Q. How do you usually spend your holidays?

A. I try to spend my holidays with my family and take them to a different city if the
duration of the holiday is more than 5 days. For the shorter holidays, I take them
to amusement parks, museums and theatres. Sometimes, we watch movies at
home and enjoy home-made delicious food.

Apart from that, I sometimes take the reading challenges during a holiday and
finish a few books before the holiday ends.

Q. Is there anywhere you would particularly like to visit? [Why?]

A. I would like to visit India. I have, in fact, a plan to go to this beautiful country
sometime next year. India has a distinctive cultural aspect and its lush beauty
and exotic architecture are recommended by many of my friends and relatives
who had visited this country. Visiting India would be a great experience, I believe.

PART 2:
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one
minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to
help you if you wish.]

Describe a river, lake or sea which you like.

You should say:

 what the river, lake or sea is called

 where it is
 what the land near it is like

and explain why you like this river, lake or sea.

Cue Card Answer:

I am originally from the Czech Republic and waters and mountains are the
dominant components that constitute the uniqueness and diversity of the
country’s terrain. Some of Europe’s largest rivers have their origins in the Czech
Republic and the lakes are like queens in our country. So I would like to thank
you for letting me talk about this topic.
My parents took me to the Elbe river when I was around 14 years old and the
beauty of this river is still unforgettable. The Elbe is one of the major rivers in the
Czech Republic and in fact one of the significant rivers in entire Central Europe.

The Elbe river rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northern Czech Republic
before travelling much of the Czech Republic and then Germany and flowing into
the North Sea at Cuxhaven. Its total length is approximately 1,094 kilometres or
680 miles and the land beside the river makes the area picturesque.

The land near the river is so diverse that it is almost impossible to describe them
all and frankly speaking, I have been to only a few of them. For instance, the
northern part of the river in my hometown has a lavish forest beside it while the
opposite has a white sandy area that runs for more than 9 miles. If you visit the
west part of the town, you will find a tranquil small village beside it and thus the
scene and the landscape beside the river vary based on the location of it.

One of Central Europe’s most important waterways, the Elbe River has great
significance for us. I had been to an Elbe river cruise which was is extraordinarily
delightful and I experienced stunning views during the voyage. The memory I
have makes me a fan of this marvellous river.

PART 3
Discussion topics: Water-based leisure activities

Q. What do people enjoy doing when they visit rivers, lakes or the sea?
Why do you think these activities are popular?
A. I believe, people mostly visit rivers and lakes to enjoy the view, do boating, go
for a swim or do water sports like surfing or waterskiing. They also lie on the
beach, take a sunbath and enjoy the vastness of the sea. Personally, I like to
enjoy the sunset on a seashore and sometimes go fishing in a lake.

I think people who do not live near a river or a sea go there to enjoy their
vacation and take part in those activities to enjoy their time. For fishermen, the
scenario is different who travel across the water to catch fishes.

Q. What benefits do you think people get from the activities they enjoy in
the water?
A. Activities, like swimming in a river and enjoying the sunset, are refreshing.
Whenever we are near a lake, a river or a sea, we try to enjoy our time and get
involved in numerous recreation activities. These activities allow us to
concentrate on things that are far away from the daily routine and thus release
our stress. Personally, I like to catch fish which is both entertaining and
rewarding. For many others, enjoying the view is like a medicine to their souls.

Q. What are the different advantages of going to the sea or to a swimming

pool to enjoy yourself? What do you think the disadvantages are?
A. Going to a sea does not happen quite often and it is more refreshing. Taking a
bath in the seawater or just lying on the beach can animate our mind. Swimming
in a pool, on the other hand, is a good exercise and can be a part of our regular
activity.

Among the disadvantages, taking a vacation near a sea is expensive and time-
consuming. We often enjoy the view beside the sea and do not get engaged in
physical activities. Finally, this can be a dangerous activity if we are not expert
swimmers. Swimming pool, on the contrary, can be good for doing exercise but
not so good to take a break for our daily routine.

Discussion topics: The economic importance of rivers, lakes and the sea

Q. How does water transport, like boats and ships, compare with other
kinds? Are there any advantages/disadvantages of water transport?
A. Boats, ferries and ships run on water and can be more refreshing as a mean
of journey compared to a train or bus journey. A large ship can be used to carry
heavy goods and oils while small boats can carry people from one port to
another. On the contrary, road and air transports are usually faster. If I want to
travel to a different country I would prefer the air travel to save time but if I am to
go to a different part of the city I live in and have a water transport available, I
would prefer the boat.

Water transports, specially non-motorised boats, are environment-friendly and

offer a great aqua view to the travellers. However, they are slow and take a
considerable amount of time. An accident on water transport could be more
deadly I believe.

Q. How important is it for a town or city to be located near a river or the

sea? Why?
A. I think a city or a town located near a river or a sea has several advantages.
Historically speaking, such cities always enjoyed economic benefits as they were
often the gateway to international trades and the strategic location of an empire.
This is why a city beside the sea or river had often been the most significant city
in the country. It was a common scenario that a capital city was often located
near a sea of a river and in many countries, it is still the case. Rivers allow many
industries to be located nearby and thus help the development of the area.

Moreover, people near the river enjoys fertile lands and have better environment
compared to the overcrowded cities in other parts of the country. A city or a town
near a sea can reap the benefits of the blast of the tourism industry.

 Q. Have there been any changes in the number of jobs available in fishing
and water transport industries, do you think? Why do you think this is?
A. I believe the number of fishing-dependent population in my country has
shrunk. I think the global scenario is also the same. The rapid urbanisation,
global environmental changes and damages made to the water by industries are
the reasons rivers and oceans have fewer fishes these days compared to the
past. So it is natural that fishermen and their dependents have shifted to other
occupations. The dependency on ships as goods carriers has also decreased
with the advancement of large commercial flights and cargo-carrying aeroplanes.

Nevertheless, the global trade facilities, a boom in export industries, an increase

in the number of merry time cruises in water and career in the navy and marine
engineering has created a different segment of career opportunities in many
countries.