Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g. in a park, on the beach, etc.) | May to august 2025 cue Card
- Where you saw the plastic waste
- Why there were a lot of plastic waste
- What you did after you saw them
- And explain what your thoughts were about this
Vocab/ idioms
- Pressing issue – Urgent problem
- Horrifying sight – Shocking view
- Littered – Scattered trash
- Garbage dump – Waste site
- Heap of garbage – Trash pile
- Impose – Force upon
- Convenient – Easily accessible
In this modern era, plastic pollution has become a pressing issue, especially due to people’s careless attitude and the rise of a use-and-throw culture. One particular incident that really made me aware of how serious this problem is happened a few months ago in a public park near my home in Ludhiana, Punjab.
It was a Sunday evening, and I had gone to the park with my friend for a walk. As we entered, instead of feeling relaxed, we were greeted by a shocking sight—the walking tracks, grassy areas, and even the playground were covered with plastic bottles, chips wrappers, disposable cups, and polythene bags. It looked like the park had turned into a garbage dump overnight.
After talking to the gardener there, we came to know that a school picnic had been organized the day before, and hundreds of children and their families had visited. Sadly, there were not enough dustbins, and most people didn’t bother cleaning up after themselves. The result was that plastic waste was spread across the entire park — it looked like a heap of garbage rather than a place to relax.
Instead of just shaking our heads, we decided to take the matter into our own hands. We collected some trash in garbage bags we found nearby and informed the local municipal committee. A few other morning walkers also joined us, and within an hour, we managed to clean up a significant portion of the park.
Honestly speaking, I felt both proud and frustrated. Proud because we did something meaningful, but frustrated because people still don’t realise how harmful plastic is for the environment. It harms animals, pollutes our soil and water, and takes hundreds of years to decompose. If we fail to take action now, future generations will pay the price.
To sum up, this incident made me more environmentally aware. I now carry a reusable water bottle and bag and try to avoid plastic wherever I can. As the saying goes, every small step counts. That day, I tried to live by it.
Follow-ups
- Do you think we should use plastic products?
Well, I believe that while plastic products are convenient and affordable, their overuse has serious environmental consequences. For example, single-use plastics like bags and straws cause huge pollution problems. Therefore, we should limit plastic use and switch to eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible.
- How can we reduce our use of plastic?
To begin with, raising awareness about the harmful effects of plastic is crucial. Additionally, people can start using reusable bags, bottles, and containers. For instance, many shops now encourage customers to bring their own bags instead of using plastic ones, which helps a lot.
- What kinds of plastic waste are often seen in your country?
In my country, the most common plastic waste includes bottles, shopping bags, food wrappers, and disposable cutlery. For example, markets and street food stalls often generate large amounts of plastic waste, which sometimes ends up in drains and streets, causing pollution.
- Why do people like to use plastic products?
People prefer plastic products mainly because they are cheap, lightweight, and convenient. Moreover, plastic items are easy to carry and dispose of, which appeals to busy lifestyles. For instance, plastic packaging helps keep food fresh and makes it easy to transport.
- What can the government do to reduce plastic pollution?
The government can play a key role by enforcing strict regulations on plastic production and disposal. Also, they can promote campaigns encouraging people to reduce plastic use. For example, some cities have banned single-use plastic bags and imposed fines for littering, which has led to cleaner environments.