IELTS Speaking part #hothechon1. Do you work or stud: I'm currently a senior student at Hunan University, and I'm studying computer science at the moment, 2. Which university did you go to? The university I attended is called XXX University, which is a top-level university in China, Pn really proud to be a student there and honestly, I was so close to being rejected because I thought ny grade for the University Entrance Exam was subpar® compared to the enrollment requirement of the previous year 3. Why did you choose your school / university? Well, when I was a high school student, I heard my university has a really good undergraduate program for Computer Science’, which is really what I'm passionate about and love to study. Besides, my parents also rooted for* me to go there as they believe four years of study there would be a big help for my future career. 4, Is it good to study in the morning or in the afternoon? I think it’s good to study in the morning, You have to wake up earlier, but when you get through the work®, you have the rest of the day off. And the aftemoon is usually a better time of day to enjoy yourself. So it’s best to get studying over with’ as early as possible. 5. Do you enjoy studying or not? No, I don’t really enjoy studying, I mean, I know it’s really important to get a good grade, But it’s hard for me to focus on something for a long time. So usually when I study, I end up getting distracted by my phone or computer. It’s a hard habit for me to break®6. Who is more important for you at school, teachers or students? I think the students ate more important. I mean, the teachers are obviously playing a key role at school, But who you're in a class with makes a world of difference’. It’s much easier to be excited about school if you're fiends with the other students. You should at least be able to get along with them. 7. Do you like your school? Yes, I do like my school, I mean, even though I'm often swamped with all the assignments and exams", I often have a blast! studying there. The teachers are all nice and cool. None of them have ever given me a hard time. And most importantly, I have some really awesome fiiends at school who I hang out with all the time. 8, Which part of your school do you like? Ireally like the campus. There are tous of really old buildings, which gives the whole place a serious feel”, But there’s also lots of nature around. There are big trees in front of some of the buildings, and there are even a few garden areas to walk around in. I's such a lovely place to hang out. 9. How do you improve your study efficiency? When it comes to studying efficiently, [try to make sure there aren’t any major distractions around me, For example, I tum off my phone and I avoid listening to music, It helps me focus on my study so that I stay on track!® and avoid wasting all my time. 10. Which part of your study do you like the most? L like writing the most. Even if it’s just writing essays, it’s really fun to express my thoughts through the written word". I’ve always enjoyed those kinds of classes the most. I think it’s good practice for the real world, where you have to be able to express yourself clearly.11. Which part do you hope your school to change? /Which part of your school needs an improvement? Well, off the top of my head, the most urgent part of my schoo! that needs to be improved is the gym in our campus. I mean, the whole place should be flipped'* because everything in the gym is literally wom out!®. The basketball court doesn't even have a hoop. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? I really hope our school can do something about it 12. Are you looking forward to working? Yes, I am, I've been studying as a student for almost 16 years of my life. I really expect to have a proper job after graduating from college. It will be a huge change of lifestyle" and I will be able to support myself financially's, which will make my parents proud as well. [can’t wait to find a good job.1. Do you work or study? I'm currently working fulltime as a programmer at Baidu; I’ve been working there for 5 years 2. Do you like your job? Yes, I am really happy with what I do. Most of the time, it’s very rewarding to be able to help people every day. Besides, it’s a really good company to work for. The pay is good and they even hand out bonuses”? twice a year! 3. Which part is difficult in your job? I think the most challenging part of my job is communication within a team. It’s often difficult to communicate with someone who didn’t finish their part of the work in time. They may think you're pushing” them, which can even create conflict, 4, Is it better to work in the morning or in the afternoon? I think it’s better to work in the morning. Even though you have to wake up early, when you get through the work”? you have the rest of the day off. And the aftemoon is usually a better time of day to enjoy yourself, So it’s best to get work over with”® as early as possible 5. What is the most interesting part of your job? Iwork at a coffee shop, so I think the most interesting part of my job is the people. I get to meet so many people during my shift”, Some of them have fascinating personalities. Sometimes I even strike up a chat with’> them and learn something random. One time a customer showed me photos of his cat tPhothechen6. Have you ever changed your job’? / Why did you choose to do that type of job? I've changed my job a couple times. Before working at this company, I had full-time jobs at an IT company and a glass shop. But neither of them is bigger than the company I’m working for right now in terms of business scale. And most importantly, I get paid more for my current job, which is the main reason I job-hopped”*. 7. Do you want to change your job? / Will you do the same job in the future? No, I don't want to hop my job” right now. It’s mainly because the pay is not bad. I mean, it’s not way higher than others but I'm pretty comfortable with it. Plus, it’s not easy to find a proper job in today’s job market, is it? Sometimes, it’s better to appreciate what you have now” 8, Do you think the contents of your work will be changed in the future? Yes I do think so. I've been working in an office for years since I graduated from college. And honestly, what I do at my company basically changes from time to time. So it’s a mg shot” that iny boss wouldn't dispatch*” me to a new project or department. And I really look forward to it as it’s always fun doing something new. 9, What did you gain the most from your job? /What do you learn from work? Well... The most valuable lesson I leamed from work is how to collaborate with?! my coworkers. It’s not something that I really understood back in school. But in a real job, a ton of tasks need good teamwork and can’t be done on your own, For instance, when I coordinated a marketing event with my colleagues, it was of the essence to*”_make sure everyone was on the same page", or else we might've messed up™ the whole thing. 10. Which do you think is more important, colleagues or work itself? I think that colleagues are more important. You could be doing your dream job, but if it’s with people you can’t stand**, you aren’t going to enjoy it as much. You end up seeing your coworkers more than anyone else in your life’, so it’s important that you can get along with them. tPhothechen11. What do you do to improve your productivi Whenever I feel like I've lost focus on work and started slacking"’, I take a make a cup of instant coffee. It sounds simple but it works like a charm for me**. After I've had some coffee, I feel pumped up" and have more energy. 12. Do you think your company needs to make some changes? Which part of your working environment needs an improvement? Well. .As far as I’m concerned, I really wish my company wasn’t so strict about the dress code“? Itreally bugs me“’ to have to wear a uniform day in and day out“. Plus, Ihave to be really careful keeping the uniform clean otherwise I might get fined at my workplace. It would be great if we could have a casual Friday“, 13. Is this job a good opportunity? / Is it good for your future development? Yes, it’s a wonderful job. Even though I'm swamped with"* the tasks at work sometimes and have to work overtime"*, overall, I believe it’s a good career for me. I'm very passionate about!” my job and I really know what to do, Plus, doing this job right now will definitely help me build my resume*® later, since it requires excellent workmanship. 14. Are nine-to- jobs good? I suppose nine-to-five jobs are pretty good! Even though they can feel pretty repetitive after awhile, 1 think it’s important to have a stable job” that pays you well, After all, money doesn’t grow on trees. Plus, you have the weekends fiee, which gives you a chance to kick back and relax. 1S. Do you miss being a student? ‘No, I don’t really miss being a student. It was fun to study something that T liked. But it was also alot of work’, Going to school isn’t exactly a piece of cake*!, There were tous of assignments and exams to do, [like being more independent now that I've graduated. tPhothechen1. What is your major? T'm studying computer science at Hunan University. I’s an undergraduate major, and it usually takes four years to eam the degree. I feel happy being enrolled in this program, because coding is one thing I'm passionate about. Plus, I think Ihave a knack for’? it since my math is good. 2. Do you like your major? Yes, I do like my major. But you know... there will always be parts you like and parts you don’t like. For example, the field training is very interesting, but the theoretical courses are about as fun as watching paint dry™ because some abstract concepts are quite difficult to understand, 3. What have you learned from the courses? I've basically learned how to think and write critically. It sounds kind of vagueSs. But it basically ‘means Tcan explain my thoughts ina way that makes sense and is based on evidence. It’s actually a very usefitl skill. It helps with communication and making your point in the best way possible. 4, Which subjects are more difficult? / Do you think your major is difficult?/ What do you dislike about your major? Personally, I think subjects in the sciences are more difficult. I can't seem to wrap my head around’ stuff like chemistry or physics. There are just so many facts and rules to memorize. I can’t make heads or tails of it””, honestly. Arts subjects are easier by a long shot"®, in my opinion. 5. What is your plan after finishing your school? It’s hard to say right now*’. Everything feels like it’s up in the air. But after I graduate from school, I'd like to have a job that’s somehow related to my major. You know, it’s cool to apply what you've leamed at college in the real world. I’m not sure what kind of job Iwant to have, but T'm sure I'll figure it out soon. tPhothechen6. Why did you choose to study that (major)? Well, as for the reasons why I decided to study computer science, I think the main one is that I have lots of passion in that field. I never feel bored and J always enjoy studying and researching things about it, and I’ve noticed that since I was still in high school. So, I told myself that if I went toa college, I would take computer science as my major. 7. What kinds of help can this major bring to your future job? I believe this major will help me communicate well with others in a future job. For instance, knowing how to write well means that I can make my points to them and not create any confusion. That helps us work together better as a team. Studying literature also helps you be more detail: oriented, which is always helpful. 8. Is the actual content of the major the same as what you expect? What are the differences? Well, I'm studying literature, So the expectations were pretty much that® T was going to study books and movies and stuff like that. In that sense, the content of my major has been the same as what I expected. But I'm learning more than I thought I would. So that’s definitely cool, 9. What's the interesting part of your major? 1: Tm majoring in computer science, and I really like what I’m studying, especially when T take coding courses related to game design. They give me a lot of fin through the learning curve because becoming a game designer is kind of my dream, So always have a blast Jeaming about coding I study literature, so I get to read tons of different books. It’s really interesting to see how many different perspectives are out there, Plus, storytelling is a really big part of culture, I like reading books from other countries and learning about the culture there. It’s definitely expanded my horizons 10. Do you like the courses of your major? Yes, I do like most courses in my curriculum, especially the ones related to programming. Taking one of my favorites, the Java Programming, as an example, the knowledge I leamed in the lectures is not only theoretical but also very practical in real life 11. Will you continue doing what you’re studying in the future? Yes, I will. I’s mainly because Ihave a lot of passion for computer science and Web developing. I don't think I will be bored if I make a living off of it, Plus, the income level of specialists in this field is also higher than average, so I can have a comfortable life by working as a programmer. thothechen1, What kind of house or apartment did you live in when you were a child? When I was a kid, I lived in a bungalow in the suburbs. My parents and I barely fit into it®, but é that just made it cozy’, I remember we filled our home with lots of antique furniture®. It gave the house a nice atmosphere, We moved to an apartment later, but I always missed our first home. 2. What kind of house or apartment are you living in right now? / Do you live in a house or an apartment?/ What kinds of accommodation do you live in? Right now, P'm living inan apartment by my university. It’s not that big; it only has two bedrooms. But it’s cozy enough for me. Plus, the apartment is part of a newly developed high rise®. It has a really nice view of the city. 3, What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future? / Do you want to live in a house or an apartment in the future? I'd really love to live in a big house in the middle of nowhere”. It might sound a little lonely, but I think having a family there would be awesome. You would have tons of privacy because you don’t have any nosy neighbours. And if it was somewhere nice, you could probably have a great view of the stars. 4, Do you know anyone who lives nearby? /Are you familiar with your neighbors? Yes, I’m familiar with my neighbours because they're very fiiendly. And the Lees, who live across the hall fiom us”, are the ones I'm most familiar with. Our families are pretty close with each other. And I’ve been inside their apartment a Jot’ since we moved into this home. tPhothechen5. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for a family with children? ‘Yes I do think so. I believe my neighbourhood is fairly safe’* and I live around the comer from a great elementary school. I's a top-notch school district”. So there are a lot of families with kids in this neighbourhood already. I moved here when I was a child myself. There are also beautiful parks near the neighborhood which are awesome for kids 6. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for elders? No. I ive on asteep hill’ and I’m not too close to any stores. [would worry about elderly people being able to navigate the neighbourhood safely”6, as the school nearby creates a lot of traffic on weekdays and the loud kids may become a nuisance”’, If an elderly person decided to move here, T'm sure they would make it work, but I think there are better altematives. 7. Where are you living now? / Why do you live there? /Do you like your living place? Tm living in an apartment in downtown Shanghai. I have two roommates sharing the same apartment with me. It’s a nice place to live since the rent is dirt cheap”® for a young guy like me. Plus, my workplace is literally a stone’s throw away from” there, which is the main reason why ve been living there for a long time. I really hit the jackpot®® finding this place. 8. How is the area surrounding your home like? / Are there any good facilities nearby your home? ‘My living place is in the city’s downtown area. Well, there are several {asty restaurants around my apartinent, which is great for a foodie* like me, And we also have a giant grocery store across the street and a small park nearby. So Ihave to say it’s a pretty liveable™ place9. What is your favorite room? / What part of your home do you like the most? My favorite room in my home is definitely my bedroom. I think it’s where I spend most of my time, It has all my favorite stuff in it, like my books, and I got to decorate it myself. That really makes me feel at home — literally"! It’s important to have somewhere you can blow off steam** and just relax. 10. Will you move home in the near future? / Will you live there in the future? / Will you live there for a long time? /Do you plan to I ve there for a long time? Well, it’s hard to tell®®, Right now I live here because I go to school nearby. But after I'm done with school, I might find a job that’s far away. If that happens, I would move without a second thought. But I do like this area, so it might be a tough choice 11. Are there any shops or facilities around there? There’s actually a mall that’s not too far from my house. It’s only a ten-minute drive for me, which isn’t bad at all. [ike going there to hang out with my friends. Other than that, there’s a gym just down the road®. I definitely don’t go there as often as I should though. 12. What changes do you think your neighborhood/living area need? / Are the transport facilities to your home very good? ‘Um...my neighborhood is pretty close to perfect, but it would be better if there was a subway station within walking distance of my home, Now the closest subway station is about 3 kilometers away, which isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away. Theard the city has a plan of extending a subway line to the street next to my home in the next few years. I hope it’s true 13. What are your roommates like? /Who do you live with? ‘Well, currently, I have two roommates sharing the same apartment with me. They are pretty cool And I'd say I’m glad to live with them since all three of us love playing video games, so we have a lot to talk about and do together. It’s really a blast for us having a game night together every Saturday, tPhothechen14, Please describe the place where you live. live in the quieter part ofa big city. Meaning™ I can take transit downtown very easily but all, the Imstle and bustle isn’t part of my normal day to day**. There are lots of grade schools and bakeries in my neighborhood. And a lot of families live here too. 15, What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past? Well, [used to live in a smaller city for college, but now I live in a big city. I moved to the city just a few months ago for a job I found here. One significant advantage of this big city is that there are more job opportunities than the city I moved from. There are a lot more differences between them like public facilities, traffic, and lifestyles. It’s been a big change to adjust to® But I really like living in the city. It’s pretty exciting 16, What part of your living place do you dislike? I live in a house that doesn’t have that many windows, So sometimes, especially during winter when there isn’t as much sunlight, it can feel a bit claustrophobie™. 1 think it would be nice to have more windows so I could look outside better. Seeing the outdoors always makes me feel more relaxed. 17. What are the changes of surroundings around your living place? Well... When it comes to the changes to my neighborhood over the past few years, I think there"ve been more high-rise buildings built nearby so the area is deuser® than before. Besides, my favorite improvement of this area is the building of an outdoor gym where I work ou? on a regular basis.18. How long have you lived there? T've been living there for over three years and I love it. Even though Thave to share a room with three roommates, Inckily they're all easy-going’ and nice, so we get along really well with each other. 19, How do you think your room could be improved? Itmight be great to have a large bookshelf. You know, I’m a bookworm’, but Ihave no bookcase now...so if you go into my bedroom, you can see it’s pretty messy and tons of books are on the floor. So having a new bookshelf may help me keep the room from being a total disaster zone” 20. What do you usually do in your flat? Well, when I have some time to myself, I like hanging out in my room. It’s probably where I. feel most at home””, After all, I got to decorate it myself. So everything is to my taste”®, T usually just sit and read, or scroll through social media on my phone, It’s a nice way to kill time 21. What room does your family spend most of the time in? I think we spend the most time in the living room. It’s a comfortable place where we all have room to kick back and relax. My mom and dad sit on the couch together. I like sitting in the loveseat. We all watch TV or just have quiet time'®? as a family. 22. Do you know any famous people in the area you live in? No, I don’t know any famous people who live near me. It would be so cool to live near a celebrity. But as far as I know, there aren't any famous people around me, I'll have to keep an eye out!°! though, I would definitely love to hang out with a celebrity.1. Where are you from? / Which city are you living in? Tlive in my hometown Jinan, which is a city in Shandong province. I really love it because there're tons of amazing attractions in the inner-city’, and people living in Jinan are very warm and friendly. 2. Is there anything you dislike in your city? Tove the city I live in. But of course, every rose has its thorn’. Sometimes, the buses are really slow here. So as a commuter, T often get fed up with!” having to wait for long periods of time. T just want to get places on time, but the public transportation can make that easier said than done 3, How long are you going to stay there? Lhave no idea, Itreally depends on'®* where I can work. I'll stick around'®” if I can find a decent job after graduation, Otherwise, I won't be able to stay there and [Il have to go back to my hometown, since living in Jinan practically costs an arm and a leg! 108, 4.Is there anything that you dislike about your hometown’ ‘Yes, Isuppose so. One thing I'm not satisfied about with my hometown is the traffie there, Lots of drivers don't follow the traffic rules and often have road rage’, so road accidents in my hometown are common and often fatal. 5. Do you like your hometown? / Which part of your hometown attracts you the most? / ‘Where is the most impressive place in your hometown? Yes, Ido, I'm fiom Harbin, which is a city in the northeast of China. I's famous for the Ive & Snow Festival there, which is a really coo! annual event in my hometown, Tons of visitors come to my city to see it every year. I love being a tour guide and showing my friends from other cities this tourist attraction tPhothechen6. How long have you lived in your hometown? [ve been living in my hometown since Iwas bom. I've never thought about leaving my hometown, because my entire social circle"? is there and the cost of living is pretty low, However, I also ‘want to work in a different city for a few years to broaden my horizons!" 7. Do you like the city you are living in now? Yeah, I really love it. When I moved here, I thought it was overwhelming”, But now [can’t imagine living anywhere else. There are always cool things happening here. For example, a lot of singers come to our city for their concerts. It definitely keeps me on my toes! 8, Is that a big city or a small place? My hometown isn’t a major city in China but it’s not small either. As far as T know, it has a opulation of 5 million people. So the urban area is always crowded with people. It’s also the largest city of the province by land area!™1. What can you see from the window of your apartment? Actually I live on the 11" floor, and there’s a park near my apartment building. So through the window, I have a view of a green space. And sometimes, I can also see some children playing football down there, which is a good way to wind down". 2. Do you like to watch the scenery from your window? Yes, [love watching the scenery from my window. Whenever I get stressed with work, Ijust stare out the window fora while"®. It really sets my mind at ease'””, I like watching binds fly by"®. It makes me feel really peaceful. If T open the window, I can even hear them singing outside 3. Do you want to live in a house with beautiful window views? ‘Yes, it’s my dream to have a house that has a beautiful view from the window. I think it would be great to live in the countryside and have big windows facing the sun", That way, I could watch the sun come up"? in the mornings. Sunrises are always so breathtaking”! 4, How do you feel when you can’t see any beautiful views from your window? Well, it’s pretty disappointing. It’s always nice to have a cool view from your window", So if it’s something boring or even ugly, then it’s a major let down'’®, When I went to a hotel, I booked a room on one of the higher floors. But the view was just of some plain buildings. It was pretty sad tPhothechen1. What types of museum do you like? Lieally love art museums. It might sound boring, but looking at old paintings is really cool to me. like seeing how art styles have changed over the years. Aud [also love classical art. So whenever I visit an art museum, I’m totally drawn in:2+ by all the history there. 2, When was the last time you visited a museum? I think it must've been two years ago. I was visiting my cousin, who lives in a big city. She took me to a museum and we went through all the different exhibits'*°. I learned so much about the ancient world. It was a really fascinating trip and I loved every minute of it 3. Do you like going to a museum alone or with oth like going toa museum with others. [think it’s really fimn to walk through the exhibits with!” a friend. You can comment on what you see!"* and have interesting conversations together. But sometimes it's nice to split up and do some adventuring on your own”. That way, you can go at your own pace 4. Do you want to work in a museum? No, I don’t think I'd want to work in a museum. It’s definitely an important job. But it’s just not something I’m passionate about. I care about history, but I wouldn't want to spend my whole life working in a museum, I don’t think it’s the right path for me tPhothechen5. Do you think museums are important? / Do you like visiting museums? ‘Yes, museums are definitely important. They preserve the past'™! by showing you what life used to be like. In that sense'*, they teach future generations about how the world came to be. I think everyone should spend time in a museum. It makes you appreciate the past and treasure the present even more", 6. How often do you visit museums?/Do you often visit a museum? Unfortunately, Idon’t get fo visit museums as often as I would like to. Museums tend to be pricey and on a student budget", I can’t always afford to go. I try to visit the museum closest to me at least once two or three years so that I can see whatever new exhibit they have going on, 7. Are there many museums in your hometown? No, there aren't many museums in my hometown. Actually, there’s just one. I’s next to the public library. Itjust has exhibits about the town itself. I think it’s actually pretty interesting. If you visit, you can see what the town looked like a hundred years ago. You can learn about how it developed and changed time! tPhothechen1. How often do you go to the farm? / Have you visited a far I don’t go to farms very often. I live in the city, so farms are pretty far away from me. But I do have a friend who lives on a fam. I visit her every once in a while". It’s fun walking around the property"? and enjoying the scenery. There are lots of barn cats"*® to play with as well. 2. Do you like farming? ‘Well, I grew up in the city. So I’m definitely not familiar with farming, But think it sounds really interesting! And Ihave a friend who lives on a farm. I visited her place often as a kid. I got to see how farming works firsthand", 1s pretty cool, but it’s just not what I grew up with. 3. Is farming important to a country? Are farms important to a country? Yes, definitely. Farms are obviously important to agriculture. Without farms, you would lack basic things like grain, dairy, and meat products. Those are the backbone of the food industry™®. It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without those things. Our food would be really limited. 4, Would you like move to a farm? Do you want to live in the countryside? No, I don’t want to move to a farm, Living in the countryside could be nice, but Lwouldn’t want to live on a farm, I think that living on a farm is just too taxing", There are too many things to get done 5. What kinds of farms do you like? really like farms that have common animals like sheep and cows. I think cows are my favourite farm animals. They're big and they don’t smell that great, but they're so cute! If you’ve ever seen cow, you'll know how big and sweet their eyes are 6. Did you do farm work when you were young? No, I grew up in a city so Inever had to do any farm work. But a couple of years ago, I visited a friend who lived on a farm. When I ver at | morning. It was fun getting a taste of farm life1. Do you like planting trees? Why? Well, I've never planted a tree before. But I imagine it would be finn, The hard part would be ‘waiting for it to grow. Trees don’t exactly spring out of the ground fully formed", But I think the process of planting it would be rewarding™®. It'd feel good to help out the environment in that way, 2. What kind of trees do people usually plant in your country? How about your hometown? Well, there are many species of trees that are common in China. I think the type of tree that Chinese people plant the most often is pine, But farmers in China normally love planting fruit tees. In my hometown, there are also a ton of willows lining the streets!” 3. Have you planted trees? / Did you plant trees when you were a child? No, I didn’t have the chance to plant trees as a kid. I grew up in an apartment, so we definitely didn’t have a backyard to put a tree in, But I think it would've been a cool experience. Planting tees is really good for the environment, The more tees you have, the more oxygen goes into the atmosphere®. 4. What kinds of trees do you (want to) plant? I've never planted a tree myself but if possible, I would love to plant an apple tree. I've been to a fiuit farm for apple-picking before. It was such a blast"? picking the big red apples from the tree. It would be more fun if I could do that on my own tree,5. Are there any special kinds of trees in your country I don't really know much about botany", But I think the gingko tree'* is a type of uative tree in China, I’ve never seen TV programs or artworks from other countries describing the gingko tree. But gingko is really widely planted in China, Many cities in China even have streets famous for being lined with gingko trees'* 6. Do people in your country plant trees? No, I don’t think people in my country plant trees so often. It’s not a very common practice" But March 12th is an exception because it’s National Tree Planting Day'™. Many people get to plant trees on that day, usually organized by schools and companies. Other than that'*’, [ don’t usually see people around me plant trees. H#hethechew 7. Are there many trees in your city? No, there aren”t that many trees in my city. It’s kind of a shame! 1 think that it really makes a city more beautiful when there are lots of trees around. But our city is overpopnlated'*” and most of the land there is used for buildings.1. Which part of your country do you want to live in? / Which city in China is the best one to live in? If possible, I really want to move to Hangzhou and live there forever. I've traveled to tons of places in China, but Hangzhou is definitely the most livable city among them!*S. It literally! looks like a city of gardens. Plus the weather there is super comfortable; it’s neither too hot or too cold there. 2. What makes you feel proud of your country? Well, I'm prond of China for so many things. But since the COVID-19 pandemic'®, what P'm most proud of my country for is the grit and eivie duty of our people!®. The pandemic was severe at the beginning. But Chinese people are united and willing to make personal sacrifices to help flatten the curve! It’s really great, 3. Do you know the history of your country well? Well, I've leamed a lot about the history of China, mostly from history class and relevant books. But [ certainly can’t say’® I know the history of my country well, because it’s a country with a 5000-year history. And there are still a lot of unknown parts of our history. Shelthechsn 4, Will you stay in China in the future? In the long run‘, | will definitely stay in China because it’s not only where mny faunily is but also a country that develops fast. Ihave a dream of starting my own business one day so it’s definitely way more promising”® living in China, But I'd love to study abroad for several years and know the world better. 5. What's the best part of Chinese culture? I think the best part of our culture is classical Chinese poetry, which is often considered as the pearl of Chinese culture'®®. The ancient poems are beautiful when spoken or chanted'®” in Chinese. And most importantly, they are legacies from our ancestors'® a long time ago. Poetry carries the most traditional values and philosophy in China 6. Are you proud of your hometown? Yeah, I’m very proud of my city. It’s a really livable place and the economy is also thriving'®. I'm proudest of” the cleanliness of my hometown. I have to compliment the city for doing a good job of keeping the city clean. It’s really hard to spot garbage in the streets!” there.1. What's the decoration like in your home? Answer 1: My partner and [just moved into our new apartment, and our theme so far is very centred around'” our books and records. Both of us have big book and record collections so our entire apartment is filled to the brim with! concert posters, movie posters, and bookshelves. Everything centres around our love of art! Answer2: My house is decorated in a minimalist style‘”'. That means everything is pretty plain and unchittered'”, My parents don’t like anything that’s too messy. They prefer the house to look clean and sophisticated’. The walls are all neutral tones'”” and everything matches. There are no bright colours or clunky!”® objects anywhere. 2. What kind of decorations do you want to have? / What kind of decorations do you prefer? Well, I hope to have a more classic-looking home. I want an old classic interior design with old wooden funiture, with things that look classy but not old and outdated, like calligraphy and classic paintings. I would also love to have an antique shelf with all kinds of antiques”, which #hethechon would look really nice. 3. Do Chinese people like redecorating their home? Not really, People like making small changes to their home though. When it comes to a large- scale redecoration to their home, I don’t think most families would do it. It’s not just money, it’s also about the workload'® behind it. Moving out and back in can be really troublesome. 4. What's your favorite colour when decorating your home? My favourite colour to paint or have as a colour scheme"*' throughout my house is light yellow. I love pale yellow'*?, I feel like it gives off a feeling of comfort and warmth, similar to the sun. Whenever I have company over'®* | want them to feel welcomed and at peace and I think yellow does that. 5. What decorations do you haye in your home? There aren’t too many decorations in my home, but we do have a few paintings. My mom’s friend is an artist. She’s given our family some of her originals'™. My favourite painting of hers is of a cherry blossom tree. It’s so pretty and makes our house look so sophisticated.1. Did you learn math in high school?/ Do students learn maths in secondary schools in China? ‘Yes, I learned math all throughout high school'®. It's a mandatory subject in high school curriculum, It is also very important to leam and understand math because you will use it in everyday life, Math may have been difficult in high schoo! but it was definitely necessary to know. 2. Do you think math is difficult? T think it depends on the person, Some people really excel in math classes" while others, like myself, tend to struggle a bit more with leaming math. I always tried very hard to focus in math class to grasp the material but no matter what age I was, [still struggled. 3. What did the teacher do to improve your math? Are the methods interesting and useful? Well, I was pretty lucky that I had a good math teacher when I was in middle school. The most interesting technique he used to help us improve our math skills was applying basic theories to real-life problems. Like he taught us about probability'®” by demonstrating why buying lottery tickets is a vain attempt to get rich 4, What can people do with math in their daily life? / Do you think math is important? People can use math every day of their lives. There are always times in life when"? you will need to do quick math", It’s helpful whether you're adding or subtracting", or trying to calculate how much the discount is. There is always need for math in daily life which is why itis important to leam in school. 5. Do you use math in your work? Yes! I use math every day. I work for a real estate company'®? and my job requires me to read reports every day. A lot of the time'®®, math comes up when I need to check the numbers in the reports. And I have to be able to do the math quickly in my head. 6. Do you learn math now? Why/ Why not? No, Idon’t learn math anymore. I only use math in life and at work. After graduating from college, Thaven’t taken another math class. It’s not because I hate math, I just don't feel it’s necessary for 194 me to spend more effort on sharpening my math skills'® anymore.1. What kind of TV programs do you like? Ilike comedy television. I don’t like any serious dramatic TV shows, or daytime television. I like to be entertained and laugh when I'm watching TV. My favourite comedy show is My Own 9 Swordsman'®®. That show always makes me bust a gut!’ The script is very witty!” and I’ve binge-watched™* it several times. 2. Do you often watch programs on the TV or on your cellphone? T'm used to watching TV shows on my cellphone rather than on the TV. Tove watching all kinds, of programs, but honestly, I never have time to sit down and relax on the couch in front of the TV. So watching shows on my cellphone is a good alternative and it’s really convenient. 3. Do you talk with your friends about the program you watched? Yes, and I think I talk to my friends a little too much about the TV programs that I’ve watched. I just love sharing the TV shows I like with people. Sometimes I even talk too much about a show and give spoilers'”. My friends have to ask me to stop. 4. Do you like watching TV alone? No, I like watching TV with my friends. We usually have the same interest in TV shows and can, always have a blast watching them together. For example, when Game of Thrones*® was still playing, I watched all the episodes"! with my buddies. It would be a pity if I watehed it all by nyself, 5, Have you ever thought about making your own TV show? Yes, I've thought about that when I was daydreaming”, I'm a huge fan of variety shows””. So T’ve come up with a few different ideas for variety shows that I would absolutely love to make. I even designed games that the celebrities in the show could play. It was silly. 6. Do you like watching the same kind of program all the time? Yes, I actually like to rewatch the shows that I’m very fascinated by over and over again. I could finish watching an entire series and then restart it that same night, no problem whatsoever”**, For example, I can’t even remember how many times I’ve binge-watched Breaking Bad. | just find it very soothing” to watch it again. iphothechsn1. Do you like singing? Yes! I absolutely love to sing. My favourite songs to sing are old jazz songs. am the only one in my family that actually has a nice singing voice. Everyone else in my family also loves to sing but they aren’t as good as Iam! 2. When do you sing? / Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? I will sing any place, any time. [ove to sing in the car when I'm driving, when I’m in the shower, or even while I’m at work and listening to music, I used to sing in my school’s vocal group””” and we would go perform at retirement centres?**. The elderly people loved hearing us sing! 3. Have you taken any singing lessons? / Will you take sin; g lessons in the future? actually took singing lessons from ages 10-15, [loved singing so much that my parents allowed me to take private lessons with a vocal coach. I learned so much in my vocal lessons”®, including music theory and how to read music off the page"®, [love singing and I always will! 4. Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? Yes, absolutely! I was even a member of the choir at my primary school?!!, My music teacher drafted me to”? the choir because she thought I had a lovely singing voice. So I’ve been big on singing since then.1. How do people celebrate the New Year?/How do you celebrate New Year? In my experience, people usually meet up with their friends and family to celebrate the New Year. Personally, I love hanging out with my friends and staying up until midnight. It’s extra fun when we order a ton of food and just shoot the breeze*!* together. It’s the best way to ring in the New Year?" 2. Do you still remember a new year that you celebrated? ‘The first_one that comes to mind is"'’ New Year’s a few years back. If memory serves correetly""6, I was hanging out with a couple of my best friends, We went to a big party together and had an amazing time together. Then we went downtown and watched fireworks go off over the city’. It was breathtaking”"*, 3. Why do people often think New Year is a new start? think it’s because it feels like a new beginning, Even though technically it’s just another day, the New Year marks a big change in the calendar, That can be an opportunity to change things up in your life or make some new resolutions” I think that’s why people like celebrating the New Year. 4. Do you have any ceremonies to celebrate the New Year in your country? Yes! Here in China almost everyone celebrates the Chinese New Year. It’s celebrated vibrantly here, But the most important tradition is still the family reunion, Families get together and enjoy a reunion dinner’! on New Year's Eve. It’s a bonding time”? and you get to catch up with family"1. Do you think it’s hard to remember others’ names? / Is it easy for you to remember people’s names? No, I don’t think it’s that hard, Well, some people might have a spotty memory” So they might not be able to remember names. But personally, I think it’s easy if you make an effort. It really makes a difference when you can keep track of people’s names” 2, Have you ever forgotten anyone's name? Yes, actually, I forgot my neighbours name after I met her for the first time, We were both out for awalk and she introduced herself to me. But a week later, I saw her again and completely blanked on her name’** . Luckily, she graciously reminded me”. 3. How do you remember others’ names? Honestly, it’s just repetition. I repeat their names a few times in my head when I first lear it. It also helps to have a face to match with the name. If you remember what a person looks like, it’s easier to remember what their name is. 4. What do you feel when people "t remember your name? Most of the time, it doesn’t bug me at all’. I know that some people aren't good with names. I try not to take it personally*”*, But if they don’t remember my name after meeting me multiple times, Ltake a Dit of offence”. [1 just rubs me the wrong way" 5, What names are you good at remembering? I'm good at remembering unique names. It’s hard to remember common names. But when I eet people with names that have rarely-used Chinese character my mind” for a long time after I leam how to say them. | think the effort helps me remember them. iphothechsw1. Do you often get up early in the morning? of dawn?®, I would No, I'm definitely not a morning person, [ don’t like getting up at the cra much rather sleep in™®, [know that’s lazy, but I do a lot of work late at night so I’m still productive. I just prefer nighttime. I don’t like being awake too early in the day. 2. When was the last time you had to get up early and what did you do? Thad to get up early this moming for the IELTS test. This is so important for me and Leouldn’t tisk being late for it. My place is pretty far from the examination place. So I got up at 6:30 in the morning to make sure Thad enough time for the trip today. 3. What do you do when you get up early? Well, P'm not amoming person. When I get up eatly, it’s usually for school. So when I’m ready to start the day, I make a list of all my tasks and get to work on completing them, 4. Which morning of the week do you like the most? I think I like Friday momings the most. [have to get up early for school, but at least I know that T'll have the weekend off"*’, So when I’m tired and not looking forward to class, it feels good to know that I get to sleep in the next day. 5, What do you do on weekend mornings?/ Do you get up early on weekends? Lusually sleep in if Ihave the chance. Sometimes I get up early to do housework or catch up on? schoolwork. But most of the time, Ijust lie in bed and watch videos on my phone. I think it’s good to give yourself a break”, and weekends are perfect for that. iphothechsw1, Do you like reading? ‘Yes, Llove reading! It can always set my mind at ease™®, If I'm feeling stressed out, I just pick up a_good book and get lost in the story, I think that more people should read: it can really help you blow off steam”, There’s nothing more calming to me. 2. Do you like to read at home or in other places? Ipersonally prefer to read at home. I love being snuggled up in my bed, in my pyjamas, with a cup of tea, aud a good book. It is one of my favourite self-care activities to just relax and read a book. Plus, I’m often distracted when I read a book outside 3. In what place do you think it is difficult to read? I think the most difficult place for me to read is on public transit. If 'm on a subway or a bus, 1 can’t seem to focus on what I'm trying to read at all! There are too many distractions on a bus or a train which stresses me out too much to read. 4, Do you like reading alone or with others? Llike reading alone better. It can be nice to hang out with others, but sometimes it’s distracting Instead of focusing on my book, I usually wind up“ talking to the other people. It’s nicer when I'm by myself. I can put on whatever music I want and just have some down time2ss iphothechsw1. How often do you take a rest? Honestly, I don’t rest as often as I should, I’m pretty much a workaholic“, So [always try to stay busy. But sometimes, if I’m not too tied up with work and study”, I take a day off to just relax. I usually like relaxing on the weekends. I just watch TV and scroll through social media”** all day 2. What do you usually do when you are resting? Whenever I take the time to rest I love to really relax. As in“, [don’t want to do anything other than’®? lie on my couch and do nothing. Sometimes [love watching a movie or a television show Pm currently enjoying. I don’t often get time to rest but when I do I enjoy it. 3. Do you take a nap when you are taking your rest?/ How do you feel after taking a nap? No, [try not to nap. Sometimes | can’t help it and | end up dozing off?*', But I try to avoid naps when I can. L always feel very confused**? when I wake up. It totally throws me off my rhythm’? So I try to power through" instead of sleeping more.1. What do you do to stay happy? Well, I love working out’s outside to stay positive and happy. It’s a habit I've been keeping for years, [usually do it ata park near my home every weekend. It works like a charm for me” when I want to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and work’*”, And my mind feels happier after exercising every time. 2. Do you think people should be happy all the time?/Can you stay happy all the time? No, I don’t think so. It’s not healthy to make yourself be happy all the time. Sometimes life isn’t easy and things make you upset. If you try to fight off bad feelings’'*, you won't process them in a healthy way, That can make things even worse. It’s better to have a balance of emotions”? 3. Is it important to be happy? Yes, being happy is important to living a good life. For starters”, being happy promotes a healthy lifestyle. Happiness is the most powerful weapon to help you combat stress and depression” Plus, I think people who are happier are more optimistic, so they usnally find it easier to be successful in life and at their job. 4. When is the last time you made people happy?/ Is there anything that makes you feel happy lately? I graduated from university with top honours”® just a few months ago. It was the result of years of hard work. I was really proud of myself for making it through my degree’*’, But even better, it made my friends and family so happy. They were so glad to see me sueceed.1. Do you like texting? / How do you send important messages? Yeah, I prefer texting most of the time", It’s probably the most common way [talk to my fiends nowadays, But I think that if the message is really serious or urgent, a phone call is more appropriate. That way, nothing gets lost in translation’. So when it comes to" something really important, Pll usually make a phone call. 2. Do you like having phone calls? Yes, [really like having phone calls to catch up with"®? family and friends near and far"! I think you can have a much more interesting and in-depth conversation” over the phone compared to by text, That being said’, I always check to make sure that the person I am calling is available to talk by texting them first 3. Do you prefer to receive a text message or to send one? I prefer to receive a text message, especially from someone I haven't talked to ina while”, because it means that person is thinking of me and wants to catch up?” It always shows me that we have a strong friendship. I also send messages to friends to see how they're doing and if they want (0 meet up. 4, What time is good for sending text messages to others? The good thing about texts is the person receiving the text does not need to respond right away like they would for a phone call - so really", you can send a text anytime, day or night, and the person you are texting ean just respond when it is convenient for them. 5. Have you ever received a confusing text message? Yes, Ihave, One time, I opened my phone to find a text full of gibberish’. It was from my mom, and it made absolutely no sense””®. She didn’t even type real words! I texted her back with three question marks”, and she finally responded that she’d pocket-texted’”” me. That made way more sense. 6. In what circumstances is making a phone call better than sending a text message? I think it’s better to call when something important has happened. It could be something cool, like apiece of good news. Or it could be something more serious, like ifa family member has had an accident, Either way", calling is better than texting in times like those®”. That way, nothing gets iphothechsn Jost in translation.1, Do you write by pen or by yping?/ Do you often write with a pen? Tusually write by typing. [like handwriting, but for the most part, using a computer is way faster and more convenient?®?, For example, if 'm writing an essay for school, it would take me way too long to try and write it out. My hand gets cramps”®! when I try to write for that long. So I prefer typing. 2. When do you write by pen? I write by pen when I'm doing writing for myself, For example, when I write in my journal, I always do that by hand, It's more personal", think. I also use handwriting for cards and letters that I send to friends and family. It’s a good way to give it that special touch?** 3. Do you think typing will replace handwriting? No, I don’t think so. T mean, typing is definitely more common than handwriting, Its a lot faster and sometimes it’s more convenient. But I think handwriting gives something a nice personal touch. It shows that the writer put extra effort into their message’**. I think it’s really nice to get a handwritten letter 4. What's the difference of writing with a pen and typing on a computer? Typing on a computer is usually faster. And you don’t have to use any physical tools”*® like pens or paper. When you write with a pen, it’s a slower process. But there’s a little more personality to it, You know, everyone has a unique style of handwriting’*’ that adds a personal touch to their writing 5. Can you tell someone’s personality from his or her handwriting? ‘Yes, I think you can tell a little bit about someone’s personality from their handwriting. For 88 instance, you could guess that people with messy handwriting” are kind of morganized, but people with neat handwriting care about appearances and take their time. Of course, you can’t indge a book by its cover’*®. 6. Is your handwriting easy to read for other peopl ‘Yeah, I guess my handwriting is pretty easy for other people to read. In school, I had to practice writing very neatly", and that’s a skill that I’ve taken with me all the way until now’!, Actually it’s important to take your time and be careful when you write, or else no one will understand you. iphothechsn1. Do you have a lot of furniture in your home? / What furniture do you have in your home? I don’t have a ton of furniture in my home, but we have the basies*”. You know, we have comfy couches, tables, and chairs. My mom likes collecting antique fumiture’**, so a lot of it is pretty old, But you'd be surprised at how fashionable it can look. She has a great eye for’ furniture and interior decorating”’®. 2.Is there furniture of yours given by others? /Is there anyone who bought furniture for you? Well, no one ever bought fumiture for me, but I actually got a couch from my best friend’s family. They were looking to”® get rid of it since they were buying a new one. I told my mom, and when she checked it out, she really loved it. So my friend’s family gave it to us free of charge! It was so nice of them to do that. 3. What furniture would you like to buy? I'd like to buy a new bedroom set™”, You know, it comes with a bedfiame and dressers, The ones that are in my bedroom right now are pretty old, So it would be really nice to upgrade. [think Ineed more drawer space for my clothes. It's definitely a first-world problem”. 4. What furniture do you like best in your home? 1 definitely like the couches the best. They're super comfy to sit on, Sometimes I just lay on the couch scrolling through social media*®? on my phone, Couches are perfect if you're in a lazy mood", You can just chill and relax"? on them, Plus, if you're having people over", they can sometimes sleep on the couch,1, What kinds of clothes do you like to wear?/What kinds of clothes do you usually wear? like wearing chic and modem clothes. You know, I like following current fashion trends and, stuff like that. But I don’t like anything too baggy. I also tend to avoid bright colours or anything super form-fitting or revealing®®, [usually wear a lot of high-waisted jeans*° and fancy shirts, 2. What kind of clothes do you never wear? I never wear anything super loose and baggy*”. I just don’t think those kinds of clothes are flattering’. You can barely tell what kind of body shape you have when you're wearing an oversized sweater. Some people are more comfortable with that, which I can respect. But it's just not for me. 3. Do you wear the same style of clothes on weekdays and weekends? No, I tend to wear slightly different styles on the weekdays versus"? the weekends. On weekdays, I'm usually in classes so I try to dress up a little. I wear things that are more business caswal*# But on weekends, when I'm just hanging out with family or friends, 1 dress more on the casual side. 4, What’s your fav color of your clothes? It sounds a little bleak, but [really like black*", 1’s such a simple but iconic color’ for clothes. You can mateh it with just about anything. So it’s really a classic, and Thave a ton of black shirts and pants, also like grey and white, Just neutral colours", I guess. 5. Would you buy clothes because of certain brands? Honestly, I don’t really pay attention to brands. They're not important to me. So I don’t think I would buy clothes just because they're a certain brand"'’. I care more about how the clothes look and feel on me**®. It doesn’t really matter if they're a name brand or not*!”, 6. What color do you not like when choosing clothes? I really don’t like orange clothes. I just think orange is one of the uglier colours. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t look good with my skin tone. But it just seems like a weird colour to me. Plus, it’s hard to find a lot of colours that orange looks good with. iphothechsn1. How was your concentration when you were a child? Was it hard for you to focus? Iwas actually pretty focused as a kid. A lot of kids my age would get distracted really easily. But L usually set my mind to whatever was in fiont of me*!’, And I didn’t get bored or anything. I would stay on task and follow through*"®, It wasn’t hard for me to focus at all. 2. When do you need to be focused? I need to stay focused whenever I'm preparing for an important test. For example, I had a big exam coming up a while ago™”, I really had to buckle down and stay on task*!_ so T could do well. 3. What do you do to help you concentrate? I find it helpful to turn off my phone. I usually have it on me"? and all the messages and notifications that pop up can be distracting. So I shut off? my phone and put it away. As the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind**+.” Itreally works wonders for*** concentration. 4. What may distract you when you're trying to stay focused? Nowadays, there are so many distractions that can catch your eye. Technology is probably the number one distraction. It’s hard to stay on task when my phone’s going off*°”. Computers can distract me too because it’s easy to open a new tab*?* and just surf the intemet instead of doing your work:5, When do you usually focus on study’? Tusually like to study in the moming and early afternoon. I'm a moming person™, so I find it really easy to concentrate on school work in the moming. However, after about 2:00 in the aftemoon, I start to get tired, my brain is slower, and I can’t focus as well on my studying. I also don’t like to study in the evening, as that is my free time for socializing or relaxing 6. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on somethin; It depends. Sometimes, when I’m really in the zone™, nothing can distract me or get in my way"! But other times, I can get bored of what I'm doing and I start to lose focus. Plus, [keep my phone ‘on me most of the time, so sometimes when I see a message pop up on the screen”, I get distracted 7. Can you multitask? Ithink I can multitask pretty well. Being a student taught me how to juggle lots of different tasks"*® Even the simple things, like taking notes while listening to a lecture, teach you how to multitask well. But you have to stay diligent®™, or else*** you'll end up doing both tasks poorly.1. Do you usually make a for shopping? No, [ usually just wing it’ when I go shopping. Honestly, it’s not the best method. Sometimes 1 forget all the things Ineed when I go out, So Tend up buying a bunch of” stuff Idon’t need. 1's not very helpful, especially when 'm going grocery shopping 2, Do you usually make a list for study or work? Does it work?/ Do you like making a list? Yeah, I ry to make a list of things I need to do. Especially when it comes to school, it helps keep me from getting overwhelmed’, Making a list of tasks keeps me organized and focused. And it makes all the work seem more manageable. So it’s definitely really helpful. It work: charm? 3. Why do some people not like making a list? I think they find it really boring. You know, it’s not that fun to sit down and make a list of all the things you have to do. It takes up time and can seem useless™, Other people don’t like making lists because they organize their work in other ways 4. Do you prefer to make a list on paper or your phone? [prefer making a list on my phone. Sometimes I try making lists on paper, but I always end up losing them®", But if I make a list on my phone, then I know I'll have it with me at all times. After all, my phone is practically always on me. I never go anywhere without it 5, Why do some people not like to plan? I think some people don’t like planning because they'd rather focns on the present, They don’t like thinking too hard about the future#?, Sometimes that’s because they're lazy. Other times, it’s because they like to wing it and not have every step mapped out™*. I think some of those reasons are valid1. Do you recycle now? Yes, Lalways try to recycle when I can. It’s the least you can do to*** help protect the environment I you put recyclable items in the trash, then you aren’t helping ent down on waste™®, That really weighs on my conscience™”, So I definitely recycle on a daily basis. 2. Did you recycle things when you were a child? Yeah, for the most part I recycled things as a kid. My parents always taught me that T should do my part to help protect the environment™'*, That includes reeyeling whenever you can, As the saying goes, reduce, reuse, recycle™“*. Those are the three big steps to*” cutting down on waste. 3. Will you recycle things in the future? Yes, I'll definitely recycle things in the future. Protecting the environment is really important to me. My parents raised me to believe that everyone can make a difference, even if it’s through the stnall things. That includes recycling. So I'll always do my part to help out by cutting down on waste. 4, Should children be taught to recycle? Yes, I think children should be taught to recycle from an early age to instil good habits*, Children who recycle are more likely to grow into adults who recycle, which is really important for the environment, Reducing waste should be a top priority, and recycling is one easy way to do that. 5. What kinds of items are recyclable? Loads of things are recyclable, there are probably more things that you can recycle compared to things that you ean’! Plastic, glass, paper, and cardboard can all be recycled, and when you think about it, most of our waste is made up of one of those four materials.6. What kind of things do you recycle? I usually recycle paper. As a student, I go through tons of it?, Whether it’s assignments or handouts?®>, I always have tall stacks of paper*** by the end of the school year. So when I’m done with the papers, I put them in the reeycle*?, That way, they can be repurposed and help the environment. 7. 1s recycling becoming more important nowadays? Yes, I think that with all the damage that has already been done to our environment, recycling is super important, You see reports all the time of*** wild animals being killed or injured by trash that has been left in their environment. If more people recycled properly, this would not happen as often*®?.1. Do you like changes? To be honest, I don't like big changes. They can stress me out. For example, when I graduated high school, I was excited but moving on was really hard for me to adjust to. I was really stressed about that big life change*©°, 2. What are the changes in your hometown? Well, a huge one that I can think of right now is the renovation of shanty areas**! in our city, As far as I know, the city has been working on projects to rebuild those ancient and undeveloped areas for years. The old bungalows*® are being replaced by tall residential buildings and commercial buildings now. I’s a great change! |. What has changed about you between now and in the past? / Have you changed a lot since your childhood? A lot has changed about me. For oue, I’m way more outgoing’ now. I was shy as a kid, but I've leamed how to be more social since then, Another change is that I’m more driven and focused*™. know more about what I want to do with my life than I did in the past 4, What are the positive changes do you want to have in the next five years? “What's your plan over the next five years?”5. What do you plan to change next year? I think I'd like to change my exercise habits next year. To be honest, I live a pretty sedentary lifestyle*®*. I'm a total couch potato*®. So it'd be good to start being more active. I think T'll try going on runs*” every week. It seems like an effective way to bum fat and get in better shape?®, 6. What are the positive changes in your country? Well, there are lots of good changes in China. For one, as you can see here, the whole society is going cashless in favor of mobile payment due to the popularity of apps like WeChat and Alipay. Mobile reliance has just reached an all-time high in China”, Besides, another obvious change is that the government and people have a stronger environmental awareness”! than defore. 7. Do you think people change a lot from childhood? Ithink a lot of people change as they grow older”, I don’t know anyone who’s exactly the same as they were when they were a kid’, People usually get more confident, or their personality might change a ton?” as different things happen in life.1, Did you go to picnics when you were a child? Well, I didn’t go to picnies very often when I was a kid. Ivemember going a couple of times, but nothing more than that’”®. But those two times were full of good memories. It was nice to eat outside with friends and family. I remember we all had a blast’ hanging out at a local park. 2. How often do you go to picnics now? Tdon’t go very often, honestly. My friends and I don’t usually do that kind of thing. And I can’t remember the last time my family wanted to have a picnic. [think it’s becoming an old-fashioned activity’””, I guess that's kind ofa shame’, since pienies can be really fun. 3. Where do you go to picnics? Why? On the rare oceasion’” T go on a picnic, I usnally go to a park near my house. It’s only a ten- minute walk, which is super convenient, The park has lots of big trees that give you shade™, But you can also sit on the grass in the sunshine. It's a lovely place. 4. What's the difference between a picnic and cooking at home? ‘Well, with picnics you have to do most of the preparation in advance**!. You can’t just make food as you go*, You have to have it all packed up** since you're away fiom a kitchen. But when youcook at home, you have all those appliances at your fingertips, They're very different things. 5. Where do people in your community go to have a picnic? ‘There are lots of public parks in my city, which are great places to have a picnic. I would say that these parks are busiest in the spring and summer, because the weather is nice enough to sit outside fora while. The most popular parks are the ones that are closer to downtown, because that way you can visit downtown or go shopping after your picnic! 6. Why do people like going to have a picnic? I think people like having a pienic because it's always nice to get fresh air, and vitamin D from the sun**’. Eating at home all the time can get boring, and restaurants are expensive, so going for apicnicis a happy medium**6, It’s fim and interesting, and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg**1. What kinds of sports do you like? /What’s your favorite sport? Sports aren't really my cup of tea’, but Ido like a few of them. I really enjoy swimming and badminton. They're pretty different, but I think they're both really fun to do. Swimming is probably my favourite. It's a great way to blow off some steam? while getting some exercise 2. What sports team do you support? /Are you a fan of any sports teams? Why? I don’t really know about a lot of sports teams. I honestly don’t really watch sports on TV, and Tefinitely don’t go to games™, So [wouldn't even know where to start when it comes to teams**! If Lever get into sports”, I should probably find a local team to support 3, Did you like sports in your childhood? What's the sport you did the most when you were a child? Yeah, I actually liked sports when I was a kid. In fact, I was on a few different sports teams. The sport I did the most was soccer. | thought it was really fun to run up and down a field chasing after the ball**S It always kept me on my toes‘ 4. Do you watch sports games on TV? / Do you watch sports matches? Why? No, I don’t watch sports games on TV. I think there are tons of other interesting things to watch, Sports kind of bore ime to death, if I’m honest. If anything, I'd rather play them than watch ‘them. So I don’t go out of my way to’”” watch sports on TV, 5. Do you think there are too many sports games playing on TV? Why? Well, fiom what L know, there are tons of channels dedicated to sports games™, | don’t think there are necessarily too many". I mean, lots of people really enjoy watching sports. So it’s good they have a variety of things to watch.1. Do you often go to a cinema? I don’t go to movie theatres very often. Honestly, P'm kind of a homebody", So I prefer watching movies from the comfort of my couch, But if I want to do something fun with my friends, going to the theatre is always a good time. 2. Do you like watching movies on weekends? “What do you often do on weekends?” 3. What types of movie do you like to watch? T mostly like comedies and action movies. [find most dramas or documentaries can be a bit boring unless you're really interested in the topic, but comedies and action films are never boring! There is always something funny to laugh at with friends, or some dramatic action sequence” keeping you glued to the edge of your seat’1. What do you often do on weekends? On weekends, I usually sleep in‘ and try to hang out with my friends. We all get pretty busy with work and school, so weekends are sometimes our only chance to spend time together". We like going to the mall or seeing a movie together. It’s always a blast and makes the weekends a fin time. 2. Did you do anything special last weekend? No, not really. I had a pretty quiet weekend“. I just hung out by myself at home. It might sound boring, but it was actually really relaxing. I get so busy with work and school that I don’t often have time to just kick back and relax. So I’m glad I had a chill weekend”. 3. What do you want to do next weekend? T'dreally like to hang out with my friends next weekend. We haven't seen each other ina whi so it would be nice to have a meal together. We always have a ton of fun when we try to cook something. Even though we're not great at cooking, it’s the effort that counts! 4. Do you like playing alone or with others? I like playing with others. If I'm doing a fun activity, it’s always more fan with friends. For example, going to the beach by yourself can allow you to reflect and enjoy some quiet time!” But I have way more fim when I go with my friends. We get to bond''' and do lots of activities together.5. What are the activities you want to do in the future? Td really like to try parasailing*'”. It’s when you lift off in a parachute attached to a boat‘! It sounds crazy, but I’ve seen pictures and videos and it looks like a blast. I also want to go hiking. T’ve never done it before, and it seems like a really good way to bum some fat and get in shape. 6. What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends? Usually, people hang out at the mall or go to bars on the weekends. Those are probably the two ‘most popular places to chill with friends and just shoot the breeze*'*, Some people also like doing outdoor activities, like Tai chi in the park. Others go for runs and exercise a lot. 7. What are the differences of family activities between now and in the past? think that in the past, family activities were more low-key". You know, families would just sit around playing card games or something. But nowadays, lots of families like doing outings together*!®, They might go to a nice restaurant or go for a walk in the park. I think it’s a nice chanoe1. What do you usually do in a hurry? It sounds a little unusual, but"? T usually get ready in a hurry. I’m not the kind of person who takes hours to"'’ through" brushing my hair and teeth and getting dressed. get ready in the moming. I stay in bed for as long as I can, and then I mush 2. What kind of things would you never do in a hurry? I would never do any task for school or work in a hurry. Those types of tasks are really important when it comes to making a good impression on either your teacher or your boss. You need to put your best foot forward'”? at school and work, so you should take your time with those things. 3.Are you often in a hurry to leave home?/Do you usually go out in a hurry? Yeah, I'm usually in a rush to go out. I always get distracted by something on my phone, so when it’s time to leave I’m never ready. I just run around like a chicken with its head cut off”) until Pm finally ready to go 4. Do you like to be in a hurry? No, it sucks when I’m in a rush, It totally stresses me out. I get all panicky that I'm going to be late. I's absolutely the worst. It’s much better when I can take my time. 'm a lot calmer that way. And I end up in a better mood than ifm in a hurry.1. Do you like to try new activities? Why? Yeah, I like trying new activities! I think it’s cool because it gets me to do things outside my comfort zone“, I can have new experiences that broaden my horizon. Most new activities are fun to do. For example, I recently tried rock-climbing**. It was awesome, and I really enjoyed it 2. Did you try new activities when you were young? Honestly, [was a pretty shy kid, So I didn’t like doing a lot of new things, I just stuck to what was familiar“, So, Lonly tried a couple new things, and that was it*””. But now that I’m older, [realize how valuable new activities can be. So I’ve definitely come around‘. 3. Do you like to try new activities alone or with friends? like trying new activities with friends, I usually have a lot more fun that way. Plus, if P'm nervous about the activity, my friends make me feel better. Wheu I tried rock-climbing, I was pretty scared to get going. But my friends set my mind at ease? and I ended up enjoying it 4, What activities (sports) did you do when you were a child? When I was a kid, I did sports like swimming and soccer. I was fairly active**!, so that was my favoutite way to spend time. Plus, Thad a lot of fin with my teammates. We won a lot of games together. [also liked more relaxed activities like reading and drawing 5, What activities would you like to try? Td really like to try parasailing”. I's when you lift off in a parachute attached to a boat". It sounds crazy, but I've seen pictures and videos and it looks like a blast. I also want to go hiking. Pve never done it before, and it seems like a really good way to bum some fat and get in shape1. Are you happy with your life right now? 35 Yes, for the most part‘ ['m absolutely satisfied with** my life. I graduated a year ago and have a really good job right now. The pay is great“*®, which means I can support myself completely and very well. Plus, all my colleagues are super nice. Honestly, I'm very grateful for what I have right now. 2. What’s your plan over the next five years? / Tell me your plan for the next five years. ‘Umm... I've never planned so far. But I’m sure that I will spend a lot of time and energy trying to” study abroad in the next few years and getting an undergraduate degree*™*, Honestly, I've planned and dreamed it for years. So, I do hope I can see myself doing well in*” a foreign university in the next five years. 3. What is the most important thing (or biggest achievement) you’ve done in your life? Honestly, I think the biggest achievement I've made is graduating at the top of my class in mniversity®. It took so much work, start the way in first year, At some points“, I didn’t think I'd do well at all. I wanted to just give up. But I worked hard, and I finally succeeded. 4. What’s your opinion of different stages of life? think of life like a cycle’, where we're born and taken care of and then when we get old we are also taken care of. It’s what we do in the middle that makes it all so exciting. Knowing that there isa finite amount of time in each life“! makes each stage so amazing and so precious.5. What age (or stage of life) do you think is the happiest? Well, I think childhood should be the happiest time of a person’s life, Whenever I look back on*** mny childhood memories, [ have a big smile on my face“®. You know, children don’t have any responsibilities and they have a lot of free time playing. So most of their days are relaxing and full of fun. 6. Do you want to become older or younger? / What would you do if you could be young again? I do hope there is magic that can make me younger and even go back to the past, Well, I don’t mean that [want to live my life all over again”, but when [look back on things“* I've done in the past, there are certain things that Lwish I could have handled differently”, For one, if Ieould go back to junior middle school, I would definitely not have a falling out with my friend again. Nothing is worse than losing your best friend.1. Have you borrowed books from others? Yeah, I've actually borrowed a lot of books from my friends. It's definitely cheaper than buying. the latest book I want to read. Phis, since I’m such a book-lover, it helps me bond with my friends, by seeing what they like to read. You just have to make sure you return the book in good shape‘? 2. Have you ever borrowed money from others? T don’t want to make a habit of it, but 've borrowed money from others in the past. For instance. last year Iaccidentally mined my laptop"? by spilling coffee on it. I had to borrow money from ny friends to pay for a new one. It was a total bummer 3. Would you like to lend your phone to others? Well, it. pen on the situation, If they need to borrow it to make a phone call, I ean totally do that for them. But I wouldn’t want to let them borrow it for a long time. I’m pretty attached to'*” my phone. [use it all the time, so I would want to keep it to myself, 4. Would you like to lend things to others? What would you like to lend to others? I think it’s good to be generous with your things*** Everyone likes a helping hand. So yea, I'd like to lend things to others if I have the chance. I'm fine with letting people borrow my books or even my clothes if they want. It’s nice to share your stuff with others. 5. Is there anything that you will not lend to others? I definitely wouldn't lend anything really expensive to others. For example, I wouldn't lend them my laptop or my phone, since they cost me an arm and a leg*. I wouldn't want to lend hygiene woducts*** like my toothbrush either. That would really gross me out*¢, It’s best to keep that stuff to yourself, 6. How do you feel when people don’t return things they borrowed from you? It’s honestly really finstrating. I'm doing them a favour by**” lending them something. The least they can do is give it back. I's really inconsiderate**, especially if the item is something expensive, Most of the time I can let it slide*®. But when it happens repeatedly, I start to get ticked ott,1. What is the most popular means of transportation in your country?/ Do people usually use public transportation in your country? Td say that nowadays, public transportation, like buses and subway trains, is still the most popular mode of transportation in China. Given the fact that'®! most Chinese cities have lots of public 62 transportation, the habit of getting around by*® bus or train hasn't changed for most Chinese families, even though a lot of them can afford a car 2, How would you improve transportation in your town or area? Well, I would add a subway. We already have a bus system, but it’s kind of slow. And it adds to the traffic problems we have during rush hour. So it would be really helpful if we had subway trains. Plus, [really love riding the subway when I go to bigger cities 3. When was the last time you took public transportation? Well, actually I came here by bus because the place J live is far from here. The bus was slow and jam-packed with passengers. And the traffic was a little bit heavy this moming, so it took me about 40 minutes, which is longer than usual 4, Are there any traffic problems in your area? Yeah, we do have traific problems. My city isu’t that big, so we don’t eveu have a subway system. And in recent years, a lot of families can afford a car so they get around by driving, which creates more traffic problems. During mush hour’, traffic moves at a snail’s pace’. It makes commuting super fiustrating. I think it’s something the city should improve first iphothechsw5. Will you use more public transportation in the future? (1) Yes, I believe I will. Since I don't have a car now, whenever I need to go somewhere, I take a bus or a subway train. It’s the most affordable way to get around for young people like me. And I’m happy that the city has a very developed public transportation system*®. Plus, there’s going to be more routes and lines for buses and trains in the future. So I think public transportation will always be my number one option for commuting (2). Well, right now I drive to and from work', So I don’t actually have to use public transportation, [live in the suburbs, so it’s hard to access it", I's really out of my way, But I think that if bus routes extended to my neighborhood, T would use public transportation more often. 6. Is driving to work popular in your country? Yeah, driving to work is pretty popular in my country. Even though there are buses and subways in major cities, most people still drive. They like having the freedom of private transportation*”® Unfortunately, that means there are a lot of traffic jams. I’s_a real pain in the neck for commuters"?! 7. Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation? Honestly, I prefer public transportation. I mean, it’s nice to have your own ear because you can choose when to start and stop. Plus, you don’t have to depend on other people. But I like public transportation better because it’s more fim. You can people-watch on the bus or subway”. Plus, they're cool to ride