Sample Answers

Do you like flowers? (Why?)

Yes, I do like flowers. As an introvert, sometimes, I find myself feeling

peaceful and relaxed while enjoying nice flowers in my garden. I have a habit
of taking pictures of flowers after the rain. I feel most at peace spending
chunks of good time on my own, in relative silence, contemplating the
beauty of flowers with raindrops through my camera lens.

Vocabulary

Introvert (n) a shy, reticent person.

(a) chunk of (n) a significant amount of something

Good-time (n) (of a person) having the pursuit of pleasure as ones chief
aim

To contemplate (v) to look thoughtfully for a long time at

2. Which/What is your favorite flower?

White roses are truly my favorite flower. They are traditionally associated
with marriages and new beginnings. However, their beauty has also made
them a gesture of remembrance. Therefore, a bouquet of white rose is a
perfect way to say Im thinking of you.

Vocabulary

Gesture (n) a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head,
to express an idea or meaning

(a) Bouquet of (flowers) (phrase) an attractively arranged bunch of

flowers, especially one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony

3. Do you think flowers are important?

For an introvert like me, enjoying the harmonization of various types of

flowers with different gorgeous colors in the garden or in florist shops could
brighten up my days and lift my spirits.
Vocabulary

Harmonization (n) a good combination

Gorgeous (adj) beautiful, very attractive

Brighten up (phrasal verb) make something more pleasant and happy

Lift our spirits (expression) make us feel happier

4. Are flowers important in your culture? (Give examples)

Definitely. With beautiful meanings, some flowers are chosen to show

peoples key virtues. Lotus flowers, for example, have been regarded as
the national flower. The lotus plants grow from the marsh but their leaves
and flowers grow toward the direction of the sunlight, which symbolizes the
purity and faithfulness of peoples spirits.

Vocabulary

Virtue (n) good qualities or characteristics

To regard as (v) to consider or think of in a specified way

To symbolize (v) to be a symbol of

5. Do people in your country ever use flowers for special occasions?

Flowers are widely used in many occasions and festivals in our country to
represent for a blessing, happiness and good luck. Most families have at
least one kind of plants or flowers at home.

6. What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?

A bunch of flowers is considered as a gift for a wide range of occasions for

both people to send and receive flowers. For example, in a birthday party,
Womens day, or Valentines day, colorful flowers are arranged nicely in a
small vase and given to each other.

Vocabulary
A bunch of flowers (phrase) a number of things, typically of the same
kind, growing or fastened together.

7. In your country, do people (ever) give flowers as a gift?

Yes, they do. As mention above, flowers play an essential role in different
occasions as a special gift for people to show love to one another. People,
especially girls, are happy and pleased when they receive their favorite
flowers from beloved ones on their birthday.

8. When was the last time you gave flowers to someone?

It was a couple of weeks ago when I bought a bouquet of flowers as a

present for my mom. She was deliriously happy when receiving it and put
in in the sitting room so that everyone in my family can admire its beauty
too.

Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?

Why are holidays and important to you?

If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Why?

Samples Answers:

What do you do in your holidays?

Sometimes I travel to broaden my horizons, to admire the beauty of nature and

to plunge myself into the picturesque landscape in other regions in my country.
Every now and then, I just stay at home with my family and have a little get-
together to celebrate the holidays.

Vocabulary

Every now and then (idiom) sometimes

Get-together (noun) a small informal meeting or social gathering

Who do you usually spend holiday with?

It depends on what kind of holiday it is. If its Christmas vacation, I prefer hang out with my
friends here and there and have a chit-chat. If its New Year holiday, I just want to celebrate
the holiday with my family and relatives in a cozy ambiance.

Vocabulary

Here and there (idiom) in various places

Chit chat (noun) inconsequential conversation; gossip

Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?

I would say that Im kind of an introvert so I would rather travel alone to some tranquil and
peaceful beauty spots than travel with a group of people during the holiday.

Why are holidays and important to you?

Holiday is a perfect time for recharging my batteries after a year full of challenges and
obstacles, having some me time and planning ahead for the upcoming year.

Vocabulary

Recharge my batteries (phrase) regain ones strength and energy by resting and relaxing for a
time

Me time (noun) Time spent relaxing on ones own as opposed to working or doing things for
others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy

If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Why?

If the choice is in my hands, Im yearning for travelling to [..] on Christmas vacation when
the weather is neither too cold or too hot. There I can contemplate the picturesque scenery.

Vocabulary

In my hands (idiom) In ones responsibility, charge, or care

Sample Answers

1.Do you mind noises?

Its really hard for me to say no. I mean, I really cant bear noisy people,
noisy places or even noisy things. For me noise is the number-one
distractor when it comes to studying or working. You know, they actually
just go ahead and interrupt my flow of thoughts.

Cant bear Ving (expression) cant tolerate something

2. What types of noise you come across in your daily life?

Well, I have to say that I face up to a rich variety of noises on a daily basis.
The first type of noise is from traffic, especially during the rush hours. The
second is noise from factories, construction sites which never fail to distract
me from working, thereby reducing my productivity.

Face up to (phrasal verb) to confront an unpleasant situation

Productivity (n) The quality of being productive

3. Are there any sounds that you like?

I think there is one sound that can always lull me to sleep, the rain sound.
There are nights I was so stressed out that I can hardly sleep no matter
how much I tried, and then I went online searching for some sound for deep
sleep or relaxation, and rain sound is always one of the top choices. And
since then rain sound has become my go-to on sleepless nights.

Vocabulary

To lull SO to sleep (v) to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing

sounds or movements

To be stressed out (adj) a state of mental or emotional strain or tension

resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Top recommendations (n) to be highly recommended

Go-to (adj) ideal, first choice

4. Where can you hear loud noise?

From a number of sources. It can come from the crazy drivers down there
on the streets. It can come from a building being built. It can come from a
music festivals or a DJ party where the crowd totally go wild. It can even
come from a crying baby or a fight nextdoor.

5. Do you think theres too much noise in modern society?

Indeed. I do think the level of noise is increasing overtime mainly due to

human activities. The situation gets even worse if you live in a big modern
city at a young age. Your auditory must be trained so hard to tolerate such
noise everyday. It is really alarming now to raise peoples awareness towards
this invisible killer.

Vocabulary

Auditory (n) relating to the sense of hearing

Tolerate (v) to accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or

disliked) with forbearance

6. Are cities becoming noisier?

Most cities in our country are suffering serious noise pollution due to rapidly
increasing population and a massive amount of daily transportation. The
consistently intense presence of noise does serious harm to the public
health.

Vocabulary

To do (serious) harm to (v) to damage the health of

Sample Answers

1.Do you mind noises?

Its really hard for me to say no. I mean, I really cant bear noisy people,
noisy places or even noisy things. For me noise is the number-one
distractor when it comes to studying or working. You know, they actually
just go ahead and interrupt my flow of thoughts.

Cant bear Ving (expression) cant tolerate something

2. What types of noise you come across in your daily life?

Well, I have to say that I face up to a rich variety of noises on a daily basis.
The first type of noise is from traffic, especially during the rush hours. The
second is noise from factories, construction sites which never fail to distract
me from working, thereby reducing my productivity.

Face up to (phrasal verb) to confront an unpleasant situation

Productivity (n) The quality of being productive

3. Are there any sounds that you like?

I think there is one sound that can always lull me to sleep, the rain sound.
There are nights I was so stressed out that I can hardly sleep no matter
how much I tried, and then I went online searching for some sound for deep
sleep or relaxation, and rain sound is always one of the top choices. And
since then rain sound has become my go-to on sleepless nights.

Vocabulary

To lull SO to sleep (v) to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing

sounds or movements

To be stressed out (adj) a state of mental or emotional strain or tension

resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Top recommendations (n) to be highly recommended

Go-to (adj) ideal, first choice

4. Where can you hear loud noise?

From a number of sources. It can come from the crazy drivers down there
on the streets. It can come from a building being built. It can come from a
music festivals or a DJ party where the crowd totally go wild. It can even
come from a crying baby or a fight nextdoor.

5. Do you think theres too much noise in modern society?

Indeed. I do think the level of noise is increasing overtime mainly due to

human activities. The situation gets even worse if you live in a big modern
city at a young age. Your auditory must be trained so hard to tolerate such
noise everyday. It is really alarming now to raise peoples awareness towards
this invisible killer.

Vocabulary

Auditory (n) relating to the sense of hearing

Tolerate (v) to accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or

disliked) with forbearance

6. Are cities becoming noisier?

Most cities in our country are suffering serious noise pollution due to rapidly
increasing population and a massive amount of daily transportation. The
consistently intense presence of noise does serious harm to the public
health.

Vocabulary

To do (serious) harm to (v) to damage the health of

Sample Answers

1. 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 placewhere I can plan and design a house layout to
suit myself since sharing a room or a flat with strangers sounds so
troublesome to me.

Vocabulary

To afford (v) to be able to financially support/have enough money to pay for

Sth

Suit myself (v) to do exactly what you like/want

Troublesome (adj) causing difficulty or annoyance

To make a living (v) to earn enough to support ones self

2. What do you usually do in your house/flat/room?

Well definitely Ill 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. Well watch some movies together and tell
each other endless stories.

Chill out (phrasal verb) relax

Me-time (phrase) time for ones self alone

To do Sth all by ones self (phrase) to do Sth alone

3. 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.

4. How long have you lived there?

Although during my childhood my family had to move a lot, Ive 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.

5. 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 Im thinking of moving out to start my adult life, hopefully
soon Ill be able to afford to live in a flat or an apartment.

Vocabulary

All over again (idiom) used for saying that you do the whole of something
again starting from the beginning, or that the whole of a
long process happens again

Torture (n) great physical or mental suffering

6. Whats the difference between where you are living now and
where you have lived in the past?

As Ive already mentioned my family moved several times when I was

younger. And the most current house where weve 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.

Vocabulary

Need of Sth/doing Sth (phrase) circumstances in which something is

necessary; necessity

7. Can you describe the place where you live?/ Please describe the
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 room without an air conditioner. Since I spend most of my time
staying at home, my room means the whole world to me. Its 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 Im away.

Vocabulary

Humble (adj) having or showing a modest or low estimate of ones own

importance

To help (SO) do Sth (v) to make it easier or possible for (someone) to do

something by offering them ones services or resources.

To share ups and downs (v) together being through good and bad times

To be away (adj) to or at a distance from a particular place, person, or

thing

8. Which part of your home do you like the most?

Its 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
where we can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere. We always try to keep the
family dinner as something we cannot go a day without, since for us its
the family bonding that lies behind.

Vocabulary

Family reunions

Harmonious (adj) having agreement or consensus

To go a day without Sth/doing Sth (v) to feel not necessary to do Sth on

a day

Model Answers:

1. What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?

Without any doubt I would say motorbikes. You can see people driving a motorbike all over
the place in my country. 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

Without any doubt/There is no doubt that (expression) a phrase expressing certainty or

agreement; yes

A wide variety of (collocation) a number or range of things of the same general class that is
distinct in character or quality.

2. How often do you take buses?

Almost every day. Since my house is so far away from my university, its impossible for me to
travel by motorbike. In addition, the air is heavily polluted by exhaust fumes and traffic jams
always take place, especially during peak hours. Thus, Id prefer to take the bus, to save time,
save gasoline and causing less pollution.

Vocabulary
Exhaust fumes (n) waste gasses or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or another machine in
the course of its operation.

Traffic jam (n) a line or lines of stationary or very slow-moving traffic, caused by roadworks, an
accident, or heavy congestion.

Peak hours/Rush hours (n) the busiest hours

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. However, traveling by plane is clearly
time-saving and enjoyable in terms of on-board services like meals or comfortable seats, while
traveling by train offers you a chance to see the world outside, admire the views from their
seats. Its totally a great experience for most train-travelers.

Vocabulary

On-board services (n) provided on or within a vehicle

Cater (v) provide with what is needed or required

4.How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?

I have to commute from my home to my workplace on a daily basis. It normally takes me 30

minutes to travel back and forth.

5. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?

Definitely not. Riding a bike means youre exposing yourself to the unpredictable weather and
to air pollution. What is worse, Im afraid the main streets or the highway are too dangerous for
cyclists, as cars, motorbikes and buses will travel at a very high speed. Thus Id rather ride a
motorbike or take the bus instead.

Vocabulary

Unpredictable weather (n) to not able to be predicted; changeable

6. What will become the most popular means of transport in your country?
I think buses will take the lead. You can travel the distance without much worries about ticket
price or rainy weather outside. Also new buses now offer better services like comfortable seats
for the elderly or good air conditioning systems.

Vocabulary

To take the lead (v) to start winning a race or competition

7. Do you prefer public transport or private transport ?

I think Id prefer public transport. Its much more inexpensive and because it can contain a large
number of people, it helps ease the intensity of traffic jams during peak hours and reduce the
greenhouse gas emissions caused by vehicles. Private transportation is more costly in terms of
fees, taxes and gasoline.

Vocabulary

Intensity (n) of extreme force, degree, or strength

Greenhouse gas emissions (np) the emission into the earths atmosphere of any of various
gases, esp carbon dioxide, that contribute to the greenhouse effect

Write at least 150 words.

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

A number of tertiary courses require students to undertake a period of unpaid work at art
institution or organisation as part of their programme.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of th type of course requement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.

Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE ANSWERS
Task 1 Model Answer

The bar graph illustrates the quantity of carbon emissions produced by six countries in
1975,1990, and 2005.

The USA emitted the largest amount of carbon for all three years, showing an increase from
slightly over 1,200,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1975 to just under 1,600,000 thousand mctric
tonnes in 2005. Chinas level of carbon emissions more than doubled from 300.000 thousand
metric tonnes in 1975 to over 600,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1990 before more than doubling
again to approximately 1.6 million thousand metric tonnes in 2005. In contrast, Germanys
carbon emissions reduced slightly from approximately 250,000 in 1975 and 1990 to roughly
200,000 in 2005. The only other country to reduce emissions was the United Kingdom between
1975 (approximately 180,000) and 1990 (about 160,000), although this was quite slight and rose
again in 2005 to 170,000. Canadas level increased slightly each year to match the UK in 2005,
and carbon emissions in India jumped from approximately 80.000 in 1975 to 350,000 in 2005.

On the whole, the two largest contributors to carbon emissions were the USA and China.

(181 words)

Task 2 Model Answer

As part of a varied and stimulating curriculum, many universities and tertiary providers often
offer student internships with companies or other organisations as a component of study. This
trend has both benefits and drawbacks.

One of the mam advantages is that an internship in an appropriate place ofTers students the
chance to integrate their theory and knowledge in a real-life, practical setting. The example of
student doctors and nurses illustrates the value of practical internships: how else would students
learn to practise medicine but in an authentic, supervised context? In addition, internships and
practicum placements can often lead to a job opportunity for the student upon graduating, or at
the very least, a good set of contacts for the commencement of their professional life. In terms of
assessment it also gives the university a clear picture of how the student is progressing against
industry standards, and whether the course is meeting the needs of that particular industry.

However, there are several disadvantages to these types of placements. First of all, universities
can sometimes have difficulty in securing good quality, suitable placements for their students or,
even worse, students are left to their own devices to arrange a placement. This is unsatisfactory
and puts students at a disadvantage. As well as this, sometimes students in these types of
placements get used to doing menial task which are well beneath their capabilities, simply
because they are perceived as inexperienced and incapable.

To conclude, student placements arc an excellent way to provide practical experience and
support our future professionals to gain the skills they need to succeed, but these placements
must be monitored and facilitated carefully.

(273 words)