Cue Card

Describe a place you have visited that is affected by pollution

You should say:

• Where it is
• Why you visited this place
• What kind of pollution you saw
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. In what ways are cities polluted?
2. Why don’t some people care about the environment?
3. Do you think there is more or less pollution now compared to the past?
4. How do you think pollution levels will change in the future?
5. What do you think we should do to combat pollution?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'll never forget the time I visited the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It's this massive vortex of trash in the middle of the ocean, and it's a real-life example of the devastating impact of human carelessness. As I sailed through the patch, I was struck by the sheer scale of the problem. Plastic bags, water bottles, and microbeads as far as the eye could see. It was like sailing through a sea of garbage. The worst part? It's not just the visible trash that's the problem – it's the tiny microplastics that are ingested by marine life, making their way up the food chain and eventually onto our plates.

The patch is a result of ocean currents and winds that trap the trash in a giant whirlpool. It's not just a problem for the environment; it's a human problem too. The plastic we use in our daily lives ends up in our oceans, harming the very ecosystem that sustains us. As I looked out at the endless expanse of trash, I felt a deep sense of responsibility. We're the ones who created this mess, and it's up to us to clean it up.

The experience was a wake-up call for me. I realized that every single one of us has the power to make a difference. We can choose to use reusable bags, refillable water bottles, and avoid products with microbeads. We can support organizations working to clean up our oceans and hold our leaders accountable for implementing policies that protect our planet. It's not just about saving the environment; it's about saving ourselves. We're all connected, and the health of our oceans is a reflection of our own health.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

wake-up call

an event or experience that makes someone realize that they need to take action or make a change

The doctor's diagnosis was a wake-up call for John to start taking care of his health.

The financial crisis was a wake-up call for the government to regulate the banking industry.

Sample Part 3 Answers

In what ways are cities polluted? One of the most striking things I noticed when I visited Los Angeles was the thick haze that hung over the city. At first, I thought it was just fog, but as I spent more time there, I realized it was actually smog - a toxic mix of pollutants from cars, factories, and other industrial activities. The air was thick with particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, making it hard to breathe and exacerbating respiratory problems like asthma. The pollution in LA was a constant presence, a reminder of the environmental costs of urbanization and industrialization. But it wasn't just the air that was polluted - the city's waterways were also contaminated with runoff from streets, construction sites, and industrial facilities. I saw trash and debris floating in the LA River, and heard about the harm it was causing to local wildlife. It was clear that the city's pollution problems were complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive solution that addressed the root causes of the issue.

Why don’t some people care about the environment? I think one reason some people don't care about the environment is that they don't see the direct impact of pollution on their daily lives. When I visited a small town in West Virginia, I met people who worked in the coal mining industry and saw the environmental damage it caused, but they didn't connect the dots between their work and the pollution. They were more concerned about their jobs and livelihoods than the long-term effects of their work on the environment. It wasn't until I showed them pictures of the devastated landscape and explained how it was affecting their community's health that they began to see the connection. I think many people are in a similar situation - they're not aware of the harm they're causing or the benefits of protecting the environment. Education and awareness are key to changing people's attitudes and behaviors. We need to make the environmental impact more tangible and personal for people, so they can see why it matters.

Do you think there is more or less pollution now compared to the past? From what I've learned, I think there's definitely more pollution now than in the past. When I visited the Great Lakes, I saw firsthand the devastating impact of industrial pollution on the water quality and ecosystems. The lakes were once pristine, but decades of pollution from factories, agricultural runoff, and sewage have taken a toll. I saw algae blooms, dead zones, and a decline in fish populations. It's heartbreaking to think about how human activities have harmed these incredible natural resources. While there have been efforts to clean up the lakes, there's still a long way to go. I think the sheer scale and complexity of modern industrial activities have led to an increase in pollution, despite advances in technology and regulations. We need to continue innovating and finding ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

How do you think pollution levels will change in the future? I'm cautiously optimistic that pollution levels will decrease in the future. When I visited a cutting-edge electronics factory in Taiwan, I saw how companies are investing in sustainable technologies and practices to reduce their environmental impact. They're using renewable energy, reducing waste, and implementing circular economy principles. I also saw how governments and industries are working together to develop and implement stricter regulations and standards for pollution control. However, I'm also aware that there are still many challenges ahead, particularly in developing countries where economic growth and industrialization are driving pollution. To achieve significant reductions in pollution, we need to continue innovating, collaborating, and holding ourselves and others accountable for our environmental impact.

What do you think we should do to combat pollution? I think one of the most effective ways to combat pollution is to adopt a circular economy approach. When I visited a city in Sweden, I saw how they're designing waste management systems that minimize waste and maximize recycling. They're also promoting sustainable consumption patterns and encouraging businesses to adopt environmentally-friendly practices. I believe we need to rethink our entire production and consumption systems to reduce waste and pollution. This means investing in renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable land use practices. We also need to hold industries and governments accountable for their environmental impact and ensure that they're transparent about their practices. By working together and making conscious choices, I believe we can significantly reduce pollution and create a healthier environment for future generations.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

thick haze

a dense, fog-like cloud of pollutants in the air

The thick haze hung over the city.

The air was thick with particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide.

smog

a type of air pollution caused by a mixture of smoke and fog

The city was plagued by smog.

The smog was a toxic mix of pollutants from cars, factories, and other industrial activities.

circular economy

an economic system that aims to reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption

We need to adopt a circular economy approach to combat pollution.

They're designing waste management systems that minimize waste and maximize recycling.

environmental footprint

the impact that human activities have on the environment

We need to reduce our environmental footprint.

The sheer scale and complexity of modern industrial activities have led to an increase in pollution.

cutting-edge

using the most advanced technology or methods

The cutting-edge electronics factory in Taiwan was a model for sustainable practices.

They're investing in cutting-edge technologies to reduce their environmental impact.