2. Noise

Describe an occasion when someone or something made noise

You should say:

Who made the noise?

What the noise was like?

What you did?

How you felt about it?

A few weeks ago, I was taking a nap when my neighbors threw a loud party. I was woken up by the commotion of voices, laughter, and clinking glasses.

At first, I thought it was just some noise from a neighbor, maybe having a small get-together. It was the weekend, and people usually relax. But as the noise kept going and getting louder, I figured out it wasn't just a small gathering. It looked like a full-blown party was happening next door. The walls were literally shaking with loud music, and the noise echoed down the hallway, even though it was only mid-afternoon.

I was considering two options: either asking my neighbors to reduce the noise level or enduring the loud party without saying anything. I decided to go for the second one. But the noise kept getting louder and louder, and I couldn't concentrate on anything else but the commotion next door. At one point, I realized I couldn't put up with the noise any longer, so I decided to knock on their door. First, my knocks got drowned out by the music, therefore I had to knock louder until someone noticed. When the door finally opened, I found a bunch of partygoers who seemed unaware of the noise. I told them the noise was bothering me. I was hoping they'd understand and lower the volume. But they didn't. So I had to call the police.

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3. Something you do that helps you work or study

Describe something you do regularly that helps you work or study better

You should say:

What it is?

When you do it?

How you feel when you do this?

How it helps you?

Until recently, I thought high productivity was all about planning. So I made lists of tasks for each day. I sorted these tasks by priority. But no matter what I did I couldn't get all the work done. And I was really angry and frustrated.

So, now I know that creating a daily plan is enormously important. But it's also necessary to peg a time limit to each task on the list. I used to work slowly just because I didn't control the time. Sometimes I was trying to bring the result to perfection, which is pointless per se. Sometimes I was distracted by emails, calls messages or Facebook. You know, you want to quickly check something on Facebook or Instagram, but then you find yourself aimlessly scrolling the feed for half an hour.

What's more, I set some awards and punishments in order not to be tempted to text someone or scroll the feed on Facebook. The main problem about it is that once you get distracted, it takes about 20 minutes to return to our original task.

Now I understand that I have a limited period of time to complete some task. So I just don't pay attention to the distractors and activities that waste my time. Now that I've managed to significantly increase my productivity, I can tell you that this method worked for me well. And when I have a lot of tasks to complete, I no longer feel nervous as I know that I will complete all the tasks on the list. I feel calm and in control of what's going on.

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4. Useful object

Describe a useful object in your home you can’t live without

You should say:

What it is?

How you use it?

How often you use it?

How it helps you and why you can’t live without it?

What I can't imagine my life without now is a vacuum cleaner. I use it every single day, sometimes even twice a day. I'm not obsessed with cleanliness (though my husband says I am a clean freak), but I hate to see dust, crumbs, cat's hair and other particles on the floor, on carpets and on the furniture. I love my cat, but he sheds a ton of hair everywhere every day. It seems to me he drops more fur than one would think is possible. And I've got a chair that gets particularly covered in hair every day 'cause this is the place where my cat likes to chill. If I didn't vacuum every evening, there would be clumps of hair all over our clothes and everywhere. Plus, I like to walk around my flat barefoot, but I hate when my feet get dirty and when dirt and other particles stick to my feet. Again, the only way to prevent this from happening is to vacuum the floor and carpets every day. I love my husband and kids, but I hate to see little pieces of food, cracker and bread crumbs on the floor 'cause they like eating in the living room and don't feel guilty about it.

I'm happy that I have a really powerful vacuum cleaner which is specially designed for people who keep pets. It's a canister model which has the motor and dust collector, and the vacuum head connected to its main part by a flexible hose. It is a wheeled type and it has really high suction power, so I don't have to put too much effort in order to clean all the surfaces. It's compact and lightweight, therefore I don't have any difficulty using it.

So every evening I vacuum all the surfaces using different heads for different tasks. And I do it even if I feel drained after a hard working day. If it weren't for this vacuum cleaner, the whole flat would be covered in cat's hair, crumbs, dust, torn paper pieces and other particles, which would really annoy me.

Without exaggeration, I'm really happy that humanity once created this household device because it saves a lot of my time, and I clean the whole flat relatively fast.

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5. Skill

Describe a skill that you learned as a teenager

You should say:

What skill you learned?

Who taught you this skill?

How they taught you?

How you felt about it?

One of the skills that I acquired during my teenage years was to ride a bike. Many of my friends had already mastered the skill and had ridden bikes together, but I never joined them on these bike rides around the neighborhood even though I was dying to. So one day I asked my elder brother to teach me 'cause he was very good at riding a bike. He was so good that he could even perform tricks and navigate through challenging terrains with ease. We found an old bike in the garage and went to an abandoned parking lot every day to practice.

As far as I remember, we started with the basics. My brother showed me how to balance, grip the handlebars, use the brakes and various other things. At first, I was a bit wobbly, but I kept trying. I remember we circled the parking lot, and with each lap, I gained more and more control. You know, it was only when I focused on keeping a steady pace that the wobbliness disappeared, and riding started feeling natural.

Learning to ride a bike felt great. And I was really happy to finally join my friends on bike rides and share in the fun adventures and explore the neighborhood with them.

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6. Unusual holiday

Describe an Unusual holiday you had

You should say:

What holiday it was?

Who you were with?

What you did there?

Why it was unusual?

I've always been a serial traveller, but I used to buy package tours from reputable tour operators only. So I was taken care of from start to finish. However, last summer, I became obsessed with the idea of taking a road trip around the country. I was excited and scared at the same time.

So, first, my friends and I created a trip itinerary based on our preferences and budget, rented a van, took our luggage, tents, sleeping bags, food and water and hit the road. It was a really enjoyable journey.

First of all, we enjoyed the scenery along the way. There were stretches of long winding hairpins, sections with many switchbacks, great coastal roads, mountain tunnels, spectacular bridges, and some of the most breathtaking mountain passes.

It was an adventurous journey as well. Once we had to deviate from the route because the road was washed away by floods. As a result, we found a nice secluded beach where we decided to stay for a few days. It was a spontaneous decision. And it was worth it.

Also, we saw ancient castles and fortresses. We visited a vineyard and tasted wine. It was both romantic and adventurous. And the most important thing was that none of us had done anything like that before.

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7. Helping someone

Describe a situation when you helped someone

You should say:

What the situation was?

Who the person was?

How you helped them?

How you felt after helping them?

I don't do things in a big way such as donating a kidney or something like this. But I always try to go a little out of my way to help someone with such things as holding a heavy door at the supermarket or helping to carry heavy bags. In these cases I normally rush over to help without a second thought. When it comes to giving money to beggars, I'm always in a bit of a psychological conundrum. On the one hand, giving money to them encourages begging. On the other hand, there are situations where a person is in a real need of help without which their survival would be a question. Recently I found myself in a situation when I couldn't help giving some money to an elderly lady who was begging for it.

One day after I had done shopping, I stopped near the supermarket to answer the phone. While speaking, I noticed an old lady. She was probably in her late 70s or even early 80s. Her face and hands were covered with deep wrinkles. She was hardly standing on her feet. This lady didn't seem to be begging, she was just standing near the supermarket. And if it hadn't been for people who came to her and gave her folded banknotes, I wouldn't have understood why she was standing there. I felt sorry for her and decided to help.

However, I was still afraid that some people could come and try to get her money and she wouldn't be able to protect herself. So I went back to the supermarket, bought all the products elderly people usually buy. I tried to buy more foods with a long shelf life such as cereals, sugar, potatoes. I also bought some dairy products, fresh bread, oil, some fish, chicken, and vegetables. I came to her and told her I wanted to bring everything to her place as the bags were too heavy for her to lift. She thanked me and told me I was her guardian angel. This made me feel great and proud of myself as I had helped to make this woman's life easier.

Just recently I saved my best friend from a rash decision. We had a small get-together last Friday evening, and I noticed that he was acting aggressively and losing his temper at the smallest thing. I asked him what happened, and he said he was thinking of quitting his job.

Of course, it was obvious that this decision would impact his life significantly. So I decided to interfere, but I didn't want to put too much pressure on him, so I just said something like 'I'm here for you if you ever want to talk'.

Just as I expected it appeared that he decided to quit his job 'cause he had a conflict with a colleague. So I realised that his decision was emotional, not logical. Moreover, this meant he wanted to quit a job without another one lined up, which entails uncertainty and having no income for an indefinite period of time. So I decided to help my friend 'cause I'm convinced that this is what friends are for. And I think it's natural to want to make someone you love and care for feel better again.

I didn't tell him that he needed to calm down. Instead, I just listened to him and let him vent. About an hour later he realised he was blowing things out of proportion and that he just needed to talk to his colleague face-to-face before the conflict got out of hand.

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8. Being busy

Describe a period when you were very busy

You should say:

When this time was?

What you did at this time?

How you arranged your time?

How you felt after this busy time was over?

Last month, to say that I was busy is to say nothing. I was like a hamster on a wheel trying to get everything what I'd planned done.

It was absolutely crazy time. I was working on several projects at the same time to cover for a colleague who was on holiday. I couldn't say 'no' because we usually cover for each other, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to count on her in the future if I had refused to pick up her workload. So I had to push myself beyond my limits to get all the work done. I had a constant flow of emails coming in. Also, I had to deal with customer requests and phone calls, let alone my daily reports. Even when I came home after work, I couldn't relax because I had to walk the dog and make sandwiches and tea not to collapse from hunger as I didn't even have time for lunch. Also, in the mornings I woke up at the last minute, so breakfast was out of question in most cases.

To tell the truth, the only thing that literally saved me from burnout and overwork was my paper planner called Slice Planner. This planner presents a work day as a diagram which looks like a clock face. This diagram is divided into 12 sectors, like 12 hours. You have to shade the sector representing some time slot if you plan to do something during that period of time. Although I saw what fitted into my schedule and what didn't, I tried to do more work.

So, when this crazy time was over I was squeezed like a lemon as I had to work against the clock to complete my project in time, so I didn't have days off during the whole month. At the same time I felt relieved as I understood I could finally relax for some time. And, of course, I had a sense of accomplishment as my project was a real success. even got a bonus for it.

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9. Job

Describe a job you would not like to do in the future

You should say:

What it is?

Whether you think it’s easy or difficult

Explain why you don’t want to do it?

I would never ever want to work as a cashier at a supermarket. There's no way I would do it even if I really needed money. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate their work, and I consider this job important as cashiers are often the only only people who customers interact with. So I understand that they play a major role in how customers feel when they leave the store. But at the same time, it's one of the worst jobs on Earth.

First of all, it's really boring. You are just an 'item scanner'. I don't think it would take me long to learn the ropes. And it's so boring when you do the same thing day by day. And when you don't learn anything new.

What's more, you have to smile, greet, and thank each and every customer even if they are being rude to you. And we all know that customers often forget that cashiers are human too, and that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

One more reason why I'd never consider this job is that you have to stand for long periods of time while checking out customers. I guess many cashiers experience leg swelling almost each day. Not to mention the fact that you can't take a toilet break when you need it or that you have to pay for any shortage of cash.

Finally, there's no path for advancement. I think I'd commit a suicide if I were stuck in a dead-end job like this.

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10. Place to relax

Describe a place where you want to go to relax

You should say:

What the place is?

How often you go there?

What you do there?

Why you feel relaxed in this place?

Now and again I pamper myself with a visit to a day spa. In my city there's a large SPA centre which provides a number of facilities such as a sauna, jacuzzi, relaxation room, infrared sauna, swimming pool, steam room, salt room, to name but a few. Also, it offers a variety of SPA treatments. And it's considered to be a really cool and luxurious place. This is the place where you can get whatever you want and you understand that you just couldn't ask for more.

Whenever I feel that I'm stressed and exhausted, which happens to me quite often as I work a lot, I go to this spa centre and spend the whole day there. For me, this is the best way to restore my energy as during the day I do nothing but relax.

When I'm there, I like relaxing in a steam room, a sauna with a dry herbal steam, jacuzzi. I swim in a pool, take a cold shower, drink herbal tea. But my all time favourite is a Japanese bath. There are 2 hot tubs with the temperature of 45 and 40 degrees Celsius, and a swimming pool with water temperature of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. First, I sit in the first hot tub for 3 minutes or so. Then I sit in the second one. And after the hot baths I plunge into cold water. Then I go back to the hot tub. And repeat it several times. After that I feel like I'm born again.

There're so many ways to relax there that I can spend hours talking about this place. I usually notice a huge difference in the way I feel before and after the visit, probably, because of a serene atmosphere which makes me calm and relaxed.

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11. Uniform

Describe a uniform you wear

You should say:

What it is like?

When you wear it?

Who bought it for you?

How you feel about it?

Thank God, my job doesn't require wearing a uniform, but when I studied at school, all students were required to wear a school uniform.

We, girls, had to wear a blazer, shirt and a knee-length pleated skirt, socks or tights, and flat shoes. All blazers were embroidered with the school logo on the left breast. Our school had a specific supplier to ensure that everyone wore exactly the same clothes. Any other alternatives were forbidden. Moreover, my school had a very strict policy on personal appearance.

So, in general, I can't but agree that wearing a uniform is very convenient and practical, let alone it helps to minimize classroom distractions. I mean when you dress in a manner that doesn't draw undue attention to your appearance, it allows your classmates to focus on their studies instead of your clothing. Also, no one is teased for not following the latest trends.

But I guess at my school this policy was unreasonably strict. Of course, if we'd worn torn jeans, I guess that would have been unacceptable. But I still don't understand how dark wash blue jeans stripped of all details (I mean without zippers, welts or anything like that) could distract somebody's attention. Also, shirts had to be tucked in. That's ok. This helped us look smartly dressed and neat. But sometimes what we were expected to do was nothing but absurd. A student could be sent home or get a verbal warning if their socks weren't pulled up or heel straps weren't in place.

Once I came to school wearing a cardigan instead of a blazer. It was a nightmare. I was suspended out of school for ten days. Is that even normal? Thank God, we didn't have corporal punishment.

Of course, if it hadn't been for the uniform policy, we would have worn jumpers, tank tops, short skirts and hoodies. Most of us would have had tattoos and piercings. So children could do whatever they wanted and school would have been one big mess. But such extremes that we had in our school weren't good either.

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12. Outdoor activity

Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place

You should say:

What you did, when and where you did it?

Who you did it with?

Whether it was difficult or easy?

Why this activity was new or exciting for you?

One of the most exciting outdoor activities I've ever done is quad biking. Last year, I went to Egypt and was determined to do something crazy and dangerous. I was torn between bungee jumping, paragliding, and quad biking. I decided to go quad biking as it seemed to be the least dangerous activity of the three. Despite this, I was still very nervous because I'd heard that many people ended up with broken arms and legs.

So, I went on a desert safari because quad biking in the sand dunes was part of it. I went with my best friend as we usually travel together, and it was clear we were both pretty nervous. However, as soon as we got there, my fears, at least, were assuaged. There were 50-year-old women and 12-year-old kids in the waiting area ahead of us, so we thought, 'If they can do it, we can do it.'

It wasn't particularly difficult as we had some training before we were allowed to drive ourselves in the dunes to make sure that we would be able to maneuver the vehicles easily without the risk of tumbling over.

It was fun, adventurous, and, if you don't break the rules, quite safe. We were driving through the desert, tackling low and high dunes, and yelling into the wind. I even dared to plunge down a steep slope. It was the thrill of a lifetime.

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13. Finding something someone lost

Describe an occasion when you found something that someone else lost

You should say:

What it was?

When and where you found it?

What you did with it?

How you felt about finding it?

I remember once I found a wallet. It was a couple of years ago, but I remember this situation like it was yesterday because it was quite stressful for me. So... M, One day I stopped by a coffee shop to grab a cup of espresso on my way home. As I walked to my car, I noticed a fat wallet lying on the ground just off the curb.

I looked around hoping to see if there was anyone nearby who might have dropped it, but there wasn't.

I started feeling a little bit confused as I didn't know what to do. On the one hand, I wanted to pick it up and return it to the owner. On the other hand, I was afraid of being accused of having stolen the money that could have been stolen before I found it. I hesitated for a moment, but then I realized I would feel guilty if I didn't give it a try.

So I picked up the wallet and looked inside as I searched for an ID. The wallet had a big amount of money in it, several credit cards and some other documents. I felt a little strange and uncomfortable rifling through someone's personal items, but I guessed that the owner wouldn't mind when he got his wallet back.7= SADFGH6871

I eventually found a business card with a name on it. His name was very common, so obviously there was no point searching for him on Facebook, for example. So I called the phone number on the business card, told the man I had found his wallet, and he nearly cried with relief. I had some time on my hands and agreed to drop it off at that man's office. The gentleman was so happy to get his wallet back that he gave me 100 dollars as a sign of gratitude.

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14. Something you bought from a street market

Describe a time you bought something from a street market

You should say:

What street market it was and where it was?

When it was?

What you bought?

How you felt about this shopping experience?

Several years ago my best friend and I were on holiday in X country. Our tour guide recommended us to go to the city's oldest street market, which is one of the oldest shopping streets in X, always abuzz with local people and holidaymakers who go there to buy spices, fruit, clothing, souvenirs, handicrafts, fabrics, to name but a few. He told us that this would be a great way to get an interesting glimpse into local culture and do shopping, and it indeed was an unforgettable life experience.

Now I can safely say that it's by far the most crowded street I have ever seen. Both sides of a narrow medieval street were teeming with people, it was just like a bee hive. Vendors all vied in offering their goods to shoppers. Shoppers from all over the world were swarming around stalls so I had to squeeze through the crowd to get a closer look at anything that was sold. I couldn't even stop and look around as the crowd literally dragged me along. It was really noisy.

Despite all the difficulties, I managed to buy spices for my mom as she likes cooking and some local handicrafts and souvenirs because I collect such things.

I went there with my friend, whom I was travelling with, but no sooner had we reached the place than we were separated by the crowd. So we quickly understood that there was no point in trying to resist in order to keep together. I just tried to look around every other minute not to lose sight of her. For this reason, I can say I went there on my own.

Oh, and I nearly forgot one thing. I had to be very careful not to become pickpockets' victim because such crowded places are a paradise for them. Therefore, on the one hand, this experience was very interesting as the market's vibrant atmosphere made shopping lots of fun. But it was a bit dangerous too.

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15. Doing something in a hurry

Describe an occasion when you had to do something in a hurry

You should say:

What it was?

When it was?

Why you had to do it quickly?

How you felt about it?

Normally I start packing my suitcase one day or so before a trip. But once I packed it literally at the last minute because the night before my flight I was running on fumes and I could hardly move. So I set the alarm for 6 am to do it early. I knew right off the bat that it was a bad idea 'cause I'm not used to getting up early, but I was too tired to do this before

going to bed. As I expected, I slept through my alarm and woke up at 9 am (and I had to leave for the airport at 11). So I rushed to pack, and I was really worried I'd forget important stuff like documents, insurance, cosmetics, meds.

In my haste, I threw clothes into the suitcase, not even checking if they matched. I grabbed chargers, toothpaste, and random things. You know, as time went on, I started to panic more and more. The more nervous I grew, the more chaotic my actions became. I started freaking out 'cause I couldn't find my passport at first.

So what I hoped would be the calm start of my holiday turned into a chaotic race against time. Finally, I left for the airport, praying I hadn't overlooked anything.

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16. Film

Describe an impressive movie you watched

You should say:

What the movie is about?

Where and when you watched it?

Why it is impressive?

I recently saw The adjustment bureau and I was very pleased with the movie. Although this movie is not new, I hadn't even heard about it before and watched it by pure chance. I was at home, the weather was bad and I didn't want to go out, so I started flipping through the channels. I saw Matt Damon on the screen and decided to watch the film just because of him. I didn't regret and I think this film was definitely worth a few hours of my time.

It is a romantic science fiction thriller that depicts an affair between a politician named David and a contemporary dancer, Elise. David accidentally meets Elise, while rehearsing his speech. After they kiss each other, he gets so inspired that he delivers a great speech that makes him a favourite in the election race. The only thing that makes him upset is that he doesn't even know the name of the girl. One month later they meet each other on a bus, but he doesn't manage to ask for her telephone number. Then he takes the same bus for three years to meet her, but some mysterious forces keep them apart. Later we find out that this is because all the events in people's lives are controlled by the Adjustment Bureau that ensures people live according to 'the Plan' because every time humanity is granted free will, it results in wars or other negative events. So the bureau tries to do whatever possible to stop them from meeting each other. One day David meets two men working for this bureau and they explain that they make corrections when things go slightly wrong. David is warned that if he doesn't stop making attempts to meet Elise, his memory will be erased. He decides to fight against it and tries to outsmart or elude the men in the suits and hats. To cut a long story short, in the end, the bureau issues a revised plan according to which Elise and David are meant to be together, and they are let go.

I really liked the movie, first of all, because I'm a huge fan of Matt Damon. Another great aspect of the film is that it raises the question and draws our attention to the dilemma of life, the conflict between free will and predestination. I love such inspirational movies that teach us to pursue our dreams and goals no matter what. I also liked the suspense of watching a good plot unfold. I'm not joking. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. Overall, this movie is both entertaining and thought-provoking and it's definitely worth watching more than once.

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17. Goal

Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve

You should say:

What it is?

How long you have had it?

How you will achieve it?

Why you set this goal?

Right now, one of my long-term goals is to buy a car. Recently, I realized that I'm dying to have the freedom to go wherever I need to without relying on public transportation or others. So, I added this goal to the list.

I've already taken a few simple steps towards achieving it. For example, I've determined the type and model of the car I want. Plus, I've assessed my current financial situation and developed a monthly savings plan to accumulate the necessary funds. I can now set aside 300 dollars monthly. The worst-case scenario, if I continue saving at this rate, is that I will be able to buy a car in 7 years. But I'm planning to review my spending habits and identify areas where I can cut back to save more money and buy a car faster. You know, patience is not my virtue. Also, I might have to open a dedicated savings account for my car fund because sometimes I plan to save a certain amount, but unexpected expenses come up, and I dip into the money I set aside for the car. And I think that having a dedicated account could help me stick to my car savings goal

I'm sure buying a car will take my life to a whole new level. I mean it will enhance my overall quality of life and give me a sense of accomplishment. And, of course, I will feel much better about myself.

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18. Travel that was delayed

Describe a travel you were looking forward to but was delayed

You should say:

Where you planned to travel to?

Why you were looking forward to it?

Why it was delayed?

How you felt about the experience?

Four years ago, my family and I planned a vacation to a beautiful coastal resort in Thailand. We bought plane tickets, booked a fantastic hotel, and I couldn't wait for the break from work 'cause I was tired as hell. And I was really looking forward to spending quality time with my family because our busy work schedules usually limit the time we have together, except during holidays.

Unfortunately, just as we were about to go, our dream beach holiday was put on hold because the coronavirus broke out, and travel restrictions made it impossible for us to go anywhere. At that time, I thought it would only be a couple of months or so. However, as you might guess, our holiday got delayed by two long years. And it was only when life finally got back to normal that we could make it happen.

Back then, when I realized that our plans went south, I started freaking out because I put a lot of effort into organizing everything. Plus, coordinating everyone's schedules turned out to be a real challenge. But at that point, I was still sure that it would be for a couple of months or so. So I quickly calmed down and switched to a standby mode. I swear if I had known back then that we would have to postpone our trip until 2021, I think I would have been furious.

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19. Complaint you heard

Describe an occasion when you heard someone complaining about something in a restaurant, store or another business place

You should say:

What the person complained about?

When and where it was?

What the results were?

How you felt about it?

A couple of weeks ago, I went to an electronics store to check out the iPhone before buying it. I wanted to visit the store to physically hold the phone and assess how it looks and feels in person.

While I was there, I couldn't help but overhear an argument between the store manager and a dissatisfied customer. It was mostly one-sided. The customer was shouting. And the manager remained unbelievably calm and handled the situation with remarkable patience and politeness.

As far as I understood, the issue was about a delayed order, but it didn't seem too serious. So l think the man was shouting so loudly just because he was trying to get a discount or harm the store's reputation. I don't know.

I have no clue if they eventually sorted things out because the customer kept complaining without any signs of stopping. So I just checked out the iPhone I had initially come for and left the store.

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20. Conversation

Describe an interesting conversation with a very old person

You should say:

Who that person is?

When and where it was?

What you talked about?

Why it was interesting?

Recently, the elevator in my apartment building broke down. And we were all forced to go up and down the stairs for two long weeks.

One day, as I ascended the staircase, I met Mrs. Johnson, my 85-year-old neighbor from two floors above. She had a hard time climbing the stairs, so she asked me if I could help her.

As we moved slowly up the stairs, she told me that when she was young, she lived in a 5-storeyed building without an elevator. And she used to effortlessly climb five flights of stairs 20 times a day. I said I couldn't imagine living in a building without an elevator and modern conveniences.

When she heard me say that, she burst out laughing 'cause she said back in her day, life lacked not only elevators but also the Internet, Google, computers, smartphones. Even landline phones were considered a luxury that very few people could afford. She described the world where information wasn't at the tip of your fingers, where people had to rely on libraries and face-to-face conversations for knowledge and socializing.

You know, that made me think about things I take for granted. And I couldn't help but reflect on how much the world had changed over the last 50 years.

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21. Map

Describe an occasion when you used a map that was useful

You should say:

What type of map it was?

How useful it was?

Why you used it?

How you felt about the experience?

A couple of weeks ago, my dentist moved to a new location, and all the patients, including me, received a message with the updated address.

A few days later, I had a scheduled appointment with my dentist, and I went to the dental clinic. I had to use Google Maps for navigation because to me, that part of the city is like a maze. The streets intertwine and wind around in such a way that, if you're not careful, you might end up going in circles. It's like a labyrinth where all the streets look eerily similar, and every turn seems to lead you to another indistinguishable corner.

With Google maps, navigation was more or less okay. But because of poor internet connection, sometimes the navigator's instructions were delayed. It told me to make turns after I had already passed them. I started freaking out a bit because it forced me to circle back several times, and I began to worry about being late for my appointment. To my surprise, I arrived half an hour earlier than expected.

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22. Great team player

Describe a time when someone did quite well in team.

You should say:

Who this person was?

When you worked together?

What this person did in a team?

What you think this person was a great team member?

In high school, I was part of an environmental club, in which we worked in teams of 10. Our team worked on initiatives like planting trees, running waste reduction campaigns, and raising awareness about the environment within the school community.

Among us was Mark, a great team member who eventually became the leader of our team. He led our team informally, even though we had an official leader appointed by our teacher. I mean despite the formal leader existed everyone turned to him, not to our designated leader, for advice and help.

As a team member, he did a lot. Whenever someone had a hard time doing their tasks, Mark was there to provide guidance, mentorship, and assistance. And he was very good at coordinating team activities during events. For example, whenever we had a tree-planting activity, Mark made sure everyone had a job and knew what they were doing. And he didn't just boss us around. He did the same work as all of us, but still managed to help everyone. As we planted saplings, Mark went around giving tips on planting. He was trying to make sure each tree got a good spot. And he gave us advice on how to plant the right way.

Though he was our age he seemed to be older and wiser than us. It might sound a little weird, but it indeed felt that way, and everyone shared this opinion.

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23. Activity you liked in primary school

Describe an interesting activity that you enjoyed in your primary school.

You should say:

What it was?

Who you did it with?

How often you did it?

Why you liked it?

When I was a child, I loved experimenting with paper, water colours, clay, play dough, beads, autumn leaves and the like. So I really loved art and craft classes which were part of our school curriculum. And I particularly liked sculpting because I loved to create something cool to take home and show off. For example, once we maked clay fruit bowls. By the way, they appeared to be super durable, so my mom is still using the one I made then.

To make a bowl, we needed just a few things: a bowl for the mould, a rolling pin for clay, air-drying clay, acrylic paint, brushes and a cutter. For our teacher safety was always the first priority. We did everything under close supervision 'cause a cutter is a sharp and dangerous tool. So at the workbench we would have to wait to use it. That's why in the classroom I managed to make just one bowl.

As far as I remember, the process of making a bowl was quite straightforward. I just had to roll out the clay, then lay a mould on top of the clay and cut around this shape. After that I had to turn the mould upside down and put a clay circle on top. Next I just had to make the desired shape, let the clay harden and, finally, detach my bowl from the mould. In the next class, I painted my bowl so that it looked like a watermelon... a small one. When everything was completely dry, I glazed it.

I liked it so much that I asked my mom to buy me a modeling clay kit. And then I made dozens of nice fruit bowls. Soon almost all my relatives received my creations as gifts. When there was nobody to give my fruit bowl to, I started selling them at local craft fairs and earned my first pocket money, which I was happy about.

24. Public facility that has been renovated

Describe a public facility that has been renovated or improved.

You should say:

What it was?

When it was?

What has been renovated?

How you felt about it?

Last year, the City Council completed a city park renovation project that cost the city millions of dollars. I'm convinced it was worth the investment because the park had numerous issues. For example, there were neither designated play zones for kids nor benches for the elderly. There wasn't night lighting. Even if you weren't attacked by gangsters, you risked stumbling over some raised footpath slab, falling down, and breaking your legs.

So, two years ago, the city initiated renovations on the public facility in response to safety worries and many other complaints from residents. The park was closed for approximately one year and reopened to the public last spring.

During the renovation, the park got new benches, better lighting, and upgraded restrooms. Also, it was improved with better drainage. For example, the drainage problems of the previous lawn were fixed and visitors were able to walk, sit and play without the marshy wetness again. All the pathways were repaved, and sports facilities were updated.

I was pleased to see all those changes. But you know, trees, grass, some walkways and a bench: these are the basics of my ideal park. So I was a bit upset because many old trees had been cut down and replaced with brickwork.

25. Hospitable person

Describe a person who is good at welcoming people in his or her home

You should say:

Who this person is?

How you know each other?

Why you think this person is good at welcoming people?

I consider my friend Tania to be an exemplary host - she's as perfect as a human being can ever become. I mean visiting her home feels like literally dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant 'cause she pays attention to every possible detail, literally - from the plates she serves food on to the meticulous pairing on her cheese board. What's amazing is that she consistently chooses the best possible option for each of these elements. And this is probably the main reason why she manages to make the experience truly exceptional.

For example, as soon as you step through the door, she will offer you a welcome drink, perhaps something exceptional like Veuve Clicquot. When you're driving, she'll offer you a glass of homemade lemonade or freshly squeezed juice.

She always offers gorgeous cheese boards and appetizer snack trays for her guests. And what's important is that she remembers everything about her friends' preferences, even the specific allergies of each person.

You know, she does so many little, simple things that make people feel at home. For instance, there are cushions of different sizes everywhere for you to use and support your back, and thus make yourself more comfortable. Also, she likes burning scented candles. I think it's a great idea 'cause the soft glow of candlelight brings a sense of warmth and coziness to the room. It makes any space more inviting. This, in turn, helps guests feel comfortable and at ease.

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26. Painting

Describe a painting

You should say:

What it looked like?

When you saw it first?

How you feel about it?

Who the painter is?

(simplified version of the story below) I'm not really an expert in art. I don't go to art places a lot. But there's this one art thing that I saw a few years ago that I really liked.

I saw it in a place where they keep a lot of art. When I saw it, I was really surprised. It was so big and it looked so real. If I didn't know it was just a picture, I would have thought it was a window. It was a picture of a pretty country place. There were small houses and gardens, and people doing things, like taking care of animals.

The colors were bright and it seemed peaceful. In the back, there were big mountains with dark clouds over them. The clouds looked like they were coming closer. The painter was really good at making it look like that.

I don't really know what the painter wanted to say with the picture. But for me, it felt like a quiet reminder that people are small compared to big things like storms and rivers. I really liked the painting, but I can't remember the artist's name or the painting's name now.

I have to confess that I am neither a real connoisseur of art nor an art expert. Also, I seldom visit art galleries and museums. So, unfortunately, I haven't seen a lot of art objects. But there is one piece of art that moved me a great deal. I saw it in an art gallery while I was travelling a few years ago.

When I saw the painting. I gasped in amazement as its size was mind boggling. And it looked lifelike. To tell the truth, if I hadn't known that it was just a painting, I would have thought I was looking out of a huge window.

This picture depicted a picturesque rural landscape. In the foreground there were a few nice small cottages with beautiful gardens, people doing their everyday chores, cows and ducks. The dominating colours in the foreground were bright. At first glance, the scene seemed peaceful, and it showed that humanity tamed nature as it yields the necessities we need to live. In the the far distance I could make out the outline of majestic mountains. There were dark clouds which gathered over the mountain tops. And they seemed to be slowly moving towards me. I think the artist skillfully managed to capture this contrast

I don't know what message the artist wanted to deliver, but for me it was like a silent reminder that humanity is small and impotent in front of raging rivers, violent storms, and other natural phenomena. I was more than impressed by this painting. It is a real pity that now I can't recall the name of the artist and that masterpiece.

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27. Photo

Describe a photo that makes you feel happy

You should say:

Where you took it?

When you took the photo?

Why it makes you happy?

I have to confess that I'm an avid selfie-snapper because when someone else takes a picture of me, I'm almost never satisfied. For this reason, I remember all those 2 or 3 cases when I didn't delete a picture taken by another person.

I think I'll describe one close-up which drew the most likes and comments on Facebook and Instagram recently. It sounds silly to care about something as small as a like on a picture, but it's our reality. To tell the truth, I didn't expect that photo to break the Internet but it did.

Several weeks ago I came home after my friend's birthday party. I had a very beautiful makeup. Dark smoky eyes and glossy lips.. I decided such heavenly beauty had to be captured forever, so I took my selfie stick and started experimenting. But I didn't like the pics. My mom wanted me to help her about the house, so she decided to speed up the process and help me get a beautiful picture.

She took pictures at eye level and from a higher angle to exaggerate the size of my eyes and avoid a double chin in a picture. She took hundreds of them as my pictures never come out perfect after the first snapshot. Then we picked the best one, I used some filters to manipulate the image, you know, to erase blemishes...such things. After that I cropped the image so that nobody could see the background and immediately uploaded it to Facebook and Instagram, awaiting for likes and comments.

Frankly speaking, I really liked the way I looked because I was genuinely happy in the picture and looked simply amazing on that day. So, probably, even if my friends hadn't liked this pic so much, it would, anyway, be one of my favourite ones.

I really like taking pictures to capture all meaningful moments as, unfortunately, memories fade away sooner or later, but photos don't. Also, I don't like the idea of taking pictures just to store them on a computer or an external hard drive. What's the sense of taking them, if you never look at them again? I like choosing the ones that remind me of special moments with close people and putting these shots in photo frames around the flat. The photo that I have the most personal connection to is the one depicting the whole family of mine at my birthday party many years ago. I was about to blow out birthday candles, and my parents and grandparents surrounded me, leaning over the table, me and the cake, ready to help if I hadn't managed to blow all the candles. You know, it is believed your wish will come true if you blow out all the candles in a single puff.

This photo is what people see first when they come to my parents' place. I don't remember who took it because I was too young and I don't remember who exactly was invited to the party. In any case, this must have been one of my relatives that took the photo as the photo doesn't look professional, so I doubt it was taken by a photographer.

This shot is truly something to be treasured as, first of all, it reminds of my childhood every time I look at it. Also, this is one of the few photos where the whole family is depicted and all of us look genuinely happy. You know, nowadays people are really busy and don't have time to attend family gatherings. And, unfortunately, this was the last photo of my grandfather taken before his death.

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28. Party

Describe a party that you enjoyed

You should say:

What party it was?

When it took place?

Where it was?

Whose party it was?

Why you enjoyed the party?

Last summer, one of my friends told me that his colleague was throwing a party on a roof. He was invited and suggested going with him. At first, I didn't think it was a good idea because I don't like attending events with lots of people I've never seen before. More importantly, I was pretty sure the host wouldn't be happy to see uninvited guests. I thought that if I were him, I wouldn't be excited. But he insisted, and I finally agreed to go with him.

The place, of course, was unusual. It was the first time I'd set foot on a roof for someone's birthday party. I was blown away by the night view of the city. However, as expected, I didn't know anyone there except my friend. There were several trays with drinks and snacks, as well as bean bags where people could rest.

It was noisy because the music was very loud, and we were screaming and singing. Normally, such gatherings are not my thing, but I enjoyed this one. What I liked the most was that some of the guests, probably the only people there who knew the host and whom the host knew, prepared several unusual ways to congratulate him. For example, they made a video in which each of them gave their wishes to the birthday boy. They also gave him a car-shaped cake, as he had been dreaming of buying a car. They hid other gifts all around the place and made the birthday boy follow clues to find them. It was fun, and it was completely different from all the other birthday parties I had attended before.

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29. Park or Garden

Describe a park or garden you like

You should say:

What Park it is?

Where it is?

When you go there?

Why you like it?

I absolutely adore visiting the X park. And I can't quite put into words how much I love it. It's like a perfect mix of lots of open green areas, beautiful art, and amazing architecture.

In the middle of the park, there's this gorgeous pond with a fountain in the middle that shoots water really high up. There are plenty of benches around the pond, and I usually like to sit there and watch the water. The trees in the park always look fantastic. They are beautifully kept, like the ones you see in those old movies with grand royal palaces. And there's a nice path that goes all the way around it. I pretty much go there every day to keep myself healthy by going for a brisk walk or a jog.

Sometimes, I go to the park to read and enjoy the beautiful songs of the birds. In my opinion, it's the best spot to unwind and escape the busy city center. I can also check out or join in on outdoor events like music concerts and fairs, which is awesome because I love good music, and there are always talented musicians performing there. I'm often amazed by the stunning views, especially the breathtaking sunset. That's one of the things that keeps me coming back. You know, the more often I visit it, the more I love it. It's like magic, especially at night when it's all lit up.

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30. Person who likes cooking for others

Describe someone who likes cooking for others

You should say:

Who this person is?

What they like to cook?

Who they cook for?

Why she likes cooking?

The person who has a passion for cooking for others is my mom. She's not a professional chef; she's just an ordinary person. But this ordinary person has an extraordinary passion for culinary arts.

Whenever she needs to relax, unwind, or simply have some 'me-time,' she goes straight to the kitchen and starts cooking. Our kitchen is like her sanctuary or it's more like a laboratory of a crazy scientist. We all know that when she's in the kitchen, it's best not to disturb her, as she takes her cooking very seriously.

She can cook a wide variety of dishes. You name it, she cooks it. But her favorites are lasagna, chili that she lets simmer for hours, and homemade apple pie. She often cooks spaghetti Bolognese, creamy chicken Alfredo, and barbecue ribs. The whole neighborhood benefits from her moments of inspiration because she treats everyone to her culinary creations 'cause just like how an actress needs people to watch her act, my mom needs those who'll enjoy her cooking and tell her how much they love it.

But, of course, we (I mean myself, my father and my younger brother) benefit the most 'cause we have meals like those in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Plus, she loves to host Sunday dinners for family and friends, and it is then that she cooks those mouthwatering barbecue ribs. Also, she often cooks for our elderly neighbors because they can't cook for themselves. For her, cooking isn't just about making people full, it's a way of expressing her love and care.

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31. Science Subject

Describe a science subject you're interested in

You should say:

What science subject it is?

How you got interested in it?

How you learn this science?

Why this science is interesting to you?

Since childhood I've been interested in Astronomy. Astrophysics, to be precise. This is the branch of Astronomy that studies the physics of stellar phenomena and other objects in space. Though I have to admit that I'm not a science-obsessed person. I mean if I come across an interesting article, I read it with pleasure, if I don't, I don't search for this information deliberately and I don't do it on a regular basis. From time to time I watch documentaries, read articles on the Internet, get some new information from friends. But as I've said before, I don't do it very often.

I don't remember what exactly made me interested in it because this interest in space and everything connected with it was already established by the time I had reliable memories about that interest. By the time I was 5 I already recall having been interested in Astronomy. I think I got started on the science track when I started reading a lot of science fiction books and encyclopedias as a child. Also, my parents read me books on planets and my father told me many interesting facts about our solar system. My interest to this topic was fueled several years ago after watching Interstellar, a wonderful science fiction movie which made me think about black holes, wormholes, space time, dark matter, time dilation for several weeks. I was more than impressed.

The main reason why I like Astrophysics is that everything mysterious captivates me. I really want to understand how everything that exists works, to have a better understanding of the universe we live in and understand how the cosmos influences different processes on our planet.

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32. Rule

Describe an important rule at school or at work

You should say:

What rule it is?

Why you think it is important?

What happens if someone breaks it?

How you feel about it?

So, at my work, there's this one rule that everyone knows about, and it's all about being on time. It's a pretty simple rule, really. But it's super important for keeping things running smoothly. I mean we work in a busy office where we have to coordinate a lot of tasks and projects. If someone is late, it can mess up the whole schedule. Meetings get delayed, deadlines get pushed back, and it can be a real headache for everyone. So if it weren't for this rule, we would have a really hard time getting work done. Literally, So, I totally get why this rule is in place, and I actually think it's a good one. It helps us stay organized and make sure we're all on the same page. Plus, it shows respect for our colleagues and the company because we're valuing everyone's time.

But here's the thing: not everyone followed this rule. There were a few coworkers who were constantly late, and it was frustrating. It was not fair to the rest of us who made an effort to be on time, and it often created tension in the office.

Now, if someone does break this rule and is late without a good reason, there are consequences. Usually, our boss will have a chat with them and remind them of the importance of being punctual. If it keeps happening, they might get a formal warning. And if it continues after that, well, they could even lose their job.

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33. Person, you haven't met before

Describe someone you haven't seen before but you want to know more about

You should say:

Who this person is?

How you know about this person?

What you want to know about this person?

Why you want to know more about this person?

I wanna tell you about someone I've always admired, even though I've never had the chance to meet him face to face. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago, and that opportunity will never come. And the person I'm talking about is Stephen Hawking, one of the world's most famous physicists.

As far as I know, his most well known work is dedicated to black hole thermodynamics, which, by the way, helped prove the idea of a 'Big Bang' at the birth of the Universe. He also made major contributions to the study of singularity theorems, quantum fields in curved spacetimes and many other areas. His scientific investigations shed light on the origins of the cosmos and the nature of time. What's more, his books gave an appreciation of physics to millions of ordinary people. One of them was a bestseller for several years, and it is this book that one day turned him into a celebrity.

I stumbled upon an article about Stephen Hawking on the internet a few years back, and it left a lasting impression on me. I mean every day, we hear people complaining about their lives, their health, their families, and a myriad of excuses for not pursuing their goals. But Stephen had to deal with difficulties that most of us can hardly imagine. He spent the majority of his life in a wheelchair, unable to speak or even feed himself. Despite these obstacles, he continued his scientific work, publishing articles and books, and even making appearances on popular shows like the Big Bang Theory and TED talks. The the thing is that many people don't like to be taken pictures of when they think they look a bit less than perfect, but Stephen was constantly in the public eye although he definitely understood that he looked different from the majority of people. Another amazing fact about him is that most patients with the same disease die within 5 years of their diagnosis. His condition was diagnosed when he was young, and he died in very old age.

I truly admire his scientific achievements, but to be honest with you science is not my thing. I'm genuinely curious about what shaped him into the incredible person he was. I want to know about his habits, hobbies, and principles that allowed him to persevere through such adversity.

I was planning to seek out his biography, autobiography, or memoirs because I'm eager to learn more about the man behind the legend. But I always put it on the back burner. When I get home after today's test, I will definitely do some kind of research about his life, his upbringing, and his family.

So, while the rule about being on time might seem strict, I think it's necessary to keep things running smoothly and maintain a respectful work environment. And personally, I'm all for it because it makes my workday a lot less stressful.

In my school, there's this really long list of rules we have to follow. Most of them are there to make sure the school is safe and orderly and that we students behave ourselves. But some of these rules are just way too strict, Like, we have to wear a uniform. Girls wear a shirt, a knee-length woolen skirt, socks or tights, and shoes. Boys wear a shirt and trousers. And we can only buy our uniforms from one specific place to make sure we all look exactly the same. No other options are allowed. Then there's the whole thing about how we look. Piercings are not allowed. No jewelry, no makeup, and we can't even have our hair dyed. If you have long hair, it has to be tied back all the time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I get that wearing a uniform is practical and it helps keep distractions in check. When everyone dresses the same way, it's easier to focus on schoolwork instead of what people are wearing. And no one gets teased for not following fashion trends, which is nice.

But honestly, at my school, these rules are just over the top. I mean, I get it if we came to school in ripped jeans, that's not cool. But why the heck. should plain blue jeans with no fancy stuff be a problem. Shirts have to be tucked in, which is fine. It makes us look neat. But if your socks aren't pulled up or your shoes' heel straps aren't perfect, you can be sent home or given a talking to. And if you dare to wear even tiny earrings, they make you take them out. You can't even go back to class until your parents meet with the principal or teacher. That's insane. And for the boys, if they wear the wrong kind of shoes or trousers, they can get detention or even suspended for one to ten days. Thank God, we don't have physical punishment.

Honestly, without the uniform policy, I think we'd be showing up in all sort of outfits like sweaters, short skirts, hoodies, you name it. Most of us would probably have tattoos and piercings galore. It'd be a total mess. But the extreme rules we have in our school aren't much better.

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34. Positive change in your life

Describe something that changed your life in a positive way

You should say:

What the change was and when it happened?

How it happened?

Why it was a positive change?

Last year I came to realize that the quality of my life would improve significantly if I started leading a healthy lifestyle. What I did first was I read a lot of articles in magazines and consulted a dietician because without professional help diets may do more harm than good. The biggest challenge was to stop eating fast food. I started to choose carefully what I ate, when and what for. I became a frequent visitor of a gym and did exercises regularly. At least 3 times per week.

I've been living like this for more than a year now. I have to confess that this appeared to be more difficult than I expected as, first of all, this requires. discipline and time. For example, sometimes you don't want to go to the gym. You say to yourself that nothing will happen if you skip one workout. But you understand that if you do it once, nothing will stop you from doing it regularly. Secondly, when you eat fast food, you don't have to think at all. You take whatever you see in a shop just to make your stomach full. But if you start eating healthy food, you think about its nutritional value, you count calories and try to choose fresh high-quality meat, fruit and vegetables.

In any case, all these efforts are worth changing the way you live. For instance, it was not until I started following a healthy diet and doing sport regularly that I began to lose weight naturally without starving myself. As a result, I started looking slimmer and feeling better. What's more, I became much more attractive for the opposite sex. Now I have many admirers who say that I'm beautiful, and my photos get really many likes in social networks. My health has improved significantly since I started taking the first steps towards changing my life. I have started feeling more energetic than before. This has also helped me get better skin, so now I don't look as pale as before. To sum up, the quality of my life has improved dramatically.

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35. Waiting for a nice thing

Describe a time you waited for a nice thing

You should say:

What you were waiting for, how you felt?

What you did while waiting?

Why you waited for it?

I hate waiting in all its manifestations as I always feel like I'd be waiting forever, and this is what usually makes me feel restless especially when I'm waiting for something I'm looking forward to. Several years ago there was one of such occasions. I was waiting to get my visa to go to Canada. And as it was my first trip abroad I was more than nervous.

I should say I was excited while collecting all the documents and planning my trip. Even after I submitted a visa application, everything was more or less ok. I knew I'd have to wait for some time, and, at first, this didn't make me scared. If it hadn't been for my friends who kept telling me that Canada was one of the hardest places to get a visa to, I would have been relaxed and calm. But because of them, I started feeling panicky. While my visa application was being processed, I felt like I was waiting for something that wasn't going to happen. Sometimes it felt as though time had stopped.

Of course, I tried to distract myself with work, friends, meetings, but it was difficult not to think about it. The worst thing was that I was being kept in suspense as I could ask nobody about what was going on. And I didn't know when exactly I could expect to receive the results. But I was looking forward to getting it as this would make my dream to visit Canada come true.

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36. Bad service

Describe a time when you received bad service at a restaurant or shop

You should say:

When and where it was?

What was wrong with the service?

How you felt about it?

Last year I had an experience of what I consider to be absolutely terrible rather than just bad customer service. I wanted to buy a new laptop. First, I wanted to find a suitable one online, but I was overwhelmed by the number of options available. In the end, I decided to go to a reputable electronics store as it was too expensive to throw money away and buy the first thing I saw online.

When I entered the store, one of the sales assistants greeted me. He waited for some time to let me look around, then approached me only after I made eye contact with him, showing I needed his assistance. The guy introduced himself and started asking me a lot of questions to find out what exactly I needed.

But when I started answering his questions telling him about my needs, he didn't listen to me carefully. And it seemed to me that he didn't really care about what I needed. It looked like he just wanted to sell something that would pay him more. At that point I was already upset because I came there hoping experts would help me find the right solution for my individual needs. Somehow I managed to make up my mind and chose a laptop that I liked. Unfortunately, the model I'd chosen appeared to be out of stock, so he offered to contact other branches to find the model I wanted. Of course, I agreed to wait a bit.

They said that the purchase would be delivered within 3 days, but I received it after I had waited for 3 weeks just to find out that they had sent me a faulty item. You can only imagine how disappointed I was.

Of course, I wanted to return it and get the one I needed. However, I was told that the model I wanted was out of stock. Needless to say, I contacted their customer service centre and requested a refund. I had a hard time returning it and getting my money back. I wrote tons of complaints to them. It's a really long story. Finally, I received a refund and the nightmare which lasted for several months was over.

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37. Sportsperson you admire

Describe a sportsperson you admire

You should say:

Who this person is

What this person has achieved

How you know about this person

Explain why you like this person

The only sport I enjoy watching, and sometimes even playing, is football. For this reason, of course, my favourite sports star is a football player. He is one of the greatest players of all time. Football experts compare him to the legendary Maradona. And I'm talking about Lionel Messi. He started making headlines many years ago, and he's still very popular.

Messi was born in a small town in Argentina. He was just 5 when he started playing football. When he was a teenager, agents from Barcelona saw his talent, he moved to Spain. He became one of the youngest players in Barcelona. By the way, several weeks ago, he announced that he was leaving Barcelona after 21 years of playing for the club (the only club he has played for, by the way) 'cause the club said it could no longer afford to pay. I even started crying when I saw him crying at his farewell press conference.

He has had a lot of extraordinary achievements and won a lot of trophies so far. For example, having scored 4 goals, he won the Golden Ball award for the World Cup's best player in 2014. He helped his club team Barcelona win the European Champions League and the World Club Championship. What's more, he's Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer.

I love to watch him playing, especially when he scores his beautiful goals from quick counter attacks. He is undoubtedly a natural talent. You know, the ball seems to be glued to his foot. He is a master at reading the game, and he's very quick. Everyone calls him the greatest dribbler of his generation. I particularly like when he dribbles at high speed, then he suddenly slows down, waits for the defender to get closer to him, then accelerates in the opposite direction. It doesn't matter how many defenders try to stop him, it's simply impossible. What's interesting is that everyone knows this trick, but he does it again and again, and defenders always go for that. I can't help admiring Messi because he does things that people talk about years later.

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38. Problem with the computer

Describe a time when your computer broke down

You should say:

What the problem was, what you were doing

When it was

What you did about it

How you felt about it

Oh, once I accidently spilled water on my laptop, and then it didn't start. This all happened so fast that I didn't even realise what was going on. I just saw the liquid spreading over the keyboard.

I was afraid I'd get electrocuted, so I immediately disconnected the laptop from the power source. Then I held the power switch and turned it off. After that, I took a paper towel and tried to remove excess liquid. I thought there had to be something else I could do to solve the problem before it was too late.

So I called my tech savvy friend and asked him for help. He told me not to shake the laptop, but to open it as wide as I could, so that the screen and keyboard are on the same level, then put it, face and keyboard down, on a towel or something absorbent, leave it there for at least a couple of hours so that the water can drip out.

Unfortunately, even though I took all those steps, my laptop didn't start and I had to take it to a specialized technician.

The laptop was very expensive. I set aside a large percentage of my income every month for almost a year. Also, I was afraid I'd lose important data. So, of course, I was really upset. And, worst of all, I realised that it was my fault, and there was nobody to blame.

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39. Advice you gave

Describe a time when you gave advice to others

You should say:

Who you gave advice to?

What the situation was

What advice you gave

What the result was

Just recently one of my close friend's decided to quit a job after an argument with some colleague. What's more, he was determined to do this as soon as possible.

To be honest, I didn't want to interfere and tell my friend what I thought about his idea 'cause giving advice to people who don't ask for it just doesn't work. Also, I'm sure people should make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons. But I realized that this would impact his life significantly, so I just couldn't keep my mouth shut.

I advised my friend not to make emotional decisions. I said that I didn't think it was wise to quit a job without another one lined up because this would entail uncertainty and having no income for an indefinite period of time.

To my regret, my friend didn't listen to me as he is too stubborn to listen to anybody's advice. A few days later, he resigned. And a few months after that he called me to borrow some money because he was still looking for a job.

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40. Successful business person

Describe a successful businessperson you know

You should say:

Who this person is

How you know them

What business this person does

Why this person is successful

I'd like to tell you about a successful business person I know, someone I often meet and talk to. He's actually one of my neighbors. His name is Mr. Patel, and he owns a retail store in our community that specializes in selling gadgets like, you know, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and all sorts of tech stuff.

Mr. Patel's store isn't the biggest, but it's definitely the most popular in our neighborhood. What makes the store special is how much Mr. Patel cares about his customers. He's always ready to help, whether it's explaining how gadgets work, solving problems, or just chatting about tech. Every customer leaves the store already planning their next purchase,

But it's not just his friendly demeanor that sets Mr. Smith apart; it's also his deep knowledge of the products he sells. He keeps up with the latest tech developments and ensures his store is stocked with the most sought-after gadgets. Plus, his prices are reasonable, which makes technology accessible to a wide range of customers.

In my opinion, Mr. Patel's success is a result of his passion for gadgets, his dedication to his customers, and his ability to create a welcoming atmosphere in his store. You know, it's not just a place to buy gadgets; it's a place to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast and get expert advice.

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41. Beautiful city

Describe a beautiful city

You should say:

What city it is?

How you know it?

What it is famous for?

Why you think it is beautiful?

Well, X is the city that I'm in love with. And because I was overwhelmed by its size and beauty, I remember almost every minute that I spent there like it was just yesterday although I went there 2 years ago.

X is a bustling city, the capital of X. It's so large that if you view the city from a tall building, you get the feeling that it doesn't end. And as I've just said it's by far the most beautiful city that I've ever visited.

X is divided into two parts, the old town and the modern city, therefore there's an eclectic mix of historic architecture and modern buildings that have bizarre shapes. What is really amazing is that there are no ugly cooker-cutter buildings in the modern part of the city. Due to a clever use of materials, almost each building has its unique design. There are a lot of beautiful parks and green zones, too.

I'm a keen walker so I explored the whole city on foot. And I really liked both parts of the city. For example, while walking around its historic part, I leisurely explored historically significant architecture, peaceful green spaces, and unique local attractions along the way. You can walk for days and still have something new to see 'cause there are many places of cultural and historical value, and there are countless routes that can be taken in different parts of the city. Sometimes | just walked around the city having no destination in mind. I also visited the observation deck. It's one of the most famous attractions there. I just couldn't miss the opportunity to visit it although it was a bit pricy. So I walked, tried local food, visited famous attractions and enjoyed the beauty around. It really did feel like I was jumping from antiquity into modern times all the time. I think X is a magical place.

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42. Person with interesting ideas

Describe a person who has interesting ideas and opinions

You should say:

Who this person is?

What this person does?

How you know this person?

Why you think his or her ideas are interesting?

The person whom I consider really interesting is Marina Mogilko. She is a YouTuber with 2 million subscribers, Instagram influencer and entrepreneur. Her YouTube channel is dedicated to learning English. And, actually, this is how I found her.

One day I was looking for an accent reduction course on YouTube. I watched one of her videos, then another one. They were really engaging. I just couldn't stop watching them. I found her personal account on Instagram and started following her.

Her posts proved to be even more interesting than her videos because she wrote a lot about her life in America, described her business strategies, shared her insights with the audience. So I've been following her on Instagram for almost a year now. I still find her ideas interesting, so I never miss her posts, especially those that she writes after attending some events.

I'm sure it is her ideas and beliefs have helped her achieve the results I'm dreaming about. So I try to apply some of these things to my life. Some of her ideas are totally different from mine, thus, they made me look at things from a different perspective.

For example, in one of her recent posts she said she started to say more noes than yeses. She said this helps her focus on what's really important to her although there are lots of people who say that we should seize every opportunity that we have. Another interesting idea of hers is not to try to improve more than 2 spheres of your life at a time. Otherwise, you risk spending the whole day digging deeper and deeper into all kinds of problems. As a result, you'll just have a low self-esteem and a bad mood. She also writes about difficulties she faces and what she does to overcome them. She writes about her achievements. It's inspiring. For example, sometimes she starts her post from 'This is how I did something, for example, started my own business at the age of 21 and how you can too.

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43. Interesting place in your country

Describe an interesting place in your country that is not visited by many tourists

You should say:

What place it is?

Where it is?

Why it is interesting?

How you found out about it?

I'm going to tell you about the ancient monastery situated on top of the mountain. This place is truly magical, mythical and mystical. There are so many legends about it. For example, they say that all your wishes will come true after visiting this place. All you have to do is leave a gift or coin near the statue of X. And there's a fertility statue that a woman should touch if she wants to get pregnant. No one has ever checked it, but... Oh... you won't believe but there are rumours that this place is haunted. But I don't think that someone has ever dared to spend a night there. Also, I can't help mentioning that there is a stunning view from the top. I think it's a great Instagram-worthy photography spot. It's a magical place where every corner is steeped in history. It's like a journey back in time. In my opinion, it's definitely worth a visit.

Despite this, very few tourists visit it because, first of all, it's situated very far from popular tourist destinations. Therefore it's very difficult to get there. I mean it takes almost all day to get to the place, but there's nothing to do there for more than a couple of hours. Many people consider such tours a waste of time. What's more, as I've already said the monastery is situated on top of the mountain. And the worst thing is that there are no roads, just a narrow path. And if it were just narrow, that would be more or less ok. But it is steep and slippery, with loose gravel, sand and mud. So it's a bit dangerous too. Many people think it's not worth risking their lives. And it's necessary to be in very good shape to be able to climb up there. This means that children, elderly people, most women won't be able to get there. It's only feasible for young people, who are often lazy and don't want to visit places of historic value. So. it appears that those who would be interested in visiting this place will have difficulty doing it. Those who could get there aren't really interested. As a result, this place is not popular with tourists. But I believe it deserves much more attention.

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44. Useful advertisement

Describe an advertisement that you think is useful

You should say:

Where you can see it?

What it shows?

Why you think it’s useful?

How you feel about it?

One of the most useful ads I've seen recently is the one that features an app that blocks ads. Yeah, it sounds somewhat funny when a tool that actually removes ads uses ads to promote itself. But that's how it goes. This might not have been the first ad for an ad blocker that I've seen in my life, but it was the first one that caught my eye. It grabbed my attention so much that I forgot why I even started surfing the net.

The ad featured King Kong, but he was blue. It introduced itself as AWAX Kong (AWAX is the name of the ad blocker I'm talking about). So AWAX Kong was climbing a skyscraper, smashing ad banners as if to show it was removing annoying ads.

To be honest with you, I was blown away by the ad. It wasn't the usual boring stuff; it was like watching a mini-movie. It made me think, 'Wow, this AWAX Kong takes his job very seriously'. So I installed the app, bought a subscription (it's pretty affordable), and I've been using it ever since.

So far, I'm satisfied with the results. I'm not disturbed by ads when I read some stuff in a browser, which is amazing. I mean, when I want to buy something, I just search for it intentionally. When I want to read an interesting article, I don't want to see ads popping out from everywhere. And AWAX has made my online experience so much better. No more annoying distractions, just pure content. It's like the internet was always meant to be.

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45. Difficult task

Describe a difficult task that you completed at work or study that you felt proud of

You should say:

What the task was?

How you completed it?

Why the task was difficult?

Why you were proud of the completion of the task?

Last year, our company decided to start using CRM software because my boss finally realized that in the age of big data the company had to move beyond the sticky notes, EXCEL spreadsheets and disorganized filing cabinets, and start using advanced organizational technology that can track sales, locate trends, automate many of the interactions that occur in the company on a daily basis and, what's important, make that data available across departments.

But the company is not so big, and therefore it doesn't have a dedicated technical support department. So we had to make a software implementation plan ourselves. Five of us teamed up to work on this project. And my boss asked me to take the lead on it.

At first, we wanted to find the right CRM solution for our company's needs. I made a list of CRM vendors, and each team member had to evaluate at least one CRM system. Then we all worked together to plan and manage the implementation schedule, provide employee training, and ensure a smooth transition for our employees.

As a team lead, I was responsible for making sure team members were productive, the project remained within budget, and deadlines were met. Also, I had to organize training sessions, weekly webinars, and blog posts that all employees of our company could access if and when they needed help or quidance.

It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. First of all, I had a hard time motivating people to work overtime because we couldn't ignore our everyday work duties. Plus, I faced resistance from many employees in our company 'cause their first thought was that the new software would be too difficult to learn, or it would disrupt their comfort levels, or even replace their jobs. But I was immensely proud because my boss entrusted me with such a critical task, and I successfully handled it despite having no prior experience.

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46. Foreigner who speaks your native language well

Describe a foreigner who speaks your native language very well

You should say:

Who this person is?

Where this person is from?

How this person learns your native language?

Why this person can speak your language well?

The person who speaks Ukrainian like a native speaker (if your native language is different, please change the word for Chinese, Spanish, etc) is my English teacher, Mr. Powell. He's from the United States and came to Ukraine about ten years ago to teach English at the British Council.

When he first got here, he could only say a few basic words in Ukrainian like 'hello' and 'thank you'. And his initial plan was to stay for a short time because of his job contract.

But then something unexpected happened. Mr. Powell met a Ukrainian woman, and they fell in love. He also fell in love with Ukraine - its food, people, and culture. He felt so connected to this country that he decided not to go back to the United States. He wanted to make Ukraine his home. And it may have been the moment when he realized he needed to learn Ukrainian to integrate into the community.

I don't know for sure, but I think his wife helped him with the language. He probably also learned it by talking to people and being around the culture. It seems to me it was like how kids learn their first language, just by being immersed in it. Of course, he may have picked up words and phrases from everyday life, like ordering food at local restaurants or shopping in markets. Plus, he might have watched Ukrainian TV shows, movies, or read books to improve his language skills. He could have practiced speaking with his Ukrainian friends and colleagues. I think there were so many ways for him to learn Ukrainian very well in order to navigate daily life with ease and establish meaningful relationships with people around him.

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47. Tiring activity

Describe an activity that made you feel tired

You should say:

What the activity was?

When and where was it?

Why you took part in it?

Why it made you feel tired?

Last year, my friends and I had our weekend get-together, and one of us suggested going on a hike to relax, enjoy some fresh air, and disconnect from technology - I mean, to have some digital detox time.

The hike began easily enough. Everything seemed manageable and not too challenging. But soon I realized how wrong my assumptions were. I was tired after a hike due to the physical exertion, and I didn't anticipate just how strenuous it would be. You see, when you hike, your body works way harder than during your everyday activities like walking around the block. It's like a full-body workout on steroids.

Another challenge I faced was the steep terrain. I thought it would be a smooth path, but we were ascending and descending steep hills that left my legs feeling like jelly. I swear, every step felt like a mini Mount Everest.

Plus, the heat was absolutely unbearable. However, we each brought only one bottle because we didn't realize how much water we'd need to stay hydrated. As a result, we quickly ran out of water and were suffering from thirst.

But what completely slipped my mind is that at high altitudes, people often suffer from a shortage of oxygen. It felt like I was breathing through a straw, and every breath became a struggle.

So what I expected to be a leisurely stroll turned out to be the most tiring experience I've ever had. In the evening, I was running on my last fumes. And I could barely drag myself to my bed. I swear, it was like a scene from a movie where the exhausted hero collapses after a long and arduous journey.

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48. Successful person

Describe a successful person you once studied or worked with

You should say:

Who this person is?

How you know this person?

How this person behaves?

Why you think this person is successful?

The person who, in my opinion, succeeded big time in life is my friend Ann. She has been working for a fairly large manufacturing company for about 5 years now. And what's interesting about it is that she started her career as a junior project manager. But very soon she was acting like the team's lead although she wasn't actually one. I know that she wasn't doing this because she wanted to get a promotion. I remember we discussed this situation. She was doing this because she felt it was the right thing to do for the company to succeed.

Of course, at some point, her boss completely took a back seat and didn't do anything at all. It is not surprising, therefore, that eventually she was offered her boss's position. And, of course, she agreed.

I don't know how exactly she manages her team 'cause we don't work together. But we've been friends since childhood, so I can assume that, first of all, she doesn't shout at people. She is never rude to her subordinates. She shows respect for their hard work and dedication. I'm sure that she lets her team do their work without standing over their shoulders. Also, she really likes holding brainstorming sessions from time to time. She told me about it many times. She listens to everyone's opinions, involves employees in decision-making and planning, which makes people feel involved and valued, of course.

Well, from what I know, her team is like a well-oiled machine, and she gets a pretty high salary. I think that this is the best evidence of her success.

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49. Exciting activity you did with someone else

Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else

You should say:

What it was?

Where you did it?

Who you were with?

How you felt about it?

One of the most exciting outdoor activities I've ever done is quad biking Last year I went to Egypt and something crazy and dangerous. I was tom between bunger jumping paragliding, and quad biking. I decided to gn quad bhiking as it seemed to be the least dangerous activity of the thren. Despite this, I was still very nervous because I'd heard that many people ended up with broken arms and legs

So. I went on a desert safan because quad biking in the sand dunes was part of it. I went with my best friend as we usually travel together, and it was clear We were both both pretty pretty n nervous. Hos However, as soon as we got there, my fears, at least, wers assuaged The 50-year-old women and 12-year-old kids in the waiting ares ahead of us, so we thought, 'If they can do it, we can do it.

It wasn't particularly difficult as we had some training before we were allowed to drive ourselves. in the dunes to make sure that we would be able to maneuver the vehicles easily without the risk of tumbling over

It was fun, adventurous, and, if you don't break the rules, quite safe. We were driving through the desert, tacking low and high dures, and yelling into the wind. I even dared to plunge down a steep slope it was the thrill of Idatine Last my friend suggested having a bike ride through the countryside fact I agreed despite t that I hadn't ridden a bicycle since childhood. One day we runde ikus and want to my trend's country house that is located in a very picturesque area near the coniferous forest. Fumily enough, we only had barbeque parties in the garden there and had never explored the beautiful nature around We took some food because we didn't know if we would return fast or spend the whole dax We took a navigator not to get somewhere in the middle of nowhere. At first, I was riding at a snail's pace was concentrating solely on balancing and steering and, of course, I didn't look around and couldn't appreciate the beautiful scanary. But it was fun. It was a bit like being a kid again. I toon got the hang of it and started riding confidently. There were cows grazing in green fields, ducks hiding in the grass, beautiful wild flowers, and butterflies. I often stopped to take photos sand just enjoy the stunning scenery in general. It wasn't a strenuous tour general. I want Whenever we felt tired, we just wheeled our bikes and enjoyed the scenery in the evening, we retumed to our starting point and went home.

We were tired physically, but it helped me to recharge my hattaries, and it was really fun. ta difficult to describe in words what exactly made this experience so joyful. I guess, first of all, it brought back the uncomplicated, carefree pleasures of yout and conjured happy memories of childhood, as it is most is first discover the delights of the bicycle. Also, it was en escape from my daily routine, and I stopped thinking about my work and problems. And, you know, I really liks outdoor activities and natum. However, I don't go to the countryside as often as I'd like to:

Several weeks ago, my friends and had our weekend get together. And at some dat some point, w malised that all of us wanted in do something more entertaining than just sitting around and chatting. One of my friends suggested trying an eевсаре гост, you know, a gama in which a team of peopis ta locked in a room. And they must find cluns and solve puzzles to complete a girem mission and first the king to escape (GOT SUPER PSYCHED ABOUT THE IDEA cause it was something I hadn't done before. We did a quick enine search for escape rooms in that arma and chose the one that had lots of good good customer reviews.

There were 4 of us. We were kind of spies who broke into someone's house to find some secres files. Frankly speaking, I don't remember the storyline in detail, but I remember that we had one hour to escape the room to avoid being caught and Imprisoned.

The room, in which we were locked, was packed with different stuff such as books, maps, fedoras, magnets, sticky notes, watches, old wigs, compasses, lamps, board games, playing cards. We ware frantically searching for clues. Some of them involved solving riddles, putting items in the correct order, or finding a set of objects hidden in the room. The puzzles were really challenging and it was real fun.

What I will never forget is that there was a broken clock, and for a long time we couldn't figure out that we had to pay attention to the pay attention time it stopped on By the way, it appeared to be the last clue.

It was completely different from what we usually do together. And to tell the truth, I didn't expect it to be so exciting.

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50. History period

Describe a period in history that interests you

You should say:

What the period is?

How you know about it?

Why it is interesting?

I like anything that is connected with ancient Rome. I'm not good at history, but I know for sure that there were indeed greater and more advanced civilizations, they died and left almost nothing behind, but Rome's rich legacy of innovation and invention can still be seen today in many spheres of our life. Just the fact that most people in the world write in roman letters tells a lot.

However, to my regret, I got interested in it only recently when I came across some article on the Internet. After that I read tons of them and watched a lot of TV programs and drama series featuring this period in history. Now I can safely say that Romans, however pompous this may sound, had the biggest impact on the development of modern society.

For example, Roman numerals are being widely used nowadays. Like us, or probably it's more correct to say like them, we divide the day into 24 hours. Another interesting fact is that Rome, according to numerous articles, was the first entity that started managing large areas and populations in an organized fashion. The Romans were renowned as great engineers. They gave the world the true arch which allowed to build long span bridges, and they were famous for their road systems because creating a vast network of roads was the only possibility to provide connection between different regions of this vast empire in order to ensure mobility of population, military troops and to facilitate trade. What's interesting is that these roads survived through the subsequent middle ages right up to the modern times. One of the most impressive features of ancient Rome along with their roads was the aqueducts that were constructed to bring water from the distant areas. This water was then used to provide for public baths, fountains, and for use in private households. Perhaps most impressive of all, Roman aqueducts were so well built that some are still in use to this day. They also created complex sewage systems that were used to remove the waste water and release it into water bodies. I could spend hours talking about their amazing achievements.

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