Describe a Lake, a River or a Sea You Like to Visit - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers

Natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and seas often create powerful emotional connections because of their beauty, tranquillity, and cultural significance. The IELTS cue card ‘Describe a lake, a river, or a sea you like to visit’ allows you to describe a place in detail while expressing why it attracts you personally.

In this blog, you will explore high-quality sample answers for the cue card ‘Describe a lake, a river, or a sea you like to visit’, followed by advanced vocabulary to give you an idea of how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 and help you speak naturally and confidently. 

Describe a Lake, A River or A Sea You Like to Visit – IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

The cue card topic ‘Describe a lake, a river, or a sea you like to visit’ focuses on describing a specific natural water body that you enjoy visiting. This section provides three model Band 8 answers that guide you on how to answer similar topics and impress the examiner in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 exam.

Describe a Lake, A River or A Sea You Like to Visit - Sample Answer 1

Being a hodophile, I have visited most of the beautiful lakes in my country. Therefore, my next target is to visit some internationally renowned lakes and rivers like the Dead Sea, Lake Natron, River Seine, to name a few. Of all these places, the one that attracts me the most is the Dead Sea. So, today, I am going to share about this renowned and mystifying place.

Located in the Judean desert of southern Israel and bordered by Jordan to the East, this salt lake has derived its name from the fact that its water has extreme salinity and combined with the arid condition around it, it is not favourable for any kind of life form. It is found at the lowest point on earth (430 meters below sea level) that is said to be the result of volcanic processes, and so, it continues to drop by about 1 meter annually. Currently, it is 50 kilometers long, 15 kilometers wide and 380 meters deep. Due to the high salt content, the shores of the Sea are covered with crystallized sodium chloride, ordinarily white and turquoise in colour. 

There are many reasons why the Dead Sea attracts a considerable number of tourists globally. One of the most exciting things that attract me the most is that one can float in the Dead Sea and never sink. The main reason is the high concentration of salt, which makes the water denser than regular water. As a result, our body weight is lighter and we float.  

Furthermore, its unique mineral content of the air, land, and especially the minerals in the water help improve different types of skin problems like acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, etc and other health conditions like arthritis and asthma. These minerals are believed to help improve blood circulation, smooth out wrinkles and give a healthy glow to the skin. Additionally, covering the body in mud extracted from the Sea aids our skin to absorb the minerals. No surprise, it is said Queen Cleopatra, one of the world’s beautiful women, is said to have visited the Dead Sea quite often.

Describe a Lake, A River or A Sea You Like to Visit - Sample Answer 2

India is an amazingly beautiful country with vast rivers, lakes, and seas. India is covered by the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. I have visited many lakes which are astonishing and marvellous. But among them, I like to visit Wular Lake at Jammu Kashmir. This lake is one of the beautiful lakes of Jammu and Kashmir. This lake is known to be Asia’s Largest freshwater lake which varies from 30 to 260 kilometers. 

There are elevated hills on both the sides of the lake, and vintage garden points with beautiful views. It is the perfect place for a holiday. The lake itself looks beautiful with the lotus flowers and lots of shikaras on it. I especially like this lake because no fishing is allowed, and the lake has crystal clear freshwater with no dirt in it. It is situated in the northern part of Jammu and Kashmir at Bandipur district. Nowadays, Wular lake faces severe fertilizer pollution, animal waste, fossil fuels, and garbage waste from human beings. 

It is fascinatingly beautiful during the sunset, which gives us a moment to contemplate our inner self. It has a beautiful spot to sit and gossip with families and loved ones. When the sky looks yellow-orange it is so tranquil and gorgeous. It is a glorious and lovely place for a picnic.

Describe a Lake, A River or A Sea You Like to Visit - Sample Answer 3

One river that I deeply admire and enjoy visiting is the Ganges River, which originates in the Himalayan Mountains at the Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh) in Uttarakhand, India, and ends in the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the longest and most significant rivers in the region, stretching across vast landscapes and supporting millions of people who live along its banks. Its wide expanse, steady current, and ever-changing appearance make it both powerful and mesmerizing to observe.

In terms of its physical description, the river is truly majestic. In some places, it flows calmly and gracefully, reflecting the sky like a mirror, while in others it moves with great force, creating a sense of raw natural energy. The riverbanks are often lined with temples, ghats, and bustling markets, especially in major cities like Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Kolkata. Early in the morning, the view is especially beautiful, with soft sunlight touching the water while people gather quietly for prayers and rituals. The atmosphere can feel peaceful and lively at the same time.

The Ganges is famous mainly for its religious and cultural significance. For centuries, it has been regarded as a sacred river, and countless pilgrims travel long distances to bathe in its waters, believing it purifies both the body and the soul. Many important ceremonies, festivals, and daily rituals take place along its shores, making it not just a geographical feature but also a living symbol of faith, tradition, and heritage. It has also played a central role in the development of civilisation, agriculture, and trade throughout history.

I like this river because it represents continuity, life, and cultural identity all at once. Standing by its flowing waters gives me a profound sense of connection to history, spirituality, and human tradition. It reminds me of how nature and culture can exist together in harmony. The experience always feels deeply humbling and emotionally meaningful, and every visit leaves a lasting impression on me. 

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Lake, A River or A Sea You Like to Visit

Here's a list of the latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score associated with the IELTS Speaking cue card ‘Describe a lake, a river or a sea you like to visit ’, designed to enhance your vocabulary and improve your score.

To conclude, describing a lake, river, or sea you like to visit is a wonderful opportunity to combine vivid description with personal reflection in the IELTS Speaking test. With the sample answers and vocabulary provided in this blog, you now have practical ideas and language to confidently talk about natural water bodies. So, keep practising IELTS Speaking practice tests, personalise your responses, and you will be well prepared to deliver a fluent and memorable cue card answer.

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