Question 1: How many languages can you speak? [Why/Why not?]

Sample Answer: Well, I can speak English fluently, that's my first language. I'm also pretty decent at Spanish – I studied it for five years in school and even spent a summer in Spain, which really helped. I wouldn't say I'm fluent, though, more like conversational. I can understand most things, but speaking it perfectly is still a work in progress. I dabble a little in French, mostly picking up phrases from watching movies and TV shows, but I'm definitely a beginner there. I’d love to learn more languages in the future, maybe Mandarin, but I just haven't had the time to dedicate myself properly to learning another one yet. Work and other commitments take up so much of my time!

Question 2: How useful will English be to you in your future? [Why/Why not?]

Sample Answer: Oh, massively useful! I mean, my dream job is to work in international marketing for a tech company, and English is pretty much essential for that. A lot of the big players are based outside my country, and all their internal communications, client meetings, even the marketing materials themselves, are often in English. Plus, knowing English opens up so many online learning resources and professional development opportunities that just wouldn't be available otherwise. So yeah, it's not just about getting the job, it's about thriving in it and having a more fulfilling career overall.

Question 3: What do you remember about learning languages at school? [Why/Why not?]

Sample Answer: Oh, school languages? It's a bit hazy, to be honest. We started with French in Year 7, and I remember initially being really enthusiastic, mostly because my best friend was also in the class. We'd spend ages comparing our homework and trying to pronounce things properly, even though we were terrible! But then, as we got into the grammar – all those irregular verbs and genders – my enthusiasm waned a bit. It felt very rote learning; lots of vocabulary lists and grammar drills, not much actual conversation. We did have some fun activities, like watching French films with subtitles, but it wasn't enough to keep me fully engaged. I think I did alright in the exams, passing comfortably enough, but I definitely didn't develop fluency. Looking back, I think it lacked a real communicative element. It felt more like memorising facts than actually *learning* to speak a language. Maybe if it had been more interactive, or if we'd had more opportunities to actually *use* the language, I would have been more motivated.

Question 4: What do you think would be the hardest language for you to learn? [Why?]

Sample Answer: I think Arabic would be really hard for me. The writing system is completely different from what I’m used to, and the pronunciation seems challenging. It’s also read from right to left, which would take time to get used to. But I still find it interesting.

Question 1: Describe a website that you bought something from.

Sample Answer: Oh, that's easy! I recently bought a really cool vintage record player from a website called Discogs. It's basically a massive online marketplace for vinyl records and related stuff, but they also have a lot of turntables and other audio equipment. I'd been looking for a specific model for ages – a Technics SL-1200 MK2, a real classic – and I finally found one on Discogs that was in pretty good condition. The seller had tons of photos and a really detailed description, which was great. The whole process of buying it was straightforward; I just created an account, paid through PayPal, and the seller shipped it to me really quickly. The packaging was excellent, too, which was a relief considering it's quite a delicate piece of equipment. I was really impressed with the whole experience, actually. It was much smoother than I expected buying something like that online. I've since bought a couple of records from them as well!

Question 1: What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?

Sample Answer: Oh, wow, that's a broad question! People in my country buy pretty much everything online these days, it seems. Clothes are definitely a huge one – everything from fast fashion to more expensive brands. Then there's electronics, obviously – phones, laptops, headphones… all that stuff. A lot of people order groceries online, especially since the pandemic, and things like toiletries and household items are really popular too. Books and other entertainment, like movies and video games, are big sellers, and increasingly, people are buying things like furniture and home décor online as well. I even see a lot of people buying things like flowers and gifts online for special occasions. It’s just so convenient!

Question 2: Why do you think online shopping has become so popular nowadays?

Sample Answer: Well, I think there are a few key reasons. For starters, it's just so incredibly convenient. You can shop anytime, anywhere, without having to fight crowds or deal with parking. Plus, the selection is usually much bigger than you'd find in a physical store – you can find practically anything online! And then there's the price – often online retailers offer better deals and discounts, especially if you're willing to hunt around a bit. Finally, I think the ease of comparison shopping is a big factor. It's so easy to check prices and reviews from different sellers before you commit to a purchase, which makes you feel more confident in your decision. So, yeah, convenience, choice, price, and ease of comparison – those are the main reasons I think online shopping has exploded in popularity.

Question 3: What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?

Sample Answer: Well, I think the biggest downside is definitely not being able to physically see or try things before you buy them. You know, with clothes, you might order something and it just doesn't fit right or the colour isn't quite what you expected from the picture. Then there's the waiting time – shipping can take ages sometimes, especially if it's coming from overseas, and that can be really frustrating if you need something urgently. And of course, there's always the risk of getting a faulty product or even being scammed, although I guess that's less likely if you stick to reputable sites. Plus, I find it a bit impersonal; you don't get that personal interaction with shop assistants you might get in a physical store, which can be helpful if you need advice. And finally, return shipping can be a hassle and expensive, especially if you have to pay for it yourself.

Question 4: Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?

Sample Answer: Well, I think there are a few reasons for that. For one, advertising is incredibly powerful these days. Companies are masters at making us feel like we *need* things we don't actually need, you know, through clever marketing and social media campaigns. Then there's the whole social media aspect – we're constantly bombarded with images of people with the latest gadgets or clothes, and it creates this pressure to keep up, to feel like we're part of the "in" crowd. Plus, instant gratification plays a big role. Online shopping is so easy and convenient, it’s tempting to just click "buy" without really thinking about whether we actually need something. And finally, I think for some people, shopping itself is a form of entertainment or stress relief, so they buy things just to feel good, even if it’s only temporarily.

Question 5: Do you believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Answer: That's a really interesting question. On the one hand, a consumer society definitely offers a lot of conveniences and choices. Think about the sheer variety of goods available – everything from clothes and electronics to food and entertainment. It's amazing! And it's easier than ever to access things we want, thanks to online shopping and global trade. This can improve our quality of life in many ways. But, then again, there's a downside. The constant pressure to buy, buy, buy fuels a cycle of waste and unsustainable consumption. We're surrounded by advertising all the time, pushing us to upgrade and replace things even when we don't need to. This leads to environmental problems, massive amounts of waste, and maybe even unhappiness, because we're constantly chasing the next thing instead of appreciating what we have. So, it's a tough one. I think the disadvantages are becoming increasingly significant and outweigh the benefits in the long run, especially considering the environmental impact.

Question 6: How possible is it to avoid the culture of consumerism?

Sample Answer: Well, it's really tough, I think. Consumerism is so deeply ingrained in our societies now, it's practically everywhere you look. Advertising is relentless, and social media constantly bombards you with things you supposedly *need*. It's hard to escape that pressure, especially for young people like me who are constantly seeing what everyone else has. I guess you could try to be really mindful of your spending habits, maybe track everything you buy and really question if you actually need something before you get it. Minimalism is a big thing now, and I can see the appeal – focusing on experiences instead of material possessions. But honestly, completely avoiding it? I think that's almost impossible in the modern world. You'd have to be pretty extreme and live a very different lifestyle, maybe off-grid or something. It's more about finding a balance, I think, than total avoidance.