IELTS Speaking part 2: Describe an important river, lake or water body in your country

Topic cue card:

Describe an important river, lake or water body in your country. You should say:

• Where the river/lake locates
• How long/big the river/lake is
• Why it is important.

Answer:

I am living in Hochiminh city, and the city is often called by another name - Saigon. This name is taken after the name of the Saigon river, which flows across the city. It is one of the symbol of Hochiminh city. Actually, the river is built over the city – most of the important roads fan off from the banks of the river. Recent developments have turned the banks into popular public places for citizens and tourists.

The Saigon river is a small river with the length of about 250 km. It starts from Cambodia, flows through several provinces in southern Vietnam and peacefully weaves its way around Hochiminh city. It finally joins the Nha Be river before pouring into the sea. From above, the river looks just like a giant snake.

When I first came to live in Saigon, my husband and I found relief from the clamor of the city by sitting on the banks of the Saigon River, in District 2. From here, we could look back across the water to downtown District 1, where the traffic, noise, and chaotic swell of Saigon was at a safe distance. I knew I would grow to love this river.

People in Saigon also love this river, not because of its beauty, but because of the peaceful feeling it gives them in the middle of the bustling city. This river offers many quiet corners where you can escape from the busy life for a minute. There are lots of great spots in the city from which to enjoy the Saigon River: from riverside cafes to rooftop bars, from local waterfront restaurants to boutique hotels.

The Saigon River is emerging, along with the city as a whole, as a busy, commercial hub with huge and exciting potential, at least as far as shipping, industry and development is concerned. There’s a constant flurry of boats of all sizes ploughing the water: tankers, cruise ships, river taxis, floating restaurants, industrial barges, private yachts, and motor-canoes.

However, due to rapid economic development, the Saigon river has been seriously polluted. The water is sometimes so dirty that it changes into muddy brown color, and there are a lot of wastes floating on the surface, which come from households, restaurants and boats. The government is using many measures like allocating budget on waste collection, ad campaigns to raise awareness of the community about disposing wastes in order to protect the Saigon river and its beauty.

Comment:

This answer can be used for similar topics like:

Describe a quiet place you like to go.

• Why you like that place
• Where that place is
• How you spent time in that place
• How much time you spent in that place.

or

Describe a public place you visited.

• Where it is
• Why you went there
• What it needs to be improved
• Do you think the government would do it?