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PART 1

Topic 1: Hometown

Vocabulary:

  • hometown (n) – the place where you grew up
  • community (n) – people living in the same area
  • neighbourhood (n) – local area around your home
  • infrastructure (n) – basic facilities like roads, transport
  • public transport (n) – buses, trains, etc.
  • urban (adj) – related to a city
  • rural (adj) – related to the countryside
  • developed (adj) – advanced or improved
  • peaceful (adj) – quiet and calm
  • crowded (adj) – full of people
  • facilities (n) – services like schools, gyms, hospitals
  • environment (n) – surroundings
  • pollution (n) – dirt or contamination
  • greenery (n) – plants and trees
  • recreational areas (n) – places for leisure
  • residents (n) – people who live in a place
  • lifestyle (n) – way of living
  • upbringing (n) – how someone is raised
  • modernise (v) – to improve with new technology
  • renovate (v) – to improve a building or area

Sample Answers:

  • Where do you live?
     🟢 I live in a small but lively town with plenty of cafés, markets, and friendly neighbours. It’s a convenient place because everything I need is close by.
     🔴 However, it can get quite crowded during rush hour, and sometimes the traffic makes it stressful to move around.

  • What would you like to change in your hometown?
     🟢 I’d like to improve the public transport system because the buses are often slow and unreliable. Better transport would make life easier for students and workers.
     🔴 I wouldn’t want my hometown to become too modern or commercial, though, because I like its traditional feel.

  • Do you think it is a good place for youngsters to develop?
     🟢 Yes, it’s a good place for young people because there are plenty of schools, clubs, and safe places to hang out. It’s a supportive environment for learning and socialising.
     🔴 But compared to big cities, there are fewer opportunities for advanced skills or international exposure, which might limit some students.

Topic 2: Gifts

Vocabulary:

  • present (n) – a gift
  • souvenir (n) – a gift from a place visited
  • thoughtful (adj) – showing care or attention
  • meaningful (adj) – important or special
  • handmade (adj) – made by hand, not by machines
  • personalised (adj) – made specially for someone
  • wrap (v) – cover a gift
  • surprise (n/v) – something unexpected
  • sentimental value (n) – emotional importance
  • generous (adj) – giving willingly
  • budget (n) – money available
  • materialistic (adj) – caring too much about money and possessions
  • receiver (n) – the person receiving a gift
  • giver (n) – the person giving the gift
  • occasion (n) – special event
  • celebration (n) – a joyful event
  • affordable (adj) – reasonably priced
  • luxurious (adj) – expensive and high-quality
  • practical (adj) – useful
  • exchange (v) – to give and get something

Sample Answers:

  • Do you like choosing gifts?
     🟢 Yes, I enjoy choosing gifts because it allows me to think about what will make someone happy. It’s a fun and meaningful process.
     🔴 Sometimes, though, it can be stressful when I don’t know the person’s preferences well.

  • Are you good at choosing gifts?
     🟢 I think I’m quite good at choosing gifts because I pay attention to what people mention in conversation. It helps me pick something they’ll truly enjoy.
     🔴 But I’m not always perfect—occasionally I choose something that isn’t very useful.

  • Do you like handmade gifts?
     🟢 Yes, handmade gifts feel more personal and thoughtful because someone puts time and effort into making them. They usually have sentimental value.
     🔴 However, some handmade gifts may not be very practical, so not everyone appreciates them.

  • What do you think about giving expensive gifts?
     🟢 Expensive gifts can show generosity and appreciation, especially on big occasions. Sometimes they are worth it.
     🔴 But I think giving expensive gifts too often can make people feel uncomfortable or pressured to give something equally valuable in return.

PART 2

Describe a time you made a promise to someone.

You should say:
– what the promise was
– to whom you made it
– whether it was easy or difficult to keep
and explain why you made it.

Vocabulary:

  • commitment (n) – a strong promise
  • responsibility (n) – duty to do something
  • trustworthy (adj) – reliable
  • sincere (adj) – genuine and honest
  • obligation (n) – something you must do
  • keep one’s word (v) – fulfil a promise
  • dedication (n) – continued effort
  • depend on (v) – rely on
  • agreement (n) – decision made together
  • reliability (n) – ability to be trusted
  • intention (n) – goal or purpose
  • expectation (n) – belief that something will happen
  • remind (v) – make someone remember
  • fulfil (v) – complete a promise
  • priority (n) – important task
  • meaningful (adj) – important and valuable
  • consequence (n) – result of an action
  • trustworthy (adj) – dependable
  • reassurance (n) – comfort or confidence
  • honesty (n) – truthfulness

Sample Answer:

One promise I clearly remember making was to my younger cousin, when I promised to help her prepare for an important school exam. She felt very nervous and lacked confidence, so I told her I would support her every weekend until the test day. It sounded simple at first, but it turned out to be quite challenging because I was also busy with my own studies.

Keeping the promise wasn’t always easy. There were many weekends when I was tired or had assignments to finish, yet I still tried my best to be there for her because she depended on me. Sometimes we studied at a café, and sometimes we worked online, but I made sure I didn’t break my word.

I made this promise because I wanted her to feel supported, and I knew how stressful school exams can be. In the end, she passed the exam with a good score, and she thanked me many times. I felt proud of myself for keeping the promise, and it strengthened our relationship. It also taught me that even small promises can have a big impact.

PART 3

1. What kind of promises do parents usually make to their children?

Parents often promise rewards, such as buying toys or taking their children out, especially when they want to encourage good behaviour. Sometimes they also promise emotional support, like helping with school or being there for important events. These promises help children feel safe and motivated.

2. Is it important to keep our promises?

Yes, it’s important because keeping promises builds trust and shows responsibility. When people keep their word, relationships become stronger. In contrast, breaking promises can cause disappointment and make others doubt your reliability.

3. Do people in your country usually break promises?

Some do and some don’t. Many people try their best to keep promises, especially with family or close friends. However, in busy cities, people sometimes break promises because of work pressure or lack of time, rather than bad intentions.

4. Is it important for parents to keep their promises?

Absolutely. When parents keep their promises, children learn about honesty and responsibility. It also builds trust in the family. If parents break promises too often, children may feel insecure or confused about what to believe.

5. What do you think when people break their promises?

When people break promises, I usually feel disappointed, especially if I trusted them. However, if they have a valid reason and explain clearly, I can understand. There’s a big difference between someone who forgets once and someone who makes empty promises all the time.

6. When are people allowed to make promises?

People should make promises only when they are confident they can fulfil them. For example, promising help, support, or a future plan should be done carefully. A promise carries responsibility, so it shouldn’t be made casually or under pressure.