Describe a crowded place you have been to

In IELTS Speaking Part 2 you get this card, one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. Below: the notes a strong candidate might make in that minute, a natural Band 7–8 answer, the words that make it work, and the Part 3 discussion the examiner usually moves on to.

The cue card

One-minute notes

Notes in the preparation minute should be keywords, not sentences — one line per bullet, plus the one detail that makes your story yours. Something like:

• New Year's Eve in the main square
• two years ago, with three friends
• fireworks + free concert = ~100,000 people
• couldn't move, lost a friend for an hour
• enjoyed the atmosphere, not the crush; wouldn't go again

Band 7–8 sample answer

The most crowded place I've ever been to was the main square of my city on New Year's Eve, two years ago. I went with three friends who convinced me it would be an unforgettable night — and to be fair, it was, though not entirely in the way they meant.

Every year the city puts on a big fireworks display at midnight, and that year there was also a free concert by a well-known band beforehand. Apparently around a hundred thousand people turned up, which is far more than the square was designed for. We arrived at about ten, thinking that was early, and the streets leading to the square were already completely packed.

The first hour was fun. People were singing along, strangers were sharing drinks and food, and the atmosphere was very friendly. But as it got closer to midnight, it became almost impossible to move. At one point the crowd pushed forward and my friends and I got separated. My phone had no signal because everyone was trying to use theirs at the same time, so it took us almost an hour to find each other again.

So did I enjoy it? Partly. The atmosphere when the fireworks started was amazing — everyone cheering at the same moment is quite a powerful feeling. But I didn't enjoy being squashed for hours or the anxiety of losing my friends. These days I prefer watching the fireworks from a friend's balcony, which is less exciting but a lot more comfortable.

About 252 words — roughly two minutes at a relaxed pace. Notice what it does: one specific story instead of general statements, every bullet covered, natural spoken linking rather than "firstly… secondly…", and the "why" part of the card answered properly at the end — that is where many candidates run out of things to say. Use it to see the structure; don't memorise it. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and your own story will always sound more fluent.

Useful vocabulary

• packed — extremely full of people
• turn up — to arrive or appear
• get separated — to lose contact with people you were with
• be squashed — to be pressed tightly by people around you
• a sea of people — a very large crowd
• claustrophobic — feeling anxious in small or crowded spaces

Part 3: questions and model answers

After your two minutes, the examiner moves to a discussion linked to the card's topic. These questions are more abstract: give an opinion, a reason and an example, and it's fine to say "it depends" — as long as you explain on what.

Why do some people enjoy crowded places?

Crowds create energy. At a concert or a football match, being surrounded by thousands of people feeling the same thing is part of the experience. Some people also simply like being around others — busy streets feel safe and alive to them, while quiet places feel lonely.

How can cities reduce overcrowding?

Better public transport is the most important step, so fewer people drive into the centre. Spreading attractions and offices across different districts also helps, rather than concentrating everything in one area. Some cities have had success with flexible working hours, which reduce the rush-hour peak.

Is public transport the answer to traffic problems?

It's a big part of the answer, but not the whole answer. If public transport is cheap, frequent and reliable, many people will leave their cars at home. But cities also need to make walking and cycling safer and plan housing near workplaces, so people don't need to travel so far.

Will people live in more crowded cities in the future?

Probably, since more of the world's population is moving into cities every year. The question is whether cities will build upwards and plan well, or spread out chaotically. Well-planned dense cities can actually be very pleasant to live in; badly planned ones are just crowded.

More cue cards about places

• Describe a place where you like to relax
• Describe a city you would like to visit
• Describe a natural place you have visited
• Describe a building you find interesting
• Describe a place in your town or city that has changed
• Describe a café or restaurant you often go to

→ All 45 IELTS cue cards · Random cue card generator with a timer · IELTS Speaking mock test