Describe A Place You Visited Where the Air Was Polluted Cue Card

Jan 30, 2026

Describe A Place You Visited Where the Air Was Polluted IELTS Speaking Cue Card model answers have been provided below. The answers are centred upon questions - Where Is the Place?, When Did You Visit?, Why Was the Air Quality Poor? And Explain How Did This Experience Make You Feel?

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Topic: Describe A Place You Visited Where the Air Was Polluted Cue Card

You should say:

Where Is the Place?
When Did You Visit?
Why Was the Air Quality Poor?
And Explain How Did This Experience Make You Feel?

Answer 1:

Where Is the Place?

I was in New Delhi, the capital of India, for a family wedding in November 2022. The history, monuments, and culture of Delhi are well-known, but my experience was greatly influenced by the poor air quality in the city.

When Did You Visit?

The main cause of the poor air quality in the city during my visit was the smog that surrounds Delhi every year during the winter season. Other causes that contribute to the poor air quality in the city include traffic, construction activities, industrial emissions, and the burning of crop residue in the surrounding states. To this, the firecrackers from the festival celebrations also contributed.

Why Was the Air Quality Poor?

You could actually see the pollution hanging in the air. The sky looked dull and smoky, and places like India Gate and Qutub Minar were just vague shapes in the haze. Even though it was daytime, the sun barely made it through. The Air Quality Index called it “severe,” so everyone got a warning to stay inside. People walked around in masks, and schools closed their doors.

And Explain How Did This Experience Make You Feel?

This experience left me feeling rather uncomfortable and worried. I had irritation in my eyes, a sore throat, and breathing problems, especially in the mornings. I could not stop thinking about the people who have to breathe that air every single day, especially the kids and the elderly. Being there made me realize just how real and urgent these environmental issues are. We need real answers, not just talk, when it comes to pollution. I was glad to see my family, but I have to admit, the heavy, polluted air made it hard to really enjoy the visit.

Answer 2:

Where Is the Place?

Another destination that I visited was Beijing in China, where the air was thick with pollution. I visited this place in 2019 as part of an educational tour that was organized by my university, which was my first trip abroad, and I was full of enthusiasm to experience the culture and the monuments.

When Did You Visit?

However, the air quality was not good throughout the duration of my stay. The reason for this was the fast growth of industries, the number of vehicles on the road, and the use of coal-fired power plants. The large number of people in Beijing means that there is always activity from vehicles, buses, and factories, all of which spew out pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, the weather conditions meant that the pollutants did not have a chance to disperse.

Why Was the Air Quality Poor?

There were days when the sky was covered with a yellowish-grey haze instead of the blue color that I was used to, and the skyline was indistinct when viewed from a distance. The local government issued warnings about the air quality, and we were advised to stay indoors as much as possible. Our itinerary had to be adjusted, and we stayed indoors for most of the time.

And Explain How Did This Experience Make You Feel?

This experience left me feeling a bit disappointed and concerned. I found that I was tiring easily, and my breathing was labored. Emotionally, the pollution meant that I was not as enthusiastic about sightseeing and taking photos. However, it also made me realize that economic development can be at the expense of the environment if not managed properly.

Answer 3:

Where Is the Place?

I traveled to Kolkata, a large city in the eastern part of India, in December 2021 to visit a close friend and experience the cultural atmosphere of the place. I stayed there for four days.

When Did You Visit?

The air quality was quite poor, thanks to vehicles, construction activities, factories, and the time of the year. In winter, the reduced temperatures and reduced wind speeds result in the stagnation of air pollutants. Old vehicles and diesel engines are also responsible for increasing air pollution.

Why Was the Air Quality Poor?

The effect was most pronounced during the still hours of the early morning and in the evening. A thin layer of smog was present in the atmosphere, and there was a pungent smell. My friend told me that air pollution has been increasing in the city over the years, and people with asthma and other respiratory ailments were most affected by it.

And Explain How Did This Experience Make You Feel?

The entire experience has left me feeling rather sad and helpless. I have always been a great fan of Kolkata because of its vibrant literary culture, its food, and its people. Witnessing the effects of air pollution on Kolkata was quite disheartening. I could not help but feel apprehensive about what this will mean for the people here in the long run. However, there was one positive aspect to this experience: it encouraged me to make greener choices in my own life. The air pollution was quite uncomfortable, but it also brought home an important lesson regarding the care of our planet.

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