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 crowded place in your country that you have visited.
You should say:
- where it is
- when you went there
- with whom you went there
and explain how you felt about being there.
[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:
No matter how much we dislike going to crowded places, the necessity of life actually compels us to do so. And it was out of this very necessity of life, I also had to visit a crowded place in my city – I mean, really crowded – and today, I would like to share that story with you.
This crowded place was one of the most popular shopping malls in my country. Being located in one of the most populous metropolises of my country, it naturally attracts a huge number of people from the city itself regularly. However, it becomes even more crowded when a very significant number of people flock to this place from other cities nearby, especially during the weekend.
And it was during a weekend when I visited this place with a couple of friends in order to buy a special birthday gift for a very close friend of ours. By the way, we had already visited a few other shopping malls to buy a perfect gift for our friend, but unfortunately, we couldn’t really find anything of our liking, and hence, we visited the crowded shopping mall anyway.
After arriving at the shopping mall, we noticed that all the entrances were packed with visitors, so we literally had to push people to make our way into the mall. There were so many shops in the mall, and yet, they were filled with hundreds of customers at once as if the products were going out of style. Besides, the noise was so deafening there that we (my friends and I) actually had to shout at each other to communicate, even though we were probably only a couple of feet away from each other.
Anyway, after visiting that crowded place, my first impression was that I wanted to get out of it as soon as possible. I was also under the impression that some people visited that crowded place just to spend some of their lazy time, which shouldn’t have happened. However, I also felt happy and relieved, knowing that we at least found what we were looking to buy for our birthday boy.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic, and also thanks for giving me the time to talk about it. Well, one crowded place that I’ve visited in my country that I still remember very clearly is New Market in Dhaka, which is always packed with people and full of energy.
Where it is:
New Market is located in the central part of Dhaka, and it’s one of the oldest and most popular shopping areas in the city. People go there to buy almost everything – clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, books, and even snacks. The place looks like a maze of narrow lanes, small shops, and busy corners where you constantly hear bargaining and shopkeepers calling out to customers.
When you went there:
I went there a few months ago, just before the festival season, when everyone seemed to be shopping at the same time. I chose that time because I needed to buy a few outfits and some gifts for my family, so I thought I could finish everything in one trip.
With whom you went there:
I went there with one of my close friends. Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t go alone, because having someone with you makes the whole experience easier.
And explain how you felt about being there:
To be honest, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I enjoyed the lively atmosphere because the place feels so full of life. I liked seeing the variety of products and watching people negotiate prices confidently. But at the same time, the crowd made me feel exhausted. People pushed past each other constantly, and sometimes I had to walk very carefully so I didn’t get separated from my friend. The noise also felt overwhelming after a while. In the end, I felt satisfied because I bought what I needed, but I also felt relieved when I finally stepped out of the market and got some fresh air.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you a lot for the great topic that will allow me to share one of my experiences of visiting a crowded place. Well, a crowded place that I’ve visited and will probably never forget is Chinatown in Manhattan, New York City. It’s one of the busiest and most lively areas in the city, and whenever you go there, it feels like the streets are always full of people.
I went there a couple of months ago, and honestly, that visit felt more crowded than usual. The reason I went was quite special because it was my Chinese friend’s birthday, and she had invited us over to celebrate with her. I had been to Chinatown before, so I thought I knew what to expect, but this time it was on a completely different level. The streets were packed with locals, tourists, shoppers, and people eating street food, and it almost felt like the place never took a break.
I didn’t go alone. I went with a few of my friends, including Jim, Silvia, Blake, David, and Rocky, and we were all excited because it was our first time attending a birthday celebration at a Chinese friend’s home. On the way, we actually struggled a bit to find the exact location. Chinatown has so many similar-looking streets, signs, and buildings that it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the area.
As for how I felt, I’d say I had mixed emotions at the beginning. The crowd was intense, and the noise, the movement, and the fast pace made me feel slightly overwhelmed. At the same time, it was exciting because the atmosphere was so energetic. Everywhere I looked, there were bright shop signs, street vendors, families walking together, and the smell of delicious food floating through the air. Once we reached our friend’s home and settled in, I felt much more relaxed. The party was warm and welcoming, and the whole experience felt meaningful.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Topic:
This topic asks you to describe a crowded place in your country that you have visited. You should explain where the place is, when you went there, who you went with, and how you felt while being there. To make your answer more impressive, describe the atmosphere, the noise, the movement of people, and your emotions, such as excitement, stress, or curiosity. Here are a few ideas you can use to expand your own response:
1. A busy shopping mall in the city centre:
The crowded place I visited was a popular shopping mall in the middle of my city, where you can barely walk comfortably during peak hours. I went there last month on a weekend evening because I needed to buy a few things and also wanted to enjoy some snacks. I went with my younger sibling, and we mostly stayed around the food court and clothing stores. I felt excited at first because the place looked lively, but after some time, I felt a bit tired due to the noise and constant crowds.
2. A traditional street market:
The crowded place I visited was a traditional street market in my town, which is always full of shoppers and vendors shouting prices. I went there just a few weeks ago, before a festival, to buy clothes and household items. I went with my mother because she knows how to bargain and choose the best products. I felt overwhelmed by the rush and the narrow pathways, but at the same time, I enjoyed the colourful atmosphere and the feeling of real local life.
3. A famous food street:
The crowded place I visited was a well-known food street in my country, filled with small restaurants and snack stalls. I went there last winter with a group of friends after exams because we wanted to relax and try different foods. We tasted street snacks, took photos and walked slowly through the crowd. I felt really happy because the energy was fun and social, although the long waiting lines made me slightly impatient.
4. A popular tourist attraction:
The crowded place I visited was a major tourist spot in my country that attracts thousands of visitors every day. I went there during a public holiday last year, so it was packed with both local tourists and visitors from other regions. I went with my cousins, and we spent hours exploring and taking pictures. I felt amazed by the beauty of the place, but the crowd sometimes made it difficult to enjoy the scenery peacefully.
5. A big city railway station:
The crowded place I visited was the main railway station in my city, where you constantly see people rushing with luggage. I went there a few months ago when I was travelling to another district for a family event. I went with my father, and we had to move carefully through the crowd to reach our platform. I felt nervous at first because of the chaos, but I also felt impressed by how active and fast-moving the place was.
6. A sports stadium during a match:
The crowded place I visited was a sports stadium during a national match, and the crowd was huge and loud. I went there last year in the evening when a major game was happening. I went with my best friend, and we sat among thousands of fans cheering nonstop. I felt thrilled and energetic because the atmosphere was electric, but I also felt exhausted afterwards due to the noise and excitement.
7. A religious festival gathering:
The crowded place I visited was a large religious gathering in my country, where thousands of people came together for prayers and celebrations. I went there a few months ago with my family because it is a tradition for us. We walked through the crowd, listened to speeches and participated in rituals. I felt peaceful inside, but physically it was tiring because the crowd was so dense and moving slowly.
8. A book fair or cultural festival:
The crowded place I visited was a well-known book fair, which becomes extremely packed in the evening. I went there last year during the winter season with a friend who loves reading like me. We explored different stalls, bought books and enjoyed cultural performances. I felt excited and inspired because the crowd was full of enthusiastic people, although I sometimes struggled to breathe comfortably in such a tight space.
9. A busy beach during holidays:
The crowded place I visited was a popular beach in my country during the holiday season. I went there last summer with my family, and the place was filled with tourists, food sellers and children playing. We walked along the shoreline, took photos and enjoyed coconut water. I felt relaxed and cheerful, but I also wished there were fewer people so I could enjoy the sea view more peacefully.
10. A government office or service centre:
The crowded place I visited was a government service centre where people go for documents and official work. I went there earlier this year because I needed to submit some paperwork. I went with my uncle, who helped me understand the process. I felt frustrated because of the long queues and slow service, but I also felt relieved when my work was finally completed.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a crowded place, using some specific vocabulary can effectively communicate the atmosphere, the density of the people, and your personal emotional response to the environment. Whether the crowd felt energetic and vibrant or overwhelming and suffocating, these words will help you paint a vivid picture for the examiner. Here are some relevant words and phrases for you to use in your answer:
Bustling: Full of energetic and noisy activity.
Example: The market was a bustling hub of activity with vendors shouting and customers haggling.
Hustle and bustle: A large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy environment.
Example: I love the hustle and bustle of the city centre during the holiday season.
Shoulder to shoulder: Standing or moving very close together.
Example: We were standing shoulder to shoulder in the stadium, waiting for the concert to begin.
Congested: So crowded with traffic or people as to hinder or prevent freedom of movement.
Example: The narrow streets became heavily congested during the afternoon rush hour.
Packed: Extremely full of people.
Example: The train was so packed that I could barely find a place to stand.
Sea of people: A huge number of people gathered together.
Example: Looking down from the balcony, all I could see was a vast sea of people.
Vibrant: Full of energy and life.
Example: Despite the crowds, the atmosphere was incredibly vibrant and festive.
Overwhelming: Very great in amount; can feel like too much to handle.
Example: The sheer number of people was overwhelming for someone who prefers quiet places.
Claustrophobic: Inducing a fear of being in closed or small spaces; feeling trapped.
Example: The underground station felt a bit claustrophobic when the crowds started to surge.
Lively: Full of life and energy; active and outgoing.
Example: It is a lively spot where locals and tourists gather to enjoy the street performances.
Swarm: To move in large numbers.
Example: Fans began to swarm the entrance of the hotel, hoping to see the celebrity.
Pulse: The rhythmic flow or energy of a place.
Example: You can really feel the pulse of the city when you walk through the main square.
Commotion: A state of confused and noisy disturbance.
Example: There was quite a commotion near the fountain where a parade was starting.
Dense: Closely compacted in substance; crowded close together.
Example: The crowd was so dense that it took us twenty minutes just to move one block.
Suffocating: Feeling like one cannot breathe easily due to heat or a lack of space.
Example: On a hot day, the indoor mall can feel a bit suffocating when it’s that busy.
Teeming: To be full of or swarming with.
Example: The beach was teeming with families enjoying the summer sun.
Your preparation for this topic will help you talk about the following cue card/ candidate task card topics as well:
1. Describe a place you have recently been to.
2. Describe a place you visited and did not like.
3. Describe a place where a lot of people gather.
4. Describe a crowded place you know about.
5. Describe a place you have been to which was full of noise.
6. Describe a part of the city which has changed greatly.
7. Describe a crowded place you have once visited.