Question Set - Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted - Books - Birthday - Puzzles

Part 1

Introduction Questions

May I know your full name?

How may I address you?

May I see your ID?

Where do you come from?

Lets start with Books

Do you often read books? When?

Sample Answer: I do read books but not as often as I did in the past. Nowadays, I don’t find time to read as much as I did before.

Are your reading habits different than in the past?

Sample Answer: There is a major difference. In my childhood, I used to read books continuously without stress and worries. But now, I barely finish a book in a month and have shifted from reading fiction to nonfiction.

Have you ever read a book that has been adapted into film?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have read many novels that have been adapted into films. Among them, Harry Potter is the most famous one I have read.

What do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?

Sample Answer: I prefer watching movies these days as I lack the time for reading books. However, I feel some movies don't do justice to the books, so it really depends on the adaptation.

Lets start with Birthday

What do you usually do on your birthday?

Sample Answer: I normally get up early and then I go to the Gurudwara. Then I go out and watch a movie or visit a mall with my friends. In the evenings, I have dinner at a restaurant with my family.

What did you do on your birthday when you were young?

Sample Answer: When I was young, my parents used to throw a big party at home and invite all my friends and relatives. I used to love opening gifts and cutting the cake. Now, I am not as excited.

Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?

Sample Answer: I think celebrating birthdays makes us feel special and important. It also gives an opportunity to meet with our loved ones and relatives.

Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in India?

Sample Answer: I think publicly one of the most important birthdays that we celebrate is Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. It is a national holiday, which is celebrated on 2nd October. Personally, people like to celebrate their children’s birthdays.

How do people usually celebrate birthdays in your country?

Sample Answer: In my country, people usually celebrate birthdays by throwing a party, cutting a cake, and inviting friends and family members. Some people also give gifts to the birthday person.

Do you think birthdays are more important for children or for adults?

Sample Answer: I think birthdays are more important for children because they get very excited about them. However, birthdays are also important for adults because they give us an opportunity to reflect on our lives and celebrate our achievements.

What is the most memorable birthday you have ever had?

Sample Answer: The most memorable birthday I ever had was when I turned 18. My parents threw a surprise party for me and invited all my friends. It was a lot of fun and I felt very special.

Do you think people should celebrate their birthdays every year?

Sample Answer: Yes, I think people should celebrate their birthdays every year. It is a special day and it gives us an opportunity to celebrate our lives and the people we love.

What kind of birthday gifts do you like to receive?

Sample Answer: I like to receive thoughtful gifts that show that the person knows me well. I also like practical gifts that I can use in my daily life.

Do you think it is important to give birthday gifts?

Sample Answer: Yes, I think it is important to give birthday gifts. It shows that we care about the person and that we want to make them feel special on their special day.

Do you think it is necessary to spend a lot of money on birthday gifts?

Sample Answer: No, I don't think it is necessary to spend a lot of money on birthday gifts. It is the thought that counts, and a thoughtful gift can be just as meaningful as an expensive one.

How do you feel about getting older each year?

Sample Answer: I feel a mix of emotions about getting older each year. On one hand, I feel grateful for the experiences and opportunities that come with age. On the other hand, I sometimes feel sad about the passing of time and the things I haven't yet accomplished.

Lets start with Puzzles

Did you do puzzles in your childhood?

Sample Answer: Yes, I loved doing puzzles in my childhood. I used to solve a lot of jigsaw puzzles when I was young.

When do you do puzzles, during your trip or when you feel bored?

Sample Answer: I think nowadays I do puzzles when I am traveling or when my younger cousins are visiting me. It is really fun to do puzzles with them.

Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more difficult for you?

Sample Answer: I like doing both word puzzles like Crossword puzzles and games like Wordle, and number puzzles like Sudoku. However, my English is weaker than my Math, so the word puzzles are much more difficult for me.

Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?

Sample Answer: I think puzzles are one of the best ways to keep the mind sharp and active. So, I think it is a great idea for old people to solve puzzles.

Part 2

Now, I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for 1-2 minutes. Before you talk you'll have one minute to think about what you are going to say and you can make notes if you wish. Do you understand?

Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted

You should say:

Where the place is
When you visited
Why the air was not good
And explain how you felt about the place

Sample Answer:

• Pollution is everywhere nowadays, and it’s difficult to find a place where the air is not polluted.
• I would like to talk about New Delhi, a city I visited last year with my parents to visit some relatives.
• There was a function in their house, so we went by train and then hired a three-wheeler.
• As we were sitting in the auto, I started feeling a burning sensation in my eyes and my eyes started watering.
• I looked at my parents and felt they were also experiencing the same.
• We live in a small town in Punjab, where the air is much less polluted than in Delhi.
• I noticed that the local people in Delhi were not having much problem, perhaps their eyes were used to that pollution.
• When we reached our relatives' house, I washed my face with cold water and felt some relief.
• My uncle told me that Delhi is probably one of the most polluted cities in India.
• The main reason for this is the unplanned development of Delhi, with industrial units spread over residential and commercial areas.
• Another reason for Delhi's air pollution is its landlocked geography, with the Himalayas obstructing the escape routes of air.
• Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan during the winter months causes a thick blanket of smog over Delhi.
• Air pollution affects human health severely, with a higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis in more polluted areas.
• I was happy that I was just visiting Delhi and not living there permanently.
• I really feel pity for my relatives who permanently reside in Delhi.

Part 3

We've been talking about Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this

Is there more pollution now than in the past?
Sample Answer: Yes, there is more air pollution now than in the past. New industries are opening every day, and strict rules and regulations have not been laid down for effluent treatment. Industries are not planned well to be opened in designated areas, so all this development is leading to more air pollution now than in the past.
In what ways can the air pollution be reduced effectively?
Sample Answer: Many steps can be taken to reduce the level of air pollution. The government can lay down strict rules and regulations for effluent treatment. New industries should only be allowed to open in designated areas. It is not the responsibility of only the government but the people also to follow the rules and regulations nicely.
Do you think the city is cleaner or dirtier than the countryside? Why?
Sample Answer: I think the cities are dirtier than the countryside. The main reason is that all the development, the new industries, are opening in the cities. The industrialists do not follow the rules and regulations laid by the government nicely. Proper treatment of effluents is not done. Another reason is that the population of cities is more than the countryside. So more vehicles are there in the cities which are also adding to the pollution. Not only air pollution, but noise pollution is also more in the cities than the countryside. So for all these reasons, I feel that cities are more polluted than the countryside.
What can factories and power plants do to reduce pollutants?
Sample Answer: Factories and power plants can do a lot to reduce pollution. The first thing they can do is follow the norms laid down by the government. For example, if the factory has a chimney, the height of the chimney can be increased according to government regulations. New industries should start with alternative sources of energy, whereas the older ones can switch to alternative sources of energy. These steps can go a long way in decreasing pollution.
Do you think many companies have been forced to reduce pollutants?
Sample Answer: Yes, many companies have been forced to reduce pollutants. However, unfortunately, these industries find loopholes to escape the penalties, and so the steps taken by the government are not proving very effective. When companies pay fines, they start thinking that now they have the license to cause pollution.
Do you think the wind has any effect on pollution? How?
Sample Answer: Yes, I think the wind helps to disperse the pollutants. That is why, despite the high automobile population, Chennai has less pollution than in Delhi. This is because the sea breeze provides an effective entry and exit for dispersing pollutants. Delhi is landlocked, so the whole pollution accumulates there only.

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