Describe an important river/lake in your country: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where is it located?
How big/long it is?
What it looks like?
And explain why it is important.

67 unique answers with expert feedback

What activities do people engage in along the river Ganga?

People engage in various activities along the river Ganga, such as bathing, performing religious rituals, and celebrating festivals. Many also visit the ghats for meditation and to enjoy the natural beauty. Additionally, it serves as a source of livelihood for fishermen and local businesses.

How does the river Ganga impact the local economy?

The river Ganga significantly impacts the local economy by providing water for agriculture, supporting fishing industries, and attracting tourism. Many cities along its banks thrive on tourism related to its religious significance, which boosts local businesses and creates job opportunities.

What measures are being taken to protect the river Ganga?

Various measures are being taken to protect the river Ganga, including government initiatives like the Namami Gange program aimed at cleaning and conserving the river. Efforts include waste management, pollution control, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving this vital water source.

Band 7

00:00

One of the most important rivers in my country is the Ganga which flows across the northern part of India. It originates in the Himalayas and passes through several states before finally meeting the Bay of Bengal. It is not just a river, for many people it's a lifeline. The Ganga is important for many reasons, first it supports millions of people who rely on it for drinking water, irrigation and daily activities. Many cities and towns have developed along its banks so it plays a crucial role in country's economy. Moreover, the river holds deep spiritual significance for Indians, it is considered scarce and people visit it for rituals, festivals and prayers. In simple words, the Ganga is a river that feeds both the body and the soul. Personally, if I feel a strong connection with this river, whenever I visit it, the calm sound of flowing water gives a sense of peace as if all my worries are washed away. As the saying goes, water has a soul of its own and I genuinely feel that when I stand by the Ganga, it reminds me of rich culture and history of my country and makes me feel proud.

Follow up questions

What other rivers or lakes are significant in India?

Apart from the Ganga, the Yamuna and Brahmaputra are also significant rivers. The Yamuna flows through Delhi and is vital for water supply, while the Brahmaputra is known for its vast basin and biodiversity. Lakes like Dal Lake in Kashmir are also important for tourism and local culture.

How do people celebrate festivals near the Ganga?

People celebrate various festivals like Ganga Dussehra and Kumbh Mela near the Ganga. During these festivals, thousands gather to take holy dips in the river, perform rituals, and offer prayers. It's a time of joy, devotion, and community bonding, showcasing the river's spiritual importance.

What measures are being taken to protect the Ganga?

The Indian government has launched initiatives like the Namami Gange project to clean and protect the Ganga. This includes sewage treatment, riverbank restoration, and public awareness campaigns. The aim is to preserve its ecological health and ensure it remains a vital resource for future generations.

Band 7

00:00

One of the extraordinary river that I could recall of is the river Ganges which is situated in the northern part of India and it originates all the way from Himalaya. What makes it culturally intertwined is how it has evolved with the spirituality of the Indian community. The Indian community views Ganga as its mother. The reason being it flourishes life and when once you are dead it takes away your remanence as well. Starting from the top of the mountain from various tributaries the Ganga gets bigger and bigger and by the time it reaches the Bay of Bengal it almost covers 300 villages, 10 cities and many more states. Before it finally merges with the ocean. And this river is the home to only known Pink Dolphin or known as Gangatic Dolphin. Which is pink in colour.

Follow up questions

What are some activities people do on the Ganges River?

People engage in various activities on the Ganges, such as religious rituals, bathing, and boating. Many visit the river for spiritual cleansing, especially during festivals. Additionally, the river supports fishing and agriculture in the surrounding areas, making it vital for local livelihoods.

How does the Ganges River impact the environment?

The Ganges River plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, supporting diverse wildlife and plant species. However, pollution from industrial waste and sewage has severely affected its health. Conservation efforts are underway to restore its purity and protect the unique species like the Gangetic Dolphin.

What challenges does the Ganges River face today?

The Ganges faces significant challenges, including pollution, over-extraction of water, and climate change. Urbanization and industrialization have led to increased waste, threatening the river's health. Efforts are being made by the government and NGOs to address these issues and promote sustainable practices.

Practice other cue cards

Talk about a historical building.

View answers

Describe a place in your city you have been to where you can see wildlife (eg, animals, birds, insects, plants)

View answers

Describe a public holiday that people enjoy.

View answers

Describe a city that is very interesting.

View answers

Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and that you enjoy visiting with your parents/friends.

View answers

Describe a place that you would like to learn the culture there (eg, a library, museum, theatre)

View answers

Describe Your Favourite Season

View answers

Describe A New Development In Your Country Or The Area Where You Live (Like A Shopping Centre, Park, Etc.)

View answers

Describe A Person Who Likes To Grow Plants

View answers

Describe an interesting traditional story

View answers

Describe a natural place (e.g. parks, mountains)

View answers

Describe an important plant in your country

View answers

Talk About A Traditional Object Of Your Country

View answers

Describe a place in your city you have been to where you can see wildlife (e.g. animals, birds, insects, plants)

View answers

Describe an old tree that you have seen.

View answers

Describe A Street Market In Your City

View answers

Describe A Foreign Country You Have Never Been To

View answers

Describe A Historical Place That You Know About

View answers

Describe A Poisonous Plant You Know About

View answers

Describe a park or a garden in your city

View answers

Describe A Festival That Is Important In Your Country

View answers

Describe a place where there was a lot of noise/ Describe a noisy place you have been to

View answers

Describe A Quiet Place

View answers

Describe a public park or garden.

View answers

Describe A Crop You Are Familiar With

View answers

Describe a change that benefitted your neighborhood.

View answers

Describe a time when you saw something in the sky

View answers

Describe A Time When You Saw A Lot Of Plastic Waste

View answers

Describe a person who helps to protect the environment

View answers

Describe a unique animal you've encountered.

View answers

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

View answers

Describe a place that wasn't kept clean.

View answers

Describe Your Favourite Weather

View answers

Describe a time when the electricity suddenly went off

View answers

Describe A Traditional Product In Your Country

View answers

Band 7

00:00

India has many rivers, but the one that I am going to talk about today is called Mahanadi. Mahanadi originates from the mountains of Chhattisgarh and drains into the Bay of Bengal near Balesore. It covers almost the entire state of Odisha and partly of Chhattisgarh. The river holds a high significance in the lives of people in the basin because most of them depend on agriculture as their livelihood and hence the river serves as a constant source of water for their agriculture activities. Now, the river has many dams built on it specifically for the reason of water storage for further use to facilitate farming, fishing and other recreational activities in and around. The biggest dam that is built on this river is the Hirakud Dam which is near to my home and has elaborate canal networks that supply water to the entire region in western Odisha. The river also holds a lot of spiritual significance. Being on the bank of a very prominent Shakti Peeth in Chhattisgarh, people often go to the river banks on special occasions praying for the betterment of their family and people's life. As a whole, the river holds enormous economic and traditional values for people's life and affects a lot of people in this area.

Follow up questions

What are some challenges faced by rivers like Mahanadi in India?

Rivers like Mahanadi face challenges such as pollution, over-extraction of water for agriculture, and climate change impacts. Deforestation and urbanization also contribute to the degradation of river ecosystems, affecting both the environment and the communities that rely on them.

How do people in your country celebrate festivals related to rivers?

In India, many festivals are celebrated near rivers, such as Chhath Puja, where people worship the Sun God and offer prayers by the riverbank. Other festivals include Makar Sankranti, where people take holy dips in rivers, symbolizing purification and renewal, fostering community bonding.

What role do rivers play in the economy of your country?

Rivers are crucial for agriculture, providing irrigation for crops. They also support fishing industries and tourism. Additionally, rivers facilitate transportation and trade, contributing significantly to the local and national economy, especially in rural areas where agriculture is predominant.

Band 7

00:00

India has a lot of rivers and lakes, but one of the most important and auspicious rivers is the river Ganga. I recently visited it on my trip to Uttar Pradesh. It is a river that flows starting from the glaciers of Himalayas and it flows through Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bengal and it empties into the Bay of Bengal. This is considered a very holy river and bathing in it ensures a sort of divine blessing upon oneself and it is worshipped as Goddess Ganga by the Hindu religion in India and many festivals and religious activities are conducted centering around this river and it is a very wide river and many river activities can be conducted on it. The flow of the water is very fast during monsoon so it is not recommended to visit without a guide. Many people take a dip in this river during the festival seasons. I did so myself just this year when I visited it for the festival of Mahakum.

Follow up questions

What other rivers or lakes in India are considered important?

Apart from the Ganga, rivers like the Yamuna and Brahmaputra are also significant. Lakes such as Dal Lake in Kashmir and Vembanad Lake in Kerala are important for their ecological and cultural value.

How do people celebrate festivals related to the Ganga?

Festivals like Kumbh Mela attract millions to the Ganga for ritual bathing. People perform prayers, offer flowers, and participate in cultural events, celebrating the river's spiritual significance.

What measures are being taken to protect the Ganga?

The Indian government has initiated the 'Namami Gange' program to clean and protect the Ganga. This includes sewage treatment, riverfront development, and public awareness campaigns to preserve its sanctity and health.

Show all 67 answers

Cue 1:Where is it located?

Begin by stating the name of the river or lake and its geographical location in your country.
Mention any significant cities or landmarks nearby to give context.

Example

The river I want to talk about is the Ganges, which flows through northern India. It originates from the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and passes through several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Cue 2:How big/long it is?

Provide specific measurements, such as the length of the river or the area of the lake.
You can also mention how it compares to other rivers or lakes in the country.

Example

The Ganges is approximately 2,525 kilometers long, making it one of the longest rivers in India. It is not only significant in terms of length but also in terms of the vast area it covers, supporting millions of people along its banks.

Cue 3:What it looks like?

Describe the physical characteristics of the river or lake, including its color, width, and surrounding scenery.
Mention any unique features, such as islands, wildlife, or cultural landmarks.

Example

The Ganges is a majestic river with a wide, flowing body of water that appears a muddy brown due to the sediments it carries. Along its banks, you can find lush greenery, ancient temples, and bustling towns, creating a vibrant and picturesque landscape.

Cue 4:And explain why it is important.

Discuss the cultural, economic, and environmental significance of the river or lake.
Mention any historical or spiritual importance it holds for the people.

Example

The Ganges is extremely important to India as it is considered sacred by Hindus. It supports agriculture for millions of farmers and is a vital source of drinking water. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in the economy through tourism, as many people visit to experience its spiritual significance and beauty.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, the Ganges is not just a river; it is a lifeline for millions of people in India. Its beauty, significance, and the life it supports make it an essential part of our culture and environment.

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

Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in a lower score as it shows a lack of preparation and understanding of the task.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues provided, such as location, size, appearance, and importance, to give a comprehensive response.

2: Being Vague or General

Using vague language or general statements can make your answer uninteresting and unclear. Specific details are crucial for a strong response.

Tip

Include specific facts and descriptions about the river or lake, such as its exact location, size, and unique features to enhance your answer.

Lack of Personal Connection

Not sharing personal experiences or feelings about the river or lake can make your answer less engaging. Personal connections can add depth to your response.

Tip

Incorporate personal anecdotes or feelings about the river or lake to make your answer more relatable and interesting.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

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.