Speaking part 1 (2)

Birthdays

1. Do you enjoy birthdays?

Yes, I do love them. There is so much fun associated with birthdays. You meet
people, friends, play, put cakes and then sing birthday songs. We dance and
sing and so much more. It is like we become kids once again.

I do enjoy birthdays. Birthdays bring along with them so much positivity and a
feeling of freshness. It seems as if it is another chance to be someone else,
someone better. You meet friends, enjoy with them, laugh at the silly things
done and plan for the great future ahead.

2. Do you usually celebrate your birthdays?

Yes, I do. Although it is not very huge party but I make sure that there is a party
and that I have all my near and dear ones surrounding me during my birthday.
I am not a very big birthday fan. I think there should not be any reason to
celebrate life and oneself. I am one of those who would give myself or any one
else gifts out of the box with no reasons and at any time of the year.

3. What did you do on your last birthday?

My last birthday, I would say was a very normal one. I went out with my close
friends to a near by beach and had lots of fun there. Coming back I enjoyed
quality time with my parents.

4. Can you remember a birthday that you enjoyed as a child?

I still remember my 13th birthday. It started out with no plan and we decided to
just have fun within my family members but as it turned out to be, people
started coming just like that, some saw my father getting cake and others
simply wanted to wish me. It was a surprise of its own kind and we had almost
50 people in the house. It was real fun, meeting people and then opening the
gifts.

5. Do most people celebrate their birthdays with a party in your country?

Yes. No matter a person is rich or poor, there surely is some kind of party going
on during a birthday. There are people who are very extravagant and don’t
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think twice before spending on their birthdays while some make budgets to
make sure there is a good party on birthday. Birthdays in my country are often
taken as something that brings lot of people together.

The future

1. Is there something you’d like to learn in the future?

(What would you like to learn?)(Why?)

I have a long desire to learn how to play the piano. Even after my desire and
passion, I have not been able to learn it. If I ever get the time and opportunity
to learn it, I would grab the chance.

I am not sure exactly when this passion grew in me, but I can guess it was
something that came in my mind after I saw a foreign movie where an actor
played this instrument. The movie was related to a musician's life and he
mostly played the piano and sang songs.I know it takes a great determination,
passion and talent to learn a creative thing like piano, but I believe, I will be
able to achieve it.

I would say, I want to learn computer programming in the future. More

specifically, I want to learn C# (C Sharp) and PHP which are two very common
yet powerful programming languages. Besides, I want to enhance my skill in
database programming so that I can combine those skills to develop great
desktop and web based software and applications. I want to build up my career
in Information Technology related field and without learning those
programming languages, it would be quite impossible for me. I want to develop
some great software and make a great contribution in this field. Honestly, I am
quite ready to dedicate my time and make every effort to achieve this.

2. Do you think your life will change much in the future?

Yes, I think so! In the future, I would like to get admitted in a reputed foreign
university and complete my education there. After that, I would get involved in
a research-based job and after working for few years I would return to my
country.

Sports and hobbies

1. Do you prefer individual sports or team sports?(Why?)

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I prefer to play within a team, it is more enjoyable and the players can work
together to win. Through working together, they will have a chance to win and
they will motivate me to finish a game with a good result. For example, my
brother is playing football in our international team and he told me that it is
exciting to work with the team. In fact, last month, they won and they went out
to celebrate. He said that they had a good family relationship and this supports
them in any game. Watching movies, eating out, and spending a good time
together, as a result they motivate to play a game with a good psychological
condition. Team sports benefits the members significantly and it has positive
things.

2. Which is the most popular sport in your country?(Why do you think it’s
popular?)

I guess among many sports, football is the most popular sport in my country. It
is widely played around the year and young people mostly like to play this
game. Nowadays women also play this sport and in terms of popularity, we
love football.

There are many reasons for the popularity of this game. In the first place, in
football, size is not as important as in basketball, wrestling or rugby, so anyone
with skill can play it. It needs a vast array of techniques because it is a
fast-paced game. In the second place, the rich and poor can enjoy playing
football since it needs little equipment. That is why many people choose to play
football as their favorite pass time. Particularly, in the past 10 years, with
privatization of football clubs, considerable growth has bv
been visible in its popularity among different age groups.

3. How much time do you spend listening to music?( What kind of music do
you like?)

To be honest, I don't like music, I'd rather watch movies or game shows.
However, it's good for me sometimes when I've got stressed in my work.

I listen to different types musics, It depends on my mood. When I am happy, I

usually come to metal rock to boost up my emotion. When I need to relax, or
concentrate for studying, I come to R&B. When I am feeling the sense of
patriot, I turn to traditional music...

4. Do you enjoy playing computer games in your free time?(Why?/Why not?)

Yes, definitely I do! I think computer games make us adapt and be
comfortable with the concepts of computing. This is particularly important for
girls who typically are not as interested in high technology as much as boys.
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 Cook
1. Do you often cook?... Tell us about something you like cooking.

Sometimes. I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but
everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's not
really fun.

2. Do you think you can cook better than your mother?

No, definitely no. My mother is a great cook and there are times when even I
cannot eat the food that I have made because I love my mother’s food so
much.

3.Do you like cooking? Why / Why not?

Yes, I do like cooking. Although I do not necessarily cook every day, and when
I do I enjoy it. The main reason is that I know my family and I would have to
bear the consequences. So if the meal is delicious then of course everyone will
enjoy the taste and I like that, otherwise I feel very disappointed.

4. Does your father cook?

Yes, my father is a great cook and we often get to taste his delicacies.

5. Who is the best cook you know?

I would go for my mother. It is not about comparing her with those big cooks
out there, but about the love that she puts in for cooking our food and the love
with which she serves us, it is beyond anything else.

6. Would you like to be a chef? Why?

Not now, for sure. Had it been sometime back, may be. Because at that time I
had not decided on my career. But, now I have found my love in writing, so
cooking won’t be possible. But, I really do admire cooks because it is a great
job and if you are able to fill someones appetite, there is no better thing to do.

7. If you had your own personal chef, what meal would you ask for most?

I would have gone for south Indian most of the times, because I really like
eating them. And, if I had a personal chef, I think I would have talked out the
things that are healthy and I should have eaten and would have gone for them.
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8. How hard is it to become a chef? What do you have to do to become a chef?

I believe there is nothing called hard or soft. If one has the passion to do
something, it is not a big deal to be either a chef or anything else for that matter.
However, to an extent, yes this job is not seen with lot of respect initially,
especially for males and requires lot of persuasion to be able to do it. There is
lot that needs to be studied and then cooked.

To be a chef, one needs a degree in Hotel Management and then a burning

desire to be a great cook.

9. Are cooking shows popular in your country? Do you watch any cooking
shows?

Yes, they are. There are so many of them out there and people, especially
woman and males who are interested in cooking, do watch them. Some of the
popular shows include A Bite of China, Private Kitchens. For some reasons,
people in my country are fascinated by cooking. There are so many people
who enjoy it and love learning more about it. Now, presently I am very busy
working and juggling life between job, play and life. But, surely very soon I will
look forward to learning more about cooking.

10. What is the hardest thing to cook?

Chapattis

For me, the difficult thing about cooking has to be definitely making chapattis. It
is such a long process. You need to make sure that the dough is prepared well
because if the dough is not good, there is not chance of making great chapattis.
Then, the frying pan should be properly heated, not less, not more. Also, to
ensure that the shape is important. I think lot of love and patience goes into
making chapattis.

11. What are some of the advantages of cooking your meals at home? How
about the disadvantages?

Cooking meals at home brings it with lots of advantages. Firstly, it ensures that
the quality of food is good, because you know what you are putting in. Even
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more, it is very precise, according to your taste. For example if some one does
not like salt, he or she has the choice of not adding it. Also, one can cook,
using their own recipes, the same things in different way.

But, it is not so easy as well. Cooking means time, patience and the love for it.
One needs to take care of what the things that are available, what things are
getting over. Then you have to do your own dishes. Also, if you are not a great
cooking, initially having your own food could be very troublesome.

Media
1. Do you often read newspapers?
Well, I don't read newspapers very often. I think the Internet is a relatively
quicker source of information. It takes time to print newspapers.

Actually every time that I have a leisure time.because I'm so hectic these days.

I really don't read newspaper often. I prefer reading news via internet through
yahoo news to keep updated. It is more accessible and easy to use the new
technology nowadays.

Not very often. Newspaper always take time to get published so that they are
not so updated. Besides, I have to go to the kiosks and spend money to buy
newspapers. It’s quite troublesome.

2. Why do you think some people like reading newspapers?

It's nice to get knowledge what happens in the world. I can have lots of
subjects to start a conversation with my foreign friends. Also people can see
their countries' political and economic situation in the world.

Well I guess, people, particularly the elderly, are accustomed to reading

newspapers at breakfast on a daily basis. It has become part of their life.

In my opinion,maybe they have a great passion to know the news.besides,it

seems to be interesting if you inform other people about what happened
around the world.

I think others like reading newspapers to sharpen their memory and be aware
of what is happening to our country or other countries. It is also part of their
daily routines to start the day reading. It is like a hobby for them that if they
can't do it in a day, they would feel incomplete.

People like reading newspapers because they wish to update the current

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situations around the world, explore some tips and stories, and share things
with the unhappy and disabled.

3. Which other sources can people use to find out about the latest news?
Well as a matter of fact, nowadays people are lucky enough to have access to
the latest news via the Internet whenever they like. By subscribing to certain
news feeds or logging on to social media platforms, they'll be well informed of
what is happening around.

There are many kind of references.for example,the internet and social

networks could be the places that you might go to them and get some new
information.

There are lots of ways to find news such as with the use of television, internet
and radio. Using television you can see live report of what is happening in the
world today. The internet serves also fast reliable news around the globe. It is
being updated every minute. The radio also is use to listen to the news and
sports while you are driving your car or walking around the mall.

Well, there is a mixed diversity of online sources that could help people to stay
informed such as the TVs, radios and the Internet. However, I think the Internet
is the best choice. Cuz it's a time-saving, less cost-effective and environmental
friendly method.

4. Do you think that it's important to know about news from other countries?
Why / why not?
In my opinion yes, it is important. It is nice to see what's going on and what
are the other countries' aims. Also reading, listening or watching news
regularly provides a means to compare your country against others.

I would say we all should keep an eye on what is going on both domestically
and internationally. In most cases, countries share common grounds and
interests, for example, in fighting against terrorism.

I think it's important.because having some knowledge about foreign

countries' culture and economic and tourism and something like that can be
interesting and useful.

In my opinion, it is important to know what is happening to different countries.

It serves a self awareness and you can learn something from them. For
example, the typhoon and floods happened in other country. You can learn by
knowing how to prepare in times like this. Keeping your food and being safe

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wherever you are. Learning the safety drills and preventing people to get
hurt.

5. Which do you prefer reading, magazines or newspapers?

Well, if I were to choose between the two, I would probably go for reading
magazines in my spare time because they are well printed and always have
in-depth reporting on some particular events; whereas, you know,
newspapers always report the same news as the Internet, so they now seem
to be not so indispensable.

6. What kinds of newspapers (or magazines) do you usually read?

I’m more interested in newspapers about foreign cultures. I like to learn about
their religions, customs, and the foods they eat. Occasionally, foreign news
interests me, too. I really like reading scientific related news.

7. How old were you when you first started to read newspapers?
I got the habit of reading newspapers when I was in high school, 18 years old
maybe. The library in my school had several kinds of newspapers and
magazines so that as long as I had free time, I’d like to go to read some news
about the latest political events, sports and fashion news.

8. Do you think it’s important to read newspapers? (Why?/Why not?)

Yes, I feel that it’s very important for me and other people to know what
happened in the domestic and international events.

9. What different types of newspapers are there in China?

It’s kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to read the
political news because they are interested in what happens in the domestic
country and abroad, but maybe for others, they just care more about the
sports and fashion events.

10. Do you prefer to read about domestic (or local) news or international
news? (Why?)
Well, if I were to choose between the two, I would probably go with reading
domestic news because they are closer to home, and affects me more;
whereas, you know, international news sometimes have nothing to do with
my daily life, so I just read the headlines.

11. What influence do you think newspapers have on society?

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Well, I guess that newspapers have a great influence on society. Newspapers
keep them informed about economy, political activities, science, education.
Besides, it gives a true and correct picture of the society, country. Moreover,
they also help us to educate people about their rights and duties.

12. Do you think the internet is a good way to get news?

Yes, getting news from internet is a regular source now because it’s very
convenient for me to get news from internet such as mobile phone. The news
apps in my mobile phone usually send me the most urgent notifications to me
so it keeps me posted.

13. Do you regularly use the internet to stay in touch with people?(How?)

I mostly keep in touch with my family by using the Internet to make video
calls. I also try to visit members of my family in person as often as I can.

14. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?

It depends on the situation. I use email and text messages to communicate

with friends, but my parents prefer it if I phone them.

b) It really depends on the situation. If I want to file a complaint or address an

issue in a formal way, I'd rather use e-mail so that I can have a record of what
I've said; but if it is to simply make an inquiry on a product or service, a quick
phone call will do.
c) I prefer writing e-mails when communicating with people. I think e-mails give
the recipients more time to think before replying and we all can keep a record if
it is an important issue.

15. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)

a) No, I don't write letters by hand because it's so much easier to send an
email that will arrive immediately.
b) No, in fact, I haven't handwritten a letter for years! I think most people
nowadays prefer to type e-mails because it is much faster and convenient.
c) Yes, believe it or not, I still enjoy writing letters or postcards by hand.
Although it takes more time, I think handwritten messages are much more
meaningful than e-mails.

16. Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?

a)Well, I don't like listening to other people's conversations in public places,

and I don't like it when someone's phone rings in the cinema or during a

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lesson.
b) Well, according to research, the excessive use of cell phones could pose a
health hazard, so that's something that I'm not very comfortable with.
c) To be honest, I think cell phones or smart phones are great communicating
devices and I really don't see anything I dislike about them.

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