Speaking 3

1. (Do you think mathematics is important?)

(Answer) Yes, of course it is.
(Give a reason for your answer) Math is incredibly important in our lives and, without
realizing it, we use mathematical concepts, as well as the skills we learn from doing math problems, every day. The laws of mathematics govern everything around us, and without
a good understanding of them, one can encounter significant problems in life. It
encourages deliberate, creative, and systematic thinking.

2. (Do you think it is difficult to learn mathematics well?)

(Answer)Well, it is to a certain extent.
(Give a reason for your answer) Math is so overwhelming for so many students, including
myself. Many children nowadays are reported to struggle to grasp math concepts. Math
seems quite problematic because most people have learned it in a way that is quite
restrictive, and this is mainly the fault of the school system for teaching math.

3. (Are girls generally good at mathematics?)
(Answer) From my observations and personal experience, they are not at all.

(Give a reason for your answer) Girls tend to have less positive math attitudes: They have
higher levels of math anxiety and lower levels of confidence in their math skills. This
means even when girls show similar performance levels to boys, they are often less sure
of themselves. In general, boys are better at analyzing and thinking critically, thus
outperforming their female counterparts in scientific subjects, while girls are better at
memorizing and learning languages.

4. (Do you often use a calculator?)

(Answer) Not very often.
(Give a reason for your answer) As I am an adult now, there is little need to solve
complicated calculations. However, I sometimes make use of online calculator to verify
important calculations, which I find quite handy and more reliable.

1. Do you like to travel?
(Answer) Yes, absolutely.

(Explain) Travelling is my top hobby because whenever I travel, I can meet and get to
know many new people from different cultures and nations, which helps me to broaden
my horizons.

2. Do you often travel by air?
(Answer) No, not much.
(Explain) Travelling by air too often is out of my reach for a student like me. However, I
do travel by air once or twice a year to an ASEAN member because the airfares to these
destinations are quite affordable.

3. How long was the longest trip you took?
(Answer) I went on a 9-day trip to Thailand and this was my longest trip ever.

(Extend) I spent 3 days in Bangkok, 2 days in Pattaya and 3 days in Phuket. The remaining
one day was allocated for moving.

4. Which country would you like to travel to in the future?
(Answer) Italy is my dream destination (explain) as it is home to the most stunning
churches in the world. Also, I love the Italian culture, language and friendly people whom
I’ve met in Vietnam.

5. Would you like to travel to space?
(Answer) Yes, it sounds a bit weird and scary though.
(Explain) I am curious about how other planets look and how I would be when there is no
gravity. This idea really scares me off but as it sounds pretty intriguing, I would like to try
travelling to space once.

1. (Have you borrowed books from others?)
(Answer) Yes, I sometimes do.
(Give a reason for your answer) I’m an avid reader of books and novels, but there are
certain books I may not be able to afford. Therefore, I borrow them from my close friends
occasionally and afterwards, I treat them to a drink in return for their generosity.

2. (Have you ever borrowed money from others?)
(Answer) Yes, I have but quite rarely.
(Give a reason for your answer) I borrowed money from my uncle to study for university,
and it turned out alright. I paid him on time and there were never any problems. I paid it
off after a few years and we are still close. Having said that, I usually don't recommend
borrowing money from family members or close friends. I've seen it go badly too many
times. When you borrow money from a relative, and miss a payment, things get very
awkward when they have to come collect.

3. (Do you like lending things to others?)
(Answer) Well, to be honest, the answer is no. (Give a reason for your answer) Too often the things that you lend don't return, and they
very seldom return in the same condition, minus ordinary wear and tear. In my opinion,
unless we have complete trust in someone, we rarely feel ready to lend valuable or too
fragile items to others.

4. (How do you feel when people don’t return things they borrowed from you?)

(Answer) Well, it depends.
(Give a reason for your answer) If that object is too important to be stolen from me, I will
persist and try to get it back. If I can spare the item or money, I would probably write it
off and consider it a lesson learned. All of these choices will probably hurt the relationship,
which is why I assume it's generally best not to borrow from or lend to someone you want
to remain friends with.

1. Do you like reading?
Definitely. It is one of my hobbies to relieve stress and broaden my knowledge when I
have free time.

2. What kind of books do you read?
→ Well, I’m very into science fiction books, which entertain me a lot, besides giving
interesting information.

3. Do you read electronic books?
→ Not really. I am a big fan of printed books since it provides a less harmful effect on my
eyes.

4. Do you read books related to your profession?
Yes, I do. I usually do research about my profession so reading books can help me gain
an insight into my field.

1. (Do you like to smile?)
(Answer) Yes, most people say that I have a cheerful disposition.

(Give a reason for your answer) I always remind myself that life isn't simple and it doesn't
come without obstacles, so smiling keeps you always optimistic. As I see it, people with
great smiles radiate a warmth that draws others to them instantly.

2. (When do people smile at others?)
(Answer) People smile for different reasons, in various contexts.
(Give a reason for your answer) Most often, people of all ages will smile when something
is giving them pleasure. Sometimes we do smile simply because we are happy, but we
also smile for social reasons and to put people at ease, as well as to show more complex
emotions, such as resignation.

3. (Do you smile when people take pictures of you?)

(Answer) Yes, I actually smile all the time.
(Answer) Smiling in pictures makes me look more photogenic and approachable. Besides,
I smile to spread happiness. Pictures are clicked to capture and relive the moment. And
how do we like to do that? In a happy way! So we smile.

4. (Can you recognize a fake smile?)

(Answer) Yes, probably.
(Give a reason for your answer) When you smile genuinely, there are two kinds of
muscles involved in your face. A spontaneous smile of joy has upward and widening
movement of the mouth into a broad grin, and movement of the muscle around the eyes.
A fake or social smile, controlled by the motor cortex, has only the upward movement of
the mouth, it is slower and less symmetric.

1. (Do you make plans every day?)
(Answer) Yes, I do, for many reasons.

(Give a reason for your answer) I always carry a small notebook which I plan my daily
schedule with, plans and notes. It sounds quite conventional but it works for me. Writing
stuff down helps me remember tasks better than typing on some kind of productive app.
I spend about 5 minutes at the beginning and end of every day to plan that day and the
next day’s tasks. The important thing is you need to keep your to-do list small, it's about
prioritizing.

2. (Are you good at managing your time?)
(Answer) Objectively speaking, I am quite good at it.

(Give a reason for your answer) I think once you are in the habit of controlling yourself
according to your time table, life becomes very easy. Good time management will help you
with various other skills and competencies that graduate employers seek, from
perseverance, resilience, reliability and coping with stress to problem solving and
teamwork.

3. (What is the latest plan you made?)

(Answer) Well, I’ve recently planned to travel across the country before the age of 30. I
want to visit different places as much as possible to gain first-hand knowledge and
experience. Travelling fascinates me more than anything else. In reality, it would be quite
challenging for me to fulfil the plan, but I will try my best to organize everything even it
takes several years for me.

4. (What is the hardest part about making plan?)
(Answer) Well, there are a lot of considerations when preparing for a plan, but I think it is
establishing goals.
(Give an example (often a personal example)) Establishing clear, concise and
understandable goals — is extremely necessary. When people can't see the vision of the
plan, they won't take action to pursue the plan. Clear objectives should be come up with,
whereas teammates or members should also be gathered and delegated tasks
appropriately, if needed.

1. (Do you often visit your relatives?)
(Answer) Yes, I do.
(Give a reason for your answer) I like many of my relatives who are very compassionate,
lovely and friendly to me and among them I would pick my younger uncle as the best
relative in terms of our mutual understanding, closeness and communications.

2. (What do you do when visiting relatives?)
(Answer) There are a lot of activities.
(Give a reason for your answer) We often discuss our family issues, our thoughts on
politics, religion, books writers, movies, music and on many other issues. In our big family,
we share our books and recommend books to each other. Generally, adults also share
heartfelt words to youngsters and advise them on how to behave decently.

3. (When was the last time you visited a relative?)
(Answer) Well, it was just last week when I visited my uncle’s family and my grandparents,
who reside with him in the countryside. We went for a short walk near the field after
breakfast to relax in nature and soak up some much-needed Vitamin D, which is necessary
for elderly people.

4. (Why do people visit relatives?)
(Answer) For many reasons, I believe.
(Give a reason for your answer) Simply hanging out with family that you don’t see all the
time is great. You get a chance to catch up with everyone and figure out what they're doing
with their lives. You also get to laugh and just be weird because they don’t judge you for
your weirdness. Above all, the memories are the best when you’re with your family sitting
around and reminiscing about things that you've done together.

- Do you currently live in a house or a flat/ apartment?
Answer: I’m living in an apartment which is fully-furnished and has all the mod cons. I share
my bed room with another person and we have been living there for over 1 year.

- Are street markets common in your country?
Answer: Yes, definitely. They exist everywhere and Vietnamese people go to street markets
on a daily basis.

- What is usually sold there?
Answer: Well, you can find trendy clothes at a reasonable price in any street markets in
Vietnam.

- Do you think people like street markets? Why?
Answer: I do think people enjoy street markets since they are ideal places to let off steam
and bargain with sellers to get a discount.

Do you like outdoor activities?
Definitely! I think outdoor activities do wonders for our mental and physical health. So, I
often spend my leisure time playing sports or taking a walk around the park.

What outdoor activities do you (most) like to do?
Well, I enjoy lots of activities like hiking, camping or skateboarding, but I’m particularly
keen on cycling, especially in the open countryside. It’s fun, relaxing and easy to do, you
know. More than that, biking helps me get energized and ward off feelings of exhaustion.

What outdoor sports do you like? (Why?)
I’m really into playing badminton. It’s quite popular in my country so I can play it with my
friends, my family members or my next-door neighbor and strengthen the bond with them.
Moreover, badminton develops my quick reflexes as well, so I do think it’s a fantastic sport.

How much time do you spend outdoors every week?
On average, I guess that I do some outdoors activity 2 or 3 times a week . I normally spend
at least one morning per week cycling, and take part in some sports or other outdoor
activities when I’m free. It’s not so frequent, I know, which is due to my busy schedule, but
I always try to arrange as much time as possible for some outdoor exercise.

Do Vietnamese people go out a lot?

It’s kind of hard to say, but people around me tend to spend more time indoors. They’re
living a fast-paced lifestyle with most of their time devoted to working, commuting and
connecting on social media, so, doing things outdoors doesn’t seem to be a regular or
important part of their calendar.

What (types of) outdoor activities are popular in your country?
Well, probably jogging and yoga. I’m not sure about this but in my country, you can easily
catch sight of groups of people from all walks of life jogging or doing yoga in the parks
every morning or in the evening. So, these may be the most popular outdoor activities, I
guess.

How and where do people in your country usually socialize?
People in my country nowadays tend to socialize at work or at school. Besides, people of
my age often meet up and chat in coffee shops or restaurants which are popular and often
beautifully designed, while the older usually get together in the parks or gather at
someone’s home to cook and exchange pleasantries.

What kind of weather is typical in your hometown?
Since my country is located near the Equator, Ho Chi Minh City, where I live, usually has
boiling hot weather, which is not my cup of tea.

What’s your favorite season?
If I had to choose, I would choose winter because the weather gets much warmer, and I
can wear fashionable clothes that are only suitable for this season.

What kind of weather do you like most? Do you prefer dry or wet weather?
I like sunny weather, but not when it’s too hot because it gets a bit humid after a while.

Personally, I’ll go for dry weather since I don’t want to get caught up in a rainstorm and
soaked to the bone.

1. What do you think "patience" is?
Well, I suppose “patience” indicates a person’s capacity to wait or to endure delay or
something tedious or annoying without complaining and getting riled about it.

2. Do you think patience is important?
Yes, being patient is vital because it is helpful in many situations.Being impatient does not
solve the problems but causes more trouble. Also, individual people tend to like patient
people because they usually have calm attitudes and an easy-going personality.

3. (Possibly) Do you think being patient is an important part of being polite? Of course,
being patient shows your respectful and thoughtful attitudes to others. For example, at
the coffee shop, people have to queue in line and wait patiently for their turn.

4. Would you say you are a patient person?
Generally, I’m an impatient person because I hate waiting for other people. I can easily
get annoyed if my friends do not turn up on time. However, in certain situations, I can
remain patient, like studying English every day without feeling bored.

5. Have you ever lost your patience?

Yes, I have. Last week, I planned to hang out with my friend at the KFC restaurant. But my
friend didn’t come and she made me wait for more than thirty minutes. I called her and
she didn’t even respond to it. Being tired of waiting for so long, I just left her a message
reproaching her and saying that she did not need to come any more. I was so angry that I
did not talk to her for a few days.

6. What do you become impatient about?
As I mentioned previously, I loathe waiting for individuals or something taking up too much
time. It usually makes me feel upset and irritated.

1. Have you ever kept pets?
(Answer) Yes, I used to have one.
(Give a reason for your answer) My father got a dog for me when I was 5. Yet, I remember
he was so aggressive that we rarely played with him. He was kept only for guarding the
house. Later on, when he started recognizing us, he allowed us to approach him. I
remember my sister actually felt attached to him a great deal, so when he died, it was a
true shock for her.

2. Do you like to go to the zoo?
(Answer) Actually, I don't like going to the zoo.
(Give a reason for your answer) It is so sad to see the miserable animals sitting, running
about sadly in their cage, hoping for some scraps from the visitors. They don't deserve it.
But on the other side, some of them will live in danger if they are allowed to live in their
natural environment.

3. Have you ever seen any wild animals before?

(Answer) Honestly, not even once in person but of course plenty of times on TV through
National Geographic TV shows.
(Give a reason for your answer) In my twenty years of existence, I still haven’t seen one
real wild animal before with my naked eyes. Some of the amazing wild animals that I’ve
seen on television are zebras, gorillas, giraffes, coyotes, hedgehogs, otters, and lions. I
really don’t get a chance to visit any zoos in this country.

4. What wild animal do you like the most?
(Answer) Actually, I do not have any particular kinds of wild animal that I like.
(Give a reason for your answer) If I have to pick one, I prefer to choose elephants. They
look different from any other animal you’ve ever seen, they have a trunk, tusks and
they’re massive in size. They are closely related to the extinct mammoth and that is why
elephants are so unique. Besides, in comparison with other kinds of animals, they are
much more intelligent.

1. (Do Vietnamese people like to drink tea or coffee?)
(Answer) Well, both are Vietnamese people’s favorite drink, but I think tea is a more
preferable choice.
(Give a reason for your answer) In Vietnam, tea is said to appear in almost every social
activity: from wedding, birthday to anniversary and ritual ceremonies. A cup of hot tea in
the early morning after breakfast, some iced tea at small stalls while waiting for a friend,
or a whole day chilling out in a teahouse; that is the way tea penetrates into Vietnamese’
daily life.

2. (Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home?)
(Answer) When it comes to treating my guests, I want them to experience a sense of
warmth and delight, so I most often choose tea. Tea and biscuits is the perfect
combination for many people, especially children. If I serve my guests a cup of coffee, this
may somehow disturb their sleep at night.

3. (When was the last time you drank tea or coffee?)

(Answer) Well, I drink coffee on a frequent basis, for the sake of my hectic schedule. (Give
a reason for your answer) Yesterday, I made myself a cup of coffee to prepare for the
demanding working deadline. Honestly, I want to break the habit of overusing coffee, but
given my demanding workload, that prospect seems out of the question, at least at the
moment. It turns out that early morning coffee drinkers should also consider adjusting
their schedule to better optimize their caffeine intake. The best times to drink coffee — or
caffeine in general — is between 10 a.m. and noon, and between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

How long should people sleep for the benefit of their health? Why?
(Answer) I’m not too sure, but according to what I have read, around 8 hours of sleep per
day would be optimal. (Give reason for your answer) This is said to be the perfect amount
of time for people to rejuvenate and recharge their minds and bodies. If people constantly
sleep a lot more than this recommended amount of time, they are more likely to be prone
to obesity, which will certainly carry serious health risks.

Do you think that the old should sleep more than the young? Why?
(Answer) No, I don’t think that should be the case. (Give reason for your answer) I believe
that the amount of time people spend resting should correlate with how much they exert
themselves during the day. Usually, young people spend more of their energy on physical
activities so it’s more reasonable for the young to sleep more than the elderly.

What do you do to improve sleeping quality?
(Answer) There are several measures that can be taken to assure a quality sleep. (Give
reason for your answer) First, I make sure that I work out at the gym or take gentle
exercise as I usually find myself drifting to sleep faster and sleep more soundly after I have
taken regular exercise during the daytime. In addition, I find that some soothing music
and comfy pillows are really helpful in ensuring a good night’s sleep.

Do you think it's effective?
(Answer) Yes, from my personal experience, the solutions I mentioned have proved to be
quite effective. (Give reason for your answer) When I’m drained after a long day or I’ve
done a hardcore work-out at the fitness centre, I am often sore all over and crave for some
rest. Then, nothing is more satisfying than to crash out at night, falling asleep while
listening to slow and relaxing melodies.

1. Do you like to watch the sky?
(Answer) Yes, I have to say I am a fan of watching the sky.
(Give a reason for your answer) To me, the sky is a magnificent work of art and I really
appreciate the aesthetic qualities of it. The color, the clouds… are just so beautiful.

2. What is the sky like at night in your hometown?

(Answer) The night sky where I live is simply a breathtaking view.
(Give a reason for your answer) As I live in the countryside, the sky is not affected by light
pollution, so there are numerous shining stars in a broad blackish background. Therefore,
the view is perfect for anyone who has a thirst for freedom.

3. Do you like to watch stars?
(Answer) I find star-watching extremely interesting.
(Give a reason for your answer) I believe that every star in the cosmos has its own function
and holds a unique mystery to be discovered. This is a great inspiration to me.

4. Have you ever taken a course about stars?
(Answer) I haven’t ever enrolled in such courses, but I would love to in the future. (Give a
reason for your answer) I have always wanted to know how constellations retain their
shape in zero gravity without floating through space.

5. What’s your favorite star?
(Answer) The Sun is my favorite star, I would say.
(Give a reason for your answer) This is because of its power and importance to life. If we
could find a star similar to the Sun out there in space, we would be able to discover alien
life forms and complete our quest for a new homeland.

You should say:
what you do;
when you started doing it;
how much time you spend doing it;
and explain how this activity helps you stay healthy.

I’m going to talk about my deep love of cycling by the beach. Since a lot of
people in my town like to stay in shape (stay healthy/fit), the government
built a walking and cycling path along the coastline. I should mention I live
just a kilometer away from the beach, so I like to take full advantage of this. I
just moved here 5 months ago from the mountains, so this is when I started
taking part in this activity.
Over the past year, I’ve put on loads of (a lot of) weight, so I’m always
looking for ways to lose it. Cycling is one enjoyable way to do so, along with
going to the gym. As it’s scorching (very hot) during summer days here in
Florida, it’s better to exercise outdoors in the evening, so that’s when I take
my bike out. Furthermore, the sunset which gives a cotton candy colored sky
is the perfect backdrop (background) to do exercise while enjoying nature.
Cycling undoubtedly improves my mental and physical health. It has
cardiovascular benefits as well as leg and core strengthening. It is effective in
aiding (helping) in weight loss, as well. When it comes to mental health, it
helps reduce my stress by spending time in nature, indulging in (enjoying)
breaths of fresh air.

You should say:
when and where you saw it;
what was advertised;
what the contents of the advertisements were;
and explain why you remember it well.

So I’m going to talk about an advertisement for Blue Electronics, which is one
of the biggest electronic brands in Vietnam. I’ve seen its advertisements
everywhere, on TV commercials and even on social media networks like
Facebook and Instagram.
The advertisement shows a video of people dressed as blue household
appliances, smiling and staring creepily (strangely) at the screen and dancing
spontaneously (unplanned) to a really annoying, yet catchy (memorable)
tune.
I think the aim of this ad was to leave a big impression on the audience and to
make the products seem more appealing (desirable) to them. I also think they
are trying to traumatize (scare) the audience so that whenever they hear that
tune, they will think of Blue Electronics.
I think the advert is impressive because the company is deliberately
(intentionally) trying to influence and attract people’s attention, and they do so
by trying to present the household appliances as something special, and kind
of like a useful friend for everyone I guess.
I think older people probably won’t enjoy these kinds of advertisements because
they tend to prefer more informative, serious kind of ads, whereas the younger
generation seems to be amused about this kind of advertisement. Since I’m
young, I’ll always remember this ad because it made me laugh a lot.

You should say:
Who the person is
How you know the person
What the interesting ideas the person has
And explain why you think the ideas interesting

I’m going to talk about my friend, Elliott, who is a natural (good at) at
languages and always has a lot of interesting ideas when it comes to language
learning and teaching. He is a fellow teacher at my workplace, so I feel I know
him well enough to speak about him.
First of all, he is fluent in THREE foreign languages, English, Chinese and
Japanese, in addition to his mother tongue. So you can imagine, as a language
teacher, he really stands out from the others. I feel that he has a special
empathy for language learners.
Although he has a knack (a talent) for languages, he knows that others
struggle with them, so he always tries to come up with (invent) new methods
to help language learners improve faster and achieve better results. In addition
to imparting (communicating) knowledge, he always creates a fun
atmosphere. For example, at the start of each class, he would have all the
students stand up and play some warm-up games instead of going straight into
doing routine teaching stuff. Some of the games are even invented by himself
and I must say they are all well thought out (well-planned). I learn a lot from
observing his classes and look forward to working more with him in the future.
I’m really interested in learning more about how to make language learning fun.

Part 3
What kinds of ideas are respected in your country?
That’s a tough question, but I’d definitely say any ideas that are
groundbreaking (new) or revolutionary are very valued in my country. For
example, we really respect people like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, who changed
future through technology. Furthermore, people who are forward thinkers are
respected in today’s society, such as those who search for solutions to violence
or support the gay rights movement. Lastly, people really respect those who
have innovative business ideas, which improve the country’s economy.
Actually, that might be the most respected one. All in all, we like those who are
unconventional (unordinary) thinkers.

When do children start to have their own ideas?
They say that 7 is the “age of reason” (when kids know right from wrong),
so I believe this is when it all begins, even if in small ways. I think this is the age
where children begin to recognize their individuality and separateness from their
parents. However, children tend to follow the belief system of their parents up
to their teen years, when they start the rebellious years. Thinking back, I
remember I started to question my parent’s religion and political ideas when I
was around 15, leading me to break off (separate) from them. So, all in all, by
the time you are 18, most teens know who they really are.

Where do these ideas come from?
The family is definitely the first foundation of how we shape our ideas. Apart
from this, I would say teachers have the second largest influence. Following
this, what kids hear in school, from their friends, what they watch on TV, and so
on start to shape their way of thinking. Lastly, we start to break away (separate)
from our family’s ideas and create our own ideas based on our life experiences.

You should say:
When it happened
What you bought
Why you bought it
And explain why you think it was a good experience

I’m going to talk about a recent successful online shopping experience that I’ve
had. To be honest, I’ve had countless incidents in which I ordered the wrong
size or the product ended up being completely different than how it appeared
online, so I was surprisingly delighted with this purchase. Well, let me tell you
about it.
Zara is my favorite store, and unfortunately there isn’t one currently near my
house, so I decided to check out their online shopping site. I just started a
professional job, so I’m always in need for more professional clothes. Zara
always seems to fit me well and have classy, smart clothes, so I decided I
would order a white dress from them. Luckily, the dress was on sale for $30
instead of $50, which gave me even more incentive to buy it. The model was a
lot thinner and taller than me, so I doubted it would look as good on me, but I
was willing to take my chances. To my surprise, the dress fits me like a glove
(fits me like a glove)! Furthermore, the dress arrived in 2 days when they
predicted 3-4!
This was a positive experience because now I get compliments whenever I wear
the dress. The fit and style couldn’t be better on me, and I feel very tasteful
(stylish) when I wear it. I now know I can count on Zara to fit me. Zara has a
good price to quality ratio. All in all, would recommend!

Part 3:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?
The advantages would be that it’s more convenient and saves loads of time,
avoiding those dreaded (terrible) lines. Furthermore, sites like Amazon tend to
have secondhand (used) items, so you can save a lot of money this way. The
negatives are that you cannot try clothing on before, sometimes items don’t look
the same in person, the shipping fees, and the time you have to wait for the
item. By the same token, it’s a hassle (annoyance) to send it back if there’s
an issue. So, all in all, there are more disadvantages, I’d say.

Do you think it is safe to shop online?
Depends on the site. If you use a reputable one like Amazon or the store’s
website, it is generally very safe. However, buying from private sellers online,
especially in their homes, can be risky. Furthermore, scams always exist online,
so you never know if someone could be scamming you. I always say, if you
have time, it’s better to go buy the item in person to gain more trust in the
purchase.

Do you think the government should impose more control on online
shopping?
Wow, this isn’t something I’ve ever thought about. In my opinion, I think the
government should investigate to make sure sites are reputable, but that’s
about all. I don’t think there should be any limit to what we buy, as long as they
are legal products. Every purchase benefits the economy, so at this point I don’t
see a need to regulate it.

You should say:
Who the person is
How you know the person
What songs the singer sings
And explain why yon like the person

I would like to talk about one of my favorite singers, Sam Smith. He is a British
singer and songwriter who has become popular in my lifetime. He is famed for
his mellifluous (containing flow) voice and quality of his song lyrics, which
are often romantic and soulful.
Thinking back, I remember the first song I heard from him was “Latch”, circa
2013. I remember my roommate was playing it in her car and I asked who the
singer was and decided to look him up. Ever since that day, I just fell in love
with him. He constantly has new hits out on the pop radio stations! His songs
are just super catchy (something you remember).
I would consider his music to be a mix of soul and pop. I think he started as a
soul singer, but his music has transformed into being more of a pop genre. I
really like his music because there is always a good beat to it, and the lyrics
speak to me on a deep level, causing me to feel emotional and identify with
current dilemmas(problems) I’m facing. I like that some of his songs are more
for dancing, while others are more deep and romantic. All in all, he is extremely
talented and has a wide range. Sam Smith has a voice that really leaves a
mark on you (impressive). I just love him!

Part 3
What kinds of music are popular in your country?
A wide range! Nowadays with youngsters, EDM music is all the rage (popular).
Besides that, pop music, hip hop, alternative, and country are types of music
that you hear most often on the radio. For example, my parents’ generations
still sticks with their southern rock style of music, such as ACDC. Of all the
music from the past, 80’s American music seems to be played on the radio the
most often.

Do singers make lots of money?
Of course! Singers are some of the richest people in the world. However, I
imagine that their pay may be cut due to the increase in Youtube, Spotify,
Pandora, and the like instead of buying the records at stores. However, our
generation idolizes (worships) celebrities, so they make incomparable profits
from their social media posts, concerts, and just pure talent.

What do you think makes a song become popular?
Definitely by how catchy it is, for one. Also, how well the artist markets
themselves. If they constantly get their songs into the Top 40, their songs will
be heard by the entire world. Lastly, of course, the artist needs to talented and
have something that makes their songs stand out (be unique) from the others,
such as by having a lovely voice, good beat, etc.

You should say:
what the skill was;
who you learnt it from;
how you learnt it;
and explain how useful it was.

In my country, buying a car isn’t exactly a big deal, but driving a car is. It sounds
a bit odd, doesn’t it? Well, if it does, then the reason for this is, it is extremely
difficult to obtain a driving license in my country as it involves some rigorous
(difficult; detailed) driving and road tests. So, when I finally managed to pass
the driving test a year ago or so, I felt as if I had landed on the moon
(accomplished something huge).
I had recently gone to a job interview in which they required the candidate to
have their driver’s license. I was really intrigued by the job, so I decided to follow
up on this. So, I went to a local car driving school and started to take driving
lessons mostly on the weekends, as I worked during the week. Initially, the
lessons involved learning about different parts of a car and their functions. Then
came the actual driving lessons on the road by understanding and following
different road signs and driving rules. Needless to say, the lessons followed
some stringent (strict) driving standards which weren’t always easy to
maintain, but that was exactly the real “test” in order to help a future driver
understand the safety and security aspects of taking a car on the roads.
Anyway, the lessons had continued for almost three months, and I was finally
ready to take an official driving test to obtain a driver’s license.
Anyway, I am glad that I had finally learned driving as it has allowed me the
freedom to travel to my work and other places at my own pace (speed) and
according to my agenda (schedule). Besides, learning this driving skill has also
made me confident about applying for some well-paying jobs. Finally, learning
how to drive has also allowed me to transport many bulky (big) items in my
car, which otherwise would have been really inconvenient for me if I had to take
them on the bus like before. All in all, driving is just so useful.

You should say:
where you went;
what you did there;
who you were with;
and explain why it was a memorable experience.

Well, I spend my spare (extra) time with my friends quite often. I'd especially
like to talk about a time my friends and traveled to Thailand after graduating
medical school. After all those years of blood, sweat, and tears (an
expression for hard work), we really deserved this trip.
I vividly (a lot of details) remember this moment because as soon as we got
out of our final exams, we were all aboard on the way to Bangkok. 6 of us had
originally agreed upon going, but finally 2 bailed at the last minute. When I think
about it, it was an experience to bond (connect deeply) more with just this
small group.
The main reason visiting there was to get away from the stress gained from
studying very hard. Speaking of what we did there, it was pure relaxation and
discovery. We saw everything from the majestic pagodas and kingdoms in
Bangkok to the pristine (elegant), white-sanded beaches in the Phi Phi Islands.
Even more than just the incredible landscapes, the kind-hearted, welcoming
people were what really left their mark (left an impression) on us.
To sum up, we truly had a blast on this trip. It was really what we needed at the
time! I’ll never forget the flavors of pad thai and bubble tea! It was 100% a blast
(a lot of fun).

You should say:
who he or she is;
what he or she always does to help others;
why he or she always helps others;
and explain how you feel about this person.

I would like to talk about my co-worker, John, who is always willing to go the
extra mile (do extra) for others. As teachers, we constantly have a lot to do
outside of the classroom. However, John utilizes his free time to be of service
to others. For example, he sends his students extra materials every single day,
always stays overtime to assist other co-workers, and even stops by work
outside of work hours to bring us snacks. Whenever an emergency situation
arises (comes up), he is always the first one to lend a hand (help).
I believe he does this because he is a man of faith (religious). Besides this, I
think that people improve their well-being when they dedicate themselves to
others. To him, it is no sweat to be of service to others- it’s simply a joy.
I truly value John, as he is a rare breed. In this day and age, it’s uncommon
to find someone who simply wants to do good without ulterior motives
(other interests). I can say with full confidence that John isn’t looking for
anything in return. All in all, John is just an excellent human being.

You should say:
where it was;
what it looked like;
what you did there;
and explain why you liked it there.

As a citizen in a metropolitan city, I am usually partial to choosing fresh outing
spaces for relaxation after being up to my neck (very busy) in work. Although
there are many beautiful places in London, I would like to mention one in
particular- Hyde Park. It’s a must-see for tourists.
In the center of the hustle and bustle of London, Hyde Park is a beautiful oasis
of trees, open space, and flowers. It’s a place where people go to have picnics,
take a stroll, catch a breath of fresh air, etc.
Well, my cousin and I went there for a jog on Sunday morning. Even though we
are not morning people (people who like the morning), we decided to push
through to do this, and we are so glad! We jogged (run slowly) around the
entire park which is approximately 5 kilometers, then we laid out some blankets
and rested there among the greenery. It was the perfect way to recharge for the
week.
I really enjoyed this because it was an escape from city life. The work culture in
London is demanding, so it’s nice to catch a break from time to time. Since I’m
a salaried worker, I tend to spend over 40 hours working per week. I crave
moments in nature after being confined to my desk all week. Furthermore,
when I exercise, I find that I disconnect from the stress in my life and reduce it.
All in all, it was a much needed day to escape our obligations!

You should say:
- when it happened
- who and what you taught
- why you taught this person
- and how you felt about the teaching

Well, since I’m a teacher, I teach new things to younger people on a daily basis.
However, I will highlight one experience in particular that was really rewarding
(gave me a personal benefit) to me. This would be when I taught a 4 year old
student how to hold a pencil correctly and begin to write her first letters.
Thinking back, this was about 2 years ago now. I usually teach high-school aged
kids, but in this particular time I decided to take on a summer school program
with 4-5 year old students. This girl who I taught to write was 4 years old, while
the others were 5 years old, already having experience in kindergarten. I
planned a lesson on the alphabet, assuming that all of them had previous
knowledge of this. However, I had to sit beside the 4 year old girl to further assist
her as she didn't have previous knowledge of this. We started off by holding the
pencil together to form the letters, followed by me slowly easing (taking off
easily) my hand off of it. I stayed beside her until she was able to write out her
first letters. I’ll never forget the excited look on her face when she finally got the
hang of it! As the class progressed, she was easily able to keep up (stay at
the same speed as) with the 5 year olds.
This was an extremely rewarding experience for me; I was just so excited. Since
I had never experienced teaching a child a basic skill, it was really special to
me. It made me start to think about raising my own family one day, especially
standing beside my children at their milestones (big life events). I had never
thought about how exciting it must be to be a parent! All in all, it was an
emotional moment for me.

You should say:
Who this person is
What this person encourage you to do
What this person have help
And explain why this encouragement help you to achieve the goal

I'm going to talk about a friend and ex-coworker of mine named Billy. He has
been a friend of mine for years now, and is always a shoulder to lean on
(someone you can rely on). He has always been there for me through thick
and thin (good and bad times), and I don't know where I would be today
without him. Let me tell you more.
I've always dreamt of being an entrepreneur but was unsure of myself before. I
first met Billy at the International School I used to work for before. We were both
teachers and hating our lives working under someone. So, one day we got
together and started sharing ideas about starting our own language school. I'm
good with people and thinking of creative ideas, while Billy is more apt to deal
with numbers and the business side of things. He encouraged me to fulfill my
dreams and put my creative ideas to test, while I encouraged him to put his
number and business skills to use. He would tell me that my ideas could change
the world, which made me feel on top of the world. I needed someone to believe
in me to this degree (to this extent), as I didn't feel that my ideas were good
enough to start my own business before. Through mutual encouragement, we
ended up where we are today.
We have now owned our own school for 3 years and counting! We have had
success because we always build each other up and focus on our strengths
rather than our weaknesses. By helping one another, we both felt enough
confidence to achieve our dreams. We certainly make a great team!

You should say:
where it was
what it looked like
what you learned there
and explain why you visited this historical building

I’m going to talk about the majestic Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city tucked
into (inside) the Andes Mountain range. More than 7,000 feet above sea level,
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the
Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, Machu Picchu was designated a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven
Wonders of the World in 2007! It was such a humbling experience!
I had always seen pictures of Machu Picchu and studied about its significance
in school, but experiencing it in person made me realize that the pictures do it
absolutely no justice (looks better in person). Upon arrival, you start to see
intricate stone paths, walls, and buildings surrounded by mountain ranges,
which frame the ancient city. There are irrigation systems and farming terraces
extending down the mountains. Below it, there is fast-flowing river. You can tell
they built this city intelligently! Furthermore, there are llamas throughout the
structure, as well as tourists posing for selfies in every direction. The contrast
between the bright green mountains with the stone city and agricultural terraces
is truly breath-taking. On sunny days, you can see snow-capped mountain
ranges even further in the distance!
In this incredible place, I did a tour to learn about the history of the Incas and
the detailed work and planning that went into building this place. For example,
I learned that they suppose Machu Picchu was built to house the aristocratic
class and that it was abandoned after the Spanish conquest. Furthermore, I
learned that the Incas worshiped the sun, and that they had technology way
ahead of their time (advanced), which reflects in their stonework, irrigation
system, farming system, etc.
As I had always been fascinated by the Incas, I decided to take this trip with
my family to see it in person. I’m so glad I did! What a magnificent place it was.

Part 3
Do people in your country often visit historical buildings?
To be honest, not really. As the US is a very new country, there aren’t many
historical places to visit. Furthermore, since people tend to enjoy visiting the
coast or modern places more, historical places are losing their value. Moreover,
people usually only have a week of paid vacation per year, so they tend to visit
family or take a family beach, camping, or mountain trip instead. Unfortunately,
not too many people have the means, desire, nor the time to visit historical
monuments.

Do children like to go to that kind of place?
I definitely think a child would be impressed by the sight of Machu Picchu, but
I don’t like it would be the number one spot to take them. For example, there
are steep drop-offs (steep hills) where a child could easily fall to their death.
Secondly, it may be tiring for children to walk up the steep steps, and they could
get bored during the several hour tour. On the other hand, I think children would
get a kick out of (be entertained by) the llamas walking around the complex!

Do you think people who damage historical relics should be put in prison?
Yes, in most cases! It is just insane that someone would do such a thing. I think
this is such a heinous (horrible) crime for someone to destroy a piece of history.
A person who would do such a terrible thing clearly doesn’t understand the
value of historical relics. However, before putting the person in jail, authorities
should determine the reason for it. Perhaps the person would do such a thing
as a way to seek vengeance (revenge) for a historical event that deeply scarred
them. Still, it is unacceptable for them to destroy it, but maybe the government
should consider what historical landmarks mean to some.

You should say:
who the child was;
how old he or she was;
what he or she did;
and explain why it made you laugh.

Often, children say and do the craziest things, as they lack the filter that adults
have! It leads to lots of laughter. So, let me tell you about this child, Peter, who
really made me laugh.
He the child of one of my co-workers. It was Peter’s 3rd birthday party last week
and I attended his birthday party. As I know Peter is a very active,
rambunctious (naughty) child, I thought a water gun would be a suitable gift
for him. So, I presented it to him and he was ecstatic (excited)!
Peter sees many television shows and knows that the guns are used to shoot.
So, he immediately started playing with the gun. He refilled the gun with water
and pointed it to the guests and shot them with water! He wanted to have fun
and did so. But finally, when the water ran out (emptied) and his parents did
not allow him to refill with water, he shot them.
When he shot his dad, the dad fell on the ground. When he shot his mother,
she also fell in the ground as if she died. He was surprised. He could not decide
what to do. So, he shot himself and fell beside his mother until they stopped
pretending to be dead.
The entire event was hilarious (really funny), and all of the guests were
roaring in laughter. In fact, the kid was highly clever and his gestures made me
laugh. He was confused what to do when he shot his parents. So, finding no
other options left, he killed himself. In fact, it proves his guilt but the
representation of the situation was really interesting that everyone could not
stop laughing with this scenario. Despite the issue being a serious one, it was
a kind of comical event. So, I laughed with my whole heart. In fact, it was the
rapid decision making skill of the child and the implementation of the decision
without any hesitation was the key element of the genuine laughter.

You should say:
When it was
Where you were
What you did
And how you felt about it

Version 1:
There have been several instances in which I have had the pleasure of enjoying
my free time over the course of my life, but I will talk about the most recent one.
Well, to give you some background, I have recently taken on a new managerial
position at a company. Since I’m new to management, I find some of the tasks
and responsibilities overwhelming at times, so free time is something I cherish
(appreciate) more now.
Luckily, there was a holiday last Monday, so I had a three day weekend. I took
advantage of this time by going to visit my relatives for the weekend. She lives
a couple hours away, so I made a short road trip there across my state. As
soon as I got there, I was greeted by warmth and affection. I was staying at my
auntie’s house, so we spent countless hours at the pool drinking margaritas all
weekend. Along with this, we cooked together and caught up (updated each
other). One afternoon we went to visit my grandfather, in which we just relaxed and prepared lunch for him. Although it was a simple weekend, it was just the relaxation that I needed.
I felt so happy and light-hearted (simple; non-emotional) over this whole
weekend. When I went back to work on Monday, I felt re-charged and ready to
tackle (face) all the challenges of the week. Family is my number one, so I
always feel relaxed after I get to spend time with them. All in all, it was a very
pleasant visit.

Version 2:
Wow! That is difficult to just think of one instance, as I tend to always enjoy my
free time. However, I’ll tell you about one day last week when I had a snow day
(day when you can’t leave the house because of a snowstorm) and couldn't
leave the house. I’m not a fan of the snow, so I often get down in the dumps
during the winter season. But, this day I decided to cheer up (get happy). I was
home alone, so I started off the day by making myself pancakes, eggs, and a
few cups of coffee. I think even just this kicked off the day better for me, as I’m
usually scrambling around (running around quickly) at the last minute to get
to work on time in the mornings.
After breakfast, I went outside in my yard for a bit and just sat in the snow in my
apartment complex. Then I decided to trigger my inner child (act like a child)
and build a snowman and make snow angels. This really made my day! After
this, for old time’s sake (to remember old memories), I went inside and made
myself a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, as my mother used to do for
my brother and I when we were kids. Following this, I stayed in my apartment
all day sprawled out (lied) across the floor with blankets and pillows watching
Netflix. I watched everything from childhood classics like Lion King to
conspiracy theory documentaries.
I truly felt relaxed and at ease on this day. As I tend to get lost in the demands
of my boss as well as drama with my boyfriend, I really needed a day like this.
Actually, this day changed my attitude about snow. I used to think of it as just
an inconvenient, inefficient day, whereas now I see it in a different light. Now I
see them as opportunities to awake my inner child and take me back to the
good old days!

Part 3
What do people like to do when they are free in your country?
Like me, many people like to spend time with their family or friends in their free
time, as we all have heavy work schedules during the week. For family and
friend time, people often go out for meals together, go to the cinema, hang out
at each other’s houses, go to bars, etc. Furthermore, since obesity is a growing
problem, many people choose to exercise before or after work during the week
or on weekends. Additionally, many people spend their free time taking their
kids to sporting events or to other extra curricular activities over the weekends,
such as soccer games, etc.

Do you think most people are able to manage their free time?
Not all! As I said before, many people spend their free time stressing about work
and/or the future. Furthermore, since people don’t tend to have much free time
to begin with, the only free time they have it spent running errands to prepare
for the following week. Moreover, many people tend to sleep in (sleep without
an alarm) on weekends and waste the day away, or maybe just watch TV on
the sofa all day long. Since many people have to be on call or go into work on
weekends, there isn’t much time to get out of town on the weekends, either.
Additionally, many people spend all of the free time they have taking their
children to their activities, so there isn’t enough time to do what they would truly
enjoy. With all of this said, I wouldn’t say most people know how to effectively
spend their free time in my country.

What is the difference between the things people did in their free time in
the past and the things they do nowadays?
Well, I would say technology definitely plays a role in this. Furthermore, the
importance of quality family time is disappearing as the world progresses. Let’s
take children for example. I would imagine they used to spend their free time
playing outdoors in the past, where now they may spend it staring at a TV
screen or playing video games for the entire day. When it comes to family as a
whole, I would imagine in the past that they would all have meals together and
go out together on weekends, whereas now there is more independence and
separation of the family. With more entertainment available now, such as the
cinema, arcades, bars, etc., people would rather do this instead of spending
quality time with family.

You should say:
- who this person was
- when you first met the person
- what the person did
- and you would like to become this person

Today I’ll tell you about how I used to want to be like my sister when I was
younger. She was always the popular, scholarly type, while I was sort of the
unfocused, social outcast (unpopular) type. I always struggled with my weight
when I was younger even though I ate pretty healthily, whereas my sister always
had a perfect, thin physique (fitness) even while eating junk food constantly.
I’ll explain it more in depth.
My sister is 2 years older than me, and we grew up together. She was always
the at the top of her class, even though she studied very little. I remember her
saying that she would forget to study, but still get nearly 100% on her exams,
even through her college years. Moreover, she had a natural athletic ability with
very little effort. She could take up a new sport and be good at it at the drop of
a hat! I envied her swimming and basketball skills, especially. Apart from this,
she was the thin, pretty blonde girl that everyone wanted to be friends with,
although she didn't have to put effort into being nice to people. Another thing I
looked up to her for was that it was easy for her to speak her mind. When I was
younger especially, I always found it difficult to speak up even when I was being
treated unfairly.
Reflecting back, I think what I most wished to inherit from her was her ability to
do everything at ease. It seems like I always had to put more effort into school
to get good grades, be fit, have friends, etc, so I wished those things could come
easier. I especially wished I had her athletic ability, as I would like to do more
physical activity. Furthermore, I wish I didn't have to spend countless hours
studying and even meeting with a tutor to get good grades. However, as I’ve
gotten older, I realize that we cannot compare ourselves to other people
because we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Still, I admire her for
her abilities as well as her outspokenness.

You should say:
What it is
When you watch it
What it is about
And explain how you feel about the program

I’m going to talk about a quiz show called “Who wants to be millionaire?”. As
it famous all over the globe, I’m sure you’ve heard of it before. It can be viewed
by everyone, as it is family friendly. Well, let me tell you how it works.
At the start of the show, the contestants gather and prepare to answer a
multiple choice question to decide who gets to be in the “hot seat”. Naturally,
it’s the person who answers accurately within the shortest time frame.
When a contestant is selected, he or she will proceed to sit in a chair in the
center and have the opportunity to answer a total of 15 questions that become
progressively more difficult. For every answer that you answer correctly, you
are awarded a determined amount of money. Apparently, if you’re unsure of
one particular question, you can always stop the game and go home with the
money that you have allotted at that time. However, if you are willing to take
your chances, you can follow your instinct and keep going. Also, there are
always three “aids” you can use, for example you can call your friends for help,
or choose to have half of the options eliminated.
All in all, I enjoy this game because it’s very suspenseful: it always keeps me
on the edge of my seat! Furthermore, I gain knowledge from watching this show.
Since I have 2 teenage children, I like that it is something that we can all watch
together!

Part 3
Do people in your country like to watch TV?
Too much! People in my country are definitely couch potatoes (people who
like to stay on the sofa all day). Since it’s always rainy here, people tend to
stay indoors and watch Netflix quite often. With a raging entertainment industry,
there is always some hot new TV series coming out, which leaves people on
the edge of their seats (anxious; excited).

What games do children play nowadays?
In this technological world, children are shifting more towards video games, as
well as games on their cell phones or tables. Actually, I was shocked the other
day when I walked past a group of elementary kids who were all simultaneously
staring away at their cell phones, lost in their games. I always get on (push)
my children to go outside and take a bike ride or a walk instead of staring at
their X-box all evening long.

Are there any differences between the games children's games and
adults' games?
Yes, to an extent. First of all, kids tend to have more energy, so they like games
like tag where they can run around like crazy. Furthermore, kid’s games are
usually more cartoon character based games, or educational games that work
on building soft skills. Since adults already have these skills, their games are
usually based on creativity or a higher intelligence level. However, there are
many similarities of all games, considering most are based on entertainment
and problem-solving skills.

You should say:
what you do;
when and where you do it;
how long you spend doing it;
and explain why you always do this thing.

Since the start of 2019, I promised myself to exercise more to lead a healthy
lifestyle. So far so good! Let me tell you about my usual workout routine.
Well, luckily my apartment complex has a fitness center, so I use this gym the
most often, as it’s extremely convenient. Additionally, I have a gym membership
at another fitness club, as well as exercise outdoors on days with pleasant
weather. When I go to the gym, I usually spend 30-60 minutes doing cardio, in
which I alternate between the bicycle, treadmill, and elliptical. After this, I move
on to some light weight-lifting to help tone my body. For example, I do some
triceps (muscle in your arms) exercises to thin out my arms, or some
crunches (abdomen exercise) to harden up my abs (abdominals). So,
between the cardio and weight lifting, I spend about an hour and fifteen minutes
at the gym per day.
I do this because it benefits my mental and physical health. Exercise releases
endorphins (a brain chemical), which cause you to feel happier. Furthermore,
I feel more confident when I work out. Also, I feel that I have more leeway
(freedom) on what I can eat when I exercise, as I’m known for having a sweet
tooth (likes sweet food). Lastly, I’ve been wanting to shed (lose) some extra
pounds, so exercise definitely aids in this. All in all, there’s no way to argue that
exercising is loaded (full) with benefits!

You should say:
What it is
What it is used for
How it is used
And explain what you think of it

Artificial intelligence, the latest front in computer science, is affecting all fields
of technology, continually making our lives easier. Nowadays there are
countless (many) apps and products in existence thanks to artificial
intelligence, but I would like to talk about one I’m especially fond of (like), which
is the robot vacuum cleaner, especially the Samsung powerbot. I’ve always
been a bad sweeper, so this is an ideal creation for me. I was gifted one for
Christmas last year and I’ve been in love with it ever since!
Instead of sweeping the floors, the robot vacuums are battery operated
machines which go all over your house to pick up all the dirt, animal fur, and
dust for you! All you have to do is put batteries in them and empty them out after
they do their rounds (go around). You can even program it to sweep the floors
at a specific time daily! The interesting thing about them is that they remember
the map of the room and have a sensor to know when they are approaching
another object, and then turn away. Furthermore, they sense when they have
sufficiently cleaned the floors then return back to their charging station homebase.
I think this is such a brilliant invention, as I usually miss dirt when I sweep the
floors myself. Although it’s pricey, about $300 per machine, I believe it’s worth
it for the time and efficiently of it. Since a lot of people track dirt into the house
when they enter, this is a sure way to keep the floors constantly clean and tidy.
All in all, I’m a huge fan of it (I really like it)!

Part 3
Can Artificial Intelligence be conscious?
Mmm...not really. I know they are programmed to sense when someone is near
them or enters the room, but I’m unsure of whether they are really conscious.
For example, with more advanced robots such as Erica, I do believe she has
feelings and her individual personality. Furthermore, I know she has a very
developed “brain”. On the other hand, I know that Alexa or Siri don’t have a
conscious. They simply respond with a series of programmed responses.
Perhaps it’s just my own bias (preference), but I’m firm in the fact that I don’t
believe that robots’ emotions could never match humans’.
How does AI help us in everyday life?
Alexa helps us to check the weather, save electricity by turning the lights off
when we leave the room, remembers our favorite playlists, etc. More than
anything else, she reduces the amount of monotonous (boring and
repetitive) tasks we are used to doing and makes our lives easier. I believe
there are more benefits than drawbacks to her presence. On the other hand,
we shouldn’t rely too heavily on Al, since technology can fail us at any given
second.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI?
I would say the advantages are that it saves time, reminds us to conserve
electricity, makes listening to music easier, provides easier navigating, and is
simply rather amusing. On the other hand, I don’t think there are any
drawbacks (disadvantages) to her except the fact that people become to
reliant on technology and tend to get irrate when it fails them. For example, I
always go to my friend’s house and when Alexa can’t understand what he said,
he will start to holler at her! I think people build too high of expectations for
technology, assuming it should be just as intelligent as a human, which causes
people to lose their tempers (get angry).

You should say:
What it was
How you used it
Why you bought it
And explain why you think it is important

I consider myself lucky to have a job in a multinational company, which caused
me to buy a laptop for my ordinary use at home. I’m very satisfied with this
purchase, so I would love to share the story. Well, let me give you some
background. I am the eldest daughter of my family and live with them here in India. I recently
got a job which requires me to complete digital tasks online. Besides, it has
become impossible for me to use the internet with my old cell phone.
Considering everything, I have bought a laptop from the Dell brand shop online.
Though I saved a portion of money from sources like private tuition for the laptop
for a long time, the best opportunity came when I got appointed to this
multinational company. I added the remaining from my salary and brought the
laptop home.
This is the age of technology and using the internet with mobile phones is not
very efficient. Someone may browse the internet or social networking websites
temporarily on a mobile network, but that is not suitable for any large scale
jobs. Often I have to perform some official tasks using the internet and this is
almost impossible by using the cell phone. Besides, I like watching movies for
recreational purposes and my cell phone is unable to come with such support
for me. Moreover, my parents are devoutly religious and love listening to
guided prayers on there. Considering all such matters, I decided to get a laptop
but unfortunately could not manage the entire amount. So, when I received my
paycheck, I bought it right away!
I bought the laptop last month and have been using for around three weeks. By
this time, the laptop has proved its worth. It holds an outstanding chargeusually
about 7 hours. Besides, my parents are also using it and they are happy
too. I planned to use the internet modem but my father has arranged a
broadband internet connection. So, using the internet is no longer a problem for
us. I have two younger sisters and they are also careful about using the laptop.
They mostly use the laptop when I am not home and watch cartoons and
animated movies on the internet. My mother takes care of the laptop and she is
responsible for keeping it safe and clean from dust.
I was really happy to buy this laptop. It may sound strange to some that it was
a dream for me. I have realized the necessity of a laptop when I was at my
university. I was unable to complete projects and assignments. I had to rely
(depend) on my friends who had their own laptops. Though they cordially
allowed me to use their laptops, I felt uncomfortable most of the time. On the
other side, my family was not fortunate enough to spend some extra
bucks(dollars) for me to buy a laptop. So, I made a plan to make this dream
come true. After lots of struggles, I got the job and finally have my own laptop.
All in all, I couldn’t live without it now!

Part 3
How much has technology improved how we communicate with each
other?
This is a controversial (debatable) topic. On one hand, communication had
opened up endless windows of opportunities to reach a broader spectrum
(range) of people, keep in touch (contact) with people better, and just all in all
made communication more accessible. For example, I lived across the world,
but I still felt close to my family, thanks to FaceTime. On the other hand, I
believe it has had a negative effect on how we communicate with others. Where
in the past we used to value discussing matters at face value, we now hide
behind computer screens. I even feel I am scared to confront people face to
face when I could make it easier over the phone or via text message/email. All
in all, there are positives and negatives to it.

Do you agree that there are still many more major technological
innovations to be made?
Of course! Endless, actually. There is more that will be created than we can
even imagine at this particular moment in time. Looking back, I could never have
dreamt in my wildest dreams all that is accessible to us nowadays. I’m anxious
to see what will be available to us in the future! I can imagine hologram (digital)
image video chats!

Do you think people rely too much on technology?
At times! I think people are becoming incapable of doing things the old school
way, and with that said losing real skill. For example, I am a teacher and we rely
so heavily on videos, smartboards, audio files, etc, that when technology fails
us, we are completely lost. Furthermore, I must be connected to my phone,
email, and text messages at all times to even function. Moreover, I see that
children are starting to not be able to enjoy life without a tablet or phone,
whereas kids enjoyed playing outside and getting dirty in the past. So yes, in
this world where a wifi connection can fail us in an instant, people often rely too
heavily on it.

Could you suggest some reasons why some people are deciding to
reduce their use of technology?
I’m seeing that people are starting to realize that they can’t enjoy the moment
they are in because they are always glued to(attached to) their phones.
Furthermore, they want to reduce the amount of time they stare at at a computer
screen all day, as it is straining and damaging to our eyes. Moreover, parents
want to try to manage the time their kids spent playing video games,
encouraging them to get more fresh air. With the app that records the amount
of time that you spent on social media a day, it’s a bit shameful to see how much
time we waste away, so people are taking action against it.