Part 1
Do you work or study?
I have been working for a non profitable organization for around 2 years since I graduated from my prestigious university.
What is your job?
I’m currently working as a CEO who is in charge of supervising and taking control of all strategic and business aspects of the organization. So, I can say that I hold the responsibility for the success and failure of the organization.
What do you do after work?
You know, my work is such a challenging and hard job; therefore, I don’t have much time left for me time or exercises. However, every now and then, when there is no more important and urgent tasks to deal with, I will hang out with my close friends for a chit-chat to chill out at a coffee shop to decompress and recharge my energy and spirit after a hectic day.
Do you prefer comfortable or good-looking shoes?
Well, it depends on the situations. If I go out for a chit-chat with my friends, I will prefer the former one. When wearing comfortable shoes, I can easily stroll around the areas and feel more enjoyable. Meanwhile, if I have an important appointment or meeting, the trendy shoes will definitely my choice.
Do you need to spend a lot of money on shoes?
Well, a big yes. I have a lifelong passion for shoes since I was a child. When I’m not overloaded with work, I will go to the shopping complex to indulge myself in tons of different stylish shoes. To be more specific, I would say that every now and then I squander more than two-thirds of my salary on shoes, and until now, I reckon that I spend much more money on shoes than anything else.
Do people own too many shoes?
Well, I don’t think so. It’s safe for me to say that the vast majority of people feel a little bit reluctant to pay for shoes that cost them an arm and leg. This is due to the fact that the living standard of people in my country is not really high; therefore, they have more important things to worry about like food, healthcare and education.
Part 2
Describe an enjoyable day spent in the countryside (You can use the sample answers below for the topic: “Describe an unforgettable experience you have had”.)
You should say:
When and where you went
Who you went with
What you did there
And explain why you think it was enjoyable
Sample Answers
It was two years ago when I had my very first motorbike trip with my friends to the first and most ancient village which is located in the Southern [your country]. It is an unforgettable trip that I’ve ever had.
Our group had 3 people, Jack, Jenny and me. We chose to visit that village because we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get off the beaten track. Moreover, because the village is also the birthplace of my grandparent, I felt really excited to visit the village and get a closer insight into the lifestyle of local people as well as my grandparent.
We set out for a day trip to date back to the tradition of our country really early. I’m always a night owl, not a early bird, so leaving the city at 5 a.m made me feel like I was deprived of sleep. However, I was deliriously happy shortly after embarking on the trip to the village. This was because on the way to get there, we admired the breathtaking landscapes which is totally different from the city we are currently living in. After 1 hour drive, we got to the picturesque village which made me feel over the moon. We rented some bikes to cycle around the village with a lot of small alleyways filled with green grass. After riding a bike to the paddy field to feel the vibes of the village, we visited some 400 year old ancient house which made of mud and laterite and had a look at communal houses where the local people gathered for festival celebration or public meeting. After that, we had lunch with many scrumptious food which is locally and organically grown. In the afternoon, we joined a cooking class with the villagers who were extremely friendly and clever at making traditional cakes. The highlight of the trip to the village was going to the paddy fields to help the farmers harvest the crop. It was such an once-in-a-lifetime experience which I really enjoyed.
That was our first motorbike trip to the outskirt of the city and first time in the countryside so we really enjoyed every single moment there. Jenny was like a dog with two tails while Jack and I were also on cloud nine. We relished everything in the village from the fresh air, cozy ambiance to beautiful landscapes such as small houses or paddy fields. We very much hope that we can embark on a longer trip to the countryside down the road if we have more spare time.
Part 3
Do you think it is better to live in the countryside or in the city?
As often as this question is raised, I believe it remains a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing between living in the countryside and living in the city. Many people have been attracted to live and work in big cities because of better employment opportunities and higher living standards. This massive rural-to-urban migration has, however, led to increase in environmental pollution, traffic and social issues in urban areas. It would be a better idea for people to live in the suburb and travel into the city to work every day so that they can enjoy the best of both worlds.
What are some of the challenges facing towns and cities?
I suppose traffic congestion is the first and most serious problem most people choosing to live in the cities have to deal with. During the peak hours, there are an influx of people on the roads while the infrastructure can’t furnish people enough space for driving their own cars. Besides, the marked increase in out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks mean lots of town centre shops are closing down. I think these are the major challenges.
What are the advantages of living in the countryside?
Living in the countryside can definitely benefit people in a wide range of ways. For one thing, living in the countryside is better for one’s health condition thanks to significantly lower levels of air pollution. It is undeniable that, air quality in big cities is so bad that long-term exposure to it may cause respiratory diseases and other health problems. Besides, the cost of living in rural areas is likely to be lower than that in cities. Although people in the city tend to make more money than people in the countryside do, they have to spend more on food, accommodation and transportation. Therefore, one can actually save more money by living in the countryside without working as hard.
Do you think that people should have permission to build houses in the countryside?
I certainly think people should be encouraged to build houses in less developed areas. This is because house prices in big cities have become unaffordable for the masses while it costs much less to purchase land and build houses in the countryside. By making more land in the countryside available for building on, the government can attract people to live and work in the countryside, which will not only benefit the economy but also help to reduce burdens on big cities.