Speaking Part 1
1What kind of books do you enjoy
the most?
I enjoy reading books that are humorous,
adventurous, thrilling, and romantic
2Do you do a lot of reading?
Yes, I’m a lot into reading books. Whenever I get
time I just start reading no matter what book I have.
3In your opinion, what time is
the best to read?
In my opinion, whenever you feel bored or you are
getting frustrated by the work you are doing constantly and want a break, just
sit back, relax, have a good motivational and mind freshening book in your hand
and start reading. You will automatically get clarity of thought and also your
mind will generate new ideas
Speaking Part 2
Describe a book which you enjoyed reading.
You should say:
what the title is
what it is about
why you read it and explain
what effect the book had on you.
Sample Answer
I am fond of reading selected works of Jack London.
It is a collection of the writer’s works including three novels and forty short
stories. It is mostly about different characters in the Klondike region of
Alaska during the Gold Rush, but also tells about people’s struggles in
different situations. I was given the book as a present, and I was immediately
fascinated by the raw, beautiful but very real world the writer experienced and
wrote about. One story in particular, “The Sea Wolf” is about a man who was
born into a comfortable life and is suddenly thrust into a dangerous, harsh and
pitiless environment aboard a seal hunting ship under a cruel, despotic yet
charismatic and intriguing captain. He is faced with a moral dilemma: whether
he should fight to survive without regard for others, or hold on to values he
grew up with in easy circumstances, such as altruism and self sacrifice. In the
end he finds strength to stand against the merciless captain.
When I first read the book I was most
impressed with the exciting action and imagery in the stories, but as
I grew older and read them again the most striking features to me were
instead the deeper qualities of character hard to find and to define. It caused
me to look further into people, both in books and in real life, for the
qualities that made them truly interesting and enduring.
Vocabulary for Cue card
Pitiless: Showing no pity; cruel.
Eg: My teacher is really a pitiless person which gives a lot of homework
Despotic: Of or typical of a despot;
tyrannical.
Eg: This might be a despotic government.
Intriguing: Arousing one’s curiosity or
interest; fascinating.
Eg: It was really an intriguing story
Merciless: Shows no mercy
Eg: He was mercilessly attacked by the gangsters.
Charismatic: Exercising a compelling charm
that inspires devotion in others.
Eg: I like the charismatic organization and government
Speaking Part 3
1 Do Chinese people like to
read?
Like most countries it depends on individual
preference, but I would say it is not so popular an activity as in countries
where the pace of life is slower. Most readers in China are students who have
to read technical subjects. But reading is becoming more common especially
among the young. I imagine that as books find a wider audience, reading will
become more common.
2Do young and old people like to
read the same books?
No. The interests of young and old vary greatly.
Young people mostly like fantasy and fiction best. Older people often prefer
serious or historical works.
3What kinds of books are most
popular in China?
I think martial arts stories are favorites. Some
Chinese classics are famous and widely read as well. Of course, knowing what is
the favorite of many people is difficult.
4 Compare reading habits
today to those of the past.
Today education is widely available so many people
can read. Also, these days, printing is faster than it once was so many books
of different kinds can be printed. In the past, fewer people could read and
there were fewer books so people enjoyed and appreciated reading more. Modern
inventions have also made more time for reading.
5How do you think reading habits
will change in the future?
I am not sure. Maybe reading will become more
widespread. Maybe it will become less common as new technology, such as virtual
reality, becomes more readily available. Of course people who like to read simply
because they can get along with their thoughts will continue to read.
6 Do you think it’s a good
idea to teach children to read when they are very young?
Yes. They can learn more. Also they may be able to
enjoy a new pastime. Many children, instead of playing games which develop
social skills or doing things which promote good values such as reading good
books, play computer games and watch TV, which often causes anti-social
behavior.
7 What do children like to
read?
Children especially enjoy reading stories. They
also like reading books about nature. If a book has pictures, children will
really enjoy it. Many children like reading stories with silly themes often
because they were never given anything else. If parents or teachers introduce
their children to a wider variety of choices, children will enjoy a broader
range of books.
8 Do parents read stories to
their children in China?
Some do and some do not. My parents read to me when
I was a child, they were teachers. Some of my friends’ parents did not read to
them. In poor families, the parents may not be able to read at all. Of course
with their parents being so busy, to even have the time to read is a real
challenge in this day and age.
9 How do you think these
stories influence children?
Children are very much affected by the stories
their parents read to them. These stories are sometimes the first education a
child receives. I can remember many of the stories my parents first read to me.
Values found in children’s books will often affect the young readers. Because
their parents are reading the stories, the children will listen more.
10 Why do you think people
sometimes idealize characters in stories?
People need to have heroes they can look up to and
learn from. Role models are very important in life, as many teachers can tell
us. Children often imitate what their heroes or older people do. Idealistic
characters in stories have a great effect on individuals; even whole societies
have changed to imitate a famous character in a story.
Vocabulary for Speaking Part 3
Fantasy: The faculty or activity of imagining
impossible or improbable things.
Eg: There are different kinds of fantasies in the world.
Fiction: Literature in the form of prose
Eg: Children should read fiction to develop their minds
Idealistic: Characterized by idealism;
unrealistically aiming for perfection.
Eg: She’s still young and idealistic.
Imitate: Take or follow as a model.
Eg: I had the ability to imitate.
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