Describe a noisy place that you have been to
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a noisy place that you have been to.
You should say:
- where the place was
- what caused the noise
- what you were doing there
and explain how you felt about the noise.
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1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
263 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The noisiest place I have ever been to was a wedding hall in my home city, where I attended the wedding of one of my cousins about a year ago. In my culture, weddings are big events with hundreds of guests, and this one was no exception.
The noise came from many sources at once. There was a live band on stage playing very loud music with huge speakers, and in addition, a host with a microphone kept making announcements and jokes. The guests were singing, clapping and talking at the same time, and some children were running between the tables, shouting and laughing. When the dancing began, the volume increased even more, and I could feel the bass in my chest. I was there as a guest, of course, and my main task was to greet relatives, take photographs for my aunt and, later, join in the dancing.
To be honest, I had mixed feelings about it. At the beginning I enjoyed the cheerful energy, and it was exciting to see everybody so happy. But after about an hour, I started to get a headache, and it was almost impossible to have a normal conversation with anyone. I had to lean close to people's ears and practically shout. Eventually I went outside for ten minutes just to enjoy the silence. I do not mind noise at celebrations because it is part of the tradition, but I am sure I could not stand that level of volume for more than a few hours. By the end of the night, my ears were ringing.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ear-splitting | extremely loud and painful to hear |
| a constant hum | a continuous low sound |
| drown out | be so loud that other sounds cannot be heard |
| raise my voice | speak louder than normal |
| a racket | a very loud, unpleasant noise |
| get on my nerves | irritate or annoy me |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A wedding hall with loud music and dancing
- A construction site next to your home or school
- A busy railway station or a school canteen at lunchtime
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhere the place was
- 25 swhat caused the noise
- 25 swhat you were doing there
- 45 sand explain how you felt about the noise.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Noise in modern life. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- What are the most common sources of noise in cities?
- Why do some people not mind noise while others find it unbearable?
- How does noise affect people's concentration at school or work?
- Should there be stricter laws about loud music and construction?
- Is it a good idea to play music in shops and restaurants?
- Do you think people today are more tolerant of noise than previous generations?
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a place in an IELTS cue card?
Choose a place you have actually been to. Give its location quickly, then describe it with your senses: what you saw, heard and did there. Close with how you felt or why you would go back. A real visit gives you details that sound natural.
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