Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1: Crowded place

“Crowded places” is a quite popular topic in IELTS Speaking Part 1. In the first part of the speaking test, candidates need to answer briefly, adequately, and to the point. Therefore, to achieve a high score in IELTS Speaking Part 1 on the topic of crowded places, you need to prepare a list of related questions as well as refer to high-quality sample answers. In the article below, PREP will provide you with all the questions, sample answers, and useful vocabulary related to the topic of IELTS Speaking Part 1: Crowded places. 

I. The cue card of IELTS Speaking Part 1: Crowded places

PREP has collected and compiled a number of questions related to IELTS Speaking Part 1 on the topic of crowded places from actual IELTS tests right below. Take a look!

1. ls the city where you live crowded?

2. ls there a crowded place near where you live?

3. Do you like crowded places?

4. Do most people like crowded places? Why?

5. When was the last time you were in a crowded place?

6. Where is the most crowded place in your city?

7. What kind of places are crowded where you’re living now?

8. Do you prefer to go to crowded places or places that have few people?

II. Sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1: Crowded places

How can you secure full points when the examiner asks questions related to IELTS Speaking Part 1 on crowded places? Below are some sample answers for band 7.0+ compiled by A-grade teachers with many years of experience in IELTS teaching at PREP. Feel free to refer to them!

1. ls the city where you live crowded?

Well, I’d say it's not as populous as some big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, but it does have its fair share of people. It's more of a medium-sized city, so it's not too teeming, but it's not completely empty either.

Key vocabulary to score points in sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic 'Crowded places'

• Populous = teeming (adj): densely populated

• Medium-sized (adj): average

2. ls there a crowded place near where you live?

In a sense, yes. For example, there's a bustling market that is adjacent to my house, and it can get really packed, especially during weekends. Although this market is surrounded by a huge supermarket and a modern shopping mall, local people still prefer shopping here as they all love haggling to get the best deal.

Key vocabulary to score points in sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic 'Crowded places'

• Bustling (adj): lively and full of activity; noisy and busy.

• Be adjacent (adj) to: very near or next to; neighboring.

• Packed (adj): crowded; filled to capacity.

• Haggle (v): to negotiate or argue over the terms of a purchase, often to obtain a better price.

3. Do you like crowded places?

I guess it really depends on my mood. Sometimes, I enjoy going to public events like concerts or festivals because I find them exhilarating. It's a great way to meet new people and widen my social circle. However, when I’m under a lot of pressure from study or work and wish to unwind, I will opt for quieter spots like peaceful cafes or green parks.

Key vocabulary to score points in sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic 'Crowded places'

• Exhilarating (adj): exciting and joyful; making one feel very happy and energized.

• Widen one’s social circle: to expand or increase the number of friends and acquaintances one has.

• Be under pressure (collocation): to feel stress or strain due to demands or expectations.

• Unwind (v): to relax after a period of work or stress; to become less tense.

• Opt for (v): to choose or decide on a particular option or course of action.

4. Do most people like crowded places?

Well, it really depends on the individual’s personality and preferences. Those social butterflies tend to find them exciting and enjoyable, while the introverted might feel pretty overwhelmed. So, I believe there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

Key vocabulary to score points in sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic 'Crowded places'

• Preferences (n): choices or tastes that are favored or liked by an individual.

• Social butterflies (n): people who enjoy socializing and attending parties and social events.

• Overwhelmed (adj): feeling overloaded or unable to cope due to too many responsibilities, emotions, or stimuli.

• One-size-fits-all (adj): suitable for all circumstances or people; not tailored to individual needs or preferences.

5. When was the last time you were in a crowded place?

Oh, it was just a few months ago when I went to the Black Pink concert! It was such an amazing experience. The was packed with fans, and the energy was off the charts. I had a blast singing along with everyone and dancing to their songs. It was definitely one of the most unforgettable moments in my life.

• Arena (n): a large enclosed area used for sports events, concerts, or other performances.

• Be packed with: to be filled to capacity; crowded or densely populated with people or things.

• Be off the charts (idiom): to be extremely high or beyond normal limits; exceeding expectations.

• Blast (n): a great time or a highly enjoyable experience; often associated with fun or excitement.

III. Practice IELTS Speaking Part 1 with the Virtual Speaking Room (VSR)

To quickly improve your score in IELTS Speaking Part 1 on the topic of Crowded Places, in addition to referring to the vocabulary and sample answers above, you need to practice speaking every day. Practicing speaking at home will help you learn to respond quickly to questions, correct pronunciation, and intonation while answering.

During this stage, you need to find a “partner” who can help you practice speaking and point out and correct your mistakes. The Virtual Speaking Room (VSR) is the perfect companion that PREP wants to offer you. By joining the Virtual Speaking Room (VSR), you will experience features to practice IELTS Speaking Part 1 on Crowded Places as if you were taking the real IELTS exam:

• The practice space mimics the actual test environment, enhancing the authentic exam experience for students. PREP has developed the Virtual Speaking Room (VSR) specifically for the IELTS exam to create a realistic speaking practice environment, supported by AI examiners to help students become familiar with the flow of the Speaking test effectively.

• VSR has two main modes: “Practice Room” and “Exam Room.” The Practice Room is designed for students who are new to the exam, allowing them to practice and adapt to the test according to their skills and level. The Exam Room mode is for students who have experience with test questions.

Hopefully, that after reading the above article, you have mastered the questions, sample answers, and useful vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Part 1 on Crowded Places. Wishing you effective IELTS Speaking practice at home and the achievement of your target score in the near future!