As an experienced IELTS examiner, I’ve noticed this topic frequently appears in speaking tests, particularly when discussing environmental awareness and social responsibility. Similar to describe an unusual event you witnessed, this cue card requires careful observation and detailed description.
People carelessly dropping litter on a busy city street showing environmental negligence
Part 1: Introduction Questions
Common questions examiners might ask:
- Do you think littering is a serious problem in your city?
- What do you usually do with your rubbish when you’re outside?
- How do you feel when you see people dropping things on the street?
Part 2: Cue Card
Describe a time when you saw someone dropping things on the street
You should say:
- Who this person was
- What they dropped
- Where and when it happened
- How you felt about it
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
“I’d like to share an incident that occurred last month near describe a food market you visited in a different city. I witnessed a middle-aged businessman carelessly discarding his coffee cup and sandwich wrapper while walking down a busy street during lunch hour.
What particularly caught my attention was his deliberate action – he actually looked around before dropping the items, showing he was fully aware of his inappropriate behavior. The incident took place right outside a corporate building in the financial district, where I was heading to meet a client.
I found his behavior absolutely appalling, especially considering his professional appearance and the fact that there was a waste bin merely a few steps away. Similar to describe a place you visited that was very different from your expectations, this experience really challenged my assumptions about educated professionals.
The incident left a lasting impression on me because it highlighted the disconnect between social status and civic responsibility. It prompted me to reflect on how individual actions, however small, can significantly impact our urban environment.”
Professional man carelessly littering on city street despite nearby bin
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q1: Why do you think some people litter in public places?
Band 8-9 Response: “There are multiple underlying factors contributing to this behavior. Fundamentally, it often stems from a lack of civic consciousness and a disconnection from community responsibility. Some individuals might rationalize their actions by thinking that street cleaners are employed to handle waste, while others might be influenced by social conditioning or simply prioritize personal convenience over environmental concerns.”
Q2: What measures can be taken to prevent littering?
Band 6-7 Response: “I think the government should put more bins on the streets and increase fines for littering. Schools should also teach children about keeping the environment clean. Maybe we can have more campaigns to raise awareness about this problem.”
Similar to describe a time when you visited a park or garden, maintaining cleanliness requires both individual effort and community involvement.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
- Civic responsibility /ˈsɪvɪk rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ (n): duties and obligations to one’s community
- Environmental awareness /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl əˈweənəs/ (n): consciousness of environmental issues
- Negligent behavior /ˈneɡlɪdʒənt bɪˈheɪvjə/ (n): careless actions showing lack of proper attention
- Social conditioning /ˈsəʊʃl kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ/ (n): the sociological process of training individuals to respond in a certain way
- Urban environment /ˈɜːbən ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ (n): the physical surroundings in a city or town
These expressions demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary usage and will help achieve higher band scores in the speaking test.
