Name
1 Who gave you your name ? / What’s the origin of your name?
My name is named after a famous figure who my parents really admire and they really hope that I can turn out to be exactly like her in the future. Soyeah, I guess both of them agreed upon the name.
2. Do you think your name is special?
Actually, the name is fairly common in my country. You would be pretty surprised at how many girls here are named . But, in a sense, this name is special to me because my parents gave it to me and it will stay with me for my whole life.
3. Do you like your name?
Definitely yes! It’s a simple, yet meaningful name to me. Say if you ask me whether I would like to change my name into another one, my answer would be a big no.
4. What do your friends call you?
It really depends. Most of my close friends prefer to call me by my nickname, “Num”. Meanwhile, others just use my first name.
5. Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you were a child?
When I was born, I had been crying for more than 2 hours. Therefore, my parents decided to call me Crocodile, which turned out to be my nickname afterwards. It is such a funny name which still makes me embarrassed when my parents call my nickname in front of my friends.
Dictionary
1. Do you use dictionary?
I’ve got to say yes. As a learner of English as a second language, a dictionary is something that you can’t live without. It’s a must-have item if people want to enhance their English proficiency.
2. Which kind of dictionaries do you prefer to use?
Personally speaking, I make use of both monolingual and bilingual dictionaries. Oxford dictionary is often my first choice as it tops others in its provision of a wealth of entries with accuracy. However, when I can’t get the hang of a word’s meaning, I’d go for an English – [your language] dictionary since everything would clear up if I grasp the meaning in my mother tongue.
3. Do you think the dictionary is useful?
I can’t agree with you more. A dictionary is part and parcel of language acquisition process. With a dictionary, either in paper or online forms, it’s possible to look up words that you’re unfamiliar instantly, and there’re loads of examples which are written in different contexts so that users can applywhat they’ve learnt appropriately.
4. If someone gave you a dictionary as a gift, how would you feel? I’m a real sucker for paper dictionary, so if someone gave me one, I would feel elated as it means a lot to me. Although e-dictionary is being thein-thing today, I can’t resist the feeling of folding a paper dictionary and look up the words I don’t know. 5. Do you think it would be interesting to be a part of a team thatis writing a dictionary?
Composing is not my strong forte, and it seems a big responsibility when you are doing a big task like that. Instead of feeling thrilled to bits, I would feel scared out of my mind as I might give the wrong definitions.
Sleeping
1. When do you usually get up?
Well, I have to say that I kinda an early bird. I often call it a day early in the evening despite the redundant amount of workload and I would get into full gear and get stuff done the next day.
2. How long do you think it’s healthy to sleep?
It kind of depends on which age you are. For elderly people, approximately 4-5 hours will suffice as they don’t have to exert too much physically during theday. For younger people, 8 hours of sleep would recharge their batteries for the next working day.
3. How many hours do you spend on sleeping every day?
Usually I sleep for seven to eight hours every day in order to let my body relax. But if I have to learn for a big exam or prepare for some imperative tasks on the following day, I will burn the midnight oil.
4. Is it necessary to take a nap every day?
Yes, I believe having a short siesta after lunch, maybe for about half an hour, would bebeneficial to our bodies to concentrate fully on learning and working in the afternoon. For example, when I suffer from inadequate sleep, I may feel too dizzy and exhausted to do anything but after taking a short nap, I feel much more refreshed and full of energy.
5. What time do you usually go to bed?
Well, I usually go to bed at around 1 .pm every night after I have done all of my homework. I set a regular bedtime and try my best to stick to it so as to feelmost refreshed when getting up as well as avoid sleep disorders such asinsomnia.
6. Do you always have a good sleep?
No, not really. I can’t fall asleep when there is too much noise surrounding me from barking dogs, disturbing neighbors and city traffic and it makes me toss
Transportation
1. What’s the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?
Without any doubt I would say motorbikes. Almost everyone travels by motorbike. The reason why motorbike is so popular I think is due to their reasonable price and convenience. They also extremely varied in terms of size, color and quality, thus a wide variety of choices is available for everyone.
Vocabulary
2. How often do you take buses?
Almost every day. Since my house is so far away from my university, it’s impossible for me to travel by motorbike. In addition, the air is heavilypolluted by exhaust fumes and traffic jams always take place, especiallyduring peak hours. Thus, I’d prefer to take the bus, to save time, save gasoline and causing less pollution.
3. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
Planes and trains regularly depart and arrive on time. Plus, there are many convenient facilities catering particularly to certain groups of passengers.
4. Is driving to work popular in your country?
Although cars themselves and gasoline are expensive, a lot of people prefer driving, possibly because driving is more comfortable in such weather, with such polluted and noisy surroundings.
5. Do you think people will drive more in the future?
If you’re talking about India, no, I don’t think it’s possible, even in the future. Cars and gasoline are becoming unaffordable for many people these days. Plus, the transport infrastructurein various regions in India is not appropriate for cars.
Magazines
1. What magazines are popular now?
Magazines on entertainment sell well, for many people are keen on reading reports about the pop singers and film stars. In addition, I figure out that magazines about dressing and makeup are popular, because more and more people beginning to pay attention totheir appearance, and reading magazines is a convenient way to learn something on this.
2. What are the differences between men and women in reading magazines?
Men and women are usually interested in different things. For most women, fashion is the most important thing, so they like reading fashion magazines.For the vast majority of men, magazines about automobiles, electronicproducts, and sports are very attractive.
3. Do people in the countryside generally read the same kinds of magazines as people in the cities?
I don’t know this well, but I think probably they read similar magazines. But maybe city people pay more attention to fashion, so they will tend to read more fashion magazines and people in the countryside read more magazines about farming and gardening because they have enough land for them to do these.
Phone Apps
1. What kinds of apps do you often use?
I gravitate towards online apps and I have downloaded a bunch of appsfrom Google Play Store. Out of the many ones, the one that I often make use of very now and then is the Oxford Dictionary that I purchased years ago. On top of that, recently I have been playing the guitar, so I have also installed the app E- chord on my phone for chord reference.
2. What mobile app do you want to have?
Currently, I’m longing forthe Collins Thesaurus Dictionary, but it costs an arm and a leg so for the time being I’m unable to make a purchase. I’m setting aside some money to make my little dream come true.
3. Do you want to make your own app?
I haven’t thought of this, really. If I were to make an app, it should be educational. The likelihood is that I might create some apps that teach people
Outdoor Activities
1. How often do you go outside every week?
It’s not a certain thing though. When I am free of worries about test or homework, I could go outside a lot, such as going shopping or hanging outwith my friends. But when I am busy with my studying or test preparation, I could stay at school for weeks.
2. Do you spend enough time doing outdoor activities?
I should not say enough. You know, I’m a senior in college, so I have mypapers to write, I have the IELTS exam to prepare for, and I love to stay with my classmates for the already-limited time on the campus. So I do not have many chances to take part in outdoor activities this term.
3. What’s the amount of exercise that modern people do?
A lot of people care about their physical health and would go to fitness centers or do outdoor activities regularly. However, a lot of others also tend to stay at home more and might be too lazy to work out regularly. It’s really bad for their health.
4. What kind of outdoor activity do you often do?
I usually go hiking and play badminton in the park during my spare time. Ithink hiking is good for my health and can help me get close to the nature. Playing badminton is good for me to stretch my arms after a whole day’s workor study.
5. What’re the advantages of outdoor activities?
Outdoor activities are good for children. They could help children developtheir physical potential and can also teach children teamwork skills through some group activities. Nowadays, children usually need to study a lot. If they can get outside to breathe some fresh air, I believe they can work moreeffectively.
Physical Exercises
1. Do you often do exercises?
I’m sort of a sporty guy/girl and work out at the gym day in, day out tokeep myself in the pink. Compared with others at my age, I must admit that I’m as fit as a fiddle.
2. What kinds of exercises do you do?
As a rule, I work out at the gym on a regular basis. I lift weights, run on the treadmill or do some push-ups and press-ups. These exercises are quite exhausting but it is really good to build muscle and burn fat.
3. In the future, do you want to try some new ways of exercises?I’d prefer to take up jogging in the morning; it’s quite a recommended way to work out in the morning. However, for the time being, because of my workload and laziness, waking up early is out of the question.
Music & Pop stars
1 Who is your favorite singer?
My idol singer would have to be Adele. Her voice is so pouching and melodious that I can’t stand listening to her tracks when I manage some free time. In fact, she is a widely acclaimed pop singer in the world.
2. Do you want to see her concert?
For certain, I have been to many of her concerts, and I’d have to say that her performances were superb. Although a ticket price was a bit unaffordable for me, I made it to her concert eventually.
3. What’s your attitude towards pop singer?
They are celebrities and bring great entertainment to our lives. Theirsongs help lift up our spirits or recharge our energies when we’re stressed out in our work or studies. So I’d have to say that without pop singers, lives would be monotonous and stressful, indeed.
4. Do you like concert or listen to album?
I would rather go to a concert rather than listen a list of recorded songs. The reason behind this is that you can see the singer in real life and interact with the crowd, immerse yourselves in the dynamic music at the concert. This I think is more enjoyable than staying at home on your own.
5. Do you want to be a pop singer?
I’m quite poor at singing, so the thought of becoming a singer has never crossed my mind yet. I’d better sing at a karaoke room instead. On top ofthis, the life of a celebrity is quite tough, you have to sacrifice your privacy to be in the limelight.
6. Do you like to go to the concert?
I love socializing with others and going to a concert is amongst the manyways I can relish the lively atmosphere. On top of that, if one of myfavorite bands is going on a concert tour, I would definitely go the extramile to get hold of a ticket, no matter how expensive it is.
7. Would you want to be a celebrity in the future?
I don’t know actually, because obviously it would be nice to be adored everywhere you go, and have lots of VIP treatment travelling around the world. That would be quite nice! But I think there would be a lot of downsides aswell, for example lack of privacy, the paparazzi. So I think all thingsconsidered, I probably wouldn’t want to be a celebrity.
Flats/Houses/Accommodation
1. Do you like a house or a flat/ an apartment?
I believe most people would prefer to have their own house rather than to rent a place and so do I. Hence, if I have my way, a house with a small gardenwould be my choice since I don’t enjoy the constant disturbance from next-door apartments and elevator rides everytime coming home.
2. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
For the past 21 years I have lived in a house with my family. And I think if I can move out and start making a living on my own, I would try my best to have an independent place where I can plan and design a house layout tosuit myself since sharing a room or a flat with strangers sounds so troublesome to me.
3. What do you usually do in your house/flat/room?
Well definitely I’ll spend some me-time there. I study, I chill out by reading, drawing and dancing all by myself. Sometimes I also invite one or two friends to spend time with. We’ll watch some movies together and telleach other endless stories.
4. Who do you live with?
I live with my family. There are 5 of us and we all have our own room, which is way more comfortable as the older we grow, the more privacy we need for ourselves. I think our house is big enough for us yet still a warm and cozy place that I call home.
5. How long have you lived there?
Although during my childhood my family had to move a lot, I’ve lived in the most recent house for almost ten years. Comparing to the old houses, I think this house has been the best so far.
6. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
The answer would be yes if the respondent is my parents, since moving in and out is too time-consuming and exhausting. Cleaning and arranging everything all over again would be like torture to them. For me, on the other hand, as I’m thinking of moving out to start my adult life, hopefully soon I’ll be able to afford to live in a flat or an apartment.
7. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?
As I’ve already mentioned my family moved several times when I was younger. And the most current house where we’ve been living for about ten years is the best house so far. All of us have separate rooms for our need of privacy yet a big dining room where we can spend the whole evenings together watching TV or having dinner.
8. Can you describe the place where you live?/ Please describethe room you live in
Briefly, my humble house locates in a small and quite street, so coming home to me is like all the craziness happened outside is left behind. Just beside my house stands a big old tree. I have my own room with walls painted violet,which is kinda a peaceful color. The air outside is fresh. I usually open the window to enjoy the wind and sunshine, which will help cool down my roomwithout an air conditioner. Since I spend most of my time staying at home, my room means the whole world to me. It’s like a friend who is always there to share ups and downs with me. So yeah, I would always miss my house, my room whenever I’m away.
9. Which part of your home do you like the most?
It’s the dining room where my family spends our time together. Not only lunch or dinner but all our family reunions take place in the dining room wherewe can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere. We always try to keep the familydinner as something we cannot go a day without, since for us it’s the familybonding that lies behind.
10. Why do you think some people invest a huge amount ofmoney in buying houses?
People certainly have different reasons to buy a property. I believe the most important one is privacy. You will gain much more independence and freedom to refurbish the place as you please since you are the owner. Besides, it would create a pride of ownership. No matter how small or big your house is, it is yours to renovate or brag about.
Staying at home
1. Do you like to go out or stay at home?
If I were to take a pick, I’d opt for staying at home on my own because I loathe the hustle and bustle of city life. Going out is also time-consuming, meaning that I have to groom myself carefully beforehand. By contrast, I can idle mytime away when being at home.
2. How much time do you spend at home?
I’m a full-time worker, so I’m only at home in the evening, it’s quite a pity, you know. I wish I had more time to spare at home for my families.
3. What do you do at home?
After getting home from work, I’m just too dead beat to do somethingstrenuous, So, I just hold my smartphone and log into Facebook to catch up on what has been going during the day.
4. What did you do at home when you were a child?
When I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I used to play with the toys that my mother gave me, nothing really special. I simply love the company of myself
Computer and the Internet
1. How often do you use computer?
Almost every day, I have to admit. Computer is part and parcel of my daily routine. Not only is it used in my work and study, I can let my hair down a bit browsing for stuff on the social networks or listening to some music which suits my taste.
2. What kinds of computers are popular in your country?
There are 2 kinds that are being widely used in my country: the first one is desktop computer and the second is laptop. Out of these two, I would saylaptop is much more convenient since it’s portable and can be so useful for school projects or on business trips.
3. What do you usually use your computer for?
Frankly speaking, I often put the top priority on my study, so I am morelikely to download all the materials and do my own self-study most of the time. After tiring myself out with reading, I can log on some webs and listen to my favoritesongs to chill out a bit.
4. Who taught you how to use a computer?
I learnt it on my own really. At first, I was pretty absorbed in computer games and through those, I acquired how to type and control the mouse. Since then, I have been more serious and took a course in computing skills.
5. Do you think computers have changed your life a lot?
Yes, definitely. It is part of my daily routines and I rely on it so much that Ican’t live without it you know. Imagine computer would disappear, imaginethe social networking websites would somehow be nowhere to be seen, life onearth would be meaningless.
6. How do you get on the internet?
Well, there’re actually two computers in my home. And I use a router so that two computers can get online at the same time. Recently, I have bought asmart phone, which can also enable me to get online even when I’m outside.
7. Is the internet very popular in your country?
The internet is the in thing in our country. Now, we use the internet in every aspect of our life. We use it to entertain and search for information. It’s also a very important way for us to communicate with each other. To be honest, because of the internet, I haven’t written a real letter for more than ten years.
8. How can people learn things on the internet?
A lot of people post their own experiences on the internet and sometimes, you could also find some video clips that teach you how to do things. For me, I love reading Wikipedia to gain knowledge and solve my questions. Also, a lot of people use online courses to get their degrees without going to the campus, which is really convenient for our life.
1. Do you like swimming?
Swimming is definitely my favorite sport. It brings me such a great sense of freedom that no other activity can allow me. I’ve found that swimming is the most effective way to take my mind off things that are troubling me.
2. Is it difficult to learn how to swim?
I think it is not hard to learn how to swim, once you have become confident in submerging whilst still standing on the pool floor, then your fear of water orfear of swimming is well and truly on the way to being conquered. Learning toswim from there is a piece of cake.
Advertisements
1. Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?
I guess it’s due to the benefits of the companies. First, advertisements are the easiest way to reach the customers to attract their attentions to a particular brand or product. From that attractive information, customers will be able to choose an appropriate one. Second, it also plays a crucial role in marketing strategy that the company apply to attract customers.
2. What are the various places where we see advertisements? Advertising is here, there, and every where. It gets to people through different types of communication such as flyers and banners on the streets or printed ones on newspaper, magazines or electronic ones on social media. It could be written, verbal or a short movie.
Here, there, and every where (expression)everywhere
Time Management & Punctuality
1. How do you organize you time?
I often prioritize things that matter to me most, in the order of urgencyand importance. Usually, I often spend the evening planning out what to do the next day.
2. Do you think young people organize their time in the sameway?No, it depends on each individual. Some prefer to have no plans at allas they can improvise quite well no matter what situations. For me, I alwaysplan out my schedule in advance as I’m a safe guy/girl and don’t want to take risks. 3. Are you ever late for anything?
Yes I had a few times late last week for work, but I didn’t get into big trouble because most of the time I was early.
4. How do you feel when you are late for an appointment?
I really don’t like to keep others waiting. I feel very apologetic and guilty ofnot being punctual. Usually I’m late because I’m trying to fit too many things into my schedule.
Meals
1. When do you often have meals?
As a rule, I have three basic meals a day. Although I’m quite tied up at work, I do manage to grab a bite once in a while like some snacks or fruits to recharge my own batteries.
2. Who do you often have meals with?
With my family, of course. We’re currently living under the same roof, andshare meals with one another every dinner. When I’m at work, my colleagues and I often sit together at the same table and have lunch while exchanging casual pieces of gossip.
3. Do you cook at home or eat outside?
In my circumstance, my mother’s a housewife and she has plenty of time for household chores and meal preparation. Having said this, once in ablue moon when she’s feeling a bit under the weather, our family would dine out at some classy restaurants for a change of atmosphere.
4. Do you still like the same food that you liked while being a child?
I’m afraid no. people’s taste changes as time goes by. If I rememberrightly, I used to be a big fan of beef since I was knee high to a grasshopper, but this is a different story now. I like chicken more and stayaway from red meat as much as possible. After all, there’s no accounting fortaste.
1 Are public gardens very important in your country?
Yes, absolutely. This is simply because people can enjoy a great time with their friends or families in public gardens via some activities like going for astroll or looking at the beautiful flowerbeds.
2. Are there many public gardens in your country?
Not much I have to say. People tend to be so tied up at the workplace or at school, therefore, there is no need to have many public gardens, from the government’s perspective.
3. Do you think there are enough public gardens in your hometown?
I think it’s pretty enough as I am more concerned about the quality rather than the quantity. And most of the public gardens in the place where I am living, which is also my hometown, offer me a great experience you know, looking at the beautiful plants and flowers every time I tire myself out.
School
1. How old are you when you started school?
Well, to the best of my recollection, I attended kindergarden at the age of four. And then when I turned six, I entered primary school.
2. Where did you go to school?
I lived on the outskirt of town ages ago, so I entered a primary andsecondary school in my little town. But when I got into high school, my parentsdecided to move to live in the city so that I could study in a more prestigiousschool with modern facilities.
3. How did you get to school each day?
My school was within walking distance so I just walked there. My parents also bought me a bike so that I could get to the school easily, but I preferred to go by foot as a means of taking exercises to strengthen my lower body.
4. Did you enjoy it?
Yes, for sure. Unlike some of my friends who had aversion to school andjust wanted to play truant from school, I just really loved to go to school everyday. Maybe the reason is that I was eager to learn new things from my teachers and friends.
5. Have you ever returned to see your old school again?
Yes, once in a whilewhen I was off from work and back to my hometown, I paid a visit to my old school as well. It reminds me of sweet memories when I was still a naughty kid who liked to pull other’s leg.
Work/Study
1. Describe your education
I graduated from High School for the Gifted and got into an International University because I think 2-year study at this university would prepare me well, especially my critical thinking skills before I finish another 2 years abroad at the University of Nottingham.
2. What is your area of specialization?
My major is Plant Biotechnology. I have been into Biology since I was in high school and I think a shift to a field where Biology and advanced technologyare associated would be interesting and promising for my future career.
Major (n) the most important subject that a college or university student is studying To be into something (phrase) really like something
3. Why did you choose to study that major?
There are many reasons for my choice. As I’ve already explained about my long-term interest in Biology and plants, another reason could be because of science itself, since I’ve found my personalities have changed in a positive way, you know, like I’ve become more patient and skillful.
4. Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
To tell you the truthit was quite challenging for me at first, because the university’s requirements are especially high and you know science itself highly demands skillful hands and curious mind. However, as time goes by I think I’m getting used to an insurmountable amount of pressure and actually enjoy my study.
5. What kind of school did you go to as a child?
Well just like most of the pupils, I spent five years at the government’s primary school. It took me only 10 minutes to go to school and I had my parents takeme to school everyday. Classes start at 7 in the morning and end at 5 in theevening.
6. What was your favourite subject as a child?
To tell you the truth, I was quite good at Literature back then. Besides, my Literature teacher was really dedicated and caring, thus I always tried my best to get high score and impressed my teacher.
Back then (phrase) an expression you can use in order to refer to a specific period of time in the past
7. (Possibly) Are you looking forward to working?
To be honest, working is actually my plan B just in case I need to make ends meet. In the future I think my higher degree is my priority.
Work
1. What do you do?
For the past few months I’ve been working for The Guardian as a news editor. In fact this is my first job ever, I’m working really hard to contribute to the success of this prestigious newspaper.
2. What are your responsibilities?
As a part-time editor, I am responsible for editing news related to different current affairs as well as collecting information for the newspaper edition.
3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
I guess it’s mainly because of the job flexibility & my passion for journalism. To be more specific, this job offers me alternatives to the typical nine-to-five work schedule, enabling me to find a better balance between work and life. Besides, this job gives me opportunities to pursue my dream to become a journalist down the road.
4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
At present I don’t think I’m able to dedicate myself to any other job ratherthan this one. In fact, to me it’s the experiences and opportunities I can gain that really matters.
5. Describe the company or organization you work for.
The Guardian is a National British daily newspaper which offers free access both to current news and an archive of three million stories. In April 2011, MediaWeek reported that The Guardian was the fifth most popular newspaper
site in the world. I personally believe that the guardian is the inspirational workplace for all people who dream of becoming a journalist.
6. Do you enjoy your work?
Most of the time. Contributing to the news production for a world-class newspaper gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride.
7. What do you like/dislike about your job?
Well the perk of being a news editor is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring news on a daily basis. What I don’t like about this job is that I have to do a thousand edits to get the final one to meet the requirement of my boss. Sometimes I feel a bit overloaded with tons of tasks.
8. (Possibly)Do you miss being a student?
I surely will miss my student life once I get involve in the workplace. For me I think when I’m a student, at least I have someone guide me, whereas at work mostly you must guide yourself. The academic environment appears tobe a comfort zone for me, while I’m sure I’ll struggle with fitting in theworking environment.
1. Do you like travelling?
I’m a real sucker for travelling. Though I’m up to ears in work most ofthe time, I still spend time on travelling here and there. When I get itchy feet, I can’t help being on the move to somewhere nice to whet my desire for travel.
2. Where have you travelled to before?
I have travelled to a whole lot of destinations, both domestically and internationally. I’ve been to nearly all renowned spots in my country, and all European countries so far, and I’m bent on visiting all 50 states in America next year if financial condition permits.
3. Do you like travelling by plane?
I didn’t like it at first, because I often felt sick and vomited on the planes, especially during their landing and taking-off. However, thanks to themany trips that I have made by plane, now I’ve got used to this mode oftransport.
4. Do you want to travel to the space?
Not in the least. I can imagine that I will be dying of the gravity condition, the loneliness and may other imminent diseases once I have been on the spaceship. Except when doomsday comes, and there’s the need to be evacuated to the outer space, I don’t see any interest in travelling there.
5. Do you like traveling over long distances?
I’d hate to say but I detest long-distance trips. This is because I often feel sick when sitting on the coach, the train or the plane for too long. On top of that, I can’t seem to find anything to do to while away the time.
Boats
1. Do you like boating?
I don’t have any clue about this. As a matter of fact, I haven’t had anychance to experience the feeling of riding or being on a boat, so I’m quite unsure to jump to the conclusion. Apart from this, I’m seasick whichmight make me vomit on a boat.
2. What have you ever done by boat?
From my recollection, my father and I did hire a boat to go fishing in a river. It was an out-of-this-world experience since we marveled at the beautiful landscapes and caught lots of big fish and squids.
3. Do you want to own a boat?
No, it’s the last thing I want to do. I’m not living near coastal areas. Here in the cities, there’re hardly any lakes or rivers for me to go boating. Besides, a boat can cost an arm and a leg these days, so I think it’s not worth your while.
Rain
1. Does it rain much in your country? (Where? When?)
I would say yes. It rains a lot in the summer when tropical storms strikeour country. There is torrential rain in the region in June, July and August, and the rainfall tends to be higher in the North than in the South.
2. Is there any part of your country where it doesn’t rain much? To tell you the truth, I have no clue about this. I do not give a hoot about geography and the amount of rain in my country. I think the most rainfall is in the North where there is an intricate system of rivers. 3. Does it rain a lot in your hometown?
Well, it depends on the season. In winter and spring, there is a dearth of rain associated with the arid weather. In contrast, it is usually rainingcats and dogs in summer and august, causing loads of troubles for people travelling on the road.
4. Can you remember any time when it rained particularlyheavily in your hometown?
That would be last summer. I was going to work and thenall of a suddenit started to rain, followed by a deluge. I was soaked to the skin and couldn’t attend a very important meeting.
5. Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?Yeah, of course. Traffic is often held up when it rains. All the roads are clogged, and people find it difficult to escape from traffic congestion. I would stay at home and watch TV rather than going out and being caught upin traffic.
Emails/ Letters
1. Do you like to write a letter or an email?
Due to time constraint and professionalism, emails are much morefavorable than traditional handwritten correspondence. However, I still enjoy the sophistication and artfulness of handwritten letters since each one is unique and intensely personal. Therefore, unless in business context, Iusually send written notes or invitations for my friends and family for their intimacy. Constraint (n): a thing that limits or restricts something, or your freedom to do something
2. Do you think emails are useful?
Obviously yes. It’so neofthemostprimarytoolsin business communication as well as personal correspondence. On the business front, emails are immediate, direct and efficient for both internal and external communication. Parties can send and receive inquiries orcontracts in the matter of seconds, which helps keep the flow of information and business process going. complaint is even more difficult, especially when I have to carefully choose my words and tones so it can be less critical and more constructive.
4. Do you think email might one day replace handwritten letters?
Regarding the widespread use of emails in modern communication, it’s understandable that some might think handwritten letters could be completely replaced one day but I don’t. Since handwriting is the most primal tool of human interaction and closely connected with cultural identity, itwould be preserved and promoted. Besides, many have preferred handwriting in more personal notes or letters since it can express how special the recipients are. Widespread (a): existing or happening over a large area or among many people
Daily Routine
1. Do you like to plan what you will do each day?
So far, planning has become one of my unbreakable habits. The more I get older, the more I learn about the importance of planning ahead even though I have just started this lately. Every night before I go to bed, I would make a to-do listfor the following day, then scan through my monthly planner for any upcoming events such as deadlines, meetings or travel trips. Such organizing activity has helped ease my life.
2. Please describe your typical daily routine
A typical day of mine starts at 8 am. After waking up, I would just go for some basic getting-ready steps just like other girls. On weekdays I usually haveclasses so I would leave home at around 8.45 am to be there on time. After classes, I have lunch and go straight back home for some rest as I find morning classes are quite overwhelming. Meanwhile, on weekends when I don’t haveclasses, I would spend my morning on assignments. In the evening I would do some workout, take a shower and then cook dinner with my friends in order tosupply oursleves some healthy foods and save money on a budget. I also eat out sometimes if we’re both busy or we run out of food. After I finish my dinner, I check my planner and get myself back to work. Additionally, as I’m not a night owl, I try to manage my time as efficiently as possible until around 12 am. Before I brush my teeth and go to bed at around 1 am, I wouldscan through my planner for what to do on the following day and maybe listen to some relaxing music and do some meditation
3. What do you usually do at this time of day?
As usual I would still be working on my assignments. I always spend loads of time and efforts on researching for materials, organizing ideas and writing a number of drafts as I always aim to get good marks. Between duration of hard work when I find myself quite drained out, I take a 15-minute break to go online, drink some water or listen to some music to refresh my mind.
4. Do you usually do the same things at the same time each day?
Well I guess I would say repeating similar things everyday is not my lifestyle. A meaningful life to me is when I can balance between my personal life and my social life. What I mean is, I always seek foropportunities to see, interact and maybe involve in other perople’s lives to open my mind and learn greatthings from them. Thus, instead of studying, I would love to spend some evenings or nights, either outdoor or indoor, with my family and friends. Besides, I also participate in social activities held by my university. I believe that this is the right time for the young generation like me to discover the outside world.
5. How do you organize your study time?
Maybe because I am very keen on study, I keep studying as a daily routine. Normally I start after lunch or dinner everyday and try to finish it before midnight. However, sometimes it appears to be so boring for me, after I go out and have fun, I would either stay up late or wake up early in the morning to study depending on how tired I am.
6. Do you ever change your plans?
Well I guess I have to say I’ve changed my plans a number of times actually. Beside those events such as appointments, meetings or travel trips could barely be put off, I tend to be flexible and go with the flow. Some people who manage their time exactly to every minute but that’s just not my style. If I feel changes do not significantly alter other activities, I would just go for it.
7. What’s your favorite time of the day?
I guess from 4pm to 6pm, when I have some rest after class and a littleworkout, is my favorite time of the day. I find myself highly awake and proccess things much more effectively during these hours. This is also a good time to spend on going outside and meeting up, as there is a wide variety ofplaces to choose from and the weather is cooled down.
8. What do you want to change in your daily routine?
I guess I would definitely have to change my routine once I jump into the workplace, especially if I work in an office. I think I firstly have to getmyself used to unchangeable events, then manage myself to adapt to thenew working environment, as I am actually not good at dealing with changes.
Teenagers and Friends
1. How often do you go out with your friends?
Well, I’d say that I hang out withmy friends on a weekly basis. We often gather at a coffee shop or movie theater to share moments together. To tell the truth, I can’t live without my friends.
2. When was the last time you went out with your friends? &What did you talk about?
Well, it was last week when we threw a party at my close friend’s house to celebrate her birthday. We had a whale of time at the party and didn’t want to go home at all. So, we decided to stay and had a chit-chat all night about our favorite topics like shopping, travelling, etc.
3. What is fashion among teenagers?
Probably, many teenagers now are slaves to fashion and never stop keep up with the latest trendsin fashion. Most teenage boys and girls show a big preference for clothing styles just like those from their idols, especially world-class singers and actors.
4. Do you think friends are important in your life?
Sure, they play an important role in my life. I agree that friends areyour relatives chosen by yourself. My friends accompany me when I am going through ups and downs. I think your happiness will be doubled and sadness will be halved if they are shared by your friends. Inaddition to that, good friends offer me valuable suggestions when I feellost.
Or:
Well, honestly, besides my family, my friends play an important role in my life. With them, I am able to share all the problems that I find difficult to talkto my parents. They’re also the ones who I can trust and enjoy the most beautiful moments of my youth.
5. What does friendship mean to you?
I think friendship is a necessary part of life. Friendship, in my opinion, means you have somebody who can share your happiness and pain. Friends are those whom you feel easy with. They are always your good listeners. And they are the people you can discuss the interesting issues with.
6. What is the best part of being a teenager?
The teenage years are the most dynamic stage of life since teenagers reallyhang out a lot with their friends. You can also date with your beloved friends, and enjoy the freedom you have. There’s no need to worry aboutyour job, money and teenagers simply enjoy their life to the fullest.
7. What qualities do you value in your best friend?
Honesty and faith, l think, are the most important. We needn’t agree on everything , but we can trust each other totally. I don’t like being with a person who always tells lies. It’s too boring to judge all the time whether he is telling the truth or not. If I go astray he will point it to me frankly withouthesitation. I don’t like the friends who often flatter me. In fact they are not real friends.
Or:
Well, it’s hard to say anything. Though making friends is easy, maintaining that relationship is much harder. Therefore, I think my best friends are those who should be honest and sympathetic because I am a kind of person that prefers the truth and easily get affected my emotions.
Go astray (phrase) do something wrong
Sunny days
1. Do you like sunny days?
I would say I am most productive and energetic on sunny days since there are full of brightness and positivity. For me, sunshine represents hope and optimism, thus, it gives me motivation to perform better at school or at work. On the contrary, I tend to be more lethargic and less enthusiastic duringrainy season, mostly because of its dull and gloomy atmosphere.
2. What do you like to do when it’s a sunny day?
I’d love to participate in some outdoor activities under the sun like meeting up with some friends or do some sports, especially swimming. Or I’ll grab the chance for a photography tour. Everything becomes so clear and stunning on sunny days, no matter it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as long as the sun shines, I’m sure I’ll find inspiration almost everywhere.
Or:
I’m a highly active person who really enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling. Therefore, on a sunny day, if I have some time to spare, I will dosome exercises in the local park or explore the surrounding neighborhood where I have yet to visit. It would be a shame if people stay indoor all day without bathing under the sun every once in a while.
weather is great?
It’s recommended that people should spend more time outside for both physical and mental benefits and there’s no reason not to, especially when the weather is great. I usually get out of the house for a walk or short break just to enjoy the fresh air. It’s also a really helpful tactic to boost creativity and regain focus after long working hours.
Or:
I think I would say it depends on my mood and my workload. I definitely cannot go out enjoy myself if my work is still a mess, even though it was such nice weather. And unless I feel super energetic and motivated, I think most of the time I’d prefer staying inside, no matter how the sun shines or how coolthe weather is.
4. Are there many sunny days in your hometown?
I’m living in a tropical country so it’s safe to say that there are more sunshine than rain, which is great news for people who enjoy being outside like me. However, the heat can be extreme in some specific months of the year, therefore, we have to apply sunscreen or cover ourselves carefully beforeleaving the house to avoid sunburn or heatstroke.
Music
1. Do you often (like to) listen to music? Or Do you like listening to songs?
So far I haven’t met anyone who dislikes listening to music. However, whenthe workload is too heavy that requires me to stay highly focused, music is a huge distractor. Unlike many people who like listening to instrumentalmusic because it highly benefits for their concentration and study, in my case the music makes me feel instantly sleepy.
2. When do you listen to music?
Well, music is essential to human in the whole world so I’m no exception. I usually listen to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my go-to choice during emotional days.
3. How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence. To put it simply, no music is allowed during my working hours. After a long day at school, I probably wantto chill out for like half an hour with music to help me stay energetic so I canget back to work later.
4. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Or What’s your favorite kind of music?
My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM. But if Korean pop is considered as a kind of music, then yeah, that’s my favorite of all time. More than half of my playlists are Korean songs and Ialways keep myself updated with the news related to Korean showbiz.
Vocabulary
2. Have you ever been to a concert before? Or Have you everbeen to a musical performance?
Once in a blue moon I attend a concert, since the ticket price for foreign artists’ concerts is so out of my reach that I can only stay home and watch online. It was 2014 that I finally did go to a concert on my own, obviously it was an international music concert. It was absolutely mind-blowing and unforgettable for me.
6. Do you like to listen to live music?
Unless it’s live at a coffee shop, where literally there are only you and music, then yeah I would love to. But I would change my mind if it’s a concert. The crowd is too crazy. It’s completely a mess that most of the time I end uphaving serious dizzy and headache.
7. When did you start listening to this type of music?
Since the day a friend of mine introduced her favorite group to me. She couldn’t help herself talking on and on about them that I thought I somehow needed to catch up with her. And the more I know about Koreanpop, the more passionate I’ve become.
8. Where do you listen to it?
Almost everywhere, except for classroom. It’s the golden era of mobiledevices, everyone carries earphone and phone with them all the time, musictherefore is on their fingertips.
9. How do you feel when you listen to this music?
Well I’m a type of person whose mood is easily affected by what I’mlistening to, thus as the music changes, my mood also fluctuates. But most of the time, listening to some music helps me pick up my energy and chill abit.
10. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I learned to play the organ when I was in kindergarten. It was quite funny because I started out as one of the performers, then my teacher told my mom that I had better play the organ instead of performing, so I became her trainee and it continued for around 4 to 5 years until I was 10.
Gifts
1. What is your favourite gift?
I received lots of gifts from my relatives and friends, among which I show agreat preference for the bicycle best. It’s a birthday present from my parentswhen I
was ten, and it’s rare to have a mountain bike at that time. I used to ride it to school and it makes my life more at ease.
2. Do you often give gifts to people?
Yes, I really love giving people gifts as they are always so happy and thankful and it is such a good feeling. Even something small pleases anyone.
3. What was the last gift you received?
A lovely watch, but the sentimental value counts even more. I was verypouched by her thoughtfulness. My girlfriend gave me a watch a few weeks ago because she thought I’d like it. It’s The last gift I received was a birthdaypresent of some kind. I don’t recall exactly.
4. When considering a present to give to someone, how do you select this gift?
It can be pretty tricky trying to find the perfect gift, especially if the recipient is already well-off. You can get clues by listening closely to their needs, and try to guess what they’d like based on their hobbies and interests.
5. Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t like?
Well, I haven’t received any gift I dislike, but I do have gifts I pile up for years, such as soft toys, I’m not into soft toys so much as other girls, and I have about twenty toys in various types in stock.
6. Do you prefer receiving a gift or giving a gift?
I prefer receiving a gift. For giving a gift, I need to consider the interest of the recipient, and sometimes it may not be accurate, so it is not that easy to send gifts. But for receiving a gift, you can make up your own mind if you like it or not.
7. Do you think it’s difficult to choose what gift to give to people? Of course, it is very different to choose gifts for people. Everyone is different I need to consider the interest of the recipient, and sometimes it may not be accurate, so it is not that easy to send gifts. But for receiving a gift, youcan make up your own mind if you like it or not.
Family Activities
1. How often do you meet with your family?
Well, because all of us are fully occupied with our schedule, we don’t seeeach other during daytime. In the evening we’ll have dinner and watch TV together and talk about our day. I think in the future if I’m ever able to move out, I’ll try to set aside time to visit my parents at least twice a week.
2. How do you spend the time with your family?
We’ll have a delicious big dinner together with scrumptious foodprepared by my mom. After we have dinner at around 7 o’clock, we’ll watch the news, have some chat with each other or huddle together to play cards. It’s a precious time when we can momentarily get away from the hecticwhirlwind of daily activities.
3. Do you want to live with your family in the future?
I think probably not. It’s better for me to try to start an independent life as a grown-up. However, I still have the responsibility to tak good care of my parents that I’ll make time to visit them at least twice a week.
4. What activities do your family like doing together?
Well, as I’ve mentioned we usually have dinner together. Besides, onweekends, we would love to eat out or get outdoor. Sometimes we have a family trip to the beach to enjoy ourselves on the day that all of us are free from work.
5. What activities did your family do when you were young? From my recollection, when I was knee high to a grass hopper, my family often went on a picnic together. On that occasion, we would prepare slap-up snacks to bring along and sit together to com . Such family activity did really strengthen the bonds between us. 6. How has your family influenced you?
Although my parents are traditional, they try to become my friends, by helping me and encouraging me without forcing me to live up to theirexpectations. They also imprinted on me proper principles like moral values, respect, humbleness, patience, diligence, etc. I think my familyshaped who I am now. I’m deeply thankful for having such a wonderful family.
Animals/Birds
1. Do you keep a pet?
If yes:
I have three dogs, and they are pretty adorable companies. I’m a real sucker for animals, in fact, my whole family love animals. Time flies when you are with your beloved pets, and I usually have a whale of a time playing with them.
If no:
No, I don’t have a pet. You know, I liye in the dorm at university. It’s forbidden to have a pet there. But I ever had a dog when I was in high school.
2. What is your favorite animal? = Did you have any pets when you were a child?
If I were to take the pick, it would be dogs. Dogs are so loyal to their owner, as well as this, they are great companions. Every time I’m down in thedumps, my dogs would wave its tail to cheer me up.
3. Do you like watching animals in the zoo?
It seems quite cruel to me to see many species of animals get locked up in the cages. So I hardly go to the zoos as they feel quite sorry for them, actually.
4. Is it important to let children know about animals
I would strongly recommend that kids be educated about the animal kingdom. They should be aware of the life of animals, the threats they are coming up against and the need for their protection.
5. What kinds of animals as a pet do people have in your country?
= What kind of animals do people have in their home?
Usually pet animals are kept in house for different reasons, one of which is to keep the family members in company. But the range and preference differfrom individual to individual. However, small four footed animals like dogs and cats are preferred and popular as pets for homes. Sometimes people alsopick rabbits
or fancy rats as their pets. Besides, some of the people prefer birds as theirpets too.
6. What do you think are the benefits of having a pet? = Why do people like to keep pets?
People mostly have pets to keep their company. Besides, they are useful for us too in some cases. When a dog sees a stranger, it barks and the home owner becomes aware of the existence of someone else outside the house. Besides,cats kill mice and protect the home from different mischief created by the tiny creatures.
7. Do you think it fun to keep a pet?
Yes, the pet brings pleasure to my life. I will not feel lonely if I stay at home alone with the company of the pet. My kitty, which is called Lily, always crouches at my feet when I am reading.
8. What’s your favorite wild animal?
I have great fondness for pandas. They look so cute in their black and white fur that I just want to cuddle and caress. They are timid animals, which makes it even more intriguing to me
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wildlife parks? At first, people get chances to see wild animals from other countries and regions,and watch them closely. Besides, there are no fences or cages inwildlife parks, which makes animals move freely and makes people feel like in nature. But on the other hand, wildlife parks are costly to run and maintain, which are quite a burden to the government. Sometimes the visitors may be hurt or attacked by animals if the management is poo
Birds
1. How do you feel about birds?
Well, I’d have to say that I am quite fascinated with birds. I guess each person is attracted to a different species, and my favorite in the animal kingdom happens to be birds
2. Why do you feel that way?
Well, it is primarily because I have developed a keen interest In flora andfauna, especially flying creatures. I also watch a lot of movies about birds. Forexample, Rio, an animated movie by Disney, about the journey of a blue bird into the great outdoors
3. How do people in your country feel about birds?
Overall, they are not very into birds. Only elderly people are fond of keeping birds. Most of people only like to eat them especially game birds. They are considered sort of delicacy.
4. Are there birds near your home?
You know, I haven’t spotted any in my neighborhood. You’re more likely tofind them in zoos, national parks or in the countryside. Also, a lot of barbershops in my city have bird cages. Not sure why that is.
5. Have you seen many different kinds of birds?
I have only seen a few, I am not much of a bird watcher The ones I have seen are pretty common, like pigeons and sparrows. I haven’t sighted any exotic breeds.