Describe a crowded place you went to.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

25 unique answers with expert feedback

You should say

When & why did you go there?

Who were you with?

How did you feel about the place?

Follow up questions

Based on user’s response

How did the crowd affect your experience in Goa?

Initially, the crowd was a bit disappointing, but we chose to focus on having fun. The lively atmosphere actually added to the excitement of our trip, making it more memorable.

What activities did you enjoy despite the crowd?

We enjoyed relaxing on the beach, watching the sunset, and exploring local markets. The vibrant energy of the crowd made the experience more dynamic and enjoyable.

Would you visit a crowded place like Goa again?

Absolutely! The crowd is part of the experience, and it brings a unique energy. I would love to return, especially to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the lively atmosphere.

Band 6-7

IELTS Learner

26 days ago

00:00

The crowded place which I am going to talk about is the church which is there in my hometown and I being a Catholic teacher, we have to do our duty during the Christmas time into the churches which are there in the school amenities and we have to perform our duties every year during the festive season of Christmas. So I have to go there to fulfill my duties and also I really enjoy being around Jesus and it's a very holy place for me although I being a Hindu but I don't believe in all these things. I believe that we should follow all the traditions and it's a very religious thing to follow all the customs of other religion as well. And I went there with my husband and son and of course because we were having our duties so my all colleagues and the staff members, all the office staff and the teaching staff, primary, seniors, everybody was there in the church. Some of them they were having their duties at the time and some have done their duties and they were enjoying themselves. After I have completed my duty, I went to the fair and I enjoyed in between so many Christians and see what their tradition is and I also found very pleased and it was a very happy moment for me. And whenever it's a festive time, we all should enjoy ourselves, leaving behind all our tensions and worries and we should encourage everyone to enjoy and to light up their mood and focus more on the future and to forget about the past. So I went to church.

Follow up questions

Based on user’s response

How do you feel about visiting places of different religions?

I believe visiting places of different religions is enriching. It allows us to understand diverse cultures and traditions. Even though I am a Hindu, I appreciate the values and customs of other religions, which fosters respect and harmony among different communities.

What are some other crowded places you enjoy visiting?

I enjoy visiting crowded markets and festivals. They are vibrant and full of life, offering a chance to experience local culture. Events like Diwali fairs or Christmas markets are particularly enjoyable, as they bring people together and create a festive atmosphere.

How do you think crowded places affect people's behavior?

Crowded places can influence behavior in various ways. Some people may feel energized and social, while others might feel overwhelmed or anxious. Generally, the festive spirit in crowded places like churches or fairs encourages positivity and community bonding.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

IELTS Learner

1 month 5 days ago

00:00

It was my recent trip with my college friends. I went to Kashi, it is a sacred place of Lord Kashi Vishwanath. It was very crowded. It seems very crowded every day in every season because of the heritage they have been maintaining over there. It is one of the, it is the place where everybody will have this in their wish list to visit. This is the place everybody will have in their wish list to visit.

Follow up questions

Based on user’s response

What do you think makes Kashi a popular destination for visitors?

Kashi is popular due to its rich cultural heritage, spiritual significance, and historical importance. Many people visit to seek blessings, experience the vibrant atmosphere, and explore the ancient architecture. The festivals and rituals also attract tourists, making it a must-visit place.

How do you feel about crowded places like Kashi?

I find crowded places like Kashi to be both exciting and overwhelming. The energy and vibrancy of the crowd can be exhilarating, but it can also be challenging to navigate through the throngs of people. However, the experience of being part of such a lively environment is often worth it.

Have you visited any other crowded places? How do they compare to Kashi?

Yes, I've visited places like Times Square in New York and the beaches in Goa. While they are also crowded, Kashi has a unique spiritual ambiance that sets it apart. The purpose of the crowd in Kashi is often more about devotion and culture, while other places may focus on entertainment and leisure.

Band 6-7

IELTS Learner

27 days ago

00:00

Recently I went to a Camden market in London. I actually went there on New Year. But later I realized I shouldn't have gone because there is enormous crowd over there and everyone is like chilling, enjoying, dancing on the floors. But we went there for shopping. There were many stores and shops but everything is everywhere is everywhere people only. There is an enormous crowd and further more I want to talk about the firework show. The firework show is impressive and I am planning to go there daily I mean every year. The main event over in the Camden market is the New Year event. As we know New Year is very special for everyone. There are many many special events conducted over there for the people that came from tourists. There is a tattoo center, there is a firework show, there is a dancing competition and we can have a lottery selection or many lottery shops. There is wandering, gaming zones, music shows, live bands, shopping, clubbing. There are many many many management skills and live music. We can enjoy everything over there and the main street is enormously crowded with so many tourists and local people. And I wish I would go there every year to enjoy my New Year and I am very happy I have been there.

Follow up questions

Based on user’s response

What do you think makes Camden Market a popular destination for tourists?

Camden Market is popular due to its vibrant atmosphere, diverse shops, and unique events like the New Year celebration. The combination of shopping, live music, and cultural experiences attracts both locals and tourists, making it a lively and exciting place to visit.

How do you feel about large crowds in public places?

I find large crowds to be both exciting and overwhelming. While the energy and atmosphere can be exhilarating, it can also be stressful to navigate through so many people. I enjoy the social aspect but prefer to visit during less crowded times for a more relaxed experience.

What other crowded places have you visited, and how do they compare?

I've visited places like Times Square in New York and the beaches in summer. Each has its own unique vibe; Times Square is more about the lights and energy, while beaches can feel more relaxed despite the crowd. Camden Market stands out for its eclectic mix of shopping and entertainment.

Band 6-7

IELTS Learner

26 days ago

00:00

The crowded place I have recently visited is Thirupathi Ezhumalai temple. So, this place was very famous in southern part of Tamil Nadu. And people are so fond to go to Thirupathi temple. So, I had visited many times Thirupathi temple. The last time when I went, it was so crowded. I went with my family and my mother. So, unfortunately what happened is, during the Balaji visit, we all had scattered and somehow we managed to find my husband and kids. But, so long I was not able to find my mother. So, it was around 4 hours from 8 am to 12 pm. I was searching her. Meantime, she was also looking for us. She went to the parking lot and she was checking the car whether we have reached the car. Again, she came back by boat to the temple and was searching us. So, we got very tired. I could not even get energy to search her again. I just waited and sat in a place where people were sitting near the pond. So, I asked my husband to go and announce in a mic

Follow up questions

Based on user’s response

How did you feel during the time you were separated from your mother?

I felt extremely anxious and worried. It was a stressful situation because I couldn't find her for hours. I kept thinking about her safety and whether she was okay. The crowd made it even more difficult to locate her, which added to my frustration and concern.

What do you think makes Thirupathi temple so popular among visitors?

Thirupathi temple is renowned for its religious significance and beautiful architecture. Many people believe that visiting the temple brings blessings and fulfills wishes. The spiritual atmosphere and the rituals performed there attract thousands of devotees, making it a vibrant and bustling place.

Have you ever experienced a similar situation in another crowded place?

Yes, I have faced similar situations in other crowded places, like festivals or concerts. Losing sight of family or friends in a large crowd can be quite overwhelming. It teaches you to stay close and have a plan in case you get separated, which is essential in such busy environments.

Show all 25 answers

How to Answer

A step-by-step approach to answering cue cards confidently and effectively.

Cue 1: When & why did you go there?

Start by mentioning the specific event or occasion that led you to visit the crowded place.
Explain your motivation for going there, such as a festival, a concert, or a special sale.

Example

I went to Connaught Place in Delhi last Diwali because I wanted to experience the festive atmosphere and do some shopping. It’s a popular spot during the festival season, and I was excited to see the decorations and enjoy the lively vibe.

Cue 2: Who were you with?

Mention the people you were with and your relationship to them, such as friends, family, or colleagues.
Describe how their presence contributed to your experience of the crowded place.

Example

I was with my close friends, Priya and Aman. We decided to go together because we always enjoy shopping and exploring new places as a group. Their company made the crowded environment feel more fun and less overwhelming.

Cue 3: How did you feel about the place?

Share your initial feelings upon arriving at the crowded place, whether it was excitement, anxiety, or curiosity.
Reflect on how your feelings changed as you spent more time there.

Example

At first, I felt a bit anxious because of the huge crowd and the noise. However, as I got into the spirit of the festival, I started to enjoy the energy around me. The vibrant lights and the laughter of people made it a memorable experience.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall impression of the crowded place and its significance to you.
Mention any lessons learned or memorable moments that stood out during your visit.

Example

Overall, visiting Connaught Place during Diwali was an unforgettable experience. It taught me to embrace the chaos of crowded places and appreciate the joy of celebrating festivals with friends. The memories we created that day will always hold a special place in my heart.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 5-6

IELTS Learner

1 month 11 days ago