Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Describe an Interesting Tree or Plant

When it comes to IELTS Speaking, being able to describe a tree or plant you find interesting is a valuable skill. This topic has appeared in past exams and is likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s explore how to approach this subject effectively to achieve a high score.

Describe a memorable experience during a nature walk can often involve encountering interesting trees or plants. By mastering the art of description, you’ll be well-prepared for both topics.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner might ask some general questions about plants or trees. Here are a few examples:

1. Do you have any plants in your home?
2. What’s your favorite type of tree?
3. Are there any plants or trees that are important in your culture?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the second question:

Examiner: What’s your favorite type of tree?

Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I’ve always been fascinated by the majestic oak tree. Its sturdy trunk and sprawling branches create a picturesque silhouette against the sky. What I find particularly intriguing is how oak trees can live for centuries, serving as silent witnesses to history. Their acorns also play a crucial role in supporting wildlife, which I find admirable.”

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to describing an interesting tree or plant:

Describe a tree or plant that you find interesting
You should say:

• What the tree or plant is
• Where you saw it
• What it looks like
• And explain why you find it interesting

Interesting baobab tree against sunset sky

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about the baobab tree, which I find incredibly fascinating. I first saw this tree during a trip to Madagascar a few years ago. The baobab is truly unique in appearance. It has a massive trunk that can grow up to 11 meters in diameter, but its branches look disproportionately small, almost like roots sticking up into the air. This gives it a distinctive upside-down look.

What makes the baobab so interesting to me is its remarkable adaptations. These trees can live for thousands of years and store thousands of liters of water in their trunks to survive long droughts. They’re often called ‘tree of life‘ because they provide food, water, and shelter to many animals and humans in arid regions.

I was also intrigued by the local legends surrounding these trees. Some African cultures believe baobabs don’t grow but fell from the sky, landing upside-down. This folklore adds to the tree’s mystique and cultural significance.

The baobab’s ability to thrive in harsh conditions and its importance to local ecosystems really impressed me. It’s a perfect example of nature’s resilience and ingenuity, which is why I find it so captivating.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to expound on the extraordinary baobab tree, which has utterly captivated my interest. I had the privilege of encountering this botanical marvel during an expedition to Madagascar, where these trees are endemic.

The baobab’s appearance is nothing short of remarkable. Its gargantuan trunk, capable of reaching diameters of up to 11 meters, stands in stark contrast to its relatively diminutive branches. This peculiar proportion lends the tree an almost surreal, inverted appearance, as if it had been plucked from a fantastical realm and planted upside-down in our world.

What truly enthralls me about the baobab is its extraordinary suite of adaptations. These arboreal ancients can persist for millennia, with some specimens estimated to be over 2,500 years old. Their ability to store vast quantities of water – up to 120,000 liters – in their fibrous trunks is a testament to their evolutionary ingenuity, allowing them to endure protracted periods of drought.

The baobab’s ecological significance is profound. Often referred to as the ‘tree of life‘, it serves as a veritable oasis in arid regions, providing sustenance, hydration, and shelter to a diverse array of fauna and local human populations. This multifaceted role in its ecosystem underscores its importance and has cemented its status in many African cultures.

I find the rich tapestry of folklore surrounding the baobab particularly enchanting. Various African traditions posit that these trees were cast down from the heavens, landing in their current inverted state. Such mythological narratives not only add to the tree’s allure but also highlight its deep-rooted cultural significance.

The baobab’s remarkable resilience in the face of harsh environmental conditions, coupled with its critical ecological role, renders it an awe-inspiring example of nature’s ingenuity and adaptability. It stands as a living testament to the intricate balance of life in challenging habitats, which is why I find it so utterly fascinating and worthy of admiration.”

Examiner: That’s interesting. Do you think it’s important to protect trees like the baobab?

Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Absolutely. Protecting trees like the baobab is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they play a vital role in their ecosystems, supporting numerous species of animals and plants. Their loss could have a domino effect on biodiversity. Secondly, baobabs are important culturally and economically for local communities, providing food, medicine, and income. Lastly, as ancient organisms, they hold valuable scientific information about climate history and adaptation. Preserving these trees means safeguarding not just the trees themselves, but entire ecosystems, cultural heritage, and scientific knowledge.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: How do you think climate change might affect plants and trees in the future?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on plants and trees. Rising temperatures could cause some species to migrate to cooler areas or even become extinct if they can’t adapt quickly enough. We might see changes in flowering times, which could disrupt relationships between plants and pollinators. Extreme weather events like droughts or floods could also stress or kill many plants. However, some species might actually benefit from warmer temperatures and increased CO2 levels, potentially altering ecosystem balances. It’s a complex issue that scientists are still trying to fully understand.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“The ramifications of climate change on flora are likely to be far-reaching and multifaceted. Elevated temperatures could precipitate significant shifts in species distribution, with many plants compelled to migrate poleward or to higher elevations in search of suitable climatic conditions. This migration, however, may not be feasible for all species, potentially leading to the extinction of those unable to adapt or relocate swiftly enough.

We may observe phenological alterations, such as changes in flowering times, which could severely disrupt the delicate synchronization between plants and their pollinators, potentially leading to cascading effects throughout ecosystems. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events – be it prolonged droughts, intense heatwaves, or catastrophic floods – could subject plant communities to unprecedented stress, potentially exceeding their adaptive capacities.

Conversely, certain species might initially thrive under conditions of elevated CO2 levels and warmer temperatures, potentially leading to shifts in competitive dynamics and alterations in ecosystem composition. However, this apparent benefit may be offset by other factors such as increased susceptibility to pests or changes in water availability.

The overall impact is likely to be a complex tapestry of winners and losers, with some ecosystems experiencing dramatic transformations. This underscores the critical importance of ongoing research to understand these intricate dynamics and inform conservation strategies to mitigate the most severe impacts on our planet’s flora.”

Describe a national park or wildlife reserve you visited can provide an excellent opportunity to discuss interesting trees and plants in their natural habitats.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Biodiversity /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ (noun): the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
   Example: “The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity.”

2. Ecosystem /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ (noun): a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
   Example: “Mangrove forests form a unique ecosystem that protects coastlines.”

3. Photosynthesis /ˌfəʊtəʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/ (noun): the process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.
   Example: “Through photosynthesis, trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

4. Indigenous /ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/ (adjective): originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
   Example: “The baobab is indigenous to several African countries.”

5. Canopy /ˈkænəpi/ (noun): the uppermost branches of the trees in a forest, forming a more or less continuous layer of foliage.
   Example: “The rainforest canopy is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species.”

6. Deciduous /dɪˈsɪdjuəs/ (adjective): (of a tree or shrub) shedding its leaves annually.
   Example: “Many deciduous trees display vibrant colors before shedding their leaves in autumn.”

7. Evergreen /ˈevəɡriːn/ (adjective): (of a plant) having green leaves throughout the entire year.
   Example: “Pine trees are evergreen, retaining their needles year-round.”

8. Symbiosis /ˌsɪmbʌɪˈəʊsɪs/ (noun): a close, long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms.
   Example: “The relationship between certain fungi and tree roots is a form of symbiosis that benefits both organisms.”

Diverse plants in tropical rainforest ecosystem

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing trees or plants:

1. Expand your vocabulary: Learn and use specific botanical terms and adjectives to describe plants accurately.

2. Practice describing visuals: Regularly practice describing trees and plants you see in your daily life or in images.

3. Develop your ideas: Don’t just list features; explain why certain aspects are interesting or important.

4. Use a variety of sentence structures: Mix simple and complex sentences to demonstrate your language proficiency.

5. Make connections: Relate the plant or tree to broader themes like ecology, culture, or personal experiences.

6. Show enthusiasm: Your tone and word choice should convey genuine interest in the subject.

7. Be prepared for follow-up questions: Think about how the topic might extend to broader discussions about nature, environment, or culture.

Remember, the key to success is not just knowing about plants, but being able to communicate your thoughts clearly and engagingly. Regular practice will help you become more confident and fluent in discussing this topic.

Describe a forest you have been to and what you enjoyed about it is another related topic where you can apply these skills of describing interesting trees and plants.