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[The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Games:
Q. What games are popular in your country? [Why?]
Answer: Cricket, field hockey and football are some of the most popular games in India. However, cricket is by far the most popular among them, followed by field hockey, simply because we are really good at paying both of these games. In fact, we have become Cricket World cup champion three times in the past while Hockey world Cup champion once. Indians are very passionate about cricket and we love to watch hockey games whenever possible.
Q. Do you play any games? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do play “Cricket” because it is one of most favorite hobbies I have. I started playing this game from my early childhood also because my elder encouraged me to do so. By the way, my elder brother is a great cricket player. Besides, I play this magnificent sport also because it doesn’t only keep me fit and healthy, but it also makes me “popular” within my friend circle!
Q. How do people learn to play games in your country?
Answer: People usually learn to play games in my country by playing with others in the same neighborhood when they are still children of young age. However, they also learn to play sports at their schools as young kids, and some of them join a sports academy in order to become professional players.
Q. Do you think it’s important for people to play games? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I think that it is very important for people to play games since it is really good for their physical and mental fitness. Besides, sports also prevent people from getting involved in anti-social activities such as crimes and drug addiction. Finally, playing sports also prepare people to face bigger challenges in life successfully.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe an open-air or street market which you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
and explain why you enjoyed visiting this market.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer:
Visiting any Indian street market is like visiting India itself as the diversity and colours of the country is captured in its local markets so well. So, when I, as a frequent visitor of open-air markets in my country, visited Commercial Street in Bangaluru last time, I knew that I was going to have a really good time!
Being well-known as one of the best, busiest and oldest (running for more than 400 years) markets in Bangaluru, the market is about 460 meters in length, with its one end starting from Kamaraj road and ending at the Juma Masjid (mosque). As one of the most popular tourist destinations for the international visitors as well as college students (because of its proximity to many colleges), the commercial street is like a “one-stop” shop for everybody who is on the lookout to buy all kinds of stuff, specially if you are interested to buy apparel, footwear, jewellery, electronics, books, accessories, antiques, foods and beverages at a very affordable price. However, if you are not really into the mood for buying something, or if you get really tired of shopping, you can always eat mouth-watering Indian delicacies such as “Sweet Corn”, “Bhel Puri”, “Shawarmas” and “Dosas” from a very wide range of food places!
I enjoyed visiting this shopaholics’ paradise primarily because not only everything is really affordable there (of course, only after hefty bargaining), but also many international brand products were on display! Another reason, for which I really enjoyed visiting this grand old street market is that I was actually able to park my car very close to the marketplace which doesn’t really happen that often when visiting an Indian open-air market. Finally, I will never forget about visiting this great place because I was actually able to talk to two of my favourite actors, who visited (in fact, I later had come to know that they visited that place pretty much regularly) the famous flea market on that day!
Discussion topics:
Shopping at markets:
Q. Do people in your country enjoy going to open-air markets that sell things like food or clothes or old objects? Which type of market is more popular? Why?
Answer: Yes, people in my country do enjoy going to open-air markets that sell various food, clothing items and old objects. In fact, most Indian markets traditionally are open-air street markets, apart from the “supermarkets” and “city markets” in some kind of building structures in the cities. These traditional markets are very popular among the Indians for centuries. These open-air markets enjoy huge popularity among Indians mainly because all commodities sold there are mostly very affordable. Besides, food and vegetables at these marketplaces are popular also because of their freshness.
Q. Do you think markets are more suitable places for selling certain types of things? Why do you think this is?
Answer: Yes, traditionally, markets are more suitable places for selling, not just certain types of things but all kinds of things, mainly because of the conveniences and benefits they provide. In fact, it is not realistic to expect that the buyers will visit from places to places for hours and days in order to find and buy what they need. Selling everything at markets also ensures that both the sellers and buyers are getting the “fair” market prices of their products and commodities since there are always some rooms for “bargaining”. Besides, when it comes to monitoring and regulations, it is much easier to monitor and regulate markets by the government authorities for all kinds of smooth transactions, monetary or otherwise.
Q. Do you think young people feel the same about shopping at markets as older people? Why is that?
Answer: I don’t really think that young people feel the same about shopping at markets as older people mainly because it is not that convenient to shop in a market. At markets, one has to go from one place to another to buy certain things, which is time-consuming and frustrating affair at times, while young people usually prefer to hang out with friends at one place and have fun these days. While older people would rather prefer to save some money, because of their traditional beliefs and lifestyles, by buying things at markets, young people these days may not actually be that enthusiastic about saving money in this way.
Shopping in general:
Q. What do you think are the advantages of buying things from shops rather than markets?
Answer: One of the greatest advantages of buying things from a shop, rather than markets, is that buying at shops is much less time consuming since many/all commodities can be purchased pretty much from the same shop. Besides, buying things at shops are much more convenient since one doesn’t really have to struggle with the heat of the sun, cold or rain in the open as opposed to purchasing things at markets. Finally, it is better to buy things from shops because some of those things actually remain well-preserved and healthy most of the times which may not be the case when buying things from markets.
Q. How does advertising influence what people choose to buy? Is this true for everyone?
Answer: Advertisers spend tons of money by presenting things in a very colorful and tempting manner on different media outlets in order to influence people in their purchasing habits. For example, when a particular clothing company “dresses” up a very famous and beautiful actress or model and make her look really happy in that dress, made by the company, on television or magazines, the chances are that some young women out there in the market would also want to look the same by purchasing that particular dress because it is our human psychology to identify ourselves with somebody “famous and beautiful”. But, does this human psychology apply to everyone? The answer is “no” since we all are different with different kinds of taste, preference and judgment.
Q. Do you think that any recent changes in the way people live have affected general shopping habits? Why is this?
Answer: Yes, I do think that recent changes, in the way people live, have considerably affected general shopping habits. In fact, our expectations have increased in many folds since, in these days, we prefer more convenience, comfort and luxury than our “conventional, moderate and economic lifestyles” can offer. For example, we are not really happy and satisfied with a “regular” affordable clothing item, made by some unknown local company, rather we look for some expensive clothing items made by some famous international brands because we most probably want to feel more “valuable” and stylish than the “average”. Besides, we have too many choices and we have created a throwaway society with our consumerism habits.
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