TEST 8 : Plants, Newspapers, Describe a piece of advice you received that helped you in your life
TEST 8 : Plants, Newspapers, Describe a piece of advice you received that helped you in your life
Part 1 – Introduction Questions
Topic 1: Plants
1. Do you like growing plants?
Answer: Yes, I love growing indoor plants. They not only beautify the space but also purify the air. Taking care of them gives me a sense of responsibility and calm.
Vocabulary:
• Beautify – make something more attractive
• Purify – make clean by removing impurities
• Sense of responsibility – feeling of duty or commitment
• Calm – peacefulness or relaxation
2. What kind of plants do people grow in your country?
Answer: In my country, people often grow herbs like tulsi and mint, flowering plants like marigolds, and even vegetables such as tomatoes and chilies in their balconies or backyards.
Vocabulary:
• Herbs – plants used for flavoring or medicine
• Flowering plants – plants that produce flowers
• Backyard – the area behind a house
3. Have you ever grown a plant from a seed?
Answer: Yes, I once grew a sunflower from a seed. Watching it grow each day was truly fulfilling and taught me patience.
Vocabulary:
• Fulfilling – giving satisfaction or happiness
• Patience – the ability to wait calmly
4. Do people in your country give plants as gifts?
Answer: Yes, giving plants as gifts has become quite trendy nowadays. It reflects eco-consciousness and offers a long-lasting memory compared to flowers.
Vocabulary:
• Trendy – fashionable or popular
• Eco-consciousness – awareness of environmental issues
• Long-lasting – enduring for a long time
Topic 2: Newspapers
1. Do you read newspapers often?
Answer: Not daily, but I do read them occasionally to stay updated with current affairs, especially in the political and technological sectors.
Vocabulary:
• Occasionally – from time to time
• Current affairs – important events happening now
• Sectors – divisions or areas (e.g., politics, tech)
2. Do you prefer reading the newspaper or watching the news?
Answer: I prefer reading the newspaper because it allows me to choose specific articles, and I find it less dramatic than televised news.
Vocabulary:
• Dramatic – exaggerated or emotionally charged
• Specific articles – focused and detailed pieces of news
3. Are old people more likely to read newspapers than young people?
Answer: Definitely. Older people are more habitual readers of print newspapers, whereas younger generations rely on mobile apps and social media.
Vocabulary:
• Habitual – done regularly
• Rely on – depend on
4. Will newspapers disappear in the future?
Answer: Probably not entirely, but their demand will continue to decline as digital media becomes more dominant.
Vocabulary:
• Decline – gradual decrease
• Dominant – most powerful or influential
Part 2 – Cue Card
Describe a piece of advice you received that helped you in your life
You should say:
• Who gave you the advice
• What the advice was
• When you received it
• And explain how it helped you
Answer:
One piece of advice that truly impacted me came from my high school teacher. During a stressful exam period, she told me, “Don’t study harder, study smarter.” At first, I didn’t understand what she meant. But then I learned to use techniques like time-blocking and active recall instead of just reading textbooks repeatedly. It improved my grades and reduced my stress levels. This advice taught me how to be more efficient in my studies and apply the same logic in my work today.
Vocabulary:
• Impacted – influenced or affected
• Time-blocking – scheduling specific time slots for tasks
• Active recall – a study method of retrieving information from memory
• Efficient – working in a well-organized, productive way
Part 3 – Follow-Up Questions
1. Do you think advice from elders is always helpful?
Answer: Not always. While elders have life experience, some of their advice may not be suitable in modern contexts. It's important to evaluate advice critically.
Vocabulary:
• Suitable – appropriate or fitting
• Evaluate – assess or judge
• Critically – carefully and objectively
2. Is it better to take advice from friends or professionals?
Answer: It depends. For emotional issues, friends may offer comfort. But for serious matters like career or health, professional advice is more reliable.
Vocabulary:
• Comfort – emotional support
• Reliable – trustworthy or dependable
3. Why do some people ignore advice?
Answer: Some people prefer learning from their own experiences, or they may have confidence in their decisions. Others may simply dislike being told what to do.
Vocabulary:
• Ignore – not pay attention to
• Confidence – belief in oneself
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4. What kind of advice do parents usually give?
Answer: Parents often advise on education, relationships, and managing money. They usually guide their children based on protective instincts and personal experience.
Vocabulary:
• Instincts – natural feelings or behavior
• Protective – trying to guard someone from harm
5. Can bad advice lead to failure?
Answer: Yes, especially if someone acts on it without researching or understanding the consequences. Blindly following others can be risky.
Vocabulary:
• Consequences – results or effects
• Blindly – without thinking or checking
6. Is giving advice a skill?
Answer: Absolutely. Effective advice requires empathy, listening skills, and the ability to offer practical solutions without sounding judgmental.
Vocabulary:
• Empathy – understanding others’ feelings
• Judgmental – critical or disapproving
7. How do people usually react when they receive unsolicited advice?
Answer: Many people feel annoyed or defensive when advice is given without being asked, especially if it comes across as criticism.
Vocabulary:
• Unsolicited – not asked for
• Defensive – reacting to protect oneself
• Criticism – disapproval or negative judgment
8. Is it easier to give advice than to follow it?
Answer: Yes, often we know what's right in theory but struggle to implement it ourselves due to emotions, habits, or lack of motivation.
Vocabulary:
• Implement – put into practice
• Motivation – desire or drive to do something
9. What qualities should a good advisor have?
Answer: A good advisor should be patient, knowledgeable, a good listener, and non-biased. Their role is to guide, not to control.
Vocabulary:
• Non-biased – fair, not taking sides
• Guide – show direction or support
10. Do people ask for advice more now than in the past?
Answer: Yes, due to the internet and social media, people have access to advice on everything from diet to relationships. But quantity doesn't always mean quality.
Vocabulary:
• Access – ability to get or use something
• Quantity vs. Quality – more doesn’t always mean better