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Table of Content

Speaking Part 1:......................................................................................................................1


Topic: Study.................................................................................................................................. 1
Topic: Major – subject..................................................................................................................4
Topic: Work...................................................................................................................................6
Topic: Accommodation - The area you live in............................................................................11
Topic: Hometown – Countryside................................................................................................16
Topic: Mobile apps..................................................................................................................... 19
Topic: Colour...............................................................................................................................20
Topic: Weather........................................................................................................................... 21
Topic: Getting lost – new places.................................................................................................23
Topic: Concentration.................................................................................................................. 25
Topic: Pets and Animals..............................................................................................................27
Topic: Public gardens and parks.................................................................................................27
Topic: Science............................................................................................................................. 28
Topic: Shoes................................................................................................................................29
Topic: Headphones.....................................................................................................................31
Topic: Handwriting..................................................................................................................... 33
Topic: Wild animals.....................................................................................................................35
Topic: Wallet...............................................................................................................................37
Topic: Sky and stars.................................................................................................................... 38
Topic: Relax.................................................................................................................................40
Topic: Primary school................................................................................................................. 41
Topic: Holidays............................................................................................................................42
Topic: Flowers.............................................................................................................................43
Topic: Festival............................................................................................................................. 45
Topic: Environmental protection................................................................................................46
Topic: Car trip............................................................................................................................. 47
Topic: Barbecue..........................................................................................................................48
Topic: Advertisement................................................................................................................. 49

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| i


Topic: Special costumes..............................................................................................................50
Topic: Museum...........................................................................................................................51
Topic: Watching TV.....................................................................................................................52
Topic: Cooperation..................................................................................................................... 53
Topic: Leisure activity................................................................................................................. 53

SPEAKING PART 2 & 3............................................................................................................54


Topic: Balance.............................................................................................................................54
Topic: Spending.......................................................................................................................... 58
Topic: Primary schools................................................................................................................61
Topic: Special occasions............................................................................................................. 64
Topic: Habits...............................................................................................................................67
Topic: Foreigners........................................................................................................................ 70
Topic: Decisions.......................................................................................................................... 74
Topic: Road trip.......................................................................................................................... 77
Topic: Sports...............................................................................................................................80
Topic: Creative............................................................................................................................83
Topic: Service..............................................................................................................................86
Topic: Vacations..........................................................................................................................90
Topic: Business........................................................................................................................... 92
Topic: Friendliness......................................................................................................................95
Topic: Smart................................................................................................................................98
Topic: Books.............................................................................................................................101
Topic: Café................................................................................................................................104
Topic: Get up early...................................................................................................................108
Topic: Art and Craft..................................................................................................................112
Topic: Older people..................................................................................................................115
Topic: Puzzle.............................................................................................................................118
Topic: After school activities....................................................................................................121
Topic: Talent.............................................................................................................................125
Topic: Place you want to live in................................................................................................129

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| ii


Topic: Music.............................................................................................................................132
Topic: Movies/Films.................................................................................................................136
Topic: Smiles.............................................................................................................................140
Topic: Plan................................................................................................................................143
Topic: Social media...................................................................................................................146
Topic: Argument.......................................................................................................................149
Topic: Mobile Phone................................................................................................................152
Topic: Markets..........................................................................................................................155
Topic: Health............................................................................................................................158
Topic: Equipment.....................................................................................................................161
Topic: Law.................................................................................................................................164
Topic: Activities on the beach..................................................................................................167
Topic: Companies.....................................................................................................................170
Topic: Buildings........................................................................................................................174
Topic: Sharing...........................................................................................................................177
Topic: Local news.....................................................................................................................181
Topic: Success...........................................................................................................................184
Topic: Help................................................................................................................................187
Topic: Quiet place.....................................................................................................................190
Topic: Difficult problem............................................................................................................193
Topic: Pride...............................................................................................................................196
Topic: Moving...........................................................................................................................199
Topic: Advice............................................................................................................................201
Topic: Skills...............................................................................................................................205
Topic: Learning.........................................................................................................................208
Topic: Famous..........................................................................................................................211

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| iii


Speaking Part 1:

Topic: Study
1. Do you work or study? junior – VCU – 1960 – reputatation – progessive
teaching method – modern facilities –
2. Which universities do you go to?
3. How do you usually spend your school day?
go to class at 7, listen to lecture, take note information, and revise it
4. What technology do you use when you study? / Which technology can help
you learn better?
brick and mortal class: using phone, record the lesson – take photo slide – take
note
online class: hearphone - laptop
5. Why did you choose your school I university?
my parent advise – good reputation – teaching method –modern facilities – equip
air-condtioner, wifi
6. Is it good to study in the morning or in the afternoon? / Do you prefer to study
in the morning or in the afternoon? morning better, focus –quiet – after sleep-
refresh and more energy
7. Who is more important for you at school, teachers or students?
role of teacher are more vital – school to learn – academic knowledge
small society – how to socialise – homeschooling - prepare for adult life
8. Do you like your school?
broaden my horizon – accumulate knowledge – contact people
9. Which part of your school do you like?
modern facilities – teaching method – dedicate teacher – friendly people
10. How do you improve your study efficiency?
concentrate on the lesson – listen to teacher – take note – discusss question -
revise
11. Which part do you hope your school to change?/Which part of your school
needs an improvement? module registration system – choose subjects – on
uniweb – poor system – access at the same time simutaneously
12. Are you looking forward to working?
parttime job – equip practical experience – transferable skills – widen my circle
13. Describe your education
ecommerce- related to economy – marco- advanced maths - technology
14. What kind of school did you go to as a child?
education system in VN - kindergarten – primary – second - high
15. Do you think your country has an effective education system?
no – many bacherlor – quality degree - unemployed – too much theory- lack of
practical experience related to job.

Topic: Major – subject


1. What is your major?
ecommerce- purchase goods, services on the internet – this broad term refer to
apply tech on commerce
2. Do you like your major?
– interesting – informative – knowledge use in daily life
3. Why did you choose to study that (major)?
at the begin- sat on the fence - parent choose it – potential – new area
4. What’s the interesting part of your major?
widen my knowledge – apply technology in life – demand adapt to new trend
5. What kinds of help can this major bring to your future job?
lay the foundation for my career propect - learn knowledge related to my future
job – web developer- ecm business analyst
6. Will you continue doing what you’re studying in the future?
interesting – well
7. What is your plan after finishing school?
trainee – company related to job – learn practical exp -
8. When did you decide to choose your major?
2 years ago – sat on the fence – could not choose my major – future job – take
advice from parents
9. Which subjects are more difficult? Do you think your major is difficult?/ What
do you dislike about your major? accounting – not good at dealing with formula,
numbers – -- spend too much time for electronic device – optic problem-
eyestrain- dizzy
10. What have you learned from the courses?

Topic: Accommodation - The area you live in


1. What kind of house or apartment did you live in when you were a child?
detached house- 3 floor – on the balcony – small garden – plant flowers
2. What kind of house or apartment are you living in right now? / Do you live in a
house or an apartment?/ What kinds of accommodation do you live in?
currently in apartment with sister in a building which located in ha dong district
3. What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future? / Do you
want to live in a house or an apartment in the future?
– live in apartment - real estate price is increasing – can’t afford to buy a mansion
and detached house – convenient- elevator – spend time walking
4. What’s the outside appearance of your house or your apartment?
nothing special – on balcony can see the street – metrorailway - skyscapper
5. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for a family with
children?
don’t have stair – worry child climb up on stair and falled - everyroom – fence on
balcony
6. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for elders?
don’t have stair – elder people - struggle with moving – walk on stair
7. Where are you living now? / Why do you live there? I Do you like your living
place?
hanoi – appartment with sister - study college – not really- big city – noisy – air
pollution
8. How is the area surrounding your home like?/Are there any good facilities near
your home? /Do you like the area that you live in?
a lot of shop, building – metro station - easy for commuting – grocery store and
shop clothes
9. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have
lived in the past?
detached house in small alley - tranquil – don’t have much traffic – people
friendly - - -appartment – noisy – rarely talking with neighborhoods – don’t meet
regularly
10. Are there any shops or facilities around there? /Where do you like to go in
that area?
clothes store – window shopping – snack - street vendors -
11. What are the changes of surroundings around your living place?
recently metro railway began operation – residents await to try it – the first rapid
railway in Vn
12. What changes do you think your neighborhood/living area needs?/Are the
transport facilities to your home very good?
traffic jam – big issue – government should invest more in public transport –
reduce air pollution
13. Do you know any famous people in the area you live in?
the most people I admire – PMC – he is prime minister of VN – he is pride of our
city
14. Do you know anyone who lives nearby? /Are you familiar with your
neighbors?
a family next door - rarely talking with neighborhoods – don’t meet regularly -
busy and work all day.

15. How long have you lived there?


6 months – since the 4th wave of COVID 19 happened in VN -stuck in Hanoi – live
with sister
16. Will you move home in the near future? I Will you live there in the future? I
Will you live there for a long time? /Do you plan to live there for a long time?
don’t have plan to move home – student – depend on family – maybe after
graduate
17. Please describe the place where you live.
18. What is your favorite room?/What part of your home do you like the
most? /Please describe the room you live in.
bed room – private room – quiet – don’t disturb – listen music- reading books -
have quality time for myself
19. What are your roommates like? Who do you live with?
sister – her family -
20. What do you usually do in your flat?
learning – cooking – watching movies – recharge my battery
21. What room does your family spend most of the time in?
22. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
23. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have
lived in the past?
Topic: Hometown – Countryside
1. Where are you from?/Where is your hometown?/ Which city are you living in?
TH located in the middle of VN – currently live in HN
2. Do you like your hometown?/ Which part of your hometown attracts you the
most?/ Where is the most impressive place in your hometown?
tourist site - ss beach –spring magic fish in CT – historical place like ho citadel
3. How long have you lived in your hometown?/ Do you think you will continue
living there for a long time?
4. Is your hometown suitable for children to grow up?
5. Do you prefer to live in the country or in the city?
6. Do you want to live in the country in the future?
7. Is that a big city or a small place?
8. Do you like the city you are living in now?
9. How long are you going to stay there?
10. Is there anything you dislike in your city?
11. Is there anything that you dislike about your hometown?
12. Do you know any famous people in your area?
13. For you, what benefits are there living in a big city?
Topic: Mobile apps
1. Have you downloaded any new apps recently? Why did you download it?
elsa – was named after a disney princess – english app – use it to improve
pronunciation
2. What lands of apps do you often use?
most of the time on my phone to use FB – social media – surfing – keep myself
updated
3. What was the first App you used?
youtube – watche listen to music- many informative contents
4. What kinds of apps are you usually interested in?
shopee – shopping online – ecommerce platform – variety products- reasonable
price
5. What kind of apps do you want to see in the future?
health app – remind me will sleep in time – encourage me to do exercise everyday
Topic: Colour
1. Which color do you like best?
2. Are there any colors you dislike? Why?
3. What color of the room would make you feel uncomfortable?
4. What colors do your friends like? pink – buy stuffs which have pink color –
iphone- purse –look girly
5. What colours do you want to paint your house/room with?
white is the best choice – easy my mind – improve our sleep quality
Topic: Weather
1. What kind of weather do you like most? rainy – makes me want to stay under a
cozy blanket and watch movie or sleep. if I feel down – watch rainy will help
refresh my mind
2. What’s the weather like in your hometown? Do you like that?
4 seasons – quite comfortable except summer – hot weather –
3. Do you want to live in another place with a different climate in the future?
familiar with the weather – I think I can not easily adapt weather in western
country which is very cold in winter
4. Have you ever been to a foreign country where the weather is different from
your country?
5. Do you think people will be happy living in a place with sunny seasons?
personal preference
6. Do you prefer dry or wet weather?
dry weather is better if you have to go outside - traffic
Topic: Getting lost – new places
1. Have you ever been lost?
I have a very bad sense of direction
2. Have you ever helped someone who got lost?
3. Will you read a map if you get lost (or if you go to a new place)?
4. What do you do if you get lost?
5. Do you feel nervous when you travel to new places?
6. What places do people get lost easily?
7. What was the last new place you visited?
8. How is it different from other places?
Topic: Concentration
1. Can you concentrate in a noisy environment?
2. Is it difficult for children to concentrate?
3. How can we help kids focus?
4. What do you do to help you concentrate?
5. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?
6. What may distract you when you’re trying to stay focused?
7. When do you need to be focused?
Topic: Pets and Animals
1. Have you ever had a pet before?
2. What animal would you like to keep as a pet?
3. What is the most popular animal in your country?
4. Where do you prefer to keep your pet, indoors or outdoors?
5. What’s your favorite animal? Why?
Topic: Public gardens and parks
1. What do you like to do when visiting a park? /Do you like parks?
2. Did you like to go to the park as a child?
3. How are the parks today different from those you visited as a kid?
4. Would you like to hang out in a public garden or a park?
5. Would you prefer to hang out in a personal garden or a public garden?
Topic: Science
1. Do you like science? Do you think it is difficult?
2. When did you start to learn about science?
3. Which science subject is interesting to you?
4. What kinds of interesting things you have done with science?
5. Have you ever attended a science lecture? Do you feel it’s easy or difficult?
Topic: Shoes
1. Do you like buying shoes? How often?
2. Have you ever bought shoes online?
3. How much money do you usually spend on shoes?
4. Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?
Topic: Headphones
1. Do you use headphones?
2. What type of headphones do you use?
3. When would you use headphones? What do you use headphones for?
4. In what conditions will you not use headphones?
5. Are headphones popular in your country?
6. How long do you wear headphones a day?
7. Do you think it’s healthy to wear headphones or earphones?
Topic: Handwriting
1. Do you like handwriting?/ When do you write by hand?
2. Did you write more when you were a child?
3. What needs to be written by hand these days?
4. Do you think handwriting is important?
5. Which do you prefer, handwriting or typing?
6. What’s the difference between handwriting and typing?
7. Is your handwriting easy to read?
Topic: Wild animals
1. How do you learn about wildlife?
2. Do you like to watch TV programs about wild animals?
3. Do schools teach students about wildlife? /Did you learn something about wild
animals at school?
4. Where can you see wild animals?
5. In which country do you think you can see many wild animals?
6. What is your favourite wild animal? [Why/Why not?]
7. How important is it to protect wild animals? [Why/Why not?]
8. Have you ever seen any wild animals before?
Topic: Wallet
1. Do you use a wallet?
2. Have you lost your wallet?
3. Did you give others a wallet as a gift?
4. Do most of your friends use a wallet?
Topic: Sky and stars
1. Do you like to look at the sky? Why?
2. Can you see the moon and stars at night where you live?
3. Do you like to see the stars at night?
4. Do you want to live on other planets?
5. Do you prefer the sky in the morning or the sky at night?
6. Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?
Topic: Relax
1. What do you do to relax?
2. Do you think doing sports is a good way to relax?
3. Do you think vacation is a good time for you to relax?
4. Do you think students need more relaxing time?
Topic: Primary school
1. Which primary school did you go to?
2. How did you like your primary school?
3. How did you go to primary school every day?
4. What did you like to do the most when you were in primary school?
5. What did you do in your leisure time when you were in primary school?
Topic: Holidays
1. Where did you go for your last holiday?
2. Do you like holidays? Why?
3. Which public holiday do you like best?
4. What do you do on holidays?
5. What do you want to do next weekend?
Topic: Flowers
1. Do you like flowers?
2. What kinds of flowers do you know?
3. Are there any flowers that have special meanings?
4. Do you plant flowers?/Have you planted any flowers?
5. Have you bought flowers? / Have you sent flowers to others? When was the
last time you bought flowers?
6. When do people in your country usually buy flowers?
Topic: Festival
1. How do you celebrate festivals in your country?
2. What special food and activities do you have for these festivals?
3. How do you celebrate Spring Festival?
4. What is your favourite festival?
Topic: Environmental protection
1. How should people protect the environment?/How can we protect the
environment?
2. Is there education about environmental protection at school?
3. Do you think it is important to protect the environment?
4. Would you like to work in a company related to environmental protection?
5. Do you think you’ve done enough to protect the environment?
Topic: Car trip
1. Do you like to travel by car? Why?
2. Where is the farthest place you have traveled to by car?
3. Do you like to sit in the front seat or back seat when travelling by car?
4. When do you travel by car?
Topic: Barbecue
1. Did you have barbecues when you were a child?
2. What kind of food do you like to eat for barbecue?
3. Would you like to have barbeque with your family or your friends?
4. Do people in your country like barbecue?
Topic: Advertisement
1. What kinds of advertisements do you watch?
2. Where can you see advertisements?
3. Have you ever bought something because of its advertisement?
4. Do you watch advertisements from the beginning to the end?
Topic: Special costumes
1. Do you like to wear special costumes?/Do you usually wear special costumes?
2. Did you try any special costumes when you were young?
3. When was the last time you wore special costumes?
4. Do you ever buy special costumes?
Topic: Museum
1. Do you often visit museums?
2. Did you visit museums when you were a child?
3. Are there many museums in your hometown?
4. When was the last time you visited a museum?
Topic: Watching TV
1. Do you still watch TV?
2. Did you watch TV when you were a child?
3. Do you think children watch too much TV nowadays?
4. What the current TV programs do you think could be improved?
5. What kind of TV prograteacher at hsecondary schoolms do you like?

phuong mthmatic, memory name class after 5mins.


strictfulv person,
Topic: Cooperation
1. Do you prefer to study alone or together with others?
2. What activities need teamwork or collaboration?
3. Could you describe a time when you studied with others?
Topic: Leisure activity
1. What do you like to do in your spare time?
2. What leisure activities do you do with your friends?

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS


Fighter| 53
SPEAKING PART 2 & 3
Topic: Balance

Part 2: Describe an activity you usually do that wastes your time


You should say:
• What it is
• When you usually do it
• Why you do it
• And explain why you think it wastes your time

Well, I live too far away from my workplace. So I think my commute to work is the biggest time-
waster every day. This summer holiday, I found a part-time job that I can do for a long time. But
I had to move out of the student residence because the building was closed during the summer
holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Eventually I rent a newly renovated
apartment, which has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. But
the drawback is its distance from the workplace. I have to take a bus for 40 minutes to
commute there.

Basically, I have to get up really early every morning for work. But what’s worse is that it often
takes me over an hour to arrive at the office because of traffic jams during rush hour. I can’t do
anything except listen to some music or look at the passing crowd through the window. It’s
purely a waste of time, which is a pain I have to go through almost every single day.

In fact, when I was looking for apartments, there was another one within walking distance of
the office. But it’s practically a shoebox and the decor is pretty worn-out. The rent wasn’t cheap
either as it’s in a commercial zone, so I ruled it out. But it turned out that the huge amount of
time I’ve wasted on the commute is even more valuable than the difference in rent.

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| 54


Part 3:

1. How do you/people balance life and work?

A: Finding a work-life balance is really difficult, but I think that it comes more naturally over time.
People have to figure out what their priorities are. If work is causing them to neglect their family,
they should reassess and figure out how they can handle their responsibilities differently so they
can avoid damaging their relationships. Once you know what’s really important to you, you can
base your work-life balance around that.

B: I think balancing work and life is always a work in progress. We are always doing it, and it is
not something specific. For example, if we go on vacation with the family, we come back and
spend extra time at work to make up for the pending work. Another rather unhealthy way, we
achieve it is by cutting down on our sleep hours, but it takes a big toll on our mental and
physical health.

2. Will you continue doing something when you are aware that it’s a waste of time?

I think the adage ‘bad habits die hard’ would be the best answer to this question. I think we do
such things because we are addicted to them. I think it’s very hard to give up on such activities,
and it requires a lot of willpower. However, the realization that the activity is wasteful is the
first step, and once people have that, it becomes easier to stop.

3. What kinds of things make people feel pressured?

I think there are millions of things in today’s life that stress us- for example, financial obligations,
unreasonable work deadlines, competition with others, and maintaining relationships. The pressure
each puts varies according to the stage of life- for example, competition stress is in the early stages
when we are trying to get into universities or trying to secure a good job and financial stress comes
a little later when we have to manage the expenses for the whole family.

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| 55


4. Why do some people refuse to abide by rules?

I think there is a certain thrill in breaking the rules and doing whatever we want. In some ways, it is
exhilarating and freeing to not care about the rules and regulations. Actually, I think it is good as
long as we don’t harm others because it prevents life from becoming monotonous and boring.

5. What are the activities that people must do in their daily lives?

Well, there are the basic activities, like eating and working. Every day, you have to decide what
kind of food you’ll put in your body, and you have to figure out how you’re going to support
yourself through either a job or education. But another activity that people should do every day
is exercise. It’s important to stay fit through working out, whether it’s for twenty minutes or an
hour.

6. What wastes people’s time in daily life?

A lot of different things can waste people’s time in daily life. Mainly, having to wait on other
people is a waste of time. That includes being stuck behind a slow walker or a slow driver,
waiting in line, or waiting for a co-worker to send you a document that you need. All of these
things can waste your time and can be extremely frustrating. Another thing that wastes time is
scrolling on a cellphone. People often spend an excessive amount of time on apps like TikTok,
Wechat and Weibo. They could be more productive in life if they put down their cell phones.

7. What (time-wasting) things do people feel stressed out about?

People usually feel stressed out about their commutes. If they have to wait in traffic, they’ll get
frustrated, especially if they’re already running late. Waiting in a long line of cars is a huge waste of
time. I don’t know anyone who can sit in the middle of rush hour and not feel a little stressed.
Actually, I think people hate waiting in line in general, whether it’s on the highway or at a store.

8. Why do some people not follow their own plans?

It seems to me that some people abandon their own plans because they don’t have enough
motivation or dedication. Although they might set clear goals for themselves, they might not
follow through because things get hard and they don’t have the drive to keep going and push

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| 56


through. But in other situations, people don’t follow their own plans because they realize it’s
not the right plan, or that there’s a better choice for them.

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| 57


Topic: Spending

Part 2: Describe an item on which you spent more than expected


You should say:
• What it is
• How much you spent on it
• Why you bought it
• And explain why you think you spent more than expected

Speaking of something I spent more on than I expected, the first one that comes to mind is a
funky home karaoke machine. If memory serves correctly, last August, I happened to watch a
Livestream show hosted by a famous live-streamer named Li Jiaqi. He was selling a karaoke
machine in the Livestream. I thought it’d be great if I could sing karaoke at home. So I decide to
buy one on the live stream.

Unfortunately, there were too many people purchasing so it was sold out before I placed an
order. I had to check the online shop that Li strongly recommended. It turned out that the price
there was about 500 yuan higher. Honestly, I was having second thoughts because it was going
to cost me an arm and a leg.

But I really felt the lack of such a device at home. It’s a very useful and practical device for those
who love singing. It can connect to your TV through an HDMI cable or even WIFI. What's better,
it even has a colorful LED lighting system, which is a must-have for a cool karaoke room. I
thought it was so practical that I finally decided to buy it.

As it turned out, it wasn't just an impulse purchase. Since we bought it, having a karaoke party
has become the most popular fun event in our family. So, even though it was over my budget, I
think it was totally worth it since my family uses it from time to time.

IELTS Speaking Forecast – 4th Quarter of 2021 – IELTS Fighter| 58


Part 3:

1. Do you often buy more than expected?

Yeah, I’ve found that I often buy way more things than I was planning for. I think that happens
the most often when I’m grocery shopping. Everyone says that you shouldn’t buy groceries
when you’re hungry, which I definitely agree with. Even though I always make a list before I go
shopping, I get more than I planned for because all the food looks so appealing. It’s hard to
have any self-control.

2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?

I think that young people like to spend their money on new clothes and new technology. A lot
of young people are very concerned about what other people think of them, so they want to
wear the newest clothes and own the newest phones and devices. Plus, since they don’t usually
have other responsibilities like paying bills or covering other people’s needs, they’re free to
spend their money on luxury items as well. For example, some young people like buying
designer shoes and bags.

3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?

Yes, it’s definitely important to save money. Even if you’re comfortable financially, you should
be thinking ahead. Anything could happen, and you might find that suddenly you need money
to pay for a damaged car or laptop, in case of emergencies, you should always have some extra
money lying around. So it’s good to make plans for your money and try to save up. It’s also
good to save money for fun things like vacations.

4. Do people buy things they don’t need?

Yes, people definitely buy things they don’t need from time to time. Even when they go grocery
shopping, it’s easy to pick up ingredients that weren’t on their list because they look really
appealing in the moment. Plus, some people go out and buy things they don’t need as a form of
therapy and relaxation - this is where the phrase retail therapy comes from.

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5. Why are some rich people reluctant to spend money on others or even themselves?

Well, sometimes, rich people don’t want to spend money because they’re very protective of
their wealth. It seems confusing since they could definitely afford to splurge, but I think that the
more money you get, the more you want to hold on to it so you can have even more. Plus,
some people become rich after being poor or middle-class, so they have the old mindset of
needing to save every penny.

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Topic: Primary schools

Part 2: Describe a person who impressed you most when you were in primary school
You should say:
• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• Why he/she impressed you most
• And how you feel about him/her

Well, when I was in primary school, art class was always my favorite. So the art teacher, Mrs. Li,
really left a mark on me.

In my eyes, she was like a superhero. She could do anything! I still remember clear as day that
she taught us to draw stick figures, make paper lanterns, and even make paper cuttings. I have
to say she’s pretty skilled in paper-cutting. I remember that during one class, she took just a few
minutes to cut two butterflies. It seemed like she had magic hands. But I couldn’t keep up with
her at all.

My fingers were clumsy and I could never cut the papers well. But Mrs. Li didn’t look down on
me. She personally came to my side and helped me fold a piece of paper in half several times.
Then she asked me to draw an image on it and cut it along the lines. When I unfolded the
paper, it really looked like a butterfly. I remember I was over the moon and thanked her a lot.

Actually, I learned many art skills from Mrs. Li. She was patient and kind to every student and was
always smiling, so I was very fond of her. After so many years, my memory of primary school is
fading, but I still remember tons of moments from art class and with Mrs. Li clearly, I really miss
those days in primary school. It was the happiest and most carefree period of my life.

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Part 3:

1. Why do people always miss their childhood?

I think people miss their childhood because it’s often much more stressful and complicated to be an
adult. When you’re older, you have way more responsibilities than you did when you were a kid.
Instead of your main priority being playtime with your friends, you have to pay bills, handle a full-
time job, and in some cases take care of your own children. So compared to all the stress of
adulthood, childhood seems like a much better time of life. It’s easy for people to be nostalgic.

2. Are kids happier than adults? Why?

I suppose that in some ways, kids are happier than adults. When you’re a kid, it’s not that hard
to have all your needs met. You don’t have to worry about paying bills or working at a full-time
job like adults do. Kids are content with simple things, like hanging out with their friends. As an
adult, you have way more responsibilities and way more stress. So it’s harder to find happiness.

3. Why do people still remember many of their friends from primary school?

I think it’s because primary school is a really formative time in people’s lives. When you’re
young, you’re learning about the world for the first time. And the people that you learn with
make a huge impression on you. It seems to me that most people can remember their
childhood friends because they went through lots of important first experiences together. It’s
really sweet how those childhood bonds can last throughout your lifetime.

4. What kinds of primary school teachers will impress students?

I suppose that students are most impressed by primary school teachers who are engaging,
enthusiastic, and caring. Children in primary school are very young, and they have a short
attention span, so the teacher needs to be interesting enough and to plan enough engaging
activities to keep students focused. Teachers also need to be kind and caring so that students
feel comfortable coming to them if they have a problem.

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5. What do people generally remember about elementary school?

I would say that people usually remember the friends they made in elementary school. They
might remember some cool experiences from a class or even one interesting lesson. But as time
goes by, the thing that stands out the most is the people that they met. A lot of people might
not remember much about their time in elementary school, but they do remember the good
friends they had and keep a lifelong friendship with them.

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Topic: Special occasions

Part 2: Describe a time when you waited for something special that would happen
You should say:
• What you waited for
• Where you waited
• Why it was special
And explain how you felt while you were waiting

I’d like to talk about my experience of waiting for the result of the National Judicial examination
I took last September. It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in China as the pass rate
is only about 10% every year. So passing this exam really mattered to me and it was especially
important to my career. I took lots of online classes and studied law day in and day out. I
literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I didn’t even know I had that
kind of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

Anyway, after I finished the exam, I waited about two months to get the result. That was the
most anxious and stressful period of time I’ve ever had in my life. Sometimes my mind would
drift away from the things I was doing and I’d stall worrying about what to do if I failed the
exam. The only thing that helped me blow off some steam was chatting with other candidates
in an online chat room.

Fortunately, it turned out that I passed the exam and by a lot! I was over the moon and burst
into tears seeing my good score. I really felt like all my effort paid off at that moment. You
know, I'm finally qualified to be a lawyer!

So waiting for the judicial exam’s result really left a mark on me. It was a long, hard wait, but at
the end of the day, it was all worth it!

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Part 3:

1. On what occasions do people usually need to wait?

People usually need to wait on a number of different occasions, including when they are lining
up for something or waiting for an appointment. Sometimes people have to wait in very long
lines at stores, especially if it is a busy time to go shopping. Sometimes people need to wait in
traffic. Waiting for a medical or dental appointment can also take a long time. Most people
need to wait for things very often throughout their lives.

2. Who behaves better when waiting, children or adults?

Usually, adults behave better when waiting than children. Children often do not understand
why they have to wait for something, whereas adults know why they are waiting. Children get
restless very easily, and they usually have more energy than adults, so they don’t like when
they have to wait for a long time in one spot, not moving. Adults can wait more patiently than
children because they have more experience and they have better self-control.

3. Compared to the past, are people less patient now, why?

I suppose that people are less patient now because it is easier nowadays to do things without
having to wait at all. People have become accustomed to instant gratification. You can order
packages online that arrive the next day, and you can order food from a restaurant delivered to
your home. It is very easy to avoid waiting, so when people do have to wait for something, they
are less patient.

4. What are the positive and negative effects of waiting on society?

Well, a positive effect is that, in some cases, it can teach people patience. When they have to
wait in line for a long time, they have to learn how to manage their impatience and still be
polite. But a negative effect is that it can make people very aggressive. Not everyone can keep
their temper in check. When people have to wait in a long line on the highway, you can often
get drivers with road rage who act recklessly just to get ahead.

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5. Is it a good thing to be patient all the time? /Should people be patient all the time?

Yes, I think that for the most part, it’s good to be patient all the time. There are a few instances
where you should act instead of waiting around, like if there’s an emergency. But in general,
patience is a good trait to have. Being impatient can make you feel anxious and irritable. Plus,
you can’t control the things that happen around you. You might get stuck in a long hue of cars
on the highway, or you might have to wait a long time for your meal. But if the situation is out
of your control, it’s good to be patient instead of losing your cool.

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Topic: Habits

Part 2: Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop
You should say:
• Who your friend is
• What habit he/she was
• When you noticed this habit
• And explain why you want to develop this habit

I’d like to talk about my roommate who has a good habit of working out on a daily basis. He
especially likes recreational cycling.

Actually, he developed this habit about two years ago when he planned to lose some weight
and get in shape. He set a goal to lose five kilos in two months. And biking worked like a charm
for him, so he decided to make it a regular fitness activity for himself.

The place where he goes biking the most is a park that was recently built near our apartment. It
has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. And there’s a long bike
path that has been built alongside the lake. My roommate usually goes biking there about two
or three times a week. Each time he spends at least an hour there.

Since we live together, I know his habit very well. Sometimes I go biking with him. But it’s a pity
that I haven’t been able to go cycling very often because I’ve been swamped with school
assignments. I do hope that I can start riding daily and stick to it. For one, it would be a great
way for me to relieve my back pain. Besides, cycling at a beautiful place helps me blow off some
steam. It’s definitely an excellent way to stay mentally fit as well. So, for the sake of my health, I
think I’ll try cycling as a routine.

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Part 3:

1. What habits should children have?

I suppose that children should get into the habit of cleaning their rooms and picking up after
themselves. They should be aware of whatever mess they create, and they should take care of
it as much as they can. It teaches them to be responsible and proactive. They can develop these
habits by doing simple tasks, like making their bed every day. Once they have enough practice,
they’ll become cleaner.

2. What should parents do to teach their children good habits?

I think that parents should first demonstrate good habits themselves. Children learn from
observation, and if they see their parents doing things like regular flossing or eating breakfast
every day, then they’ll be motivated to do those same activities. Parents should also explain the
importance of developing good habits to their kids. If children understand the importance and
the benefits of those habits, they’ll be inclined to develop them as well.

3. What influences do children with bad habits have on other children?

Well, children are heavily influenced by what their peers do. Kids just want to fit in with their
friends. So if they see their friends developing bad habits, like skipping school or being rude to
their teachers and parents, they might pick up those habits as well. Children with good habits
can easily be swayed by children with bad habits to develop poor behaviour. Plus, if kids with
bad habits are seen as cool, children will be even more motivated to imitate them. It’s definitely
a big concern.

4. Why do some habits change when people get older?

I think that some people just outgrow their habits because they don’t support their lifestyle
anymore. For example, young people might get into the habit of staying up late and partying a
lot because they don’t have a lot of responsibilities. But as they get older and have to manage
full-time jobs and other duties, they’ll start going to bed early and staying in on the weekends.
People’s habits grow and change light along with them.

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5. What are the common habits of adults?

Well, there are some basic habits like having a good sleep schedule, eating balanced meals
every day, and having good hygiene by flossing and brushing your teeth. Most people would
consider those essential habits to develop if you really want to act like an adult. Unlike young
people, adults avoid staying out late and partying all the time. Adults also do things like
exercising regularly, budgeting and handling other responsibilities like paying bills.

6. Should adults encourage good habits in children by talking to them or by leading by example?

I suppose that parents need to do both - they should explain why having good habits are
important, and they should lead by example. Children need to see good habits in action in order
to develop their own good habits and positive routines, so it is very important that they see
their parents demonstrating good habits when they are growing up. Children often mimic their
parents’ behaviour, so parents need to be very aware of this.

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Topic: Foreigners

Part 2: Describe a foreign person who you have heard or known that you think is interesting
You should say:
• Who the person is
• How you knew him/her
• What kind of person he/she is
• And explain why you think he/she is interesting

Well, I like listening to pop songs, so most of the foreigners I know are singers from other
countries. So, I’d like to talk about an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller.
She’s a very cute and funny person.

About two years ago, one of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New
Year’s party that my class held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right
away. Then I found the original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties but she
definitely has great potential with her pop-rock career.

Anyway, I think her character is way different from what she shows on stage. Whenever I put
on my headphones and listen to her songs with her sexy and raspy singing voice, I feel like the
whole world suddenly calms down. So I thought she was a quiet and cool person. But she’s
actually hilarious. You won’t find other celebs who post selfies of their big nostrils on social
media. But she does it all the time! Sometimes she posts photos of herself making faces with a
funny line or a bad joke. It cracks me up every time!

So I feel like she’s very down-to-earth. When she interacts with her fans it’s like she’s the girl
next door, which really appeals to me. Of course, I admire her talent for wilting music as well. I
believe that with her talent and interesting personality, she will go a long way in the
entertainment industry.

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Part 3:

1. Do you have any foreign friends and do you think having foreign friends is a good way to
know other countries?

Yes, I do have a few friends from other countries whom I met on the internet. Specifically, we
got to know each other through an online game called PUBG, a trendy online shooting game.
Anyway, I know them pretty well after playing dozens of games together. And I’ve learned a lot
about then- countries through our chats. One of them is from the Philippines; she’s the one
who I’m the closest with and talks the most to. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t know so many fun
facts about the Philippines.

2. Do you think it’s important to know the culture and language before going to another
country?

I think that it’s important to know a little bit about the country’s culture and to know a few
important phrases in their language before you visit. This is because some countries have very
different attitudes and customs compared to others, and you don’t want to offend someone
because you don’t know the proper attire or customs. Knowing some key phrases in the
language is also very helpful, and the locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language.

3. What do you think of people who work in international companies?

Well, it’s really cool for people to work in international companies. I respect them for it because
they probably have to take on a ton of challenges. For example, if they have a higher-up position in
the company, they might have to go on business trips to different parts of the world. They might
also have to learn about other cultures when dealing with people from different countries. So I
think that it takes a lot of tact and determination to succeed at an international company.

4. What abilities do people need to have when working in an international company?

People working in an international company need to have good language learning skills. Since
international companies normally have branches and stakeholders in more than one country,
their employees need to be able to communicate with other co-workers, suppliers and clients

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horn different countries in an effective manner. So employees who are bilingual or trilingual are
definitely assets to an international company. Besides, people skills are also essential since
communication makes up a big part of their job.

5. How do people know foreign friends?

People usually get to know foreign friends through travel. A lot of people like to travel abroad,
so they might meet new friends along the way. Sometimes it’s easier to start a friendship while
on a journey than in everyday life, despite the difference of citizenship. After all, being in a
foreign land means you are exotic, which adds your charisma somewhat. Besides, some people
may meet new friends from other countries online. When you play an online game that is open
to the world, it’s quite easy to team up with gamers from other countries and have
opportunities to know them.

6. What are the advantages of knowing foreigners?

Well, there are a lot of advantages to knowing foreigners. Firstly, knowing someone from
another country will open up your perspective since you will get to learn about a culture that is
different from your own. Secondly, you might be introduced to new food, music, languages, or
traditions that you would not have known otherwise. Finally, knowing someone from another
country gives you a good excuse to travel and visit that country someday.

7. What are the pros and cons of living abroad?

One big pro is that you get to experience a new culture. You might even be able to learn a new
language. I think that’s a great way to expand your horizons and learn more about the world, or
even yourself in the process. You can also try new food and meet new people, which is always
exciting. A con is that you might find it hard to learn a new language and fit into a new
environment. It can also be very expensive to live abroad.

8. How can we promote international cultural exchanges?

I think that a great way to promote international cultural exchanges is through study abroad
programs. When students go to another country to learn, they encounter a totally new culture

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and way of life. It helps familiarize them with another country and gives them lots of knowledge
that they can bring back to their own country. When they have formative experiences abroad,
they can also have more empathy and understanding for people from different places.

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Topic: Decisions

Part 2: Describe a difficult decision that you once made


You should say:
• What the decision was
• When you made your decision
• How long it took to make the decision
• And explain why it was difficult to make

I’d like to talk about a tough decision I made when I was choosing a rental department. This
summer holiday, I found a part-time job that I can do for a long time. But I had to move out of
the student residence because the building was closed dining summer holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Finally, I narrowed down my choice to
two apartments. One is a newly renovated apartment, which has a really good location because
it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. But the drawback is its distance from my workplace. I
would have to take a bus for 40 minutes to commute there.

The other apartment is practically a shoebox and the decor is pretty worn-out. Despite all that,
the rent isn’t cheap either since it’s in a commercial zone. But the good part is that it’s within
walking distance of the office.

I would’ve loved to live in a cozy place, but I was afraid of being late for work if it’s too far. So I
was really torn about which one to rent. Eventually, I signed the lease for the apartment near
the lake so I could enjoy a better lifestyle. It turns out I made the right decision. Even though I
had to get up really early every morning for work, I could have some fun biking along the
lakeshore after work, which helped me blow off some steam. So I definitely made the right call.

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Part 3:

1. What decisions do people usually make in their daily lives?

People make a number of decisions throughout the day. One of the most basic but consistent
choices is what to eat every day. Sometimes they might have to choose between cooking a
meal or ordering out. People also have to decide how they’ll spend their time, at least when
they’re not at work or school. There are lots of options for things to do during leisure time, so
they have lots to choose from.

2. Which is easier, making a decision by yourself or making a decision after group discussion?

I think that it really depends on the decision, in some situations, it’s better to make a decision
by yourself. You don’t want to have too many cooks in the kitchen. If everyone’s giving their
opinion, it might be harder to figure out what you really want. But in other cases, you might
actually want other people to weigh in, especially if the decision is something you’re unsure
about or if it’s outside your expertise.

3. Why are many young people unwilling to follow their parents’ advice?

I think that young people are unwilling to follow their parents’ advice because they want to
express their individualism. Young people grow up having to do everything their parents say, so
once they become teenagers or young adults, they are less likely to follow parental advice. They
want to prove their independence and show that they can make their own decisions about their
life. They may even try to lead a life that is completely different than the life their parents want
them to have.

4. Why would middle-aged people tend to second-guess their own decisions?

Middle-aged people usually have to make more important decisions than younger people, since
most middle-aged people have a lot of family and work responsibilities. This means that any
decision they make will affect other people, so they may spend more time doubting themselves
and second-guessing their decisions than a young person would. Plus, when you’re older, you

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realize that your instinct isn’t always right. Middle-aged people have had lots of experiences
where they’ve made the wrong call. So they know to think twice before making a decision.

5. How do people usually make decisions?

People usually make decisions by weighing the pros and cons. Whether it’s picking what to order off
a menu or choosing a job, they’ll think about what they might gain from the situation, and then
judge if it’s worth the potential risks. A lot of people also make decisions by consulting people they
trust. They might ask their friends or family for advice in order to make the right call.

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Topic: Road trip

Part 2: Describe a bicycle/motorcycle/car trip you would like to go


You should say:
• Who you would like to go with
• Where you would like to go
• When you would like to go
• And explain why you would like to go by bicycle/motorcycle/car

Well, what I like to do the most is going on a bike tour. I really love recreational cycling. Some
friends of mine who have the same interest usually talk about going on a bike tour at a fun
place together. One place we've always wanted to go to is Weihai, which is located in the
easternmost part of Shandong province.

Weihai has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, and there
are many terrific attractions in the city. What’s more, there is a long bike path in the city that
has been built alongside the sea. Many people recommend visitors bike around there. Just
imagine, you can feel the soft sea breeze and even enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while
riding, which will be fantastic. Plus, when you get tired, you could lie on a nearby beach and
enjoy soaking up the sun. It’ll definitely make you feel like a million bucks.

So, I’m really looking forward to this kind of cycling tour. I bet it’ll be an exciting way to explore
a new city. If everything goes well, I hope to go there with my friends and to the city during the
National Day holiday next year. We can rent bikes and cycle around while enjoying some
breathtaking scenery. If we see street vendors, we can just stop by and try the local signature
seafood. Well, my mouth is watering just thinking of it. Anyway, it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind
experience I want to have.

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Part 3:

1. Which form of vehicle is more popular in your country, bikes, cars or motorcycles?

Well, given the traffic of most cities in China, cycling is still the most popular mode of
transportation. It’s true that a lot more Chinese families can afford cars, but driving a private
car can be a pain in the neck because of things like parking, insurance and the risk of accidents.
But if you ride, you won’t have most of those concerns, so most people still prefer using bikes
to go somewhere if it’s not too far. Plus, bike-sharing has swept across China, which means it’s
easy and dirt-cheap to rent a bike for a trip.

2. Do you think air pollution comes mostly from mobile vehicles?

No, I don’t think that mobile vehicles are the leading cause of air pollution. They definitely
contribute a lot to the problem, and we need to cut the use of mobile vehicles down wherever
possible. But I think that a lot of air pollution comes from ships and trains and other forms of
transportation as well. Factories also cause a ton of air pollution. You can see all the dark smoke
that comes out of them.

3. Do you think people need to change the way of transportation drastically to protect the
environment?

No, I don’t think it’s worth it to change a lot about how people get around. After all, even if all
of humanity stops using all kinds of transportation that consume fossil fuels, global warming
won’t get better because the damage has already been done. Besides, instead of subverting the
current transportation system, some minor improvements in people’s choices for
transportation will help reduce tons of carbon dioxide emissions, like carpooling more, taking
more public transportation and buying electric cars.

4. How are the transportation systems in urban areas and rural areas different?

As far as I know, urban and rural communities are extremely different when it comes to
transportation systems. Compared with rural areas, urban areas are densely populated and have
more developed infrastructure, so urban residents have easier access to a network of public

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transit But you’ll never see public transportation that good in villages. People who live in the
countryside normally ride a bike or just walk places within the territory as the residential area
of a rural neighborhood can be very small.

5. Why do more and more people drive private cars?

More and more people drive private cars because they are a very convenient option for
transportation. Private cars offer more flexibility because you can pack them full if you’re
moving to a new home or packing for a long trip, or you can drive multiple people at once. You
can’t do that with a motorcycle or a bike. Also, if you don’t own a private car, you may have to
rely on public transportation or taxis to get around, which can be unreliable because you need
to wait for them to come to you.

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Topic: Sports

Part 2: Describe a famous athlete you know


You should say:
• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• What he/she has achieved
• And explain why he/she is famous

Well, I know tons of athletes since I’m a fan of many sports. But the one who really left a mark
on me is a sprinter who just attended the Tokyo Olympics. His name is Su Bingtian, and he’s the
first-ever Asian sprinter to break the 10-second barrier of the 100-meter event in track, which is
amazing. He’s definitely a household name in China.

Actually, he rose to fame years ago when he won the 100-meter race in the Asian Games and
broke the Asian record. He still holds the record, which means he’s literally the fastest Asian in
the world.

Anyway, before the Tokyo Olympics, just like lots of other Chinese people, I was really looking
forward to seeing his performance on the track. His first race was the men's 100-meter semi-
finals; he was so incredibly fast and finished in the first place, which blew my mind. Honestly,
before he ran in the final, I had faith in him that he could probably win a medal, or even gold.
But in the end, he came in sixth place in the final. I was a little disappointed at the beginning
but on second thought, he still made history by being the first Asian man in the Olympics’ 100
meters final and I witnessed it!

So even though he came back without an Olympic medal, he’s my and many Chinese people’s
hero because he’s proved Asians can also fly on the track! He definitely deserves his fame and
sets an example for Asian kids.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of exercises do people in your country like?

Chinese people usually like to exercise with others so they can socialize at the same time. Lots
of people like to mil or bike together. You can also see people doing tai-chi or going for a walk
in the public parks. It’s nice because it’s a way to stay fit while also catching up with friends or
even family. When it comes to sports, I think a lot of Chinese people enjoy football because you
get to run in a really large field as well as have a lot of fill! playing against the other team.

2. What characteristics do you think an athlete should have?

I suppose that an athlete should be hard-working, patient, and confident in themselves. They
need to be dedicated if they’re going to train and keep improving their skills as an athlete. They
also need to be patient and not give up, even if it takes a long time to achieve their goals. But
maybe most importantly, they have to believe in themselves. They have to know that they’re
capable of working hard and doing well.

3. Why are there so few top athletes?

I think it’s because the field of sports is extremely competitive. Many people want to be
athletes just because they think they’re decent at a sport. But apart from athletic talents, it
takes true grit, dedication, and hard work to make it as a professional athlete, which is so hard,
in a sports game, only one team or one athlete can be the champion. So even among
professional athletes, there are only a few who can truly rise above and perform the best.

4. What’s the best way to become a top athlete?

It seems to me that the best way to become a top athlete is to keep training and setting new goals.
If you get too satisfied with where you’re at, you might not be able to keep advancing through the
different levels. I think you should definitely get a coach as well. You need someone with advanced
expertise to guide you as an athlete and get you to stay on the right path.

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5. What’s the difference of the sports liked by young people and those liked by the old?

I think young people like more intense sports, like basketball or soccer. They like activities
where they have to constantly stay moving. Those kinds of sports require fast reflexes and lots
of endurance. But old people tend to like sports that are more relaxed, so they might play
something like golf. Badminton and tennis are good options for those who still have a lot of
energy and strength.

6. Why do some people like to work out at a gym?

I would say that some people enjoy working out at a gym because there’s professional
equipment there that they wouldn’t have in their own homes. For example, not everybody can
afford to get a treadmill. But if they get a gym membership, they can use a treadmill and other
types of workout equipment. Other people like going to the gym because they can work with
personal trainers or just enjoy other people’s company while they work out.

7. Do people often do exercises or sports nowadays?

Yeah, nowadays, people pay more and more attention to then' health. So there are actually a
lot of people who are really into exercising, whether that’s at the gym or by playing a sport.
Young people in particular like being active. They’re always looking for new ways to get fit,
whether it’s by doing some kind of diet or trying a new form of exercise. A lot of older people
enjoy sports as well, though they may pick more relaxed activities like golf.

8. What can the government do to encourage people to do exercise?

I think the government could invest more money in sports facilities and gyms. If they can make
those places appealing, more people would be interested in going to work out there. To that
end, it would be great if they could support gyms and help make memberships less expensive.
The government can also support natural spaces like public parks so people can exercise
surrounded by nature. There’s nothing nicer than doing yoga or tai-chi in the park.

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Topic: Creative

Part 2: Describe a creative person whose work you admire


You should say:
• Who he/she is Trang
• How you knew him/her 2 years ago summer vaation, standout from crowd gift in art,
drawing many pics
• What creative things he/she has done major accounting, lookbook,
• And explain why you think he/she is creative go many places

Speaking of people who are creative, I always think of artists and musicians first. So, I’d like to
talk about an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller. About two years ago, one
of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New Year’s party that my class
held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right away. Then I found the
original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties but she definitely has great potential
with her pop-rock career.

Normally, singers only have two or three good songs on an album at most, and their songs are
mostly the same style. But Bea’s music is very diverse. I mean, every song she writes is unique
but also catchy. I really admire her creativity in music.

As for why she’s so creative, I really have no idea. But one thing I know is that she loved making
up stories when she was a child. And after she got into music, she found a new brilliant way to
tell her stories. I have to say some people are just naturally good at what they do. Her creativity
in writing songs is more like an amazing natural gift that she has, just like her calming singing
voice. It’s not something you can get from practice.

Anyway, Bea is a very talented young lady. Now, there are still tons of people who don’t know
her but I look forward to seeing her blow everyone away.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think you are a creative person?

Yes, I would say that overall I’m a creative person. I’m always coming up with new ideas and
new ways to do things because I think that is a good way to keep work interesting. I also really
like making art. It’s not my profession by any means, but it’s a really fun hobby and it helps me
bling out my creative side more. Plus, I try to be creative with interior design, by adding new
decor and furniture to my apartment to make it reflect my personality and creativity.

2. Is it good for children to learn arts?/Do drawing and music lessons in school help children
develop creativity?

Yes, it’s great for children to study the arts. Children can definitely develop their creativity
through activities like drawing and music lessons. Both of these activities teach children to
express themselves in creative ways. Withdrawing, they can use their imagination to create
pieces of art. When they take music lessons, they can use different parts of their brain to
understand music and express themselves by playing a song. Through these activities, children
can learn to see and interact with the world in new ways.

3. What kinds of jobs require people to be creative?

Many jobs require you to be creative, and I would even argue that you can be creative no matter
what your job is. Some jobs are very obviously creative, like being an artist or a writer. In those
professions, your entire livelihood depends on how creative and original you can be. Some other
examples are people who work in graphic design or marketing. They have to figure out creative
ways to advertise a product. But if you work in a job where you have to do a lot of problem-solving,
like as a manager or a business owner, you also need a lot of creativity to succeed.

4. Do you think leaders need to have the creative ability?

Yes, I would say that leaders need to be creative. This is because leaders need to take into account
every single member of then' team and come up with ideas and solutions that work for them. This
often requires the leader to think outside the box in order to come up with ideas that work

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for everyone. The more creative a leader can be, the more engaged and happier their team will
be.

5. Is children’s doodling meaningful?

Well, it depends on the child - some children doodle things that are meaningful to them, while
other children just doodle to pass the time. Either way, I think doodling is a great way for
children to practice their artistic skills and fine motor skills. They can also practice their
handwriting. Doodling is also a good option for hyperactive children who need to be doing
something and can’t focus on just one thing at a time.

6. Do you think music education at school is suitable for all children?

Yes, I suppose that all children could benefit from at least a little music education. They don’t
have to take music classes throughout school, but they should at least have one class. I think
that learning about music or learning to play an instrument is really beneficial for children’s
development. It gets them to use their brain in a different way. Studying music has also been
shown to improve children’s math skills.

7. What age should children start music lessons at school?

I think children should start music lessons when they’re six or seven. If they’re any younger,
they might not be able to grasp the basic skills you need to play an instrument. But when
they’re around that age, they can understand simple instructions and begin to read music notes
on a page. Plus, if they keep at it, they’ll be able to become a strong player in a few years. That
can help build their confidence.

8. Should teachers be creative?

Yes, I definitely think that teachers should be creative. They don’t have to be artistic,
necessarily, but they should be good at problem-solving, which requires creativity. Teachers
have to deal with a variety of unpredictable situations when they’re in the classroom. They also
have to accommodate students who have different learning styles. So teachers need to be
flexible and creative when it comes to how they deliver a lesson and help their students.

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Topic: Service

Part 2: Describe a good service you received


You should say:
• What the service was
• When you received it
• Who you were with
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about the service I received at a gym I used to work out at. If memory serves
correctly, it happened about half a year ago. At the time, I was upset about failing to lose
weight again! So I decided to pay for a membership at a gym and see how it would go.

At first, I thought the gym only provided workout equipment. After all, the membership wasn’t
pricy. But their service went above and beyond. They assigned an instructor to every member
of the gym to provide advice and guidance. And they sent diet plans and recipes to me. The diet
plan luckily contained meat! I was really satisfied with that since I could still enjoy meat during
the diet.

Plus, the instructor who helped me a lot said if no one supervises you, the pain and stress might
make you want to quit. So he helped me find a companion who went through the workout and
diet every day with me. We formed a team. When we were tired or hungry, the instructor
would try to cheer us up. And he even texted and reminded us not to eat snacks at night.

Anyway, thanks to the gym, I lost 5 kilograms in a month. I have to say it’s the best service I’ve
ever come across, and I have strongly recommended this gym to others who want to keep fit.
Their service is worth every penny.

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Part 3:

1. What do you think of the relationship between companies and customers?

I think that nowadays, customers feel more entitled than ever to a good relationship with a
company. And companies definitely want to make customers feel valued because they want
their business. Companies will put in extra effort to show that they care about their customers’
business. Sometimes they send personalized cards or emails. In return, customers usually
develop loyalty to a certain company. They’ll only do business with them because they feel
important.

2. As a customer, what kinds of services would you expect to receive from a company?

I would expect to have a certain degree of familiarity. You know, it’s nice to at least get emails
addressed to my name, and not just addressed to “Dear Customer.” When companies take the
time to add personal touches, it makes me feel like my business matters more to them. I would
also expect to get great customer service. If I have a problem and need to get in touch, I should
be able to do that in a quick and efficient manner.

3. What kinds of jobs involve coping with the public?

There are lots of jobs in the public sector that involve dealing with the public head-on. For
example, if you work in emergency services as a firefighter or paramedic, you have to deal with
the public every day. People who work at hospitals or any kind of service job also have lots of
face-to-face interactions. Those jobs can often be very demanding because people can be very
unpredictable and hard to deal with at times.

4. Why should companies react quickly when customers have difficulties?

Well, companies should be quick to respond when customers are having problems because it
helps improve their brand. If they’re known for being fast and reliable, then that customer will
probably stay with them even though they’re encountering difficulties with their product or
service. Customer loyalty is super valuable to companies, so they want to make sure that they

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retain their business. If they’re slow and unhelpful, customers will probably move on to another
company.

5. What traits do people need to have if they need to provide service to the public?

I think patience is probably the number one trait that people should have if they provide service
to the public. People can be very demanding, which might make you tempted to lose your
temper. But you have to be patient and professional when dealing with difficult people. People
can also be unpredictable, so you have to be flexible. You have to stay on your toes and be able
to adapt to any situation.

6. Should people receive training before they provide service to the public?

Yes, people should definitely receive training for that kind of job. Even if you’re a people
person, you probably won’t be prepared for how demanding working with the public is.
Providing services to the public requires a lot of patience and flexibility. You need to be able to
deal with a variety of problems, which training can help you prepare for. Besides that, you
might have to learn how to deal with emergency situations.

7. What are the common customer service problems that companies often need to deal with?

I suppose that a major customer service problem is when a customer wants to cancel
something they’ve purchased from a company. For example, a lot of people might want to
cancel or change their internet plans. So they have to spend a lot of time talking to the internet
company’s customer service line. Companies also have to deal with complaints about their
products or services, which aren’t pleasant for customer service workers to handle.

8. Why do some companies respond to customers so slowly when they need to solve problems
for customers?

I think that it depends on the situation. Sometimes a company wants to make sure that the
customer gets the best service, so they’ll go the extra mile to solve the problem. However, that
might result in the customer waiting for a long time for the issue to get resolved. Other times,

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the company might not have a good protocol in place for dealing with an issue, so it gets fixed
at a snail’s pace. They also might not have enough employees to deal with the problem.

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Topic: Vacations

Part 2: Describe a place you visited on vacation


You should say:
• Where it is
• When you went there
• What you did there
• And explain why you went there

Speaking of a place I’ve travelled to during holidays, the first one that comes to mind is
definitely Weihai, which is located in the easternmost part of Shandong province. That area is
close to the sea, which makes it a hotspot for lots of people.

I have a friend who moved to the city last year, so I visited her as well as toured the city during
the National Day holiday last year. It has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the
sea on three sides, and there are lots of terrific attractions in the city. My friend toured with me
to discover the city for two whole days. We went to the famous beach and also tried the local
signature seafood. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

Anyway, my favorite part of the city is a long bike path that was built alongside the sea. We
rented bicycles to ride along the coast. You can feel the soft sea breeze and even enjoy the
sparkling sun on the water while riding, which is fantastic. When we got tired, we lay on a
nearby beach and enjoyed soaking up the sun. It definitely made us feel like a million bucks.

As an inlander, I really crave the feeling of living by the sea. So I really love that city. It has
breathtaking views and fresh air. You could easily find a place to kick back and relax, in fact, I
have strongly recommended this place to many friends. It’s definitely worth visiting.

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Part 3:

1. What are some popular attractions that people like to visit in your country?

Some popular attractions that people like to visit include museums, shopping malls, and
national parks. If you are visiting a new city, you are going to want to explore everything that it
has to offer. It is important to do your research fust to find out what kinds of things you would
actually enjoy doing. Some people love history and visit lots of museums, while others are very
outdoorsy and prefer to hike through national parks.

2. Do old people and young people choose different places to go on vacation? Why?

Yes, I think old people tend to pick more relaxing places, while young people want to have
adventures in an exciting setting. Old people would probably be content to sit on a beach and
relax all day. Or they might choose places with a lot of history and just do walking tours. But
young people are more inclined towards places where they can explore a lot and do exciting
activities like diving or parasailing. So they might choose exotic locations to check out.

3. What do young people and old people think about when making travel plans?

I think old people usually consider their personal comfort. They want to know that they won’t
be too exhausted at the end of each day. So they might choose very low-key trips and not put a
lot of activities on their itinerary. But young people are less concerned with comfort and more
interested in having adventures. So they’ll want to pick somewhere that’ll be exciting and
they’ll probably plan to do a lot of strenuous or challenging activities.

4. How do people get to know a new place?

Most people discover a new place to travel by talking to other travelers or reading reviews
online. There are a lot of smaller cities and towns that only locals know about. These places are
usually less busy and less expensive than the popular tourist cities, so they can be a great
option to explore. Sometimes a good strategy is to start your trip in a major city, then speak to
some of the locals there and ask them if they know of any good spots nearby.

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Topic: Business

Part 2: Describe a businessman you admire


You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you knew this person
• What kinds of business this person does
• And explain why you admire this person

I’d like to talk about Zhang Yiming, who’s the founder of ByteDance. It’s the parent company
that developed TikTok, which is a trendy video-sharing social network in our country

About two weeks ago, one of my friends shared a news report about Chinese enterprises to his
WeChat moments, in this story, I learned a lot about ByteDance and what makes Zhang so
successful.

Actually, with his leadership, ByteDance has almost more employees than Alibaba, the most
famous E-commerce company. And yet they’ve been hying to expand their business at
breakneck speed. For example, Tiktok is not just a video-sharing platform. The latest version of
the app has expanded into online shopping, online education and many other services on the
internet. As far as I know, ByteDance is also recruiting and setting up branches in other
countries, and their apps, especially Tiktok, are very popular in foreign countries.

I really admire Zhang Yiming because he and his company never rest on their laurels, but
instead keep innovating new products. What's more, from the article I read, I learned that
Zhang wasn’t from a rich family like many young entrepreneurs are, and he didn’t study abroad
either, in fact, he graduated from college as a programmer. But he’s very driven for success and
has a lot of grit. He often works more than 12 hours a day and has a great passion for what he
and his company do. So his success is inevitable. His entrepreneurial mindset is also worth
learning for our young people.

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Part 3:

1. What do you think is the retirement age for men and women?

I would say that anyone between the ages of 60-75 can choose to retire. Around that time,
people are ready to settle down, and they usually have the financial means to retire and live
comfortably. I don’t think it changes too much if it’s a man or a woman retiring. Since we’ve
come a long way in regards to gender equality, it’s normal for either a man or a woman to work
all the way into their sixties.

2. What kinds of qualities do people need to run their own business?

I think people need to be intelligent, determined, resilient, and enthusiastic in order to run their
own business. People need to be smart enough to assess their target market and design a
business that is appropriate for their customers. Plus, they need to be determined and resilient
because running a business comes with many challenges and ups and downs. Finally, people
need to be enthusiastic in order to inspire their employees and come up with unique ideas.

3. Is it easy to establish and run a new business in your country?

The reality is harsh. To launch a new company is quite simple in my country since you only need
some investment money and a license from the Ministry of Finance, however, managing and
maintaining it on your own is a different story. There are a million things to do, it’s stressful as
well as required a large sum of capital and manpower. As a result, the vast majority of start-ups
in Vietnam failed each year as they struggled in competition against giant enterprises or the
shortage of demands.

4. What do you think are the key factors that contribute to the success of a business?

I think that creativity, determination, and flexibility are the mam factors that make a business
successful. In order to make it, you need to have a unique approach. Since there are so many
businesses out there, you have to be creative enough to set yourself apart. Businesses also need to
be led by people who are hard-working and determined to meet their goals, no matter what

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obstacles they face, in today’s world, a business owner should also be flexible to adapt to
different situations and needs.

5. If you had the opportunity to have your own business, what business would it be? Why?

I would love to open a small shop that sells books and also has a café so that people can sit and
enjoy a coffee and a snack. I love to read so I think that I would be able to understand my target
market very well and predict their needs and wants, which is an important part of owning a
business. I also think that there is always a need for more cafes, so I would have a lot of
customers.

6. What fields do young people like to engage in when they start a business and why?

I would say that young people like the art and technology sectors when it comes to starting a
business. A lot of young people are really creative and want to sell the things they make. I know
many people who sell pins, prints, and other art products for a living. If they have a unique
style, it’s easy for them to become successful. Technology is also a good area to start a business
in, especially as people come up with more and more new apps.

7. Is it better to start a business alone or start as a team?

Well, it would be better to start a business as a team, because that way you can come up with
double the ideas and double the financial capital to make your business a success. On your
own, you have no one to talk to for advice, which can make it really difficult to make decisions
and take risks. Having a partner or a team also means that you can divide up the workload and
avoid becoming burnt out.

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Topic: Friendliness

Part 2: Describe a time you were friendly to someone you didn’t like
You should say:
• When and where it happened
• Who he/she was
• Why you didn’t like this person
• And explain why you were friendly to him/her on that occasion

I’d like to talk about a time when I was chatting with my friends but someone interrupted. I have
two friends, Lisa and Sarah, who live practically within spitting distance of me. We hang out
together a lot, so we often share some interesting things with each other. Several months ago, we
had a meet-up at a coffee shop. Lisa took her new boyfriend who I met for the first time.

I told them that I was planning to take part in a novel-writing competition for sci-fi novels about
alien civilizations. The mention of aliens made Lisa’s boyfriend chime in. He said he didn't
believe in the existence of an alien civilization.

I think it’s kind of rude to interrupt others in a conversation, especially because he was being
such a wet blanket. But out of politeness, I kept smiling and listening to him. He claimed that
even though there are photos of aliens and UFOs on the internet, they are all either blurry or
photoshopped. He just kept talking until Lisa hinted to him that he really didn’t need to argue
about something that the whole world doesn't have an answer to. Well, then he stopped but he
was making a face.

Honestly, he seemed to be a stubborn and petty person, so I didn’t like him at all. But since he's
my best friend's boyfriend, I decided to be the bigger person there and not talk back. After all,
you can never go wrong by being kind.

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Part 3:

1. Why are people friendly with the person they don’t like?

Some people are friendly with people they don’t like because they need to maintain a civil,
polite relationship with them. This is especially true in situations where other people are
involved. For example, if a husband and wife get divorced, they will likely continue to be
friendly towards each other for the sake of their children. If two employees have a falling out,
they will continue to be polite since they work together.

2. What kinds of people are usually friendly?

People who are usually friendly are those who are in careers that require them to deal with
people on a daily basis. The best example of this would be teachers and nurses. Teachers and
nurses work with people of all ages every day, and often these people are vulnerable. They
need to be very friendly in order to make people feel at ease. Plus, some people are more
naturally friendly than others if they are more extroverted. They are more outgoing and enjoy
being around people.

3. What are the differences between being friendly and being polite?

I would say that the main difference between being friendly and being polite is enthusiasm. People
who are being polite may exchange pleasantries and have a conversation, but they will not discuss
their personal lives or get too excited. On the other hand, if someone is being friendly, they are
more likely to share personal details and speak with enthusiasm and emotion. Being friendly means
that you are more comfortable with the person to whom you are speaking.

4. What do you think of the people who are always straightforward?

I like people who are always straightforward because I appreciate their honesty and efficiency.
These types of people will always tell you the truth and are never afraid to share their honest
opinion. Sometimes straightforward people may be perceived as blunt or rude, however, I would
say that is a misconception. Straightforward people are not frying to be Hide, they are trying to

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be honest. Some people may also have trouble reading social cues, so they act very
straightforward all the time.

5. What are some qualities of a good friendship?

A good friend should, first of all, be trustworthy and honest. If you cannot trust someone, he
cannot be your true friend. Apart from these qualities, a friend should be understanding and
helpful so that he can help you at the time you face any difficulty or troublesome situation in
your life. Let’s say, if you need money, a good friend would help you with the money you can
borrow at the time of financial constraints.

6. Is it important for people to have a good friendship with their colleagues?

Definitely, it is essential for people to have friendship at the workplace because if you are being
treated as a good friend, you can work better being surrounded by a positive work
environment. It is even important for those employees who work in teams as they are able to
achieve their targets and goals if they know each other well-being friends.

7. What do you think of a person who seems so nice and friendly no matter what happens?

I suppose that people who can keep their cool, no matter what’s going on, are very respectable.
Although to be honest, I’m always a little suspicious when people are nice and friendly even if
they’re dealing with rude people. It makes me wonder if they’re actually that nice, or if they’re
just being polite. Either way, I really respect people who can continue to be kind even if they’re
in a tense situation.

8. When would you be friendly to someone you don't like?

I think I would have to be friendly to someone I didn’t like if I was on the clock. You know, when
you’re at your job, you’re expected to be nice to the people you interact with, no matter what.
It’s a measure of your professionalism. And it’s definitely not professional to lash out at
someone or lose your temper while you’re at work. Otherwise, I would be nice to someone I
didn’t like if I was trying to make a good impression on the other people around us.

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Topic: Smart

Part 2: Describe a person who solved a problem in a smart way/who gave a clever solution
to a problem.
You should say:
• Who this person is
• What the problem was
• How he/she solved it
• And explain why you think he/she did it in a smart way

When it comes to someone who solves problems in a clever way, the first one that comes to
mind is an 80-year-old lady I saw on social media.

I watched a video of a reporter interviewing the lady. She said she’s had a great liking for paper
cutting since she was a kid. And she still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. But
as she gets older, she finds that there are fewer and fewer young people who take an interest
in this art form, and we are losing the culture of paper-cutting.

In order to change the situation, she came up with the idea of promoting folk art on social
media. She cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories and creates videos of
them. You can see how she has presented many storylines through paper cuttings. She even
bound them into a book form and got them published. Most importantly, she really made it
work! Her story and artwork have already been covered by foreign media and now she is an
authentic internet celebrity in China. Since her videos went viral, tons of young people have
become interested in the art of paper-cutting.

It’s definitely a brilliant idea. She successfully took advantage of the We-media trend. I was
amazed by how creative she is for her age. Actually, although she's in her 80s, she’s still
learning new things and improving her skills every day. She is such a great role model to young
people like me and definitely earns my admiration.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think children are born smart or they learn to become smart?

I think that there is a very interesting debate about nature vs. nurture. The central question of
this debate is whether children are born with their personality and skills, or if they develop into
these traits. Personally, I suppose that it is a combination of both. Some people are born
naturally gifted with a high level of intelligence, whereas others have learning disabilities that
may affect their intelligence. Nonetheless, any child can become more intelligent with the
proper supports and education.

2. How do children become smarter at school?

It seems to me that children usually become smart at school by applying themselves and being
open to learning new things. They have to work hard at a subject in order to master it. That
requires doing all the homework and persevering even when it gets hard. But they also have to
adapt to new material and ways of learning. For example, their teacher might teach them
something using a hands-on method. So they have to learn how to work with that method in
order to get smarter.

3. Why are some people well-rounded and others only good at one thing?

Being well-rounded or being good at one thing depends on your personality, as well as the
amount of effort you put into different aspects of your life. Some people find one thing that
they are good at and throw all of their effort into that one thing, becoming experts. Others do
not have one passion, but rather prefer to develop many different talents. Either way, most
people tend to focus on things they are good at rather than things they struggle with.

4. Why does modern society need talents of all kinds?

Well, modern society needs talents of all kinds because that is the best way to have a healthy
workforce and consequently a healthy society. If everyone was good at science and became a
doctor, then no one would become an author or a teacher, or a business person. It is much better

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to have a multitalented society so that everyone can contribute something different. We need
just as many artists as we need accountants.

5. Do you think clever people are bad at some things? What things can clever people be bad
at?

I think that everybody has weaknesses, no matter how smart or clever they are. But when it
comes to what clever people, in particular, might struggle with, it really depends on what
they’re clever at. For instance, someone who’s really quick with numbers might have a hard
time writing a good essay, and vice versa. Or someone who’s very smart and has a quick wit
might be bad at being empathetic. There are different ways to measure intelligence.

6. What role can a good teacher play in a student's learning?

Well, a good teacher plays a huge part in a student’s education. A good teacher who can
effectively teach a lesson can help a student grasp the material quickly. As a result, that student
can get a good grade and feel confident about learning. But beyond that, a good teacher can
encourage a student whenever they have difficulty. That helps the student know that they’re
worth more than just a grade.

7. Do the people around you have special skills?

Well, I’m friends with people who have studied other subjects, so to me, it feels like they have
special skills. I know some people who are science majors, so they’re able to figure out complex
equations and solve difficult problems. I have a friend who works in construction, so they’re
also very handy and are good with tools in a way that I’m not. It’s cool to know people with
different specialties. It makes me appreciate everyone’s differences.

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Topic: Books

Part 2: Describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading


You should say:
• When you read it
• What kind of book it is
• What it is about
• And explain why you think it is exciting

Well, the first book I can think of is definitely Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which is the
seventh book, also the final novel, of the Harry Potter series. I became a fan of this fantasy story
when I was still a child. So by the finale’s release, I’d been obsessed with the series for almost ten
years. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I could finally read the ending of this story.

Anyway, I read it as soon as it was published. Even though this was about twelve years ago, I
remember the release like it was yesterday. I waited for hours in front of a bookstore in a
hundred-meter line full of excited Hany Potter fans like me, mostly teens of course, just to get
the book on the day of its release. And once I started reading it, I literally couldn’t put it down.

The final Hany Potter book really blew my mind. I mean, it has a happy ending as I expected,
but the plot twists and turns made my jaw drop. Like Hany has to die once and comes back to
life so he can defeat the villain, Voldemort. I finished the book with an overwhelmed feeling
that was a mix of excitement, happiness and some loss.

Honestly, I’ve reread this novel tons of times. I’ve even written some glowing reviews of the
book on social media, which I’ve never done for other books. It’s a really exciting book that left
a mark on me.

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Part 3:

1. Do you prefer books or movies?

I prefer books. Even though movies are really entertaining to watch, books are just more
interesting to me. I like reading a character’s thoughts instead of healing them get narrated on
the screen. When I’m reading a book, I can also picture everything for myself. It takes a lot of
imagination, which is what I find fun about the reading process. I think books are also a more
relaxing way to spend time than a movie, which can be loud and intense.

2. Do you think it is very important to read the book before watching the movie version of it?

No, I don’t think so. Even though I love reading, and personally I like reading the book before
seeing the movie, it’s fine to just watch the movie by itself. I suppose that when it comes to
movies, it’s sometimes better to watch them without knowing anything about the story.
Sometimes, you can be disappointed if you watch the movie version because it might not live
up to the book.

3. Do boys and girls like the same kinds of books?

I suppose that this depends on the person’s preferences; some girls love the romantic comedy
genre, while others love honor novels. The same is true for boys. Honestly, boys are
discouraged at a young age from liking romantic or dramatic books and are instead encouraged
to read nonfiction or action books. This really limits the kind of things that they read, and I
suppose that both boys and girls should explore a wide variety of literary genres.

4. What kinds of books do people in your country like reading?

I think that Chinese people like to read a great variety of different books; it really depends on
the individual person, since everyone has different tastes when it comes to books and movies.
Chinese literature has a long history of folklore and legends, so many Chinese people may like
to read these traditional stories as a starting point. Plus, children may prefer fiction books,
while adults may prefer nonfiction books such as biographies and history books.

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5. Did you read more magazines or books when you were a child?

I definitely read way more magazines than books in my childhood. Honestly, I wasn’t fond of
books until I grew up. Books, especially textbooks, were just too complicated and tedious for
me. But reading magazines was a lot of fun when I was a student. I was a huge fan of sci-fi
magazines back then. I even subscribed to a magazine called The Sci-Fi World. I was really
fascinated by it and could read the issues day in and day out.

6. Do you think e-books will eventually replace paper books?

Although e-books are becoming very popular, I don’t think that they will ever completely
replace paper books. The reason for this is that people who love reading generally prefer paper
books. Reading on paper is easier on your eyes, and it’s also great for students because they
can highlight, underline, or write notes in the margin if they are using a paper copy. Paper
books are also great to wrap up and give as gifts!

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Topic: Café

Part 2: Describe a cafe you have visited.


You should say:
• Where it is located
• How the cafe looks like
• What kind of food and drink you had there
• And explain why you like or dislike the cafe.

Speaking of a coffee shop, the first one that comes to mind is definitely a new café in a giant
park located in the newly developed Fuxin district of my hometown.

Since I have a friend who moved to the district last year, I’ve visited him and toured this park
several times. Whenever we go there, we always stop by that coffee shop. It’s a wonderful
place to chill out with a beverage.

The café has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. The lake is
enormous and there are lots of beautiful sculptures made of all kinds of plants. The owner of
the shop built a huge deck outside with some chairs and tables, so you can appreciate the nice
sculptures peacefully or breathe in fresh ah’ and enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while
drinking coffee, which is fantastic. I often ordered a donut, their signature snack, with a cup of
cappuccino at the shop. It was always a blast to sit on the deck and have a chit-chat with my
friend.

Anyway, since the park hasn’t been open for that long, the coffee shop hasn’t gotten popular
and crowded. So you can always kick back and relax there like you were in your own backyard.
You know, now it’s hard to find such a pleasant place in urban areas. So I really enjoy spending
time at the coffee shop. It’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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Part 3:

1. What kind of people would like to go to a café?

I think young adults like going to a café. When you’re a kid or a teenager, cafes aren’t entertaining
enough to hang out at. But when you’re in your twenties, they’re a nice place to meet up with your
friends after work or on the weekends. Plus, retired people also like going to cafes because the
environment there is super relaxed. It’s a nice place to have a chat over coffee or tea.

2. Why do young people like studying in a café instead of at home?

It seems to me that young people like studying at a café instead of at home because it’s a nice
change of scene. When you’re studying at home, you might get sick of being in the same place
all the time. Plus, you can get distracted by your roommates or family members. Cafes offer a
nice, relatively quiet atmosphere where you can focus on your own thing. It also makes
studying a more appealing activity because you can enjoy a nice tea or coffee while you work.

3. Do people in your country like to go to a café? If not, what are their social places?

Well, although not every Chinese person loves going to a cafe, there are more young people
who have adapted to coffee culture, and enjoy drinking coffee and hanging out with their
friends at coffee shops. It’s a trend. But honestly, older people in China, like people of my
parents’ generation, rarely go to a cafe. They are more used to having a meal with others at a
restaurant to socialize.

4. Do older people in your country like drinking coffee?

No, I don’t think so. As far as I know, most middle-aged and senior people don’t have the habit
of drinking coffee. Very few of them have taken a liking to coffee. I think it’s mainly because
they didn’t grow up with coffee culture. Instead, they were surrounded by a strong tea culture.
Plus, it’s true that coffee is fairly new in China and just got popular. I bet 30 or 40 years later
when young people get older, there will be way more regular coffee drinkers than today.

5. Do young people like to invite their friends to their home? Why?

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Yes, I suppose that young people like to invite friends to their home for a few reasons. Inviting
friends’ home is a great way to get to know them outside of school. Sometimes school is too
busy to really get to spend a lot of time with your friends, so inviting them home is a great
option. Children also like to show their friends their space and get to know their families.

6. What do you usually do when you come to the house?

When I get home, I usually get changed right away into comfortable clothes if I know that I do not
need to go out again. Then I make tea, and I will settle down to read or watch TV. Sometimes if I
have friends coming over, I will clean the house and prepare a snack or meal for them. I may also
study at home or do more work if there is something that I did not get done during the day.

7. What is the difference between a cafe and a restaurant?

Cafes are usually more relaxed. They also tend to be smaller. Instead of full meals, they offer snacks
and beverages like coffee and tea. They’re designed more for casual outings, like catching up with a
friend over a hot drink. Restaurants, on the other hand, are usually fancier places where people go
to enjoy a nice meal. Sometimes they celebrate special occasions like birthdays or graduations. Plus,
restaurants are more expensive since they offer meals instead of snacks.

8. Do people prefer to have parties at cafes or restaurants?

It seems to me that people prefer having parties at restaurants. Cafes are better for more
casual hangouts, like if you’re just meeting up with a couple of friends. But with restaurants,
you can plan ahead and make a reservation for a larger group. In most cases, you can even
reserve a whole room for your party. I know lots of people who’ve had birthday parties or
graduation parties at a nice restaurant. It can be really fun.

9. Do coffee shops in your country sell tea? Are coffee shops that different in different countries?

Yes, most coffee shops in China sell tea. In fact, selling tea or milk tea is a lot more profitable than
selling coffee for many Chinese coffee shops as China has a thousand-year tradition of drinking tea.
Coffee culture still has a long way to go to conquer China. I also believe coffee shops in different
countries have different features since it’s a must to adapt to the local culture and local

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people’s drink preferences. It shows respect to customers of the country and provides a new
source of revenue.

10. Why do many people like to drink a cup of coffee before work?

People drink coffee every morning because it increases alertness quicker than the body’s
naturally produced hormones. The majority of working adults nowadays are hummingbirds or
night owls as they spend hours committed to their job, some even pulled an all-nighter in order
to finish their job. Hence, they are more prone to be addicted to a rush of physical and
psychological rush resulting from a cup of coffee.

11. What kind of people would like to go to a café to work or study?

I reckon people from all walks of life could be benefited from a trip to a coffee house.
Especially, those who are in their twenties are often more focused when they study in a coffee
shop. I don’t actually know why really, but it might have something to do with the fact that
there are a lot of people around you. You know, I always have that funny feeling of people
looking at me when I’m studying, and of course, I don’t want to look bad.

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Topic: Get up early

Part 2: Describe a time when you got up early


You should say:
• When it was
• What you did
• Why you got up early
• And how you felt about it

Speaking of a time that I got up early, the first one that conies to mind are the time when I had
an early morning bike ride.

I have a great liking for recreational cycling. About a month ago, several friends of mine who
have the same interest decided to cycle at a park together. There’s actually a park that was
recently built near my home. It has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in
our city. And there’s a long bike path that has been built alongside the lake. So, in order to try
out the new bike lane, we agreed to meet up at the park at six in the morning when the park
wasn’t packed with people yet.

I’m not a morning person. Getting ready to go out before 6 was way earlier than I was used to.
But I didn’t want to make my friends wait so I dragged myself out of bed. And it tinned out to
be a very pleasant experience that day. We breathed in fresh air and enjoyed the sparkling sun
on the water while riding, which was fantastic. Plus, since we went there early, the lanes were
empty so we could speed up as much as we like. When we got tired, we sat on the lawn nearby
and enjoyed the morning sunlight, which is super cozy!

So, that early start to the day really left a mark on me. But honestly, having one experience like
that is enough for me. I prefer sleeping in on most days

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Part 3:

1. Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?

My mom has always loved waking up early. She’s usually awake by 5 A.M. She likes to go for her
morning walk for about an hour, and then she takes a shower and makes breakfast. I think that
the reason she is able to wake up so early is that she also goes to bed early, usually around 9
P.M. If she went to bed any later she probably wouldn’t be getting enough sleep.

2. Why do people get up early?

Some people get up early because they have to for work or for school, and some people get up
early because they enjoy it. These people might like having some extra time to relax in the
morning before they begin their day. As for why some people hate getting up early, I think it’s
mainly because they struggle to wake up, maybe as a result of going to bed late. These people
may feel tired all day if they get up early.

3. What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?

Most people try to arrive early for formal ceremonies such as a wedding or a funeral. This is
because these events require a large amount of organization and planning, so it is very
important that no one arrives late in order to avoid interruptions. People may also arrive early
to an airport or train station when they are travelling. Most international flights recommend
that you arrive three hours early in order to get through airport security, so arriving early is a
good idea for travellers.

4. Is it easier for older people to get up early than young people?

I believe so. My grandparents usually wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning. The main reason, I
think, is because their health is no longer in good condition, at least not as good as it was when
they were younger. So, it is hard for them to have 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night. Besides,
unlike younger people who have to work or study all day and therefore need a deep sleep at
night to recharge their batteries, older people usually have more time on their hands. They can
take naps during the day, which will affect their sleep at night, I suppose.

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5. What time do you usually get up?/Do you like getting up early?

I usually get up at 7 A.M. so that I can be at work at 8:30. I like getting up early in the spring and
summer because the sun naturally wakes me up, but in the winter where I live it is quite dark in
the mornings, so I don’t like to get up too early in the winter. I like that getting up early gives
me time to enjoy a coffee before work, but sometimes I wish I could sleep in more often.

6. Why do some people get up early? Why do some people hate getting up early?

Some people get up early because they have to for work or for school, and some people get up
early because they enjoy it. These people might like having some extra time to relax in the
morning before they begin their day. As for why some people hate getting up early, I think it’s
mainly because they struggle to wake up, maybe as a result of going to bed late. These people
may feel tired all day if they get up early.

7. Why do some people like to stay up late?

I think some people like staying up late because they’re more energetic at night. Night owls are
really good at being productive late into the night. For whatever reason, they just work better
at that time. Personally, I like staying up late because it’s quieter in my house since everyone
has gone to sleep. Other people like staying up late because there are exciting activities that
happen at night, like parties and concerts.

8. Do you think morning is the best time of day?

Personally, I think that evening is the best time of day because it is the end of the work or
school day and you have time to kick back and relax. I do like mornings, but I wouldn’t say that
they are the best time of the day because mornings can be quite stressful. If you are getting
ready for work or school and you’re running late, then your morning isn’t very enjoyable.

9. What happens if you arrive early or late?

When you arrive somewhere early, you have lots of time to settle in. If you’re there for an event,
it’s nice to get there early so you can find a seat or use the bathroom if you need to. But if you

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arrive late, it can be super stressful. It really depends on the event. Being late to a party is fine,
but being late to a meeting or a class is really disruptive. You should avoid being late if you can.

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Topic: Art and Craft

Part 2: Describe an art or craft activity (e.g. painting, woodwork, etc.) that you had (at school)
You should say:
• What you made
• How you made it
• What it looked like
• And how you felt about the activity

I’d like to talk about the time when I created handmade paper cuttings in an art class at my high
school. I remember that before the Chinese New Year, my art teacher invited an old lady to
teach us paper-cutting skills.

The old lady looked like she was in her 80s. She said she’s loved paper-cutting since she was a
kid. She still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. So I have to say she’s pretty
skilled in paper-cutting. For example, she took just a few minutes to cut two butterflies. It
looked so easy for her to do that, but we all know cutting paper into an image is way more
difficult than it looks. She seemed to have magic hands. But we couldn’t keep up with her at all.
So she started teaching us some tricks of cutting the easiest flower-shaped paper-cuts.

As she taught us, I folded a square of red paper in half several times. Then I drew an image on it
and cut it carefully along the lines. When I unfolded the paper, it really looked like a flower.
Then I cut several more in the same way and started getting the hang of it.

Like other students, I was over the moon to learn this new skill. I even took the paper cuts
home and stuck them onto the windows on New Year’s Eve. Actually, in China, we call these
paper-cuts Chuanghua, meaning window flowers. That was my first time creating my own
window flowers, so I really had a blast.

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Part 3:

1. What traditional handcrafts are popular in your country?

There are tons of traditional folk-art crafts that are still popular in China. The ones that come to
mind are paper cuttings, ceramics, and Chinese knots. They are popular and very common
home decorations that you can see in Chinese homes. People like them because they are all
delicate and beautiful, and most importantly, normal handicrafts like that are very affordable
and easy to buy.

2. What do young people think of traditional handcrafts?

I think young people appreciate traditional handicrafts, even if they’re not skilled at them. Folk
art crafts are usually delicate, beautiful and practical in some way. So it’s not a surprise that
young people in China love seeing and having them. For example, it’s trendy for young people
to wear ancient Chinese clothing which can only be handmade. Even though they are young,
they are conscious of how traditional arts and crafts represent our culture and traditions.

3. Do people in your country send handicrafts as gifts?

Yes, I know that some people do. It’s not super common where I’m from, but it’s still recognized as
a really sweet and meaningful gift in my country. I think it’s because, in an age where pretty much
everything can be made by a machine, it’s such a change of pace to get something handcrafted. A
lot of time and energy goes into handicrafts, so that makes them really valuable.

4. What are the benefits of making handcrafts?

I think one benefit is that you get to make it personal. Nowadays, you can buy pretty much
anything from a store. You don’t have to handmake most gifts. But that’s what makes it
meaningful when you decide to make something yourself. You can also get a lot of satisfaction
from learning and mastering a particular craft, like pottery and embroidery. Sometimes it
doesn’t matter if you’re good at it; the fun of making handicrafts is what counts.

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5. Are there many handmade crafts being sold in shopping malls today?

No, I don’t think there are a lot of handmade crafts being sold in shopping malls nowadays.
Shopping malls typically cany name-brand products, or at least things that are produced in
factories. It’s not very common to see handmade crafts because most of them are made by
individuals, so neither the production nor the quality can be ensured, which is a business risk
for the retailers in the malls. I think that’s a shame, but it also makes sense. Malls are trying to
make a profit, and that’s a lot easier to do with recognizable brands.

6. What should the government do to promote traditional arts and crafts?

I suppose that the government should support traditional arts and crafts by hosting festivals
based around them. They can put on events where local vendors can sell their handmade items.
That helps improve awareness of traditional arts and crafts while also supporting local
businesses and boosting the economy. They can also add traditional arts and crafts to the
school curriculum so that children can learn about them from a young age.

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Topic: Older people

Part 2: Describe someone who is older than you that you admire
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you knew this person
• What kinds of things you like to do together
• And explain how you feel about this person

I’d like to talk about an 80-year-old lady I saw in a video about paper-cutting art on TikTok,
which is a trendy video-sharing social network.

The senior lady’s paper-cutting artworks are amazing. They aren’t normal images of folk art that
people are familiar with. She actually cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories.
And you can see how she has presented many storylines in paper cuttings. She even bound
them into a book form. I was amazed by how creative she is for her age.

When the reporter interviewed the lady, she said she’s had a great liking for paper-cutting since
she was a kid. And she still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. Her story and
artwork have already been covered by foreign media and now she is an authentic internet
celebrity in China. You know, what caught my attention is that she's in her 80s! But she's still
learning new things and improving her skills every day. She is such a great role model to young
people like me and definitely earns my admiration.

During the interview, she even took a few minutes to cut two butterflies. It looked so easy for
her to do that, but we all know cutting paper into an image is way more difficult than it looks.
She seems to have magic hands. So, I take my hat off to both her skills and her attitude towards
learning. Honestly, I really hope that I can be so passionate about what I do and have so much
spiritual energy when I’m old.

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Part 3:

1. What can young and old people learn from each other?

Old and young people can learn a lot from each other. For example, young people can learn about
patience and dedication from old people. Nowadays, a lot of young people are eager to pursue their
dreams, but they tend to give up quickly if they don’t achieve them light away. Old people have
more life experience, so they can teach young people how to stick to their goals. Plus, young people
can teach older people certain things, including how to use the latest technology and social media.
Tire younger generation tends to be more tuned into those kinds of things.

2. Has old people’s life quality improved when compared to the past?

I suppose that old people’s quality of life has improved greatly in the last few decades because
the quality of medicine has also improved greatly. Life expectancy is much higher now than it
was in the 1940s, for example, because we have more life-saving medicines than we used to.
Older people can also participate in more organized activities now than they could have in the
past due to the influence of social media.

3. Why is there a generation gap between the young and the old?

Well, it seems to me that the generation gap is largely due to the fact that things in society change
very quickly. Even though it might not be your intention, you lose touch with certain things as you
grow older. You get used to one way of doing things, but the generation after you might discover a
new way of doing it. Having these differences creates the generation gap. Actually, I think the
generation gap has been around forever and it is something that will always exist.

4. What do old people usually do in their daily life?

Old people tend to take it easy. They play games with each other or they go for long walks.
Some of them like to stay fit, so they do some low-energy activities. They also like keeping in
touch with their children and grandchildren. I know a lot of old people also take up some
hobbies, like knitting or paper-cutting. It’s a good way for them to stay busy.

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5. How does an aging population affect a country?

I think that when the population of a nation is aging, there can be a lot of effects on the
economy and society. Firstly, the increase of seniors means more retired people who live on a
pension but don’t work, which can be a huge economic burden. Besides, the aging population is
a consequence of the severe decline of fertility rates of a country, which means there will be
fewer young people in tire country in the future. Taking Japan as a typical example, tons of
Japanese people have been worried about the future of their country because their population
will certainly shrink a lot in the next several decades.

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Topic: Puzzle

Part 2: Describe a (jigsaw, crossword, etc.) puzzle you have played


You should say:
• What it is like
• How easy or difficult it is
• How long it takes you to solve
• And how you feel about it

Well, I really enjoy solving jigsaw puzzles. I have a 1000-piece puzzle that my parents bought for
me when I was at primary school age. It has an image of many tulips in various colors.

I still remember how fun it was when I solved it for the first time with my parents. We thought it
was going to be a piece of cake, but we ended up taking almost two months to get it done. Every
night, we spent a while working on matching pieces. After we finally assembled the puzzle, we were
over the moon. Actually, I took apart the puzzle several times and tried to redo it all by myself. Each
time it was a new journey of discovery. And it always gave me so much fun.

Completing a puzzle is exciting but the daunting part is that you don’t always know which piece,
to begin with. It’s a challenge for your strategic thinking. Besides, you need to focus all your
attention on the pieces while solving them. After all, many puzzle pieces have similar colors and
shapes and each piece only contains a very small portion of the full image. Honestly, it drove
me crazy sometimes when I thought I found the right place for a piece but I was wrong.

But I do have a great liking for it. Whenever I take a long time to solve the puzzle, and put
everything in its place, it definitely gives me a genuine sense of accomplishment.

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Part 3:

1. Why do parents let their children play puzzles?

Well, there are lots of proven benefits to doing puzzles. They provide really good mental
exercise because you use both the right and left side of the brain. Doing puzzles also makes you
have greater attention to detail. So I think that it’s a great activity that gets children to slow
down and focus on the little things. Those types of skills can come in handy in the long run.

2. What kinds of puzzles improve people’s intelligence?

I think every puzzle improves intelligence in some way. Every type of puzzle helps build your
concentration skills and problem-solving skills, both of which are absolutely crucial to
supporting intelligence. For example, word puzzles such as crosswords and word searches are
great for building vocabulary, and number puzzles like sudoku can improve mathematical
reasoning skills. There are also some great building puzzles that improve hand-eye coordination
and other physical skills.

3. Why are detective stories attractive to people?

I think people get hooked by detective stories because they offer really interesting and
stimulating scenarios. You can try to solve a case along with the character and put your
deductive skills to the test. Plus, even though they might sound boring, problems involving logic
are actually appealing to people. It tests their minds and gets them to think about things in
unique ways. Everyone wants to be smart enough to figure out mysterious cases.

4. Which do you think is better? A detective movie or its original novel?

A: I suppose that the original novel is better than a detective movie. It might be cool to see the
story brought to life. But when you’re reading the novel, you have the time to slow down and

focus on the little details. You can actually try to solve the case along with the character, or
even before them if you catch on. I think that helps make the reading experience as interesting
as the visual impact of a movie.

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B: I personally prefer detective movies, but I know that some people prefer books. I love to
read, but I find that with detective stones seeing them in a movie makes them even more
exciting. Movies can add music and effects that enhance the viewing experience and make the
mystery all the more engaging. I also find that the visuals of a movie make it easier to follow the
storyline, as some detective stories are very confusing.

5. Why do some people like to do number puzzles? Is it true that only talented people can do
number puzzles?

I suppose that some people enjoy doing number puzzles because it’s great mental exercise. It
feels really satisfying when you complete a puzzle like that. It really forces you to slow down
and use logic. People who are really good at being analytical do a great job with those kinds of
puzzles. I don’t think you have to be especially talented to do those puzzles though. It is
certainly easier for people who are good at math to do number puzzles, but it's not rocket
science either, right? Most people can solve them if they try hard enough.

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Topic: After school activities

Part 2: Describe an activity that you do after school/work


You should say:
• What it is
• When and where you do it
• Who you do it with
• And how you feel about it

Speaking of a leisure activity I like to do after school(work), the first one that comes to mind is
definitely cycling. I have a great liking for recreational cycling. I often go cycling with my friends
(co-workers) who have the same interest.

The place where I go biking the most often is a park that was recently built near our
college(company). It has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city.
And there’s a long bike path that has been built alongside the lake. We usually go biking there
about two or three times a week and spend at least an hour there.

You can breathe in fresh air and enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while riding, which is
fantastic. Plus, since the park hasn’t been open for that long, the lanes are usually empty so you
can speed up as much as you like. When we got tired, we loved to sit on the lawn nearby and
enjoyed soaking up the sun. There was no traffic or construction noise. You could kick back and
relax like you were in your own backyard.

Anyway, I’ve been swamped with school assignments (work) these days and haven’t been able
to go cycling very often. But I'll go whenever I get the chance. For one, it’s a really great way to
help me relieve my back pain. Besides, cycling at a beautiful place helps me blow off some
steam. So it’s definitely an excellent way to kick back and relax.

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Part 3:

1. Why do some people enjoy extreme sports?

I think it’s because doing extreme sports gives you a huge adrenaline rush. Those sports can be
really dangerous, but that’s part of what makes it fun and exciting. For example, a lot of people
do skiing as an extreme sport even though they could wipe out and potentially break a lot of
bones. There are even people who have died in skiing accidents. But the risk can make it more
interesting.

2. Are men more likely to do extreme sports than women?

I would guess that it’s because men seek out risks more than women do. They might not be as
concerned or focused on their physical safety. A lot of men are attracted to dangerous
situations because they want to test their will or abilities. However, women tend to be a little
more practical and avoid overly risky situations. Other than that, men might like doing extreme
sports more because it makes them feel tougher or more manly.

3. What are the most popular outdoor activities in your country?

Many people enjoy playing badminton, riding bicycles, and walking. Some sports that have
been adopted from other cultures are also popular, such as basketball, tennis, and track sports.
One outdoor activity that most people, both old and young like is table tennis, it is a national
sport in our country so it’s not really surprising that so many people enjoy playing it.

4. What do young people usually do in groups?

There are several activities that people normally like to do in groups. The very first one is dancing,
which is getting quite popular with people of all ages. In fact, it’s normal to see many of them at a
studio dancing cha-cha or samba. A lot of individuals also like to play team sports like soccer and
basketball with friends. I can’t imagine them playing these sports solo. Lastly, many families like to
prepare meals together to celebrate festivals. In China, for instance, young people have to go back
to their hometown during the Spring Festival to meet up with their relatives and friends,

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and, try to help out at the kitchen when they can to cook some traditional dishes like spring
rolls and longevity noodles.

5. Does modern technology limit people’s leisure activities?

I think that it’s a choice for people. It just depends on the way you choose to use technology.
For example, if you use your phone to scroll through social media or do other mindless things,
you’re pretty much just wasting your leisure time. But you can also use your phone for other
activities. You can use apps to count steps when you go for a walk, play games with other
people, or read books. The choice is yours as to whether or not technology kills your free time.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor activities and indoor activities?

One advantage of outdoor activities is that you can get fresh air. You can enjoy natural scenery
too, depending on where you are. But a disadvantage is that you can’t control the weather, so
your activity might be mined by a thunderstorm. Indoor activities are nice because they’re in
controlled environments. If it’s really hot outside, you can enjoy air conditioning. But a
downside is that indoor spaces can get crowded more easily than outdoor ones.

7. What leisure activities are popular in your country?

In my country, mobile games are extremely popular. Practically everyone has a smartphone
nowadays, so it’s very easy for young people to download a game on their iPhone and start
gaming right away, in addition, many people, especially seniors, are quite into doing outdoor
activities in their spare time. Parks are often filled with people from dawn until dusk who are
engaging in sports, tai chi, and public dancing.

8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of group activities and individual activities?

Group activities involve a lot of collaboration, so an advantage is that you get to work with
different people and be exposed to new ways of doing things. However, it also means that you
have to depend on others, so you might get frustrated with them. I think an advantage of
individual activities is that it develops your own skills more since you’re doing it on your own.
But a disadvantage is that you don’t get to be social with other people.

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9. What are the benefits of doing leisure activities in people’s spare time?

I suppose that a huge benefit is that it helps people relax. People often get way too stressed,
whether it’s from work or school. So when they can blow off steam through a leisure activity, it
makes a world of difference. Another benefit is that you can try something new and develop
your creativity. For example, if you try something new like painting, it can push you to explore
your artistic side and experiment.

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Topic: Talent

Part 2: Describe a natural talent (sports, music, etc.) you want to improve
You should say:
• What it is
• When you discovered it
• How you want to improve it
• And how you feel about it

Speaking of natural talents, I guess I may have a little talent for writing novels. I actually didn’t
discover it myself, but all my friends said so.

Several months ago, I had a meet-up at a coffee shop with a couple of my friends. One of them
was Lisa, who loves writing so much. She told us that she was planning to take part in a novel-
writing competition for sci-fi novels. She had come up with a good frame for the story. But to
think up something more creative, she asked us for advice and hoped to get some inspiration
for the details about the aliens. So we all expanded our imagining of aliens and had an
unrestrained brainstorming session.

I remember I said the aliens might have existed on Earth and lived among us. And they might
have observed and intervened with human civilization for some purpose. I shared a lot of my
thoughts. My friends all complimented me for my unique ideas. Lisa even said I was creative
and had the potential to write fiction. You know, I was so flattered.

I do enjoy reading all kinds of novels. So what my friends said made me want to try it out. Since
I’ve never written a novel, I definitely should have more writing practice. After all, the logic of
writing matters a lot, which is what I think I’m lacking. Seriously, I’ll try my best to see if I can
tum my talent into income one day.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think artists with talents should focus on their talents only?

Yes, I suppose that doing art is a wonderful activity and artists should definitely take advantage
of their natural talents if they have a talent for art. Alt can take many different forms including
painting, drawing, sculpture, and music. A lot of children really love to do artwork, but not all of
them continue with their art into adulthood. I think it would be better if people who have a
natural talent for art are encouraged to explore that talent throughout their lives.

2. Is it possible for us to know whether children who are 3 or 4 years old will become
musicians and painters when they grow up?

No, I don’t think it’s possible. I mean, it might be possible in some cases. For example, child
prodigies will probably be really successful later in life. And you can definitely show proficiency
in some talents when you’re young. But you don’t know what kind of career path a child will
choose to take, especially when making that choice is still in the distant future. They might be
an amazing painter and yet decide to become a doctor or a veterinarian. So it’s too hard to tell
at that age.

3. Why do people like to watch talent shows?

Well, a large part of it is because talent shows are really entertaining. You get to see fairly
ordinary people doing cool things. Even if it’s something more regular like singing or playing an
instrument, you get to see things that you might not be able to do. I think that makes it really
interesting. I also think some people watch these shows sadistically because they might like to
watch the less talented contestants fail and get kicked out of the show.

4. Do you think it is more interesting to watch famous people’s or ordinary people’s shows?

I suppose that for the most part, it’s more interesting to watch ordinary people’s shows.
Celebrities are cool, but it’s only because we all agree to find them interesting and valuable. Of
course, people matter whether they’re famous or not, but with celebrities in general, they’re
pretty much just like us. They’ve just had the chance to become well-known. Plus, ordinary

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people are usually more down-to-earth, and thus they’re more genuine. I think that’s more
interesting than watching celebrities.

5. How do parents usually nurture their children’s talents?

I think parents usually nurture their children’s talents by encouraging them and even giving
them lessons if they need to. For example, a parent could notice that their kid has a knack for
singing. So they might give the kid lots of compliments on their singing voice. And they might
sign them up for vocal lessons to refine that talent. They can steer their children in the right
direction by supporting their talent.

6. Do you think some parents put too much pressure on children to develop their talents?

Yes, I suppose that some parents tend to put too much pressure on their kids when it comes to
their talents. For example, there are parents who force their children to practice musical
instillments for long hours, which often comes with high-pressure parenting. I think it comes
from a good place most of the time. Parents just want their kids to do well. If they have a talent
for something, it’s natural to want them to pursue that. But parents also need to remember
that their child’s well-being is more important than whatever they’re good at.

7. Are natural artistic talents, like talent in dance or music, useful?

Well, it seems to me that those kinds of talents can be useful, but not always in the same way.
Some people might be so good at music or dance that they can make a career out of it. If they
can support themselves through their talent, then it’s definitely useful. But others might only
find a talent useful because it helps them relax. They might not pursue it full-time, and that’s
okay. After all, it would be great if playing an instrument helps you blow off some steam after a
long day of work or study.

8. Should everyone develop a talent?

I don’t think everyone needs to develop a talent. Of course, most people have a talent for at least
one thing. But they don’t need to pursue it fully if they don’t want to. You can be good at singing
without feeling the need to become a professional singer. You don’t have to go out of your way

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to become good at something, or it might cause unnecessary stress in your life. That kind of
goal isn’t for everyone.

9. If talented people don’t pursue their talents, we will lose a lot of treasures, what do you
think about it?

I think it’s true that if every talented person decided not to pursue their talent, we would lose
out on a lot. We might not have anyone to entertain us in the performing arts, or we would lose
a lot of great authors and artists. But of course, that’s not the case today. However, not every
single person with talent needs to pursue it. Some people might have a raw talent for
something, but they don’t have the passion. Think about it - even though you’re talented in
drawing, would you struggle to be an artist if you didn’t even want to be one? It’s great that
one is passionate about what they’re good at, but everyone has the right to pursue what they
love, so to each their own.

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Topic: Place you want to live in

Part 2: Describe a town or city where you would like to live in the future
You should say:
• Where it is
• How you knew it
• What it is famous for
• And why you would like to live there

Speaking of a city that I want to live in, the first one that comes to mind is definitely Weihai,
which is located in the easternmost part of Shandong province. That area is close to the sea,
which makes it a hotspot for lots of people.

Since I have a friend who moved to the city last year, I’ve visited him and toured there twice. It
has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, and there are
many terrific attractions in the city.

My favorite part of the city is a long bike path that has been built alongside the sea. You can feel the
soft sea breeze and even enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while riding, which is fantastic. I went
biking with my friend there every time I visited this city. When we got tired, we loved to lie on a
nearby beach and enjoy soaking up the sun. It definitely made us feel like a million bucks.

As an inlander, I really yearn for the feeling of living by the sea. So I really love that city. It has
breathtaking views and fresh air. You could easily find a place to kick back and relax. And I
heard from my friend that the housing price there is way cheaper than metro cities like Beijing
and Shanghai. You know, that’s the top factor to consider when deciding where to live. So I’m
really looking forward to moving there in the future.

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Part 3:

1. Why do more and more people live in the city?

I think it’s because all the major opportunities are there. If you live in a rural area, you might
not be able to get your dream job, depending on what field you want to work in. For example, if
you want to work in finance, you’re not likely to find a great position out in the countryside.
Most cities are also known as cultural hubs. So people also move there for the entertainment
and nightlife.

2. How does this affect the environment and nature?

Well, when more and more people move to cities, those cities need to expand to accommodate
them. So they end up taking up more and more natural resources as they grow bigger. That
negatively affects the environment by destroying lots of species’ natural habitats. More
populated cities can also mean an increase in demands on the infrastructure. Having to update
things like public transit systems might result in more pollution.

3. What are some factors that attract people to settle down in certain places?

I think young people tend to focus on their career goals. They want to move somewhere that’ll
provide them with a great job. They also focus on what the culture is like. For example, they
might prioritize a city that has a great nightlife or lots of entertainment opportunities. However,
older people might focus more on the scenery. People who have retired already might want to
live somewhere they can relax and be surrounded by nature.

4. What are the differences between the young and old when choosing where to live?

I think youngsters prefer to have better work and recreational facilities to find well-paid jobs or
hang out with their friends in restaurants and shopping centers. On the other hand, older people
like to have access to hospitals where they can go for their regular health checkups. They also like
parks where they can do some simple exercises to make themselves fit and healthy.

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5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city?

One big advantage is convenience. When you live in the suburbs, you usually have to commute
pretty far to work. But in the city, your job could be a short bus ride away. There are also lots of
food options in cities that are open at all hours of the day. But cities can be really crowded.
Sometimes people have to be packed like sardines in a bus or a subway train during rush hours.

6. Why do so many people choose to move from the countryside to the city?

I guess it’s because cities have a reputation for providing more job opportunities, especially
more high-paying jobs, than the countryside. Some cities, like Shanghai, are economic hubs
with lots of opportunities for all types of people, which is the reason that tons of people move
to cities to pursue their career dreams. Plus, cities are more diverse. You can find interesting
communities and a variety of cuisines. So compared with the lifestyle in cities, living in the
country can be boring and tedious.

7. In what ways does technology contribute to the development of cities? How can technology
influence urban areas?

Well, there’s no doubt that technology has a huge impact on urban development. I think
modern technology contributes to the public transit system the most. As far as I know, there
are tons of Chinese cities that are building or expanding their subway system nowadays with
state-of-the-art technology to build the subway tunnels. A few decades ago, most cities in China
didn’t even have a subway system. Besides, technological innovations also influence the city
services a lot. For example, the increase of surveillance cameras helps cities reduce crime rates.

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Topic: Music

Part 2: Describe a singer you like


You should say:
• Who he/she is
• What his/her personality is like
• What kind of style his/her music belongs to
• And explain why you like him/her

Well, I’d like to talk about an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller. About two
years ago, one of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New Year’s party
that my class held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right away. Then I
found the original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties and definitely has great
potential with her pop-rock career.

Bea has an incredible smoky voice that is ear candy to me. Whenever I put on my headphones
and listen to her songs with her sexy and raspy singing voice, I feel like the whole world
suddenly calms down and all my bad emotions go away. I have to say her calming singing voice
is an amazing natural gift that she has. It’s not something you can get from practice.

Plus, normally, singers have only two or three good songs on an album at most, and their songs
are mostly the same style. But Bea’s music is very diverse. I mean, every song she writes is
unique but also catchy. I really admire her talent for music wilting as well.

Anyway, she’s a celebrity idol and also a very talented young lady. I believe she will go a long
way in music. Now, there are still tons of people who don’t know her but I look forward to
seeing her blow everyone away.

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Part 3:

1. What kind of music do people like at different ages?

I think that when people are young, they like loud and exciting music like pop and rock. They
tend to listen to whatever’s trending. They also like music they can dance to, so it needs a good
beat and a catchy hook. As people get older, they might gravitate toward more classic types of
rock or even quieter genres like folk or country. But I definitely know people who have varied
music tastes that don’t change as they get older.

2. What kind of music is popular in your country now and what kind will be in the future?

Right now, pop music is definitely at the top of the charts in China. It’s what most people listen
to on a daily basis. That makes sense because it’s literally designed to be catchy and get stuck in
people’s heads. I’m not really Slue what will be popular in the future, but I think that EDM
might have a resurgence. It’s similar to pop, but it’s more experimental. It sounds like a good
genre for the future.

3. What is the difference between popular music now and popular music in the past in your
country?

Well, the most significant change I think of is the way it is produced and released. In the past
when technology hasn’t developed, musicians haven’t got access to many supporting tools to
record and edit their work. They relied mostly on their pure talent. Nowadays, with a wide
variety of advanced software at their disposal, musicians could not only polish their brainchild
to ensure maximum quality but also inject all forms of creativity into it. I mean, in the past, we
only had acoustic instruments. Now, we’ve got all sorts of digital sound effects, which gave rise
to a whole new genre – electronic. In addition, technology also facilitates the process of
releasing music. Aside from the traditional format of releasing physical singles or albums, artists
nowadays could launch their musical products to digital platforms, like Spotify or Youtube, and
earn money from their subscription services. So basically when we talk about change, we talk
about technology. It changes everything in our life, and music is obviously not an exception.

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4. Do parents in your country require their children to learn to play musical instruments?

No, I don’t think so. Even though a lot of parents sign their children up for music classes so they
can learn to play musical instruments, they just account for a small proportion of all parents in
China. I mean, learning a musical instrument can really cost you an arm and a leg, and not every
family can afford the expenses. Plus, a lot of Chinese parents have a mindset that good grades
at school always come first, so learning music is more like developing a hobby for their children
rather than an essential part of education.

5. Why do some people like to listen to live music while others prefer CDs?

Well, some people love how exciting a live performance is. There’s a type of energy that you
don’t experience when you’re listening to a recording. It’s also amazing to see the musicians
right before your eyes. But some people like CDs because it’s a more intimate listening
experience. You don’t have to be around other people. You can just listen and have the volume
as high or as low as you want.

6. Can everyone sing well?

No, I don’t think everyone can sing well. Granted, there’s always room to improve. Even if you
aren’t naturally talented at singing, you can take vocal lessons to sing better. But I think that for
some people, they’re just never going to get to that place. They might just be tone-deaf and
you can’t really do anything about that. So it seems to me that singing isn’t a skill everyone can
master.

7. Should children start learning music at an early age?

Yeah, I suppose that children should start learning music as soon as they can. It’s a great skill
that will take them far in life, even if they don’t pursue music as a career. It’s been shown that
learning music can improve your memory and make you better at math. So if children learn
music at a young age, they’ll be able to develop those skills as they grow up. In addition,
exposing children to music can help them understand their feelings better and be more
sympathetic, which is helpful to their social skills as well.

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8. What kinds of music do children like to listen to?

I think children like listening to upbeat music. They like something that sounds happy and
bright. They don’t like music that’s slow and gloomy. They also don’t typically like music
without any lyrics. They just want to dance around and sing along. So pop music is usually a
favourite for kids. The simple chords and catchy melodies are really entertaining to them. It’s
cute to watch kids enjoy music like that.

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Topic: Movies/Films

Part 2: Describe a movie/a film that you like


You should say:
• When you watched it
• Where you watched it
• What it was about
• And explain why you like it

Well, the first movie I can think of is definitely Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,
which is the eighth film, also the final one, of the Harry Potter film series. I became a fan of this
fantasy story when I was still a child. So by the finale’s release, I’d been obsessed with the
movies and books for almost ten years. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I finally could
watch the ending of this story.

Anyway, I watched it as soon as it was in the theatres. Even though this was about ten years
ago, I remember the release like it was yesterday. I waited for hours in front of a cinema in a
hundred-meter line full of excited Hany Potter fans like me, mostly teens, of course, just to be
the first audience for the premiere.

The final Hany Potter film really blew my mind. I mean, it has a happy ending as I expected, but
the plot twists and turns made my jaw drop. Like Hany has to die once and comes back to life so
he can defeat the villain, Voldemort. And the visual effects were astonishing. I finished the film
with an overwhelmed feeling that was a mix of excitement, happiness and some loss.

Honestly, I’ve rewatched this film tons of times since then and I never get bored of it. I’ve even
written some glowing reviews of the film on social media, which I’ve never done for other films.
It’s definitely my favorite film.

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Part 3:

1. What kind of movies do people in your country like to watch?

I think there are several movie genres that are popular with moviegoers. Action films have
existed as a dominant genre of cinema for the past decade; one of the reasons why it is so
popular is the great influence of Hollywood blockbusters. Another popular movie genre could
be a comedy, as it allows people to relieve stress, the witty dialogue or fish-out-of-water
comedies also make us laugh, and laughter is the best medicine in our life. And of course, other
types are gaining more prominence, such as science-fiction. Harry Potter - one of the world’s
most famous franchises-could be a great example, as it has been the favorite movie growing up
for millions of young children from all over, and they can learn a lot from this movie series.

2. Are films a waste of money?

No, I don’t think they’re necessarily a waste of money. I mean, there are definitely some films
that weren’t worth being made. They just aren’t good and they definitely seem like a waste of
time and money to some people. But I think that in general, films are worth the effort and
money because they not only provide entertainment to the public, but they also employ a lot of
people. So even if it’s not the best film, it still has a purpose.

3. Are movie stars important to a movie?

Yes, movie stars are crucial to a movie. You can’t have a movie without a screenwriter or a
director, but the success of a movie will often depend on who’s stalling in it. If you have a big
name attached to a movie, it’s likely that more people will see it than if you had a lesser-known
actor. So I think that movie stars can make or break a movie.

4. Are foreign movies popular in your country?

Honestly, it’s sad to say but foreign movies aren’t that popular in my country. Most of the time,
foreign movies are in a different language. So you have to watch them with subtitles. And it’s
kind of shocking how many people refuse to watch something if they have to read the dialogue

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on the screen. I think that if more people were open to subtitles, foreign movies would be more
of a hit in my country.

5. Is it important that a country has its own movies?

Yes, I think that film is a really important part of a country’s culture. It’s good for a country to
make its own movies and for those movies to have success both locally and internationally.
Movies are part of how a country can express its national identity. They also contribute to the
entertainment industry, which in turn can support the national economy. So the importance of
movies shouldn’t be overlooked.

6. What are the differences between the movies young and old people like to watch?

Actually, I don't think people’s preferences for movie genres have anything to do with their age
at all, but generally speaking, I suppose that young people really like exciting, fast-paced
movies. They love a lot of action and adventure movies. However, the elderly may feel that
watching such movies is too energy-consuming and even dizzying, so I suppose that they tend
to like dramas and romances. They prefer movies that slow down and focus on the characters
more than an elaborate plot full of big twists.

7. Why do you think some people like to watch black and white movies?

I think it’s because many black and white movies have captivating plots. You know, back when
there were basically no visual effects in movies, the directors and actors placed a lot of
importance on storytelling in the movie. So tons of black and white movies are really fun to
watch. They also have a classic feel that brings you back to a different time. So I suppose that a
lot of people who watch those movies are really nostalgic and enjoy that atmosphere.

8. Will virtual actors replace real actors in the future?

No, I don’t think virtual actors will replace real actors in the future. Real actors can convey much
more complexity than virtual ones. And I think that people respond to human actors differently.
They feel like they can connect with them, whereas virtual actors just don’t have that same

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capacity. It seems to me that people want to see real actors more than virtual ones. The novelty
of virtual actors would probably wear off quickly.

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Topic: Smiles

Part 2: Describe an occasion when many people were smiling


You should say:
• When it happened
• Who you were with
• What happened
• And explain why most people were smiling

Speaking of a time that everyone was smiling, the first one that comes to mind is when I had
some food with my friends. During the Labor Day holidays in May, there was a flower exhibition
of tulips held at a flower farm around my neighbourhood. On a sunny day, I went there with
four of my friends for a tour.

On our way back home, we came across a snack market that was packed with people. It
seemed there were all kinds of authentic foods and snacks. Since we were starving, we dropped
by the market and decided to try some food there.

We're all foodies, so we were eager to try every stall. But it was late, and we didn’t have much
time to tour around the street. So we decided to split up and each of us went to buy a few kinds
of food that we like. Then we gathered together to share the food and snacks.

When we met up again with all kinds of signature foods on our hands, we were all excited and
everyone had a big smile on their face. After all, it was such a surprise for us to discover this
gourmet place, and we hadn’t had dinner in this way for a long time. Plus, everything there
tasted heavenly. Honestly, who doesn’t feel happy eating delicious food? So it was such a happy
and memorable night for us and we all had a blast that night.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think people who like to smile are more friendly?

Yes, it seems to me that people who like to smile tend to be friendlier. Smiling is probably the
quickest way to express good intentions. It makes you come off as a warm and friendly person.
So anyone who enjoys smiling is probably outgoing and welcoming. There are some people who
just smile out of habit, but I think that if you genuinely like smiling, you’re probably pretty
friendly.

2. Why do most people smile in photographs?

I suppose that most people smile in photographs because most photographs are taken at really
happy events, such as birthday parties, vacations, weddings, or holidays. When people are
happy or laughing, they smile naturally. Plus, smiling is so common in photographs because it
makes the person look nicer on camera. Smiling brings out your inner beauty. Actually even
from a very young age parents teach their children to smile when someone is taking a photo, so
this becomes a habit that children cany into adulthood.

3. Do women smile more than men? Why?

No, I don’t think that women smile more than men. I think it all depends on their personality.
Some people like to smile because they are very enthusiastic and just generally happy people.
Others can be shyer or more private, and so they do not smile often. However, sometimes we
expect people to smile, especially those who are in a customer service position at a retail
location or a restaurant.

4. Do people smile more when they are younger or older?

It seems to me that people smile more when they’re younger. Children are much less reserved
than older people. They don’t have as much to be cautious about. They don’t tend to assume
that people around them are a threat, even if they’re strangers. So children smile at pretty
much everyone they come across. Older people tend to be wary about the people they
encounter, so they don’t smile as much. They aren’t automatically friendly the way kids are.

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5. On what occasions do people smile?

People usually smile at celebrations. For example, you’ll see lots of smiles at graduation
ceremonies, weddings, and other kinds of parties. Those are really exciting occasions and
there’s a lot to be happy about. People also smile over casual things, like when they see a cute
dog. There doesn’t have to be something big and exciting happening for a person to smile.

6. Do children smile more than adults?

Yes, I think so. Generally speaking, children are less guarded and defensive than adults are.
They’re just friendlier than adults are because they have less to be suspicious or worried about.
If they see a stranger, they usually don’t think of them as a threat. They just want to smile
because it’s a person they’ve never seen before. Smiling is basically like a reflex for them.

7. Are there any occasions where people need to control their feelings?/ Do you think it's
important to be able to control emotions?

Yes, I think there are some occasions where people have to keep their feelings in check, especially
when it comes to dangerous occasions. Drivers who have road rage are typically negative examples.
It’s a fact that tons of traffic accidents are caused by drivers who get irritated by others on the road
and can’t keep calm. Besides, sometimes you need to keep your feelings to yourself, or you need to
be calm when disagreeing with someone even if you’re really upset with them. It can help you
express yourself more clearly and get a positive solution to your problem.

8. Do you think older people are better at controlling their emotions?

Yeah, I think that older people are better at controlling their emotions. But honestly, it’s just
because they have more life experience. They’ve had more practice with it. As you grow older,
you learn that you can’t always fly off the handle when you’re dealing with difficult emotions.
Older people know that because they’ve dealt with lots of different situations. So they’ve been
able to develop that skill better.

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Topic: Plan

Part 2: Describe a plan in your life (that is not related to work or study)
You should say:
• What it is about
• Why you make it
• What you need to do first
• And explain how you would feel if it is successful

Actually, I planned to drop some weight and get in shape not long ago. I set a goal to lose five
kilos in two months. Dining this time, I should have a workout schedule to make sure I’m
committed to daily exercise, and I’ll need to stick to a good diet plan, in fact, I just downloaded
a list of diets and recipes that are popular on the internet.

But I still haven’t started my plan. I just read a book that one of my friends highly
recommended about losing weight. One point in the book that I totally agree with is that the
key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through the workout and diet
every day with you. You know, if no one supervises you, the pain and stress might make you
want to quit and break off the plan, especially if you’re at the bottleneck.

So I think if I can find some friends who have the same goal as me and form a team to
encourage and support each other, then shedding the weight will be a piece of cake.

Now I’m looking for a workout partner to complete the weight loss program together. We could
be a fitness team. We can go to the gym together and cheer each other up when we are tired or
hungry. If this plan works out and I can reach my goal of weight loss, it’ll be one of the greatest
achievements for me.

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Part 3:

1. Should parents make plans for children?

Yes, I think that sometimes parents should make plans for their children. Parents can be
especially helpful at making plans when kids are young, because they can coordinate with other
parents to set up visits, sports, clubs, and birthday parties. Parents also need to make plans
such as what to feed their children, and where to send them to school. As children grow up,
they can start making more plans for themselves.

2. When should children start to make plans for themselves?

It seems to me that children should start to make plans for themselves a few years before they
start high school. Around that time, you have to start thinking about your long-term goals. You
might even have to choose certain classes if you want to go to a certain program. So in the
years leading up to high school, they should begin to think about what they want and try to
make some plans.

3. What things should be planned on a daily basis?

Well, having a daily to-do list is always a good idea so that you can stay on track every day with
things that you need to get done. You can have a different to-do list for work, home, and
socializing. That way you can keep all your plans organized. Most people like to plan out what
they’re having for dinner, what tasks they need to accomplish, and what social events they
want to attend on a daily basis.

4. Are plans always necessary? Can people succeed without plans?

I don’t think plans are always necessary. I know some people who fly by the seat of their pants.
They somehow manage to land on then feet, even without a solid plan in place. So you can
definitely succeed without a plan. However, I think it’s much less stressful to make a plan for
yourself. Even if you do something different, it’s good to know what you want to do.

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5. How do young people plan their careers?

I think young people usually plan their careers by finding what they’re passionate about, then
exploring ways to make a living from that. A lot of young people I know have had dream jobs
since they were a child. They might be really interested in something like science or art and
want to pursue that as an adult. So they find programs that will train them in whatever
occupation they want.

6. Do parents have any influence on their children's career plans?

Yes, I definitely think parents have some influence on their children’s career plans. They might
not have control of what their kids do for a living. But I suppose that most kids take their
parents’ advice to heart. After all, they’ve raised them for their whole lives. So if their parents
encourage them to pursue something, they might feel more confident about it. Or if they
discourage them from a certain occupation, kids might take that into consideration because
they know that their parents understand better about how society works and they believe their
parents can help them make much wiser decisions.

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Topic: Social media

Part 2: Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media


You should say:
• When it was
• Where you saw it
• What you saw
• And explain why you think it was interesting

Not long ago, I watched a video about an 80-year-old lady doing paper-cutting art on TikTok,
which is a trendy video-sharing social network.

The senior lady’s paper-cutting artworks are amazing. They aren’t normal images of folk art that
people are familiar with. She actually cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories.
And you can see how she has presented many storylines in paper cuttings. She even bound
them into a book form, which is very creative.

When the reporter interviewed the lady, she said she’s had a great liking for paper-cutting since
she was a kid. And she still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. She had the idea
to make such a unique series of artworks because she thinks the combination of paper-cutting
and traditional Chinese stories is a good way to promote Chinese culture. And it turned out to
be a great success. Her story and artwork were even covered by foreign media and now she is
an authentic internet celebrity in China.

During the interview, she even took a few minutes to cut two butterflies. It looked so easy for
her to do that, but we all know cutting paper into an image is way more difficult than it looks.
She seems to have magic hands. I’m really fond of her creativity and expert paper-cutting skills.
So this video really left a mark on me, and I forwarded it and also left my compliments in the
comment section.

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Part 3:

1. Why do people like to use social media?

I think people like to use social media because it is a good way to connect with people who live
far away. If you make friends when you’re travelling abroad, it can be hard to keep in touch
with them without social media. Plus, people like to share the good news through social media,
like getting a new job, getting engaged, or getting married. You can share pictures of these
events with your friends from afar.

2. What kinds of things are popular on social media?

Social media is constantly changing, so things that are popular are changing too. I think currently
the most popular social media platform is TikTok, which allows the user to make short videos.
WeChat and Weibo are pretty popular as well. People like to share pictures of themselves on
vacation, and there is also a trend where people post pictures of their meals. Pets are another
popular thing; some people create a Weibo account just for pictures of their pet.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media?

Well, the major advantage is getting to stay connected with your friends. There are a lot of
people I don’t get to see regularly. But when I check their social media accounts, I can see what
they’re up to. I can leave comments on their posts and even message them directly. So that
part is great. The disadvantage is that you can get obsessed with social media and wind up
spending way too much time on your phone. You can forget to focus on real-life interactions.

4. What do you think of making friends on social networks?

I suppose that it all depends on how you make friends on social media. I wouldn’t ever
recommend talking to complete strangers and forming a friendship, because you have no idea
who they really are and it can be very unsafe. However, I think if you connect with someone
you know from work on social media or someone who is a friend of a friend, then you can go
ahead and start a friendship with them safely.

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5. Are all news and information from the media true?

No, definitely not. One difficult thing about the media is that not all sources are reliable. You
definitely can’t trust everything that you see, especially when it’s online. So you have to take
certain things with a grain of salt. Some media outlets are really biased so they’ll misrepresent
information. Other times, they might just be inaccurate for one reason or another. You have to
take the extra step to ensure it’s real.

6. Should older people use social media? What are the differences between older and younger
people using social media?

Yes, I think older people should use social media. It’s a good way for them to keep in touch with
others. They can also make new friends and connections. I don’t think their age should be an
obstacle. That being said, there are some differences between the ways that older and younger
people use social media. Older people use social media to check in on their friends and family
members and don’t tend to follow strangers. But young people, on the contrary, like connecting
with their peers on social media, especially those who are not in their real-world social circle.

7. Is it necessary to use social media as a communication tool at work? (e.g. Teachers contact
parents and students through social media)

I don’t think it’s necessary to use social media to communicate with people at work. That puts a
lot of pressure on people to join social media, even if they’re uncomfortable with it. That being
said, it seems to me that using social media can make communication a lot easier and more
accessible. People are more likely to check their social media instead of their email nowadays.
So it might make things easier in the long run.

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Topic: Argument

Part 2: Describe an argument two of your friends had


You should say:
• When it happened
• What it was about
• How it was solved
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about a time when two of my friends, Lisa and Sarah, had a funny argument. The
three of us live practically within spitting distance of each other, and we hang out together a
lot, so we often share some interesting things with each other.

Several months ago, we had a meet-up at a coffee shop. Lisa told us that she was planning to
take part in a novel-writing competition for sci-fi novels about alien civilizations. The mention of
aliens made Sarah chime in. She said she didn't believe in the existence of an alien civilization.

Lisa apparently had a totally different idea about this. She said the aliens might have existed on
Earth and lived among us. And they might have observed and intervened with human
civilization for some purpose. Sarah thought what Lisa said was just a fantasy. But Lisa insisted
that there are photos of aliens and UFOs on the internet, while Sarah argued they are all either
blurry or photoshopped.

Anyway, both of them were kind of stubborn. To smooth over the situation, I said their ideas all
made sense, but they really didn’t need to argue about something that the whole world doesn't
have an answer to. Finally, they stopped. And soon after that, Lisa said the discussion inspired
lots of new ideas for the novel. She finished her novel and it ended up getting into the final
round. So, you know, it's not always a bad thing to have arguments.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think arguments are important?

Yes, I definitely think arguments are important. Of course, you want to make sure you’re not
having arguments all the time. But I think they’re a natural, vital part of life. People are bound
to have different opinions on things. So they will need to express themselves, which often leads
to arguments. But it’s better to share your thoughts instead of keeping them bottled inside.
Arguments can help you settle a matter.

2. What do family members usually have arguments about?

I think family members usually argue over cleaning the house. You know, they can often
disagree over whose turn it is to take out the garbage or wash the dishes. And if there’s a mess,
they might argue about who has to clean it up. Nobody loves doing chores, but everyone has to
work together to keep the house tidy. It can cause a lot of stress when you’re living in a messy
environment.

3. Is it easier for you to have arguments with your family or with your friends?

I think it’s a lot easier to have arguments with my family, to be honest. I really don’t like fighting
with my friends. We tend to get into arguments that are a lot more serious. And because we’re
just friends, there’s always the possibility that we could wreck our friendship. But with my
family, I know that they have my back no matter what. So I’m not really afraid of having an
argument with them.

4. Do you think people should change the way they think when having arguments?

Yes, I think sometimes it’s very beneficial to change your way of thinking during an argument.
When you get into an argument with someone, it’s because you have two very different
opinions. So if you’re going to come to an agreement, you’ll probably need to change the way
you think. You might also have to learn a new way of thinking when it comes to presenting your
view of things. For example, if you’re struggling to communicate what your point is, you might
have to think about it differently in order to make yourself clear.

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5. When there is a dispute, how do people usually settle it?/ Do you think a third person is the
solution during a conflicting situation?

Well, people usually settle disputes by having open communication and even bringing in a third
party if they need to. When you’re in a conflict with someone, it can be difficult to figure things
out between the two of you. Getting advice from people not involved with the situation can be
helpful. It gives you a fresh perspective on the situation, which can let you find a solution that
works for everyone.

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Topic: Mobile Phone

Part 2: Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use your mobile phone
You should say:
• When it was
• Where it was
• Why you were not allowed to use your mobile phone
• And how you felt about it

Well, several weeks ago, I happened to have a free Friday afternoon. My friend Lisa invited me
to listen to a lecture about novels at her college.

When we were at the gate of the auditorium, the teacher there required us to seal our cellphone in
a bag. Lisa told me smartphones are banned at her college. You know, I wouldn’t have gone there if
I’d known that. To make matters worse, the theme of the lecture was sci-fi novels. I’m not that into
sci-fi, so I wasn’t interested in the talk right from the start. But Lisa is crazy about sci-fi novels, so
she was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. I thought it would make her
embarrassed if I left right away. So I said nothing but kept listening to it.

During the whole lecture, the teacher’s words just went in one ear and out the other. I was so
bored out of my mind without my cellphone, I yawned and almost fell asleep.

Honestly, if I could’ve used my cellphone, I might have read some interesting online novels
secretly. I know that wouldn’t have been ideal, but it was at least better than closing my eyes
Since then, whenever I go to listen to a lecture, I make sure I’m really interested in the topic,
otherwise, it’ll be a waste of time. Plus, I’ve never gone to Lisa’s college for a lecture again
because I really don’t like their no-cellphone rule in class.

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Part 3:

1. How do young and old people use mobile phones differently?

I think old people usually use their mobile phones for support. You know, if they need an
answer about something, they’ll look it up on their phone. If they use it for social purposes,
they tend to prefer phone calls. I don’t know many old people who text often. But young
people use their phones mostly for socializing. They text or use social media. They also use it as
their main way of taking photos.

2. What positive and negative impact do mobile phones have on friendship?

Well, the first positive impact I can think of is that it keeps people connected. Even if they’re
separated by distance, or if they’re in different time zones, friends can still talk to each other by
chatting on their mobile phones. They can text or use different kinds of social media. A negative
impact is that they might depend too much on online interaction and forget to prioritize seeing
each other in person. I think that hanging out together in person is still important and shouldn’t
be neglected.

3. Is it a waste of time to take pictures with mobile phones?

No, I don’t think it’s a waste of time at all. Most people take photos with their mobile phones.
They don’t use traditional cameras as often. A lot of people my age don’t even own those kinds
of cameras. I guess that the downside is that when you take photos on your mobile phone,
they’re not of the highest quality. Unless you have a fancy phone, the pictures might not be
good to save or print.

4. Do you think it is necessary to have laws on the use of mobile phones?

No, I don’t think that’s necessary. I get that some laws could be useful in preventing illegal
activities. But I don’t think that regulating the use of mobile phones is necessarily going to solve
that. That’s a huge invasion of people’s privacy, and I think it’s better to just make the
punishment for cybercrimes more severe in order to prevent those kinds of activities. I just
don’t think that laws on the use of mobile phones would go over very well.

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5. On what occasion do you think a cellphone is necessary?

Well, a cellphone is most useful when you need to get in touch with someone. So if you have to
make a call or send a message, a cellphone is definitely a must. Cellphones are especially
helpful if you’re out and about but you still want to talk to someone. Like when you are
shopping for groceries but want to check with your family if they want you to pick up
something for them, you need a cellphone, right? You can’t exactly bring a landline phone with
you while you’re shopping. I’m glad we have cell phones available to us.

6. What do you think about people talking loudly on their phones?

Well, it’s really rude when people talk loudly on then phones. It always happens in small,
crowded spaces, like on the subway. I think it’s really inconsiderate to the other passengers. No
one likes noise pollution. I understand that sometimes you might get into a heated
conversation while you’re out in public, and you might raise your voice because of it. But you
need to be respectful of the people around you and try to keep it down.

7. Is there anyone who can live without cell phones?

I think it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have a cellphone. But it’s definitely possible to live
without one. There are a lot of people who don’t have a need for them. They tend to be older
people who don’t need to stay in contact with others all the time, especially when they're
retired and their kids are around. They’re happy to just focus on their own lives and they don’t
feel the need to have a cellphone with them at all times. Honestly, that sounds pretty peaceful.

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Topic: Markets

Part 2: Describe a time you bought something from a street (or outdoor) market
You should say:
• When it was
• Where the market was
• What you bought
• And how you felt about it

When it comes to a street market I’ve been to, the first one that comes to mind is definitely the
one near a flower farm that I happened to pass by. During the Labor Day holidays in May, there
was a flower exhibition of tulips held at a flower farm around my neighbourhood. I had never
been to a flower farm before. So on a sunny day, my boyfriend and I decided to go there.

I really had a good time touring the flower farm that afternoon. On our way back, we saw a
street market that was packed with people. The food vendors lined their stalls along the two
sides of the street. It seemed there were all kinds of authentic foods and snacks. Since we were
starving, my boyfriend and I dropped by the market and decided to try some food there.

If I hadn’t been trying not to overeat, we would have tried all the stalls on the street that day.
Everything there tasted good. The one that knocked our socks off was the baked potatoes. They
bake the potatoes really soft and put a lot of cheese, pulled pork and even maple syrup on
them. My mouth waters just thinking about it. I never knew potatoes could taste so heavenly.

Anyway, I haven't experienced this feeling of walking down the sheet and enjoying all kinds of
food in years. So I really had a blast that night. If I have a chance later, I will definitely revisit
that market.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of markets are there in your country?

We have some street markets, which are always really fun to visit and usually feature local
specialties. Then we have grocery stores and other types of supermarkets where people do
most of their grocery shopping. Many people prefer street markets because you can see more
unique products. The food there is also way fresher than it would be at a supermarket. I think
that’s a definite plus. I hope street markets never go out of fashion.

2. Do you think small markets will disappear in the future?

No, I don’t think so. There’s a certain charm to small markets that really attracts people. You can
usually find lots of local specialties. For example, I saw a street vendor who had pastries shaped like
different kinds of fish. I mean, what kind of supermarket is going to offer that. Plus, food at small
markets is typically a lot fresher than in bigger ones. So that’s also a really great bonus.

3. Have people’s shopping habits changed in recent years?

Yes, I suppose that people’s shopping habits have changed a lot in recent years. More and more
people shop for things online instead of in-person, especially since the start of the pandemic.
Shopping online is more convenient than shopping in person, and is also a great option for
people who do not own a car. Plus, I think people’s shopping habits have also become lusher, as
everyone seems to be too busy to shop around or spend lots of time in a mall.

4. What are the differences between shopping in street markets and big shopping malls?

Shopping in street markets means you can actually speak with the person who made the item
that you are buying, which gives it a personal touch. Shopping in malls is less personal, but
often you can find more sales and better deals than you would find at a street market since big
companies have sales more often than individual vendors. That being said, sometimes you can
haggle at a street market to get a better price, which you can’t do at a mall.

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5. What are the advantages of shopping at street markets?

Well, one big advantage is that you can find unique products. Street markets often have a
variety of really cool, one-of-a-kind items that you couldn’t find in a chain store. Another
advantage is that stores have fixed prices, but vendors will often let you negotiate for the price.
That way, you can get a really good deal on whatever catches your eye.

6. What are the benefits of shopping alone and shopping with others? Which way is better?

When you shop by yourself, you can focus on what you want without worrying about other
people’s opinions. You also don’t have to go to other stores or even sections of a store that you
aren’t interested in. But a disadvantage is that you might actually want someone else’s input on
what you buy. So that’s where shopping in a group comes in handy. I think the best way is to
shop with others so you can get a second opinion before you buy something, especially if it’s
expensive.

7. Do you think street markets have gradually become tourist attractions? If so, do they still
have the value and meaning of existence?

I suppose that there’s definitely been a trend of street markets becoming tourist attractions. It
can be annoying for locals since something they’ve enjoyed all their lives is slowly becoming
more of a hot spot than a genuine experience. However, I don’t think that tourists diminish the
significance of street markets. It just makes it cooler because more people can participate in the
market and add to all the cultural diversity that’s usually there already.

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Topic: Health

Part 2: Describe an article on health you read in a magazine or on the


Internet You should say:
• What it was
• Where you read it
• Why you read it
• And how you felt about it

I’m going to talk about an article about health I got from my friend. He forwarded the article to
Wechat moments about two weeks ago.

It mainly talks about the benefits of sunbathing and the protective measures against sunburn
that should be paid attention to. It is said that taking in the sun at a beach can increase people’s
dopamine levels, which makes them happy and relaxed and reduces anxiety. Plus, sunlight
helps us generate vitamin D, which is essential to our health. The article also contains some tips
for protection from sunlight, like wearing dark colors and putting on a lot of sunscreens. Plus, it
gives the best length of time for sunbathing.

I think this article is convincing because I do believe sunbathing can really increase people’s
dopamine levels. Last year when I visited my friend’s hometown, she took me to sunbathe at a
famous beach. We sunbathed there for half an hour. That’s the most joyful half an hour I’ve
ever had. When I was lying there and soaking up the sun, I could feel the soft sea breeze and
even enjoyed the sparkling sun on the water, which was fantastic.

So after I read it, I forwarded it to my social media account the same as my friend did. I hope
more people can read it to know it’s well to sunbathe. And if I have the chance to spend my
vacation by the sea, I’ll definitely sunbathe again.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think people are healthier now than in the past?

No, I don’t think people are healthier now. In the past, it was a lot more common for people to
do manual labor. They were naturally fit because they had to do a lot of physical work. There
also wasn’t as much processed food as there is now. Presently, I think there are definitely a lot
of people who try to get fit. But in general, we’re pretty unhealthy compared to previous
generations. We aren’t as physically active and we indulge a lot more in fast food.

2. How can you tell whether a website is reliable or not?

I think one obvious way to tell is by looking at the design. Most reliable websites will look pleasing
to the eye. They’ll have that professional look to them. You can tell that they were made by a real
company instead of some random person on the internet. You can also use a search engine to read
about other people’s experiences with that website to see if it’s the real deal.

3. What activities can school organize for children to keep fit?

Schools can organize lots of different activities for children, including school sports teams,
marathons, sporting events, and mandatory daily physical activity. Specifically, schools should
have lots of sports teams that students can join. And everyone in the school has to participate
in daily physical activity by going for a walk, playing tag, or skipping. Plus, students should be
taught about the importance of physical activity in health classes, so they could be encouraged
to stay fit.

4. What can governments do to improve people’s health?

Governments can do lots of things to improve people’s health, and they should. Healthier
citizens are better for everyone in the country overall. First of all, healthcare should be free,
and this includes extended health care such as psychiatric care, vision, and dental.
Governments should also focus on the food people are eating. They can encourage people to
eat healthy foods by regulating the prices of those products. They can implement local fanners’
markets so that people can buy produce and eat healthily.

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5. How do people usually keep healthy?

I suppose that people typically stay healthy by sticking to a good diet and having a regular
exercise routine. It’s important to watch what you eat. You don’t have to starve yourself, but
you should choose foods that aren’t high in sugar or fat. It’s also important to exercise a lot. If
you can manage a daily routine, that’ll definitely help keep you in shape. Plus, it’ll really benefit
your mental health as well.

6. Is it difficult for people to stay healthy nowadays?

Yeah, it can be challenging for people to stay healthy nowadays. Honestly, a lot of it comes
down to time management. So many people are tied up with work or study. They don’t have
enough time to exercise regularly. They might not even be able to cook healthy meals for
themselves. It’s really easy to let yourself go because you’re so busy with other things. Health
just isn’t as much of a priority.

7. In what ways can we get health-related knowledge?

I think schools play a big part in educating us about health. Most elementary and high schools
have health classes in their curriculum. So from a young age, kids learn about how to keep
healthy and what factors are involved in that. But after school, you can still stay up to date with
health-related knowledge. There are lots of great online resources, and you can subscribe to
health-focused magazines as well.

8. Should individuals and the government take responsibility for the healthcare system
together?

It seems to me that the government is definitely more responsible for the healthcare system.
The government has all the resources at its disposal, so there isn’t much that an individual can
do to change the healthcare system or make necessary improvements. That being said, I think
that as individuals, we should try to maintain our health so we don’t put too much pressure on
the healthcare system by getting sick a lot.

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Topic: Equipment

Part 2: Describe a piece of equipment that is important/useful in your home


You should say:
• What it is
• How often you use it
• With whom you use it
• And explain why it is important

I’d like to talk about a funky home karaoke machine my family really loves to use. If memory
serves correctly, last August, I happened to watch a livestream show hosted by a famous live-
streamer whose name is Li Jiaqi. He was selling a karaoke machine in the livestream. Since I
couldn’t go to a karaoke bar dining the lockdown, I thought it would be wonderful if I could sing
karaoke at home, so I bought the one he was selling without hesitation.

It is a very useful and practical device for those who love singing. It has a touch-screen where
you can just pick and tap the songs you want to sing. And it also can connect to your TV through
an HDMI cable or even WIFI. Then you are ready to throw a karaoke party at home. Plus, the
sound quality really blew my mind. I feel like a professional singer when my sound goes out
from it. What's better, it even has a colorful LED lighting system which is a must-have for a cool
karaoke room.

Since we bought it, having a karaoke party has become the most popular fun event in our
family. My dad is totally obsessed with it and he claims to be the karaoke king, in fact, since the
pandemic, we haven’t been to a karaoke bar. This home karaoke machine brings a lot of
convenience to our lives. So, even though it was a little pricy, over a thousand Yuan, I think it’s
totally worth it.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of machines are there in people’s homes?/What kinds of machines are there in
people’s homes?

People have all kinds of gadgets nowadays. Some people really love smart appliances. They have
personal digital assistants, or they have smart machines like robot vacuums or smart lightbulbs.
Some people don’t trust these new kinds of technologies, but I think they’re really cool. A lot of
modem tech makes people’s lives a breeze, especially since it makes their homes more
comfortable. So I think it’s great that they’ve become integrated into people’s everyday lives.

2. What are the differences between the young and the old in their attitudes towards
machines?/What's the difference between young people and old people using machines?

I think young people are a lot more comfortable with using machines. I mean, a lot of them
grew up with smart devices in their homes. They aren’t freaked out by things like robot
vacuums. They’re usually pretty adept with them. Old people might not be as great at using
machines because it’s really new technology to them. Or they might even be suspicious of
them. It’s definitely a generational thing.

3. What kinds of professions require people to use machines?/ What jobs use machines?

It’s hard to think of a job that doesn’t involve some type of machine. The ones that come to
mind are any jobs in construction. I mean, most people have come across a construction site
full of huge machines like cranes and bulldozers. Factories also use a ton of machines. People
might not operate them directly, though. A lot are actually automatic. They have all kinds of
machines that help create a certain product.

4. Will many people’s work be done by robots in the future? /Will many people’s work be
done by robots in the future?

Well, some people’s jobs have already been replaced by machines, in factories, people used to do a
lot of the work of manufacturing by hand. But now there are machines that can handle all that work
for them. But I think there are some jobs that will never be replaced by a machine. For

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example, jobs in the arts can’t easily be done by robots. Teachers and doctors cannot be
replaced by machines either, since their work requires subjective judgment.

5. Is the use of machines good or bad for young people?

I think it depends on what they’re using them for, and how often they’re using them. There’s no
tiling automatically wrong with using a smart device like a robot vacuum. But you shouldn’t let
it make you lazy. The problem with some machines is that they make you too dependent on
technology. Young people should just moderate their use of machines and make sure it’s not
making them disappointingly lazy. They should still value hard work.

6. What kinds of machines do you often use?

I don’t have that much fancy technology. The machine I use the most is probably the most
common one: a computer. I’ve had my laptop since I was in high school and it still works great.
My family does have a couple of smart devices. We have a robot vacuum that makes cleaning
the house a breeze. I love busting it out to show my friends when they’re over. It might seem
lame to show oft" a vacuum to your friends, but they all find it really fascinating.

7. Do old people and young people like to use the same kind of machine?

No, I don’t think old people and young people like using the same kind of machine. Old people
gravitate toward more practical machines. They like things like desktop computers and printers
because those are more traditional types of technology, in contrast, I think young people like
using machines that are more personalized to them and up to date. They like trying new things
like the PlayStation 5, VR headsets, drones, or other interesting machines. But cutting-edge
technology is normally too much for old people to handle.

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Topic: Law

Part 2: Describe a law on environmental protection your country should have


You should say:
• What it is
• How you first learned about it
• Who benefits from it
• And explain how you feel about this law

I think one of the environmental laws that ow city (or our country) urgently needs to put in
place is banning barbeques by rivers or lakes. And violators should be punished.

I say this because of a heavily polluted river near my grandmother's house. I visit my grandma
by bus every two weeks. There’s a river that the bus must pass on the route, and it bothers me
every time the bus gets close to it, especially dining the summer. There are always tons of
people having a barbeque by the river. They seem like they’re having a blast, but I’ve seen a ton
of ashes, used tissues, and plastic bags everywhere on the riverbank, in recent years, I’ve seen
garbage floating on the water all the time. And when the windows on the bus are open in the
summer, I can even smell the stink caused by all the garbage, which really sets me off.

However, I haven’t seen any action from the government to deal with the pollution. Honestly,
the problem of environmental pollution goes beyond just affecting our mood. It also threatens
people’s health and safety. So I think it is time that the government makes a strict law to
prevent water pollution. Just like the drunk driving law in our country severe punishment can
be effective in changing people’s behavior. If the government could have the grit to work hard
on it, I believe the river will be restored to clean water and may even have thriving plants
alongside the riverbank.

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Part 3:

1. Are there laws about education in your country?

Yes, there are some laws about education in China. One major law is that all children need to
have six years of primary education, usually starting when they turn seven, and then three
years of junior middle school. After that, you have three years of senior middle school. That
makes sure that every child receives a good education, which I think is really important. There
are some other laws, depending on which province you’re in.

2. What kinds of rules do schools in your country have?

Well, in general, there’s a rule about what you wear. Students have to have a school uniform.
Other than that, there are some rules about student conduct. All students must attend class on
time, they must complete then- homework, and bullying is strictly prohibited. Teachers have to
follow rules as well; they have to be respectful of their students, inclusive, and they have to
maintain a high quality of education through training and research.

3. What can teachers do to make students obey rules?

I think teachers can explain the importance of the rules. If you know why a rule is in place, it
might make you more willing to follow that rule. For example, teachers can talk about the dress
code and how it helps students feel united as a school. That might make them more accepting
of their uniforms. They can also clearly identify what punishments will occur if students break
the rules.

4. What should parents do to educate children about laws?

Parents should start educating children about laws from a very young age. Kids from the age of
about three or four should be taught that stealing is wrong, cheating is wrong, and hurting
other people is wrong. I think that while children can’t always understand everything about
laws, they can understand the difference between right and wrong, so parents should start
teaching them these important things as early as possible.

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5. Do you think it is important to make rules?

Yes, I definitely think it’s important to make rules. Without rules, you can end up with a lot of
chaos. If people can do whatever they want, they might end up doing really harmful things. So
it’s important to create rules. That way, there’s order and structure. If everyone’s on the same
page about what is and isn’t allowed, things will go more smoothly. Ultimately, it’s best for
everyone involved.

6. What are the common rules at work?

There are usually some rules around etiquette. You need to be respectful of your boss and your
coworkers. You can’t use certain language or be inappropriate. Sometimes there’s a dress code,
which means you might have to dress business casual or something like that. Other lilies are
about what you can and can’t do on company time. For example, most workplaces have lilies
against handling personal business while you’re on the clock.

7. Is it important to have the rule of what to wear at work?

I think it’s somewhat important. Firstly, uniforms for different jobs are intended for
identification. For example, when you are in a hospital, you can easily distinguish the nurses
and doctors with just a glance at what they wear. Plus, a workplace should be professional. That
might mean different things to different companies. But you want to present a unified front to
any customers or clients. So if you all dress in a certain way, it conveys to others that you’re a
well-oiled machine and you care about putting your best foot forward.

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Topic: Activities on the beach

Part 2: Describe a leisure activity near/on the sea that you want to try
You should say:
• What it is
• What you need to prepare
• How easy or difficult it is
• And explain why you want to try it

As an inlander, I don't actually get the chance to go to the beach very often. And I’ve never
been a big fan of intense physical activities. So speaking of a leisure activity by the sea, I would
definitely say sunbathing is my top choice.

I used to just sit on the beach and enjoy the nice view of the sea. So I had never tried to really
sunbathe. But I read an article about sunbathing before. The proper way to do it is to change into
your bathing suit and put on a lot of sunscreens. The best time for sunbathing is between 9 and 10
in the morning. You can find a perfect spot for laying down. And then you sunbathe there for half an
hour tops. You might get a sunburn if you expose your skin to the sun for too long.

Anyway, sunbathing has tons of health benefits. It can definitely help you kick back and relax. It
is said that taking in the sun can increase people’s dopamine levels, which makes them happy
and relaxed and reduces anxiety. Plus, sunlight helps us generate vitamin D, which is essential
to our health.

So if I have the chance to spend my vacation by the sea, I’ll definitely go sunbathing. Actually,
there’s a coastal city, Weihai, near my hometown. It is located in the easternmost part of
Shandong province. It has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the sea on three
sides. I think I’ll go sunbathing at a beach there.

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Part 3:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of vacations to the seaside?

I think one obvious advantage is the scenery. Not many people live by the sea, so going to a seaside
town is a huge novelty. It’s amazing to walk around and smell the ocean, or to go relax at a beach.
Another advantage is the new kinds of food that you can try. Seaside towns might have unique
culinary specialties. A disadvantage would be the crowds. Since a lot of people want to vacation in
seaside towns, people might be overwhelmed by the high number of other tourists.

2. Why do people like spending time on the sea?

People like spending time on the sea because it is relaxing. I know a lot of people who plan their
vacations specifically so that they can visit the sea. For some people, they like the sea because
of all the different activities they can do, such as surfing, scuba diving, swimming, and sailing.
Plus, Seeing the gorgeous water and enjoying the bright sun is definitely an experience worth
having. The sea is an excellent place to connect with nature and to see something different that
you wouldn’t see every day.

3. Why do children like the sea better than adults?

I think it’s because they don’t realize the high risks that come with the sea. For example, when
they go swimming, they just focus on having a good time. They don’t think about whether there
are any animals in the sea that could sting or hurt them. If they’re on a boat, they just like
looking at the view. Unlike adults, they don’t think about the risk of drowning in a storm.

4. What types of job positions can be found on or near the sea?

The first one that conies to mind are a job in the fishing industry. A lot of people are employed
on fishing boats, so they basically spend all day at sea. It’s a really physically demanding job.
Another job would be a boat captain. In island countries, a lot of people have their own boats
that they use to take tourists snorkeling or scuba-diving. Similarly, you could work in tourism if
you live in a seaside town.

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5. Which group of people likes going to the seaside more, young people or old people?

I think young people like going to the seaside more. Old people still enjoy going there to relax
and enjoy the scenery. But young people get more of a kick out of it. They’ll usually go
swimming in the water if they can. They also check out tourist spots and do lots of activities by
the sea. Compared with young people, there isn’t a lot that seniors can do when they go to
those kinds of places because of a lack of stamina.

6. What are the health benefits of seaside activities?

Well, one benefit is that it can decrease your stress, which is better for your physical health.
You can also get fresh air when you go to the seaside, which often helps you sleep better at
night. More sleep helps you function better and can improve your health. Another good thing is
getting a lot of Vitamin D. When you spend the day sunbathing at the beach, your body gets
lots of revitalization.

7. What are the effects of global warming on marine life?

There are a lot of horrible effects of global warming when it comes to marine life. One big issue
is the rising ocean temperatures. Lots of coral reefs have died because the ocean is too hot.
Plus, the rising temperatures lead to acidification, which kills a lot of sea life. That affects all
kinds of species because it decreases their food supply and throws the ecosystem out of
balance. It’s a true shame.

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Topic: Companies

Part 2: Describe a company that employs a lot of people


You should say:
• What it does
• How many people it employs
• What kind of people work there
• How you feel about it

The company I’d like to talk about is ByteDance. It’s the parent company that developed TikTok,
which is a trendy video-sharing social network in our country.

About two weeks ago, one of my friends forwarded a news report about Chinese enterprises to
his WeChat moments. It said that ByteDance has almost more employees than Alibaba, the
most famous E-commerce company. Even their HR team has more than 2000 workers and the
total number of employees is over 10 thousand.

I think they keep hiring because they're trying to expand their business at a very fast pace. For
example, Tiktok is not just a video-sharing platform. Not long ago, I watched a video about an
80-year-old lady doing paper-cutting art on TikTok. The senior lady’s paper-cutting artworks are
amazing. She cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories. She even bound them
into a book form, which is very creative. Just at the bottom of the screen, you can see a link that
leads you to a shopping page where you can actually buy merch made by this lady. You can also
pay for a paper-cutting course that she hosts. So the app has dipped its toe into online
shopping, online education and many other services on the internet.

As far as I know, ByteDance is also recruiting and setting up branches in other countries, and
their apps, especially Tiktok, are very popular in foreign countries. I really admire that they
never rest on their laurels, but instead, keep innovating new products.

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Part 3:

1. Should big companies be punished more seriously if they break the law?

Yes, I think so. Big companies have a lot more responsibility. They also have a huge influence on
the public and the environment. So if they do things that jeopardize either their customers or
their surroundings, they need to be held accountable. Plus, we can be stricter with big
companies because they have so much power. They also have a ton of money at their disposal,
so they can handle paving bigger fines.

2. Should big companies donate more to charities?

Yes, it would be great if big companies donated to more charities. Most of them are multi-
billion dollars corporations, so they really have no excuse for not helping out where they can.
Sometimes companies just say they support different charities, but they don’t put their money
where their mouth is. I think that type of approach is really shallow. It’s much better for
companies to actually make big donations.

3. What are the good things about working for a big company?

Well, one good thing about working for a big company is the benefits. Big companies can afford
to give their employees a fair salary, as well as health benefits. They can even give you paid
vacation days. Another nice thing is that big companies usually have good connections with
other companies. Depending on where your position is, you can sometimes get good discounts
at stores that are associated with the company you work for.

4. What are the differences between big companies and small companies?

Big companies are usually profit-oriented. I mean, all companies want to make money. They
need to in order to keep afloat. But big companies tend to be more driven by consumers. Their
focus isn’t always on providing the best service, but rather getting the most amount of money.
Small companies are more focused on customer service since customer relations is really what
makes or breaks them. So you’re more likely to have a nicer, friendlier interaction when dealing
with a small company.

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5. Is it easy for young people to find jobs nowadays?

Well, it can be a challenge for young people to find jobs nowadays. The economy has gone
through a lot of tough changes, and I think that’s made it difficult for young people to establish
their careers. It can be really hard to find a well-paying job, let alone one that you’re passionate
about. So I don’t think it’s a walk in the park to find good employment nowadays.

6. Which is more important to people who are looking for jobs, personal interest or salary?

I suppose that salary is usually more important. I don’t want to say that money talks, but it
certainly affects people’s career choices. Even if someone is comfortable financially, saving up
might be the most important thing to them, so they’ll choose a high salary over their passion.
Some might need a high salary just to get by, so they focus on that out of necessity. Of course,
there are people who care more about being fulfilled by their jobs, so they choose something
they’re interested in. But I think that kind of person is rare life is inseparable from money. So I
don’t think everyone has the privilege of choosing passion over salary.

7. Why do some people choose to find a job right after high school? Is it easier to get a job
after high school or after college?

It seems to me that some people choose to find a job right after high school because they’re
not interested in going to college or university. There are lots of jobs that don’t require a
postsecondary degree. So someone might want to do that instead of continuing with school. I
think it’s easier to get a job after college though because having a degree gives you more
options. It typically allows you to have a more developed career.

8. Do all good jobs pay well?

No, unfortunately not every good job has good pay. If you work for a non-profit organization,
you’re probably contributing to a great cause. But since it’s literally not based around profit,
chances are that the company won’t be giving you a big paycheck. Besides, in China, public
servants and teachers are not high-paying jobs, even though they are respected professions.
Those kinds of jobs are ideal for many because of their stable salary and good pension, but you
can't expect to make a lot of money from careers ill the public service sector.

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9. Why do some people like to start a business instead of working for a company?

I guess it’s because some people are really self-motivated and want to do their own thing. They
want to be their own boss rather than answering to someone else. I think that requires a lot of
drive and ambition, but it’s definitely not impossible. I respect people who know what they
want and do what they can to make their dreams come true. You definitely have a lot more
freedom when you have your own business.

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Topic: Buildings

Part 2: Describe a tall building in your city you like or dislike


You should say:
• Where it is
• What it is used for
• What it looks like
• And explain why you like or dislike it

Well, there are tons of tall buildings in the city where I live. Speaking of a building I hate, I do
have an answer; it’s a high-rise building across the street from the residential building where
my home is.

It’s an all-glass commercial building about 30 to 40 stories tall. It was just built two years ago. At the
very beginning, I was actually happy and enjoyed seeing it because the shiny exterior is really
pleasing to the eye. But after a short while, I found a serious problem caused by it. It turns out that
on every sunny day, when the sun sets west in the afternoon, some of the glass from the building
reflects the sunlight right into my apartment. Imagine having a spotlight shooting a glare onto your
home. I have to draw the curtains when that happens in the afternoon because the glaring light
nearly blinds me and heats up the room, but I shouldn’t have to deal with this at all.

I tried to contact the property management of this building, but they refuse to admit the
problem. Instead, they shift the blame by saying that they weren’t in charge of the construction
or the design. I’m so pissed off but there’s nothing I can do, which is why I started to hate the
building. I bet if someone else was in my situation, they would have been driven crazy by it the
same as me.

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Part 3:

1. What are the disadvantages of living in tall buildings?

The first one that comes to mind is having to take the elevator or the stairs all the time. When
you live at ground level, you can just walk into your house. But in tall buildings, there’s always
an extra step you have to take. That also makes it really hard to move big objects, like couches
or chairs, into your apartment. When you live in a tall building, you also don’t have a nice
backyard or much private space.

2. Do you think there will be more tall buildings in the future?

Yes, I think there are going to be a lot of tall buildings in the future. Cities are already getting
pretty crowded, so the most practical option is to construct tall buildings. They fit way more
people and take up less space than houses do. However, that might mean that housing gets
increasingly pricey. I really hope we can find alternatives, but right now, apartments make the
most sense to address housing needs in major cities.

3. Why aren’t there many tall buildings in the countryside?

I think it’s because tall buildings are really more designed for urban spaces, in the countryside,
you have room to spread out and build more individual houses rather than apartment
complexes. Plus, people go to the countryside to enjoy the views. Those views wouldn’t be so
great if there were a ton of tall buildings in the way. You don’t get a nice, natural skyline when
you have a bunch of tall buildings.

4. Why do some people like to live in tall buildings nowadays?

I suppose that it’s partly because of the convenience. It’s fine that living in a tall building means
you don’t get a backyard or a ton of space. But some people prefer that, because it means they
don’t have to worry about upkeep or maintenance. For example, they don’t have to shovel the
yard in the winter, which is nice. Buying an apartment can also be cheaper and more accessible
than paying for a house. Plus, tall buildings always give you a great view.

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5. Some people live in houses they design by themselves, what do you think about it?

Well, it’s really cool that people can design their own houses. It gives them all the control over
their house, which is perfect because they’re the ones who are going to enjoy it for a long time.
So it’s important that they can design it to be exactly what they need. There are probably some
cases where people should’ve hired a professional to check their design over before committing
to it. But I think that it’s awesome for the most part.

6. Does climate affect building design?

Yes, definitely. I suppose that the climate plays a big role in how a building is designed. If a
building is being constructed in a really hot and sunny place, you might not want to have glass
on the exterior because it’ll let all the heat come in and it’ll be way too reflective. It might end
up being a total eyesore. So you need to think about the environment that the building is going
to be in while designing it.

7. Is it difficult to be an architect?

Yes, I would say that being an architect is difficult. I mean, you aren’t just doodling what you
think a cool building would look like. You have to know enough about design and engineering to
create a realistic plan for the building. In most cases, it not only has to be functional, but it has
to look pleasing to the eye as well. It’s really hard to strike that balance.

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Topic: Sharing

Part 2: Describe a time when you shared something with others (or another person)
You should say:
• What you shared
• Who you shared it with
• Why you shared it
• And explain how you felt about sharing it

I'd like to talk about a time when I shared food with my friends. During the Labor Day holidays
in September, there was a flower exhibition of tulips held at a flower farm around my
neighbourhood. I had never been to a flower farm before. So on a sunny day, I went there with
four of my friends for a tour.

On our way back home, we came across a snack market that was packed with people. It
seemed there were all kinds of authentic foods and snacks. Since we were starving, we dropped
by the market and decided to try some food there.

We're all foodies, so we were eager to try every stall. But it was late, and we didn’t have much
time to tour around the street. So we decided to split up and each of us went to buy a few kinds
of food that we like. Then we gathered together to share the food and snacks. It turned out to
be a great idea. We tried almost all the signature foods on that street in less than half an hour.
Everything there tasted heavenly. The baked potatoes I bought were especially good and we
ate all of them.

Anyway, I really had a blast that night. I love the feeling of having food with others. It gives me
extra happiness when I share the food I like with others and see them enjoy it. I guess that's
why sharing always brings happiness.

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Part 3:

1. Do people in your country like to share things with others?

There is a saying that: “Sharing is caring”. Vietnamese people believe that sharing would
enhance long-lasting relationships with other people. The enjoyment and endearing feeling of
some milestones in our lives will be more valuable and memorable when we experience them
with somebody by our side.

2. What are the consequences if children don’t like to share?

I think that if children don’t like sharing, they might turn out to be really selfish and entitled.
They might glow up to think that everything belongs to them and they don’t need to consider
other people. Honestly, that sounds like a pretty bad turnout. So I think that children should
learn about how important sharing is. They should be able to support others and be willing to
share things with them.

3. How do you feel about sharing accommodation with others on campus?

I shared accommodation with others on campus throughout my four years of university, and
although there were some problems, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Sharing accommodation saves you money, and it ensures that someone is always around to talk
or just hang out. There can be problems, especially if you and your roommate don’t get along,
but overall it can be a really great experience. Honestly, staying in a student apartment where
we each have our own rooms would be great. It’s important for people to have some private
space.

4. How could parents and teachers teach young children to share?

I think they should teach young children how to share by explaining the importance of sharing.
They should explain that it’s about respecting and including others. They can also demonstrate
how to share through everyday examples. For instance, a parent could share some food with
their spouse. Or a teacher could share a school toy with the class. Another good way would be

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positive reinforcement. When they see a child sharing, they should give them lots of
encouragement and praise.

5. Do you like to share?

Ill general, I do like to share. I have siblings, so I’ve pretty much had to share all my life. It’s
made sharing second nature. So I like sharing clothes and books with my friends. I basically
offer anything I think they’ll enjoy. I think sharing is a great way to show someone that you care
about them, and also to avoid buying something that you only need to use once.

6. What are the things children usually don’t like to share?

Children usually don’t like sharing their toys. For most kids, their toys are their most prized
possessions. Giving away a toy, even if it’s just to share for a little bit, can be very stressful for
them. They don’t want to risk the toy getting damaged or lost. So they usually hang on to their
toys and refuse to share them with other kids. I think it makes sense, but it’s still good to
encourage them to share.

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a team?

One advantage is that you have a lot of people to bounce ideas off of. If you’re stuck on a
challenge, you can lean on your team members to find the solution. It not only teaches you how
to socialize better, but it teaches you how to cooperate and collaborate with others. A
disadvantage is that a group of people will often disagree on how to approach something, so
there might be some tension when trying to find the best path forward.

8. Would people have conflicts with roommates who share the dorm with them? Do they need
to make dorm rules?

Yeah, I think it’s fairly common for people to have conflicts with their roommates. Even if they
get along well, sometimes a situation will come up that causes some type of disagreement. So I
suppose that having a set of ground rules can really help when those situations happen. It
makes sure that the roommates have clear communication about their expectations and can
prevent misunderstandings or more serious conflicts in the future.

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9. What are the things people usually don’t share?

People usually don’t share things that they use for hygiene. For example, you wouldn’t want to
share your toothbrush with someone, even if they were a close friend. You probably wouldn’t
share bath towels either. People also hesitate to share expensive personal items, like
computers or cell phones. Since they cost a lot of money, you don’t want to lend them to
people in case they get lost or damaged.

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Topic: Local news

Part 2: Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in


You should say:
• What it was about
• Where you saw/heard it
• Who was involved
• And explain why people were interested in it

I’m going to talk about a piece of news I got from my friend. He forwarded the news to Wechat
moments about two weeks ago. It was an announcement posted by the city about building a
new bicycle lane. Since I have a great liking for cycling, I read the article really carefully.

It said that the new bike lane would be built in the newly developed Fuxin district. Actually,
since I have a friend who moved to the district last year. I’ve visited him and toured the area
several times. It’s about an hour’s drive from my home. It has a really good location because it’s
next to a beautiful river in our city, and there are many terrific attractions nearby.

Anyway, the long bike path will be built alongside the beautiful liver. According to the news
report, the building of it will be completed next spring. I think this is terrific news for all of the
residents in our city. Just thinking about it, you can breathe in fresh air and enjoy the sparkling
sun on the water while riding, which would be fantastic. And when you get tired, you can just
sit on the lawn nearby and enjoy soaking up the sun. It’ll definitely be an excellent place to kick
back and relax.

I read the comments under the news and everyone was happy about it. Apparently, we’re all
looking forward to seeing our city become more people-friendly.

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Part 3:

1. Do people read newspapers where you live?

Yes, a lot of people still read the newspaper where I live. It might seem a little bit old-fashioned,
depending on your age, but I think it’s kind of sweet. And newspapers are sometimes more
reliable than other media sources, especially online ones. Plus, I live in a small city. So there are
lots of human-interest stories. I think it’s nice to read articles about the community you’re a
part of.

2. Do people prefer local or international news?

I suppose that lots of people prefer local news. I mean, there are definitely people who care
about international issues and want to know what’s going on in other countries. But as far as
I’ve seen, a lot of people prefer local news because it affects them more directly. They’re
invested in their community, so they want to know what’s going on around them. I think that’s
a pretty valid perspective.

3. Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?

Well, yes and no. On the one hand, it’s really important to have a national identity because it
can help unite a country. People can have all kinds of political perspectives, beliefs, and cultural
backgrounds within a single country. So if there’s some way for them to feel connected to their
community by sharing a national identity, that can make them closer to each other. But I also
don’t think it’s super important because people should be able to have differences without
having to conform to one identity.

4. How can people develop their national identity?

I suppose that people can develop their national identity by focusing on their country’s culture.
They can take part in different traditional customs and try to contribute to their national
identity in that way. Plus, people can try to determine what values are important to their
country. They can do that by being involved in local and national political movements. It’s
important to try to be an active and involved citizen.

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5. How do people get news now, from newspapers or the Internet? Who still reads newspapers?

I think most people get news from the internet. It’s just so much faster and more accessible.
You don’t always need a subscription to pay either. So that makes it a lot easier for people. But
there are still some people who read newspapers. It’s usually the older generation. They’re
more used to newspapers because they’re more old-fashioned. I personally think that a
combination of newspapers and the internet makes for reliable news.

6. Do people nowadays have more sense of community than people in the past?

I don’t really think so. It seems to me that nowadays people have less sense of community. For
one, generally speaking, people move more frequently than in the past. Sometimes your
neighbors are just tenants living there for a short period, or you rent an apartment temporarily
for work or school. So it’s pretty common that we are less likely to interact with neighbors,
which reduces people’s community attachment. Plus, people are more disconnected from each
other because they can get too focused on online stuff and they forget to prioritize in-person
interactions.

7. Are there more people willing to be volunteers for the community now?

Well, I think a lot of people are actually self-involved and don’t take the time to volunteer in
their community. It’s unfortunate, but it’s also a side effect of people getting busier and busier.
They get so wrapped up in work or school that they don’t have time to focus on much else. But
some people just don’t volunteer because they assume someone else will do it. Volunteering
isn’t as big of a priority as it used to be.

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Topic: Success

Part 2: Describe a time when you tried to do something but was not very successful
You should say:
• When it was
• What you tried
• Why it was not very successful
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about a time when I tiled to assemble a computer. About a year ago, when I was
playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.

I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. He said he would come over that weekend to help me build my new
computer. But I decided to try my hand at it. After all, there are tons of tutorials on the
internet, so I thought it would be easy to learn.

My uncle helped me buy lots of parts from a local computer market that day and I started doing
it by myself. I found an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer. And I tried
to install the new parts one by one according to the tutorial. But it turned out that it was way
more complicated than I thought. There were lots of lines and cables that I had no idea where
to connect. I spent the whole night trying to do it again and again but still couldn’t figure out
how to do it right.

Finally, I gave up and put all my hopes in my uncle. He actually just took half an hour to get it
done. I was grateful to him and also realized that everybody has their own strengths and
weaknesses. If it’s something I’m not good at, I should leave it to a specialist.

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Part 3:

1. What’s your definition of success?

It seems to me that success is about finding fulfillment. That could be in any area of your life.
Most people focus on success in the workplace, like having a really great career. And that might
be the way that a lot of people find fulfillment, but I think success can go deeper than that.
Success can also be about having healthy relationships and helping out others in your
community. Success shouldn’t just be about you.

2. What things do children try to succeed in?

Children mostly try to succeed in school and sports. Those are two areas of their life that tend
to encourage competition. A lot of children work hard in school because they’re conscious of
how their peers are performing. But beyond competing, they also want to do well with their
studies because it affects what kind of paths they can take. They also like succeeding in sports
because it’s a great activity for them to take part in and it can make them more popular.

3. Which do you think is more important for people to become successful? Hard work or
opportunities?

I think hard work is more important. Opportunities are great because they can help you with
your career goals. But if you get an opportunity without having a good work ethic, you’re going
to waste it. You need to work hard whether or not you have a lot of opportunities come your
way. That way, when you eventually do get a foot in the door, you’ll be able to back it up with
good work.

4. Do you think people will be happy if they don’t have any goals to achieve?

A: Yes, I suppose that people can be happy without goals. It all depends on their personality.
Some people are very easy-going and spontaneous, so they do not have any specific goals that
they are dying to achieve. As a result, they are content to just see where life takes them and
make the most out of every moment. Contrastingly, some people feel untethered or confused if
they do not have a goal, and so they try to find one.

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B: No, I don’t think so. Some people might feel more relaxed if they don’t have any goals to

achieve. But I think that over time, they’ll become unsatisfied with their lives because they have
nothing to work towards. It’s important to set goals for yourself because it gives you direction in
life. You don’t always have to achieve every goal you set, but it’s important to set goals anyways.

5. Which is more important, talent or hard work?

It seems to me that hard work is more important. Of course, it’s ideal to have both. But I think
that you could be really talented but still fail if you don’t work hard enough. It’s not enough to
be good at something. You have to be dedicated to the task, or else you won’t be able to pull
through. You can’t depend on talent alone. Having a good work ethic will do more for you than
pure talent will.

6. Does hard work guarantee success?

No, I don’t think hard work guarantees success. Honestly, success depends on a lot of factors.
Not all of them are in your control, which is a hard thing to accept. Sometimes, success comes
down to a matter of luck and circumstances lining up. That doesn’t always happen for you, no
matter how hard you might work towards a goal. Hard work definitely helps you in the long run
though.

7. When should people stick to some goals and when should they give up on them?

I suppose that people should stick to a goal if it’s important to their ultimate happiness. If
finding a significant other is really important to you, then you should pursue that, even if it gets
hard. However, you should give up on a goal when it becomes harmful to you, or if you realize
that you want something else instead. You shouldn’t just pursue something because other
people want you to do it.

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Topic: Help

Part 2: Describe a time when you helped a friend


You should say:
• When it was
• How you helped him/her
• Why you helped him/her
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about how I helped my friend lose weight. If memory serves correctly, it happened
about half a year ago. At the time, my friend Lisa was upset about failing to lose weight. She knows
that I managed to lose 10 kilograms in two months. So she asked me for help.

I sent my diet plan and recipes to Lisa, the ones that worked like a charm on me. The diet plan
contains meat, and Lisa was really satisfied with that since she could still enjoy meat dining the diet.
Plus, I told Lisa that the key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through the
workout and diet every day with her. I suggested that she could find someone in her social circle
with the same goal as her and form a team to encourage and support each other.

Lisa was totally on board with what I said. So she started a fitness team with three friends of
hers. Of course, they all used my diet plan and recipes. I remember Lisa lost 5 kilograms in a
month, and every member of the team lost weight more or less.

To express her gratitude for my help, Lisa treated me to a good dinner a month later. And she
happily told me that she shared my method with others who want to keep fit. It gave me a
sense of achievement to know that what I said was so helpful.

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Part 3:

1. How do people usually help each other?

I think that people usually help each other with small, everyday challenges. If your neighbor
needs an ingredient for a recipe or a tool for a minor repair, you can often lend it to them
without thinking twice. People might also help strangers. If they notice that they’re struggling
to reach something in the aisle of a grocery store, they can take a second and help out. I think
all those little things are helpful.

2. How is online help different from real-life help?

Online help is a bit more limited in terms of what it can accomplish. A lot of it is customer service. If
you have an issue with an online purchase or even an in-store one, you can often go to that
company’s website to find the right resources. So in that sense, online help can be something you
find yourself. You don’t always have a face-to-face connection with another person.

3. Should school be responsible for teaching students how to cooperate?

I don’t think they should bear the bulk of the responsibility to teach students cooperation. But I
do think they play a big part in that process. For example, teachers can implement
opportunities for cooperating into their lesson plans. They can assign group projects that
require students to work well together, in that way, they can help students practice
cooperation while showing them how important it is to work as a team.

4. What are the differences between help from friends and help from family?

A lot of it boils down to what you’re comfortable with accepting. For example, when people are
having a hard time with their love life, they’re more likely to turn to their friends for emotional
support and advice. It can be pretty awkward asking for dating advice from your parents. But
when people are in need of financial support, they’ll probably ask their parents. It can be
equally awkward to ask your friends for money, even if it’s just a loan.

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5. What abilities or traits are important to teamwork?

I suppose that to have effective teamwork, everyone needs to be cooperative and patient with
each other. It can be difficult for a group of people to work together, but if they’re calm and
keep their cool, they’ll be able to handle challenges as a team. Everyone has to work together
and avoid doing things their own way. They need to be open and good at communication to
make it work.

6. What are the traits of people who like to help others?

It seems to me that people who like to help others are generally kind and sociable. They aren’t
afraid to put themselves on the line as long as it’ll help someone else. That usually means that
they care more about other people than themselves. So they aren’t selfish or Hide. They’re very
considerate and always look for ways to be of assistance. I think that those traits are hard to
come by, but they’re very admirable.

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Topic: Quiet place

Part 2: Describe a quiet place you like to spend your time in


You should say:
• How you knew it
• How often you go there
• What you do there
• And explain why you like the place

Speaking of a quiet place, the first one that comes to mind is definitely a giant park which is
located in the newly developed Fuxin district of my hometown.

Since I have a friend who moved to the district last year, I’ve visited him and toured this park
several times. Actually, there haven’t been many residents moving into the new housing
developments. So every time I visited there, there were only a handful of people in the park.

The park has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. It is
enormous and there are lots of beautiful sculptures made of all kinds of plants. You can just
have a walk and appreciate the nice sculptures peacefully or sit by the lake and clear your mind
There won’t be anyone to disturb you. What’s more, there’s a long bike path that has been built
alongside the beautiful lake. I went biking there several times with my friend. Since the lanes
were so empty, you could speed up as much as you like. When we got tired, we loved to sit on
the lawn nearby and enjoyed soaking up the sun. There was no traffic or construction noise.
You could kick back and relax like you were in your own backyard.

You know, now it’s hard to seek out some silence in urban areas. So I really enjoy spending time
at the park. It’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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Part 3:

1. Is it hard to find quiet places in cities?

Yeah, I think it can be challenging to find quiet places in cities. Urban areas are usually pretty
crowded, and there’s always a lot going on. In the downtown core, you’d be hard-pressed to
find somewhere to hear your own thoughts. But some cities have natural spaces built into their
design. New York City’s Central Park is one of the most obvious examples. So it’s possible to find
quiet places if you know where to look.

2. Why is it quieter in the countryside?

The first reason is that there are fewer people in the countryside. You don’t tend to have big,
noisy crowds in rural areas. You also don’t have the sounds of traffic or construction. After all,
no one’s trying to build a big apartment complex in the countryside, so you don’t have to hear
construction crews like you do in the city. When you’re far from the hustle and bustle of a city,
most of the sounds you hear are just wildlife in their natural habitats.

3. Why do people go to a quiet place?

I think they go to quiet places to relax. If you spend too much tune in noisy and overwhelming
places, you can get stressed out really easily. So I think that it’s nice to escape somewhere quiet
and peaceful, even if it’s just a park in the city, in quiet places, you can hear your own thoughts
and just relax. That helps you from getting too overwhelmed with your work or studies.

4. Compared with young people, do old people prefer to live in quiet places?

Yes, I do think if retired seniors had the choice, tons of them would choose to live somewhere
quiet and peaceful, like in the countryside or the suburbs. As far as I know, most old people are
way more sensitive to noise and other kinds of disturbances, and some of them even have
trouble sleeping. So I think that a lot of them gravitate toward more peaceful places where they
won’t be disturbed as much.

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5. Could you give some examples of quiet places?

When I think of quiet places, I think of public libraries first. A library is a great place to enjoy
some peace and quiet. Everyone there is focused on quiet activities like reading. Besides, some
shops for people to relax can be peaceful as well, like coffee shops and tea houses. Even though
there might be some relaxing background music and low-volume conversation, people can still
have a sense of quietness and peacefulness at those places.

6. Why do some people like to do their homework while listening to music?

I suppose that music can help people focus on their homework better. Even though it sounds
like it could be distracting, music actually makes you tune out all the other distractions in your
environment. Some people get encouraged by listening to upbeat music. That makes them
more eager to finish their task, which is important when it comes to doing homework on time.
A lot of studies have shown that classical music can also help you remember things better, so
that helps with studying.

7. What are the differences between quiet places now and quiet places in the past?

In the past, there were definitely a lot of quiet places. Those places were easier to find because
cities were generally less crowded. Instead of having to find a really secluded area, you could
probably just hang out in a public park. It would be quieter because there weren’t as many
people around. Nowadays, you might have to go to a library to find some peace and quiet
because there are people everywhere and most places in cities don’t restrict people from
talking or making sounds.

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Topic: Difficult problem

Part 2: Describe a difficult thing/problem /challenge that you did well


You should say:
• What it was
• How you did/completed it
• Why (or how) it was difficult
• And explain how you felt after you did/completed it.

I’d like to talk about my experience of taking the National Judicial examination last September.
It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in China as the pass rate is only about 10%
every year. Plus, since the exam covers many different laws in China, I had to read and study
tons of law books and memorize countless legal clauses, which stressed me out during the
preparation stage.

But I had to pull myself together and take the exam until I passed, or I wouldn’t have a job in
the legal industry. So I spent about half a year preparing for it. I took lots of online classes and
studied law day in and day out. I literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be
honest, I didn’t even know I had that kind of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

Anyway, after I finished the exam, I waited about two months to get the result. That was the most
anxious and stressful period of time I’ve ever had in my life. Fortunately, it tinned out that I passed
the exam and by a lot! I was over the moon and burst into tears seeing my good score. I really felt
like all my effort paid off at that moment. You know, I'm finally qualified to be a lawyer!

So it seems that some difficult things might not be as hard as they seem. You won’t know the
result until you really try it, and if you work hard enough, your effort will pay off.

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Part 3:

1. What do children usually find difficult to do?

Children usually find it difficult to concentrate. They have a ton of energy. So they’d rather run
around and play with their friends than focus on their homework. They might even have
trouble listening in class when they’re surrounded by their friends. It’s tempting to just talk
amongst themselves instead of listening to the teacher. It can also be hard for children to
master some social skills, like sharing and communicating.

2. How do kids solve problems?

Kids often solve problems by turning to their parents for advice. If they’re stuck on a math
problem in their homework, they might ask their parents to walk them through it. Or they
might even ask the teacher for more guidance in math class. When it comes to more complex
problems, like issues in their friendships, they might work out the problem among themselves.
That helps them develop more independence. Generally speaking, it is a good idea for children
to try to solve problems on their own because that is how they can develop more resilience and
confidence.

3. How can parents guide or help their children to do things that seem difficult?

Parents can help children by providing encouragement and modeling the things that they want
their children to do. So, for example, if a child is learning to tie their shoes, parents can help
them by first showing them how to do it, then guiding them to do it on their own. Parents can
also help by showing their kids a clear step-by-step process to make the task simpler.

4. Should children face difficult problems or challenges all by themselves?

I think it is important for children to face some problems on their own so that they develop
more confidence. For example, if they get into an argument with their friend, they should try to
talk it out so they can learn to be more independent. But whenever they are faced with a very
difficult or confusing problem they should probably go to an adult for help. Serious problems
like bullying or abuse should always be dealt with by a responsible adult.

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5. Is confidence important?

Yes, I would say that confidence is important in every aspect of daily life, in order to be
successful and to take risks in life, people need to have enough confidence in themselves first.
This is true in school, work, or social environments. That being said, there is always a risk of
people developing overconfidence, which would be a problem if they start to think that they
can never do anything wrong.

6. What jobs require confidence?

I suppose that every job requires confidence, although some require more confidence than
others. Jobs, where you have to lead a team of people, require the most confidence because
you need to convince your team that you are the right person to take control. You also have to
be confident if you’re a performer of any kind. For example, singers and actors need to be
comfortable performing in front of other people, which requires a lot of confidence.

7. Is overconfidence good?

Overconfidence is usually a bad thing. People who are overconfident might try to do things that
they are not actually qualified or prepared to do. An overconfident driver, for example, is more
likely to get into a car accident. An overconfident student might not study as hard as they
should for an exam. Overconfidence can lead to arrogance and rudeness, so it is important to
be confident, but not too confident.

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Topic: Pride

Part 2: Describe a time when you felt proud of a family member


You should say:
• When it happened
• Who the person is
• What the person did
• And explain why you felt proud of him/her

I’d like to talk about the time my sister passed the National Judicial Examination. I’m so proud
of her because I know it’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in China as the pass rate
is only about 10% every year. Plus, since the exam covers many different laws in China, the
candidates need to read and study tons of law books and memorize countless legal clauses.

But my sister didn’t fear the difficulty and was really committed to preparing for the exam. She
spent about half a year preparing for it. During those six months, she studied law day in and day
out. She told me that she even dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I would
not have that kind of grit if I were her.

Anyway, after she finished the exam, she waited about two months to get the result. That was
the most anxious and stressful period of her life I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, it turned out that
she passed the exam and by a lot! I was by her side when she checked the result, and I was over
the moon and burst into tears seeing her pass the exam. You know, my sister is finally qualified
to be a lawyer!

Actually, our whole family is very proud of her. We prepared a great gift for her to celebrate the
big occasion. We were glad that all her efforts paid off. And I believe she will become an
amazing lawyer in the near future.

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Part 3:

1. When would parents feel proud of their children?

Parents would feel proud of their children after any kind of accomplishment, big or small. If a
child learns a new word, takes their first steps, learns to ride a bike, or learns to drive a car,
parents would be proud. Major life events such as weddings and graduations also make parents
very proud. Overall, parents are proud when their children are living a life that makes them
happy and fulfilled.

2. Should parents reward children? Why and how?

Yes, I think parents should reward children when they accomplish something. Parents can reward
children for academic accomplishments like receiving a good grade on a report card, or for personal
accomplishments like doing something nice for someone else, or donating to a charity. If parents
want to install good values in then children, offering rewards can be a good way to reinforce good
behaviour. That being said, parents should be wary of giving too many rewards; it is better if
children do good things because they want to, not because they expect a reward.

3. Do Chinese parents reward their children?

Actually, most Chinese parents don’t reward their children that often. They don’t want them to
depend on rewards to learn or do their work. Instead, they want their kids to be more
competitive. If you reward a kid every time, they do something right, they might just do things
to get a reward and not because they see the value of their work. So for the most part, Chinese
parents don’t tend to praise or reward their kids very often.

4. Is it good to reward children too often? Why?

No, I think rewarding children too often would be a major problem. Children need to develop
intrinsic motivation, but frequent rewards encourage extrinsic motivation. Children should want to
be successful in their life because it brings them a sense of pride and purpose. These feelings should
be reward enough on their own. However, sometimes children deserve a reward if they

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have accomplished something major. Parents just need to be careful about how often they give
rewards.

5. On what occasions would adults be proud of themselves?

Adults might be proud of themselves for a number of different reasons. They may take pride in
a new accomplishment or promotion at work that they have been working hard towards. They
also tend to be proud of themselves for personal milestones, like getting married or getting a
new apartment. Finally, many adults take pride in their children and consider their children’s
successes as their own.

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Topic: Moving

Part 2: Describe a time when you moved to a new home/school


You should say:
• When you moved
• Where you moved
• Why you moved
• And how you felt about it.

Actually, I just moved to a new apartment not long ago. This summer holiday, I found a part-
time job that I can do for a long time. But I had to move out of the student residence because
the building was closed during the summer holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Eventually, I decided to rent a newly
renovated apartment, which has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in
our city. The drawback is its distance from my workplace. I have to take a bus for 40 minutes to
commute there. But to enjoy a better lifestyle, I signed the lease for the apartment.

Anyway, after deciding the move-out date, I asked three good friends to give me a hand packing
up my stuff. I even called a moving company for a van. We spent a whole day moving
everything into my new apartment. We were all worn out after the fact. I treated all my friends
to a nice meal at a restaurant nearby.

And then I had a fresh start! I got to decorate the home in the way I wanted and I also began to
pay all the utilities myself. It’s really new and different for me. Although I have to get up really
early every morning for work, I have fun biking along the lakeshore every night, which helps me
blow off some steam. So basically, I’ll! really satisfied with my new life.

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Part 3:

1. Why do people move to a new home?

People move to a new home for many different reasons. The most common reason is that they
need more space because they have a new addition to the family, whether it be a pet or a child.
It can be hard to have multiple kids and pets in a small house. People may also move to a new
home if they have to move to a new city for work. Some people who live in a city might choose
to move to the country because they want more outdoor space.

2. What problems will people face after moving to a new place?

People can face many problems after moving to a new place; they might need to do repairs, or they
might realize that there is a problem with the new neighbours. It is important for people to do a lot
of research and complete a house inspection before moving to avoid as many problems as possible.
People might also realize that things might be more expensive in a new city, especially rent and
utilities. People might have to readjust their budget or spend their money differently.

3. How do people solve these problems?

If people are struggling to adjust to the new neighborhood, it’s helpful to befriend the people who
live close by. In general, it’s always beneficial to be on good terms with your neighbors. If you’re
new to the area, your neighbors are often the people who can give you good advice when it comes
to finding the best restaurants and essential places like hospitals and grocery stores. Dealing with
new expenses can be handled by rearranging your budget or saving up beforehand.

4. Is it good to move to a new place frequently? Why?

I don’t think that it is a good idea to move to a new place often because it is very stressful, time-
consuming, and expensive. Moving requires a lot of research and preparation, so it can be very
time-consuming especially if you are also working full time. Moving is also very expensive; if you
are renting, you need to pay at least two months of rent upfront, and if you are buying you
need to provide a down payment. It is better to move less often.

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Topic: Advice

Part 2: Describe a time you gave advice to others.


You should say:
• Who you gave the advice to
• What advice you gave
• Why they needed your advice (whether they took your advice)
• And explain how useful the advice was (/the result).

The first one that comes to mind is the suggestion I gave to my friend Lisa. If memory serves
correctly, it happened about half a year ago. At the time, Lisa was upset about failing to lose
weight, so I shared the method I used to drop some weight and suggested that she try it out.

I told her that the key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through the
workout and diet every day with her. I actually managed to lose 10 kilograms with this trick. So I
suggested that if she could find anyone in her social circle with the same goal as her and form a
team to encourage and support each other, then she mi gilt have half a chance to lose weight.

My words seemed to inspire her and she was totally on board with what I said. So she started a
fitness team with three friends of hers. Lisa said they always went to the gym together and
cheered each other up when they were tired or hungry. It really worked like a charm; Lisa lost 5
kilograms in a month, and every member of the team lost weight more or less.

To express her gratitude for my suggestions, Lisa treated me to a good dinner a month later.
And she happily told me that she shared my method with others who want to keep fit. It gave
me a sense of achievement to know that my suggestion was so helpful and really worked.

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Part 3:

1. Should people prepare before giving advice?

Well, it depends on the situation; sometimes people will ask you for advice out of the blue, and you
won’t have time to prepare an answer. Other times, you may know that you are going to be giving
someone advice and in that case, you can prepare beforehand. This is especially true if giving advice
is part of your job, such as if you are a teacher, mentor, or therapist, in those cases, you have to
prepare because your advice might have a huge impact on advice seekers’ lives.

2. Is it good to ask for advice from strangers online?

I don’t think it is ever a good idea to ask for advice from strangers online. And children or
teenagers should especially be cautious about seeking advice online because they can't tell
whether the strangers are helping them or steering them wrong. Plus, people online are not
always who they say they are. It can be very dangerous to share a lot of personal information
online with someone you don’t know, so for that reason I would advise not contacting strangers
online for anything.

3. What are the personalities of people whose job is to give advice to others?

I think that people who give advice to others have a few specific personality traits, including
empathy and patience. These people are very empathetic and understanding because they can
relate to a problem that their clients might be going through and give relevant advice. As in,
they can stand in their client's shoes and understand their situation as much as possible, so
they can come up with the best advice based on each individual situation. Plus, they need to be
patient because sometimes people coming to get advice might be in an agitated or confused
state of mind.

4. What are the problems if you ask too many people for advice?

If you hear a lot of advice, you might become even more confused than before you asked them. If
you ask for advice from more than two people and they all have different opinions about what you
should do, that can be very frustrating and not helpful. It’s normal that everyone has their

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own perspective. They might give you opposite advice but all make sense, in that case, you
would probably be of two minds and can’t decide what to do next. So it might be better to ask
just one trusted friend. They can always give you all the advice you need.

5. What kinds of advice do parents give to their children?

I think that in general, parents want their children to succeed and be happy. So they give them
advice that will help with that. For instance, if children are facing a problem, parents will
encourage them to work through it and not give up. Or they might tell their children to see the
blight side of the problem and not just complain about it. Everyone wants their kid to do well,
so they give them the best advice they can.

6. What advice do parents often give to teenagers about making friends?

Usually, parents encourage teenagers to be active when it comes to making friends. It’s easier
to get others to accept you when you start the conversation first. We can often see that
outgoing and extroverted people have more friends than people who are shy and don’t like
talking with others actively. A lot of parents also tell teenagers not to give in to peer pressure.
Sometimes when you make friends, you might be tempted to follow along with the crowd. But
it’s best to stick to your guns and avoid doing anything stupid.

7. Should parents get involved in their children’s friendships?

I don’t think parents should take action with their children’s friendships, even if they have a
falling out with their friends. Actually, it’s natural for children to fall out and make friends again.
If parents help too much, they might make the situation even worse. They can just teach their
children what qualities a good friend should have and let them choose who to be friends with.

8. How do experts give advice to others? (e.g. a doctor gives advice to his patients); What
personal qualities should experts have?

I find that in general, experts are very calm and helpful when they give advice. They make sure
to give their client all the right information. And if needed, they can explain it more than once
so their client gets the frill picture. So to be an expert in something, you should be patient and

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hardworking. You can’t just give up at the first sign of trouble. Otherwise, you won’t do very
well in your field.

9. Whose advice is more helpful? Parents’ or friends’?

I suppose that in general, parents’ advice is more helpful than advice from friends. Even though
your friends might know you even better than your parents do, your parents have way more
experience. They’ve been alive way longer than you or your friends. So it’s best to take advice
from the wise. Your friends might end up leading you astray, even if they don’t mean to. I
always listen to my parents before my friends.

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Topic: Skills

Part 2: Describe a difficult skill that you would like to learn


You should say:
• When you knew it
• How you would leant it
• Where you can learn it
• And explain why it is difficult

One difficult skill I’m very interested in is computer assembly. I think it would be cool to learn it.

About a year ago, when I was playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.
I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. I thought that it would cost me an arm and a leg to buy a new one, but my
uncle said he would help me build my new computer.

I was light by his side as he went through the process of assembling it. Honestly, it was way
more complicated than I thought. There were lots of lines and cables that I had no idea where
to connect. But my uncle only took half an hour to get it done. And the new computer runs way
faster than the old one.

He taught me that a great advantage of this skill is that it allows you to personalize the computer in
the way you want, which really fascinates me. So I'm really looking forward to learning tills skill. I
actually watched an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer, but I still couldn’t
figure out how to do it right. So I asked my uncle for help, and he agreed that when my computer
needs an upgrade again, he will be there and teach me step by step.

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Part 3:

1. What skills do students /young people need to learn?

I think that students (young people) need to leant time management and organizational skills.
When they’re in school, they have to juggle lots of different assignments and other
responsibilities, in order to stay on top of their tasks, they need to know how to spend their
time wisely so they don’t get too overwhelmed. They should also learn communication skills.
They need to learn how to communicate well with not only their peers but their teachers and
bosses as well. Being an effective communicator is one of the best qualities you can have,
especially when it comes to the workforce.

2. Do you think parents nowadays really care about helping their children learn those skills?

Yes, most parents are invested in helping their children gain those skills. They want their kids to
succeed, and they know that it’ll take more than luck and goodwill for them to do well in life. So
I think that parents are trying to teach their kids how to develop these strengths, or at the very
least they’re showing them the right resources to get there. It’s very important to them that
their kids can acquire these important skills.

3. Is it hard for students to learn skills?

I don’t think it’s too hard for students to learn skills. Some people might struggle with skills they
aren’t naturally inclined towards. For example, if someone is shy and reserved, they might find
it hard to build up their communication skills. But I suppose that as a student, you have access
to lots of resources and educators who can help you develop those skills. A student’s job is to
learn, and they can do that by being open-minded and willing to put in the hard work.

4. Is it hard for old people to learn new skills?

Yes, I suppose that it can be hard for old people to learn new skills. Some of them might feel
too set in their ways to pick up additional skills. For example, some old people are wary of
computers and don’t want to learn any computer skills. But I think that if they can stay open-
minded and willing to learn, they’ll be able to pick up new skills and benefit from them.

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5. Is a good teacher very important for students learning experience? Why?

Yes, I would say that having a good teacher is crucial to having a good learning experience. They
can make or break a student’s experience of a class. Without a good teacher, students will feel
confused and possibly overwhelmed by all the things they have to learn. They might walk away
thinking that learning is just a painful and difficult process. A good teacher is there to guide
students and make the learning experience a positive one.

6. Which way is faster for people to learn new skills, from books or from life?

I suppose that it is faster to learn a new skill in a real-life situation than from a book. Books can
be very useful to review a new skill, but real life is the best way to learn. You can read all about
sewing, but you will not be able to sew until you actually try. Then, once you have learned a
new skill, the best way to become an expert is to practice. Reading can only get you so far.

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Topic: Learning

Part 2: Describe something interesting that you want to learn more about
You should say:
• What it is
• How you got to interested in it
• What the benefits you can get from it
• And explain why you want to learn more about it.

Speaking of something interesting that I really want to learn more about, the first one that
comes to mind is computer assembly. I think it would be cool to learn it.

About a year ago, when I was playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.
I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. I thought that it would cost me an arm and a leg to buy a new one, but my
uncle said he would help me build my new computer.

I was right by his side as he went through the process of assembling it. Honestly, it was way
more complicated than I thought. But my uncle only took half an hour to get it done. And the
new computer runs way faster than the old one.

He taught me that a great advantage of this skill is that it allows you to personalize the computer in
the way you want, which really fascinates me. So I'm really looking forward to learning this skill. I
actually watched an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer, but I still couldn’t
figure out how to do it right. So I asked my uncle for help, and he agreed that when my computer
needs an upgrade again, he will be there and teach me step by step.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think learning new things is important?

Yes, learning new things is really important. If we stop trying to learn, we’ll become limited in our
knowledge and we might become confined to a narrow point of view. It’s good to branch out and
expand our horizons every now and then, even if it’s something as simple as learning how to play a
new sport or learning about different cuisine. I just learned how to kayak, which is something I
never thought I’d enjoy, but it turned out to be a really fun and memorable experience.

2. Who needs to learn new things?

It seems to me that young people usually need to learn new things, in general, old people have
accumulated a whole wealth of knowledge and experiences. But young people are still having
formative experiences and discovering the world around them. So it’s important for them to
seek out knowledge from lots of different sources. They should be curious about the world and
want to learn more about their history and what lies in store for the future.

3. Where can old people learn new things?

I think old people can learn new things from public places, like libraries or museums. I know that a
lot of people learn when there are new exhibits at museums in particular. You can pick up a lot of
interesting facts about other cultures. Old people can also borrow books from libraries that will
teach them about new subjects. Alternatively, they can learn everyday things from friends or family.
Some old people learn how to handle new technology by asking their younger relatives.

4. Should government spend more money to help people learn new things?

Yes, the government should definitely invest more money in helping people learn new things.
They can establish more trade schools that offer free training programs to the public. This is a
good way to generate more skilled workers. And generally speaking, if a country's population is
more educated, it is more productive overall, which means a stronger economy and more tax
revenue for the government. So more investment in public education is definitely a gateway to
a better country.

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5. Do you think retired people/80 years old people should learn new things?

Yes, I think that there’s always room for people to learn new things, no matter what their age is.
When it comes to people who are retired or over 80, they can keep their minds sharp by picking up
new information. They might choose to learn about countries they’ve never visited or facts about
ancient history. I suppose that’ll help them spend their time in a fun and engaging way.

6. Is it difficult for adults to learn new things?

Well, yes, sometimes it can be hard for adults to learn new things. Adults have a lot of
responsibilities to deal with. They usually have to juggle a full-time job with parenting or looking
after other people, not to mention the duties of running a household. So the hardest thing can
be finding the time to learn new things. But it can also be difficult to focus on learning
something new when they’re so stressed with other things.

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Topic: Famous

Part 2: Describe a famous person that you are interested in/ you like.
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you know about this person
• How this person became famous
• And explain why you like this person.

Speaking of my favorite celebrities, I’d like to talk about an American singer-songwriter named
Bea Miller. I think she's a very talented girl with an interesting soul.

About two years ago, one of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New
Year’s party that my class held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right
away. Then I found the original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties and definitely
has great potential with her pop-rock career.

Bea is a very talented young lady. Her music is very diverse. I mean, every song she writes is
unique but also catchy. I really admire her talent for music writing. Plus, I like her personality.
Her character is way different from what she shows on stage. If you didn't know her, you'd
think she was a quiet and cool person. But she’s actually hilarious. You won’t find other celebs
who post selfies of their big nostrils on social media. But she does it all the time! Sometimes she
posts photos of herself making faces with a funny line or a bad joke. It cracks me up every time!

So I feel like she’s very down-to-earth. When she interacts with her fans it’s like she’s the girl
next door, which really appeals to me. So now I’m a die-hard fan of hers. I believe that with her
talent and interesting personality, she will go a long way in the entertainment industry.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of people are famous in your country?

There are a lot of famous singers and actors. People love keeping up with those kinds of
celebrities because they feel like they know them. When you listen to a song or watch a movie,
you feel like you get a sense of the performer’s personality. So it’s really easy to become
invested in their lives. Singers and actors are famous because people get obsessed with them
and want to know everything about them.

2. Why do people care about the private lives of celebrities?

I think it’s because a lot of people have the desire to peek into other people's lives. It’s not cool
to pry into the private life of people around you, but some people think it’s an open season
when it comes to celebrities. After all, there’s a whole industry based around celebrities that
just fuels gossip. I don’t think it’s healthy, but people definitely care. Besides, everyone is
starstruck to some extent. So it’s really easy to become invested in the personal lives of the
celebrities they’re fond of.

3. Are international celebrities important to a country?

I suppose that to a degree, international celebrities are important to a country. They definitely
shouldn’t be valued more than government officials or people who do official work for a
country, but they bring attention to their country and they can be representatives for their
culture. Some people might not know a lot about a country, but when they see a celebrity from
that country that they like, they might be inclined to learn more about it.

4. Would people in the past become famous for doing good deeds? How about now?

I don’t think that people got famous for doing good things in the past. For one, there just wasn’t
as much media attention. People could do good deeds every day but it wouldn’t go viral as it
does now. Nowadays, if someone catches something wholesome on camera, they can share it
on social media and it might get millions of views. People can become famous for simply
helping someone out when their good deed is posted online.

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5. What kind of person becomes a star? Can you be a star by making videos?

I think that nowadays, social media is so accessible that basically anyone can be famous. All it
takes is a bit of luck to post it at the right time. Lots of average people get their fifteen minutes
of fame by posting a video that happens to go viral. Sometimes they manage to stay famous if
they keep making similar videos, like people who do crazy stunts and post them online. But it’s
hard to hold onto fame that way.

6. Why do people want to be famous? Do you want to be a celebrity?

It seems to me that people want to be famous because they really love attention, to be honest.
When you’re a celebrity, everyone is obsessed with you. But I don’t think that people realize
how stressful it is to be constantly observed and talked about. That’s why I would never want to
be a celebrity. I want to have my privacy and not worry about people taking pictures of me
whenever I go out in public. I would hate for everyone to be tracking my every move.

7. What are the pros and cons of being a celebrity?

One big pro is that you get access to really cool things. You get the VIP treatment wherever you
go, and you can go to exclusive events in designer clothes. You obviously get a lot of money as
well, so you can afford whatever your heart desires. But a big downside is that you basically
have no privacy. You get photographed wherever you go and people speculate about your
private life all the time.

8. What are the disadvantages of being a child star?

Well, being a child star can be really bad for your psyche. When you make the most money in
your family, you take on a lot of pressure to keep your family supported. You might also have
greedy relatives who try to take advantage of you. Plus, if a kid always gets what they want,
they’ll probably grow up to be vain and spoiled. If they ever stop being famous, they might not
be able to adjust to the routine of a normal life.

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9. What are the differences between famous people today and those in the past?

I think famous people today may have more rights than they used to in the past. I’ve watched a
few documentaries about actors and actresses in the past and how poorly the industry treated
them. Some actors had no right over their own bodies; if they gained weight they would be
fired. Some actresses weren’t allowed to have children until their contract was finished. I’m
sure it is still tough to be an actor but I feel like actors have more lights and are treated better
than they were in the past.

10. Do you think famous people are necessarily good in their fields?

I think it depends on the person. Some people are extremely talented and deserve the fame they
have acquired but others simply got lucky when they became famous. There are actors everyone
knows, like Tom Cruise, who is not necessarily a good actor but is able to play a consistent character
in his movie franchises. He gets tons of movie roles because he is well-known but a lot of audiences
don’t think his acting is good. Some actors are definitely better than others.

11. Do you think the media are putting too much attention on famous people?

Yes, I do think the media puts too much attention on famous people. At the end of the day,
these people are humans just like everyone else and don’t need their whole lives being
broadcast for the entire world to see. And the new media, especially social media, is often
swamped with gossip and even scandals involving celebrities, which is a bad trend. I’d rather
the media focus more on real issues in our society.

12. Do you think talent is important for fame?

Yes, talent is definitely essential for people to become famous and successful. Some people
manage to get famous online without any talent, but their fame rarely lasts long. For someone
to have long-lasting fame, they need to be talented in their field. As far as I know, the singers
and actors who can keep being household names are all productive by creating more good
artworks. And you need incomparable talent for that. Talent will ensure that they continue to
get offered work, whether it be roles in movies, record deals, or athletic contracts.

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13. What do you think about celebrities making so much money?

I think it is ridiculous that celebrities make big bucks when so many people in the world are
suffering from poverty and hunger. Some celebrities do donate to humanitarian causes, which
is good of them, but I see no reason why they should be paid such a large amount in the first
place. I don’t think they contribute to society a lot more than people like scientists and doctors.
And even though they have business value that’s equivalent to the amount of money they
make, we shouldn’t glorify it. Otherwise, what does that say about those of us working full-time
jobs for five-figure salaries?

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