PART 1
NUMBERS
ANSWERS
What’s your favorite number?
(Answer 1)
Oh wow! I’ve never thought about it, to tell you the truth, I think I don’t have one specific number that I consider a favorite. However, if I had to choose instantly, well, let me think – alright, I would pick 25 since I was born on the 25th of September.
(Answer 2)
Without a doubt, it’s number 1. I always aspire to be the best of everything – ever since I was a child I wanted to be number one in school or in any competitions that I took part in. I dunno, I just love the feeling of being recognized as the best among the rest. For me being number one is awesome and that’s the very reason why number one is my most loved number.
(Answer 3)
I like the number 8 because it represents infinity. Actually, many years ago I read an article about the meaning of that number and it surprised me because it symbolizes material wealth, money, and success. It’s funny to say that because of that symbolism, I always make sure to have a number eight presence in my house like eight small pillows on a sofa, eight dining chairs, eight placemats, eight flower vases, and many more. Isn’t it strange?
LEXICAL RESOURCE
To tell you the truth [expression] – to indicate that you are telling someone in an honest way
Instantly [adverb] – at once; immediately
Without a doubt [phrase] – indisputably
Aspire [verb] – desire to; aim for
Take part [phrase] – be involved; participate
Represent [verb] – symbolize
Infinity [noun] – endlessness
Symbolism [noun] – representation
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker expressed surprise upon hearing the question and used a good expression to express his surprise. That’s a good technique to use whenever you are not prepared to answer the question, especially if you didn’t expect that kind of question. Then, for him to answer the question and not fall short of his answer, he used the conditional tense in order for him to pick one number as his answer. It’s a great way to answer the question plus he’s able to use a good type of Grammar.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a direct and very sure answer to the question. Then he explained his answer as to why he loved number one. He talked about his experiences in his childhood as the root cause of why number one was his favorite. Relating your answer to your previous experiences in life is a great way to extend your answer.
iii.) ANSWER 3: The speaker gave a straightforward answer to the question and explained his answer thoroughly. He talked about the symbolism of the number eight and gave some specific examples to make his answer more believable. Right after that, he ended his answer with a rhetorical question. It’s a great way to sound very natural!
Are you good at memorizing phone numbers?
(Answer 1)
Unfortunately not! I guess I have a memory gap. Honestly, not being able to memorize phone numbers even my own number is a pain in the neck, knowing that I’m still in my early 20s. I always struggle to remember phone numbers!
(Answer 2)
I’m not sure if I am since I only memorize my own phone number. I haven’t given it a shot memorizing other phone numbers like my parents or my closest friends’. Perhaps, I can manage memorizing their numbers well!
(Answer 3)
Memorizing is not my forte at all! Memorizing phone numbers is impossible for me to do so. I can’t even remember my phone number, so whenever someone asks for my phone number, I still need to open my phone and check my personal contact number – I can’t give it to them at once!
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Memory gap [noun] – memory loss
A pain in the neck [idiom] – someone or something that is annoying
Give it a shot [idiom] – to try something
Perhaps [adverb] – used to express uncertainty; maybe
Forte [noun] – specialty; strong point
At once [phrase] – immediately
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave a negative answer to the question and talked about his condition of having memory loss. He expressed his disappointment with his condition using a very good expression that would help him sound natural. This is a kind of technique that would help him express his answer better.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker delivered his answer with uncertainty stating that he had never tried memorizing numbers except his own phone number. Then, he wrapped up his answer by telling the examiner that he might have the ability to memorize the phone numbers of his loved ones and friends. A simple answer yet realistic!
iii.) ANSWER 3: The speaker started his answer with a direct statement with a good vocabulary word. Then, he explained his answer by stating his difficulty in memorizing phone numbers. To explain his answer a little bit better, he talked about an instance when he needed to check his own phone just for him to know his own contact number. This kind of example best supported his answer.
Do you often use numbers at work?
(Answer 1)
Not at all! As you already know, I work as a writer – it’s rare to use numbers whenever I write articles. I only need to use numbers when dialing the phone numbers of our clients or whenever I need to contact a resource person for my write-ups.
(Answer 2)
Yes I do, I’m an accountant so most of the time I deal with numbers. Well, it’s part of my everyday life and it’s actually enjoyable. Maybe for some people, it’s a complete tedious work but I find pleasure in numbers. I just love numbers!
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Rare [adj.] – not occurring very often
Resource person [noun] – a person who is an expert in something who is called upon to perform a task or provide information
Write-up [noun] – an article in a newspaper
Deal with [phrasal verb] – to give attention to
Tedious [adj.] – boring; monotonous
Find pleasure in [phrase/expression] – to enjoy something
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave a straightforward negative answer to the question and talked about his profession as a writer. Then, he also talked about the instances that he could use numbers at work and that’s when he needed to telephone his clients or a resource person for his articles.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker developed a direct positive answer to the question and immediately talked about his job as an accountant. He simply expressed his love of numbers as a way not to make his answer very short.
Are you good at math?
(Answer 1)
Well, not to brag, I am! In fact, I won several awards in Mathematics when I was a student. I took part in many competitions in Maths internationally, especially in college, and because of that, I was able to travel and see the beauty of some countries. Actually, I learned math at a very young age, my mom said that I was eager to learn cardinal and ordinal numbers at the age of 2.
(Answer 2)
Numbers are not my cup of tea, sadly! I’m more into learning languages than numbers. I believe I got my genes from my mom as she loves learning languages as well. As a matter of fact, she can speak four languages and she’s a bit of a slow learner in terms of maths.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Brag [verb] – to say something in a boastful manner
Cardinal numbers [noun] – the number denoting quantity (one, two, three…)
Ordinal numbers [noun] – the number defining the position of something in a series (first, second, third…)
Cup of tea [noun phrase] – something that one likes or excels in
Be into [phrase] – to be interested
As a matter of fact [phrase] – is used to add something more to what you have just said
In terms of [phrase] – with regard to
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker started his answer with a good expression expressing his humbleness then recalled his great competition experiences in his school days that supported his answer as to why he loved maths. In addition, he expressed his answer a bit more by recalling the time when his mom told him that he was very interested in learning numbers even at a very young age. It’s such a great way to give a more thorough answer that helps him express his answer more.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker developed his answer with a very good expression that expresses negativity. Then, in order for him to provide more details to his answer, he transitioned to talking about his interest in language instead of numbers and talking about getting his genes from his mother who happened to be a slow learner of Math. As his answer is negative, this is such a great way for him to extend his answer a bit more.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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