Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Places · Retained in September–December 2026

Describe an important river/lake in your country.

Describe an important river/lake in your country.

You should say:

  • ·where it is located
  • ·how big/long it is
  • ·what it looks like

and explain why it is important.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 151 words

I'd like to talk about the Yangtze River, which is in China. It starts in the west of the country and flows east across many provinces before reaching the sea near Shanghai. It is about 6,300 kilometres long, so it is the longest river in China. It is also quite wide in many places, especially near the lower part.

The river looks different along its route. In some areas, there are high mountains and green hills around it, while in the cities you can see bridges, boats and buildings beside the water. The water is sometimes brown, especially after rain, but the view can still be very beautiful.

I think it is important because it provides water for people and farms, and many boats use it to carry goods. It has also helped cities grow along its banks. For me, it is an important part of China’s geography and daily life.

  • Explain its importance · “it provides water for people and farms”
  • Describe the scenery · “the view can still be very beautiful”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 8 · 242 words

Honestly, the river I’d choose is the Yangtze, which runs across the middle of China from the highlands in the west to the East China Sea. It passes through a number of provinces and major cities, including Wuhan and Nanjing, before reaching the sea near Shanghai. At roughly 6,300 kilometres, it’s the longest river in the country, and the scale of it is hard to picture until you see it in person.

Its appearance changes quite a lot along the way. Upstream, the scenery is dramatic, with steep mountains and narrow stretches of water, whereas near the big cities it becomes broader and more built-up, with bridges, ports and busy boat traffic. I’ve seen it in Wuhan, where the river looks almost like a wide open space cutting through the city. The water can look muddy, especially after heavy rain, but the river still has a strong, impressive presence.

It matters for practical reasons as well as symbolic ones. It supplies water to communities and farmland, and it’s a major route for moving goods inland, which supports local businesses. The river has also shaped where towns and industries developed over many generations. If it weren’t there, transport and farming in parts of central China would be much harder. Of course, development has put pressure on the river’s environment, so protecting it matters too. I’d say it’s important because it connects places and supports everyday life, not just because it’s famous or enormous.

  • Develop the scale · “the scale of it is hard to picture”
  • Add a personal observation · “where the river looks almost like a wide open space”
  • Contrast the scenery · “whereas near the big cities”
  • Use a conditional · “If it weren’t there, transport and farming”
  • Add an environmental angle · “Of course, development has put pressure”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1The river through your hometown, linking markets and parks and once used to carry goods
  2. 2A nearby reservoir used for weekend cycling and as a water supply for local residents
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

run through the city
flow across an urban area
along the riverbank
beside the edge of a river
a vital source of water
an essential supply of water
support local livelihoods
help local people earn a living
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    Are rivers and lakes important to a country?

    • ·Rivers and lakes provide water, support ecosystems and connect with everyday life.
    • ·Their roles vary, including transport or irrigation in some regions.
  2. 2

    What are the popular water sports in your country?

    • ·Swimming and rowing are familiar examples, with sailing in some coastal areas.
    • ·Activities need suitable conditions and safety arrangements rather than unrestricted access.
  3. 3

    Are rivers and lakes good for transport? Why?

    • ·Waterways can carry bulk goods and reduce pressure on roads.
    • ·Channel conditions, seasons and connections limit where water transport works well.
  4. 4

    How do rivers and lakes affect local tourism?

    • ·Waterfront scenery and activities attract visitors and support local businesses.
    • ·Excessive development can damage the attraction, so tourism needs conservation.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • A green spot in your city

    A park or riverside you go to: who you go with, what you do there, a rule that keeps it clean or should.

Say it out loud and get a band score