IELTS Speaking Part 2 and 3 : Air Polluted Place

IELTS Speaking Part 2 and 3 : Air Polluted Place

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Air Polluted Place

Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted

You should say:

• Where the place is
• When you visited it
• Why the air was not good

And explain how you felt about the place

---

Sample 1

Well, I must say Manila, the capital of our country. I’ve been to Manila a few times, and the first time I saw it, my dad pointed out the smog and told me it wasn’t cloud it is the smoke from the emissions from vehicles. You could see the smog hovering above the city from a distance. I didn’t pay much attention to it initially, but as I got older and started visiting Manila more frequently, I began to feel increasingly uncomfortable.

During my second visit, I was taking an entrance exam. I remember feeling fresh after taking a bath before leaving. When I stepped off the bus, however, I experienced a different kind of heat. It felt like burning coals, and the air was thick and humid. I found it quite uncomfortable, and my skin became sticky. I detested that feeling, and even my fingernails had black smudges, as if there was a lot of grime in the air. My nostrils also seemed to collect black particles, making it unpleasant. The place was really uncomfortable, and I believe it’s due to the high level of air pollution in certain areas. When you touch certain surfaces, they feel slightly oily, probably due to a combination of gasoline residue and concrete, creating a greasy layer.

I can’t say I’m happy to see such conditions. I’ve only been visiting the place, not living there, so I don’t have a firsthand experience of the long-term effects. But the discomfort I feel is more related to the physical aspects. Whenever I go there, I make sure to bring a lot of wet wipes, a fresh towel, and sometimes spare clothes in case I need to shower to get rid of the grime. That’s the reality of the place—very polluted.

---

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Continuation

Is there more pollution now than in the past?

Well, it’s a difficult question because measuring pollution levels precisely can be challenging. However, from a certain perspective, we can observe some changes. While there are fewer air pollutants like CFCs now, we have seen an increase in pollution related to electromagnetic waves, such as the microwave signals from 4G and 5G. Noise pollution has also become more prevalent in cities, with people being loud even late at night. Additionally, air pollution is still a concern, as we have fewer trees and a wider range of pollutants. So, comparing past and present, there are more pollution as there are different types of pollution to consider.

In what ways can air pollution be effectively reduced?

Over the past few years, we have learned that reducing driving can effectively clean the air. If we focus solely on effectiveness without considering the economic consequences, implementing a year-long lockdown, where only essential vehicles like cargo shipments are allowed to operate, could be a solution. Daily commutes could be eliminated, and people would primarily work from home. If necessary, public transportation should be used. An example from India during the pandemic showed how a city known for its pollution significantly improved air quality after two months of quarantine. Perhaps in the future, we could have a designated day to celebrate clean air, similar to Earth Day for electrical power. A day where nobody goes out, and everyone stays at home, resulting in no cars on the road. That could be a highly effective approach.

Do you think the city is cleaner or dirtier than the countryside? Why?

It’s challenging to definitively say whether the city or the countryside is cleaner or dirtier because there are factors to consider for both. In cities, there is a higher population density, but they typically have a functioning street system, running water, and individuals responsible for cleaning the area. In the countryside, there may be fewer people, but the presence of farm animals can contribute to a significant amount of waste on the ground. However, cities also face issues with garbage accumulation. Based on my personal experiences, I would say the city I’ve been to is relatively clean due to efficient waste disposal management.

What can factories and power plants do to reduce pollutants?

Reducing pollutants is a complex issue that has been discussed for years, considering the existence of factories. Many suggestions have likely been proposed and faced obstacles due to potential consequences. Ultimately, the most effective approach would be to cease production to eliminate pollutants. However, companies are unwilling to lose money, fearing competitors would take advantage. If we genuinely want to reduce pollutants, we would need to decrease the population, but that’s not something factories and power plants should be responsible for. Therefore, it becomes a challenging problem to solve, and not every proposed solution is feasible.

Do you think many companies have been forced to reduce pollutants?

Yes, I have observed that many companies have taken steps to reduce pollutants. For example, some office companies have shifted to using recyclable paper, despite it being more expensive. In restaurants, there is a noticeable shift away from white tissues or napkins to brown recycled ones. Additionally, many restaurants have stopped providing plastic straws and have started using paper alternatives. So, it is evident that numerous companies have been motivated or forced to reduce their environmental impact.

Do you think the wind has any effect on pollution? How?

Certainly, wind plays a significant role in the spread of pollution. It serves as a means of transportation, carrying pollutants from one place to another. For instance, wind contributes to the expansion of deserts, leading to natural pollution. For example, in China, there is a yellow fog caused by the wind carrying yellow sand from Gobi Desert across cities.

---

  Check Placement Test for Speaking

---

Please visit the website Educatorian to find suggested answers for IELTS speaking questions. Additionally, I recommend checking out Ian’s personal website for further information.
请访问Educatorian网站，找到雅思口语问题的建议答案。此外，我建议查看伊恩的个人网站以了解更多信息。