PART 1

1. Describe questions
2. Types of/likes/dislikes/favorite/popular/important questions
3. ‘’How” Questions
4. Yes/No Question
5. Would Question
6. Frequency/time questions
7. Compare Questions
8. Past Question

1. Describe questions
Four ways of Answering

A. Short answer + explanation + reason + example

B. “The best way to describe it “ + answer + reason
C. “What’s really great” +answer + reason + example
D. Contrast two different answers +reason +example

A. Short answer + explanation + reason + example

Starting Answer Explanation Reason Example

phrase
I think ---------- Which Because Like
I believe That Since Such as
I guess Where As For example
I suppose When For For instance
I’d say Who Given Take “X” as example
As I see it Whose Owing to
Probably Due to the fact
Possibly
Maybe
Well
 Actually

Q1 : Do you work or are you a student?

Answer: I’m currently working for a gaming company as a 3D graphics designer, which is quite stimulating
and challenging since I’m always working on many different projects.

Q2: Tell me about an email that made you happy.

Answer: When I was studying at university, I got one from my mother, telling me that she’d be flying to
Australia to see me, which was wonderful news since I hadn’t seen her over a year and was missing her
terribly.

B. “The best way to describe it” + Answer +reason

Starting Phrase Answer Reason
I think the best way to characterize it is ------- Because
I believe the best way to describe it is Since
I guess I’d describe it as As
I suppose I’d characterize it as For
I’d say a good way to describe it is Given
Owing to
Due to the fact

Q1 : What is your neighborhood like?

Answer: Probably the best way to describe it is suburban middle-class since although it is not far from the
city center, it’s quite undeveloped in terms of sporting facilities and other infrastructure, and it’s essentially
a residential working-class area.

Q2: What are your neighbors like?

I guess the best way to characterize them would be quite and elusive since I hardly ever hear them or cross
their paths as we’re living in an apartment and they seem to be coming and going at completely different
times.

C. “What’s really great” +answer +reason + example

Starting phrase answ Explanati reason example
er on
I think what’s particularly notable is Which Because Like
I believe what’s really striking is that Since Such as
 I guess what’s most noteworthy is As For example
I suppose what’s most outstanding For For instance
I’d say what’s most/really impressive Given
As I see it, what’s really great/common Owing to
Due to the
fact

Q1: What is interesting about the area where you live?

Answer: What’s particularly noteworthy is that it has some rather pleasant parks, which are terrific for doing
exercise, like jogging or running the dog, since they are quite spacious and scenic with plenty of trees and
lush vegetation.

Q2: What do people do to celebrate the New Year in your country?

Answer : What’s really impressive is the annual fireworks show, which is usually put on by the river as away
of ushering in the New Year with spectacular array of pyrotechnics that attracts so many people, we were
standing there packed in like a can of sardines.

D. Contrast two different answers + reasons +examples

Contrast Answer 1 Reason Answer 2 Reason
While ------ Because Because
Although Since Since
Even though As As
Apart from For For
In spite of Given Given
Owing to Owing to
Due to the fact Due to the fact

Q1: What was it like growing up in your hometown?

While it could be a tad boring given it was such a small rural town, there were many great things going for it,
such as its proximity to the beach, which was only a stone’s throw away, and Black Mountain, a wonderful
get away for picnics and barbeques.

only a stone’s throw away= very near (sangat dekat)

2. Types of/likes/dislikes/favorite/popular/important questions

Two ways to answer:
A. “what I particularly enjoy” + answer + reason + example
 Starting phrase Answer Reason Example
I think what I particularly enjoy is Because Like
I believe what I really love is Since Such as
I guess what I most enjoy is As For example
I suppose what I especially enjoy is For For instance
Given Take “X” as example
I’d say what’s particularly interesting is
Owing to
Well, what I find really impressive is
Due to the fact
Probably what I’m really into/keen on
is
Possibly what I can’t stand is

Q1: Do you like travelling?

Answer: Yes it can be quite eye-opening. What I really enjoy is going to countries whose cultures
are completely different to my own, usually third world ones, and going off beaten track with my
camera to capture the breathtaking view.
Q2: What kinds of films do you like?
Answer : I guess, even though I’m open to watching any genre, provided it has a good story, What I
find particularly interesting is biographical films since I’m getting two for the price of one- a
entertaining film and history lesson. A good example is the film Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddy
Mercury movie, which provides a great insight into the life of a musical mega-star.
Q3: What is your favorite season?
Answer: While I’d say each has its own charm, What I find particularly impressive is autumn
because of way the leaves change into a stunning array of vibrant colors-reds, oranges, and
yellows, and then shortly afterwards, fall to the ground, leaving the trees looking rather stark and
bare.

B. Contrast a dislike & like +reason +example

Contrast Dislike Reason Like Reason
While Not really into Because Really enjoy Because
Although Not keen on Since What’s great Since
Even though Not fond of As What’s amazing As
Apart from Can’t stand For What’s fun For
Given Given
In spite of Ambivalent love
Owing to Owing to
Despite Irritating
 nuisance Due to the fact Due to the fact

Q1 : do you like travelling?

Although I’m not really into group tours given you are forced to follow a fixed itinerary and
associate with people whom you may or may not get on with, I find back-packing, exploring
different places independently, loads more fun since I can go where I like, it imbues me with a
much greater sense of freedom and adventure.
Q2 : What types of animals do you think make the best pets?
Answer: While I may be a bit ambivalent about cats since they can be a little self-centered, they can
make great pets, particularly for working households since unlike dogs, they are perfectly self-
sufficient if left on their own, provided there’s food and water.

3. ‘’How” Questions
These questions ask you to do something. Examples:

 How do you your school could be improved?

 How do you normally celebrate your birthday now?
 How do you usually spend your holidays?
 How did you become interested in your hobby or interest?
 How do people learn to play games in your country?
 How did your learn to use a computer?
Two ways of Answering
A. State a superlative + answer + reason + example
B. Contrast two different situations, using if + whereas if

A. State a superlative + answer + reason + example

Start Superlative Answer Reason Example
I think The best (thing) ------ Because Like
I guess The most effective (thing) Since Such as
Well The fastest/easiest (way) As For example
I suppose The most common For For instance
Given Take “X” as an example
I’d say The most popular
Owing to To illustrate
Actually The most valuable
Due to the fact
Probably The most meaningful
 Possibly The most
obvious/simplistic/interesting

Question 1: How are animals in your country used for work?

Answer: Probably the most common usage would be that of water buffalos for farming, particularly
on rice farms because they pull ploughs and wagons laden with rice and heavy equipment as
needed, and they’re generally pretty docile and tame, which makes them easy to work with.

Question 2: How can neighbours be helpful?

Answer : While there are many ways, I think the most simplistic but meaningful is the friendship
and comradery they provide as it can lead to many order beneficial acts such as I experienced in my
family with my mother borrowing sugar or my father lending a battery charger.

B. Contrast two different situations, using if +whereas if

Starting phrase answer If 1 while If 2
I think it depends on If+Situation+result While If + situation 2
I guess it comes down to wherea +result 2
Well it boils down to s
I suppose/I’d say
Actually/Probably/Possibly

How do you spend your holidays?

Criteria : Time = if long holiday -> go to sea/whereas/ if couple days -> watch movie,
How do you prefer to buy your clothes?
Criteria: Type: If everyday use=casual wear-> local market/ whereas/ if work clothes-> tailor.

Question 1: How do you usually spend your holiday?

Answer : I guess it depends on how much time I have. If it’s a long public holiday, I might well go to
some place new by the sea, swimming and exploring the locality, which can be a fun way to
recharge the batteries. Whereas if it’s only a couple of days break, I’d be perfectly content to see a
movie or sit back with a book that’s hopefully a great page-turner.
 4. Yes/No Question
These are questions that could be answered yes or no.
Two ways of answering:
A. Short Answer + reason+ example
B. Contrast two answer : one “yes” and one “no” +reasons +examples

A. Short Answer + reason+ example

Short Answer Reason Example
Yes Because Like
Sure Since Such as
Definitely As For instance
Absolutely For For example
No question Given
I guess so Owing to
Indeed Due to the fact
No doubt
No
I’m not sure
Not particularly
Probably not
Maybe/possibly

Question 1: Do you think that bicycles are suitable for all ages?
Answer: Absolutely, as exercise is critical for maintaining both one’s physical and mental health
irrespective of age, provided there is no real danger if the very young or old becoming injured
through a fall.

B. Contrast two answers : one “yes” and one “no” +reasons+ examples
Contrast Answer reason Answer no Reason
yes
While Because Because
Since Since
 Although As As
Even though For For
Given Given
Though
Owing to Owing to
Due to the Due to the
fact fact

Question 1: Is fast food popular in your country?

Answer: Well, while there has certainly been a proliferation of fast food restaurants in recent years,
with McDonalds and KFC firmly establishing themselves since the middle class is growing, there is a
growing number of healthier restaurants opening up too, appealing to the more health conscious,
such as The Salad Bar and a growing number of vegetarian restaurants.

5. Would Question
A. Short Answer +Reason/explanation + example
Short + Reason/Explanation Example
Yes, I would Because Like
Sure, I’ d Since Such as
Absolutely, I’ d As For example,
Maybe/Possibly For For instance,
No/Not Particularly Given
Not Particularly Owing to
(Answer) Due to the fact

Question 1: Is there anywhere you would partycularly like to visit?

Answer: For sure. While there are many foreign countries on my bucket list, I’d really love to
travel around Italy as it has so many beautiful and charming historic cities like Florence and
Venice and wonderful countryside that in my mind would be wonderfully romantic to explore with
someone you love.

C. Contrast two different situations, using if + whereas if

Starting +Criteria +If+situation+result +contrast +If+situation2+result
phrase
I think it If + situation + result While If + situation 2 + result
depends
on
I guess it Whereas
comes
down to
Well it
boils
down to
I
suppose
I’d say
Actually
Probably
Possibly

Question 1: Where would you go to buy flower?

Answer: It probably comes down to the occasion . If it’s just a few for the home to brighten it up,
I’d settle for a bunch from the local supermarket as they’re usually quite cheap n cheerful,
whereas if it was a more important event like valentine’s Day or a wedding, I’d definitely go to a
florist, who could provide something quite special like a rose bouquet or such like.

6. Frequency/time questions
These question ask when or how frequently you do something. Examples;

A. Short answer + explanation/reason + example

Starting +Answer +Explanation/ Reason +Example
phrase
I think Which Because Like
I believe That Since Such as
I guess Where as For example,
I suppose When For For instance,
I’d say Who Given
As I see it whose Owing to

Question 1: How often to you buy new shoes?

 Answer: Whenever I need them, which on average probably means two new pairs a year once
my old ones are usually broken in some way since unlike some people, I’m certainly not a
shopaholic or collector of them.

B. Contrast two different situations, using if + whereas if

Starting +criteria +If+situation+result +Contrast +If+situation2+result
phrase
I think it If + situation + result While If + situation2 + result
depends whereas
on
I guess it
comes
down to
I suppose

How often do you go to the cinema?

Criteria: What’s showing: If something worthwhile  twice a week/ whereas if not - watch
TV
Questions 1: How often do you go to the cinema?
Answer: Well, it pretty much comes down to what’s showing. If there’s something
worthwhile watching, I might go maybe twice a week, whereas if there isn’t , I’d probably just
download something at home rather than pay to sit through something mediocre in a theatre.

7. Compare Questions
These questions ask you to compare two things.

A. Short Answer + Key differences, using comparatives

Starting phrase answer reason comparatives
I think ------- Because… Adjective +er/
I suppose Since…. More or less
I believe as…. +adjective
I guess Given….. Better/worse
I’d say Provide…. Not/as adjective as
For….
Due to the fact….
 Question1: Which is more important to you, friends or family?
Answer: I’d say family, since they are more dependable in the long run than
friends who may be extremely loyal and reliable, but they are usually only
around at certain stages of one’s life, not throughout.

- Family-oriented = family as the priority

- Blood is thicker than water = family bond is stronger than friend.

B. Contrast two different situations, using if+whereas if

Starting phrase criter +if+situation+res +contrast If+situation2+resu
ia ult lt
I think it depends on ----- If+ situation+result While If+situation2+result
I guess it comes down to whereas
Well it boils down to
I suppose
I’d say

Do you prefer eat at home or in restaurant?

Criteria : Both, If I have time- fun cooking/whereas if don’t want to cooknice
dishes at restaurants.

Question1 : Do you prefer to receive emails or texts?

Answer: It depends on the situation. If it is work related, then I’d rather have emails
as they provide a record of the communication, while if it’s more of a social
situation, much less formal, then text messages are far more convenient given their
speed and informality.

8. Past Question
These ask what you did in the past.
A. Yes/No + Answer + Explanation/Reason + Example
 Starting Answer Explanation Reason Example
phrase
I think ----------- Which Because Like
I believe That Since Such as
I guess Where As For instance,
I suppose When For For example
I’d say Who Given To illustrate
As I see it Whose Owing to

Question1 : Did your parents read to you when you were a child?
Answer : Yes, it’s really fond memory. My father used to read Tom Sawyer to me in
bed when I was around 8 years old. it was about a young rebel around my age at the
time, it was totally captivating.

B. Contrast past and present + reasons + examples

Contrast Answer Past Present Answe Reason
1 r2
While When I was young Nowadays, Because
Although When I was a child Today, Since
Even When I was in currently As
though grade 9 For
Though In the past Given
When Owing to
Question 1 : What did you do the last time you had a holiday?
Answer: Well, I was a child, while our family could never afford to stay at any
seaside resorts when my husband and I stayed at five-star hotel resort on Bali Island
three months ago, which had amazing food and a private white sandy beach.