I’d like to talk about the bustling central market in Bangkok, specifically the Chatuchak weekend market, which is easily one of the most cacophonous places I have ever visited. I went there about two years ago while backpacking through Thailand with a couple of university friends. From the moment we stepped off the skytrain, we were hit by a wall of sound that felt almost physical. It is incredibly noisy because it is a massive, sprawling labyrinth of thousands of stalls crammed into a relatively small area. You have vendors shouting out their prices, street performers playing percussive music, the constant hum of industrial-sized fans trying to combat the tropical heat, and the incessant chatter of thousands of tourists bargaining simultaneously. Every corner you turn offers a different auditory assault. Initially, I found the experience quite overwhelming and a bit draining. I consider myself someone who enjoys a lively atmosphere, but the sheer intensity of the noise made it difficult to even hold a conversation with my friends. We were constantly shouting at each other just to be heard over the background din. However, as the afternoon wore on, I found myself strangely energised by the chaotic energy of the place. It felt like being at the heart of a living, breathing organism. While I certainly wouldn't want to live in such a deafening environment, I felt a sense of exhilaration being immersed in that vibrant, uninhibited atmosphere, which was a stark contrast to the quiet, predictable office life I was used to back home.
The cue card
Describe a noisy place
You should say:
- →Where this place is
- →When you went there
- →Why it is noisy
- →And explain how you felt about being in this noisy place
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Try it now, out loud
One minute to prepare, then up to two minutes to speak. Cover every point on the card, then compare with the Band 8 answer below.
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A place
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Choose a place you can vividly describe using both sight and sound.
- 2
Use the bullet points to create a logical chronological flow in your talk.
- 3
Focus on your personal reaction to show emotional range and depth.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
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Useful vocabulary for this cue card
cacophonous
Involving a mix of loud and harsh sounds.
sprawling
Spreading out over a very large area.
labyrinth
A complicated network of paths and passages.
incessant
Continuing without pause or interruption for long.
auditory assault
A sudden, intense experience of loud noise.
background din
A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
exhilaration
A feeling of intense excitement and happiness.
uninhibited
Expressing feelings or behaviour without any restraint.
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a noisy place"?+
Choose a place you can vividly describe using both sight and sound.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: a place
- Describe a peaceful courtyard you came across
- Describe a peaceful forest trail you hiked on
- Describe a peaceful riverside path you know
- Describe a picturesque seaside village you visited
- Describe a place in the countryside
- Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelers
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