Talk about an important river or lake in your country or hometown | Speaking for IELTS PDF Download

- Which water body is that 
- How do you know about it? 
- Why does it impress you so much 

Sample Answer:

• India is a diverse country. 
• There are many rivers, lakes, beaches in India which are important. 
• One important river that I would like to talk about here is the river Ganges or the Ganga, as we popularly call it 
• I don’t exactly remember when I learnt about it but I think it was most likely in school. 
• It was a part of Geography class which covered major Indian rivers. 
• I think I learnt more about it through news as I grew older. 
• I don’t know everything about it but I do know quite a lot about it. 
• It emerges out of the Himalayas from the glaciers and falls into the Bay of Bengal. 
• It is a perennial river as water is available throughout the year. 
• It receives water from two sources, the glaciers in the Himalayas and the rainfall  in the monsoon season. 
• It is impressive for many reasons, the first being its length. 
• It is one of the longest rivers of the world and it is the longest river in India. 
• Many people are dependent upon it for their livelihood. 
• The farmers use its water for agriculuture and people also do fishing in this river. 
• The river is also famous for religious reasons. 
• It is considered sacred and many Hindu festivals are organised on the banks of river Ganga. 
• In fact, last rites of Hindus are conducted on the river banks as well. 
• A dip in the river Ganga is believed to wash away all the sins. 
• However, in recent years, I hear about the river mostly for the wrong reasons like excessive pollution, illegal fishing and illegal sand mining from the river banks. 
• I have also heard about fish and dolphins dying because of these activities. 
• The governments have promised to bring about changes but unfortunately the results have been far from satisfactory. 
• But, I also believe that government can’t do anything, if people do not support it in its actions.

Follow-ups
Q1: Why do you think rivers and lakes are important for a country?
Ans: Rivers and lakes are crucial for several reasons. They provide water for drinking, agriculture, and industry. They also support biodiversity, serve as transportation routes, and have cultural or religious significance. In addition, they play a role in climate regulation and are a source of recreation and tourism.

Q2: How can the government protect rivers and lakes from pollution?
Ans: The government can protect rivers and lakes by enforcing laws to prevent industrial waste and untreated sewage from being dumped into them. They can also launch awareness campaigns about the importance of clean water and establish proper waste disposal and recycling systems. Additionally, efforts like planting trees along riverbanks can help prevent soil erosion and protect the ecosystem.

Q3: Do people in your country rely heavily on rivers and lakes for their daily activities?
Ans: Yes, many people in my country depend on rivers and lakes for their daily needs. Rivers provide water for drinking, irrigation, and fishing, which is a major source of livelihood for rural communities. Lakes are also important for recreation, tourism, and in some areas, for hydroelectric power generation.

Q4: What activities can people do to protect rivers and lakes in their local areas?
Ans: People can help protect rivers and lakes by avoiding littering, using biodegradable products, and properly disposing of waste. Participating in or organizing local clean-up drives, reducing water usage, and advocating for environmental policies are also effective ways to contribute to the conservation of water bodies.