How many people are there in your family?
There are 5 people in my family: my father, mother, brother, sister, and me.
Does your family live in a house or an apartment?
We live in a house in the countryside.
What does your father do?
My father is a doctor.
He works at the local hospital.
How old is your mother?
She is 40 years old, 1 year younger than my father.
Do you have any siblings?
What’s his/her name?
Yes, I do.
I have 1 elder brother, David, and 1 younger sister, Mary.
Are you the oldest amongst your brothers and sisters?
No, I’m not.
I’m the second child in my family.
What do your mother/father like?
My father likes playing football and my mother likes cooking.
Do your parents let you stay out late?
Of course not.
They always ask me to get home before 10 pm each night.
Do you stay with your parents?
Right now, no, but I used to.
Does your family usually have dinner together?
Yes, we do.
My mom always prepares delicious meals for us.
How often do you eat out?
Who do you go with?
I often eat out on weekends, when I hang out with my friends.
What restaurant do you usually visit?
Well, there are not many restaurants in my neighborhood, so my best choice is the deli in convenient stores like the Circle K, Mini-Stop, B-smart.
What type of food do you enjoy to eat?
Western or Asian?
I’m interested in Asian food, Western food is not my thing.
How much do you usually pay when you eat out?
It’s not very expensive, just around $5 for each meal.
Do you enjoy spicy food?
Yes, I do, especially on cold days.
Are the servers there friendly to you?
Yes, they are.
Most of them are really helpful.
Have you ever tried Italian food?
Yes, at least once, when I was in my friend’s wedding party.
Are you concerned about calories when eating out?
Yes, I am.
I’m on diet now, so this really matters to me.
Are fast food restaurants like KFC or McDonald’s famous in your country?
Yes, they are.
The youth in my country are big fans of fast food.
Do you often drink alcohol when eating out?
No, not often.
Just when I have parties with my friends.
How often do you read books?
I read books almost every night before I go to bed.
What’s your favorite type of book?
I love reading about different cultures.
What can you learn from books?
Books can broaden my horizon about thousands of things around the world, and books are also my best friends.
Where do you read books?
I read books at home, sometimes in the library.
What’s the most interesting book you have ever read?
I think that would be Nepal, a book written about the country of Nepal, published in 1999.
How long does it take you to finish a book?
Well, it depends on the length of the book, but it usually takes me a week to finish a 300-page book.
Do you usually bring books with you when you travel?
Yes, I do.
When I’m at the airport or bus station, I read books to kill time.
Is there any bookstore or library in your area?
Unfortunately, there are none near my house.
The nearest one is 3 kilometers away.
How many places have you traveled to?
I’ve visited all the provinces throughout my country.
Who do you usually go with?
I often go with my family, sometimes with my best friends.
What’s your favorite tourist attraction?
That would be Venice city in Italy.
I love riding the gondola along the canals while watching Italian people live their daily lives.
Have you ever been abroad?
Yes, I have.
I came to Italy last year for a business trip.
What language do you use when traveling?
English, but sometimes I have to use body language since not all people are good at English.
What do you usually do during your trip?
I often go sightseeing, take pictures, mingle with the local people and sample the local cuisine.
What do you do to prepare for your trip?
Before the trip, I search for information about the location, weather, famous tourist attractions, transportation, local cuisine and prices on the internet.
What do you usually bring when you travel?
I usually pack my suitcase with some necessary items such as clothes, medicine, food, a map, and a camera.
Do you prefer traveling by car, train or plane?
I prefer planes although it can be a little expensive.
Planes are much faster than any other mode of transport.
Do you prefer traveling alone or joining a guided tour?
I love backpacking with my friends who share the same interests as me.
What type of websites do you often search for?
It varies depending on my goal.
I prefer entertainment and education websites such as facebook.com, wikipedia.org and VOA Special English.
How long have you been using them?
I have been using these websites since I was a freshman at university.
What do you visit those websites for?
I use them to study online or relax after working.
What’s your favorite website?
I think it’s probably youtube.com.
Can you read websites in English?
Yes, I can.
Most useful websites are written in English.
What’s the most popular website in your country?
I’m not quite sure, but I guess it would be facebook.com.
Do you think the youth should use websites as a reliable source of knowledge?
Not always, they should choose their sources carefully.
Have you ever been in any traffic accident?
Yes, three years ago.
What happened?
I was hit by a car while crossing the road.
How did you feel then?
I felt really terrible because of my injuries.
Who was involved in the accident?
The car driver, his family (inside the car), and me.
Did the insurance company pay for repair service?
I was walking so I did not require any car repair services.
Did you need a lawyer?
I hurt my lower back just a little, so I didn’t call a lawyer.
Did you report the issue to the police?
No, we didn’t want to get the police involved.
Were you sent to the hospital after the accident?
No, the injury wasn’t really serious.
Do you have a driving license?
Yes, I do.
I always keep it in my purse.
Why should people obey traffic regulations?
To protect themselves and others.
The best ways are to wear a helmet, wait for traffic lights and stay in the appropriate vehicle/pedestrian lanes.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, I did.
I enjoyed playing hide and seek with my peers.
Did you experience your childhood in a city or countryside?
I spent my childhood in a rural area where I could see vast rice fields.
Did you usually skip class when you were a child?
Yes, I did, and many of my friends did, too.
Who were you with when you were a child?
I was with my beloved family.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I dreamed of being a fashion designer.
Who did you love the most when you were a child?
I loved my mom the most since she was always there and took care of me.
Who was your childhood hero?
Robin Hood, he took money from the rich and gave it to the poor.
What reminds you of your childhood?
Green rice fields which I happen to see everywhere remind me of my beautiful childhood.
Did you change a lot when you grew up?
Yes, of course.
I’m more mature now both physically and mentally.
Why is childhood important?
Because it shapes people into who they will become.
How many rooms are there in your house?
There are 6 rooms: a living room, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.
Which floor is your bedroom on?
My bedroom is on the first floor of a three-storey house.
Is it big or small?
It’s not very spacious, just enough to put necessary furniture in.
What color is your bedroom painted?
It’s painted pink, my favorite color.
Do you love your room?
Why?
I love it very much because it is my private space whenever I go home.
What furniture does your bedroom contain?
It contains a bed, a desk, and a clothing closet.
What do you do in it?
Well, I spend most of my free time there reading books and sleeping.
How much time do you spend in your room?
About 10 hours a day, especially in the evening.
Do you share your room with anyone else?
No, everyone in my family has their own room, so I stay there alone.
What kind of presents are popular in your country?
It depends on the receivers.
For children, toys are the best choice.
For youth, souvenirs are recommended.
Who gave presents to you?
On what occasions?
I have received many presents, most of which were from my friends.
They gave me gifts on my birthday.
What was your last present?
It was a hand-made doll, given by my best friend when I moved to another city.
What was the one you like best?
I loved my book Nepal a lot.
It was given to me on my 23rd birthday by my brother.
Did you ever get a present you didn’t like?
Yes, I have, but I still treasure and take care of them.
How do you thank people who give you presents?
I gave them presents that they would like.
What are the times of the year that people give presents in your country?
Some special occasions are birthdays, weddings, graduation, New Year’s day, Valentine’s day, housewarming ceremonies, etc.
Who was the last person you gave a present to?
My mom, I bought her a coat on a business trip to Bangkok.
Is giving presents important in daily life?
Yes, it is.
It’s one of the best ways to show your love and gratitude to someone.
Which tourist attractions do you prefer when traveling?
Historical places or natural landmarks?
Well, historical places are always my first choice when traveling.
What do you usually do when visiting historical places?
I usually listen to the tour-guide introducing the sights and take notes about important historical events.
Can you name some historical places you have visited?
Whenever I travel to a foreign country, I always visit its famous historical places.
Some of them are the Pyramids in Egypt, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Stonehenge in England and the Taj Mahal in India.
What’s your most favorite historical place?
Why?
I love the Pyramids the most.
Taking a tour around the Pyramids, I can not only enjoy the gorgeous architecture but also learn cultural and historical values of the ancient Egyptian culture.
What is the most famous historical place in your country?
It’s definitely the Statue of Liberty in New York city.
What’s special about it?
The statue was gifted by the people of France.
It is a symbol of freedom for the US as well as a welcoming sight to people coming to the US from another country.
Where is it located?
It’s located on Liberty island in New York Harbor, NYC.
Should the youth visit historical places instead of other places?
Sure.
Nowadays the youth should visit these kind of places more often in order to preserve historical and cultural values of their country.
What are the benefits of reading a newspaper/magazine?
Newspapers/magazines can broaden your mind about thousands of things without the need to travel.
How often do you read it?
I read it every day.
What’s the best time to read the newspaper?
I think the best time is in the morning when you start a new day.
What types of magazines do you usually read?
I usually read politics and fashion magazines.
I also enjoy reading about culture and tourism.
What’s your favorite magazine?
My favorite is The New York Times, which writes about all sorts of things: business, sports, movies, travel, books, jobs, education, and real estate.
Do you read the paper or online news?
I prefer online news to save money.
How much does it cost you to buy paper newspaper per month?
I only buy a monthly newspaper, so it doesn’t cost much money.
Around $5/month.
What is the most popular magazine in your country?
I think it would be Forbes magazine, a leading source for reliable business news and financial information.
With the popularity of Internet, do you think newspapers and magazines will disappear?
Yes, unfortunately it’s just a matter of time.
How many events have you joined this year?
What were they about?
I have joined more than 10 events so far, most of which were about education.
What was your most memorable event?
The most memorable for me was an international study conference, in which I was introduced to some famous universities in Europe to study overseas.
Was it organized indoors or outdoors?
It was an indoor event.
Who sponsored the event?
The event organizer was the Education Department of American Center, but the universities introduced in the conference were the ones who paid.
Who went to the event with you?
I went there with my friends, who shared the same interest in studying abroad as me.
What were some performances in the event?
There were not many performances.
Each university representative just had a speech to introduce their school to students and then they hosted Q&A session.
Was the event shown on TV?
The event was not aired, but there were television advertisements for it.
How would someone market an event?
Taking advantage of social media is a smart way to promote an event.
At Home (1)
Scott: Where is Jane?
Patricia: She is in the living room.
Scott: What is she doing?
Patricia: She is playing the piano.
Scott: Where is the car?
Patricia: It is in the garage.
Scott: Where is the dog?
Patricia: The dog is in front of the door.
Scott: What is the dog doing?
Patricia: The dog is eating.
At Home (2)
Husband: Where are you?
Wife: I am in the kitchen.
Husband: What are you doing?
Wife: I am cooking dinner.
Husband: Where are Bill and Mary?
Wife: They are in the living room.
Husband: What are they doing?
Wife: They are watching TV.
Husband: Where is the cat?
Wife: She is in the dining room.
Husband: What is she doing?
Wife: She is sleeping.
My Favorite Photographs (1)
Susan: Who is she?
Roger: She is my sister.
Susan: What’s her name?
Roger: Her name is Jennifer.
Susan: Where is she in this photograph?
Roger: She’s in Toronto.
Susan: What is that building behind her?
Roger: She’s standing in front of the CN Tower.
Location (1)
Edward: Where is the school?
Diana: It’s between the library and the park.
Edward: Where is the post office?
Diana: It’s across from the movie theater.
Edward: Where is the royal bank?
Diana: It’s next to the supermarket.
Edward: Where is the gas station.
Diana: It’s around the corner from the church.
Edward: Where is the barbershop?
Diana: It’s near the bus station.
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Location (2)
Scott: Excuse me? Can you tell me the way to the nearest bank?
Ann: Yes, it’s on Geneva Street. As a matter of fact, I am going that way myself. So if you come with me, I will show you.
Scott: Thanks very much.
Ann: You are welcome.
Color (1)
Stewart: May I help you?
Sera: Yes, please. I am looking for an umbrella.
Stewart: What’s your favorite color?
Sera: It’s black.
Stewart: Sorry, we have no black umbrella right now.
Here is a nice umbrella.
Sera: But this umbrella is yellow.
Stewart: That’s OK. Yellow umbrellas are very popular this year.
Color (2)
Allen: Excuse me?
Is this your umbrella?
Sera: No, it isn’t.
Allen: Are you sure?
Sera: Yes, I am sure. That umbrella is brown, and my umbrella is yellow.
No Questions
Dennis: Are you married?
Jane: No, I’m not. I’m single.
Dennis: Tell me about your new car. Is it large?
Jane: No, it’s not. It is small.
Dennis: Tell me about the questions in your English book. Are they difficult?
Jane: No, they’re not. They are easy.
Dennis: Tell me about your new neighbors? Are they quiet?
Jane: No, they aren’t. They are noisy.
Short Answer
Linda: Is Alice young or old?
Glen: She is young.
Linda: Is Bill tall or short?
Glen: He is short.
Linda: Is Albert’s apartment big or little?
Glen: It’s small.
Linda: Were the last examinations easy or difficult?
Glen: They were difficult.
Linda: Is Julie married or single?
Glen: She is single.
Telephone Call (2)
Dave: Hello, Jack. This is Dave. I want to return the book I borrowed from you last night. Will you be at home at about six o’clock?
Jack: Yes, I will. I will be cooking dinner.
Dave: Oh! Well. Then I won’t come over at six.
Jack: Why not?
Dave: I don’t want to disturb you.
Jack: Don’t worry! You won’t disturb me.
Dave: OK. I will see you at six.
What’s A Grant?
Ted: My daughter is going to college.
Keith: That’s great, but it must be expensive.
Ted: Yes, but she has a grant.
Keith: A grant? What’s a grant?
Ted: The government is giving her money.
Keith: To pay for her education?
Ted: That’s right.
Keith: Does it pay for everything?
Ted: No, she has a loan, too.
Keith: What’s the difference between a loan and a grant?
Ted: You have to pay back a loan; a grant is a gift.
I’m Busy On Friday
John: Would you like to go to a pop concert?
Chris: Well, I’d like to… but when is it?
John: On Friday evening.
Chris: What a pity! I’m busy on Friday.
John: Maybe you could change your plans? It’s going to be a really great concert.
Chris: Maybe I will, I wouldn’t want to miss it.
John: Great, I’ll see you Friday!
Bless You
Wild: Ah-choo!
Smith: God bless you!
Wild: Thank you.
Smith: Do you have a cold?
Wild: Yes, that’s why I’m sneezing so much.
Smith: I hope you feel better soon.
Wild: I get a bad cold every winter.
Smith: Are you taking anything for your cold?
Wild: I’m taking Contac.
Smith: Does it help?
Wild: Yes, but it makes me sleepy.
Smith: You’d better not drive then!
I Don’t Feel Well
Phil: What are you looking for?
Donald: My jacket. I’m going to the doctor.
Phil: Why? What’s the problem?
Donald: I’m not sure, but I don’t feel well.
Phil: Do you have a fever?
Donald: No, but I have a pain in my chest.
Phil: What time is your appointment?
Donald: Eleven-thirty. I’m going now. Bye.
Phil: Good-bye. I hope it’s nothing serious.
Donald: Thanks. See you.
Can You Help Me?
Ron: Can you help me, officer?
Steve: I’ll try. What’s the problem?
Ron: I can’t get into my car.
Steve: Where are your keys?
Ron: They’re in the car.
Steve: Don’t worry. I can open it.
Ron: How can you do that?
Steve: With a coat hanger. It’s easy.
Ron: Where can we get a coat hanger?
Steve: There’s one in the police car. Wait here.
Ron: Thanks a lot! You’re very kind.
Taking a Cab
Cab Driver: Hello.
Michael: Hello.
Cab Driver: Where do you want to go?
Michael: 70 Maple Street, please.
Cab Driver: 70 Mibble Street.
Michael: No, Maple street.
Cab Driver: Maple Street…let’s see… Is that near St. David Street?
Michael: I don’t know. I’ve been here only one week.
Cab Driver: Oh, where are you from?
Michael: Toronto.
I Hate to Get Up
Mike: I hate to get up in the morning.
Ray: Me too! What time do you get up?
Mike: At six o’clock.
Ray: Why do you get up so early?
Mike: I have to be at work by seven.
Ray: I don’t get up until eight.
Mike: You’re lucky. What do you do?
Ray: I own a bookstore.
Mike: What time does your store open?
Ray: At eight-thirty.
A Hot Day
Mel: This heat is killing me!
Matthew: Me too! It must be ninety-five degrees.
Mel: I would like a cold drink.
Matthew: I’ll get you one.
Mel: Thanks. Mmm. This tastes good!
Matthew: It does, jeez, this hot weather makes me lazy.
Mel: Me too, get me another drink?
Matthew: I guess if you’re lazy no one else is allowed to be!
Mel: He he he, thanks for understanding!
Phone Out of Order (1)
Gerald: Hey! Hey!
Walter: What’s wrong?
Gerald: There is something wrong with the phone. I’m getting a strange noise.
Walter: Are you? I can hear you very clearly.
Gerald: Hello! Hello!
Walter: This pay phone might be out of order. I’ll call you again with another phone….
Walter: Hello! How about now? Is there still a strange noise?
Gerald: Yes. Perhaps my phone is out of order.
Walter: You should get in touch with the phone company.
Phone Out of Order (2)
Gerald: Hey! What’s the matter with the phone?(Handing the receiver to B) Listen to this peculiar noise.
Thomas: It doesn’t sound like a dial tone.
Gerald: It must be out of order. We’d better notify the phone company.
Thomas: How do we do that? We can’t use the phone.
Gerald: Let’s go next door and use our neighbour’s phone.
Thomas: He’s always complaining about people. I don’t want to ask any favours of him.
Gerald: How about across the street?
Thomas: I forgot about Mrs. Riley! I’m sure she’d let us use her phone.