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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.
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35 unique answers with expert feedback

Show all 35 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Tip

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

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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6

    The most important river in the J&K UT is the Chenab river which basically flows through my hometown of Kishtwad. It actually originates in the uphills of the Himachal Pradesh and it continues to flow through the Jammu region starting from the Kishtwad district and then going further and meeting at the border of India and Pakistan near Akhnur in Jammu region. It is the largest tributary to the Indus river and the second largest tributary is the Jhelum from the Kashmir side. So this river is really very important from the strategic point of view because the largest dams and the highest dams are created on this river only. It was mentioned in the treaty of Indus that the water percentage should be lesser used in the Indian side. But now with the new treaty and intervention of governments it is clear that now we are able to use it for our hydroelectric projects and we have made many dams over it. With the passage of time I guess we will be able to really grasp the power of the rivers with the help of dams and hydroelectric projects which will be helpful in the development of country and I guess it is the very long river.

    Band 6

    The Narmada River, which is located in Gujarat, India, is a very important river of my country. It is not just a river, but it is a power source of energy for all the people of India. The river is located near Vadodara in the city of Rajpipra. And if I talk about the river, the river provides fresh water to all the people of Gujarat. The river is not just good for providing water, but it also provides energy as there is a hydroelectric dam which is located near the river. The river not just provides water, but electricity to the people who are near and for the whole of the nation. The river is also a good opportunity for the locals as they can do fishing and can sustain a good living out of it. Apart from that, there is a big statue of the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which is the tallest statue in the whole world. The tallest statue located near the river is a great tourist destination, which also helps in providing work opportunities to the local and it also helps in bringing revenue for the people who are around the area. The river is a very good example of sustainability as the hydroelectric dam provides energy for the statue as well and for the whole functioning of the nearby villages and cities.

    Band 6

    I am from India so rivers do hold a cultural significance in my country. One river that is very important is Gunti. It is located in a lot of cities but where I have seen is Lucknow because I am from Lucknow that is my hometown and other than that it is considered very important because it is holy and people bathe in it, people wash their utensils in it, people sometimes wash gourds in it and they consider that if they bathe in it their sins will be washed off and because of all of this and many other industrial reasons it has become very polluted so it does not look very clean anymore and doctors have said that it is not very healthy to bathe in it anymore. Other than that it is very huge, it is extremely, extremely big and located in a lot of cities.

    Band 6

    I will be talking about an important river in my country to start with as I belong from India and in India there are many rivers which play a very significant role in their own way. But the one I would like to talk about is the river Ganga. Ganga river originates from the Himalayan mountains and it flows almost throughout the country covering many states and cities. Not only it is a source of water but it also plays a role in the aspect of spiritual. It is believed that Ganga river can cleanse off your sins in Varanasi where at the side of the river many people worship and pray the river. They also take a dip in the river because of the faith of their sin getting cleaned. Not only this but river Ganga has many good bacterias in it which is good for the skin and many skin related health issues.

    Band 6

    The important river in our country is the Ganga river which is located in one of the state of India. I don't remember the state name but it is around somewhere in Maharashtra. It is a historical and God's river. It is known for its pure water which is really hygienic and has some memory with it. We all really love that river. It is a great river to visit. I feel like we should visit it once in our lifetime to experience it and feel the vibe there. It is a really great river.

    Band 6

    The Cooum river which is located in Chennai is one of the biggest rivers in Tamil Nadu. It is actually a river which was used to travel during the British time. They used to transfer goods, things, TVs and food through the river. Today the river is very dirty because of population of Chennai city. The sewage water from the Chennai city is released into the Cooum river. So today the Cooum river cannot be used by the people. The Cooum river also connects other parts of Tamil Nadu. It is actually a big river and today it has become a place where to dump the trash.

    Band 6

    Penna river is located in a home town known as Thadipathri which is located in the Anantapur district. So Penna river is a very biggest river in our in my state which is located in the Anantapur district. So it crosses across so many districts and finally it located it used to stay in our district known as Thadipathri. So it is a very big flowing river. We can find it so many like organisms like fishes, tortoise and the tortoise also. So it's a very big big flowy river. So when I am in the childhood I used to go my father used to take me to the near the river and I used to play in the river and through the river only I have learnt swimming

    Band 6

    In my country there is a lake called Vembanad lake. It is the most popular lake in my country as it is significant in importance for certain cultural festivals that are taking place in there. Usually during the month of September there takes place a boat race. It is a cultural festival that is happening only in the state of Arapuja. A lot of people gather there to see this boat race as it is a very significant role. So the lake plays a significant role in the country. It is called Vembanad Kayal. It is a pretty big lake extending all the way from Pambai. It is a branch of the Pambai river. It is passing through Kerala, Alapuja and the backwaters of Alapuja. It is a beautiful view that we can experience and mesmerizing view as both side of it is filled with greenery and a lot of house boards are there. It is spread around the backwaters of Alapuja. It is beautiful as we can see paddy fields around its side and also it is a beautiful view for us to see. It is a pretty big long river. It is a branched river that is flowing through the backwaters.

    Band 6

    Rivers and lakes are very important and they play a very crucial role in a country's traditional values and holy rituals. Today I want to talk about one lake, one river which is very important in my country. The name of the river is River Ganga and the River Ganga is one of the most holiest river that we have as the people in my country believe that the river Ganga originates from Gangotri but actually it is coming from the hair of Lord Shiva which is one of the most important gods that are worshipped in my country.

    Band 6

    The river which is very important in my country at now is Karnafulli river. There are many rivers in my country Bangladesh but the Karnafulli river holds a significant role in the economy of our country because the river is situated in such a way in the business capital of Chittagong that there is a mill for paper production also the electricity for the whole Bangladesh is mostly generated through the mill that apply the electricity from the water of the river. It has the Kaptai lake situated around it. It's a vast river which is spreaded over a huge region of Bangladesh and in this river people are basically doing a fish fishing and also boating are done occasionally. This river is famous for its beauty and its serene nature and vast amount of money is invested for the development projects on the river bank every year in Bangladesh. This river is very much significant for the development of our country.
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