DDYS12

Your Home (Your Accommodation)

Do you live in a house or a flat?
I actually live in a two bedroom flat, which is very handy as its close
to the central subway station. It allows me to hang out and have fun
with my buddies who all live downtown.
Do you prefer to live in a house or flat?
I very much prefer to live in a house, mainly because I need a larger
space for my piano which at the moment is just jammed into a small
room in my tiny flat. But you know I need to save money before I
can do that.
What is your favourite room in your home?
My favourite room in my house is my bedroom. It has a large
balcony and I have a good view of the night sky and the whole city. I
enjoy lying there with my curtains open, drinking in the view.
If you could change (or, improve) something about your
home, what would it be?

If I could change something about my home it would probably be my

TV. The screen is broken, and Im missing all my favourite shows. So
I need to buy a new one. Id really love a big flat screen plasma TV
which would really improve my life.
Do you like the environment around your home?
Sure, every time I wake up in the morning, I can hear birds singing
outside of my window. There are lots of trees so everything is green
and fresh. I can watch the seasons change through my window.

Do you know your neighbours? Is it good to know your

neighbours?
You know, I love my neighbours. They are so helpful. I wish everyone
had as good a neighbour as I have. We have a very good
relationship and we help each other all the time which really
strengthens our friendship.
Do you prefer young or old neighbours?
My preference is young neighbours.

Even though some people

might think young people might be noisy .I like to have some fun
with young neighbours like parties especially on the weekends.

Your Hometown
Where is your hometown? / What is your hometown?
Im from XX which is in XX province.
province.

All my family are from this

I lived there until 20XX when I moved away to go to

college.
Do you like your hometown?
Yes. Of course I love my hometown. I have lived most of my life
there so it has many special memories for me. They say home is

where the heart is and its true.

Which do you prefer living in a big city or a small place?
I just love living in the big city. The main reason for this is the
shopping of course. Big cities like Beijing or Shanghai have more
shopping centres where you can shop, dine out or watch a movie,
and this is very appealing to me.

Would you say your hometown is an interesting place?

Yes,If you came to my hometown you would find plenty to keep you
occupied.

There are many popular restaurants in the downtown

area and some beautiful parks and lakes where you can take a stroll
it is very picturesque. Then you can visit some of the old buildings
and temples and hang out there for a while. I dont think you will be
bored.
What is your favourite part of your hometown?
The downtown area of my hometown is a cool place to go. There are
some funky coffee shops, little romantic restaurants where you can
dine out and several cinemas which you will probably be impressed
by. I am a film buff so its great to have so much choice.
Would you like to live there in the future?
Thats a difficult question. Obviously I am taking this test because I
want to study abroad. After completing that study I dont know what
the future might hold for me. My life might take me to many places
both abroad and here.

Name
Do you like your name?
Yes. I like my name very much. Its a very traditional and auspicious
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Chinese name which was given to me by my parents.

stands for Good Luck.

My name

In China we like to give time-honoured

names that have special meanings.

Who gives the names in china? What is the tradition of

giving names?
In general it is the custom that the parents choose the name of their
baby. But, of course, sometimes the grandparents want to get
involved. This probably happens all over the world with everyone
discussing baby names.

Are you willing to change your name?

No. I love my name and dont want to change it. My name was a gift
from my parents so it is important to me. Even though my friends
call me by the short version or my nickname, my mum always calls
me by my full name. How could I change it?
In your country, do people feel their name is very important?
Nearly every Chinese name carries a meaning, so in our tradition
names are very important. They may bestow blessings on a child or
be given in order to influence personality and demeanour. Like my
name means Happy and I think I am a happy girl because of it.

Work or studies
Do you work or are you a student?
Im currently a university student. Im studying at XXXXXXXXXXX
and my major is XXXXXXXXXX. Obviously as Im taking this test I
want to continue my studies at a foreign university. So it would
seem like I will be a student for many years to come yet. So I hope
to work things out here and get my future started.
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Im still a high school student and Im at xxxxxxxxxxxx high school

in xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Im hoping to continue my studies in a foreign

university which is why Im taking this test. Although I will have to

leave home and my parents I really do want to get a good education
so that I can get a good job later in my life. So I know I will have to
work like a dog to get what I want, but Im ready.
I am currently working. I have been working for the last XX years.
But now I want to continue my studies. This is why I am taking this
test so that I can gain entrance to a UK university to get my
Masters/PhD. So my work is cut out for me. Then hopefully I can get
a better job and who knows where the experience will take me.
Do you like your major?
Do I like my major? No! I love it! I really do love my major and in
particular the subject matter and I really like the new friends I have
made at university/college/school.
Do you like your job?
Yes I do, I really like my job. I look forward to going into work most
days I like to be involved in the day to day work life. I make
arrangements for my boss this means I have to be responsible for
everything he needs to do day by day. But this is quite easy so my
work life is not so stressful.
Is that a popular major in your country?
I think as the country has developed Marketing has become much
more popular. Everything we buy is now marketed to the max. So
its a very big industry which is getting bigger and bigger so more
and more students are doing it as a major. So when I graduate I
think anything will be possible.

Bicycles or cycling
Do you ever ride a bike?
Yes I ride a bike everyday back and forth to class its a great way to
exercise my body. But believe me you do need to have a bit of a
death wish to cycle in my city. The drivers there are maniacs and
even though I always stick to the cycle lane I m always in fear of
my life as I dodge the scooters cars and even lorries bearing down
on me. Even so I do love cycling and it keeps me fit and stay
healthy.

Would you say it is difficult to learn to ride a bike?

I would say its not particularly difficult to learn to ride a bike. My
dad helped me and I would say that within half an hour or so I was
off with the wind in my hair zooming around like an old pro. I guess
I fell off more times than Id care to mention but once youve
mastered the thing theres no stopping you and of course you can
boost your fitness.

What are the benefits of riding bicycle?

There are many benefits that I can make a long list. The first one is
that if you regularly cycle somewhere then you can get fit and
healthy. Secondly it helps cutting down congestion on our streets.
There are just too many cars nowadays. And finally its cheap and
reliable so it is the main transport for the common man.

Mobile Phones
Do you have a mobile phone?
Of course I have a mobile phone which is totally important for my
daily life.

I use it all the time. Its a Smartphone so I have

downloaded loads of apps on to it. So I use it for messaging like with

QQ or We Chat, I can use maps if Im lost and my diary keeps me up
to date with the things I have to do. I can even take a snapshot with
the camera.

When did you first have (or, get) a mobile phone?

When I was a second year student in my middle school, it was a
birthday present from my mum and dad and I was over the moon.
All my mates had phones and I was feeling a bit left out. I loved that
phone and I loved the funny games like snake I was always
absorbed in it.

Do you prefer texting or talking on the phone?

Of the two I would say texting is my preference. But you know,
texting is now going out of fashion, most of us, with smart phones,
are using QQ or weichat to keep in touch. When I can I also like to
update my twitter feed thats fun.
Do people in your country like using mobile phones?
Yes People in my country love using mobile phones. When you are
on the bus or metro theres the constant jibber jabber of people
chatting on their phones. Or people have their heads down staring
at the screen watching movies, reading or just playing games.

Do you think people should turn off their phones in public

places?

The thing that most annoys me when I am out are those people who
do not turn their mobile phones off in the cinema. Its just so rude
and it spoils the picture for me, especially if they keep talking all
through the film. So yes I think people should turn off their phone in
public places.

Gifts
What is your favourite gift?
My favourite gift of all time was my bike. Without a doubt I can still
remember the day that I was given it. It was my tenth birthday and
all me family where there. Then my dad wheeled my bright blue
bike in. I was over the moon. I was so happy I actually jumped for
joy and ran around the room like a madman.

When was the last time you received a gift?

The last time I received a gift was just last week actually. My friend
had been to Korea for a short trip and she bought me back some
Korean sweets and snacks. I was over the moon to receive the treats
she bought for me. When I go on my holiday in the summer I will be
sure to bring her back a little something to delight her taste buds
too.

Do you like receiving a gift or giving a gift?

To be honest Im a giver rather than a taker. I much prefer to give a
gift than receiving a gift. Its not that Im ungrateful but some of the
gifts I have in the past have been so inappropriate or just downright
useless I wonder if the person really knows me at all.

Do you think it is difficult to choose what gifts to give to

people?
No ,I think choosing what gift to give people is half the pleasure of
giving. I love the process of thinking about what I should get for
someone. And then I adore the shopping. Wandering around the
shops, whiling away some hours trying to find that one perfect
thing.

Street Market
Do you often go to street market?
Yes, the street market is right outside my door, just around the
corner actually. I like to buy my fruit and vegetables there. The stalls
are just so colourful and the vendors are so happy and cheerful. I
love to wander around having a browse, looking at this and that. I
always go to the same woman because she is always so helpful and
friendly.

What

are

the

differences

between

street

market

and

supermarket?
I always try to do my shopping at the street market rather than the
supermarket. For example the fruit and vegetables at the market
are always fresher than the supermarket and the service is more
personal. But when you wander around the market, having a
browse, there are all the different sweet and delicious smells and
you can even taste the fruit before you buy. But of course there are
always things you cannot buy in the market and you have to use the
supermarket.

Time Management
How do you organize your time?
Im a student so my time is organised for me I have a very full
timetable at school so nearly every minute is accounted for. In my
social life I just use my smart phone diary like everyone else.
.
Are you ever late for anything?
No I am never late for anything except for one class, I got hugely
embarrassed tiptoeing into the class.

What excuses do you use when you are late

Normally, I would say there is something wrong with my clock,
which I think is a good excuse . I used it a lot when I was late for
class.

Painting or drawing
Do you like painting/drawing? Why
Yes I do like painting and drawing. I can remember that I have been
drawing since I was a little kid. In fact my parents still have some of
my childhood paintings hanging on their wall. Its a bit of a source
of embarrassment to be honest; I mean Im all grown up now.
Do you think children should learn drawing?

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No I dont think children need to learn drawing. I think they draw

naturally. You only have to give a kid some crayons and paints and
they will naturally start to draw things. Its good to encourage this
creativity when they are naturally curious and artistic.

Why do people display artworks at home?

One possible explanation for that is, for many people a good
painting will add a splash of colour to their lives and they can
appreciate the artwork. Other artworks might hold some other
significant meaning for the owner. Of course you can spend millions
on some artworks if you are rich but a lot of artwork is more
reasonably priced so people can buy it and enjoy it.

Do you think painting is very important for adults?

Yes I do think painting and drawing is important for adults. I know
that painting and drawing are used as therapy for people who might
have some problems with their moods or their life. It can be a
calming, rewarding and relaxing hobby. Its great to be able to while
away a few hours in an evening or a weekend daubing a canvas with
some paint or sketching a nice view.

TV
Do you like watching TV?
Yes I love it! I might have what you call square eyes from watching
so much TV. I can remember as a kid being mesmerised by it. And
now I try to catch my favourite programmes as often as I can.

How often do you watch TV?

Very frequently, when Im in my dorm its difficult to see any TV and

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of course as a student Im very busy. But when I am back with my

parents I get my square eyes again from watching too much TV. It
doesnt help that my parents recently splashed out on a large flat
screen TV now Im really hooked.

Do you think you watched too much TV when you were a

child?
No I dont think I watched too much TV when I was little. I actually
think I watched too little. I can remember I always wanted to watch
stuff but my mum and dad said no.

NEWS
Do you read the news?
Well No I dont read the news in the traditional sense. I mean I
dont read newspapers. What I do do is I catch up with the news via
the news apps I have on my phone. I mean we are all geeks now,
right? So I have an app for that. I have the BBC news app and CNN
on my iPhone.

I have also been watching the English language

news on CCTV to help me with my English.

How do you get the news? Reading a newspaper or in other

way
In terms of the way, well what I do is I pick out the news I want to
see via the news apps I have on my Smartphone which are very
useful and convenient.

What kinds of news do you often read?

I just love reading news about entertainment, especially gossip
about the rich and the famous. Its my secret; if some of my friends
knew I was addicted to this type of tittle-tattle they would be

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appalled.

Who do you think prefers to read news, young people or old

people?
I have to say I think reading the news is for the old people. I dont
think I have ever seen any of my friends reading a newspaper. the
news is a bit boring.

Young people like to read magazines about

lifestyles and living. Its probably a bit shallow, but if I want to look
at the real news I do have an app on my Smartphone.

Leisure time /relax

What do you do in your spare time?
I am usually busy during my leisure time. I cant just sit and stare
into space or while away my time in front of the TV. So Im usually
off somewhere meeting up with my mates having a laugh.

How do you usually spend your evenings?

I usually spend my evenings relaxing at home watching the TV. This
is just one of many options really. I can go out with my friends,
maybe for a blow out meal at our favourite hotpot place or if the
mood takes me I might just stay at home curled up on the sofa with
a good book or a movie on the TV.

So it just depends on the

circumstances really.
What do you usually do after work or study?
Normally I choose to make my way back home. But en-route I might
do a bit of window-shopping, or if I need a new book I might just
duck into my local bookstore. Of course my local restaurants might
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just tempt me in for a snack if I dont feel like cooking when I get
home.

Do you think it is important for people to have leisure time?

Yes It is very important to have time to relax and thats what our
leisure time is for. If you get too stressed out then you might get ill. I
know some guys who are just workaholics but what does it get you?
These guys are overweight, they barely do any physical activity and
they are so unhealthy from their stressful lifestyle.

Cooking
Do you know how to make a meal?
Yes, I can make a few meals. In fact my grandmother made a point
of teaching me to cook some simple Chinese dishes like tomato and
egg soup showing me the right ingredients. Ive tried to make some
western meals like spaghetti but it was all a bit of a disaster. I dont
think my friends were that impressed.

Do you like cooking?

Yes, I do like cooking. I think its important to know how to make
nutritious food at home. Not only is this healthier than fast food, its
also more timesaving, I believe, because you dont have to go to
restaurants. My best mate comes around so often I think he likes
my food more than he does me.

When did you learn how to cook?

Thinking back I can remember that when I was a little primary
school student; my dad taught me how to cook. He taught me some
basic meals and ingredients like egg and tomato soup, and how to
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use the rice cooker. He wanted me to be independent when I was

older and since then Ive learnt to cook a few more things.

Who usually does the cooking in your family?

Usually my dad does the cooking in my family. Both my mum and
dad are busy people but he just loves to cook. When I was a kid my
grandma used to do most of the cooking but now she is a bit old.
What food did you like to eat when you were a child?

My favourite food when I was a child was tomato and egg. I used to
eat it all the time. My mum said she used to despair sometimes
because all I would eat was tomato and egg. She said if I didnt get
it I was a terror.

What kind of food do you think is healthy?

The kinds of food I think are healthy are fruit and vegetables. We all
know you should have at least five of these every day.

Do you like lunch or dinner?

Hmmmm difficult question.

I have to say I like both lunch and

dinner but for different reasons. For lunch I am usually with my

mates and we can have a laugh and then of course we might go
back to the dorm for a nap before class. I like dinner because when
I am at home I am with my family and we can sit around eating my
grandmas appetising food and just chatting about this and that. So
both lunch and dinner have their plus points.

What kind of food is very popular in your country?

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The most popular food in my country apart from rice would have to
be dumplings. We all eat dumplings. When I was a kid we ate
dumplings every day I think.

Clothes and fashion

Are you very interested in fashion and clothes?
No Im not very interested in fashion trends and stylish clothes. I
mean Im not much of a trendsetter myself. To be honest when I see
some of the fashions on the TV I tend to gasp in astonishment.
Some are quite out of this world and valuable. You never really see
that stuff on the streets so its never been part of my world.
.

What kind of clothes do you usually wear?

The kinds of clothes I usually wear are the simple well made uniform
of jeans and a T-shirt. This is what I feel comfortable in for my dayto-day life. My mum thinks Im a bit of a scruff bag but this is the
common look for young people. Im nothing special and I dont like
to stand out in a crowd. So this is a simple anonymous look and I
like it.

Where do you usually go shopping?

I usually do my shopping in shopping malls. I am a mall rat. I love
hanging out in malls theres so much to see and do. You can shop,
browse the rails, grab a bite to eat or sit in a coffee shop and watch
the world going by.

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How often do you go shopping for clothes?

I have to say I dont often buy clothes. The reason for this is first Im
a student so Im broke half the time. Also Im not really into fashion
and luxurious goods.

Countryside
Have you been to any countryside before?
Yes, of course Ive been to the countryside, I used to take a trip to a
small village at the foot of TianShan Mountain. This area is well
known for it eye-catching bamboos and for the beautiful scenery. I
just loved going there for a few days to refresh my mind.

What are drawbacks about living in the countryside?

In the countryside the big disadvantage for me is there is never
anywhere to go shopping. Im a shopaholic, I love shopping in the
countryside the nearest Mall will be miles away. Thats just not good
at all. Of course transportation is always going to be a problem. The
buses are in frequent and you can never find a taxi when you want
one.

Art
Are you very interested in art?
Yes, I am, I am very interested in Art. I love to go to galleries and
museums to see the artworks. I love modern art, thats starting to

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become more popular in China. I can stand there for hours trying to
understand what the artist was trying to symbolise in the painting.

How often do you draw (or paint)?

Its difficult to say with any accuracy. Sometimes I might be drawing
and painting for days. Then I might not do anything for weeks. I
guess I have to be in the mood and I need something to stimulate
me to draw and paint.

Do you think drawing (or painting) is difficult?

Drawing and painting is not difficult at all. Anyone can do it. All you
need is a pencil and a piece of paper, put a line on the paper and
there you are you are drawing. Then you will have the pleasure of
spending a few hours doing something that will really relax you.
Have you (ever) studied (or, learned) anything about art?
No, I havent, I have never studied Art and I think thats a good
thing. I think when I draw and paint I am free. I havent learnt any
stupid rules about this or that. I can just express myself on the
paper and I like that a lot. I gain a lot of pleasure from doing that.
Then I can just accumulate styles and influences from all sorts of
places.

Did you do any artistic activities such as painting when you

were a child?
Yes, of course I did. We always did this type of stuff at school.
Thinking back I did things like paper cutting, which was very funny. I
became quite skilled in it and I made a plenty of paper animals like
pigs, and then sent them to my relatives. I think some of them still
have my paper animals. I think I was a pretty practical kid.

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Do you think art is an important part of people's lives?

For some people, yes I do think Art is an important part of their
lives. It always depresses me when I go into people homes and
there are no pictures on the walls or books on the shelves and yet
they might have a large flat screen TV.
Have you ever been to an art gallery (or, an art exhibition)?
I just love going to Art galleries and Art museums. I have also been
invited to some openings of Art Exhibitions, which is so exciting. You
can meet so many different and interesting people there.

Friends and Family

How do people in your country make friends?
I dont really know. I guess I got my best friends from my
schoolmates. Then I would meet their friends and so on. For older
people I guess the best approach for them might be playing Mahjong, which is very popular. So you can meet lots of people by
regularly playing.
Do you think it is easy for people to make friends at work?
Yes, I think people can make friends at work. However, sometimes
its a double-edged sword, because you cannot pick your work
colleagues. So sometimes there might be that one person that you
dont like or they might not like you, so you will never be friends,
just work colleagues.

Sunshine
Do you like going out on sunny days

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Yes and Who doesnt like going out on a sunny? On a sunny day you
just have to look about you and everyone has a smile on their face.
So the sunshine brings with it sunny moods.

What benefits can people get from sunshine?

There are so many benefits from being out in the sun. Did you know
that just a few minutes in the sun will increase the Vitamin D in your
body? Also on a sunny day you will see people engaged in all sorts
of outdoor activity, running, jogging, even just strolling around the
park. Sunshine allows us to relax and enjoy the warmth of the day.

Forest/tree
Did you climb a tree when you were a child?
Yes I climbed many trees when I was a child I was so energetic. I
remember once going up a tree and finding a nest full of eggs. Well
we took those eggs and I was so proud.

Do you like to go to forest, why?

Yes going to the forest for a trip or a vacation is always like finding a
green oasis in your life. In the heat of the summer its a place to
cool down.Theres nothing better than pitching a tent for a few
nights under the stars in the green green woods.

Do people need to protect trees?

Of course we do need to protect the trees, otherwise, we could not
breathe any fresh air and we are not able to live in a green city.

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Is it comfortable to live in a place with lots of trees?

Yes its really comfortable to live in a place with lots of trees. The
city where I live has lots of wide boulevards and avenues lined with
beautiful and fragrant trees. In the summer they offer a soothing
cool shade from the burning sun overhead and in the autumn they
drop their beautiful golden brown leaves over the pavement.

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Walking
Do you like walking?
Yes I love walking. Its a good way to get fit. I love to walk in the
forests especially in the summer under the cool shade of the leaves
keeping me cool and out of the burning sun.

Where do you walk?

I do love walking around the Lake in the city which is so peaceful
there and I sometimes walk for hours .

Would you say your hometown is a suitable place for

walking?
My hometown in a great place for walking. It has a beautiful lake
where you can stroll for hours. As the seasons change and the trees
start to change colour its such a beautiful sight. There are also a
couple of funky coffee shops nearby where you can always stop to
grab a coffee and a cake if you are peckish.

History
Do you like history?
Yes I love history but Im not a history buff if you know what I mean.
I enjoy watching historical dramas and documentaries on TV but I
dont think I would want to plough through some dry history book. I
also enjoy visiting historical places and learning about the history of
my country.

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Do you think one can learn history from films or TV

programs?
Ive always thought that history can be learned from various ways,
watching films, researching on the Internet and TV programmes. But
sometimes we have to be aware that the media may not be
portraying the real events as they happened.

Patience
Is it important to be patient?
Yes I think it is extremely important to be patient .Without patience,
people cant do things carefully.

How can people be patient?

The best approach I think is to relax your mind, especially when you
are waiting for someone, you can choose to listen to some music
instead of being angry.

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Politeness
How do people in your country show politeness?
Well ,sometimes showing politeness is as easy as saying please or
thank you ,which is suitable in many situations, for example if you
ask some to help you ,you need to use the word please.

Does the way people show politeness in your country

change?
Yes, I think being polite now is different from the past. In China
people used to bow to each other as they still do in Japan. But now
the handshake is the norm when you meet a new person or a friend.

Being busy
Have you been very busy recently?
Yes I have been busy recently. Im still a student of course and it
seems like Ive been burning the midnight oil more and more
recently as I try to keep up with my studies.

Do you like having a busy life?

I have to say Im a busy bee so I like having a busy life. If I have
time on my hands then I soon get bored. I might do something like
reading a book or going for a walk, but I cant just sit and stare into
space. I dont think I could meditate for instance.

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Have you experienced stress at work?

Yes, experiencing stress at work seems to be part and parcel of my
working life. I have to say the boss is an idiot and he is the major
cause of all the stress. He cant keep his nose out of our business.
He thinks he knows better all the time so whatever you do is wrong.
So that is the root cause of my stress at work.

How do you handle stress?

I handle stress with a mix of tai chi and yoga. My grandpa taught
me the basics of Tai chi years ago. He was a real master and an
instructor in his hometown. More lately one of my colleagues
encouraged me to go to yoga classes with her. I must say doing that
has been a breath of fresh air in my life.

Advertisements
Are there many advertisements in your country?
Yes there are many advertisements in my country. They surround us
and the social media bombards us daily nonstop. I am totally fed up
with the number of advertisements that pop up on my phone and
computer.

What

are

the

various

places

where

we

can

see

advertisements?
Adverts are everywhere with mind-numbing regularity They are not
just in various places they are simply everywhere, in my pocket on
my phone, on the big screens down town, popping up on my
computer, they are like a deadly virus infecting our lives.

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What kinds of advertisements do you like best?

Well if I have to choose which adverts I like the most I would have to
say the ones with pretty girls/handsome boys in, maybe with a big
name idol in, like Brad Pitt!

Do advertisements influence your choice about what to buy?

Yes I guess that adverts do influence what I choose to buy although
Im reluctant to admit that.

Sometimes adverts make choosing

something easier. Like just today I needed a new phone and you
know iPhone is advertised heavily here so I got one.

Do you prefer advertisements on TV or those in magazines?

If I have to state a preference for adverts on TV or in magazines I
guess I would have to plump for those on TV. When I was younger I
would occasionally look at some magazines but now I really dont
read much-printed media.

What do you think is the purpose of advertisements?

Clearly the purpose of advertising is to sell products and make
people money. Every day I have to clear my phone of many spam
messages.

Birthdays
Do you like birthdays?
Yes I love birthdays I love getting presents and eating cake and
being with my family and friends. Having a birthday has always
been a big event for me.
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How do Chinese people celebrate birthdays?

Well you know we Chinese people love to eat so it makes sense that
we celebrate birthdays with a big dinner. We might have a much
more intimate gathering at home with just our close relatives .

Who do you like to celebrate birthday with? Your friends or

family?
I really like to celebrate my birthday with my family. Its important
for me to be with my mum and dad at this time. They bought me
into the world and I know that they struggled at times to bring me
up when money was tight.

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Plants
Do you like plants?
Yes I do love plants, but I must say I dont have green fingers! My
big success however, was planting an apple tree in our backyard as
a kid. I grew it from a seed from an apple my grandpa gave me.
What plants do you like?
I like fruit trees best, simply because I love eating fruit. We have an
apple tree in my back garden I planted when I was a kid and I still
love those apples. I also love the spring flowers with their tender
petals.
Did you grow any plants when you were a child?
Yes Thinking back to when I was about 8 years old I grew some giant
sunflowers outside of my house. I loved those flowers as they
reached into the sky in front of my house. I remember my grandma
helped me plant the seeds and we would measure them everyday,
she was so knowledgeable about flowers and plants.
Do you know how to grow plants?
Honestly speaking, I have no idea about how to grow plants. I wish I
did have green fingers so I could grow some vegetables in my back
yard. Id also like to grow some flowers too. So I will have to learn
and expand my knowledge about planting.

Animals
Did you ever visit a zoo when you were a child?
Yes, of course I did. Thinking back when I was only about five or six
and we went to see the giant pandas at the zoo. I will always
remember that day. In fact I still have the Panda toy my grandpa
bought me that day at the zoo
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Do you think it is important for children to visit a zoo?

Yes, I think it is important for children to visit the zoo. So many
animals are at risk now and so many habitats are being destroyed
so we need to save them. So the zoo is probably the only place
these kids will get to see a real live example. Also the kids just love
seeing the famous animals like the Panda, Tigers and monkeys.
What is your favourite zoo animal?
I have to say the Panda is my favourite zoo animal. It is the symbol
of China and it is at risk, we need to save it.

So many zoos are

doing a fantastic job of keeping this beautiful, shy, animal alive. It is

always a pleasure to go and watch them.
Why do some people have a pet?
There are many reasons to have a pet. I have a pet dog and she is
just like another member of the family. I guess it is a personal
preference .

Dictionary
Do you often use dictionary?
Of course I use a dictionary a lot. Im learning a second language
after all. I use a dictionary on my phone that is so convenient and
speedy and I have paper dictionaries on my desk at home to check
words when I am working or learning English.
Do you prefer to use an electronic dictionary or dictionary
made of paper?
My preference is an electronic dictionary it is so convenient and
speedy. I have a dictionary app on my phone so it is always with
me. Although I do have paper dictionaries at home. These often give
me better definitions than the electronic dictionary

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Languages
What languages do you speak?
Well, of course I speak Chinese and I am still learning English, apart
from this I can speak some of my local dialect from my hometown
when we have a get-together. You do know that sometimes I meet
Chinese people that I cannot understand? I think thats so funny!
How did you learn English?
I started to learn English at home when I was very little, but then, of
course I continued it at school and college. Thinking back my mum
and dad really encouraged me to learn English even before I went to
school, so I had a good beginning.
Do you think learning language is very important?
Yes. To have another language, especially English is very important.
It will help me get to a foreign university and improve my future and
of course it will help my country too. By having another language
you can build a bridge for communicating with people from other
nations. But its very challenging and you do have work hard to be
successful.

Rain
Does it rain much in China?
Yes it does rain a lot in China especially in the summer but not like it
has been this year, there has been some damage to the
environment in some parts of China.

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Do you like rainy days?

Yes I like rainy days. I love the smell of the ground after it rains
and I can see the rain sparkling on the leaves of the trees. The air
becomes sweet-scented and calm after a good rainstorm. Rainy
days also give me the excuse to stay in and curl up with a good
book or watch a good movie.
What do you often do in rainy days?
On rainy days I love to curl up on the sofa with a good book and a
cool album on the stereo, watch a favourite movie or best of all is to
go out in my wellington boots and jump in puddles. I find this
amusing and it gives me high spirits.
Is there any part of China where it does not rain much?
Yes. I believe that parts of China like the Gobi desert are very dry
and it never rains there. But I have never been there but I would just
love to see the dry desert and the sand dunes. But it must be tough
to live there in the dryness and the heat.

Shopping
Do you like shopping?
Yes I do like shopping in big shopping malls. Im a mall rat. I love
hanging out in malls theres so much to see and do.
Do you spend much when you go shopping?
The answer to this depends on whom I am shopping with. I never
have much pocket money so I have to be careful but if I am with my
dad I can burn more money. Then I might buy a gorgeous dress or
pick out some nice make up or jewellery that I might be keen on.
Would you like to work in a shopping centre?
No. I think working in a big shopping centre would be very boring. I
have seen some girls who just seem to have to stand in the same
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spot all day. Sometimes there never seems to be any customers in

their shop even. Having to deal with many people who are rude and
demanding wouldnt be my cup of tea either. I want to work
somewhere more exciting like in a fun park

Cars
Do you like cars?
Yes, I like cars I dream of having one when I am older. Of course I
will have to get my license first. Thinking back when I was young I
dreamt of being a racing driver. I used to watch motor racing on the
TV but I dont do that so much now.
Do you have a drivers license?
No, I do not have my license yet, but I am practicing for the test. I
hope I will pass because then I will be able to start saving for my
first car as they are so money consuming. I hope that my mum and
dad can help me so I can get my car quicker.
Yes, I got my license about 2 years ago. It took me almost six
months to get my license. But when I finally passed I was over the
moon. I was so happy I literally jumped for joy. Now I hope to get a
car soon.
What kinds of cars do you like?
I just love sport cars but you know they are way out of my league as
far as being able to afford one. But I do dream of owning one. Some
times I go to the Ferrari and Lamborghini showrooms just to stare
through the window and daydream.

But I know they are money

consuming and really pollute the atmosphere But, hey, its just a
dream, right?

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Concentrating
Is it easy for you to concentrate?
Actually, no, sometimes I find it hard to concentrate especially when
I am busy with a load of homework. Most of the time its late at
night and Im tired and I just want to chill out. Then this makes me
feel more anxious and hard to focus on my work. Sometimes I might
just put on some folk music and this helps me work harder.

Do you ever do anything to help you concentrate?

Yes When I need to concentrate I try to find somewhere where I can
work undisturbed. School is often so busy with people coming and
going, constant chatter and noise. But I have found a secret place
that is peaceful where I can get away from the hustle and bustle
where I can concentrate and get my work done.

Maps
Do you ever use a map?
Absolutely, I use maps all the time to get where I need to go. I have
a great app on my smart phone that tells me exactly where I am and
I can put my destination into it and it will show me how to get there.
Its great.
Do you prefer to use electronic maps or those made of
paper?
My preference is the former one and no doubt the electronic map is
just so convenient its there on my phone all the time. But I also
think it is important to understand how to read a paper map. I mean
there may come a time when you dont have a phone signal and you
are lost in the countryside.

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Museums
Are there many museums in your hometown?
Yes, there are a few museums in my hometown. My hometown is
very famous for its history. So there are a lot of museums for
displaying different kinds of antiques and showing what life was like
in the olden days. Its a good place to be absorbed in for a timeconsuming couple of hours.
Do you often visit a museum?
Well, not very often, mainly because I am not so interested in the
old things. Also when I go the place always seems to be filled with
noisy kids or school groups. This means I rush through and miss a
lot of the interesting stuff.

Do you like to go to museums?

Yes I love visiting museums especially the older ones. I think it is
very important that we preserve the history of China for the younger
generations. So much of it was destroyed in the past but in the
museums we can see the actual artefacts or copies of things from
the past. These things can help us to understand who we are.
When was the last time you visited a museum?
Thinking back, the last time I visited a museum was a couple of
weeks ago. My school organized a trip so all of the students could
visit the local museum. I spent almost the whole day there. I really
enjoyed just wandering around the big halls and rooms drinking in
all of the old historical stuff.

Noise

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Are you ever bothered by noise?

Noise drives me crazy. I have a really noisy neighbour, and I must
admit the walls of my apartment are not as thick as they could be.
My neighbour often plays music or the TV really late at night just
when I am trying to sleep.
What sounds remind you of your childhood?
One sound that takes me back to my childhood is the sound of
someone washing clothes by hand. The slap slap slap of wooden
paddle and the splash of the water remind me of going to the lake
with my grandma its a melodious sound that is calming and
peaceful. She used to let me paddle my feet in the water as she did
the washing. Ill never forget that.

Parks
Do you often visit public parks?
Yes, the public park in my city is so beautiful that I like to visit it a
lot. Especially on a weekend I will visit the park with my
girl/boyfriend. We often take lots of pictures, have a picnic and just
stroll around like we dont have a care in the world. There are sweetscented

trees

and

delicate

flowers

that

create

fragrant

atmosphere.
What kinds of parks do you like best?
I like my local parks best, simply because they are so pretty and
there are so many things you can do there, for example walking my
dog or jogging.

Toys
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Do you like toys?

Yes When I was a kid I loved my toys. They were often from my best
friends and I could spend whole afternoons lost in my bedroom
playing games. Now Im older ,I still like them.
What sorts of people like toys?
I think we all love toys one-way or the other. Girls still love their
cuddly toys and teddy bears. Boys like bikes and skateboards.

Weather
What is your favourite weather?
I love sunny days because it means I can get out and about, meet
my friends and maybe have coffee and a cake sat outside my
favourite caf. But on the other hand I just love rainy days. On a
rainy day I can just stay at home and curl up on the sofa and read a
best seller.
Does the weather ever affect what you do?
Of course, the weather always effects what we do. For example I
once planned to go out for a picnic with my close friends, but it was
cancelled just because of the heavy rain outside. When its cold in
the winter we all want to stay inside keeping warm. So to keep an
eye on the weather is very important.
What is the weather like in your hometown?
Generally speaking, the weather in my hometown is very nice,
especially in the spring; it is almost sunny every day. But in the
summer it can get oppressively hot and sticky. I dont like it too
much then. But the winters are quite mild. So all in all the weather
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in my hometown is not so bad.

Computers
Do you use computers very much?
Of course I use computers all the time. I mean look at us, we are
children of the 21st century, and so I have a smart phone, an iPad,
my laptop computer and a desktop at home.
When do you use a computer?
I use computers all the time. My smart phone is a computer so I can
get online anytime I want. Of course I use my laptop and table all
the time for my studies/work. In the evening I might spend time on
the desktop at home surfing online or chatting with my friends
When did you start using computers?
You know, its difficult to remember when I started using computers.
They have always been a part of my life. Thinking back, I can
remember I had a computer class in the fifth year of my primary
school. I really enjoyed using them; they were like magic to me.
Are computers used much in your country?
Of course, everyone uses computers in my country. It would be
difficult to think of a world without computers. I guess some farmers
and workers out in the countryside might not have laptops and
tables like we do, but they might just have a Smartphone.

Internet
Do you ever use Internet?
Yes The Internet is such a fabulous resource and I use it for a million
things. I might do shopping online, or chatting with my mates. I can

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watch movies and TV shows, download books, listen to pod casts.

We are so lucky to have the Internet in our world.
What do you do on the Internet?
There are so many things I use the Internet for. For instance I use
the Internet for online shopping so I can get good discounts. I can
download movies and TV shows. I listen to music and chat with my
friends. Oh, the list is endless; I could go on and on.

How did you learn to use the Internet?

The Internet seems to have always been in my life and I dont know
if I can remember how I learnt to use it. Thinking back the way I
learnt the Internet at school during computer lessons. We had a
great teacher who showed me how to use it with great patience. But
you know even today I am still learning how to use the Internet.
Is the Internet very popular in china?
Yes. The Internet is very popular in China. People use it for many
many things. For instance shopping or chatting, we can download
moves and watch TV shows. I use it a lot to chat with friends. I dont
know what we would do without it now.

Flowers
Do you like flowers?
Yes I really love flowers. I do try every time I am out to buy some cut
flowers for my house. I wish I had a garden so I could grow some,
especially some flowers with a strong fragrance, for example roses
and lilies.
When was the last time you send flowers?
Thinking back I can remember that about two years ago my auntie
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was ill, so I went to her home to visit her and I took with me a big
bunch of carnations. I think taking those flowers brightened her day
a bit and hopefully made her feel a little bit better.
Do Chinese people like sending flowers?
Yes Chinese people love sending flowers particularly on some
special occasions such as festivals, parties or birthdays. To my mind
people send flowers to show their love or care to their friends or
relatives or we might just send flowers to thank someone for a kind
deed.

Do flowers have any special meaning?

Well I think all flowers have a special meaning but I am not an
expert. We all know that roses stand for love, especially red roses.
Carnation means health. Then there is the Daisy which means
innocence and hope. But thats about all I know.

Train travel
Do you often travel by train?
I dont often travel by train because my dad had a car. But
sometimes we will take the fast train to Shanghai for shopping and
that is very exciting. I love watching the Chinese countryside
flashing by or taking a nap. Its a great day out.
Do you like travelling by train?
Yes I used to like travelling a lot by train when I was a student to get
to my university. It made me feel grown up and excited to be
making my way in the world alone.

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What do you often do when you are travelling by train?

When I travel on a train I often read a novel but I also love to gaze
out of the window to watch the beautiful Chinese countryside flash
by. Sometimes, on a long journey I might take a nap.

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