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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 place you visited that has been affected by pollution.

You should say:

• where it is
• why and when you went there
• how polluted this place is

and explain what the reasons are, in your opinion, for this pollution.

[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:
Air pollution is a big problem in many cities around the world, where authorities don’t seem to know how to deal with it effectively. Today, I would like to talk about one such place, a residential area, which is also struggling with air pollution.

Anyway, the place I want to talk about is located close to one of the major industrial areas in Cairo, which I visited a couple of years ago in order to meet a good friend of mine. I met this good friend of mine on my first visit to Egypt when I went there to see one of the 7th wonders of the world – The Pyramid.

By the way, since I had visited Cairo a couple of times before my most recent visit, I was already aware of the terrible – I mean, really terrible - air pollution situation of the city, but little did I know that the air pollution problem in the particular area, where my friend lived, was even worse. In fact, within only a few days of arriving at my friend’s place, I started to have a mild cough, along with a blocked nose, due to harmful particles like dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets that could be found in the air of that residential area.

Besides, I also noticed that a number of trees there looked colourless and lifeless because of the negative effects of air pollution. In addition to that, a very thin layer of “dust-like” thing could also be noticed on many buildings there, which made those buildings look essentially old and worn out.

Anyway, one of the main reasons for such air pollution in that residential area was that it was a bit too close to one of the major industrial areas in Cairo, where dozens of heavy and large industries could be found operating. After all, the smoke and other toxic chemicals released from the industries there spread not only over the residential area of my friend but also all over Cairo City.

Sample Answer 2:
Thank you for allowing me to talk about this topic. Last year, I went to visit (...say an area name in your city/ country...) with two of my friends and thought we would enjoy our trip. We heard from a teacher that this was a beautiful place to visit, and after that, we planned to go there. To our surprise, this place was severely affected by pollution, and instead of enjoying our trip, we cut it short and returned home.

It was early summer last year, and visiting a place near a river - which is surrounded by natural beauty, and recommended by one of our favourite teachers - was an excellent idea. I am sure the teacher who suggested this place had no idea about the severity of the pollution that occurred, and how things had become worse.

The water pollution was quite severe there, and the black and greasy elements that were floating on the water created a shocking scene. Uncontrolled waste management, toxic elements from factories and industries, motorised vehicles running on the water and the lack of proper maintenance of the riverside are the main reasons the water has been polluted. More shockingly, the air pollution was also noticeable. I noticed many industries and factories releasing thick black fumes, which have made the air more polluted there than in any other place I know.

As I have learned, uncontrolled urbanisation, the establishment of new factories and industries without proper planning, lack of strict policy and corruption among some government officials are so far the main reasons for increasing pollution in this area. I wish this would stop, and we will be conscious enough not to destroy our own inhabitants.

Sample Answer 3: 
Well, a place that immediately comes to my mind when I think about this topic is the Buriganga River, which flows through the capital city of my country. A few years ago, I visited this riverbank with some friends, hoping to enjoy a boat ride and explore the traditional marketplaces along the shore. Unfortunately, instead of experiencing natural beauty, I was struck by the severity of the pollution. I thank you for the chance to be able to talk about this topic, but I am also sad that this place has been severely affected by pollution.

I went there during the monsoon season, when rivers usually appear vibrant and lively. However, the Buriganga looked far from healthy. The water was pitch black in many areas and carried an overpowering stench that made it almost impossible to stand close to the river for too long. Plastic bottles, discarded food containers, and industrial waste floated on the surface, while the banks were crowded with heaps of solid waste. It was really disheartening to see such a vital waterway in such a dire state.

In my opinion, the pollution of this river has multiple causes. The most significant is the unregulated disposal of industrial waste, especially from leather tanneries and textile factories that operate nearby. In addition, untreated sewage is often dumped directly into the water, further contaminating it. On top of that, the lack of proper waste management facilities in the surrounding area means that ordinary people also contribute to the problem by throwing household rubbish into the river.

This experience left me feeling rather disappointed and concerned. A river that once sustained communities, supported trade, and provided natural beauty has now become almost toxic. Stricter environmental regulations and greater public awareness are absolutely necessary if we want to restore such places and prevent further degradation.

Model Answer 4: 

Where it is:
A memorable trip that left me with mixed feelings was my visit to Shimla, a famous hill station in northern India. I went there last winter with the expectation of enjoying fresh mountain air, picturesque views, and some respite from the hectic pace of city life. Unfortunately, I was quite shocked to discover that even such a charming hill station was struggling with serious pollution. Here, I will share this experience with you and describe the type of pollution I noticed there.

When and why you went there:
We made this trip in December of last year, during the holiday season. I travelled with a group of friends, hoping to spend a few days exploring the snow-covered hills, sipping hot tea on Mall Road, and experiencing the much-talked-about scenic beauty of places like Kufri and Jakhoo Hill. But little did I know that this beautiful place had been affected by pollution.

How polluted this place was:
To my surprise, instead of the crisp mountain breeze I had imagined, much of Shimla was wrapped in a thick blanket of smog. The mornings were especially disheartening; the fog that should have felt refreshing was laced with visible layers of smoke and dust. At the bus stand and around the central market area, exhaust fumes from countless vehicles mixed with smoke from roadside eateries and wood-burning stoves, creating a suffocating environment. The visibility was so poor at times that the majestic Himalayan range was almost invisible.

And explain what the reasons are, in your opinion, for this pollution:
I believe the unregulated influx of tourists has put immense pressure on the town. Thousands of private vehicles crowd the narrow roads every day, leading to constant traffic jams and excessive emissions. Moreover, the burning of wood and coal for heating purposes in winter worsens the air quality. On top of that, poor waste management practices, including the open burning of garbage, have further deteriorated the environment. 

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution. To give a strong answer, you should say where it is, why and when you went there, how polluted the place is, and explain what you believe are the reasons for this pollution. Here are several ideas to help you develop your own answer:

1. A riverside promenade choked by plastic:
On a spring afternoon, I visited a riverside walkway in my city to take photos, but the waterline was cluttered with plastic bottles, food wrappers, and tangled fishing nets. I could even smell a sour, stagnant odour near the steps. In my view, the main culprits were poor waste management, storm drains channelling litter straight into the river, and a lack of public awareness about single-use plastics. I left feeling disappointed yet motivated to join a weekend clean-up drive.

2. A popular beach after a long holiday:
I travelled to a famous coastal beach with friends during the post-holiday rush, expecting pristine sand and blue waves. Instead, I found cigarette butts, leftover food containers, and noisy generators from temporary stalls. The beach looked tired, as if it had hosted a party it never agreed to. I believe tourist overflow, inadequate bins, and weak enforcement of littering fines were to blame. The contrast between natural beauty and human carelessness really stayed with me.

3. A hill station wrapped in smog:
During the cool season, I went to a hill town to enjoy clear skies, but a grey haze hung over the valley, obscuring the distant ridges. Even short walks made my throat scratchy. I suspect vehicle emissions from buses and jeeps, open burning of trash, and nearby brick kilns contributed to the smog. The experience taught me that elevation doesn’t guarantee clean air when regional sources keep pumping pollutants upslope.

4. A lakeside park with algal bloom:
I visited an urban lake at sunrise for some quiet time, only to see thick green scum coating the water’s edge and dead fish floating near a culvert. The signage warned against swimming or fishing. From what I’ve read and observed, nutrient runoff from fertilizers, leaking sewage lines, and detergent-rich greywater likely fueled the algal bloom. I felt a mix of sadness and urgency, realizing how fragile urban water bodies are.

5. An old town market engulfed by noise and fumes:
On a weekend errand, I passed through a historic bazaar where idling rickshaws, honking minibuses, and diesel generators blended into a constant roar. My eyes stung, and conversation was almost impossible. I think unregulated traffic, a lack of pedestrian zones, and reliance on older engines created this cocktail of noise and air pollution. The place had charm, but it struggled to breathe beneath the exhaust.

6. A mangrove edge dotted with oil sheen:
I joined a short eco-tour near a mangrove channel and noticed a rainbow sheen spreading across the surface whenever small boats passed. The guide pointed out tarry patches along the roots. In my opinion, leaky engines, improper refuelling, and occasional spills from larger vessels were behind the contamination. I felt protective of the habitat because mangroves are nurseries for fish and natural shields against storms.

7. A pilgrimage site overwhelmed by seasonal waste:
I visited a revered riverside shrine during a festival and saw heaps of discarded garlands, plastic cups, and food plates piling up faster than workers could collect them. The river steps turned into a conveyor belt of litter. To me, the reasons were predictable: sudden pilgrim surges, insufficient sanitation staff, and single-use offerings. I admired the devotion but wished the management offered reusable alternatives and clear disposal points.

8. A construction corridor blanketed in dust:
While commuting across town, I stopped near a highway expansion zone and immediately tasted grit in the air. Fine dust settled on shop fronts, and tree leaves looked grey instead of green. I’d attribute this to uncovered soil mounds, trucks without tarpaulins, and minimal water-spraying to control particulates. The scene reminded me how infrastructure growth needs strict dust-mitigation to protect everyday lungs.

9. An e-waste alley with harsh chemical smells:
I once walked through a backstreet where old electronics were dismantled by hand - wires burned for copper, boards soaked in makeshift acid baths. The air was acrid, and puddles looked unnaturally rainbow-tinted. I believe informal recycling without safety standards, demand for cheap metals, and a weak take-back system created this toxic micro-economy. I left quickly, thinking about the silent health toll on the workers and nearby families.

10. A wetland squeezed by encroachment:
On a bird-watching morning, I reached a once-lush marsh only to find dumped construction debris, plastic bags snagged on reeds, and fewer birds than in previous seasons. The water channels seemed narrower and sluggish. In my view, illegal landfilling, upstream drainage alterations, and untreated wastewater were starving the wetland. I felt a personal loss, as if a living classroom had been boarded up without notice.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a place affected by pollution, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey its location, the reasons for your visit, the extent of the damage, and your opinion on its causes. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the environmental degradation, the visual and sensory impact of the pollution, and your feelings about the experience, making your response both descriptive and poignant. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Pollution: – The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example: The main problem with the lake was the severe pollution from nearby factories.

Environmental degradation: – The deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.
Example: I was saddened to see the extent of the environmental degradation in the area.

Contaminated: – Made impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
Example: The once-clear river was now visibly contaminated and unsafe for swimming.

Industrial waste: – Waste produced by industrial activity.
Example: The factories had been dumping industrial waste directly into the river for years.

Litter: – Rubbish such as paper, cans, and bottles left lying in an open or public place.
Example: The beaches were covered in litter, a clear sign of human negligence.

Smog: – A type of air pollution that forms a visible haze in the air, especially in urban areas.
Example: A thick layer of smog hung over the city, making it difficult to see.

Reckless: – Heedless of danger or the consequences of one's actions; rash or impulsive.
Example: I believe the pollution is a direct result of reckless human activity and development.

Irreversible damage: – Harm or injury that cannot be undone or repaired.
Example: The pollution has caused irreversible damage to the local ecosystem.

Consequence: – A result or effect of an action or condition.
Example: The polluted environment is a grave consequence of a lack of regulation.

Negligence: – Failure to take proper care of something.
Example: The problem is caused by the negligence of both the government and the community.

Deteriorated: – Became progressively worse.
Example: The pristine natural beauty of the area had completely deteriorated.

Overwhelmed: – Completely overcome or overpowered by an emotion or a feeling.
Example: I felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the environmental problem.

Heartbreaking: – Causing great distress.
Example: It was heartbreaking to see a place I once loved in such a terrible state.

Distressing: – Causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
Example: The sight of so much plastic waste was extremely distressing.

Ecological balance: – A state of equilibrium in an ecosystem where all living things coexist with their environment.
Example: The pollution has completely upset the ecological balance of the area.

Conscious effort: – A deliberate or intentional attempt to do something.
Example: I believe it will take a conscious effort from everyone to fix the problem.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe a person who cares about the environment.
2) Describe a journey [e.g. by car, plane, boat] that you remember well.
3) Describe a noisy place you have visited.
4) Describe a law on environmental protection you know about.
5) Describe a place near water where you visited.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• Candidate Task Card

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