How would you describe something you do to help the environment? In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test you are given a topic like this to talk about.
You are allowed 1 minute to plan and prepare what you want to say.
Then the IELTS examiner will ask you to talk about it for between 1 and 2 minutes.
The longer you can speak - the better.
Example IELTS speaking environment cue card
Describe something you do to help the environment
You should say:- what it is
- how you do it
- how you would suggest to somebody to do it
Sometimes the topic is the same but the Cue Card (Task Card) is worded as:
- Describe how you try to help the environment
- Describe an environmental problem that has been in the news.
- Describe a person who helps protect the environment
- Describe an environmental problem that has occurred in your country or similar.
So, let's dive in and look at ...
5 ways to help the environment?
One way you can help the environment is by recycling things. You can recycle paper, plastic, glass and metal in your community.
It's easy to do too - just put items into a bin that says 'Recycle' on it.
Recycling has many benefits for us as humans and our environment:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills
- conserve natural resources such as metals and minerals
- create jobs for people who work in waste management industries
- and more...
- Use reusable bags when shopping for groceries.
- Buy organic food that is grown locally, avoiding the need to transport produce very far distances.
- Learn how you can help stop climate change and protect the environment.
- Plant trees in your city or local conservation projects to provide homes for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and reduce carbon emissions.
There are many ways you can help maintain our natural world whilst living in modern cities - see below some suggestions of what you could do!
Other things that communities can do include:
- Placing recycling bins in public areas.
- Encouraging people to use less water or energy by installing smart meters and other devices that monitor usage.
- Planting trees on roadsides where they won't get damaged by cars.
Some say the best thing you can do for the environment is live a more sustainable lifestyle. Others advocate getting involved politically, but whatever your method of activism, there are many ways you as an individual can help stop climate change!
Research how you might be able to make small changes today - even if it's just one idea at a time, together we will ensure our natural world remains healthy well into tomorrow!
What can I do to help the environment?
There are a lot of things you can do and it is up to your personal preference as there are no right or wrong answers. The most important thing you should know about this topic is how every little bit really does help!
Here are some more suggestions for what people could do:
- Turn off electrical appliances when not using them so that they don't use any power whatsoever, like microwaves in between cooking food or televisions while you're flipping through channels to find something worth watching.
- Carpool with neighbours if possible instead of driving alone everywhere which will reduce greenhouse gases by car exhausts. You may also consider getting an electric vehicle.
How can you help the environment at home?
Here are a couple of ideas:
- Plant a tree (or two!)
- Compost food scraps
- Use water sparingly and clean your teeth with baking soda.
How you would suggest somebody to help the environment?
I think that it is best if people try to live as natural lives as possible. That means not using any chemicals in their home, eating organic foods when possible, and being conscious of how much energy they are consuming.
When we do this then we are living more like our ancestors did before modern life existed which will help us be closer to nature.
If everyone made these small changes then collectively they can make a huge difference!
How can we protect our environment in everyday life?
Try walking or cycling instead of driving. Oh! And stop using plastic bags.
Recycle as much as possible, ignore any disposable goods at the checkout stand in stores, and learn more about other things we can do to help protect the environment!
How can someone start doing these things?
If someone wants to live a natural lifestyle then they must be conscious not just of their actions but everyone else's around them.
Educating yourself is one way that you will know what needs to change. You could read blogs on tips for living naturally, watch documentaries or talk with other people who are trying this type of life too!
How can we prevent environmental problems?
The environment provides so much for us such as pollinating plants and animals that help food production.
We can help protect the environment by:
- reducing our carbon footprint
- using reusable bags instead of plastic ones (to reduce waste)
- recycling things like paper or cans/bottles
- encouraging family members not to buy so many clothes for themselves
- choosing items less likely to have been produced in ways damaging the natural world
It is important to make sure we recycle whatever we can. This stops plastics from ending up in landfill sites where no decomposition process happens. We must always be conscious of trying to reduce our carbon footprint.
A great thing that people can do is reduce their carbon footprint by cutting down on how often they drive places because this takes up gas which causes air pollution.
You could also plant a tree! Trees provide oxygen and absorb CO₂ (carbon dioxide).
Dealing with waste
- Reduce the amount of plastic you use
- Recycle as much as possible
- Encourage others not to buy too many clothes made with conventionally grown cotton.
Planting a tree
A great way people can help is by planting trees! Trees provide oxygen and absorb CO₂ so they are really good for your environment. It would be cool if more people did things like that because then we could live in harmony with nature which would make life happier and healthier overall.
Dealing with plastic bags
We need to stop using plastic bags because they are ruining the environment.
You can also help by not buying clothes made with conventionally grown cotton and encouraging others not to do so too.
Benefits of reusable bags
The main benefit is that it will help the environment because you won't need to use any more paper bags. You'll also save money and time that would have gone into buying new ones every few weeks.
Food production and the environment
The relationship is complicated. The environment is affected by the food we produce, how much of it there is and what kind.
The more food a country produces, for example, farming meat instead of vegetables to feed their population’s needs.
If this overproduction leads to wastage that damages the environment then such practices are not sustainable or environmentally friendly at all.
Consumers need to help out as well by making 'green' choices when we can: buying local goods; minimising our waste/recycling; cutting down on packaged foods which have been processed using lots of energy. As with anything else, taking small steps will make a difference.
Cleaner energy
We need to consider things like switching off lights when leaving the room, but there's so much more that we can do to keep negative effects on Mother Nature at bay.
For example, encouraging those around us to take public transport instead of driving themselves will have an impact
Trying to help the environment with cleaner energy is a big task. We need to be mindful of our use and how we can make it more efficient while still using as little power as possible.
Solar panels are a good option. If you're not sure what types of solar panels are best for your needs, then I would suggest getting in touch with someone who knows their stuff or doing some research yourself before making any purchases.
The environment and farming animals
This is an interesting aspect of green living that is often overlooked.
As a society, we have become so accustomed to the idea of eating animals on our plate as part of a balanced diet and for its convenience, that very few take into account how much it impacts our environment.
The livestock industry has one of the worst greenhouse gas emissions which are responsible for 40% or more global warming! And yet this sector continues to grow with an average increase by 20-25%.
There's no need to know all these figures but I just wanted you guys to be aware of something huge happening right now in your backyard and most people don't even care about it because they think there aren't any alternatives when it comes down to meat consumption.
But luckily enough, there are plenty of alternatives such as switching to a vegetarian diet! This is one of the easiest ways to not only help our environment but also your health.
There are no shortage of different types of vegetables and if you think it's boring or something, there are plenty of vegan recipes out there that will keep your taste buds happy as ever.
Switching from meat consumption can have a huge impact on the environment.
Global greenhouse gas emissions: how to stop them?
The solution is not simply reducing the use of fossil fuels but also a change in how we eat.
How to do it? Some suggestions are: becoming vegetarian, eating less meat or simply cutting down your consumption even one day per week would have an impact on global warming
There are plenty of vegan recipes out there for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint In this way, humans will be able to prevent environmental damage and at the same time improve their health.
TIPS for living a more sustaible life - easy steps to start today
- Recycle your trash
- Buy in bulk and buy things that are made to last, not items you’ll have to replace frequently.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room - use lamps or natural light instead of artificial light whenever possible.
- Use reusable grocery bags (or bring a bag for each item from home). Bag manufacturers estimate that an average family uses 300 plastic bags per year; most end up as litter in our environment. The production costs of this many plastic bags are significant: it takes more than 12 million barrels of oil every single year just to make these “disposable” products!
IELTS Speaking Questions & Answers
This is an example of an IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 question (Cue Card) and answer. The topic is describe something you do to help the environment.
Describe How You Try to Help the Environment
IELTS Sample Answer
There are many things that people can do to help the environment, such as recycling, reducing their use of energy at home and work, reducing contamination or pollution from their cars, and things like that.
Many modern cities have now introduced better public transport and implemented various programs targeting the use of private cars and commercial trucks within city centers.
Parking restrictions have been enforced, and many cities throughout the world now restrict when you can use your car in the city center, typically banning or prohibiting its use for one day each week.
All these actions have helped reduce the amount of pollution caused within urban areas, but they have also caused problems regarding mobility for many people.
The relative difficulty of parking in some city centers now, due to the restrictions, can cause consumers to favor out of town hyper centers or large shopping malls and subsequently take business away from local stores in the center of the city.
This hurts local commerce and can adversely affect the economy, jobs, and other related aspects.
I love using my car because it is the most convenient method of transport for me. However, I also use my motorcycle as much as I can to reduce emissions as a result of traveling and minimize my overall carbon footprint.
Due to the weather and other things, it's not always convenient. But I probably use it at least for half of my journeys as opposed to before when I used my car all the time, and I only used my motorcycle for pleasure, typically at the weekends.
Because inner-city traffic has become heavier over the last couple of years, I find using my motorcycle as often as possible saves me time each week. It's time I can spend doing other things, instead of being stuck in traffic.
I would encourage everyone to think about how they travel; when and if it is necessary.
Many people could reduce their contribution to pollution caused by private cars by simply adapting a little and considering alternatives.
It doesn't mean that everyone has to stop using their car altogether, but for sure some days they could car-share with a colleague from work or take a bus or even work from home in some cases.
Every little contribution helps, and if enough people take action, then the positive effect on the environment will be even better than at the moment.
Describe an environmental problem that has been in the news
- when did it occur?
- where did the event happen?
- what took place?
IELTS Speaking - Sample Answer
Recently, there has been a lot of news coverage about a major oil spill in Russia. In a nutshell, an oil platform exploded and caused the worst environmental disaster since the classic Chernobyl one.
The accident happened on 24 November when an explosion shook a rig off Russia's northern coast, causing it to sink into the icy depths of the Barents Sea. The event triggered a massive oil leak that polluted over 20 miles (32 kilometers) of coastline.
The platform was located roughly 1,700 meters (5,500 feet) below the water's surface, and between 1,000 and 2,000 tons of oil may have leaked out per day at first before output dropped to around 100 tons daily.
Shortly after this occurred, officials released news about how they thought all 88 workers aboard had died; however, 15 were discovered to be still alive - and were rescued.
The disastrous environmental consequences of this accident include the oil slick, which has extended along the entire western coast of Norway and even traveled around the northern part of Scotland.
The incident was all the more damaging because it happened while countries were trying to gain support for drilling for oil under the north polar ice cap. These resources represent 25% of the earth's undiscovered oil and gas reserves.
The solution the experts came up with was to use the most powerful weapon in their arsenal - an enormous quantity of dispersant (Corexit 9500) on the oil spill.
This substance is intended to break up the oil slick into small particles, thus increasing its absorption by ocean water and accelerating its metabolism by marine microorganisms.
Such environmental accidents are catastrophic for local wildlife in the area and can cause long-term ecosystem damage. It is not the first time, nor will it be the last time accidents like this occur. We can only hope to reduce the risk and be ready to tackle such events quickly and efficiently when they do occur.
Can you describe something you do regularly that helps protect the environment
I recycle as much as possible. I know it's not the only thing we can do to protect the environment, but it's a simple way to make a difference.
I try to buy recycled products when I can, and I always ensure to properly dispose of batteries, electronics, and other harmful materials. It's important to remember that every little action counts when we talk about protecting our planet.
How would you describe a person who helps to protect the environment?
A person who helps protect the environment is someone who takes action to preserve and conserve natural resources. They may do things such as recycle, reduce energy consumption or plant trees.
They understand that it's not only their responsibility to take care of the environment but also their privilege. Every step we take towards sustainability makes a difference for future generations. A person who helps to protect the environment is a part of the solution!
Can you describe an activity you have done to protect the environment?
Answer
I try to walk or bike as much as possible instead of taking my car. I also recycle and compost as much as I can.
I love going for nature walks and hikes, and I always make an effort to pick up any trash that I see. It's sad to see how much garbage people leave behind, but it's easy enough to clean it up if we all do our part.
Another thing, I like to recycle as much as possible. It can be a little extra work sorting everything out, but it's worth it knowing that we're doing our part to help the planet. And who knows? Maybe if more people start recycling, the big companies will begin manufacturing products using recycled materials instead of virgin materials. That would be awesome!
IELTS Speaking Tips
- Practice with a speaking partner
- Together, brainstorm some environmental issues
- How would you solve them?
- What solutions would you propose?
Good luck with your IELTS exam preparation!
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