Question Set - Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved - Staying Up - Work or Studies - Books

Part 1

Introduction Questions
May I know your full name?
How may I address you?
May I see your ID?
Where do you come from?

Lets start with Staying Up

Do you often stay up late?
Sample Answer: Yes, I call myself a night person and I normally don’t sleep before midnight.
Did you stay up late when you were a kid?
Sample Answer: No, at that time my parents used to put me to bed early because I had school early in the morning.
What do you do when you stay up late?
Sample Answer: Normally I like to read online articles or browse through social media posts.
What does it feel like the next morning if you stay up late?
Sample Answer: It doesn’t feel much different now because my morning routine is not that busy. So, I get up late and casually go about things.
Do you think staying up late is a good habit?
Sample Answer: It depends on the individual and their lifestyle. For some people, staying up late works well, while for others it may not be a good habit.
Do you think people need less sleep as they get older?
Sample Answer: It varies from person to person. Some people may need less sleep as they get older, while others may still require the same amount of sleep.
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of staying up late?
Sample Answer: The advantage of staying up late is that it provides quiet and uninterrupted time for personal activities. However, the disadvantage is that it can lead to sleep deprivation and affect overall health.
Do you think students should be allowed to stay up late to study?
Sample Answer: It depends on the situation. While staying up late occasionally for studying may be necessary, it's important for students to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Do you think it's better to stay up late to finish work or to wake up early the next day to do it?
Sample Answer: It depends on the individual's productivity patterns. Some people may find it more effective to stay up late to finish work, while others may prefer waking up early to do it.

Lets start with Work or Studies

What work do you do?
Sample Answer: (personal answer)
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or that job)?
Sample Answer: I chose that work because I was interested in it.
Do you like your job?
Sample Answer: Yes I like my job. It is very interesting.
Is it very interesting?
Sample Answer: Yes it is very interesting.
Do you miss being a student?
Sample Answer: Yes I miss being a student. Now when I look back I realize that they were the happiest days of my life.
What subject(s) are you studying?
Sample Answer: I’ve just completed my senior secondary in commerce stream. Now I wish to go abroad for my higher education.
Why did you choose to study that subject/those subjects?
Sample Answer: I chose these subjects because I was interested in them.
Do you like your subject? Why/Why not?
Sample Answer: Yes I like my subjects. I think they’re very interesting.
Is it very interesting?
Sample Answer: Yes my subjects are very interesting.
Are you looking forward to working?
Sample Answer: Yes I’m looking forward to a part-time job when I go abroad to study.
Do you prefer to study in the mornings or afternoons?
Sample Answer: I prefer to study in the mornings because at that time I feel very fresh and I can concentrate on my studies.

Lets start with Books

Do you often read books? When?
Sample Answer: I do read books but not as often as I did in the past. Nowadays, I don’t find time to read as much as I did before.
Are your reading habits different than in the past?
Sample Answer: There is a major difference. In my childhood, I used to read books continuously without stress and worries. But now, I barely finish a book in a month and have shifted from reading fiction to nonfiction.
Have you ever read a book that has been adapted into film?
Sample Answer: Yes, I have read many novels that have been adapted into films. Among them, Harry Potter is the most famous one I have read.
What do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?
Sample Answer: I prefer watching movies these days as I lack the time for reading books. However, I feel some movies don't do justice to the books, so it really depends on the adaptation.

Part 2

Now, I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for 1-2 minutes. Before you talk you'll have one minute to think about what you are going to say and you can make notes if you wish. Do you understand?

Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved

You should say:
  • What it is
  • Why you haven't achieved it
  • What you did
  • And how you felt about it
Sample Answer:
  • • I have many ambitions in my life.
  • • But the one ambition that I am working on right now is to go for higher education in Canada.
  • • Earlier I didn’t have any plans to go abroad but a conversation with a friend who went to Canada changed my opinion.
  • • He told me about the difference in the quality of education and the work opportunities available there.
  • • So after completing my senior secondary education I decided that it would be the best opportunity for me.
  • • There are two main requisites to get admission in a good Canadian college.
  • • The first is good grades in senior secondary education.
  • • My grades are pretty satisfactory. So I didn’t have to worry about that.
  • • The second is a good score in English language tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
  • • I learned that Canadian colleges give preference to IELTS and hence I am taking the IELTS exam.
  • • For the past two-three months I have been practicing for the exam.
  • • I ordered the Cambridge books and started my preparation from them.
  • • There is a lot of free material available on the internet.
  • • So I used that to prepare myself.
  • • I used to practice for about 8 hours every day.
  • • I used to try to cover every IELTS module twice.
  • • For listening and reading I didn’t need much help.
  • • I just practised the test papers and looked at my mistakes after that so I don’t repeat them.
  • • For speaking and writing I joined a coaching institute and their teachers helped me a lot.
  • • I hope to get good bands so I can move ahead to the next step which is to apply for an offer letter from a Canadian College.
  • • I don’t think it has been an easy journey.
  • • English is not my first language and I have had to practise really hard.
  • • But I hope the fruits of the efforts will definitely be worth the struggle.

Part 3

We've been talking about Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this

  • What ambitions do children usually have?
    Sample Answer: Children have many ambitions. The first ambition is mainly about the profession - in childhood everyone has an ambition to do something noble like becoming a doctor or do something exciting like becoming a pilot or an astronaut. Then children also have an ambition of earning huge amounts of money.
  • Why are some people very ambitious in their work?
    Sample Answer: I think it’s just a part of their nature. They are ambitious because they want to grow and achieve something in their life. They want to be known for their work.
  • Why don't some people have dreams?
    Sample Answer: I think everyone has certain dreams. It’s just that some people are too lazy to work for their dreams. On the other hand, there are others who can do anything for their dreams and it shows.
  • How do people balance work and life?
    Sample Answer: I think everyone does it in their own way. My mother switches off her work mobile phone after 5 PM. Some people do it by taking regular breaks when they only focus on their family. I think it is something almost every person tries to do and fails. In recent years even governments are taking steps like limiting work hours so people are able to do so.

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