c) WEEKENDS
62. What do you usually do on weekdays and on weekends? ( 5 - 6 )
On weekdays I go to school. On weekends I like to go out with my friends. We go and visit new shopping malls in the city. Then we would browse around all shops in the malls. Sometimes we sit in a restaurant and have something to drink while we watch the crowds of people go by.
62. What do you usually do on weekdays and on weekends? ( 5 - 6 )
On weekdays I go to school. On weekends I like to stay at home. I can easily spend a weekend watching TV and just relaxing. For example, I like the soap operas like ‘Friends’ and so on. I know the characters in Friends very well by now, some of whom I love and some I hate. I know that some of the plots are silly and overdramatic, but it is good entertainment for relaxation, as I don’t have to think very hard to follow the stories.
d) OUTINGS
63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 5 - 6 )
I usually go to the nearest net bar with some of my friends. We spend many hours playing games or surfing the net. In addition, net bars are a great place for social gatherings. There we meet other youngsters and just hang around talking, and generally having a good time.
63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 5 - 6 )
I usually go shopping with my mother. The reason for this is simple. We ladies usually need a lot of clothes to make us look beautiful, so we love to go shopping. Often we don’t actually buy anything, but just go window-shopping, looking at all the clothes and comparing prices and quality.
63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 7 - 8 )
I usually go to watch a football game with some of my friends. We go to one of the local stadiums where our favorite team will be playing. I love the excitement and suspense. It seems that I often loose my identity in such a large crowd, and go crazy about the smallest of things.
e) READING
64. Do you like reading? ( 5 - 6 )
No, I don’t like it. I don’t have the patience. I have never been able to read a book from start to finish. Maybe the books I have tried were not interesting enough.
64. Do you like reading? ( 7 - 8 )
Yes, I like it very much. I believe that all of us should read a lot. When you read, you acquire new knowledge, which in turn will broaden your views on important issues. I prefer magazines like ‘Crazy English’. The topics in it are interesting and the essays are short. Besides, it contains translations which ensure that I don’t have to waste time looking up unfamiliar words.
65. What kinds of books do you like best? ( 5 - 6 )
I like cartoons. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I believe cartoons are a special form of art. For example, the Japanese cartoons that are common in China, have excellent illustrations.
65. What kinds of books do you like best? ( 7 - 8 )
I like novels. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I like to read a storyline that is full of intrigue and suspense. For example, many love stories have characters who are involved in all sorts of conflicts amongst them. The most common one known all over the world since ancient times is the so-called ‘love triangle’.
66. Describe a book that you have read recently. ( 5 - 6 )
I have read a book about the life of Michael Jordan. I am sorry, but I have forgotten the name of the book. I also like to read Japanese cartoons.
66. Describe a book that you have read recently. ( 7 - 8 )
I have recently read a book about the history of South Africa. It is called ‘ The Covenant’, and was written by a famous American author called James Mitchener. It describes the history from the very first days, up to the present. It covers all aspects of the country, but focuses on the people of the country. For example, he looks at the political situation over the past fifty years, which was based on racial discrimination and had become known to the world as ‘apartheid’.
67. Do you often read newspapers? ( 5 - 6 )
No, I never read newspaper. I watch TV if I want to know what is happening in China and the world. It takes too much time to read newspapers. For example, the news on TV is short and to the point, and that’s all I want to know.
67. Do you often read the newspapers? ( 7 - 8 )
No. I have used the Internet these days to know what’s happening in China and the world. Websites like CNN contain all the latest news on world events. Besides, I like to read about stories in depth, and this I cannot find in newspapers. One more thing that newspaper are lack of is the history behind a story. By the Internet I can do some research right away, and thus gain a broader perspective on the subject at hand.
