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Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 11:41
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.
Introduction:
Describe your experience due to Air pollution:
Talk about your key observations from the incident:
Conclusion:
Introduction:
Describe your experience due to Air pollution:
Talk about your key observations from the incident:
Conclusion:
Introduction:
Describe your experience due to Air pollution:
Talk about your key observations from the incident:
Conclusion:
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:
Describe your experience due to Air pollution:
Talk about your key observations from the incident:
Conclusion:
Let’s dive into sample answers!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Ans. Some of the popular cue cards in IELTS include:
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.
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.
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.
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 Parts | Description |
Part 1/Introductory round | The examiner will ask you questions regarding your life, background and experience |
Part 2/Long Turn or Cue Card | The examiner will present topics, based on which you must speak for 2 mins |
Part 3/Follow up questions | The examiner will ask you questions regarding your topic from part 2. |
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.
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.
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.
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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