IELTS口语范例

发布于 2026年9月26日

2026年9-12月雅思口语题库：Band 8示范答案

Part 1 · Part 2 · Part 3
共 749 组问题与示范回答
Source edition: 20 September 2026

本册按原题库顺序编排。所有回答采用连贯的示范人设与自然口语表达，便于朗读、复述与替换个人信息。

一、大陆地区新题

Part 1 9 月在考新题（11 道）

Part 1 - 1. Travelling

Q: What transport do you often use when travelling?

A: I normally take high-speed trains for journeys between cities because they are punctual and far less stressful than driving. Within a city, I tend to rely on the metro.

Q: Do you often ride a bicycle?

A: I do, although mainly at weekends. Cycling is ideal for short distances, and it lets me get some exercise without setting aside extra time for a workout.

Q: Do you prefer to sit by the window when travelling?

A: Yes, definitely. A window seat gives me something to look at, and watching the scenery change makes a long journey feel considerably shorter.

Q: Did you have a long journey with your family as a child?

A: Yes. When I was about ten, my family took an overnight train to Xi’an. The journey felt like an adventure because we played cards, shared snacks and woke up in a completely different landscape.

Part 1 - 2. Rubbish and recycling

Q: Did you recycle when you were a kid?

A: Only in a fairly basic way. My primary school collected waste paper, so I used to save old exercise books and put them in a large recycling box in the corridor.

Q: Is waste sorting common in your country?

A: It is becoming common, especially in major cities, although people’s habits are still uneven. Clearer labels and regular public campaigns have made sorting much easier than it used to be.

Q: How do you recycle things like paper and plastic?

A: I flatten cardboard boxes, rinse plastic containers and place them in the appropriate bins. I also keep reusable bags by the door so that I do not need a new plastic bag every time I shop.

Q: What do you do when you see rubbish on the street?

A: If it is safe and hygienic to do so, I pick it up and put it in the nearest bin. I would feel rather hypocritical complaining about litter while walking straight past it.

Part 1 - 3. Tiredness

Q: What do you do when you feel tired?

A: I usually step away from my screen, drink some water and take a ten-minute walk. If I am genuinely exhausted, a short nap is far more effective than another cup of coffee.

Q: When would you feel tired?

A: I feel most tired after several hours of concentrated study or after travelling all day. Mental fatigue can be just as draining as physical exercise.

Q: Do you often feel tired?

A: Not particularly. I keep a fairly regular sleep schedule, although I do feel worn out near exam deadlines when several tasks pile up at once.

Q: When you feel tired, do you still go out with your friends?

A: It depends on the plan. I would still meet a close friend for a quiet meal, but I would turn down a noisy late-night event and arrange something for another day.

Part 1 - 4. Shoes

Q: Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?

A: Comfortable shoes, without question. A fashionable pair is pointless if it gives me blisters after twenty minutes, although I still prefer simple designs that look neat.

Q: How much money do you usually spend on shoes?

A: Usually between 400 and 700 yuan for a pair I can wear regularly. I would rather buy one durable pair than replace several cheap ones.

Q: Have you ever bought shoes online?

A: Yes, but only from brands whose sizing I already know. I read the return policy carefully because even shoes in the same stated size can fit differently.

Q: Do you like buying shoes? How often?

A: I do not regard it as a hobby, so I shop for shoes perhaps three or four times a year. I normally wait until an old pair is worn out or I need something for a specific occasion.

Part 1 - 5. Politeness

Q: What did you do to show your politeness as a child?

A: I greeted adults properly, said please and thank you, and waited until other people had finished speaking. Those small habits were my parents’ way of teaching me to respect others.

Q: On what occasions should we be polite?

A: We should be polite in almost every social situation, but it matters particularly when we disagree with someone or speak to service staff. Courtesy is most revealing when we are frustrated.

Q: Do you think being polite is very important?

A: Yes, because politeness reduces unnecessary friction and makes people feel acknowledged. It does not mean being artificial; it simply means expressing yourself without disregarding other people.

Q: How did you learn to be polite as a child?

A: Mostly through example and gentle correction. My parents modelled polite behaviour, and if I interrupted a guest or forgot to thank someone, they quietly reminded me afterwards.

Part 1 - 6. Fruit and vegetables

Q: Do people in your country like planting vegetables?

A: Many do, particularly older people who have a balcony or a small plot of land. They often grow spring onions, chillies or tomatoes because these plants are useful and relatively easy to maintain.

Q: Were there any kind of fruits and vegetables you disliked as a child?

A: I disliked bitter melon and celery when I was little because their flavours seemed overpowering. My taste has changed, though, and I now appreciate both when they are cooked well.

Q: What kind of fruits and vegetables do you dislike?

A: I am still not keen on overly soft okra because of its texture. Apart from that, I eat almost every common fruit and vegetable.

Q: Where do you usually buy fruit and vegetables?

A: I usually buy them from a supermarket near my apartment, as the produce is labelled clearly and turns over quickly. At weekends, I sometimes visit a local wet market for fresher seasonal items.

Q: How often do you eat fruit and vegetables?

A: Every day. I normally have fruit with breakfast and make sure lunch and dinner each contain at least one vegetable, so it has become an automatic part of my routine.

Part 1 - 7. Advertisement

Q: Do you often see advertisements when you are on your phone or computer?

A: Constantly. Most free apps and video platforms insert adverts into the feed, so I probably see dozens without consciously registering all of them.

Q: What kind of advertising do you like?

A: I like advertising that is concise, visually inventive and genuinely informative. A clever story is welcome, but it should still tell me what the product actually does.

Q: Do you like advertisements?

A: Only occasionally. A well-made advert can be entertaining, whereas repetitive pop-ups and exaggerated claims make me distrust the brand behind them.

Q: Do you see a lot of advertising on trains or other transport?

A: Yes. Digital screens in metro stations and carriages display a steady stream of adverts, although I usually notice them only when the design is unusually striking.

Q: Is there an advertisement that made an impression on you when you were a child?

A: A public-service advert about saving water stayed with me. It showed a tap slowly draining an entire lake, which was a simple image but a remarkably effective one.

Q: Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?

A: Yes. I once bought a pair of noise-cancelling headphones after seeing a detailed demonstration online. I still compared independent reviews first, so the advert sparked my interest rather than making the decision for me.

Part 1 - 8. Paper

Q: Do you carry paper and pens with you when you go out?

A: I carry a small notebook and a pen, even though most of my notes are digital. Writing by hand is quicker when I need to sketch an idea or remember something immediately.

Q: Do people still keep handwritten letters today?

A: Yes, especially letters connected with important relationships or milestones. A handwritten message feels personal in a way that a screenshot of a text conversation rarely does.

Q: Do you still write physical letters?

A: Very rarely. I write cards for birthdays and major festivals, but for ordinary communication I use email or instant messaging because it is faster and easier to organise.

Q: What did you like to do with paper as a child?

A: I loved folding paper planes and drawing imaginary maps. I could spend an entire afternoon testing different designs to see which plane flew the farthest.

Q: Have you made any crafts with paper?

A: Yes. At school I made paper lanterns and a surprisingly complicated model bridge. They were not perfect, but the process taught me to follow instructions patiently.

Part 1 - 9. Secondary school

Q: Is there anything you miss about your secondary school?

A: I miss the sense of shared routine. My closest friends and I saw one another every day, so even an ordinary lunch break could become memorable.

Q: What was your favourite subject at secondary school?

A: English was my favourite subject because it opened a window onto films, books and ideas from other cultures. I also enjoyed the freedom of expressing one thought in several different ways.

Q: Were there any subjects that you found difficult at secondary school?

A: Physics was difficult at first, particularly problems involving electricity. Once I stopped memorising formulas and began drawing diagrams, it became much more manageable.

Q: Do you remember your first day at secondary school?

A: Quite clearly. I was nervous about finding my classroom, but another new student asked me for directions even though I was equally lost, and that awkward moment started a long friendship.

Part 1 - 10. Name

Q: Do you often forget people’s names?

A: I occasionally do, especially when I meet several people at the same event. I normally remember the face and context but need a moment to retrieve the actual name.

Q: How do you feel when people can’t remember your name?

A: I do not take it personally, because I make the same mistake myself. I simply introduce myself again rather than allowing the situation to become uncomfortable.

Q: How do you remember people’s names?

A: I repeat the name naturally during the conversation and connect it with one distinctive detail about the person. That association is much stronger than trying to memorise the sound alone.

Q: Is it easy for you to remember people’s names?

A: Reasonably easy if I speak to the person for a few minutes. It is much harder when names are read rapidly from a list with no faces or stories attached to them.

Part 1 - 11. Opportunities

Q: Do you often get new opportunities?

A: Fairly often, mainly through university projects and student events. The opportunities are not always dramatic, but even a small presentation or workshop can lead to useful experience.

Q: Do you like taking on new opportunities?

A: Yes, provided they fit my priorities. New opportunities keep life from becoming predictable, although I have learned not to accept everything and then perform poorly because I am overstretched.

Q: Should people try as many different things as they can?

A: People should experiment widely when they are young, but not for the sake of constant novelty. Trying different things is valuable when they reflect afterwards and identify what genuinely suits them.

Q: Did you have any opportunities to take part in new activities as a child?

A: Yes. My school offered a robotics club, and joining it was my first experience of building something as a team. Our robot barely completed the course, but I became fascinated by technology.

Part 2&3 9 月在考新题（28 道）

Part 2 - 1. 对结果开心的重要决定

Q: Describe a time you made an important decision and were happy with the result

What the decision was
Why you made the decision
How easy it was for you to make the decision
And explain why you were happy with the result

A: One important decision I made was to apply for a postgraduate programme in a city where I knew almost nobody. I had a comfortable routine in my hometown, but the programme offered the combination of computer science and user research that I genuinely wanted. The decision was not easy because it meant leaving my family, paying higher living costs and accepting that I might initially feel isolated. I dealt with it methodically: I spoke to current students, compared course modules and wrote down the best and worst realistic outcomes. Once the evidence was in front of me, the risk looked manageable rather than frightening. I am happy with the result because the move made me far more independent and introduced me to people with very different ideas. More importantly, the course confirmed that I had chosen the right field. There have been difficult weeks, of course, but even those have taught me how to organise myself and ask for help. Looking back, the decision expanded both my academic options and my sense of what I can handle.

Part 3

Q: Which is better, to make a decision quickly or slowly?

A: Neither speed is inherently better. A low-stakes, reversible choice should be made quickly, while a decision about health, education or finance deserves evidence and consultation. The real skill is matching the process to the consequences rather than using one pace for everything.

Q: Do you think most people’s decisions are made in their 20s?

A: Many highly visible decisions occur in people’s twenties, such as study, work and relationships, but they are not necessarily final. Careers, families and values continue to change throughout life. The twenties are better described as a period of frequent first decisions than the point when an entire future is fixed.

Q: What if people in a group have different opinions on a decision?

A: They should first agree on the objective and the criteria for judging options. Each view then needs a fair hearing, followed by a clear decision method such as consensus, a responsible leader or a vote. Recording the reasons helps people support the outcome even if their preferred option loses.

Q: What little decisions do people make every day?

A: People choose when to wake up, what to eat, how to travel, which message to answer first and how to spend small amounts of time and money. Each choice seems minor, but repeated patterns shape health and productivity. Good routines reduce the number that require conscious effort.

Q: Do you think it is a good idea to make a small decision every day?

A: Not necessarily. The consequences, available evidence and time pressure differ from one choice to another. Choosing a university deserves research, whereas choosing lunch usually relies on habit. The qualification is that too much analysis can become a way of postponing an uncomfortable choice.

Q: How can we tell the difference between an important and an easy decision?

A: An important decision has substantial or lasting consequences and is often difficult to reverse. An easy decision may still matter, but the cost of being wrong is low. I would judge the difference by impact, reversibility and how many other people are affected.

Part 2 - 2. 做困难事情并成功的人

Q: Describe a person you know who did something difficult and was successful

Who this person is
What difficult thing this person did
Why this person was successful
And explain how you feel about this person

A: The person I have in mind is my cousin Mei, who changed careers from accounting to software design in her early thirties. She had a stable job and no formal technology background, so the transition involved a real financial and psychological risk. For almost a year, she studied after work, built small projects and applied for entry-level positions while receiving a steady stream of rejections. What made her successful was not exceptional talent but a disciplined feedback loop. After each failed interview, she identified one weakness, practised it and asked someone experienced to review her work. Eventually, a small education company hired her, and she later became the lead designer of one of its learning products. I admire her because she was realistic without becoming cynical. She did not pretend that passion alone would solve everything; she saved money, set milestones and accepted a temporary drop in status. Her experience changed my view of success. It showed me that courage can be quiet and repetitive: sometimes it simply means returning to a difficult task the next evening.

Part 3

Q: In which sectors are companies more likely to succeed in China?

A: Technology, health care, green energy, advanced manufacturing and services for an ageing population all have strong potential. However, no sector guarantees success. A company still needs genuine demand, sound cash flow and the ability to earn trust in a highly competitive market.

Q: Is it easy to start up a company?

A: Registration may be relatively straightforward, but building a sustainable company is difficult. Founders must test demand, secure cash flow, recruit capable people and respond to regulation and competition. Starting is an event; surviving long enough to earn repeat customers is the real challenge.

Q: Other than making money, what is more important for a company?

A: A company needs a useful purpose, customer trust and the ability to retain capable employees. Profit keeps it alive, but those qualities explain why people choose it repeatedly. Environmental and social responsibility also protect the firm’s long-term licence to operate.

Q: Does money equal success?

A: No. Money provides security and expands choice, so it is an important part of success, but it cannot measure health, integrity, relationships or social value. I would call a business successful when it is financially sustainable and creates something worthwhile without damaging the people or environment around it.

Q: How can companies help protect the environment?

A: A practical approach is to test demand on a small scale, manage costs and build environmental responsibility into operations. A neighbourhood bakery can outperform a fashionable start-up by serving regular customers reliably. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Is it difficult to do business in today’s world?

A: Yes, because competition is global, customer expectations change quickly and one online failure can damage trust at scale. At the same time, digital tools have lowered the cost of reaching a market. Starting is more accessible, but building a resilient and responsible company remains difficult.

Part 2 - 3. 快乐人士

Q: Describe a happy person you know

Who this person is
What he/she is like
How he/she shows happiness
And explain why you think he/she is a happy person

A: A genuinely happy person I know is my grandmother. She is in her seventies and has a calm, curious personality. She notices small pleasures that the rest of us often rush past, such as the first flowers on her balcony or a perfectly ripe peach at the market. She shows happiness openly but not dramatically. She laughs easily, sends voice messages when she discovers a new recipe and always gives visitors her complete attention. What makes her seem deeply happy is that her mood is not dependent on everything going smoothly. She has dealt with illness and loss, yet she does not deny those difficulties or let them occupy every conversation. Instead, she maintains a few reliable sources of meaning: caring for plants, walking with neighbours and keeping the family connected. When I spend time with her, I become less preoccupied with achievement and more aware of the present moment. To me, her happiness is not constant excitement. It is the ability to remain interested in life and generous towards other people, even on an ordinary day.

Part 3

Q: When do you think people are happiest?

A: It is most common when lasting happiness usually comes from security, meaningful relationships and a sense of progress. Situations involving friendship, purposeful work, art, rest, play and small moments of competence make that need especially visible. However, forcing constant cheerfulness can hide distress and make people feel guilty for normal sadness, so context should guide the response.

Q: How can the arts spread positive emotions in society?

A: The arts create shared experiences through music, images, stories and performance. Public concerts, community theatre and accessible exhibitions can give people relief while also helping them feel understood. Their emotional value is greatest when participation is affordable and reflects more than one narrow group.

Q: Do you think teachers are able to spot the unhappy children?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that positive emotion improves resilience, cooperation and willingness to learn. At the same time, forcing constant cheerfulness can hide distress and make people feel guilty for normal sadness. A balanced approach is to create safe relationships, manageable demands and opportunities for genuine achievement.

Q: Should teachers know what children are doing all the time?

A: Not necessarily. A student may value one trusted teacher and a sense of belonging more than expensive facilities. More broadly, positive emotion improves resilience, cooperation and willingness to learn; however, forcing constant cheerfulness can hide distress and make people feel guilty for normal sadness.

Q: What would make a student happy at school?

A: The most important point is that lasting happiness usually comes from security, meaningful relationships and a sense of progress. In practice, this may involve friendship, purposeful work, art, rest, play and small moments of competence. For example, a student may value one trusted teacher and a sense of belonging more than expensive facilities, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: Do you think doing a job that you like is more important than other things?

A: Enjoying the work is important because it supports motivation, but it cannot replace fair pay, health, security and respectful colleagues. A fascinating job that damages the rest of life is not sustainable. I would seek meaningful work within a package of reasonable conditions rather than rank one factor absolutely.

Part 2 - 4. 看过的名人采访

Q: Describe a time you watched a famous person being interviewed

Who the famous person was
What the interview was about
When and where you watched the interview
And explain how you felt about the interview

A: I once watched a long-form interview with the retired tennis player Li Na. I found it online during a period when I was struggling with a demanding project, and I expected a conventional discussion of trophies and training. Instead, much of the interview concerned pressure, injury and the loneliness of making decisions that other people may not understand. She spoke candidly about leaving the state sports system, taking responsibility for her own career and learning from defeats that were publicly visible. What struck me was her directness. She did not turn every setback into an inspirational slogan; she explained the practical work and uncertainty behind her achievements. I watched the interview alone at my desk, but I paused several times to write down ideas, particularly her distinction between being confident and being unafraid. I came away feeling steadier rather than simply excited. The interview reminded me that high performers are not free from doubt. They develop routines that allow them to act despite it, which was exactly the perspective I needed at that moment.

Part 3

Q: What should people wear to a job interview?

A: They should look neat, comfortable and appropriate for the role. A bank may expect formal clothing, whereas a design studio may accept something more relaxed. The aim is to show respect and judgement without wearing an unfamiliar costume that distracts the candidate throughout the interview.

Q: Why do we need to attend interviews when applying for jobs?

A: The main reason is that an interview reveals communication, judgement and mutual fit that a document cannot fully show. A candidate who explains one setback thoughtfully may be more convincing than one who claims perfection. However, bias and artificial performance can reward confidence more than actual ability, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What should people do to prepare for a job interview?

A: A practical approach is to research the organisation, prepare specific examples and practise concise but honest explanations. A candidate who explains one setback thoughtfully may be more convincing than one who claims perfection. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Why do some people think interviews are a waste of time?

Q: Why do some people dislike being interviewed?

A: They may fear judgement, unfamiliar questions or losing control over how their words are presented. Formal interviews also demand immediate, coherent answers, which can disadvantage thoughtful people who need time. Clear expectations and respectful follow-up questions reduce that pressure.

Q: What kinds of people are usually interviewed?

A: Employers interview applicants, journalists interview public figures, experts and witnesses, and researchers interview participants with relevant experience. The common feature is that spoken answers reveal context and judgement that a form cannot capture. Ethical interviewers should make the purpose and use of the information clear.

Part 2 - 5. 有条理的人

Q: Describe a person you know who is very organized

Who this person is
What this person usually does to stay organized
In what situations you have noticed this quality
And explain why you think being organized is important to him/her

A: The most organised person I know is my university project supervisor, Professor Chen. He manages several research projects, teaches classes and still appears fully present in meetings. His system is surprisingly simple: every task has an owner and a deadline, meeting agendas are circulated in advance, and decisions are recorded in one shared document. I first noticed this quality during a project that involved six students from different disciplines. When our responsibilities began to overlap, he did not add more meetings. He created a one-page plan showing what depended on what, which immediately exposed the real bottleneck. Being organised is important to him because research contains a great deal of uncertainty; a clear process prevents that uncertainty from becoming chaos. I also appreciate that his organisation serves people rather than controlling them. He builds time for questions and unexpected results instead of scheduling every minute. Watching him has changed my own habits. I now prepare a short agenda before group discussions and end them by confirming the next action, which saves everyone from having the same conversation twice.

Part 3

Q: Do you think it is important for managers to be well organized?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A five-minute daily reset often prevents a desk or schedule from becoming unmanageable. More broadly, clear systems reduce forgotten tasks, duplicated work and unnecessary stress; however, excessive planning can become rigid and leave no room for discovery or emergencies.

Q: Should parents teach their children to be organized?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Organisation converts limited time and attention into reliable action. A five-minute daily reset often prevents a desk or schedule from becoming unmanageable. The qualification is that excessive planning can become rigid and leave no room for discovery or emergencies.

Q: What can people do to become more organized?

A: A practical approach is to give important items a fixed place, record commitments and review priorities regularly. A five-minute daily reset often prevents a desk or schedule from becoming unmanageable. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Are organized people more likely to be successful at work or in their studies?

Q: Do you think children should learn to be organized from a young age?

Q: Why is it important for people to be organized?

A: The main reason is that organisation converts limited time and attention into reliable action. A five-minute daily reset often prevents a desk or schedule from becoming unmanageable. However, excessive planning can become rigid and leave no room for discovery or emergencies, so context and implementation still matter.

Part 2 - 6. 嘈杂地

Q: Describe a noisy place you have been to

Where it is
When you went there
What you did there
And explain why you feel it’s a noisy place

A: A particularly noisy place I visited was a night market in Chengdu during the National Day holiday. I went with two school friends whom I had not seen for months. The market occupied several narrow streets, and every few metres a vendor was calling out prices, a speaker was playing music or oil was crackling on a grill. On top of that, thousands of visitors were talking at once, so we had to lean towards one another just to hold a basic conversation. We sampled spicy noodles, watched a craftsman make sugar figures and slowly moved through the crowd. The noise came from many overlapping sources rather than one unbearable sound, which made the place feel both exhausting and alive. After about an hour, I needed a quiet side street to reset my senses. I would not want to live beside that market, but I was glad to experience it. In that context, the noise was part of the atmosphere: it signalled appetite, trade and celebration, even though it also reminded me how quickly sensory excitement can turn into fatigue.

Part 3

Q: How can people consider others’ feelings when chatting in public?

A: A practical approach is to lower voices in shared spaces, use headphones responsibly and enforce time and place limits. Conversation is welcome in a cafe but disruptive in a hospital corridor or quiet carriage. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: How would people usually respond to noises in your country?

Q: Which area is exposed to noise more, the city or the countryside?

A: Cities are generally noisier because traffic, construction and dense commercial activity continue for much of the day. Rural areas have machinery, animals and occasional loud events, but the sound is usually less constant. Duration and lack of control often matter more than the maximum volume.

Q: What kinds of noises are there in our life?

A: Typical examples include traffic, construction, music, machinery, conversation and children playing. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that sound becomes noise when it is unwanted, prolonged or imposed on someone with no control over it.

Q: Should children not be allowed to make noise under any circumstances?

A: Not necessarily. Sound becomes noise when it is unwanted, prolonged or imposed on someone with no control over it. Conversation is welcome in a cafe but disruptive in a hospital corridor or quiet carriage. The qualification is that chronic noise damages concentration, sleep and eventually physical health.

Q: Do you think it is good for children to make noise?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that lively sound can support play, celebration and a sense of public energy. At the same time, chronic noise damages concentration, sleep and eventually physical health. A balanced approach is to lower voices in shared spaces, use headphones responsibly and enforce time and place limits.

Part 2 - 7. 喜欢的城市自然之地

Q: Describe a natural place in your city that you enjoy visiting

Where it is
What it is like
How often you go there
Who you often go there with
And explain why you enjoy visiting there

A: My favourite natural place in the city is a restored wetland park beside the river. It is about thirty minutes from my apartment by metro and then a short walk. The park has reed beds, shallow ponds and a raised wooden path that keeps visitors away from nesting birds. I go roughly twice a month, usually alone when I need to think, although a close friend sometimes joins me with coffee. What I enjoy most is the gradual change in sound. Near the entrance, I can still hear traffic, but farther inside it is replaced by wind, water and birds. The landscape is managed, so it is not untouched wilderness, yet it feels much less controlled than a formal garden. I normally walk one complete loop, sit by the largest pond and leave my phone in my bag. The visit clears my head because it gives my attention somewhere gentle to rest. It also makes environmental protection feel concrete: a neglected industrial edge has become useful habitat as well as a public space.

Part 3

Q: Which is more important, protecting the environment or developing the economy?

A: The choice is misleading because a functioning economy depends on clean water, stable weather and healthy people. Development is necessary, especially where basic needs remain unmet, but its environmental costs must be priced and limited. The sensible goal is economic improvement that does not destroy the conditions needed to sustain it.

Q: Do you think staying in a natural place would help change people’s mood?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Contact with nature restores attention and makes environmental loss visible rather than abstract. A small wetland near homes may improve daily wellbeing more than a distant showcase park. The qualification is that poorly managed tourism can damage the very landscape people come to enjoy.

Q: Do you think there should be many natural places in cities?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that green space improves mood, reduces heat and gives residents room to exercise and meet. At the same time, poorly managed tourism can damage the very landscape people come to enjoy. A balanced approach is to protect connected habitats, provide public transport and design safe everyday access.

Q: What can governments do to encourage people to spend more time in nature?

A: A practical approach is to protect connected habitats, provide public transport and design safe everyday access. A small wetland near homes may improve daily wellbeing more than a distant showcase park. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Do you think people should spend more time in nature?

Q: What kind of people do you think enjoy being in nature?

A: It is particularly common among people under mental pressure, families, walkers and anyone curious about living systems. A small wetland near homes may improve daily wellbeing more than a distant showcase park. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Part 2 - 8. 攒钱买特别物品

Q: Describe a time when you saved money to buy something special

What the special thing was
Why you wanted to buy it
How you saved money for it
And explain how you felt after buying it

A: The special item I saved for was a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones. I was sharing an apartment and travelling frequently on crowded public transport, so background noise was making both study and sleep difficult. The model I wanted was far beyond what I would normally spend on an accessory, and I did not want to buy it impulsively. For four months, I tracked discretionary spending, cooked at home more often and transferred a fixed amount into a separate account each week. I also waited for a legitimate sale rather than using credit. The process was useful because it made the trade-off visible: every unnecessary delivery meal represented part of the headphones. When I finally bought them, I felt pleased but also slightly nervous that they might not justify the effort. Fortunately, they did. I still use them daily in the library and on trains. More than the object itself, I value the experience of delaying a purchase until I could afford it comfortably. It taught me that saving is easier when the goal is specific and connected to a real improvement in daily life.

Part 3

Q: Should people spend time on charity, or just money?

A: Both are valuable, and the better contribution depends on the organisation’s needs and the donor’s skills. Money gives specialists flexibility, while time can provide human contact or expertise. People should avoid volunteering merely to feel useful; they should ask what produces the greatest benefit.

Q: What kind of things do people usually save money for?

A: It is particularly common among people with clear goals and enough flexibility to respond to real needs. A teenager who manages a weekly allowance learns trade-offs more safely than an adult learning through debt. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Is it easier to spend money or save money?

A: Spending is usually easier because the reward is immediate and modern payment systems remove friction. Saving asks people to value a future benefit they cannot yet feel. Automatic transfers and a specific goal can reverse that imbalance by making saving the default rather than a fresh act of willpower.

Q: Do you think it is easier to teach teenagers how to manage money when they are around 16 or 17 years old?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A teenager who manages a weekly allowance learns trade-offs more safely than an adult learning through debt. More broadly, saving creates security and allows people to pursue goals without expensive debt; however, extreme caution can prevent people from enjoying life or investing in worthwhile opportunities.

Q: Should parents teach their children to spend money freely or to save money?

A: They should teach balance rather than either extreme. Children need a regular saving habit, but they should also learn to spend deliberately on useful things and shared experiences. A small allowance divided among spending, saving and giving makes the trade-offs concrete.

Q: Should schools teach children how to manage money from a young age?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that saving creates security and allows people to pursue goals without expensive debt. At the same time, extreme caution can prevent people from enjoying life or investing in worthwhile opportunities. A balanced approach is to use a simple budget, automate saving and connect each goal with a clear time frame.

Part 2 - 9. 小时候学到的新技能

Q: Describe a new skill you learned when you were a child

What the skill was
Who taught you this skill
How you learned it
And explain how you felt about learning the skill

A: A skill I learned as a child was riding a bicycle. My father taught me in an empty school playground when I was about seven. At first, he held the back of the seat while I concentrated so intensely on balancing that I forgot to steer. We practised in short sessions because frustration quickly made me careless. He gradually loosened his grip without announcing it, and one afternoon I realised I had crossed the playground entirely on my own. I was thrilled for about three seconds and then rode directly into a hedge, which kept the achievement from becoming too heroic. Learning to cycle gave me an early lesson in physical confidence: some knowledge cannot be understood through explanation alone; the body has to absorb it through repetition. I also appreciated my father’s patience. He corrected one thing at a time and never laughed when I fell. Once I could ride safely, the neighbourhood seemed to expand because places that had felt far away were suddenly within reach.

Part 3

Q: Is it important for everyone to have a specialized skill?

A: Not necessarily. A child learns cycling through guided attempts, while an adult may first want an explanation of the mechanics. More broadly, learning increases independence and gives people more ways to solve unfamiliar problems; however, poor instruction or perfectionism can turn useful difficulty into discouragement.

Q: Can a child learn skills from another child?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Skills develop through purposeful practice, feedback and repeated retrieval rather than passive exposure. A child learns cycling through guided attempts, while an adult may first want an explanation of the mechanics. The qualification is that poor instruction or perfectionism can turn useful difficulty into discouragement.

Q: Do you think it is easier for children to learn new skills than for adults?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that learning increases independence and gives people more ways to solve unfamiliar problems. At the same time, poor instruction or perfectionism can turn useful difficulty into discouragement. A balanced approach is to break the skill into manageable parts, practise in context and obtain timely feedback.

Q: What are the differences between the way adults learn and the way children learn?

A: Children often learn through imitation, play and frequent trial without demanding a full explanation first. Adults connect new material with prior knowledge and usually want an efficient reason for each step, but they may fear mistakes more. Children have flexibility, whereas adults can bring stronger discipline and strategy.

Q: What are the differences between learning in a group and learning by yourself?

A: Group learning provides explanation, accountability and exposure to different approaches, but its pace may not suit everyone. Studying alone allows deep concentration and targeted review, yet misconceptions can remain unchallenged. A strong learner usually combines both: individual preparation followed by discussion and feedback.

Q: What skills should children learn before they go to school?

A: They need basic self-care, the ability to communicate needs, take turns, listen briefly and recover from small frustrations. Early number and language exposure is useful, but formal acceleration is less important than curiosity and social confidence. These foundations make later classroom learning possible.

Part 2 - 10. 喜欢拍照的人

Q: Describe a person you know who really likes taking photos

Who the person is
When and how you got to know him/her
Where he/she takes photos
And explain how you feel about him/her

A: A person I know who loves taking photographs is my friend Lin, whom I met in a university design class. We were assigned to document how people used a public square, and while the rest of us took quick reference pictures, she waited patiently for changing light and small human interactions. She photographs ordinary urban scenes rather than famous landmarks: steam rising from a breakfast stall, reflections on a rainy bus window or an elderly couple sharing an umbrella. She carries a compact camera everywhere but is considerate about asking permission when a person is identifiable. I enjoy going on walks with her because she notices details that I would otherwise miss. At the same time, she knows when to put the camera away, so the activity never feels as if it replaces the experience itself. Her photographs are not technically showy; they are observant and emotionally precise. I admire that quality because it has taught me that a familiar place can become interesting again if I slow down and look at it with enough care.

Part 3

Q: Some people don’t mind others walking into their shot when they’re taking photos. Why do tourists like taking photos while they are travelling?

A: The main reason is that photographs preserve a selective visual record and help people share an experience. A travel photograph can trigger details of a day that the image itself does not contain. However, constant recording can interrupt the experience and violate privacy or cultural rules, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Do you think it’s ok to take photos everywhere?

A: No. Photography should be restricted where it threatens privacy, safety, religious respect or the preservation of fragile objects. Even when it is legally permitted, asking before photographing an identifiable stranger is basic courtesy. Access to a camera does not create an automatic right to record everything.

Q: What kind of photos do people often take?

A: It is particularly common among travellers, parents, visual thinkers and people who enjoy collecting or sharing memories. A travel photograph can trigger details of a day that the image itself does not contain. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Why are some people keen on taking photos?

Q: When do people like taking photos?

A: It is most common when photographs preserve a selective visual record and help people share an experience. Situations involving family occasions, travel scenes, food, landscapes, pets and ordinary daily moments make that need especially visible. However, constant recording can interrupt the experience and violate privacy or cultural rules, so context should guide the response.

Part 2 - 11. 尊敬的比你年长的人

Q: Describe someone who is older than you that you admire

Who this person is
How you knew this person
What kinds of things you like to do together
And explain how you feel about this person

A: An older person I admire is my former secondary-school English teacher, Ms Liu. I met her when I was fourteen, and she taught me for three years. We now meet perhaps once a year when former students return to the school, and occasionally we exchange book recommendations online. What I admire is her combination of high standards and emotional intelligence. She corrected vague thinking firmly, but she never used embarrassment as a teaching method. When we meet, we usually talk about what I am studying, changes in education and whatever she has been reading. She asks questions that make me reconsider my assumptions rather than simply giving advice. I feel grateful to her because she changed my relationship with mistakes. Before her class, I thought speaking well meant avoiding errors; she showed me that it meant having a worthwhile idea and refining how I expressed it. Even after many years of teaching, she remains curious and updates her methods, which is the kind of professional humility I hope to maintain as I grow older.

Part 3

Q: What kinds of things do the elderly remember for a long time?

A: Typical examples include family milestones, hardships, work, early adulthood, familiar places and emotionally intense events. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that each generation is shaped by different technology, expectations and historical conditions.

Q: What sports are popular among older people?

A: Walking, tai chi, swimming, table tennis and gentle forms of dance are common because intensity can be adjusted. Social activities are especially attractive since they support both health and regular contact. The best sport is one an older person can enjoy safely and sustain.

Q: What do old people usually do in their daily life?

A: It varies enormously, but common activities include household tasks, exercise, caring for relatives, meeting friends, volunteering and following news or hobbies. Retired people may have more control over time, though health and income shape their options. Old age is a life stage, not one routine.

Q: Why is there a generation gap between the young and the old?

A: The main reason is that each generation is shaped by different technology, expectations and historical conditions. An older person may teach patience and local history while a younger person explains a digital service. However, stereotypes can make normal differences look like moral failures, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Has old people’s life quality improved when compared to the past?

A: In many respects, yes. Better medicine, pensions, transport and digital contact allow older adults to live longer and remain connected. However, improvement is uneven, and loneliness or inaccessible technology can offset material gains, so quality of life should be judged by independence and relationships as well as income.

Q: What can young and old people learn from each other?

A: A practical approach is to create shared tasks, listen without condescension and explain the context behind preferences. An older person may teach patience and local history while a younger person explains a digital service. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Part 2 - 12. 听不感兴趣的话

Q: Describe a time when someone talked about something you were not interested in but you kept listening

Who the person was
What he/she talked about
Why you kept listening
And explain how you felt about the experience

A: A few months ago, an older relative spent nearly an hour explaining the technical differences between several home air-conditioning systems. It was during a family dinner, and I had almost no interest in compressor types or installation costs. I kept listening because he had recently renovated his apartment and was clearly proud of having researched the decision carefully. More importantly, he had listened patiently to me talk about my studies many times, so giving him the same attention felt fair. I asked a few genuine questions and discovered that the subject was partly about energy use and long-term maintenance, which was more interesting than the product specifications themselves. I still would not choose it as a favourite conversation, but the experience made me aware that listening is sometimes an act of affection rather than curiosity. I felt slightly tired afterwards, yet also glad that I had not dismissed something simply because it fell outside my immediate interests. His enthusiasm mattered more than the appliance.

Part 3

Q: How can we tell if a listener is listening carefully?

A: A practical approach is to remove distractions, ask a relevant follow-up and make the requested action explicit. A brief summary at the end of a meeting exposes misunderstandings before they become costly. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: What would happen if the listener didn’t listen carefully?

A: The most important point is that communication works only when attention, clarity and respect travel in both directions. In practice, this may involve study, work, relationships, entertainment, future plans and issues affecting daily life. For example, a brief summary at the end of a meeting exposes misunderstandings before they become costly, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: What kind of topics do young people like to talk about today?

A: It is particularly common among people who are curious about others and comfortable admitting that they did not understand. A brief summary at the end of a meeting exposes misunderstandings before they become costly. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Part 2 - 13. 好的购物服务

Q: Describe a time when you received good service in a shop/store/company

Where the shop/store/company is
When you went to the shop/store/company
What service you received from the staff
And explain how you felt about the service

A: I received excellent service at a small electronics shop near my university when my laptop charger failed the evening before an important presentation. I arrived close to closing time and expected the assistant simply to sell me the most expensive replacement. Instead, she checked the laptop model, tested the charging port and explained that the cable, rather than the entire adapter, was damaged. The shop did not have the exact cable in stock, so she called a nearby branch, asked them to hold one and wrote down the quickest route. She also lent me a compatible charger for the night after taking a modest deposit. What impressed me was that she solved my actual problem rather than maximising that single sale. I gave the shop a detailed positive review and returned the charger the next day. The experience made me feel relieved and respected. It also showed why knowledgeable staff still matter in physical shops: good service can combine technical judgement, trust and initiative in a way that an automated product page cannot.

Part 3

Q: Can consumption drive economic growth?

A: Yes, consumer demand supports production, jobs and business investment. However, growth based on disposable products and household debt is fragile and environmentally costly. Consumption contributes most when people buy durable goods and useful services within an economy that also rewards repair and resource efficiency.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?

A: The main advantage is that competition and consumption support employment and allow useful products to reach people efficiently. The drawback is that overconsumption, waste and manipulative design can turn choice into pressure. For instance, online reviews help compare products, but trying on a shoe in person prevents an avoidable return, so the value depends on how the system is designed and used.

Q: What are the differences between online shopping and in-store shopping?

A: Online shopping offers range, rapid comparison and home delivery, while stores provide immediate inspection, fitting and human advice. Digital platforms reduce travel but increase packaging and make impulse buying effortless. The best channel therefore depends on how standardised, expensive and sensory the product is.

Q: Why do some people not like shopping in small shops?

A: The main reason is that shopping systems trade convenience, price and range against sensory information and personal service. Online reviews help compare products, but trying on a shoe in person prevents an avoidable return. However, overconsumption, waste and manipulative design can turn choice into pressure, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping in small shops?

Q: Why are shopping malls so popular in China?

Part 2 - 14. 擅长做手工的人

Q: Describe a person who is good at making things by hand

Who this person is
What he/she makes
What materials or technologies he/she uses
And why you think this person is good at making things by hand

A: My aunt is exceptionally good at making things by hand, particularly small pieces of wooden furniture. She began with simple shelves for her apartment and gradually learned to build stools, boxes and a beautiful low table. She uses ordinary hand tools alongside a small electric drill and a computer program for checking dimensions before she cuts the wood. What makes her skilled is not speed but precision. She measures twice, chooses joints that suit the material and sands every edge until it feels finished from all directions. She also reuses timber from old furniture, so each object retains traces of an earlier life. I once helped her make a book stand and discovered how much judgement hides behind an apparently simple shape. The wood can split, measurements shift and a tiny error multiplies later. I think she is talented because she combines design sense with patience and accepts that good work includes correcting mistakes. The objects she makes are practical, but they also carry the warmth of knowing exactly who made them and why.

Part 3

Q: Does art, like music or theater, have an impact on society?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A public performance can create a shared emotional experience among people who would never otherwise meet. More broadly, creative work strengthens imagination, cultural memory and a community’s capacity for reflection; however, art can become tokenistic when it is used as decoration without access, context or support.

Q: Is it good to have creative people in a team?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Art gives form to emotions and perspectives that ordinary explanation may not capture. A public performance can create a shared emotional experience among people who would never otherwise meet. The qualification is that art can become tokenistic when it is used as decoration without access, context or support.

Q: What impact can artistic buildings have on society?

A: A balanced view is that art gives form to emotions and perspectives that ordinary explanation may not capture. A public performance can create a shared emotional experience among people who would never otherwise meet. The best response is to protect time for experimentation, teach technique and make cultural spaces affordable, while remembering that art can become tokenistic when it is used as decoration without access, context or support.

Q: Do children these days still like doing arts and crafts?

Q: Why do some children enjoy making things by hand?

A: Making something gives children immediate sensory feedback and a visible result they can own. It also combines imagination with manageable physical problems, such as how pieces fit together. For children surrounded by screens, craft can be satisfying precisely because the material resists and requires patience.

Q: Do you think art classes are important for children?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that creative work strengthens imagination, cultural memory and a community’s capacity for reflection. At the same time, art can become tokenistic when it is used as decoration without access, context or support. A balanced approach is to protect time for experimentation, teach technique and make cultural spaces affordable.

Part 2 - 15. 和朋友度过的愉快夜晚

Q: Describe an enjoyable evening you had with your friends

When and where it was
What you did
Who you spent the evening with
And explain why it was enjoyable

A: One especially enjoyable evening took place after my final university presentation last term. Four close classmates came to my apartment, and instead of booking an expensive restaurant we cooked hotpot together. Everyone brought one ingredient, although we ended up with an absurd amount of mushrooms and almost no dessert. We played music, compared the mistakes we had made during the project and later walked along the river when the rain stopped. Nothing extraordinary happened, which is precisely why I remember it so warmly. For several weeks, our conversations had been dominated by deadlines and unfinished tasks. That evening, the pressure disappeared and we could appreciate how much we had helped one another. I also liked the informality: nobody needed to dress up, watch the time or compete for attention in a noisy venue. We cleaned the kitchen together before leaving, which somehow extended the sense of teamwork. The evening was enjoyable because it marked the end of a difficult period without turning the celebration into another performance.

Part 3

Q: Why do people need friends?

A: The main reason is that strong relationships provide belonging, honest feedback and support that cannot be fully replaced by services. A weekly meal may hold a family together more effectively than one extravagant annual trip. However, proximity alone does not guarantee closeness, and social pressure can make relationships performative, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Do older people prefer spending time with family or with friends?

A: Many value both, but family often provides continuity and practical support, whereas friends preserve independence and shared interests. Preferences depend on health, personality and the quality of each relationship. Age alone does not turn family into a person’s only meaningful social world.

Q: Do young people prefer spending time with family or with friends?

A: Young people often choose friends because friendship helps them develop an identity outside the family. Even so, a supportive family remains important, particularly during stress or major transitions. The balance tends to shift by situation rather than representing a rejection of one group.

Q: What are the differences between young people’s leisure time activities and those of old people?

A: Young people are more likely to choose fast-moving, social or screen-based activities, while older adults may prefer walking, gardening or regular community groups. Health, income and personality create plenty of exceptions. The deeper difference is often pace and accessibility rather than a complete divide in interests.

Q: What can we do to bring family members closer together?

A: A practical approach is to create regular low-pressure contact, share responsibilities and address conflict directly but respectfully. A weekly meal may hold a family together more effectively than one extravagant annual trip. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: How do people get along in a big family?

Part 2 - 16. 浪费时间的活动

Q: Describe an activity you do regularly that you think is a waste of time

What it is
When you usually do it
Why you do it
And explain why you think it is a waste of time

A: An activity I do more regularly than I would like is scrolling through short videos before bed. I usually open an app intending to watch one or two clips after studying, but the endless feed removes any natural stopping point. I do it because it requires almost no effort and provides rapid novelty when my mind is tired. However, I consider it a waste of time because I rarely remember anything I have watched, and it delays sleep without leaving me genuinely relaxed. The contrast with reading or calling a friend is obvious: those activities take more intention but give me something lasting. I have reduced the habit by charging my phone outside the bedroom and setting a fifteen-minute limit, although I still override it occasionally. I do not think every unproductive minute is wasted; rest and silliness are necessary. The problem is that this activity is neither deliberate rest nor meaningful entertainment. It simply consumes the small piece of free time I thought I was protecting.

Part 3

Q: Why do some people refuse to abide by rules?

A: Some see the rule as unfair, unnecessary or unlikely to be enforced; others prioritise immediate convenience. Resistance also grows when authorities demand behaviour they do not model themselves. Clear reasons and consistent enforcement are usually more effective than simply increasing punishment.

Q: What kinds of things make people feel pressured?

A: It is particularly common among people who distinguish urgent work from visible busyness and who know when to ask for help. Placing a phone outside the bedroom changes behaviour more reliably than making the same promise each night. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Will you continue doing something when you are aware that it’s a waste of time?

A: I would first ask whether it is genuine rest or merely an automatic habit. If it gives neither recovery nor value, I would set a stopping point and replace it with something specific. Awareness alone rarely changes behaviour, so altering the environment is usually more effective.

Q: How do you balance life and work?

A: A practical approach is to choose a few priorities, create stopping points and remove recurring sources of friction. Placing a phone outside the bedroom changes behaviour more reliably than making the same promise each night. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Is it good to have a daily routine?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Time feels manageable when priorities are explicit and recovery is treated as necessary rather than optional. Placing a phone outside the bedroom changes behaviour more reliably than making the same promise each night. The qualification is that rigid schedules, constant pressure and meaningless rules can damage judgement and motivation.

Q: Do you think stress is important in people’s lives?

A: A limited amount of stress can signal importance and mobilise attention before a challenge. Chronic stress is different: it damages sleep, health and judgement without improving performance. What people need is meaningful challenge combined with control, recovery and support, not pressure for its own sake.

Part 2 - 17. 拥挤地方

Q: Describe a crowded place you went to

Where it was
When you went there
Who you went there with
What you did there

A: A very crowded place I visited was the Bund in Shanghai during a public holiday. Two friends from my hometown were visiting, and they understandably wanted to see the skyline at night. We took the metro in the late afternoon, but even the station exits were controlled because so many people were arriving. Along the waterfront, movement slowed to a shuffle, and police directed the crowd in one-way lanes. We eventually found a spot where we could see the illuminated buildings across the river, took a few photographs and then walked several streets inland for dinner. The view was impressive, but the density of people made it difficult to pause or talk. I was constantly aware of bags, phones and the possibility of becoming separated. The experience was not entirely unpleasant because the crowd was orderly and there was a festive atmosphere. Still, it confirmed that timing determines whether a famous public place feels inspiring or exhausting. If I returned, I would go early on an ordinary weekday and allow the architecture, rather than the crowd, to hold my attention.

Part 3

Q: Do you think it is a good trend to have more big cities?

A: It is positive only when growth is planned around housing, transport, public space and regional balance. Large cities create opportunity and efficient services, but uncontrolled concentration raises costs and drains smaller places. Quality of urbanisation matters more than the number of megacities.

Q: Do you think there are some people who enjoy crowded places?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Cities concentrate jobs and services, but density works only when transport, housing and public space keep pace. A dense district around a metro station can function well, while car-dependent expansion wastes time and land. The qualification is that unplanned growth produces congestion, high costs, pollution and unequal access.

Q: Why do people go to crowded places?

A: The main reason is that cities concentrate jobs and services, but density works only when transport, housing and public space keep pace. A dense district around a metro station can function well, while car-dependent expansion wastes time and land. However, unplanned growth produces congestion, high costs, pollution and unequal access, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Will people use bikes more or less in cities in the future?

A: I expect more cycling where cities build protected lanes, secure parking and links with public transport. In places designed mainly for cars, use may remain low regardless of public campaigns. Infrastructure and safety will shape the trend more than attitude alone.

Q: Will there be more or less green space in cities in the future?

A: The total amount may increase in well-planned cities, but green space per resident could still fall as populations grow. Quality and connection also matter; a few decorative lawns cannot replace accessible parks and habitats. Policy will determine whether greenery is essential infrastructure or leftover land.

Q: Which cities are overcrowded in your country?

A: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou experience severe crowding in particular districts and at commuting peaks. The issue is not simply population size; it is the mismatch between jobs, housing and transport. A dense city can function well if services and public space grow with it.

Part 2 - 18. 学习并喜欢历史的人

Q: Describe a person who learns history and loves history

Who this person is
How he/she learns history
Why he/she loves history
And explain how you feel about him/her

A: A person who genuinely loves history is my friend Wei, a doctoral student I met through a university reading group. He studies urban history, but his interest extends far beyond his formal research. He reads biographies and old newspapers, visits local archives and walks through neighbourhoods with historical maps on his phone. What makes his learning distinctive is that he compares sources instead of accepting the first dramatic story he finds. He loves history because it reveals how ordinary decisions accumulate into the streets, institutions and habits we now take for granted. When we walk together, he can explain why one road bends strangely or why a market developed in a particular place, yet he never turns the conversation into a lecture. I enjoy his company because his enthusiasm is generous: he makes other people more observant rather than displaying how much he knows. He has also made me less satisfied with simplified accounts of the past. Through him, I have come to see history as an ongoing argument based on evidence, not a fixed collection of dates.

Part 3

Q: Besides big historical events, what else is important when learning history?

A: Everyday life is essential: work, food, housing, migration, family roles and the experiences of people who held little formal power. Material objects and local records show how large events were actually lived. Without that layer, history becomes a sequence of leaders and battles rather than a society.

Q: Do you think people should learn ancient history before learning modern history?

A: Not as a strict sequence. Ancient history provides long-term patterns, while modern history explains many institutions students encounter now. Teaching them in conversation - tracing a modern issue back through earlier developments - is more coherent than treating one entire era as a prerequisite for the other.

Q: Is it important to learn how people in the past lived their lives?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that historical thinking strengthens evidence, empathy and awareness of unintended consequences. At the same time, memorising heroic stories without multiple perspectives can turn history into propaganda. A balanced approach is to connect large events with objects, family stories, places and competing primary sources.

Q: How do children learn history before they attend school?

A: A practical approach is to connect large events with objects, family stories, places and competing primary sources. An old map can show how one transport decision shaped a neighbourhood for generations. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: At what age do you think people should begin to learn history?

A: Children can begin with age-appropriate family and local stories in primary school. The aim at first is curiosity and a sense of time, not memorising political detail. As they mature, lessons can add competing sources, causation and the ethical complexity of national events.

Q: Do you think children should begin learning history from an early age?

Part 2 - 19. 教你新技能的人

Q: Describe a person who taught you a new skill

Who this person was
What the skill was
How you learned it
And explain how you felt about this person

A: The person who taught me a valuable new skill was my university roommate, Jia. She showed me how to cook several reliable meals rather than surviving on delivery food. We started with tomato and egg noodles because the ingredients were inexpensive and the timing was forgiving. She did not simply hand me a recipe. She demonstrated how to control heat, taste as I went and rescue a dish that was becoming too salty. Over several weekends, I repeated the meal and then adapted it with vegetables and different seasonings. I felt comfortable learning from her because she treated mistakes as information, not evidence that I was hopeless. The skill has been far more useful than I expected: cooking saves money, gives me a break from screens and makes it easier to care for friends when they are busy or unwell. I am grateful to Jia because she gave me both practical knowledge and the confidence to improvise. Now, when someone asks for the exact recipe, I understand why she smiles and says, ’Taste it first.’

Part 3

Q: Why is self-discipline important when learning a new skill?

A: The main reason is that skills develop through purposeful practice, feedback and repeated retrieval rather than passive exposure. A child learns cycling through guided attempts, while an adult may first want an explanation of the mechanics. However, poor instruction or perfectionism can turn useful difficulty into discouragement, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What are the differences between learning from a teacher and learning by oneself?

A: A teacher diagnoses errors, structures progression and provides feedback that a learner may not generate alone. Self-study offers flexibility and forces independence, but blind spots can persist. The most efficient approach is often guided instruction at key stages combined with substantial individual practice.

Q: How do adults learn a new skill?

A: A practical approach is to break the skill into manageable parts, practise in context and obtain timely feedback. A child learns cycling through guided attempts, while an adult may first want an explanation of the mechanics. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: How can parents and teachers teach children new skills?

Q: Where can children learn new skills?

A: The most suitable setting is one that makes it easy to break the skill into manageable parts, practise in context and obtain timely feedback. Places connected with communication, self-care, cooperation, motor skills, digital literacy and one area of deeper expertise are common examples. Accessibility and safety matter more than choosing a prestigious location.

Q: Why should children learn new skills?

Part 2 - 20. 不喜欢的电影

Q: Describe a movie/film you don’t like

When you watched it
Where you watched it
What it was about
And explain why don’t like it

A: A film I strongly disliked was a big-budget action movie I watched with friends at a cinema last winter. The story followed a former agent trying to prevent a technological disaster, which could have been entertaining. Unfortunately, the plot depended on every character ignoring obvious information, and the film used constant explosions to disguise the lack of genuine tension. I do not object to unrealistic cinema; I enjoy science fiction and fantasy when the invented world is internally consistent. In this film, however, the rules changed whenever the hero needed to escape. The female characters also existed mainly to admire or rescue him, which felt dated and lazy. Visually, it was polished, but after the first hour the action sequences became repetitive and strangely numbing. I stayed because I was with friends, and our discussion afterwards was more enjoyable than the film itself. I disliked it not because it was simple entertainment, but because it underestimated the audience. A straightforward story can still have coherent choices, memorable dialogue and characters who behave like human beings.

Part 3

Q: Do people’s movie preferences change as they get older?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A strong adaptation may change events but preserve the moral tension of the original book. More broadly, cinema can build cultural curiosity and create a powerful shared experience; however, commercial pressure may simplify history, stereotype cultures or prioritise spectacle over coherence.

Q: Should documentary films be completely truthful?

A: They should be honest about evidence and must not fabricate events presented as fact. Complete neutrality is impossible because every documentary selects material and a point of view. Ethical film-making therefore requires accuracy, fair context and transparency about reconstruction or uncertainty.

Q: Can movies help people better understand the cultural background of a country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that cinema can build cultural curiosity and create a powerful shared experience. At the same time, commercial pressure may simplify history, stereotype cultures or prioritise spectacle over coherence. A balanced approach is to separate artistic interpretation from factual evidence and seek work from varied creators.

Q: Are movies more likely to help people become more creative than books?

A: Not necessarily. Films supply rich sound and images that can inspire visual thinking, whereas books require readers to construct characters and settings internally. Creativity depends more on active engagement and variety than on the medium, so people benefit from moving between both.

Q: What are the differences between watching movies at home and in a cinema?

A: Home viewing is cheap, comfortable and easy to pause, whereas a cinema offers a large screen, strong sound and fewer everyday distractions. A cinema also creates a shared public reaction, but it is less flexible and more expensive. I choose according to whether the film needs spectacle or convenience.

Q: What kinds of movies are the most popular in China?

A: Typical examples include comedies, action films, animation, science fiction, dramas and documentaries. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that films combine story, image and sound, making distant experiences emotionally immediate.

Part 2 - 21. 不喜欢的短途旅行

Q: Describe a short trip you often take but do not like

Where you go
When you go there
Why you go there
And explain why you do not like the trip

A: A short trip I make fairly often and dislike is the journey from my apartment to a large administrative office on the other side of the city. I have to go there occasionally for university paperwork. The distance is not enormous, but the route requires two metro changes and a crowded bus, so a simple appointment can consume half a day. I usually travel during working hours, precisely when the interchanges are busiest. The most frustrating part is the uncertainty: the bus may arrive immediately or take twenty minutes, and the office often has a queue even with an appointment. I try to use the journey productively by listening to a podcast or reviewing vocabulary, but standing in a packed carriage makes concentration difficult. I do not dislike the destination or the staff; I dislike how much coordination is required for a task that could probably be completed securely online. The trip has made me appreciate well-designed digital public services, because saving citizens two hours is not a minor convenience when multiplied across thousands of people.

Part 3

Q: What problems does it cause for transportation when everyone commutes at the same time?

A: Peak demand overwhelms road and public-transport capacity, causing delay, crowding, pollution and unreliable journey times. The system must be built for a short maximum load and sits underused later. Flexible hours, mixed land use and frequent transit can spread demand.

Q: What are the benefits of travelling abroad?

A: The main benefit is that well-planned travel supports learning, rest and economic exchange across regions. Three unhurried days in one city may reveal more than a week spent rushing through five destinations. However, high costs, crowding and superficial tourism can burden residents and the environment, so the advantage depends on responsible use and fair access.

Q: Which is better for knowing more about a country? Travelling or reading books about it?

A: Books provide historical depth and perspectives that a short visit cannot reveal, while travel tests those ideas against everyday reality. Neither is sufficient alone: tourism without context can be superficial, and reading without contact can preserve stereotypes. The strongest understanding comes from using each to question the other.

Q: How much time do you think people should spend on a trip abroad?

A: For a nearby country, five to seven days can be worthwhile, while a long intercontinental journey may justify ten days or more. The schedule should include unscripted time rather than maximising the number of sites. Budget, distance and the purpose of the trip matter more than one ideal number.

Q: Who prefers travelling abroad? The young or the old?

A: Younger adults often travel more independently because they are physically flexible and curious about new experiences. Retired people may have more time and savings but prefer comfort and slower schedules. Income, health and confidence matter far more than age by itself.

Q: Do Chinese people like travelling abroad?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that well-planned travel supports learning, rest and economic exchange across regions. At the same time, high costs, crowding and superficial tourism can burden residents and the environment. A balanced approach is to plan the essential transport and safety details while leaving room for local discovery.

Part 2 - 22. 受欢迎的人

Q: Describe a popular person

Who this person is
What kind of person he or she is
When you see him/her normally
And explain why you think this person is popular

A: A popular person in my university department is a student named Hao. I normally see him in seminars, group projects and student events. He is outgoing, but his popularity does not come from dominating a room. He remembers names, introduces people who might help one another and notices when someone on the edge of a group has not spoken. During one project, a first-year student made a serious error and expected public criticism. Hao quietly helped him fix it, then discussed the lesson without identifying who had caused the problem. That combination of competence and tact has earned him trust across different groups. He also organises a weekly badminton session, but he welcomes beginners and never turns it into an exclusive club. I think people like him because interactions leave them feeling more confident rather than less. Popularity can sometimes be based on appearance or status, but his is more durable because it grows from repeated small acts of inclusion. I admire him, while also recognising that maintaining so many connections must require a great deal of energy.

Part 3

Q: Why do people want to be popular?

A: The main reason is that popularity grows from visibility, social skill and the feeling a person creates in others. A teacher may be respected for fair standards even when students do not enjoy every lesson. However, seeking approval can reward conformity and discourage necessary honesty, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Is it easier to become popular nowadays?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Popularity grows from visibility, social skill and the feeling a person creates in others. A teacher may be respected for fair standards even when students do not enjoy every lesson. The qualification is that seeking approval can reward conformity and discourage necessary honesty.

Q: What are the qualities of being a good teacher?

A: A good teacher needs subject knowledge, clear explanation, fairness and the patience to diagnose why a learner is stuck. High expectations matter, but students also need enough psychological safety to risk an imperfect answer. The best teachers gradually make themselves less necessary by building independent learners.

Q: Do you think good teachers are always popular among students?

A: Not necessarily. A teacher may be respected for fair standards even when students do not enjoy every lesson. More broadly, a well-liked person can connect groups and make participation easier; however, seeking approval can reward conformity and discourage necessary honesty.

Q: Is it important for a teacher to be popular?

A: Popularity can make students more willing to participate, but it is secondary to fairness, knowledge and effective teaching. A good teacher sometimes has to set limits that are not immediately popular. Respect and trust are more durable goals than approval.

Q: Why are some students popular in school?

Part 2 - 23. 钦佩的运动员

Q: Describe a successful sportsperson you admire

Who he/she is
What you know about him/her
What he/she is like in real life
What achievement he/she has made

A: A sportsperson I admire is Chinese tennis player Li Na. She won two Grand Slam singles titles and became the first Asian player to win one, which had an enormous impact on the sport’s visibility in China. What interests me, however, is not only the record. She made difficult career decisions, trained through injuries and handled victories and defeats under intense public attention. In interviews, she comes across as direct, witty and independent rather than carefully manufactured. I do not know what she is like privately, of course, but her public honesty makes her achievements feel human. Her success also widened the imaginative possibilities for young athletes, particularly girls who had rarely seen someone from their background at the top of an international individual sport. I admire her because she combined technical excellence with the courage to take responsibility for her own path. She did not present resilience as never struggling; she showed that a person can doubt, adapt and still compete with conviction. That is a much more useful model of success than effortless perfection.

Part 3

Q: Why are there so few top athletes?

A: The main reason is that elite sport combines rare physical potential with years of structured practice and psychological resilience. A child may show speed early, but long-term success also depends on motivation, health and support. However, early pressure, injury and unequal access can exclude talented children or damage enjoyment, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What is the most popular sport in your country?

A: Basketball is probably the most widely followed and played, especially among young people, although table tennis and badminton have enormous participation as well. Football attracts a major audience too. Popularity varies depending on whether we measure television viewing, casual play or elite success.

Q: Is it easy to identify children’s talents?

A: Not reliably at a very young age. Performance reflects prior exposure, confidence and teaching as well as underlying potential. Schools should offer varied activities and observe progress over time instead of using one early test to define a child.

Q: Is talent important in sports?

A: Yes, especially at elite level, because body type, reaction speed and coordination affect the performance ceiling. Talent is only a starting advantage, however. Training quality, health, motivation and access determine whether that potential becomes consistent achievement.

Q: What qualities should an athlete have?

A: An athlete needs discipline, coachability, resilience and sound judgement about recovery. Confidence matters, but it should coexist with the humility to analyse mistakes. At elite level, maintaining health and motivation over many years is often as important as performing brilliantly once.

Q: Should students have physical education and do sports at school?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that sport supports health, teamwork and a shared form of excitement. At the same time, early pressure, injury and unequal access can exclude talented children or damage enjoyment. A balanced approach is to offer broad participation first, then provide expert coaching without tying identity to results.

Part 2 - 24. 喜欢的公共建筑

Q: Describe a public building you enjoy visiting (e.g. a library, a shopping mall, etc.)

Where it is
How you knew it
What it looks like
And explain why you enjoy visiting it

A: A public building I enjoy visiting is the main library near my university. I first discovered it during orientation week, when I needed a quiet place away from a crowded dormitory. The building has a broad glass entrance, warm wooden interiors and a central staircase that doubles as informal seating. Natural light reaches most reading areas, but shelves and acoustic panels prevent the space from feeling exposed or noisy. I go there at least once a week, sometimes to study and sometimes simply to browse the new-book display. What I value is the range of ways people can use it. There are silent rooms, group tables, children’s areas and free lectures, so it supports concentration without treating knowledge as a solitary activity. The staff are helpful but unobtrusive, and nobody is expected to buy anything in order to remain there. I enjoy the building because its design communicates respect: it offers comfort, light and dignity to every visitor, regardless of income. That makes it both architecturally pleasant and genuinely public.

Part 3

Q: Why do some people prefer to live in the countryside?

A: They may value space, quiet, lower housing costs and closer contact with nature or family. Remote work has made that choice possible for more occupations. The trade-off is reduced access to specialised jobs, health care and frequent public transport.

Q: Why is it hard to protect historic buildings?

A: The main reason is that buildings shape daily behaviour and carry memories that cannot be reduced to land value. An old warehouse can become a library without pretending it still serves its original function. However, preservation can be expensive, while careless redevelopment erases character and embodied resources, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Is it important to protect historic buildings? Why?

Q: Is it better to live in an apartment than in a house?

A: It depends on the person’s stage of life and location. Apartments usually offer security, efficient land use and access to transport, while houses provide privacy and control but require more maintenance. I would prioritise daily travel and usable space over the housing label itself.

Q: Do you think all old buildings should be demolished?

A: Certainly not. Buildings with historical, architectural or community value should be preserved and adapted, provided they can be made safe. Others may reasonably be replaced when repair is impossible. The decision needs evidence rather than the assumption that old automatically means useless.

Q: Do you think old buildings are valuable?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that good design provides safety, comfort, identity and efficient use of scarce urban space. At the same time, preservation can be expensive, while careless redevelopment erases character and embodied resources. A balanced approach is to assess historical value openly, adapt structures for useful purposes and improve safety sensitively.

Part 2 - 25. 印象深刻的聚会

Q: Describe a party for a special event that impressed you a lot

When and where it was held
What the party was held for
How many people attended it
And explain why it impressed you a lot

A: A party that impressed me was my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, held in a private room at a neighbourhood restaurant last spring. Around thirty relatives and close friends attended, including several people I had only known through family stories. My cousins and I prepared a short video using old photographs and recorded messages from relatives who could not travel. We also recreated one dish from my grandparents’ original wedding meal, although our version was probably far more elaborate. What made the celebration memorable was its scale: it was warm enough for everyone to speak, yet large enough to reveal how many lives had become connected through one marriage. My grandparents are not sentimental people, but they were visibly moved when an old friend described their support during a difficult period. The party impressed me because it celebrated endurance without pretending that fifty years had been effortless. It showed a relationship as something built through ordinary loyalty, humour and compromise. I left with a stronger sense of family history and of time passing across generations.

Part 3

Q: What festivals are the most important for people in your country?

A: A balanced view is that celebrations turn shared values and transitions into visible communal memories. A modest family meal can mark an anniversary more powerfully than a crowded formal banquet. The best response is to match the venue and budget to the people involved and protect time for genuine interaction, while remembering that competitive spending can replace the emotional purpose with debt and display.

Q: Do you think it’s a waste of money for governments to celebrate national events?

A: Not automatically. A proportionate celebration can strengthen shared memory and support culture, but extravagant spectacle is hard to justify when essential services are underfunded. Budgets should be transparent, and public value should matter more than political display.

Q: What special events are celebrated in your country?

Q: Do most people prefer to hold a party in a restaurant or in a pub?

A: In China, restaurants are generally more common because they suit families of different ages and place food at the centre of the event. Pubs appeal more to younger adults and informal celebrations. The guest list and desired atmosphere usually decide the venue.

Q: Do most people prefer to hold a party in a public place or a private place?

A: For small personal occasions, many prefer a private home or reserved room because conversation is easier and the schedule is flexible. Large celebrations often require a public venue for catering and space. Privacy tends to create intimacy, while public venues reduce the organisational burden.

Q: When do people like to hold a party?

A: It is most common when celebrations turn shared values and transitions into visible communal memories. Situations involving Spring Festival, weddings, birthdays, national days, graduations and harvest celebrations make that need especially visible. However, competitive spending can replace the emotional purpose with debt and display, so context should guide the response.

Part 2 - 26. 有健康习惯和作息的人

Q: Describe a person you know who has healthy habits and a healthy daily routine

Who this person is
How you got to know each other
What he/she does to keep this lifestyle
And explain how you feel about him/her

A: My friend Rui has the healthiest routine of anyone I know. We met in our first year at university, when we shared an early laboratory class. She wakes at a consistent time, cycles or walks for most short journeys and cooks simple meals in batches on Sunday. She exercises three or four times a week, but she is not extreme: if she is ill or exhausted, she rests instead of treating a missed workout as a moral failure. Her most impressive habit is protecting sleep. She stops work at a set time and keeps her phone away from the bed, even during busy periods. I admire her because the routine is sustainable and flexible rather than designed for display. She still eats cake, stays out late for a special event and enjoys lazy afternoons. The difference is that these are choices, not a default pattern created by poor planning. Spending time with her has encouraged me to prepare breakfast in advance and schedule exercise like any other commitment. Her example makes health look less like a dramatic transformation and more like a series of ordinary decisions.

Part 3

Q: Does the government play an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles in a community?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A protected path and affordable sports centre may change behaviour more than another poster. More broadly, sleep, movement, nutrition and social connection improve both resilience and quality of life; however, health campaigns can become moralising if safe spaces, time and affordable choices are absent.

Q: Do you think it is important to live in a community where people have healthy lifestyles?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Health reflects daily environments and habits as well as individual knowledge. A protected path and affordable sports centre may change behaviour more than another poster. The qualification is that health campaigns can become moralising if safe spaces, time and affordable choices are absent.

Q: How can people relieve stress in daily life?

A: A practical approach is to design walkable communities, provide reliable information and make preventive care accessible. A protected path and affordable sports centre may change behaviour more than another poster. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: What effect does stress have on health?

A: A balanced view is that health reflects daily environments and habits as well as individual knowledge. A protected path and affordable sports centre may change behaviour more than another poster. The best response is to design walkable communities, provide reliable information and make preventive care accessible, while remembering that health campaigns can become moralising if safe spaces, time and affordable choices are absent.

Q: Which group pays more attention to health, young people or old people?

A: Older people often pay closer attention because health problems are immediate, while younger people may experiment more with exercise and nutrition trends. Awareness is not always matched by access or sustained behaviour. The difference is therefore one of motivation and circumstance, not simple responsibility.

Part 2 - 27. 读起来开心的书

Q: Describe a book you read that made you happy

What kind of book it was
What it was about
Why you read it
And explain why it made you happy

A: A book that made me happy was The Little Prince, which is a short philosophical story presented as a children’s tale. It follows a pilot who meets a young prince travelling between tiny planets, each inhabited by an adult trapped in a narrow way of seeing the world. I reread it during a stressful exam period because I wanted something familiar and manageable rather than another demanding book. It made me happy not because every part is cheerful - some passages are genuinely sad - but because it treats curiosity, friendship and responsibility with unusual tenderness. The simple illustrations and clear language create room for the reader to think. As a child, I mainly enjoyed the strange planets; as an adult, I noticed the loneliness and the warning against measuring everything by status or numbers. Finishing it left me calmer and slightly more attentive to the people around me. It reminded me that growing up does not have to mean losing imagination, and that caring for something gives it significance. That message felt restorative at a time when I was reducing every day to a list of tasks.

Part 3

Q: How can parents help children develop a love of reading?

A: A practical approach is to let children choose appealing books, read together and make books easy to reach. A child who sees adults read for pleasure is more likely to view books as part of life. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Why do some people prefer watching movies to reading books?

A: Movies require less sustained effort and combine image, sound and performance into an immediate experience. They are also easy to share socially and can be completed in one sitting. Books offer greater depth, but that depth demands time and active imagination that tired people may not have.

Q: Do you think people today read less than before? Why?

A: People may read fewer long books, but they process enormous amounts of text through messages, articles and social media. The deeper change is fragmented attention: digital reading encourages rapid switching and makes sustained concentration harder. So the quantity is unclear, but the form and depth have certainly changed.

Q: Are success books useful to everyone?

A: No. A good book may provide structure or a useful example, but universal formulas often ignore luck, resources and different definitions of success. Readers should treat such books as one perspective to test, not a substitute for evidence or personal judgement.

Q: Do you think people should read the original book before watching the movie?

A: It is not a requirement. Reading first preserves the chance to imagine the world independently, whereas watching first can make a complex book more approachable. I prefer the book first when possible, but the more important step is comparing how each medium makes different choices.

Q: What kinds of books are popular in China?

A: Typical examples include fiction, history, self-development, science, biography, online literature and practical guides. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that reading develops sustained attention by requiring the mind to build connections beyond the visible page.

Part 2 - 28. 帮助他人

Q: Describe a time when you helped someone

Where you helped him/her
Why you helped
How you helped
And explain how you felt about it

A: A time I helped someone was when an international student in my class needed to register at a local clinic. She had developed a high fever and was anxious because the booking system and most signs were in Chinese. I went with her, helped her complete the digital form and explained her symptoms to the reception staff, while making sure she answered the doctor’s medical questions herself. I also collected some basic food and medicine for her afterwards because she lived alone. I helped because the practical obstacles were small for me but overwhelming for someone who was ill in an unfamiliar country. The whole process took only a few hours, yet it made a noticeable difference to her sense of safety. I felt relieved when she recovered and grateful that she trusted me. The experience also changed my idea of useful help: it is not always a dramatic sacrifice. Often it means lending local knowledge, remaining calm and staying until the problem is actually resolved rather than offering vague support from a distance.

Part 3

Q: Should children be taught to be kind to others?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A child can prepare the table or explain a new phone feature without taking over an adult’s role. More broadly, practical help builds trust and teaches children that they can contribute to shared life; however, unasked-for help or constant rescue can create dependence and resentment.

Q: Should people be very kind when they help others?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Kindness becomes valuable when it respects the other person’s agency rather than displaying the helper. A child can prepare the table or explain a new phone feature without taking over an adult’s role. The qualification is that unasked-for help or constant rescue can create dependence and resentment.

Q: Can kids provide any help to parents?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that practical help builds trust and teaches children that they can contribute to shared life. At the same time, unasked-for help or constant rescue can create dependence and resentment. A balanced approach is to ask what is needed, offer a manageable action and let the recipient retain control.

Q: Should parents give children advice? Why?

A: Yes, because children lack experience of some long-term consequences, but advice should support judgement rather than replace it. Parents can explain options, risks and values, then allow age-appropriate decisions. Constant instruction without listening may simply teach children to hide their choices.

Q: What kind of advice should parents give to their children?

A: Parents should offer age-appropriate advice about safety, relationships, money, study habits and long-term consequences. They should explain their reasoning and leave room for the child to decide when the risk is manageable. Advice becomes less useful when it is really disguised control.

Q: Should parents help their kids with their homework?

A: They should provide a quiet environment, clarify instructions and help the child plan, but they should not complete the work. Homework is useful only if the teacher can see what the student understands. Productive help gradually makes the child more independent.

二、大陆地区保留题及万年老题

Part 1 保留题（16 道）

Part 1 - 1. Music

Q: Do you prefer sad or happy music?

A: I generally prefer happy music because it lifts my energy, especially during a commute. That said, a thoughtful, slightly sad song can be comforting when I want to slow down.

Q: Does happy music make you feel more excited?

A: Yes, particularly music with a strong rhythm. It can turn a routine task such as cleaning my room into something almost enjoyable.

Q: Have you taken any music classes?

A: I took basic piano lessons for two years as a child. I am not an accomplished player, but the lessons gave me a much better ear for melody and rhythm.

Q: Do you listen to music while doing other things?

A: Quite often. I play instrumental music while doing repetitive work, but I switch it off when I am reading something complex because lyrics divide my attention.

Part 1 - 2. Teachers

Q: Do you have a favorite teacher?

A: Yes. My favourite teacher was my secondary-school English teacher, Ms Liu, because she treated our opinions seriously and made the classroom feel intellectually safe.

Q: Do you want to be a teacher in the future?

A: Probably not as a full-time career, although I enjoy tutoring classmates. Good teaching requires patience and emotional stamina as well as knowledge, and I have great respect for people who can sustain that every day.

Q: Do you have a teacher from your past that you still remember?

A: I still remember my mathematics teacher, who stayed after class to show me three different ways to solve the same problem. He made persistence feel more important than speed.

Q: Are you still in touch with your primary school teachers?

A: Not regularly, but our class sends our former head teacher a message during the Spring Festival. It is a simple way of showing that we still appreciate her.

Q: In what way has your favourite teacher helped you?

A: She helped me become less afraid of making mistakes in public. Instead of correcting every sentence immediately, she let me finish my idea and then showed me how to express it more precisely.

Q: Do you like your primary school teachers more than your high school teachers?

A: I would not rank them that way. My primary teachers gave me confidence and care, while my high-school teachers challenged me academically; I value them for different reasons.

Q: Have you ever posted anything on social media?

A: Yes, though I post selectively. I mainly share travel photographs or a book I have enjoyed rather than documenting every meal and minor event.

Q: When did you start using social media?

A: I began using it in secondary school, when most of my classmates created accounts. At first it was purely social, but now I also use it to follow professional and educational content.

Q: Do you think you spend too much time on social media?

A: Sometimes, especially when I open an app for one message and find myself scrolling twenty minutes later. I now use a screen-time limit to interrupt that habit.

Q: Do your friends use social media?

A: Almost all of them do, although their styles differ. Some post daily, while others mainly use private group chats and rarely publish anything publicly.

Q: What do people often do on social media?

A: They keep in touch, follow news, watch short videos and present selected parts of their lives. Increasingly, people also use social platforms to learn skills or promote small businesses.

Part 1 - 4. Tidiness

Q: Do you like to keep things tidy?

A: Yes, particularly in my study area. I think more clearly when the surface in front of me is uncluttered, although I am not obsessed with arranging everything perfectly.

Q: Did you keep your room tidy as a child?

A: Not consistently. My desk was tidy on Monday and chaotic by Friday, so my parents encouraged me to reset the room every weekend.

Q: How do you keep your work or study space tidy?

A: I give frequently used items a fixed place and spend five minutes clearing the desk at the end of the day. That small routine prevents disorder from accumulating.

Q: Do you think that it is necessary to be tidy?

A: To a reasonable degree, yes. Tidiness saves time and reduces distraction, but a home should still look lived in rather than like a showroom.

Part 1 - 5. Websites

Q: What kinds of websites do you often visit?

A: I visit news sites, academic databases, language-learning platforms and a few technology blogs. Together they cover both my studies and my general curiosity.

Q: What is your favourite website?

A: My favourite is Wikipedia, not because it is the final authority, but because it gives me a quick map of an unfamiliar subject and points me towards more reliable sources.

Q: Are there any changes to the websites you often visit?

A: Yes. Many sites have become more visual and personalised, although the amount of advertising and algorithmic content has also increased.

Q: What kinds of websites are popular in your country?

A: Short-video platforms, e-commerce sites and online communities are extremely popular. Sites that combine convenience with user reviews tend to attract the largest audiences.

Q: Do you prefer getting information from websites or books?

A: For current or technical information, I prefer websites because they are searchable and updated quickly. For sustained reading, books are less distracting and often provide a more coherent argument.

Q: Would you like to have your own website?

A: Possibly. I would like a simple site where I could publish study notes and small projects, but I would keep the design minimal so that maintaining it did not become a burden.

Q: What have you learned from websites that help with your life or studies?

A: I have learned programming techniques, cooking basics and practical travel planning. The most useful sites do not merely give an answer; they show the reasoning or process behind it.

Part 1 - 6. Watch

Q: Do you wear a watch?

A: Yes, I wear a simple smartwatch most days. It lets me check the time discreetly and gives me gentle reminders to stand up after long study sessions.

Q: Have you ever got a watch as a gift?

A: Yes. My parents gave me my first proper watch when I entered secondary school, and I still keep it because it represents a new stage of independence.

Q: Why do some people wear expensive watches?

A: For some people, a luxury watch is a piece of craftsmanship or a long-term collectible. For others, it is simply a visible signal of status.

Q: Do you think it is important to wear a watch? Why?

A: It is useful but not essential because phones show the time perfectly well. I still prefer a watch in meetings, where repeatedly checking a phone can look inattentive.

Part 1 - 7. Shopping

Q: Do you like shopping?

A: In moderation. I enjoy finding something that is genuinely useful, but wandering through shops with no purpose quickly becomes tiring.

Q: How often do you go shopping?

A: I buy groceries several times a week and shop for other items perhaps once or twice a month. I try to combine errands rather than making a separate trip for every purchase.

Q: Do you prefer online shopping or in-store shopping?

A: I prefer online shopping for standard items because it saves time and makes prices easy to compare. For clothes, shoes or expensive electronics, I would rather inspect the product in person.

Q: Have you ever returned anything you bought online?

A: Yes. I once returned a jacket because the colour looked completely different from the photographs. The process was straightforward, but it reminded me to check customer images before ordering.

Part 1 - 8. Cars

Q: Did you enjoy traveling by car when you were a kid?

A: Yes. Car journeys meant family outings, snacks and music, so I associated them with holidays rather than traffic or responsibility.

Q: What types of cars do you like?

A: I like compact electric cars with good safety ratings and a clean interior design. I care more about efficiency and reliability than speed.

Q: Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?

A: For a long trip, I prefer being a passenger because I can read or enjoy the scenery. In everyday life, driving offers more independence, so the choice depends on the situation.

Q: What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?

A: I put on a podcast and accept that worrying will not move the traffic. If possible, I check the navigation app and take public transport next time.

Q: Do you think car colours are important?

A: They matter a little. Lighter neutral colours stay relatively cool and are easy to resell, whereas a bright colour expresses personality but may become tiring.

Q: Will you buy an expensive car in the future?

A: Unlikely. I would pay for safety, comfort and low running costs, but a prestige badge would not justify a dramatically higher price for me.

Part 1 - 9. Public gardens and parks

Q: Did you like going to parks as a child?

A: Yes. My grandparents often took me to a neighbourhood park, where I fed fish, flew a kite and treated the playground as an enormous adventure.

Q: Do you still like going to parks now?

A: Very much. I now go for a walk or a run, so the activity has changed but the park still gives me a welcome break from buildings and screens.

Q: Would you like to see more parks in your city?

A: Absolutely. Small parks within walking distance improve daily life more than one spectacular green space that takes an hour to reach.

Q: Are there any parks you want to go to in the future?

A: I would like to visit the restored wetland park on the edge of the city. It has bird-watching paths and limits visitor numbers, which sounds peaceful.

Q: Would you prefer to play in a personal garden or public garden？

A: I would choose a public garden because it offers more space and a livelier atmosphere. A private garden is peaceful, but maintaining it would also require time and money.

Q: How are the parks today different from those you visited as a kid?

A: Today’s parks tend to have better paths, exercise equipment and accessible facilities. The older parks were simpler, although they sometimes felt less commercial and more spontaneous.

Q: What do you like to do when visiting a park？

A: I normally walk, listen to a podcast and sit by the water for a while. If I go with friends, we may bring coffee and talk rather than plan any formal activity.

Q: Would you like to play in a public garden or park？

A: A public park appeals to me more because I can people-watch and enjoy mature trees that would be impossible to grow in a small private garden.

Part 1 - 10. Science

Q: Do you like science?

A: Yes, particularly when it explains an everyday phenomenon rather than remaining abstract. Science makes the ordinary world seem much more surprising.

Q: When did you start to learn about science?

A: I encountered simple science in primary school through magnets, plants and the solar system. Formal classes came later, but those early experiments created the initial curiosity.

Q: Which science subject is interesting to you?

A: Computer science interests me most because it combines logical principles with things people can actually build and use.

Q: What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?

A: I once programmed a small sensor to water a plant when the soil became dry. It was a modest project, but seeing code affect a physical object was extremely satisfying.

Q: Do you like watching science TV programs?

A: Yes, especially well-made documentaries that use a human story to explain a difficult idea. I lose interest when a programme relies on dramatic music instead of evidence.

Q: Do Chinese people often visit science museums?

A: They are increasingly popular with families and schools, particularly during holidays. Interactive exhibits make them more appealing than museums where visitors can only read labels.

Part 1 - 11. Mirrors

Q: Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often?

A: Briefly, several times a day. I check that I look presentable before leaving home, but I do not spend long analysing every detail.

Q: Have you ever bought mirrors?

A: Yes, I bought a full-length mirror when I moved into my current apartment. It was practical and also made the small room feel brighter.

Q: Do you usually take a mirror with you？

A: No, because my phone camera is enough for an occasional check. Carrying a separate mirror would just be one more thing to lose.

Q: Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

A: Yes, but sparingly. A well-placed mirror can reflect daylight and enlarge a room visually, whereas too many mirrors make a space feel unsettling.

Part 1 - 12. Outer space and stars

Q: Have you ever learnt about outer space and stars?

A: Yes. I learned the basic structure of the solar system at school and later watched documentaries about black holes and space exploration.

Q: Do you like science fiction movies? Why?

A: I do, when the science supports the story rather than being decorative. Good science fiction lets us examine human choices by placing them in an unfamiliar setting.

Q: Do you want to know more about outer space?

A: Definitely. The scale of the universe is difficult to grasp, and every discovery seems to answer one question while creating several more.

Q: Do you want to go into outer space in the future?

A: I would love the view, but I would not volunteer with current technology. The physical risk and months of training outweigh my curiosity, so I will settle for a powerful telescope.

Part 1 - 13. Singing

Q: Do you like singing? Why?

A: Yes, although I am an enthusiastic rather than a skilful singer. Singing along to familiar songs is an easy way to release tension.

Q: Have you ever learnt how to sing?

A: Only informally in school music lessons. I learned basic breathing and pitch, but I have never had serious vocal training.

Q: Who do you want to sing for?

A: I would sing for close friends at a karaoke night, where nobody expects perfection. Performing alone for a large audience would make me extremely nervous.

Q: Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?

A: Certainly. Singing regulates breathing, creates a sense of connection and can express feelings that are difficult to put into ordinary speech.

Q: Do you like listening to others singing?

A: Yes, especially live. A distinctive voice can communicate vulnerability and emotion even when the song is technically simple.

Q: Have you ever taken a singing class?

A: Not a dedicated class. I have considered taking one because better technique would help me sing without straining my voice.

Part 1 - 14. Clothing

Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

A: I favour simple, well-cut clothes in neutral colours. They are easy to combine, so I can look presentable without spending much time planning an outfit.

Q: Do you prefer to wear comfortable and casual clothes or smart clothes?

A: Comfortable and casual clothes for everyday use. I still enjoy dressing smartly for a presentation or celebration because it changes my mindset as well as my appearance.

Q: Do you like wearing T-shirts?

A: Yes. A plain, good-quality T-shirt is versatile, easy to wash and suitable for most informal situations.

Q: Do you spend a lot of time choosing clothes?

A: Not usually. I decide quickly on ordinary days, although I take longer when the weather is unpredictable or the event has a dress code.

Q: Do you wear different styles of clothes on weekdays and weekends?

A: Yes. On weekdays I wear neat, practical clothes for university, while at weekends I am more likely to wear sportswear or something relaxed.

Q: What colour clothes do you like?

A: I like navy, white and dark green. They suit me, coordinate easily and feel less severe than wearing black all the time.

Part 1 - 15. Jokes & Comedies

Q: Are you good at telling jokes?

A: Not especially. I can tell a funny story, but I tend to ruin prepared jokes by laughing before I reach the punchline.

Q: Do your friends like to tell jokes?

A: Yes, one close friend is excellent at observing small absurdities in daily life. His humour is funny because it is accurate rather than cruel.

Q: Do you like to watch comedies?

A: Yes. A thoughtful comedy gives me relief while still saying something intelligent about relationships or society.

Q: Have you ever watched a live show?

A: I have watched a live stand-up show once. The shared laughter made it far more energetic than watching the same comedian on a screen.

Q: Are comedy shows popular in your country?

A: Very popular. Online sketches and talk shows reach huge audiences, although humour can be culturally specific and some topics are handled carefully.

Part 1 - 16. Headphones

Q: Do you use headphones?

A: Yes, almost every day. I use them for language practice, music and online meetings, particularly when I am in a shared space.

Q: What type of headphones do you use?

A: I use lightweight over-ear noise-cancelling headphones at my desk and small wireless earbuds when I am walking.

Q: When would you use headphones?

A: I wear them on public transport, in the library and during repetitive household chores. They help me create a private zone without disturbing anyone else.

Q: In what conditions would you not use headphones?

A: I never use noise-cancelling headphones while cycling or crossing busy roads. Situational awareness matters more than entertainment.

Q: Is wearing headphones comfortable?

A: For a few hours, yes, provided the headband is light and the volume is moderate. After that, I take a break to avoid pressure and ear fatigue.

Part 1 万年老题（5 道）

Part 1 - 1. Work or studies

Q: What subjects are you studying?

A: I am studying computer science, with a particular interest in human-computer interaction and data analysis.

Q: Do you like your subject?

A: Yes. I enjoy the mixture of logical problem-solving and creative design, although debugging can test my patience.

Q: Why did you choose to study that subject?

A: I chose it because I wanted a subject that was intellectually rigorous but also capable of producing useful tools. A school robotics project first showed me that combination.

Q: Do you think that your subject is popular in your country?

A: Very popular. Digital industries are expanding rapidly, so many students see the subject as both interesting and employable.

Q: Do you have any plans for your studies in the next five years?

A: I hope to complete my postgraduate degree, contribute to a substantial research project and strengthen my academic English. I would also like an internship that exposes me to real users rather than only classroom exercises.

Q: What are the benefits of being your age?

A: I have enough independence to make serious choices but still enough flexibility to change direction. It is an ideal age for experimenting without treating every decision as permanent.

Q: Do you want to change your major?

A: No. I might specialise differently as my interests develop, but the underlying field still suits the way I think.

Q: Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?

A: Mornings, because my concentration is sharper and interruptions are less likely. I save routine reading and administrative tasks for the afternoon.

Q: How much time do you spend on your studies each week?

A: Roughly forty hours, including lectures, independent reading and project work. That figure rises near deadlines, but I try not to make overwork a permanent habit.

Q: Are you looking forward to working?

A: Yes. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned to problems that affect real people, although I know professional work also brings constraints and accountability.

Q: What technology do you use when you study?

A: I use a laptop, cloud-based notes, version-control software and occasionally a tablet for annotating papers. The tools matter less than having a consistent system for finding my work again.

Q: What changes would you like to see in your school?

A: I would like more small project rooms and longer library hours. Both changes would support collaborative work without making quiet study areas noisy.

Q: What work do you do?

A: Alongside my studies, I work part-time as a research assistant, mainly cleaning data, reviewing literature and testing prototypes.

Q: Why did you choose to do that type of work (or that job)?

A: The role matched my course and gave me a chance to see how research is conducted beyond an assignment. It also lets me learn directly from more experienced colleagues.

Q: Do you like your job?

A: Yes. The work can be meticulous, but I enjoy knowing that a careful small task contributes to a larger question.

Q: What requirements did you need to meet to get your current job?

A: I needed basic programming and statistics, clear written communication and evidence that I could manage confidential data responsibly.

Q: Do you have any plans for your work in the next five years?

A: Within five years, I hope to move into a full-time product research role and take responsibility for a complete project, from understanding users to evaluating the final design.

Q: What do you think is the most important at the moment?

A: Building sound foundations is most important at the moment. A prestigious title would mean little if I had not developed reliable skills and professional habits.

Q: Do you want to change to another job?

A: Not immediately. I still have a great deal to learn in this role, but I would reconsider if the work became repetitive or stopped offering meaningful development.

Q: Do you miss being a student?

A: I expect I will. Student life offers unusual freedom to explore ideas, although I probably will not miss exams or the uncertainty of overlapping deadlines.

Q: What technology do you use at work?

A: I use programming tools, shared documents, video conferencing and task-management software. Version control is particularly important because it makes collaboration traceable.

Q: Who helps you the most? And how?

A: My supervisor helps me most by giving specific feedback and explaining the reasoning behind it. That enables me to improve the next piece of work rather than merely correcting the current one.

Part 1 - 2. Home/accommodation

Q: What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future?

A: I would like a bright, energy-efficient apartment near public transport, with a small balcony and a separate corner for work. I value convenience more than having a huge amount of space.

Q: Are the transport facilities to your home very good?

A: Yes. A metro station is about eight minutes away, and several bus routes stop nearby, so I rarely need a car.

Q: Do you prefer living in a house or an apartment?

A: An apartment suits my current lifestyle because it is secure, efficient and close to city facilities. Later in life, a small house might appeal if maintenance were manageable.

Q: Please describe the room you live in. What part of your home do you like the most?

A: My room is compact, with a bed, a wooden desk and shelves along one wall. I like the window seat most because it catches the afternoon light and overlooks several mature trees.

Q: How long have you lived there?

A: I have lived there for just over two years, since I began my postgraduate programme.

Q: Do you plan to live there for a long time?

A: For the next couple of years, yes. It is convenient and affordable, but I may move once my work location and longer-term plans become clearer.

Q: What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?

A: My previous home was larger and in a quieter neighbourhood, whereas my current apartment is smaller but much closer to university and public transport.

Q: Can you describe the place where you live?

A: It is a modest two-bedroom apartment in a mixed residential area. The decor is simple, but it is warm, quiet and easy to keep organised.

Q: What room does your family spend most of the time in?

A: We spend most of our shared time in the living room. It is where we eat fruit, watch a programme and talk about the day.

Q: What’s your favorite room in your apartment or house？

A: My favourite room is the study because it has the best natural light and almost no visual clutter. I immediately feel focused when I sit down there.

Q: What makes you feel pleasant in your home？

A: Soft daylight, a few healthy plants and familiar books make me feel at ease. I also value quiet more than expensive furniture.

Q: Do you think it is important to live in a comfortable environment？

A: Yes. A comfortable environment supports sleep, concentration and emotional stability, although comfort does not require luxury.

Q: Do you live in an apartment or a house?

A: I live in an apartment on a middle floor of a residential building.

Q: Who do you live with?

A: I share it with one university friend. We have separate bedrooms and a straightforward arrangement for bills and cleaning.

Q: What do you usually do in your apartment?

A: I study, cook simple meals, exercise and unwind there. Because my schedule is busy, home is mainly a calm place to recover.

Q: What kinds of accommodation do you live in?

A: It is a rented two-bedroom apartment with a shared kitchen and living room. The building is fairly modern and well connected by public transport.

Part 1 - 3. Hometown

Q: Where is your hometown?

A: My hometown is Chengdu, in south-western China.

Q: Is that a big city or a small place?

A: It is a large city, although many neighbourhoods retain a relaxed, almost small-town rhythm.

Q: Please describe your hometown a little. How long have you been living there?

A: Chengdu is green, food-loving and known for a slower pace of life than many major cities. I grew up there and lived there until I left for university.

Q: Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?

A: Probably not continuously, because my work may take me elsewhere. However, I would like to spend substantial time there and remain closely connected to my family.

Q: Do you like your hometown?

A: Yes, very much. It combines excellent food and modern opportunities with a surprisingly unhurried social atmosphere.

Q: Do you like living there?

A: I do. Daily life is convenient, and people make time to sit, talk and enjoy a meal rather than treating every moment as a race.

Q: What do you like (most) about your hometown?

A: I like its balance most. It is large enough to offer culture and careers, but parks, teahouses and nearby mountains make it possible to slow down.

Q: Is there anything you dislike about it?

A: The humid summers can be uncomfortable, and traffic is heavy at peak times. Rapid development has also made some neighbourhoods feel less distinctive.

Q: What’s your hometown famous for？

A: It is famous for giant pandas, Sichuan cuisine and traditional teahouses. Many visitors also remember the city’s relaxed character.

Q: Did you learn about the history of your hometown at school？

A: Yes, but mostly through broad historical topics rather than local stories. I learned much more from museums and older relatives later.

Q: Are there many young people in your hometown?

A: Yes. Universities and technology companies attract many young adults, although some still leave for coastal cities in search of particular industries.

Q: Is your hometown a good place for young people to pursue their careers?

A: It is increasingly good for careers in technology, design and services. The market is smaller than in Beijing or Shanghai, but the cost and quality of life can be more attractive.

Q: Have you learned anything about the history of your hometown?

A: Yes. I have read about its role as a regional centre and about the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which has shaped the surrounding area for centuries.

Q: Did you learn about the culture of your hometown in your childhood?

A: I did, mainly through food, festivals and family customs rather than formal lessons. Culture felt like part of ordinary life before I had a name for it.

Part 1 - 4. The area you live in

Q: Do you like the area that you live in?

A: Yes. It is convenient without being overwhelmingly commercial, and the tree-lined side streets make it pleasant to walk around.

Q: Where do you like to go in that area?

A: I often go to a small riverside path about ten minutes away. It is my favourite place for an evening walk after a day indoors.

Q: Do you know any famous people in your area?

A: Not personally. A well-known retired athlete is said to live nearby, but I have never seen him and would not intrude on his privacy.

Q: What are some changes in the area recently?

A: A new community library and a protected cycle lane have opened recently. Both have made the area feel more useful and connected.

Q: Do you know any of your neighbors?

A: Yes, particularly the elderly couple next door. We are not close friends, but we collect parcels for one another and exchange greetings.

Q: Are the people in your neighborhood nice and friendly?

A: Generally, yes. People are willing to help with practical matters, while still respecting each other’s personal space.

Q: Do you live in a noisy or a quiet area?

A: It is mostly quiet, apart from a busy road on the northern side. Closing the windows is usually enough to block the traffic noise.

Part 1 - 5. The city you live in

Q: What city do you live in?

A: I currently live in Shanghai.

Q: Do you like this city? Why?

A: Yes. It is energetic, internationally connected and exceptionally convenient, although the pace can be intense.

Q: How long have you lived in this city?

A: I have lived here for a little over two years, since starting postgraduate study.

Q: Are there big changes in this city?

A: Yes. New metro connections and redeveloped waterfront areas appear remarkably quickly, while older neighbourhoods are being restored more carefully than before.

Q: Is this city your permanent residence?

A: No, not necessarily. My future work may take me elsewhere, so I see Shanghai as an important stage of my life rather than a guaranteed permanent home.

Q: Are there people of different ages living in this city?

A: Certainly. Students, young professionals, families and long-term elderly residents often share the same neighbourhood, which gives the city several overlapping rhythms.

Q: Are the people friendly in the city?

A: Most are polite and helpful, though people can appear hurried. Once a conversation begins, they are often warmer than their fast pace suggests.

Q: Is the city friendly to children and old people?

A: It is improving, with accessible metro stations, parks and health services, but crowded pavements and long commutes can still be difficult for children and older people.

Q: Do you often see your neighbors?

A: I see them in the lift or at the parcel lockers several times a week. We greet one another, but city life means we do not know everyone well.

Q: What’s the weather like where you live?

A: The summers are hot and humid, while winters feel damp and colder than the temperature suggests. Spring and autumn are brief but lovely.

Q: Would you recommend your city to others?

A: Yes, especially to someone interested in architecture, food and urban life. I would warn them to avoid the major holiday crowds and explore beyond the famous waterfront.

Part 2&3 保留题（28 道）

Part 2 - 1. 喜欢或不喜欢的高建筑

Q: Describe a tall building you like or dislike

What it is used for
Where it is
What it looks like
And explain why you like/dislike it

A: A tall building I like is Shanghai Tower in the Lujiazui financial district. It contains offices, shops, exhibition spaces and an observation deck. From a distance, it looks as if the glass exterior is twisting gently upwards, which makes such a massive structure appear unexpectedly light. I first saw it from the opposite side of the river and later visited the observation level with relatives. I like the building because its form is distinctive without relying on decorative clutter. The double glass skin and vertical internal neighbourhoods also show an attempt to reduce energy use and make a very tall building function as more than a sealed stack of floors. At street level, the surrounding district can feel impersonal, so I would not choose to spend every day there. Nevertheless, the tower works as an urban landmark: it helps people orient themselves and represents a period of extraordinary change in the city. Its value to me is therefore partly architectural and partly symbolic, although I believe cities still need human-scale streets around their monuments.

Part 3

Q: Are there many tall buildings in your country?

A: Yes, especially in large and rapidly developing cities. Residential towers use scarce land efficiently, while office skyscrapers cluster around transport and business districts. The number is impressive, but the quality of the streets and services around them matters more than height alone.

Q: What are the differences between those tall buildings in your country?

A: They differ in function, age and relationship with the street. Some are efficient residential towers, others are landmark offices or mixed-use complexes, and their quality depends on transport, public space and energy performance. Height alone tells us very little about whether a building serves people well.

Q: Why are different places laid out and designed differently?

A: Design responds to climate, land prices, transport, history, culture and local regulation. A dense coastal city needs different buildings and drainage from a dry inland town. Good planning translates those conditions into places that support real daily behaviour rather than copying a fashionable image.

Q: What are the advantages of living in tall buildings?

A: High-rise homes use urban land efficiently and can place many residents close to transport, work and services. Upper floors may offer light, views and less street noise. Those benefits depend on reliable lifts, fire safety, maintenance and enough public space at ground level.

Q: Why do some people like to remodel and decorate their homes themselves?

Q: What kind of interior design style do most people like?

A: Many people favour a clean modern style with neutral colours, practical storage and warm natural materials. It photographs well and suits relatively compact apartments. However, a home becomes more comfortable when residents add personal objects rather than copying a showroom exactly.

Part 2 - 2. 有趣视频

Q: Describe an interesting video

When and where you watched it
What it is about
Why you watched it
And explain how you feel about it

A: An interesting video I watched was a twelve-minute animation explaining how high-speed trains remain stable at more than three hundred kilometres per hour. I found it on a science channel while preparing for a train journey, because I had always taken the technology for granted. The video used clear diagrams to show the shape of the wheels, the suspension system and the way sensors monitor the track. It also compared a modern train with early prototypes, including several ideas that failed. I enjoyed that honesty because it presented engineering as an iterative process rather than a sudden stroke of genius. The visuals were precise enough to make a technical subject accessible without making it childish, and the presenter distinguished established facts from simplified models. Afterwards, I noticed details at the station that I would previously have ignored, such as the track design and the length of the train’s nose. The video made me feel both informed and curious. It proved that short online content can deepen attention rather than merely consume it when the creator respects the audience.

Part 3

Q: What kind of videos do people in your country like to watch?

A: It is particularly common among viewers whose interests, available time and digital confidence shape what they choose. A short repair video can reveal hand position and timing that are difficult to describe in words. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Which is more helpful, watching videos or reading books?

A: Videos are excellent for demonstrating movement, process and visual change, while books provide depth and allow readers to control the pace. For a repair task I would choose a video; for a complex argument, a book. Combining a clear demonstration with written reference is often best.

Q: What skills can people learn from watching videos?

A: People can learn cooking, repairs, exercise technique, pronunciation, software and craft skills because video shows movement and timing. The limitation is that watching can create an illusion of competence. Learners still need safe practice, feedback and a reliable source.

Q: Are there any differences between the videos that young people and old people like to watch?

A: On average, younger viewers consume more short entertainment, gaming and creator-led content, while older viewers may prefer news, practical advice and longer programmes. Those are tendencies rather than rules, and the gap is narrowing. Platform design and digital confidence often explain more than age itself.

Q: Are there any differences between the videos that young men and young women like to watch?

A: There may be statistical differences in topics, but the overlap is far larger than stereotypes suggest. Algorithms can exaggerate a small preference by repeatedly feeding users similar material. Personality, occupation and interests are more useful predictors than gender alone.

Q: What makes a video go viral online?

A: A viral video usually combines an immediate emotional hook, a simple idea and a format that is easy to share or imitate. Timing and platform algorithms amplify it, while existing communities provide the first wave of attention. Quality helps, but surprise and social usefulness often matter more than production value.

Part 2 - 3. 去过的无聊地方

Q: Describe a boring place

Where it is
Who you went there with
What you did there
And explain why you think it is a boring place

A: A place I found unexpectedly boring was a newly opened indoor shopping complex on the edge of the city. I went there with a friend because advertisements described it as an innovative cultural destination. In reality, most floors contained the same chain stores and restaurants found in every other mall. There were decorative walls designed for photographs, but almost nowhere comfortable to sit without buying something. We walked around for an hour, had coffee and left earlier than planned. The building was clean and visually polished, yet it offered no sense of local character or discovery. I do not need constant entertainment, and I can enjoy quiet places such as libraries or parks. What made this place boring was repetition combined with the pressure to consume. Every route led to another shop selling a slightly different version of the same product. The experience made me realise that visual novelty is not the same as genuine variety. I would rather visit a modest street market where the goods, people and conversations are less predictable.

Part 3

Q: Why do most children think education is boring?

A: The main reason is that boredom appears when attention has no meaningful challenge, choice or connection with a purpose. A history lesson becomes engaging when one local object opens a genuine problem to investigate. However, endless passive entertainment may remove discomfort without restoring curiosity, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Why aren’t young people willing to listen to the experiences of older people?

Q: What can people do when they feel bored?

A: A practical approach is to change the level of challenge, connect the task with a real question and allow active participation. A history lesson becomes engaging when one local object opens a genuine problem to investigate. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Why are some teachers’classes boring? Are there any solutions?

Q: Why do some young people feel bored when talking with old people?

Q: Do most people think news about celebrities is boring?

A: Not most people, given how widely celebrity news is consumed, but interest is often casual and short-lived. Some enjoy it as low-effort entertainment, while others find it repetitive or intrusive. Its popularity should not be confused with lasting importance.

Part 2 - 4. 早起经历

Q: Describe a time when you got up early

When it was
What you did
Why you got up early
And how you felt about it

A: One memorable occasion when I got up early was to watch the sunrise on Mount Emei with two friends. We had stayed at a guesthouse near the summit and set our alarms for four thirty in the morning. It was cold and completely dark when we joined a quiet line of people walking towards the viewing platform. We carried hot drinks and wore almost every layer of clothing we had brought. At first, thick cloud hid the horizon, and I worried that the effort had been pointless. Then the sky gradually shifted from grey to pale orange, and the mountain peaks appeared above a sea of cloud. The change was slow but astonishing. I felt exhausted, peaceful and unusually alert at the same time. Getting up early mattered because it turned the view into an event we had prepared for rather than another photograph to collect. By breakfast, the platform was noisy and ordinary again, but for twenty minutes everyone had been almost silent, watching the same light arrive.

Part 3

Q: Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. An early train or examination justifies extra time, whereas an informal meeting may not. More broadly, arriving early reduces avoidable uncertainty and creates a calm start to demanding events; however, waking early without an earlier bedtime merely shifts fatigue into the next day.

Q: Why do people get up early?

A: The main reason is that early schedules are easier when they serve a clear purpose and are supported by sufficient sleep. An early train or examination justifies extra time, whereas an informal meeting may not. However, waking early without an earlier bedtime merely shifts fatigue into the next day, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?

A: It is particularly common among people with stable routines, morning energy or responsibilities that begin before normal working hours. An early train or examination justifies extra time, whereas an informal meeting may not. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Why do some people like to stay up late?

Q: Is it good to arrive early in any situation?

A: Not necessarily. Early schedules are easier when they serve a clear purpose and are supported by sufficient sleep. An early train or examination justifies extra time, whereas an informal meeting may not. The qualification is that waking early without an earlier bedtime merely shifts fatigue into the next day.

Q: What kind of people like getting up early?

Part 2 - 5. 喜欢在家/花园种菜的人

Q: Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in t he garden

Who this person is
What plants he/she grows
How he/she grows the plants
And explain why he/she loves growing plants

A: My grandmother loves growing vegetables and herbs on her balcony. She has no formal garden, so she uses deep containers, old ceramic pots and a narrow rack that catches the morning sun. She grows spring onions, chillies, mint, small tomatoes and, with mixed success, strawberries. She saves kitchen water for the plants, makes compost from suitable scraps and keeps a handwritten note of planting dates. Her methods are practical rather than fashionable; much of what she knows came from her parents and from years of observation. I think she loves it because the plants give shape to the seasons and reward daily attention. The harvest is not large enough to save significant money, yet she takes enormous pride in adding her own herbs to a meal. Growing things also connects her with neighbours, who exchange seedlings and advice. When I visit, she always insists that I taste whichever tomato is closest to being ripe. Her garden has taught me that care can be both repetitive and creative, and that even a small urban balcony can produce a sense of abundance.

Part 3

Q: What are the advantages of growing vegetables or flowers at home?

A: The main benefit is that home gardening offers relaxation, fresher produce and small pockets of urban biodiversity. Herbs on a balcony can be more successful and useful than an ambitious fruit tree in the wrong climate. However, limited light, space, water and experience can make results unreliable, so the advantage depends on responsible use and fair access.

Q: Do many people grow vegetables or flowers at home in your country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Growing plants provides visible progress and reconnects food with time, weather and care. Herbs on a balcony can be more successful and useful than an ambitious fruit tree in the wrong climate. The qualification is that limited light, space, water and experience can make results unreliable.

Q: Is it easy to grow plants at home?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that home gardening offers relaxation, fresher produce and small pockets of urban biodiversity. At the same time, limited light, space, water and experience can make results unreliable. A balanced approach is to start with hardy local plants, learn the light conditions and use water efficiently.

Q: Why do some people like to grow plants?

A: The main reason is that growing plants provides visible progress and reconnects food with time, weather and care. Herbs on a balcony can be more successful and useful than an ambitious fruit tree in the wrong climate. However, limited light, space, water and experience can make results unreliable, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Why do some people prefer to grow their own fruits and vegetables instead of buying them from the market?

Q: Do you think students should learn to grow plant?

Part 2 - 6. 想颁布的新法律

Q: Describe a new law you would like to introduce in your country

What law it is
What changes this law brings
Whether this new law will be popular
How you came up with the new law
And explain how you feel about this new law

A: I would introduce a national right-to-repair law for common electronics. Manufacturers would have to provide spare parts, repair manuals and software support for a reasonable number of years, and independent shops could not be blocked from carrying out safe repairs. I thought of this after a tablet with one damaged component was declared uneconomical to fix, even though the rest of it worked perfectly. The law would reduce electronic waste, create skilled repair jobs and give consumers a realistic alternative to replacing expensive devices. It might not be popular with manufacturers that profit from short product cycles, and safety standards would need careful enforcement. However, I think most consumers would support it if repair prices and warranties were transparent. I feel strongly about the proposal because ownership should include a practical ability to maintain what we buy. A repairable product also encourages better design: screws, replaceable batteries and long-term updates are less glamorous than a launch event, but they determine the true environmental cost of technology.

Part 3

Q: What rules should students follow at school?

A: A balanced view is that legitimate rules protect safety, fairness and trust by making expectations predictable. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. The best response is to explain the purpose, model the behaviour and apply consequences consistently and proportionately, while remembering that arbitrary rules or punishment without explanation encourages surface obedience rather than judgement.

Q: Do people in your country usually obey the law?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Legitimate rules protect safety, fairness and trust by making expectations predictable. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. The qualification is that arbitrary rules or punishment without explanation encourages surface obedience rather than judgement.

Q: What kinds of behavior are considered as good behavior?

A: Typical examples include attendance, safety, respect, academic honesty, privacy and responsible use of shared resources. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that legitimate rules protect safety, fairness and trust by making expectations predictable.

Q: Do you think children can learn about the law outside of school?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. More broadly, clear rules allow large groups to cooperate without negotiating every action from the beginning; however, arbitrary rules or punishment without explanation encourages surface obedience rather than judgement.

Q: What are the benefits for people to obey rules?

A: The main benefit is that clear rules allow large groups to cooperate without negotiating every action from the beginning. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. However, arbitrary rules or punishment without explanation encourages surface obedience rather than judgement, so the advantage depends on responsible use and fair access.

Q: How can parents teach children to obey rules?

A: A practical approach is to explain the purpose, model the behaviour and apply consequences consistently and proportionately. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Part 2 - 7. 发小

Q: Describe a friend from your childhood

Who he/she is
Where and how you met each other
What you often did together
And explain what made you like him/her

A: My childhood friend is a boy named Jun, whom I met in the courtyard of our apartment building when we were six. We attended different schools, but we lived two floors apart and spent most weekends together. We rode bicycles, invented complicated games with cardboard boxes and exchanged comic books. What made me like him was his complete lack of pretension. If he did not understand something, he asked; if he made a mistake, he apologised and moved on. He was also unusually patient with my younger cousin, who always wanted to join our games. As we grew older, our interests and cities changed, so we no longer speak every week. Yet when we meet, the friendship resumes without a performance of catching up. He knows earlier versions of me that my university friends never saw, including several embarrassing ones. That continuity is valuable because it reminds me that identity is not created from scratch at each new stage. Our friendship has survived not through constant contact but through trust, shared history and the absence of rivalry.

Part 3

Q: Do you still keep in touch with your friends from childhood? Why or why not?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A weekly meal may hold a family together more effectively than one extravagant annual trip. More broadly, shared time helps people regulate stress and understand lives beyond their own; however, proximity alone does not guarantee closeness, and social pressure can make relationships performative.

Q: How important is childhood friendship to children?

Q: What do you think of communicating via social media?

A: The most important point is that strong relationships provide belonging, honest feedback and support that cannot be fully replaced by services. In practice, this may involve conversation, meals, hobbies, celebrations, practical help and quiet companionship. For example, a weekly meal may hold a family together more effectively than one extravagant annual trip, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: Do you think online communication through social media will replace face-to-face communication?

A: Not necessarily. A weekly meal may hold a family together more effectively than one extravagant annual trip. More broadly, shared time helps people regulate stress and understand lives beyond their own; however, proximity alone does not guarantee closeness, and social pressure can make relationships performative.

Q: What’s the difference between having younger friends and older friends?

A: Younger friends may share current pressures and bring energy or new cultural references, while older friends often offer perspective from a later stage of life. Neither relationship should become one-sided advice. A real friendship still depends on mutual interest, honesty and respect rather than age.

Q: Has technology changed people’s friendships? How?

A: Yes. Messaging and video calls make it far easier to maintain friendships across distance and organise contact, while social platforms help people find communities around specialised interests. The trade-off is that visible activity can imitate closeness, so friendships still need private, attentive conversation and shared experience.

Part 2 - 8. 想从事医疗行业的人

Q: Describe a person you know who would like to choose a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse)

When you knew him/her
When he/she started to think about that
What he/she would like to do
And explain why he/she would like to choose this career

A: A person I know who hopes to work in medicine is my cousin Lan. I became aware of her ambition when she was in secondary school, after she volunteered at a community health centre during a summer programme. She wants to become a paediatrician because she is interested in science but also communicates naturally with children. A family experience strengthened the decision: her younger brother once spent several weeks in hospital, and one doctor consistently explained procedures in language that reduced his fear. Lan realised that medical skill and communication are not separate qualities. She knows the path is long and demanding, so she has spoken to practising doctors, studied biology seriously and tested her interest through volunteer work rather than idealising the profession. I think the career suits her because she is calm under pressure and willing to repeat an explanation without sounding impatient. At the same time, she is learning to set emotional boundaries. I admire her goal because it is based on real exposure and service, not simply the prestige associated with being a doctor.

Part 3

Q: Do you think being a doctor is easy or difficult?

A: It is extremely difficult because doctors combine long technical training with decisions that affect vulnerable people. They also face emotional pressure, irregular hours and the need to keep learning. The career can be deeply meaningful, but meaning does not remove the workload or responsibility.

Q: Do you think learning biology is interesting for children?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Medical work combines specialised knowledge with responsibility for vulnerable people. A calm explanation from a paediatrician can reduce fear and improve a child’s cooperation. The qualification is that long training, emotional pressure and unequal resources can exhaust professionals and patients.

Q: Why do some children want to become doctors?

A: The main reason is that medical work combines specialised knowledge with responsibility for vulnerable people. A calm explanation from a paediatrician can reduce fear and improve a child’s cooperation. However, long training, emotional pressure and unequal resources can exhaust professionals and patients, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Do you think governments should put a large amount of money into medical research?

A: Yes, particularly for major public-health burdens and areas that private companies underfund. Public investment can support long-term research whose benefits are broad rather than immediately profitable. Funding should still be peer-reviewed, transparent and balanced with primary care.

Q: Why is some doctors’pay high and others’low?

Q: Do you think doctors should be paid more?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that good health care prevents suffering and supports the productivity of an entire society. At the same time, long training, emotional pressure and unequal resources can exhaust professionals and patients. A balanced approach is to fund research transparently, strengthen primary care and pay according to skill, burden and service need.

Part 2 - 9. 拥有成功商业的人

Q: Describe a person you know who has a successful business

Who this person is
How you got to know him/her
Why and how he/she started the business
What business he/she does
And explain why you think the business is successful

A: A successful business owner I know is Mr Zhang, who runs a small chain of neighbourhood bakeries. I met him because his first shop opened near my grandparents’ home, and he often spoke to customers while arranging bread in the morning. He started the business after working in a hotel kitchen and noticing that local shops offered either cheap factory bread or expensive imported-style pastries. His bakery occupies the middle ground: it uses good ingredients, adapts sweetness to local tastes and keeps a short menu to reduce waste. The business is successful because customers return, staff turnover is low and expansion has been deliberately slow. He trains each new branch for months rather than selling franchises rapidly. During the pandemic, he added online pre-orders and donated unsold bread through a community group, which strengthened trust. I do not know his exact profits, but the shops have survived for years without losing their original quality. To me, that is a more convincing sign of success than sudden publicity: the business creates value for customers, employees and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Part 3

Q: Why do some people start their own business?

A: The main reason is that a company survives only when it solves a real problem and earns trust repeatedly. A neighbourhood bakery can outperform a fashionable start-up by serving regular customers reliably. However, rapid growth without cash flow, ethics or customer loyalty can collapse just as quickly, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Should governments provide financial support to start-ups?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A company survives only when it solves a real problem and earns trust repeatedly. A neighbourhood bakery can outperform a fashionable start-up by serving regular customers reliably. The qualification is that rapid growth without cash flow, ethics or customer loyalty can collapse just as quickly.

Q: Do most people prefer shopping at big stores or small stores?

A: Big stores are usually preferred for routine purchases because prices, stock and return policies are predictable. Small stores attract customers through expertise, convenience or distinctive local products. People often use both rather than holding one fixed preference.

Q: What makes a business successful?

A: The most important point is that a company survives only when it solves a real problem and earns trust repeatedly. In practice, this may involve technology, health care, green energy, advanced manufacturing and trusted local services. For example, a neighbourhood bakery can outperform a fashionable start-up by serving regular customers reliably, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: What makes a business fail?

A: Businesses commonly fail because they misread demand, run out of cash or expand before operations are stable. Weak leadership and loss of customer trust can accelerate the decline. Even a good idea needs cost control, adaptation and a team capable of delivering it consistently.

Q: Is it easy to set up a new business in your country?

A: It is easier to register a small business than it used to be, especially through digital government services. The difficult part is obtaining finance, reaching customers and surviving intense competition. Ease of entry therefore does not mean ease of success.

Part 2 - 10. 近期改变的计划

Q: Describe a plan that you had to change recently

When this happened
What made you change the plan
What the new plan was
And how you felt about the change

A: I recently had to change a weekend hiking plan because a severe rain warning was issued the night before. Three friends and I had booked transport and were looking forward to a mountain trail, so our first reaction was disappointment and a temptation to go anyway. After checking the forecast and a notice from the park, we accepted that the risk of slippery paths and transport disruption was not worth it. We changed the plan to a day in the city: we visited a photography exhibition, had a long lunch and tried an indoor climbing centre. Cancelling was initially frustrating because we had spent time organising the trip, but the replacement turned out to be relaxed and surprisingly memorable. More importantly, nobody had to pretend to enjoy unsafe weather merely to defend the original plan. I felt proud that we adapted without blaming one another. We kept the hiking reservation as credit and chose another date. The experience reminded me that a good plan is not one followed at any cost; it is one that serves the underlying purpose, which in this case was spending enjoyable time together.

Part 3

Q: Do people often change their plans?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Moving an outdoor event indoors protects its purpose even when the weather changes. More broadly, planning reduces uncertainty and makes dependencies visible before they become emergencies; however, overplanning creates false confidence and can make people defend an outdated route.

Q: Would you tell others if you change your plan?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Plans coordinate people and resources, but their value depends on adaptation when conditions change. Moving an outdoor event indoors protects its purpose even when the weather changes. The qualification is that overplanning creates false confidence and can make people defend an outdated route.

Q: Why do you think parents still make plans for their children nowadays?

A: The main reason is that plans coordinate people and resources, but their value depends on adaptation when conditions change. Moving an outdoor event indoors protects its purpose even when the weather changes. However, overplanning creates false confidence and can make people defend an outdated route, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: How does technology help people make plans?

A: Shared calendars, live maps, booking systems and collaborative documents make timing and dependencies visible. Updates can reach everyone immediately when conditions change. The danger is planning across too many apps, so one clear source of truth is more useful than constant notification.

Q: What kind of plans do people often make?

A: It is particularly common among people coordinating others or dealing with expensive and time-sensitive commitments. Moving an outdoor event indoors protects its purpose even when the weather changes. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Do you think people like the process of making plans more, or the moment of carrying them out?

A: Most people enjoy carrying a plan out because it produces experience and visible progress. Planning can still be satisfying when it creates anticipation and a sense of control. The healthiest approach is to plan enough to support action without letting preparation replace it.

Part 2 - 11. 在团队中工作

Q: Describe a time when you worked in a group

What you did
Who you worked with
What problems you faced
And explain why you worked in the group

A: I worked in a group of five students to design a campus navigation app for new students. Our team included programmers, a visual designer and one student who conducted user interviews. We needed a group because no single person had all the technical and research skills required. The main problem was not ability but coordination. Two people developed overlapping features while an important accessibility issue was ignored. We resolved this by defining one shared prototype, assigning clear owners and holding brief twice-weekly check-ins focused on obstacles rather than lengthy reports. I was responsible for testing, so I recruited students who had never visited the building and observed where they became confused. Their behaviour overturned several assumptions we had made. The final app was not commercially polished, but it worked reliably and received strong feedback. I valued the experience because it taught me that teamwork is not simply dividing a large task into smaller ones. The interfaces between those tasks matter just as much, and open disagreement early is far cheaper than silent confusion near a deadline.

Part 3

Q: Why do some people prefer to work by themselves?

A: The main reason is that teams succeed when complementary skills are coordinated through trust and clear responsibility. A group prototype improves when designers, programmers and users challenge one another’s assumptions. However, unclear ownership and fear of disagreement can produce delay and unequal effort, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What should a leader do to make team members want to follow him or her?

A: A practical approach is to define roles, invite dissent early and end discussions with named actions and deadlines. A group prototype improves when designers, programmers and users challenge one another’s assumptions. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Should students learn to do group work?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that collaboration exposes blind spots and allows people to tackle problems beyond one person’s capacity. At the same time, unclear ownership and fear of disagreement can produce delay and unequal effort. A balanced approach is to define roles, invite dissent early and end discussions with named actions and deadlines.

Q: What group tasks are there in schools?

A: Typical examples include projects, experiments, performances, debates, sports and community service. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that teams succeed when complementary skills are coordinated through trust and clear responsibility.

Q: What advantages are there for students experiencing teamwork at school?

A: A balanced view is that teams succeed when complementary skills are coordinated through trust and clear responsibility. A group prototype improves when designers, programmers and users challenge one another’s assumptions. The best response is to define roles, invite dissent early and end discussions with named actions and deadlines, while remembering that unclear ownership and fear of disagreement can produce delay and unequal effort.

Q: How can you tell if a person is a good leader?

Part 2 - 12. 重要决定

Q: Describe an important decision that you made

What the decision was
How you made your decision
What the results of the decision were
And explain why it was important

A: An important decision I made was to turn down a well-paid internship that was only loosely connected to my long-term interests. I made the decision after comparing what I would learn, the supervision available and the opportunity cost. The alternative was a smaller research placement with modest pay but direct experience in user studies and data analysis. I spoke to former interns from both organisations and asked what work occupied an ordinary week, rather than relying on impressive job titles. I chose the research placement. The immediate result was that I earned less that summer, but I produced a substantial project, received detailed mentoring and confirmed the area in which I wanted to specialise. The decision was important because it was the first time I prioritised direction over external prestige. It also changed how I evaluate opportunities: compensation matters, but so do learning, responsibility and the people from whom I will receive feedback. I would not always choose the lower-paid option, yet in that stage of my career the longer-term return was clearly greater.

Part 3

Q: Do you think children sometimes have to make important decisions?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Choosing a university deserves research, whereas choosing lunch usually relies on habit. More broadly, a deliberate process reduces avoidable regret and makes responsibility clear; however, too much analysis can become a way of postponing an uncomfortable choice.

Q: What important decisions do teenagers need to make after graduation?

A: Typical examples include meals, routes, purchases, study priorities and long-term career choices. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that the consequences, available evidence and time pressure differ from one choice to another.

Q: Who can children turn to for help when making a decision?

A: They can consult parents, teachers, school counsellors and trustworthy relatives, depending on the issue. The adult should explain options and consequences rather than simply taking control. For serious health or safety decisions, professional guidance may also be necessary.

Q: Do you think advertisements can influence our decisions when shopping?

A: Certainly. Advertising affects which products enter our consideration and attaches emotions or social meaning to them before comparison begins. Consumers can reduce the effect by checking independent evidence, but nobody is completely immune to repeated exposure.

Q: Do you think the influence of advertising is good?

A: It is mixed. Advertising can inform consumers and help new businesses reach a market, but it can also exaggerate needs, exploit insecurity and encourage waste. Its value depends on truthful claims, clear sponsorship and meaningful consumer protection.

Q: How do people usually make important decisions?

A: A practical approach is to define the real objective, gather only the relevant facts and set a reasonable deadline. Choosing a university deserves research, whereas choosing lunch usually relies on habit. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Part 2 - 13. 喜欢的现场体育赛事

Q: Describe a live sports event you watched and liked

What it was
When and where you watched it
Who you watched it with
And explain why you liked it

A: A live sports event I loved was a university basketball final held in the campus stadium last year. I watched it with three classmates, two of whom knew players on one team. The technical standard was obviously below a professional league, but the closeness of the community made every point feel consequential. The game remained tied until the final minute, when a substitute player scored a three-point shot and then blocked the other team’s last attempt. What I liked most was the atmosphere: students created chants, lecturers sat beside first-year students, and even the losing team received a long round of applause. From the stands, I could see communication and off-ball movement that television often misses. The event also lasted only a couple of hours and cost almost nothing, yet everyone discussed it for days. I left with a much stronger appreciation of live sport. Its value does not come solely from elite performance; it comes from uncertainty shared in real time and from feeling briefly connected to hundreds of strangers through the same unfolding moment.

Part 3

Q: Why do some people like to watch sports events?

Q: Where do people normally watch sports events?

A: Most watch at home through television or streaming because it is affordable and convenient. Others gather in bars, public viewing areas or stadiums for a stronger shared atmosphere. The importance of the match and ticket cost usually determine the setting.

Q: What are the advantages of watching sports events online?

A: Online viewing is convenient, portable and often offers replays, statistics and a choice of commentary. It also gives access to niche sports that broadcasters may ignore. The drawbacks are subscription fragmentation, delay and the loss of a shared stadium atmosphere.

Q: What sports matches are suitable for children to attend?

A: Daytime matches in a safe, well-managed venue are most suitable, particularly sports whose rules children already understand. The event should not expose them to aggressive crowds, excessive noise or an exhausting schedule. School and community competitions can be ideal because the atmosphere is participatory rather than intimidating.

Q: Why do some people spend a lot going to other countries to watch sports events?

Q: What sports games are popular in your country?

A: Typical examples include basketball, badminton, table tennis, running, swimming and football. Their importance varies with age, resources and personal goals. The common feature is that elite sport combines rare physical potential with years of structured practice and psychological resilience.

Part 2 - 14. 特别场合的食物

Q: Describe a food that people eat on special occasions/events

What it is
What the special event/occasion is
How it is cooked/made
And explain why people eat it on that special occasion/event

A: A food commonly eaten on a special occasion is tangyuan, small round dumplings made from glutinous rice flour. Families eat them during the Lantern Festival and sometimes at reunions or weddings. The dough is shaped into balls around fillings such as black sesame, peanut or red bean paste, and the dumplings are gently boiled until they float. Their round form symbolises completeness and family unity, while the name sounds associated with reunion in Chinese. In my family, we make some by hand even though frozen versions are more convenient. The process is slightly chaotic because the filling leaks if the dough is too thin, but that is part of the memory. People eat tangyuan on the occasion not simply because of tradition but because the preparation itself can be shared across generations. The dish is sweet, warm and modest rather than luxurious. I like that symbolism: an important celebration does not always require rare ingredients. Sometimes meaning comes from a familiar shape, a repeated family action and the knowledge that millions of other households are marking the same evening.

Part 3

Q: Why are there special foods on special occasions or events?

A: The main reason is that special food turns ingredients and repeated actions into a shared cultural symbol. Round dumplings at a reunion communicate unity before anyone explains the symbolism. However, lavish meals can create waste or financial pressure when appearance overtakes meaning, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What are the differences between everyday food and festival food?

A: The central difference is that everyday food prioritises speed and nutrition, while festival food carries ritual, symbolism and extra labour. Round dumplings at a reunion communicate unity before anyone explains the symbolism. Neither side is automatically superior; the sensible choice depends on purpose and circumstances.

Q: Are there any differences between the food people eat today and the food people ate in the past?

A: Today’s diets contain a wider range of ingredients, more restaurant food and far more processed convenience products. Earlier meals were usually more seasonal and locally constrained, although they were not automatically healthier. The best modern diet can combine greater choice and safety with traditional balance and less waste.

Q: Do people today prefer eating at home or in a restaurant?

A: For ordinary meals, home remains attractive because it is cheaper, healthier and more flexible. Restaurants are preferred for convenience, social occasions and food that is difficult to prepare. Urban professionals may eat out frequently, but many still associate home cooking with comfort and control.

Part 2 - 15. 擅长学习和说语言的人

Q: Describe a person who is good at learning and speaking new languages

How you got to know him/her
How he/she learns a new language
What languages he/she can speak
And explain how you feel about him/her

A: My friend Sofia is exceptionally good at learning languages. We met during a university exchange project, when she switched comfortably between Mandarin, English and Spanish. She also speaks conversational Japanese. Her method is disciplined but highly social. She learns the most frequent vocabulary first, listens to short recordings repeatedly and begins speaking before she feels fully ready. Instead of collecting grammar rules, she records phrases she actually needed but could not express, then practises them in later conversations. She also imitates rhythm and intonation, which makes her speech sound natural even when the vocabulary is simple. I admire her because she is willing to appear imperfect. Many learners, including me, remain silent until they can produce an ideal sentence; she treats each misunderstanding as useful data. At the same time, she respects the cultures connected with the languages and does not turn proficiency into a performance. Knowing her has made me more experimental with English. I now focus less on translating every word and more on communicating a clear thought, noticing the gap and repairing it.

Part 3

Q: Are there many people who can speak foreign languages in your country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. More broadly, another language expands work, travel and access to perspectives that translation may flatten; however, fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence.

Q: Does speaking other languages help at work?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Language develops when meaningful exposure is combined with frequent retrieval and corrective feedback. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. The qualification is that fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence.

Q: Do people learn any languages other than English?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that another language expands work, travel and access to perspectives that translation may flatten. At the same time, fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence. A balanced approach is to learn frequent phrases, speak early, review errors and connect practice with real interests.

Q: Why is it easier for children to learn new things than for adults?

A: The main reason is that language develops when meaningful exposure is combined with frequent retrieval and corrective feedback. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. However, fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: How do people learn new things?

A: A practical approach is to learn frequent phrases, speak early, review errors and connect practice with real interests. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: What is the most important thing for learning a language well?

A: The most important point is that language develops when meaningful exposure is combined with frequent retrieval and corrective feedback. In practice, this may involve English, regional languages, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and languages connected with work or family. For example, a weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech, although individual circumstances still matter.

Part 2 - 16. 遇到的科技问题

Q: Describe a challenging technological problem you faced

What the problem was
When and where you faced it
How challenging it was
And explain how you solved it

A: A challenging technological problem occurred when my laptop failed to recognise an external drive containing the only local copy of data for a university presentation. It happened in the library two days before the deadline. The drive appeared and disappeared repeatedly, and my first instinct was to keep reconnecting it, which could have made the damage worse. I stopped, searched the manufacturer’s guidance on another device and created a read-only image of the drive using recovery software. The process took several hours and seemed to freeze more than once. From that image, I recovered almost all the files, then verified them against an older cloud backup. The problem was challenging because I was under time pressure and had to distinguish careful troubleshooting from random experimentation. I eventually completed the presentation, although one small data set had to be recreated. I felt enormous relief, followed by embarrassment that my backup system had been so fragile. Since then, I have used automatic cloud synchronisation plus a separate weekly backup. The technical lesson was useful, but the larger lesson was that prevention is far cheaper than heroic recovery.

Part 3

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI?

A: The main advantage is that digital tools can improve access, speed, pattern recognition and personalised support. The drawback is that overreliance, bias, privacy loss and opaque errors can scale harm as efficiently as benefit. For instance, an AI tutor can generate practice questions, but a learner must still check facts and form an independent answer, so the value depends on how the system is designed and used.

Q: Do you think people today should learn about AI technology?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Technology is most useful when it extends human judgement rather than quietly replacing it. An AI tutor can generate practice questions, but a learner must still check facts and form an independent answer. The qualification is that overreliance, bias, privacy loss and opaque errors can scale harm as efficiently as benefit.

Q: Should children learn to use AI?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that digital tools can improve access, speed, pattern recognition and personalised support. At the same time, overreliance, bias, privacy loss and opaque errors can scale harm as efficiently as benefit. A balanced approach is to teach verification, disclose limits and require human accountability for consequential decisions.

Q: How can AI help in our lives?

A: A practical approach is to teach verification, disclose limits and require human accountability for consequential decisions. An AI tutor can generate practice questions, but a learner must still check facts and form an independent answer. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Do you think students are overly reliant on AI?

A: Not necessarily. Technology is most useful when it extends human judgement rather than quietly replacing it. An AI tutor can generate practice questions, but a learner must still check facts and form an independent answer. The qualification is that overreliance, bias, privacy loss and opaque errors can scale harm as efficiently as benefit.

Q: What can teachers do to stop students from relying too much on AI?

Part 2 - 17. 名人出演的广告

Q: Describe an advertisement with a famous person in it

Who the person is
Where you can see it
What the advertisement is about
And explain how you feel about the advertisement

A: An advertisement I remember featured Olympic champion Eileen Gu promoting a sportswear brand. I saw it on metro screens and online before a major winter-sports event. The advert showed her training, falling and repeating a movement, with relatively little dialogue. It was visually polished, and her athletic credibility made the connection with the product more believable than if an unrelated celebrity had appeared. However, the campaign still simplified years of coaching and privilege into a message about individual determination. I enjoyed the energy of the advertisement and thought the photography was excellent, but I did not treat it as evidence that the clothes themselves were superior. Celebrity endorsements can capture attention and give a brand a personality; they can also encourage viewers to transfer admiration from the person to a product without examining it. My response was therefore mixed. The advert motivated me to watch more winter sports, which was probably a success, but it did not make me buy the shoes. I prefer campaigns that combine an inspiring figure with specific, verifiable information about what is being sold.

Part 3

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of advertisements?

A: The main advantage is that clear advertising helps useful products reach the people who need them. The drawback is that repetition, emotional manipulation and celebrity transfer can obscure quality or encourage waste. For instance, a respected athlete may attract viewers, but independent performance data should still determine the purchase, so the value depends on how the system is designed and used.

Q: Why are many advertisements endorsed by celebrities? How useful are they?

A: The main reason is that advertising directs attention and shapes expectations before consumers compare evidence. A respected athlete may attract viewers, but independent performance data should still determine the purchase. However, repetition, emotional manipulation and celebrity transfer can obscure quality or encourage waste, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What is the most important factor in an advertisement?

A: Credible clarity is the most important factor. Viewers should understand what the product does, whom it is for and why the claim can be trusted. Creativity attracts attention, but attention without a believable message rarely produces lasting value.

Q: Why are some advertisements boring?

A: Many repeat familiar claims, rely on generic celebrity images or interrupt people without offering useful information. Risk-averse approval processes can remove every distinctive idea. A simple advert is not boring if it is relevant and clear; repetition without insight is the real problem.

Q: Is advertising important for a company? Why?

Q: Which is more effective, online advertising or offline advertising?

A: There is no universal winner because online advertising is targeted and measurable, while offline advertising can build broad public recognition. A respected athlete may attract viewers, but independent performance data should still determine the purchase. I would choose according to the outcome required rather than treating one option as inherently better.

Part 2 - 18. 推荐旅行过的地方

Q: Describe a place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others

What it is
Where it is
What you saw and did there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to others

A: I would recommend Hangzhou, a city south-west of Shanghai, to someone visiting eastern China. I travelled there for three days in early autumn and stayed near West Lake. I walked and cycled around the water, visited a tea village in the surrounding hills and took an early boat before the busiest tour groups arrived. The city is popular, but it rewards careful timing: at dawn, the lake was misty and quiet, while a few streets away the urban area offered excellent transport and restaurants. I would recommend it because natural scenery, history and modern convenience are unusually close together. A visitor can spend the morning on a wooded path and the afternoon in a museum or technology district. The trip also works without an elaborate schedule; walking around the lake creates a natural structure. I would advise avoiding national holidays and staying at least two nights so that bad weather does not ruin the entire visit. For me, Hangzhou was beautiful without feeling like a place preserved only for tourists, and that balance made it memorable.

Part 3

Q: Where do people in your country often go for holidays?

A: The most suitable setting is one that makes it easy to plan the essential transport and safety details while leaving room for local discovery. Places connected with coastal areas, historic cities, mountains, family hometowns and nearby natural attractions are common examples. Accessibility and safety matter more than choosing a prestigious location.

Q: What is the ideal length for a holiday?

A: For a domestic break, three to seven days is often enough to rest without making the trip exhausting. A long international journey may justify ten days or more because of cost and travel time. The ideal length depends on distance, purpose and whether the schedule leaves room to slow down.

Q: How do people usually plan holidays?

A: A practical approach is to plan the essential transport and safety details while leaving room for local discovery. Three unhurried days in one city may reveal more than a week spent rushing through five destinations. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Is it important to plan a holiday ahead?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Three unhurried days in one city may reveal more than a week spent rushing through five destinations. More broadly, well-planned travel supports learning, rest and economic exchange across regions; however, high costs, crowding and superficial tourism can burden residents and the environment.

Q: Why do many countries try to attract people to visit?

A: The main reason is that travel interrupts routine and exposes assumptions that remain invisible at home. Three unhurried days in one city may reveal more than a week spent rushing through five destinations. However, high costs, crowding and superficial tourism can burden residents and the environment, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: How do people decide when to travel?

Part 2 - 19. 喜欢拜访但不想住的家

Q: Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in

Where it is
What it is like
Why you like to visit it
And explain why you would not like to live there

A: A home I love visiting but would not choose to live in is my aunt’s old house in a village outside Chengdu. It has a tiled courtyard, heavy wooden doors and a kitchen that opens directly onto a vegetable garden. I enjoy visiting because the pace is slow, meals use ingredients picked that morning and several generations gather around the same table. In winter, we sit near a small stove and listen to rain on the roof. However, living there permanently would be difficult for me. Public transport is limited, medical services are far away and the old rooms are cold and damp. The house also requires constant maintenance; a leaking tile or blocked drain cannot be ignored. My work and friends are based in the city, so daily travel would consume too much time. The contrast is precisely what makes visits special. For a weekend, the house offers space, memory and a strong connection with the seasons. As a permanent home, it would restrict the opportunities and convenience I currently need. I can value a place deeply without requiring it to fit every stage of my life.

Part 3

Q: Do Chinese people like to visit others’homes?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A compact apartment near transit may provide more usable time than a large distant house. More broadly, well-designed housing improves rest, privacy and connection with the surrounding community; however, high costs, long commutes or difficult maintenance can outweigh beauty and extra space.

Q: What do Chinese people do when they visit others?

A: The most important point is that a home must support daily routines, relationships and a sense of security rather than merely look impressive. In practice, this may involve apartments, courtyard homes, suburban houses, rural homes and mixed-age communities. For example, a compact apartment near transit may provide more usable time than a large distant house, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: What kind of place do people in your country like to live in?

A: It is particularly common among residents whose needs reflect work, family size, mobility and stage of life. A compact apartment near transit may provide more usable time than a large distant house. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: What’s the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside?

A: The central difference is that urban homes prioritise access and efficiency, while rural homes usually offer space and closer contact with land. A compact apartment near transit may provide more usable time than a large distant house. Neither side is automatically superior; the sensible choice depends on purpose and circumstances.

Q: What kind of gifts do people usually bring when they visit others?

A: Fruit, tea, snacks, flowers or a small regional speciality are common because they can be shared and do not create a heavy obligation. When visiting a family with children, people may bring a modest toy or book. The gift should match the relationship rather than display its price.

Q: How often do you visit your relatives or friends?

A: I see close friends roughly once or twice a week and visit relatives every few months because we live in different cities. During major festivals, the visits are longer and more deliberate. Frequency matters less than giving people full attention when we meet.

Part 2 - 20. 包含动物的故事或书

Q: Describe a story/book with animals in it

What animals are in it
What the story/book is about
Why you read the story/book
And explain what you think of this story/book

A: An animal story I value is Charlotte’s Web. Its main characters are Wilbur, a young pig, and Charlotte, a remarkably intelligent spider who saves him by weaving words into her web. I first read a translated version at school and later returned to the English original. On the surface, it is a simple farm story, but it deals gently with friendship, mortality and the wish to make another life matter. I read it initially because a teacher recommended it as accessible English practice. What stayed with me was the refusal to make the animals merely cute. Charlotte is practical and unsentimental, while Wilbur is frightened and dependent; their friendship grows from actions rather than grand speeches. The ending is sad, yet it is not hopeless because Charlotte’s influence continues through her offspring and Wilbur’s memory. I think the book respects children by addressing loss honestly without becoming bleak. It also changed the way I looked at ordinary creatures. A spider in a barn becomes a character with intelligence and dignity, which is a quiet exercise in expanding empathy.

Part 3

Q: Should schools teach children about animals?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A child caring for a pet learns that affection includes cleaning, cost and consistency. More broadly, well-cared-for pets provide companionship, routine and emotional comfort; however, poor breeding, limited space and irresponsible ownership can harm animals and neighbours.

Q: Some people think pets should not be kept in cities. What do you think?

A: A complete ban would be unreasonable. Many pets live well in cities if owners provide suitable space, exercise, veterinary care and responsible behaviour. The real issue is matching the animal to the environment and enforcing welfare standards, not assuming every urban home is unsuitable.

Q: Many people regard pets as members of their family. What do you think?

A: A balanced view is that animals help people understand other forms of life and practise responsibility beyond themselves. A child caring for a pet learns that affection includes cleaning, cost and consistency. The best response is to teach animal behaviour, require responsible ownership and choose pets suited to the environment, while remembering that poor breeding, limited space and irresponsible ownership can harm animals and neighbours.

Q: Do many people keep pets in your country?

Q: What are the advantages of keeping a pet?

A: The main benefit is that well-cared-for pets provide companionship, routine and emotional comfort. A child caring for a pet learns that affection includes cleaning, cost and consistency. However, poor breeding, limited space and irresponsible ownership can harm animals and neighbours, so the advantage depends on responsible use and fair access.

Q: Why do people always tell children stories with animals?

A: The main reason is that animals help people understand other forms of life and practise responsibility beyond themselves. A child caring for a pet learns that affection includes cleaning, cost and consistency. However, poor breeding, limited space and irresponsible ownership can harm animals and neighbours, so context and implementation still matter.

Part 2 - 21. 机智解决问题的人

Q: Describe a person who solved a problem in a smart way

Who this person is
What the problem was
How he/she solved it
And explain why you think he/she did it in a smart way

A: A person who solved a problem cleverly was my classmate Ming during a public exhibition of our campus navigation project. Ten minutes before visitors arrived, the venue’s internet connection failed, which meant our cloud-based demonstration would not load. While the rest of us tried restarting routers, Ming asked what the audience actually needed to experience. He copied the essential map data onto a laptop, created a local wireless network and connected two phones directly to it. He also prepared a short screen recording as a fallback. Within twenty minutes, visitors could test the main functions without external internet. I consider the solution smart because he did not waste time restoring the entire system. He reduced the problem to its purpose: showing interaction between a user and the prototype. His technical knowledge mattered, but so did his calmness and ability to choose an acceptable temporary solution. The demonstration went well, and most visitors never knew there had been a failure. I learned that intelligent problem-solving often means changing the frame, not merely trying the same repair more urgently.

Part 3

Q: Do you think smart children are happier than other children?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A quiet child may reveal exceptional spatial reasoning in a building task rather than a written test. More broadly, recognising varied strengths helps society solve complex problems and gives children realistic confidence; however, early labels can narrow identity and mistake unequal preparation for fixed ability.

Q: Is it important for schools to identify and develop each student’s talents?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Intelligence and talent emerge from biology, opportunity, instruction and sustained practice. A quiet child may reveal exceptional spatial reasoning in a building task rather than a written test. The qualification is that early labels can narrow identity and mistake unequal preparation for fixed ability.

Q: Do you think children are born smart or they learn to become smart?

A: Both biology and development matter, but intelligence is not a fixed quantity revealed at birth. Language, nutrition, teaching, practice and expectations shape how abilities develop. Schools should therefore challenge children while avoiding labels that turn an early advantage or delay into a permanent identity.

Q: How do children become smart at school?

A: A practical approach is to offer broad experiences, observe progress over time and praise effective strategies rather than labels. A quiet child may reveal exceptional spatial reasoning in a building task rather than a written test. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Why are some people well-rounded and others only good at one thing?

A: The main reason is that intelligence and talent emerge from biology, opportunity, instruction and sustained practice. A quiet child may reveal exceptional spatial reasoning in a building task rather than a written test. However, early labels can narrow identity and mistake unequal preparation for fixed ability, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Why does modern society need talents of all kinds?

Part 2 - 22. 保护环境的法律

Q: Describe a law on environmental protection

What it is
How you first learned about it
Who benefits from it
And explain how you feel about this law

A: An environmental law I consider important is the national ban on free ultra-thin plastic shopping bags, combined with charges for standard plastic bags in retail settings. I first learned about it when supermarkets stopped automatically placing every item into several bags and signs appeared at checkout counters. Consumers, waste-management systems and the wider environment all benefit because a small price encourages people to bring reusable bags and reduces unnecessary material at the source. The policy is not perfect: enforcement varies, delivery packaging has created new forms of waste and charging a few cents does not change every habit. Nevertheless, I support the law because it makes an invisible environmental cost visible at the exact moment of choice. It also changed social expectations; carrying a reusable bag now feels ordinary rather than eccentric. I would strengthen the approach by setting clearer standards for genuinely recyclable alternatives and publishing data on reduction. A law works best when it combines a simple behavioural signal with infrastructure that makes the better option convenient.

Part 3

Q: What kinds of rules do schools in China have?

Q: Do you think school rules are important?

Q: Are children unhappy with the school rules?

A: Some are, especially when rules seem arbitrary, inconsistent or unrelated to safety and learning. Others appreciate predictable boundaries even if they complain about them. Schools should explain the purpose, invite age-appropriate feedback and revise rules that no longer serve a clear function.

Q: How can parents and teachers help children understand and follow rules?

Q: What are the rules people should obey at work?

A: Common examples include attendance, safety, respect, academic honesty, privacy and responsible use of shared resources. A laboratory safety rule is persuasive when students understand the real hazard it prevents. The useful principle is that legitimate rules protect safety, fairness and trust by making expectations predictable.

Q: What is the purpose of punishment?

A: Its legitimate purposes are to protect others, deter repeated harm and help the person understand and repair the consequences. Revenge alone rarely improves future behaviour. Punishment should therefore be proportionate, predictable and combined with education or restoration where possible.

Part 2 - 23. 很久没收到回复的信息

Q: Describe a time when you sent a message or an email to someone but received no reply for a long time

Who you sent it to
What the message/email was about
Whether you finally received the reply
And explain how you felt about the experience

A: I once emailed a professor to ask whether I could use a particular data set for a research project. The deadline for my proposal was approaching, and I needed permission before I could finalise the method. After a week without a reply, I worried that my message had been unclear or inappropriate. I reread it, checked the address and sent one concise follow-up that included the decision date. Two days later, the professor apologised and explained that he had been travelling with limited access to email. He answered my question and suggested an even better source. The delay was inconvenient, but it taught me not to interpret silence as rejection immediately. People may be busy, ill or dealing with a crowded inbox. At the same time, a polite follow-up is reasonable when the request has a genuine deadline. I felt relieved when the reply arrived and slightly embarrassed by how many negative explanations I had invented. Since then, I make requests easier to answer by stating the action, context and deadline clearly in the first few lines.

Part 3

Q: In what situations do people spend a long time responding to others’messages?

A: It is most common when response time depends on urgency, relationship and whether the message requires thought or action. Situations involving work requests, social plans, complex emotional topics, promotions and messages from strangers make that need especially visible. However, ambiguous tone and expectations of instant access can create unnecessary conflict, so context should guide the response.

Q: In what situations do people not respond to messages at all?

Q: What would you do if you did not receive a reply after sending out a message?

A: The most important point is that response time depends on urgency, relationship and whether the message requires thought or action. In practice, this may involve work requests, social plans, complex emotional topics, promotions and messages from strangers. For example, a travel question may wait a day, while a same-day safety issue should be handled by a call, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: Why do some people prefer sending a message instead of making a call?

A: The main reason is that response time depends on urgency, relationship and whether the message requires thought or action. A travel question may wait a day, while a same-day safety issue should be handled by a call. However, ambiguous tone and expectations of instant access can create unnecessary conflict, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: How do you show your respect in your messages?

A: A practical approach is to write a clear request, include a deadline when real and follow up politely after reasonable time. A travel question may wait a day, while a same-day safety issue should be handled by a call. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Why do some people feel angry when others don’t reply to their message?

Part 2 - 24. 长久目标/抱负

Q: Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve

How long you have had this goal/ambition
What it is
How you will achieve it
And explain why you set it

A: A long-term goal of mine is to become capable of leading research that improves digital products for people who are often overlooked, such as older adults. I have had this ambition since an undergraduate project in which a supposedly simple health app confused nearly every elderly participant we tested. Over the next several years, I need to deepen my research methods, improve my technical understanding and work on products used outside the classroom. I plan to do this through postgraduate study, internships and regular reflection on completed projects. I also need mentors who will challenge weak assumptions rather than simply approve my work. I set the goal because technology increasingly shapes access to health, transport and public services; poor design can therefore exclude people even without deliberate discrimination. The ambition is broad, so I measure progress through concrete steps, such as conducting a rigorous study or making one interface measurably easier to use. I do not expect a single breakthrough. I want to build the judgement and credibility to influence many small decisions that collectively determine whether technology serves everyone.

Part 3

Q: Why should children have ambitions?

A: The main reason is that ambition gives effort a direction when it is connected to values rather than status alone. Aiming to lead useful research is healthier than chasing a title with no interest in the work. However, unchecked ambition can damage health, ethics and cooperation, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: What do you think of people going after high positions?

A: The most important point is that ambition gives effort a direction when it is connected to values rather than status alone. In practice, this may involve academic goals, creative mastery, public service, entrepreneurship, leadership and financial security. For example, aiming to lead useful research is healthier than chasing a title with no interest in the work, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: Why are some young people keen on being fans of superstars?

A: Celebrities provide identity, aspiration and a ready-made community of other fans. Following a career can also offer enjoyable escape from academic or work pressure. It becomes unhealthy only when admiration replaces independent judgement or leads to excessive spending and conflict.

Q: Is it good for a person to be ambitious?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Aiming to lead useful research is healthier than chasing a title with no interest in the work. More broadly, a demanding goal can build persistence and motivate long-term skill development; however, unchecked ambition can damage health, ethics and cooperation.

Q: Do you think it is necessary to be ambitious when working in a team in a company?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Ambition gives effort a direction when it is connected to values rather than status alone. Aiming to lead useful research is healthier than chasing a title with no interest in the work. The qualification is that unchecked ambition can damage health, ethics and cooperation.

Q: Should parents support their children in pursuing their ambitions?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that a demanding goal can build persistence and motivate long-term skill development. At the same time, unchecked ambition can damage health, ethics and cooperation. A balanced approach is to turn the goal into milestones, review the cost and allow the route to change.

Part 2 - 25. 改变重要想法

Q: Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours

When you changed your opinion
What the original opinion was
Why you changed it
And explain how you felt about the experience

A: I once believed that working long hours was reliable evidence of commitment. I changed that opinion during a semester when I joined a demanding project and regularly stayed in the laboratory late at night. At first, the long schedule felt impressive. After several weeks, however, I made avoidable mistakes, became irritable and spent mornings repairing work I had done badly after midnight. A teammate who left on time was consistently more productive because she planned carefully and protected her concentration. The evidence forced me to distinguish effort from endurance theatre. I now judge work by clarity, quality and sustainability rather than visible exhaustion. There are genuine emergencies when extra hours are necessary, but making them routine usually signals poor priorities or unrealistic staffing. Changing my view felt uncomfortable because the old belief had flattered me: it turned overwork into virtue. Yet abandoning it made me more disciplined, not less. I plan tasks realistically, take recovery seriously and ask whether another hour will improve the result or merely demonstrate that I am still at my desk.

Part 3

Q: When do most children begin to have their own opinions?

A: It is most common when independent opinions form gradually through language, experience and comparison with trusted adults. Situations involving family choices, school issues, identity, entertainment, social questions and future plans make that need especially visible. However, confidence without evidence can harden into stubbornness, especially inside closed social groups, so context should guide the response.

Q: Whose opinions are more important to children, their parents’ or teachers’?

A: Parents usually influence values and long-term choices because they know the child deeply, while teachers may carry more authority in academic or subject-specific matters. Neither should be accepted automatically. As children mature, adults should help them compare reasons and form their own judgement.

Q: Do children communicate more with teachers or with parents?

A: Most children communicate more broadly with parents because family life covers daily feelings, needs and long-term decisions. Teachers may hear more about academic problems or peer situations at school. The important issue is whether at least one adult listens without reacting too quickly.

Q: Who do young people like to share opinions with?

A: They often share views with close friends because peers understand their immediate pressures and are less likely to react with authority. Many also use family members, teachers or online communities for different subjects. Trust and the expectation of being heard matter more than the person’s formal role.

Part 2 - 26. 想要颁布的环保法律

Q: Describe an environmental law you would like your country to introduce

What law it should be
Why people should follow the law
Whether the law will be popular
And explain how you feel about this law

A: I would introduce a deposit-return law for plastic and glass drink containers. Consumers would pay a small deposit when buying a bottled drink and receive it back after returning the empty container to a shop or automated collection point. People should follow the law because clean, separated containers are much easier to recycle than mixed waste, and the deposit gives every bottle a visible value. I expect broad public support once return points become convenient, although retailers may initially resist the space and administration required. The system should therefore be introduced gradually, with standard labels and financial help for small shops. I feel positive about this law because similar incentives align personal convenience with environmental goals. It does not depend on everyone becoming morally perfect; it redesigns the transaction so that returning the container is the normal final step. Unclaimed deposits could fund litter collection and recycling infrastructure. The law would not solve packaging waste alone, but it would create reliable material streams and make manufacturers, retailers and consumers share responsibility.

Part 3

Q: How does technology affect the law?

A: Technology creates new areas for regulation, such as data protection, AI liability and online fraud, while also helping authorities publish rules and process evidence. The difficulty is that innovation crosses borders and changes faster than legislation. Laws should define durable principles without freezing one technical solution.

Q: What kinds of rules do schools in China have?

Q: Will there be a law that is universally accepted?

A: Probably not, because laws distribute costs and reflect values that differ across groups and cultures. Universal agreement is an unrealistic standard; legitimacy comes from transparent reasoning, fair procedures and protection of basic rights. Even a popular law should remain open to evidence and review.

Q: What environmental laws does your country already have?

A: China has laws and regulations covering air and water pollution, environmental-impact assessment, waste sorting, protected areas and limits on single-use plastics. Enforcement differs by region and industry, so formal rules are only the first step. Public data and meaningful penalties determine whether standards change behaviour.

Part 2 - 27. 当地新闻

Q: Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in

What it was about
Where you saw/heard it
Who was involved
And explain why people were interested in it

A: A piece of local news that attracted considerable attention was the opening of a new riverside cycle path linking several residential districts with major metro stations. I first saw the story on a neighbourhood news account, and local newspapers later covered the first weekend of use. City planners, cycling groups, shop owners and residents were all involved. People were interested because the project affected ordinary routines rather than an abstract policy. Commuters wanted a safer route, parents cared about protected crossings, and nearby businesses hoped for more visitors. There was also debate about parking spaces removed during construction. I visited the path a week after it opened and found it busy but orderly, with clear separation from cars. The news mattered because residents could immediately test the claims and compare the result with years of temporary barriers and construction. It also started a useful conversation about whether streets should move the largest number of cars or serve a wider range of people. Local news is most engaging when citizens can see both the trade-offs and the outcome outside their own doors.

Part 3

Q: Do people read the newspaper where you live?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A new cycle path becomes meaningful when reporting includes commuters, residents and evidence after opening. More broadly, reliable local and national reporting supports accountability and shared civic knowledge; however, sensationalism and narrow identity can distort complexity or divide outsiders from insiders.

Q: Do people prefer local or international news?

A: Local news often attracts more immediate attention because it affects transport, schools and community safety. International news becomes compelling during major conflicts, economic changes or events involving national interests. A healthy news diet needs both proximity and wider context.

Q: Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that reliable local and national reporting supports accountability and shared civic knowledge. At the same time, sensationalism and narrow identity can distort complexity or divide outsiders from insiders. A balanced approach is to compare sources, support professional reporting and connect identity with informed participation.

Q: How can people develop their national identity?

A: A practical approach is to compare sources, support professional reporting and connect identity with informed participation. A new cycle path becomes meaningful when reporting includes commuters, residents and evidence after opening. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Part 2 - 28. 近期改变

Q: Describe a change that you made recently

What the change was
What caused the change
What you did for the change
And explain how you feel about the change

A: A recent change I made was moving my phone out of the bedroom at night. I decided to do it after noticing that I was losing nearly an hour to messages and short videos, then waking up tired and checking the phone again immediately. I bought a simple alarm clock, placed a charger in the living room and told close family members to call twice if there was a genuine emergency. The first few nights felt oddly uncomfortable because reaching for the phone had become automatic. Within a week, however, I was reading before sleep and getting up without beginning the day inside other people’s updates. The change was tiny in physical terms but significant in effect. My sleep is more consistent, and the morning feels like my own before notifications arrive. I am pleased with it because it relies on environment rather than willpower. Instead of making the same virtuous decision every night, I made one practical change that removed the temptation. That principle has since influenced how I approach other habits.

Part 3

Q: Do you think it is good to change one’s daily routine?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Moving a phone out of the bedroom is a small change with a measurable effect on sleep. More broadly, a considered change can renew motivation and remove habits that no longer serve their purpose; however, change pursued only for novelty can destroy useful stability and institutional memory.

Q: Do you think it is good to change jobs?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Change is valuable when it responds to evidence or a genuine shift in needs. Moving a phone out of the bedroom is a small change with a measurable effect on sleep. The qualification is that change pursued only for novelty can destroy useful stability and institutional memory.

Q: Is it good for people to get a job promotion?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that a considered change can renew motivation and remove habits that no longer serve their purpose. At the same time, change pursued only for novelty can destroy useful stability and institutional memory. A balanced approach is to test a small version, define what success means and review the effects before expanding it.

Q: Do people often make plans around their regular routines?

Q: Who tend to change their daily routine more, young people or old people?

A: Young people generally change routines more because study, jobs, housing and relationships are still shifting. Older adults often value consistency, although retirement or health can force major changes. Personality and necessity ultimately matter more than age.

三、非大陆地区新题及保留题

Part 1 9 月在考新题（6 道）

Part 1 - 1. Lost and found

Q: Have you ever lost your keys?

A: Yes, once at university. I retraced my steps and found them at the library desk, where someone had kindly handed them in.

Q: Will you post on social media if you lose your item?

A: For an ordinary item, I would first contact the venue and local lost-and-found services. I would post online only if that failed, while withholding one identifying detail so I could verify the owner.

Q: Have you ever lost things?

A: Yes, mostly small things such as an umbrella or a transport card. Those experiences have made me keep essentials in the same zipped pocket.

Q: Do you report to the police when finding something lost by others? Why?

A: I would report valuable items or official documents to the police, because they can verify ownership securely. A cheap item found inside a shop is better given to the staff.

Q: What will you do if you find something lost by others?

A: I would avoid searching through it unnecessarily, look for a safe way to identify the owner, and hand it to the nearest responsible authority or venue staff.

Part 1 - 2. Computers/tablets

Q: Would you like to use a computer or tablet?

A: I would choose a computer for serious work because a full keyboard and flexible software are essential. A tablet is better for reading, annotation and travel.

Q: In what conditions would you use a computer or tablet?

A: I use a computer for programming, long documents and data analysis, while I use a tablet when I need to read papers or take handwritten notes.

Q: When was the first time you used a computer or tablet?

A: I first used a family desktop computer in primary school. The internet connection was slow, but even basic drawing programs seemed fascinating at the time.

Q: What would your life be like without computers or tablets?

A: It would be far less efficient and much less connected. I could still read and write, but research, collaboration and many daily services would take considerably longer.

Q: In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer or tablet?

A: It is difficult in bright outdoor light, on a crowded bus or anywhere without a stable connection. Long periods of use are also uncomfortable without a proper desk.

Part 1 - 3. Collecting things

Q: Do you collect things?

A: I collect postcards from places I visit. They are inexpensive, easy to store and each one brings back a specific moment.

Q: Where do you usually keep things you need?

A: Everyday essentials have fixed places: keys in a tray, documents in labelled folders and digital files in a consistent cloud structure.

Q: Would you keep old things for a long time? Why?

A: Only if they are useful or emotionally significant. Keeping everything turns memories into clutter and makes the genuinely meaningful items harder to appreciate.

Q: Are there any things you have kept from your childhood?

A: Yes, I still have a small wooden pencil case from primary school. It is scratched and impractical now, but it reminds me of learning to write carefully.

Part 1 - 4. Street market

Q: Are there many street markets in China?

A: Yes, particularly food and produce markets. Their form varies by city, but they remain an important part of neighbourhood life.

Q: When was the last time you went to a street market?

A: I visited one about three weeks ago to buy fruit and freshly made dumplings. I also spent far too long looking at handmade ceramics.

Q: Do you prefer to go shopping in the shopping mall or on the street market?

A: For routine shopping I prefer a mall because it is predictable and weatherproof. For local food, atmosphere and conversation, a street market is much more memorable.

Q: What do people usually buy on the street market?

A: People buy fruit, vegetables, snacks, inexpensive clothes and household items. Tourists may also look for regional crafts and small souvenirs.

Part 1 - 5. Feeling bored

Q: Do you think childhood is boring or adulthood is boring?

A: Adulthood can be more repetitive because responsibilities limit spontaneity, but adults also have greater freedom to choose their interests. Boredom depends more on engagement than age.

Q: What do you do when you feel bored?

A: I change my physical setting, even if that only means taking a walk around the block. Afterwards I usually read, cook or call someone rather than scrolling aimlessly.

Q: When would you feel bored?

A: I become bored during long periods of passive waiting or when a task is repetitive and has no visible purpose.

Q: Do you often feel bored?

A: Not often. I keep a list of small things I want to read or try, so I usually have something meaningful available when plans fall through.

Part 1 - 6. Friends

Q: Would you invite friends to your home?

A: Yes, especially close friends. Cooking together at home feels more relaxed and personal than trying to talk in a crowded restaurant.

Q: Do you prefer to spend time with one friend or with a group of friends?

A: For a serious conversation, I prefer one friend because we can listen properly. A group is better for games, celebrations and a livelier atmosphere.

Q: Do you have a friend you have known for a long time?

A: Yes. I have known my closest friend since our first week of secondary school, so our friendship has survived different cities and very different schedules.

Q: What do you usually do with your friends?

A: We eat together, walk around unfamiliar neighbourhoods and exchange recommendations for films or books. Much of the value simply comes from unhurried conversation.

Q: Where do you often meet each other?

A: We usually meet near a convenient metro station and choose a quiet cafe or park. Accessibility matters because we live in different parts of the city.

Q: Do you often go out with your friends?

A: Roughly once or twice a week. During busy periods we may meet less often, but we stay in touch through voice messages.

Q: How important are friends to you?

A: Extremely important. Friends offer honest feedback, shared memories and a form of support that is different from family or professional relationships.

Q: Why are some places suitable for meeting while others are not?

A: A suitable place is accessible, not too noisy and does not pressure people to leave quickly. A beautiful venue is useless if nobody can hear the conversation.

Q: Is there a difference between where you meet friends now and where you used to meet them in the past?

A: Yes. We used to meet near school because our movements were limited; now we choose places based on shared interests, such as exhibitions, parks or new restaurants.

Part 2&3 9 月在考新题（9 道）

Part 2 - 1. 印象深刻的课程

Q: Describe a course that impressed you a lot

What the course was about
Where you took the course
What you did during the course
And explain why it impressed you a lot

A: A course that impressed me deeply was an introductory class in design research at university. Rather than beginning with software, it asked us to observe how people completed ordinary tasks and to test our assumptions with evidence. For the main project, my team studied how first-year students found rooms in a confusing teaching building. We interviewed students, followed their routes with permission and built several paper prototypes before writing any code. The course impressed me because it changed the order in which I approached problems. Previously, I wanted to produce a polished solution quickly; the lecturer taught us to remain uncertain long enough to understand the real need. One participant misunderstood a sign that seemed perfectly clear to the entire team, and that single observation exposed how narrow our perspective had been. The class was demanding because feedback often required discarding work, but it also made improvement visible. I left with practical research methods and a more humble attitude towards expertise. Now I ask who has been excluded from a design decision before I ask how elegant the interface looks.

Part 3

Q: What can we learn from history?

A: History teaches how institutions, conflicts and social habits developed, which prevents us from treating the present as inevitable. It also reveals unintended consequences and gives voice to experiences outside our own. The lesson is not a simple recipe, but a more disciplined way to judge evidence and change.

Q: What do people need to remember in their daily lives?

A: The most important point is that memory strengthens when information has meaning, structure and opportunities for active recall. In practice, this may involve appointments, names, deadlines, passwords, personal milestones and lessons from the past. For example, a photograph retrieves sensory details, while a written explanation preserves sequence and reasoning, although individual circumstances still matter.

Q: Can technology help people remember things better? How?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that remembering supports identity, learning and the practical coordination of daily life. At the same time, outsourcing everything to devices can weaken attention and create dependence. A balanced approach is to use spaced review, visual cues and digital reminders without abandoning understanding.

Q: Which can help people remember things better, words or photos?

A: Photos are powerful triggers for faces, places and emotion, while words preserve sequence, explanation and abstract detail. The strongest memory aid combines them, such as a labelled diagram or a photograph with a short note. The better choice depends on what must later be retrieved.

Q: Do people like things of memorial significance?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Memory strengthens when information has meaning, structure and opportunities for active recall. A photograph retrieves sensory details, while a written explanation preserves sequence and reasoning. The qualification is that outsourcing everything to devices can weaken attention and create dependence.

Q: Why do some people have a better memory than others?

A: The main reason is that memory strengthens when information has meaning, structure and opportunities for active recall. A photograph retrieves sensory details, while a written explanation preserves sequence and reasoning. However, outsourcing everything to devices can weaken attention and create dependence, so context and implementation still matter.

Part 2 - 2. 改变重要决定

Q: Describe a time when you changed an important decision of yours

When you changed the decision
What the original decision was
Why you changed it
And explain how you felt about the experience

A: I changed an important decision when I withdrew an application to study abroad for a full academic year and chose a shorter exchange instead. I had originally assumed that the longest possible experience must be the most valuable. While preparing the application, I examined the course timetable and realised that a full year would delay a research project at my home university and create significant financial strain for my family. I spoke with former exchange students and my supervisor, then separated the goal from the format. My real goals were to study in another academic culture, use English daily and become more independent; a four-month programme could still achieve them. I felt conflicted at first because changing the decision looked like a loss of courage. In fact, it was a more mature choice based on new information. The shorter exchange was intense and rewarding, and I returned in time to join the research project. The experience taught me that consistency is not always a virtue. A good decision should remain open to revision when the evidence changes, provided the revision protects the underlying purpose rather than merely avoiding discomfort.

Part 3

Q: When do most children begin to make their own decisions?

A: It is most common when the consequences, available evidence and time pressure differ from one choice to another. Situations involving meals, routes, purchases, study priorities and long-term career choices make that need especially visible. However, too much analysis can become a way of postponing an uncomfortable choice, so context should guide the response.

Part 2 - 3. 本地名人

Q: Describe a famous person in your local area

Who this person is
What he/she has done
Why he/she is popular
And explain how you feel about this person

A: A well-known person associated with my hometown of Chengdu is Li Yuchun, a singer who first became nationally famous through a televised music competition. She has built a long career in music and performance and is recognisable for a distinctive style that challenged the narrow image of how a female pop star was expected to look. She is popular locally because her success is connected with the city, but also because she has remained relatively private and professional despite years of attention. I do not follow every release, so I would not describe myself as a devoted fan. Nevertheless, I respect the way she established an individual identity rather than reshaping herself to fit a conventional template. Her early rise also coincided with a new era of audience voting and online fan communities, so she represents a shift in Chinese popular culture as well as one successful artist. I feel cautiously positive about her influence. Celebrity culture can become excessive, but a public figure who broadens acceptable forms of self-expression can give younger people useful permission to be less predictable.

Part 3

Q: Why are some students popular?

Q: Is it always good to be a popular student at school?

A: Not necessarily. Popularity grows from visibility, social skill and the feeling a person creates in others. A teacher may be respected for fair standards even when students do not enjoy every lesson. The qualification is that seeking approval can reward conformity and discourage necessary honesty.

Part 2 - 4. 想再去一次的城市

Q: Describe a city that you have been to and would like to visit again

When you visited it
What you did there
What it was like
And explain why you would like to visit it again

A: A city I would happily revisit is Kyoto in Japan, which I visited for four days in late autumn. I explored several temples early in the morning, walked beside the Kamo River and spent an afternoon in a quiet craft district. The city was visually beautiful, particularly the contrast between wooden streets, maple leaves and an efficient modern transport system. However, my first visit was rushed. I followed a long list of famous sites and sometimes moved on before I had properly noticed where I was. I would like to return with a slower plan, stay in one neighbourhood and visit smaller gardens and workshops outside the busiest routes. I am also more confident reading basic Japanese now, which would make everyday interactions less dependent on translation apps. Kyoto attracts enormous numbers of visitors, and I would need to travel outside peak periods and behave respectfully in residential areas. I want to revisit not simply to repeat the same photographs, but to replace a checklist experience with a more attentive one. The city seemed layered, and four hurried days revealed only the most obvious surface.

Part 3

Q: What should the government do to improve citizens’ safety?

A: Government should combine reliable emergency services with safe street design, building standards, public-health systems and transparent risk communication. Prevention is usually cheaper than reacting after harm occurs. Policies should use local data and be accessible to children, older adults and people with disabilities.

Q: Are there any changes in your city?

Q: Do you think people in the countryside are friendlier than people in the city?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that well-managed density supports efficient infrastructure and a rich range of cultural opportunities. At the same time, unplanned growth produces congestion, high costs, pollution and unequal access. A balanced approach is to invest in public transport, mixed neighbourhoods, protected cycling and accessible green space.

Q: Do you think it is possible that all of the population move to cities?

A: Not necessarily. A dense district around a metro station can function well, while car-dependent expansion wastes time and land. More broadly, well-managed density supports efficient infrastructure and a rich range of cultural opportunities; however, unplanned growth produces congestion, high costs, pollution and unequal access.

Q: Some people say large cities are suitable for old people. What do you think?

A: A balanced view is that cities concentrate jobs and services, but density works only when transport, housing and public space keep pace. A dense district around a metro station can function well, while car-dependent expansion wastes time and land. The best response is to invest in public transport, mixed neighbourhoods, protected cycling and accessible green space, while remembering that unplanned growth produces congestion, high costs, pollution and unequal access.

Q: What’s the difference between the city and the countryside?

A: The central difference is that cities offer scale and access, while the countryside provides space, quiet and closer contact with nature. A dense district around a metro station can function well, while car-dependent expansion wastes time and land. Neither side is automatically superior; the sensible choice depends on purpose and circumstances.

Part 2 - 5. 一见且想继续了解的人

Q: Describe a person you only met once recently and want to know more about

Who he/she is
When you met him/her
Why you want to know more about him/her
And explain how you feel about him/her

A: A person I met only once but would like to know better is an accessibility designer named Ms Wang. I met her after a public lecture at my university about making digital services usable for older adults and people with disabilities. We spoke for perhaps fifteen minutes while waiting for the lift. Instead of giving me general career advice, she asked what problem I had observed directly and challenged me to describe it without using technical jargon. Her questions were precise but encouraging. I want to learn more about her because she has worked across research, public policy and commercial products, which is an unusual combination. She also spoke frankly about projects that failed, not only successful case studies. I came away feeling intellectually energised and slightly exposed, because her questions revealed how quickly I hide vague thinking behind professional vocabulary. I sent her a short message afterwards thanking her and mentioning one change I had made to my project. I hope to attend another event where she speaks. Even if we never become friends, a longer conversation could help me understand how she turns ethical principles into decisions under real constraints.

Part 3

Q: What should we not talk about when we meet a person for the first time?

A: It is sensible to avoid intrusive questions about income, relationships, health or family plans unless the other person raises them. Highly divisive topics can also wait until some trust exists. The aim is not to be superficial but to let privacy and context develop naturally.

Q: What can we do to leave a good impression on people we meet for the first time?

Q: What qualities make true friends?

A: True friends are reliable, honest without being cruel, and able to respect boundaries. They celebrate success without rivalry and remain present during inconvenient periods, not only entertaining ones. Shared interests help a friendship start, but character helps it last.

Q: Is it important to have the same hobbies and interests when making friends?

A: No. Shared interests make initial conversation easier, but lasting friendship depends more on trust, humour, reliability and mutual curiosity. Different hobbies can actually broaden both people, provided they respect one another’s enthusiasm.

Q: On what occasions do people like to make friends?

A: It is most common when strong relationships provide belonging, honest feedback and support that cannot be fully replaced by services. Situations involving conversation, meals, hobbies, celebrations, practical help and quiet companionship make that need especially visible. However, proximity alone does not guarantee closeness, and social pressure can make relationships performative, so context should guide the response.

Q: How do people make friends in China?

A: People often become friends through school, work, hobby groups, sport and introductions by existing friends. Repeated low-pressure contact is more important than one dramatic meeting. Online communities can start the connection, but trust usually grows through shared activity and dependable behaviour.

Part 2 - 6. 送朋友的礼物

Q: Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend

How you knew your friend
How long you have known him/her
How you would choose a gift for him/her
And explain why you would choose that gift for him/her

A: I would like to buy my closest friend a small instant camera. We met in our first week of secondary school and have known each other for more than ten years. She loves recording ordinary gatherings but usually leaves the photographs buried on her phone. I would choose a simple model with affordable film rather than an expensive collector’s edition, and I would include a small album. Before buying it, I would check whether she already had something similar and compare running costs, because a gift that becomes financially inconvenient is not thoughtful. I would choose this gift because the printed image appears immediately and can be shared or written on. It suits her sociable personality and could turn birthdays and trips into a physical record rather than another digital folder. The camera is also specific enough to show that I know her interests without being so personal that she feels obliged to display it. I would add one photograph of us from school to the first page of the album, leaving the rest empty for future moments.

Part 3

Q: Are there any unlucky things that people should not buy as gifts in your country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A modest camera chosen for a friend’s hobby can matter more than a luxury item selected at random. More broadly, thoughtful gifts mark relationships and create durable shared memories; however, expensive or culturally inappropriate gifts can create obligation instead of pleasure.

Q: Which do people give on traditional festivals, red envelopes or other kinds of gifts?

A: Red envelopes are especially common at Spring Festival and for children or younger relatives, because they combine blessing with practical freedom. Food, tea and regional specialities are also widely exchanged between households. The relationship and occasion determine which form feels appropriate.

Q: Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?

A: They may feel excited, but price does not guarantee happiness. An expensive gift can create discomfort or obligation if it ignores the relationship and the recipient’s needs. A modest object chosen with genuine attention is often remembered more warmly.

Q: Is it hard to choose a gift?

Q: When do people normally send gifts to others?

A: It is most common when a good gift communicates attention to the recipient rather than the wealth of the giver. Situations involving red envelopes, food, flowers, books, practical items and objects connected with a hobby make that need especially visible. However, expensive or culturally inappropriate gifts can create obligation instead of pleasure, so context should guide the response.

Part 2 - 7. 去过的靠近自然的地方

Q: Describe somewhere near a natural place that you have been to

Where this place is
Who you went there with
Why you went there
And explain how you feel about the place

A: A place close to nature that I visited was a guesthouse beside a bamboo forest in Anji, Zhejiang Province. I went there with two university friends after a demanding term because we wanted quiet rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. The guesthouse stood at the edge of a village, and a footpath led directly into the hills. We spent two days hiking, drinking local tea and listening to heavy rain move through the bamboo. The landscape felt immersive because the tall stems filtered both light and sound, creating a soft green atmosphere even at midday. I liked the place because nature was not presented as a theme park; villagers still worked nearby, and the paths connected real homes and fields. At the same time, tourism clearly supported the local economy, so visitors had a responsibility not to leave waste or treat private land as scenery. I returned feeling rested and more aware of how rarely I experience true darkness and quiet in the city. The trip proved that recovery does not always require entertainment; sometimes it requires fewer inputs.

Part 3

Q: Are there any natural attractions that are great to visit?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A small wetland near homes may improve daily wellbeing more than a distant showcase park. More broadly, green space improves mood, reduces heat and gives residents room to exercise and meet; however, poorly managed tourism can damage the very landscape people come to enjoy.

Q: Do you think it is necessary to include natural spaces in a city?

Q: Do you think people who live in natural places are more likely to protect it?

A: Direct dependence and familiarity can create strong motivation to protect a place, but proximity does not guarantee responsible behaviour. Residents may also face economic pressure to exploit local resources. Conservation works best when communities share both decision-making power and benefits.

Part 2 - 8. 公共场所丢物品

Q: Describe an occasion that you lost something in public

What you lost
When and where you lost it
What you did to find it
And explain how you felt about it

A: I once lost my wallet in a public library. I noticed it was missing when I tried to pay for lunch and immediately felt a wave of panic because it contained my identity card, bank card and transport card. I froze the bank card through the app, called the library and retraced my route from the reading room to the lockers. Nothing was there, but a staff member checked the lost-property log and found that another student had handed the wallet to the front desk twenty minutes earlier. I verified my name and described a receipt inside before they returned it. I felt enormously relieved and also grateful to a person I never met. The experience changed my habits: I now carry fewer cards, keep the wallet in one zipped compartment and store secure copies of important document numbers. It also restored some faith in public trust. Losing the wallet exposed how many parts of daily life depended on one small object, but finding it showed how a stranger’s simple responsible action can prevent hours of difficulty.

Part 3

Q: What do people often feel after losing things?

A: The first reaction is usually panic, followed by frustration or self-blame. The emotion intensifies when the object contains personal data or sentimental value. Taking immediate practical steps, such as freezing a card and retracing the route, helps restore a sense of control.

Q: What can we do to reduce the possibility of losing things?

A: A practical approach is to use one zipped compartment, label valuable items and retrace the last confirmed location calmly. Freezing a bank card immediately prevents a lost wallet from becoming a larger emergency. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: What kinds of people may lose things often?

A: It is particularly common among rushed, distracted or highly burdened people and those moving through unfamiliar places. Freezing a bank card immediately prevents a lost wallet from becoming a larger emergency. Even within that group, personality and circumstances matter more than a simple label.

Q: Is it effective to offer rewards to find lost things?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Freezing a bank card immediately prevents a lost wallet from becoming a larger emergency. More broadly, good systems and honest lost-property services reduce both financial and emotional damage; however, public rewards can attract false claims or reveal more personal information than necessary.

Q: What will people do when losing things?

A: A balanced view is that people lose objects when attention is divided and everyday items have no consistent place. Freezing a bank card immediately prevents a lost wallet from becoming a larger emergency. The best response is to use one zipped compartment, label valuable items and retrace the last confirmed location calmly, while remembering that public rewards can attract false claims or reveal more personal information than necessary.

Q: What kinds of things do people usually lose?

Part 2 - 9. 节约时间的方法/改变

Q: Describe a way/change that helps you save a lot of time

What it is
How you implement it
How difficult it is
And explain how you feel about the way/change

A: A change that saves me a great deal of time is planning meals and basic errands once a week. On Sunday evening, I choose four simple dinners with overlapping ingredients, order or buy the groceries and prepare a few components in advance. I also group errands by location rather than making separate trips whenever something occurs to me. The system was mildly difficult for the first month because I overplanned and chose recipes that were too ambitious. Now I leave one evening flexible and keep a few frozen options for unexpected changes. The method saves time not only in cooking but also in decision-making. I no longer stand in a supermarket at seven o’clock trying to invent dinner while hungry, and I waste less food because ingredients have a purpose. I feel surprisingly liberated by the routine. Planning sounds restrictive, but it protects spontaneous time later in the week. The key is treating the plan as a default rather than a contract; if a friend invites me out, I adjust it instead of feeling that the spreadsheet has been betrayed.

Part 3

Q: What can people do to save time?

A: A practical approach is to set priorities, group similar tasks, estimate honestly and leave margin for interruption. Planning meals once saves repeated decisions without preventing an occasional spontaneous dinner. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Does technology help people save time? How and why?

A: Yes, when it automates repetition or removes unnecessary travel, for example through online booking and shared calendars. However, notifications and endless options can consume the saved time. Technology improves efficiency only when users control it and the service is designed around a real task.

Q: Do you think parents should be responsible for teaching children to save time?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that planning, batching and reliable routines reduce delay and create room for rest. At the same time, efficiency can become counterproductive if every pause is treated as wasted time. A balanced approach is to set priorities, group similar tasks, estimate honestly and leave margin for interruption.

Q: Do people who can manage time well become successful more easily?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Planning meals once saves repeated decisions without preventing an occasional spontaneous dinner. More broadly, planning, batching and reliable routines reduce delay and create room for rest; however, efficiency can become counterproductive if every pause is treated as wasted time.

Q: Is it necessary for children to learn time management?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Time management is the practice of protecting attention for what matters rather than filling every minute. Planning meals once saves repeated decisions without preventing an occasional spontaneous dinner. The qualification is that efficiency can become counterproductive if every pause is treated as wasted time.

Q: What can schools do to help students learn time management?

Part 1 保留题（8 道）

Part 1 - 1. Dream and ambition

Q: What was your childhood dream?

A: I wanted to be an astronaut, largely because space seemed limitless and heroic. I later discovered that I preferred studying technology from the ground.

Q: Are you the kind of person who sticks to dreams?

A: I persist when a dream still matches my values, but I am willing to revise the route. Stubbornly following an outdated plan is not the same as commitment.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job is to design technology that solves a real human problem and to work with people who care about evidence and craft.

Q: Do you think you are an ambitious person?

A: Yes, quietly ambitious. I set demanding goals, but I am more interested in becoming capable than in appearing impressive.

Part 1 - 2. History

Q: Have you ever been to historical museums?

A: Yes, several times. I particularly enjoy museums that use everyday objects and personal letters, because they make large events feel human.

Q: Do you like history?

A: Yes. History reveals how institutions and beliefs developed, so the present stops looking inevitable.

Q: When was the last time you read about history?

A: Last week I read an article about the early development of Shanghai’s public transport. It connected familiar streets with decisions made decades ago.

Q: Did you like history when you were young?

A: I liked historical stories but disliked memorising isolated dates. Once teachers focused on causes, consequences and competing perspectives, the subject became much more compelling.

Part 1 - 3. Films/cinemas

Q: What films do you like?

A: I like character-driven dramas and thoughtful science fiction. Both genres work best when the ideas emerge from believable human choices.

Q: Did you often watch films when you were a child?

A: Yes, mostly animated films and family comedies. Rewatching the same film was part of the pleasure because I noticed new details each time.

Q: Did you ever go to the cinema alone as a child?

A: No. Going to the cinema was usually a family or social outing, so I never considered going alone as a child.

Q: Do you often go to the cinema with your friends?

A: Perhaps once every month or two. We usually choose a film that benefits from a large screen and then discuss it over dinner.

Q: Do you think going to the cinema is a good way to spend time with friends?

A: Yes. A film gives friends a shared experience and an easy starting point for conversation, although it should not replace actually talking to one another.

Q: How often do you watch films?

A: I watch one or two films a week, usually at home. I go to the cinema only for something visually ambitious or especially well reviewed.

Q: Do you prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?

A: At home for convenience and comfort, but in the cinema for spectacle and concentration. At home, it is too easy to pause the film and become distracted.

Part 1 - 4. Old buildings

Q: Have you ever seen old buildings in the city？

A: Yes. Shanghai has lanes, warehouses and public buildings from several periods, and seeing them makes the city’s rapid growth more tangible.

Q: Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities？

A: Yes, when they have historical, architectural or community value. Preservation should include thoughtful new uses, otherwise a building may survive physically but become irrelevant.

Q: Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house？

A: I prefer living in a modern home because insulation, plumbing and accessibility are usually better. I would happily visit an old building without wanting to manage its daily maintenance.

Q: Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why?

A: I would like to see the traditional courtyard houses in Beijing before more of their surrounding neighbourhoods change. I am interested in how private and shared space are arranged.

Part 1 - 5. Evening time

Q: Do you like the morning or evening?

A: I prefer the evening because the urgent part of the day is over and I can choose a slower pace. Mornings are productive, but evenings feel more personal.

Q: What do you usually do in the evening？

A: I eat dinner, take a short walk and then review notes or read. Before bed, I try to spend at least half an hour away from screens.

Q: What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why?

A: As a child, I finished homework and played downstairs with neighbours until my parents called me home. Those evenings felt wonderfully unstructured.

Q: Are there any differences between what you do in the evening now and what you did in the past?

A: Yes. My evenings now include more independent study and practical tasks, whereas childhood evenings centred on play and family television.

Q: Do you spend your evenings doing the same things on both weekends and weekdays? Why?

A: No. Weekdays are fairly structured, but at weekends I might meet friends, watch a film or cook something that takes longer.

Q: What do you hate doing in the evening?

A: I dislike dealing with unexpected administrative messages late at night. They make it difficult to switch off even when the task could easily wait until morning.

Part 1 - 6. Morning routines

Q: What do you do right after getting up in the morning?

A: I open the curtains, drink a glass of water and make the bed. Doing those three things immediately prevents me from drifting back to sleep.

Q: Is breakfast important?

A: Yes. A balanced breakfast steadies my concentration, although it does not need to be elaborate; yoghurt, fruit and eggs are enough.

Q: What is your morning routine?

A: I get up at seven, stretch briefly, eat breakfast and review the day’s priorities before checking messages. The whole routine takes about forty minutes.

Q: Do you like to get up early in the morning?

A: I like the quiet of an early morning, but I do not enjoy getting up after too little sleep. Waking early works only when bedtime is equally disciplined.

Part 1 - 7. Sports programs

Q: Do you like watching sports programs on TV?

A: Occasionally. I prefer highlights or a well-made documentary to watching every match in a league.

Q: Do you like to watch live sports games?

A: Yes, especially when the result matters and the crowd is engaged. The uncertainty creates an energy that a recording cannot reproduce.

Q: Who do you like to watch sports games with?

A: I like watching with two or three friends who understand the sport but do not treat every disagreement as a crisis.

Q: What kinds of games do you expect to watch in the future?

A: I would like to watch more climbing and athletics. Both make individual technique visible and are easy to appreciate without following a long season.

Q: Do you prefer to watch sports games alone or with a group of friends?

A: With a small group of friends. Shared reactions make the event more exciting, while a huge noisy group can distract from the game itself.

Q: Have you ever watched a sports game in a stadium?

A: Yes, I watched a university basketball final in a stadium. The standard was not professional, but the atmosphere was intense because everyone knew the teams.

Part 1 - 8. Art

Q: Do you like art?

A: Yes. I am not an expert, but art slows down my attention and gives me a way to encounter experiences outside my own.

Q: Do you like visiting art galleries?

A: I do, particularly smaller galleries where I can spend time with each work. Large exhibitions can become exhausting if I feel obliged to see everything.

Q: Do you want to be an artist?

A: Not professionally. I enjoy sketching, but I am happier treating it as a practice that sharpens observation than as a career goal.

Q: Do you like modern art or traditional art?

A: I lean towards modern art because I enjoy unfamiliar materials and ideas, although traditional art often rewards deeper knowledge of technique and symbolism.

Part 2&3 保留题（8 道）

Part 2 - 1. 想有空时去旅游的地方

Q: Describe a place you would like to visit in your free time

Where it is
What you will do there
How long you will stay there
And explain why you would like to visit it

A: A place I would like to visit in my free time is Dunhuang in north-western China. I want to see the Mogao Caves, the desert landscape and the museum that explains the city’s role on the Silk Road. I would stay for four or five days, which would allow me to visit major sites without compressing every hour into a tour. I would spend one day with a knowledgeable guide at the caves, because the paintings and manuscripts deserve historical context, and another walking in the desert early or late when the light is softer. I am drawn to Dunhuang because several cultures, religions and trade routes met there, leaving evidence in art rather than only in written history. The fragile environment also makes it a place that cannot be experienced carelessly. I would travel outside the hottest season, follow photography restrictions and avoid unnecessary disturbance. The journey from my city is long, but that distance is part of the appeal: the landscape and history would feel genuinely different from my everyday urban surroundings.

Part 3

Q: Why do you think some people choose not to travel abroad?

Q: Do you think a gap period in life is important?

A: It can be valuable, but it is not essential for everyone. A well-used gap period can provide work, travel or recovery that clarifies direction; an unstructured one may simply delay a decision at considerable cost. The purpose and plan matter more than the label.

Part 2 - 2. 收到特殊蛋糕

Q: Describe a special cake you received from others

When it happened
Where it happened
Who you got the cake from
And explain why it’s a special cake

A: A special cake I received was for my twenty-first birthday at university. I had just moved to a new city and assumed the day would pass quietly because my family was far away and I had known my classmates for only a few weeks. After an evening lecture, four classmates invited me to a study room, where they had placed a small homemade cake on the table. It was slightly uneven and the cream had begun to lean to one side, but they had decorated it with tiny symbols related to jokes from our first month together. One friend had baked it in a shared dormitory kitchen with very limited equipment. The cake was special not because it tasted professionally perfect, although it was good, but because it transformed a day of potential loneliness into the beginning of belonging. They had noticed details about me and coordinated the surprise while we were all busy. I kept one of the paper decorations in my notebook. The gift reminded me that relationships can develop quickly when people pay genuine attention, and that effort is often more memorable than expense.

Part 3

Q: What are the differences between special food in China and other countries?

A: The specific ingredients and symbols differ, but the social functions are remarkably similar. Chinese festival foods often emphasise reunion through shape or wordplay, while other cultures may centre on religious rules, harvests or family recipes. In each case, repeated preparation turns food into a form of collective memory.

Q: Is there any food in your country that is eaten at special times or on special occasions?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Special food turns ingredients and repeated actions into a shared cultural symbol. Round dumplings at a reunion communicate unity before anyone explains the symbolism. The qualification is that lavish meals can create waste or financial pressure when appearance overtakes meaning.

Q: Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?

Q: Do you think it’s good to communicate when eating with your family?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Round dumplings at a reunion communicate unity before anyone explains the symbolism. More broadly, cooking and eating together transmit memory, hospitality and a sense of belonging; however, lavish meals can create waste or financial pressure when appearance overtakes meaning.

Q: In your country, do people nowadays cook at home as frequently as people did in the past?

A: A balanced view is that special food turns ingredients and repeated actions into a shared cultural symbol. Round dumplings at a reunion communicate unity before anyone explains the symbolism. The best response is to preserve meaningful techniques while adapting portions, nutrition and preparation to modern life, while remembering that lavish meals can create waste or financial pressure when appearance overtakes meaning.

Q: What do you think of people using their mobile phones during a meal?

A: A quick practical check is harmless, but continuous scrolling signals that distant content matters more than the people present. Shared meals are one of the few regular opportunities for undivided conversation. I would keep the phone away unless there were a genuine reason to remain reachable.

Part 2 - 3. 在成功公司工作的人

Q: Describe a person who works in a successful company

Who he/she is
What he/she does in the company
What business the company does
And explain why you think it is a successful company

A: My cousin Mei works as a product designer at a successful educational technology company. Her job is to understand how students and teachers use the platform, create prototypes and work with engineers to improve the final product. The company provides online learning tools to schools and individual learners. I consider it successful because it has grown steadily while maintaining a clear educational purpose. It tests new features with real users, publishes learning outcomes and supports customers rather than simply spending heavily on advertising. Mei says the culture also allows teams to challenge senior managers with evidence, which reduces the risk of pursuing an executive’s favourite idea without validation. The company is profitable, but I would not use revenue as the only measure. Its teachers renew contracts, staff remain for several years and students can use the service on relatively basic devices. I admire Mei’s work because design decisions there affect how people learn, not just how long they remain on a screen. Her experience also shows that a successful company needs both a viable business model and a reason for customers to trust it.

Part 3

Q: Do you think governments should provide financial support to companies?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A neighbourhood bakery can outperform a fashionable start-up by serving regular customers reliably. More broadly, successful firms create useful products, stable jobs and tax revenue as well as profit; however, rapid growth without cash flow, ethics or customer loyalty can collapse just as quickly.

Q: Do you think companies should donate money to help society?

Q: Do you think customer satisfaction is important for a company?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. The main benefit is that successful firms create useful products, stable jobs and tax revenue as well as profit. At the same time, rapid growth without cash flow, ethics or customer loyalty can collapse just as quickly. A balanced approach is to test demand on a small scale, manage costs and build environmental responsibility into operations.

Part 2 - 4. 语言学习

Q: Describe a thing you did to learn another language

What language you learned
What you did
How it helped you learn the language
And how you felt about it

A: One effective thing I did to improve my English was keep a weekly audio diary. Every Sunday, I recorded myself speaking for three minutes about one event or idea without reading a script. I then listened back, noted repeated grammar problems and searched for two or three expressions that would make the story more precise. The following week, I deliberately reused those expressions in conversation. This helped because it exposed the gap between vocabulary I recognised and language I could retrieve under pressure. It also created a record of progress: after several months, my pauses were shorter and my ideas were organised more clearly. At first, hearing my own voice was uncomfortable and I focused obsessively on my accent. Gradually, I learned to evaluate communication instead: Was the point clear? Did I support it? Could a listener follow the timeline? The practice made me feel more independent because it required no teacher or special software. Most importantly, it trained exactly the skill I wanted to improve - turning a thought into connected speech in real time.

Part 3

Q: What difficulties do people face when learning a language?

A: Learners struggle with limited exposure, fear of mistakes, inconsistent practice and the gap between recognising a word and retrieving it in conversation. Pronunciation and unfamiliar grammar can add cognitive load. Regular meaningful use and specific feedback are more effective than waiting to feel fully prepared.

Q: Do you think language learning is important? Why?

A: Yes. A language gives direct access to people, ideas and cultural assumptions that translation may flatten, and it is valuable in work and travel. Even basic proficiency changes the quality of an interaction because it shows effort and allows the learner to notice how meaning is framed.

Q: Which is better, to study a language alone or to study it in a group? Why?

A: There is no universal winner because individual study controls pace, while group learning provides interaction and accountability. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. I would choose according to the outcome required rather than treating one option as inherently better.

Q: What’s the best way to learn a language?

A: A balanced view is that language develops when meaningful exposure is combined with frequent retrieval and corrective feedback. A weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech. The best response is to learn frequent phrases, speak early, review errors and connect practice with real interests, while remembering that fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning a language?

A: The main advantage is that another language expands work, travel and access to perspectives that translation may flatten. The drawback is that fear of mistakes and irregular practice often matter more than lack of intelligence. For instance, a weekly audio diary makes passive vocabulary available during spontaneous speech, so the value depends on how the system is designed and used.

Q: Some people think that technology has made it unnecessary to learn languages. What do you think?

A: Translation technology is useful for basic access, but it cannot fully convey humour, trust, cultural reference or the intention behind a phrase. Learning a language also changes how a person listens and relates to others. Technology should support language learning, not replace the human connection it enables.

Part 2 - 5. 重要河流/湖泊

Q: Describe an important river/lake in your country

Where it is located
How big/long it is
What it looks like
And explain why it is important

A: An important river in China is the Yangtze, which runs from the Tibetan Plateau across the country to the East China Sea near Shanghai. At more than six thousand kilometres, it is China’s longest river and passes through a remarkable range of landscapes, from mountain gorges to broad agricultural plains and dense cities. In some places it appears powerful and brown with sediment; elsewhere, reservoirs and tributaries create wide, calm stretches. The river is important for transport, water, agriculture, energy and the economies of major cities along its banks. It is also ecologically significant, supporting wetlands and species found nowhere else. That importance brings serious pressures, including pollution, habitat loss and the consequences of large engineering projects. I have seen the river at several points, and its scale makes the idea of one connected water system tangible. Protecting it therefore requires coordination across provinces rather than isolated local action. To me, the Yangtze is not merely a natural landmark. It is infrastructure, habitat, history and a reminder that economic benefits and environmental responsibility cannot be separated.

Part 3

Q: Are rivers and lakes important to a country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. One clean riverfront can support ferries, businesses, wildlife and public exercise at the same time. More broadly, healthy waterways provide water, food, transport, recreation, climate regulation and tourism; however, pollution, overuse and poorly planned development can spread damage far downstream.

Q: What are the popular water sports in your country?

A: Common examples include swimming, rowing, dragon-boat racing, kayaking, sailing and recreational fishing. One clean riverfront can support ferries, businesses, wildlife and public exercise at the same time. The useful principle is that rivers and lakes connect ecosystems, settlements and economies across administrative boundaries.

Q: Are rivers and lakes good for transport? Why?

A: They can be excellent for moving heavy goods with relatively low energy use, and ferries can connect communities without more roads. Their usefulness depends on depth, seasonal flow, ports and environmental limits. Water transport is efficient, but it is neither fast nor available everywhere.

Q: How do rivers and lakes affect local tourism?

A: A practical approach is to control discharge, restore wetlands and give local communities a stake in protection. One clean riverfront can support ferries, businesses, wildlife and public exercise at the same time. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Do you think rivers and lakes attract tourists?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. Rivers and lakes connect ecosystems, settlements and economies across administrative boundaries. One clean riverfront can support ferries, businesses, wildlife and public exercise at the same time. The qualification is that pollution, overuse and poorly planned development can spread damage far downstream.

Q: How can rivers and lakes benefit local people?

Part 2 - 6. 花费甚少的外出日

Q: Describe a special day out that cost you little money/didn’t cost you much

When the day was
Where you went
How much you spent
And explain how you feel about the day

A: A special low-cost day out happened last autumn when a friend and I explored our own city as if we were visitors. We met after breakfast, used our existing transport cards and followed a self-guided architecture route through several older streets. We visited a free local museum, bought simple noodles for lunch and spent the afternoon sketching beside the river. Apart from transport and food, I spent less than sixty yuan. The day felt special because we had both assumed that an enjoyable outing required a ticket, a distant destination or an expensive cafe. Without a fixed schedule, we noticed carved doorways, small shops and community gardens that we had passed before without seeing. We also talked more than we would have at a loud attraction. I felt refreshed rather than financially guilty afterwards. The experience changed how I think about leisure: cost can purchase comfort or access, but attention and companionship create much of the actual pleasure. Since then, I have kept a list of free exhibitions, public walks and neighbourhoods to explore when I need a break without planning a full trip.

Part 3

Q: Do people like to spend their leisure time out in your country?

A: Generally, yes, although it depends on the circumstances. A low-cost walk with a friend may be more restorative than an overplanned expensive excursion. More broadly, days off support health, relationships, creativity and more sustainable performance; however, passive screen use can occupy free time without providing either rest or fulfilment.

Q: How do people spend their leisure time in your country?

A: A practical approach is to choose activities deliberately, vary social and solitary time and protect genuine recovery. A low-cost walk with a friend may be more restorative than an overplanned expensive excursion. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: How does technology affect the way people spend their leisure time?

Q: Do you think only old people have time for leisure?

A: Not necessarily. A low-cost walk with a friend may be more restorative than an overplanned expensive excursion. More broadly, days off support health, relationships, creativity and more sustainable performance; however, passive screen use can occupy free time without providing either rest or fulfilment.

Q: Why do people like to have days off?

A: The main reason is that leisure restores physical and mental resources and allows identities beyond paid work. A low-cost walk with a friend may be more restorative than an overplanned expensive excursion. However, passive screen use can occupy free time without providing either rest or fulfilment, so context and implementation still matter.

Q: Going out to have holidays is tiring. Why do people still want to do it?

Part 2 - 7. 组织快乐活动

Q: Describe a time when you organized a happy event successfully

What the event was
How you prepared for it
Who helped you to organize it
And explain why you think it was a successful event

A: I successfully organised a surprise farewell picnic for a close classmate who was leaving for an exchange programme. I chose a riverside park, created a shared list for food and asked each person to bring one photograph or short note connected with her. Two friends helped by checking the weather, collecting picnic mats and making sure the guest arrived without suspecting anything. The main challenge was keeping the event simple. People initially proposed decorations, games and an elaborate cake, but transport and wind would have made those plans fragile. We focused instead on food that travelled well, a sheltered location and time for conversation. About fifteen people attended, including classmates from different groups who had rarely met. The surprise worked, the rain held off and the collection of notes became a small album she could take abroad. I consider the event successful because the guest felt recognised and everyone could participate without stress or high cost. Organising it taught me that a happy event needs a clear emotional purpose more than a crowded programme. Good preparation should create room for spontaneity, not eliminate it.

Part 3

Q: How can parents help children to be organized?

Q: On what occasions do people need to be organized?

A: It is most common when organisation converts limited time and attention into reliable action. Situations involving calendars, checklists, labelled storage, shared plans and simple routines make that need especially visible. However, excessive planning can become rigid and leave no room for discovery or emergencies, so context should guide the response.

Q: Does everything need to be well prepared?

A: No. High-stakes or complex activities need preparation, whereas an informal walk or conversation may benefit from spontaneity. The skill is identifying what would be costly to leave to chance and then preserving flexibility around the rest.

Q: Do people need others’ help when organizing things?

Q: How would you feel when you were not well prepared for something?

A: I would feel anxious and slightly exposed because I could not rely on a clear plan. That discomfort would probably sharpen my attention, but too much of it could make me rush or forget simple things. I would focus on the essential next step and treat the experience as evidence for better preparation.

Q: Do you prefer to prepare and organize an activity or just take part in an activity?

A: I generally prefer taking part because I can be fully present and respond spontaneously. However, I enjoy organising a small event when the purpose matters to me, since shaping the experience is satisfying. I would not want to organise every occasion, as responsibility changes the way it feels.

Part 2 - 8. 交通拥堵

Q: Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam for a very long time

When it happened
Where you were stuck
What you did while waiting
And explain how you felt in the traffic jam

A: The longest traffic jam I remember occurred on an expressway outside Hangzhou during a public holiday. I was travelling with my family, and an accident combined with holiday traffic brought several lanes almost to a standstill for nearly four hours. At first, we kept checking the navigation app as if new information would make the cars move. Eventually, we accepted the delay, shared snacks and listened to a podcast. My father turned off the engine whenever traffic stopped completely, and we kept emergency access clear. I felt frustrated because our first afternoon at the destination disappeared, but I also felt fortunate that we were safe and had water. The accident ahead was a reminder that somebody else’s day was far worse. We reached the hotel late and cancelled one minor activity. Since then, we avoid peak departure times, take trains when possible and carry basic supplies on long drives. The experience showed me how quickly private cars become an inefficient use of space when everyone travels at the same time, and how little control anger provides once a system is saturated.

Part 3

Q: How can we solve the traffic jam problem?

A: A practical approach is to integrate metro, buses, cycling and pricing while staggering demand where possible. A dedicated bus lane may look emptier than car lanes but carry far more people per hour. This works best when people understand the purpose and receive enough support to act consistently.

Q: Do you think developing public transport can solve traffic jam problems?

A: It is essential but not sufficient on its own. Public transport must be frequent, reliable and connected with walking and cycling, while parking and road pricing discourage unnecessary car use. Otherwise buses and trains may improve without attracting enough drivers to change behaviour.

Q: Do you think the high ways will help reduce traffic jams?

A: New highways can relieve a specific bottleneck temporarily, but extra capacity often encourages more driving and development farther from transit. Without demand management and good public transport, congestion eventually returns. Roads are part of the network, not a complete solution.

Q: What are good ways to manage traffic?

A: Cities should integrate frequent public transport, protected walking and cycling routes, parking policy and congestion pricing where appropriate. Traffic signals and incident response can improve flow, but technology cannot create unlimited road space. Land-use planning must also reduce the need for long car journeys.

Q: Do you like to use public transport?

A: Yes. I use the metro for most urban journeys because it is predictable and lets me read instead of concentrating on traffic. I still walk or cycle for short distances, since even an efficient train may be unnecessary for a nearby destination.

Q: Would you rather be in a car or a bus in a traffic jam?

A: I would prefer a bus if it had a dedicated lane, because I could read and the vehicle would use road space efficiently. In mixed traffic, a car offers more privacy but adds to the same problem. My real preference would be a reliable train that avoids the jam altogether.

IELTS口语范例_

2026年9-12月雅思口语题库：Band 8示范答案

目录

一、大陆地区新题

Part 1 9 月在考新题（11 道）

Part 1 - 1. Travelling

Part 1 - 2. Rubbish and recycling

Part 1 - 3. Tiredness

Part 1 - 4. Shoes

Part 1 - 5. Politeness

Part 1 - 6. Fruit and vegetables

Part 1 - 7. Advertisement

Part 1 - 8. Paper

Part 1 - 9. Secondary school

Part 1 - 10. Name

Part 1 - 11. Opportunities

Part 2&3 9 月在考新题（28 道）

Part 2 - 1. 对结果开心的重要决定

Part 3

Part 2 - 2. 做困难事情并成功的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 3. 快乐人士

Part 3

Part 2 - 4. 看过的名人采访

Part 3

Part 2 - 5. 有条理的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 6. 嘈杂地

Part 3

Part 2 - 7. 喜欢的城市自然之地

Part 3

Part 2 - 8. 攒钱买特别物品

Part 3

Part 2 - 9. 小时候学到的新技能

Part 3

Part 2 - 10. 喜欢拍照的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 11. 尊敬的比你年长的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 12. 听不感兴趣的话

Part 3

Part 2 - 13. 好的购物服务

Part 3

Part 2 - 14. 擅长做手工的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 15. 和朋友度过的愉快夜晚

Part 3

Part 2 - 16. 浪费时间的活动

Part 3

Part 2 - 17. 拥挤地方

Part 3

Part 2 - 18. 学习并喜欢历史的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 19. 教你新技能的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 20. 不喜欢的电影

Part 3

Part 2 - 21. 不喜欢的短途旅行

Part 3

Part 2 - 22. 受欢迎的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 23. 钦佩的运动员

Part 3

Part 2 - 24. 喜欢的公共建筑

Part 3

Part 2 - 25. 印象深刻的聚会

Part 3

Part 2 - 26. 有健康习惯和作息的人

Part 3

Part 2 - 27. 读起来开心的书

Part 3

Part 2 - 28. 帮助他人

Part 3

二、大陆地区保留题及万年老题

Part 1 保留题（16 道）

Part 1 - 1. Music

Part 1 - 2. Teachers

Part 1 - 3. Social media

Part 1 - 4. Tidiness

Part 1 - 5. Websites

IELTS口语范例