Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a problem in your city/ hometown - Cue Card # 488
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a problem you have noticed in your city/ hometown that you think should be solved.
You should say:
- what it is
- how serious it is
- what causes this problem
and say what can be done to solve/reduce this problem.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Until recently, the city in which I currently live didn’t have many serious problems, probably because the city had enough resources at its disposal to deal with any kind of problem. But something happened in the last few years, and suddenly, we can see that our city is facing several problems, and today, I would like to talk about one of them here.
The problem I'd like to discuss here is our city’s overall healthcare system, which was never an issue for us even 5 years ago. But over the last 5 years, things have deteriorated to such a point that the common people of our city can’t really trust our hospital authority anymore with their health.
They can’t trust the healthcare providers in our city anymore because patients have to wait at least 50 minutes in a big queue just to get a simple thing, like checking the blood group of a person tested. Besides, we can also see a number of patients lying or sleeping on the floors of our hospitals and clinics, apparently because they just don’t have enough beds for poor patients.
Anyway, people and the city authority are mainly blaming a huge influx of population from urban areas into our city, in addition to other reasons, like the lack of budget and enough skilled health workers. But whatever is causing this problem, the truth is it is a serious matter - a matter of life and death - and something needs to be done immediately in order to take care of it.
I believe that to solve this problem, we need to make sure that people in rural and suburban areas have better income opportunities in their own areas so that they don’t have to move into big cities. Besides, healthcare budgets should also be proportionately increased in order to take care of the healthcare needs, like paying for building new healthcare facilities and employing more healthcare professionals.
Sample Answer 2:
I live in (…say the name of your city...) and this city has a huge population. With the increasing population, unplanned urbanisation, rapid industrialisation and lack of proper initiatives from the authority, many different problems have emerged here, and traffic congestion, in my opinion, is the worst of all.
Traffic congestion in large cities is a common problem. However, in our city, it is far worse. The long lines of cars and buses and their movement at a snail's pace have become an annoying yet common scenario in our city. This is even worse during rush hours, and bad traffic kills a considerable amount of time each day. Business owners, office goers, students and their parents, and people from all walks of life suffer seriously due to this uncontrollable traffic jam. Everyone seems devastated and vexed about it, authorities know that as well, and yet, no proper step has been taken to solve this heinous problem.
There are many reasons behind this problem: an increasing number of cars and vehicles, lax traffic rules, and insufficient roads, in my opinion, are the main reasons. Moreover, public transportation is not reliable, and due to this, people heavily rely on private cars, contributing to more traffic.
Since this is already a pressing issue, steps should be taken before it gets worse. First, the government and road authorities should invest more money in building new roads and repairing and maintaining old ones, particularly in areas where traffic jams are common. On top of that, public transportation should be improved so that people use it more frequently. At the same time, stricter traffic rules must be in place, and violations of traffic regulations should be severely punished in order to reduce traffic congestion.
Sample Answer 3:
I love the city I live in - Sheffield in the UK! It feels wrong to talk about its problems when there is so much about the city that I’d like to celebrate and share with you instead. However, to talk about this topic, I can think of a problem in my city that certainly leaves me breathless with frustration more often than I like to admit. I’ll try to explain what it is, how serious it is, the causes and probable solutions of the problem.
So, don’t laugh, but the problem with my city of Sheffield is the hills! Before I moved to Sheffield a few years ago, I didn’t really know anything about the city. I do know that when I first moved to Sheffield, I could not believe how many steep and long hills there were! I am not talking about gentle undulations, I am talking about proper steep hills, where you have to wear walking shoes, dig deep, head down and haul yourself up to the hills. I thought I was reasonably fit, but soon discovered I was a ‘soft southerner’.
How serious is the problem? Well, it depends! It is genuinely a problem if you are, say, a child, elderly or disabled, as it is physically challenging to get around. In winter, when there is snow and ice, roads often become completely impassable, buses are cancelled, and those who can walk to work have to do so – sometimes clinging to sidewalls and lampposts along their route to avoid sliding downhill all the way! When I first came to Sheffield, I was worried my car wouldn’t be able to cope with the steep hills.
However, even problems can have unexpected positives associated with them! Walking around Sheffield certainly keeps you fit. I might still puff going up some of the steeper hills, but I can now get up them without stopping. I now take it for granted that everywhere is hilly around me, and although I still can’t work out how it is possible for a route to and from the town centre to apparently be uphill both going out and coming back, I do take it in my stride. I now forget how hilly it is.
What is the cause? Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, local geography! There’s not much to be done about that. So when it comes to saying what might be done to ‘solve the problem’, I think it isn’t about ‘solving’ it at all. Rather, it is more of an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ sort of situation. By which I mean, instead of fretting over what can’t be changed, it’s much better to accept it, and even learn to appreciate it!
[Written by - Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Model Answer 4:
Thank you for this rather interesting topic that allows me to talk about a problem in my hometown that I think needs to be resolved immediately. Well, one of the most pressing problems I have noticed in my hometown is the severe traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours in the morning and late afternoon. What should be a 20-minute journey often turns into an hour-long ordeal, which wastes both time and energy for thousands of commuters every single day.
This issue is quite serious because it not only affects people’s productivity and mental well-being but also contributes heavily to air pollution. With vehicles idling for long periods in traffic jams, the level of carbon emissions has increased significantly, which in turn is deteriorating the air quality. Moreover, the constant honking and stress caused by gridlocks make the city environment less livable and more frustrating for its residents.
The primary causes of this problem, in my opinion, are poor urban planning, an over-dependence on private cars, and a lack of efficient public transportation. As the city has grown rapidly in terms of population and economic activity, the road infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace. On top of that, people often avoid buses because they are overcrowded and unreliable, which forces them to rely on personal vehicles, adding further pressure to the roads.
To address this issue, I believe the government needs to take a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, investing in a modern and reliable public transport system, such as metro trains or bus rapid transit, could encourage people to shift away from private cars. Secondly, stricter traffic regulations and better traffic management through the use of technology, like synchronised traffic lights, would help reduce unnecessary congestion. Lastly, raising awareness among citizens about carpooling, cycling, or even walking for short distances could gradually change the commuting culture of the city.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a problem you have noticed in your city or hometown that should be solved. To give a great answer, you should explain what the problem is, how serious it is, what causes it, and what can be done to solve or reduce it. Here are several ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Traffic congestion:
Every weekday morning, I sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic for nearly an hour on a stretch that should take ten minutes. It’s serious because ambulances get stuck and small businesses lose time and money. From what I can tell, the causes include poor lane discipline, too many private cars, and intersections without smart signals. I believe dedicated bus lanes, synchronised traffic lights, stricter enforcement against illegal stopping, and incentives for carpooling would make a measurable difference.
2. Air pollution during the dry season:
On some evenings, I can actually smell the haze, and my eyes sting after a short walk. The health impact feels severe—people cough more and joggers switch to masks. I think the main drivers are vehicle emissions, open burning of waste, and dust from construction sites. If the city tightened emission testing, banned open burning with real penalties, enforced dust control at worksites, and expanded tree cover along corridors, the air would noticeably improve.
3. Flooding and waterlogging after heavy rain:
A single cloudburst can transform my street into a shallow canal within minutes. It’s not just inconvenient; shops shut, roads break up, and residents risk electric shocks from submerged cables. As I see it, clogged drains, reduced wetlands, and reckless construction on natural channels are to blame. Desilting drains before the monsoon, restoring retention ponds, enforcing no-build zones on waterways, and adding permeable pavements would reduce peak flooding.
4. Unreliable waste segregation and littering:
Even though my building tries to separate waste, the municipal truck often mixes everything together, which discourages residents. The problem is serious because it leads to overflowing dumps and more stray animals tearing bags open. I think the root causes are weak collection protocols, lack of citizen training, and too few recycling facilities. Clear door-to-door segregation rules, separate trucks for wet/dry waste, community composting hubs, and fines for repeat littering could turn this around.
5. Sidewalks blocked by vendors and parked vehicles:
Walking to the bus stop, I’m forced onto the road because the footpath is a maze of bikes, signboards, and carts. For seniors and parents with strollers, this becomes dangerous. In my view, the causes include zero enforcement and no designated vending zones. If the city marked protected pedestrian lanes, created legal vending clusters with time slots, and towed vehicles encroaching on sidewalks, walking would be safer and faster.
6. Noise pollution late into the night:
Some restaurants and event halls near my home blast music past midnight, and it ruins sleep before workdays. It’s more serious than people admit - chronic noise elevates stress and blood pressure. The issue stems from weak licensing checks, poor soundproofing, and a culture of “just this once.” I’d push for strict decibel limits with on-the-spot meters, mandatory soundproofing for venues, and a hotline that triggers immediate inspections.
7. Potholes and poor road maintenance:
After each monsoon, my daily route turns into a slalom course of potholes that damage suspensions and cause accidents. The danger is real when bikers swerve at the last second. I think quick, cheap patchwork and poor drainage design are the culprits. Longer-lasting resurfacing, warranties for contractors, routine post-rain audits, and proper camber for water runoff would keep roads intact for years, not weeks.
8. Inadequate public transport coverage at off-peak hours:
When I finish late, the buses are infrequent and overcrowded, pushing people toward expensive rideshares. This is serious for students and shift workers who rely on affordable mobility. The reasons include limited night schedules and routes that ignore new residential pockets. If the transit agency added feeder minibuses, extended late-night frequencies on trunk lines, and integrated a single smart card across modes, ridership would grow and costs would drop.
9. Shrinking green spaces and tree loss:
Parks I played in as a child now have fewer trees and more concrete plazas. Heat feels harsher, and birds are less common. I’d blame unchecked development, small maintenance budgets, and a preference for “beautification” over ecology. A robust urban tree policy, native-species planting, community stewardship programs, and environmental impact reviews before any park redesign would restore shade and biodiversity.
10. Digital scams targeting residents:
In my circle, several people have lost money to phishing calls pretending to be banks or delivery services. It’s serious because trust in online payments takes a hit, slowing digital progress. The causes include low cyber awareness and spoofed caller IDs. City-wide education drives, SMS alerts from banks about common scams, rapid takedown of fraudulent numbers, and easier complaint portals would protect vulnerable users.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a problem in your city or hometown, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey what the issue is, its severity, the causes behind it, and potential solutions. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the negative impact of the problem and your suggestions for improvement, making your response both insightful and constructive. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Urban issue: – A problem or challenge that exists in a city or urban area.
Example: Traffic congestion is a significant urban issue that affects most major cities.
Infrastructure: – The basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Example: The lack of proper road infrastructure is a major cause of the city's traffic problem.
Overpopulation: – The condition of being populated with an excessively large number of people or animals.
Example: Overpopulation is a root cause of many problems, from housing shortages to waste management issues.
Traffic congestion: – A condition in traffic that is characterised by slower speeds and longer trip times.
Example: I think traffic congestion is the most serious problem in our city.
Pollution: – The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example: The air pollution has become a serious health concern for residents.
Waste management: – The collection, transport, disposal, or recycling of waste materials.
Example: Our city's poor waste management system leads to litter on the streets.
Severity: – The fact or condition of being severe.
Example: The problem has reached a high level of severity and requires immediate action.
Overwhelmed: – Completely overcome or overpowered.
Example: The city's resources are completely overwhelmed by the scale of this problem.
Root cause: – The fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem.
Example: The root cause of the issue is a lack of effective public policy.
Negligence: – Failure to take proper care of something.
Example: I believe the problem is caused by the negligence of both citizens and authorities.
Apathy: – Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Example: The apathy of residents towards environmental protection is part of the issue.
Sustainable: – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; able to be sustained indefinitely.
Example: We need to find a sustainable solution to this recurring problem.
Policy: – A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government or organisation.
Example: The government needs to introduce stricter policies to curb pollution.
Public awareness: – The state of having knowledge or concern about a particular issue.
Example: A public awareness campaign could help reduce littering.
Initiative: – An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.
Example: A new green initiative has been launched to clean up the city's parks.
Civic responsibility: – The duties and obligations of a citizen to their city or community.
Example: Solving this problem requires a greater sense of civic responsibility from everyone.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a problem you have noticed in your city/ hometown that you think should be solved", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a part of your city that is changing.
2) Describe an environmental problem that the world is facing.
3) Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution.
4) Describe a time when you got stuck in a traffic jam.
5) Describe a law that you think should be introduced in your country.
6) Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college.
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