Vinod Gambtoo's Speaking Guesswork - April To June 2021

IELTS
SPEAKING
GUESSWORK
APRIL–JUNE 2021
MBA, Canada
Vinod Gambtoo did an Executive Master's degree in Business Administration from

the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was the only Indian student who
was the recipient of four scholarship awards in the history of the University of Prince
Edward Island. As he has worked for several universities across the globe over the
years and studied with a Canadian school, he understands what it takes for students
to be successful. With time, his professional stature evolved. So did his learning and
moral responsibilities towards students and schools! By learning the expectations of
both parties, he has been successful in becoming an interface for them. He
researches on various challenges and dynamics of the industry time after time and
ensures to pass on that learning on to team members, stakeholders, students, and
government departments. He has been invited on numerous occasions to discuss
the critical issues of the student visa, immigration policies, and decisions taken by
stakeholders impacting the industry and people at large on television. He expresses
his opinions without any fear or for any commercial gain by writing or speaking
during various TV debates.
IELTS Speaking Guesswork
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Content
1. Describe a conversation topic that you were not interested in.

2. Describe an energetic person that you know.
3. Describe an ambition you have had for a long time.
4. Describe an activity you enjoy doing occasionally or regularly that is a bit expensive.
5. Describe an intelligent person that you know.
6. Describe a book you read that you found useful.
7. Describe the first time when you used a foreign language to communicate.
8. Describe a family (not your own) that you like.
9. Describe a short-term job you would like to do in a foreign country.
10. Describe a dinner that you enjoyed.
11. Describe a special day that made you happy.
12. Describe an experience when you played an indoor game with others.
13. Describe a time when you were cheated/when someone lied to you/someone did not tell you
the complete truth.
14. Talk about someone who encourages you to achieve goals or someone who encouraged you to
achieve a goal.
15. Talk about a newly built public facility (such as parks, cinemas, etc.) that improves/influences
local life quality in your city.
16. Describe a foreign country (culture) you want to know more about it.
17. Describe an advertisement you remember well.
18. Describe an unpleasant job you did.
19. Describe a volunteering experience you have had.
20. Describe a time you got lost in a place you did not know about.
21. Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with.
22. Describe a goal that you achieved, which was set by yourself.
23. Describe a time when the weather changed your plan.
24. Describe the happiest day you had.
25. Describe an article on health that you read from a magazine or online.
26. Describe an old person you know and respect.
27. A time when you did not tell the truth to someone.
28. Describe a friend/person who is a good leader.
29. Describe a difficult challenge that you completed/met.
30. Describe a picture or photograph in your home/room that you like.
31. Describe a line (or a few words) that you remember from a poem or song.
32. Describe a time when you saw a child behave badly in public.
33. Describe an occasion when you forgot something important.
34. Describe an interesting tradition in your country.
35. Describe a person who you think is helpful.
36. Describe a time when you received good news.
37. Describe a good decision you made recently.
38. Describe an area of science that interests you.
39. Describe a prize that you want to win.
40. Describe an event you experienced in which you did not like the music.
41. Describe a uniform you wear (at your school or company).
42. Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake.
43. Talk about something that you borrowed from your friend.
44. Describe your idea of a perfect home or dream house.
45. Describe a time when you first met someone.
46. Describe a time when you travelled by public transportation.
47. Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood.
48. Describe a person in the news that you want to meet.
49. Describe an important piece of news that you received via a text message.
50. Describe something difficult you would like to succeed in doing.
51. Describe a time when a family member asked for your help.
52. Describe a place where you are able to relax.
53. Describe a time when you missed an appointment.
54. What would you like to change at the place where you live?
55. Describe a film you watched.
56. A job you would not like to do in the future.
57. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution.
58. Describe a program or app on your computer or phone.
59. Describe your favorite clothes.
60. Describe a leisure activity that you do with your family.
1. Describe a conversation topic that you were not interested in.
• What the topic was

• Who you talked with
• When it was
• Why you were not interested
• Negative thinking is a much more usual problem than we may think. Many people experience the same
every day, but it doesn’t mean that you keep harping on (=dwell, nag) them all the time and don’t see
any positive way out
• I remember many such incidents. Let me pick one of them. It was a summer break during my study
intakes in Canada. I had only one semester to go, and then I was done with my studies
• Due to this Chinese virus, everybody in our circle kept painting too much doomsday (=judgment day,
last day, day of reckoning) picture as usual. Some of my friends lost their jobs and behaved as if the
whole world came crashing down
• A couple of friends decided to catch up to have some fun and coffee. My friends had only one topic:
Chinese virus. And I was like, “Do me all a favor… get a life (=used to tell somebody to stop being boring
and to do something more interesting)!”
• I was sick of listening to those same stories of the virus and blah blah. I really wanted to have some
good time with them, but they behaved as if the world would end then. I said to them, “Buddy, this shall
also pass, and let’s not talk about this negative topic. Instead, they should focus on what best they can
do from now on. Jobs come and go, but our skills will stay with us. This trying time is a litmus test (=acid
test, base test) of our determination, courage, resilience (=flexibility, pliancy), and how well we move
on”
• You know I’m a very positive guy in my life. In fact, I enjoy such ups and downs in life. But people fear
uncertainty, and such incidents knock them sideways. Because of this, their bad stuff and the negativity
bias stick to them forever. Not only do we have media and newspapers working hard to flood all the
sensationalized stories round the clock, but we’ve our own mindset working against us. I call them
emotional vampires
Follow up questions:
1. How do you know if others are not interested in your conversation?

It is simple. When people find the conversation not interesting, they try to change the topic or don’t give
any attention. Some people are straight talkers, and they will tell you on your face. Others try to ignore
the conversation and get back to their job.
2. Do men and women talk about the same things?

Yes’ and ‘No’ both. Some men and women have common topics to discuss, and they really enjoy them
by adding valuable insights or further building on the subject. Maybe they’re like-minded. This may not
be the same all the time.
3. What do you like to talk about?

To me, it’s all about mood and events. I discuss a range of topics with my friends and family. I love
knowing about sports, music, business, research, innovation, life skills, and any other topics that can
help me get better in my understanding of such topics. One thing I particularly remain interested in is
the discussion over life hacks and health tips. Enlightenment on these two topics helps me get better in
my day-to-day life. For example, health tips keep me fit so that I enjoy the world better, and life hacks
make me whole and pragmatic to get better and succeed in life.
4. What topics do young and old people talk about?

I guess there’s a remarkable distinction between kids and older people. In most cases, children have no
internal and external worries and live in a paradise. So, anything trivial (=frivolous, immaterial,
insignificant) details about their role models, sportspersons, games, schooling, innovations, and others
excite them beyond imagination. There’s a stark contrast when it comes to older people. They talk
about health, finances, family, politics, and social issues. As we grow, our priorities change for good.
And as long as we are young, we’re restless and find happiness in small things.
5. Does technological development have a negative impact on communication among people?

My answer will be ‘yes’ and ‘no’ both. As long as we use it for bettering our performance, it acts as a
boon (blessing, godsend, windfall). And, in no time, it turns out to be a bane (=burden, curse, calamity)
when we use it for gossiping or leisure time. Again, it comes down to the purpose of utility.
For example, business people always thank technological development as it saves time and helps them
excel better, while most youngsters and others waste their precious time on social media. Last but not
least, ‘WhatsApp’ is a disease in India.
6. Do you think women chat more than men?

Can’t say it for sure, maybe some but not all, I guess. It will be unwise to tar all women with the same
brush (=to be thought to have the same faults, etc., as somebody else). In fact, it’s a misogynist (=typical
of the behavior or beliefs of a person who hates women) attitude.
7. Do you think that it is polite to agree with another person during a conversation if you have
another opinion?
I would term it as hypocrisy. It’s simple. If you don’t agree, tell them straight in a polite manner rather
than be a ‘yes man’ (=bootlicker, ass-kisser, apple-polisher). Everyone is entitled to have his say. At the
same time, everyone is entitled to disagree on any matter where he thinks so. But it has to be in a polite
manner for sure.
8. Do you think that many children nowadays do not want to communicate with children of the
same age?
No, I disagree with this statement. Children love to be in touch with their contemporaries. It’s a usual
thing that they’ve both younger and older friends, but it’s acceptable. For example, when we played
cricket in our school, sometimes the school organized tournaments with the senior teams. We were
younger than our opponents. It also creates great bonding among students.
9. Why do you think it is important to communicate with others?

Communication is an integral part of life. It’s also a vehicle of success. I read an article online called
‘10 main goals of communication’ and couldn’t agree more. It says that it has a primary essence of
influencing, informing, motivating, inspiring, learning, building a relationship, gaining inspiration,
socializing, and promoting yourself, whether it’s personal or corporate communication. The absence
of communication leads to misunderstanding or disrupts a smooth transition of information
exchange. Such a blockade could be counterproductive in personal and corporate life.
10. What communication skills are important?

I guess I can write a paper on this question. I believe the person must be armed with superb
communication skills to succeed in life. You’ve gotta identify, first of all, the areas of deficiency in your
communication skills. After that, you’ll have to decide what you want to achieve before becoming a
smart communicator. Sometimes you need to be a good listener to gather ideas for further
communication. When somebody discusses any topic, you’ve got to be more engaging when
communicating any message. These are a few life hacks to be a better communicator.
2. Describe an energetic person that you know.
• Who this person is

• How you know this person
• Why consider this person energetic
• How you feel about this person
• There are a couple of people who I always adore, and I see them energetic and inspirational in life.
Today, I’ve to pick one from them, and truly, it’s a hard job. But, anyway, I will speak about my aunt,
Mrs. Nivedita Ahuja
• I’ve grown up visiting her place, and she also frequents our home quite often. She’s in her 60s at the
moment, but the way she carries herself, she looks quite younger than her age. On the first look, you
might assume her in her early fifties
• It’s because she’s a tremendously health-conscious lady. She wakes up at 5 in the morning and goes
jogging, and does yoga then after. Because of her fitness regime, you’ll always see a different kind of
gleam and positivity on her face. She is truly a loved one in our family, and many of us rush to her for
advice when needed
• I remember she motivated me to rise early and join her for jogging and yoga. In the beginning, it was
tough for me to wake up so early. In fact, for the first few days, I felt half-asleep because that’s not my
routine at all
• She’s an extraordinarily thoughtful and pragmatic lady, and therefore, she sensed my trouble of
waking up in the morning. She advised me to change my routine, and then everything was on track
after a week
• Initially, I could only jog for around 2 kilometers or so, whereas she completed 10 kilometers of jogging
without effort every day. Frankly speaking, I envied her energy, at the same time, that inspired me to
catch up on, too
• Apart from her energy and fitness regime, I hold great respect for this noble lady. Her experience
stories are always worth listening to. She knows how to convert each misfortunate event as a hidden
opportunity. She always tells me not to surrender ever whenever I feel any existential crisis. Instead,
find the new meaning of life. She always tells everyone to focus on six elements in life to be joyful and
successful. They are health, wealth, career, mental strength, spiritual wellness, and relationship
• I always feel good about her and want her to have a healthy and long life so that she can be a
remarkable guide to the youth like us
• I’m proud of her in every sense she is associated with my life. With her, I never feel any generation gap
at all.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you think that nowadays all jobs could be done by robots?

I don’t think so. I guess it’s not possible yet. We need human intervention on many occasions. Yes, that’s
true that most large corporations prefer to have an automated process in manufacturing units where
you may see some robots helping other machines or humans. People say that robots will take us over
in many jobs, but I don’t see this happening at least in my lifetime.
2. Do you think machines could replace human workers in the future?

No, I don’t think so again. Yes, they will be handy in easing our jobs, but, at the end of the day, we must
not forget that they’re machines and can be malfunctioned at a critical time. It’s hard to take over the
human brain when we compare it with any technology. Human brains have invented technologies, not
technology.
3. What are the benefits of replacing human workers with robots?
There are advantages when we take the help of robots in the workplace or manufacturing units. They
only understand the ‘command,’ so you don’t need to waste your precious time over and over again.
Software designs standard operating procedures, and they are good to go. It saves time and money.
The entire process becomes streamlined with precision. It also helps (to) maximize the top line and
bottom line of any corporation. Most top 100 corporations are putting efforts to automate their
processes these days.
4. How have robots and computers changed the way people work?
Every coin has two sides. They are boon (=blessing, godsend, windfall) and bane (=burden, curse,
calamity) both. Let’s talk about their brighter sides to answer this question. They streamline any
process, which is a big plus point. You don’t need to remember what you’ve said and committed to
someone because everything is programmed in the machine, and you just need to click the button for
any file. Unlike humans, they are heartless, so they don’t throw any tantrums and save your time for
better productivity. They save our crucial time, which can be reinvested for other worthwhile jobs. I can
go on and on. But I guess these are the headline benefits.
5. Which is more important for young people, an interesting or well-paid job?

It all depends upon what kind of person you are. If money is a key driver in your life, you will always see
the remuneration first and put aside the satisfaction. The opposite is also true. For some young people,
their passion has more intrinsic value than anything else.
6. What kinds of jobs are well-paid in your country?

In India, I guess doctors are coining money (=earn a lot of money quickly and easily). And if you’re not
interested in medical occupations, I guess technocrats do very well in their jobs. India is famous for IT
solutions, and there are enough ecosystem and good rates of pay. Then, you’ve sports. We know money
rains if you are a successful player, especially in cricket and tennis. Let me think who else could be
making good money in the occupation. Aha, architectural designers, chartered accountants, bank
managers, financial officers, and undoubtedly, our corrupt bureaucrats and politicians do well
financially.
7. What jobs do young people prefer?

In my country, most students want to become engineers, IT professionals, and doctors. I don’t know
why, but this is the trend in my country. You talk to any parents, and they will have these choices in
most cases. Maybe my country has a long way to go to generate other lucrative sectors that may
attract young people.
8. How can people find a perfect job?

There are plenty of recruitment websites where they can post their resumes. Plus, we still have
recruitment consultants who could connect you with the right organization based on your interest,
qualification, and background. On top of these, some people get jobs through networking. It’s a
common thing that your ex-colleague may drive you to his workplace.
9. What factors should people take into account when choosing a job?
I would see two elements first, and they are growth and learning. The working span of our life is around
40 years. One wrong decision in choosing the workplace could take you backward and may waste your
precious time. I personally prefer to work for a mid-sized corporation because there’s a high probability
that you learn more and harness your skills. With large corporations, you may make some extra bucks,
and it’s a status symbol, but you end up being just an employee number. Learning
is what shines on you in the long run.
10. What kinds of jobs are unpopular in your country?

Working as a caller with call centers or BPOs is one of the most abusive jobs, I guess. I cannot think of
calling strangers and may face their ire (=anger) on the phone. And you work during nights at some call
centers, which is intolerable cruelty. Disturbing a natural cycle of sleep always invites illnesses later on,
and it affects your body and mood plenty. There could be others, but this is the one that pops into my
mind at the moment.
3. Describe an ambition you have had for a long time.
• What the goal is

• What you will do to achieve it
• When you will achieve it
• Why you want to achieve it
• Goal-setting is one of the most challenging jobs, especially when we need to set an achievable goal in
the long run. During the processing of reaching the goal, one may face multiple challenges,
gratifications, reaffirmations while you’re down with some results, and so on
• When you hear my ambition, you may laugh at it because a few of my friends have already discouraged
me by saying, “Buddy, it’s too lofty a task to achieve.” Anyway, I don’t care what they say, or the world
thinks about my plans
• I want to establish an apparel factory and want to take on giants, such as Ralph Lauren, Zara, Gap,
Armani, Nautica, and Abercrombie & Fitch
• I am good at two things inherently: designing cars and choosing the right clothes. I chose the latter
option because this business can be kick-started with low investment, and there’s an ecosystem that
supports this business proposition better at this stage
• After completion of my undergrad degree, I will start this business with my family members step by
step. We will first manufacture only shirts so that we may not need to invest a lot in the beginning, and
as we go, we will keep adding other categories, such as pants, T-shirts, shorts, and so on
• I guess this entire project will take around one year or so because I’ll be completing my studies in the
next two months, and then I’ll research the latest trends, market conditions, marketing strategies,
manufacturing processes, and all other essential elements involving manufacturing
• This is my dream project, and I’m sure I’ll do it successfully. I got motivated for this business line
because it is scalable, and I can sell my products in every part of the world
• When I see the leading brands that I just now mentioned, their prices are exorbitant (=enormous, pricey,
outrageous), and with these prices, people buy their stuff and patronize proudly. Hence, I thought I could
offer such things at a massive discount without compromising the quality and style. Plus, it’s always an
honor to have your own brand buildup and sold globally
1. What kinds of ambitions do people usually have?

Well, it varies from person to person. Some people are highly ambitious, whereas others may satisfy
with whatever they achieve. If I talk about Indians, most people have a dream of becoming ultra-rich by
doing any job or business. But if I narrow down my response to your questions, most Indians like to
become businessmen, doctors, engineers, army personnel, bankers, and educators. This is the usual
theme of professions. There could be many others who want to push themselves and want to become
scientists, astronauts, leaders, and sportspersons, among others.
2. Who has a greater influence on the goal-setting of children, parents, or teachers?

I see both have a constructive role in motivating children in their career-making. Some children are born
to have both parties to support their dreams, and others may not have the same privilege. It’ll be
unwise to belittle (=deride, decry, criticize) anybody’s role in children’s goal-setting.
3. Should parents set goals for their children?

I don’t think that they should set goals for children, but certainly, they can inspire them to be someone
by offering latitude (=freedom) and environment so that children can touch the height of success. The
biggest concern I see is when parents impose their own dreams on children. That’s an unreasonable
expectation. Some children defy their plans and happen to become what they’re. That said, the parents’
role in inspiring them is crucial, and we cannot ignore it.
4. Should parents interfere with their children’s ambitions?

When they feel their ambitions go nowhere, they should intervene and explain future repercussions
(=fallout, impact, effect, backlash). For example, your child could be excellent at
drawing and may want to become an artist. He may have everything to qualify for proficient artist but
the question lies here is, will he secure his livelihood after a few years? The answer may be ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
Therefore, parents must explain to them to secure their livelihood first, and then he can do whatever
he wants to do. And if he succeeds in his passion, he can later switch to it. This ‘Three Idiots’ movie in
India has confused both children and parents. It’s an absurd (=nonsense) movie, to me.
5. Should parents stop their children when they have unrealistic ambitions?
Well, first of all I will ask who will decide whether ambition is realistic or not. There’s always a generation
gap, and it will remain so in the years to come. For example, one of the most precious assets during the
70s was crude oil for tycoons, which now has been replaced by data collection. So, there will
undoubtedly be a gap in understanding for parents, too. However, reasonable and competent parents
surely intervene when they find their children choose too big a dream to realize. Such intervention will
decide to bring the kid back to the track or stay the course.
6. When do young children start setting goals for themselves?

If any kid wants to become a specific sportsperson, he and his parents must swing into action when he
is as young as 6 to 7 years old. Occupations other than involving physical fitness offer some time, and
you can decide when they are in Year 10. However, I feel, up to the early twenties, children need some
inspiration, support, environment, time, money, constant guidance, and other resources.
7. What kinds of goals are not realistic?

I think all goals are realistic as long as children display determination, perseverance, efforts, resilience
(=flexibility, pliancy), and other essential skills. No goal is unachievable in life, but dreaming something
out of imagination is a scary thing. For example, we cannot fly like a bird, but we invented commercial
aircraft and jet fighters. So, somewhere we’ve to find common ground and tweak (=change, adjust) our
plans.
8. Why do people set goals?

Man is born to push limits. Some people are inherently talented, and others choose to skill themselves
as they go along.
9. Why is it important for teenagers to set goals?

If they don’t do so, they will be doomed (=make somebody/something certain to fail, suffer, die, etc.) in
their lives. Parents will support them for a while, but they haven’t signed a lifetime agreement for their
children. Their reckless decision could put them in trouble and also members of the family.
10. Why should parents encourage children to have ambitions?

Responsible parents consider this job pious and duty while raising kids. If they don’t do it now, their
children will be a burden on them and society, and the country. For their good, they sacrifice everything
that they have at their disposal.
4. Describe an activity you enjoy doing occasionally or regularly that is a bit
expensive.
• What activity it is
• When and where you do this
• Who you do it with
• Why you enjoy doing it
• I describe myself as a health freak and cannot think of my life without being actively involved in
workouts. I do a lot of cross-training with other aerobic and yoga activities on alternate days and go
jogging the other days
• But out of all types of workouts, I love going jogging or running as it’s my favorite exercise
• We are a group of five friends to whom you can tag as health nuts. We adjust our schedules in the
morning and meet at one point and start together
• In the beginning, we went jogging on the running track in the garden, and then we started to run on the
road. We’ve our fixed routes, and once a while, we also go for rural trips the moment we want to renew
our sense of purpose or desire to push ourselves
• Jogging is fun. Makes sense. It’s a great workout and fun for sure. You always feel energized and active
for doing too many things during the day later on
• Your face gleams, and the body looks toned to a great extent. Plus, bathing in the sweat gives a sense
of achievement and improves the mental state of mine. I feel jubilant when I push myself, and for a
moment, you feel above the earth when you hit your line/target
• Apart from these physical and mental benefits, you take out some time from your busy schedule and
meet with your friends every day; otherwise, it’s really hard for anyone these days to spare some time
with friends. That’s a bonus in this rejuvenating exercise and brings back your childhood time and gives
a reason to smile every morning
1. Why are some sports expensive? Are they for everyone?

I think very few sports are expensive but not all. For example, if you want to become Formula 1
champion, yes, it is skyrocketing expensive for sure, but not all. If I talk about jogging, it’s not expensive,
but you’ve gotta change your running shoes at least thrice a year. Plus, it would help if you’ve bought
the right pair of running shoes made by companies, such as Asics, Nike, Adidas, or Puma. The right pair
of running shoes has life for around 500 miles, and veteran and regular joggers run that much in
two-to-three months comfortably. And, if you skimp on (=try to spend less money, time, etc., on
something that’s really important) the running shoes at the regular interval, you risk your ankle or
develop muscle pain or increase the risk of injury and lead to wasted money, too. And when we talk
about the expense of shoes that offer structured cushioning, the pair cost nearly $150. Yes, it may be
costly for many people in the world. But that’s what it’s.
2. Why do people buy fakes?

I guess there could be two types of people buying fakes – the one who can’t afford the authentic product
but like to have a similar counterfeit. The second happens to be the victim of fraud. Some shopkeepers
withstand the crucial information about products and sell them with deceit (=dishonesty, chicanery,
deception).
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being rich?

I think there’s no disadvantage in being rich in life unless you are puffed up with unwanted pride or you
become brutal in the arrogance of your money. But there are many advantages associated with wealth.
First of all, your life becomes comfortable, and the intensity of any hardship may lessen if you’ve wealth
resources by buying material things. Yes, it’s true that money cannot buy everything or happiness, but
it certainly helps you keep smiling on most occasions. Plus, you are in a position to help others. For
example, you can feed the poor, animals or donate for the right cause in society.
4. What kinds of expensive things do people like to buy?

There could be innumerable things people like to own, and it all depends upon what kind of person you
are. Some people dream of buying expensive cars, magnetic jewelry, branded watches, real estate, and
maybe a yacht or private jet also. The aspiration for things may change from person to person or
country to country. For example, I would like to have a grandeur villa with a yacht at sea in California.
That’s my dream!
5. Do you think men and women have the same shopping habits?
I disagree with this statement, and in fact, I think otherwise. Men may like to buy expensive cars, and
women may love to have expensive jewelry or perfumes or maybe stylish clothes. This is just an
example, and it all depends upon the person. But both genders, on most occasions, think differently
and want to own different things.
5. Describe an intelligent person that you know.
• Who this person is, how you know this person

• What this person knows about
• Why you think this person is intelligent
• What you learned from him/her
• If I’ve to choose a person I respect much and rely on her wisdom, it’s definitely my grandma
• She is educated, humorous, intelligent, and composed, and everyone in our family honors her for these
qualities
• Today, I’m a successful athlete who participates in international competitions. All credit goes to my
grandma for my success because she disciplined me and infused a culture of fighting challenges and
adversaries (=enemy, competitor, antagonist)
• I remember having distanced myself from sports participation in school. I was never considered cool
and made fun of because I had never played any sports on any school team
• Here, my grandma gave me a piece of advice. She said, “Kid, this is the right time for you to challenge
your body and brain. People only remember outliers and winners and those who have unique and
eccentric qualities. So, give your best and touch the sky”
• She ensured that I had a healthy diet and sleep schedule while I was young. And those disciplinary
actions worked wondrously
• I consider her intelligent because she helped me reprogram my subconscious mind to reach my
potentials. Otherwise, I had never known that I could touch the height of success. Every word of her
was remarkable in shaping my athletic career
• I remember an instance. While sprinting for the line during the practice, I stumbled and happened to
sprain my ankle severely once. I could not run for two weeks and felt down and dejected. I had all
negative thoughts prevailed on my mind and was terrified about my career
• She came and rescued me from this despair and pumped up supreme confidence in me to get back to
my career. That time was terrible, and she said, “This shall also pass.” And, yes, it did so
• In fact, I learned several life skills and wisdom from her. But one thing that I like about her is her
leadership quality. She knows how to motivate people and has answers to all difficulties. She is always
smiling, full of life, and a good listener, too
1. Do you think smart people tend to be selfish?

Hmm, I’m afraid I’ve to disagree with this observation. I guess smart people don’t focus on trivial
(=unimportant, small) matters in most cases. Some people have a habit of attention-seeking and want
the world to help them during their rough times. Therefore, first of all, their expectations are
unreasonable. Smart people know how to deal with people and their psychology, and their entire
concentration is used in making their progress. They quickly distance someone when they realize that
they need to contribute either time or money to them. I don’t think it’s wrong. Yes, I can say that they
are less emotional to others and maybe insensitive to people’s problems. But they cannot be tagged
selfish for being straight.
2. Who plays a more important role in a child’s development, teachers or parents?

I guess both have a significant role in molding children’s lives. Children spend two-third of the time at
home and one-third of it at school. So, whatever learning and mannerism they learn from school must
be supported at home and vice versa. Parents may be emotional for children and may condone
(=forgive) their mistakes, whereas teachers believe in discipline and are strict. So, this combination
prepares children for their adulthood and eventually for their success.
3. Do you think smart people are happy?

It’s hard to say that. Smartness is one thing, but how to deal with challenges and frustrations may
require another set of behavioral disciplines. In fact, I believe it’s otherwise. Smart people may suffer
from extreme frustrations because they sometimes overthink about problems. They’ve the better
critical thinking, so they assume future difficulties beforehand in certain situations, which may spoil
their present times. Hence, my answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’ both.
4. Do you think the intelligence of a person is important?

In most cases, I would say, ‘yes.’ However, intelligence alone cannot help people overcome challenges.
It must be coupled with other qualities, such as smartness, social skills, talents, experience, and so on.
A man of great intelligence and broad knowledge may lessen the impact of any wrong decision or event
and may help resolve the challenge on hand. Hence, it does help greatly.
5. Why are some children more intelligent than others?

I guess there could be three reasons for some children who are more intelligent than others. First, the
right kind of upbringing and environment prepares children to be better than others. For example, the
child of a doctor invariably learns about some medical science because his father keeps discussing a lot
many things about it at home. So, he grows listening to those informal chats and discussions. Second,
some children are born smart and intelligent. I haven’t come across any research shedding light on
why this happens so, but I’m sure nobody may have an answer to this God-made universe. Lastly, some
children don’t do better when they are young, but they learn through experiences and develop a steep
learning curve as they grow.
6. Are people born clever or need to learn to be clever?

Yes, some are born clever, and others get better with experiences and time. Some children have better
receptive skills while learning, whereas others take some time. But in the end, if someone is
wholeheartedly prepared to challenge something or learn something, nothing can stop him from
reaching the destination.
7. Do you think there is anything that intelligent people find difficult to do?
Yes, there could be many, in fact. Intelligence ain’t define that a person can be a master in any subject
or occupation. Intelligence means how well and fast you adopt new learning and execute it. There could
be many things where you might see intelligent people will also struggle to decode the maze of
intricacies (=complexity, difficulty). For example, Virat Kohli is an absolutely talented batsman, but he
may not become a notable scientist at ISRO. I mean, you become proficient in one or two occupations
but can’t be everywhere. That’s why it’s called “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
8. What ways do people use to judge someone’s intelligence?

First of all, I think this question is flawed (=erroneous). It’s hard to judge anyone’s intelligence. Even the
judges of the Supreme Court fail to judge rightly in many cases. Yes, we can talk about reasonable ways.
For example, you may designate someone for an assignment. And you can judge him how good, bad,
or ugly he is at it. You will have to examine his job qualitatively. In another instance, I can say that how
well someone has resolved any issue under pressure at the workplace. When we see in the car’s rear
mirror, everything looks clear because it has passed but how you foresee and look forward to certain
things that matter the most.
6. Describe a book you read that you found useful.
• What the book is, and what it is about

• Why you read it
• When you read it
• Why you think it is useful
• I generally read articles or books online these days. It’s been a while that I’ve read a paper book
• Let me pull out something from my reading history. Yes, I read a popular book named ‘The Alchemist’
last year
• This book has an amazing story to inspire and look inward at what we are and what we want from our
life. Plus, how we measure our life in the end
• Paulo Coelho is the author of this wonderful novel. It’s a very old book, but yet it makes sense in our
present times
• The story speaks about an inspiring journey towards self-discovery. There’s no doubt that wisdom and
mysticism (=the belief that knowledge of God or real truth can be found through prayer and meditation
rather than through reason and the senses) combine in this classic novel that has sold millions of
copies of it worldwide
• The story depicts the journey of a young shepherd boy who wishes to travel the world in search of
treasure. But he ends up discovering an entirely different type of riches, which he never imagined in the
beginning
• The story teaches us to listen to our hearts, which many a time we ignore it. And evaluate and recognize
our unique opportunities in life and chase the dream and passion
• I would recommend this book to people of all ages because there’s something for everyone to learn
and understand from this fantastic story. The youth will enjoy reading it and might find some
connection to their desires and restlessness in this story
1. What is the difference between paper books and ebooks?

As far as the content and delivery of the message is concerned, both have similar values. However,
more and more people are getting used to ebooks because they don’t need to carry all books while
traveling and switch from one book to another at will and take advantage of technology. Additionally,
people are more conscious about the environment these days, so they prefer ebooks. It’s because
ebooks are not contributors to the cutting of trees. That said, yet I like to read paper books. Maybe
because I’ve grown up reading paper books, and I love the smell of the paper also. But as I said the
environmental concerns, I’ve switched to ebooks now. It was a hard decision to make, but I’m more
worried about Mother Nature than my personal wish.
2. What is the difference between the reading habits of young people and old people?
I guess the preference of reading topics changes as you get older in most cases. For example, when I
was a kid, I loved reading comic books, and those stories of Phantom, He-Man, Joker, Batman, and their
images always captivated and took me to a wonderful paradise of imaginations. Then, I grew up reading
schoolbooks and all other related to my academic curriculum and then entered the world of reading
novels. These days, I read books on tourism, fictional stories, motivation, politics, sports, investing, and
whatnot. This is my rough assumption that people might have such a preference. If not all, something
similar must be there. And as we know that when people enter their fifties, they prefer to read books
on faith, humanity, and topics encompassing (=covering) helping and understanding the world and its
pains and sweet endings.
3. Some people say that it is easier for children who start reading at a young age to succeed. Do you
agree?
My answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’ both. Reading unlocks the world of information as long as you are interested
in developing yourself pertaining to any topic or subject. It certainly makes you articulate and
composed. A little bit of extra information always gives a head start (=an advantage that someone has
over the people in something such as a competition or race) once you’re set on starting a new journey
on any topic or research. However, whatever you learn throughout your academics has no value until
you utilize and execute your learning practically. You may have seen students having straight ‘A’s during
their studies but fail miserably in their careers also. It’s because they were outperformers during their
studies but unsuccessful in implementing their learning in the labor market. Hence, my eyes won’t ever
dazzle at the habit of reading at all. I will always monitor the execution.
4. Are libraries important nowadays?

Yes, they are, and they will always be. But the question here is how many people and students go to
libraries nowadays. I guess ‘very few,’ and that’s the matter of concern. Additionally, people prefer
ebooks, so they have several books installed on their devices. Therefore, libraries are under threat.
5. What books do children like to read?

Children enjoy watching cartoons and reading comic books in most cases. They are entertaining and
suit their preference. But as they grow, books on academic content become a priority for them,
especially in India. The reason behind this imposed habit is the educational ecosystem grinds students
badly. They have to perform and perform exceptionally well in order to appease the wish of parents or
society. That said, some students buck the trend (=to resist or oppose something) and yet find some
time to read books on various topics, such as sports, music, fashion, and entertainment. I’ve also seen
students reading novels, too. And yes, it is truly an impressive habit for sure.
6. Do you think paper books will disappear?

It’s hard to say that they will disappear. Looking at the current trend, it seems, though, because most
students are switching to ebooks. But, maybe I think this could be a passing fad. But again, I could be
wrong also in my assumption. I say this because recently, students have been made to study online
during the coronavirus pandemic, and most of them are really not enjoying online studies or anything
to read online much. They hop back to paper books on most occasions, citing stress on eyes.
7. Do people read more nowadays?

I think so. In the past, we had magazines, newspapers, and other books to read, and we had to spare
some time and find the place to read the books of interest. But, now it has changed dramatically
because everyone carries a smartphone loaded with several apps. These apps keep sending
notifications of the up-to-the-minute update, and because of the convenience factor, people tend to
read many things on the run. For example, when I take a mini-break of say 5 to 10 minutes, I complete
any article of my choice. So, I guess the reading habit of the people has changed and significantly
increased.
8. Do you read before going to bed?

Not much, to be honest with you. In the past, yes, I used to read before I went to bed, but these days, I
more often watch something on ‘YouTube’ than read a book. In a way, it’s one and the same thing for
me. Whatever type of enlightenment that I yearn for, I get it from ‘YouTube’ videos. Yes, I cannot have
some options, such as novels and comic books that I read when I was very young. In a nutshell, my
reading has reduced, and at times, this fact also annoys me.
9. How will ebooks affect paper books?

It’s believed that they will replace paper books in the years to come. I don’t know whether it will happen
or not. But one thing is sure that it has impacted the sale of paper books extraordinarily because most
environmentally-conscious people are switching to ebooks. Let’s see what unfolds in the future. To
date, I would say that ebooks have run over their counterparts
10. What is the difference between films and books?

Well, we cannot compare them both. It’s like comparing an orange with an apple. Both have unique
offerings and a set of enjoyment. Films entertain or acquaint you with what’s happening in the world
with fictional or true stories. Within a couple of hours, you enter a world of fantasy. They are as dearly
as books, while books need a different type of mindset. I mean, everyone will not be interested in
reading books, but most people will be interested in watching movies of their preferences.
7. Describe the first time when you used a foreign language to communicate.
• Where it happened
• When it happened
• Who you talked to
• How you felt about the conversation
• The language provides us a primary method of communication. It’s hard to learn any foreign language;
no matter how hard we try to improve it, we cannot be as good as a native speaker for sure
• In India, most people study in the school where the medium of instruction is the English language. I can
proudly say that we are far better than other nationals in speaking and writing the English language. But
there’s also a caveat (=warning). Can we speak like native speakers? In most cases, the answer is ‘no’
• It’s a continuous process of getting better in the language. I remember my linguistic skill in the English
language was tested when I started my freshman year in the USA
• Until then, our teachers and others spoke in the English language, but we always mixed our vernacular
language, and in most cases, it was an Indian English instead. I mean, a pure translation from the
• After completing of my first course, I had to do a presentation before an audience of around 400 people
in the auditorium. They were students, professors, and other people from the industry. Most of them
were born Americans whose first language was English
• This is the first time where I felt less confident while speaking in English. I feared that I was judged on
my language. Obviously, my pronunciation delivery, intonation, and stress were not akin to those of
native speakers
• And somehow, I completed my presentation with low confidence, impacting my marks also
• But that was a steep learning curve for me. My classmate, who is a born American and native speaker,
calmed my nerve and counselled me about where I was wrong. Ever since that experience, I’ve never
looked back and improved on pronunciation delivery, intonation, stress, and colloquial language
1. Will minority languages disappear?

I guess they will gradually vanish for many reasons. Evolution is a natural process. Humankind adopts
and disowns many things with time. For example, I’m a Sindhi, I know how to speak it and understand
various dialects also. But I don’t know how to read or write it. Now, here is the concern! Perhaps, our
next generations may even struggle to speak and understand it. There are several languages that are
on the brink of extinction. And that’s why many governments are trying to revive vernacular languages
by including them in academic courses at the school level. Languages disappear owing to the natural
process of migration, and in some cases, they are destroyed by force. For example, ‘Saraiki Language’
in Pakistan is on the verge of disappearance because the state has imposed ‘Urdu’ as a national
language on all citizens without sympathy for many people.
2. Is learning a language since childhood good for the child?

My answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’ both. I would say ‘yes’ because children retain the learning well when they’re
very young, and as they grow, their retention skill gets debilitated (=weaken) because they’re
surrounded by unimaginable external and internal concerns.
However, when we force or create an environment for children to learn another language at a young
age, they may lose their command over native languages. So, all in all, you get something and lose
something. And, it’s arbitrary (=subjective).
3. Is spoken language more important than written language?

I don’t think so. Maybe we speak more and write less in our day-to-day life. But it all depends upon your
own circumstances. Suppose your job entails back-end processing where you need to write too much
and speak less; there, the importance of writing supersedes spoken language. So, it’s all about your
situations, but I believe both skills are equally significant in our lives.
4. Do you think learning a foreign language is important?

Again, my answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’ both. Some people enjoy learning other languages because they see
intrinsic value in them. Some people have to learn a foreign language because the ecosystem has been
created such. For example, we Indians yearn for speaking the English language fluently as most
international trades and domestic transactions take place in English, and therefore, it’s a requirement
to climb the ladder of success. In India, there’s another group of people who feels pride in the English
language proficiency for some unknown reasons. They feel associated with the language and like to be
called ‘Angrez.’ Hence, it comes down to what you want to achieve by learning the foreign language.
5. Do you think English will be the mainstream language of the world in the future?
No. I don’t think so. Native languages will be dominant in the years to come, and they won’t be replaced
ever. Yes, some minority languages will be at a loss and may disappear in the future.
6. Can people learn English and not learn another language?

If it’s decided, anybody can learn any language in the world. No mission is impossible against the will of
the doer. You just need a purpose for doing anything. Motivation always ensues (=come up, arise,
emanate).
7. When learning a foreign language, which part is easier – Speaking or Writing?

I think speaking is easier than writing in any language. Because speaking doesn’t involve a complex
grammar structure, and your expressions and gestures speak unspoken things, so it’s handy for
speakers.
8. Some people travel to learn a foreign language. What do you think about this preference?
I support this notion. You tend to learn any language better when you are surrounded by native
speakers. You learn significant elements of the language by interacting with native speakers formally
or informally. And, it’s like building blocks every day.
9. Do you think grammar is important?

Yes, it’s without any equivocation (=without any doubt). Or the meaning and context will be distorted. I
know some people say that grammar isn’t something to concentrate on. But they forget that people
lose their professional integrity by using erroneous language. If I talk about myself, I won’t dare to read
any material if the first couple of lines don’t make sense and grammatically incorrect. I will throw it
away.
10. Is it popular to learn English in your country?
Yes, very much. English is a very much popular language in India. In fact, I would say that every Indian
desires to speak in English fluently. They feel a status symbol if they are proficient in this language.
11. Why do some people learn languages so quickly?

I guess there are two reasons for this. One, some people are good at grasping any learning, and it’s a
God gift. Some people memorize swiftly, which may not be possible for everyone. Two, some people
have an interest in learning languages. Again, it’s a choice or a dream, I could say. For example, I have
seen people working hard to improve their French or English proficiency in India. Not because they
want to go overseas, but they feel confident and content to have command over other languages.
12. What are the difficulties of learning a new language?

There could be many for sure. Non-native speakers don’t have an environment where the other
language is widely used. And therefore, they make a lot of mistakes because there’s no one to correct
their mistakes. Everyone is just involved in a trial and error process, so they stay away from the
language’s purity. Additionally, some people start learning a new language with great zest in the
beginning, but that strong desire to learn a new language fades away after some time as every skill
takes your dedication, time, patience, and die-hard efforts. Everyone is not born to possess such
qualities.
8. Describe a family (not your own) that you like.
• Whose family this is

• Where they live
• Who are the family members
• Why you like this family
• Well, there are many families in my acquaintance (=contact) that are worth discussing, but it’s hard to
pick one of them
• Anyway, if I’ve to choose the perfect family, I will give number one to the family of my friend, Tina
• I’ve known this family for the last 15 years. Tina and I have been studying and growing up together over
these years. Hence, it’s the usual thing that we keep visiting each other’s family. In fact, I can say that it’s
my extended family in a way, considering the amount of love and affection that I receive from her
parents. Sometimes they also counsel me about my study and career plans
• They live in a luxurious villa in the same vicinity where I live. I love her house very much because it’s set
within landscaped grounds. Plus, it has an absolute green backdrop because it’s surrounded by a
number of mature forest trees
• Tina has a younger brother who is in year 12 right now. They are four in the family
• Words will fall short of praising the qualities of the Bhatia family
• Tina’s mom has a congenial (=affable, jovial, cordial) personality, and she’s a super successful
businesswoman also. In business, she maintains order by sheer force of personality, and I guess she’s
one of the adorable persons in the workplace, too.
• About her father, uncle Bhatia is an innovative kind of person. When you sit with him casually, he always
comes up with some bright ideas on many things. He always discusses the solutions of any matter
rather than cribbing (=complain) about problems like others. As a youth, I tend to learn a lot many
things, which I might not learn from books. When he speaks, it’s always ‘pearls of wisdom’
• Not only these, but they are also full of life all the way. They create moments of happiness and live in
the present. You can see their loving memories all over on Facebook and Instagram. They also travel a
lot. Every year, they go to some exotic places in the world and bring back sweet memories and learning
of the other culture and share with us
• To me, they are the happiest family on this earth, and they make every moment count. Uncle Bhatia
always says, “You get only one life. Make it count!”
• One thing is sure that when I acquire my family, I will certainly emulate (=copy) what they do
1. How do grandparents educate their grandchildren in your country?

I guess it’s hard to answer this question because it all depends on the grandparents’ personality and
temperament. All humans don’t have the same qualities: some are full of wisdom, and others are full of
negative mindsets.
Anyway, if I take the gist (=summary, tenor) of this question and generalize it, the first thing that
grandparents teach children is the importance of several life skills in life. Children get all the book
knowledge from the school, but life skills prepare them for adulthood and success. For example, my
grandparents taught me many invaluable life skills, such as being punctual at work, doing my laundry,
managing time, to having good manners, being a good helper and team player, and among others. I can
go on and on. And, frankly speaking, you won’t believe how useful these life skills are in my life. I think
the wisdom of grandparents plays a vital role in our success in the long run. And, there’s no doubt that
grandparents are as knowledgeable as our professors and teachers who shape our lives positively.
2. Who is the head of the family in your culture?
Both my parents jointly make all significant decisions in my family. But if I talk about the Indian culture,
it has been an elderly male candidate who is the family head in most cases. However, things are
changing for the good. You could see women are also coming forward and participating in all family
decisions, especially in urban areas.
3. Are grandparents important in your family?

Yes, they are. Our both sets of doting (=adoring, loving) grandparents are the pillars in the family. They’re
always there to help children or grandchildren untiringly and incessantly (=constantly), no matter what
nonsense or crime they have ever committed. Such selfless love and pampering are precious, and I say
that they’re a guardian angel of all sorts for sure.
4. In a typical family in your country, who plays the leading role?

I believe both moms and dads play equally an important role in raising children and looking after other
family concerns. It will be unwise, or I would say discrediting, if I become selective on picking up either
of them as far as dedication and sacrifice is concerned. Ideally, the father takes the expense of raising
children, whereas the mother counsels children for career building and being a responsible citizen.
However, things are also changing currently, majorly in urban areas, where you see both parents are
the working ones, and they have shared responsibilities to guard their families against all sorts of
challenges.
5. For parents, what is important when bringing up their child?

I guess there could be several things we can discuss, but let me narrow down my response. Most
parents are worried that children may go astray (=to go in the wrong direction) as they grow, and that’s
the only colossal (=gigantic, very big) concern that they have. Then, they try to ensure that their children
don’t become a liability to them. In other words, they want their children to embrace their
responsibilities as they grow, and when they acquire their own families.
I don’t think that parents are concerned other than these fundamental expectations. But I think that’s
not enough. Parents should also inculcate (=impart, indoctrinate, instill) the right values in their
children. For example, they certainly advise children not to tell lies, but they themselves do that day in,
day out (=everyday), so it’s a self-defeating training.
6. What makes a good parent?

I think I would respect those parents who make their children responsible and give them wings to fly.
They should offer a positive environment to children from which they get motivated and do something
uncommon for themselves and society at large. Mediocre (=ordinary, dull) living is contagious, and
parents must help children to come out of a mediocre life and think beyond imagination with the good
values. When I say good values, it means they must be compassionate, sensitive, helping, and strong
enough to take the world head-on.
7. Do you think both parents should take equal responsibility for taking care of their children?
Yes, absolutely. Be it a family or a job; nothing great can be achieved without teamwork. So it is the right
thing in the family! Their equal concentration on children ensures that they stay on the right course as
they go. Plus, every person is unique with so many unimaginable things, and mature people learn from
each other. The same applies to parents. For example, my dad is good at taking care of all the external
concerns, whereas my mom teaches me to become a good person in life. Such a positive combination
shapes the lives of children.
9. Describe a short-term job you would like to do in a foreign country.
• What type of work you would like to do there

• What country you would like to work in
• Why you would like to work in this country
• Finding the right kind of job that hits all the right marks, such as satisfaction, money, and work-life
balance is hard to achieve these days
• Most people ask, “What’s your passion?” And then you present or contemplate (=think about) your
various interests in life. So, one of my interests is to work for animal betterment in my life
• I want to have a state-of-the-art veterinarian hospital in my town. Therefore, I would like to gain some
hands-on experience working for a not-for-profit organization for animal betterment in Canada
• I’ve gone through plenty of openings as an animal care administrator online, and it seems that this
cause is certainly underserved (=not getting enough help, services, or products) and underrepresented
(=marginalized, belittled, diminished) all over the world
• I’ve done some research on this occupation and found that the government of Canada and several
not-for-profit organizations spend millions of dollars to better the lives of animals. They spend billions
of dollars in research to alleviate (=mitigate, allay, assuage, ease) the sufferings of animals day in, day
out (=every day for a long period of time)
• I’ve also visited a few organizations, which take care of stray animals. While talking and gathering pieces
of information, I found they’ve the expertise to deal with both the medical and psyche of animals, and
that’s what gravitates me to this job and place
• Suppose I’ve experience of some years with such organizations and a little bit of know-how about how
vets treat diseased and injured animals and ask about new advances that might help animals live
longer and better. In that case, it will be handy for me to start a charitable organization dedicated to this
cause in India later on
1. What are the difficulties that people might face while working abroad?
I guess there could be many. First of all, I think language is a big barrier for immigrants or international
workers working in other countries where the English language is the first language. No matter how
proficient you are, but you can’t be as good as native speakers while communicating. Then, foreigners
must adapt to or integrate into the host culture in order to be in sync with (=in agreement with
somebody/something) the culture. Otherwise, it’s hard to make progress. You’ve gotta blend yourself
with them in every aspect to be marketable. And the last is the weather. I come from India, which has
almost hot weather round the year, and if I’ve to work or live in North America, the weather out there
is utterly the opposite.
2. What is the biggest challenge of working in a foreign country?

Along with the factors presented in my previous answer, there are yet other things that put immigrants
into trouble. For example, corporations out there don’t have any idea about the school’s quality from
where you have graduated. And therefore, they think twice to consider your academic achievement at
par with their education system. The same trouble applies to your work experience. Imagine how we
work in India and how they work there. It’s a day-and-night difference in reality. For example, clients in
India have a strong urge to call for every small matter, whereas people there prefer all the
communications recorded via emails. Therefore, it’s a 360-degree change, and you need to adapt to all
new settings.
3. How would you benefit from working at a multicultural company?

Of late, professional diversity is the centerpiece of all the corporate discussions. A vast number of
corporations have a distribution channel globally, so they try to assimilate (=grasp, incorporate,
understand) with the local culture. For employees, they will have an idea of how things work in other
countries, and such an experience is like gold on your resume.
4. Will it be beneficial for young people to work for an international company?

Absolutely, and there’s no doubt about it. The more you know about the world at a young age, the more
chances you have to grow in the long run for sure. I guess global understanding in the line of business
you are in will make you composed and articulate. And their benefits will be seen gradually with time.
5. How do people get to know about international jobs?

It’s not hard at all. In the past, until the advent of new technology, we hardly had any knowledge about
openings in the international market. But there are several recruitment websites that list jobs regularly
now, and some of them operate globally.
6. Is it difficult for people to get a job at an international company?

Yes, I think so. Most companies prefer to hire locals for several reasons. It’s a matter of convenience for
both parties. Corporations have to spend time and money both while hiring candidates from other
countries. Plus, they’re always skeptical (=doubtful, unconvinced) about the quality of their academic
achievement and work experience. However, there are exceptions, too. For example, we Indians are
known for our IT skills excellence, and this fact is wide open to the world. Hence, North American and
European companies see worth in the Indian workforce in the tech world.
7. Is it good that now people have an opportunity to live and work abroad?
I think it’s a positive development for both immigrants and host countries. Both parties need each other
for their success. It’s like mortise and tenon (figurative, coined by Vinod Gambtoo). Immigrants get a
better lifestyle living abroad, whereas host countries need population and their participation in
economic activities.
10. Describe a dinner that you enjoyed.
• Who organized this meal and where you had it

• What you talked about during the meal
• What you ate and drank
• Why you enjoyed it
• I love tasty food, especially love trying different cuisines

• I can’t say I’m a gourmet, but one thing is sure that I wouldn’t eat anything that’s served on the plate
• I remember the dinner that we had last month. My boyfriend surprised me utterly by inviting me to the
CN Tower on our first anniversary of dating
• I never thought that my boyfriend would give me a treat at one of Canada’s most expensive restaurants.
As expected, it cost us more than $250, but it was all worth it
• Thankfully, it wasn’t the weekend, so there were relatively small numbers of people relishing the food
• Initially, I was thinking of saving my boyfriend’s money, so I was unable to decide what to order, but I
guess he read my mind and encouraged me to order whatever I liked the most
• We both love Lasagna with wine and other French dishes. Everything was delightfully tasty, and more
than the taste, it had a perfect setting to be with someone and share moments along with a meal
• This was really a gastronomic delight
• While having the meal, we talked about how we met and how far we have come in our lives, all those
moments where we had our finest moments and also those dark moments where we hated each other
for a while. We also talked about our immediate plans in our life and all other stuff
• I think that the main reason for liking and remembering this meal is because I was felt special and loved.
On top of it, the food was awesome, and the experience was such that I thought I’d died and gone to
heaven
1. Will you choose a café or a restaurant when you meet others?

Well, it all depends upon the occasion. If friends decide to meet casually, the café will always be the right
place because you may sit longer and eat less. Cafes serve bakery stuff, such as cookies, cakes, and light
snacks, along with hot and cold beverages, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks. We’ve too many cafes
in our city, and trust me, all of them are unique in their offerings. The ambiance (=atmosphere,
environs) of some cafes are cool and inviting.
If I’m really hungry or have a formal meet with my clients, then I would definitely choose restaurants
over cafes. But, overall, the café will be my preferred choice.
2. What are the differences between a café and a restaurant?

I think you wouldn’t note much difference between cafes and restaurants generally except the size,
price, and ambiance. Cafes are meant to be a place for conversation, informal meetings, or a cup of
coffee and sit in for a while on the run, whereas restaurants offer a perfect setting for having a meal
with friends and family. They are expensive, and each restaurant is unique in ambiance with a pricey
menu.
3. Is it important to have a meal together with your family?

Definitely, yes. Having a meal together with your family has only advantages. You could enjoy the meal
while discussing your day-to-day life and other issues. Such a conversation gives us some sort of mental
relaxation, and you could deal with your work stress. Some parents do it on purpose to promote more
sensible eating habits with their children. Children happen to learn all that profound (=deep, intelligent)
wisdom of what’s good and what’s not in their eating habits from their parents. It also gives an
opportunity to sit together and have fun while eating.
4. Is it expensive to eat out in your country?

I don’t think so, but again it depends upon your income. India is not an expensive country for anything,
but if you live from hand-to-mouth, then everything that you see is costly. For example, the McDonald’s
burger cost me ₹150 in India and $5.50 in Canada. In the end, how much you save and purchasing
power decides your spending power.
5. More and more people are unwilling to cook. Why is this happening?
‘Time is money,’ that’s what’s said. With time, pressure on working people has grown manifold, and it’s
hard for them to cope with (X=not, cope up with) their personal and professional life. This could be the
chief reason why people are unwilling to cook a meal for themselves. Another factor responsible for
this phenomenon is the tremendous availability of fast food at a lower cost. People feel saving a lot of
time by buying tasty fast food on the run. And, because of this propensity (=disposition, tendency) of
consumer behavior, you see there have been countless fast-food joints that have come into existence
everywhere in the world.
6. Do you like to try new food?

Yes, I love trying new foods but may not like all. I’ve tried Lebanese food, Canadian food, and various
cuisines of Indian food. I guess all cuisines have mouth-watering smells.
7. What kinds of foreign food are popular in your country?

In my country, you see Chinese food everywhere. Sometimes I wonder that more than Chinese people,
we consume their delicacies. In fact, I would say it’s not Chinese food but Indian-Chinese food as it is
prepared according to the taste of India. Apart from Chinese, some European and Mexican delicacies
are also popular.
8. Do you like to cook at home?

Yes, I love to cook at home as long as time permits me. I believe home-cooked food is healthy. We are
already going through worse of the food industry, such as increased hormones in the meat and the use
of pesticides in vegetables, so fast food is junk for our body. Therefore, home-made food makes sense.
9. What is the difference between having meals at home and a restaurant?

Both have their advantages. Meals at home are all about sitting with your family members and enjoying
the healthy food, which is made of the right condiment, unadulterated oil, and fresh vegetables or
meat. I personally love home-made food much, and I believe it’s tastier than that of made in
restaurants. However, some people believe that meals at a restaurant are tastier than what’s cooked at
home. Plus, you have an ambiance where you do nothing but order the food of your choice. That luxury
is not there at home.
10. How often do people in your country like to eat out?

I’m not sure how often they go out for a meal, but I guess they go once a week at least, especially during
the weekend.
11. Is it possible that everyone will eat at restaurants instead of at home in the future?
I don’t think so. With time, people are getting matured with many things. I mean, you learn so many
hidden or perilous (=hazardous, very dangerous) pieces of information of everything. The food industry
has commercialized at the cost of unhealthy adulteration of chemicals and other things, which affects
us heavily. Eating out is not a healthy habit, and I guess people are returning to the cooking of late.
12. What are the advantages of eating at restaurants?

Two things come to my mind: one, it is super tasty, and two, it saves your precious time. Apart from
these two advantages, I don’t see other benefits.
11. Describe a special day that made you happy.
• When it was
• What the occasion was
• Why it made you happy
• There are countless moments and days when I felt happy

• In fact, I’m grateful for something every day as I listen to my inner child
• The special day that I recount (=tell, narrate) now is my last birthday. Usually, people love their
birthdays, but any birthday which brings a surprise is incredible
• That’s what happened to me last year
• I had been thinking of buying the latest iPhone over the months, but it was beyond my budget
• Additionally, I didn’t want to force my parents to buy me an expensive phone, so what I did was I
started to save some money every month
• Yet I was short of around ₹30,000, and it was a big amount for me to manage
• I don’t know how my parents observed my longing (=wish, yearning) for a new phone, but I’m sure
they kept their eyes on this wish of mine
• I remember this surprised because it gave me a smile of the century on my face
• I got up in the morning and was waiting for my cup of tea to be served
• Instead of tea, my mommy hugged me and gave me the gift-wrapped box
• I asked her what was in it. She said, “you open it up and see yourself”
• And guess what! It was iPhone XR. I couldn’t believe that for a while, but it was happening
• The thing that I had been longing for (=wanting, wishing, desiring) some time was right there in front
of my eyes
• I felt on cloud 9 (=state of perfect happiness) and thanked my parents for that incredible gift
• I know it’s something beyond my imagination and never knew that my parents were so much
attentive to my wishes
• Anyway (X= not anyways), parents are always there to cheer your special moments
1. What are some things that made you feel happy?

There are many things, in fact, that makes me feel great many times. Whenever any positive piece of
news that breaks for which you have been waiting for so long is one of them. I cheer when Team India
wins the match, or also I feel elated (=happy) at the playing opportunity for either an indoor or outdoor
game. I personally believe that fulfilling hobbies bring unimaginable (=incredible, unbelievable) joy to
your life.
2. Do you think artistic activities can make people happy? (Why/Why not)
I’m not sure about it because it varies from person to person. I’m the guy who is not overly inclined to
artistic activities, so it doesn’t matter to me. But I’ve seen a lot of people enjoying themselves when they
employ themselves in creative activities. There’s a classic case in my family. My sister lives in a world of
arts, so she finds tremendous joy whenever she gets associated with artistic activities.
3. Do you think people who have more talent are happier than others? (Why/Why not)
I don’t agree with this notion. Happiness has nothing to do with talent (=ability). It’s all about how you
see your life and try to extract pleasure (=happiness) from small things around you. For example, I feel
much convinced when I feed animals, but my neighbor, who is a renowned doctor, abhors (=hates) it.
He might be feeling happy with other activities. I’ve also seen talented people being grumpy
(=bad-tempered, waxy), and at the same time, people who live by the road enjoy better than us on
many occasions.
4. Do you think money makes people happy?

My answer is ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ both. Money is not everything but not lesser than anything. That’s a
paradoxical (=contradictory, incongruous) statement, but it’s true for sure. Life becomes beautiful with
money, but it also becomes trash if you’re deprived (=strip, deny) of sound health. So, money does buy
medicines but unable to get your health on many occasions. Again, I’ve seen the happiest people with
lesser wealth and the most frustrated with riches on this earth.
5. Are the things or events that make people happy today the same as several decades ago?
Of course, the definition of happiness, excitement, surprise, and other emotional triggers remains
unchanged. Maybe the mode, nature, and sources of joy might have changed with time. For example,
people in the past enjoyed a cup of tea in the garden, and today they go to a cafe.
6. Why do people feel happy when they are with members of their family?
By all means (=of course), they’re your family, and for every moment, whether we’re happy or unhappy,
they stand by us. Another important aspect is that we don’t need to fake anything with them. Whether
we are good or bad, they love us untiringly and incessantly (=regularly, constantly, endlessly). Such
unconditional love ties the members of the family. To me, the family is first!
7. What are some examples of family activities that make people happy?
I guess there are many family activities that make our lives whole. A cozy dinner with your folks or
maybe going on holiday with them or could be with them for watching just a movie are some of the
activities. I personally like a candlelit dinner with my girlfriend at the beachfront restaurant, which
provides the perfect end to the day.
8. Some people say the happiest time in people’s lives is the period when they are at school? Do you
agree?
There’s no doubt about it because we’re young and restless with no external concerns of career-making
or sustaining any type of relationship or so. In school time, we enjoyed small things which seem to be
inconsequential (=unimportant, insignificant) if we think about them right now, but that’s the all joy that
we had. We never judged anyone or were judged by our friends, too. We seized every moment and
enjoyed life more even if sometimes something went wrong, it didn’t impact much the way it happens
now. I wish I could reclaim those golden days of my life now, but it’s just not possible.
9. Do young and older people find happiness in the same things?

Yes, I think so. Some moments and activities bring the same joy regardless of age and other factors. I
can give you an excellent example to substantiate (=confirm, prove) my agreement. My dad, mom,
sister, and I play Ludo game on the tablet, and you’ll be surprised to see the intensity, excitement, and
happiness when we beat each other. We all become kids once again and fight hard as they do so.
12. Describe an experience when you played an indoor game with others.
• What you played

• Who you played with
• Why you played
• How you felt about it
• I play both indoor and outdoor games

• It all depends upon the opportunity and time availability, and on some occasions, it’s all about the
company of friends or members of the family with who you are
• I personally love the game of Chess as it is a fascinating (=exciting, interesting) indoor game;
usually, it’s played with two players
• But today I’m going to talk about another game, which is popular these days
• It’s Ludo, and it’s also known as Board game
• I went to my cousin’s place some days back, and happened to meet his friends there, too
• We were just killing time by gossiping, and one of his friends recommended to play Ludo game
• First, we decided to play on the cell phone, but later on, decided to change it to an iPad
• I find this game exciting, and for every move of your token, you need to use reasoning to beat your
rival. You cannot roll your tokens randomly or without giving a thought. If you do so, you may lose
• This game is played with two to four players, and we decided to team up and played in the
partnership of two each
• So, whoever brings all four tokens to the finishing square wins
• This game: if played with attention, it brings all sorts of emotional triggers, such as fear, excitement,
jubilation, regret, and so on
• My partner and I were the winners in the end. However, we narrowly defeated our opponents
because one of their partners had only one token left to the finish, and luckily we had two sixes,
and my partner made it
1. Do you play any indoor games?

Sometimes I play indoor games, but I rather (=instead) prefer to play outdoor games more. I personally
believe that the game must include physical efforts (energy busting) along with skills. For example, I get
more satisfaction if I happen to play tennis, badminton, or cricket.
2. Do you prefer to play indoor games or outdoor games?

Outdoor games, any day. That will be the first preference. You get a different kind of joy when you play
in the ground, field, or court. And, it also gives a workout to the body.
3. What indoor games did you play when you were a child?
I don’t remember all, but yes, there were games such as playing cards, especially Rummy, Ludo, Candy
Crush, Indoor Bowling, and Puzzles, among others. Apart from these, we also played Indoor Obstacle
Course and Follow the Leader.
4. Is there any particular indoor game that you liked (when you were a child?
I enjoyed playing all the games. If I’ve to single out my favorite one, I will go with ‘Road Rash’ on Xbox.
There is a particular reason for it because you play it with simulation. It means as if you feel driving the
bike, cutting your wave, kicking or getting kicked by your opponent, and so on. It’s really entertaining,
especially when you come down from the cliff, staying in the altitude for seconds, and land your bike.
You feel as if it were happening to you.
5. What sorts of indoor games do children play now?

I’m not sure about it, because I don’t have any kid in my family at the moment. But let me guess. I guess
they play games on Xbox yet. There are countless gaming apps, but frankly speaking, I’m unable to
think of any other game. Maybe I never thought of being asked such a question ever.
6. Do you play video games? And what kinds of video games do you like to play?
Yes, and I love it. If I had an opportunity right now, I wouldn’t wait for it. Car Racing and Road Rash are
my favorite ones. There could be many other games, but I’ve no idea, I just play those games that offer
me pleasure, and these are the games that make me excited and playful.
7. Is it good for young people to play video games?

I don’t see anything wrong with it. I know some people consider it a bad habit, but I think otherwise for
a variety of reasons. Video games make players think and make the judgment on their next moves, so
it’s like applying your critical thinking. It is fun, isn’t (ain’t) it? In most games, you need to think rapidly
and make your moves. If you fail to make the right decision, you face a defeat. In a nutshell, that
prepares you at the elementary level to make the right decision, which can be helpful in the career later
on.
8. What qualities should a team leader have?

Well! There is a list of qualities for team leaders, but it’s hard to have a composed team leader these
days. I think the team leader should be, first of all, a clear communicator since he has to assign duties
to team members and get things done on time. Furthermore, he should be confident for his team and
patient when things go wrong. In many cases, team leaders wear a lofty (=high, elevated) ego and
prejudice (=bias, discrimination), which kills the tempo of the team and impacts productivity. I
personally believe that he should be fair, kind, and cooperative. If I’m in a fix (situation), he should roll
his sleeves and stand by me.
9. Is teamwork important to individuals?

Yes, it is. In fact, it is of great significance. We must not forget that teamwork makes large corporations.
Teamwork means professional diversity. Coordinated efforts give a sense of accomplishment and
satisfaction to each team member. In some cases, team members learn from each other and develop
skills. It teaches several professional traits without which it’s hard to make progress in the career.
10.What do you think about people spending too much time on computer games?
Anything too much always brings disappointment of any sort. I don’t know what drives people to spend
their precious time on computer games excessively. It’s an addiction – an unwanted one for sure. I
believe many people lose an opportunity to experience this beautiful world outside the four walls. It
should be avoided.
13.Describe a time when you were cheated/when someone lied to you/someone
did not tell you the complete truth.
• What the occasion/situation was

• When this happened
• Who the person was
• What he hid about
• Why you think the person did not tell you the whole truth
• About cheating or lying, I guess everyone faces this immorality (=dishonesty) on many occasions
• It’s sad that it’s a part of our life, but we cannot help it
• I would like to recount (=tell, narrate) one of the incidents that I’d gone through recently
• I wanted to buy a belt, so I visited one of the premium shops in town
• The sales officer, named Jenny, attended my purchase order
• She showed me many belts from the display and went on pitching striking points/qualities of each
• I am an animal lover, and therefore, I abstain from using genuine leather products. I don’t want to be
a part of animal killing or brutality
• I shared this resolution with her and asked her to show me only those belts which were made of the
artificial material that looked like genuine leather
• She very well understood my point, but she went on withholding (=conceal, hide) information with
respect to the belt material and presented false information
• She confirmed proudly that the belt was made of artificial material only
• Two days later, my father happened to see that belt, and he liked it. He wanted to try it on, and while
doing so, he told me that it was made of genuine leather. He knows how much I love animals. He was
surprised at my decision to buy the belt made of genuine leather
• Jenny sold the product with lies and deception (=betrayal, disinformation). Therefore, I returned it
after three days
1. Do you think telling white lies is acceptable sometimes?

Surely (=admittedly), it must not be ever. I believe there must be a severe penalty for lying. Anybody
who lies on any matter cannot be trusted ever. Whether it is once or frequently, I think we should
take a serious note of all forms of lying. Unfortunately, in some cultures or countries, lying is not seen
as a big (=significant) offense as other crimes, and people take it casually. I am afraid of this behavior
and treatment for people who lie and deceive. This could lead to colossal (=enormous, huge) fraud or
crimes at some stage. Therefore, I would say that we should nip the evil in the bud (=kill the evil at the
start).
2. Do you think honesty is the only important (=outstanding) quality that should be in person?
It’s not the only quality that people should possess, but it’s, undoubtedly, essential to the core. Just
imagine if a person is dishonest, he may set a false narrative in the relationship. In some cases, people
are devious and take advantage of innocent people by peddling lies and dishonesty. They may rob of
peace of someone with their harmful agenda. Hence, I give a lot of significance to honesty, but there
are other qualities, too, which cannot be ignored at all.
3. Do you think children should be taught honesty at a young age?

It goes without saying. The foundation plays a vital role in good qualities, such as honesty, etiquette,
discipline, compassion, and others. Once the child grows and becomes a teenager, it’s hard for parents
and schools to mold him for these basic (=necessary) qualities. Because he becomes adamant and
stubborn on a (particular, specific) certain issue or might have built the foundation of non-cooperation.
Initially, children may get mad at us for being the enforcer of consequences. But if we don’t do that now,
they will be a huge (=massive) liability for everyone.
4. Do you think that being completely honest at all times can be not good?
It’s true that sometimes your steadfast honesty turns on to you. Regardless of its consequences, we
must not bend our ethics. However, we must make one exception on this topic. We’ve seen many
intellectuals are dishonest, and they engage themselves with depravity (=wickedness, degradation).
You cannot defeat them straight, so you have to change your rules to beat them. For example, in
Mahabharat, Duryodhana fought the war with Pandavas and justified it, but his justification was wrong
in spirit.
5. Why do people lie sometimes?

Well, I’ve no idea why they do so. Maybe they get benefitted from a pack of lies, or perhaps they get the
sadistic (=ruthless, brutal) pleasure of putting someone down. I guess there’s a remote possibility that
some people are born for lying and manipulating. That comes from their lineage (=clan, origin,
pedigree), or they learn from their parents.
6. How would you define white lies?

It is straight. Some people refuse to accept reality, no matter what happens. If you tell them that the
earth is round, they will fight you with lies and make you feel that the earth is flat. Such manipulators
or better I call them as intellectually dishonest people present ingeniously (=skillfully, aptly, deftly) pack
of lies.
7. Some people say liars are those who have a good memory; what do you think?
I’m not sure about this thing. But I know of one thing sure that liars have to memorize a lot because they
need to present the same lie over and over again.
8. What are the other ways to teach children about honesty, except having parents or teachers
teach them?
I believe the school foundation plays a vital role in establishing certain habits and hacks (=strategy,
technique) of life. Children should be rewarded for every small act of their honesty. At least once in a
week, there must be a class that gives importance to ethics, morality, discipline and other essential
qualities in our life. Inspiring stories that centralize honesty as a virtue should be included in the school
curriculum.
14. Talk about someone who encourages you to achieve goals or someone who
encouraged you to achieve a goal.
• Who the person is

• How he/she is related to you
• How he/she encourages you
• What this person encourage you to do
• Something about that person which you like the most
• Why this encouragement helped you to achieve this goal
• It’s a golden question
• In many battles of life, either we win or fail. But when we fail, we more often get emotionally negative
for various reasons. And it’s hard to get unstuck on many occasions
• Such events impact adversely on you, and at times, you do something unimaginable and hard on you
further
• So, the bottom line is we need to remain focused on our goal. However, it’s easier said than done.
Therefore, you need someone who could lift your spirit and turn your negative thoughts into positive
actions
• In my life, I look up to my mommy as the best person who always takes me out of the swamp
(=marshland, mud) when needed
• If I’m out of sorts, or feeling overwhelmed with emotions owing to desperations of being left out to
reach my goal, my mommy comes to rescue me to bring back normalcy
• She always tells me, “Your chimp is the reason that puts you down, so control it.” You know we have a
chimp inside us, not the real one, but the one who keeps talking to you always and steer your life.
• She tells me that it’s me who has to guide my chimp to become either a monster or a victor. And, yes,
she is right in that. Ever since I’ve tried to control my chimp (myself) from inside, things changed
dramatically, and it turns a negative perspective to a positive one
• The best thing I like about her is the way she tackles my frustration and guides me to get rid of it
rapidly. She’s untiringly calm when it comes to addressing my issues. She is as cool as a cucumber,
whereas I’m, at times, impatient. Therefore, this chemistry works wondrously in my case
• Her wisdom helps me steer out of danger and brings me back to the point. In this extraordinarily
competitive world, we want to be a winner professionally. Plus, as I said to you about the Chimp who
thinks 100 times faster than you – whether it’s positive or negative. Hence, there’s a big deal of
maintaining calm. For example, when you’re close to your target, you become overboard (=crazed,
enthusiastic, zealous), and there we’ve got to control. At the same time, when things don’t go as you
think, it takes you down, so we’ve to see that we’re not mired into a swamp
1. Why is it important for teenagers to set their goals?

If children aren’t (ain’t) inspired to make their careers at the right age, they probably are not able to
become responsible citizens ever in life. They become a burden on parents and the state also. For
example, I see many people who are in their twenties or thirties in my country, but they are not at all
worried about their life and life of people around them. It pains many, and they not only ruin their lives
but also of others. Therefore, it is ‘US’, I mean parents, society, teachers, and the surrounding, who
have to ensure them of the right guidance and check (=stop) them from indulging into any sort of
nuisance at large.
2. What will encourage children to learn more?

Well, there could be many things that encourage children to learn more. I guess the first thing is their
own natural motivation. I mean, some people are born to learn new things, and they need no push at
all. In some cases, parental guidance and stature of parents constantly influence them to push their
limits. Some children grow hearing chitchat between parents about ambitions, challenges, innovative
ideas, and other things that inspire them further. Lastly, I believe successful stories of winners motivate
children. Humankind has an inclination to share and tell stories of those people who have made a
difference in our life. Some children start idolizing those people and try to be them or better than them
as well. This is how we’ve a positive environment, which works well for children.
3. Do parents and teachers punish children these days?

Yes, I think so, but maybe not in a harsh way the way it used to be in the past. In the past, children were
controlled harshly in some cases, but gone those days now. It’s the need to discipline children before
they go astray. Because when we’re very young, we’re restless and think as if we own the world. But the
reality is quite the opposite of this fact. Therefore, teachers and parents need to check on them time
after time for their good. The absence of supervision from these both parties could be detrimental to
their careers.
4. Who do you think has a greater influence on the goal-setting of children? Teachers or parents?
I think both play a critical role in inspiring children to do something extraordinary. We cannot place the
sole responsibility on parents or on teachers. If we do the math, children broadly spend their one-third
of time at school and the same amount of time at home and the rest in sleep. So, what they learn at
school must be supplemented and supported by parents equally, or the whole exercise gets defeated.
15. Talk about a newly built public facility (such as parks, cinemas, etc.) that
improves/influences local life quality in your city.
• Which the facility is

• Where it is
• How it improves life quality
• How you feel about it
• I would like to talk about a park which was built, I guess, one year ago in the vicinity near my home
• The municipality has named it ‘Maharaja Ranjitsingh Park’
• I guess it is in the remembrance of Maharaja Ranjitsingh who was one of the bravest kings that my
country had produced centuries back
• It’s located around one kilometer from my home, so I think it is well placed for me because whenever
I desire to visit this park, I can walk to it, which offers me some warm-up before I arrive at the garden
• Recreational clubs, playgrounds, and parks are essential parts of our life to refresh, especially in my
country, which has a population of over 1.35 billion people. It’s the most densely country on this earth
when we see the land area per head (person)
• Parks offer us ‘me time’, and you could rewind yourself by sitting in a serene (=cool, comfortable)
environment, on the lush green grass surrounded by various types of beautiful trees. On top of it,
chirping of birds animate your inner feelings, and you have nothing but to fall in love with nature
• I’ve seen people from all walks visit and enjoy life in this park. This park is something special compared
to others as it houses a lake in the center. Sometimes, you happen to see flamingoes and tortoises
(NB=check pronunciation) and small fishes, too
1. What measures should be taken to deal with damage to public facilities?

Public property damage is a nuisance everywhere in the world. People act recklessly and don’t feel
ownership of anything until they pay from their wallets. Hence, whatever public properties are around
us are taken for granted. Two things we can think of implementing to stop this menace (=nuisance).
One, we need to educate people at the elementary level about civic sense and morality. Children grasp
and apply whatever they learn at the school rapidly. Once they are grown up, it’s hard to discipline them
because there are chances that they become rebellious. These children, when grow, become
responsible citizens and value for everything – be it personal or public property. Second, all public
places must be put under surveillance. Through CCTV cameras, we can catch anarchists and damagers.
2. What is the difference between the old facilities and new facilities?
It’s a slightly difficult question to answer. Anyway (X= not anyways), old facilities were built according to
time and need, and today things and tastes of people have changed dramatically. So, maybe they are
not much wanted. Additionally, most of them are worn out and lack of finesse and attractions. On the
contrary, new facilities address all those issues. They are with time and taste both. What was something
popular may not be the same in the current scenario. For example, when I go to my club to play tennis
these days, the club administration has placed a device that dispenses sanitizer for members. This was
not in need previously, but, after the coronavirus pandemic, such small facilities address the needs of
today.
3. What facilities do young people and old people like in your country?
Well, I can’t typecast (=establish, estimate) the choice of the young and old people since it rests on
personal inclination. But, broadly, I would say that old people love socializing people of their time and
they more often prefer parks, temples, and also recreational clubs where they sit and enjoy times.
About the youth, they always love recreational clubs, playgrounds, or eateries, where they could hang
out with friends.
4. What is the difference between facilities in the countryside and the ones in the cities?
I think the overall setup remains unchanged, whether it’s a rural or urban area in developed countries.
But that may not be true in a country like mine because there is a massive difference between what’s
offered in cities and the countryside. What I said just now would be available in cities, but in the
countryside, you may not see such facilities. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that people in the
countryside don’t enjoy their life. They have natural scenic places and lakes where they hang out with
friends. They’ve plenty of land on which they build a deck and play actual drama to entertain people.
16. Describe a foreign country (culture) you want to know more about it.
• Which country it is or which culture

• Where it is
• How you know about it
• Why you want to know more about it
• I am always keen on learning new cultures and exploring countries

• It is fun and exciting to experience something different and eccentric (=strange, outlandish, bizarre)
from our own culture or country
• While I was young, I formed a habit of watching Discover TV station, and, in fact, from there I got
inspired to learn about new countries
• I personally like to explore more on the North American culture, and Canada as a country as I’m
planning to migrate there. It makes sense if I know a bit about their culture so that I could integrate
into Canadian society smoothly
• Apart from watching Discovery TV station, I grew up watching English movies, which reflected mainly
British, American and European culture in most cases
• We hardly know about Canadian or Eastern European culture through Hollywood movies, and that’s
understandable, too because, in the last fifty years, Americans and Britons have dominated all walks
of our life
• My aunt has been living in Canada for the last 8 years, and she always speaks good about its natural
landscape, magnanimous (=altruistic, charitable, selfless) people, cosmopolitan culture, values and
ethics and what not
• The Canadian society believes in egalitarian (=democratic, equitable), social equality, and peace.
Canada is also known as one of the most peaceful countries on earth. You hardly hear any news of
racial discrimination, violence, or vandalism (=mischief, ravaging)
• Whenever I watch any video on a TV station or on YouTube, I get astonished to see the beautiful
landscape and not forget their 11 natural wonders. They are simply breathtaking (Niagara Falls,
Cabot Trail, Moraine Lake, Gross Morne National Park, Mingan Archipelago, Hopewell Rocks, Haida
Gwaii, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Crooked Trees, and Northern Lights)
• I guess, liking for the North American culture and place of living enthused me to explore all the good
about it. I have recently started to read about their magnificent visual arts and literature. Compared
to Americans or Britons, Canadians are not much known for their movies or music, but they are very
• Popular for Ice Hockey. It is just like Cricket in India. Canadians are diehard (=zealot, fanatic) fans of
Ice Hockey. About cuisine, most Canadians come from Europe and indigenous people, so the most
part of Canada offers a plethora of European cuisines dominated by French, Italian, Scottish, and
English
1. What do you think is the best way to learn foreign culture?

There are many ways to learn about the foreign culture in this digital world. In the past, we had
tourism tabloids, books on tourism, regular books, or newspapers. They were the main source of
our enlightenment (=knowledge). But this thing has changed in the last two decades. Now, we have
digital media such as government websites directing to their different departments for viewers.
YouTube has become the primary source of gathering information on any culture or country by
viewing. I believe that more than reading when we visualize any video, we generally never forget.
That said, the best way is to go and visit the country that you like. This way not only do we learn
about their culture but also feel it. And, it’s like a treasure that you always cherish (=admire, adore,
care for) in your life.
2. What do you think is the biggest problem to work in a foreign culture?

The biggest problem that people face is the language when they are in other countries while working.
For example, if you’re in Germany, you do better if you’re proficient in the German language. People
master their native language, and it’s a natural process. It takes years and massive efforts to get
command over other languages. Those who do it are the ones who deserve a lot of admiration. Apart
from this, sometimes it’s hard to integrate in the local culture due to varied beliefs, customs, and
lifestyle. To substantiate (=affirm, confirm, corroborate) this point, I would like to draw another
example. We, Indians, generally don’t eat beef. Now, when you are in Europe or North America, it’s
their regular food. Because of this, sometimes we tend to link the habit of the host country to our
customs. And, we find a total disconnect. It doesn’t mean that they are bad people, but we need to
reconcile (=accommodate, harmonize, integrate) with this fact and move on.
3. Some people say that reading is the best way to learn about a culture. Do you agree?
To most extent, I agree with this statement. Reading is a great source of enlightenment and to learn
about alternative views in life. As I said to you before, in the past, we had only one source to know
about new things was reading. Reading enjoyed a monopoly of disseminating (=advertise, publicize,
propagate) information over the centuries, but it has been challenged by the digital world these days.
I personally love reading books, and I would give thumbs up to this idea, but not all people may agree
with me.
17. Describe an advertisement you remember well.
• Which advertisement it is/was

• When and where you saw it
• What happened in it
• Advert! I will certainly like to recount the creative adverts of Seagram’s Imperial Blue because they’re
really very hilarious and have tickled many ribs over the years
• ‘Men will be men’ campaign focuses on how men either try to impress a pretty girl or how they get
overjoyed when their wives are away from them. It’s sometimes misogynist (=sexist) also, but it always
gives a smile on your face when you see the expressions of men in the advert
• I remember this advert well because it is incredible, and I happened to watch it the first time when I
was having a party with my friends at someone’s place some years ago
• This Seagram company keeps coming with new creative adverts time after time, and all of them are
impressive
• But I would like to say about the one advert, which featured two years ago
• There’s a pretty lady waiting for her floor to come in the elevator (=lift)
• She is talking to someone over the phone, and there are two guys tucking in their protruding (=bulgy)
belly to impress this girl
• And there’s a funny ‘Gazal’ is being played out in the background, and those expressions of that girl in
the advert are worth millions of dollars
• So, the moment that girl arrives at her floor and moves out of the elevator, the bellies of these two
guys get back to their actual shagging shape
• I mean it may not sound hilarious when I describe it, but when you watch it, I’m sure you will burst out
laughing. Absolutely funny!
1. Why do some people hate advertisements?

Well, there could be many reasons for it. First of all, I think you don’t enjoy every advert that comes on
the TV or by any platform. Sometimes, they distract you from your watching pleasure or enlightenment
process. For example, when I watch any video that makes me busy for some good reasons, and you’ve
an unwanted advert, which disturbs you. Secondly, at times, these commercials hijack the prime time
of your watching, and you don’t like to switch the station again and again. Lastly, I believe that we enjoy
only those adverts which address our needs. I mean if I am up for buying jogging shoes for myself, I
won’t be disturbed if there are commercials of selling shoes because I am in the middle of making my
decision. Or I would enjoy the advert if it has some funny content or creative ideas. For example, the
one I discussed with you about Seagram’s ‘Men will be men’ campaign won’t bother me but not all.
2. Do people usually buy stuff after watching advertisements?

I guess, yes. Commercials always influence the minds of consumers in general, and that’s why the
advertising industry is huge and employs tens of thousands of people in the world. Some large
corporations have a unique way to sell their products by attractive adverts by various means. For
example, Nike patronizes the world athletes in his adverts. In India, they endorse popular cricketers
such as Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni on their giant hoardings. We, Indians, love cricket and our heroes, so
the moment we see these heroes in the advert, we start getting associated with them instantly. This is
an amazing way to do business and to endorse the spirit of sports, as well
3. Is music useful in the advertisement?

To some extent, I guess it makes sense. I think there’s an overall package for any commercial to
become popular in the digital arena. Everything plays a vital role, be it acting, actor, setup,
background music, expressions, message, and so on. Anything that’s disconnect will send the advert
in the trash.
4. What are the advantages of TV advertisements? How about internet advertisements?

There are plenty of advantages of adverts associated with the TV medium. Most Indians use TV as an
entertainment or enlightenment medium. So, commercials on TV stations help all sizes of
corporations to improve their top line and bottom line. They design adverts in such a manner that it
prompts viewers to buy their stuff. However, this medium of adverts is being challenged these days
by the internet and the over-the-top (OTT) media services.
We have experienced the rapid growth of the OTT media. YouTube, NetFlix, and Amazon Prime are
the biggest beneficiaries of this technological revolution. Hence, many companies have diverted a
huge amount of their marketing expenditure to this new platform. I’ve no data that which platform is
ahead of the others; I mean TV watching or OTT usage. But I’m sure that there are people in great
numbers who choose the OTT platform than TV. And, yes, internet adverts are also as effective and
revenue-generating as others for companies.
5. Where do we usually see adverts?

Well, I would say everywhere. Whether it’s TV, or the OTT platform, hoarding, search engine, and all
other traditional and non-traditional platform, you see we’re being bombarded with adverts.
Marketers leave no space for promoting their businesses. At times, it’s frustrating, too. For example,
hoardings cover attractive and beautiful spots in your city. And we don’t have an opportunity to
witness the beauty of the city in some cases.
6. Are there any advertisements at school?

Yes, there’s no doubt. As I said, marketers leave no opportunity to influence the minds of consumers.
So is true for schools! Here, they’ve a different approach to infiltrate on the minds of students owing
to certain restrictions. For example, any education learning app will organize a free seminar to
educate children and parents, and they will offer the subscription free of cost for some time, and you
end up buying that product afterward. Because it targets the moldable innocent minds of students,
and we know that parents generally surrender to their children’s wishes.
7. Are there some inappropriate adverts, like that of a condom?

First thing first, I disagree with the terminology called ‘inappropriate adverts’. All adverts are
appropriate as long as they don’t promote nudity, coarse language, or disturbing images. For some
reason, people in my country consider the advert of condoms sleazy (=sordid, trashy), but it’s not
because it’s the part of our life. It has more benefits to offer than disadvantages. However, my saying
or way of thinking doesn’t matter because a large section of people believe that young children
shouldn’t watch such commercials. So, the Broadcast Ministry has recently changed the rules for such
companies to air their commercials. Now, you have adverts promoting condoms or such other stuff
after 10 o’clock in the evening. In the same way, commercials promoting liquor is prohibited in our
country. Candidly speaking, I never support any kind of prohibition. It’s like snatching a fundamental
right of citizens.
8. Why does the government allow such adverts?

My answer to this question is linked to the previous answer of mine. I don’t see it questionable, so the
government has prerogative (=immunity, choice) to allow such adverts. It’s not harming society by any
means.
9. Do you think it is bad for children?

No, I don’t think so. There is a reason behind this. It’s our duty to inculcate (=impart, indoctrinate,
instill) manners, etiquettes, values, and morality in children. But, at the same time, what’s needed
for our children to learn and understand, we can’t shy away from it or in other sense, we cannot
choose and pick our selective narratives. When children grow up, they will, invariably, be exposed to
all good and bad things in their life. We need to train them to stay off bad things to brighten their
careers. Betting, drinking, sexual explicitly, and all other things will remain in our life. So, why ignore
it? Better train them for everything. Maybe, my way of thinking is unacceptable to many, but it’s their
choice.
10. Do parents complain about it?

Yes, in most cases, they do so. Yet we’ve not developed a culture of accepting certain things in our life.
For example, drinking is considered a bad habit. Yes, it’s bad when you drink exceedingly but not
when you do it moderately and don’t shy away from your jobs and responsibilities and giving to
society. People generally have a habit of painting everything with the same brush. There I have an
objection.
18. Describe an unpleasant job you did.
• What the job was

• When you did it
• Why you found it unpleasant
• Well, describing my unpleasant job now is a confession of what I did in my previous job. In fact, it was
hard for me to carry this burden for some time.
• But this is the right opportunity for me to relieve somewhat from my misdeeds
• Last year, I joined a small-sized corporation, which had the strength of only 25 employees. I joined as
a software designer. My job paid me well also
• I happened to be a part of workplace toxicity. I was one of the contributors of all the mess, which I had
realized that I shouldn’t have done that after quitting the job
• Here the story goes! Our boss rebuked our team leader on one project in which the company had not
only incurred the loss but also faced the humiliation of being late in completing the project. The
follow-on deal of the company got terminated based on the previous project work progression
• Obviously, the front line, I mean our team leader, had to face the ire of the boss, but this simple thing
I didn’t understand that it was a part of professional life
• Our team leader took it to himself personally and turned a saboteur (= collaborator of enemy). A
couple of other coworkers including myself joined this toxic force without any reason
• We either delayed other projects or delivered a low quality on other projects on purpose. Again, the
company had to bear the loss, and they fired our team leader
• In friendship, we also quit the job and joined others
• However, after a few months later, I realized it was absolutely unacceptable and unethical on my part
• I asked a question to myself, “What would I have done if I were a boss.” I had my answer and started
cursing for such a crime that I did
• There was no way I could atone my misdeeds, but I felt disclosing all those unscrupulous (= corrupt,
deceitful) activities and thoughts with my boss. I apologized for my acts and took an oath of not
sabotaging anybody’s reputation ever in my life
1. How do modern technologies influence people?

Modern technologies have greatly influenced people from all walks of life. Technology has made
complex ways of working easier, and it’s a great boon to humankind, I would say. In our personal lives,
it has brought the world closer than ever before. Today, we can chat with our friends and relatives
who are miles away from us through various apps instantly. In our work life, there are several apps
and software that have streamlined our job duties. We can track the productivity of every team
member
by which we can help our company to grow swiftly. Overall, words will fall short to describe and admire
the presence of technology in our life.
2. Do people now work lesser than in the past because of technological advancement?
I don’t think so. In fact, I think otherwise. For example, let’s talk about lazy workers at the workplace.
In the absence of technology, they had their ways to underperform but would prove themselves as if
they had been outperformers. But technology doesn’t lie, and it catches every piece of inertia. For
performers, it keeps on reminding your task. The moment you are away from your objectives and
goals, it brings you back to the source. Constant reminders and tracking never allow you to sit idle. So,
all in all, I would say technological advancement has increased the burden of duties by multifold, but,
undoubtedly, it has streamlined our jobs and organized our work schedules smartly for maximizing
growth.
3. Will people work less in the future?

I don’t think so. On the contrary, they will be besieged with innumerable challenges that we might not
be facing currently. The world is getting competitive in all aspects, so you’ve gotta put your all things
at stake to stay ahead in the race. Additionally, in the near future, we will be competing with
humanoids, robots, smart corporations that have inducted artificial intelligence and automation to
produce merchandise and drive future sales through economies of scale. Hence, for hard workers,
whether they are with or without technology, they will be slogging hard for sure. And those who are
incompetent or lazy, they work less now, and the same tradition will continue for them in the future.
4. What does it make people successful?

The one-word answer is discipline. You’ve gotta be disciplined in what you do. Most people take things
for granted and fail to understand the significance of opportunity that they have gotten. Successful
people create opportunities for themselves and others, and they keep on striving to challenge their
own creations/ideas time after time. Most successful people don’t shy away from accepting their
failures. Rather, they believe them as a learning lesson for another creation/job. Dynamics and
challenges keep changing with time, and they test your experience now and then. Some people get
blinded with their success, and sometimes they end up being a one-trick pony (= a person with only
one feature, talent, or area of expertise), whereas successful people keep learning and adapting to
new challenges. They leave no stone unturned to develop and update skills.
5. Do successful people have different abilities?

Some have different abilities but not to all. Yet they mark their success in the long term. Successful
people learn how to get things done. That’s their specialty. They never bog down to threats and
challenges, rather they convert them to lifelong opportunities. They have resolute conviction in what
they do. For example, the world laughed at Steve Jobs in the beginning when he talked about the
touchpad screen on the mobile phone. Detractors (= critic, defamer) riled (= annoy, exasperate) him
profusely and tagged him as a wacko man. But, deep inside his heart and mind, he knew that the
Querty pad will be obsolete one day. And, here we are! He challenged the status quo in the
smartphone industry, and he brought everyone to his vision: Touchpad Phones.
6. Are the genetics of successful people different?
I don’t think so. Some people are born successful, whereas others learn from their mistakes and
improvise from the hindsight (= experience, recollection, knowledge). There’s another section of
people who get inspired by the surroundings. Therefore, I don’t think that it has to do anything with
genetics. I can tell you countless examples wherein children of successful people are super-duper
failures in all their ventures. For example, the son of the great test match batsman, Sunil Gavaskar, did
not taste any success in the world of cricket. Hardly, people know his name. So, the bottom line is a
success isn’t a monopoly of any person, caste, creed, religion, or anything else.
Innovation is the mother of breakthrough technologies. Without innovations, today, we would have
been riding on camels or horses for commuting. It’s a constant process, and we, humankind, must
thank all the innovators for whatever they have created because it has eased our lives.
Innovation makes things easier for all countries to do trade. For example, the internet has brought the
world closer than ever before. Today, by emailing and exchanging information and valuable papers
with one another anywhere in the world has propelled (= drive, shoot, push) business growth. Just
imagine how businessmen did trade in the absences of air cargos and ships. We can think of having
anything at our doorstep due to the many innovations made by outliers.
19. Describe a volunteering experience you have had.
• What it was
• Where it was
• Why you volunteered
• This topic reminds me of my school time because it was mandatory for us from Grade 9 to Grade 12 to
participate in community welfare jobs targeted on various causes
• But today, I would like to recount a volunteering experience which I had more recently, not far back
• The entire world has faced a novel calamity named ‘Coronavirus pandemic’. Coronavirus originated in
China and spread throughout the world like wildfire in no time
• Ever since it came, the world is a different place now
• This pandemic is not over yet, and every nation is struggling to contain the spread of it
• During this testing time, we saw many people came forward to do a bit, and so did I.
• You would have seen or heard that many people or not-for-profit organizations came to rescue
migrant workers, feed underprivileged (= disadvantaged, destitute, needy) people, assist health
workers or police officers and whatnot
• The whole country saw a complete lockdown for almost two months. It was like, “Life has stopped all
of sudden, and it was frightening for sure”
• I wanted to do my part during this medical crisis and assessed the situation. I realized that there were
almost none who worried about stray animals and birds. Who would feed them? Because most of the
time, people like us feed them or they scavenge (= search for or collect (anything usable) from
discarded waste) from our leftovers (= extra, unused, residual, surplus).
• So, I started feeding stray dogs and birds every day. I would pack up food for birds and animals and
travel to several places to feed them
• I felt myself as if I were a Superman for these mute creatures, and this job offered me solace, especially
when I looked into the eyes of dogs. They were kind of thanking me every day. Their love and thanking
look gave me the motive to do more for them
• I’m also thankful to police officers on duty. Sometimes they stopped me because the public movement
was prohibited, but the moment they learnt my motive of travelling, they let me go and appreciated my
job
• I felt that this was part of humanity. You couldn’t get better than seeing hungry birds and animals eat
or waiting for you as if you were their family members. I guess the compassion (= empathy, humanity,
kindness) inside me activated further. It was dormant for the years, and now it has given me a purpose
to help these beautiful creatures. It’s really cool
1. What qualities are required for being a volunteer?

There could be several qualities required to be a good volunteer. I think that the volunteer should be
altruistic (= charitable, philanthropic, humanitarian) because without this quality, probably he cannot
perform his duty diligently. In other words, he won’t be able to justify his job. Volunteering is not a
commercial business where you think of making money. But it’s a selfless act, and I believe very few
people on earth have such selflessness. Moreover, I believe that the volunteer must be driven naturally
to fulfill his desire to address the cause. For example, I’m an animal lover, I don’t need any reason to
serve them under whichever capacity I do my acts. The motive drives you to do something for which
you may not be applauded or recognized. So, the bottom line is you talk to yourself and you satisfy
yourself by doing these noble acts.
2. What type of personality does a volunteer have?
I guess genuine volunteers are magnanimous, kind, and altruistic people. They are full of compassion
for various causes. Some are driven to help humans and others are there to make the world a better
place to live. The quality of serving for the community welfare comes from the heart, without
thinking of quantifying gains or publicity. Some people believe in giving back to society because they
feel that’s the noblest job they could do in their life. For example, Ratan Tata is considered as the
greatest philanthropist in India because he is always there to assist downtrodden (= needy,
exploited, destitute) people or when the country needs him the most. Such people leave aside their
priorities and rush to help the needy in any difficulty.
3. How can companies engage in volunteering help in our society?

It has been around two decades or so wherein large corporations have realized the value of giving
back to society. Therefore, it’s a common sight when you visit their websites, they will have a button
of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Under the CSR initiatives, these corporations
mobilize people and resources on targeted causes. For example, the wife of the Indian billionaire,
Mukesh Ambani, Nita does a lot of charity. Her not-for-profit organization feeds people, take hospital
expenses of patients who are unable to afford the cost, invest in new ideas wherein the youth are
unable to raise the capital for their ventures, and others. All these translate into financial help to
people and the country at large. By these benevolent (= benign, generous, philanthropic) acts, she is
able to help people to stand on their feet or dream whatever they want.
4. Do you think people nowadays should participate more in volunteering?

Yes, I think so. Just imagine how the human race was like some centuries back. Brutal, or not thinking
of anything such as resources, animals, Mother Nature, and among others. Now, things have
changed because people have access to the world of information, so they know what’s going on
wrong and what’s needed to fix any problem. Humankind has realized the importance of helping
each other, and we’ve seen on many occasions that they come forward and volunteer for the right
cause. We have calamities whether it’s natural or manmade, but thousands of people flock together
and assign themselves to do a benevolent job when needed. They set the right tone and example for
the future generation. Volunteering is a symbol of humanity or investing in humanity to uplift society.
5. How do modern technologies assist volunteers and volunteering experience?

Well, I don’t have much idea about it, but I know of sure that technologies make our life easy and
assume that it must be doing the same for volunteers. I remember how technology helped one of
our animal betterment organizations. They did not have an X-ray machine for animals. So, people
raised funds and bought an X-ray machine for making the job easier. Today, any animal which is hit
in the road accident, they are immediately diagnosed, treated, and x-rayed in house. In the past, we
had to take injured animals to the hospital for getting an x-ray done. This is one example, but there
could be many other things by which, I believe, the life of volunteers has become comfortable to
deliver their jobs. Or I would say their passion.
20. Describe a time you got lost in a place you did not know about.
• When it happened
• Who was with you?
• What you did
• Aha! Well, I generally don’t get lost when I travel to places

• But I remember one occasion where I got lost and found myself nowhere in the middle
• It was around two years back when my girlfriend and I decided to visit Niagara Falls
• She had never been to this mesmerizing (= fascinating, enthralling) beauty in her life, whereas I had
visited it on several occasions. So, there was confidence, as everyone has when they travel to some
places over and over again, that I knew this place better. In fact, no one else knew better than me
about this place.
• As it’s always said that overconfidence is evil. And the same happened to me
• Around Niagara Falls, there are many interior roads – some of them lead to the US jurisdiction, too
–that I took her to show the places around
• I forgot how to go downtown then. I tried a few ways to arrive at my destination, but that was of no
use
• However, it wasn’t bad though because while I was searching for my destination, she enjoyed the
ride with me and was witnessing this marvelous place. In fact, she was having more fun at the cost
of my desperation to reach my destination
• This place is generally not crowded, so you hardly see anyone on the road
• While I was driving, there came a store, which sold maple syrups, sauces, and other stuff. I pulled
over my car there, and we went inside. The owner was in her sixties, and she was really a good lady
• When I shared my trouble, she guided me the way. Not only this assistance, but she also offered us
coffee and talked to us gently. She was all ready to come with us to drop us where we wanted to go,
but I rather thought of not troubling her
• After her road guidance, we arrived at our destination
• It wasn’t a bad experience because my girlfriend enjoyed the whole ride, and in the end, we
happened to meet a noble lady who offered us the best hospitality that she could have offered to
anyone
1. Do you often get lost?

In most cases, I generally don’t get lost, especially we have a Google map installed on our phone these days. Plus,
I guess I’m good at remembering roads wherever I go in the world. However, the incident that I talked about was
one of the rarest ones in my life.
2. Is map-reading skill important?

Certainly, it is. Or you get lost somewhere, and it wastes your time and gasoline. In North America, we cannot
think of going to a new place without map-reading because once you have driven the wrong way, it takes miles
to return to correct your driving course. Sometimes I wonder how people managed to drive places without
‘Google Map’ in the past. I remember my uncles used to have a book that showed the written navigation,
pictures, and maps in it. But, now it’s gone and technology has made our life easy and comfortable to a great
extent.
3. Are some people good at map-reading than others?

Well, it’s not rocket science, I guess. Anybody can be good at this basic skill. I don’t think people should be
struggling to develop this basic skill. So, my answer is ‘yes’, and most people are good at it.
4. Why do some people like travelling to other places?

I think it all depends on your disposition. I sometimes feel that I’m a born traveler. I always love exploring new
places and meeting people around the globe. In one life, if you’ve not traveled to magnificent places, your life is
boring. It’s not cool at all. At the same time, some people hate traveling, and they are happy with their routines.
They get annoyed at disturbing their routines. Well, I can’t comment on anybody’s way of living as it’s their life.
We’re just born with different choices. Moreover, our upbringing and friends around us influence our choices,
too. When I was very young, I had friends who always loved to go to different places. Maybe that could be a
reason that I’m such. So, it varies from person to person.
5. Should they find information about the place before going there?
It will be handy if you have collated all the information about the place where you are going. Because it saves
time and allows you to have more time to enjoy the place. Otherwise, your precious time will be wasted away.
In other words, there is something that can surprise you in this crazy helter-skelter (= chaotic, haphazard,
hurried) world.
21. Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with.
• Who she/he is
• What usually you do together
• What kind of a person she/he is?
• Why you spend most of the time with her/him
• Family means a lot; it means putting your arms around each other and being there forever
• We love spending time with friends and family in general, and it depends upon the occasion or the
mood of the person. Today, I would like to talk about someone who is very special to me in life. It’s
none else but my 6-year old daughter, Natasha
• The moment you see her, she is full of life. She’s sunlight. Words will fall short to describe her
because she’s a marvelous kid
• My whole day goes by working hard like a donkey at the office. So, when I arrive home, I’m dead tired,
and hardly have any energy left for me to talk or do any other activity
• But this little angel comes to me, giggling, yapping, dancing, and, all of sudden, that work fatigue
disappears instantaneously
• She’s a sweet talker and inquisitive (=analytical, nosy) by nature. At times, she’s full of remarkable
and bizarre (=strange) questions for me
• Some of her questions bring me back to my childhood. She is such a sweet child of mine!
• I’ve inculcated a reading habit in her because kids hardly have a reading habit in our country, and it’s
hard for kids to form a habit, which is not in vogue. It’s like you’re moving against the wind. So, I
ensure to bring at least 3 new books on different subjects for her in two weeks. They are from stories
to fictional novels to sci-fi books
• Both of us read books together; I mean I read my favorite book while she is by me reading her own
book
• At times, I read books aloud on purpose so that she follows the suite. And when she does, I’ve an
opportunity to correct her pronunciation if she makes a mistake. I ensure that she delivers the right
pronunciation with appropriate stress and intonation
• It’s important for children when they grow up. They have to deliver different types of speeches in
their academics and career. Or, maybe, sometimes they need to do a presentation during their
assignments at the school. This skill instills confidence in our children. Therefore, I leave no stone
unturned to train her at her early stage of life. Because once she’s grown up, it will be hard for her to
develop this essential skill
• While having quality time with her, I see my shades in her. It reminds me of my childhood memories
where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky
1. How many generations usually live together in India?

In the past, it was usual to see at least a couple of generations live together in my country. But things
have changed now. People are no longer interested to live in a joint family, and they rather prefer a
nuclear family for many reasons. I don’t see it as a negative development because people didn’t pay
a lot of attention to the significant aspect of life, which is privacy. In a nutshell, what was the custom
is no more in practice.
2. Is it important to visit family members?

Yes, it is. It’s the small world that we own. Plus, it makes sense to check on every family member now
and then. Together with the family, it develops everlasting bonding, and it works wondrously during
your bad time. For example, people realized the value of family members during the lockdown that
was imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone realized that nothing else mattered than
the love of family.
3. What are the values of family in your country?

Bharat is a land of joyful giving. Our civilization teaches us to be peaceful, tolerant, and respectful of
elders, Mother Nature, and all animals. This overall package of kindness runs through the veins of all
Indians. You will find people who would be concerned about feeding even ants. I haven’t seen such
a kind and giving culture anywhere in the world. This sums it all, and it comes in the DNA of every
Indian. However, we must not forget the fact that some people in my country deviate from these
values for short-term benefits, and that’s a plague (=curse, ravage) for society.
4. Why is family bonding necessary for happiness in life?

Well, family bonding offers you strength during any type of crisis. How can we live on this earth
without family bonding? We will become a stone without love and care. Material things could
certainly give us some pleasure for a while, but in the long run, it’s the family that stands by in our
good and bad times. With the support and love of the family, several colossal (=enormous, gigantic,
huge) difficulties become tiny, and that passes easily.
5. Do you think the support from a friend is different from the support of a family member?
I believe it’s the responsibility of the parents. Unfortunately, in my country, we’ve seen that only
mothers are burdened to raise children and look after their school workload. It’s unacceptable. Both
men and women have a different temperament and a learning curve, so the blending of both could
be rather helpful for children. But the societal asking or modern-day settings deprive of the attention
of either of the parents. I totally abhor (=despise, detest, hate) this culture, but I can only wail
(=grieve, sob, weep) and do nothing about it.
7. Do you think there are differences between how men and women care for children?
Well, honestly speaking, I’ve no idea about it. Maybe I’m not that mature to understand the nuance
of these critical skills. But let me guess. Yeah, I think there must be some difference. I can tell you
from my own experience. My mother is soft-spoken and overly loves me, so even if I do something
wrong, she is always there to cover my mistakes. She pampers me a lot. However, sometimes this
pampering could land me into trouble. While my father is steadfast (=true, staunch, dedicated)
disciplined and straight, and he doesn’t give me much room to play with my mistakes. He teaches me
to face any challenge with a grin. Maybe, he faces the real challenges of the world, whereas my
mommy is a housewife, so she has a different experience of life.
22. Describe a goal that you achieved, which was set by yourself.
• What it is
• When you set it
• How you achieved it
• Explain how it influenced your life
• Well, there are several goals that I had set till date; some of them have been fulfilled and others are
yet to realize in the years to come gradually
• Today, I would like to share with you one of the goals that make me feel proud of me all the time, and
I guess I’ll never forget also
• It was Grade 9, and I always struggled in Math courses. For some reason, it always discomforted me,
and it was too heavy pain for me to carry
• Somehow I managed to pass this course but almost failed in this course. It was a sad thing on my
part because I became an object of mockery in my classroom. But, more than that, I was worried
about how my father would react to this piece of news
• When I came home in the evening and showed my mark card, I was expecting to face his ire
• But he didn’t lose his temper and said, “My doll, I wanted to see you as a commercial pilot in your
career but looking at your math performance, I think you better become a businesswoman in the
future”
• First, I heaved a sigh of relief as if I had dodged the bullet {idiomatic expression (=to have a narrow
escape; to avoid injury, disaster, or something undesirable situation)}, but later on, I realized that I
broke the dream of my beloved dad. And the best thing that I learnt was how he adjusted his dream
for me. Therefore, after a few days, this sacrifice of my dad was eating me from inside day in, day out
• So, one day I decided not to surrender to my Achilles heel (=weakness, weak link) and fought back
• I started to learn Math course from scratch and studied as if I were going to complete my Ph.D.
degree in this course
• Guess what? In year 10, I managed to get 94% in mathematics and a topper in my classroom
• I remember that smile and proud feeling on the face of my dad when I showed my mark card to
him. I was waiting for him to say something on this feat of success
• You know what he said, “My sunshine, with this grade, now you can fly Rafale jet fighter for our
motherland.” My dad is such a darling, and he knows how to motivate me for the best. His
expressions and encouragement were priceless for me
• From this incident, I realized that nothing can stop you from chasing your goal provided you keep
on persevering it passionately. You just need to decide it firmly and go after it, no matter how hard
it is.
1. Do people need to write down goals or simply memorize them?

I guess once you have decided on anything, it is always there on your mind. It stays on your mind
always. So, I don’t think people who are self-motivated will be writing down their goals. This is my
assumption. I’ve no idea whether people write down their goals or not but it ain’t make any sense.
2. Do Indian people usually set goals?

Well, it has nothing to do with the nationality of a person about setting goals. We’re 8 billion people
on this earth, but not all are born to become leaders. Inspiration can come from any part of the
world. Therefore, maybe some Indians set their goals and maybe others not.
3. Should parents set goals for their children?

My answer is ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ both. Let’s start with my affirmative answer. What do you expect from a
kid who is just 17 years old? Can we expect any maturity or seriousness toward career building?
The answer is mega ‘No’. Yes, we can probably give them the best of the environment and
encouragement to be someone. But what parents can foresee and envision the career of children,
kids can’t do that. Therefore, we need their guidance for some years. Maybe at least up to 24 years
or so.
Now, my negative part of the answer is some parents expect their kids to fulfill the unfinished goals
that they couldn’t achieve during their life. This is over the top. Just from my personal example, if I
didn’t want to be a general practitioner, I won’t think of it. My mom wanted to become a doctor, so
she wanted me to be a doctor. That’s an unreasonable expectation from children.
4. When do young people start setting goals for themselves?

Again, it’s arbitrary (=subjective). I have seen some people who have no dreams or goals even if they
are married and well in their thirties. At the same time, I’ve seen people who set their goals early in
their life and go after them passionately. But the right age is between 17 and 19 because whatever
you want to do in your life, it must be backed by your theoretical learning. I mean your education.
Otherwise, it’s hard to come back to what you had planned for yourself. In some cases, for example,
if someone wants to become a tennis player, he has to be given all types of motivation, facilities,
time, and other things as early as at the age of 9 or 10.
5. What are the kinds of goals that are unrealistic?

It’s a good question. Smart goals are realistic, and all other goals are just dreams which are not going
to be fulfilled ever. For example, if someone at the age of 21 decides to beat the great tennis player
like Roger Federer, it might be a far-fetched dream and almost impossible task to achieve it because
as I said before if I had wanted to become a tennis legend, I had to start at the age of 10 or so.
6. Do young people and old people have different kinds of goals? If yes, what are they?
Certainly! As human grows old, he gets matured with every good or bitter experience. Goals change
as we age. For example, a kid may want to become a football player, and somebody who is 65 years
old wants to run as fast as he could. So, both put their efforts to fulfill their dreams of what they want
to achieve. Both may have different approaches to reach their goals.
7. What is more fulfilling working towards a goal or achieving it?

I would say it’s a journey, and both have to be enjoyed. While moving toward our goal, we’ve some
unforgettable experiences. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you also fail. Yes, there couldn’t be
a better joy when we reach our destination; I mean our goal. Because when we turn back and see
what it had taken to achieve our goals, it’s a marvelous journey that we have walked on. Sometimes
in the process, we tend to lose our best time of enjoyment, sleep, money, friends, excitement, and
among others. But everything is worth it, in the end.
8. Do you think it is important to have realistic goals?

It does by any means or you end up disgruntled forever. Unrealistic goals put unnecessary pressure
on people, and at times, it is unbearable and torture. It leaves scarred memories. That’s why it’s
highly advised to set those goals which are in our boundaries. At the same time, the goal-setting
must test our boundaries, otherwise, they cannot be termed as goals, too.
23. Describe a time when the weather changed your plan.
• When this happened

• Where you were
• What kind of weather it was
• Explain why you could not finish the thing
• What you did in the end
• Well, I remember awful weather prevented me to attend my class last year

• I’m studying in Bangalore, and my mom came over to see me for a few days
• I thought to accompany her on return and to have a couple of days with my whole family in Mumbai
• Therefore, she and I planned our itinerary in a way that we would be flying on Friday evening, and I
would be returning on Sunday night so that I could attend my school on Monday morning
• Everything went ahead as planned, but it started pouring on Sunday morning
• Mumbai, at times, receives unprecedented rainfall, but this time it was beyond my imagination
• The city received over 400mm rain in just 10 hours, and it was like, the entire city was submerged in
water. I wanted to brave the weather but then decided against it as I could see from my balcony that
many cars were swimming on the road
• I remember waiting for the sun to break through the clouds and water to recede (=abate, decrease) but
in vain
• Eventually, I had no chance but to cancel my plan to go back to Bangalore. In any case, flights were
cancelled on that day, so even if I wanted to fly, I couldn’t
• It was frustrating because I had an important class to attend that day and missed it
• As soon as the weather let up (=abate, lessen, decrease), I flew back on the following day
1. Where can people get weather reports?

There are several sources from where you can always get the weather updates. People regularly listen
to weather forecasts on radio and television. But this habit seems to be getting obsolete as
smartphones also give you instant weather forecasts these days.
2. How do weather reports affect people’s life?

It does a great job, in fact. Perhaps in India, it may not be very much useful because it doesn’t snow
here. But I think people in Europe and North America cannot do without it. The weather in those
parts of the world is extremely unpredictable. In my country, more than flurries, we are concerned
about fog in winter, especially in North India. Some cities and states in North India get covered in a
thick blanket of fog. And, it’s really scary when you drive while clearing those patches of fog.
3. What do people do on rainy days and sunny days?

It rests on what kind of personality you are. If I’ve to deal with rains, I will be blooming like a peacock. I
love getting drenched in the rain. But some people hate it. I love sunny days in winter because India
has warm weather throughout the year. And, at times, the sunshine is harsh on you. If you see my
arms, they are tanned because of the harsh summer. In a nutshell, the bright weather with some sun
during winter is always welcomed.
4. Has climate change affected your country?

Yes, I think so because I can witness extremes of the weather for the last some years. Sometimes it
rains heavily and the other time, it hardly rains. And the same goes for the winter season. It feels
chillier than what it was some ten years ago. In short, we have been experiencing both the worst
worlds of the weather.
5. Does the weather affect your mood?

Yes, it does greatly. I think this applies to all humans. Anything extreme puts you down. I mean too cold
or too hot, both are undesirable. As far as I’m concerned, I can’t stand with the hot weather and feel
like killing myself during the hot summer. It kills my productivity and creativity also, whereas pleasant
weather pumps you up, and you feel going out and explore the world or hang out with friends. In
extreme weather, you feel being at home or office and decide not to brave the weather.
24. Describe the happiest day you had.
• Where you were

• Who were you with?
• What you did
• And explain why you think it was the happiest day
• I guess it’s a difficult question to answer because there are countless moments we’ve in life when we
feel the happiest on earth
• But the good news is I’ve picked one from so many
• I love pets, whereas my father doesn’t like to have a pet at home. Therefore, I had been convincing him
to get me a dog for a long time, but he didn’t heed at my request
• I don’t know what happened to my daddy all of a sudden. He surprised me by presenting a pup to me
last year. It was just unbelievable, and I was taken aback (=bewildered, confused) to see my daddy
carrying a puppy in his arms for me
• I pinched myself to ensure that I wasn’t dreaming. But ‘no’, I wasn’t, and it was happening
• I was also confused over the decision of my daddy that he didn’t buy any popular breed of the dog.
Instead, he brought the stray puppy from somewhere. So, I thought of knowing his rationale
(=explanation, reason) about it. He said, “He’s an orphan, and he was weeping by the road. The
moment I heard him crying, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him”
• This was amazingly a 360 degree U-turn of my daddy. He fell in love with a dog that was simply
incredible. But, anyway, I love all dogs whether they are stray or not
• The moment my daddy handed over the puppy in my hands, I was speechless and didn’t have words to
thank my daddy for this remarkable gift
• Apart from my daddy, everyone in the family was on the same boat. I mean they favored the decision
of having a dog at home
• I love dogs and cats very much
• Anyway, so there was all cheering from my mommy, sister, and grandfather
• We were fighting for naming him. Everyone has his choice of name, but in the end, everyone accepted
the name that I chose for him. I named him ‘Piper’
• Truly, I believed that unexpected things happen in life, and some surprises are simply superb and
joyful
• I felt like running around and dancing the whole day. And even when I’m describing this moment right
now, I feel as if it had happened this momentous incident yesterday
• I can say proudly that this was one of the happiest days in my life
1. Do Indian people spend a lot of money on birthday presents?

Yes. It’s a new culture these days. Party inflation is a matter of discussion and arguments, and you could
see this as one of the most debated topics. It wasn’t such in the past, but people not only give gifts to
others on birthdays but they also get gifted in the name of a ‘return gift’. The money they spend in
celebration of the birthday and gifting is overly dizzying.
2. What do Indian people do on New Year?

It all depends upon what kind of personality you are. The youth stays up late night and wait for the New
Year, and at the tick of 12, they set off firecrackers and dance with friends. Boys and girls roam around
the city yelling and enjoying. Some people don’t like to go out and enjoy, and they stay home and
celebrate and welcome the New Year. In my family, we’ve dinner together with relatives, and every year
the host changes. I mean if it were celebrated this year at my place, the next year would be at
somebody’s place. So, roughly our turn comes once in ten years.
3. Do you think we are happier than the people in the 19th century?
I’m not sure about it because happiness is a very subjective topic. For example, billionaires may have
sleepless nights, whereas people without a roof over their heads have sound sleep. Therefore, it has
nothing to do with the present and past. People with lesser means also know how to remain happy and
are motivated in any condition. In a nutshell, I don’t believe in this statement.
4. Why childhood is the best time for most people?

It’s simple because you don’t have internal and external worries. Nor do we have lofty ambitions and
ego! The more mature you become, the deeper you think about difficulties and critical times. At times,
it’s unwarranted, but human behavior is such, and we can’t help it.
5. Do you think money can bring happiness in life?

Not all times, but to a great extent. It’s easier said than done, but money makes life comfortable. I would
rather love to cry in a Lamborghini Gallardo than to cry in an open public place.
6. What do you think is important in bringing happiness?

The most important part starts with ‘US’. Some people face all critical situations with a grin and make it
inconsequential (=insignificant, negligible). At the same time, some people have a habit of grudging
every tiny thing, which may impact our lives. Such tormenting and complaining behavior put us away
from happiness. Happiness is a state of the mind broadly. You’ve got to learn how to navigate through
turbulent times of your life.
25. Describe an article on health that you read from a magazine or online.
• What the article was

• When and where you read it
• What you learned from the article
• Explain why you think it is a good or bad article
• I remember having read a useful article on mental health while flying to Toronto from Charlottetown
nearly one year ago in Canada
• This article talked about mental illness that Americans went through in general and what remedies
were available to stay healthy mentally
• While reading this article, I came across some appalling facts and figures about mental illness that
people went through not only in America but also elsewhere
• It says that research shows that one in five Americans currently experience mental illness. That’s huge.
It is nearly 44 million people we talk about, and if we extrapolate (=hypothesize, deduce) the same
number around the world, it comes in over one billion people
• This article was full of sensible facts, pieces of advice, helping avenues and whatnot
• I liked this article because of some remarkable pieces of advice
• In society, people who suffer from mental illness are stigmatized and shamed. Because of this hostile
behavior towards these patients in our society, it affects their ability to cope with, solve problems, and
adapt. It also affects them to be happy, well adjusted, and productive
• They deserve a better life and peace of mind. It’s possible only when we support them and make them
understand that their limiting thoughts only hold them back
• Mental health is as important as physical health
1. Why do different people like to read different magazines?

Every human is different and the way he thinks. Some people are interested to learn more about the
people who they idolize, whereas others only mind their own business and concentrate their career.
It’s simple. People come from different backgrounds, social strata, regions, countries, religions, castes,
and creeds. Because of such diversity, preference, and taste for so many things including which
magazine to choose will always vary.
2. What kinds of magazines do teenagers like to read?

Teenagers are more inclined toward reading magazines that talk about scientific research, innovations,
music, entertainment, and popular personalities of the world. All children have their own heroes. Some
idolize Steve Jobs or some may like to become a successful businessman like Mukesh Ambani. Hence,
any piece of news about their lives is worth following for them.
3. What is the difference between the news on TV and news in magazines?

First of all, the news on TV is up-to-date, while news in the magazines could be stale. Magazines are
focused on different genres, and in most cases, they confine to their theme and area of expertise. This
is not the case on TV. They broadcast all type of news that takes place in our life every day.
4. Do people like to read news from the Internet?

This is the trend to dominate in the years to come. Spreadsheet newspapers nowadays look outdated.
I guess nobody likes it but elderly people as they’re used to with them. Again, news on the Internet is
not only updated but also up-to-the-minute. Plus, most people have smartphones these days, and
they’ve instant updates and news on their palms. This remarkable feature of the Internet will crush
other forms of news broadcasters and newspapers. More importantly, in most cases, it is free of cost.
And we must not forget that our society is price sensitive.
5. Do people still buy magazines in your country?

I don’t think so. Most magazine houses are on the verge of collapsing, and many of them have shut
their operations now. The Internet gave birth to many new industries, and at the same time, it killed
so many, too.
6. Do you think people today are healthier than those in the past?
It’s arbitrary (=subjective), I guess. I assume that in the past, hardly people went to gyms to stay fit but
their lifestyle was laborious with fewer comforts. This was an added advantage. For example, people
used public transportation to commute in the past and that made them walk long, whereas most
people own their cars and hardly walk now. In the present time, you will see the influx of gyms at every
corner of the street, and people are more concerned about their health and diet but their lifestyle is
sedentary (=inactive, idle). Overall, it is one and the same thing.
7. Why do magazines have health-related articles?

There is a section of people who is interested in learning about health-related articles. As I said that
people nowadays are more interested to remain fit, and they love to maintain their fitness regime at
any cost. Magazines have readers from all classes and ages with different preferences, so it makes
them saleable with a pure commercialized motive.
8. How do people keep a healthy diet?

Countless apps are available these days to profess you about healthy diets. Some gadgets that offer
valuable tips on health and your health analytics. These apps and gadgets are available as primary
sources. They guide you on what to eat and whatnot. This is how people stay in touch with technology
for their customized health-related needs. Apart from this, it’s a usual thing in our society to discuss
topics on a healthy diet. Everyone has his say on the diet.
9. What kinds of foods are considered as unhealthy?

I think fast food is extremely unhealthy for everyone. Some people consider other foods that contain
excessive sugar, salt, and oil. But fast food is a kind of poison and the irony is people relish it the most.
10. Do people in India usually exercise?

Yes, I think so. People are more conscious about their health these days. To inspire them to be health
freak, I guess there’s enough motivation in the environment. You have people talking about health and
healthy food all the time, the bombardment of gym adverts and health supplements, plenty of diet
plans are available on the Internet, and so many other things. More than making people healthy, it has
become a big industry, so you see that impact on the minds of everyone.
26. Describe an old person you know and respect.
• Who the person is

• What he or she is like
• And explain why you respect him or her
• I am in touch with several elderly people in my community, and I guess all of them deserve a lot of
respect
• I tend to receive an abundance (=plenty, plethora) of wisdom from them more often
• Today, I would like to talk about a lady who is in her 70’s. Her name is Kavita Paryani. She’s a retired
banker
• She has a bright smiling face and is full of life with the pearls of wisdom for all the youth. She always
wears an absolutely positive attitude
• I got acquainted with this marvelous lady in the park where I go for jogging every morning
• She actively pursues happiness every day; I mean she seizes every day in all the possible ways
• Whenever I’m upset or kind of that, she advises, “follow your passion and let go of expectations and
everything in between.” Initially, I think I was too young to understand where she came from. But now
I understand the value of her advice in my life these days
• She is a firm believer in the power of community, and you will see her everywhere doing something or
helping others. She helps people in our temple, organizes food bank for underprivileged people,
fundraises for animal shelters, teaches disadvantaged children so that they can dream big, coaches a
sports team at times, and among others
• In a nutshell, she’s a great volunteer and a noted person within the greater fabric of our society
• I hold a lot of respect for this lady on account of her benevolent (=philanthropic, caring,
compassionate) jobs. And sometimes I wonder how she garners (=amass, gather, reap) so much power
and strength to do so many activities at a time
1. What qualities does a person need to have to take care of old people?
I’ve two adjectives for that: patience and compassion. These two qualities are the center stage when
somebody decides to take care of old people in society. Elderly people are just like kids, and they see
the world differently. They value relationships because they’ve seen more life. Because of this, they
tend to be more sensitive. Some of them express their sensitive views, whereas others swallow
(=absorb, eat, gobble) the pain and suffocate (=smother, stifle, asphyxiate) well within.
2. Do you think old people should be taken care of at home?

Well, in our country, that’s the way it is. In some countries, they move to senior homes and enjoy their
lives with others. Both ways lead to happiness as long as we see underlying benefits in such a setting.
I personally believe to have my elder people at home because they might have slogged (=to work hard
and steadily at something) for us over the years, and it’s our payback (=compensation, reimbursement)
time. They got us all the possible world and sacrificed everything they could for us. Leaving them
behind may not be a good idea. At least, that’s what the culture of Bharat is.
3. How can people in the neighborhood help the elderly during an epidemic?
If you really want to see the best community volunteering, go to the countryside. You will see people
connected with each other in all the sorrows and good times there. The culture of helping and giving
is getting obsolete (=out-of-date, archaic, antiquated) in this fast-paced world, especially in big cities.
Having said that, I must also say that we see exceptions, too. For example, during the coronavirus
pandemic, people in big cities also took care of their neighbors by talking or inquiring about their
health. In my neighborhood, people ensured elderly people did not move out of their houses for their
essential needs. Volunteers got them everything at home. Elderly people, generally, need no money.
They just need a verbal hug during a crisis. That friendly gesture pumps them up with confidence, and
they feel protected and loved all the time.
4. Do you see this kind of help occurring in your neighborhood?

Yes, I can see it clearly. Digital media has played a big role in creating awareness in people about
community volunteering. People have realized that their small world needs to take care of
neighborhood and social causes to make this world a better place to live.
27. A time when you did not tell the truth to someone.
• When it was
• To who(m) you did not tell the truth
• Why you did not tell the truth
• And what the truth was
• The long-standing and moral principles say that lying is a wrongful conduct
• Yet our society is filled with people who often tell lies. Sometimes they do it brazenly, too
• I also live in the same society, and I regrettably assert that I also lied to people in the past. When I
recount a few incidents, I feel ashamed of what I did in the past. But, anyway, every mistake that you
make leaves a valuable lesson to learn from it
• I had to face the ire (=displeasure, annoyance, exasperation) of my boss last month for (=because)
what I did was unacceptable for the company
• My boss assigned me the job of sending promotional materials to our clients. They were promotional
images with the content, and I had to send them at regular intervals
• I didn’t do that job rightly, and my boss detected it in the last month
• My boss was right because I was lazy at doing my jobs and took it for granted and thought that it
wouldn’t be detected ever
• I must admit that I was negligent, and because of that, our business went down in the last quarter
• I don’t know what kind of perverse pleasure I got by doing that. I faced the music (=to accept and deal
with criticism or punishment for something you have done) and lost my credibility at the workplace for
which I feel sorry about it
• Thankfully, this question has relieved me a little bit from my misconduct at the workplace
1. How can people check whether a piece of information is correct or not?

There are ways wherein you could check the authenticity (=correctness, accuracy, credibility) of the
information. If any matter relates to any policy, law, or usual information, people can visit relevant
websites to double-check the information. What is written or printed at the source should be taken into
consideration. In some cases, you could also talk to your seniors who hold rich experience in your line
of business. Their wisdom proves to be handy on many occasions. In some cases, everything is not
black and white, so you also need to develop the skill of reading between the lines (=to look for or
discover a meaning in something that is not openly stated).
2. What is the difference between giving information by phone and email?

People may forget the discussion held over the phone, and it might create confusion in some cases.
Therefore, emailing is the best way to communicate with people, so that they’ve a record of what they
said and what was told. In the business, emailing is the best tool for exchanging information, but all
people aren’t accustomed to this professional habit.
3. What kinds of professions are related to giving information to others?

I guess every line of business includes exchanging information; be it product information, counseling,
sales pitch, consultation, and among others. Some service-oriented professions rely heavily on
supplying information to their clients. For example, my educational consultant has explained to me
about so many invaluable things before I made the decision to study abroad. Without her counseling,
I might not have decided to study overseas.
4. Do people trust the information shared online?

No, I don’t think so. But credulous (=gullible, simple, accepting) people, who have no habit of checking
citations or confirming with fact files, believe any information easily whether it’s available online or by
any other medium. Therefore, it’s quite an easy task for scammers to trick them. For example, people
trust blindly Wikipedia, but I don’t do so. I always double-check the online content because sometimes
it could highly be opinionated or biased, which is far from reality.
28. Describe a friend/person who is a good leader.
• Who this person is

• What he does
• Why you think he is a good leader
• It’s not a hard question, but let me think who is the best leader in my opinion
• Aha, I would pick our Prime Minister Modi for this topic because he’s given a ray of hope for the better
future for all Indians
• I guess everyone knows him very well. He is all over the places every day and gets the maximum media
attention
• Ever since he has become Prime Minster of India, you see there’s a division among people. I mean, you
will see people love him, and you will also see people hate him for some reason
• Anyway, I would like to talk about why I adore (=admire, revere) our PM as a leader
• In his first term, he focused on uplifting the poor. And what he did was well taken in the world. He
encouraged poor people to open their bank accounts under the ‘Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme’.
• Initially, his critics laughed and taunted him, but this has been the most prominent financial inclusion
on earth to date. Under this scheme, more than 400 million (40 crores) people have opened their bank
accounts, and all the government benefits now are directly transferred to beneficiaries (=recipient)
• In the past, people at the bottom of the pyramid struggled to get benefits introduced by the
government due to the bureaucracy’s large-scale corruption
• Now, there’s no contact of any officer or politician while receiving the government subsidy or benefit
• Because of only this reason, our PM strikes a chord with people (=to say or do something that makes
people feel enthusiastic or sympathy), and the opposition is left with perplexed (=puzzled, bewildered)
• This was one example. Apart from this, he knows well how to stay in touch with people. Hence, people
feel that there’s someone at the top who thinks and cares about them. The love for him clearly
reflected in the second term, and people, greater in numbers than before, voted him to be our prime
minister once again
1. Who is the head of the family in your culture?

Both my parents jointly make significant decisions in my family. But if I talk about the Indian culture, it
has been an elderly male candidate who is the family head in most cases. However, things are
changing for the good. You could see women are also coming forward and participating in all family
decisions, especially in urban areas.
2. Are men better at decision making in a family?

I disagree with this statement, and, in fact, endorsing such a notion should be considered sexism.
There’s no doubt that there’s a cliché (=adage, saying) in our society that men are better than women
when it comes to making any decision. In fact, it’s also an ingrained (=fixed, implanted, inherent,
inbred) attitude of men in our society, which is unwanted. I guess the habit of making the right
decisions comes from the experience, and whoever is enriched with experiences can make the right
decision. It has nothing to do with gender.
3. Do you think that in the future there will be more women leaders?
Yes, I think so. I could see several women coming forward and displaying grit (=boldness,
adventurousness), courage, and skills in the world. That monopoly of the man being the top leader has
successfully been challenged in recent years. Yet I believe there’s a long way to go for them. But I’m an
optimist as change is inevitable in life.
4. Should a leader discuss with team members when making a decision?

Companies grow only when their teams are meticulously (=assiduously, comprehensively, completely,
efficiently) coordinated and intertwined (=associate, connected) with other departments. Hence, taking
diverse views while working could make a massive difference in the desired outcome. Every person is
born with some specialty, and a good manager knows how to take advantage of others’ skills and
specialties to make progress in any area. So, it’s a mega ‘Yes.’
29. Describe a difficult challenge that you completed/met.
• What the challenge was

• When and where you completed/met it
• Why it was difficult
• You know life is a roller coaster. And, you’ve got two choices only: either you enjoy the ride and embrace it joyfully,
learning from experiences along with it, or you keep resenting (=grudge, dislike) about what’s happening to you
• As I’m a positive guy, so I chose the former way to overcome my challenges
• Here’s the story of my challenge! My girlfriend and I parted ways (=leave somebody; to end a relationship with
somebody) last year because we lost that sweetness in the relationship and kept fighting each other
• In anger, we both decided to call it off (=cancel something). But it was a great setback for me in life, and it was hard
for me to move on for some time. I don’t know how she felt about our breakup, but it certainly was unwelcoming
for me
• I couldn’t concentrate on my job for a couple of months, and it was an incredibly ugly time of my life
• Regardless (=anyhow, by any means, paying no attention, even if the situation is bad or there are difficulties) of
how it happened, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on what’s truly important for me to overcome this incident
• I reexamined my values and beliefs against what I lost in my life. I had a clear understanding gradually and talked
to myself about this failure. My mind said one thing, “you must fail to grow”
• I experienced certain things outside of my control, but those experiences now have become part of my life
• Apart from a failed romance, I left it all to chance for some time, and I saw a brighter day sooner
• From the breakup, I took a lesson from all the positives and made them my strength. I didn’t curse (=blame,
bad-mouth, verbal attack, castigate) her for the failed relationship but appreciated what she taught me to become
a better person
• I feel now improved and confident. It’s because I don’t dwell (=hole up, inhabit, exist) on the past but look ahead
1. Do you think parents should give challenges to children?

Yes, of course. Challenges define and prepare you for unforeseen (=abrupt, startling, sudden) circumstances. Or
you don’t get better in your academics, career, or personal life. It’s a kind of exercise that you choose for your
children to prepare them for the future. However, I also believe that challenges like goals must be realistic to
some extent. Some children are born to excel, but others are not. Hence, parents, at times, need to rationalize
their expectations from children.
2. What is the most challenging thing for kids?

Unlearn the bad things! Yes, children tend to emulate (=imitate, mimic, mirror, follow suit) their peers, parents,
friends, and others. The most formidable job not only for children but also for adults, is to unlearn the distorted
(=wry, perverted) learning. It’s really challenging for parents and teachers to reset the minds of children for better
learning. For example, when a child sees his father peeing in a public place, that image stays on his mind forever,
and he is, inadvertently (=by chance, unintentionally), encouraged to follow suit (=imitate, mimic, mirror, emulate)
later.
3. Can parents reduce the challenges kids have? How?

Yes, they could be handy to their children. But if they aren’t heavily burdened with challenges, they must not
intervene (=interfere, arbitrate). I mean, children should face as many different challenges as possible to get better,
and we must allow this culture to grow for their good. Having said that, if children are overwhelmed (=devastated,
affected, moved) with these tasks, we should calm their nerves and show them some good ways to complete those
tasks rather than helping them to complete the said challenges.
4. What challenges do you think children might have to face?

There could be countless challenges waiting for children for testing. When they are young and restless, inculcation
(=the practice of making somebody learn and remember ideas, moral principles, etc., especially by repeating them
often) of values, morality, manners, discipline, and others is focused. As they grow, their performance of academics,
sports, and other co-curricular activities replace the basics. After school, they have to face the brutal world and
learn how to navigate challenges, depravity (=wickedness, degradation), workplace politics, ugly habits, and other
things. So, on every step, they have two things: Positive and negative. We must train them how successfully and
joyfully they could cruise their journey.
30. Describe a picture or photograph in your home/room that you like.
• What it is about
• Where it is placed in your home
• How you got it
• Why you like it
• I want to talk about a great photo of my mom being awarded for her Master’s degree at King’s College, London
• She looks stunning in her navy blue graduation gown and cap. It’s the photograph of ‘70s
• We had this photo framed and hung in our drawing-room. We see this photo every day over the years. I love to see
my mom smiling in this photo, and probably it’s the best photograph of her life
• My mom preserved this photo as if it were a goldmine for her. After her marriage, she packed this photograph
carefully to bring it to our home. She says, “This photograph will inspire my generation to study at the best school
in the world, and that’s why she considers this photo as a historic moment”
• I agree with my mom on her thoughts because of this photograph, my sister and I always considered education on
high priority. Her unique way to inspire us to be a better person paid off eventually
• My sister did her undergrad studies from the University of British Columbia, whereas I joined Stanford
• Just imagine how one photograph could impact your life so positively, and this is the classic example
1. Do Indians like to take photos of themselves?

I guess most people like to be taken their photos. However, some people stay off the camera for some reason. I
personally believe that we should keep our photos of all ages so that we can look back and see our journey and
how our facial features change with time.
2. What kinds of devices do people like to use for taking photos these days?
Well, it’s a simple affair these days. Everyone has a smartphone, and it means that everyone has a camera in his
hand 24 hours. Some people might be highly interested in professional photography, and they buy DSLR cameras
that offer multiple options in photography.
3. Why do some people delete photos?

I think there could be three reasons. One, no one likes to keep the ugly photos of himself. People select stunning
pictures and treasure them but always delete the ugly ones. Two, sometimes the storage of your phone or camera
reaches its capacity, and therefore, you have to make a harsh decision of deleting photos. Lastly, some photos are
confidential, and people don’t want to risk them being circulated at any cost. That’s why they delete them.
4. Why do some people keep photos?

To me, it’s a treasure, and people cherish their photos. They give a reason to smile and remember something
extraordinary, which means a lot to you. Pictures are great memories of life.
5. Has the way people take photos changed?

Yes, I think so, especially in this modern digital world. As I said to you that everyone has a camera on the
smartphone. So, practically, everyone is a photographer, maybe an amateur (=aspirant, beginner) one. In the
past, you had to book a professional photographer to book an event for photography, but it’s not the case now.
They are called only when there is a significant event; otherwise, your camera does all the job.
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking photos with a smartphone?
I don’t see any disadvantage of taking photos by the phone at all. You’ve only advantages, I guess. You’ve all the
moments captured, and they go to your album, maybe on Facebook or Instagram. Plus, you can also capture all the
undesirable events to warn the government or any agency and stand up for (=support or defend
something/somebody) the truth. You would have seen several viral videos and photos, and sometimes they have
merits also.
7. Do you think photographers are artists?
Yes, absolutely, they are great artists because they can make an ugly-looking person a handsome one.
Unfortunately, their career is under threat nowadays because of amateur photographers like us.
8. What are the benefits of learning painting for children?

It supports creativity. Children could use their learning experiences in creating impeccable (=immaculate,
unblemished, exquisite, faultless) designs in other industries, such as architectural, 3D animation, gaming, and
others at the later stage. Therefore, I consider this skill crucial for all children.
9. Can anyone become a famous artist through hard work?

Yes, one can, but it has a bumpy ride. The world of arts is extraordinarily unpredictable. Some deserving artists
starve, at times, and some morons (=idiot) hog (=to use or keep most of something yourself and stop others from
using or having it) the limelight, leaving others crying for attention. And, there are also some rogue (=crook,
rascal, villain, swindler) artists such as M.F. Hussain who attacks the religious sentiments to gain unwanted
popularity. Such artists should be penalized for life imprisonment.
VINOD GAMBTOO
31. Describe a line (or a few words) that you remember from a poem or song.
What line it is
Which song or poem it is from
•
How you knew about it
•
I’m a music lover, so I would prefer to talk about music than a poem
•
I vividly recall some lines of a song that my father used to sing when I was very young
This song was composed before I was born. In fact, I could say that I’ve grown up seeing my father
sing this song heartily
It is a song sung by the great Freddie Mercury, a member of Queen Band. He is one of the most
popular singers in the West, and some of his songs have become an anthem (=chant, chorus, hymn)
for the class society
I can sing a few lines of it. The title is, “Too much love will kill you.” And here you are: “I’m just the
pieces of the man I used to be. Too many bitter tears are running down on me. I’m far away from
home. And I’ve been facing this alone for much too long. Oh, I feel like no-one ever told the truth to
me. About growing up, and what a struggle it would be. In my tangled state of mind, I’ve been looking
back to find where I went wrong. Too much love will kill you”
• I love this song very much for varied reasons. First of all, I miss my daddy when I listen to this song.
What he liked invariably came down to me the same way. Apart from this reason, whenever I’ve a bad
day or have some down time because of the stressful work or some unwanted and annoying people,
I’ve my ways to soothe (=cool, allay, assuage) my feelings and chill with music playing. This song calms
my nerve for sure. Plus, I also love the voice texture of Freddie. Every song of him is always on my
mind, and the moment I’ve my chill time, I start singing or humming softly to myself.
Follow-up Questions:
1. Why do children like the rhythm of songs or poems?

I guess it drives them and changes the mood of kids all of a sudden. Music has been a part of
humankind over the centuries. The rhythm of songs or poems energizes them, and some of them
dance to the tune of music. Plus, some stories are told through song and dance.
2. What can people learn from songs or poems?

Songs and poems reflect your mood and represent your culture. Some songs signify historical
moments, and some of them are protest songs also. Hence, from happiness to sorrow to the
freedom struggle to civil unrest, songs, and poems have instilled (=inject, engender, impart) positive
or negative feelings in us about certain events. Mostly, they are used for happiness and sorrow. Every
song or poem has some meaning and message to understand for us.
VINOD GAMBTOO
3. Do you think it is easier for children to learn a song or poem than for adults?
Yes, I agree with it. As we grow, we are besieged (=encircle, trap, beleaguer) with internal and external
concerns that might weaken our retention ability. This may not be the case for children. They are
young and enjoy the moments, and as they haven’t been as pressured for too many things as adults,
they learn things easily and quickly. Children are, undoubtedly, well-placed to absorb and retain any
learning much better way than adults.
4. Are you good at memorizing things?

No, I don’t think so. I remember that I hardly remember the tables when I was in school. I better write
anything for the record because my memory is quite fragile. Luckily, I remember events and people.
Lol! Additionally, I’m not worried about this deficiency as I’m a tech-savvy guy, so I always leave
evidence for retrieval when needed and not concerned about memorizing anything.
5. Do you think it is easier for children to learn a song or poem than for adults?
Yes, I agree with it. As we grow, we are besieged (=encircle, trap, beleaguer) with internal and external
concerns that might weaken our retention ability. This may not be the case for children. They are
young and enjoy the moments, and as they haven’t been as pressured for too many things as adults,
they learn things easily and quickly. Children are, undoubtedly, well-placed to absorb and retain any
learning much better way than adults.
6. Are you good at memorizing things?

No, I don’t think so. I remember that I hardly remember the tables when I was in school. I better write
anything for the record because my memory is quite fragile. Luckily, I remember events and people.
Lol! Additionally, I’m not worried about this deficiency as I’m a tech-savvy guy, so I always leave
evidence for retrieval when needed and not concerned about memorizing anything.
VINOD GAMBTOO
7. When do people in your country sing songs together?
Singing is always attached to historical events, festivals, protests, civil agitations, and while partying
with friends. For example, I come from Gujarat state, and we’ve ‘Navratri,’ so you will see boys and
girls do ‘Garba’ all nightlong singing, chanting, and dancing also. Sometimes some historical events
are also commemorated (=celebrate, memorialize, observe, remember) in song. And we’ve always a
national anthem to perform for our beloved country time after time.
8. What types of songs do young children like to listen to?

j
The youth always en oys the latest numbers (=song). Gone are the days when the youth was
j zz
interested in listening to a , rock, or pop. They like to listen to rap songs – the music of the hip-hop
eneration – and house music while partying. But in India, it may not be the case for every kid. They
j
also en oy melodious and happy songs. We Indians give importance to the lyrics of the song.
9. Why are some singers so popular in the world?

There are several reasons for the success of any particular singer. It could be his/her voice texture,
flamboyant stage persona, singing with an incisive sense of rhythm, and maybe the quality of great
musicality. Apart from these qualities, some singers have magnificent phrasing with delicate, subtle,
slamming, sweet or energetic. The combination of such attributes makes them popular. For
example,Kishor Kumar possessed almost all these qualities, and he’s on the minds of people in the
present day. No matter what and how things have changed over the decades, but he’s placed his
position in the hearts of music lovers.
10. Do people in your country listen to songs from other countries?

Yes, we do. I’ve grown up listening to English and Hindi songs. Indians always value a good piece of
music, no matter who has composed, written, or sung. You will also see some sort of permutation
combination of fusion of western music in my country. For example, Elvis’s songs did influence some
music in India during the 60s and 70s.
32. Describe a time when you saw a child behave badly in public.
•
Where it was
•
What the child was doing
•
How others reacted to it
•
I vividly recall an incident, which overwhelmed me extremely some days back
• I went to Crossword to buy and see new novels for Diwali mini vacation. Outside the building, I saw
adorable puppies, and their mother was there to protect and feed them. That scene tugged at my
heartstrings (=to cause strong feelings of love or sympathy in somebody), and I immediately went to
pick up some dog food from my car
VINOD GAMBTOO
•
When I returned to the spot, I was shocked to see the bad behavior of a toddler. She was threatening
the puppies, and their mother was screaming and moving helplessly to protect her babies. She was
completely flustered (=aroused, moved, upset)
On top of it, this toddler was screaming at the top of her lungs (=very loudly), and her mother didn’t
even bother to discipline her daughter. Looking at this show, first of all, I gave the child’s mother dirty
looks. More than the toddler, I felt angry at her because she was enjoying her child’s unwanted
tantrum (=temper, outburst, flare-up)
Hence, I yelled and asked her to control her daughter. That was quite a scene, and I realized people
around me also wanted the same. She also saw it coming, so she started to control her baby
But her daughter didn’t obey her command until her mother screamed and threw a hissy fit
(=blowup, fit, outburst)
•
Her daughter continued with her wailing and thrashing on the ground for a few minutes
•
Then I went closer to the puppies and fed them
• I don’t know what’s wrong with people. They’ve no mercy toward animals and mistreat them more
often. These mute animals don’t harm humans at all, but I don’t know why some people enjoy others’
hardships. Maybe they get perverse (=sadistic) pleasure by doing such acts. Totally inhumane and
savage!
1. What bad behavior do children usually have?

Generally, children throw tantrums to get your attention or get something they want. For
example,they want a candy bar at the checkout when you are at the supermarket, and if you don’t
buy them,they will throw a fit. So, you’ve got two options: Give in (=surrender) or discipline them.
Apart from these two classic examples, there could be many more as well. Sometimes children are
frustrated with their homework, and then you see them behaving like another species on this earth.
They thrash on the ground, cry for some time, and at times, punch their siblings or parents. Some
children are smart, and they emotionally blackmail you for the things that they want.
2. How should parents stop their children from behaving badly in public?
As I told you in my previous answer, there are only two ways that you can control the tantrums: give
in or discipline. Suppose you have bought the candy bar to quiet him; it only teaches them to have a
tantrum the next time you are in a store. You reinforce (=make a feeling, an idea, etc., stronger) their
tantrum-throwing behaviors when giving them what they want. Once your child learns that temper
tantrums get them nothing. They’ll realize that they’ll get nothing even if they become rebellious, and
that will be a start for them to behave appropriately. In some cases, you need to be proactive in such
situations and give them a warning in advance if they throw temper tantrums in public.
VINOD GAMBTOO
3. Are parents these days stricter than those in the past?

It’s hard to say whether the parents of today are more lenient than those in the past. I guess it has to
do with how you try to discipline your children. Some parents are strict, and others fulfill all the
desires of their children out of affection, or just they want to avoid their stubborn behavior for a
while. These both situations set an unprecedented example and undesirable difficulties for parents
in the future. Having said that, I cannot say for sure which generation of parents is strict with
children.
4. Whose influence on children is more important, friends’ or parents’?

I guess it all depends upon how parents have raised their children. Smart parents who have raised
their children with the right advice and right kind of inspiration generally tend to have a better say or
control over children. This may not be the case where parents have failed to help children scale the
ladder of success or inculcate (=impart, instill, indoctrinate) values. In such a situation, children
become loose cannons, which can fire in any direction and rest on destiny. Children grown under the
parents’ inadequate supervision believe in others like friends. This is human psychology, and I could
be wrong because there’s no assurance of the positive outcome of whether parents are successful in
raising or not.
5. What factors affect children’s behavior?

Several factors could affect children’s behavior. Let me tell you a couple of significant ones. Some
children suffer from parents’ attention deficit as they’re super busy in their own business and chores.
They feel neglected and lonely many times. Some children go through depression due to some
untoward incidents and are unable to recuperate (=bounce back, get well, recover, heal, mend) the
loss. For example, if a sibling dies of natural or unnatural death, the child usually doesn’t forget such
a loss, and that sorrow keeps coming back to his life for a long time. They become irritable towards
VINOD GAMBTOO
their parents and others. Apart from these environmental factors, some children also suffer from
genetics for their bad behavior.
33. Describe an occasion when you forgot something important.
•
What you forgot
•
Why you forgot it
•
When it was
• How you felt
Forgetting is really a nasty habit, and it could put you in trouble many times. I try not to forget to pay
my bills as it is my responsibility. Yet, it has happened several times that I missed my payment
deadlines and had to pay my overdue charges
In fact, I went through the process of forgetting the last month. I had to make the payment of my
credit card and missed it
•
I realized my mistake after two days’ of the deadline; it was too late to correct my mistake
Hence, I picked up the phone and talked to the helpdesk of HDFC bank. I admitted to having
forgotten to make the payment and requested them to condone (=waive, forgive) the overdue charge
and accrued interest on it. Luckily, the officer was co-operative and instructed to make the payment
and wrote off (=cancel a debt) other costs
Generally, I never forget my bill payments, but this time I don’t know why it happened so. Maybe I
was stressful as my inventory of pending jobs was piling up, and, all of a sudden, I had to take leave
for two days, which again increased a tremendous backlog of paperwork to catch up on
• After the coronavirus pandemic, the job has become stressful and trying (=arduous, demanding,
irritating) because our company struggled to get back to past glory. Therefore, there’s immense
pressure on the team to bring the business, and if we ain’t do it, anybody’s name will be on the layoff
VINOD GAMBTOO
•
(=cutback, unemployment) list. Maybe this pressure painstakingly made me forget the things that I
had to perform
Eventually, things got settled, especially when the bank officer waived off the penalty. I was both
thankful and regretful for this incident
1. Why is it difficult for some people to remember things?

I guess there two things involved in this topic – natural and unnatural. I may be wrong because I’m
not an expert on this subject. If I talk about natural tendency, some people are not programmed to
remember things quickly or store them in their brains per se (=as such, by definition). Unnatural
tendency refers to being involved in too many activities to focus on. People these days like to do too
many jobs at a time, and hence, they tend to forget some during this process.
2. What kinds of people are more forgetful?

When you try to do too many jobs at a time, or you’re burdened with too many responsibilities to
perform. I guess these two things could be possible for this bad habit of forgetting. Plus, I don’t know
how far it is true that you tend to forget essential things as you age. Maybe people are besieged
(=encircle, trap, beleaguer) with plenty of external and internal concerns that slow down their brains
to retain and retrieve the information from the brain.
3. Do you think technology makes people forgetful?

Yes, to some extent. If I talk about myself, I generally don’t remember the phone numbers of my
friends and relatives now, which was not the case when I was very young. It’s because the moment
we’ve a new phone number of somebody, we immediately program it on our phone memory and
care less to remember it ever. So I can say that technology is a boon (=blessing) and bane (=curse)
both.
4. Do you think technology helps people remember past events?

Every coin has two sides. As I said that it has downsides in my previous answer, it also has brighter
sides. I think I’ve lost the ability to remember phone numbers and birthdays. Who does this job of
reminding? So, many apps and social sites remind me of them. Here it does a splendid job for
everyone. I know the pain of forgetting. Once I forgot to wish my ex-girlfriend on her birthday
because I didn’t remember her birthday. Guess what? We picked fights from that incident, and one
thing led to another, and eventually, we parted ways (=to end a relationship with somebody) after
some time. So, forgetting her birthday was just a trigger, which was beyond our control.
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5. Is it possible that technology will replace human memory?
No, I don’t think so. Technology will always stand by (=to help somebody, even in difficult situations)
humans for a lot many things. But it will be an exaggeration to say that.
6. Why do people sometimes forget things they do not want to do?

As I said, sometimes we are caught up with too many things to perform. Our brain and body also
have some limits. Our brain cannot process too many pieces of information to store, retain, and
retrieve all the time. Both underuse and overuse of anything may leave undesirable outcomes. I think
this is the only reason where people forget the things, which they shouldn’t have.
7. Which do you think is more important to remember about, a business meeting or a meeting
with a friend?
First of all, I will give importance to both occasions. But even if I’ve to decide on options, I will go for
the business first. There is a reason. Business or a job is our livelihood, and we could be impacted by
every wrong decision that we make while working. Plus, it leaves a bad impression when you miss a
business meeting, and it could impact your business or job. With friends, we can convince them, or
sometimes we don’t even need to convince them. That’s all about relationship, mutual
understanding, affection, love, and respect. We cannot act this way in business.
8. In what situation is it important to remember information very well?

I guess we must try to remember all information on all occasions. But the first thing on my priority
list will be to remember my passwords and verbal deals. Forgetting what you have told someone
could turn out to be a loss-making equation in business. People will try to make you forget or
manipulate the agreed talk, so we’ve gotta be careful.
9. What can people do to help themselves remember information for their everyday needs?
There are ways to keep yourself disciplined in remembering and retrieving any kind of information. I
would write it down any important piece of information or take a photograph of the written note and
store it on my phone. I don’t think that we’ve gotta remember them as we perform some jobs every
day for routine things. If somebody’s memory is weak, he should write the important things or events
on ‘post-it’ yellow notes and stick to them on the fridge or by the bed.
10. What kinds of things do people forget easily?

It’s hard to generalize the things that people don’t remember. I guess we don’t bother to remember
any inconsequential (=insignificant, unimportant) matter because our brain doesn’t work hard for
trivial details on many occasions.
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34. Describe an interesting tradition in your country.
What the tradition is
When you celebrate it
•
How you celebrate it
• Why it is interesting
I want to talk about the act of giving and helping the needy on one of the most important and
celebrated festivals of India. It is Diwali. The meaning of Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit ‘Dipawali,’
which means “row of lights.” And, it’s also known as a festival of lights
I remember my grandfather would pack up the bags of groceries and clothes to distribute among the
poor. He would tell me, “My father and his father did the same thing on this auspicious festival of
Diwali”
Hence, it’s a ritual in my family, but it’s not confined to my family only. Most Indians believe in
donating anything of their choice on this day across the country
Usually, this festival comes either in October or November of every year. This festival symbolizes the
tradition of prayers, fireworks, family gatherings, feasts, and charitable giving
The five-day festival is widely observed among more than 1 billion Indians from different faiths in
India and its diaspora
• This festival is celebrated differently in parts of India. But, generally, on the first day of Diwali,
people clean and decorate their homes, bake sweets, and pray to goddess Lakshmi. They also
decorate their homes with lamps and rangolis. You will see unique designs made of colored sand,
powder, rice, or flower petals on the floors. After these rituals, people wish each other, and some of
them come outside of their homes and set off the firecrackers and have fun
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1.
Is it important to celebrate traditional festivals?

Yes, without any equivocations (=doubt, qualm)! Traditional festivals are the embodiment of our
roots. Their significance will never go away because, generations after generations, people observe
these festivals. Parents tell the stories of significance to their children, so they proudly celebrate
them when they grow up. Humankind feels connected with their ancestors, no matter what they did
– right or wrong – and own their traditions and rituals with pride. For example, while celebrating
Diwali, I could imagine what joy the people of Ayodhya had when they were welcoming Lord Ram, his
wife, who was believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, and his brother, Lakshman.
2. Do you think it is important to maintain traditional festivals?

Absolutely, it’s a part of our rich history. Those who don’t respect their roots face an identity crisis.
For example, most Pakistanis believed themselves to be Mughals’ lineage, and now they’ve shifted to
Turks. That’s insane! They’re the classic example of the victims of an identity crisis. Now, let’s get back
to our question once again. Roots connect you with forthcoming generations. And because of this
pride and significance, it’s mandatory to celebrate traditional festivals every year, or your generation
will have no idea about its background, heroics of their ancestors, roots, lineage, invaders, and
enemies.
3. What is the difference between your traditional festivals and western festivals?
I think every festival has its own significance and story of it. It will be madness to compare one festival
with the other – be it a traditional or western one. Diwali has significance for Indians. So has for
Christians for Christmas! We may celebrate or observe a particular festival differently, depending on
its significance, relevance, story, and what religious books preach to us.
4. Do people in your country like to celebrate foreign festivals?

Yes, we do it with full gusto. We Indians celebrate Christmas, Navroz, and Eid. We also love to know
their significance and respect their faiths and enjoy like they are our family members. They are US.
5. Do you agree that the real meaning behind traditional festivals has been lost?
I don’t think so. With time, some changes do take place. For example, people didn’t let off firecrackers
some centuries back, but now they do. But the meaning hasn’t been lost. The significance of it is yet
intact. However, I’m slightly worried when the festival’s true spirit is hijacked by manipulating any
religious teaching. That must be stopped to restore the value of festivals.
6. What is the most popular festival in your country?

In India, it’s Diwali. No matter who you are: rich or poor. It’s a new year for everyone. Forget India; it
is now celebrated in the Middle East, North America, Europe, and also other parts of the world.
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7. Why do more and more young people prefer to celebrate festivals with their friends rather
than with their families?
The youth, on most occasions, feel connected well with their friends. They can freely talk and have
fun, whereas they may not have the same liberty with family members. It’s a natural process, I would
say. I can discuss certain things with my friends and may not feel comfortable with my parents and
vice versa.
8. How do people value traditional festivals?
As I mentioned, every festival has some story and significance. According to them, people do their
parts.
9. What is the difference between festivals now and in the past?

I don’t see any change at all; maybe the enjoying and observing methods might have changed a little
bit, but it’s a natural process.
10. Do you think it is wrong for children not to celebrate traditional festivals?
Yes, it’s really wrong if we fail to make them feel the importance of traditional festivals. A lot of sense
and things are attached to every festival in the world. Not encouraging children to celebrate
traditional festivals means they’re deprived of acquainting with the past facts. I understand history is
bygone, but we must not forget that history is also a precursor for progress. Those who disrespect
history are doomed (=make somebody/something certain to fail, suffer, die, etc.) to fail on many
occasions.
35. Describe a person who you think is helpful.
•
Who this person is
•
How you know this person
•
How this person helps you
• Why you think this person is helpful
“Little rain must fall in every life”, that’s what uncle Tarasingh says when I approach him for any sort
of assistance during my stressful times
He’s not my blood relative, but a gentleman with who I meet more often at the recreational club in
the morning. He must be in his seventies. We sometimes play badminton together, and I sometimes
feel jealous when I see his energy and playing skills. I often ask myself, "Will I be such a person as
energetic and full of life as him when I enter the seventies?”
•
During Sundays, after our playing, we’ve breakfast and have an opportunity to talk at length. In fact, I
put up any latest event of my choice for discussion or debate on purpose (=intentionally) with him
just to know his perspective because it helps me understand the situation better and more
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He’s amazingly thoughtful, competent, intelligent, and full of wisdom. I guess many people in our
group go to him for advice. He may not help you monetarily, but certainly, every piece of advice will
be a gem for anyone
I remember a dreadful situation in which I was struggling awfully. My job was about to be axed
during the coronavirus pandemic. I had assumed that I was on the layoff list. Therefore, I was
worried about losing my livelihood for some time. I was down and dejected and also facing the ire of
my boss during that trying (=arduous, demanding, irritating) time
I talked to him about this challenge over the phone. He advised me to research the financial scenario
post any big event, such as this pandemic, war, financial meltdown, or the government going
bankrupt. While doing so, I started to gain confidence because I learned what I didn’t know. Every dip
in business activities due to any untoward situation gets sorted in some time
And then, I prepared a report on the likelihood of business scenarios after this medical crisis. My
observations and analysis were applauded, and not only it helped me regain my confidence but also
it calmed the nerve of my boss. After a couple of months, things were back on track, and I was out of
this mess
• I shared with him this episode. He said, “I knew everything, but I wanted you to read and research on
such a crisis on the economy. He showed me his thesis paper, which dated back to the 80s. He
researched this topic then and foresaw the situation. I was awestruck. In the end, he said, “Kid, I
could’ve emailed you this report then, but I didn’t want to spoon-feed my research. You gotta develop
your coping skills, or you die in business.” This was his last statement on this episode
1. In what kinds of professions do people help others more?

I guess consulting with coworkers is a normative process in all the industries but in automated
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manufacturing units. In most corporations, it’s unlikely to have a team of all the brilliants because
people come and go, and that process leaves a vacuum and disruption in all the departments. Hence,
you will see regular training is organized so that steam and hunger for progress is not lost due to the
unskilled workforce. That said, it’s a common practice of seeking advice from coworkers or colleagues
in other departments. I think only in the automated manufacturing units, people work like robots
because they’ve to perform only one specific job or skill.
2. Who should teach children to help others, parents, or teachers?

To me, both of them are equally responsible for this job. Formal and informal learning at home and
school go hand in hand (=if two things go hand in hand, they’re closely connected, and one thing
causes the other). In the absence of the right inculcation (=the practice of making somebody learn
and remember ideas, moral principles, etc., especially by repeating them often) of teaching, training,
values, ethics, manners, or etiquette, children become adamant and grow with unwanted bra zen
(=shameless, audacious, blatant) attitude, which could culminate (=end up) disasters in the long run.
3. Why are some people willing to help others?

Some people believe in humanity and giving back to society. They enjoy doing that job. Some people
change after a specific disaster in their lives, and they understand the pain or concerns of others
closely due to their own experience. The ugly incident in someone’s life, at times, acts as a catalyst
(=motivation, stimulant, impetus) for change. For example, I felt compassion for all animals after
losing my pet, Snowie, some years ago. Today, I feed stray dogs, cattle, and cats. That ugly experience
of losing my pet awakened my dormant humanity for other animals.
4. Do you like to help others?

Yes, as long as my time and wallet permit. I mean, I would help someone up to a certain extent but
not absolutely. For example, if I’ve to feed any poor or animal, I won’t think once also and do that job.
But I may not be the same person for people with resources and freeloaders because I hate them
and won’t help them at all.
5. Do you think people are less willing to help others these days compared to the past?
I can’t entirely agree with this statement, and in fact, I think otherwise. As time progressed, people
have given the importance of giving. Such a culture was not there decades back. It’s obvious because
of the evolution of the human brain. People have become more compassionate these days, and
media are doing an excellent job in spreading awareness in society. If we talk about large
corporations, you will see a button of ‘CSR’ (corporate social responsibility) on their websites, and
they feel proud of helping others.
6. How do people in your community help each other?

In many ways, I say. Whenever any crisis occurs, we see people come forward and help others. Be it a
flood, be it a pandemic, be it an earthquake, or anything, we see a tremendous positive movement of

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7.
people willing to do their best to help their fellow citizens. Some run blood camp campaigns, some
donate the poor and animals, and some feed hungry people and whatnot.
In your view, should children be taught to help others?

Yes, without any doubt. A child without human values and human decency has nothing to contribute
to society in general. Therefore, it’s of great significance that we inculcate the habit of helping others.
We need to explain to them that if they don’t do good for others, they will also be at the receiving end
sometimes in the future.
8. How can we encourage children to help others?

The one-word answer is ‘Story.’ We need to tell them positive stories of great people and their doing
and giving. Stories move from one generation to another, and that chain must not be broken. It’s a
part of our culture. We need to explain to them that giving back to society is a part of their
responsibilities when they grow.
36. Describe a time when you received good news.
•
What this news was
•
When and where you heard it
• Why you think it was good news
Our cellphones are filled with countless messages, and this digital junk has no value on most
occasions unless they are of need
•
I would like to share with you one of the important messages that I received around six months ago
My cousin, Siffat, lives in Auckland, New Zealand. She did her master’s degree and decided to stay
back in New Zealand
•
She had been hunting for a better job for a long time but in vain
Because of her consistent failure to obtain the desired job, she remained dejected (= disheartened,
discouraged) and upset
Everybody in the family was worried about her struggle. She is a very talented girl and deserves a
beautiful life
She persevered for her job hunt, and finally, she made progress in her career and got the job that
she wanted
So, it went like this. I wake up and check my phone. I read a notification of a new message, reading
‘Siffat Sis’. Generally, she sends messages via Whatsapp, but this was a regular text message, so it
was bizarre (=strange)
The message read, “Woohoo! Hey, couch potato (= idler, lazy person). I made it. I’ve got a job
respecting my credentials in the Finance Dept. at AIG.” And, there was a stanza of a Hindi song
reading, “Aaj me upar, aasman niche.”
•
It was such encouraging and good news for everyone in the family
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•
I was happy for her success because we share a strong bond
•
We both did school together up to higher secondary and always helped each other during all good
and bad times
1. What do you think of news on social media?

Social media is famous for its authentic and fake news. My personal experience suggests that it has
drawn the attention mostly for fake news these days. By saying this, I don’t want to discredit this
platform, but it’s people who fill this media with toxicity (=poisonous). Yes, sometimes it makes sense,
and the other time, it wreaks havoc (=to do a great damage) when the fake news is spread. There
have been occasions that we have seen unwanted and unnecessary hue and cry (=strong public
protest about something) in society. Hence, it’s used more for propaganda than what ideally it was
designed for.
2. How do people in your country get news?

There are several ways people get acquainted with the latest news and updates. Some people prefer
a traditional way of knowing about what’s happening around them. They use newspapers or get
updated on TV. People like me neither read newspapers nor do watch TV for updates. They read
news online through apps installed on the phone. Some people visit Twitter as well because anything
controversial happens in your country, a relevant hashtag is created by the community, and people’s
views start clouding (=confuse) your judgment.
3. What kinds of news do people in your country usually watch or read?

I guess it all depends upon what kind of person you are and your age. For example, the youth loves
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to know more about their idols, sportspeople, celebrities, or maybe something about the latest
technology or gadgets. In the mid-range, people may prefer to learn more about the labor market
conditions, stock market, businesses, politics, and cars, among others. The older people gravitate to
topics of health, faith, and community welfare. So, it all depends upon who you are, what mindset
you have, where you come from, your background, your financial needs, and whatnot.
4. How do people like to share the good news?
In the past, when any good news broke, people used to call each other and shared the piece of news.
The same goes for any bitter news. Nowadays, people forward web links of the news via WhatsApp.
But this WhatsApp has become a nuisance in my country. You know, some people may like some
piece of news, and that’s quite understandable, too. But it may not be useful for others. Plus, some
people want to flaunt (=advertise, brandish, proclaim) as they are intellectual and keep abreast of all
the happening around the world. So, what they do is they pass on such pieces of news on WhatsApp
just to gain non-existent and superficial praise for them.
5. Why do some people like to share news on social media?
I guess they get pleasure by doing that. Furthermore, some people pour out their hearts to (=to tell
somebody all your problems, feelings, etc.) others, and it’s just a tendency. At times, they are
concerned about their friends and family, and some news pieces may affect them somehow. Hence,
they want to give them a heads-up (=a piece of information given in advance of something or as
advice), while others have no clue why they are doing so. I mean, in some cases, there is no logic
behind certain acts, and on most occasions, you will come across such people doing it unwittingly.
They just get pleasure without any reason. For example, some people have a habit of honking
(=beep, blare) while driving. And when you investigate why they blow the horn, there won’t be any
specific reason, but they enjoy doing so.
6. How do companies tell everyone their news?
Most companies have paid promotions on social media. They use this platform extensively to
promote their products or share any new updates concerning their products. So, they run an advert
campaign for their products. For example, Flipkart and Amazon organize flash sales every year, and
they invest heavily in promotional activities using social media, such as Facebook, Instagram,
LinkedIn, Google search optimization, Twitter, and traditional newspapers to attract buyers.
7. Why do local people like to read local news?
Because it’s connected to them. I mean, I would be more interested to learn about traffic snarls while
I’m driving and least bothered about the traffic of Mumbai or Bangalore at that moment. The local
issues draw my attention because they could affect my or others’ day-to-day life. Yes, I would be
interested in enlightenment (=knowledge) of what’s happening around my country and the world
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8.
and would give more prominence (=the state of being important) to things that are happening in my
city.
When do people share the good news?
Whenever they feel that some extraordinary event or thing has happened to them for which they
have been yearning or waiting for some time. Their hearts swell with happiness. Some good news
could be a life-changing event for them, and they cannot wait but share it instantly with the world.
Humans are social animals and love to share things, emotional triggers, rumors, learning,
frustrations, and whatnot.
9. How does technology affect the delivery of news?
Well, technology has greatly impacted the delivery of news. In the absence of technology, we had to
wait for the newspaper to arrive the next day to get updates or wait for the news bulletin on TV or
radio. With the Internet, we get up-to-the-minute pieces of news. A timely-delivery of news could be
beneficial to some people and may help them avert (=avoid, deter, foil) any danger, also. For
example, the stock market reacts to any good or bad news instantly, so if you want to stay ahead of
others in making a profit, you must use technology for instant updates.
10. Is it easier to pass information now than in the past?
Without a doubt, it is. You just need to click the button, and the message is sent. I remember my
father saying that his mom used to wait for a hand-written letter from her nanny or brother when he
was a kid. Can we think that it could happen now? ‘Nay.’ So, my point is technology has brought the
world closer than ever before. And you have multiple ways to connect with the world instantly. Some
of them are social media or digital apps such as Zoom, JioMeet, Microsoft Team, WhatsApp calling,
Google Duo, and many other apps, and technology platforms make our lives better and easier. This
privilege was non-existent in the past. In a way, our generation is lucky to have the boon (=blessing,
godsend, windfall) of technology, which our parents or grandparents did not have.
37. Describe a good decision you made recently.

•
What the decision was, and how you made it
•
When you made it
•
Why it was a good decision
•
The best decision that I’ve made in my life to date is to study for a master’s degree in Canada
• This decision was on the cards (=likely to happen) while I was doing my bachelors’ degree in India.
However, there were times when I got confused about this decision a little bit. It’s mainly the cost
factor that made me review my decision
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If I study in India, it will cost me no greater than ₹1 million (₹10 Lacs), whereas it costs me nearly ₹3
million (₹30 Lacs) when I study in Canada. Because of the cost only, I was puzzled for some time, but
my dad counseled and encouraged me to go ahead with my decision to study overseas
It’s a hard decision to make for me as my family is not wealthy. This decision could throw away their
hard-earned money. But my father has farsightedness and explained to me the rationale
(=hypothesis, justification, explanation) behind his approval. In the end, we were on the same page
(=in agreement)
So, while I was completing my last year of the undergrad degree, I decided it firmly and started
preparation for the same
I guess this decision will be considered as a milestone in my career. I’m studying software designing
along with mobile app development. Generally, technologists have either of them in specialization,
whereas I possess both skills
North America is a hub for new technologies, and it’s considered a powerhouse of the tech world.
Obviously, my skill is in demand in India as well, but the only problem that I see while staying back in
my homeland is it doesn’t offer good remuneration and benefits for skills. If I study and work there,
what I can make in the next ten years will not be possible to do so in my country’s next 20 years. So,
that’s the biggest difference and the main factor for me to go abroad for higher studies and stay back
there
• I foresee that I will be in a purple patch (=a period of success or good luck) after completing of my
studies. Just that feeling of being successful in the future makes me feel proud of my decision
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1.
What is the difference between decisions that children and adults make?
First of all, we can never compare decisions made by children and adults. Adults have experience of
years in the field that they are involved in. Plus, with professional experience, they’ve attained a
number of essential life skills, which guide them further to be wiser. They have seen more days and
nights than children and have navigated through several challenges. That makes them pragmatic,
calm, reasonable, considerate, and efficient. Hence, when they make decisions, generally, there is
some rationale for making such a decision.

In contrast, children are impulsive (=rash), impatient, less experienced of many challenges, and at
times, reckless. I don’t want to discredit them, but the naked reality of life is people get matured with
time and experiencing challenges. Therefore, I would suggest children to consult with their seniors at
home before making any big decision. Having said that, children should be allowed to make
decisions that are not consequential (=important) and don’t impact their careers or lives. For
example, when they decide to buy a bike of their choice, they should be allowed to purchase the bike
they’ve their heart is set on.
2. Does a change of the decision mean that what you did previously failed?
Failures teach us for good. Even if somebody has made an ugly decision, he has an opportunity to
correct it. “To err is human” – that’s what the maxim (=adage) says. Plus, nobody can make all the
right decisions ever. Every wrong decision leaves a lesson to learn from it. At times, under certain
circumstances, people also need to tweak their choices.
3. Is it good for children to make decisions when they are young?

As long as small decisions are concerned, yes, they should be offered leeway (=latitude, space) to
make such decisions. Such latitude will prepare them for adulthood and success. But if any decision
involves farsightedness, a lot of money, career-making, risk-taking, or any other important element, I
would advise them to consult their family members. Because sometimes a wrong decision could cost
unimaginable pain and hardship. For example, a child under 18 might insist on driving the car, and if
he is allowed, he might endanger his life and others. In a nutshell, children should be prohibited from
making certain types of decisions, but not all. It’s a delicate balance that parents must maintain for
the betterment of their children.
4. Why do people make decisions?

Because sometimes they have to, according to the situation.
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5. At what age can children make decisions on their own?
I guess the right age for children to make decisions is 18. Undoubtedly, at the age of 18, they are
relatively young to make decisions, but we gotta offer some leeway so that they can stand on their
feet gradually.
6. What decisions do people make every day?
If we talk about decisions made every day, they are related to our day-to-day life, which may not be of
great importance. However, things change when you’re employed or run a business. In a business or
job, you may need to make crucial decisions every day. Right decisions made every day reap desired
fruition in the long run. For example, an attempt to satisfy your clients every day help your business
grow exponentially when we analyze it year on year basis.
7. How can people improve their decision-making skills?
Life is a journey, not the destination. Each right or wrong decision leaves some sort of learning.
Sometimes it could be bitter and the other time a feeling of pride. When the wrong decisions in
businesses are made, we see everything slow to a grind. The opposite is also true. Your personal and
professional life improves by leaps and bounds (=very quickly) with the right decisions. In a nutshell,
constant decision-making has a steep learning curve.
8. What skills are necessary when making decisions?
I think, first of all, people must exercise patience and have an analytical attitude while making any
decision. Good people analyze statistics, research opportunities and threats, seek advice from the
experts, and use their common sense. These qualities in the combination help you reach the right
decision in all the probabilities. In some cases, even though we go through such steps, we may make
the wrong decisions.
9. What do you think are the qualities of a good leader or a good decision-maker?
I guess they’re reasonable in their expectations in the first place. They run through all the scenarios,
such as what will happen if things go wrong. For example, they have three possible results : Optimistic
P
scenario, Reasonable scenario, and essimistic scenario. When they go through such steps, they’re all
prepared for emergent situations to tweak their plans. This is how they win while making decisions.
They think critically and analytically and leave no room for decisions made by impulsive behavior or
driven by gut instinct.
10. When do people change their decisions?
Sometimes halfway in the journey, we realize our follies (=mistake). Some people, especially those
who possess a negative mindset, paint too much of a doomsday (=the last day of the world) picture
B
and allow the situation to slip out of hands. ut some are resilient (=buoyant, strong, tough) by
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nature and force; they correct the course of their journeys and try to minimize the impact of the
wrong decision. You’ve got to take corrective measures to make things better in some cases.
38. Describe an area of science that interests you.
•
What science it is
•
How you got interested in it
•
How you learn this science
• Why this science is interesting to you
The science course never interested me when I was in school. I studied it for the sake of studying and
chose the concentration of engineering for my career
But after many years, I found a renewed interest in one of the branches of Science, which is
Astronomy
I guess most children grow up watching ‘Discovery’ or ‘NatGeo’ TV stations that host some
informative documentaries, including space probes
Their findings and commentaries are always captivating, and you feel knowing more about outer
space. This interest fortified further when my idol, Elon Musk, decided to commercialize space travel
Additionally, I remember my father always telling me the contribution of Ancient India as the original
home of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. He talked about the connection between ‘Kumbh
Mela’ and ‘the Indian Calendar, Vikram Samvat,’ and their relationship with the observation of the
stars, moon, sun, and planets that formed the basis of navigation and timekeeping
•
What NASA observed in the last 20 years was the part of our rich Indian culture centuries back
Learning more about Astrophysics was never an intent of academic passion as my interest in
exploring new things of outer space and how the cosmos influences are meaningful in our lives was
merely casual
Hence, I started to collate (=gather) details of it casually by reading books, watching documentaries,
and listening to people around me
•
There are countless things that are unanswered, and I think I will learn them as time passes
I also think that Astronomy is connected with our day-to-day life, and we will know of its significance
sooner
•
Today, modern observations are made in all parts of the spectrum. It’s not limited only to radio
frequencies or X-rays
VINOD GAMBTOO
1. Do you think science is important?

Science is one of the precious assets of humankind. It defines us. Without science, we wouldn’t have
made progress in many worthwhile areas. Just imagine what we were some ten to twenty centuries
ago. We all humans knew only three things: food, sleep, and sex. We didn’t do anything good to save
humanity.

Science is a systematic study of many concentrations backed by evidence, data, observation, and
hypothesis. Synthesis and analysis of all these statistics keep us evolving and get better. Without
science, we will only be like other animals who know only three things that I stated.
2. How does science influence our life?

Science is one of the precious assets of humankind. It defines us. Without science, we wouldn’t have
made progress in many worthwhile areas. Just imagine what we were some ten to twenty centuries
ago. We all humans knew only three things: food, sleep, and sex. We didn’t do anything good to save
humanity.

Science is a systematic study of many concentrations backed by evidence, data, observation, and
hypothesis. Synthesis and analysis of all these statistics keep us evolving and get better. Without
science, we will only be like other animals who know only three things that I stated.
3. Should children learn science?

Yes, they must, at least, up to a higher secondary level. Children must study the combination of
courses, including science, for the overall development of theirs. Science course teaches them to
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synthesize information, analyze outcomes, hypothesize situations, brainstorm challenges, and many
other things. This develops their minds to think critically, backed by evidence. Plus, what’s been
happening around us over the centuries is a subject of curiosity and relevance. The more they learn
about these, the better prepared they will be. Maybe they could be potential innovators or inventors!
4. Do you think science can change our society?

Yes, definitely. We have already been reaping its benefits in all areas that have touched human life. I
mean, we’ve been using medical devices, renewable energies, advanced technologies in agriculture,
health-enhancing treatments, outer space explorations, radio frequencies, and whatnot. The
contribution of scientists has made our life comfortable, safe, and secure. Without science, we would
have travelled on horses, elephants, and ponies and covered our bodies with leaves and sung
‘Jingalaalaa’ in the jungle.
5. How can museums help (children) learn science?

In a great way! Museums familiarize children with a wide range of information on several topics. It all
depends on the students’ interests and areas of study. It’s a great collection of things and
information specific to a particular subject. They can get acquainted with what happened in the past
in related studies and incorporate it with their studies or increase awareness of the specific field. For
example, we’ve anthropology, archeology, and ethnographic museums. Here children can learn
about the collection of antiquities, the conservation and restoration of historic sites, human remains,
archeological thefts, intellectual properties, and so on. This is just one example. You have museums
in many areas where children can improve their understanding of their interests.
6. Which area of science is the most important in the last one hundred years?
There could be many, but my answer is medical science. We’ve seen a tremendous improvement in
medical science. Most countries have invested billions of dollars to better human life. I think each
decade belongs to some sort of medical breakthrough from which we have been significantly
benefitted. For example, penicillin’s discovery might not hold a reputation today, but it was one of
the greatest achievements to better humans’ health. Today, lives are saved by blood transfusions
and heart transplants, and the lives of the handicapped have been made easy by the use of
prosthetics (=artificial parts of the body). Today, amputees (=a person whose arm or leg amputated)
can live a respectable life with these artificial body parts. The latest one is the study of DNA that
carries genetic information. So, the list is endless.
7. Which do you think is more important, science or social studies?

I guess both are equally significant without a doubt. Science helps us live better and healthy, whereas
social study sheds light on how our society has evolved, and our cultural ties play a role in
humankind. It encompasses the basic understanding of equality and justice, which are the basis of
society’s foundation.
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39. Describe a prize that you want to win.
What the prize is
What you need to do to get it
•
How you know about it
• Why you want it
What a coincidence? You know why I’m taking this test right now, it’s because I want to win the prize
of £3,000 from the British Council as well as to study abroad
British Council offers 10 prizes worth £3,000 to those students whose academic credentials are
brilliant and a high score in the IELTS test, along with an essay of 500 words that should convince
them why a particular student deserves this prize
It’s a tough competition, though. Tens of thousands of students apply for this prize from India, and I’ll
have to stand out (=emerge, stick out) of them to hit the jackpot
Hence, not only do I need to score better in the IELTS test, but also I’ve to learn how to write a
persuasive (=impressive, cogent, compelling) essay. The persuasive essay is not as easy as it looks.
You need to develop critical thinking and have command over the English language to be in
consideration
The task ahead is full of challenges, and you don’t have trainers who specialize in this job, so it
becomes rather complicated
Luckily, someone suggested the name of a trainer in Canada who himself went through such
processes. His name is Vinod Gambtoo. I shared my concern with him, and he agreed with me to
train for this special skill
•
I’m just about to submit all my papers along with the IELTS mark card in the next 15 days
• I’m thankful to two persons for this job. The first one is Mr. Gambtoo, and the other is my friend,
Gurpreetkaur Khalsa
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•
I never knew about this prize, but she had all the details for this exciting scholarship and was
preparing for the same. She’s a generous (=thoughtful, good, considerate) girl. Everyone wants to
compete with a small number of rivals, and generally, they withhold (=conceal, hide) such vital
information, which could strike down (=annul, disallow, nullify) their chances to win such prizes if
there are too many contestants. But she doesn’t subscribe to such a narrow mindset for sure
• This prize is significant in two ways. First of all, it will reduce a little bit of the financial burden of my
parents. And the second is it’s a certificate of achievement. Such prizes and scholarships increase
your chances to be hired when you enter the labor market after your studies. The prize money
doesn’t matter. Whether you win $100 or $100,000, it’s the recognition of your achievement that sets
you apart (=to make somebody/something different from others or better than others) from others
1. What rewards can children get from school?

It’s said that recognizing a student’s efforts is more valuable than money. All schools also have an
instinct (=inclination, aptitude) to compete with other schools within the state or country. Therefore,
students who are enrolled with them are the ones who will help them (to) achieve this target. Schools
motivate students by giving various types of awards, such as a certificate of achievement, a certificate
for good behavior, a certificate for recognizing students’ skills, i.e., innovative thrust, teamwork,
leadership, academic excellence, and others. There are many ways to keep students in business. For
example, when I was awarded scholarships by my school, I always felt connected with my school and
its reputation. Such awards keep students thinking out of the box all the time. At times, schools take
all the expenses of coaching and provide playing equipment to students interested in sports or who
have performed well in the competitions
2. Is it good for children to compete for prizes at school?

Yes, of course. Through competitions only, children can prove their worth or excel in academics or
sports. Let’s see what exactly the meaning of any trophy or prize is? It gives students a sense of
accomplishment, an increased level of self-confidence, respect among the peer group, and, more
importantly, a pride for three parties: himself, school, and family. Students carry forward such a
feeling of accomplishment throughout their lives, which can help them to succeed in their
occupations in the long run. So, it’s not all about prize or money, but it could inspire them to think
innovatively or work hard for themselves and society as a whole.
3. What reward can companies offer to outstanding employees?

I guess only a few companies have developed an atmosphere for employees who want to remain
associated with them in the world, or in fact, stay there for a longer time. Large corporations have a
mixed bag of motivational tools for their employees. Some corporations offer hard cash to motivate
top performers, whereas some companies have ways to boost company morale by giving them from
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new gadgets to dinners out to trips to some exotic places in the world. It all depends on how
corporations evaluate the drivers for employee performance, and more importantly, it rests on the
policy, philosophy, and vision of any company.
4. What rewards do children want to get?
I think, first of all, they want the recognition of whatever good they have done while studying. A
simple phone call from teachers to their parents on positive feedback also sends them into the orbit.
Children love to receive trophies or badges of honor for their volunteer jobs or on the excellence of
any extracurricular activities. Scholarships drive them to do better in studies and offer a feeling of
accomplishment on which they feel proud while discussing it on any public forum. Apart from these
monetary or non-monetary tools, they also appreciate their teachers’ verbal hugs when they fail in
any mission. We cannot be winners all the time, but how to deal with failures gracefully is something
that they learn from their mentors, coaches, and teachers. Therefore, this part of encouragement is
as significant as other things for students that I discussed.
5. Is it a good idea to reward children for doing homework or housework?
Yes, it is without any doubt. In fact, incentivizing students to complete their homework or household
chores is a positive development. Children are always like clay, and school, along with parents, must
mold them into the right shape and encourage them to be responsible citizens so that when they
grow, a lot many things get streamlined for their good. Plus, every small thing in life teaches them
good or bitter lessons. Only academics don’t determine the success of students in their careers, but
how to deal with other concerns makes them composed and articulate all the ways.
6. Should parents push their children to get prizes?
My answer is yes, but they should not push them overly to the point where they get frustrated if they
fail. Their job is to offer a conducive environment to children whereby they feel motivated but not
under any fear of losing and repercussions (=backlash, fallout, chain reaction) from parents. With the
right amount of encouragement, children develop virtues, such as commitment, perseverance
(=dedication, determination), tenacity (=courage, guts, chutzpah), grit (=the courage and strength of
mind), camaraderie (=companionship, togetherness), and resilience (=bounce back). These qualities
will invariably take them to their goals of becoming outperformers gradually.
40. Describe an event you experienced in which you did not like the music.
•
Where it was
•
What the event was
•
What the music was like
• Why you didn’t like the music

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•
Last year, I attended the wedding of my cousin at Hyatt Regency in Ludhiana
Certainly, it was a joyous moment for everyone, but I was really annoyed at my cousin’s decision to
organize a live DJ band at the reception ceremony
Apart from this DJ band inclusion, the venue was cool. Obviously, I can’t fault Hyatt for his bad
decision, and the entire decoration of the ceremony was simply stupendous (=fabulous, fantastic)
I had also visited this place before and had a tremendous experience as far as their background
music choice is concerned. They generally have the background music of softly lapping water, and, in
fact, it’s soothing to your ears
I guess we often choose to listen to music that suits our activities and moods. It soothes our nerves
and calms our minds
But the live DJ band at the wedding reception is something torture. I don’t know who dared to start
this gaudy (=showy, gross) music culture in my country
•
You can’t hear anything, and the heavy sound of drums and guitar simply puts you off
I mean, it’s OK to have the background music of softly lapping water on such occasions because I
consider it a charming piece of music
During the entire event, I had to yell in order to be heard over in the deafening noise. I was
wondering what my cousin and his wife would have been going through
My head started to ache, and I really wanted to leave the place, but I couldn’t do so as it was our
family’s celebration
•
Somehow, I managed my time and was faking my smile all the time
After a few days, my newly-wed cousin also shared the same experience. He’s a sarcastic (=satirical,
caustic, saucy) guy, and what he said made me burst out of laughing
• He said, “Because of this DJ band, I was also distracted by the splintering noises thundering in my
ears. Thankfully, it didn’t disturb my first night”
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1.
What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

Well, it all depends upon the occasion. I grew up listening to Rock and Pop music, and then gradually
became fascinated by other genres also. I love to listen to Bryan Adams, Freddy Mercury, Bono,
Roxette, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Sean Paul, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Elvis, and many
others. So, if you see the range, it has all types of genres.
2. What kinds of music are most popular in your country?

In my country, people listen to a wide variety of music genres. I’ve seen people humming a tune of
classical music, dancing on folk music in the countryside, the youth reveling on house music, baby
boomers (=a person born during a baby boom, especially after the second world war) reliving their
lives listening to rock and jazz music, and so on. There’s an endless list. Overall, Indians prefer those
songs that have catchy lyrics and full of melodies. The music industry is worth billions of dollars in
India. It means music is a part of our lives.
3. Is it necessary for the government to require all children to learn music?

I don’t think so. The government cannot impose its decisions on people on any matter. Additionally, I
don’t think that every kid loves music; some love to listen to it or some love to sing as well, but we
cannot be sure that everyone desires to learn music as a subject. There’s sufficient support and
environment for whoever wants to make a career in music or just want to learn it, but putting all the
children through for the same will be over the top.
4. Do you think music lessons are important?

I guess that makes sense. Music has been part of humankind over the centuries. And I think people
feel connected with music if they are trained at the basic level. For example, musical training helps
children master the skill of memorization.
5. Why do many young people spend a lot of money on music concerts?

Music sound excites emotions and interest. People feel connected when they listen to music they like
the most. One of the primary reasons for the youth attending music concerts is (that) it gives them an
opportunity to meet and greet their favorite band or the singer in person. It unwinds them because
they’re the idols from whom they take inspiration. The entire atmosphere is reverberating (=resound,
echo) when you see boys and girls clap, dance, or sway to the beats. I guess such music concerts
boost their happiness.
6. There is a lot of pirated music. Do you agree that we should support official music?
Absolutely! You know it’s a crime to buy pirated stuff. Sometimes I wonder why people are so
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insensitive towards artists. They spend their life and blood to produce a charming piece of music to
survive or make some money. But people don’t respect their skills in society. They just try to save
some money at the cost of robbing someone’s livelihood. In my country, pirated music and
photocopied books or other literature are a norm. Most people grow up using pirated stuff and
photocopied books and brazenly (=blatantly, unashamedly) call themselves as saints.
7. There is a saying: ‘Music is like Math.’ Do you agree?
Well, frankly speaking, I’ve heard this adage first time ever in my life. But I do see some connection
between these two. I guess both of them follow the combinations, patterns, relationships,
interdependence, and structures to produce a great result and idea. Maybe I’m wrong because I
never took any interest in developing my skills in music. Neither did I have any formal education in
music. This is the best I can postulate (=hypothesize, posit, presuppose) in my argument for this
saying.
8. Do you think music concerts are suitable for older people to attend?
I’ve generally not seen older people attending music concerts. And I also don’t see any reason to do
so because people stand for hours clapping, dancing, and swaying to the beats. It’s an amazingly
electrifying experience, but I don’t think that older people like such a setting to enjoy themselves.
They prefer relatively calm events, maybe a town hall where limited seats are available for the
audience, and they can sit and enjoy music.
9. Why do shopping malls often have background music?
Shopping malls are filled with unimaginable crowds. Just imagine that all these shoppers and visitors
talk to each other, making the entire environment noisy and loud. When you have soft background
music, people experience some comfort and don’t get irritated.
10. Do you think older people like the same music as younger people?
Yes, that’s possible in some cases but not all. I think older people give importance to good lyrics and
melody with the combination of music, which matches the mood and theme of the story. However,
one thing is sure that both these age groups will not accept all types of contemporary music. There
will be some likings, and there won’t be. That’s because music is defined individually, and more
importantly, it represents your time and life. For example, you would’ve heard the popular song of
Freddie Mercury (Queen Band) – ‘Radio Ga Ga.’ Now, this song and its melody and lyrics may not have
relevance in the present, so possibly the youth may not enjoy it. But when I listen to it, it reminds me
of my school, old friends and gives me a smile on my face.
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41. Describe a uniform you wear (at your school or company).
When you wear it
Who bought it for you
•
What it looks like
•
I don’t need to wear a uniform these days
•
But I recount (=tell, narrate) my school days when it was mandatory to put on the school uniform
•
The fundamental idea of the uniform is to treat everyone equally
•
Some companies have made regulation of putting on the uniform for a variety of reasons
Some large corporations (=company, firm) believe the uniform decreases the dress-based
discrimination (=prejudice, bias) at the workplace
My parents bought me the uniform every year. And the fun part was that I knew that it was going to
be the same every year, but getting rid of the old one offered renewed joy
•
I always loved my school uniform. It had a combination of blue and white
•
We had to wear blue pants (X = not pant) and a white shirt
More than the uniform, I was always fascinated (=strongly attracted) by the belt. It was a
tripedesigned strap with the emblem (=symbol, figure) of our school on the plate style buckle
I also loved our school logo on the shirt. It was beautifully designed with a lamp and Goddess
Saraswati in it
On a sports day, usually on Saturdays, we had to put on a round-necked blue T-shirt with
grey-colored sweat pants
•
While talking to you right now about my school uniform, it takes me back to my golden days of life
School time is something that you treasure (=cherish) forever, and I had an opportunity to ask for
something now, I would certainly like to have those golden days back.
We all looked amazingly handsome and beautiful in our school uniform. No matter how pricey
clothes that we buy now and put them on, but there’s nothing like our uniform. It was simple and
attractive. Maybe it’s linked to our school time, and then we were quite young and restless hence,
with the uniform, so many things are attached to
Some friends of mine hated to put on the uniform, citing it was compulsion imposed on us because
we looked upon students who were going to college or university at that time, and they were
exempted from this code of wearing
• But if talk about myself, I never shared such a mindset then. On the contrary, I enjoyed it. Yet I have
my old uniform of the year 10 as reminiscences (=memory, recollection), and I take it out, at times, to
relive those moments. So, it comes down to how people think on this point
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1. Do you think science is important?

Wearing a school uniform is a symbol of identification and pride, and it also makes a personality for a
school. It’s the imperative piece of being a school student. It also teaches students to take pride in
their appearance. Wearing a uniform is all about being in the organization or school together.
2. On what occasions should people wear uniforms?

It depends upon with who (m) you’re associated, and you need to size up the occasion you will be
attending. Otherwise, you don’t feel confident if you’re over or under dressed, so we’ve to ensure
that we’re dressed in an outfit that is the right to the occasion. For example, in a school, the uniform
gives a sense of togetherness, and we all look good, no matter whether we are thin or doughy (=fat)
or whatever. When we grow up and start our career, some corporations have a dress code. You’ve no
choice but to align with the philosophy and policy of the corporation. In some cases, when we’ve an
annual meeting or any roadshow for promotion, we wear uniforms.
3. Should companies ask employees about the design of their uniforms?

Well, my answer is ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ both because there could be several suggestions if asked. Imagine a
corporation which has over 1,000 employees, people will pour in ideas and recommendations, and
everyone has his own preference. In that case, it’s slightly tricky to narrow down the final decision.
But this exercise can be used for gathering ideas and preferences and anything that comes close to
the conclusion of the management, that dress code should be taken.
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4. Can people tell someone’s personality by his or her clothes?
Of course, yes. I believe that your clothing sense reflects your personality and, in some cases, your
royalty, too. People get attracted to those who have a neat and sharp clothing sense. And it also
depends upon an occasion. I’ve seen people wearing a pair of jeans and a round-necked T-shirt while
attending any wedding event, and they certainly look horrible in that. It is tacky (=tasteless, gaudy). At
the same time, when somebody is dressed in an appropriate outfit grabs the attention of the
audience.
5. What color would catch people’s attention most?

It’s subjective. For some boys and men, they don’t imagine trying colors other than black, white, navy
blue, and beige. And bright colors look good on girls. In fact, I feel jealous because women have a
plethora of colors to choose for their attires, whereas boys have no such choices. It’s sad (with a
smiling face).
42. Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake.
•
When it happened
•
Why you were sleepy
•
Why you had to stay awake
• And how you stayed awake
•
Sleep has been called ‘force multiplier’. It means it can worsen or enhance your performance
I personally cannot stand the sleep deprivation (=hardship, loss) and need at least eight-hour sleep to
stay in the right mood
Usually, I ensure to have deep sound sleep, but there are occasions where I couldn’t keep up the
same
I remember the night before the paper of Math (X= not Maths) during the Year 12 exam. I always
struggled with calculus in my school time, so needed additional time to cover my study
As I said that the course of math always scared me, so it was boring (=tedious). And you know that
when you do some boring job, it makes you feel drowsy and uninterested
So it happened that night particularly. I had to cover my pending portion of the exam preparation,
and I felt sleepy
I hated that moment, but I knew that if I hadn’t stayed awake, I would have to pay a heavy price for
it
•
I had no choice but to stay awake at any cost
Then what! People have their own ways to stay awake; some have energy drinks, and others believe
having tea or coffee
•
I don’t know how far it is true that such beverages containing caffeine help you stay awake, but it
certainly doesn’t work for me
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If I’ve to stay awake for some reason, I will rather watch some interesting videos on YouTube or
maybe music also
•
So, during that hard time, I watched any song of my choice and got charged and got back to my
studies, and then whenever I felt sleepy, I repeated the same
1. On what occasions do people need to stay awake even when they are tired?
There could be several occasions where you need to stay awake even if you hate to do so. When
we’ve to write an exam, it’s an integral part, and I’m sure most students go through the same
situation. When we grow up and are burdened heavily with some backlog of jobs, it takes away our
sleep in order to meet the deadline. And the worst of all is when you have unwanted visitors at
home, you don’t want to spare some time for them, but you do so just to sustain the relationship.
2. How do they keep awake when they are tired?

People have ways to keep themselves awake. The most common hack (=strategy, technique) on
which people rely on is to consume any drink that contains caffeine. For example, tea, coffee, or
energy drink. I’ve seen some people washing their faces with soda. They get a kind of instant zip
(=oomph, vitality, vigor, verve) in their mood. I don’t know whether it works or not, but people do
that. And there are some people who do some job that interests them the most. Like reading a novel
or maybe watching some exciting series on Netflix or YouTube.
3. Why do people feel tired a lot nowadays?

Well! It’s not about these days or yesteryears. People get fatigued (=tired) owing to physical tiredness
or psychological reasons. For example, students participate in sports competitions or play outdoor
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games, which certainly takes their toll because of excessive playing or working out exhaust them.
While people who work go through extraordinary pressure of many things at the workplace, along
with their own external concerns. The steep competition in the business or at the workplace keeps
everyone on the toe forever, and it impacts adversely on their health.
4. What kinds of people lack sleep?
There could be many kinds! Some people work globally from their home place, and the time
difference breaks their regular cycle of sleep. The classic example is people working with call centers.
There are some people who remain under pressure at the workplace, or even those people who are
under constant threat of losing their jobs in this competitive world are deprived of the sound sleep.
Some people also suffer from insomnia, and that’s the worst thing we could expect. There could be
many others, too.
43. Talk about something that you borrowed from your friend.
•
What it was
•
When you borrowed
•
From whom you borrowed it
•
What you did with it
• Why you borrowed it
•
No matter how old you are, you can keep lending or borrowing something somewhere in your life
•
I guess it’s an integral part in our society. But it may not go well with everyone
I remember having borrowed the motorbike of my neighbor once when I was in the final year of my
college
•
I remember that incident pretty well now. It was drizzling on that day, and I guess it’s the weekend
My friends called and invited me to go for a movie. It wasn’t planned, but all of a sudden a couple of
friends decided about this and connected each other.
My motorbike was with the workshop for a regular mechanical service, and I didn’t have any vehicle
to go and join them. I kept thinking about my options on how to come and go there, and eventually, I
decided to borrow the motorbike from my neighbor for this friends’ gathering cum movie watching
My neighbor, Aakash, recently bought KTM 200 Duke motorbike then. This motorbike was amazing,
and I had a test drive of it on varied roads before. The engine had a great punch and I guess its
attractive design fails to age yet
• So, the joy of meeting with friends for a movie and driving the motorbike in the drizzle makes this
event unforgettable for me. In fact, when I recollect this incident, I cannot fail to remember those
crazy stunts that I performed on this motorbike. In fact, I shouldn’t have done that because I had
borrowed it from someone, but you know when you are very young, you become restless and less
thoughtful about certain etiquette. Anyway (X= not anyways), this question took me back to the
memory lane of my school time
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1. What do Indian people usually borrow?

In my country, well, it’s hard to think that what people borrow from one another. I guess it all
depends upon the person and the way he has decided to live. For example, I’ve seen some people
who believe not to lend or borrow. At the same time, there are people who cannot resist (=refrain
from) this habit. I guess people borrow everything and all things from books to clothes to cars to
motorbikes and even money or academic notes, too. I think in any society people do that.
2. Does borrowing things make people uncomfortable?

In most cases, I reckon it makes people uncomfortable as nobody likes to share his stuff with anyone
except when someone is very close to him. I personally believe that it’s not a good habit, especially
some people aren’t (=ain’t) expressive, and they don’t like to say ‘no’ to them, but at the same time,
from deep inside they reject this idea. So, my point is why to make people uncomfortable for this
undisciplined act.
3. What to do if you don’t want to lend something to others?

Don’t ask me this question because I’m very much infamous for being straight to my dealings with
people. I’ve my ways to decline people’s request on borrowing. I tell them in a straightforward
manner, and my response will be, “Buddy, we’re friends and I respect and understand you and your
need. But I never lend any of my stuff to anyone because on many occasions, it leaves a bitter
experience to the either party. So, in this case I’ve no option but to decline your request.”
VINOD GAMBTOO
4. Why do people dislike lending valuable items?
There could be many reasons for it. I think when you help someone by lending something, it may
lead to forming a bad habit of dependency. Some people have a habit of relying on others for all
their needs. In some cases, the lender faces inconvenience also. For example, if I happen to lend my
motorbike to someone, I will face inconvenience in commuting. And, that’s the primary reason that
people don’t like to lend their valuables.
5. What would you do if your friends didn’t give back what they borrowed from you?
Well! It all depends on the value of the stuff. If it is highly expensive, then I might pressure him to
take my stuff back. If it has no high value, I may let it go and will never lend him anything to him.
6. Why do some people borrow things instead of buying them?

As I said, some people form a nasty habit of borrowing all the time. They are miser and don’t like to
spend for themselves. That’s cheap, but what can we do in such a case? Nothing, I guess. You cannot
change habits of people, and they will remain as they are, no matter how many efforts we put in to
explain to them. They’re just stubborn in wrong aspirations and demands.
7. What would you do if people don’t return the money they borrowed from you?
First things first, I will request him to give my money back. And if he is unmoved to my request, I may
talk to his family for helping me get my money. If I fail here, I will involve people in acquaintance to
pressure and convince him to get my money. When all the options are exhausted, I may take serious
steps against him.
8. Why are people embarrassed when they borrow money from others?
One word answer is self-esteem. I reckon most people in the world don’t prefer to borrow from
others unless they are in deep financial trouble. Self-esteem is invisible in the form, but it impacts us
a great deal. It’s like a humiliation for sensitive people, and they feel uncomfortable and
embarrassed.
9. Do you often borrow things in your daily life?

I try not to borrow anything ever in my life. Borrowing will be the last resort for me when all the
options are gone. But this was not the case while I was studying. When I was in school, we borrowed
all possible things from friends. But that’s the different time. For example, I took academic assistance
from friends wherever I couldn’t cope with (X= not cope up with) certain parts of my studies. These all
things are considered acceptable, but once you’re grown up, we’ve several external and internal
concerns, and we keep negotiating them for ourselves and family. As long as you’re young and
studying, I guess we can offer some leeway (=scope, space, headway), but certainly not when we’re
grown up.
VINOD GAMBTOO
10. What things you usually borrow from your neighbor?
Uhhm, not much, in fact, nothing. Yes, once I borrowed the motorbike from my neighbor as
mentioned in my previous question. That’s the only incident of borrowing that I recollect now.
11. How do you like when some people borrow money from others?
I don’t see it a good habit and advise people not to burden themselves on someone for their needs. If
there’s a dire (=desperate, critical) situation, they can certainly think of borrowing but not more often.
The reason behind this is because everybody is mired (=entangled, trapped) with his own budget and
responsibilities these days. It’s hard for people to help others.
12. What kind of problems are associated with borrowing things?

On many occasions, what I’ve seen is that it leaves a bitter experience. For example, when we lend
something to someone, they don’t return our stuff on time or sometimes they damage and return it.
As far as financial assistance goes, there is a chance that you may lose your money in relationship.
When you try to get your money back, it kills bonhomie (=sweet) relationship that you’ve developed
over the years. In some cases, it leads to exchanging of unspeakable arguments also.
13. What is your opinion about the phenomenon of borrowing in society?

As long as we’re young, it’s all acceptable to borrow, or to lend, or to even share your things. These
days, I’ve noticed that the moment you become financially strong, some people, or friends, or your
relative will flock around you for benefits. It’s a danger phenomenon that’s emerging in our society.
At the same time, I also believe in charity. If you’re financially strong and could help others – maybe
in the form of lending in the beginning and you know that it won’t be returned if there is case – you
should move ahead and help the needy in your acquaintance.
44. Describe your idea of a perfect home or dream house.
•
Where this place would be (is)
•
What it would look like/what it looks like
•
When you would like to live there/when you want to live there
• Explain why it is ideal for you
•
Currently, I live in a three-bedroom apartment in the city
It’s the location which offers comfortable access to all places of the city and well connected with
public transportation
If I were to have my dream house, it would be a penthouse surrounded by trees and located in the
suburbs for some reason
•
I think the house beautifully decorated from flooring to a state-of-the-art kitchen boasting a 14-feet
ceiling makes sense
VINOD GAMBTOO
•
I would love to have an airy living room leading to the spacious terrace with the white oak flooring.
Such a decorating setup makes the home lively and refreshing
Along with these, I would love to see French windows all around my home because it allows more
natural light, and they look elegant
My home must include integrated lighting, irrigation, and audio. The open terrace will be like a
garden with a private space created by using green climbers where you can sit and enjoy some
private moments
Flowering plants of all size to give color and simple wooden benches with artistic chairs for sitting will
be the part of my living
I guess to build my dream house is very expensive, and I don’t think that it will be done sooner; might
take another ten years to accumulate that much of fund, so I guess it will be when I’m in my thirties
(or you can say after ten years or so).
•
Such a house will give everything that I want
First of all, I’m a nature guy who loves trees, serenity, chirping of birds, and fresh air. When I’m home,
the rich (=luxurious) wooden furniture will always give me a sense of living in a beautifully-designed
home. And, when I go out to my terrace, flowering plants and green climbers will give (=provide me
with) me a glimpse of the garden, and I can watch bright blue sky with birds flying
•
This whole package makes my home perfect; in fact, more than perfect
I have been dreaming of such a place to live whenever I get an opportunity since long. Unfortunately,
I can’t do that right now because, for this dream house, I need to make a lot of money, and I guess it
will take some years to fulfill my dream
• I see home is more than four walls because you live there, enjoy every moment of life, and there are
emotions attached to it. There’s no place like your home in the world; no matter how busy you are or
how far you travel for various activities, but the real pleasure we get only when we return to our
home
VINOD GAMBTOO
1.
Do most Indians live in an apartment or a house?

My country is blasting with the population, and you see people everywhere. Unlike other countries,
land per person is not enough because of a high density. And, that’s the reason prices of the land
always go north every year. Most Indians don’t have the luxury of owning a house but live in an
apartment.
2. Do young people in your country like to live with their parents or by themselves?
Well, the answer is Yes and No both. It all depends upon the disposition (=frame of mind, personality)
of the person. Some young people believe in living in a joint family, whereas others see it as an
infringement (=invasion, violation) in privacy. On the whole, our society is structured culturally in a
manner wherein people enjoy living with parents, and they don’t like to separate them.
3. Do Indians like to rent a place to live?

Again, it rests on personal choice. But broadly, I believe that Indians love to own the place as they
believe that taking a home loan and pay an EMI because you become a property owner (=landlord)
after some years. But this logic doesn’t apply to those people who have a transferable job. I’ve
personally met those people in my life, and they get really disappointed at losing on to an
opportunity to buy a house or make a decision.
4. Would you live abroad in the future?

Maybe Yes, and that’s why I am taking this English test. I’m planning to study abroad for a few years,
and then I may settle there as long as all the immigration rules go in my favor.
5. How is modern home design in your country different from that of the past?
There has been a lot of transition and transformation in home designing in my country over the
years. I guess in the past, I mean I’m talking about some 50 years ago before my birth, people in India
loved home design inspired by the living of our kings and rich history. But with time and an
increasing population, people moved to small apartments as the land cost became expensive.
Therefore, they couldn’t fit those heritage designs in modern apartments. These days, we’ve a neat
and clean design, mainly in a straight-line pattern. The modern home design looks slick and attractive
and doesn’t waste any space. For example, homes are getting smaller these days, so every inch in
your home counts. I personally believe that both sorts of home designs look amazing, depending
upon the size of your property. But I must admit that the modern design involves lesser efforts to
design and leaves more space for use.
VINOD GAMBTOO
6. In your country, what types of homes do most people live?
India is a vast country with 1.35 billion people. We’ve people from all classes, rich and poor, settled
both in rural and urban areas. Plus, the weather remains different depending upon the place from
North to South and East to West. For example, if you go to hilly areas of Kashmir or Himachal
Pradesh, you will see homes having the shape of hut and made of pure wood because they control
the chilly weatherduring winter. But if we see homes in other regions, they’re made of cement and
bricks. Rural India, at times, is opposite to big cities. You’ll see some homes right in the middle of the
farm or nearby. Depending upon the spending budget, city, and region, people live in apartments,
palaces, bungalows, penthouse, affordable flats, rowhouses, and also slum areas.
7. Do people prefer to live in modern homes or older-styled homes?
I reckon people love to live in modern homes owing to modern facilities that are available in modern
homes. Older-styled homes look grandeur (=magnificence, opulence, majesty, greatness) and an
epitome (=exemplar, embodiment, type) of royalty, but our lives have changed dramatically over the
centuries, and we need homes that offer the best functionality. I guess modern homes address all
the solutions to comfort our day-to-day life. Additionally, maintenance time and cost play a significant
role in choosing the home. And those go in favor of modern houses.
8. How are modern homes different from older homes?
As I said to you, there is a massive difference in both styles. Older homes offer decent heights,
natural light, and grandeur furniture to make you feel like a Maharaja. But modern homes have all
the answers to our day-to-day life. People may not have time and money to maintain homes, and
what they want is functional features such as spick and span (= neat, clean, and well looked after)
premises, well-lit area, use of every corner of the home in this expensive world, the right type of
electrification that supports several gadgets and white appliances (=goods) and others.
45. Describe a time when you first met someone.
•
Who the person was
•
Where you met
•
When it was
• How was your experience?
•
We meet several people in our life on many occasions
•
Some of them stay with us forever, and others just disappear with time
Those who leave a long-lasting positive impression on our minds either become friends or someone
to deserve a special honor for their benevolent (=benign, caring, generous) acts
•
’m the guy who generally doesn’t make friends quickly as I’m introverted by disposition (=tendency,
personality)
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2nd Floor, City Mall 3,
+91 79 4006 2000
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Opp. HDFC Bank, Kalol,
+91 79 4007 7000
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VINOD GAMBTOO
•
But I do get gravitated to those people with who(m) my ideology gets aligned
I recount (=tell, narrate) one of the incidents which gave me a good friend, and I’m thankful to God
for rendering (=give) such an opportunity
A few years back, I remember passing by Queen’s Street on Prince Edward Island and happened to
see an injured cat paining and meowing
She hurt her leg and was in excruciating pain. The moment I saw her sorry plight, it tugged at my
heartstrings (=to cause strong feelings of love or sympathy), and I rushed to rescue her
I had my limitation as I was not a vet (=veterinarian), so I wanted to help her get rid of pain and nurse
her wound but helpless
Luckily, a girl named Georgina was passing by, and she saw us and immediately pulled over her car
to check on us
She is as much animal lover as I am. Fortunately, she is a vet. Plus, she enjoys helping stray animals
and dedicates her some time to go around the city and reach out to such patients
She and I took the injured cat to her dispensary, where this cat was carefully attended. She took me
to a tour of a shelter house on her property that she had built for this cause. I was taken aback
(=surprise) to see her efforts, dedication, and sympathy. She is a good Samaritan (=someone who
gives help to people and others who need it)
From that incident, we became good friends because there was one thing in common in both of us
was the animal love
We shared various stories of how we tried to assist stray animals in our ways and found a good
reason to be friends forever
• So, this injured cat who we named ‘Gucci’ connected us to become good friends, and both of us are
thankful to ‘Gucci’. Gucci is doing good now and delivered three kittens in the following year before
she was spayed (=remove the ovaries of a female animal)
VINOD GAMBTOO
1.
Do you think it is strange to make friends online?

Well, I believe it’s not advisable as we’ve no idea about the stranger’s background. Another thing is
why to make friends online? We may have 1000 friends on Facebook, but with how many we hang
out? That doesn’t make any sense. Traditionally, we make friends by going out and about. We travel,
walk the dog, volunteer some specific causes, frequent cafes, or clubs or attend evening classes.
These have been ways to discover new people over the decades. Maybe, people in thirties or forties
yet prefer these ways to make friends. Things may change with the youngster. They have entirely
(=quite) new ways to come across others. These days, we’ve seen many mobile apps where you
discover new friends, or sometimes you sit behind a computer and start blogging on the ‘WordPress’
platform, which enables you to find friends across the world easily. Online gaming is another tool
wherein youth happens to meet new friends as well. But, overall, I believe meeting new people in
person and knowing them rather than being all over virtually and never happen to see each other.
Strangers, at times, put you in trouble as well, and we’ve heard many such negative stories, too.
2. Why do some people have few friends?

Having many friends or not all depends upon our personality type. Some people are extroverted and
vocal, whereas others are introverted, or they love being with few friends only. I guess some people
want limited numbers of friends and believe in maintaining a healthy relationship throughout their
life. There is no point in having hundreds of friends, because sometimes when you need them, they
are nowhere in sight.
3. What is more important – a new friendship or an old one?

I reckon both types of friendships are equally important in our life. Yes, there is some difference,
especially when you are connected to someone over the years. There’s a kind of exceptional bonding
because relationship matures with time. Having said that, it also works against it as, in some cases,
we carry forward a little animosity (=opposition, strong dislike, anger) if any that occurred years back
to our present life as well. A new friendship is all about unlocking a new experience. For example, we
get married, and our partner could also become a new friend, and s/he must be needed more than
anyone else in the world. Additionally, our dynamics change, like moving from one school to another,
one job to another, and one place to another. These all-new settings also impact our relationship.
Distance and availability, to some extent, sweeten our relationship with friends.
4. How do companies welcome their employees?

Large corporations send an electronic greeting to new recruits and sometimes with the greeting card
and welcoming ceremony within the department. I’ve no idea about small corporations because it’s
managed by the boss or manager wholly. Therefore, it all depends on the disposition (=personality,
tendency) of them. Some bosses are extraordinarily congenial (=harmonious, friendly), and they treat
VINOD GAMBTOO
and they treat each employee as a family member, whereas other bosses distance themselves from
day one, citing specific reasons for it.
46. Describe a time when you travelled by public transportation.
•
When you travelled
•
Where you travelled
•
What the purpose was of your travel
•
I hardly use public transportation in my life because I drive wherever I want to go
However, when I have to go somewhere in distance, I mean in the other city or state, I use public
transportation. Maybe a train or an air-conditioned cozy bus
•
I did my undergraduate degree from Baroda, which is around 100 kilometers from my home
•
I am from Ahmedabad but studied there, so I’ve many of my friends in this city
Sometimes we friends decide to meet each other, and either they come to my place or I travel to
Baroda
I can always drive to Baroda, but I feel using public transportation is rather convenient, and we’ve an
inter-state bus service run by the government. This facility, I guess, is the best in India as you get a
super comfortable coach of Volvo Buses
In fact, I travelled to Baroda last weekend as one of my friends who works for Wipro came home to
have a mini-vacation of four days
He called me up to check on my and others’ availability to catch up. Initially, I refused to join as I had
a family engagement for a social cause
However, that engagement got cancelled for some reason, and then I called him up to express my
desire to join at night
•
Cool! The plan was made along with other friends, and I travelled
Travelling by bus from Ahmedabad to Baroda is always a pleasant ride. We’ve an expressway, so
within 45 minutes you arrive at Baroda once the bus hits the expressway from Ahmedabad
•
Luckily, this time I enjoyed more because I happened to make a new friend who was sitting by me
This guy is working for a large corporation in the finance department. I did my degree in finance
concentration, and I also work in the accounts and finance department for my company
We began a casually chitchat only to switch it to the financial world later. This fella has tremendous
know-how about the financial world, so there was something to add to my enlightenment
(=knowledge) from him
As said it before, the trip to Baroda is short with a comfy ride, so time went by quickly, and we both
cursed to the shortest time for our discussion
• In the end, along with the ride, I happened to make a good new friend
47. Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood.
• Which the toy was

• Who gifted/gave it to you
• How often you played with it
• You’ve brought me back to my childhood, which I always treasure

• In my childhood, I was gifted and given too many toys as I grew up. I was really pampered and spoilt
child of my parents who always brought me any toy that I had wished when I was little
• In fact, I can go on talking about several toys with which I grew up
• Today, I’m gonna talk about a toy with which I always felt connected and today also, I’m connected with
it in another way
• I was always fond of cars, so my parents, at times, brought me the collection of truck and car toys
• I enjoyed moving them, hoping that one day I would be driving these cars, too
• I remember my father bought me a diecast model car, which was a Porsche replica
• It was remarkable. It was red in color; had three openable doors, tail with front and rear light, engine
cover, and music embedded with the remote control for maneuvering my drive. Additionally, it also
had a feature of realistic engine sound
• It was beautifully designed and a pure counterfeit of Porsche, but a toy only
• With the remote control, I could pull it backward and forward and stop at my will
• I always felt as if I were driving this beautiful car and always boasted of this toy among friends. Plus, it
was made of metal and slightly heavier than other toys
• So, typically, it was boy stuff during my childhood
• We weren’t allowed to bring any toy to school, but I would stash (=hide) in my schoolbag someday and
took it to school because I always felt proud of having it. Additionally, my friends also insisted on
bringing this little creature for their fun
• I remember having played with this car almost every day
1. What is the difference between girls’ and boys’ toys?

Well, it’s hard to differentiate what girls and boys like when they’re young. Take a model car as a toy,
girls also liked it when I was in my school. I guess girls like more dolls, wind-up toys, puzzles,
dollhouses, or perhaps cubs nesting, while boys love having construction toys, colored-pattern blocks,
cars, and popular fictional characters with their weapons and sets of people and animals. It’s just a
thought, and I don’t how far it’s true.
2. Do you think toys really help in children’s development?

Certainly, it’s true. A good toy can be used in more than one way. With toys, children can challenge their
imagination, which is useful when they grow up. Children develop thinking skills. For example, they
learn directionality by turning puzzle pieces so that they fit together. They also develop socially,
emotionally, and physically. I can quote another example of physical aspect to make my point. Kids can
practice visual skills by playing with a set of stacking rings. Now, such a visual skill could be handy for
them if they aspire to become pilots or joining the Air Force for their country.
3. Does modern technology have an influence on children’s toys?

Yes, it does. Before modern technology was incorporated in toys, the toy industry like the fashion
industry was always fast-moving. Popular and sought-after (=attractive, famous, beloved) toys get run
over by new ones every year. With modern technology, now children have ample choices for the toys
to choose from. But if we look at this point positively, today children have toys of better educational
values that improve their several skills. Hence, I see it as a positive development, overall.
4. Have we lost our hand skills such as sewing?

I guess we’ve lost it for many reasons. People hardly have their clothes stitched these days. In the past,
it’s a usual sight that our mothers sew something for their children, but gone are those days now.
Additionally, I believe that people had a peaceful life in the past. I mean neither people had more job
opportunities nor were they much ambitious. In this modern time, the world is connected to every
good or bad news, and the digital world has influenced the minds of people greatly. So, you see
everyone is in the race of catching up others. In this scenario, people give a lot of importance on
ready-made stuff in order to save time. The countryside yet has some life left for such skills to harness,
but people living in cities have seemed to have made these skills obsolete (=out-of-date, archaic).
5. What toys are popular with kids in India today?

I’ve really no idea about this because there’s no child in my family. But, let me guess which toy could be
a darling to our children these days. I guess children love miniatures of popular fictional characters,
such as Superman, Batman, and others. I am also pretty sure they must be liking electric cars, puzzles,
block-building toys, construction toys, and educational toys.
6. Do children today have many toys in general?

Yes, I’m sure about it for many reasons again. Today, we’ve several toys available in the market. Thanks
to consumerism. Plus, purchasing power has increased exponentially all over the world, especially in
my country. Therefore, I assume children of today are luckier than we are.
7. Do you think playing with electronic toys has a good influence on kids?
I think so. Take electric cars, children drive it using the remote control, and they learn how to maneuver
it. When they grow up, this childhood experience helps them learn to drive the car quickly. Some
electronic toys are designed to educate children on varied matters. So, when they grow up, childhood
learning leaves an ever-lasting image on their brains. In Japan, most children have a robot as a toy, so
children tend to learn many good things from it. In my country, we’ve not seen such a culture but we’re
not far away from it, and I foresee this to come in the years to come.
8. Do you think some toys are only suitable for girls and some that are only suitable for boys?
I don’t think about its suitability, but manufacturers have ways to target gender when it comes to
selling things. It also happens with children as well as with adults. Some companies smart enough to
design some toys, which become favorite in a particular gender. For example, the Barbie doll is the
most popular in the world, and most girls have grown up having it. When they’re young, they love to
talk to her, dress her, comb her and whatnot. In a similar vein, boys grow up having the miniature of
soldiers and fictional characters, and they feel associated with them.
9. Which do you think is better for children, to play with toys alone or with other kids?
I think both have their merits for the development of children. With toys, they enjoy in a different
world. I mean they feel as if they are living in a utopia (=paradise) world where everything is perfect
and happy, whereas, with kids, they tend to learn what the relationship is all about, discipline, helping
others, and get helped, too. Both good and bad experiences with other children are building blocks
to their real-life later on.
10. Do you think parents should encourage their children to share their toys with other kids?
Yes, I greatly support this notion. Sharing toys with other kids at a young age inculcate (=impart,
indoctrinate, instill) a sense of giving and sharing, which could be the most sought-after (=attractive,
famous, beloved) quality in a relationship.
48. Describe a person in the news that you want to meet.
• Who he or she is
• What this person showed up on TV for
• How you knew what this person
• Why you want to meet him
• There are many celebrities that I follow in my life. They are from all segments such as news anchors,
politicians, sportspersons, actors, singers, comedians, and among others
• Today, I would like to talk about one of my favorite playback singers who is a kind of a household name
in Indian society. His name is Arijit Singh
• Arijit Singh has a shy nature, and hardly have we seen him on a TV show ever. But back in 2016, he
appeared in one of the most popular chat and comedy shows: The Kapil Sharma Show
• This fella is absolutely down-to-earth and one of those public images who doesn’t believe much in
flaunting his skills. It was a rare thing to see him participate in a comedy show
• He’s the most loved and young playback singer in India. He has a wonderful voice texture. Some
experts describe his voice as raw and grainy, whereas I think he has a natural voice, and you
experience depth in his voice
• Therefore, this great singer requires no introduction, and I’m sure if you ask any youngster in India
about this marvelous singer these days, everyone has some positive opinions for him
• Truly, I get mesmerized when I happen to listen to any song of his. He caters to genres, such as pop,
ghazal, Indian classical, electronic dance music (EDM), and filmy
• Plus, he is good at playing harmonium, guitar, piano, vocals, and tabla
• I always desire to meet this accomplished guy whenever I have any opportunity. However, it’s hard to
meet him because he’s a big name in our music industry now
• I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hope one day I’ll have an opportunity to see this gentleman for
sure
1. What types of people can be seen on TV? What are the kinds of people do the news usually
reports about?
Well, we have dedicated TV stations for types of shows that we would like to watch. We’ve categories
such as entertainment, international, infotainment, news, sports, music, and movies. So, it comes
down to your choice, first of all. You’ve gotta a wide range of variety to your choice. Ahh, I love sports,
music, movies, and sometimes like to stay in touch with domestic and international news, too.
We see all kinds of celebrities. Thankfully, things have changed in the last ten years dramatically and
you happen to see the presence of movie actors also on TV. This was not a trend in the past, but things
have changed for good. We see sportspersons, actors, news anchors, comedians, politicians, and
others.
2. Do you think there is too much news about celebrities? What is your take on the news reports
in recent years?
Yes, I agree with this. It’s, at times, annoying, too. There’s too much limelight offered to celebrities, and
people miss out to know other essential information or news. For example, some news reports discuss
what Taimur did. This guy is the son of Saif Ali Khan, and he’s what? Just 2 years old. He’s not a
significant personality to discuss. And what will people do with his daily itinerary? Nothing. So, it’s very
much irritating to know that the quality of reports has stooped so low these days.
3. Do you think negative information in the news can have a negative influence?
Certainly, to some extent. Human behavior typically responds to what happens around him and what
people say on any issue. Whether it is right or wrong, but people tend to get influenced in either
direction: Positive or Negative. A negative piece of information on the media impacts the viewers
greatly. For example, when the pandemic of coronavirus became a household name, everyone was so
much scared to step out of the home. The situation needed to stay home, and there’s no doubt about
it. But what will we do without our essential goods and services? So, anybody who went out of home
was always scared because the moment he returns and watches TV, everything around him was
depressing, and people were dying. It does influence heavily.
4. Why do people like negative news?

I don’t know the exact reason for this, but it’s true that people, in general, gravitate more to negative
news than positive news. Maybe, human beings like excitement, climax, something that’s not usual, or
maybe something else. Any bad news that features in any sphere of life, people love tracking and
discussing it profusely. That’s the way it is!
5. What is usually in the news in India?

First of all, I don’t watch the news much on our television because it has more negative news than
positive news. We’ve all types of pieces of news, which range from sports to celebrity news, to domestic
and international issues, to some scientific updates, and others.
6. Is that information always true?

I doubt that all pieces of information in the news are true. We’ve seen that news is being manipulated
everywhere in the world. In most cases, reporters are biased and promote that piece of news that suits
their ideologies or agenda. For example, when you update yourself with any piece of news from CNN,
it will be quite opposite to what is being broadcasted on RT News. CNN is an American News Station,
while RT News is a Russian one. You can clearly see how stories are twisted to align with their
propagandas. Sometimes, it’s hard to know who’s right and who’s wrong. Therefore, I personally
believe that what you hear or watch on TV may be far from reality.
7. What is the difference between broadcasting news in the past and in the present?
Frankly speaking, I don’t have much of the information about how news was broadcasted in the past
because I’ve never analyzed this matter. But, based on my assumption, I can say that news that is
broadcasted today carries a lot of sensation. I mean sometimes news reporters prosecute some
accused virtually before the verdict on that case comes out of the adjudicating body (court). This is
worrisome and frightening. I can say that this is a digital prosecution or digital character assassination.
I assume that News TV media in the past just described what happened in a plain language and didn’t
have their opinions sprinkled on the story. Everyone today has become a self-proclaimed judge or saint
on any matter. Specialists in different fields have become irrelevant in this deadening culture of news
broadcasting. Journalism is dying!
8. Do you believe everything said in the news?

No, I won’t believe anything blindly. To me, it’s very simple: ‘Trust but verify’. If you don’t have such an
investigative attitude, you fall into a trap of fake news. What happens these days is people form their
perception on the basis of fake news that they get from ‘WhatsApp University’ or ‘Twitter University’.
That’s a dangerous precedent (=criterion) we’re setting in our society.
9. What kind of news is popular in India?

Indians love to track any news on their beloved celebrities, sportspersons, or any national issues and
movie updates. Apart from these regular mentions, any news pertaining to national security, people
take a tremendous interest in it. For example, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intruded our
borders, which ensued bloody spat between soldiers from both the ends, resulting in many casualties
and injuries. After this incident, people were interested in each and every update of it because when it
comes to nationalism, we Indians always show solidarity for our army.
Out of all these updates, celebrities top the index in terms of popularity. Indians love watching movies
and idolize their role models. So, this section always gets the maximum attention in the media.
10. Are the stories about celebrities in the news always true? Is the news on celebrities mostly
positive?
Well, I can’t say that it’s always true but in most cases, they do so. Before any news hits the media, social
media websites get active and people get updates, but social media is also a nuisance. In some cases,
they are filled with rumors, and those rumors keep doing rounds in our society until the official piece
of news or clarification is announced on TV.
I don’t agree that news on celebrities inspires people generally. They are meant for killing time.
However, people love to learn more about what’s happening in their life. A very few celebrities leave a
solid message on the minds of people, and they are worth knowing. For example, I would be more
interested in the piece of news wherein the celebrity has bounced back from the dark time. Like what
happened to Yuvraj Singh, one of the legendary Indian cricketers. He was struggling with life and death
because of cancer. He fought back and came alive and was also picked up in our regular cricket team
which played internationally. Such a piece of news has substance.
11. How do you think the celebs in the news can influence adolescents?
I believe that they have a big role in influencing and encouraging our youth. It’s not a choice for them
but also an obligation. They’ve become stars because these youth have loved and supported them by
watching their movies and idolizing them as their role models. Young children and other diehard fans
love to emulate every action and style of them, whether it’s a good or bad habit.
Large corporations rope in celebrities to sell and market their products. Children and the youth when
they see their role models doing or endorsing any product, the sales of the same skyrocket in the blink
of the eye. Therefore, there’s a great influence of celebs on the youth as far as India is concerned where
more than 50% of the population is young.
12. Are news reports on the TV in India divided into domestic and international ones?
Some TV stations do but not all. Most TV stations focus on the domestic news, and there are also
regional TV stations, which specifically feature local news of the city or town.
49. Describe an important piece of news that you received via a text message.
• Who shared the message with you

• What the news was about
• How it was written
• Explain why the news was important
• Our cellphones are filled with countless messages, and this digital junk has no value on most occasions
unless they are of need
• I would like to share with you one of the important messages that I received around six months ago
• My cousin, Siffat, lives in Auckland, New Zealand. She did her master’s degree and decided to stay back
in New Zealand
• She had been hunting for a better job for a long time but in vain
• Because of her consistent failure to obtain the desired job, she remained dejected (= disheartened,
discouraged) and upset
• Everybody in the family was worried about her struggle. She is a very talented girl and deserves a
beautiful life
• She persevered for her job hunt, and finally, she made progress in her career and got the job that she
wanted
• So, it went like this. I wake up and check my phone. I read a notification of a new message, reading
‘Siffat Sis’. Generally, she sends messages via Whatsapp, but this was a regular text message, so it was
bizarre
• The message read, “Woohoo! Hey, couch potato (= idler, lazy person). I made it. I’ve got a job respecting
my credentials in the Finance Dept. at AIG.” And, there was a stanza of a Hindi song reading, “Aaj me
upar, aasman niche.”
• It was such encouraging and good news for everyone in the family
• I was happy for her success because we share a strong bond
• We both did school together up to higher secondary and always helped each other during all good and
bad times
1. Why do some people dislike sending text messages?

Well, as long as a short message is sent or received, I don’t think people would hate it. But, certainly,
most people hate writing a long message including me. It takes a lot of time and effort to compose a
long message. It’s just boring! This is my take. But we don’t know how people think about this
messaging service. Some people rather believing in talking to someone over the phone than texting a
message. To them, it’s a waste of time. At the same time, some people get annoyed at receiving calls,
and they rather prefer to be contacted by text messages only.
2. What is the information that cannot be communicated via text message?

There could be many pieces of information that are believed not to be sent through messages. Some
information contains vital or classified items. If they get viral or get into the wrong hands, it could
damage someone’s reputation, or somebody’s money or peace of mind could be robbed of. For
example, phishing is a usual way to siphon the money off your account. Sometimes we receive
messages asking us for our personal details, such as PAN card, credit card number, one-time
password, Aadhar card, and others. If you share these details by mistake with someone, you could
surely be in trouble. Hence, people must exercise restrain while sharing such information.
3. How do people in India deliver important information?

We’ve ways to transmit vital information to our friends, family, or clients. The best medium that’s
believed to be in vogue (= practice, fad, popular) is through email. It’s quick and cheap. Some people in
the business also share business details or requirements through WhatsApp. I personally don’t like this
mode of communication in the business, but it’s quite popular in my country. Where original papers
are needed to be sent, people yet rely on the traditional method of courier via DTDC, Blue Dart, Express
Post, or DHL.
4. What do you think of traditional paper mails?

The significance of paper mails has diminished a great deal these days. However, it has not become
obsolete (= archaic, antiquated) yet because there are tens of thousands of people across the globe
who believe in verifying, receiving, or sending original papers to the opposite party. Plus, we cannot
expect all the people to be well versed with technology. Some people may not have access to
technology, and they use traditional methods of communication. I foresee a further downward on the
traditional paper mails. However, when it happens is a matter of a question.
5. Do you think it is still a good way to deliver information using traditional mails?
To me, it has some merits depending upon what you are sending or receiving. For example, valuable
papers such as passports, property documents, I20s, legal papers, and business agreements among
others carry substantial weight and relevant authorities may not accept them in other formats such as
photocopy, pdf version, or through electronic mail. Apart from these papers, I think we should use
advanced technologies of communication to save time and money both.
6. Have our ways to communicate with each other changed in recent years?
Yes, in fact, it has changed a great deal. It’s just like the evolution of humans. In the past, we had a
telegram to send urgent messages. Then, we were promoted to trunk calls. People had to book a trunk
call with the telecom authority, and they would connect you with the other party in other states. Then
after, we had paid STD, ISD, and PCO for making calls and sending messages. Pagers came in life, but
they were short-lived. I would say that they died before they were born. In the late nineties, we saw the
world of communication changed dramatically. Cellphones made their ways with resounding success,
and now they have been replaced by smartphones. I don’t know what lies ahead in the future. It’s quite
a transformation, especially in the last thirty years. Technological advancements are challenging all the
traditional ways of doing business, communicating, studying, and way of thinking.
7. What are the advantages of sending messages via social apps?

The one-word answer is ‘Fun’. Social apps have made the digital platform alive, unlike in the past, which
was banal. You have emojis to attach to your message that signifies your mood while sending a
message. Otherwise, people might take your message in a bad taste because at the end of the day, it
is technology, and it does not deal with emotions and other expressions. Therefore, this feature of
social apps has had tremendous success in the present. After the lockdowns of coronavirus in the
world, things have changed further. People love connecting to each other via Facetime, Google Duo,
Zoom, Jiomeet, and other platforms. People rather pick up the phone and connect to others using such
kinds of popular apps. So, the writing and reading part is almost gone. Again, I would say, “quite a
transformation.”
50. Describe something difficult you would like to succeed in doing.
• What it is
• Why it is difficult
• How you would like to prepare for it
• Explain why you would like to be successful in doing it
• That’s a good question. In fact, it relates to my current situation. I have been trying to get 7.5 band
score in the IELTS test for the last three months but in vain
• I will become eligible for a PR status only when I achieve 8,7,7,7 score in the IELTS test
• Therefore, I’m putting all my efforts to achieve this target, but I don’t know why I have been failing
slightly from the last two tests. In one module, I end up scoring at 6.5 band score, and then I’ve to
retake the test all again. That’s frustrating for sure
• I don’t know what’s wrong with my efforts and preparation. I easily manage to get over 7.5 band score
in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, but Writing is my Achilles heel (= damaging weakness, failing,
defect)
• After successive failures, I decided to take the classes of Vinod Gambtoo for my Speaking and Writing
this time. Now, I have learnt what mistakes I was making in the past, and hopefully, I’ve corrected them
this time and will achieve the required band score
• I have started to take note of each hardship that I had experienced in my Writing section
• I realized how important Grammar, Vocabulary, and other parameters if someone desires to get a
higher band score. I started paying attention to my mistakes and had all my doubts cleared step by
step
• This time, I have justified my opening and concluding paragraph of my write-up. Plus, I have
improvised my performance by addressing the vocabulary part like the right word for the right
situation where I was making mistakes in the past. Additionally, I used to overdo my write-up. I mean I
had a popular misconception of writing at length, using very heavy words, and writing off the topic.
Hence, my write-up was dense and quite haphazard (= random, erratic, casual, careless) when it came
to finesse (= competence, skill, savvy, sophistication). These all mistakes dragged my score downward
• This time, I guess I’ve fine-tuned my preparation and taken care of all those goof-ups (= silly mistake)
of the past
• My trainer has taught me a framework of a good write-up, on which I have practiced hard. Moreover,
I started to read the right academic material from which I could take some lesson and improve my
performance
51. Describe a time when a family member asked for your help.
• When it was
• Who asked you for help
• How you helped him/her
• Family means a lot; it means putting your arms around each other and being there forever
• Whether you call it a clan, call it a network, call it a family, call it a mini world of yours or call it a tribe,
whoever you are, you need one, and that’s what is the meaning of family
• Today, I would like to talk about one incident where my niece rushed to seek my assistance around a
year ago
• She’s studying at the University of Toronto and was about to finish her undergrad degree in the
Finance concentration
• She had to complete her thesis to graduate and was stuck in the middle while writing her thesis paper
• As I also did my master degree in business administration with the Finance concentration, she thought
that I could be the right person to seek some academic assistance, and hence, she called me up for the
same
• Initially, as usual, our Indian way, she wanted me to help extensively on her paper because, you know,
sometimes we take academic integrity for granted and generally, in most cases, we don’t find it wrong
in taking assistance in writing university assignments
• I learned her subject and went through her paper; I mean whatever she had completed then
• First, she wanted me to write, synthesize, and edit her some parts of the paper for which I blatantly
(=openly) refused because it was academic dishonesty
• But I lent my helping hand to her in a different manner. I guided her about what to be included, what
to be researched, what all citations could be helping to her and whatnot
• On the contrary, I suggested her not to be the one who steals information or indulges in plagiarism
(=piracy, falsification) or wants someone to write her paper. Instead, I offered her academic guidance
to complete her paper
• She soon realized where I came from and agreed with my point
• I felt jubilant (=elated, glad) when she called me after some time about her final grades
• She got 88% in her final thesis paper
• She called to thank me for my guidance. And I said, “You yet to have your finest hour.” There could not
be a better moment in our lives than to help family members and see them doing the best. That was
special news for everyone in our family
1. What can children help their parents with?

I think this could be a big ask from children. Generally, they’re very young to know what parents feel
like or what they want. I guess if they remain straight in their academic careers or maybe in their
extracurricular activities, parents will be pleased with that discipline. Mostly, parents don’t expect
children to return whatever they’ve have given to them, such as time, care, or money. But they really
want that their efforts must not go in vain. If children simply understand this ask and align them with
this philosophy, parents won’t ask anything more. And why not? Parents make them feel like they can
fly (metaphorical expression).
2. What are the benefits of children helping their parents?

It shows a sense of responsibility and respect for elders. Children hardly know the fact that how much
pain is taken by their parents day and night over the years. Most responsible parents keep worrying
about their future and in all their prayers, they’re put on the high priority. And when children
reciprocate (=repay, barter, retaliate) with their responsible attitude, it’s like a dream come true for
them. They breathe a sigh of relief, and all their worries, all of a sudden, disappear. It makes their life
comfortable, which they deserve for all good reasons.
3. Should parents reward their children when they help others?

Yes, absolutely. I personally believe that every good act must be incentivized (= encourage, motivate)
in different ways. When parents endorse their good deeds such as helping others, they are further
motivated to repeat the same over and over again. This process inculcates (=impart, instill,
indoctrinate) good values and respect for other humans. That’s needed because when they grow, their
success depends upon various factors, and one of them is to help others selflessly.
4. Do parents help their children because they need their help when they are old?
I don’t think so. In most cases, I have seen parents are selfless, and they don’t do good things for their
children expecting any reciprocity (=exchange, cooperation, mutuality). They just help them out of pure
love and affection. This is the life, in fact, I say. At least, I’ve not seen any such parents who raise their
children for any benefit. It’s their blood, after all. I’m sure such selfless love of parents will always exist
as long as we survive on this earth. That’s infinite love.
1. What can children help their parents with?

I think this could be a big ask from children. Generally, they’re very young to know what parents feel
like or what they want. I guess if they remain straight in their academic careers or maybe in their
extracurricular activities, parents will be pleased with that discipline. Mostly, parents don’t expect
children to return whatever they’ve have given to them, such as time, care, or money. But they really
want that their efforts must not go in vain. If children simply understand this ask and align them with
this philosophy, parents won’t ask anything more. And why not? Parents make them feel like they can
fly (metaphorical expression).
2. What are the benefits of children helping their parents?

It shows a sense of responsibility and respect for elders. Children hardly know the fact that how much
pain is taken by their parents day and night over the years. Most responsible parents keep worrying
about their future and in all their prayers, they’re put on the high priority. And when children
reciprocate (=repay, barter, retaliate) with their responsible attitude, it’s like a dream come true for
them. They breathe a sigh of relief, and all their worries, all of a sudden, disappear. It makes their life
comfortable, which they deserve for all good reasons.
3. Should parents reward their children when they help others?

Yes, absolutely. I personally believe that every good act must be incentivized (= encourage, motivate)
in different ways. When parents endorse their good deeds such as helping others, they are further
motivated to repeat the same over and over again. This process inculcates (=impart, instill,
indoctrinate) good values and respect for other humans. That’s needed because when they grow,
their success depends upon various factors, and one of them is to help others selflessly.
4. Do parents help their children because they need their help when they are old?
I don’t think so. In most cases, I have seen parents are selfless, and they don’t do good things for their
children expecting any reciprocity (=exchange, cooperation, mutuality). They just help them out of pure
love and affection. This is the life, in fact, I say. At least, I’ve not seen any such parents who raise their
children for any benefit. It’s their blood, after all. I’m sure such selfless love of parents will always exist
as long as we survive on this earth. That’s infinite love.
52. Describe a place where you are able to relax.
• Where it is
• What it is like
• How often you go there
• How you feel about this place
• Being a millennial, to me, relaxation must include some parts of adventures, sound sleep, amazing
scenery, and a great place to roam around
• There could be no better place than Canada for all purposes, whether it is enjoying leisure time, or
taking some time off to rejuvenate yourself, or going to mesmerizing (=fascinate, enthrall, stupefy)
places with friends, or simply skiing
• If I have to choose my beloved place for relaxation, it is always Lake O’Hara Lodge in the Canadian
Rockies of British Columbia near Alberta
• I’ve several reasons to visit this marvelous beauty over and over again and never get tired of it
• It may not be the fanciest back county accommodation, but it is overly friendly, laidback with a
spectacular setting
• This place is so much popular that regulars like me return year after year for hiking the trails or skiing.
It’s located near Lake Louise
• I savor the outdoor grandeur. Playing in or on the lake with friends or family members is real fun
• I visit this place at least once a year. I don’t need a reason to travel there, but I make sure to visit this
place during summer as it offers lots of things along with better deals of accommodation over a hearty
breakfast
• When you visit this place, you feel bliss, serenity, God’s own abode, beautiful birds and their chirping,
and the purest water of the lake. It makes you feel as if you are in paradise, and it redeems you from
your stress
• It gives you an opportunity to re-energize yourself
1. How do students relax?

Unlike elderly people who believe in a complete rest as the form of relaxation, students have
altogether a different way to relax. For us, it’s simple. The thing that we like to do is a kind of
relaxation. For example, I would love to lie in bed for hours and play games on the laptop is also a
form of relaxation. Or going to some places with friends to have unlimited fun with delicious food
and drink offers me the best relaxation because the happiness that I get by doing the things that I
like is important.
2. What activities do employers organize to help employees relax?

Employers, these days, arrange an excursion near their workplace; I mean not very far from their place
so that they can return comfortably without having to travel long. They book a resort that includes
water splash, restaurant, gaming zone, and a countryside-felt accommodation where they can play
games and have fun, and at the same time, they can feel relaxed and motivated after such a vacation.
3. Do people now have more ways to relax than in the past?

I agree with this statement precisely. With time, the significance of well-being, frolic activities, and other
such facilities to please the mood of people has improved a lot over the decades. Businessmen try hard
to come up with new ideas of entertainment and hospitality. It is a big industry worth billions of dollars,
and every year, people take out their time from the busy schedule to enjoy. They don’t mind traveling
far enough to experience something extraordinary. For example, you have resorts that are placed right
in the middle of the forest or a sanctuary to see live animals. In the past, we did not have such
entertaining places and even if we had them, only the rich could afford it, whereas it’s now become a
commodity. I mean people with the average earnings can also think of going to such places with friends
and family and enjoy. In the past, it was just a dream for them.
4. Do you think natural sceneries are more helpful than indoor activities?
I guess natural sceneries calm your nerve and offer absolute soothing feelings. It gives a sense of exotic
and unforgettable experience, which indoor activities can’t… Just imagine that you are sitting on the
deck of a century-old home in coastal Nova Scotia with a glass of Screech rum with 500-year-old
iceberg rocks in hand. Or maybe you are sitting right in the middle of the forest of Mahabaleshwar in
India and the place is surrounded by large and tall trees. Such an experience is incredible, and if we’ve
decided to stay home, probably we will miss a grand opportunity to feel the earth.
5. Do you like to visit movie theaters?

Yes, I love to watch movies in the auditorium. In fact, it’s the only place for you to enjoy the movie.
These days, we have an OTT platform on which we can watch any new or old movie. But honestly
speaking, watching a movie in the theater offers the maximum joy because of its setup. That dark
room surrounded by a Dolby sound system with the cozy seat and never-ending widescreen gives
you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the plot of the movie. There’s no comparison.
6. Where do Indian people like to go on weekends?

I can’t say exactly about all the Indians how they enjoy their weekends. But, certainly, I can tell what
people do around me. Some people pack up their things and go skiing or rafting nearby. Others go to
resorts located either in the countryside or in the forest where they get scrumptious food and enjoy
playing games and dancing. People like us who are in their twenties love to hand out at the local pubs
and clubs, have some drinks, and dance with friends. Possibly, some people might not go anywhere
and just relax at home.
7. What do old people do to relax?

I think they don’t go far enough and stay home and enjoy it. They strive to enjoy a perfect retirement.
They’ve the food of their choice, and it triggers the emotions and gives them the feeling of a free-flying
bird. But it may not apply to all the elderly people. Some enjoy outing more than staying home, no
matter how old they are and they are as good as children in terms of their ways of enjoyment.
8. What is the importance of relaxation?

It soothes your feelings and re-energizes you. Otherwise, people will go crazy and maybe buried under
the stress of their career or in money-making.
9. What are the ways people relax?

There’s a list of activities depending upon the age, natural inclination, availability of resources, and
many more things. It could be from hanging out at the pubs to going places located in the
countryside to going with friends and family to entertaining resorts to skiing and going places, where
all different kinds of playing facilities are placed.
10. What do you do to relax yourself?

It’s typical the boy stuff. I go with my friends to the pub or sometimes go to the multiplex for a
newly-released movie. Or maybe if I’m too tired or stressed out at times, I may not go out and stay
home and read my novels. It all depends upon the mood, time, schedule of friends, and the money in
the pocket.
11. Do you think we should take a day off from our work?

It’s a good idea, in fact, I work five days a week. I’ve seen people working for six days a week or the
whole week and I feel empathy for them. A 5-day working is the best mode of working so that you
can balance your personal and professional life. So those who work for six days or the whole week, I
would advise them to take a day off from their work in a week.
12. Do you think people can actually relax by doing relaxation exercises?
I’m not sure but maybe. Everybody has his own way to relax. And some people might think that this
way is appropriate for them.
13. Some people do nothing to relax. Do you think it is a good idea? Or do you think relaxation
should include some activities or doing nothing is enough?
I believe relaxation along with the activities that you like the most makes sense. And, that’s the way it
should be. You can stay in bed for twenty-four hours and activities that you enjoy the most give you a
sense of relaxation and happiness.
53. Describe a time when you missed an appointment.
• When and where it happened

• What the appointment was for
• What happened when you missed it
• And explain how you felt about the appointment
• Oh, my dear! Sometimes missing an appointment could be as bad as missing an opportunity. It
happens more often in our life, so there must be discipline to be punctual on appointments
• I won’t go far back to refresh my memory about when I missed an appointment. In fact, it happened
just last week
• I have been preparing for the IELTS test for the last month. And I had a few doubts on my Writing
Section, so I wanted Mr. Gambtoo to help me on my write-up
• He doesn’t train these days, but somehow I convinced his secretary to arrange my appointment to help
me with my Writing section
• I was allotted 12 minutes for this appointment, and I arrived at his office slightly late by 5 minutes
• We discussed on my queries exactly for 7 minutes, and then he let me go
• I was first shocked at this punctuality and time management and sulked my face with disappointment
because I wanted him to give me some more time, and it wasn’t enough
• He replied, “You had your opportunity, and I’ve gotta an inventory of several jobs lined up. If I extend
my time further for you, I may not justify other jobs”
• I never thought that my procrastination (=delaying) could cost me so badly because I had to go with
certain queries unanswered
• And at the time of the exam, I struggled where I was weak, and hence I would never forget this incident
in my life
• Initially, I cursed him because 7 minutes of his time could have saved me, and I could have taken my
IELTS test more confidently. I was really angry at him and shared my concern with my dad
• My dad simply said this, “You procrastinated, so you are at fault not him. Why make a fuss on
something for which you yourself are responsible”
• Then after, I realized my mistake. Yes, it was my fault because he did try to help me but he can’t keep
waiting for me only. I should have honored the appointment time, and I missed it big time
1. Which events in your country do most people forget?

It depends upon the memory of the person. Most people forget birthdays and anniversaries of others.
At times, due to this, the relationship gets impacted also. I can share with you my personal experience
on this point. I forgot about the birthday of my girlfriend. And you know what? She broke up the
relationship saying that I no longer loved her. So, sometimes this small thing could cost you heavily.
2. Do you think it is a good idea to use electronic devices for putting reminders?
Yes, it does help. We, humans, can forget things but not the technology. In fact, I personally believe
that we must use technology as much as possible for everything because it brings you back to your
destination if you’ve deviated. Technological assistance must be welcomed always.
3. Do you use them?

Yes, I use my iPhone appointment calendar, and at the workplace, we use Google calendar so that it
keeps you reminding of appointments, and you miss none.
4. How memory can help you to learn a new skill?

I believe having a strong memory is an added skill itself. Most people ain’t blessed with a sharp
memory, and it’s a natural process. You can’t master it by doing a course or by any other means.
With superior memory, a person can learn multiple skills. He could be good at studying, doing
business, or dealing with people also.
5. How can modern technology help you keep good memories?

It doesn’t allow you to forget important events. For example, I don’t remember birthdays of anyone,
but every morning, Facebook reminds me of birthdays of others. A simple little message on
somebody’s achievements or on important events brings you closer to the relationship. It’s cool and
caring, and that pays the dividend in the long term. I can give you an example of another remarkable
technological boon. I have set a warning message for my car if it over speeds. The moment I cross the
limit of 75 mph, a girl like Siri reminds me of my crazy act.
6. Is human memory important nowadays?

‘Yes’ and ‘No’ both. If it has to relate with your professional duties, there are several software and apps
which keep you reminding of your pending jobs. So, in this case, average human memory can do. But
apart from this, we meet people, and in business, sometimes we negotiate certain terms by flouting
(=disregard, defy) our own set criteria, and we don’t write them down on some occasions. There strong
human memory comes handy because you must remember what you’ve promised or ensured that
somebody does not take advantage of yours if it’s not evidenced.
7. Can electronic devices such as smartphones replace human memory?

I don’t think so. We have created them, not they have created us. But, yes, they could be handy to our
memory and life. They make things easier for us, and without them, it’s hard to think of life these days.
8. How often do you make appointments?
I guess, at least a couple of them in a day. But the worst part in my country is no matter how disciplined
you are, people, at times, manage your time. Sometimes we have unwanted visitors and guests, and
they visit us without making appointments. They don’t value the time of others, and it’s big torture that
we go through almost every other day.
9. Is it important to be punctual in your country?

It is crucial in every country. However, in my country, it is a joke. Most people don’t think about others,
but they think about their own conveniences only. In my country, when somebody says ‘5 minutes’, you
should assume that he would do his job or return no sooner than 15 minutes for sure. It’s sad to say,
but people in my country are not punctual. Exceptions are always there.
10. Is it easy to make an appointment in India?

It depends upon the person who (m) you want to meet. It comes down to how much he is busy.
54. What would you like to change at the place where you live?
• How you can do it

• What obstacle you could face
• Why you want to make this change
• There are many things that I want to see them changed where I live. But I think I cannot cover all of
them today in this speaking session
• Let me pick the one issue for this question. We’ve a large garden nearby, and it’s one of the most visited
parks in our vicinity (=neighborhood, proximity)
• However, whenever I visit this park, I always feel that the municipality could make this garden much
better than what it looks now, but it never happens on its own
• Therefore, one day I decided to gather some people and collectively approach the authority and
pressure them to beautify this park. You know what? The municipality receives an abundance of funds
every year to maintain and beautify this park, but these corrupt and unconscionable (=unethical,
preposterous) people take away our hard-earned money for their personal use
• First, I started to visit this park every morning and evening and made friends. I mean I talked to
everyone for a few days, and gradually I convinced them to unite for this cause. In three-month time, I
managed to gather more than 150 park-goers and collectively we jotted down improvements that we
want to see in the park
• We voiced our disagreements and appealed to the municipality to spend money on beautification and
installation of some amusement rides for children
• In the beginning, nobody bothered our request and were unmoved. Such thick-skinned people they
are!
• But we kept on building pressure on them by writing emails, posting dirty spots of the park and broken
amusement rides on Facebook, posting pictures on Twitter, and whatnot
• Eventually, they realized that this movement was getting bigger and swung into action under pressure.
We got whatever improvements done that we wanted then after
• Now, you can see well-maintained jogging and walking track, the lake got the life, all new amusement
rides for children installed, gazebos were repaired and refurbished, more new trees were planted for
the future, and toilets get cleaned properly and attentively twice a day
• After everything was done, I was proud of myself because it was something benevolent (=caring,
benign) job for society. It’s our hard-earned money in the form of tax collection for the government,
and these bureaucrats were enjoying their lives on our money. Plus, people of all ages deserve all the
facilities in this park, and they were ignored for a long time
1. What is the best place to communicate with people?

I guess all the places are good enough to communicate with people, but we’ve got to see that some
places need to be noise-free. For example, we need to restrain our loud voice in religious places or
libraries, or else people will be disturbed and annoyed. We’ve no right to harass people by promoting
a noisy environment. Some people lack this basic discipline and behave as if they had always owned
this world.
2. Why is it important to communicate with people?

We cannot live in isolation. You would have seen some people are courteous but aloof (=unresponsive,
detached). We all are social animals and need interactions more often or you feel being jailed for no
reason. Loneliness takes me on a drive, and I always need somebody around me. If there’s no one, pets
fill that vacuum because, for many people, pets are their family members. I’m one of them.
3. Does technology impact the way people communicate? In what way?

Technology has changed our lives immensely, and it’s both positively and negatively. I’ll talk about its
positives. Today, I can video chat with anyone in any part of the world at almost no cost. It’s cool. My
My girlfriend does video chat whenever she feels talking to me, and that’s the great innovation for
connecting people. You’ve many popular texting apps on which you can share photos, hilarious
snippets and forwards, and leave important messages if somebody is not available. Businessmen also
use specific apps that are designed to address their needs. Overall, we can’t do without technology and
communicating gadgets.
55. Describe a film you watched.
• When and where you watched it

• What the movie was about
• Why you chose to watch it
• Watching movies is very much a part of our lives, and there’s no question about it
• Fortunately, we’ve options for watching movies in cinemas and at home these days. This was not the
case in the past
• I remember watching one of my favorite movies named ‘Skyfall’ with my friend in Toronto last month.
It’s an old movie, which first released in 2012. But I like this movie very much, so my friend and I
decided to watch it again
• It’s a movie about a fictional MI6 agent, James Bond. James Bond character is popular all over the
world, and I’m sure everybody must have grown up watching this character
• ‘Agent down’: You hardly hear this word in the Bond movies, but in this movie you see the first Bond
being shot and almost died and resurrected
• It’s a pure thrilling movie. An ex-MI6 agent steals a computer hard drive with top secrets and carries
out a vendetta on Bond’s boss ‘M’. ‘M’ is ‘Moneypenny’, who is a usual character as a boss of the agent
in Bond movies
• Then, you see the whole series of attacks on the headquarters of the British Spy Office, and their deep
assets get killed by the order of the villain – ex-MI6, Javier Bardem
• As usual, Bond goes after him to neutralize, and in the end, he wins but ‘M’ dies and many other
undercover agents, too
• I like most James Bond movies for some reason. They are packed with flyaway entertainment, cars with
the latest technology, new gadgets, and those beautifully designed suits of James Bond
• I also love the way Bond introduces himself and background music. What he says, “Bond, James Bond”
• This latest Bond, Daniel Craig is superb compared to his predecessors (=former, ancestor) for many
reasons. In old Bond movies, you would never see him bleeding, and they were slightly superficial on
certain action scenes, whereas in the latest Bond movies they try to make it real. I mean Bond gets
hurt, bleed, and writhe (=recoil, wince, suffer) in pain
• I can binge-watch all Bond movies more often, and now I’m waiting for his new movie, “No Time to Die”
1. What kinds of films are popular in India?

I guess it depends upon the characteristics of people who have certain preferences toward a specific
genre (=category, kind, style – check pronunciation). Kids love cartoons and youngsters may love to
watch movies that include romance or fantasy. So we’ve all types of movies, but these days, movies
that deal with thrill, suspense, and action generally make the top. In the past, love stories were popular
but now not anymore.
2. Do different age groups like the same kinds of films?

I doubt it. You know it’s a journey of life. I mean when we’re kids, we love movie genres, such as
cartoons, mindless actions, and maybe fantasies. As we grow, we lean towards thrillers, comedy, and
romantic movies. And during the 30’s and 40’s, again a bit of mixture that we prefer, and as we age
further, we choose to watch different kinds of movies.
Yet I’m not sure about what I want to say because it’s hard to know the human preference with
changing times. What you like now, you may hate it later, so it’s difficult to say that all people of
different ages like the same kinds of movies.
3. What kinds of films do young people particularly like?

I guess they love movies which are on romance, comedy, fantasy, action, horror, and spy thriller. I’ve
also seen people in their late 20’s taking interest in documentary movies. The youth, these days, prefer
to keep abreast of (=to make sure you know all the most recent facts about a subject) what happened
to certain stories, political nonsense, and episodes which were epoch (=era, time, a particular period in
the past) incidents in the country’s history.
4. Do fewer people choose to watch movies in cinemas than people did in the past?
I will answer this question by coining a new terminology. It’s pre and post coronavirus time. Before the
coronavirus struck in the world, people loved going to cinemas to watch their favorite movies. The big
and widescreen makes sense when you really want to enjoy the movie. I personally love to go to watch
a movie in the auditorium. But things changed after the outbreak of coronavirus in the world. People
yet are scared to go to theatres, citing they might contract coronavirus. Therefore, it’s fair to say that it
has changed a lot, and people no longer want to risk their health by visiting theaters. I guess cinema
halls will be back to their glory once the fear of coronavirus is gone or vaccine is available. The other
part of your question talks about yesteryears. I don’t agree with it. People in the past and present enjoy
watching movies in the theaters.
5. What are other ways to watch movies now?

The OTT platform is in vogue these days. You can watch movies on Netflix and Amazon and also your
TV setup box. You pay a yearly subscription fee on Netflix and Amazon and could watch movies of your
choice at home. A similar facility is available with your setup box. Some people are members of
recreational clubs, and they have an opportunity to watch movies on amphitheaters. We’ve an
amphitheater in our society and watch a movie every weekend. It is cool.
6. What is the difference between American movies and movies from your country?
American movies are made with a view to reaching out to the world. You can see Hollywood movies
showing in every part of the world, and there’s no doubt that they’ve a strong fan following, too. Hence,
some of their movies are based on international stories, also. For example, they will spend billions of
dollars to make a movie like ‘Troy’, which has nothing to do with the American culture, but it reaches
everywhere. While it’s clear that most Indian movies are based on the theme of our country. Things are
changing now, and I feel proud that the Indian directors are putting their efforts to make movies that
could woo (=solicit, charm, caress) the global audience.
7. What do you think of violent films?

Well, all violent movies may not be as bad as we think. Sometimes we need to face the harsh reality of
life. And it’s said that movies are a reflection of your society. I agree with this notion. For example, you
see ruthless killing in a movie like ‘Uri’, but it’s based on true events. We must not forget that violence
is also a part of our society. We don’t approve it, but we can’t sweep it under the carpet (=to try to stop
people from finding out something wrong, illegal, embarrassing, etc. that has happened or that you
have done). In this episode, we just need to see that children may not wrongly be impacted by watching
such violence. Therefore, we need to enlighten (=educate) them with facts and rationale (=explanation,
reason) after watching such movies.
8. Why do you think movies need computer techniques?

Can we imagine movies such as, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘Bahubali’, ‘The Lion King’ and many more be
possible without the use of computer techniques? I guess not. The best-animated movies and movies
with special effects and cinematography cannot be completed without the intervention of modern
computer technology. For example, the movie such as ‘Finding Nemo’ is an animated movie and one of
the most popular, hilarious, and loveliest animated films of all time in the world. Children and parents
loved it not only for its content and story but also for advanced technology that was put in use.
9. Do you think cinema will disappear in the future?
No, I don’t think so. It’s an integral part of our society for entertainment and unwinding.
10. Do you think (watching) films have educational benefits?

Yes, to some extent. Some movies are enlightening in different ways, especially the documentary
movies. They offer a wide range of information for students and all. They also offer insight into how
and where the world is heading in the years to come. For example, there was a movie called ‘I Robot’
that depicted how technology in the form of robots would intervene in our day-to-day life. People felt
it humbug (=babble, balderdash, empty talk) then, but it looks that we are not far away from this
technological evolution to happen sooner.
11. Do men and women like to watch the same kinds of films?
Hard to say that because all people are unique personalities with unique behavior. This statement
could be right for some but not for all for sure.
12. In what ways are documentary films and films only for entertainment different?
Documentary movies offer realities that had happened, whereas ordinary movies are commercialized
in nature to make money out of the fictional content and story. Therefore, there is a huge difference in
both as far as the intent is concerned. I guess the audience knows this distinction before they choose
to watch either type of movie.
13. Why do you think documentary films are not so popular?

Simply, it doesn’t cater to fictional content that viewers like to watch for entertainment. It’s more of a
reality check with educational values. For example, I remember that we were made to watch a movie
called ‘Too Big to Fail’ while I was studying the finance course during my MBA degree. The theme was
based on the financial meltdown which took place in 2008. This particular movie was helpful for us
while completing this course, but it’s not popular yet.
56. A job you would not like to do in the future.
• What the job is

• When you don’t want to do it
• How you feel about the job
• That’s a good question and takes me back to a time where I felt down all the time in my previous job
• Two years back, I lost my job and was almost broke (=bankrupt, penniless) then. I applied for my
desired position to several corporations, but either I wasn’t called for an interview or I was declined for
the position after my interview session
• I did my bachelor’s degree in commerce and am quite well versed in accounting and finance. I’m an
assistant accountant currently, and that was my chosen job and comfort zone forever
• My company went into liquidation (=process of closing a company, selling what it owns and paying its
debt) some two and a half year ago, and I had no way but to hunt a new job then
• After successive failures to find the job that I wanted, I compromised with my career path and decided
to take up a job in other areas, too
• Finally, I was chosen as a sales cum operations officer with a brokerage firm, which dealt with the stock
market, trading on behalf of regular and high-net-worth clients
• I encountered a host of challenging times while working with this company, and some of them were
beyond my imaginations
• It was a family-run organization, so practically I had to report to three bosses and needed to align with
three bosses on many occasions
• That was the first account of huge dissatisfaction in my job
• Furthermore, I never experienced that my job was ever rewarding and fun. I always felt underpaid
against my untiring (=continued, dedicated) efforts to maximize the growth of my company
• After one and a half year, I felt stagnant (=dormant, idle, inactive) in my job role and bored
• I faced everything with a grin (=beam, smirk), but in the end, I gave in (=abandon, give up, cease, back
down) when I felt unappreciated at work
• One of the significant elements of the workplace is the need for recognition. I got unhappy when I
realized that it went unappeased. My boss never proclaimed (=affirm, indicate, announce) gladly what
best I had done. On the contrary, he placed his frustration on me on a couple of occasions. This was
the last trigger for me to quit the job for another
• Luckily, I found the job that I wanted, and now I’m quite relaxed and happy with my current work
profile
1. What kinds of jobs young people prefer?

Well, it’s subjective. It all depends upon what kind of personality you are. Ambitious young people have
a huge arena of choices from IT to engineering to management administration to the medical field.
India is known for IT solutions, so I guess we manufacture tens of thousands of students who are
interested in working with tech companies. At the same time, India is also known for giving
unimaginable numbers of engineers every year. I think these are the main careers.
2. Some people may lose their jobs due to technology, how to deal with it?
I agree with you on this statement. I foresee many jobs will be automated, and robots will be replacing
human talents in the years to come. The best solution is to keep your skills updated with changing
time, or you become unwanted (=redundant) for sure. We won’t and can’t go back in the past. Nor do
we desire to have medieval time to live our lives. The second solution that comes to my mind is
population control. This suggestion might sound out of the way concerning this question, but it’s not.
Population explosion will have dire (=critical, drastic, acute) consequences, and it takes away
opportunities because the world businesses may not be able to match up with the rise in population
as far as job opportunities are concerned.
3. Will you settle in another country?

Yes, I will settle abroad, and that’s why I’m taking the IELTS test.
4. How young people today decide their careers?

There are multiple ways and considerations that the youth makes up their minds (=to decide
something) to choose a career. Some youngsters have their own passion to follow in life, and they’re
adamant to compromise for anything lesser than what they have dreamed. Well, it’s not bad
propensity (=disposition, leaning, tendency) because some people never settle for less, and they’re
truly deserving, also. Some youngsters follow others without thinking deeply, and at times, they get
happy or unhappy after some years. There is a section of the youth which idolizes others or look
upon their parents. They have a clear path of their careers and go after them diligently and sincerely.
5. What do young people prefer – boring jobs with high pay or interesting jobs with low pay?
It’s hard to answer how people see their dream jobs. If we look at this point pragmatically (=practically,
in a sensible manner), people should go for interesting jobs, no matter how much they fetch (=earn)
from them. However, when I see people around me, they prefer only those jobs that offer a high
remuneration. They think of accumulating wealth first and then chase their passion. Again, I’m drawing
assumptions, and people may have a host of factors while choosing any job.
6. What do you prefer – physical work or work involving thinking?

If my passion offers me physical activity along with creativity, there can’t be a better option than this.
But it doesn’t go hand in hand (=two things are closely connected and one thing causes the other) in
most cases. Jobs that involve critical thinking generally don’t entail (=involve) physical activities, barring
a few ones. Physical activities in the job keep employees fit while working.
7. Do you think today we have less physical labor than we did in the past?
Yes, I think so. Technology has taken over many physical jobs. Plus, technology has made our life
comfortable. For example, in the past, people used to commute to work on bicycles, but we can’t think
of taking our bikes to go to the workplace due to the distance and sometimes harsh weather.
57. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution.
• Where it is
• When you visited this place
• What kind of pollution you saw there
• And explain how this place was affected
• Pollution is an issue that runs rampant (=excessive, growing, uncontrollable) throughout my country.
It doesn’t make me feel proud of what I’m going to narrate, but I’ve to…
• If it’s not rectified sooner, I foresee it will take the shape of a monster in the years to come
• I’ve visited countless tourist places, but today I would like to remember my visit which is as late as the
last week in my city, Ahmedabad
• I had a meeting with someone, and it got cancelled for some reason all of a sudden. I had some time
to kill, so I decided to visit Riverfront
• I live in the west of Ahmedabad. To have a different experience, I went to the other side of the city to
view the spectacular view of Riverfront near Khanpur
• I was shocked to see the state of the riverbank and felt angry at people. It was pretty diabolic (=terrible,
extremely annoying)
• People had no manners, spitting anywhere, plastic bottles of beverages were strewn (=scatter,
sprinkle) and thrown in the river swimming, and boys were doing bike stunts on the sidewalk of the
road. The place was full of unimaginable litters
• I was disappointed to see this view. People didn’t bother about taking care of the public property. On
the contrary, I felt as if they had taken a pledge to dirty it on purpose
• I don’t know why some people get a perverse pleasure in making things worse. Such people are a huge
liability on the nation, and they’ve no respect for fellow citizens
• I didn’t have any device to measure the noise pollution, but it was surely concerning and unbearably
loud
• After this experience, I decided not to visit this place ever again. Maybe the same way, other people
might have been thinking, too. It’s a kind of surrender to worthless people, and that’s more appalling
(=alarming, awful, dire, disheartening) to me because such uncivilized people dictate our lives in some
ways or the other these days
1. What kinds of pollution are serious in your country?

Ironically, we’re facing all types of pollution that have threatened our quality of life. In the past, people
were only worried about air pollution, but there are many others, too. We go through noise pollution,
light pollution, air pollution, waterways are blocked, food adulteration, and I can go on and on. We’ve
polluting industries that produce greenhouse gas emissions, and they contaminate groundwater.
People blow horn incessantly, and I think I’ve become almost deaf to experience any sound all day.
2. What can individuals do to protect our environment?

Discipline. It comes down to your morality in all the civic responsibilities. Most people never think
deeply about their responsibility towards the nation and Mother Nature. On most occasions, they
fight to the death for their rights – sometimes they’re the unwanted ones. We must be
compassionate about our Mother Nature. Human beings are, in fact, not being human to our earth.
We must understand the value of trees, animals, and water, and learn how to co-exist with them, not
by killing or destroying them for our short term benefits.
3. Do you think individuals should be responsible for pollution?

Yes, in most cases, individuals are the cause of all types of pollution. Wherever you see humans on this
earth, you will see filth and dirt around them. In fact, I say that the human race itself is a plague on this
earth. We are ripping off (=abuse, defraud, exploit) all the natural resources day in, day out (=every day
for a long period of time), and talk about humanity. Hypocrisy at its best! And surprisingly, when we
discuss this matter in society, people laugh at you, make fun of you, or don’t take you seriously. This is
the brazen (=audacious, blatant) attitude, we’ve developed over the decades.
4. Why is there a need to involve the government in environmental protection?

Without the fear of penalty, society becomes lawless. Even though there are laws to protect the
environment in the first place, yet some people care about nothing and flout (=defy, disregard,
repudiate) the rules. There’s a devil inside us, and it can only be controlled either by law enforcement
or by the religion.
58. Describe a program or app on your computer or phone.
• Which the app/program is

• When and how you found it about
• How you use it
• And how you feel about it
• There are thousands of apps available on your smartphones nowadays. Some of them die before they’re born
• My phone has also many apps stored, and some of them are really useful to track multiple things
• I’m working for a small corporation, but I remain overly busy and need to do paperwork, and sometimes I’ve to see
wanted or unwanted people in business
• Because of the hectic schedule, my personal life, at times, is demolished and put a lot of pressure on me mentally.
I shared my concern with my colleagues two years back, and he suggested me to spare some time for myself. He
also recommended me one app, which I’ve been using it since then. It’s a marvelous app
• The name of the app is ‘Strides’
• This app allows me to track all my goals and ensures the tasks to be completed timely. It’s a truly multifaceted app
• It has a nicely designed dashboard that allows you to see everything at a glance. It has four trackers: target, habit,
average, and milestone
• I use this app to fulfill my daily habits. This app reminds me of my goal fulfillment, and I love it
• The best part of this app is that it allows you to track your goals and tasks by the day, week, month, or the year. I
guess without this app, it’s hard for me to keep myself organized. You can also customize it to your needs, and
that’s one of the best features I could say
1. Which phone app is the most popular in your country?

In India, WhatsApp is an extraordinarily popular app these days. This app is owned by Facebook. Surprisingly, this
app was not much known and popular in the world in the beginning, but Indians loved it too much. Apart from
these, there are many apps that are famous among youngsters and other age groups. The youth post their
creativity on Instagram. Instagram is one of the favorite apps among the youth in the world currently.
2. Do you think that parents should limit the time for their children to spend on the phone?
It varies from case to case. If children are seen wasting too much time on the phone, then ‘yes’, parents must swing
into action. Phone addiction is a new disease right now. You will see most people are busy wasting their time in
gossiping, texting messages, calling, or watching videos using different apps. Such a nasty habit distracts them
from their goals. In a nutshell, parents must act before it’s too late.
3. Do you think people depend on phone apps too much?
Yes, I think so. And it’s worrisome, too. Over-reliance on phone apps for getting things done could adversely impact
your natural skills. For example, we use the phone calculator even for small calculations. Or God’s sake, your app
reminds you of your important goal. It’s convenience for sure, but, at the same time, it’s a crutch (=cane, bolster)
also.
4. Do you think some apps will help people to study?

Yes, there are some apps that are doing a remarkable job, especially after the pandemic of coronavirus. These apps
have proven their utmost utility to enlighten and assist students to complete their studies. For example, ‘White Hat
Junior’ coaches young children on how to code in computer courses. Children as young as ten years old have been
learning to code and develop apps. I wish we could have had such apps during our time.
5. What kinds of apps do you have on your phone?

I’ve a host of apps that deal with productivity, social networking, and games. I’ve ‘Strides’ and ‘Moneycontrol’ that
deal with my goal setting, milestones, and stock market respectively. I’ve downloaded ‘WhatsApp’ for chatting and
‘Instagram’ and ‘Facebook’ for posting updates, messages, fun content, and stories. When I’ve some extra time for
doing nothing, I play Candy Crush and Ludo.
6. What are the drawbacks of having too many apps on your phone?
I guess, first of all, it slows down your phone, and there’s no point in having too many apps on your phone.
Additionally, some apps keep sending notifications that distract you from doing the right job at times.
7. How much time do you spend on these apps?

It all depends upon the utility of the specific app. For example, I’ve also downloaded BBC English to improve my
English proficiency. Sometimes I keep listening to their audios continuously as I enjoy learning something new
from this app. I guess I spend around 2 hours a day. I’ve not calculated time ever but this could be the estimate.
8. Do you like to look for new apps or just keep using the old ones?
I don’t search for new apps unless it’s recommended by someone or it has to be a popular one which offers some
useful features for me.
9. Do you use free apps or the ones that you need to pay for?
Until now, I have been using all the free apps; never paid for any app yet.
59. Describe your favorite clothes.
• What it is like
• Who gave it to you or from where you bought it
• How often you wear it
• Explain how you feel about it or why you enjoy wearing it
• I’m always fascinated by Bond’s suit in my life. He puts on marvelous suits, tuxedos (=a black or white jacket and
trousers, worn with a bow tie at formal occasions in the evening), or three-piece suits in the movie. Generally, Bond
wears the Tom Ford brand, but I like Ralph Lauren more than that for some reason
• I remember having bought a suit for my final presentation of the last course while doing an MBA
• It was a momentous (=crucial, consequential) day for me because, after that, we all were to start our life, and it was
an end to my school life also
• It’s a two-button suit, which is crafted in Italy. It is made of Glen plaid fabric with rolled lapels and hand-sewn
natural shoulders. And it’s paired with flat-front trousers. It has two front pockets with flaps and four buttons at the
cuff.
• I love this suit because it fits well and looks good on me. Whenever I’ve an important client meeting, I choose this
suit to be expressive. I pay a lot of attention to my clothing sense because it makes you apart from the crowd.
Well-dressed people whether men or women grab the maximum attention wherever they go
• I feel confident when I put on this suit. You know some clothes give you an edge over (=a slight advantage of
something/somebody) others in the presentation. My experience also suggests that many people have not
developed the clothing sense throughout their life, and they look awkward on some occasions
• For example, I’ve seen people putting on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt while attending a wedding. That’s
outrageously off. Or sometimes people wear sneakers at the workplace. That’s over the top (=excessive,
exaggerated)
1. What is the difference between the dressing style of young people and that of older people?
In India, you will see a remarkable blend of western and traditional outfits for both genders, especially for girls. Girls
love putting on skirts, salwar suits, jackets, kurtis, blazers, blouses, shirts, saris, and among others. Boys’ outfits are
divided simply into two parts: formal and casual. About older people, they’ve also both combinations as of the
youth. It all comes down to your lifestyle and preference. For example, my father always wore either suits or safari
suits.
2. Do people living in the north part of your country wear different clothes compared to people
living in the north?
My country is full of diversity in all the ways, be it religion, language, weather, or clothing sense. I believe you will
see a different taste of food and choice of clothes in every 100-kilometer distance in any direction of India. So,
forget north or south, it changes dramatically within the state also. That said, preference for the outfits changes
with distance. For example, people in the south are seen wearing ‘lungi’, which is generally not the north’s style.
3. What kinds of clothes do people wear after work?
Boys wear round-neck T-shirts with shorts or pajamas. And I think girls wear leggings with T-shirts. Some girls also
wear shorts after work. Older people wear pajamas and shirts or kameez in most cases
4. What kinds of clothes should people wear at work?

I personally believe in the dress code in the workplace. It looks good and attractive when you have a dress code.
Strictly, people should wear formal outfits in the workplace. I wonder when I see people wear colorful shirts paired
with jeans and sports shoes. That looks hilarious and tacky (=gaudy, dingy, messy).
5. Do you think students need to wear a school uniform?

Wearing a school uniform is a symbol of identification and pride, and it also makes a school’s personality. It’s the
imperative piece of being a school student. It also teaches students to take pride in their appearance. Wearing a
uniform is all about being in the organization or school together. Hence, it should be mandatory, no matter what
people argue against it.
6. Where do Indian people buy clothes?

We’ve all types of buying options available. You have high-street shops and malls where you can go for shopping.
Some people also love to buy clothes online as it saves time for them. At times, we have attractive deals online, so
everyone wants to take advantage of the right deal. However, I personally like to go to a mall where you have
multi-brand outlets to choose from several options.
7. Does personality affect how people choose what to wear?

To some extent, it does, but not absolutely. Again, it is more of a psychological factor, I guess. For example, my
paunch (=tummy, abdomen) is visible, so I prefer to put on tuxedo on several occasions. You’re talking to yourself
constantly, and it controls or redeems you on many matters.
8. When should people wear formal clothes?

At the workplace, it should be mandatory. And ‘yes’ when you attend anybody’s wedding for sure.
9. Do people wear formal clothes more often than before?

Probably, yes, because most corporations pay attention to what you wear at the workplace. In the past, maybe they
were not much strict.
60. Describe a leisure activity that you do with your family.
• What the activity it is

• When you do it
• Who(m) you do it with
• Do you enjoy doing it?
• We’ve several leisure activities to enjoy with family members, but time is a big constraint (=discouragement,
deterrent, obstacle) in today’s fast-paced life
• Generally, Sunday is a super bright day for all the leisure activities, especially at noon
• I want to recount a funny game with you that we sometimes play after our stomachs have settled
• It’s a super wholesome (=together) family time, in fact. We play one of the coolest games called ‘Ping Pong Ball
Challenge’ with family members
• What we do is we place a line of cups at the end of the room on a table for one team. We split the family members
into a team
• At the other end of the room, we place the ping pong balls. The rule is the team has to move three ping pong balls
from one side of the room to the other side by placing it between the chin and neck. Whichever team completes
this challenge first is the winner, and that team will give a party at any place in the evening
• This game is full of fun. It looks easier than done. But the moment you try to hold the ping pong ball between your
neck and chin, it more often slips, and you’ve got to restart it
• While playing this game, there is an electrifying (=amazing, energizing) atmosphere at home. Both the teams try to
win and buck up (=bolster, cheer) the team member. You could hear the sound of clapping and yelling from the
other room, and it’s worth watching it
• I enjoy playing this game much. It also offers a sense of camaraderie (=companionship, togetherness) within the
family members
1. What are leisure activities popular in your country?

I guess it depends upon the size of your family and friends and the place you come from. There’s a whole lot of
activities varying from place to place. In most cases, I’ve seen people playing cards or Ludo King in a team on the
phone these days. Some people also play the game of Chess, and as usual, other family members or friends offer
free advice on the movement of pieces.
2. What leisure activities do young people like?

I exactly don’t know what kids do during leisure time nowadays, but we had some options while I was young. We
would go someplace on bicycles and enjoy the short trips. At times, our friends would watch any good movie that
we had planned to watch together. Again, playing cards and the game of Chess was also an option at hand, and we
did so. If nothing from these, we would sit and gossip for hours – a no-brainer (=cakewalk, an easy thing).
3. Do leisure activities have to be educational?
Not necessary. We must need some time to unwind (=relax) ourselves. The best strategy to unwind yourself is to
act and think like a child, away from the world doing something inconsequential (=insignificant, trivial,
unimportant). Hence, I don’t think that everything should be linked to an educational activity.
4. Do men and women like different leisure activities?

I’ve no idea about it, in fact, never thought of it. Maybe men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, so there
could be some difference! I’m just kidding, not being sarcastic (=disrespectful, disparaging, arrogant). Yes, I
remember the account of my family. I grew up seeing my mom knitting a sweater and dad watching a movie during
leisure time. So, probably there should be some difference while having any leisure activity between men and
women.

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1. Describe a conversation topic that you were not interested in.

• What the topic was

1. How do you know if others are not interested in your conversation?

2. Do men and women talk about the same things?

3. What do you like to talk about?

4. What topics do young and old people talk about?

5. Does technological development have a negative impact on communication among people?

6. Do you think women chat more than men?

9. Why do you think it is important to communicate with others?

10. What communication skills are important?

2. Describe an energetic person that you know.

• Who this person is

1. Do you think that nowadays all jobs could be done by robots?

2. Do you think machines could replace human workers in the future?

5. Which is more important for young people, an interesting or well-paid job?

6. What kinds of jobs are well-paid in your country?

7. What jobs do young people prefer?

8. How can people ﬁnd a perfect job?

10. What kinds of jobs are unpopular in your country?

3. Describe an ambition you have had for a long time.

• What the goal is

1. What kinds of ambitions do people usually have?

2. Who has a greater inﬂuence on the goal-setting of children, parents, or teachers?

3. Should parents set goals for their children?

4. Should parents interfere with their children’s ambitions?

6. When do young children start setting goals for themselves?

7. What kinds of goals are not realistic?

8. Why do people set goals?

9. Why is it important for teenagers to set goals?

10. Why should parents encourage children to have ambitions?

1. Why are some sports expensive? Are they for everyone?

2. Why do people buy fakes?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being rich?

4. What kinds of expensive things do people like to buy?

• Who this person is, how you know this person

1. Do you think smart people tend to be selﬁsh?

2. Who plays a more important role in a child’s development, teachers or parents?

3. Do you think smart people are happy?

4. Do you think the intelligence of a person is important?

5. Why are some children more intelligent than others?

6. Are people born clever or need to learn to be clever?

8. What ways do people use to judge someone’s intelligence?

6. Describe a book you read that you found useful.

• What the book is, and what it is about

1. What is the diﬀerence between paper books and ebooks?

4. Are libraries important nowadays?

5. What books do children like to read?

6. Do you think paper books will disappear?

7. Do people read more nowadays?

8. Do you read before going to bed?

9. How will ebooks aﬀect paper books?

10. What is the diﬀerence between ﬁlms and books?

1. Will minority languages disappear?

2. Is learning a language since childhood good for the child?

3. Is spoken language more important than written language?

4. Do you think learning a foreign language is important?

6. Can people learn English and not learn another language?