Question Set - Describe a time when you were late - Housework and Cooking - Sports - Geography

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 Housework and Cooking

Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home now?
Sample Answer: My cooking skills are quite limited. However, I do make the evening tea and cut the cucumber and radish for the salad. I also wash the utensils.
Do you think your home is clean and tidy?
Sample Answer: I wouldn’t call it clean, but I wouldn’t call it dirty also. I try to keep it as clean as I can, but it does get dirty.
Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Sample Answer: Yes, in fact, I used to spend more time on house cleaning when I was young as I had more free time.
Do you have breakfast at home every day?
Sample Answer: As I get up late, I normally don’t have time to cook breakfast in the morning. But I do have something like fruits, breakfast cereals, or boiled eggs before I leave home.
Do you want to learn how to cook well?
Sample Answer: I want to learn to cook to survive. I don’t plan or want to be an expert, but I want my cooking to be edible.
What housework do you like or dislike doing?
Sample Answer: The one thing I really like is feeding the dogs and taking them out for a walk. They are a part of our lives and I love spending time with them.

Lets start with Sports

What sports do you like?
Sample Answer: I like to watch many sports like cricket, football, tennis, basketball, etc., but I love playing cricket and table tennis.
Where did you learn to play?
Sample Answer: I think I learnt playing cricket by watching it on TV and from the other children in the neighbourhood. In India, everyone likes to play cricket, so it's not very hard to learn it.
Did you do some sports when you were young?
Sample Answer: Yes, I have been playing cricket since my childhood. In my childhood, I also used to play hockey and volleyball, but now I don’t.
Do you think children need more exercise?
Sample Answer: Yes, certainly. I think the number of children who are unfit and obese is increasing day by day. So, I think it is absolutely necessary that they get more exercise.

Lets start with Geography

Do you like geography?
Sample Answer: Yes, I like geography. In fact, it was one of my favourite subjects when I was in school.
Have you ever studied geography at school?
Sample Answer: Yes, I studied geography when I was at school.
Are you good at reading a map?
Sample Answer: Well, I don’t think I am good at reading maps, but I am able to read them decently, so I don’t have trouble while I am travelling.
Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?
Sample Answer: Yes, I love visiting coastal countries. I want to visit Maldives and Seychelles when I grow older.

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 a time when you were late

You should say:
  • When it was
  • Why you were late
  • How you felt about being late
Sample Answer:
  • • I am a very punctual person and try to reach everywhere on time.
  • • I got this habit from my father who is very disciplined and strict about being on time.
  • • He always told me that if you are punctual it tells people that you are dependable.
  • • If I have an appointment I take extra caution and try to reach at least 10 minutes before my appointment time.
  • • But sometimes even giving myself this extra time has not helped and I have been late.
  • • I remember being late to my best friend’s wedding.
  • • My best friend ‘Ajay’ got married last year.
  • • He is the first one to get married among my friends and we were all very excited.
  • • Indian wedding ceremonies are very lavish and usually there are 2-3 functions before the ceremony.
  • • A day before the wedding there had been a sangeet ceremony where we danced and partied till late night.
  • • I was tired in the morning but woke up and got ready on time to be with my friend on his special day.
  • • The wedding ceremony was in the Gurudwara on the outskirts of our city about 15kms from my home.
  • • I had been there before with Ajay and he had given me directions that time.
  • • I am bad with remembering directions and road names. I always rely on my cell phone’s map app.
  • • On the wedding day I put the address in my phone and started from my home well on time.
  • • After 40 minutes my mobile gps said that I had arrived at your destination but when I looked around there was no Gurudwara and just some old buildings there.
  • • I realized that since the Gurudwara was new and away from the city the map app had not recognized the address and taken me to a different address.
  • • I got out and asked around. Fortunately someone knew the exact location and told me the directions.
  • • I had taken the wrong route and driven the opposite way.
  • • I was so annoyed with myself for not paying attention.
  • • I called another friend who was at the wedding and asked him to share his location in case I got lost again.
  • • By the time I reached the ceremony had already started and about was half done.
  • • I felt terrible about being late to my friend’s wedding. Till this day he teases me that I who is always punctual was late to his wedding.

Part 3

We've been talking about Describe a time when you were late, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this

  • Are you ever late for anything?/ Are you a punctual person?
    Sample Answer: No I am a very punctual person. I value time and am never late for anything unless it is due to some unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances.
  • What excuses do you use when you are late?
    Sample Answer: I am usually not late for any meetings or appointments. However if at all I am getting late due to an unavoidable circumstance then I inform the person I am meeting beforehand. I don’t make excuses.
  • Why are people often late for appointments or meeting?
    Sample Answer: I think its a problem with time management. For example, people often underestimate the time they need for something and they realise they need much more time when they start doing it. Moreover many people don’t consider being a little late to be wrong.
  • Do you think people are born with time management skills or they can be taught?
    Sample Answer: I think time management is something we acquire over time. It's something we learn from our parents. If parents are punctual and strict on time, children also become punctual. Moreover it also has a cultural aspect. For example, Japanese people are generally very punctual.
  • How would you teach your children time management?
    Sample Answer: Time management can be taught to children by helping them make a timetable and ensuring that they follow it. Also, children can learn easily from stories or movies which teach them a lesson about the importance of time and managing it well. The parents are role models for children and they should set a good example for their children.
  • Do old people and young people manage time in a similar way?
    Sample Answer: No, old and young people do not manage their time the same way. Old people have more life experience and they understand the importance of time management better than the young generation. The young people may be too impulsive or impatient and may not understand the importance of planning ahead. Another difference is the way the younger generation manages time. They make more use of technology and the old people may use the traditional methods like a timetable or writing down a list of tasks.

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