Question 1: What did you study in history lessons when you were at school?

Sample Answer: Oh, we covered a pretty broad range actually. In the early years it was mostly British history, you know, the usual stuff – the Romans, the Vikings, the Tudors, all that. We spent a fair bit of time on World War Two, which I found really interesting, especially the home front and the impact on civilian life. Later on, we did some more global history; a module on the Cold War was particularly memorable, and we also touched upon the history of colonialism and its lasting effects. I remember one project where we had to research a historical figure from a different culture, and I chose Gandhi – that was really fascinating. It wasn't all kings and battles though, we also did some social history, looking at things like the changing role of women and the development of different social classes. So, quite a diverse curriculum overall really.

Question 2: Did you enjoy studying history at school? [Why/Why not?]

Sample Answer: Not really, to be honest. I found history quite difficult because it involved a lot of memorizing dates and events. Some topics were interesting, especially about ancient cultures, but overall, it wasn’t my favorite subject. I preferred more practical subjects like science or literature.

Question 3: How often do you watch TV programmes about history now? [Why/Why not?]

Sample Answer: Not very often, to be honest. I used to watch them more when I was a student. These days, I prefer shorter videos online or documentaries about real-life stories. But I still find history interesting when it’s presented in a fun way.

Question 4: What period in history would you like to learn more about? [Why?]

Sample Answer: Ooh, that's a tough one! I think I'd really like to learn more about the late Roman Republic. It's such a fascinating period of dramatic political upheaval and social change, leading right up to the rise of the Roman Empire. You know, the whole Caesar, Pompey, Cicero thing – it's just so full of intrigue and power struggles. I find the clash between the traditional aristocratic values and the rise of popular leaders incredibly compelling, and I'd love to delve deeper into the underlying causes of the Republic's eventual collapse. Plus, all the historical sources from that time are just so rich and varied – letters, speeches, biographies… it's like a giant puzzle waiting to be pieced together.

Question 1: Describe the neighbourhood you lived in when you were a child.

Sample Answer: Oh, wow, that's a fun question! I grew up in a pretty quiet, residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of [Town/City Name]. It was mostly detached houses, you know, the kind with little front gardens and maybe a bit of a lawn. There was a real sense of community, everyone knew everyone else. I remember the neighbours were always looking out for each other's kids, and we were all pretty free to roam around. There was a little park at the end of the street, which was our main playground – we spent hours there climbing trees, playing hide-and-seek, and building things out of sticks and leaves. It wasn't particularly exciting, but it was safe and familiar, and I have really fond memories of riding my bike up and down the street with my friends, just exploring. There was a small corner shop on the main road, where we'd go to buy sweets after school - it smelled amazing, all that candy and fizzy drinks! Looking back, it was a really idyllic childhood neighbourhood, very different from the bustling city I live in now.

Question 1: What sort of things can neighbours do to help each other?

Sample Answer: Well, there's loads of things, really. I think the most common is just looking out for each other – like, if someone's away on holiday, maybe keeping an eye on their house, making sure there's nothing suspicious going on. Or, you know, if someone's ill, offering to pick up groceries or run errands. Little things like borrowing a cup of sugar or a ladder are really helpful too – it saves a lot of hassle. Then there's the more community-based stuff, like organising street parties or getting together to clean up the area. I think it all comes down to building a sense of community and mutual respect, really. And, you know, sometimes just a friendly chat over the fence can make a big difference.

Question 2: How well do people generally know their neighbours in your country?

Sample Answer: Well, it's a bit mixed, really. In smaller towns and villages, people definitely know their neighbours much better. It's more of a close-knit community, you know? They'll often help each other out with things, borrow tools, maybe even have barbecues together. But in bigger cities, like where I live, it's a different story. It's much more common to just nod politely in the hallway or say hello briefly, but not really know much about the people living next door. There's less of a sense of community, I think, partly because people are so busy and often come and go at different times. So, it really depends on where you are in the country, I guess.

Question 3: How important do you think it is to have good neighbours?

Sample Answer: Oh, I think it's really important to have good neighbours. It makes such a difference to your quality of life, you know? Like, if you have noisy neighbours, or ones who constantly have parties, it can be really stressful, especially if you work long hours or have a young family trying to sleep. But having friendly neighbours, who are maybe willing to help out with things like collecting your mail when you're away, or just being there for a chat, that creates such a nice sense of community. It's also reassuring to know you have people around you who you can rely on in an emergency, even something small like needing to borrow a cup of sugar. So yeah, definitely pretty important!

Question 4: Which facilities are most important to people living in cities?

Sample Answer: Well, I think it really depends on the person, but I'd say access to good public transport is definitely up there. No one wants to spend hours commuting, especially in a busy city. Then there's healthcare – having good hospitals and clinics nearby is crucial, you never know when you might need them. And of course, safe and affordable housing is essential. Beyond the basics, things like parks and green spaces are becoming increasingly important for people's well-being. Everyone needs somewhere to relax and escape the hustle and bustle. Finally, I guess reliable internet access is a must these days, for work, communication, and entertainment. It's become such a fundamental part of modern life.

Question 5: How does shopping in small local shops differ from shopping in large city centre shops?

Sample Answer: Well, it's a completely different experience, really. In small local shops, it's much more personal – you often get to know the owners and staff, and they’ll usually remember your preferences, which is really nice. The atmosphere is generally more relaxed and less hectic than in a big city centre store. You might find more unique, handcrafted items, things you wouldn't see in a chain store, and the service is often more attentive, they’ll take the time to help you find what you need. However, the selection is obviously smaller, and things might be a bit more expensive. In contrast, city centre shops offer a huge range of choices, often with better prices because of bulk buying, and they’re usually open longer hours. But it’s usually a much busier, more impersonal experience; you’re often just one of many customers, and the staff aren't always as helpful. So, it really depends on what you’re looking for – convenience and choice or a more personal, unique shopping experience.

Question 6: Do you think that children should always go to the school nearest to where they live?

Sample Answer: Hmm, that's a tricky one. On the one hand, it definitely makes things easier for parents, you know, logistics-wise. Shorter commutes, less stress in the mornings, more time for everything. And it's probably better for the environment too, less traffic. But then again, school quality can vary so much. The nearest school might not be the best academically, or it might not have the specialist programs a child needs, like say, a strong arts program or a really good sports team. So, ideally, I think it should be a balance. Proximity is a factor, but the quality of education should be the main priority. Maybe a system where parents get a choice, but with some kind of weighting given to distance, so it's not completely unreasonable, but also ensures they have access to a good school.