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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]

Describe a noisy place you have been to.

You should say:

• where it was
• why you went there
• why it was noisy

and explain how you felt about being there.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:

Where I live in my country, dealing with noise is a daily thing, simply because I live in a rather densely populated country. Of course, some places can be noisier than others, and today, I would like to talk about one of those noisy places that I visited in the past.

The noisy place I am talking about is a “rail station”. But, it was not just like any other rail station as it was the biggest one in my country.  In fact, the station could hold about 30 trains at any given time, and it was very easy for a person to make a mistake with his or her train if he or she didn’t know the proper platform number for his/her train.

By the way, the station was also used to connect with the rest of the country. Anyway, I had visited the same rail station, full of noise, a number of times in the past, but when I visited it about a few years ago in order to pick up one of my friends from another town, the noise was even more deafening, probably because there were some major schedule debacles.  

Of course, the rail station was already noisy enough with thousands of passengers, either arriving at the station or departing from it. On top of that, there were also the sounds of the moving trains - which were either arriving at the station or departing from it - to make the noise situation even worse. Then, there were also the sounds of the conversation of thousands of passengers along with the sounds of their luggage-carrying trolleys.   

After arriving at the station, I felt like I was about to lose my hearing and ears. At some point, I even felt like shouting to the people at the rail station and asking them to stop talking just for a minute, but I knew very well that it was not going to work because waving goodbye to their loved ones or meeting them with joy and happiness was more important to them than paying attention to me!

Sample Answer 2:

Thank you for this interesting topic. Well, the noisy place I’m going to talk about is a traditional street market I visited last year during a holiday trip. It was located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. I believe it was called Chatuchak Market, one of the largest and busiest markets I’ve ever seen in my life.

I went there with a couple of friends during our week-long vacation. We had heard so much about the market - from cheap souvenirs and handmade crafts to exotic street food and vintage clothing - so naturally, we were curious and excited to explore it.

The moment we entered the market, the noise hit us like a wave. It was absolutely packed with both locals and tourists. Street vendors were shouting out prices, promoting their products, and calling customers over to their stalls. The sound of cooking mixed with loud music coming from portable speakers. And of course, there were customers bargaining, children laughing or crying, and even a few performers with musical instruments on the street corners. It felt like every sound imaginable was happening all at once.

Honestly, at first, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the chaos. I’m not used to that level of noise, especially in such a crowded place. But after a while, I started to enjoy the atmosphere. It had its own energy, a kind of organised chaos that gave the market its charm. It was lively, colourful, and full of character. The food was delicious, the people were friendly, and the shopping experience was fun despite the noise. So, even though it was noisy, I’d say it was a positive experience.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe a place that was noisy. You should talk about where this place was, what made you go there, what caused the noise, and how you felt about being in such a loud environment. Below are some detailed ideas that can help you develop a full response:

1. A construction site near my house:
There was a construction site just a few blocks away from my home where a multi-storey building was being constructed. I had to pass by it regularly on my way to school. The sound of heavy machinery, hammering, drilling, and vehicles moving in and out created a constant roar throughout the day. I often found it overwhelming, especially when I had to walk by early in the morning. Although I understood the necessity of the project, I found the noise exhausting and stressful.

2. A crowded market on the weekend:
I visited a local market to buy groceries and household items. It was the weekend, so the place was filled with people, vendors shouting, children crying, and music playing from nearby stalls. The chaos and constant chatter made it very difficult to focus or even hear my own thoughts. Despite the noise, I managed to complete my shopping. I felt a bit drained but also appreciated the lively energy of the place in hindsight.

3. A festival celebration in my neighbourhood:
During a cultural festival in my area, there was a street procession with loudspeakers, drums, and cheering crowds. I went there to enjoy the decorations and performances. While the festive mood was exciting, the loud music and continuous announcements through the microphones made it nearly impossible to have a conversation. I enjoyed the event but had to leave earlier than planned because the noise gave me a mild headache.

4. A busy train station during rush hour:
I had to catch a train from a major station during peak hours. The platform was crowded, and there were constant announcements over the loudspeaker, train horns, and people talking loudly or calling on their phones. The atmosphere felt chaotic and disorienting. Though I was eager to reach my destination, I couldn’t wait to board the train and escape the noise. The experience made me appreciate quieter travel options.

5. A traffic jam in the city centre:
I was stuck in a massive traffic jam while riding in a car through the city. Drivers kept honking nonstop, motorbikes were weaving through tight spaces, and construction nearby added to the noise. The horns and shouting created a stressful environment. I had to wait for nearly an hour to get through just a short stretch of road. I felt frustrated and helpless, wishing there were better traffic management systems in place.

6. A music concert at an open ground:
I went to an outdoor music concert with a group of friends. The large speakers and enthusiastic crowd created an electrifying but very loud atmosphere. While the music was thrilling at first, after a while, I could feel the noise taking a toll on my ears. I enjoyed the performance overall but had to step away a few times to give my ears a break. I realised how important sound control is in large events.

7. An airport terminal during peak travel time:
I had to spend several hours at an airport while waiting for a delayed flight. It was peak season, so the terminal was packed with passengers, announcements, children crying, and luggage carts rattling. The overlapping sounds made it very difficult to relax or concentrate on anything. I tried reading a book but couldn’t focus. I felt mentally tired and hoped for a quieter lounge to rest in until boarding time.

8. A school playground during lunch break:
One afternoon, I had to supervise younger students during their lunch break as part of a school event. The playground was filled with shouting, laughing, running, and constant commotion. It was a joyful kind of noise, but after 30 minutes, I started to feel a little overwhelmed. It made me appreciate how patient teachers and staff need to be to work in such an energetic setting every day.

9. A political rally in my area:
A large political rally was held in a nearby stadium, and I attended out of curiosity. The crowd was massive, and loudspeakers were used to broadcast speeches, slogans, and music. Supporters were waving flags and chanting, creating a deafening atmosphere. Although it was interesting to witness the energy and passion, I found the noise excessive. I left after a short while because I couldn’t handle the volume any longer.

10. A sports stadium during a football match:
I went to watch a football match in a packed stadium. Fans were shouting, cheering, and blowing horns throughout the game. The excitement was contagious, but the noise level was intense, especially when a team scored a goal. I enjoyed the match a lot but left with a hoarse voice and ringing ears. It was thrilling but not something I’d want to experience too often.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a noisy place you have been to, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey its location, your reason for visiting, the source of the noise, and your emotional response to the environment. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the sensory experience and your feelings, making your response both vivid and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Noisy: – Making or given to making a lot of noise.
Example: The market was an incredibly noisy place, filled with vendors and shoppers.

Deafening: – (Of a noise) so loud as to make it impossible to hear anything else.
Example: The sound of the machinery was absolutely deafening.

Raucous: – Making a disturbingly harsh and loud noise.
Example: The crowd's cheers created a raucous and energetic atmosphere.

Bustling: – Moving in an energetic or noisy manner; full of activity.
Example: The train station was a bustling hub of activity during rush hour.

Chaotic: – In a state of complete confusion and disorder.
Example: The chaotic environment of the construction site was very loud and disorganised.

Commotion: – A state of confused and noisy disturbance.
Example: A sudden commotion in the crowd drew everyone's attention.

Din: – A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
Example: The constant din of traffic was almost unbearable.

Unbearable: – Not able to be endured or tolerated.
Example: The noise from the concert was so loud it was nearly unbearable.

Sensory overload: – A condition where a person's senses are stimulated to an overwhelming degree.
Example: The combination of lights, music, and people led to a feeling of sensory overload.

Vibrations: – A person's emotional state or the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others.
Example: I could feel the vibrations from the loud music and bass drum through the floor.

Intense: – Of extreme force, degree, or strength.
Example: The noise level was intense, making it difficult to hold a conversation.

Overwhelmed: – Completely overcome or overpowered by an emotion or a feeling.
Example: I felt completely overwhelmed by the constant noise and activity.

Irritated: – Feeling or showing a slight anger; annoyed.
Example: The persistent honking of horns left me feeling very irritated.

Annoyed: – Slightly angry; irritated.
Example: I was quite annoyed by the loud chatter of the people around me.

Jumbled sounds: – A collection of disorganised or confused noises.
Example: The market was a jumble of sounds, with music and conversations all mixing together.

Drawn-out: – Lasting or seeming to last for a long time; prolonged.
Example: The noisy protest continued for a drawn-out period, making it impossible to work.

If you can talk about this cue card topic, you should be able to answer the following topics as well:

1. Describe a crowded place you have visited.
2. Describe a place where a lot of people gather.
3. Describe a place in your hometown.
4. Describe a place you have visited and did not like.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card

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