Question Set - Describe a time when you were late - Music - Sport Programs - Technology

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 Music

Do you often (like to) listen to music?
Sample Answer: Yes, I often listen to music. I like listening to film songs and Punjabi folk songs.
What kind of music do you like?
Sample Answer: I like listening to film songs, Punjabi folk songs, and sometimes pop music.
Do you like to sing or play any musical instruments?
Sample Answer: No, I don't sing or play any musical instruments.
Do you think music is important?
Sample Answer: Yes, music is important as it can have a positive impact on mental health and can be a source of entertainment and relaxation.
What kind of music is popular in your country?
Sample Answer: In my country, Bollywood music is very popular, along with regional music like Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu music.
Do you think music can bring people together?
Sample Answer: Yes, music can bring people together as it is a universal language that can be enjoyed by people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Do you think it's important for children to learn music?
Sample Answer: Yes, learning music can have a positive impact on a child's cognitive and emotional development.
Do you think music can be used as a form of therapy?
Sample Answer: Yes, music therapy is a recognized form of therapy that can help individuals with mental health issues, physical disabilities, and other conditions.
Do you prefer listening to music alone or with others?
Sample Answer: It depends on my mood. Sometimes I prefer listening to music alone, while other times I enjoy listening to music with friends or family.
Have you ever been to a concert?
Sample Answer: Yes, I have been to a concert once. There is a village near my hometown where a famous Punjabi singer comes once a year to perform for charity. Last year I went with my friends. He performed live. It was an electrifying performance.
Do you like to listen to live music?
Sample Answer: Yes, I do like to listen live music. It is a different experience. In many restaurants and also in marriage functions, they have live music going on, which is very enjoyable. Concerts are also live music.
When did you start listening to this type of music?
Sample Answer: I remember, I specially went for GurdasMaan’s live performance in a concert last year. Before that I had never been for a live music show.

Lets start with Sport Programs

Do you like watching sports programs on TV?
Sample Answer: Yes, I enjoy watching sports programs on TV and prefer them over daily soaps. I really enjoy cricket, soccer, and tennis and love to watch sports programs related to them.
Do you like to watch live sports games?
Sample Answer: I have been to the stadium to watch live games, but I would rather watch them on TV at home. It's more economical and comfortable to watch from my couch at home.
Who do you like to watch sports games with?
Sample Answer: I like to watch sports games with my family. We all enjoy watching cricket together. My mom usually makes our favorite snacks before the game. It’s a fun way to spend quality time with family.
What kinds of games do you expect to watch in the future?
Sample Answer: I think technology will blend into sports, and with the advancement in VR/AI technology, eSports will become popular. People will be watching e-athletes wearing VR goggles battling against each other instead of traditional sports.

Lets start with Technology

What technology do you often use, computers or cellphones?
Sample Answer: I use a computer rather than a cellphone for most purposes. I think the small screen of the cellphones stresses my eyes.
What electronic devices have you bought lately?
Sample Answer: Recently, my parents bought a smart TV for me. I got really good grades in 12th standard and therefore my parents got me the TV. I use it to stream TV series and movies.
Is there any technology you want to buy?
Sample Answer: Yes, I want to buy an iPhone. A lot of friends tell me that once I use it, I will never be able to use the other phones. I really want to prove them wrong.
Is technology important in your life?
Sample Answer: Yes, technology is a big part of my life. I don’t think I can survive without technology. Every part of life from waking up to sleeping is connected to technology. For example, I use technology for waking up, heating water, cooking, etc.
Is there any technology you don't like?
Sample Answer: I don’t know. There are times when I hate technology for example when my friends become glued to their mobile screens instead of spending time with us. However, there is no technology I hate as such. There are technologies I find less useful than others and there are others I find more useful.
What do you think are the trends in technology today compared to when you were young?
Sample Answer: I think the main trend is that technology is changing at a very rapid pace. Earlier, it used to take time for new technologies but nowadays, every year there is a new update.

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 time when you were late

You should say:
  • When it was
  • Why you were late
  • How you felt about being late
Sample Answer:
  • • I am a very punctual person and try to reach everywhere on time.
  • • I got this habit from my father who is very disciplined and strict about being on time.
  • • He always told me that if you are punctual it tells people that you are dependable.
  • • If I have an appointment I take extra caution and try to reach at least 10 minutes before my appointment time.
  • • But sometimes even giving myself this extra time has not helped and I have been late.
  • • I remember being late to my best friend’s wedding.
  • • My best friend ‘Ajay’ got married last year.
  • • He is the first one to get married among my friends and we were all very excited.
  • • Indian wedding ceremonies are very lavish and usually there are 2-3 functions before the ceremony.
  • • A day before the wedding there had been a sangeet ceremony where we danced and partied till late night.
  • • I was tired in the morning but woke up and got ready on time to be with my friend on his special day.
  • • The wedding ceremony was in the Gurudwara on the outskirts of our city about 15kms from my home.
  • • I had been there before with Ajay and he had given me directions that time.
  • • I am bad with remembering directions and road names. I always rely on my cell phone’s map app.
  • • On the wedding day I put the address in my phone and started from my home well on time.
  • • After 40 minutes my mobile gps said that I had arrived at your destination but when I looked around there was no Gurudwara and just some old buildings there.
  • • I realized that since the Gurudwara was new and away from the city the map app had not recognized the address and taken me to a different address.
  • • I got out and asked around. Fortunately someone knew the exact location and told me the directions.
  • • I had taken the wrong route and driven the opposite way.
  • • I was so annoyed with myself for not paying attention.
  • • I called another friend who was at the wedding and asked him to share his location in case I got lost again.
  • • By the time I reached the ceremony had already started and about was half done.
  • • I felt terrible about being late to my friend’s wedding. Till this day he teases me that I who is always punctual was late to his wedding.

Part 3

We've been talking about Describe a time when you were late, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this

  • Are you ever late for anything?/ Are you a punctual person?
    Sample Answer: No I am a very punctual person. I value time and am never late for anything unless it is due to some unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances.
  • What excuses do you use when you are late?
    Sample Answer: I am usually not late for any meetings or appointments. However if at all I am getting late due to an unavoidable circumstance then I inform the person I am meeting beforehand. I don’t make excuses.
  • Why are people often late for appointments or meeting?
    Sample Answer: I think its a problem with time management. For example, people often underestimate the time they need for something and they realise they need much more time when they start doing it. Moreover many people don’t consider being a little late to be wrong.
  • Do you think people are born with time management skills or they can be taught?
    Sample Answer: I think time management is something we acquire over time. It's something we learn from our parents. If parents are punctual and strict on time, children also become punctual. Moreover it also has a cultural aspect. For example, Japanese people are generally very punctual.
  • How would you teach your children time management?
    Sample Answer: Time management can be taught to children by helping them make a timetable and ensuring that they follow it. Also, children can learn easily from stories or movies which teach them a lesson about the importance of time and managing it well. The parents are role models for children and they should set a good example for their children.
  • Do old people and young people manage time in a similar way?
    Sample Answer: No, old and young people do not manage their time the same way. Old people have more life experience and they understand the importance of time management better than the young generation. The young people may be too impulsive or impatient and may not understand the importance of planning ahead. Another difference is the way the younger generation manages time. They make more use of technology and the old people may use the traditional methods like a timetable or writing down a list of tasks.

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