Describe a crowded place that you have been to/visited
- which place is it?- when did you go there?
- why did you go to this place?
and explain how this place amde you feel
How to describe a crowded place you have been to
IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 Question: A crowded place
Describe a crowded place you've been to/visited
Model Answer
One of the most crowded places I’ve ever been was downtown last New Year’s Eve. I went with some friends to see the celebrations there and I couldn’t believe the number of people there that night.
The crowd was enormous! Thousands of people out in the streets celebrating, eating, drinking, and generally having a good time.
We went there at about 10 pm, a few hours before midnight. We thought that it would be busy, but nothing prepared us for the sheer enormity of the crowd.
Traffic was very slow as we approached the downtown area and the central square. As we got closer to the square, we could see the transit police had cordoned off several blocks out from the square trying franticly to control everything.
We had to get out and walk the rest of the way, which took about 15 minutes or so because there were so many people out on the streets.
Eventually, we arrived at the central square where all the celebrations were happening. Everybody was happy, some of them were singing, others were dancing, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
There was a fantastic lighting display, with many of the iconic buildings in the center illuminated which gave the whole place a really festive vibe.
There was an air of anticipation and excitement in the air. I can remember feeling a little bit giddy with all the people and all the noise, it was completely enthralling. Frantic, crowded, dirty, and yet tantalizing!
My friends and I got some hot cider to drink because it was quite a cold night, and we listened to music and admired the lights.
When the time came, we counted down to midnight with everyone else and then we turned to each other and wished each other a Happy New Year!
It was an enjoyable experience and a fantastic way to end the night.
How would you describe a crowded place you went to?
- Talk about a time when you have visited a crowded place
- Describe a crowded place you have visited
- Describe a busy place you visited
Tips on how to describe crowded places
- Describe what the crowd looks like. Are they organized or chaotic? Do you see people of different ages and cultures? Are there street vendors?
- Describe how it smells. Is there the aroma of food, cigarette smoke, perfume, or something else?
- Talk about the sounds in a crowded place. Are there conversations, laughter, music, or other noises?
- Mention details like colors and textures. For example, bright colors from clothing and accessories; smooth surfaces from marble floors; etc.
- Note any interesting sights that catch your eye. Were there street performers, unique artwork, or special decorations?
- Don't forget to describe how the atmosphere feels – for example, is it hectic with people rushing around, or is it relaxed and lively?
Other popular busy places to describe are amusement parks, bus terminals, and public parks. You can describe anywhere people spend time and there is typically a lot happening, such as in a shopping mall or train station.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions
Crowded Cities
Would you say that the majority of cities in your country are overcrowded?
No, not really. Traffic is a big problem in many of the larger cities, it can be very slow-moving, a lot of congestion.
It’s a big problem if there is an accident that closes part of a road temporarily, as this compounds the problem even further.
As far as people are concerned, most urban areas are quite densely populated, but when you’re out on the street, you don’t feel that you are moving as a part of a crowd, still as an individual.
There are certain times of day, like first thing in the morning when people go to work, and when they leave the office at the end of the day when the sidewalks can seem busy and somewhat crowded.
But the people soon disperse and then it’s calmer and quieter.
Really, it’s only the capital city which is famous for being overcrowded all the time, especially in the tourist season.
What are some problems that might result from crowded / overcrowded living conditions in a typical metropolitan city? How can these problems be solved?
One of the main concerns is air pollution. When you have a massive population, crammed into crowded places, it tends to magnify the worst impacts of pollution.
Noise pollution can also be a concern, as traffic and general ambient noise levels are much higher in such places than in suburban or rural areas. Sometimes, your own home is the only quiet place.
On a social level, even though an urban area might be full of people, it is common for many people who live alone within a large city to feel somewhat disconnected from the people around them.
For example, there tends to be less sense of community in large cities compared to in the suburbs and rural areas where people prefer to know and interact with their neighbors.
Many people feel a lack of belonging to the place, and simply go about their daily business but are not really invested in the community. This can lead to a feeling of isolation in some cases.
Many of the pollution-related problems are now being solved through contemporary construction materials and green building practices. Solar panels, vertical gardens, and many other innovative ideas are slowly transforming urban spaces into nicer places to live.
Communal living and working spaces are also a relatively new phenomenon in urban areas, where people share space together rather than being isolated for much of the day. This helps foster a feeling of community on a small scale.
Some people say that cities are too crowded. What are some solutions to this problem?
Model Answer
Historically, people have moved from the countryside to urban areas to find work and the chance of a better life.
This is a trend that has been predominant in much of the 20th century and continues nowadays. If you live in a densely populated country, urban areas are usually the worst - extremely crowded places!
As for alleviating overcrowding in cities, there are certain changes in society that will have an impact on it.
For example, more young people are beginning to work remotely, from home, or shared communal office space, which helps reduce the need for many new office buildings.
Also, the younger generation is not getting married and buying their own home as early in life as their parents did which reduces the demand for new residential construction.
The older generation, which is one of the largest demographics of the current population will soon be reaching retirement age and may possibly move out of urban areas seeking a quiet place and a more peaceful lifestyle in retirement.
So, it is likely that urban growth may begin to slow in the near future.
These are some of the factors which might help ease and reduce overcrowding in years to come.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of living in a high-rise apartment.
Sample Answer
One of the advantages is the amazing view that many apartments on the higher floors enjoy. Panoramic views of the city.
Another advantage is that high up it is well away from the traffic noise and the ambient noise of the streets, but usually there are plenty of amenities close by such as shopping malls.
Crime is less of a problem when you live in a high-rise apartment building as security is normally an integral part of the setup.
Compared to buying or renting a traditional family house, an apartment is cheaper as its footprint is smaller than an individual house, as units are stacked on top of each other.
As for the disadvantages, well, you’ll probably lack access to a garden or back yard as you would have with a house.
There is less sense of community in high-rise buildings than in suburban housing developments. So, the sense of isolation can be much stronger, especially for those who live on their own.
Also, if you have children, the fact that they can’t play outside as they might in a suburban or country environment might lead to them not making as many close friends in the neighborhood.
Some people might feel that apartment living is somewhat sterile compared to living in a house where you have immediate access to outdoors, and nature is closer.
How does living in high-rise apartments affect the people who live there.
As I mentioned earlier, people can feel less connected when they live in individual apartment units. Even though there might be hundreds of residents, it is unlikely that any strong bond develops between many of them.
This is different from when families live together on a street in a suburban neighborhood. People generally get to know the other people living around them, naturally.
The lack of contact with neighbors might lead to a feeling of isolation and remoteness.
Although living in an apartment is very efficient and functional, many people decide to buy a house when they start a family, because it is a totally different experience.
Overall, apartment residents will likely feel less invested in their immediate community, as they do not foster the same feeling of belonging to a neighborhood as when people live in a house on a street with others.