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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 11:41

Overview

The cue card round is filled with simple topics such as personal interests, experiences, environmental and societal issues, and general knowledge. One of the most commonly asked topics is, ‘Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted.’


You can discuss a personal experience of air pollution, such as a vacation where you faced poor air quality or instances in your hometown where you regularly encounter challenges due to poor air conditions.


To help you, we will discuss a few samples about how to respond well to this cue card and the follow-up questions related to the topic! Let’s get started.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted

You should say

  • Where is the place?
  • When did you visit?
  • Why was the air quality poor?
  • How did this experience make you feel?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction: 
 

  • A few years ago, my family and I visited the dazzling city of Beijing in China. 
  • The flight was over 9 hours long as we boarded from New Delhi, and we were drained when we arrived at one of the busiest airports in the world! But it was all worth it because Beijing's vibrant culture and rich history blew us away. 

 

Describe your experience due to Air pollution: 
 

  • Beijing was filled with ancient traditions, and every street was bustling with life. However, we noticed that there was one severe problem, which was air pollution. 
  • On some days of our visit, the streets were filled with so much smog that you could hardly see any buildings. But those days were an opportunity to stay in the hotel and indulge in delicious Chinese food.

 

Leap To Learn: Word of the Moment

Bustling: (of a place) full of activity.

 

Talk about your key observations from the incident: 
 

  • On the days with severe conditions, we felt it was hard to breathe, let alone wander and do touristy activities. 
  • Obviously, the locals around us were better prepared, wearing masks and other protective gear. Our strolls around the city felt tiring; sometimes, my chest felt heavy due to the air quality. 
     

Conclusion:
 

  • Beijing is a densely populated city, which is one of the contributing factors to air pollution. Governments of various countries, including the Chinese Government, have recently announced many initiatives to improve air quality. 
  • These measures include the promotion of public transportation and strict emission standards. My overall experience in China was great, but I suggest you visit when the air is not so bad. 
Sample Answer 2

Introduction: 
 

  • Last year, I had an opportunity to complete an internship in New Delhi. I’m based out of Bangalore, so I was excited for the chance to explore the capital.
  • As expected, my experience in Delhi was one of the best. The majestic city was filled with historic landmarks, buzzing markets and mouth-watering street food. 
     

Describe your experience due to Air pollution: 
 

  • Unfortunately, as the winter approaches, the air quality in Delhi declines. 
  • During the time of my visit, I had to experience the drastic change in air conditions, coupled with the chilling weather. Some days, the smog got so bad that we were advised not to step out or drive.
     

Talk about your key observations from the incident:
 

  • My main observation was that air pollution in Delhi greatly affects visibility. You can see barely anything! Accidents are a definite possibility if you drive in these conditions.
  • There were also obvious impacts on my health. I struggled to breathe, my eyes felt itchy, and I had allergic reactions. 
     

Conclusion: 
 

  • Delhi has seen increasingly good employment options, so the city has faced a sudden surge in urbanisation, affecting air quality. 
  • Undoubtedly, Delhi is one of the best cities in India and the world. Hopefully, with all the measures the government and the community take, we can reduce air pollution levels very soon! 
Sample Answer 3

Introduction: 
 

  • I live in Bangalore, a city notorious for its traffic jams! While I love living here, I must say that the city’s dense population and lack of well-established public transportation have resulted in a huge surge of vehicles. 
  • Bangalore maintains moderate air quality for most of the year. However, some days are worse than others. 

 

Leap To Learn: Word of the Moment

Notorious: famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed.

 

Describe your experience due to Air pollution: 
 

  • Bangalore’s air pollution mainly comes from vehicular emissions and industrial advancements. 
  • The city is filled with towers of businesses and employees who are always in a hurry! Somedays, the dust levels and pollution get to you. Especially in the summers, because of the added heatwaves. 

 

Talk about your key observations from the incident:
 

  • I struggled to deal with the impacts air pollution had on my health. I suffered from respiratory issues and would cough continuously for days. 
  • My health takes a further hit during celebrations like New Year, Diwali or Cricket matches when they burst firecrackers! But I wear masks and protective glasses whenever I need to. This helps me keep myself safe from the poor air quality.
     

Conclusion: 
 

  • As a part of this community, I must do my duty to the environment. Therefore, I try to take public transportation as much as I can. 
  • With the implementation of the metro, it’s definitely easier to travel around Bangalore. Hopefully, with new metro lines emerging soon, more Bangaloreans will opt for it and do their part. 

A good answer for the IELTS cue card section should include a strong introduction, some context to the topic, reasons to support your answer, and how you relate to the topic.

 

The IELTS Speaking test is conducted as a 1:1 interview with a certified IELTS examiner. 
 

Once part 2 begins, you will be handed a cue card and 4 questions related to it. In our case, the cue card will look something like this: 

 

The ideal way to answer cue card prompts is to break them into digestible sections. Think of it like this- no matter your topic, there is always an introduction, key highlights and a conclusion. 

 

Considering that, here’s how we’ll break our topic down. 
 

Introduction: 

 

  • Mention the place you visited where the air quality was poor. When did you visit it?
  • Where in the world is it located? And why were you there? 
  • Set the context by describing the general environment of the place and your experiences. 

 

Describe your experience due to Air pollution: 

 

  • Set some context about why you felt the air was polluted
  • Support your claim with relevant instances. For example, talk about how maybe you had visibility issues due to smog
     

Talk about your key observations from the incident:

 

  • How did it make you feel? Did you face any health issues?
  • How was the common public reacting to this issue around you? 
  • What do you think the source of pollution was?

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Summarise your overall experience.
  • Do you think any measures are being taken regarding this? 
  • What advice would you give someone visiting the same place? 

 

Let’s dive into sample answers!

 

Side note:

IELTS examiners are kind, and they make sure you’re comfortable before diving into the test. So, this is your sign to relax!

Follow-Up Questions

Part 3 of the IELTS speaking section is the two-way discussion round. The examiner will ask you related questions to the topic given to you in individual long-turn tasks. 

 

IELTS cue cards are followed by Part 3 of IELTS Speaking, where you are asked questions about your topic. These are general questions, typically probing for your opinions and thoughts on the matter. 
 

Below are some sample questions and possible answers. Once again, we recommend that you only take the inspiration from the answers below and add your own twist to it! 
 

With that, let’s dive in.

Q1. Do you think the city is cleaner or dirtier than the countryside? Why?

Answer 1: I think the city or urban areas are cleaner than the countryside. Cities are usually well-developed in comparison to the countryside and have better management systems for waste, air, and water. Cities typically have higher levels of air, water, and noise pollution. 
 

Answer 2: The countryside is definitely cleaner than the city, especially regarding air quality. I feel the air in the countryside is fresher, as there aren’t many vehicular emissions or industrial developments. There is hardly any noise pollution, and the countryside is usually calmer and is perfect for a quick getaway in nature. 

Q2. In what ways can air pollution be reduced effectively?

Answer 1: I believe some initiative must be taken by the government. For instance, the Government could make stricter emission rules for factories and vehicles. They must also put plans in place to ensure these rules are followed.

 

Answer 2: Rather than relying completely on the government to step in, we as a community should actively work towards reducing pollution. Schools can encourage children to plant trees and avoid littering. Also, depending on public rather than private transport is a great start! 

Q3. What can factories and power plants do to reduce pollutants?

Answer 1: One-way factories can reduce pollution is by using cleaner technologies such as filters and renewable energy. Another way is to ensure the management systems work per the rules and regulations. 
 

Answer 2: I believe that though many companies have policies in place, they rarely follow it. Companies must ensure that they abide by the government's rules and regulations. Additionally, companies can proactively monitor and measure the length of the pollution they’re causing and develop annual strategies to reduce it.

Q4. Do you think the wind has any effect on pollution? How?

Answer 1: Yes, I do think that wind has an impact on pollution. Though I’m not fully familiar with the technicality of this, I believe that strong winds help scatter the pollutants. For instance, though Chennai has as many cars as Delhi, the sea breeze helps clear the air and improves air quality. 
 

Answer 2: Wind is the most natural way to clear the air and reduce pollution. However, we cannot solely rely on wind to bring down air pollution, as it’s not something to be controlled. We must also remember that wind only disperses the pollutants, not destroy them. Therefore, in the long run, it’s not quite effective. I believe wind is nature’s way of helping us, but we must also help it by indulging in a community effort to reduce pollution.

FAQs

Q. What are the common cue cards in IELTS?

Ans. Some of the popular cue cards in IELTS include: 

 

  • Describe a prize that you received
  • Describe a skill you can teach other people
  • Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted
  • Describe an exciting book that you enjoyed reading
  • Describe your dream house.
     
Q. How can I prepare for the IELTS cue card?

Ans. The best way to prepare for the IELTS cue card section is to practice as many topics as possible. IELTS Speaking part 2 covers a wide range of topics, including your interests, experiences and general knowledge questions. Start your preparation early, and try to cover as much as possible. A highly recommended tip from the experts is not to memorise the answers! Speaking from your own experience adds value.

Q. Do IELTS cue cards repeat?

Ans. Yes. Though the cue cards are updated often (assumingly, every 4 months), some topics tend to repeat. Since these topics are usually very similar, practising the cue cards asked in previous IELTS tests is good. With enough practice, IELTS cue cards run along similar themes, and it’s easier to get confident with your answer. 

Q. How should I manage my time during the Cue Card task?

Ans. In the IELTS cue card task, you get 1 minute to prepare for your cue card and 2 minutes to respond. Use the preparation time wisely and mentally note everything you need to say in response. During the 2 minutes of your speaking time, cover only the relevant points and avoid deviating from the topic. 

Q. How many parts are in IELTS Speaking?

Ans. The IELTS Speaking test is one of the four modules of the IELTS and consists of three parts. It is conducted in a 1:1 interview setting with the examiner. Here is an overview of the IELTS Speaking section. 
 

IELTS Speaking PartsDescription
Part 1/Introductory roundThe examiner will ask you questions regarding your life, background and experience 
Part 2/Long Turn or Cue CardThe examiner will present topics, based on which you must speak for 2 mins
Part 3/Follow up questionsThe examiner will ask you questions regarding your topic from part 2.
Q. How is the IELTS Cue Card scored?

Ans. IELTS speaking is scored on a scale of 0-9. The speaking score gets added to the overall band score; therefore, getting a good score in speaking is a great way to boost your overall score. Cue cards are scored based on these factors.

 

  • Fluency: Evaluate the flow of sentences and the relevance of your answers
  • Lexical Resource: Evaluate your vocabulary
  • Grammatical range and accuracy: Evaluate the grammar and correctness of your sentences
  • Pronunciation: Evaluate if you are saying the words correctly
Q. Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question during the test?

Ans. Yes. It’s always best to pay full attention when the questions are asked to avoid missing out on anything. However, if you miss out or cannot understand the first time, you can always ask the examiner to repeat or clarify the question. Don’t expect them to break down the question and explain it to you, but you can expect to get some sort of clarity. This is a good practice because misunderstanding a question may lead to completely wrong responses.

Q. Should I use formal or informal language during the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. It's important to use a blend of simple but professional language while answering IELTS speaking questions. Try not to sound too academic, and speak naturally when taking the test. The language you use should make sense of the context of the question. If you’re discussing slightly academic subjects, feel free to speak in formal terms. But if the questions are about your interest, you can speak casually. However, at no time should you use slang or offensive language. 

Q. Can I express my opinion during the test, even if it's different from the examiner's?

Ans. Yes! IELTS welcomes you to voice your thoughts throughout the speaking test. Parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS exam often feature opinionated discussions on various topics. In fact, the questions in part 3 demand well-organised arguments on the topic. Even if your opinion differs from the examiner’s, IELTS will consider it. You are scored based on your fluency, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. How well you communicate your ideas matters more than whether they’re the same as the examiner’s. 

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