Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Part 33
By:
IELTSTEP
116 IELTS LAYOUTS 1
IELTSTEP (C) Copyright (2021) All Rights Reserved
Part 1 – Introduction & Interview
[In this part of the test, the examiner asks the candidate about him/her home, work or studies and other
familiar topics.]
Q. Now tell me what you prefer to do - going out with your friends or spending your free time staying at
home? Why?
Answer: Well, I enjoy going out with my friends than staying at home during my free time unless I am sick or
have something important to do at home. The marine drive is one of my most favorite places where I hang
out with my friends. I have some really good friends and I like to spend time with them. I am not a home-
staying type of person and love to be outside whenever possible.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you
are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer:
This topic reminds me of a time when I received a gorgeous and expensive wristwatch as a gift from my elder
brother James, but sadly which got broken within a few days. I was excited to receive the gift but heartbroken
when I found it broken.
My elder brother surprised me with this special gift when I could manage an outstanding academic result
during the first year at my university. On the day of our result publication, my brother purchased me that
wristwatch from a famous brand shop. Before that, I had never used such an expensive wristwatch. I believe
that was my brother's way to show how much he cared for me. Perhaps, he also intended to motivate me to
keep doing better and better in my academic performance.
Rounding-off questions:
Q. Tell me about any famous markets or stores in your city that attract tourists.
Answer: Ummm… "High Street Phoenix" is a famous market in Mumbai which attracts more tourists than any
other market or shop. However, 'R City Mall' is another place in this city where tourists flock to get their
necessary products. If you ever go there, you will find many local and international tourists browsing through
different merchandises, souvenirs and traditional Indian goods.
Q. Would you agree that presents are always advantageous for people? Why? /Why not?
Answer: Well, I would like to opine that presents are desirable and they show that we care, but they are not
always advantageous to people. Certainly, 'giving and receiving presents' during many events and social
occasions is a great trend but sometimes the receivers of the presents feel uncomfortable with the gifts.
Sometimes they are not something the receiver expects or may prove unnecessary because they already have
them. Besides, if a gift is meant to flatter someone or to bribe someone, it may create confusion and dilemma.
Q. How do you think the way of giving presents will change in the future?
Answer: This is a slightly difficult question to deal with as it is hard to predict the future of gift-giving tradition.
I think people will exchange gifts on only important occasions in the future, but it will become essential to
exchange gifts on significant festivals like Christmas, Puza, New Year Eve, and Eid. Online gift shops have
already emerged to ease people's method of buying and sending gifts. I believe people will use such online
gift-shops more frequently in the future. Finally, I also believe that the number of virtual gifts or electronic
gifts will be on the rise. In fact, people are becoming increasingly busy and they do not have time to select
gifts for others. Rather, they will either send virtual gifts or take the service of a third-party organization who
will take charge of selecting, personalizing and sending the gift to the intended recipient.
Q. Do you think that people have become more materialistic when it comes to giving gifts, as compared to
your grandparents’ time?
Answer: No, I don’t really think that people have become more materialistic when it comes to gift-giving as
compared to my grandparents’ time because gifts are more personalized today with more meaningful
thoughts behind them. Besides, in these days, people can give gifts, be it small or unique, anytime without
worrying too much about their prices as long as they are perfect, in order to show their love and appreciation.
Finally, today, “gift-giving” has become an industry itself, and as such, the issue of being “materialistic”, when
choosing a gift, becomes irrelevant because everyone, more or less, tends to follow the industry standards
when buying gifts.
Q. What kinds of gifts would men, women and children generally like to receive?
Answer: Although it depends on culture, occasions and traditions of a particular country or place as to what
kinds of gifts people like to receive, men, women and children generally like to receive fancy clothes, shoes,
watches, jewelry items, perfumes, sunglasses, mobile/smartphones and computers among other items.
Sometimes, while men and women like to receive flight tickets to some popular holiday destinations, some
children would prefer to receive movie tickets to watch some of their favorite movies. Finally, sometimes,
people would also like to receive “good books” and “flowers” as gifts.