Hey everyone, and welcome back to another episode of IELTS TIME — the podcast where we share model answers, useful vocabulary, and ideas to help you speak clearly, confidently, and naturally in your IELTS test. I’m Archer, your host.
Today, we’re moving into a more reflective Part 3 topic — questions about the sky, nature, and our modern environment — a theme we’re calling “The Sky and Nature”.
Following up on Part 2 from our last episode — where we explored the cue card ‘Describe a beautiful sky you enjoyed seeing’ — we’re now diving into the connected Part 3 questions.
In this episode, Jessica will play the examiner, and Joseph will be answering. After the dialogue, I’ll break down Joseph’s responses, pull out useful vocabulary, and give you tips on how to handle similar questions in your test.
Let’s get right into it.
Why do some people enjoy looking at the sky?
I think people enjoy looking at the sky because it gives them a sense of peace. When life feels busy or overwhelming, just looking up at the clouds or stars can make you feel small in a good way — like your problems aren’t that big after all. Also, the sky is always changing — sunrises, sunsets, even storms — and that variety makes it interesting to watch. For some, it’s also just a simple way to connect with nature, even in the middle of a city.
Are there any differences in how people in cities and in the countryside experience the sky?
Definitely. In the countryside, the sky feels much more open and untouched. At night, you can actually see stars clearly, which is almost impossible in most cities because of light pollution. People in rural areas might also spend more time outdoors — farming, walking, or just sitting outside — so they naturally notice the sky more. In cities, tall buildings block the view, and people are usually in a rush, so they might not even look up that often.
How does the weather affect people’s moods?
Weather can really impact how people feel. Personally, I feel more energetic and positive on sunny days, while gloomy, rainy weather makes me want to stay in bed. I’ve noticed that some of my friends feel more down during long winters — I think that’s even a recognized condition in some countries. On the other hand, some people love rainy days and find them relaxing. It probably depends on your personality and lifestyle.
In what ways is the view of the sky affected by pollution?
Air pollution has a huge impact. In some cities, the sky is constantly covered with smog, so you don’t get to see blue skies or stars. Even sunsets can look dull or hazy instead of colourful. I remember visiting a big city once and feeling shocked that I couldn’t see the stars at all. It’s sad, really, because it’s something so beautiful that people are missing out on. Cleaner air makes a massive difference in how the sky looks.
Do you think children should be taught more about stars and planets?
Yes, I think so. Learning about space can spark curiosity and imagination in kids. It’s also a good way to introduce science in an exciting way — talking about planets, black holes, or even the possibility of life elsewhere. Plus, understanding our place in the universe might help kids develop a sense of responsibility toward Earth. It doesn’t have to be super technical — just enough to get them thinking beyond their immediate surroundings.
Do you think modern technology has changed the way we experience nature?
Yes, both in good and bad ways. On the one hand, technology lets us learn more about nature — like tracking weather patterns or watching documentaries with amazing footage from remote places. On the other hand, it also distracts us. People spend so much time on their phones that they might miss what’s happening around them. I think technology is useful, but we need to be intentional about stepping away from screens and actually going outside to experience nature firsthand.
Brilliant answers there from Joseph — thoughtful, natural, and full of nuance. Let’s take a closer look at each one and see what we can learn.
Q1: Why do some people enjoy looking at the sky?
Joseph started strong here by saying the sky gives people a sense of peace — and that’s a phrase you might want to steal. It’s expressive, and it makes your answer feel grounded in real emotion. He also mentioned that people feel small in a good way. That’s not only poetic but also demonstrates emotional depth, something examiners really notice in high-scoring answers.
If you’re answering this, you might want to use words like “overwhelming” to describe the stress of daily life, and contrast it with the calming effect of the sky. For example:
“When everything feels overwhelming, just taking a moment to look up at the sky helps me reset.”
Joseph also talked about the variety in the sky — sunsets, storms, clouds — and that’s a great strategy. Showing the sky is dynamic adds richness to your answer.
Q2: Are there differences between how city and country people experience the sky?
Here, Joseph made a clear contrast between urban and rural experiences. He used the phrase “light pollution” — a very precise term. If you’re aiming for Band 8 or 9, throw in specific vocabulary like that.
He also mentioned that rural areas feel more open and untouched, which creates a vivid image. You could use similar wording like:
“In the countryside, the sky feels endless — there’s nothing blocking your view.”
And don’t miss how he added, “people in cities might not even look up that often.” That little observation shows social awareness, which helps your score for coherence and fluency.
Q3: How does weather affect people’s moods?
This is a great question to make personal. Joseph did exactly that — he said he feels more energetic on sunny days, which is a common and relatable answer. But then he added some depth by noting that long winters can make people feel low, and that it’s a recognized condition in some countries. He didn’t even have to name it — Seasonal Affective Disorder — just showing that awareness was enough.
If you want to sound natural, use adjectives like “gloomy” or “dreary” to describe weather that brings your mood down. For instance:
“I find gloomy weather really affects my productivity — it just makes everything feel heavier.”
You don’t need to be poetic. Just honest and thoughtful.
Q4: How is the view of the sky affected by pollution?
This one was especially strong. Joseph didn’t just give facts — he told a story. He mentioned visiting a city where he couldn’t see stars and used expressions like “the sky is constantly covered with smog” and “people are missing out on something beautiful.”
That kind of language is emotional but still fits IELTS perfectly. If you want to emphasize the contrast, try saying something like:
“In my hometown, I could always see a blanket of stars. But now, in the city, even a clear night feels kind of empty.”
Also, the phrase “Cleaner air makes a massive difference” is simple but effective. Don’t overcomplicate. Say it clearly.
Q5: Should children be taught more about stars and planets?
This was a smart and mature response. Joseph said it can “spark curiosity and imagination” — a phrase that’s both natural and expressive. Try to use verbs like “spark” or “foster” when talking about learning.
He also touched on the idea that learning about space helps kids “understand their place in the universe.” That’s a lovely abstract point — and it raises the level of the answer.
And notice how he said it doesn’t have to be super technical — again, using natural, spoken English. That’s the tone you want to aim for.
Q6: Has technology changed the way we experience nature?
Joseph took a balanced approach here — which is exactly what the examiner is hoping for in a Part 3 answer. He used the classic structure:
“On the one hand… on the other hand…”
And that’s a great way to organize your ideas without rambling.
He talked about how technology allows us to “track weather patterns” and “watch documentaries” — strong, relevant examples. Then he acknowledged that screens can distract us from the real world.
The expression “We need to be intentional about stepping away from screens” is a very natural way to say “make a conscious effort.” You could say:
“I try to be intentional about spending time outside, especially when I’ve been staring at a screen all day.”
So, what can we learn from Joseph’s answers?
He didn’t sound overly academic or robotic — just natural, thoughtful, and sincere, with the right mix of personal experience, social awareness, and specific vocabulary.
That’s what Band 9 is all about.
Remember — it’s not about using complicated words. It’s about using the right words, in the right way. Words and short phrases like gloomy, untouched, overwhelming, spark curiosity, be intentional — these are not fancy, but they’re powerful when used naturally.
If you’re practicing this topic, try answering the same six questions on your own. Record yourself, listen back, and see where you can push deeper or make your language more vivid.
That’s all for today’s episode on “The Sky and Nature.”
Thanks for listening. Join us for our next episode, where we’ll tackle a Part 1 topic — pets
Until next time — keep practicing, and don’t forget to look up once in a while.
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