@pdfbooksyouneed IELTS Speaking Ultimate Guide To IELTS Speaking
@pdfbooksyouneed IELTS Speaking Ultimate Guide To IELTS Speaking
@pdfbooksyouneed IELTS Speaking Ultimate Guide To IELTS Speaking
IELTS TREASURE
SPEAKING
Your ultimate guide to IELTS
Success
Or visit – www.freedompublishing.business.site
TARGET 9
Check out candidate reviews and Testimonials by visiting:
Website – target9edu.com
Twitter - www.twitter.com/Target9Mohali
Instagram – www.instagram.com/target9educity
Facebook - www.facebook.com/target9educity
YouTube - https://www.YouTube.com/channel/UCl0oSaFn4gbM-kPZIzXjRRw/featured
Author’s Word
I have been in the field of education from the past 9 years. I have the
experience of training more than 10,000 students over a decade for IELTS
exam.
I have collected the latest data by interacting with candidates that have taken
the IELTS exam from all over India. With extensive research and foresight
this book has been amassed for your help in the speaking module of IELTS.
Don’t try to memorize the content. Try to learn from the ideas and use them
while speaking practice.
I have compiled my experience of training from all these years and have
locked in this book.
So, what are you waiting for? You have the key to this lock now. Open this
book and share this knowledge with the world.
I hope this book helps you in achieving your goals.
Darshan Singh
Author | Speaker | Trainer
This book is written after a thorough research in the field of IELTS Speaking
Module. This book will offer you comprehensive variety of Topics that are
asked by the examiners in the Speaking Test of IELTS.
This book contains more than 800 solved questions and answers for the
follow-up round as well as Cue-card topics from the past exams. This book
also contains expected topics for the year 2021.
This book includes five parts in which solutions are given for all the
questions. This book should be read systematically in order to score high
band score in your IELTS exam.
This book contains 1000 + useful vocabulary words along with speaking tips
for the candidates. Read all those tips before taking the exams.
This book is a compilation of the most common and frequent questions and
topics asked in the IELTS speaking test. This is entirely a guess work and
shouldn’t be considered as the final syllabus of the exam.
Table of Contents
PART – ONE
PART – TWO
PART – THREE
PART – FOUR
PART – FIVE
Do you want to change anything about the place where you live?
If given a chance, I would like to add cycling tracks at the side of the
roads wherever possible. I think that our colony lacks this facility and if
I need to do something regarding that, I will add cycling tracks
everywhere.
Do you recycle rubbish?
No, I generally don’t recycle rubbish myself, but I always keep the
plastic waste separately in a bin outside my house so that it can be easily
recycled by the authorities.
What do you do with your plastic and paper waste?
Plastic bottles are very useful for a few purposes. Sometimes I cut the
big bottles into half and use them for growing plants in it. Paper waste is
generally thrown into the bins.
Have you ever won a prize?
I have won a prize in my school time for participating in a sports event. I
played cricket and represented my school in a local competition. We
won that tournament and the team was handed over a glittering trophy.
Do you shop in street markets?
Yes, if I need something locally like fruits or vegetables then I certainly
shop in the street markets. There are some products that are difficult to
find in the supermarkets, so in that case I prefer local shops.
Do you share your things with others?
Yes, I always try to share my things with others. It gives me a lot of
satisfaction and delight. My parents always encourage me to share
things with friends and cousins.
How can we learn sharing?
The best way to learn sharing is to play in a team game or a sport. This
way children can build a habit of sharing things with the teammates and
other friends as well.
Do the people in your country like to drink tea or coffee?
People of my country are obsessed with tea. Myriad people also drink
coffee, but tea is largely consumed in every part of my county. It is
mostly taken with milk but these days green tea’s popularity is also on
the rise.
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I prefer both. I feel that coffee is tastier, and it has laxative properties
which helps sometimes. I like to have tea in the evening and coffee in
the morning time.
What type of tea is famous in your country?
In my country, milk tea is the most common variant preferred by people.
This type of tea can be found everywhere in our country. Nevertheless,
green tea is slowly making a name for itself.
Is it a good idea to make friends online?
It’s not a bad idea to make friends on social networking sites. I think
that one can make many friends from all over the world using online
services.
Do you feel that friends on social networking websites are loyal?
Not all friends are loyal on social networking. You can’t judge the
Talk about a time when you visited somewhere and lost your important
thing there
Where you went
What you lost
How did you lose that thing?
I have lost a couple of things in my life. Today I would like to tell you about
a thing that was very dear to me, but I lost it in a wedding and I still regret it.
I went to my cousin’s wedding at Delhi last year and lost one of my most
precious possessions.
I lost my smart watch and I was so upset when I was not able to find that. I
will tell you the whole story that why and when I might have lost that watch.
That watch was given to me by my sister on my birthday. I was so attached to
that watch that I would never give it to anyone.
That day I was wearing that watch on my left wrist. I wear that watch even
when I sleep because it tracks my sleep as well as activities for the whole
day. It also shows me that how many calories I have burnt and how many
steps I have taken in a day. That watch also shows me notifications for calls
and the messages.
I remember when I reached at the wedding I was sitting at a corner with my
relatives. We were having some snacks and light conversation. At that time, I
recall that I was still wearing the watch.
After some time, we all decided to go on the dance floor and show some
moves. We started dancing and I felt a bit irritated by the watch. The watch
was clinging on my jacket. So, to get rid of that I untied the watch and kept it
in my jacket.
I decided to wear the watch after the wedding. To my surprise when I came
back from the wedding, I couldn’t find my watch. I was so worried and
started searching it in my jacket and other pockets. I felt so sad when I was
not able to find my watch. I called my cousins to ask them whether they have
seen my watch or not. But I couldn’t find it at all.
I was so angry with me and blamed myself for my loss. I wouldn’t have lost
it if I was still wearing it. It was an expensive watch and I had never lost
something that costly before that. I felt so embarrassed that day, but my
family consoled me after that incident.
There are many reasons that why Ms Shanti is popular. The first one is that
she is very polite. You don’t see many mathematicians who are so polite in
their interaction. Moreover, she is very hardworking as she teaches hundreds
of students every day. Also, she has won many prizes in the field of
mathematics over the past few years.
She is also famous because she has made so many students believe in
themselves. She has helped thousands of students clear the complex exams of
mathematics. When I was in my 10th class, I was struggling with my maths.
I came to know about Ms Shanti from one of my uncles. I joined her
coaching class and met her for the first time. I was feeling more interested
and confident in the subject as her teaching methods were fantastic. I scored
more than my expectations.
Not only me but she’s been helping weak students get stronger every day.
She is like a motivation for me and for many others.
The meeting was called upon by the principal of our school. Our principal
Ms. Shalini is an inspiration for many. She is very dynamic and full of life.
She placed trust in us and gave us all the responsibility to manage and
organise the annual sports day.
I was given the responsibility of arranging the trophies and medals for the
participants and the winners. In total there were twenty events. The total
number of participants were 300. In meeting, the principal gave us different
responsibilities and asked us about any suggestions that we can give.
I was told about the participants and the events. I had to buy medals and
trophies for all. I gave suggestion to the principal about the trophies. I told
her to buy only medals instead of trophies as the medals would cost less. She
was impressed with my idea and gave me a go ahead.
Yes, I like attending meetings because it gives a person many ideas for a
certain thing or event. People in meetings share ideas with one another and I
feel that participating in meetings enhances the maturity level of a person.
Visit to a mall
These days more people than ever visit malls. Local markets are losing its
importance due to the advantages that the malls have. I live in Chandigarh
and I am fortunate enough to have many malls in my city.
Recently I visited Elante Mall. This is my favorite mall as it is centrally
located and can be accessed from any part of the city easily. This is a gigantic
mall and has a great parking space. I went to the mall with my friends as I
had to shop for my brother’s wedding. The mall has a big grocery store in the
basement section. There are so many different segments of the mall that are
organized chronologically.
I generally prefer branded clothes, so I visited the mall instead of going to the
local market. One of the biggest benefits of mall is that we get every brand
and all our requirements at one place. There are numerous branded and local
branded shops and stores. My personal favourite is lifestyle store. That store
has all the different brands under one roof. I bought a couple of shirts and a
trouser. After shopping for clothes, I went to the top floor of the mall to
watch a latest movie. The movie was wonderful and the seats in the theater
were super comfortable.
After watching the movie, we went to the second floor where we window
shopped for electronic gadgets and latest mobile phones. This mall is huge,
and one needs a lot of time to witness all the sections.
We were tired after so much of a fun day and we decided to have some rest at
a cozy restaurant. So, we went to the food section at the top floor of the mall
and ordered our meals. It was a great day and I came back to home in the
evening.
Visit to a marriage
Marriage is one of the most important moments in one’s life. This is an
occasion where all the family members come together for rituals and
customs. In our country, marriage is a sacred bond between two souls, and
one shall commit himself/herself to the partner loyally.
I live in Punjab and this is the place where the marriages are celebrated like a
grand occasion. People generally spend a huge amount of money and put in a
lot of efforts in the marriage celebrations. Mostly north Indians are known to
celebrate marriages in majestic style. In this part of the country we generally
have a lot of marriage parties and functions. It is like a four to five or even a
week’s duration of events and celebrations.
I have attended one such wedding recently and enjoyed a lot. I am talking
about my cousin’s wedding. There were quite a few functions in his wedding.
The first gathering was held on the Ring ceremony in which the boy and girl
exchanged the rings.
In this function, there were only close relatives and the gathering must have
been around 150 people. This occasion was followed by the wedding day on
which the rituals of the marriage took place. The venue for the wedding was
one of the renowned resorts of the city and the venue was decorated
beautifully from inside and from outside as well.
We reached the venue at 7 PM and the party began. We danced to the beats
of the latest songs on loud music and enjoyed a wide variety of food as well.
The gathering must have been near about 500 people so sometimes it can get
a bit annoying.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the day very much. Wedding functions are a great
place to be as one gets a chance to meet all relatives and family friends. We
enjoyed together and conversations went on for all night. The wedding day
was followed by the reception party for the couple and with that the marriage
celebrations came to an end.
Visit to a government office
I have visited many government offices in recent times. The one which I am
going to talk about is the municipal cooperation office in my locality. I had to
visit there as we were facing the problem of water supply and incidents of
stray dogs in our local area.
From the past few days, there were some incidents of dog bite from stray
dogs. Recently an 8-year kid got bitten by a stray dog and was hospitalized
for a week. There was a scare of dogs in our area from the past one month
and people were refraining from roaming freely in the locality.
The second problem that the people in my area were facing was the issue of
water supply. The water supply was cut in the morning from the previous
week and people were suffering a lot. The water supply cut was a menace as
it would disturb the routine of working people because the cut was scheduled
in the morning when the water supply is much needed.
We were fed up with these two problems and after a lot of complaints to the
offices and no action taken, all the locality members decided to go to the
municipal office to take up the matter with the concerned officer. The office
is in the central part of the city and was renovated recently and looked
beautiful.
The office is a huge building and there are a lot of departments in that. We
had to go to the local area officer, so we asked about him at the reception.
The receptionist guided us towards the room of the officer where we had to
wait for 15 minutes as he was busy in a meeting.
After that, we were escorted to the concerned officer and he was humble and
patient with us. He listened to all our issues and gave satisfactory reply. He
also assured of solving the problems as soon as possible. It was great to visit
this government office as we felt very contented.
An achievement
I haven’t been able to achieve a lot of accolades in my life but there are some
achievements that I would like to share with you. The one which I am going
to tell you about is when I was in school.
This happened when I was studying in 10th class. In that year there was a
compulsory debate and speech competition organized by our school in which
more than 200 students from our school had to participate.
I was very shy in nature but there was no escaping. Everyone in our class had
to participate. It was a compulsion and no choices were given. I was very
nervous when I came to know about this debate competition because I was
really introvert and could hardly speak a word in front of 10 people. The
debates were to be performed in front of more than 2000 students and
teachers of our school.
There was only one week to prepare, and we were given three topics each.
We chose one topic and start rehearsing on it. I took me around 4 days to
even speak in front of 10 students while practicing. Slowly and steadily I
gathered my courage and prepared the speech topic.
On the competition day I had mixed feelings. I was excited as well as timid.
Once my name was announced, I rushed to the stage and took a deep breath.
I started with my speech topic and I thought I spoke very well. I had
practiced hard due to the fear of failure and I think it really helped. When my
topic was over, I had a huge sigh of relief. I came back to home and realized
that I achieved a big thing in my life that I could now stand in a group of
people and speak my mind.
However, I didn’t win the competition that day but the courage I won was a
big achievement for me.
Visit to a museum
Museums play a vital role in preserving our culture and history. There are so
many museums that I have visited in my lifetime and I liked every one of
them. It is hard to describe about one. But out of the ones I have visited, I
would like to speak about the Government museum which is situated in
sector – 10, Chandigarh.
Its full name is Government museum and art gallery. This museum opened in
1968 and it is one of the leading museums in North India. The main contents
in the museum are manuscripts, textiles, decorative art, pottery, numismatics,
stone sculptures, metal sculptures, and a lot of other historical items.
I have visited this museum a couple of times, but I would like to speak on my
recent visit. This museum is nicely built and has 4 floors in total. The ground
floor has a big lobby and it is also the waiting area. The best thing about this
museum is that the entry is free.
At the ground floor they have the history and artefacts related to our city
Chandigarh. One can learn about the ancestors and what they did before this
place was colonized. As we move ahead, there is a wide staircase that leads to
the first floor.
At the first floor, there is a huge collection of textiles from different eras and
various parts of our country. It was astonishing to see that how diverse the
clothing was in the ancient times. These days the clothing styles have become
common throughout the world.
When we reached the second floor, we saw tremendous assortment of art and
craft. There were paintings from the past time. Some even dated back to the
14th century. I was mesmerized to see the art and craft there.
At the top floor, there were stone and metal sculptures and tools that were
used by our ancestors. Tools for hunting and gathering food and tools for
making wooden art. I felt so satisfied after visiting the museum.
The museum gets the full credit for maintaining and preserving such beautiful
things from the past. I would love to go there again and again. I would also
recommend people to visit there.
Favourite newspaper
Reading newspaper is a wonderful activity. These days the technological
advancements are on the rise and due to that most people now prefer to read
news on the internet.
Although e-news has become a part of our lives, but I don’t feel that
newspapers have lost their importance. There are several newspapers in the
market that comes in a variety of languages but my favourite one is the
Hindustan Times. This is an English newspaper that is printed since 1924 and
around one million copy is circulated everyday across the country.
I have been reading this newspaper since my childhood. It is one of the top
selling newspapers in our city. It has different subscriptions along with the
main paper. Every Wednesday and Saturday HT Classified is distributed for
information on various platforms.
Supplements such as education and jobs are also supplied regularly or once a
week. The main page of the newspaper is always full of top news from our
country and around the world. The sports news is printed on the second last
page of the paper. Sports columns are written by famous sports personalities
of our country.
Last page of the newspaper generally consists of the international news from
around the globe. There is news from the different states on the dedicated
pages. There is a separate page for the latest updates in the education sector
of our country.
Apart from the main paper, there is always a Chandigarh HT which is a
supplement for the local news. This contains the happenings of the Tri-city
which is Mohali, Chandigarh and Panchkula. This is great to read as one can
know about the things happening nearby.
The print quality and the clarity of the pictures is superb. I have tried all the
other newspapers, but Hindustan Times is the best.
An English lesson
I have learned uncountable English lessons in my life as I studied in an
English medium school. But the lesson that I am going to talk about is the
lesson that I learned from my IELTS trainer.
I took my IELTS coaching in Mohali and I was fortunate enough to get
amazing IELTS coaching from Aman ma’am. She is a wonderful teacher and
a great human being. I remember when I went for the first day of my class,
she taught us incredible things regarding English language.
The moment our class began, she told us to focus on the English language
rather than focusing on the IELTS. She explained that IELTS is a part of
English and if we are good at English then we can give answer to any
question that is asked, and we can also write on any essay that we get in the
exam.
When the class started, I thought that it will be regarding the module of
IELTS, instead it was a pure English language class. We were around 50
students in the class, and she started with vocabulary words and its
importance. She noted down more than 20 vocab words that were alien to me
and most of the students. Then she told the meanings of those words and
asked us to write one sentence each on it so that we can memorize those
words. It was a wonderful exercise and as it allowed me to learn 20 new
words that day.
Next thing that we discussed in the class was common spelling errors and
common grammatical errors that happen in English. When we finished this
task, I was so impressed because no teacher had told me so many things in
one English class before. I learnt a lot of things that day.
This was not the end, after that she gave us few readymade introductions and
templates for important essays of IELTS. I noted down all of them and I have
still got those notes in my copy. Those lines were pretty useful in the exam.
I think this was a complete English lesson that I learnt recently.
Favourite author
I like to read books in my leisure time. I won’t say that I am a regular reader,
but I have around ten books that are at my home and I pick them randomly
when I have free time. I mostly like to read autobiographies and inspirational
books.
A book that left a long-lasting impression on me is the ‘Magic of thinking
big’ that is written by David J. Schwartz. He was an American motivational
coach and writer. He published this book in the year 1959. Since then,
millions of copies of this book have been sold in more than 150 countries
across numerous languages.
He has written many other books but the magic of thinking big was his best-
selling book across the globe. I admire him because he was a wonderful
coach and a great motivational speaker. The way he has explained different
things in his book is amazing.
He has covered all the aspects of life. He constantly motivates his readers to
be positive in every situation. In one chapter he has described how we can
achieve greatness by repeating positive words and concentrating on good
rather than bad.
He constantly tells his readers to concentrate on the things you need rather
than the things you want to avoid. He has written this book beautifully with
tremendous amount of conviction to the readers. The language used in this
book is simple, so I think that it is perfect for all age groups.
I believe that he is one of the best authors of all time. He has changed the
lives of many people through his book. I gained a lot of things from his book
and I recommend everyone to read this book at least once in their lifetime.
An important city
Our country is a nation of diversities. All cities are full of multiple religions
and cultures. I have visited many cities of my country. All of them have
something special in it.
But, the one I like the most is Delhi. Delhi is the capital of India. This city is
the most important city of our country because it is the capital of our country
and has various historical and cultural remains. Various political and
constitutional bodies are placed in this city which makes it the center of
politics. All the decisions regarding the future of our country are made here.
Being, one of the oldest cities of India, it is equipped with great infrastructure
and facilities for the people living there. The employment opportunities in
this city are in huge numbers and people from every corner of India are living
in Delhi to support their families.
Not only this, Delhi is the hub for various commercial, industrial, political
and entertainment activities. There are various historical places to visit in this
city such as Qutub Minar, India gate, Lotus temple, Humayun’s tomb and
many others.
The population of this city is more as compared to other cities and so is the
source of income and employment opportunities. To set up any new business,
people usually prefer Delhi because of such diversity and proximity to the
biggest international airport of the country.
The transportation system of this city is very well managed as public
transport is the major source of mobilization. Buses, metro and railways are
the busiest means of transport in this city. Due to such large population, the
traffic management is a bit difficult job, so metro and other mass transport
systems were introduced in the city for the convenience of people.
Health care facilities in the city are excellent. Various foreign specialist
doctors are also there in the hospitals of Delhi. Delhi being the national hub
of the country holds the people of all states, religions and cultures together.
Favourite weather
In my country, there are basically four seasons throughout the year namely,
spring, autumn, winter and summers. All the seasons have their own
atmospheric conditions. People like weather as per their comfort and choice.
For me, winter is the best season as it stays for long time with low
temperatures. I like cold weather than hot and humid summers. High
temperature causes sweating and I don’t like it as it causes various skin
problems. Summer in our country is very hot and sometimes unbearable.
While, cold weather here is cold but not intolerable. Early mornings and late
nights are probably cooler than the rest of the day but that is endurable to the
body. Cold weather in our country starts from November and lasts till
February while, December and January are the coldest months of the season.
The weather pattern changes every year as per the Himalayas atmospheric
conditions. It’s very cold only in few parts of the country during this time
whereas many cities record pleasant weather. In my city, it is quite cold in the
winter season.
I really like this season because one can have variety of hot food, drinks and
get cozy in the blankets. One can even go out during the daytime as sunshine
appears to be delight for the body. I love to wear jackets and scarves in this
season, so it remains to be my favorite one.
I usually visit hill stations in this season to enjoy the falling snow. The snow
fall makes me very excited and I love to play in the snow and make snow
man.
The cold weather is very suitable to my skin and makes me extremely glad.
Well, I am a great coffee lover so, I love to have a sip of coffee early in the
morning in cold weather.
One thing which makes this weather difficult to bear is when it fogs. There is
much fog and mist in the air during night which causes difficulty in driving
and there are many cases of accidents every year due to it. Even then, I
eagerly wait for this weather.
Describe an outdoor activity that you did for the first time
There are many activities that a person does for the first time. One activity
that was outdoor and I did it for the first time was snorkeling. It is an activity
in which one goes to a shallow water body, mostly a sea or a lagoon to
explore the marine life.
I did this activity in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I went there with my
family members. We stayed in the capital city of port Blair. From there we
went to Havelock island. This island is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and
the Indian ocean. There are many beaches around this island.
We came to know about this activity from one of our guides. He told us that
Havelock islands is famous for Snorkeling and Scuba diving. I opted for
snorkeling as I have a fear of water and in scuba you have to go deep into the
water using oxygen cylinders and a lot of other equipment.
In snorkeling you just need to put a face mask having a pipe on it for
breathing through mouth. All my family members got ready to do this
activity. I was very excited for that, but I was a bit nervous as well. You can
also do this activity even if you don’t know swimming. This activity is done
in the presence of experts and safety jackets are also provided during
snorkeling.
This activity lasted for one full hour. We saw coral reefs around the island
and a lot of other marine species that I could never imagine seeing in my life.
We covered a lot of area while snorkeling. The sea water was crystal clear
which allowed us to see many things underneath. The total experience was
unique and exciting.
I was so happy after doing that activity as it gave me a lot of relief and mental
satisfaction.
Describe a thing for which you saved money from a long time
There are many things for which I save money. I am a student, so I don’t
have a lot of money with me. I often save a part of my pocket money to buy
expensive things or the things I like.
I remember once I saved some money to buy a laptop. The laptop was really
expensive, and I wanted to buy it as I like electronic gadgets. It was not my
professional or educational need, but I just wanted to buy it for my leisure
use.
So, I was promised by my father that he will contribute 50% of the money for
my laptop but I have to collect rest of the money. The cost of the laptop was
40 thousand rupees. So, that meant I had to collect 20 thousand.
Then I planned to accumulate the sum of money in six months. I made a
blueprint and started working on it. I cut down any unnecessary expenses off
my pocket money. I remember that I like chocolates very much and would
buy one every second day. However, I had to sacrifice it for some months.
I also gave up eating outside food with friends as it would cost me a lot. I
started walking more and avoiding public transport to save some more
money. By the end of six months I wasn’t able to save 20 thousand, but I
managed to save 15000.
My father was impressed with my savings so he told me not to sacrifice
anything more as he would lend me rest of the money. I was so glad and felt
that how difficult it is to save money. It felt so good after buying laptop from
the money I saved with so much of struggle.
I bought latest laptop with top configuration as it would help run every type
of software and games. So, this is one occasion on which I saved money for a
long time to buy something.
Describe a dish you like the most which is served during the festivals.
Is it a sweet or savory dish?
Is it served only during festivals?
Explain the dish and how it is made.
I live in a diverse country where multiple festivals are celebrated at a large
scale and each has its own importance and value for the people of different
religions and cultures. Every festival has a specific dish associated with it like
Ghevar is prepared during Teej festival in Punjab and parts of Rajasthan as
well, Biryani is famous during EID and Modak is another popular dish which
is specifically made during Ganesh Chaturthi.
But the dish I like the most is Gujia which can be found in almost every
sweet shop near the Holi festival. Holi is a famous festival in India, also
popular by the name of 'festival of colors'. During this festival, the friends
and relatives’ gift each other a box of Gujia as a symbol of affection. Gujia is
a sweet dumpling made of flour, stuffed with a mixture of dry fruit and
khoya. It is deep fried in ghee and then dipped in a sugary syrup. Mostly it is
eaten cold or at room temperature. I love the texture of this dish; it is crunchy
from outside and soft from inside.
The filling melts in your mouth with the first bite itself. Also, the filling is not
that sweet, this balances the overall flavor of the dish perfectly as the outer
coating is glazed with caramelized sugar. The good thing about Gujia is that
it is also available on normal days at the sweet shops. Gujia is not only eaten
on Holi but on most of the other festivals as well like Diwali, the biggest
Indian festival.
Gujia originally is an authentic dish of Madhya Pradesh which is known as
the heart of India. Some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also famous for
this dish, but now it is prepared and enjoyed all over the country.
Visit to a relative
What is your relation to that relative?
Where did you go
What was your purpose of visit?
My maternal and paternal family tree is quite big. All family members are
very loving and caring. I visit them occasionally but there are few relatives
whom I love to visit quite often. In this topic, I am going to talk about my
visit to aunt (mother’s sister). I love to visit my aunt every now and then. All
her family members are affectionate and welcoming.
There are six members in my aunt’s family i.e. my aunt, her husband, her two
kids (both sons), her father-in-law and mother-in-law. My uncle has a very
cheerful nature. He always cracks jokes regardless of the situation. My
cousins are of my age group, so we love to spend time together.
The reason I visited my aunt’s house was that I had winter holidays from the
school. So, me and my cousins decided that we will stay together at their
place for a week. We all had planned this visit from a long time. My aunt’s
sons are of my age, so we get along well.
They live in Delhi, so it took me four hours to reach by train. I was a bit tired
as I reached late in the evening. After resting at night, we were ready to
explore Delhi on the next day. We went to myriad places and came back in
the evening. Then we got together for long talks and played numerous indoor
games.
For the next five days, we enjoyed so much that one couldn’t imagine. We
used to wake up till late night and talk about each other’s life. It’s always a
great time visiting a relative.
I was so emotional on my way back. I missed all the things that I did on my
visit to aunt’s house. So, this is the visit to a relative that I remember the
most.
Describe an important decision you made/ Decision you made with the
help of someone
What was the decision
How important was it
Who helped you in your decision making?
There are many decisions that I have taken in my life. A right decision can do
wonders, whereas a bad decision in life can cost you a fortune. The one that I
will discuss with you today is the decision that I took few days back (or after
I cleared my twelfth class/graduation) with the help of my elder sister.
Till now, most of the decision in my life are taken by my parents. They are
the well-wishers and they have always taken right decisions for me. Even I
always consult my parents and elder sister regarding any decision that I want
to take.
After completing my twelfth class, I was in a lot of confusion. I could not
make a choice between studying in India and abroad. I thought that it would
be good for me if I pursue my higher studies in India but looking at the
competition here, I feared of being a failure. On the other hand, studying
from a foreign university or college requires a lot of funds. I didn’t want to
bother my parents about this.
I have never been so jumbled in my whole life. I was not able to make any
decision about my future and after some days I started feeling irritated. One
day I decided to talk to all my family members regarding my frustration.
My sister understood my situation and calmed me down. She explained me
the benefits of studying abroad. She also pointed out that the course I want to
pursue will be better suited if I studied from a foreign university. She told me
not to worry about the funds as she will talk to the parents regarding this.
My parents agreed instantly and then my sister advised me to go for the
IELTS test. This decision cleared the air and confusion in my mind. Now I
am really focused, and I have planned to apply in a university in Canada.
This decision was very important for me as my whole career was hanging in
a balance. I want to thank my sister for helping me to take this decision.
Speak about something useful you learnt from the member of your
family
What did you learn?
Was it helpful to you?
Is there any other thing that you still want to learn?
There are thousands of things that I have learned from my family members
since my childhood. I mostly learn from my father as he is a great teacher. He
teaches everything with patience and maturity.
I remember when last year I learnt car driving from my father. He taught me
this skill in a couple of months. Initially I was very hesitant in learning car
driving but my father infused a lot of confidence in me.
It took me a lot of practice to learn this skill as I was very scared of car
driving. I can recall that how my father used to wake me up early in the
morning so that we could practice in least traffic. On the first day, he gave me
some important tips and lessons regarding the functions of different parts of
the car.
Then he made me sit with him and he drove the car to show me the things to
keep me in mind while driving. I noticed each and everything so that it could
help me during my practice. I kept on asking him questions regarding driving
a car in different situations. He was patient enough to give me answers for all
my questions.
He knew this fact that I am not comfortable in learning this skill, so he took
his time in motivating me. He told me about the advantages of learning car
driving. He constantly told me not to worry as car driving is a simple skill to
learn. His words were really encouraging and helped me to try my hands on
driving the car.
Then after a few days, I took the driver’s seat and learned the talent of driving
under his guidance. After that day, it did not take me more than fifteen days
to get accustomed to driving the car in traffic.
I am grateful to my father for teaching me this thing. I still have many things
in my mind that I want to learn from my family members but for that I am
waiting for the right time.
A subject you did not like but now you find interesting
How did you develop interest in that subject?
Why you did not like it earlier
Do you still read that subject?
I did not like most of the subjects in my school time. I thought that
mathematics, chemistry, physics and especially history are useless subjects. I
was always more inclined towards practical subjects like biology, physical
education and computers.
I hated history as a subject when I was in school. I could never remember all
the dates and events of the past. I never scored good in this subject and found
the history class to be the most boring one. But after all these years I have
started to find my interest in history.
I found my interest in history when I read a book written by Mahatma
Gandhi. The name of the book is ‘My experiments with truth’. When I read
the book, I was so impressed to find the history in it. Our history is so rich
that we must study it in order to learn from it. This book taught me about the
struggles that our past leaders have made so as to achieve freedom for our
country.
I have gained a lot of interest in the history subject from the past few years
and have read a number of books on it. Apart from reading My experiments
with truth, I also read about the autobiography of the former president of the
republic of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela. The name of the book is Long
walk to freedom. From this book I came to know that Nelson Mandela spent
almost thirty years in jail and still came out to become the first black
President of South Africa.
History teaches us a lot of things that we can follow to take right decisions in
the future. Reading history inspires us to achieve greatness in our lives. I
have now made a habit of reading about history every day. I spend around 30
minutes in reading something about the past. I feel that history subject has
attracted me a lot in the recent times.
Job you think you would be good at OR Describe something you would
like to do in the future
Why do you think you will be good at this job?
Would you pursue your career in it?
How will you do your job
I haven’t decided much about my future but there are some things that I like
to do and one day may pursue career in that. The thing that I love doing is
travelling and searching about new places across the world.
I have been to a couple of foreign countries and a lot of cities in India. So, I
have a deep knowledge of travel and things to remember before travelling. I
like to explore new places and I also like to tell people about those places. I
think I would be good at being a travel guide.
Not only I like to travel to new places, but I also want people to see those
places and learn about them. I got this habit in my childhood when I was
taken to Shimla by my father. He showed me the city and explained each and
everything there. I fell in love with travel and discovering new places.
I think I would be able to guide people about the places according to their
nature and choice. I can make itinerary according to the needs of people. I
can be good at guiding them about the important cities and places to learn
about our culture and history.
I am very good at planning the holidays. Whenever our family decides to go
on a holiday, they always put this responsibility on my shoulders. I always
search about the flights and hotels at cheap price.
I also seek important information about the places before I visit. I like to
make notes of important information such as transport, weather and food of
the city I am going to visit. Getting this information really helps at the time of
the travel.
Even if I am not travelling anywhere, I still like to collect useful information
about the tourist destinations and educate people about them. I think that I
can be a good tour guide in future.
Describe a personal goal which you have not been able to achieve
What is your goal?
Why have you not able to achieve it in the past
How do you plan to achieve it?
We cannot get everything in our life. There are certain goals in my life that I
aspire to attain but I have not been able to achieve them till date. Some are
professional while others are personal. One of my most desired goals of all
time is to reduce my weight.
I need to reduce some weight and get a healthy and fit body. I have become a
bit overweight in the past few years because of my sedentary lifestyle. I sit
for several hours to study and I rarely get any time for the physical activity. If
I get some time in my daily life, I spent it on various indoor activities like
watching TV and using mobile phone, which has made me quite dull and
inactive in my daily life.
So, I am planning to start a regime where I can cut on my calories and start
some modular workout on a regular basis. I think that I need to spend at least
an hour daily on exercise and other workout regimes. I know I can shed my
weight easily, but initiation is required. Since I was having exams a few days
back, I could not start it, but soon I will stick to this strict routine.
Health is everything for a human being. If we don’t maintain our health, it is
not worth living. The first thing I need to do is to cut on my sugar intake as I
am a sweet lover. Next thing, I will be doing is to join a gym in the evening
time and go for some intensive workout.
Sometimes, I feel very ashamed of myself when I look in the mirror as I was
never like this. Even my friends and relatives have started taunting me for my
overweight. I feel very bad when people centralize me for the discussion of
being overweight. But now I have become so determined and I will get back
to my toned body very soon with a disciplined lifestyle.
I tried to pursue this goal in the past year but haven’t been able to make a
routine. But this time I am quite sure of achieving it.
Describe the politest person you have come across in your life
How do you know that person?
Why do you think that he/she is polite?
Share your experience with that person
I have come across some polite people in my life, but I would like to speak
about a person who is my relative and I think that he is the politest person I
know in my entire life.
I am talking about my uncle who lives in Himachal Pardesh. His hometown
is Bilaspur and I often visit him in my holidays. I love to go there as it is a
neat and clean place with tremendous environment. Himachal Pradesh is one
of the greenest places in our country.
I would like to share something about my uncle’s personality. His name is
Rakesh and he runs a bakery. He is running this business from the past
twenty years and he is doing well in it. I have never seen such a polite person
in my entire life. He is not only polite to his friends and family, but he speaks
in the same way to everyone.
He is never in an angry mood and I have never seen him shouting on anyone.
His speech is so polite and direct. He doesn’t speak much and gives his
opinions in only certain situations. He is always gracious to his customers
and I have seen people praising him for his well-mannered speech and
behavior.
I remember one instance when me and my uncle were riding through a
market and suddenly, we got hit by a speeding car. Luckily, we did not get
injured. There were some minor bruises. Suddenly huge number of people
gathered there and started criticizing the car driver who hit us. Immediately
my uncle told the crowd to not shout at him and let him go as it was not his
fault. The only problem was that his speed was high in the narrow street. My
uncle politely solved the situation and we came back home.
That day I learned a great lesson from my uncle that one should remain polite
and humble in every situation of life.
A polluted city you have visited OR Describe a place you visited that has
been affected by pollution
Why did you visit that city?
What sort of problems were there?
Is government doing anything to solve this issue
India is a country that is rapidly developing in a lot of areas. Due to that,
there have been many industries opening up that contributes to pollution. I
also think that the demand of vehicles has increased drastically which has led
to extreme pollution in some of the cities.
The most polluted city that I have visited in my life is Delhi, the capital of
India. Although it is one of the most developed cities across our country, but
it is also the most polluted one. The main reason of Delhi’s pollution is its
population. Delhi is one of the densely populated cities in India. People move
there from all parts of the country in search of jobs and business
opportunities.
I have visited Delhi a lot of times as many of my relatives live there. I face
some pollution related problems whenever I visit there. I face difficulty in
breathing and stomachache when I visit Delhi. I came to know from an article
that 40% of people living in Delhi are suffering from respiratory problems.
When you enter Delhi, you can see a huge pile of waste on the left-hand side
of the National Highway. That indicates that not many active steps are taken
to tackle this issue.
There is also the problem of clean drinking water in Delhi. Many residents
don’t get access to clean drinking water. Many parts of the city are highly
developed, but some are extremely dirty. I have seen many people wearing
face masks as a precaution against polluted air.
Last time when I went to Delhi, I had difficulty in breathing. I had to take
medicines for five days to get back to normal. I saw millions of vehicles on
the roads that continuously create noise and air pollution.
There were some steps taken in the past to curb the pollution in the city.
Electric metro and busses were introduced that run on clean fuel. Despite
those efforts, the pollution keeps on growing in the city.
Describe a period in your history that you would like to learn about
Why you would like to learn about that period
Have you read something about that period?
Do you feel that history is an important subject?
I am fond of reading history and events that happened in the past. A few days
back I got a chance to know about Stone Age period of the history. I saw a
video regarding this on the internet.
I was so impressed with the video that I curiously wanted to learn about the
Stone Age. So, I ordered a book on the internet but due to its unavailability I
could not get it. After that I didn’t get a chance to read more about the Stone
Age.
From the video I got the certain aspect of that era. Stone Age was a
prehistoric period during which mainly stone was used to make tools with an
edge. This period lasted for more than three million years. The Stone Age
period ended with the discovery of the metalworking between 8700 BCE and
2000 BCE.
I also read in the school time about this period. We were taught that the main
artifacts like tools used by humans were made of stones. Some historians also
say that in this period, tools were also made from bones of the animals.
Stone Age is the first of three-age system of archaeology, which divides
human technological prehistory into three periods. The first one is Stone Age,
the second is The Bronze Age and the third one is The Iron Age.
After knowing these few points about the Stone Age from that video. I
became very curious and decided to learn about this period more in the
upcoming time. I imagined that how the humans would have survived by
depending on the stone alone. History is a very important subject for
everyone. I think that without the knowledge of history, one can’t move
forward. There is so much to learn from our wonderful history.
So, this is the time period in history that I would like to learn about in detail.
Describe the greatest success of your friend that made you feel proud
Speak about your friend
Tell about his/her achievement
How does the success of your friend make you proud?
I am going to speak about one of my best friend Amit. He lives near my
house and I share a tremendous relationship with him. He recently completed
his 12th class and decided to join the Indian Army. Nature wise, he’s a
disciplined person and speaks less. He is slim and handsome looking. He is
tall and has fair colour.
I know Amit from my childhood and I also know that he always dreamt of
joining the Indian Army. From childhood, he was very passionate about
serving the country through Army. He always told me that he wants to wear
that Army uniform and use those guns to destroy the enemy.
After completing his 12th class, he joined the best coaching classes to clear
the NDA (National Defense Academy) entrance exam. This exam is one of
the most difficult exams to clear and millions of youngsters appear for this
exam every year but very few of them crack it.
Every year there are a lot of vacancies in the Army, but they never chose
quantity over quality. They only select the deserving candidates. I remember
he used to study day and night to crack the NDA exam. He studied for more
than ten hours a day apart from the tuitions.
He was so indulged into studies that he never played with other kids and he
never showed up at any party from friends. He was always into his studies
and never bothered about anything happening outside of it.
I feel very proud of his success as he is serving our country and placing his
life in danger for the citizens of our country. I have utmost respect for the
Army men, and I feel proud that my friend is doing the duty that many people
only dream of doing.
Talk about a situation when you complained about something and got
good results
Why did you complain
How much time was taken to get the thing resolved?
Do you often complain about things?
I have complained to a few departments over the past years. This time it was
a very serious issue that needed to be addressed to the local authorities for
prompt action.
Generally, governments in our country don’t act quickly over complaints so
at first, I was reluctant to speak about the problem but when it got over the
head, I wrote several letters to the local authority about the situation.
I live in a colony and it is well maintained in most of the aspects. But the
condition of roads and footpaths is terrible. There are large potholes in the
roads everywhere. Recently the holes have become worse and have become
quite big. A couple of accidents happened due to these potholes. Few days
ago, a biker slipped due to the potholes and sustained serious injuries.
Many people in the past have complained about this situation but no one has
looked upon it yet. Then I realized that I must do something about it. So, I
wrote several letters to the municipal council and District Commissioner
office about the issue. I sent an email containing the photographs of the
condition of the roads. I was hopeful that my complaints would bring some
results after some time.
To my surprise, they took the action in a week and the government team
arrived in our colony to analyze the issue. The team met the people of our
colony and promised to take the action soon. After a week all the roads were
laid, and footpaths were maintained. I was so happy to see that government
took the action in such a short time and resolved the problem.
No, I do not complain about things too much but whenever I see something
wrong happening, I always complain about it. I think that if your complaint
can solve problems then complaining is a good thing.
Talk about a job that helps make the world a better place
Explain that job
Why do you think so?
How has that job changed the world?
There are many jobs that make people’s life better. Those jobs make the
world a better place to live. I think that doctors and teachers are the
professions that are very important in developing the world. But I reckon that
people working as scientists are the ones who are making the world a better
place.
In my perception, scientists work constantly in improving our lives. There
have been millions of inventions in the recent past that have led to
improvements in the life of people. Scientists have contributed immensely in
making our lives better.
Right from the invention of the light bulb to the discovery of an LED light.
We have seen so many new things coming in the market every other week as
a result of hard-working scientists. They are constantly occupied in
improving the existing technology and developing the new one.
Scientists have been instrumental in developing new drugs that cure diseases
that were incurable in the past. As a result of developments in the field of
medicines, the life span of humans has also increased.
There have been several scientists who made a mark on the society. Scientists
such as Nikola Tesla, Thomas Alva Edison, Einstein and APJ Abdul Kalam
have made this globe a better place to live. I have a great respect for the
scientists living around the world. They sacrifice their personal lives for
improving people’s lives.
I think that this job has made the world a better place to live. The inventions
made by the scientists have made people’s work easier. Scientists don’t often
get the credit for putting their efforts in the field of science. This job is one of
the thankless jobs in the world.
Describe a person you know who likes to help people in free time
Who is the person?
How does he/she help people
Why does he/she help people
I know one person who lives in my neighborhood. His name is Mr. Vishal.
He is around 60 years old. He recently retired from a government post. He is
the one who helps people living in our colony in every possible way.
He is very active despite his age. He is always seen doing something in our
area. If anyone needs any kind of help in the colony, they go to him. The
reason he helps people is that he likes it. He once told me that he has earned a
lot in life and now wants to give something back to the society. He lives in a
big house and has also made an office on the ground floor.
There he meets people and listen to their problems. Then he explains them
about how they can get their work done. If they are unable to do that, then
Mr. Vishal provides them assistance and he doesn’t even charge the fee for it.
Recently Mr. Vishal made a committee that would look after the cleanliness
and maintenance of the colony. Now the committee takes one thousand
rupees each month from all the households to save the funds for the
maintenance.
He is always available whenever someone needs him. He keeps an eye on
things that needs improvement. He never cares if it is day or night, he looks
after the work tirelessly. He always asks people to keep the surroundings neat
and clean. He is an environmentalist and is seen growing plants and trees
every weekend.
Recently there was a problem regarding the roads in our colony, but the local
authorities were not looking to solve the issue soon. Mr. Vishal took the job
in his hand and visited the government offices regularly to convince the
authorities and got the work done.
He is so inspiring and amicable that one can learn many things by spending
time with him.
Tell about your recent free time you had and how you spent it
Do you often have free time?
How did you spend that time?
Did you utilize that time in a constructive way?
I usually don’t get a lot of free time as I am working hard from my future.
Even on weekends I am always busy in studying something and improving
my life. I don’t like to sit idle, but I do like to spend my free time in learning
something new.
Recently I was free for a week as my tuitions were off due to the festive
season. So, I decided to learn some cooking skills. I think that irrespective of
your gender one should know cooking. I know a couple of simple dishes, but
I wanted to learn about some more.
I joined cooking classes near my house and from the first day found it very
interesting. Our teacher Mrs. Neha is a great cook. She is a homemaker and
teaches cooking in her free time. I used to go there from 9 to 11 in the
morning. She taught us a lot of cooking skills and numerous cuisines in a
matter of a week.
She is very knowledgeable and a great teacher. I learned Italian and Chinese
cuisine. I was taught how to make pizza and pasta in the Italian class. In the
Chinese class, I had learnt to make Manchurian and soup. The class was
amazing as there were six other students. We all were given prior instructions
in the class and then we did the practical. Our meals were inspected daily,
and feedback was also given.
Mrs. Neha gave us a homework in which we had to make a dish from home. I
always made those dishes from home and would take them to the class for
everyone to taste. I would say that I didn’t become perfect in making these
cuisines, but I surely improved my cooking skills there.
I always utilize my time in learning a skill. I never waste my precious time in
watching movies and T.V. I think that utilizing time in a constructive way
contributes to the holistic development of a person.
When was the last time you enjoyed with your friends?
Speak about the time
How did you enjoy it?
Do you often go out with your friends?
Recently I was feeling boredom from my fixed routine. So, I decided to go on
a road trip with my friends on a Sunday. I called a couple of my friends for
the trip. We all planned to visit Shimla and come back the day after. All of us
gathered at one of our friend’s house and started the journey early in the
morning.
We started our excursion at 5 AM in the morning. On our way we saw
incredible sights. Shimla is situated at the top of the hill at a height of about
7000 feet. It is very green area with cold temperatures all year round. Shimla
used to be the summer capital of India in the past when British ruled our
country. They liked the weather and serene nature there.
In the middle of our journey we stopped at a roadside restaurant to do
breakfast. We ordered traditional potato stuffed bread with curd and butter.
After that we continued with our journey in the car and reached Shimla. It
took us five hours to reach there. We checked in to the hotel and got fresh.
After that we strolled the streets of Shimla in the evening. The weather was
really cold as compared to our city.
We took our dinner in one of the famous restaurants in Shimla and got back
to our rooms. There we had conversations that lasted for more than three
hours. That night we got very late and slept at 4 in the morning.
Next day, we got up late and did our breakfast at the hotel. At 1 PM we
checked out of the hotel and started our journey back home. On our way back
we clicked a lot of pictures of the surroundings and made funny videos.
I usually go out with my friends at least once in a month. I enjoyed a lot on
this trip. This excursion acted as a much-needed break for me. It rejuvenated
my mind for a long time.
School
What type of school did you go to as a child?
I went to an English medium school which was located near my house. The
school had all the facilities that are needed for the overall development of the
students.
Which type of schools are better, government or private? Why?
I think in my country most people prefer to enroll their kids in the private
schools because they are more concerned about student’s progress. They also
focus on the co-curricular activities. Moreover, private schools have the right
sort of infrastructure and environment of study.
Do you feel that schools should be allowed to charge the tuition fee according
to their standards?
No, I think that government should make a law as these days private schools
are charging huge amounts of fee to enroll the kids. Under this law the
schools should not be allowed to charge more fee than a maximum limit set
by the government.
How do you think that government schools can be improved?
According to my notion, government should take the initiative and
responsibility to take care of the quality of the government schools. The
government should hire professionals that can revive the condition of the
government schools in our country. They can add more facilities and
infrastructure with low fees to attract more people.
Do you feel that school plays a major role in the development of a person’s
life?
Unquestionably, schools are like temples and students worship the books and
their teachers. Schools teach us a lot of things in life. We make our first
friends at the school. We come to know about the etiquettes we need to have
in different situations. It plays the biggest role in the development of a child.
Teachers
What is the role of teaches in our life?
Teachers play a great role in our life. They guide us in every possible way. I
have had so many great teachers in my life over the years. Teachers are the
best role models to have.
Has any teacher influenced you in your life?
Yes, one of my teachers in 10th class had a big influence in my life. His name
is Mohinder Sir. I can recall that I was very weak in mathematics and I
needed a lot of help in that. I asked him for the extra classes, and he was kind
enough to help me.
Would you like to become a teacher in your life?
If given a chance I would certainly like to become a teacher. I would like to
enjoy the responsibility of being a teacher in my life. It is a very tough job
though as the teachers handle many students at one time.
Do you feel that a teacher needs to be highly qualified?
In my perception teacher must be very much qualified. He or she needs to be
updated with the latest knowledge as to keep their student’s knowledge up to
the mark. A teacher should have an ocean of knowledge so that the students
can be benefitted from that as much as possible.
What should be the qualities of a good teacher?
A good teacher is always there for the students. A good teacher should have
patience and good listening capacity. A teacher should always be punctual
and hardworking.
Dance
Do you like to dance?
Yes, I like to dance. I like to do bhangra and I also dance on the Bollywood
songs. I like to do free style dance as I am not a professional dancer. I
generally dance in the weddings and celebrations with my friends and family.
What type of dance is popular in your country?
We have so many types of dances in our country. Kuchi pudi, Bharat
Natyam, Bhangra are one of the most popular dances across our country.
Different regions have different styles of dancing.
Why do people dance?
I think dance is a way of expressing one’s feelings. Just like music and
writing, people like to dance to express themselves. I mostly dance when I
am happy. In our tradition, people dance on weddings and other celebrations.
Is the dance different for men and women?
I believe that up to a certain extent the dance is different. Although the dance
type will be the same, but the steps and hand moments will be different for
men and women. There is a subtle difference in the expressions of the dance
for both the genders.
Wedding
What is the wedding like in your country?
As India is a big nation, we have several styles of weddings in our country.
Most of the people in our country like to celebrate weddings with a great
enthusiasm and excitement. They like to buy expensive jewelry and like to
buy a lot of dresses.
Have you ever been to a large-scale wedding?
Recently I went to the wedding of my friend’s brother. It was the best
wedding celebrations that I have seen in my entire life. There were unlimited
cuisines and the wedding venue was decorated like heaven. The bride and
groom were wearing expensive dresses and there were all the things that you
can expect from a big fat wedding.
What is the importance of marriage in our life?
I think that marriage is an association between the couple and their families.
Marriage enlarges the family and you know that you have more people in
your life who will be there in your thick and thin.
Do you feel that marriages in the past were better organized than today’s
marriages?
I learnt from my elders that the marriages in the past were long and simple.
There used to be a couple of dishes to eat and relatives would gather at the
home of the groom and bride and be there for more than a month. So, I think
that marriages in the present are better as no one has enough time and the
events are also managed in a better way.
What changes will you see in the marriage celebration after 20 years?
I reckon that there will be a lot of changes in the celebrations in the coming
20 years. People have now become more conscious of the spending they do
on organizing the functions. There will be less show-off in the marriages and
people would rather spend more money on buying the assets than organizing
big functions.
Sleep
How many hours do you sleep every day?
I sleep for 7 – 8 hours every day. I get to bed by 11 and wake up at 6 AM. I
feel that I need at least 7 hours of sleep to get my body back to full potential.
On weekends, I take a nap in the afternoon sometimes.
Do you like to sleep?
Everyone likes to sleep, so do I. I like my sleep very much. Whenever I am
feeling tired or frustrated, I go to sleep. If I am not feeling well, I prefer to
sleep more. In a way, sleep is like a medicine if used in a proper manner.
Do you dream?
I usually don’t have dream while I sleep but I dream occasionally. I have very
unusual dreams at night. I get dreams of meeting my idols, achieving my
goals and some wired ones as well. Once I had a dream in which I was falling
from a building.
Do the people in your country discuss their dreams?
I have never shared any of my dreams with anyone. Neither any person has
shared his or her dream with me. I think this is a personal thing, so people
feel hesitant to share their dreams with others.
What are the disadvantages of sleeping long hours?
In my opinion, it’s very dangerous to sleep for more hours than usual. First, it
destroys your productive time and it is not good for the health of a person.
More sleep leads to obesity and obesity leads to several diseases.
Family
What type of family do you live in?
I live in a joint family. I think I enjoy living in a joint family as we have more
members who can be there for us when we need them. There is more
harmony when you live in a big family. I have 9 members in my family. I
like every one of them.
What are the advantages of living in a nuclear family?
I think the only advantage that you have while living in a nuclear family is
that you don’t have a lot of interference. There are a smaller number of
members, so it gives you freedom to do whatever you want.
What are the disadvantages of living in a nuclear family?
I think the only disadvantage of living in a nuclear family is that a person has
very few people to go to when he/she feels troubled or depressed. A person
can sometimes feel lonely in nuclear family.
Do you feel that families are disintegrating day by day?
Yes, the families in my country are disintegrating as a result of some factors.
These days people don’t like interference from others, and they like to live in
their own way. That’s why this situation has occurred.
If given a chance, would you like to live in a nuclear family?
I don’t think that I can live in a small family. I like to have people around me
as I am a talkative person. I think we learn a lot of things from people around
us. Moreover, I am the kind of a person who likes to live in a joint family.
Friends
Do you have one or two or many best friends?
I have only two friends who can be called as best friends. I can share every
part of my life with them. I think it’s never good to have too many friends.
One or two good friends are enough.
Do you feel that there are advantages of having a lot of friends?
I think that few friends are enough. You don’t need to have a lot of friends in
order to fulfil your social needs. Having a lot of friends can lead to trouble
sometimes. If you have a greater number of friends, then you must give them
time. That means you have very less time for yourself which is not a good
sign.
What do you do in case you have a misunderstanding with a friend?
I always call my friend up and try to talk to him or her. That’s the best way to
approach if you have any misunderstanding between friends. I will share my
point and will listen to his or her point as well and try to find a way out.
What can be risky among friends?
I think there can be one thing that can be very risky. We share a lot of things
between friends and sometimes we trust a person who’s not worth trusting.
The information can get leaked which can lead to a lot of problems.
Do you feel that we should invite our friends to family functions?
I think it’s important to invite our friends to the family functions as friends
are also like family. Friends know everything and they are the part of our
lives. So, it becomes important to call good friends to our family functions.
Hometown
Tell something about the place where you live.
I live in Mohali. It is a neat and clean city. There is no scarcity of greenery in
my hometown. There are numerous gardens and parks which are made for the
public. Infrastructure is great and all the facilities like education, shopping
complex and hospitals are in abundance.
Is there anything you would like to change about your hometown?
I will like to change a couple of things about my hometown. The first thing
that I would love to have is increased frequency of public transport. Ours is a
developed city but lacks public transportation. Secondly, I would like to see
more cycling tracks around the city.
Is there anything that makes your hometown special?
Yes, greenery makes my hometown special. It is one of the greenest and
cleanest cities in my country. This is also a planned city, so everything is well
lined up and easily accessible.
Which place in your hometown is special to you?
I like going to the PCA cricket stadium. It is an international stadium situated
in the heart of the city. It has a club and I am a member of it. I like to go there
for swimming and doing exercise in the club gym.
Is there any famous personality that lives in your hometown?
There are many famous personalities that live in Mohali. Many Punjabi
singers live in my hometown and I have come across many of them while
roaming around the city. Some famous sports personalities are also dwelling
to my hometown.
Neighbours
Do you have interesting neighbors?
Yes, I have very interesting neighbors. They have a joint family and in total
they are 9 members. We always celebrate the festivals together. We also go
on picnics once or twice a year.
How are neighbours important?
They are very important as they are the first ones to respond to any situation.
If we have an emergency, then neighbours will respond first. If we require
any help in that situation, we will not call a distant relative but the
neighbours.
Have you ever helped your neighbours?
Once one of my neighbours went to the market where he slipped and hurt his
ankle. There was no one at his house that day as everyone had gone to work.
So, I picked him up and took him to the doctor for treatment and escorted
him back to his home.
Do you also call neighbours to your personal celebrations?
Yes, we always call our close neighbours to our family functions or personal
celebrations. They are very close to us all the time, so it won’t be a good idea
to not call them. Neighbours are often very generous and help us in arranging
things for the celebrations.
Who’s an ideal neighbour?
An ideal neighbour would be like a friend who will always be there when
needed. He or she should not hesitate to come to your house, and you should
also be not be shy of going to your neighbor’s house without invitation.
Colors
Which is your favorite color?
I like blue the most. It is a symbol of calmness and keeping cool. I like this
color as its sooths my eyes whenever I look at it. I also look good in blue
colored clothes. I like this color so much that I got the walls of my room
painted in blue color.
Do you feel that a color can change a person’s mood?
Yes, colors can change a person’s mood. If someone is feeling down and out,
then I think they should wear bright or vibrant color as it will elevate the
mood. On the other hand, looking at dull colors can depress the mood.
Do the colors have religious importance?
In our culture and country, color has a lot of significance in religion. For
example, at the time of worship, red color is sacred. While in some
communities, white color is a sign of purity.
Is there any color that you don’t like?
There is no color that I don’t like but I can say that I don’t like light or dull
shades. I am an optimistic person; hence I like vibrant colors. Dull colors
make me feel annoyed.
Which color is mostly preferred by women in your country?
From my few interactions with women, I conclude that most of them like
pink or red color. I think it’s because of the reason that pink color gives a
feminine look, that’s why women like it.
T.V
Do you watch TV?
Yes, I watch TV in my leisure time. I like to watch discovery channel and
music channels. I like to listen to the latest songs, so I always tune into such
TV shows and channels. Watching discovery is like studying in a university
as it gives an abundance of knowledge.
For how many hours do you watch TV?
I watch TV for around one and a half to two hours. I love to watch TV as it
gives us a lot of knowledge and we can literally watch anything on it. It is
also like a stress buster for a lot of people.
What are the bad effects of watching TV?
There are several bad effects of watching TV. I think a person can get
addicted to it and may watch it for long hours. This can affect eyes as well as
the overall health of a person.
How many hours should the children watch TV?
I feel that children under the age of two should not watch TV at all. And
children above the age of two should be allowed to watch TV for not more
than two hours per day.
Do you watch News on TV?
I only watch news when there is something interesting or there’s an incident
that has happened. Otherwise I generally don’t watch news channels.
Culture
Is it important to preserve our culture?
Its indispensable to preserve our culture as it reflects our past and history. If
we are unable to preserve our culture, then the upcoming generations will not
be able to learn the traditions and values from the past. Preserving culture
should be the main priority of people these days.
Is the culture in your country different from other cultures?
Our culture is very different from the rest of the world especially the western
countries. I reckon that the culture in my country is like some neighboring
countries, but I still feel that every country has its own culture.
Is there any culture that you like the most?
In our country, the culture of celebrating festivals is the best culture and I like
it the most. The reason is that when we celebrate the festivals together, it
increases harmony and respect between people of different cultures and
religions. Diwali is such festival which is celebrated across all religions and
regions.
Do you feel that people should change their culture when they move to a
foreign country?
I don’t think that it is a good idea to change the culture after moving to a new
country. One should never forget his or her own ethics, practices and
customs. I think they should try to adopt the new culture without forgetting
their own.
Do you feel that there has been a cultural mix in some countries?
Yes, there has been a lot of cultural mix in some countries across the world
due to globalization. This is not a bad thing at all. I believe that it brings
people from different castes, races and regions together.
Business and jobs
Would you prefer to do job or a business?
If given a chance, I would like to get a job first. After taking experience of
four to five years, I will plan to start a business of my own. I feel that before
starting a business one should do job.
Which one is better, job or business?
According to me, both have their own advantages. Where jobs have secured
income, business can offer you unlimited earnings from it as it has no limit.
Jobs have fixed working time, but most businessmen work for long hours.
If given a chance, what kind of business you would like to start?
If I am given a chance, I would like to start a business related to import and
export of certain products. I like travelling so that’s the best possible business
which can offer me more travelling.
Is there any job that you dream of doing?
I dream of working in the parliament of India or in a big politician’s office. I
am very curious to know how the life of big politicians is and how they work
for the country. I would also like to contribute to the country’s development
through this kind of a job.
What kinds of jobs do women prefer in your country?
Women generally prefer to do white collar jobs in my country. Most women
are highly educated, so they prefer to do managerial jobs. They also like
teaching jobs so that they can spare out time for the families.
Globalization
What are the positive effects of globalization?
Due to globalization, more and more people are connecting with each other.
There have been great improvements in terms of transportation and
communication. It has brought a lot of positive changes in the world.
What are the negative effects of globalization?
Globalization has proved to be beneficial for humans, but it has also created
some chaos. Due to globalization, many people have lost their jobs to
technology and internet as most of the work is now done by robots and
computers.
How has globalization changed your life?
It has impacted my life in a positive manner. I have now access to my friends
who are living in abroad. I can make a video call to them in a blink of an eye.
This has been possible only through globalization.
Speak about the biggest advantage of globalization?
I think improvements in the transportation has been the biggest advantage of
globalization. Nowadays we can travel in fast trains and aero planes and we
can reach our destination in a relatively short time and more comfortably.
How can globalization change the future?
I think globalization will change the future quickly. We can already see a lot
of developments in the field of transport, medicine and technology. In future,
the focus is on the communication and to take it to the remotest of the areas
due to which more people will connect with each other in a better way.
Magazines
Do you read magazines?
I don’t read magazines regularly, but I have read a magazine recently. The
name of the magazine is Autocar. This magazine has an abundance of
knowledge regarding the recently launched cars and about the best cars in
market. It also has customer’s reviews for selected cars. I liked this magazine
very much.
What type of magazines are popular among women in your country?
In my perception, women like to read fashion related magazines. These kinds
of magazines are helpful to them to get updates regarding the latest fashion in
clothes and accessories. I often see my sister reading this type of magazine.
Do you feel that men read more magazines than women?
I think that women tend to read more magazines than men as there is more
variety of magazines for women rather than men. Moreover, I have read a
survey in a newspaper and it suggested that in our country more women
prefer to do reading than men.
Do you feel that magazines can teach us something?
Yes, magazines teach us a lot of things. We can learn from magazines if we
absorb the knowledge given in it. There are some magazines such as
Competition Success Review which is read by thousands of students across
India. They learn the latest trends in competitive examinations and education.
Are the magazines better than newspapers?
I think magazines and newspapers are very different from each other hence
should not be compared. Magazines are better in terms of visuality and
printing quality. On the other hand, newspapers are best for getting current
news.
Newspapers
Which is your favourite newspaper?
I love reading Hindustan Times newspaper. It is one of the oldest
newspaper’s in our country. Its pages are well laid out and different type of
news is divided into different sections. There are a couple of supplement
newspapers in it as well.
Do you read newspaper every day?
No, I don’t get this much time, but I feel that one should have a habit of
reading newspaper every day. This is an excellent habit as it keeps you
updated about the happenings. I read it weekly especially on the weekends.
Do we learn anything from the newspaper?
Yes, we learn a lot of things from it. People mostly learn a lot of new words
and latest news. We also learn how to arrange such huge amount of
information in such a compact way.
Is there any page of newspaper that you like the most?
I like reading the sports section of any newspaper. In my favourite
newspaper, the sports page is always the second last page. I get a lot of
knowledge about different sports events and about sportspersons.
Do you feel that newspapers print fake news?
I don’t think that newspapers print fake news as they have a huge
responsibility on their shoulders. Although some news editors try to print
exaggerated or spicy news to attract more readership. But most newspapers
have genuine news.
Buildings
Speak about an interesting building.
I have seen numerous buildings in my life, but I find the Elante Mall’s
building very interesting. It is very huge, and the architecture is also
marvelous. The building is one of the most famous buildings in my city.
What type of buildings are found in your city?
Our city has an army-based airport so constructing tall buildings are not
allowed in most parts of the city. Weather you see residential apartments or
the commercial settings, most of the buildings are not tall. Generally, 2 to 4
floors are constructed, and this is what I feel is the beauty of my city.
What type of buildings do you like?
I love tall buildings. I always dream of living in a city with many tall
buildings and get very excited when I see skyscrapers. Once I visited Dubai
and went to Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world. It felt
amazing while on the top of it.
Have you ever visited a strange building?
I have been to a few strange buildings. Burj Khalifa can be termed as strange
for its size and design. But I would like to speak about Amer Fort which is in
Rajasthan. It is strange because it’s so big that anyone can get lost in that
easily. That fort is centuries old but us still intact and beautiful.
Speak about a public building in your locality.
There are several public buildings in my area. They are either banks or public
service departments. I would like to speak about the post office building. It is
situated in the center of the city and has a huge parking area in front of the
building. The building is modern and well planned. It has a lot of place for
public to get their work done comfortably.
Library
Have you ever been to a library?
Yes, I have been to many libraries. The one which I liked the most is the
British library, which is situated in Industrial area, Chandigarh. It is one of
the most modern libraries in the city. It holds a large variety and collection of
books for its members.
Should there be an entry fee to the library?
No, I think that entry to the library should be free for the public. This
encourages more and more people to come and get themselves educated. This
will also inspire the habit of reading which is diminishing day by day.
Do you feel that books should be given on loan for free?
No that’s not a good idea. I think that there should always be a minimal fee
for the book lending. If the library lends books for free, then there can be a
loss to the finances. In order to maintain the running costs and books,
reasonable fee should be charged.
Do you feel that introduction of computers in the libraries is a good idea?
I feel that computers have changed the way people live. They are also very
helpful in libraries as computers can store huge number of electronic books
and volumes which are rare, or which are in bad physical condition. People
can simply open the readable file in the computer rather than reading from a
physical copy.
Do you feel that number of libraries should be escalated across the country?
The count of libraries should be increased everywhere in the world. In my
perception book reading is the best way to pass the leisure time and to get
knowledge. If the number of libraries is risen, then more people will begin to
show interest in reading books which will be great for the mankind.
Zoos
Have you ever been to a zoo?
Yes, I have gone to Chat Bir Zoo which is located near to my hometown. It
takes around 30 minutes to reach there from my home. I have visited this zoo
more than ten times. It’s a big zoo and has a variety of animals. The entry
ticket to the zoo is very reasonable and is worth visiting.
Which is the best time to visit zoos?
One of the care takers at the zoo told me that the best time to visit zoo is
March and April in summers and November and December in winters. At this
given time of the year, most of the animals are active and playful. One can
see all the animals in great mood.
Have you seen any strange animal in the zoo?
I have seen a lot of animals in the zoo over the years but the strangest of the
animals that I have seen are the Alligators. They are very lazy in nature. I
have seen them from close quarters, they remain in the same position for
hours and don’t even move an inch. But when they are hungry and they are
ready to be fed, they are very active.
Should there be an entry fee to the zoo?
I think there should be a decent entry fee to the zoo. There are several
expenses that the zoos bear in order to take care of the animals. They feed the
animals, pay the salary of the staff and other miscellaneous charges. So, I
think that the zoo can utilize their earnings in this way.
Do you feel that zoos are the best place for animals?
I think that zoos take care of the animals in every possible way, but it is not
the best place for them. I feel that forest is the best habitat for animals. Forest
is the natural and more interesting habitat for them. They can roam freely,
and they can hunt and eat on their own. Forests provide more resources to
animals than zoos.
Museums
What is the importance of museums in life?
Museums are an integral part of life. From museums we can gain so much of
knowledge about the past events and society. It’s always good to visit a
museum as it reflects the past of ours and inspires us to take the legacy
forward.
Have you ever been to a museum?
Yes, I have seen two museums in my life. The first one I saw was the
Chandigarh museum which has primarily textiles and tools from the past, the
second one is the Ripley’s museum in which I saw strange collections from
all over the world.
Have you seen anything interesting in the museum?
Indeed, once I saw the skeleton of a whale fish. I never thought that I would
be able to see such thing in my life. The structure was massive, and each part
of the skeleton was explained nicely. I think that it was really an interesting
thing to see.
Do you feel that museums are boring?
Not at all, I think museums are one of the interesting places to visit. One can
learn so many things from museums. These kinds of places have abundance
of knowledge and I feel that information is never boring.
Do you feel that children should also visit museums?
Absolutely, I feel that it is a great place for children to visit. There are many
museums which are solely dedicated to kids and the learning there has been
made simple especially for kids. I think it’s a great idea to take children to
museums.
Vegetarianism
Do you eat non-veg?
No, I am a vegetarian. I used to eat non-veg but from the past 6 years I have
given it up. I think that eating non-veg food can be unhealthy sometimes.
That’s why I left eating it.
What are the benefits of being vegetarian?
There are a few benefits of being vegetarian. The first one is that your
digestive system remains neat and clean. Vegetables improves the
metabolism of the body. It also fulfills the nutrition and essential vitamins
required in the body.
Do you feel that meat consumption should be banned?
No, I don’t think that meat consumption should be banned. I strictly think
that it is up to an individual’s choice whether to eat meat or not. There are
numerous people who depend upon the meat industry. So, I think that it’s not
a good idea to ban the consumption of meat.
Do you feel that meat eating is not good?
I left eating meat a few years back as I thought that it is not a good habit.
Moreover, I believe that killing animals for consumption is cruel. So, I think
that meat eating is not good.
What are the drawbacks of being vegetarian?
There are no such drawbacks of being a vegetarian. Nevertheless, vegetarians
can find it very difficult to survive in some western countries where
vegetarian dishes are hard to find. Other than that, I don’t think that there is
any disadvantage of being a vegetarian.
Computers
How have computers helped us?
Computers have helped us in every possible way. Nowadays, computers are
used in every field whether it is medical or engineering. Computers have
overtaken numerous operations in big industries. They have also helped us in
our daily chores and needs.
Is there any negative side of computers?
Indeed, computers have taken over manual labor in most of the fields, but it
comes with some disadvantages. Computers have killed a lot of jobs in
certain fields. It has made us lethargic and too dependent on them for every
small task.
Do you use computer in your daily routine?
Yes, I use computer every day. From searching latest news or anything on the
internet, I use computers. I also use computers to play video games and watch
movies. It’s a helpful device in daily routine.
Have we become slaves of computers?
Certainly, we have become slaves of computers and it has become our
master. We look forward to computer for most of our needs. We are fully
dependent in most of the tasks whether it is related to work or leisure.
Do you know someone who does not use computer at all?
Yes, my grandfather does not use computer at all. Although he uses mobile
phones, but he never uses computer. He is very smart and knows everything
about latest gadgets, but I have never seen him using computer once.
Internet
What are the advantages of internet?
Internet holds abundance of knowledge and we can access it anywhere but
for that you need a data pack or an internet connection. The biggest
advantage of internet is that we can talk to our near and dear ones who live
thousands of kilometers far away from us.
Do you often use internet?
Yes, I use internet every day for two to three hours. I use it for getting
updates on latest news and to talk to my friends and relatives living in foreign
countries. Sometimes I use internet to operate my e-mails.
Do you feel that kids should also be allowed to use internet?
I think that kids should be allowed to use internet for their schoolwork and
leisure time. One thing important is that parents should set a time limit for the
use and they should also install a browser that is compatible for kids which
does not show adult content.
What are the changes that have been instrumental due to the invention of
internet?
The biggest change due to internet is the way we can connect with people
from all over the world and the other one is the internet browsers from where
we can get knowledge of anything within a blink of an eye.
Do you feel that government should provide the internet for free?
I think more than a luxury; internet has become a need in today’s world. If it
can be under the budget of the government comfortably then why not? In
some countries, the governments are already providing internet facilities for
free.
Sky
Do you see sky?
Yes, I see sky. I generally see the sky briefly when I go out of my home for
the first time in the morning. The first thing I do is to see the sky.
At what time of the day do you see sky?
I generally see the sky in the morning as well as at night when the stars are
shining. In the daytime, it’s too bright to look at the sky. So, I feel that early
morning and evening is the best time to observe sky.
Have you learned anything after seeing the sky?
I have learned that we are so small, and nature is so big. When I see the sky,
it looks unlimited. It looks never ending just like God. I think seeing the sky
makes us humble and thankful.
How do you feel when you see sky?
It feels extraordinary. I just admire the beauty of sky and I also praise the lord
for wonderful things that he has given us. I feel energetic and ready to rock
when I see sky.
Do you also see stars?
Yes, quite often I see stars. Whenever I stroll in the evening or at night, I see
the stars. I try to find the constellations of stars that we studied in the primary
classes. I see that all the stars have different level of brightness and they look
pretty among the Moon at night.
Cars
Which is your favourite car?
My favourite car is Toyota Fortuner. It is an SUV car. SUV stands for sports
utility vehicle. This means that this kind of car can be run on any terrain
without breaking a sweat. I love this car as it is powerful and big as well as it
looks amazing.
What is the importance of having a car in life?
It is indispensable to own a car these days. A car can accommodate four or
five members of the family and it doesn’t matter whether it is raining, or the
sun is burning hot, you can travel in the car comfortably and safely.
Do you feel that number of cars is increasing on the roads rapidly?
Absolutely, the number of the cars are escalating day by day. I think easy
payment options have made people buy more and more cars. Now almost
everyone can afford a car, that’s the main reason behind the growth in the
traffic.
What should be the mandatory features in the car?
There should be a couple of compulsory features in the car. The first one is
that, the installation of airbags should be a standard inclusion in the car. The
second one is the advanced braking system which is very helpful in
emergency breaking. I think these two features should be mandatory for
every car manufacturer to provide in every car variant for safety purposes.
Have you ever seen a strange car?
Recently I saw Mahindra Eco for the first time. It was a beautiful looking car
but the strange thing about that car was that it was very small in size. On
searching about that car further I found that it’s an electric car and the size
was kept small intentionally for smooth driving in the city.
Tourism
How has tourism evolved society?
Tourism has bridged the gap between cultures and languages. More people
nowadays are learning new languages and eating new cuisines. The society
has formed a mixed culture due to tourism and it has also increased the
understanding among people.
Do you feel that tourism generates income?
Tourism generates a lot of income for the people involved in it. when tourists
go to a certain place, they rent a car, hotel, guide and they also buy souvenirs
and try local food. This is great financially for the people of that place.
Have you ever met a tourist?
Yes, I met one tourist last year when I went to Rajasthan. I saw a lot of
tourists there especially from the foreign countries. I got a chance to talk with
him. I shared a lot of information about my country and he told me many
things about his own country and background. I felt amazing after conversing
with him.
Have you been to a tourist place?
Yes, I have gone to a few tourist places. I would like to tell you about Goa. It
is a fabulous place for everyone. Goa’s coastline is lined with wonderful
beaches and restaurants. The food over there is delicious and people are super
friendly.
Do you feel that tourism has increased from the past time?
There has been a great increase in the number of tourists these days. This is
primarily due to the ease in transportation these days. Many flights have been
introduced due to which the price has reduced. Therefore, more people are
encouraged to travel.
Crime
Why do you think that crime is increasing day by day?
There are a few reasons behind the increase in the crime rates. The biggest
reason I feel is the unemployment in our country. Due to unemployment,
many youngsters are forced to sit idle, hence they commit crime.
Do you feel that there should be strict punishment for every crime?
No, I think that punishment should be given according to the severity of
crime. Some crimes are hardcore, and some are forgivable. Hardcore
criminals should be treated with strictness whereas in case of a small crime,
the criminal should be given counselling to change their behavior.
What are the most common crimes in your area?
There are very few crimes that are reported in my local area as there is a lot
of strictness. But most of the crimes that are happening are snatching and
robbery.
How can the government control crime?
Government can do anything; I think that they can also eradicate crime from
the society. Government should have harsh punishment and zero tolerant
policy for dealing with crime. The criminal should think twice before
committing a crime.
Have you ever been affected by a crime?
Yes, unfortunately I was affected by crime last year when my phone was
snatched from the roadside. I was walking on the pedestrian and suddenly a
motorcycle came from behind at full speed and the person sitting on the back
snatched it from me while I was talking on the phone.
Health
How do you keep yourself fit?
I do light exercise in the morning. I like to do jogging and running. I think it
is the best way to keep yourself fit. I also follow a lenient diet plan in which I
have reduced my sugar intake to keep myself fit.
What is the importance of good health in our life?
I think there is a huge importance of good health in our life. A healthy person
can enjoy all the facets of life. Good health enables a person to work and earn
more. A healthy person is also mentally strong.
Do you feel that good diet leads to good health?
Without a doubt. I think when it comes to maintaining health, most experts
say that its seventy percent diet and thirty percent exercise. Therefore, diet
plays a bigger role in maintaining good health.
What is healthy food according to you?
Any food that covers up all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals is a
healthy food and food which does not have a lot of fat content but full of
proteins. Lentils, eggs and green vegetables are the perfect example of
healthy food.
Do you like to eat healthy food?
Yes, mostly I prefer to eat healthy food. Occasionally I also eat fast food and
junk food but most of the times I eat cereals in breakfast and lentils in the
dinner. I think these two food items are healthy to eat.
Exercise
What kind of exercise do you do every day?
I like to do yoga and breathing exercises in the morning. If I do some
rigorous exercise, then I choose to do it in the evening. I think that morning is
the best time and I mostly do exercise at that time.
What type of exercise do the people do in your locality?
In my locality, I see people doing every kind of exercises. Youngsters like to
do cycling and running, whereas most of the old people prefer yoga and light
exercises.
Is there any exercise that we can do without any equipment?
Indeed, there are a few exercises that we can do without using any sort of
equipment. Yoga is one and the second is running or jogging. People can also
do breathing exercise without using any type of equipment.
Do you feel that exercise can be harmful?
I don’t think that exercise can be harmful because it is a great activity which
keeps our body fit and fine. The only drawback that I can think that exercise
can have is that it can be harmful and dangerous if you are doing any exercise
without prior information and guidance.
How much exercise should everyone do in their daily routine?
According to me, everyone should spend at least thirty to forty-five minutes
in doing exercise. WHO suggests that every person must take a minimum of
eight thousand steps in order to maintain good health. Forty minutes of
exercise is equivalent to walking 8000 steps.
Foreign language
Do you speak any foreign language apart from English?
No, I don’t speak any foreign language apart from English. However, I am
keen to learn Spanish language as it is widely used throughout the world.
Why is it important to learn English?
It is essential to learn English language as it bridges the gap between most of
the people. English is the world’s most widely spoken language. English
opens a lot of opportunities as it enables a person to take his/her thoughts to
millions of people.
Is it good to learn a language of the country where you are travelling?
It’s not mandatory that you need to learn the language of the country where
you are visiting but you should try to learn some important phrases as it can
help you in desperate times. Some people learn the basics and main phrases
because they like to indulge foreigners in conversation.
Do you feel that regional languages are important?
We can never preserve our history if we don’t have regional languages. It’s
essential to protect such languages and make our next generation learn it. it’s
good to learn foreign languages but regional languages are of huge
importance.
Do you feel that there should be only one language in the whole world?
I think it is not possible. There are numerous countries that don’t speak the
same language. There are remote places on Earth that don’t have access to
internet and outer world. So, it will not be easy to teach them a universal
language. Although I feel that if there is only one language in the whole
world then the world will be a much better place and people will understand
each other in a better way.
Space exploration
Do you feel that governments around the world are spending unnecessary
money on space exploration?
I feel sad when I see huge sums of money being wasted on space exploration.
It’s a real waste of precious money. I think instead of investing money on
space exploration, governments should spend money to develop the
undeveloped parts of our planet and make it a better place for people on Earth
rather than finding other planets and aliens.
What are the benefits of space exploration programs?
I am strictly against these kinds of programs as I don’t think that it brings any
kind of advantage. Its only wasting money on certain observations that may
or may not exist.
If given a chance, would you like to travel to space?
If given a chance, then I would love to go to space as it is a rare experience. I
think very few people on Earth have been able to spend time in space, so I
would not deny this opportunity.
What will you do when you will reach space?
The first thing that I would like to do when I reach space is to find my
country on Earth. It would be great to see my home country from space. I will
also try to locate other countries on Earth and try to test my geographical
knowledge.
Is space tourism a good idea?
I feel that space tourism will be a reality soon. I also perceive that it is
definitely a good idea as it would be possible for masses to be in space. This
type of tourism will still be rare as it will be very costly and not everyone
could afford it.
Future
Do you plan your future?
I try to plan it but sometimes it doesn’t happen the way I think. I think it’s
better to leave the burden of future on God and one should concentrate on
present. If present is executed well then, the future is taken care of.
Do you feel that future can be seen?
I never believe in such things and I feel that it’s foolish to think that one can
see future. It’s all myth and should not be believed.
What things are you planning to buy in future?
I am planning to buy a house before I get married. I will also buy a big car
and some property.
Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
I want to see myself well settled in Canada / Australia ………… in the next
ten years. I want to have a happy life for me and my family.
Are you too worried about your future?
No, I am never worried about my future. I always keep myself in present and
leave the rest in hands of the almighty. So, this way I am never anxious about
my future.
Hotel
Have you ever stayed at a big hotel?
Yes, I have stayed at a five-star hotel once when I went to Dubai. The name
of the hotel is Taj Palace which is in Deira city center. It was a massive hotel
with luxury rooms and extra ordinary interiors.
Which is your favourite hotel?
My favourite hotel is Taj Palace as it is nothing short of a wonder. There is a
jacuzzi tub and a big swimming pool at the roof of the hotel. The rooms are
spacious and luxurious with all the facilities that one can dream of having in
a five-star hotel.
What type of hotels are there in your city?
In my city, there are all types of hotels. From one-star to five-star hotels. The
most prominent one’s are JW Marriot, The Lalit, Hayat Regency and Mount
View Hotel. These hotels raise the standard of the city.
Why do people stay at hotels?
There can be a few reasons behind this. The main reason is that if people go
to another country or any city where they don’t have a friend or a relative
where they can stay, in that case people book hotels. Apart from this people
stay at the hotels when they go out for holidays.
Is staying in hotel costly in your country?
It completely depends upon where people want to stay. If you stay at a decent
three-star hotel then I think that India is a country where you will find cheap
hotels. When it comes to five-star or luxury hotels then the prices are beyond
most people’s budget.
City and village
Which place is better to live, city or villages?
I think better place to live is city as it offers more things than living in a
village. Most of the rural population is moving towards city these days as
they vouch for more opportunities in education and employment.
What things you can improve in the city you live?
I think that there can be improvements in the transportation system of our
city. There is hardly any public transport that one can find. People use their
own vehicles which is a huge burden on their pocket.
Have you ever visited an important city/village?
Yes, I have visited many important places in my life. A city that is very
important in our country is Jaipur which is in Rajasthan state. It is important
as it has preserved a lot of history and it is also a tourism hub of our country.
It generates a lot of tourism and employment for the locals.
Do you feel that village is a better place to live?
I feel that cities are always better than villages due to number of reasons but
there are a couple of advantages of living in a village as well. People are
more friendly in villages. Also, the environment is free from pollution and
contamination.
Speak about a city that is very well developed.
In my viewpoint, Chandigarh is very well-developed city in our country. It
was the first planned city of our country. It is designed in a way that every
part of the city is easily accessible from anywhere and the amenities such as
education and medical facilities are located nearby the residential area of
every sector of the city.
Childhood
Share any fond memory from your childhood.
I certainly have a lot of childhood memories in my life. The one which I
remember is when I was selected as the most intelligent kid in a competition.
I remember the event as I was five years old at that time and I still have the
pictures of that event with me.
Is childhood the best stage of life?
Indeed, childhood is undoubtedly the best stage of life due to number of
reasons. A kid is free from any burden whether it is of education or it is of
getting job and earnings for the family. All the kids are stress free and
euphoric in nature.
Do you feel that children have less burden than adults?
Children have less burden than adults. Older people are under immense
pressure these days. Whereas, children have no responsibilities on their
shoulders.
Do you feel that childhood is the best stage to learn things?
I fully agree with you as children have more ability to learn than adults. Their
mind is fresh, and they have more time to practice things. Research shows
that children catch things easily than adults and they take less time to adapt to
anything.
How was your childhood?
My childhood was probably like most people’s childhood, stress free, burden
less and full of enjoyment. I feel that I am lucky to have parents who never
stopped me from learning anything.
Jewelry
Do people like to wear jewelry in your country?
Yes, there is a custom and tradition in my country to wear jewelry. Mostly
women adore the ornaments and jewelry in neck, ears and wrists. Some men
are also fond of wearing jewelry items.
What type of jewelry is popular among women?
I think every type of jewelry is liked by women. They mostly appreciate
earrings and neck pieces. I have seen a lot of women wear anklets in my
country. Basically, they relish every kind of jewelry.
Do you feel that spending money on expensive jewelry is good?
In my perception, spending on expensive jewelry is not a bad idea. Most
people in my country like to buy jewelry made of gold and diamonds. These
materials have a great exchange value. Hence, jewelry can be exchanged for
cash in crunch times.
Does jewelry have any religious importance in your country?
Yes, in my country there is a religious importance of wearing jewelry.
Women in India wear Mangal Sutra, which is a necklace made of gold and
other materials. It represents that women wearing it is a married woman.
Do you wear jewelry?
No, I don’t like to wear any jewelry item. I tried it once, but I don’t like the
feel as it interferes a lot in some body postures. So, I never thought of
wearing any jewelry again.
Songs/music
Do you listen to songs?
I am very fond of listening to songs. My favourite singer is Sonu Nigam and I
hear all his songs in my leisure time. I generally listen to Hindi Bollywood
songs and English songs.
Which is your favourite song?
My favourite song is Heal the World song by Michael Jackson. This song
became the best song soon after the release. The meaning and lyrics of the
song are beautiful. The video is also great to watch.
Which type of music do you like?
I like Pop music the most. I also like to listen to Trance, Rock, Jazz and
Classical. Every type of music is unique, but I feel that Pop songs are the
best.
Who’s your favourite musician?
My favorite musician is Shankar Mahadevan and he’s a singer as well. His
music is so unique and fresh. He’s one of the most respected musicians in our
country. He also judges the popular show, Rising Star.
How do you feel when you listen to songs?
I feel tranquil and calm. Songs relaxes my mind and gives me energy to do
more things. In a way, music inspires me to do well in life.
Art and craft
What is the importance of art and craft in our life?
Art and craft release the emotions in a beautiful way. It triggers our creative
side and encourages us to do better. I think that without art and craft, our life
will be very much dull.
Have you ever participated in an art and craft competition?
I have participated in a lot of art and craft competitions in my school time. I
remember how the staff of the school used to take us to the open parks where
the competition would take place. Hundreds of students competed together
for three spots.
Do you feel that art and craft is dying out due to the developments in
technology?
I don’t deny the fact that art and craft is losing its importance with the advent
of technology. These days art and crafts are also designed by computers.
Human interference in this field is minimal. Today’s youngsters are not
patient enough to be interested in art and craft.
Do you think that art and craft should be a compulsory subject in schools?
I am completely in favour of having art and craft as a compulsory subject in
the school. This will enhance the creative side of the students and will widen
their horizon.
Do you feel that art and craft is a waste of time?
Not at all, art and craft are the way to go. Most people these days don’t give
importance to it, but the fact is that without art and craft, our traditions will
die out.
Parks
Do you like visiting parks?
I love visiting the parks very much. I feel close to the nature when I visit the
parks. I have a lot of parks near my home. I generally go in the early morning
or late evening to enjoy the fresh environment.
Which is your favourite park?
My favourite park is the garden of silence which is in sector 1 of Chandigarh.
It is a big park with lots of green areas. In the center of the park, there is a
huge idol of Lord Buddha. I often go there to relax myself.
What kind of people go to parks?
I have seen every kind of people in the parks. I see kids playing with their
friends. I see youngsters doing exercise and running. I also see old people
there roaming from one end to the other.
What are the activities that people do in the parks?
People generally go to parks for walk and exercise. Some youngsters go to
play different games and some sports, but most people visit parks for leisure
walks. I have also seen few people going there for reading books while sitting
on the benches.
Should there be an entry fee to the parks?
No, there should never be an entry fee to the parks. This way less people
would be encouraged to go there. I think it is the basic duty of the
government to provide parks in every locality for free of cost.
Book
Do you read books?
Yes, I read books in my free time. I read at least three to four books every
year. I feel that we get a lot of knowledge regarding certain things from
books that we don’t get at school or college.
Which is your favourite book?
My all-time favourite book is Long walk to freedom by Mr. Nelson Mandela.
This book is his autobiography and was written by him after he came out of
the prison.
Which genre of books do you like the most?
Mostly I like to read autobiographies and biographies of prominent leaders
and celebrities. In this way I get to learn about their secrets to success.
What are the advantages of reading books?
There are many advantages of reading books. The first one is that it enables
you to learn a lot of vocabulary. Secondly, it increases your knowledge and
reading speed. Moreover, reading books is a great free time activity.
Is there any disadvantage of reading books?
I can’t see any disadvantage of reading books. The only drawback that I can
think is that it takes a lot of time to read books. For example, if you read a
book of five hundred pages then it would take around a couple of months.
Whereas a movie made on that book or an audio version of that book would
be absorbed in three to four hours.
Festivals
Do you celebrate festivals?
I love celebrating all the festivals. India is a land of festivals as we have so
many different religions in our country. I like to celebrate Diwali, Holi,
Christmas and all other prominent festivals. I believe that celebrating
festivals together with your friends and neighbours, increases the harmony in
society.
Which festival do you celebrate every year?
I always wait for the Diwali festival. This day holds a great importance in the
history of our country. On this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after
fourteen years of exile. So, people on this day celebrate to commemorate the
return of lord Rama.
What is the importance of celebrating festivals?
The biggest importance of celebrating festivals is that it promotes love, peace
and harmony among everyone in society. Celebrating festivals also keep us
attached to our customs and traditions.
Is it important to spend huge amounts of money to celebrate festivals?
No, I think there is no need to spend huge sums of money in celebrating
festivals. Celebrations can be simple yet enjoyable. Friends and family
members can gather, and they can have a meal together. That will be a good
enough celebration.
Do you also celebrate the festivals with your friends and neighbours?
I always celebrate all the festivals with my friends and neighbours. I
remember, last year on Diwali our neighbours had arranged a function in
which all the people of locality and their relatives came to celebrate. I can
never forget that celebration.
Accident
Have you ever seen an accident in your life?
I have seen one accident when I was going to my friend’s house. I was on a
bi-cycle and suddenly a speeding truck rushed from my right-hand side. It hit
a bus on the side while it was crossing the intersection. The bus and truck
collided causing a lot of injuries to the people in the bus.
Why do you think that accidents happen?
I think that rash driving is the main cause behind the occurrence of accidents.
There is another reason that cause many accidents in my country and that is
drink and drive.
Do you think ease in issuance of driving license cause accidents?
I think that in my country it is not easy nowadays to get a driving lesson. One
goes through a rigorous process, theory and practical tests in order to get a
driving license in India. So, I don’t think that it is the reason behind
accidents.
How can we prevent accidents?
First, government needs to make very strong laws against the people who
drink and drive as it is the most prevalent reason behind accidents. Secondly,
people should aware their offspring about the consequences of the accidents.
Do accidents happen too often in your city?
I read a lot of reports of accidents these days due to negligent driving and
cases of hit and run. There used to be less accidents in the yester years but
have increased considerably now.
Politics
Who’s your favourite politician?
I like the prime minister of our country, Mr. Narendra Modi. He was the BJP
party’s candidate in the 2014 elections and became the prime minister of our
country. He has taken up a lot of issues in his own hands and ensured that our
country moves in the right way.
Do you follow politics?
Yes, I follow politics but not every time. I like to listen to the debates of
some of the prominent leaders of our country and I try to absorb as much
information as I can.
Do you feel that being apolitical is good?
Being apolitical is not good for anyone. Humans are naturally political as it is
our right to be political. For the betterment of any country, everyone needs to
be political.
Do you think that politics have changed over time?
Politics and politicians have changed a lot over the past few years.
Previously, politics was not so commercialized but these days, politics is
advertised, and politicians are much more dynamic and vocal in their
opinions as compared to the past.
Have you ever met any politician?
No, I have never got a chance to meet any political leader in my life. If given
a chance, I would love to meet the Prime minister of my country.
Children
Do you know any child?
I know a lot of children and all of them are unique in their own way. I would
like to tell you about my niece, she is only three years old. She’s very
adorable and cute. I was surprised to see that she can operate a mobile phone
on her own. She likes to dance on the beats of songs.
Do you feel that we can learn something from children?
We can learn a lot of things from kids. I think kids don’t take much stress and
they forget their past instantly. I think these are the two traits that everyone
can learn from the kids.
Do you feel that all children are naughty?
No, it’s not the case. I know a lot of kids and I feel that most of them are
naughty in one way or the other but some of them are not. I know one of my
neighbour’s kid, he’s not at all naughty and does everything that his parents
tell him to do.
Should children under the age of 16 be allowed to use mobile phones?
I feel that using mobile phones have become a need more than a luxury these
days. I think that parents should allow their kids to use mobile phones but
only for urgent purposes and not for leisure.
Are there any children at your home?
Yes, I have a niece at my home. She is so charming and attractive. She’s
always running here and there in the house. I like to play with her in my free
time.
Superstitions
Do you follow superstitions?
No, I don’t follow any kind of superstition. I feel it’s not necessary in life as
we are in the modern era and believe in science. I think there is no place for
superstition in this world.
Speak about a superstitious person?
In my neighbourhood, there is one middle aged woman. I find her very
superstitious as she performs a lot of rituals. I always see her feeding the
stray dogs and cows. She told me once that she doesn’t wash her hair on
Tuesdays and Thursdays as she considers it sinful. I find it very strange.
Do you feel that superstitions are a waste of time?
Absolutely, there’s no doubt that superstitions are a complete waste of time
and efforts. It keeps us confused and distracted throughout the day. I feel that
one should stay away from superstitions.
Why do people follow superstitions?
There are a couple of reasons that why people follow superstitions. The first
one is that they don’t have confidence in their abilities and hence they rely on
superstitions. Another one is that they are stressed and are not able to find
solutions to the problems, in that case they are inclined towards such
activities.
What are the common superstitions in your country?
I have seen some people not washing their hair on certain days and some like
to eat curd before leaving their home. Some people like to recite some
religious hymns, and some like to offer certain food items to animals and
birds. People also like to wear certain colors depending on occasions. There
are endless superstitions that people do in our country.
Fashion
Do you follow fashion?
Yes, I follow fashion sometimes and like to be updated in terms of my
clothing. I like to look for latest apparels and designs in the market. In a way
you can say that yes, I follow fashion.
Do you like to be aware of the latest trends?
As I told you that I keep myself aware of the latest trends in clothing,
accessories, shoes and other stuff. It gives me pleasure and joy in looking for
new items.
Who is more inclined towards fashion, men or women?
I think if you would have asked me this question ten years back then my
simple answer would have been women. However, these days men are not far
behind as they indulge themselves into latest fashion more than women.
What type of fashion do people do?
People like to wear fancy dresses and shoes. Women are fond of different
accessories whereas men mostly like to state fashion through shoes, belts and
watches.
Why people do fashion?
People follow fashion to make their presence felt in the crowd. Some people
do fashion to conceal their insecurities. Also, some people look up to the
celebrities and try to mimic their style.
Gifts
Have you received any gifts in life?
Yes, I have received a lot of gifts in my life. I generally get gifts on my
birthday and special occasions. I love receiving gifts as it gives me a lot of
happiness while opening it.
Speak about a special gift you received?
I have received myriad gifts but the most special was the Samsung galaxy
watch that I received from my sister. It’s a smart watch which tells about the
number of calories I have burnt in the whole day. It also gives me a lot of
details about my current health and what needs to be done to get myself fit.
How do you feel when you receive gifts?
I feel on the top of the world when I receive gifts. I feel enthusiastic when I
receive gifts from my near and dear ones. I never have the patience and I
open the gifts as soon as they are given to me.
What kind of gifts you give to other people?
I usually like to give the gifts which can be kept by them for a long time. I
give wall clocks, photo frames, expensive pens and note diaries. It also
depends on whom I am giving the gift. If it is a kid, then I like to give an
educational toy.
Do you feel that it is important to give gifts on weddings?
It’s a great idea to give gifts to the wedding couple. They are about to begin a
new life and I think that it is essential to give them gifts. We must gift them
home appliances or stuff related to furniture so that it helps them to set their
new life.
Name
What is the difference between name and surname?
Name is an individual’s identity of a person whereas surname represents the
family background. Surname in our country depicts the family from where a
person belongs.
What is the meaning of your name?
Meaning of my name is _________________
Who gave you this name?
This name was given by my grandfather. I like my name very much and I
think that it is a blessing from him.
Would you like to change your name in future?
Not at all, I won’t change my name in future. It is the name by which I am
identified over the past so many years. It is a huge part of my life.
Why do people change their names?
There can be a few reasons behind that. Some people have long names, so
they cut short it to form a new name. Some people change their names when
they move to a foreign country as their name is sometimes difficult to
pronounce.
Nature
Do you love nature?
I think that nature is only meant to be loved. I love every aspect of nature
when it comes to the different landscapes. My favourite one is white sand
beaches and warm ocean water.
Is there any threat to the nature these days?
There is a huge threat to nature in a lot of ways. The coral reefs of certain
parts of the world are diminishing at an alarming rate due to water pollution
and human activities. Also, there has been a huge threat to the eco system of
some delicate parts of the world.
How can we solve the environmental problems?
I think we need to come together to solve the growing issue of the
environment. We should make people aware of the consequences and we
should encourage them to spread this message and contribute towards the
maintenance of the environment. We should set an example for others by
doing something in this regard.
Is nature kind or harsh?
Nature has both the dynamics. Nature can be really kind sometimes whereas
it can be life threatening as well. A good weather is a kind gesture of nature.
On the other hand, earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters are
harsh. Nature is very unpredictable.
Do people often enjoy nature?
Yes, some people enjoy nature more than others. Some people do gardening,
go for walking in the woods or admire the beauty of a garden. However,
some people these days are more inclined towards materialistic things. They
don’t like to spend time with nature.
Shopping
Do you like to go out for shopping?
I love to do shopping whenever I get a chance. I buy clothes and shoes for
myself. I also like to shop the accessories and other electronic items. I think
that shopping acts as a stress buster for me.
Who tends to shop more, men or women?
It’s difficult to answer, I think that both genders shop equally. The interests
can be a bit different. Men like to shop electronic gadgets and shoes whereas
women generally prefer to shop clothes and make up kits.
What kind of shopping is popular in India?
People do all sorts of shopping. From buying vegetables and fruits for
consumption to buying luxury cars and expensive jewelry. People buy
according to their pockets. I have seen that most of the people in my country
like to do shopping.
What’s the future of shopping?
I think that people will continue to buy things in the future as well. One thing
will surely change, and that is the way of shopping. People will prefer to shop
online rather than going to the shops physically.
Technology
Do you feel that technology has evolved humans?
Indeed, technology has evolved the beliefs and lifestyle of human beings.
They have now become more prone to technology rather than practicing
traditional beliefs. I feel that it has brought both good as well as bad changes.
Is technology boon or bane?
It works both ways. Technology has advanced a lot in the recent times and it
has been a great boon for the mankind. On the contrary, it has brought a lot of
disadvantages as well. It has made people lazy and dependent.
Speak about a recently invented technology?
I love smart watches. It is recently invented in the past five years. It’s the best
gadget to have. You just need to tie it to your wrist as you would tie a
traditional watch. But the difference is that it will not only show you the time
but will also tell you about your health and other notifications.
Is technology dangerous?
In some cases, technology can be dangerous. If we use it in excess, then it
can have myriad negative effects on us. Technology like x-rays can be
harmful if a person is exposed to the rays.
Do you feel that we should limit the use of technology in our daily life?
I think there is a huge need to curb the amount of technology that we use
every day. We should only use it when it is required. Needless use of
technology is injurious for us.
Bicycle
Do you own a bicycle?
No, I don’t own a bicycle, but I am planning to buy one. I feel that it has
numerous benefits. We can use it to commute from one place to the other
without burning fuel. It also keeps us fit.
Is cycling good for health?
It is great for our health. When we cycle, we are not only going from one
place to the other, but we are also using our body to pedal it. it’s a great form
of exercise.
Do you feel that we should observe a bicycle day every year?
I my perception, we should surly observe a bicycle day every year. I would
rather say that it should be celebrated every month across the globe so that
people can be aware about the rising pollution and can get inspiration to use
cycles more often.
Can bicycles solve the traffic and pollution problems?
I am a firm believer that the use of bicycles can solve the traffic and pollution
problems to a great extent. If more and more people start using bicycles, then
others will also follow the precedent. This way there can be a lot more
improvements in certain issues.
Are there any bicycle tracks in your hometown?
Yes, in my hometown most of the main roads and the leading roads have the
facility of a separate bike lane. This encourages more people to ride bicycle.
This also ensures safety for the riders.
Work
Do you feel that work is worship?
I am a believer of smart work more than hard work. I think that work should
be considered as work and should not be mixed with worship. We do work to
earn bread and butter, but worship is done for the peace of mind.
What kind of work you do every day?
I do a lot of different works every day. I mainly study my textbooks and read
other than my syllabus as well. I also like to help my mother and father in the
daily chores such as dish washing and cooking.
Do you feel that working for more than eight hours is a bad idea?
As I told you earlier that I believe in smart work and I usually don’t prefer to
work for long hours. I think that an individual has a lot of other things to do
as well except work. One should focus on work but for a limited period and
then devote rest of his time to family, friends and leisure activities.
How many hours do the people work in your country?
Most of the people work eight to ten hours in a day. I have seen some people
working more than that. According to me, working for 7 to 8 hours is an ideal
scenario.
How many working days are there in your country?
Most of the people work from Monday to Friday. There are some private
organizations that work on Saturdays as well. Some businesses are run seven
days a week. There’s no fixation to working hours.
Studies
Do you like studies?
I like studies very much. I study for around three hours a day in which I also
study apart from my curriculum. I like to read material related to technology
and science.
How should we plan our study?
We should plan our study according to the time we want to devote on studies,
and we ought to plan in a way that we don’t get tired of studying. I think the
best way to plan the studies is to study for an hour early in the morning, one
hour in the day and one hour at night. This way we will not feel bored by the
studies.
Do you feel that students often study trivial subjects at school?
Yes, we have a lot of subjects in school time which are of little use in our real
life. We should not be taught the difficult historical dates for the previous
event; we have the computers for storing our data. More practical subjects
should be taught in the schools.
Is it important to study hard?
Yes, it is necessary to study hard. Whatever time you can give to your
studies, you should study with full concentration and efforts. You are only
going to get good grades if you study hard. There are no shortcuts to it.
What is smart study?
Smart study means studying in a way that you learn everything in less time.
There are an array of mobile applications and software that teach you in a
very practical way. This type of learning is much better and effective than
theory learning.
Email
Do you write e-mails?
I write emails occasionally or when I need them to write. Till now I think that
I have not sent any personal email to anyone. All the mails have been
professional, and work related. Exchanging study material with friends or
some important documents with someone.
Do you receive e-mails?
I receive a lot of emails in my daily routine. These days, if you visit someone
and you drop your email over there, then get ready to receive promotional
emails every day. All the mails that I receive are mostly promotional and of
very little use to me.
Have you ever received an important e-mail?
Yes, once I received an important email from a friend. He sent me the list of
important questions for the final exams of my 10th class. I was very excited to
receive that email, but the material was of little use in the examination.
Are e-mails helpful?
Emails are very helpful for everyone. We can send and receive important
information and data. Email helps us to store our work and attachments
electronically. We can open old mails and information anytime without
breaking a sweat. We don’t need to store the files anywhere as it is already on
the mail.
Speak about a recent e-mail you sent.
I sent an email to my friend. In this email, I send him a lot of photographs
that I clicked on our trip to Jaipur. I attached more than 50 pictures that I
clicked and send him through email.
Daily routine
What is your daily routine?
I wake up early in the morning then I get ready for my classes. After the
classes I like to have lunch and a short nap for 15 minutes. Then I go out in
the evening to play with my friends and after taking the dinner I hit the sack
at 10 PM.
Is there anything in your daily routine that you would like to change?
I would like to have some more time for book reading. I love reading books
and I think that with my busy schedule, I don’t get enough time to read
books.
Are you satisfied with your daily routine?
I am pretty much satisfied with my daily routine. I can perform all my duties
and I also take out enough time for rest of the things. I also get time to spend
with my family.
Do you get enough leisure time in your daily routine?
I get some leisure time in my routine which I cannot complain of, but I would
like to have some more time. I will utilize that time in reading books and play
some video games to relax my mind.
Which is the best time in your daily routine?
The best time of my daily routine is the early morning. I feel that this time is
pure, and the mind is fresh and away from any negative thoughts. This time is
the best time to reflect upon yourself and to plan the whole day.
Films
Do you watch movies?
Yes, I like to watch movies in my leisure time. I like to watch action movies
the most. I am also a fan of comedy movies. I prefer watching movies in
theater as it has much better sound effects and the movie goes on
uninterrupted.
Who’s your favourite actor?
I like watching movies of Amir Khan. He’s one of the highest paid actors in
India. He always strives for quality in his movies. He does a single movie in a
couple of years which is invariably a superhit.
What type of films do you like?
I like to watch all kinds of films like action, romance, comedy and drama.
Recently my liking towards movies on real events has increased significantly.
Tell about a recent film you have seen?
Recently I saw the battle of Saragarhi. This movie is based on true events
which dates to the nineteenth century. The movie is made with wonderful
effects and graphics. Lead role was performed by Akshay Kumar. He’s one
of the best actors in India.
Has the technology improved the quality of movies?
If we compare it to the past then yes, technology has improved a lot of things
in the movies. Now, the audio and visual part are much clearer. Technology
has also introduced the three-dimensional effect movies with tremendous
animations and graphics.
Hobbies
What are your hobbies?
I like to play and watch cricket. I also like to read books in my leisure time.
From where did you learn your hobby?
I learned my hobby from my elder brother. He is also very fond of reading
different kinds of books. I used to watch him read books of different genres
in the evening. Slowly and steadily I also got into the knack of reading books.
Do you feel it is essential to have hobbies?
A person ought to have hobbies in life. No one can survive without hobbies;
life will be so dull. I think one should have at least two or three different
hobbies so that their leisure time can be utilized in a better way.
Do the hobbies of a person change with growing age?
Yes, hobbies of a person change at every stage of life but there are some
hobbies that don’t change. For example, if someone plays a sport then he or
she will not be able to continue that hobby for long as sports requires fitness
and one cannot remain fit after a certain age. So, people give up some
hobbies and take up the new ones.
Do you have the same hobbies that you had ten years back?
A decade before I used to have different hobbies. I remember I had a habit of
cycling for a couple of hours. Now I don’t even have a cycle. I used to play a
lot of video games in my childhood, but I don’t do it anymore. These days I
am more interested in reading books and travelling.
Smoking
Do you agree with the statement that smoking should be banned?
I agree that smoking should be banned completely at the public places as it
harms general public. Otherwise the sale of cigarettes should not be barred as
it is a right of a person whether to smoke or not.
What are the ill effects of smoking?
Smoking is very harmful for the lungs. There is a caution sign on the pack of
cigarettes that suggests that smoking is injurious to health. It also causes
different types of mouth cancers. All in all, smoking is a deadly habit.
Should there be dedicated places for smoking?
Yes, government should try to make dedicated spaces for smokers so that the
smoke does not affect the normal public. This way, smokers can enjoy
smoking without disturbing anyone.
Are there any smoking chambers in your city?
Yes, there is one smoking chamber that I have seen in a mall. I went there
recently and saw a small chamber where a couple of men were smoking.
Do you feel that government should advertise heavily against smoking?
I think that government is already advertising against smoking at a lot of
platforms in our country. Whenever we go to watch a movie, there is always
an advertisement regarding the negative effects of smoking. That
advertisement reaches millions of people every day.
Your country
Speak about a specialty of your country?
The biggest specialty of my country is its diversity. In India, you can see all
the religions and culture existing happily together. We have all the different
types of landscapes that are found all around the world. We have all the
seasons that can possibly occur.
Do you like your country?
I love my country very much. We have done impossible things as a country
over the past few years. Our country is developing at a rapid speed. We are
one of the most popular nations in the whole world due to our achievements.
Do you feel that India is developing faster than ever?
I have no doubts in this statement. I think that we are in the race to become a
developed nation. Our country is witnessing the most rapid developments
since previous years. I hope that we get the results soon.
Speak about a place where every foreigner should visit in your country.
There are numerous places where foreign tourists can visit in India. In the
northern part of our country we have the tallest mountain range, the
Himalayas. It is untouched and serene. A lot of people from our country and
foreign as well visit these mountains for relaxation and to observe the beauty
of nature.
Are the ties of your country strong with your neighbouring countries?
Yes, my country is surrounded with a lot of neighboring countries like
Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka China, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. We
can even enter Bhutan and Nepal without obtaining a visa. This shows that
how good the ties between India and these nations are.
Going out
Do you like to go out in the evening?
I love to go out in the evenings. I feel rejuvenated and relaxed at this time of
the day. I like to go for a walk on my own or play cricket or football with my
friends
Which is your favourite place to hang out in your city?
I like to go to the Sukhna Lake most of the times. It’s a beautiful lake lined
up with numerous varieties of plants and trees on one side. There is a track
for walking as well as for jogging. One can view the Shivalik hills at the
backdrop of the lake.
Do you like to go out with your friends or family members?
I like to go out with both, it depends upon the situation. If I am going out for
a party, then I like the company of my friends. If I am going for a picnic or
holiday, then I like to go with my family.
Which places do you visit on weekends?
I mostly visit hill stations and lakes. I live in Chandigarh and Shivalik hills
are only an hour drive from there. Whenever I feel jaded, I like to visit
Kasauli hills.
At what time of the day do you like to go out for fun?
I like to go out for fun at any time of the day. Mostly I go out in the evening
and sometimes early in the morning as well. If I plan to enjoy the nature, then
I go in the early morning. If I want to enjoy the parties, then I prefer
evenings.
Clothes
What type of clothes do you wear in daily routine?
I generally wear casual clothes in my daily routine. If the situation demands,
then I change to the formals. If I am at home, then I like to wear comfortable
clothes.
Do you like fashionable or comfortable clothes?
I prefer both depending upon the occasion. If I need to look good, then I wear
fashionable clothes whether they are comfortable or not. But generally, I am
the kind of a person who prefers comfort over fashion.
What type of clothes do the people wear on weddings?
People in my country wear heavy clothes on wedding functions. They like to
spend huge money on buying clothes for the wedding ceremonies. The colors
they wear are vibrant and bright.
Do you prefer branded clothes?
I prefer branded over local clothes. There are two reasons behind that, first
one is that the branded clothes last long and the second one is that the
designing of brands is unique.
From where do you buy your clothes?
I usually buy my clothes from the brand outlet or in the shopping malls. I also
order some of my clothes online from the trusted e-commerce websites.
Trains
Are trains the mode of transport in your country?
Yes, trains are widely used by almost all the people in my country. We have
all the kinds of trains ranging from cheapest to the most luxurious in the
world. India is a big country; hence train travel is the most preferred one.
Have you ever travelled in a train?
I have travelled uncountable times on the train. I generally travel by
Shatabadi Express and Rajdhani Express. These two are the fastest and most
convenient trains in our country.
Is travelling in trains safe in your country?
Travelling in train is very safe in my country. There are many security
personnel that are deployed to ensure the safety of the passengers. Also, there
are advanced CCTV cameras these days which also contributes to the
security factor of the trains.
What are the advantages of travelling in a train?
There is a bundle of advantages of travelling in a train. The first one is that
you can move freely as the trains are more spacious than a bus or a plane.
Another one is that we have the option of sleeper class at very cheap rates in
which customers can travel first class without burning a hole in their pocket.
Do the trains get late in India?
It happens a lot in our country and it can get frustrating sometimes. This
aspect of the railway system is not yet improved. Once I got stuck at the
station for about seven hours waiting for the train. Sometimes it can get even
worse.
Time
What is the importance of punctuality in our life?
I think that being punctual is one of the most important attributes to have in
life. Being on time shows that how dedicated you are towards something.
Punctuality is a trait that all successful people have.
Do people value time?
No, I don’t want to say this, but it is truth that in our society people usually
don’t value time. Most people are not true to their commitments and
appointments. This shows that they don’t value punctuality.
Do you make timetable for your future?
Yes, I tend to make a timetable for my future. It allows me to plan my work
accordingly and I mostly finish my tasks on the planned time schedule. It is
very helpful for people who are not able to manage their time in a proper
way.
Do you feel that we should value time?
It’s crucial to value time in our lives otherwise the time will not value us.
Once the time has passed, it never come back. So, it’s necessary to respect
time.
Were people more punctual in past time?
I think yes, people were more loyal towards time in the past as compared to
the present. People nowadays are lazier due to the advent of technology.
Transportation
Is public transportation in your city good?
No, there is very limited public transport in my hometown. People either take
out their own vehicles or they depend upon the auto rickshaws that are
privately run and are a poor mode of transport.
How do you travel every day?
I travel by my personal bike/car or you can say that I travel by bus.
Which type of transport is most popular in India?
Trains and buses are the most commonly used transport in my country. Bus
and train are both comfortable and have reasonable prices. The connectivity
of trains in India is amazing.
Is the transportation cost high in your country?
No, I think that transportation cost is not that high in my country when it
comes to the private vehicles, buses and trains. However, the prices of
domestic flights are skyrocketed.
Is it easy to transport goods in your country?
Yes, its easily available. People can transport their goods across the country
using the services of movers and packers and the transport companies. India
is well connected with roads and rail network, so it is not a difficult job to
transport goods in any part of the country.
Reading
Do you like reading?
I love reading very much. Most of the times I read self-help books and auto
biographies of famous politicians and sportsperson. I read at least for one
hour every day.
What kind of material do you like reading?
I prefer reading all sorts of material. I chose a book by its cover and title. The
one that attracts me, I pick that book. I don’t care what sort of book it is. I
feel that every book teaches you something.
Do you feel that reading can be addictive?
Yes, it can be very addictive. I have seen people reading novels and books for
hours and hours continuously. Reading books for too long can have negative
effects. The most common is insomnia.
What are the benefits of reading?
There are numerous of benefits of reading books. We learn a lot of
vocabulary and phrases. It gives us huge amount of knowledge. Reading
increases our memory and ability to debate on certain topics.
Have you seen anyone who’s a good reader?
Yes, my elder brother is a wonderful reader. His reading speed is incredible,
and he also remembers everything that he reads. He can complete a two-
hundred-page book in four or five hours.
Restaurant
Describe your favourite restaurant.
My favourite restaurant is Bar-b-cue World. Its located at multiple locations
in my city. It is a restaurant chain and only serves buffet lunch and dinner. I
like going there as they have tremendous variety of food items to choose.
Do you often go there?
I go there once a month or if there is a special occasion. I like to celebrate my
birthday with my friends and family at this place.
Which dish do you generally order there?
I don’t order anything as it is a buffet restaurant. It’s up to us to choose the
dish we want to eat. I like honey chili cauliflower and grilled mushrooms.
Is restaurant food good for health?
No, restaurant food is not good for health. We should avoid it as much as we
can. On the other hand, it does not harm too much if we consume it
occasionally.
Why do people visit restaurants in your area?
People visit restaurants when they celebrate an occasion with their family and
friends. They also visit there sometimes when they are tired of eating
homemade food and don’t want to cook themselves.
Pollution
What are the causes of pollution?
There are several causes of pollution like garbage waste, industrial waste,
generation of electricity through coal and vehicles. These are the main
sources that creates pollution in the environment.
How can we overcome this issue?
We can overcome this issue by creating awareness among people about the
ill-effects of pollution. Government can take several steps to create a neat and
clean environment.
What can government do to control the pollution?
Government can make strict rules against the people who create unnecessary
pollution. Heavy fines should be imposed and in severe cases, imprisonment
should be given. In some countries, there is a heavy fine for littering.
What are the major problems caused by pollution?
There can be serious issues that can be caused by pollution. Thousands of
marine species are dying due to dumping of plastic into the ocean. More
people than before are suffering with respiratory problems.
Which type of pollution is most common in your country or city?
In my city, the most common pollution is the air and noise pollution. These
days, there are a huge number of vehicles running on the roads. The exhaust
emissions have led to air pollution.
Population
Is population a problem in your country?
It’s a big problem of my country. A lot of people in my county are
unemployed because of the population explosion. Job creation and demand is
not there but the population is increasing by leaps and bounds.
What are the causes behind the increase in population?
People are not educated enough and don’t know the consequences of huge
population. Illiteracy also plays a part in the reason behind growing number
of people.
Is one child policy the solution?
No, I think that it is not the right solution. China did it few years back, but it
didn’t work well. Initially they were able to control it but after some years,
the old age population increased, and young people’s population declined.
This became a major problem in their society after some years.
How can we curb the population?
The best way to control the population is to create awareness among people
on public platforms. Government should encourage people to give birth to
not more than two kids and give incentives to those who follow the
instruction.
What are the disadvantages of an overpopulated country?
The biggest drawback of huge population in a country is that the
unemployment rates shoot up. More people will struggle for one position of a
job. Another problem is that the demands are more than the production, this
results in inflation.
Home
In what kind of a home do you live?
I live in a big house as I put up with all my cousins. I live in a joint family.
Our house consists of eight rooms, four at the ground floor and rest on the
second floor.
What type of homes are there in your locality?
We have generally similar kind of homes in our locality. It differs from size
to size. The width and length can be different, but the height and number of
stories allowed are the same for everyone. People are not allowed to build
more than a three-story house in my locality and whole city.
Is it important to have a parking space in the home?
Yes, I think it has now become a basic requirement of everyone. To have
personal parking space at the house is a blessing. I think that every house
should have a parking space.
What is the difference between living in a house and an apartment?
A house comes with a lot of advantages. In house we can modify anything,
we have more space and we can add multiple floors to it. In apartment, more
security is there, and the cost is less. Both have their own merits.
What type of home do you prefer to live in?
I prefer to live in a big home that is an independent house. I like to have more
space hence I don’t like to live in apartments. I love to live in a house that is
also big from inside and should have multiple floors.
Mobile phones
Do you use mobile phone?
Yes, I use mobile phones. I use a Samsung smart phone. I use it for a variety
of purposes. I like to play games sometimes and I also watch movies on it. I
also like to read e-books in my free time. The main function that I use in
mobile phone is calling and messaging.
Should school children be allowed to use mobile phones in schools?
School children should never be allowed to use mobiles phones in schools.
That is their time to study and being thoughtful in the classroom. Mobiles are
a great distraction for kids or for anyone.
How has mobiles changed our lives?
Mobiles have changed our lives in a lot of ways. Previously we used to have
a separate alarm clock to wake up, a camera, radio and TV. But, with the
advancements in the technology of mobile phones, we don’t need any of
those devices. Everything can be done by using mobile phones.
What are the negative effects of mobile phones?
The biggest effect of mobile is on the health. People use mobiles for a longer
period. We are always hooked up to mobiles for any task. It would not be
wrong to say that we have become slaves of mobile phones.
Are mobile phones expensive in your country?
There are certain brands that are expensive in India but most of the mobiles
are not expensive. One can get quality and feature loaded mobile smartphone
at a low cost.
Drink
Which is your favourite drink?
I love to drink mango shake. Although I wait for summers before the
mangoes can become available in the market. I drink it almost every day in
the summer season. I like it chilled and sweet.
Can you make a drink?
Yes, I can make a couple of drinks. I can make mango shake and cold coffee.
You just need to mix one teaspoon coffee powder and some sugar in chilled
milk to make cold coffee. Just shake it to get a wonderful cold coffee. You
can also add vanilla ice cream to enhance the experience.
What benefits do the cold drinks have?
There are not many benefits of cold drinks as they can cause cough and are
very sweet. But, at the time of extreme summers, one should drink soda or
cold beverages in order to avoid heat stroke.
Do you also drink fruit juices?
Yes, I like drinking all sorts of fruit juices. My favourite ones are the
pomegranate juice and black current juice. I think that fresh juice is great for
the digestive system and our skin.
Do you take hard drinks?
No, I don’t take hard drinks.
Malls
How are malls better than shops?
I feel that malls are more spacious and have more variety under one roof. In
summers, it’s good to go to mall as the entire shopping complex is air
conditioned. Malls have other activities to do as well.
Are there any malls in your hometown?
There are more than 7 or 8 malls in my hometown. I live in a modern city so
there is no scarcity of malls. Some are of small and medium size but Elante
mall and VR mall are massive.
For what purpose do you visit mall?
I visit malls to shop for my clothes and I also go there to watch movies. I also
go to malls to dine as there are numerous top restaurants.
What is the future of malls?
The future of malls is very bright. Nowadays, more and more people are
shopping from malls and shopping complexes. People get more variety and
convenience while they are in mall.
Do you feel that shops in malls generate more income than shops in the
markets?
Indeed, shops in the mall generate more income than shops in the market. It
is due to additional foot fall in the malls and other benefits that malls bring.
Malls are fully air conditioned and there are many other amenities in the
same building.
Swimming pool
Have you ever visited a swimming pool?
Yes, I have been to a lot of swimming pools. The swimming pool I like the
most is the one which is made in the sports complex of my city. The pool is
indoors and is built according to the Olympics standards. A lot of people of
all age groups come there to learn swimming.
Do you know swimming?
I am still learning the art of swimming. I took lessons last year but was not
able to learn proper swimming in deep water. I can dive and float for a couple
of seconds and that’s it.
Do you feel that swimming should be taught in schools?
I think that swimming should be taught in schools because it is such an
activity that everyone should know. I don’t think that all the schools will be
able to provide this facility, but they can aware kids about the benefits of
swimming.
Is it a good idea to learn swimming at an early stage of life?
Anything that is learnt at an early stage of life is well learnt. Swimming is
such an activity that can be learnt properly at young age. At this age, the child
can learn and adopt anything easily.
What are the advantages of swimming?
There are numerous advantages of swimming. The first one is that it is a
complete exercise as all the body parts are involved while swimming.
Secondly, it can be a life saver in emergency.
Fruits
Which is your favourite fruit?
I like to eat all the fruits except papaya. My favourite one is mango and
banana. I also like watermelon in the summer season. Mango is very sweet
and delicious and is also known as the king of fruits. Banana gives more
minerals and nutrients than any other fruit. It is also very filling.
What are the health benefits of eating fruits?
There are many health benefits of eating fruits. It clears up the digestive
system thoroughly. Eating fruits also helps in preserving our skin. Fruits
contains a lot of antioxidants that ensure good health for all our organs.
What type of fruits are there in your country?
There are all types of seasons in my country, hence we get all sorts of fruits.
We have bananas, mango, apple, orange, watermelon, sun melon, musk
melon, guava, kiwi, strawberry and so on.
At what time of the day do you eat fruits?
I mostly eat fruits in the evening after the dinner. This is the best time to eat
fruits as it helps to digest the dinner and I generally take light dinner, so the
fruits compliment it well.
From where do you buy fruits?
I accompany my mother when she buys fruit. We buy fruits from Reliance
mart. It is one of the biggest supermarkets in our area. Fruits available there
are fresh and cheap.
Photography
Do you like taking pictures?
Yes, I like it very much. I have a decent camera in my smart phone so
whenever there’s an occasion or something special, I take out my phone and
click photos and make videos.
Which camera do you use to take pictures?
Mostly, I take pictures from my mobile phone as it is quite handy and its
always in my pocket. I also have a Sony digital camera in which I take
pictures when I go for an excursion.
Do you feel that we should click photos more often?
I think when we click pictures more often then we miss the real moments. We
should click the picture once or twice in the event and rest of the times, we
should enjoy the moment.
Speak about a special photo.
I have a special photo that hangs in the drawing room of our house in a grand
frame. The photo was taken on my cousin’s wedding and is of a big size. In
that photograph there are all the maternal family members of mine. All my
cousins, my uncles and aunts. I really love that photo.
Does photography require special skills?
No, I don’t think that there’s any rocket science in clicking pictures. You just
need to fit everything in the frame and just click the button. Although one
should be trained enough for professional photography.
Role model
Do you have a role model in life?
Yes, I have a role model and he’s my grandfather. He has achieved a lot of
things in life. I have learnt a great deal of things from him. During his young
days, he struggled a lot and eventually reached heights of success.
Do you feel that we should have role models for inspiration?
Yes, we should have role models in life. We can look up to them for
inspiration. We should have role models in life who are our near and dear
ones so that it gives us a chance to learn things from them.
What kind of role models do the people choose?
People mostly prefer famous personalities and celebrities. Some people like
to choose sportspersons as their role models. I think people generally look for
successful people as their role models.
Do you feel that actors can make good role models?
I don’t think that actors can be great role models as what they are on screen
doesn’t mean that they are the same off screen. We can’t judge their real
personalities so I think that one should not make actors as their role models.
What type of people can be good role models?
Scientists, politicians, great teachers, spiritual leaders and writers can be good
role models. These people are the ones who reform societies and influence
the thinking of people. They will make wonderful role models.
Women
What is the position of women today?
I think that position of women today is very strong. Women of today is
independent and takes decisions at her own will. In some societies the plight
of women has not improved but at most places the change is occurring.
Do you feel that women are empowered enough in your society?
I feel that in most of the developed countries and in countries where literacy
rate is high, there has been a huge improvement in the position of women,
and they are empowered enough to make their own place in society. In my
country this is happening gradually.
Should women serve in police and army?
They should serve in police and the army as they are not inferior to men. In
my country, women are already serving as women cops and commandos.
They are as good as anyone.
What should we do to empower women?
We should encourage girls from a young age about having their own choices
so that they can take decisions on their own. The feeling of inferiority is
induced in women from childhood. If we can stop it then we can empower
women.
What do you think about women?
I think that they are smarter than men. If you see the current trend in
matriculation and 12th results, you will see that there are more girls who top
the rankings than boys. That’s a clear sign that they are intelligent enough
and we don’t need to take decisions on their behalf.
History
Is it important to preserve history?
It’s essential to preserve history as it reflects on our past and inception. If we
preserve history, then only we will be able to make our children learn about
the sacrifices and struggles that our ancestors made to bring us to a position
where we are now.
Why do schools have history subject?
Schools have history subjects because children need to learn about the
important events and dates of the past. History has great value and they can
form interest in reading it if they learn from childhood.
Do you like reading history?
I love reading history and historical events. I prefer reading about past
scientists and about the events such as Mahabharata. This enhances our
knowledge about past, and we can also share our knowledge with others.
Should history be made compulsory throughout the education?
Today’s generation hardly know any facts about history. It’s an old saying
that we can’t win present without knowing history. I think yes history should
be taught throughout the educational years and it should be the compulsory
subject.
Do you feel that we should teach current history rather than the old one?
Yes, we should teach current history more than the older history. Both have
equal importance, but I feel that kids will take more interest in learning the
21st century history than the older history.
Media
What is the role of media in shaping our society?
Media plays a big role in shaping our history. It has a huge impact on the
lives of people from all walks of life. Everyone is hooked up to media every
time for latest updates.
Do you feel that media has become a part of our life?
It’s a crucial part of our life these days. We are attached to media for the most
part of our day. We rely on it for valuable information and entertainment
every day.
Do you feel that media is powerful?
Media is a powerful medium which can either bring all people on the same
page or it can start wars on the difference of opinions. Media is the most
powerful weapon in this era.
Should media interfere the personal lives of celebrities?
I think it is a bad idea. Famous celebrities have their personal lives and they
have the right to enjoy it without anybody’s interference. Sometimes, media
takes it too far in the coverage of a story. That can be really irritating for
celebrities.
Should there be a check on media?
No, I think that media should be an independent body and there should not be
any check on it. India is a democratic country and media in our country is
independent and I think that it should be like this everywhere.
Boats/ships
What is the purpose of boats and ships in your country?
Boats and ships are used to commute from one place to the other. It is also
used to ship the cargo and goods. India is a country where extensive use of
boats and ships is there.
Have you ever travelled on a boat or ship?
I have travelled once on a ship in Goa. It was a sun set tour of three hours in
which the ship company picked and dropped us at the hotel and took us in the
ocean to enjoy the sun set dinner. There was some entertainment on board
with around 300 people on it.
Are there any famous ship ports in your country?
There are several important ship ports in India as our country has a long
coastline. The most prominent ones are the Mumbai, Chennai,
Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata and Cochin.
What’s the difference between travelling in a ship and aero plane?
Travelling in ship is much slower than travelling in air, but the fare is cheaper
in ships. One can find more luxuries and space in ships as opposed to an aero
plane.
Do the people in your country often travel in boats and ships?
Yes, people in my county often travel in boats and ships as we are not a
landlocked country and we have a lot of rivers that flow from one city to the
other. The voyage of boat is also cheaper, so many people use this as the
transport method.
Online shopping
Do you feel that future of online shopping is bright?
Certainly, today is the era of modern technology and internet has taken over
in every field. People are inclining more and more towards online shopping
due to its numerous benefits. I think that online shopping has a healthy future.
What are the benefits of online shopping?
There are many advantages of buying things online. The biggest one is that
you don’t need to roam around markets and different places to buy a product.
You can simply order it from any part of the world, and you will get it
delivered at your doorstep.
Do you shop online?
Indeed, I like to buy a lot of things from the online shopping websites. There
are certain products that are not easily available in the market. For that, I
chose online shopping. The other reason I shop online is that it gives me
more discounts than things that are available in the market.
Name some of the products that are sold commonly on online platforms.
There are thousands of products that are commonly sold online. Most
common ones are clothes and shoes. I have seen a lot of people who buy such
things from the online merchants. People also buy mobile phones and other
electronic gadgets from online stores.
Do you feel that online shopping is fraud?
No, I don’t think so. There might be some websites that do some frauds but
most of the renowned platforms are providing genuine products at unbeatable
price. There have been some reports of fraud by certain unregistered websites
but majority of them are fine.
Tea / coffee
Do you like to drink tea?
I love drinking tea on daily basis. I think it is a part of the Indian culture. It is
also believed that tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after
water. It is soothing and rejuvenating.
What are the benefits of having tea?
There are number of benefits of consuming tea that have been scientifically
proven. Tea contains a lot of antioxidants that provides energy and prevents
ageing of organs. Also, it relaxes the mind after a hectic day.
Which drink is more popular in your country, tea or coffee?
I think tea and coffee both are popular in my country but if I have to choose
one, then I think that tea is more common. Coffee is also consumed
extensively but tea is more popular drink than any other beverage.
Which type of tea is famous in your country?
Our country is famous for its tea plantations. Assam tea is consumed all over
the world. Most of the people in my country like oolong tea. This is a black
tea that is mixed with milk and sugar to make a traditional Indian tea. With
growing health awareness, green tea is also commonly consumed type of tea
these days.
Do you like coffee?
I am a coffee and tea lover. I like to consume coffee a couple of times in a
week. I like my coffee rich in flavor and with a lot of milk. I generally make
latte as it’s not that strong and is full of flavor.
Why do people drink tea or coffee?
People drink tea or coffee for several reasons. Tea rejuvenates the mind and
provides antioxidants that controls ageing. On the other hand, coffee is a
great laxative that helps in digestion. It also contains caffeine that helps to
stay active.
Do you often invite people for tea or coffee?
Yes, I do. I like to invite my friends for tea generally in the evening. I think
that it is the best way to interact with your friends and you can have a great
conversation over tea or coffee.
Do you often like to have tea at home or at cafe?
I prefer to make my tea at home. I also drink it outside when required but
most of the times I like it at home. It’s one of the easiest things to make. So, I
prefer my tea at home.
Smile
Do you often smile?
Yes, I like to smile quite often. It is an activity that gives me energy and
positive attitude. I think a smile on face is the greatest trait that a person can
have.
Do you like to make people smile?
Yes, if I am given a chance, I would like to make people smile. I am not a
very talkative person who could make everyone smile, but I feel that bringing
a smile on someone’s face is a great deed.
What are the benefits of smiling?
There are many benefits of smiling. The biggest one is that it keeps your
mood lighter. It means that you are in good space and can take better
decisions. Apart from this, one looks good with a smile on face than a stoned
face person.
Do you feel that smiling enhances personality?
Yes, I completely believe in this. I reckon that a person looks different when
he smiles. It brings energy within the person and it also influences others.
Thus, smile enhances personality.
On what occasions do you smile?
I mostly smile when I hear a joke or when I see a comedy program or movie.
I also smile when someone does a foolish thing. Because, I think that reacting
strongly to it can be bad, so I just smile off the situation.
Mathematics
Did you study mathematics at school?
I studied mathematics throughout most part of my schooling as it is a
compulsory subject in Indian education system. I found it challenging and
interesting at the same time.
Did you find it easy or difficult?
I found it to be easy in the early part of my schooling but when I grew up, it
became quite a difficult subject for me. I used to score averagely in
mathematics in higher schooling.
What are the benefits of learning mathematics?
I think it is very useful for the development of the brain. That’s why it has
been made a compulsory subject in our education system. Moreover, it helps
to develop the analytical and reasoning skills of a person.
Do you feel that mathematics is a useless part of school curriculum?
Not at all, I think that it is one of the most integral part of the education.
Without mathematics the study would be so boring and one dimensional.
Moreover, it is helpful in most of the higher educational courses as well.
Did you ever fail in mathematics exam?
If I could remember properly then I think that I failed once in my 9th grade
class test. The reason I failed was that I could not get time to prepare for the
exam as I was down with fever.
Garbage / rubbish
What is the reason behind increasing rubbish these days?
The main reason behind the ever-escalating problem of garbage is population
and people’s attitude towards hygiene. There has been a huge leap in the
demand for the packaged food. This has led to the nuisance of rubbish in the
society.
How can we tackle this situation?
There are number of ways through which we can tackle this situation. First,
individuals should try to manage garbage at their own level rather than
depending upon the government. Secondly, they can keep separate bins for
recyclable and non-recyclable waste so that the garbage can be sorted
properly.
Do you feel that people are responsible for creating more and more garbage?
To a great extent, yes. I think people are the ones to be blamed for creating
garbage everywhere. However, in some cases government must be blamed
for poor management of the garbage.
Do you feel that it is the sole responsibility of a government to take care of
the garbage?
No, I think there should be collective efforts by administration and common
man to tackle this issue. This is one of the most dreadful problems these days
that needs to be solved as quickly as possible.
Do you feel that garbage should be recycled?
Indeed, garbage ought to be recycled in a way that we get the maximum
return from that. In some countries, government even pays for the waste that
you return to them which can be recycled.
Perfume
Do you wear perfume every day?
No, I don’t usually wear perfume. I generally apply it when I go out for a
dinner or for a special occasion. I have a decent collection of perfumes.
What type of perfumes do you like?
I like pungent smell. I think that a perfume should overpower all the odors
that our body has. I also like the bottle of the perfume to be of glass and
classy in shape.
Do you feel that wearing perfume has become a trend these days?
It certainly has become a trend to wear perfume these days rather than using
it for its intended purpose. I see people buying super expensive perfumes for
no reason.
Are perfumes expensive in your country?
There are all types of perfumes that are available in my country. The range
starts from as low as 100 rupees and go up to as expensive as you want. So, I
won’t say that perfumes are expensive in my country. When it comes to the
branded perfumes then the prices are more or less the same in most of the
countries across the world.
Do the people of your country use perfume on regular basis?
I have seen majority of people using perfumes daily. I think that it completely
depends on the individuals. I have also seen some people who do not use
perfumes at all.
Borrowing / sharing
Do you like to share your things with others?
I certainly do. I have been taught by my parents from my childhood to share
things with people who are needy. It gives me immense pleasure when I
share things with others.
Is borrowing a good habit?
It can be both good and bad. I think borrowing something from a sibling or a
good friend is a good idea but borrowing loans from bank and other stuff can
be lethal sometimes.
Do you feel that sharing is a quality that everyone should have?
Yes, I think that everyone should have this quality. The world would be a
great place to live if everyone starts sharing. One should try to share things
with the people who need them the most.
Have you ever borrowed something from others?
Yes, I have borrowed many things from my friends and siblings. They always
give me the things that I need. I think sharing things with loved ones also
enhances the relationships.
Have you shared an expensive thing with your friend?
Absolutely, I have shared some of my expensive things with my friends. One
of my best friends had to go on a school trip so he needed my digital camera
to click pictures of the tour. So, I did not hesitate to give it to him as he was
my best friend. He returned the camera once he came back from the trip.
Bottled water
What are the negative impacts on the environment of using bottled water?
There are many adverse effects of using bottled water on the environment.
The major one is the pollution that the plastic bottle causes. It is estimated
that the biggest cause of sea pollution in 2018 was from the plastic water
bottles.
Do you feel that bottled water is used extensively in your country?
Yes, there is no doubt that bottled water can be found in every corner of our
country. Unavailability of clean drinking water in major cities has led to the
increased production of mineral water.
Do you use bottled water regularly?
No, I generally drink from the government supply that arrives at our house.
We have a water filter attached to the inlet pipe that filters the water that we
drink. If I am travelling outside the city, then I prefer drinking bottled water.
Is bottled water good for health?
If we consume bottled water excessively or in daily routine, then it is not
good for health. First of all, it contains preservatives that keeps it good to
drink for a long time. Moreover, it is generally packed in plastic bottle, which
is not the best material for packaging.
Do you feel that bottled water should be banned?
No, I don’t think that bottled water should be banned. Instead, government
should provide clean drinking water in every city, town and village of the
country. The use of bottled water will naturally decrease.
Copyright
Do you feel that copyrights should be abolished?
No, I don’t agree with this. I feel that the inventor or the discoverer should
keep his/her right of inventing a thing. The copyrights should always be
awarded to the inventor.
Why do you think that copyright is necessary?
I think that it is one of the most essential things in a writers, scientists, artists
or a discoverer’s life. It is important to give the credit of the work to the
owner. Copyright is also important to avoid piracy and imitation of the work.
Do you know anyone who owns a copyright of something?
Yes, one of my uncles who is a musician has a copyright to his music album.
He produces music and sells it to the film makers.
Do you feel that copyright system in your country is secure?
Yes, there are strict rules and regulations regarding the copyright system in
our country. Our system reserves the full right for the work of people and not
allow anyone to copy it easily.
Do you think that one day you will be able to have a copyright of something?
Perhaps I would be able to have a copyright of my own. I wish to write a
book in future. So, I think that I will surely copyright that book.
Life experiences
Do you feel that we can learn lessons from life experiences?
We can learn many things from life experiences. It’s an old saying that
experience is the best teacher. A person learns a lot from his/her experiences
in life.
Have you learned anything from life experience?
I have learned a great deal of things from my life experiences. I have learned
to be patient in life and believe that nothing comes easy. One must work hard
in life to attain success.
Do you feel that experience in life is the best teacher?
I do believe that experience in life is the best teacher. One should always
learn from bad and good experiences of life.
Have you ever faced a bad experience in your life?
Yes, I have faced a bad experience in my life once. I was involved in an
accident and it took me some time to recover.
Do you feel that life will be smooth if one has only good experiences?
I think that there are ups and down in everyone’s life. It is important to
celebrate small achievements in order to keep life smooth. Life can be
smooth with all sorts of experiences.
Influence of television
Do you feel that television has a negative influence on kids?
Television is very addictive and no doubt that it has had a negative influence
on the life of kids. The biggest negative point is that kids become lazy and
can learn vulgar things from it.
Is television dangerous for school going kids?
I won’t say that television is dangerous. I think that some channels and
aspects are dangerous, but school kids can also learn a great deal of things
from TV.
Do you feel that watching television in excess impacts our health?
Watching television for long hours have proven negative effects on the health
of a person. It is related to weak eyesight as well as migraine issues.
Has television influenced you in anyway in your life?
Without a doubt T.V. has influenced me in a positive way. I have learned
great deal of things from it over the past so many years.
Do you feel that people will continue getting influenced by television in
future as well?
I think more and more people will be influenced by television in future as
well. The number has been growing from the past few years and it will
continue to grow.
Retirement and old age
What sort of problems do people face at older age?
People face numerous problems at older age. They face health related issues.
Some old aged people also face loneliness as not all members in the family
have time for old people.
Have you ever thought about the day when you retire?
No not yet. I have not given it the slightest of the thought. I think that I am
young and there are many years to go before I retire.
Do you agree that the most difficult part of life is the old age?
It certainly is the most difficult part according to me. The reason is that the
person is not at his/her full strength and there are many problems that come
with old age. I think that it is very difficult to be in that position.
Do you feel that a person becomes more dependent in old age?
Yes, a person becomes lot dependent in old age just like kids. They need help
in more tasks than in young age. I have seen my grandparents asking for help
for smallest of the tasks.
Do you think that retirement age should be increased to 65 years for
government services?
No, I don’t think that retirement age should be increased than the current
limit. Ours is a huge nation and population is also high. If the retirement age
bar is raised than youngsters will find difficulty in getting jobs.
Eating habits
Do you feel that poor eating habits contributes to poor health?
Poor eating habits leads to many health issues. People can get a chronic
disease and become fat. Poor eating habits also makes a person lazy.
Do you think that eating habits needs to be in place in order to maintain good
health?
Yes, most of the scientists claim that good health is associated with good diet.
Having a controlled diet is more important than doing exercise.
What are your eating habits?
I like to eat heavy breakfast as it allows me to stay energetic for the whole
day. After that I take normal lunch and light dinner.
What should we eat in order to stay healthy?
We should eat non oily food. Also, one needs to have fruits in daily routine.
We should prefer homemade food over fast food in order to stay fit.
Do you feel that one should eat nutritious diet?
Yes, one should always eat nutritious diet. There are many healthy options
available to us. Taking nutritious diet has many advantages. It gives all the
minerals and vitamins required for the smooth functioning of the body.
Universities
Are universities greedier these days?
Certainly, they are much greedier these days. Universities have become
money minting machines. Most of the universities are not concerned about
the wellbeing of the student.
Is it difficult for a poor kid to study at university?
It has become almost impossible for a poor kid to study at a university. The
fee structures have shoot up greatly and no scholarship programs are
available for them.
Are universities losing importance in terms of educational quality?
As the number of new universities is growing, there has been deficiency in
the quality of education they provide. I think that very few universities are
there who impart quality education.
Do you think that universities concentrate more on theory rather than
practical knowledge?
These days in our country the level of education has gone down and most of
the universities are focused on theory knowledge. However, there are old
universities that have not lost any importance and still concentrate on
practical studies.
Is college a better place to study than university?
I can’t say that college is the better place to study than a university. Both type
of institutions has its own merits. Although it is altogether a different
environment to study in college as compared to a university.
Work and life balance
How many hours do people generally work in your country?
People generally work for 8 – 10 hours in a day in my country. Some people
work even longer than this. In most of the government sectors, the timings
are fixed.
Do you think that people these days are able to maintain a balance between
work and personal life?
In most of the private companies, people are not able to make a balance
between work and personal life. The companies put so much pressure on their
employees and expect them to work long hours for the benefit of their
company.
How many hours one should work in a day ideally?
Ideally, one should work for not more than 8 hours in a day. I think one needs
to strike a balance between life and work. So, I believe that 8 hours work in a
day is perfect.
Do you feel that work is worship?
I don’t feel that work is worship. Although work is crucial in life, but it
should not be seen as worship. Work should be considered work.
Was work life better in the past?
I can agree as well as disagree with this. There was no pressure in the past
which is a good thing. These days there are more perks in terms of salary,
which is good too. So, work life had advantages in past as well as in present.
News
How do you get news?
I get news from several sources. Mainly I read news through internet on my
phone. I also get news from my friends and family members.
Is getting news important?
It is crucial to get regular updates on news. One should know what is going
on in and around the country. It increases the knowledge of a person.
Do you feel that most of the news present on internet is not reliable?
I feel that most of the news is true but there are some articles and websites
that spread fake propaganda. But most of the news is reliable.
Is it true that news editors intentionally try to make the news spicy?
Yes, there are some news editors who try to make news spicy by adding
unnecessary news and fake news in the newspapers and television media.
How often do you read news?
I read news every day for at least 10 minutes. I don’t think that I have missed
a single day from the past few years. I think it is crucial to stay updated
through news.
Island
Have you ever been to an island?
Yes, I have been to an island named Sri Lanka. It is an island country located
in the southern side of India. I went there last year with my family and had a
great time there.
Why do you think that islands are different from inlands?
Islands are very different from inlands. One can enjoy beaches around the
islands and the weather is also different in islands than inland.
Is there any special island in your country?
Yes, there is a very special island in our country. The name of the island is
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is in the far east side of India. It is one of
the most beautiful parts of our country.
Speak about an island you wish to visit in future
If I am given a chance, then I would like to visit Maldives. Maldives is one of
the most gorgeous island cluster in the whole world. It is situated in the south
west of India. The flight takes about three hours to reach there.
Is there any difference in weather in islands than mainland?
Yes, I have been to a couple of islands and I have felt that the weather over
there is more pleasant throughout the year. It might be different on some
islands that I have not visited but I have generally heard that in most of the
islands the weather remains pleasant all year round.
Make-up
Do you do make-up?
Yes, I do makeup. I feel that it makes my looks perfect. I feel more
presentable and attractive when I apply make-up.
Do you feel that make-up increases confidence of a person?
Yes, it escalates the confidence of a person because one feels more attractive.
Also, if there are any imperfections, it is concealed by make-up. Hence it
increases the confidence of the person.
Do you use any expensive cosmetics?
I use inexpensive cosmetics in my daily routine, but I do have one concealer
that is expensive. I feel that the cosmetics should be branded but it doesn’t
matter whether they are expensive or not.
Is there any person you know who does a lot of make-up?
Yes, one of my aunts does a lot of make-up. She puts on make-up all the
time. She is very conscious of her looks, so she always remains tip top.
Are there any side effects of applying cosmetics on face?
There are side effects of applying excessive make up on the face especially. I
think branded and herbal cosmetics are fine but local cosmetics can cause a
great deal of problems.
Tiredness
Do you get tired?
Yes, I get tired when I work for long. I generally don’t get tired in my daily
routine but on some days I really get tired.
What do you do when you get tired?
I relax when I get tired. My best way to get rid of tiredness is by spending
time at home. I relax by sleeping more and listening to my favourite songs.
Why do people get tired?
People get tired due to several reasons. The main factor is working over-time.
They also get tired when they travel more.
Is there any thing that makes you tired?
I think working more than my capacity makes me tired. I also get tired when
I play sports on weekends.
Speak about a situation when you got tired
I remember one day when I really got tired. I went to Dubai last year and had
to walk in the world’s largest mall for more than five hours. At that time, I
really got tired.
Forest
Have you ever been to a forest?
Yes, I have been to a forest area in Himachal Pradesh a couple of times. The
name of the forest is Chail. It is a wildlife sanctuary that is preserved by the
government and is open for everyone to visit.
What is the importance of forests in our life?
Forests are very important for us. Forests purify the nearby areas and acts as
the habitat to thousands of bird and animal species.
Do you feel that preserving forests should be the number one priority?
It should the number one priority for the governments around the world.
Google maps revealed that forests in many areas of the world are
continuously cleared for timber and furniture. If the forests are cleared at this
rate, then it will create serious issues in the environment.
Is the government of your country doing anything to preserve forests?
I have read that government of our country is putting many efforts in
preserving and maintaining the forests around the country. There have been
many cases of crack down on the forest mafia.
Is there any forest area near your hometown?
There is a huge forest reserve adjoining my hometown. It is a preserved and
bordered forest area that is regulated by the local government. Its name is
Sukhna Sanctuary.
Beach
Do you feel that beaches are getting polluted day by day?
There is no doubt in this fact that beaches are getting polluted day by day.
Although there have been some measures taken by government recently to
control the littering on beaches.
What are the disadvantages of living near a beach?
I think that there is no such disadvantage of living near the beach but in case
of a high tide, there can be some flooding in the nearby areas.
Do you know anyone who lives near the beach?
Yes, one of my cousins lives in Goa. He lives by the beach. He owns a house
and a small hotel there.
Have you ever seen a beach area?
I have been to a couple of beach areas in the past. I have seen beaches in Goa
as well as in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Do you like beaches?
I relish visiting the beach areas. I simply like to sit by the beach and enjoy the
nature. I love the sound of the waves.
Oceans
Have you ever sailed in an ocean?
I have sailed in the ocean once when I visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
We took a ferry to Havelock Island and enjoyed our day there.
Is there any ocean near your country?
Our country is surrounded by ocean on three sides. 40 % of India’s boundary
is surrounded by different oceans.
Do you feel that people are polluting oceans more than ever before?
It is a sad scenario these days. People don’t care about the environment and
are polluting the seas more than ever before. The main source of ocean
pollution is plastic.
Can oceans be a threat?
Oceans can be threat during earthquakes. One such earthquake happened in
south east Asia and caused humungous waves known as Tsunami that took
lives of thousands of people.
Supermarket
How often do you go to a supermarket?
I go to a supermarket every 15 days. I like to shop for groceries myself. I
generally visit Reliance Mart in my local area.
Which is your favourite supermarket?
My favourite one is Reliance Mart. It is the biggest supermarket in my
hometown. Not only this, it is also the best in terms of cost and variety.
What do you usually buy from the supermarket?
I normally buy all sorts of stuff from the supermarket. I buy perfumes, soaps,
cremes, milk, fruits and any other things that are required.
Do you think that supermarkets have destroyed the local businesses?
Supermarkets have certainly destroyed local business up to a certain extent.
Supermarkets have more variety and better rates than the local shops. So,
more and more people prefer to buy from the supermarkets than local shops.
What type of supermarkets are located nearby your residence?
There are all sorts of supermarkets located near my residence. There are
international brands like Walmart and Metro. On the other hand, there are
Indian brands like Reliance and Birla supermarkets as well.
Street market
Have you bought something from street market?
Yes, I have bought many things from the local street markets. Once I bought
a sling bag from a street market. It was very cheap and was of good quality.
Is there any street market nearby your house?
There are street markets everywhere in India. This is how the society works
in India. There are temporary markets that are organized at certain locations
near my house on selected days of the week.
What sort of things are generally sold in the street markets?
All sorts of things are sold in the street markets. Vendors sell dairy products,
vegetables, fruits, spices, toys and daily need products at the street markets.
Do you feel that the quality of products in the street market is not good?
Sometimes the quality of products sold in these types of market is not up to
the mark. However, some vendors sell quality things to their customers.
Do you feel that street markets should be banned?
No street markets should not be banned as it is run by people who can’t
afford to pay the rent of shops or own shops for that matter. I think everyone
has the right to sell things so the street markets should be allowed to run but
should be managed by the government for smooth operation.
Visiting relative and friends
How often do you visit your relatives?
I visit my relatives regularly. I love to meet my relatives, especially cousins.
I have cordial relations with most of my relatives, so I often visit them.
Do you go on your friend’s family functions?
Yes, if I am invited then I surely go to my friend’s family functions. Recently
I was invited to attend marriage of my friend’s brother and I enjoyed the
occasion very much.
Have any of your relatives invited you to his/her home recently?
Yes, my uncle and aunt recently invited me recently to a dinner. I went there
with my parents and brother. We had a fun time together.
How often do your friends invite you to their homes?
My friends invite me regularly to their homes. Although I don’t have lots of
friends but the few friends that I have always invite me on weekends.
For what purpose do you visit your relatives and friends?
I visit their homes to meet them and play with them or simply for family
gatherings. Recently I was invited to join a friend’s gathering at one of my
friend’s house.
Places to play
Where did you play as a child?
I used to play in the park nearby my house. I also played in my friend’s house
a lot. I remember that I also played in our school ground in recess time.
Are there places in your hometown where kids can play?
There are countless public parks and a lake area where kids can enjoy
themselves. There are few sports centers made by government in certain areas
where kids can play.
Do you feel that places to play have changed over the years?
The play areas have changed drastically as compared to the past. In the past
kids used to enjoy in the parks more than anywhere else. These days kids like
to be indoors and play indoor games.
Where do most of the kids of today’s era like to play?
Most of the kids in this era like to play in their homes on video games. They
don’t relish going out of their houses and play outdoor sports.
Time management
How do you manage your time?
I manage my time by planning the day beforehand. This way I can get free
time for activities apart from studies and work.
Do you feel that time management is necessary in life?
Time management is the most essential thing in life. People who manage
their time are more successful than others. Time management allows the
proper utilization of 24 hours.
Do you think that a lot of people these days don’t value time?
Yes, most of the people in this era don’t value time. I often see people reach
late at certain occasions in our country. They don’t take the value of their
time seriously.
Are people of today’s generation managing time properly?
Some people of today’s generation manage time properly because it’s the
need of hour. So, I feel that many people are managing the time properly.
Do you feel it is necessary to make a timetable to manage time properly?
Yes, making a timetable allows you to manage your tasks in an efficient way.
People can prioritize their activities according to their schedule.
Sun
What is the importance of sun in our life?
Sun gives us light and it also gives us life. If there was no sun, then there
would be no life possible on this planet. Plants grow due to sun light and sun
is the most important aspect of this solar system.
Do you often bathe in sunlight?
Yes, I sit in the open and absorb sun light in winters. I feel warm and relaxed
when I bathe in sunlight. I only do it in winters though.
Do you feel that today’s people have less access to sunlight?
With the growing number of skyscrapers and other infrastructure, sunlight is
not reaching all places. People living in cities often complaint about having
pain in joints which occurs due to the deficiency of Vitamin D which is
absorbed from sunlight.
How do you feel when its sunny?
Sunny day is the best day for me. On some occasions I also like grey sky or
gloomy days. But I love when the sun is out and is at its full glow. I feel
energized and clear in my mind. If the day is not sunny, I can feel depression.
Do you feel that sun will ever die?
I don’t know. Perhaps one day everything will end but I don’t know about
sun. I have read somewhere that sun also has a life expectancy and one day it
may end.
Sunglasses
Do you wear sunglasses?
Yes, I love wearing sunglasses. It saves me from sun’s glare. Sun can get
very hot in summers, so sunglasses provides much cooler feeling to me and
my eyes.
What kind of sunglasses do you wear?
Wayfarer and Aviators are my favourite kinds of glasses. I like to wear
brown and blue colour glasses.
For what purpose people wear sunglasses?
There are two main reasons for wearing sunglasses. The first one is that it
protects our eyes from sun’s glare and UV rays. The other reason is fashion,
people wear sunglasses to look smart.
Do you prefer branded or local sunglasses?
I like Ray Ban and HRX brand the most. I think that one should only wear
branded sunglasses as local brands can affect the eyes. Those glasses will not
protect your eyes against ultraviolet rays.
Do you feel that wearing sunglasses has become more of a fashion than
utility?
It certainly has become more of a fashion statement for some people.
Although most of the individuals wear it for the intended purpose.
Pen and pencil
What is the difference between using pen and pencil?
Pen and pencil are very different from each other. Anything written by pen is
not easy to rub, on the contrary if you write anything by pencil, it can be
rubbed and corrected easily. Moreover, pencils are cheaper whereas pens are
costlier.
Is it better to use pencil instead of pen?
I am personally a big fan of using pencils over pen. Pencils are better as one
can easily make correction by using an eraser. Pencils are cheap and can
write on most of the surfaces with ease.
What did you use as a child in school, pen or pencil?
I remember vividly that we used pencils as kids. Pens were only allowed to
use in the higher grades. However, I have always relished pencils for any
writing work.
Do you feel that pen is mightier than sword?
Indeed, pen is mightier than sword. Writers in the past have brough
spectacular reforms in society through their writings. There have been
numerous transformations and revolutions through many writers in the
previous time.
What is the difference between the pencils of the past as compared to one’s
available today?
I think the main difference is in the quality due to improved technology.
Nowadays, there are pencils that don’t require sharpening. These pencils can
be used by refilling lead refills and no sharping tool is required. Also, there
are different shapes and sizes available in pencils these days.
Do you use same kind of pen as you did in the past?
No, these days I use ball and gel pens. In my childhood, I mostly used the
pens with nib and ink tanks.
Cakes and desserts
On what occasions do people cut cakes?
People generally cut cakes on occasions such as wedding parties, birthday
and anniversary celebrations. It has now become a trend in some societies to
cut cake to celebrate most of the occasions.
Is there a tradition of cutting cake in your country?
Yes, there is a widespread custom of cutting cake in weddings as well as
birthday parties. People nowadays buy expensive and fancy cakes for their
near and dear ones.
What is the significance of cutting cake?
Most people cut cake when they achieve something, or they are happy. I
think that the significance of cutting cake is quite clear. Sweets are generally
consumed in celebrations. Cake is a sweet food so that’s why people cut it to
celebrate different occasions.
What sort of desserts do you like?
I like cakes, traditional sweets, ice cream and anything made from chocolate.
I usually don’t eat a lot of desserts, but I have them when I feel happy or
satisfied.
Are desserts good for health?
Yes, if one takes desserts in a controlled amount or occasionally, then deserts
are not harmful. Although eating desserts on regular basis can have bad
impact on body and health.
On what occasions do people eat desserts in your country?
People eat desserts on every occasion, I think. In Indian society desserts are a
part of the meal. People like to have at the end of the meal on regular basis.
Do you make desserts?
Yes, I can make a couple of simple desserts. One of them is sweet curd. It is
one of the simplest desserts to make and is very healthy to eat in summers.
You just need to whisk some curd and then add some finely crushed sugar in
it.
Numbers
Do you have a lucky number?
Yes, I do. I like number 7 the most. I don’t know the reason behind the
liking, but this number looks better than others. If I have to choose
something, I always look for a number 7 connection.
OR
No, I don’t have a lucky number. I like all the numbers. I don’t believe in
superstitions much, so I feel that I don’t have a lucky number.
Are you superstitious about numbers?
No, I am not at all superstitious about numbers. I believe that all the numbers
are same and there is no need to treat any number in a special way.
Do you remember any important number from your past?
Not really. I can’t remember any important number from my past. I am not a
believer of special numbers, so I can’t recall any important number from my
past.
Are you good at remembering phone numbers?
Yes, I remember many phone numbers of my family and friends. I learn the
numbers easily than any other type of text.
OR
No, it is very hard for me to remember phone numbers. Although I remind
some numbers of my family members and friends, but I can’t memorize a lot
of numbers.
Breaks
Is it important to take short breaks from your job on daily basis?
It is vital to take short breaks from work on daily basis. I think little breaks
can help maintain concentration and interest in the job.
Do you feel that one should take a long break at least once in a year?
Without a doubt. It is essential for everyone to get away from work for at
least once in the whole year. In my opinion, people should take a couple of
weeks’ off and go for a holiday with family.
Do you often take breaks from your study/work?
Yes, I take breaks from my study and work whenever I feel bored. I try to
take short breaks every other month and a long one at least once a year.
What is the importance of taking breaks in life?
Taking break rejuvenates a person physically as well as mentally. It is
essential to take breaks every now and then. Taking breaks allow you to
break the monotony.
PART FOUR
Important Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
1. Absolutely – unquestionably / undeniably
2. Abundance – enough resources / plenty
3. Access – admittance / entree
4. Accolades – honors / awards / praises
5. Accomplish – achieve / complete / finish
6. Accumulate – amass / gather / collect / hoard
7. Acquire – obtain / get / gain
8. Admire – respect / like / appreciate
9. Adore – love / admire
10. Adrenalin rush – a sudden surge in energy in a person
11. Adroit – expert / skillful
12. Advent – beginning / arrival / start
13. Adverse – hostile / opposing
14. Affection – liking / fondness
15. Ageing – getting old / mature
16. Aggressive – violent / destructive
17. Alarming – disturbing / upsetting
18. Alien – unknown / unfamiliar / strange
19. All walks of life – from every background / from all backgrounds
or age groups
20. Allied – associated / related / connected
21. Allure – attract / appeal
22. Almighty – enormous / massive / huge
23. Alternatives – replacements / substitutes
24. Amass – accumulate / collect
25. Ambitious – determined / striving
26. Amenities – facilities / services
27. Ample – enough / plenty / sufficient
28. Amusement – laughter / enjoyment / delight
29. Analytical – logical / investigative / diagnostic
30. Ancestors – decedents / dynasties
31. Anxiety – nervousness / concerns / worry
32. Anxious – nervous / worried / concerned
33. Apolitical – a person who is not political
34. Apparels – attires / clothes
35. Appealing – attractive / interesting / tempting
36. Aptly – appropriately / fittingly / suitably / rightly
37. Archipelago – is a collection of small islands in an ocean
38. Ascend – arise / rise
39. Aromatic – fragrant / perfumed
40. Array – collection / selection
41. Aspect – feature / facet / characteristics
42. Assault – attack / beating
43. Association - connotation
44. Assortment – variety / collection / range / mixture
45. Assure – promise / guarantee / pledge
46. Astonish – surprise / amaze / astound
47. Attire – clothing / dress / outfit
48. Authentic – true / reliable / dependable
49. Autobiographies – memoires / a self-written life journey
50. Awe – wonder / admiration / respect
51. Awestruck – impressed / enthralled / overwhelmed
52. Backdrop – at the back / background
53. Bamboozle – confuse / deceive
54. Bane – curse / misery
55. Banter – teasing /mockery / joking
56. Barely – just / hardly / scarcely
57. Barricades – barriers / hurdles / blockades
58. Bearable – manageable / tolerable / endurable
59. Beverage – drink / hot drink / cold drink
60. Biographies – profiles / memoirs
61. Blueprint – plan / drawing / design / proposal
62. Bond – promise / pledge / oath
63. Boon – benefit / advantage / bonus
64. Boredom – dullness / monotony
65. Breakdown- failure / collapse
66. Breathtaking- magnificent / spectacular
67. Briefly- fleetingly / momentarily
68. Brittle- fragile / breakable
69. Browse- look / glance
70. Bruise- discoloration / shiner
71. Bulk- majority / loose
72. Bump- collision / smash
73. Bustling- lively / busy
74. Buzz- crowd / chaos
75. Bygone – past / previous
76. Cakewalk – easy / very easy
77. Candid – straight forward / frank
78. Catapulted – threw / hurled
79. Chaos – disorder / confusion
80. Charity – aid/ contribution
81. Charming – attractive / appealing
82. Cherish – appreciate / relish
83. Chores – errands / task
84. Chronologically – historical / sequential
85. Circulation – flow / movement
86. Cited – quoted / mentioned
87. Close quarters – from a close perspective
88. Coastal – seaside / beach
89. Coastline – shoreline / seashore
90. Cognitive – reasoning / intellectual
91. Colonized – populated / settled
92. Commemorate – honor / memorialize
93. Commendable – admirable / worthy
94. Commercialization - development
95. Commit – pledge / promise
96. Commute – travel / shuttle
97. Compact – compressed / condensed
98. Complimentary – free / courtesy
99. Comprise – include / encompass
100. Concession - discount
101. Conscious – aware / mindful
102. Consequences – negative outcome
103. Conceal – hide/ cover
104. Conservation – preservation / maintenance
105. Considerable – substantial / significance
106. Consoled – comforted / supported
107. Constantly – continuously / repeatedly
108. Constellations – gatherings / group
109. Contented – satisfied / pleased
110. Convenience – suitability / ease
111. Converse – opposite / contrary
112. Conviction – belief / opinion
113. Coral reefs – food for marine life
114. Courage – bravery / valor
115. Courtyard – yard / garden
116. Cozy – warm / snug
117. Cram – fill up / pack
118. Cramming – packing / stuffing
119. Cramps – pains / contractions
120. Creek – narrow river / stream
121. Cremate – burn / incinerate
122. Criticism – disapproval / condemnation
123. Cruel – harsh / hard
124. Crunch – critical situation
125. Cuisines – foods / cookeries
126. Curb – control / limit
127. Cure – treatment / therapy
128. Curious – interested / inquisitive
129. Customs – duties / levies
130. Daunting – intimidating / scary
131. Decay – falloff / decline
132. Dedicated – devoted / keen
133. Deed – action / act
134. Delicate – gentle / mild
135. Delicious – tasty / palatable
136. Departed – left from somewhere
137. Dependent – reliant on
138. Depress – reduce / dampen
139. Designation – title / name
140. Desperate – anxious / worried
141. Desperately – badly / urgently
142. Deteriorate – worsen/ decline
143. Determined – strong minded / resolute
144. Detrimental – harmful / damaging
145. Devote – dedicate / offer
146. Dilemma – difficulty / problem
147. Diminishing – lessening / fading
148. Disaster – tragedy / adversity
149. Disintegrating - crumbling
150. Distinctive – different / distinguishing
151. Distracted – unfocussed / sidetrack
152. Diverse – varied / assorted
153. Diversions - changes / deviations
154. Diversity – variety / range
155. Dreadful – terrible / awful
156. Drowsiness – sleepiness / lethargy
157. Dumping – removal / discarding
158. Duplex – double storied house or complex
159. Durable – long lasting / hard wearing
160. Dwarf – short in height
161. Dwell – reside / live
162. Dynamic – lively / active
163. Dynasty – reign / family
164. Eagerly – keenly / excitedly
165. Earthen – clay / mud
166. Echoes – repeats / resonances
167. Efficient – effective / well-organized
168. Elated – overjoyed / delighted
169. Elevate – raise / lift
170. Embarrass – shame / humiliate
171. Embedded – fixed / rooted
172. Eminent – famous / renowned
173. Emissions – releases / discharges
174. Emphasized – highlighted / stressed
175. Empower – authorize / allow
176. Endurable – manageable / tolerable
177. Engage – involve / occupy
178. Enhance – improve / augment
179. Enlarge – increase / expand
180. Enroll – register / join
181. Ensure – safeguard / guarantee
182. Enthusiasm – eagerness / interest
183. Enticing – tempting / alluring
184. Equivalent – equal / comparable
185. Eradicate – eliminate / destroy
186. Erudite – very knowledgeable / expert in a subject or skill
187. Escalate – intensify / heighten
188. Essential – vital / important
189. Establish – found / start
190. Eternal – everlasting / unending
191. Ethics – morals/ beliefs
192. Etiquettes – manners / protocols
193. Euphoric – overjoyed / elated
194. Eventually – finally / ultimately
195. Evolution – development / growth
196. Evolved – changed / advanced
197. Exaggerated – overstated / inflated
198. Except – excluding / bar
199. Excess – extra / additional
200. Excitement – enthusiasm / eagerness
201. Excursion – trip / outing
202. Execute – perform / implement
203. Executed – accomplished / performed
204. Exhaust – consume / drain
205. Exile – outcast / refugee
206. Existence – presence / survival
207. Expect – suppose / assume
208. Expedition – excursion / trip
209. Expenditure - spending
210. Explore – travel / discover
211. Exposure – contact / experience
212. Extensive - widespread
213. Extensively – widely / broadly
214. Extraordinary – unusual / unexpected
215. Exuberant – excited / energetic
216. Fabulous – wonderful / marvelous
217. Façade - front
218. Facet - aspect
219. Fascinate – captivate / attract
220. Fauna - wildlife
221. Features - characteristics
222. Fellow – associated / related
223. Feminine – female / womanly
224. Firm – stable / fixed
225. Flashy – showy / gaudy
226. Flaunt – exhibit / display
227. Flawless – perfect / faultless
228. Flock – group / herd
229. Flora - vegetation
230. Fluffy – cottony / furry
231. Foodie – a person who likes food
232. Forbid – ban / prohibit
233. Forgive – pardon / excuse
234. Forthcoming – approaching / upcoming
235. Fortunate – lucky / privileged
236. Fragile – delicate / brittle
237. Frequency – occurrence / rate
238. Frequently – often / regularly
239. Frustrated – irritated / unsatisfied
240. Fulfilment – completion/ execution
241. Gadgets – devices / appliances
242. Generous – lavish / plentiful
243. Genre – type / kind
244. Genuine – honest / sincere
245. Gesture – sign / signal / hand movements
246. Gigantic – huge / enormous
247. Glittering – sparkling / dazzling
248. Gloomy – dull
249. Grievance – complaint / protest
250. Groceries - foodstuffs
251. Guilty – shamefaced / embarrassed
252. Gust – breeze / strong winds
253. Gymnasium – fitness center
254. Habitat – home / territory
255. Handful – a few
256. Hardcore - dedicated
257. Harmony - agreement
258. Harsh - strict
259. Haste – speed / swiftness
260. Heatstroke – issues arising from extreme hot environment
261. Hectic – frantic / chaotic
262. Heritage – inheritance / legacy
263. Hesitant – uncertain / cautious
264. Highlands – hilltops / uplands
265. Hire – rent / lease
266. Hit the sack – go to sleep / go to bed
267. Hoist – lift / elevator
268. Holistic – overall / rounded
269. Horizon – skyline / limit
270. Hospitality – friendliness / warmth
271. Humble - polite
272. Humid – moist / sticky
273. Humorous – funny / entertaining
274. Humungous – huge / great
275. Hygiene – cleanliness / sanitation
276. Hymns – songs / chants
277. Iconic – major / famous
278. Ideology – philosophy / thought
279. Idle – indolent / free
280. Idol – star / favorite
281. Illiterate – uneducated / unschooled
282. Imitation – fake / mock
283. Immense – huge / vast / enormous
284. Impact – effect / influence
285. Impeccable – perfect / flawless
286. Imperial – grand / majestic
287. Impose – execute / enforce
288. Impression - imprint
289. Imprisoned – confined / captive
290. Inaugurate – initiate / install
291. Incentives - motivations
292. Inclined – tending / persuaded
293. Incredible - unbelievable
294. Inculcate – teach / instruct
295. Incurred – experienced / suffered
296. Indeed – certainly / really
297. Indigenous – native / original
298. Indispensable – essential / crucial
299. Induce – encourage / persuade
300. Industrious – hardworking / diligent
301. Inevitable – unavoidable / predictable
302. Inferior – lesser / lower
303. Inflation – rise / increase
304. Infrastructure - structure
305. Ingredients – elements / components
306. Inhale – gasp / huff
307. Inherit – receive / succeed to
308. Injurious – harmful / damaging
309. Innate – inborn / characteristic
310. Inscribed - adorned
311. Insecurity – uncertainty / diffident
312. Insights – visions / understanding
313. Insomnia – sleeplessness
314. Inspect – examine / check
315. Inspire – motivate / encourage
316. Instance – example / illustration
317. Instant – on the spot / immediate
318. Instrumental – contributory
319. Integral – essential / vital
320. Integration – combination / incorporation
321. Intent – determined / committed
322. Intentionally – purposely / deliberately
323. Interaction – contact / communication
324. Interfere – hinder / inhibit
325. Intimidate – threaten / frighten
326. Introvert – shy / reserved
327. Invade – attack / occupy
328. Invent – discover / create
329. Joyous – jolly / festive
330. Kitchenette – kitchen / pantry
331. Knack – ability / skill
332. Landlocked – surrounded by land / blocked in
333. Landmark – milestone
334. Lane – path / track
335. Laxative - purgative
336. Leaps and bounds
337. Lenient – soft / merciful
338. Lentils – curry food
339. Lethal – deadly / fatal
340. Lethargic – lazy / sluggish
341. Liabilities – obligations / charges
342. Likewise – similarly / equally
343. Literally – actually / factually
344. Littering – throwing waste
345. Long-lasting – lifelong / enduring
346. Loyal – faithful / trustworthy
347. Loyalty – faithfulness / trustworthiness
348. Lure – trap / entice
349. Magnificent – wonderful / brilliant
350. Majestic – royal / grand
351. Mandatory – compulsory / obligatory
352. Maneuver – movement / operation
353. Manifesto – policy / strategy
354. Manned – operated / staffed
355. Manuscripts – documents / copies
356. Marine – sea / aquatic
357. Martyr – sufferer for a cause
358. Marvelous – amazing / wonderful
359. Marvels - geniuses
360. Masculine – male / manly
361. Massive – huge / enormous
362. Medicinal – remedial / therapeutic
363. Melodious – musical / harmonious
364. Menace – threat / danger
365. Merchandise – produce / stock
366. Merchants – wholesalers / dealers
367. Mere – simple / sheer
368. Merrymaking – celebration / partying
369. Mesmerized – fascinated / awestruck
370. Metabolism – digestion / absorption
371. Minimal – slight / negligible
372. Minutest – smallest / miniature
373. Miraculous – unbelievable
374. Miscellaneous – various / mixed
375. Mist – fog / vapor
376. Momentum – thrust / energy
377. Monotony – dullness / boredom
378. Monument – memorial / shrine
379. Myriad – many / innumerable
380. Myth – legend / saga
381. Mythology - tradition
382. Negligent - careless
383. Noble – decent / moral
384. Noteworthy – significant / notable
385. Nuisance - annoyance
386. Obesity - overweightness
387. Occasionally – rarely / irregularly
388. Offspring – children / decedents
389. Often – frequently / repeatedly
390. Optimistic – positive / hopeful
391. Optimum – best / finest
392. Overly – excessively / exceedingly
393. Overtaken – passed / outdone
394. Palatable – edible / pleasant
395. Panic – terror / fear
396. Parallel – equivalent / similar
397. Partial – incomplete / limited
398. Patience – tolerance / endurance
399. Patrol - tour
400. Pedestrians - walkers
401. Penal – severe / strict
402. Perception – insight / awareness
403. Persistent - determined
404. Pessimistic – negative / doubtful
405. Phenomenal – extraordinary / remarkable
406. Pinnacle – highpoint / peak
407. Pleasure – desire / wish
408. Plight - dilemma / difficulty
409. Plume – trail / cloud
410. Ponder – think about / consider
411. Posh – noble / superior
412. Posture - position
413. Potential – probable
414. Potholes – holes / dips
415. Precedent – example / model
416. Precious – valuable / costly
417. Predators – killers / hunters
418. Predict – forecast / foresee
419. Preference – fondness / favorite
420. Premises – buildings / locations
421. Preserve - reserve
422. Prevail – overcome / conquer
423. Prevalent – dominant / widespread
424. Prior – previous / former
425. Priority – importance / significance
426. Prominent - famous
427. Promote – endorse / sponsor
428. Prone – disposed to / inclined to
429. Protest – objection / complaint
430. Publish – print / put out
431. Random – accidental / chance
432. Rapid – fast / quick
433. Rapidly – quickly / swiftly
434. Rare – occasional
435. Recite – perform / rehearse
436. Reckless – irresponsible / thoughtless
437. Reckon – calculate / count
438. Reconciliation – settlement / understanding
439. Refrain - restrict
440. Regulated – planned / controlled
441. Rejuvenate – revive / refresh
442. Rejuvenating – reviving / refreshing
443. Releasing – to leave / freeing
444. Relieve – dismiss / discharge
445. Relish - enjoy / delight
446. Rely – depend upon / count on
447. Remarkable – extraordinary / amazing
448. Remedy – medication / therapy
449. Renowned – famous / well-known
450. Rescue - save
451. Respiratory – breathing
452. Restrict – limit / confine
453. Revenge – retaliation / vengeance
454. Revere – admire / respect
455. Revive – come around / recover
456. Rigorous – hard / difficult
457. Rituals – rites / ceremonies
458. Roam – travel / wander
459. Rushed – hurried / quick
460. Sachet – packet / pouch
461. Sacred – holy / blessed
462. Sanctuary – national preserve / national park
463. Savor – taste / smell
464. Scarcity – shortage / insufficiency
465. Scary – terrifying / frightening
466. Scenario – situation / set up
467. Scorching – roasting
468. Sculptures – statues / figures
469. Sedatives - tranquillizers
470. Segments – sections / parts
471. Segregated – separated / isolated
472. Seize – grab / take hold of
473. Seldom – rarely / occasionally
474. Serene – calm / peaceful
475. Several – numerous / some
476. Severity – cruelty / strictness
477. Shatter – smash / destroy
478. Significance - importance
479. Sinful – bad / evil / wicked
480. Sitcom – series of TV programs
481. Skip – hop / or to leave a step
482. Skyrocketed – shoot up / rise steeply
483. Skyscrapers – high rise buildings / towers
484. Snatch - fetch
485. Snorkeling – swimming / diving
486. Soothing – comforting/ calming
487. Sore – tending / painful
488. Souvenir – memento / reminder
489. Spacious – airy / large / roomy
490. Span – distance / length
491. Species – classes / types
492. Sporty – athletic / muscular
493. Stationary – motionless / still
494. Steer – maneuver / to move
495. Stiff – rigid / firm
496. Stone face – no reaction at all
497. Stray – lost / wandering
498. Stress buster – a thing that gets rid of stress
499. Striking – outstanding / prominent
500. Strive – struggle / try
501. Stroll - wander
502. Subscriptions – contributions / payments
503. Subsidiary – minor / secondary
504. Substantial – considerable / significant
505. Subtle - delicate
506. Succulent – moist / tender
507. Superb – excellent / outstanding
508. Superstitions – delusions / fantasies
509. Supplements – additions / complements
510. Suppress – overpower / conquer
511. Surf – waves / sea
512. Survive – last / endure
513. Suspect – doubtful / suspicious
514. Sustainable – bearable / maintainable
515. Tariff – price / rate
516. Temperate – moderate / mild
517. Tender – loving / caring
518. Terrace – walkway / porch
519. Terrain – land / territory
520. Thick and thin – happiness and sorrows
521. Timid – nervous / fearful
522. Traits – personalities / qualities
523. Tranquil – calm / serene
524. Transition – change / conversion
525. Tremendous – marvelous / great
526. Trigger – start / activate
527. Trivial – small / minor
528. Turf – lawn / grass
529. Twigs – branches / brushwood
530. Typhoon – storm / cyclone
531. Unanimous – common / undisputed
532. Underneath – under / below
533. Undoubtedly – certainly / unquestionably
534. Uninterrupted – continuous / non-stop
535. Unpredictable – random
536. Unwrap – open / undo
537. Up to the mark
538. Utilize – use / employ
539. Vanish – disappear / die out
540. Verdict – decision / judgement
541. Versatile – multipurpose / handy
542. Version – form / type
543. Viable – practical / feasible
544. Vibes – feelings / vibrations
545. Vibrant – lively / exciting
546. Victim – prey / target
547. Vigil – watch / wake
548. Vigilance – watchfulness / observance
549. Vital – important
550. Vividly – brightly / vibrantly
551. Vouch – promise / vow
552. Voyage – journey / trip
553. Wardrobe – clothing / attire
554. Weird – strange / odd
555. Wicked – good / great
556. Window shopping
557. Wisdom – understanding / insight
558. Witness – observer / bystander
559. Woods – forests
560. Wreckage – debris / remains
561. Yester years – past years / recent years
PART FIVE
Tips for IELTS Speaking Test and Format
Important tips for the IELTS Speaking
interview
A day prior to the interview
It is important that you have read this book thoroughly till the day prior to
your interview. On the day before exam it is advised that you should not
practice a lot of speaking. Reading of this book should also be avoided.
Reading should be done before that. Don’t mark anything as important or
common. Read the whole book carefully and take out ideas for your speaking
test.
Sleep on time a day before the interview. If you sleep well, you will be
energized for the test day. It is important to be active on important days. This
helps you to perform better.
On the test day
Reach the exam center at least 40 minutes before your speaking slot. You
will also receive an acknowledgement via email. Just take a printout of that
and take it along with original passport and a photocopy of it on the exam
day.
Don’t read any book or try to practice anything on the day of speaking test. It
is important to stay focused and blank before the interview.
In the interview (one on one)
These days in many IDP centers, speaking is done through webchat. But in
this section, I am going to give you tips regarding the conventional type of
speaking test. The one on one IELTS Speaking test is taken by one examiner
in an enclosed cubical or a test room.
In this type of a test, the examiner will ask you questions, and you must
answer them one by one. There are some things that you need to remember
before going in the exam. The do’s and don’ts are as follows:
Do’s
Reach the exam center at least 40 minutes before the speaking test
slot
Take along acknowledgement, original passport and copy of
passport at the time of exam
Drink a full glass of water before the start of exam (ask anyone
there, they will be happy to help you)
Dress formally for the speaking test
Knock before you enter the speaking test room
Ask for a permission to sit
Greet the examiner with a smile
Listen to the questions carefully
Always answer a bit loud and with clear tone
Make eye contact with the examiner (this increases your
confidence)
Use formal language to communicate (Avoid using slangs)
Ask the examiner to repeat the question politely if you don’t
understand it
Prepare notes for the Cue-card Topic
Stop speaking when examiner tells you to stop
Don’ts
Never wear accessories like earrings or metal studs (for boys)
Never reach late for the exam (it will rush you and your thoughts)
Don’t start your answer before the question is completed
Don’t keep your hands on the table while speaking
Don’t use memorized phrases and topics
Don’t wear a watch in the exam as it will distract you
Don’t take too many pauses
Don’t use a lot of hand movements and gestures
Don’t repeat the question before giving the answer
Don’t smile too much at the time of speaking (just be natural)
Don’t finish your answer mid-way
Avoid using repetitive vocabulary and words
Don’t rush in giving your answers
Don’t stop the cue card topic before time
Don’t ask the examiner about the interview at the end (simply say
thank you and goodbye)
How to answer General round questions – First Round
Sometimes candidates go over the top in answering the general round
questions. These questions are very easy but can be deceptive as well.
It is crucial to cover the while aspect with minimal of explanation. You
should not answer these questions in detail. Only a few lines are required.
Try to answer the general questions in three to four lines. Don’t stretch your
answer too much as it will deviate you from your topic.
This round lasts for about 5 minutes. In these 5 minutes the examiner has a
quota of at least 10 – 15 questions that he/she ask you.
So be precise and accurate in your answers to fetch higher band score. As you
are only speaking three or four lines for each answer, you don’t have a lot on
your plate. You can’t go wrong in your answers.
If you are answering in this length, then there are rare chances of you to make
any grammatical error if you are prepared well.
The speaking interview is divided in such a way that all the three rounds
weigh equally in terms of band score.
So, you can try to get full marks in the first round as the questions will also
be not that tricky and the answer length required is also not too long.
Cue-card Topic – Second Round
In this round the examiner will ask you to speak on a topic for about 2
minutes. You must speak for 1 minute and 30 seconds minimum and not
more than 2 minutes.
You are also given a piece of paper, a pen and one minute to prepare some
notes on the Cue-card Topic.
There is a certain way to prepare the topics that will help you to score good in
this round. You need to be good in your grammar and use of vocabulary in
this round. Moreover, it is integral to follow the timing in the second round.
How to Prepare Cue-card Topic
Suppose my topic is – Speak about your visit to a Mall
So, I know that there are lot of aspects associated with malls. So, my first job
should be to write everything that is associated with mall. As you get only a
minute to prepare for your topic, you can’t write a long story. However, you
can make bullet points that will help you while speaking the topic.
Format Part 1: The examiner will introduce him or herself and ask
you to
introduce yourself and confirm your identity. The examiner
will
ask you general questions on familiar topics, e.g. home,
family,
work, studies and interests. This section should help you
relax
and talk naturally.
Part 2: The examiner will give you a task card which asks
you to
talk about a particular topic, including points to include in
your talk.
You will be given one minute to prepare and make notes.
You will then be asked to talk for 1-2 minutes on the topic.
You will not be interrupted during this time, so it is
important to keep talking. The examiner will then ask you
one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3: The examiner will ask you further questions which
are connected to the topic of Part 2. These questions are
designed to give you an opportunity to discuss more
abstract issues and ideas.