothing could bring us down. We were all just one big, happy, smiling family.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

clicking

when everything is going well and people are getting along

The party was really clicking, and everyone was having a great time.

infectious

something that is catchy or spreads easily, often referring to emotions or behaviors

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and soon everyone was excited about the project.

letting loose

to relax and have fun, often in a wild or uninhibited way

After a long week, we let loose and had a blast at the party.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do you think people who like to smile are more friendly? I think people who like to smile are more friendly because when someone smiles, it sends a signal that they're approachable and open to social interactions. When we see someone smiling, our brains automatically associate it with positive emotions, and we're more likely to feel comfortable around them. Smiling is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, and it has a way of breaking the ice and creating a sense of rapport. People who smile often tend to be more outgoing and confident, which makes them more likely to engage with others and build meaningful relationships. Plus, smiling is contagious, so when someone smiles at us, we're more likely to smile back and feel a sense of connection with them.

Why do most people smile in photographs? Most people smile in photographs because it's a way to show happiness and confidence in a frozen moment. When we're taking a photo, we want to capture a moment that will be remembered for years to come, and a smile is a way to convey that we're happy and carefree. Plus, smiling in photos is a social norm – it's what we're used to seeing in pictures, and it's what we expect from ourselves and others. When we smile in a photo, we're sending a message that we're approachable, friendly, and confident, which is especially important in today's digital age where our online presence is just as important as our offline one.

Do women smile more than men? Why? Research suggests that women do smile more than men, and there are a few reasons for this. One reason is that women are often socialized to be more emotionally expressive, and smiling is a way to show emotions like happiness and friendliness. Women may also feel more pressure to conform to traditional feminine norms, which emphasize being nurturing and approachable – smiling is a way to show these qualities. Additionally, women may use smiling as a way to diffuse tension or show empathy in social situations, which can be especially important in male-dominated fields. Of course, these are general trends, and there's a lot of individual variation – but overall, women may smile more than men due to a combination of social and cultural factors.

Do people smile more when they are younger or older? I think people tend to smile more when they're younger, and there are a few reasons for this. When we're young, we're often more carefree and less worried about the stresses of adult life, which means we're more likely to smile and enjoy ourselves. Young people also tend to be more social, which means they're more likely to be around others who are smiling and laughing, and to pick up on those cues themselves. As we get older, life can get more complicated, and we may have more reasons to frown – but that doesn't mean older people don't smile at all! Many older adults find joy in their grandchildren, hobbies, or personal achievements, and they may smile just as much as younger people in those contexts. However, on average, I think younger people tend to smile more due to their social and emotional circumstances.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

break the ice

to do or say something that helps people relax and feel more comfortable in a social situation

Smiling is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, and it has a way of breaking the ice and creating a sense of rapport.

frozen moment

a moment that is captured in a photograph or other image

When we're taking a photo, we want to capture a moment that will be remembered for years to come, and a smile is a way to convey that we're happy and carefree.

social norm

a standard or expectation of behavior in a particular social context

Smiling in photos is a social norm – it's what we're used to seeing in pictures, and it's what we expect from ourselves and others.

diffuse tension

to reduce or eliminate tension or stress in a situation

Women may use smiling as a way to diffuse tension or show empathy in social situations, which can be especially important in male-dominated fields.

pick up on

to notice or become aware of something

Young people also tend to be more social, which means they're more likely to be around others who are smiling and laughing, and to pick up on those cues themselves.