Question Set - Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted - Weather - Music - Geography

Part 1

Introduction Questions

May I know your full name?

How may I address you?

May I see your ID?

Where do you come from?

Lets start with Weather

What's the weather like where you live?

Sample Answer: I live in Punjab. It is like a semi-arid region and the weather is mainly hot and dry, except in the monsoons when it rains a lot, and it becomes hot and humid.

Do you prefer cold or hot weather?

Sample Answer: I prefer cold weather because I think I work more effectively in cold weather. In hot weather, I feel lazy and lethargic somehow.

Do you prefer dry or wet weather?

Sample Answer: I love the rain. Perhaps it’s because I live in a dry region, and it receives very less rainfall.

Are you in the habit of checking the weather forecast? When/How often?

Sample Answer: I normally don’t check the weather forecast except during the monsoons. During the monsoon season, the rainfall becomes very unpredictable and so before I leave the house, I check the weather forecast and if it is going to rain, I carry an umbrella.

What do you think are the effects of climate change in recent years?

Sample Answer: I think there have been a lot of changes. However, the biggest has been the change of seasons. The summers have become a lot hotter and extended. I remember it used to be cold during Diwali, a festival we celebrate in October/November, but now it is warm.

Would you like to visit other cities that have different climates from where you live?

Sample Answer: Yes, I love to visit cities with cold climate because Punjab has very hot and warm weather and we don’t get to enjoy cold climate. That is why I love going to hill stations. I also love visiting coastal cities because I enjoy beaches.

Lets start with Music

Do you often (like to) listen to music?

Sample Answer: Yes, I often listen to music. I like listening to film songs and Punjabi folk songs.

What kind of music do you like?

Sample Answer: I like listening to film songs, Punjabi folk songs, and sometimes pop music.

Do you like to sing or play any musical instruments?

Sample Answer: No, I don't sing or play any musical instruments.

Do you think music is important?

Sample Answer: Yes, music is important as it can have a positive impact on mental health and can be a source of entertainment and relaxation.

What kind of music is popular in your country?

Sample Answer: In my country, Bollywood music is very popular, along with regional music like Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu music.

Do you think music can bring people together?

Sample Answer: Yes, music can bring people together as it is a universal language that can be enjoyed by people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Do you think it's important for children to learn music?

Sample Answer: Yes, learning music can have a positive impact on a child's cognitive and emotional development.

Do you think music can be used as a form of therapy?

Sample Answer: Yes, music therapy is a recognized form of therapy that can help individuals with mental health issues, physical disabilities, and other conditions.

Do you prefer listening to music alone or with others?

Sample Answer: It depends on my mood. Sometimes I prefer listening to music alone, while other times I enjoy listening to music with friends or family.

Have you ever been to a concert?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have been to a concert once. There is a village near my hometown where a famous Punjabi singer comes once a year to perform for charity. Last year I went with my friends. He performed live. It was an electrifying performance.

Do you like to listen to live music?

Sample Answer: Yes, I do like to listen live music. It is a different experience. In many restaurants and also in marriage functions, they have live music going on, which is very enjoyable. Concerts are also live music.

When did you start listening to this type of music?

Sample Answer: I remember, I specially went for GurdasMaan’s live performance in a concert last year. Before that I had never been for a live music show.

Lets start with Geography

Do you like geography?

Sample Answer: Yes, I like geography. In fact, it was one of my favourite subjects when I was in school.

Have you ever studied geography at school?

Sample Answer: Yes, I studied geography when I was at school.

Are you good at reading a map?

Sample Answer: Well, I don’t think I am good at reading maps, but I am able to read them decently, so I don’t have trouble while I am travelling.

Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?

Sample Answer: Yes, I love visiting coastal countries. I want to visit Maldives and Seychelles when I grow older.

Part 2

Now, I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for 1-2 minutes. Before you talk you'll have one minute to think about what you are going to say and you can make notes if you wish. Do you understand?

Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted

You should say:

Where the place is
When you visited
Why the air was not good
And explain how you felt about the place

Sample Answer:

• Pollution is everywhere nowadays, and it’s difficult to find a place where the air is not polluted.
• I would like to talk about New Delhi, a city I visited last year with my parents to visit some relatives.
• There was a function in their house, so we went by train and then hired a three-wheeler.
• As we were sitting in the auto, I started feeling a burning sensation in my eyes and my eyes started watering.
• I looked at my parents and felt they were also experiencing the same.
• We live in a small town in Punjab, where the air is much less polluted than in Delhi.
• I noticed that the local people in Delhi were not having much problem, perhaps their eyes were used to that pollution.
• When we reached our relatives' house, I washed my face with cold water and felt some relief.
• My uncle told me that Delhi is probably one of the most polluted cities in India.
• The main reason for this is the unplanned development of Delhi, with industrial units spread over residential and commercial areas.
• Another reason for Delhi's air pollution is its landlocked geography, with the Himalayas obstructing the escape routes of air.
• Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan during the winter months causes a thick blanket of smog over Delhi.
• Air pollution affects human health severely, with a higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis in more polluted areas.
• I was happy that I was just visiting Delhi and not living there permanently.
• I really feel pity for my relatives who permanently reside in Delhi.

Part 3

We've been talking about Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this

Is there more pollution now than in the past?
Sample Answer: Yes, there is more air pollution now than in the past. New industries are opening every day, and strict rules and regulations have not been laid down for effluent treatment. Industries are not planned well to be opened in designated areas, so all this development is leading to more air pollution now than in the past.
In what ways can the air pollution be reduced effectively?
Sample Answer: Many steps can be taken to reduce the level of air pollution. The government can lay down strict rules and regulations for effluent treatment. New industries should only be allowed to open in designated areas. It is not the responsibility of only the government but the people also to follow the rules and regulations nicely.
Do you think the city is cleaner or dirtier than the countryside? Why?
Sample Answer: I think the cities are dirtier than the countryside. The main reason is that all the development, the new industries, are opening in the cities. The industrialists do not follow the rules and regulations laid by the government nicely. Proper treatment of effluents is not done. Another reason is that the population of cities is more than the countryside. So more vehicles are there in the cities which are also adding to the pollution. Not only air pollution, but noise pollution is also more in the cities than the countryside. So for all these reasons, I feel that cities are more polluted than the countryside.
What can factories and power plants do to reduce pollutants?
Sample Answer: Factories and power plants can do a lot to reduce pollution. The first thing they can do is follow the norms laid down by the government. For example, if the factory has a chimney, the height of the chimney can be increased according to government regulations. New industries should start with alternative sources of energy, whereas the older ones can switch to alternative sources of energy. These steps can go a long way in decreasing pollution.
Do you think many companies have been forced to reduce pollutants?
Sample Answer: Yes, many companies have been forced to reduce pollutants. However, unfortunately, these industries find loopholes to escape the penalties, and so the steps taken by the government are not proving very effective. When companies pay fines, they start thinking that now they have the license to cause pollution.
Do you think the wind has any effect on pollution? How?
Sample Answer: Yes, I think the wind helps to disperse the pollutants. That is why, despite the high automobile population, Chennai has less pollution than in Delhi. This is because the sea breeze provides an effective entry and exit for dispersing pollutants. Delhi is landlocked, so the whole pollution accumulates there only.

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