Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in
IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC
Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in
What it was about?
Where you saw/heard it?
Who was involved?
Explain why people were interested in it?
NOTE – The examiner gives you one minute to plan your answer, and to help you prepare for the topic, the examiner provides you with a pencil and a notepad. You’ll have to answer the questions given on the topic for one-to-two minutes
Sample Answer 1
and Follow up Questions for the IELTS Cue Card “Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in”
Introduction
- People always have a keen interest in knowing the developments in their local area
What it was about?
- Last month, the local administration announced that a sports complex would come up in our area soon.
Where you saw/heard it?
- Various news channels flashed this news.
- I saw it on a local news channel.
Who was involved?
- This initiative was a joint effort of local administration and Nike sports company.
- The administration is doing it for the welfare of local people.
- Whereas the sports company is doing it for creating more awareness of its brand.
Explain why people were interested in it?
- People were joyful after knowing about this development
- The reason for their joy was that our area has everything like a shopping mall, a railway station, a sophisticated public transport system.
- Apart from this for education, there are renowned schools, colleges and universities.
- And for entertainment, we have a multiplex and an amusement park.
- But despite these facilities, people were unhappy.
- The reason for their resentment was that there is no good place for children and youngsters to play.
- Moreover, for the elderly population, there is less space to do the walk.
- So this news came out as a blessing for all the residents.
- Because a sports complex would create a positive environment in the town.
- First of all, it would produce sports talent.
- My town has a large number of talented sportspersons.
- But in the absence of facilities, they are unable to do justice to their talent.
- Therefore this new sports complex would help them to train in a better way.
- Furthermore, the older generation would get a place to meet their friends.
- So the development depicted in the news would bring a paradigm shift in my town.
Sample Answer 2
Introduction
Although I do not pay much heed to the local news of my area, there is one news that has caught my attention.
What it was about?
The mayor of our city announced last week that there would be a blanket ban on the usage of plastic bags.
Where you saw/heard it?
I got this news from the local news channel.
Who was involved?
The whole city administration is a part of this development. Some private companies will provide funds to create mass awareness.
Explain why people were interested in it?
Although certain people were not happy with it, the majority of people had welcomed this news.
Because due to the rampant usage of plastic bags, our city is in dire straits.
Firstly, the clogging of drains is a pressing problem in our city. The biggest reason for this issue is plastic bags. Because as we all know, plastic is flexible, and it takes ages to decompose itself. Hence when it enters the drains, it makes its permanent place over there. Every year tonnes of plastic makes entry into various water bodies through the drainage system of cities.
Secondly, the city looks filthy due to the plastic bags. As winds are common in our area, all nooks and corners look messy with the spread of polythenes.
Lastly, the usage of plastic has declined the soil quality too.
And, if we continue using these bags, our future is in jeopardy.
All these problems require one solution, and this is a complete ban on the usage of polythene bags.
That is why people of my city have shown tremendous interest in this local news.
Sample Answer 3
Introduction
- Although people have an interest in global news, they incline towards local news.
What it was about?
- I have got this news that my city would get a makeover because higher authorities will turn it into a smart city.
Where you saw/heard it?
- I read this news in the local newspaper.
Who are involved?
- This initiative is the joint effort of the local government and various multinational companies.
Explain why people are interested in it?
- My city is full of educated people, but they cannot do justice to their talent because of limited opportunities.
- The primary reason for this problem is the lack of job opportunities.
- And the root cause of the lack of job openings in my city is its underdeveloped infrastructure.
- Because of the haphazard development, many reputed companies haven’t opened their branches in my city yet.
- This smart city initiative would lead to a paradigm shift in the status of our area.
- First of all, the administration will open an international airport in the city to invite multinational companies.
- Apart from this, the city will get a makeover. The whole area will get seamless internet connectivity.
- Facilities like the metro train and electronic takes will start soon.
- Lastly, seven to eight multinational companies will open their offices over here.
- Around 50,000 new jobs are going to come.
- The unemployment problem of my city will cease to exist.
- Also, there would be less brain drain because the learned minds will get jobs at their native place.
- All the above said reasons have led to a state of euphoria in my city.
Sample Answer 4
Introduction
Being an inquisitive person, I have a keen interest in the development activities in the local area. Recently the local administration had announced a piece of news that caught my attention.
What it was about?
The news is about banning the usage of all vehicles which are more than 10 years old.
Where you saw/heard it?
The media advisor of our city mayor announced this news last week.
Who are involved?
The administration took this decision after consulting it with civil society.
Explain why people are interested in it?
People have an interest in this news because of the disastrous repercussions of using old vehicles on their health and well-being.
There is no denying this conviction that with time the engines of motor vehicles lose efficiency and create more pollution. Due to that, the health of the general public goes for a toss.
Moreover, the purchasing power of people has increased manifold in the last ten years. And the number of vehicles plying on the roads has increased appreciably.
A blanket ban on the usage of vehicles more than a decade old could bring some respite to the city dwellers. Because the people who have 10 years old vehicles would either replace them or switch to public transport. Due to this the percentage of old vehicles plying on the roads would decrease substantially.
Conclusion
This news is a blessing for the city residents because it would prevent numerous diseases that occur due to growing pollution.
Follow up Questions
Here are some examples of follow up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in”.
1. Do people read the newspaper where you live?
The people of my city are voracious readers because the culture of reading is there for many years. People every day read the newspaper and discuss the current happenings when they meet.
2. Do people prefer local or international news?
Earlier, the focus of the residents of my city used to be on the local news. However, since a sizeable number of people from my city have relatives who have moved abroad to many countries, nowadays people prefer to read international news.
3. Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?
Yes, there is no denying this conviction that national identity is of huge importance. Because it motivates people to know about the nation they live in and work towards the upliftment of their nation. Moreover, for nations that have turned independent, it prompts the individuals to gain knowledge regarding the contributions made by their forefathers, and it educates them to work with those values.
4. How can people develop their national identity?
As per my opinion, there are numerous methods through which individuals could nurture their national identity. Firstly they should carry themselves in the conventional wardrobes of their nation. Apart from this, wherever possible, they must hoist the flag of their nation.