Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers

The IELTS cue card, Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted, allows you to discuss and share one of the most alarming environmental concerns, pollution. To answer this location/place cue card, you need to identify a place that has a high level of air pollution, and answer all the prompts given along with the topic in descriptive vocabulary to achieve the desired band score of 8+. However, even though you might know of such a place, framing an appropriate answer might be challenging if you are not familiar with the process. 

Therefore, in this blog, you will find three sample answers for a polluted place cue card, Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted, followed by relevant IELTS Speaking vocabulary you can use in your own answer. 

Before you start, take a look at some quick IELTS Speaking tips on how to improve your IELTS Speaking score in just 7 days!

Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

During IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic like ‘Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted’. So, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using grammar patterns and vocabulary.

Now, look at the sample answers given below, which will guide you to learn how to explain a polluted place cue card.

Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• Where is the place?

One of the most polluted places I have ever visited is Delhi, the capital city of India. Known for its rich history and cultural heritage, Delhi is also infamous for its severe air pollution, especially during the winter months.

• When did you visit?

I visited Delhi in November 2022 during the festival season, which coincided with the time when pollution levels peak due to several factors. The air quality was extremely poor, and a thick layer of smog covered the city, making it difficult to see even a few meters ahead.

• Why was the air quality poor?

The main reasons for the poor air quality included vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and crop stubble burning in nearby states like Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, during the festival of Diwali, the bursting of firecrackers worsened the situation by releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was well above hazardous levels, and many people were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from the toxic air.

• How did this experience make you feel?

This experience was quite uncomfortable and concerning. I felt a burning sensation in my throat and eyes, and even breathing became difficult at times. I also noticed how people, especially children and elderly individuals, were struggling with respiratory issues. It made me realize how serious the problem of air pollution is and how urgent it is to take action to improve air quality. The trip was memorable for many reasons, but the pollution was a major downside that affected my overall experience.

Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• Where is the place?

A place where I recently encountered severe air pollution was Beijing, the capital city of China. It is a global economic hub with a rich cultural history, but it is also infamous for its air pollution problems.

• When did you visit?

I visited Beijing in December 2019, during the winter season. As soon as I arrived, I noticed a dense layer of smog covering the city, making the sky look grey and gloomy. The pollution was so bad that many people were wearing anti-pollution masks, and visibility on the roads was significantly reduced.

• Why was the air quality poor?

The main causes of pollution in Beijing included heavy industrial emissions, coal-based energy production, and high vehicular traffic. Additionally, during winter, the use of coal-powered heating systems increases, further contributing to air pollution. Despite government efforts to reduce emissions, the city's air quality remained poor during my visit, with the AQI levels reaching hazardous limits.

• How did this experience make you feel?

Experiencing such severe pollution firsthand was quite alarming and eye-opening. I felt a constant irritation in my throat, and I had to limit my time outdoors to avoid breathing in the polluted air. It also made me appreciate the importance of clean air and the efforts needed to combat pollution globally. While Beijing was a fascinating city to explore, the air pollution significantly affected my trip, making me more conscious about environmental issues and the need for sustainable urban planning.

Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

• Where is the place?

Pollution is consistently becoming one of the stagnant issues, rising at an alarming rate across the world. As far as I think, there is rarely a human-touched place on earth devoid of pollution. To not go too far away, I would like to talk about a neighbouring city – Ambala – being the polluted one. Ambala is a twin city, divided into the city and the cantonment area, situated in the state of Haryana.

• When did you visit?

The last time I visited Ambala was back in January 2021. Owing to varying types of pollution, including air, water, and noise pollution, people in Ambala are suffering from an array of health-related issues.

• Why was the air quality poor?

Being a small town, Ambala is overly populated. Therefore, traffic is always at its peak here. While the ceaseless honking disrupts the peace of mind, the pollution erupting from a vast range of vehicles on the road leads to an increment in the overall breathing health among all ages. On top of that, some businessmen have also set up their factories in residential areas, thereby producing an extensive quantity of waste all around. My last visit was one of the worst experiences as the pollution caused a severe eye infection, which took almost six months to recover.

• How did this experience make you feel?

Honestly, I was left flabbergasted at the lack of initiative and regulation at the increasing level of air pollution in this city. Although the public is suffering from various cardiovascular diseases, they have given up on any kind of changes or steps from the government. And as for the government, it is least bothered about the citizens and busy promoting new developments rather than focusing on this environmental hazard. 

Related IELTS Polluted Place Cue Card

Let’s check another IELTS cue card sample related to a polluted place - describe a polluted place that you know - with a sample answer and audio.

Describe a polluted place that you know - Sample Answer 

Click on the audio to listen to the sample answer above. Pay attention to the intonation and pronunciation of the words.

• Where the place is?

There are very few places in the world that are pollution-free. Almost everyone acknowledges the fact that pollution is rising continuously at an alarming rate all over the world.

• When did you visit this place?

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Kanpur, the former Manchester of India, for my cousin’s wedding.

• What kind of pollution did you see there?

Although I stayed there for only three days, I had an awful experience because of the pollution and huge traffic jam. On our way to the wedding venue, we got stuck in the traffic for more than 2 hours. The accumulation of vehicular emissions and dust has polluted the air in Kanpur so much that it has alarming AQI levels.

• And explain how this place was affected?

Said to be one of India’s most populous cities, everyone owns a car or a motorbike and is always commuting back and forth. Whilst lorries, buses, and trucks ply the road release higher levels of pollution far more than their capacity. A majority of the city people have become prone to asthma and respiratory diseases due to air pollution. Thus, Kanpur needs utmost attention in reducing the AQI levels.

Vocabulary for Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted IELTS Cue Card

Since lexical resources account for 25% of your IELTS score, choosing the right words in context is key. Therefore, we have listed some IELTS vocabulary that we have used in the above sample answers and you can also use them in your Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted.

To conclude, structuring your response with relevant examples and a personal perspective can make your answer for polluted places cue cards, like ‘Describe a Place You Visited where the Air was Polluted’, more engaging and impactful. So, take IELTS Speaking practice tests regularly and master the art of structuring your response with clear examples and personal insights, which will enhance your overall performance and make your speech more engaging.

Also Check:

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