Describe an important plant in your country: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What it is
Where you see it
What it looks like
And explain why it is important

10 unique answers with expert feedback

What other uses do you know of for banana plants?

In addition to food, banana plants can be used for making fiber, which is used in textiles. The leaves are also used in traditional ceremonies and for wrapping food. The sap can be used for medicinal purposes, and the pseudostems can be used as animal feed.

How do banana plants contribute to the economy of your country?

Banana plants are a significant agricultural product in my country, providing income for farmers and contributing to exports. They create jobs in farming, processing, and distribution. The popularity of bananas also supports local markets and boosts the economy.

Are there any cultural traditions associated with banana plants?

Yes, banana plants hold cultural significance in many regions. They are often used in religious ceremonies, weddings, and festivals. The leaves are used for decoration, and the fruit is offered as a symbol of prosperity and fertility in various traditions.

Band 6-7

00:00

The plant that holds a special spot in every Indian's heart is Tulsi because in India, every Indian household have at least one Tulsi plant in their home because they feel it's devotionally connected and they assume the plant as a deity and worship the plant everyday. After all, Indians tend to see God in every animal and every plant but apart from that, I think Tulsi has also many medicinal properties which can cure different kinds of diseases like common cough and it's also used in treating asthma. Asthma, when I was a child, we used to have a Tulsi tree and even we have now but when I was a child, my mom used to explain me about the spiritual importance of Tulsi tree and asked me to worship the tree for good things to happen in my life. Later, when I grown up, I have also discovered many medicinal features of Tulsi and that fascinated me very much about the plant.

Follow up questions

What other plants are considered important in Indian culture?

In addition to Tulsi, other important plants in Indian culture include Neem, which is known for its medicinal properties, and Banyan trees, which are often associated with longevity and wisdom. Each plant has its own significance and is often linked to various cultural and religious practices.

How do people in your country use plants for medicinal purposes?

In India, many people use plants like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, and Aloe Vera for their medicinal benefits. Traditional practices like Ayurveda emphasize the use of natural herbs and plants to treat ailments, and many households maintain a small garden of medicinal plants for daily use.

Can you explain the spiritual significance of Tulsi in more detail?

Tulsi is revered as a sacred plant in Hinduism, often referred to as 'Holy Basil.' It symbolizes purity and is believed to have protective qualities. Many families perform daily rituals around the Tulsi plant, offering prayers and water, as it is thought to bring peace and prosperity to the household.

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Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

00:00

In my country one tree which is really famous is the neem tree. The leaves of this tree is really are really bitter in taste but they are used for several medicinal purpose. For skin care also the leaves of the neem One tree which is really famous in my country is the neem tree. The leaves of this tree are really bitter in taste but they have several medicinal purposes which is really impressive. Many people use the paste of these leaves for their skin care which has really amazing results when used correctly or consistently. It also has the small fruits which the birds or even small kids like to munch on. They are when ripe they are sweet in taste. There's another tree which we call sweet neem in other words or the other name for this tree is the curry leaves. One of the most important plant in my country is a neem tree. The leaves of this tree are really bitter in taste but that's besides the point because all these leaves are used in medicinal purposes. Even the small branches of this tree are used as toothpaste in the rural country because it really gives the enamel of the teeth this healthy look. One of the most important tree in my country is the neem tree. The leaves of this tree are really bitter in taste but that's besides the point because they are used in several medicinal purposes and the use of it has several advantages. The leaves are used to make a paste and they could be used for skincare. The branches of this tree are also used for cleaning the teeth. You can really chew on the branch so that the point of the tip of it will be like bristles and then you can chew on the tip of it and then you can chew on the branches of the neem tree. One of the most important tree in my country is the neem tree. The taste of this tree is really bitter. Its leaves... One of the most important tree in my country is the neem tree. The leaves of this tree are really bitter in taste but that's besides the point because the medicinal purposes of this tree are really impressive. The paste of the neem leaves are actually used for treating skin and other treatments related to the gut and digestive health. When ripened its small fruits become sweet in taste and kids really like to munch on them. Its branches are also used by people as toothbrush because if you chew on it the upper part of it would act as bristles and the extracts of the branches will act as a toothpaste. So people really use the branches to clean their teeth and it is really beneficial as it strengthens the enamel of the teeth. Another plant related to this tree is the curry plant. It is basically a smaller version of neem which is sweeter in taste. The leaves of the curry plant are actually used in the South Indian cuisines. It is used to prepare sambar, it is used to prepare upma and several other things which I'm not aware of. So I think personally that neem have several benefits from medicinal to even using it in the South Indian cuisines. So hence it's one of the important plant in my country.

Follow up questions

What other medicinal plants are popular in your country?

In addition to the neem tree, there are several other medicinal plants in my country, such as tulsi and aloe vera. Tulsi is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is often used in teas, while aloe vera is popular for its soothing effects on the skin.

How do people in your country learn about the uses of these plants?

People often learn about the uses of medicinal plants through traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Additionally, local herbalists and practitioners of traditional medicine play a significant role in educating the community about these plants.

Are there any cultural practices related to the neem tree?

Yes, the neem tree is often associated with various cultural practices. For example, during certain festivals, people may use neem leaves for rituals, and it is also common to plant neem trees around homes for their protective qualities and health benefits.

Band 6-7

00:00

Tulsi is one of the most important plants in my country which is India. The reason why I say that it is important because not only culturally but it has medicinal importance as well. Now Tulsi is found in the front yard of almost every household in India. It is a tradition to plant this tree in the front of your houses to keep away negative energies from your home. Tulsi has a number of medicinal advantages. It helps in digestion. If you take one leaf everyday after your meal, it will help you in your digestion. Now Tulsi is a very small plant with miniscule leaves. It is easy to grow and maintain. And mostly the female of the household, they water the plants every morning and do a pooja which is you could say a worship of the plant when the sun rises. This is a practice that have been going on since the ancient times and will be continuing as long as people believe in the cultural and medicinal importance of this plant. Tulsi also acts as a mouth freshener. So whenever you have bad breath, you could have one leaf of Tulsi and you will smell good. There are multiple different forms of Tulsi and species of Tulsi but one of the most common species here in India.

Follow up questions

What other plants are considered important in India?

In addition to Tulsi, other important plants in India include Neem, which is known for its medicinal properties, and Amla, which is rich in vitamin C. Each of these plants has cultural significance and is used in traditional medicine, showcasing the diversity of India's flora.

How do people in your country use Tulsi in their daily lives?

People in India use Tulsi in various ways, such as making herbal teas, using it in cooking, and incorporating it into religious rituals. It is also common to see Tulsi leaves added to Ayurvedic remedies, highlighting its versatility and importance in daily life.

Are there any environmental benefits of growing Tulsi?

Yes, growing Tulsi can have several environmental benefits. It helps improve air quality, attracts beneficial insects, and can even repel pests. Additionally, planting Tulsi contributes to biodiversity and promotes a greener environment in urban and rural areas alike.

Band 6-7

00:00

important plant in our country, it's a rose, you can see it in our house the fragrance that it gives is awesome furthermore, it is famous for using in our food items where we can cook and also we mix it in our juices, fruit juices especially furthermore, it is healthy to eat

Follow up questions

What other uses do roses have in your culture?

In our culture, roses are often used in traditional ceremonies and celebrations. They symbolize love and beauty, making them popular in weddings and festivals. Additionally, rose petals are sometimes used in herbal teas and for making natural perfumes, showcasing their versatility.

How do people in your country cultivate roses?

People in my country cultivate roses through careful gardening practices. They select the right soil, ensure proper sunlight, and water them regularly. Many also use organic fertilizers to enhance growth. Some even participate in rose-growing competitions, showcasing their skills and the beauty of their blooms.

Are there any specific types of roses that are popular?

Yes, there are several popular types of roses in my country. For instance, the hybrid tea rose is favored for its large blooms and fragrance. Additionally, wild roses, known for their hardiness, are also appreciated. Each type has its unique characteristics, contributing to the diversity of rose cultivation.

Show all 10 answers

Cue 1:What it is

Begin by identifying the plant and its common name in your country.
Mention any cultural or traditional significance associated with the plant.

Example

The plant I want to talk about is the Neem tree, known as 'Azadirachta indica' in scientific terms. In India, it is often referred to as the 'village pharmacy' because of its numerous medicinal properties.

Cue 2:Where you see it

Describe common locations where this plant can be found in your country.
Share any personal experiences or memories related to seeing this plant.

Example

I often see Neem trees in rural areas, especially around temples and homes. I remember visiting my grandmother’s village during summer vacations, where the Neem tree in her backyard provided us with shade and a place to play.

Cue 3:What it looks like

Provide a brief description of the plant's physical characteristics.
Mention any unique features that make it easily recognizable.

Example

The Neem tree is quite tall, reaching up to 20 meters, with a dense canopy of bright green leaves. Its bark is rough and dark, while the small white flowers bloom in clusters, giving off a pleasant fragrance.

Cue 4:And explain why it is important

Discuss the ecological, medicinal, or economic importance of the plant.
Mention any personal or societal benefits derived from it.

Example

Neem is incredibly important in India for its medicinal uses, such as treating skin conditions and boosting immunity. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in agriculture as a natural pesticide, benefiting farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points discussed about the plant.
Reflect on its significance in your life or in the broader context of your country.

Example

In conclusion, the Neem tree is not just a plant but a vital part of Indian culture and health. Its benefits extend beyond personal use, impacting agriculture and traditional medicine, making it truly invaluable.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Ignoring Key Cues

Candidates often overlook the specific cues provided, leading to incomplete answers. This can result in missing important details that the examiner is looking for.

Tip

Make sure to address each cue in your response. Structure your answer by clearly mentioning what the plant is, where it is found, its appearance, and its significance.

2: Being Too Vague

Providing vague descriptions can make your answer less engaging and informative. This may leave the examiner with unanswered questions about the plant.

Tip

Use specific details and examples when describing the plant. For instance, mention its color, size, and any unique features to create a vivid image.

Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to explain why the plant is important can make your response feel disconnected. This may lead to a less impactful answer.

Tip

Share personal experiences or cultural significance related to the plant. Explain how it affects your life or your community to add depth to your answer.