Jemma: Unfortunately we don’t have a cinema near us so we have to go into the nearest town to catch the latest movie … I usually avoid seeing popular box-office hits which I’m not always keen on seeing … I prefer low-budget films … sci-fi especially … and there’s a great cinema I go to that has frequent showings of films like these …
Examiner: Do you prefer reading books or watching films?
Louisa: I’m not really a big reader … I find books quite heavy-going … so I much prefer to see a film … perhaps it’s the special effects or the soundtrack … I don’t know … I just prefer a film …
Part 2-style task
Describe a book you have read or a film you have seen. You should say:
• what this book or film was
• when you read or saw it
• why you decided to see the film or read the book
and say if you enjoyed it and why.
Pauline I like reading … especially English novels … it’s a great way to improve your vocabulary and there are so many fantastic authors to choose from … one book that came highly recommended by my teacher was The Mayor of Casterbridge … I was studying at a school in The UK at the time and she said it would give me a picture of what life was like years ago in the area I was living … well I have to say I absolutely loved it … it was a real page-turner … it’s a historical novel and the setting was a fictional town called Casterbridge … but actually it was based on a town near where I was studying called Dorchester … it had such a great plot … to cut a long story short it tells the story of the downfall of a man called Henchard the central character who lives during a period of great social change around the time of the industrial revolution … the reason I enjoyed it so much … apart from the great story … it gave me a picture of what life had been like in the place I was studying at the time … I really couldn’t put it down … a fantastic story …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is reading as pleasurable in digital format?
Alise: Personally I prefer reading a paperback or hardback … especially if I’m reading a classic which I don’t think feels right as an e-book … but I can see it can be good for others … my grandmother has an e-reader and she loves the way you can enlarge the text …
Examiner: Do you think bookshops will survive the digital revolution?
Thomas: I think so … at least I hope so … I love flicking through books in a bookshop … online shopping is useful … finding out on Amazon if a book you want has got a good review … maybe getting one that is difficult to find … but I still love the experience of being in a bookshop …
Examiner: Statistics show that visits to the cinema are up despite the availability of DVDs and online downloads. Why do you think this might be?
Jamie: I think it’s the whole experience that the cinema offers … going out to see a film when it goes on general release … and seeing it on the big screen is more exciting than watching the film at home on TV … especially if it’s an action movie … and watching it with others makes it even more special …
Definitions
an action movie: a film with fast moving scenes, often containing violenc
to be engrossed in: to be completely focused on one thing
• bedtime reading: something to read in bed before you go to sleep
• to be a big reader: someone who reads a lot
• to be based on: to use as a modal
• a box office hit: a financially successful film
• to be heavy-going: difficult to read
• a blockbuster: a film that is a big commercial success
• to catch the latest movie: to see a film that has just come out
• the central character: the main person in a film or book
• a classic: of the highest quality
• to come highly recommended: to be praised by another person
• couldn’t put it down: wasn’t able to stop reading a book
• an e-book: a digital book
• an e-reader: a device for reading e-books
• to flick through: to look quickly through a book
• to get a good/bad review: to receive positive or negative feedback
• to go on general release: when a film can be seen by the general public
• hardback: a book with a rigid cover (see ‘paperback’ below)
• a historical novel: a story set in the past
• a low budget film: a film made with a small amount of money
• on the big screen: at the cinema
• a page turner: a book that you want to keep reading
• paperback: a book with a flexible cover (see ‘hardback’ above)
• plot: the main events in a film or book
• to read something from cover to cover: to read a book from the first page to the last
• sci-fi: science fiction
• to see a film: to see a film at the cinema (see ‘watch a film’ below)
• the setting: where the action takes place
• showings: performances of a film
• soundtrack: the music that accompanies a film
• special effects: the visuals or sounds that are added to a film which are
difficult to produce naturally
• to take out (a book from the library): to borrow a book from the library
• to tell the story of: to outline the details of someone’s life or an event
• to watch a film: to watch a film on TV (see ‘to see a film’ above)
1. Do you like to watch the sky?
2. What is the sky like at night in your hometown?
3. Do you like to watch stars?
4. Have you ever taken a course about stars?
5. Is it important to study stars?
6. What’s your favourite star?
Yes, I am really into watching the sky especially at night to count the countless stars when I was a kid. I remember I sometimes laid down in the grass for hours to watch the shining stars when in summer because I was fond of imaging the folk stories about the stars.
Well, as my hometown is a tourism city and there is no any industrial
pollution, the sky is always clean and clear, and I can see the stunning night sky with countless and glittering stars and sometimes even the galaxy. But unfortunately in a metropolis like Beijing light pollution makes the night sky invisible.
No, I have never been in any sorts of courses about stars because actually there was no such courses in the schools or university. But fortunately my grandmother once sent me an encyclopaedia about nature in which there were loads of stories about stars, I got the most of the knowledge about stars from it.
Yes, I believe that astronomy has always had a significant impact on our world view as it can help open our eyes, give context to our place in the cosmos and that can definitely reshape how we see the world.
My favourite star constellation is Orion. It’s very easy to spot on winter nights. Firstly, it has a huge red giant star, which may explode any time soon. Besides, it has a massive blue star which is very young. On top of that it also has a big nebula where new stars are being born – so it has everything!
1. What public holidays do you have in your country?
2. Do people in your country celebrate Christmas?
3. Do you like public holidays?
4. Which public holidays do you like the most?
5. What did you do during the last public holiday?
6. What do other people in your country usually do on public holidays?
7. What would you like to do during then next public holiday?
8. Do you think public holidays are important?
9. Do you think there should be more public holidays in your country?
We celebrate a lot of public festivals in my country. I am sure you know about the Spring Festival which is the most important one. In addition, we get together with our family for the Mid-Autumn Day and the National Day.
Yes, there are so many people in my country, it’s really hard to say, probably most people tend to go shopping with families or friends to take advantage of the sales the shops are offering, but personally speaking, I am afraid we don’t celebrate Christmas like the way in Western countries.
Yes, I am fond of holidays. The main factor is that on these days, I don’t have to work and have plenty of time travelling around to unwind myself and also I will have more consecutive time with my family.
I believe my favourite public holiday would be the National Day because I will
have at least seven days to go travelling and also it’s the best time to go around, the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and the foliage of trees have turned yellow or red, which will give you picturesque views.
It’s kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to go shopping with families or friends to take advantage of the sales the shops are offering, but maybe for others, they probably stay at home for resting.
I believe the public holidays are rather important and there should be more of them in my country. The main factor is that people really need unwind themselves without any distractions after tiring work and also public holidays can dramatically boost consumption as the goods will be sold at a discount during these days.
1. Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)
2. Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take photos? (Why?)
3. How long have you liked taking photographs?
4. How (Why) did you become interested in photography?
5. How often do you take photographs?
6. In what situations do you take photographs?
7. What kind of photos do you like to take?
8. Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?
9. Who do you take photos of?
10. How do you keep your photos?
11. Do you keep your photographs on your computer?
12. Are there any photos on the walls of your home?
13. Do you frame (of have you framed) any of your photos? (If yes, which?&why?)
14. Do you prefer to send postcards to people or to send photos that you took yourself? (Why?)
Yes, I am a big fan of photography in my spare time. I always travel around to the stunning natural scenery with my camera. I have been in the habit of it for almost 8 years. The main factor is that I can capture the precious moment in my life, such as the graduation ceremony, or the sweet moment with my girlfriend, and also I believe the photography will cultivate my mental development.
If I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with taking photos of others because I feel that different people have different characteristic, so the
photos will be distinguishing. Whereas, I barely take a selfie because it will make me embarrassed.
Normally, I’ll probably go with the scenery to take photos because I really enjoy the marvellous natural scenery such as the seashore, sunset and twilight, but if I take my son travelling around, I’ll take photos of him to capture his happiness.
I store my photos both in my computer disk and Internet for backup. And besides I have a photography website running for 4 years, keeping all my premium photos there.
Yes, I used to print some photos of my kid to hang them in his room, which can help us memorise the warm moment we had together.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with my own photos because they are unique and seeing a lot of comments from friends is really a pleasant thing. Whereas postcards are not as meaningful as photos taken by myself.
Describe one of your favourite photographs
You should say:
• When the photograph was taken
• What it looks like
• What significant memory you have regarding this photograph
1. Do you often read newspapers?
2. Which do you prefer reading, magazines or newspapers?
3. What kinds of newspapers (or magazines) do you usually read?
4. How old were you when you first started to read newspapers?
5. Do you think it’s important to read newspapers? (Why?/Why not?)
6. Why do you think people read newspapers?
7. What different types of newspapers are there in China?
8. Do you care about the news?
9. Is the news important to you?
10. What kinds of news do Chinese people read in newspapers?
11. Do you prefer to read about domestic (or local) news or international news? (Why?)
12. What are some methods that newspapers use to attract readers?
13. What influence do you think newspapers have on society?
14. Do you think the internet is a good way to get news?
Not very often. Newspaper always take time to get published so that they are not so updated. Besides, I have to go to the kiosks and spend money to buy newspapers. It’s quite troublesome.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with reading magazines in my spare time because they are well printed and always have in-depth reporting on some particular events; whereas, you know, newspapers always report the same news as the Internet, so they now seem to be not so indispensable.
I’m more interested in newspapers about foreign cultures. I like to learn about their religions, customs, and the foods they eat. Occasionally, foreign news interests me, too. I really like reading scientific related news.
I got the habit of reading newspapers when I was in high school, 18 years old maybe. The library in my school had several kinds of newspapers and magazines so that as long as I had free time, I’d like to go to read some news about the latest political events, sports and fashion news.
Yes, I feel that it’s very important for me and other people to know what happened in the domestic and international events.
It’s kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to read the political news because they are interested in what happens in the domestic country and abroad, but maybe for others, they just care more about the sports and fashion events.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with reading domestic news because they are closer to home, and affects me more; whereas, you know, international news sometimes have nothing to do with my daily life, so I just read the headlines.
Well, I feel that newspaper agents always try to use the bold headings, attractive advertisements, and insights in the article to get the readers’ attention.
Well, I guess that newspapers have a great influence on society. Newspapers keep them informed about economy, political activities, science, education. Besides, it gives a true and correct picture of the society, country. Moreover, they also help us to educate people about their rights and duties.
Yes, getting news from internet is a regular source now because it’s very convenient for me to get news from internet such as mobile phone. The news apps in my mobile phone usually send me the most urgent notifications to me so it keeps me posted
1. What do you think we can learn by studying events of the past?
I think we can learn a lot by studying history. Just as individual people learn from their mistakes, societies can learn from the mistakes made by previous governments or leaders. For example, from what I've read in the newspapers, many economists are looking back to the time of the Great Depression, around 80 years ago, in order to understand the financial crisis that is currently affecting many countries around the world. Even if we don't always learn from mistakes, I think it's fascinating to study history because it gives us an insight into who we are and where we come from.
What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
Maybe the most important things are that friends need to share common interests and be honest with each other. (why?) Friends are people we spend a lot of time with, so it definitely helps if they enjoy doing the same activities or talking about the same topics as we do, and of course we need to be able to trust our friends, so honesty is vital for a good friendship. (alternatives / example?) I think I would struggle to become friends with someone who didn’t have anything in common with me, or who wasn’t reliable or trustworthy.
How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone?
I’d say that it’s essential to spend a bit of time alone, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. (why?) When you have a few minutes to yourself, it’s a chance to take stock and reflect on things. (why?) Most of us live such busy lives that our brains need time to catch up every now and then. (example / alternatives?)
Personally, I try to have a bit of “me time” every day; I’ll go for a coffee or find a quiet place to sit and read the newspaper. If I never had any time alone, I think I’d go mad!
1. Do you like to be alone?
2. What do you like to do when you are alone?
3. Do you like to spend time with your friends or just stay at home on your own?
4. When was the last time you were being alone?
Yes, I’d like to stay alone for some period of time if I have to do something without interruption. But if I have spare time, I would prefer stay with my friends to enjoy the free time.
I really enjoy being alone in the weekend morning, reading some books and playing computer games. During that time, I can do something I am interested in, and don’t have to think about how to brace for the coming problems.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I will probably go with hanging out with my close friends because you need to be sociable in the society and friendship really adds spice to my life; whereas, you know, spending too much being alone is really boring and terrible.
The last time I stayed alone at home was when my wife went on business trip with my child for several days, so I was living, eating, sleeping at home with myself. It’s quite quiet so I can do something at ease.
1) What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is the most important?
I think there are many ways to help others in our local communities. For example, where I live, some people volunteer to run activity clubs for children, or they help out in residential homes for elderly people. Others give money, food or clothes to organisations that support people living below the poverty line. In my opinion, there isn’t a scale of importance when it comes to helping others; all forms of help are positive.
2) Why do you think some people like to help other people?
Most people get a good feeling when they help others, and they understand that we can all experience difficult times in our lives when we might need support. For example, we all grow old, and we all run the risk of losing our jobs or having a health problem that affects our ability to look after ourselves. So, I think people help others because they empathise with them
it would be – comfortable – that’s more important than anything else for me. Given the opportunity I’m happy to just put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or something similar. Obviously, when it’s appropriate or required, then something
more formal, but even then it has to be comfortable.
I don’t really have a favorite store or place where I buy my clothes; it depends on where I find something that I like. It can vary a lot. Sometime I see something I like when I’m in a shopping mall and just buy it and other times maybe while I’m in a supermarket, if they have a clothes department, I have a quick look and see if there’s anything that catches my eye. The internet can be good sometimes as well, if you can be sure that it will fit you and you know the brand – it can save you a lot of time, and sometimes money too.
I don’t really buy clothes that often. Maybe every three or four months or so; it depends on what I need. I’m not a great fan of clothes shopping as an activity – I never seem to find anything I like if I set out to look for something specific. I usually end up buying clothes when I’m looking for something else.
Generally, I choose my clothes depending on their function. If it’s just something casual then I generally like plain colors; black, blue, grey or something similar. I don’t really like patterns or checks or things like that, and I can’t be bothered coordinating everything to match, so it’s a lot easier if everything goes together…it’s simpler that way. As I said before, comfort comes before anything else. Fashionable clothes aren’t so important but they should be stylish. I guess you could say I’m quite conservative. I don’t really spend that much time or money on clothes, the price isn’t really a consideration if I see something I like - I usually buy it, irrespective of the price.
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1. What’s your favourite colour?
2. Are there any colours you dislike (Why?)
3. Are colours important to you?
4. Were colours important to you when you were a child?
5. When you are buying something, is the colour important to you?
6. Do you usually wear clothes in your favourite colour?
7. Is colour very important to you when you are buying clothes?
8. Do you prefer light or dark (or, bright) colours?
9. Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your country?
10. What colour would you choose to paint the walls of your room?
11. Is there any colour you would not want your walls to be? (Why?)
12. Do you think different types of people like different colours?
My favourite colour is blue, it is the colour of depth and stability. Blue symbolises wisdom, confidence and intelligence. And I don’t like the pink because it is too girly.
I suppose so. You know, different colour conveys different meaning to people. Red represents passion and enthusiasm while green means energetic. So I always choose the suitable colours for things.
Well, yes, I have several clothes in blue, which can bring calm and tranquil feelings to me. I believe that blue is always fashionable in men’s outfit.
If I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with dark because I believe dark represents stability and wisdom, for example I always choose the dark outfit in my office to highlight my profession, whereas light suits juvenile better.
Yes, there are many colours that have special meaning in my country such as black, which would make people think of mystery. Also like red, it means lucky and good fortune in China, when it is New Year, people like to wear red clothes, set red firecrackers and give red pocket money to children.
I would like to paint my walls in light yellow or light blue because light colours convey warm and calm to me which should be suitable for household.
Yes, I believe different people have different psychological demand for colours. Some need peace of mind, whereas others may feel like energetic and rebellious.
1. Do you often write things?
2. Do you write everyday?
3. What do you usually write?
4. Do you like writing to people?
5. How often do you send e-mails?
6. What are your main reasons for using e-mails?
7. Do you like to send e-mails?
8. Do you usually write by hand or write using a computer?
9. Nowadays, how do most people write things?
10. Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
11. When do children begin to write in your country?
12. How did you learn to write?
13. Do you think handwriting is very important (nowadays)?
14. How can children today improve (or, practice) their handwriting?
15. What impression does a person’s handwriting have on other people?
Yes, I almost write documentaries for my clients as part of my job on a daily basis. There are many things I have to write, for example, I usually write end user training for my clients to teach them how to use the system, or I write the development guide for my technical staffs to tell them how to code.
Yes, I’m really into communicating with my clients in emails. I send emails to them almost on a daily basis in my office, discussing business, guiding them how to use the system and solving the problems. I feel like sending emails because I can trace the communication by mail list, which is much more useful than telephone.
If I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go with writing things with a computer. I believe that in the age of fast living and a culture of convenience, writing things with computers can bring people convenience and efficiency. Whereas, hand writing is really time consuming and hard to share.
Well, there are so many people in my country, it’s really hard to say, probably most people write something with computers, for example, people like to write blogs to share their feelings with friends on the internet, but personally speaking, I don’t think that writing without pens can be called writing.
In China, children usually learn to write in elementary school. They firstly learn the basic elements of the Chinese characters, then the simple characters, and finally the complicated ones. They will have to do a lot of writing practises to remember them. The more they practise, the better they write.
Yes, I feel that handwriting can allow people to get more opportunities because if you have a decent handwriting, people will admire you and you are considered to be both well-educated and literate.
1. Do you like to watch films?
2. Do you prefer foreign films or Chinese films?
3. How often do you go to a cinema or watch a movie?
4. Do Chinese people like to go to a cinema to watch a film?
5. What kinds of movies do you like best?
6. What was the first film that you watched?
I’m really into watching films because some films are very entertaining and provoking. I sometimes go to cinema with my friends and family to enjoy our leisure time in the weekends.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I will probably go with the foreign
films, especially the Hollywood films because most of them are well-acted, with lots of charismatic celebrities and always are enormous box-office hit; whereas you know, the Chinese films are almost low-budget, so they are not as attractive as their American counterparts.
I go to cinema to watch movies from time to time. Normally if I’m not busy with my work, I’ll check out the movies to see whether there are any movies that attract me; but if I have lots of things on my hands, I’ll probably focus on my work.
It’s kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to like watching movies in the cinema, but maybe for others, they just prefer stay at home and watch TV programmes.
As for me, I like the drama films the best because sometimes they just tell simple but warm and heartfelt stories with provoking endings, which would touch on my deepest emotions.
The first film that I watched was the The Lion King many years ago in the cinema with my parents. What I can remember now is the terrific animation and the amazing soundtrack. I particularly liked the song Can You Feel the Love Tonight that I knew it was produced by Elton John later. And I’d learned lessons from this movies. It was about living up to our responsibilities, no matter how hard it is.
1. How do you usually spend your weekends?
2. In your country, do men and women usually do the same kind of things on weekends?
3. When do you spend time with your family?
4. What do you usually do on weekends?
5. What did you do last weekend?
6. What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends?
7. What are you going to do next weekend?
8. Is there anything new that you’d like to do on weekends?
9. Do you like working on weekends?
10. Do you think employees should have to work on weekends?
11. Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?
Normally I’ll go out to some stunning natural sceneries to let off steam with my family or friends on weekends; but if it’s not sunny, I’ll stay at home for the
whole weekend. Mostly I just use the internet to kill time.
I guess some men play sports while women may just do housework. So men may probably do things to their own interest, by contrast, women spend more time for their families.
I always spends the whole weekends with my family. I barely work on weekends.
Last weekend, I took my son to the Beijing Botanic Garden to go around to see the various plants. Besides we went into the greenhouse exhibition of plants which is very remarkable.
Well, there are so many people in my hometown, it’s really hard to say, probably most people tend to stay at home to enjoy the family time, but personally speaking, I guess there are not much entertaining facilities in my small hometown for people to go.
Next week, I plan to go to do some shopping because as the Spring Festival is just around the corner, I need to go to some super markets to prepare some food and other groceries; besides, I have to buy some new clothes for my family for the coming new year, it’a an old Chinese tradition.
Yes, actually I’ve been thinking about going to the gym on Saturdays. I have to do some exercise, I’m so out of shape now!
Absolutely no! That’s crazy. I have to relax no matter what. Weekends are not for work
If I were an employee, I would think this is a horrible idea. Employees are human, we all deserve to have some off-work time.
Yes, the main factor is that after five-day of hard work, I really need some leisure time to let off steam, or travel around to experience the stunning natural scenery. Whereas, when I was a kid, I had plenty of time to play, every day was almost the same.
Well, not really, when I was a child I just spent all my weekends playing but now I have lots of other things I need to worry about, sometimes I have to stay at home to study, so you know when I was a child I enjoyed weekends a lot more than now
. How much TV do you (usually) watch?
2. What’s your favourite TV programme?
3. Did you watch much TV when you were a child?(How much?)
4. What(types of) programmes did you watch when you were a child?
5. Do you think television has changed in the past few decades?
6. (Possibly) Do you think television has changed since you were a child?
7. Has television changed your life in any way?
Seldom. I only turn on the TV to watch the football match on weekends. That is once a week. I am a big fan of football so I watch a lot of football matches. It’s exciting and entertaining to see how players push their limits to win the games. Besides I enjoy watching movies, especially when I connect my computer to the TV screen and watch the High Definition movies on bed, it is really enjoyable at night. Lately I have tried to watch the BBC programmes, because it is all in English and it can improve my listening for my IELTS exams.
Oh, yes, I was a really a couch potato when I was a little boy. When on weekends, my parents went out to do other things, I was left alone at home with TV all day long. Therefore, I was deeply obsessed with various TV programmes, even including the adverts. I can still remembered the favourite cartoons like Transformer, Tom and Jerry, Dragon Ball, etc, which all went along through my childhood.
Yes, as the techniques have advanced in these years, the TV has also developed a lot. They have become thinner and clearer to be exact. I remembered that old TV screen was made with plasma panel, making the whole TV heavy and big. Then the LCD technology and the LED display come out lately, making the TV thinner and lighter while we can enjoy brighter and clearer programmes.
I believe that watching TV has benefited me in some way, as well as bringing me some detrimental consequences. Watching TV programmes had enabled me to broaden my vision as I was born and raised in a small county and there were many places and things I had no opportunities to experience. But the TV had helped me to see them. But spending too much time in front of TV also made me addicted to it and did harm to my eyes unfortunately. So I had to wear glasses since middle school.
1. What’s the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?
2. How often do you take buses?
3. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
4. Is driving to work popular in your country?
5. Do you think people will drive more in the future?
6. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
7. What will become the most popular means of transportation in China?
8. Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?
Well, I guess people in my hometown always ride bike to go work or somewhere else because my hometown is a small town and it’s very convenient
to go out by bike.
I barely go out by bus because I have my own car now, so I always go somewhere by car.
Well, between the two, travelling by planes is relatively very fast, for example, it just takes three hours for me to go between Beijing and Shanghai which covers distance of 1500 kilometres; on the contrary, travelling by trains is an increasingly cost-effective alternative to planes, particularly if I’m going a relatively short distance.
Yes, people that I know around me tend to go to work by car because it’s very convenient to drive, but I believe that maybe for others, they just take buses to office because it’s cheap and always on time.
Yes, I believe that as people earn more money and lead a better life, they will tend to buy cars for their families, and apparently drive cars to offices.
Oh no, it’s impossible to ride bike to work because you know, Beijing is a big city, I always drive about 20 kilometres to office, so I’ll be late if I ride bike.
I believe private transportation will be the most popular means of transportation in my country because as people get richer in the following years, people will tend to buy cars for their families and business for various purposes, and obviously China has already become the biggest vehicles market in the world.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I’ll probably go to work by my own car because apparently it’s much more comfortable than in the crowned bus or subway
1. Do many people visit your town?
1. Thousands of tourists visit every summer. They come from the capital
city mostly to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are more and more international tourists visiting because lots of scenes from the TV show ‘Game of Thrones’ were shot just outside the village
1. Do you like to watch sports on TV?
2. Do you play any sports?
3. Do you have a favourite sports star?
4. What’s the most popular sports in China?
5. What kind of sports would you like to try in the future?
6. Have you ever tried any dangerous sports?
Yes, I’m really into watching sports on TV because it entertains me a lot. Besides, I like seeing other people do the things that I can’t do and wish I could do.
Yes, I sometimes play football with my friends in the garden during the weekends’ morning to get some exercises.
I feel that my favourite sports star is Messi who is a forward in Barcelona. He is the perfect blend of speed, strength, skill and toughness. He is also an icon in the modern football.
I guess the most popular spectator sport in China is basketball. Basketball is also played by many young people, mainly boys, for basketball courts are easy to find and it doesn’t require specific facility or expensive equipment other than a basket and a ball.
Well, I guess what I’ll try in the future is the tennis because it can help me build my strength and improve my flexibility and balance. Besides, tennis is social, it’s a sport I can enjoy with friends if I play regularly.
Oh, no, though my life is quite a bit boring, I’m too scared to do any extreme sports because I don’t think I have enough guts to put myself in the difficult situations.
1. What do you think are the functions of rivers nowadays?
Rivers have various functions. In the UK, they were probably more important in the past because they were used for the transportation of goods, but I suppose this is still the case in many parts of the world. Rivers can be used as a source of
renewable energy in the production of hydro-electric power, and they are also a source of fresh water for drinking and irrigation. Leisure activities are another function: fishing, canoeing, swimming, bathing... I'm sure there are many other things I haven't thought of.
2. What do you think of boats and ships as forms of transportation?
I'm not really a fan of boats and ships. If I'm going abroad, I like to get to my destination quickly, so I prefer travelling by plane. Of course, ships are vital for the transportation of oil and other heavy cargo.
3. Why do some people like to live near rivers, lakes or the sea?
Well, the view is probably a major factor; most people like to look out to sea, or across a river or lake. I'd much prefer to look out of my window onto a natural landscape than an apartment building in a city. Then there's the lifestyle: if you live by the sea, for example, you can lie on the beach, go for a swim, or do water sports like surfing or waterskiing. I definitely wouldn't mind living near a beach at some point in my life!
Describe a useful APP on phones, computers or tablets you know.
You should say:
what the app is
how long you have used it
what it is used for
and explain why you think it is useful.
1. Is it convenient to use an APP?
2. What are the drawbacks about using an APP?
3. Is using an APP more acceptable for the young people than the old?
Yes, current apps in the mobile devices are definitely user friendly. For example, when you want to take a picture, you just click the icon of that app, point to the people or landscape that you want, and then click the virtual shutter on the display to shot. The pictures will be saved in the devices automatically.
Well, I think it is fair to say that there are a few negative aspects with regard to these apps. I guess the most unfavourable quality would be that people will indulge themselves into the virtual world, rather than interacting with others in the real world. For instance, there are several social network apps that attract users so much that they are addicted to chat with online friends but neglect to communicate with people nearby. As well as this, an additional limitation may be that these apps would to some extent leak the users’ privacy. On top of that, another shortcoming of using app too much is that it will do harm to people’s
eyesights, especially for children.
Yes, I feel that young people will find much easier to handle them than the old for a couple of reasons. First of all, young people would like to try new things and learn them very fast. For example, I still remembered that I spent a week learning the computer programme language to draw a Super Mario in my computer when I was in elementary school. As well as that, I believe most of these apps spring up to cater to the young people, such as the social network, mobile games, music; whereas there is a limited range of apps that designed for old people, like news particularly.
1. Do you like trees?
2. Are there any important trees in your country?
3. Is there a forest near your hometown?
4. Would you like to live in a place that has a lot of trees?
5. Where can one find trees (or forests) in your country?
6. Do you think places with trees attract more visitors than places with few trees?
7. Did you ever climb trees when you were a child?
8. Have you ever planted a tree?
9. Do you think more people should plant trees?
10. Do you think we should plant more trees?
11. Do you think trees are important?
12. What would you say are the benefits of having trees?
13. Do you think we need to protect trees?
Yes, I am a tree lover because trees let me breath better, without them I couldn’t survive any longer.
There are many important trees in my country. The use of bamboo, for example, can be ranged from furniture making to building construction. Besides, the weeping willow trees symbolise the new hope in ancient China, therefore, there are many poem complimenting them.
Yes. It’s just the world-renowned Huangshan Mountain with various kinds of trees living there, the most famous one are pine trees.
Yes, I’m really into getting close to nature cos I believe it’s the most healthy and natural way of living. Although it’s unreasonable to have such lifestyle in Beijing now, I still hold that dream in my life.
I guess trees can be easily seen in my country. If you are in cities, there are always many sycamore trees along the streets; or if you are in the suburb areas, you will see forests in various sizes.
Well, yes. Obviously places with lots of trees are more shady, cooler, more humid and much less windy, therefore, people will feel more comfortable and more likely to get close to nature.
Yes, of course. There are many trees in my community when I was a kid, I always climbed trees to get higher or to seek the birds’ eggs.
Yes, once. I remembered when my middle school once organised hiking in a mountainous area, we planted several saplings in the forest, and I guess they have grown up into big trees already.
Yes, I believe more trees should be planted both in and outside the cities because they can absorb the pollutant gases and provide enough oxygen; besides, tree can save water and prevent soil erosion. Therefore, trees are critically important to keep our eco-system balanced. We are supposed to not only plant more trees, but protect the existing ones.
1. Do you text someone if he doesn’t answer your phone?
2. Is there any chance when texting someone is better than calling him?
3. Have you ever had difficulty replying?
4. How often do you send text messages?
Yes, when my friends can’t answer my phone, I will text him to let him know and wait for his reply.
I believe when the person answering the phone is having a conference or in a cinema, it’s better to text him instead of having a telephone call.
Yes, I remember when I have to refuse some requests of friends, I have to think carefully about how to reply for a long time.
I almost send text messages on a daily basis. I always text my friends and family to greet, chat and make a travelling plan.
1. What is your favourite food?
2. When do you usually eat that food?
3. What was your favourite food when you were a child?
4. Did that change when you became an adult?
5. Is food important to you?
6. What food do you usually eat?
7. What kind of food do you particularly like?
8. How often do you eat that?
9. When was the last time you ate that?
10. If you had children, what food would you recommend?
11. Do you usually eat the same food every day?
12. Is there any food you don’t like?
The fish is my favourite, especially with red hot chilies, cos it is so tasty and colourful and beside fish is nutritious too. I will cook it myself at home during the weekends for my family.
When I was a child, I liked the food made by my mother. She was an expert at cooking, and the fish was my favourite. I’m still fond of eating fish when I became an adult, and now I always cook it myself at home during the weekends for my family, once a week maybe.
Yes, definitely. I believe good food is very important because it is not only very tasty, but could also guarantee our health.
In general, I eat a lot of rice and vegetables every day. And once a week, I will cook a fish myself at home during the weekends for my family which is my favourite.
I always tell my son to eat more fresh vegetables and fish because they are healthier and more nutritious than meat, but he just fancies meat the most.
No, it will be boring to eat the same food every day. I also like noodles, dumpling, and sometimes I eat pizza and curry which are both delicious.
I’m really not into Japanese food because they are sometimes cold, or even are raw food, like sushi. I once bought them in the supermarket, but the taste really disgusted me.
1. How often do you like to hang out with friends?
2. Who do you usually like to hang out with?
3. Where do you like to go when you hang out with your friends?
4. Do you like to go out with a big group or just few friends?
I hang out with my friends to somewhere from time to time. Normally if we have lots of time in the weekends, we will go to the cinema to watch movies with our kids to have a good time; but if we don’t have plenty of time, we’ll just have dinner together in a restaurant.
Usually I’d like to hang out with one of my close friends. Actually we live in the same community so we can meet frequently. Besides, both of our kids are in the same class in the kindergarten, so we’d like to take them to the park or playground together.
Well, that depends. We sometimes go to the restaurants to enjoy the tasty food if someone finds a
decent place; and if we have plenty of time, we’d like to plan a hike or camp in the nearby forest park to enjoy the natural life. That would be a very memorable experience.
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I will probably go with hanging out with a big group people because I feel that I am an extrovert, I like to meet different people to know about different kinds of life and make myself more sociable; whereas, you know, with few people around, it would be hard to find something interesting to do, such as travelling, hiking, etc.
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