Describe a serious environmental problem in your country.
You should say:- what it is
- what the effects of this problem are
- what causes that problem
[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 in our country is one of the most serious environmental problems, and many major cities in our country are affected by it. Increasing carbon emission from industries and automobiles makes it worse every day. Other harmful particles produced from burning fossil fuel have made the situation graver.
The effects of air pollution are really dangerous. Air pollution in my country is responsible for many health-related problems among citizens, and also kills many people every year. It is liable for causing respiratory disorders and many people get sick who are exposed to air pollution for a long time. The usual short-term problems include difficulties in breathing, bronchitis, heart ailments and so on while it can lead to cancer or even death in the long run. Unfortunately, air pollution in our country is reducing the life expectancy of many people.
No doubt, air pollution is a global problem now, and in my country, fossil fuels and rapid industrialisation are the primary reasons behind it. The excessive use of machinery and motorised vehicles ignites the rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Increasing dust particles make things more damaging.
Air pollution is a burning issue for our country now. Some cautionary measures should be taken to check the air pollution level. The most important step to reducing air pollution is to reduce carbon emissions. So we need to reduce the use of gas, oil and other fossil fuels. Alternative energy or green energy like solar energy, hydroelectric power and wind power should be used more extensively. A massive awareness among ordinary people about air pollution is also required to curb the problem.
Model Answer 2:
Deforestation is a big problem in Thailand, and it is threatening the environment seriously. In some cases, a wide range of forestland is burnt down to grow crops, particularly mushroom which has a high demand in the market. A notable number of farmers are involved in the act which is posing grave threats to the nation’s environment.
Many forests are being destroyed indiscriminately and as a result, the impacts of climatic disorders are appearing in the country. In fact, a country needs at least 30% forestlands to maintain a balance in the environment, but by the process of burning down the forests, we are inviting dangers for us. If there is not enough rain in the country, we would be responsible for that. Trees and forests play an important role in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem and we are hampering it. It would only lead to unexpected floods, droughts and other environmental disasters.
I would say that greed for money is the key reason for this problem. Many people want to gain financially by destroying the forests. They grow mushrooms on the lands as those are economically lucrative. So, the growers in some parts of the country deliberately burn the forests and grow crops. The lack of proper monitoring is another reason behind this problem.
A preventive measure like fixing a certain time of the year for mushroom cultivation should be in place. The state authorities should take punitive measures against the farmers who grow the crop other than the season set by the authority. Tree plantation on a massive scale throughout the country is another potential solution to this problem, I believe.
Idea generation for this Cue Card topic:
"Describe a serious environmental problem in your country."Environmental degradation is a concerning issue all around the world. The IELTS applicants can have some answer hints for this cue card topic other than the one presented as a sample answer above. A couple of hints would be a plus for them. And here they go...
1. Amid numerous environmental issues in India, garbage pollution appears to be a serious one to me. I have many bitter experiences with garbage management and waste disposal. Littering is a common problem, and walking down the streets becomes difficult for ordinary people for the bad odour that is produced from that garbage.
2. Air pollution is a serious headache for China. The key pollutants are the manufacturing industries, vehicle fumes, and the burning of fossil fuels. As a result, the air quality has degraded and various symptoms of an unhealthy environment are becoming acute.
3. Nobody seems like cares much about the issue but marine pollution is going on silently in the USA. This is a serious environmental problem that we need to address right now. Ship oils, plastics and industrial wastage are mainly responsible for the pollution. A huge number of commercial and non-commercial vessels that run on water cause damage to marine lives as well.
4. Deforestation is a big problem for Malaysia. Currently, many forests are being cut down to make places for cities, roads and new constructions. Consequently, it is causing the extinction of many wildlife, and damaging the environment. Detrimental effects of deforestation are already visible in many parts of the country.
5. At present, climate change is a concerning issue for Australia. The local climate is changing gradually and people are suffering from the sudden change. In fact, the situations were less severe only a decade ago. The temperature rise is an indicator of climate change here.
6. Unplanned urban areas in Vietnam are causing serious environmental disorder in the country. Due to poor planning, urban areas are becoming more congested and contributing to many types of pollution. People now suffer from air pollution, water pollution, litter problems and things are getting worse every passing day.
7. The recent appearance of acidic rain is a sign of a serious environmental disorder in South Korea. The situation has turned worst during the past couple of years. Besides, it is hard to breathe in the dust while people go out for work or other purposes in some particular areas of the country.