The environment has always been a major concern for individuals, governments, and global organizations. It is no surprise that this topic frequently appears in the IELTS Speaking test and other skills like Reading, Listening, and Writing.
In this article, IDP will guide you through the Environment topic, offering useful vocabulary and advanced grammar structures to impress the examiner in your IELTS Speaking test.
1. Sample Answers for Environment – IELTS Speaking Part 1
Here are common questions and model answers for Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test focusing on the Environment topic.
Question: Is there much pollution where you live
Yes, absolutely. I am currently living in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most developed and bustling cities in Vietnam. Many people have gravitated to this city to live and establish factories. It is clear that exhaust fumes from vehicles and CO2 emissions from factories are the main causes of poor air quality.
Vocabulary highlights:
gravitate to: move toward or be attracted to
exhaust fumes: vehicle emissions
CO2 emissions: carbon dioxide release
air quality: level of pollution in the air
Question: Do you take an interest in nature
Sure. I grew up in the countryside with my family, so I had many chances to commune with nature. Although I now live in the city and do not get back to nature as often as before, I still love the natural world and try my best to protect it.
Vocabulary highlights:
commune with: connect closely with
get back to nature: return to a natural lifestyle
natural world: the environment and all living things
Question: Are residents in your town good at recycling waste
From what I have observed, people around me do not really have the habit of recycling. They often throw trash everywhere, and most domestic and industrial waste is incinerated for convenience.
Vocabulary highlights:
recycle waste: reuse trash materials
incinerate: burn waste
2. Sample Answer – IELTS Speaking Part 2
Here is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 question about the environment, along with a sample answer.
Cue Card: Describe an environmental problem in your hometown
Well, I come from Ho Chi Minh City and have lived there all my life. There are many environmental issues in this city, especially air pollution.
In my opinion, overpopulation and unplanned industrialization are the key reasons for this issue. As more people move here for job opportunities, the number of vehicles increases, releasing harmful emissions daily.
Moreover, to cut costs, many factories still lack proper waste treatment systems. Business owners often choose to burn waste instead of recycling it, which significantly raises CO2 levels. As a result, more urban dwellers are suffering from respiratory diseases like pneumonia.
However, I believe there are solutions to improve air quality. For instance, the government can encourage urbanization in smaller towns to reduce the population burden on big cities. Strict laws should also be enforced to control excessive emissions from manufacturing plants.
Vocabulary highlights:
environmental contamination: pollution
overpopulation: population growth beyond capacity
unplanned industrialization: development without regulation
release: emit
waste treatment system: system to process waste
urban dwellers: city residents
respiratory diseases: illnesses related to breathing
urbanization: development of rural areas into cities
enact laws: implement regulations
3. Sample Answers – IELTS Speaking Part 3
Question: What do you think is the main danger the world faces in terms of the environment
I believe climate change is the most serious threat today. We are witnessing extreme heatwaves that lead to prolonged droughts. In addition, rising sea levels cause flash floods more often, resulting in enormous damage to people and property.
Vocabulary highlights:
heatwave: period of extreme heat
prolonged drought: long-term lack of rain
flash flood: sudden flooding
inflict damage: cause harm
enormous damage: significant destruction
Question: In which ways do people damage our planet
Humans have caused many environmental problems over the years. By dumping waste indiscriminately, water pollution has become widespread. Furthermore, the rise in factories and vehicles leads to air pollution. Small habits also contribute—for example, people using disposable containers instead of reusable ones harms the environment.
Vocabulary highlights:
dump waste: discard garbage
indiscriminately: without care or control
disposable items: single-use products
4. Essential Vocabulary – IELTS Speaking Topic: Environment
Pollution Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
industrial emissions | pollutants from factories | The government promised to control emissions |
particulate matter | fine dust particles | This coal creates a lot of particulate matter |
ozone depletion | damage to the ozone layer | The chemical contributes to ozone depletion |
waste disposal | trash management | Waste disposal systems need improvement |
soil pollution | contamination of land | Soil pollution harms agriculture |
Renewable Energy Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
hydroelectric power | electricity from water flow | The dam generates hydroelectric power |
biomass energy | energy from organic materials | Biomass energy is growing in popularity |
tidal power | energy from ocean tides | The government invests in tidal power research |
biofuels | fuels made from plants | Can biofuels replace traditional fuels |
renewable portfolio standards | renewable energy requirements | These standards ensure clean energy use |
offshore wind farms | wind turbines at sea | The wind farm powers thousands of homes |
Environmental Conservation Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
wildlife preservation | protecting wild animals | The area was turned into a wildlife preserve |
ecosystem restoration | reviving natural environments | Restoration helps dying ecosystems |
wildlife corridors | safe paths for animals | Corridors connect habitats for safer movement |
natural resource management | sustainable resource use | Local people join in resource management planning |
invasive species control | limiting harmful species | Invasive species damage native ecosystems |
ecological footprint | human impact on nature | Most countries exceed their ecological footprint |
5. Common Expressions and Idioms – Environment Topic
Useful Expressions
enormous damage to something
cause or contribute to climate change
degraded ecosystems or habitats
contaminated groundwater or soil
raise awareness of environmental issues
implement rolling power cuts
Common Idioms
get back to nature: reconnect with nature
set alarm bells ringing: raise concerns
do wonders for something: bring positive results
the sands of time are running out: time is limited
a drop in the ocean: a very small amount
you reap what you sow: actions have consequences
Ace the Environment Topic in IELTS Speaking
We hope this guide helps you feel more confident when facing the Environment topic in your IELTS Speaking test. Expanding your vocabulary, exploring sample answers, and taking mock tests are crucial for success.
If you are still unsure about your current English level, explore IDP’s free IELTS prep resources—from the IELTS by IDP app and mock tests to free workshops and expert-led webinars to improve your English skills.
Once you register for IELTS with IDP, our support team will be available to answer your questions and guide you through every step of your preparation journey.
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