IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
AN IMPORTANT PLANT
Describe an important plant in your country
You should say:
- What it is
- Where you see it
- What it looks like
- Why it is important
And explain why it is important
A N S W E R
I can’t deny the fact that we Korean people are so absorbed with beauty products as most of us want to take extra care of our body, face, hair, well to be honest, our entire looks. One valuable plant in my country that most beauty enthusiasts and even the commoners love is the aloe vera. This is like a heaven-sent plant that helps us enhance our appearance in so many ways as it works wonders.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Absorbed [adj.] – very interested
Heaven-sent [adj.] – happening or occurring at the most favorable time
Works wonders [phrase] – to produce excellent outcome
As you may have known, this plant is a succulent species that is normally cultivated in some tropical or desert countries, but funnily enough, though my country doesn’t fall under those types, we can still grow aloe vera in just a few particular places, at least. Just in case you haven’t seen this amazing medicinal plant yet, this is actually stemless with thick and fleshy leaves that can grow from 50 to 90 centimeters tall. Its color is green and some are grey-green and the edges of the leaves are serrated. When you cut the leaves, you can get its extract or the juice which can be used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
As I’ve said earlier, Korean people regardless of gender, invest in their physical appearance. We value our looks and somehow it becomes a necessity in our everyday lives. We are really rooting for this plant, as it provides many uses in beautifying ourselves. Cosmetic companies are now having deep pockets in selling aloe vera beauty products since this kind of plant is incredibly beneficial. We can use this for facial moisturizers, hair masks, body lotion, acne treatments, sunburn treatments, styling gel, and many more.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Rooting for [phrase] – to support
Have deep pockets [expression] – to be very rich
This is truly a useful and more than valuable plant and I believe we need more research on how we can grow more of these here knowing that we are not a tropical type of country.
PART 3
What is the main plant in your country?
To be honest, I am not really sure how to answer this question because there is more than one plant that we Korean people consider valuable. However, let me talk about the national flower and tree. The most important flower here is the Hibiscus also known as the Korean rose, it actually appears in national emblems since it symbolizes eternity and inexhaustible abundance.
Also, we have given importance to pine trees since ancient times, in the past our ancestors hanged pine tree branches over the entrances of their houses whenever a baby was born to wish that he would live just as long and strong as a pine tree.
In addition, the wooden material of those trees was used as a solid foundation in traditional houses. These two kinds of plants are more than valuable and symbolic in my country.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
National emblem [noun] – a seal that is reserved for use by a nation state; a symbol of a nation
Eternity [noun] – unending time
Inexhaustible [adj.] [in-ig-zaws-tuh-buh l] – cannot be depleted or cannot be used up
More than valuable [expression] – very much important
Do people in your country enjoy growing plants?
This is something I have never considered knowing, I have to admit, I really do not have any knowledge if most of my countrymen find delight in planting. People around me such as my family, friends, or colleagues never talk about growing plants, this is the least of our concerns. Well, I can only assume, except for the people I know, I suppose some Koreans have a green thumb and take pleasure in planting and cultivating various kinds of plants.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Find delight [phrase] – find pleasure
Colleagues [noun] – co-workers
The least of [idiom] – something of the lowest importance
I suppose [expression] – another way to say I think, it is used for expressing uncertainty
Have a green thumb [expression] – the ability to make plants grow and be healthy
Take pleasure [phrase] – enjoy
Why do you think there are more women who enjoy growing plants than men?
I do not want to sound stereotypical on this matter but my answer is based on my observation in the society and from the knowledge I have acquired from reading journals. This is due to the fact that women, especially housewives, have more spare time than men.
After completing house chores they can allocate time to take care of plants, and as we know growing plants needs constant attention, which men cannot afford to do since at this current time they are more pressured by the demands of their job, the luxury of time is almost none to them that growing plants never crosses their mind.
Also from the articles that I read, women are innately good at taking care of plants which stems from the role of women in society which is to nurture a child. These make me believe that women love growing plants.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Stereotypical [adj.] – having fixed belief on something
Acquire [verb] – get
Spare time [noun] – free time
Allocate [verb] – to give a certain amount of time
Can’t afford [phrase] – do not have time to do something
Have luxury of time [expression] – to have so much spare time
Never crosses one’s mind [expression] – never think about it
Innately [adv.]; innate [adj.] – natural; inborn
Stems from [phrase] – originate
Nurture [verb] – care and protect
Study how the speaker developed
his answer for the recent IELTS
Speaking Cue Card about
AN ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY DOING ALONE.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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