# Describe a noisy place you have been to: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Places

Describe a noisy place you have been to.

You should say:
- where it is
- when you went there
- what made it noisy
- and explain how you felt about the noise

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

A noisy place I've been to is a night market in the centre of my city. It's held every weekend in a big square near the old train station, and it's one of the most popular places for young people and tourists.

The last time I went there was about two months ago, on a Saturday night, with three friends from work. We wanted to try some street food and look around the stalls, because they sell almost everything there, from clothes and phone cases to handmade jewelleries.

It's noisy for many reasons. First of all, it's extremely crowded, so there are thousands of people talking and laughing at the same time. The sellers also shout to attract customers, and some of them use small speakers to advertise their prices, which is really loud. On top of that, there's usually live music on a stage in one corner, and you can hear the sizzling of food on the grills and the motorbikes passing on the road nearby. Sometimes it was so loud that I had to shout to my friends even though they were standing next to me.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the noise. On one hand, it creates a really lively and exciting atmosphere, and I think that's part of the experience. If it was quiet, it wouldn't feel like a real market. On the other hand, after about two hours, I started to get a headache and I felt quite tiring, so I was happy to leave and go somewhere quieter.

So I'd say it's a great place to visit for a short time, but I couldn't stand the noise every day.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer gives a detailed picture of the market and a balanced view of the noise. It includes good descriptive language ("the sizzling of food on the grills", "lively and exciting atmosphere", "mixed feelings"), and speaks at length easily. However, the organisation is quite formulaic ("First of all", "On top of that", "On one hand... On the other hand"), and there are typical errors: a word-form slip in "I felt quite tiring" (rather than "tired") and "handmade jewelleries" (rather than "jewellery", which is uncountable). Band 8 adds more vivid, precise vocabulary and smoother, less predictable linking.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-noisy-place).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.