Describe a poisonous plant you know about IELTS Cue Card

This cue card test is performed to assess your speaking abilities and the spontaneity you hold to a particular situation. This test gives you a scope to increase your band score further. By referring to these 5 model answers and follow up questions we gave for the topic Describe a poisonous plant you know about you can get trained for the actual IELTS cue card (Speaking).

IELTS speaking part 2: Cue card

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In this IELTS speaking cue card section you will be given a lot of questions to speak. The preparation time to plan for your points is 1 minute. After that you should speak for about 2-3 minutes until the examiner asks you to stop. Observe the following Describe a poisonous plant you know about model answers to know about the speaking test pattern.

Describe a poisonous plant you know about

You should say:

• What is the name of the plant?
• Where is it found ?
• Benefits and side effects
• How do you know about it ?

Describe a poisonous plant you know about -Model answer and Follow up questions

Read the following model answers of the topic “Describe a poisonous plant you know about” to understand the way of speaking promptly. Also see the next follow up questions related to IELTS speaking part-3 section. Try to formulate answers on your own.

Describe a poisonous plant you know about - Model Answer 1

Introduction

• Plants are important for the survival of every species on the planet. 
• Not all the plants are fruitful, some plants might be poisonous and harmful.

What is the name of the plant? And Where is it found ?

• Cacti and other succulents are the most poisonous and dangerous plants located mostly in every part of India. 
• These are most commonly found in Gujarat, Thar desert located in Rajasthan. 

Benefits and side effects 

• Roots of cactus help to stabilise the soil. 
• Other succulents like aloe vera treat many skin diseases like acne, eczema etc.
• Side effects are like people can cut their hands, eye injury etc. while handling these types of plants.
• These plants secrete a milky sap that is very poisonous to both plants and animals.

How do you know about it ?

• I came across these types of plants while searching for the natural remedies to heal the injuries and to stay healthy. 
• I learned that cactus fruit fights against infections and high cholesterol.

Conclusion:

• Cacti and other succulents are the essential part of the desert ecosystem which provide home and shelter for a wide variety of animals. 
• Exposure of our skin to these types of plants causes rashes and also excess intake of these plants causes adverse effects like stomach aches, diarrhoea etc.

Describe a poisonous plant you know about - Model Answer 2

Introduction
Our country has a wide variety of plant species that are poisonous as well as safe. Few of the plants are even used for medicinal purposes.

What is the name of the plant? 
The name of the plant is Lantana camara. This plant has colour flowered varieties like red, white, pink which are highly toxic. 

Where is it found ?
These plants mostly grow in central India and southern western ghats. They have the ability to adapt to climatic conditions and can tolerate high temperatures and moisture.

Benefits and side effects 
Lantaras aid cross pollination for many birds like butterflies, bees etc. The leaves are useful to treat malaria, chicken pox, blood pressure etc. Oil extracted from the leaf of this plant is used to heal wounds. Though the plant holds many benefits, they have to be handled very carefully by wearing gloves to avoid skin irritation. The berries of the plant are more toxic that causes vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing problems.

How do you know about it ?
I happened to see this plant in a place called Meghalaya during my vacation. They even displayed the details of this plant in the botanical garden marking it as an ornamental plant.

Conclusion:
Lantana camara being highly poisonous has amazing medicinal values in ayurveda for various illnesses.

Describe a poisonous plant you know about - Model Answer 3

Introduction
The plants play a major role in the protection of the natural environment. Major parts of the living species are dependent on the herbs.

What is the name of the plant? 
The evergreen small tree commonly found in our country is a mushroom. It is known as the meat of the vegetable world. 

Where is it found ?
Mushrooms that have white rings around the stem are considered to be poisonous. They mostly grow in dark, cool and humid environments. We mostly even grow in the backyards of our place. 

Benefits and side effects 
Mushrooms available in various varieties, texture, flavours have rich sources of proteins and antioxidants that boost your health. Incorporating this food item helps you to control blood pressure, increase bone strength and manage weight loss. Most people experience allergies like nausea, vomiting, rashes etc. if the food doesn’t suit your intestine. 

How do you know about it ?
It is a common food plant available everywhere and we grow organic mushrooms in our place and prepare special dishes using this ingredient.

Conclusion:
Although many mushrooms are edible and safe, some contain toxins which create serious ill effects and even lead to death. 

Describe a poisonous plant you know about - Model Answer 4 

Introduction
Our country being rich in flora and fauna has hundreds of healthy plants as well as poisonous plants. Even these poisonous plants hold positives apart from negative effects.

What is the name of the plant?
The particular plant which holds positives as well as adverse effects is Nerium oleandar. In India these are called with different names as ganneru, kanagele, arali, raktakarabi that come in a variety of colours like red, pink, white.

Where is it found ?
These types of plants are widely grown in tropical and subtropical gardens, parks etc. throughout the country. Due to their toxicity these plants are almost free from pests and untouched by cattles.

Benefits and side effects 
Oleander has been traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes, scabies, epilepsy etc. with minimal scientific facts to prove. Side effects of this plant are very severe like inhalation of smoke burned by these plants creates negative impact on lungs, kidneys and muscle tissues and even leads to death.

How do you know about it ?
Pink oleanders are grown on the dividers of national and state highways as they act as a shield from direct light emitting from headlights of oncoming vehicles. They resist the exhaust fumes of vehicles.

Conclusion:
Oleander is a common ornamental evergreen shrub that renders an eye-catching sight. Though they are toxic but are somehow utilisable in other ways.

Describe a poisonous plant you know about - Model Answer 5

Introduction
Plants are an incredibly important kingdom of organisms. But unfortunately a few plants are marked as dangerous due to their poisonous nature yet they are very much useful. 

What is the name of the plant?
One of the common poisonous plants that is used for various purposes is castor oil plant. Usually leaves have a lesser amount of toxins compared to seeds.

Where is it found ?
These plants are mostly grown in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra pradesh. Even they export to other places after harvesting.

Benefits and side effects 
Oil secreted from the castor beans has been used as a medicine for centuries to treat body and skin related problems like birth control, leprosy etc. The outer coat of Castor seed contains deadly poison that causes nausea, abdominal pain, damage to liver and kidneys etc. so have to be cautious while handling. 

How do you know about it ?
Being an Indian we use castor oil as a natural remedy to heal various health issues related to gynaecology, skin etc. We learned about these tips from our ancestors.

Conclusion:
Castor oil perhaps is one of the best known natural moisturisers, a powerful wound healer. Taking a long term or large dosage is unsafe for health and causes fluid loss from the body. 

IELTS speaking part 3 - Describe a poisonous plant you know about 

Once your speaking is done the examiner puts forward some interesting questions to discuss related to the cue card topic. This two way discussion gives you a way to express more about your thoughts. Find the follow up questions related to the topic Describe a poisonous plant you know about that may benefit you in the preparation.

1. Where do these poisonous plants grow mostly?
Mostly these types of plants are grown in forests, fields, wetlands. These even grow in some suburban areas such as parks, backyards etc.

2. How do you prevent/handle these poisonous plants?
You should be very cautious while dealing with poisonous plants. Usage of protective gloves and clothing while handling will reduce skin irritation. Washing your hands and clothes is compulsory afterwards. Always store labelled bulbs and seeds safely away from children, pets and food storage areas.

3. What should you do if you are exposed to a poisonous plant?
Inorder to avoid the spread of infection further immediately wash the skin with rubbing alcohol or detergent or a soap. Scrub under the nails with a brush. If the allergy persists, seek medical attention.

4. Can we reuse soil from a diseased plant?
It is always best to sterilise the soil before reusing it to avoid the spread of pests or diseases from the infected plant. By this process the crop grows healthy and stays for a longer time.

5. Can plants release harmful toxins?
Plants have that ability to release chemical compounds from their roots to the soil where sometimes these decay or modify. Some of these toxins even damage the roots of neighbouring plants.

Related IELTS cue card topics

• Talk about a special day which was not that expensive
• Describe an interesting neighbour
• Describe a crop you are familiar with
• Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn
• Describe an aquatic animal
• Describe an activity that you do after school/work
• Describe a law on environmental protection
• Describe an interesting conversation that you had

Conclusion 

Practice Describe a poisonous plant you know about model answers and follow up questions given in this article to enhance your knowledge and skills. Use our other cue card topics to tackle the IELTS speaking test for a good band score.