A couple of years ago, I decided to visit the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo during the peak of the cherry blossom season. It is famously known as the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, and I went there specifically with my younger brother, who is a massive fan of Japanese urban culture. We arrived on a Saturday evening just as the neon signs began to flicker to life against the darkening sky. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, though incredibly overwhelming. Every time the traffic lights turned red, a literal sea of humanity surged forward from all directions, creating a chaotic yet strangely synchronised dance of thousands of people. I recall the sound of overlapping conversations and the rhythmic chirping of the pedestrian signals, which created a unique, high-energy soundtrack to the experience. To be honest, standing in the centre of that throng made me feel quite small and insignificant, yet strangely connected to the collective energy of the city. While the sheer density of people was claustrophobic at times, I found it fascinating rather than purely irritating. There is something mesmerising about watching such a massive number of individuals navigate a shared space without any obvious friction. It felt like watching a living, breathing organism composed of different stories and destinations. Although I generally prefer quiet, secluded spots for travel, experiencing that level of human concentration was a highlight of the trip, as it offered a visceral, unfiltered glimpse into the relentless pulse of modern Tokyo life that you simply cannot get from a postcard.
The cue card
Describe a crowded place you have visited
You should say:
- →Where the place is
- →When you went there
- →Who you went with
- →And explain how you felt about it being crowded
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
A place
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Jot down your four bullet points to ensure you cover each requirement during your talk.
- 2
Use descriptive adjectives to paint a mental picture of the physical environment for the examiner.
- 3
Connect the crowd to your personal emotions to make the narrative flow more naturally.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
pedestrian intersection
a junction where people walk across the street
flicker to life
when lights or signs suddenly start glowing
sea of humanity
a very large and dense crowd of people
synchronised dance
movements that happen together in a coordinated way
throng
a large, densely packed crowd of individual people
claustrophobic
feeling uncomfortable due to being in tight spaces
visceral
relating to deep inward feelings rather than intellect
relentless pulse
the continuous and constant energy of a city
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 crowded place you have visited"?+
Jot down your four bullet points to ensure you cover each requirement during your talk.
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 beautiful place to visit in your country
- Describe a beautiful waterfall in a forest
- Describe a big city you would like to visit
- Describe a bookshop you like visiting
- Describe a boring place
- Describe a busy outdoor swimming pool
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
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