IELTS Speaking Cue Card

I would like to speak about a small yet widely popular plant called Tulsi in my local language. I don’t know the biological name of this particular plant. Well, this plant is grown widely across the country; is found in almost all the households in India, has several medicinal properties and is also considered as Holy by the Hindu people of India. 

It is grown across the country as it is a small plant and doesn't require any particular type of weather for its survival. It adapts itself to any type of climate and as such it is quite popular. It can be found in Independent houses where it is an essential part of every kitchen garden and even people living in apartments grow it in their balconies. 

This plant also occupies a place in the history of India as the ancient sages and people used it extensively in their day to day lives. In earlier times a paste of these leaves was used on wounds as it has anti bacterial properties. 

The fact that it is it has several medicinal properties makes it very important for almost all types of people who live in my country. The tender shoots are used to make tea decoction which cures common cold, cough and certain types of fever. Tulsi oil is derived from the dried leaves of the plant and this oil has medicinal properties which is used during infestation of mosquitoes, to drive the mosquitoes away especially when there is a fear of malaria. It is also used as a cure for insect bites and rashes. 

It is a very small plant and doesn't grow up to be a tree and has small tender green leaves which are quite pretty. It can be planted in a pot too and hence is portable too. 

 

Vocabulary:

1. Derived- obtain something from.
2. Extensively- in a way that covers or affects a large area.
3. Infestation- he presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals in a place, typically so as to cause damage or disease.
4. Rashes- an area of redness and spots on a person's skin, appearing especially as a result of allergy or illness

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Part 3 Follow Up - Questions & Answers

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1. Do people in your country like to grow plants at home?

As you know India is an agricultural country half of the population practices farming as their main occupation and this practice has continued from generations. Although, the younger generation has moved on to cities in search of their livelihood, they still grow plants at their home or in their backyards and it has become a part of modern life.

2. Do old people grow plants?

Yes of course, almost all the old people I have seen and whom I know have always enjoyed growing plants in their backyard or in their kitchen gardens. They love the process and the sense of fulfilment that they get when they see their plants bearing fruit can be compared to none. It is part of their daily life and is a popular hobby among old people.

3. How do schools teach students to grow plants?

In my country almost, every school has a particular time slot which is meant for children to engage in Eco related activities. A plot of land in the school campus is assigned to students for gardening activities where the students go during this particular slot in their daily routine and as a team they grow different types of fruit and flower bearing plants. They enjoy the whole process and when the plants bear fruit its distributed among the students. Thus they learn a lot of valuable lessons from the whole process.

4. What is the main plant in your country?

In our country, paddy is probably the most important plant we grow as our economy relies on it. Rice is the staple food of India. The leaves are green and the rice seeds grow within the panicle which turns yellowish when it is ripe.