1. DESCRIBE A USEFUL OBJECT YOU USE ALMOST EVERY DAY
You should say: what it is, how you got it, how you use it, and why it is useful.
Sample
The first thing that comes to mind is my phone. I know that sounds incredibly predictable, but honestly, I’d be lost without it on a typical day. I use it for everything from checking messages and making calls to setting reminders and looking up information.
I actually bought my current phone a couple of years ago when my previous one started acting up. At first, I thought I’d just use it for communication, but it gradually became part of my daily routine. I use it to organise my work, keep track of appointments and even make quick notes when an idea pops into my head.
What makes it particularly useful is that it puts so many things at my fingertips. I don’t have to carry a notebook, camera, calculator and diary separately. It’s basically an all-in-one tool.
I wouldn’t say I’m addicted to it, but it would definitely throw a spanner in the works if I suddenly had to live without it.
Idioms / phrases:
at my fingertips..., part of my daily routine..., acting up..., throw a spanner in the works..., all-in-one.
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2. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU HAD TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING IMPORTANT
You should say: what you waited for, why it was important, how long you waited, and how you felt.
Sample
One situation that immediately comes to mind was when I was waiting for an important result. I had put quite a lot of effort into the whole process, so naturally, I was desperate to know the outcome.
The funny thing was that the actual waiting period wasn’t particularly long, but it felt like an eternity. I kept checking my phone every few minutes, even though I knew the result wouldn’t magically appear any faster.
At first, I tried to keep myself busy. I watched something, did some household chores and talked to a friend, but my mind kept wandering back to it. Eventually, I got the message, and I remember feeling a huge sense of relief.
Looking back, the experience taught me that waiting is sometimes harder than the actual event. When something matters to you, even a few hours can feel like forever.
Idioms / phrases:
felt like an eternity..., desperate to know..., keep myself busy..., mind kept wandering..., huge sense of relief.
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3. DESCRIBE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN CONCENTRATE WELL
You should say: where it is, what it looks like, what you do there, and why you concentrate well there.
Sample
A place that works really well for me is a quiet corner of my home. It isn’t anything fancy, but I’ve arranged it in a way that helps me focus.
There’s a comfortable chair, a small desk and just the basic things I need. I deliberately keep the area fairly uncluttered because if there’s too much stuff around me, I somehow end up paying attention to everything except my work.
I usually sit there when I need to read, prepare something or deal with tasks that require serious concentration. The biggest advantage is that there are very few distractions. I can put my phone away, shut the door and get on with things.
It’s basically my little productivity zone. Once I sit there, my brain seems to switch into work mode, which is probably why I get much more done than I would on the sofa.
Idioms / phrases:
get on with it..., productivity zone..., work mode..., pay attention..., get more done.
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4. DESCRIBE A PERSON WHO IS VERY GOOD AT ORGANISING THINGS
You should say: who the person is, what they organise, how they do it, and why you admire this ability.
Sample
The person who immediately comes to mind is someone I know who seems to have a system for absolutely everything. If there’s a trip, an event or even a simple family gathering, this person somehow has all the details sorted out.
What I find impressive is that they don’t seem stressed while doing it. They make lists, set reminders and work things out well in advance. Meanwhile, I’m sometimes still wondering what I’m supposed to be doing!
I particularly noticed this during a family event. They had planned the timings, food, transport and even a backup plan in case something went wrong. And, surprisingly, almost everything went according to plan.
I think that kind of organisation takes a lot of discipline. It definitely makes life easier because you’re not constantly running around trying to fix last-minute problems.
Idioms / phrases:
have everything sorted out..., well in advance..., backup plan..., go according to plan..., last-minute problems.
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5. DESCRIBE A SMALL BUSINESS YOU LIKE VISITING
You should say: what it is, where it is, what it sells, and why you like it.
Sample
There’s a small shop near my home that I quite like visiting. It’s not a huge business or anything glamorous, but it has a really pleasant atmosphere.
They sell everyday household items, snacks and a few locally made products. What keeps me going back is the service. The owner actually remembers regular customers, so there’s a friendly, familiar feeling whenever you walk in.
Another thing I like is that I can usually find something slightly different from what I’d see in a large supermarket. Sometimes we have a quick chat, and the owner even recommends products based on what I’ve bought before.
I think small businesses like this add character to a neighbourhood. They may not have the purchasing power of big companies, but they often make up for it with personal service.
Idioms / phrases:
quite like..., go back to..., make up for..., add character..., familiar feeling.
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6. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU LOST SOMETHING AND FOUND IT AGAIN
You should say: what you lost, where you lost it, how you found it, and how you felt.
Sample
One incident that still makes me laugh happened when I thought I’d lost my keys. I was already running late, so naturally, I started panicking almost immediately.
I checked my bag, my pockets and practically every surface in the house. After about ten minutes, I was convinced I’d have to get a spare key. Then, completely by chance, I noticed the keys sitting on a shelf right in front of me.
I honestly couldn’t believe it. They had been there the whole time, and I’d somehow looked straight past them. The relief was instant, followed by a little embarrassment because I had created such a drama over something so simple.
Since then, I’ve tried to keep my keys in exactly the same place. It sounds boring, but it saves me a lot of unnecessary stress.
Idioms / phrases:
running late..., start panicking..., right in front of me..., look straight past..., unnecessary stress.
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7. DESCRIBE A PIECE OF ADVICE THAT CHANGED THE WAY YOU DO SOMETHING
You should say: who gave it, what the advice was, when you received it, and how it changed you.
Sample
One piece of advice I still remember was given to me by someone close to me. I was trying to deal with too many things at once, and I was constantly worrying about what might go wrong.
They basically told me to focus on what I could actually control instead of wasting energy on things completely outside my hands.
At first, it sounded like one of those simple pieces of advice that everyone gives, but I gradually realised how useful it was. Whenever I start overthinking something now, I ask myself whether there’s actually anything I can do about it.
If there is, I take action. If there isn’t, I try to let it go.
It hasn’t magically solved every problem in my life, but it has definitely helped me keep things in perspective.
Idioms / phrases:
outside my hands..., overthink something..., take action..., let it go..., keep things in perspective.
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8. DESCRIBE A SKILL YOU LEARNED OUTSIDE SCHOOL OR WORK
You should say: what the skill is, when you learned it, how you learned it, and why it is useful.
Sample
A useful skill I picked up outside school or work is basic cooking. I wouldn’t call myself an expert chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I can prepare a decent meal now.
I actually learned mostly through trial and error. I watched videos, followed recipes and made plenty of mistakes along the way. Sometimes the result was great, and sometimes it was absolutely inedible.
Over time, though, I became more confident. I learned how to adjust ingredients, manage cooking times and, most importantly, stay calm when something didn’t go according to plan.
It’s a surprisingly useful skill because it saves money and gives me more control over what I eat. Plus, there’s something satisfying about making a meal from scratch.
Idioms / phrases:
pick up a skill..., by any stretch of the imagination..., trial and error..., along the way..., from scratch.
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9. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU HELPED SOMEONE SOLVE A PRACTICAL PROBLEM
You should say: who needed help, what the problem was, what you did, and how you felt.
Sample
I remember helping someone who was having trouble with a phone or computer. They were completely stuck and had already tried several things without success.
I’m not particularly technical, but I decided to have a look. We went through the settings step by step and eventually figured out that the problem was actually something quite simple.
The funny part was that the solution took about five minutes once we identified the cause. The person was incredibly relieved because they had been convinced the device was completely broken.
I was glad I could help. Sometimes people don’t necessarily need an expert; they just need someone to stay calm and look at the problem from a different angle.
Idioms / phrases:
completely stuck..., have a look..., step by step..., figure something out..., from a different angle.
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10. DESCRIBE A PUBLIC PLACE THAT HAS CHANGED RECENTLY
You should say: where it is, what it was like before, what has changed, and what you think about it.
Sample
There’s a public area near where I live that has recently been renovated. It used to be quite dull and poorly maintained, so people didn’t really spend much time there.
After the renovation, they added seating, better lighting, greenery and a few walking areas. The whole place feels more open and welcoming now.
What surprised me was how quickly people started using it. Families go there in the evening, children have somewhere to play and older people can sit and chat.
Personally, I think it was a worthwhile change. It wasn’t a spectacular transformation, but it made the area more useful and pleasant. Sometimes relatively small improvements can have a big impact on everyday life.
Idioms / phrases:
poorly maintained..., worthwhile change..., big impact..., spruce up..., more welcoming.
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11. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU RECEIVED UNEXPECTED GOOD NEWS
You should say: what the news was, when you received it, who told you, and how you reacted.
Sample
One piece of good news I received completely out of the blue was when I got a message I had been hoping for, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting it that day.
I was in the middle of doing something completely ordinary when I checked my phone and saw the message. At first, I actually read it twice because I thought I might have misunderstood it.
Once it sank in, I was absolutely delighted. I immediately shared the news with my family, and everyone was genuinely pleased.
What made it special was the fact that I hadn’t been waiting around expecting a positive outcome. So when it finally happened, it felt like a pleasant surprise.
Idioms / phrases:
out of the blue..., sink in..., absolutely delighted..., waiting around..., pleasant surprise.
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12. DESCRIBE A USEFUL ITEM THAT SOMEONE GAVE YOU
You should say: what it was, who gave it to you, when you received it, and why it is useful.
Sample
A useful item someone gave me was a small portable charger. It may sound like a fairly ordinary gift, but I use it much more often than I expected.
I received it from someone who knew I was constantly using my phone and occasionally running out of battery when I was away from home.
It’s incredibly handy when I’m travelling or spending a long day outside. Instead of desperately looking for a charging point, I can simply connect my phone and carry on with whatever I’m doing.
The best thing is that it’s small enough to fit into my bag without taking up much space. It’s one of those gifts that doesn’t look particularly exciting, but once you have it, you wonder how you managed without it.
Idioms / phrases:
come in handy..., run out of battery..., carry on..., take up space..., wonder how I managed without it.
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13. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR ORIGINAL PLAN
You should say: what your original plan was, why it changed, what you did instead, and how you felt.
Sample
One time I had to completely change my plans was when I was supposed to go somewhere with a few people, but something unexpected came up at the last minute.
Initially, I was quite annoyed because everything had already been arranged. I’d mentally planned the whole day, so having to change it felt like a real inconvenience.
However, instead of letting it ruin the day, we came up with a backup plan. We stayed closer to home, found somewhere to eat and ended up having a surprisingly good time.
Looking back, it was actually a useful reminder that things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes you just have to roll with it instead of getting worked up over something you can’t control.
Idioms / phrases:
at the last minute..., backup plan..., ruin the day..., roll with it..., get worked up.
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14. DESCRIBE A PERSON WHO IS GOOD AT MAKING DECISIONS
You should say: who the person is, what decisions they make, how they decide, and why you admire them.
Sample
Someone I know who is particularly good at making decisions is a person who rarely gets overwhelmed when there are several options.
What I admire is that they don’t rush into things. They usually look at the pros and cons, think about the long-term consequences and then make a decision without constantly second-guessing themselves.
I remember once when we had to choose between several options for something important. Everyone else was going back and forth, but this person calmly compared everything and helped us settle on the most sensible choice.
I think good decision-making is less about always being right and more about being able to make a reasonable choice and move forward without dwelling on it.
Idioms / phrases:
rush into something..., weigh the pros and cons..., go back and forth..., settle on..., second-guess yourself.
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15. DESCRIBE A PLACE YOU VISITED THAT WAS MUCH QUIETER THAN EXPECTED
You should say: where it was, why you went there, what you expected, and how you felt.
Sample
A place that really surprised me was a popular tourist area that I expected to be absolutely packed. I’d heard a lot about it, so I assumed there would be crowds everywhere.
But when I visited, it was almost eerily quiet. There were only a handful of people around, and the whole place had a very relaxed atmosphere.
Instead of feeling disappointed, I actually enjoyed it more. I could walk around at my own pace, take photographs and properly appreciate the surroundings without constantly bumping into people.
It was one of those unexpected little surprises that makes a trip memorable. I went there expecting chaos and ended up getting a peaceful afternoon.
Idioms / phrases:
absolutely packed..., a handful of..., at my own pace..., bump into people..., unexpected little surprise.
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16. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU SUCCESSFULLY PERSUADED SOMEONE
You should say: who you persuaded, what you wanted them to do, how you persuaded them, and how you felt.
Sample
I remember persuading someone close to me to try something they were initially quite reluctant about. They had already made up their mind that they wouldn’t enjoy it.
Instead of pushing them, I explained why I thought it would be worthwhile and suggested that they simply give it a try once.
I also pointed out a few practical benefits and reassured them that they could stop if they genuinely disliked it. Eventually, they agreed.
The funny thing is that they ended up enjoying it much more than I expected. Afterwards, they admitted that they were glad they had given it a chance.
I was pleased, but I also realised that persuasion works better when you understand the other person rather than simply trying to get your own way.
Idioms / phrases:
give it a try..., give it a chance..., get your own way..., make up your mind..., point out.
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17. DESCRIBE A DAILY HABIT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DEVELOP
You should say: what the habit is, why you want it, what prevents you, and how you could develop it.
Sample
One habit I’d really like to develop is reading for a little while every day. I used to read much more regularly, but these days it’s surprisingly easy to spend that time scrolling through my phone instead.
Ideally, I’d like to read for around twenty or thirty minutes before going to bed. It would help me relax, improve my vocabulary and give me a proper break from screens.
The biggest obstacle is probably consistency. I can do something for a few days and then suddenly fall off the wagon.
So I think the sensible approach would be to start small rather than setting an unrealistic target. If I make it part of my evening routine, hopefully it’ll eventually become second nature.
Idioms / phrases:
fall off the wagon..., start small..., second nature..., scroll through..., make it part of my routine.
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18. DESCRIBE AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION YOU HAD WITH SOMEONE YOU HAD JUST MET
You should say: who the person was, where you met, what you talked about, and why it was interesting.
Sample
I once had a surprisingly interesting conversation with someone I had only just met at an event. We started with the usual small talk, but somehow the conversation moved into travel, work and different ways of looking at everyday life.
What made it interesting was that we had very different backgrounds, so they had completely different experiences from mine. I found myself asking lots of questions because I genuinely wanted to know more.
We probably talked for less than an hour, but it felt much longer because the conversation flowed so naturally.
I think that’s what makes a good conversation—you don’t have to force it. One topic simply leads to another, and before you know it, you’ve learned something new about someone.
Idioms / phrases:
small talk..., move into..., different backgrounds..., conversation flowed..., before you know it.
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19. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN SOMETHING DID NOT WORK AS EXPECTED
You should say: what happened, what you expected, what you did, and how you felt.
Sample
I remember buying something that I expected to work perfectly, but it started causing problems almost immediately.
At first, I thought I was using it incorrectly, so I checked the instructions and tried a few different things. Nothing seemed to work, and honestly, I was getting quite frustrated.
Eventually, I contacted the seller and found out that there was actually a fault with the product. They arranged a replacement, so thankfully, the problem was sorted out.
It was annoying at the time, but it taught me not to assume that every problem is my fault. Sometimes something simply doesn’t work properly, and the best thing you can do is deal with it rather than wasting hours getting frustrated.
Idioms / phrases:
not work properly..., get frustrated..., sort something out..., waste hours..., at the time.
20. DESCRIBE A LOCAL PLACE YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO A VISITOR
You should say: what the place is, where it is, what visitors can do there, and why you recommend it.
Sample
If a visitor asked me to recommend somewhere local, I’d probably suggest a popular market area near where I live.
It’s a great place to experience everyday life rather than just seeing the typical tourist attractions. There are food stalls, small shops and plenty of people going about their daily business.
I’d suggest going in the evening because that’s when the place really comes alive. You can grab something to eat, wander around and simply soak up the atmosphere.
I think it gives visitors a more authentic experience. They get to see how people actually spend their time, rather than just visiting places that have been designed specifically for tourists.
Idioms / phrases:
come alive..., grab something to eat..., soak up the atmosphere..., go about their business..., authentic experience.
21. DESCRIBE SOMETHING OLD THAT YOU OR YOUR FAMILY STILL KEEP
You should say: what it is, how old it is, how you got it, and why you keep it.
Sample
There’s an old family item that we’ve kept for years. It isn’t particularly expensive or valuable in financial terms, but it has a lot of meaning attached to it.
It has been passed down through the family, so several generations have actually seen and used it. Whenever I look at it, I’m reminded of family stories and people from the past.
We don’t use it regularly anymore, but I don’t think anyone wants to throw it away. It’s almost like a physical link to an earlier period of our lives.
I think that’s why people keep old possessions. Sometimes their real value isn’t what they’re worth; it’s the memories and stories that come with them.
Idioms / phrases:
passed down..., attached to..., throw away..., link to the past..., come with memories.
22. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU HAD TO LEARN SOMETHING QUICKLY
You should say: what you had to learn, why you needed to learn it quickly, how you learned it, and how you felt.
Sample
One situation that comes to mind was when I suddenly had to learn how to use a new piece of technology. I didn’t have much time because I needed it for something important the following day.
Initially, I felt slightly overwhelmed because there were so many features and settings. Instead of trying to understand everything, I focused only on what I actually needed.
I watched a few short tutorials, practised the basic functions and made a few mistakes along the way. By the end of the day, I could use it well enough to get the job done.
I was quite relieved, to be honest. It reminded me that when time is tight, learning the essentials first is often much more effective than trying to master everything at once.
Idioms / phrases:
time is tight..., get the job done..., along the way..., get the hang of..., focus on the essentials.
23. DESCRIBE A DECISION YOU MADE AFTER COMPARING SEVERAL OPTIONS
You should say: what the decision was, what options you considered, how you compared them, and why you chose one.
Sample
A decision I remember making after comparing several options was choosing a new device. There were so many models available that making a decision was actually harder than I expected.
Rather than simply choosing the most expensive one, I made a short list of what mattered to me—price, reliability, performance and how long I expected to use it.
I compared a few models and read some reviews before finally choosing one that offered the best balance.
I was quite happy with the decision because I didn’t feel as though I’d simply been influenced by advertising. I had actually thought it through and chosen something that suited my needs.
Idioms / phrases:
make a shortlist..., weigh up..., best balance..., think something through..., suit my needs.
24. DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU NOTICED SOMETHING INTERESTING IN AN ORDINARY PLACE
You should say: where you were, what you noticed, why it caught your attention, and how you felt.
Sample
I remember noticing something interesting while I was waiting somewhere completely ordinary. I was sitting around with nothing particular to do, so I started paying attention to the people around me.
I noticed how differently people behaved while they were waiting. Some were glued to their phones, some were chatting, and others just sat quietly and watched what was happening.
It sounds like a very simple observation, but I found it surprisingly fascinating. It made me realise how people have completely different ways of dealing with the same situation.
Normally, I would probably have ignored all of this and gone straight back to my phone. So it was actually quite refreshing to slow down and simply observe what was happening around me.
Idioms / phrases:
caught my attention..., glued to their phones..., slow down..., pay attention..., take something in.
25. DESCRIBE AN ACTIVITY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME BETTER AT
You should say: what it is, why you want to improve, what you currently do, and how you could improve.
Sample
One activity I’d genuinely like to get better at is photography. I already take plenty of pictures, especially when I’m travelling, but most of the time I just point my phone at something and hope for the best.
I’d love to understand things like lighting, composition and angles properly. At the moment, I rely more on luck than actual skill.
If I had more time, I’d probably follow a beginner course and practise regularly instead of expecting myself to improve overnight. I could also study photographs taken by experienced photographers and try to understand what makes them work.
For me, the appeal is that photography makes you notice ordinary things differently. You start looking at light, colours and small details that you might otherwise completely miss.
Idioms / phrases:
get better at..., hope for the best..., rely on luck..., improve overnight..., miss the little details.
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