Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card

In the IELTS Speaking, one of the most common question types is the Cue Card Speaking prompt. The IELTS Cue Card topics such as ‘Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country’ will prompt you to formulate a response and speak on the given topic. As you attempt this question, you must narrow down the essential questions on the given topic to answer within the given time which is the format in the IELTS Speaking Part 2. 

With the Cue Card topic to describe an environmental problem in your country, you will be able to note your progress as you attempt to answer it. It is vital that you also go through the two sample answers provided which will help you understand the structure to ace the IELTS exam. 

Shall we dive into the cue card to describe an environmental problem in your country? Let’s get started!

Strategies to Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card for a Band 8+

While preparing for the IELTS Speaking Section, knowing the strategies will help you get a higher band of 8+. Below are some of the tips which you can incorporate as you try to attempt the cue card to describe an environmental issue facing your country.

• As the Cue Card Section is going to be time based, you need to manage your time in IELTS Speaking. It is best that you practice by timing yourself with a stopwatch so you are able to improve on it as you prepare.
• Use relevant words and phrases in your speaking answer. Check the Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to Boost Your Score and make it through the IELTS exam with band score above 8.
• Try to keep your pace natural and do not speak too fast or hesitate as you speak. In order to score well, indulge yourself to understand What is the Correct Tone in IELTS Speaking Test.
• Since you have a minute to prepare, remember that this is the time for you to jot down some brief notes for brainstorming the ideas. The answer must be arranged properly according to logic and there should be no abrupt switching to another idea.
• Focusing on IELTS Grammar is important as the sentences have to be varied to demonstrate one's ability to use different structures. But in doing so, do not use very complicated sentences as they might adversely affect the response. 
• Get accustomed to the structure before you even attempt to gain confidence. 

Before indulging in looking at the sample answers, it is necessary to practice with this topic to describe an environmental problem in your country.

Question - Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card for a Band 8+

Before looking at the Sample Answers of the IELTS Speaking Practice Test, it is ideal to record yourself speak. In this way, you would practice within the same exam conditions which will help you build the confidence. Also, note down the areas of improvement so that you can do a targeted study. Remember to put the timer on so that you can practice within the given time limit and aim to achieve a band score of 8+.

Sample Answer 1 - Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card

My country, India, is facing hazardous conditions due to various environmental issues. Every living organism is facing problems due to the destruction of the natural environment. Today, I want to discuss one of the harmful problems, which is air pollution.

Air pollution is one of the dangerous issues in the world by which global warming is created. We, humans, are responsible for it. Every day, crores of people are losing their lives because of various germs in the air. Air pollution is caused by industries, IT sectors, factories, dust and smoke of vehicles, cigarette smoking, and population increase. Newborn babies, kids, and older adults are impacted most and face breathing problems. The depletion of the ozone layer causes difficulty in breathing. Many people burn fossil fuels. Rotten garbage mixes in the air and causes deadly diseases in human beings. 2 million to 8.9 million people have heart problems and severe chronic disorders. In Delhi, the sky is dark with smog during summer days. It is due to massive pollutants created by cars, buses, trains, and different vehicles. We always feel selfish and work according to our choices.

Different types of detrimental air pollutants are created in the air like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and different chemical reactions are formed in the air, which creates aerosols. Therefore, we can save our planet only through our circumspection.

Sample Answer 2 - Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card

After the havoc created by air pollution in our environment, water pollution is the next issue that people in my country face. Different water bodies are becoming prey to this detrimental problem which results mainly from unregulated human activities.

India is a country with diverse physical features and water bodies are one of them. From the Dal Lake in Kashmir to the Punnamada Lake in Kerala and from the Umngot river in Meghalaya to the Sabarmati river in Gujarat, each represents the ever-changing beauty of the country. Unfortunately, most of these lakes and rivers have become victims of water pollution as factories dump their chemical waste illegally and tourists or locals are dumping garbage in the waters. Additionally, due to the overuse of chemicals for better agricultural produce, the groundwater is also contaminated, leading to various microbial growth, oxygen depletion problems, nutrient pollution, etc.

There are three main types of water pollution; namely, Chemical pollution, which is the result of dumping of garbage and chemical waste into the main waters, Groundwater pollution, which is caused by fertilizers or pesticides run-off, and Microbiological pollution, which takes place as the chemicals increase the growth of micro-organisms like algae and harmful bacteria that destroys aquatic life.

It is very important to us to remember that these water bodies, mainly the rivers, lakes and ponds, are the sources of drinking water. If they are polluted, it will not only affect the aquatic animals and plants, but a time will come when we will die of poisoning and thirst. So, it is not too late to curb our drastic methods and take meaningful steps to save the environment.

Vocabulary - Describe a Serious Environmental Problem in Your Country – IELTS Cue Card

• Hazardous: risky; dangerous
  Eg: Air pollutants are hazardous to health.

• Detrimental: harmful
  Eg: Drugs are detrimental to health.

• Fossil fuels: a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
  Eg: The burning of fossil fuels causes black smoke.

Awesome work! Are you done with this Cue Card and its sample answer? Well, keep the flow going. Go ahead with your practice on other topics and attempt some questions for IELTS Speaking Part 3. Keep in mind all the three sessions will help you attain a band of 8+ in the IELTS exam.

Now let us help you reach your goal of an 8+ score today!

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