IELTS Oral Exam: Part 1 (Sample) – Angol nyelvvizsga témák

• 01 What is your job?

Presently I make videos for an English course, but prior to that, I have been a farmer.

presently: at the time you are speaking or writing; now; currently | I am presently not able to talk to anyone on the phone because I am in a library.

prior to that: before a particular (= a given) time or event | She fell down and broke her leg, but three weeks prior to that, she had been dancing in a competition.  

• 02 Where do you work?

When farming, I work in the fields. When making the videos, I work in this barn.

field¹: an area of land in the country used for growing crops or keeping animals in. | The farmer is strolling (=walking slowly) through his wheat field.

barn²: a large farm building for storing grain (=seeds) or keeping animals in |This barn is very useful to its owner because there is a lot of storage place inside it.

• 03 Why did you choose that job?

I didn’t choose farming. Farming chose me, but as for making these videos, I chose that because I got to work with my best friend’s father. 

as for: used to start talking about somebody/something | I got to school 5 minutes early, but as for Mike, his bus was stuck in traffic, so he was half an hour late.

get to (do sth): have the opportunity to do | I enjoy going to the mall because of all the free food samples that I get to taste.

• 04 Is it a popular job in your country?

Most people in my country don’t like farming, unfortunately, though many of them do farm.

• 05 Do you like your job?

Yes, I like both jobs of mine very much except when it’s incredibly hot and I have to pick rocks. 

incredibly: extremely | It is incredibly difficult to walk through the snow and icy roads in Norway in the wintertime.

pick³: to remove separate things or small pieces from something, especially with the fingers | Mel is pickling up pretty, small seashells on the beach.

• 06 Do you get on well with your colleagues?

I get on very well with my colleagues.

get on very well: If you get on with someone, you have a friendly relationship with them. | Lisa gets on very well with her neighbours.

colleague⁴: a person that you work with, especially in a profession or a business | Steve has coffee with his colleagues in the office most mornings.

• 07 What was your first day like?

I do not remember my first day of farming, but I would assume it was very hot. Most farming is very hot.

assume: to think or accept that something is true but without having proof of it | Chris assumed that it was not going to rain today and left without an umbrella.

• 08 What responsibilities do you have at work?

With farming, I am responsible for harvesting the vegetables and making sure the chickens don’t get eaten by anyone other than us. With my video making job, my responsibility is to get the videos out as fast as I can, with as few mistakes as possible.

responsible⁵: having the job or duty/task of doing something or taking care of somebody/something | The parents are responsible for their babies’ well-being. 

harvest6: to cut and gather a crop; to catch a number of animals or fish to eat | The farmers are harvesting corn.

other than: except | The legal document cannot be signed by anyone other than you (= you are the only one to sign it).

responsibility: a duty to deal with or take care of somebody/something | According to some, the responsibility for looking after the planet lies with all of us (= we are all responsible). 

• 09 If you had the chance, would you change your job?

No, I intend to keep going with both of my jobs for as long as I possibly can.

intend: to have a plan when you do something; want | I intended to have a walk outside after work, but it began to rain heavily. 

• 10 Do you plan to continue with your job in the future?

I do plan to continue with my jobs, for as long as I can.

What is your job?

Presently I make videos for an English course, but prior to that, I have been a farmer.

Where do you work?

When farming, I work in the fields. When making the videos, I work in this barn.

Why did you choose that job?

I didn’t choose farming. Farming chose me, but as for making these videos, I chose that because I got to work with my best friend’s father.

Is it a popular job in your country?

Most people in my country don’t like farming, unfortunately, though many of them do farm.

Do you like your job?

Yes, I like both jobs of mine very much except when it’s incredibly hot and I have to pick rocks.

Do you get on well with your colleagues?

I get on very well with my colleagues.

What was your first day like?

I do not remember my first day of farming, but I would assume it was very hot. Most farming is very hot.

What responsibilities do you have at work?

With farming, I am responsible for harvesting the vegetables and making sure the chickens don’t get eaten by anyone other than us. With my video making job, my responsibility is to get the videos out as fast as I can, with as few mistakes as possible.

If you had the chance, would you change your job?

No, I intend to keep going with both of my jobs for as long as I possibly can.

Do you plan to continue with your job in the future?

I do plan to continue with my jobs, for as long as I can.

• 01 What did you study?

Well, I don’t study anything now, but when I was in college not too long ago, I studied welding.

college¹: a place where students go to study or to receive training after they have left school | Frank went to study at the same college as some of his friends.

weld²: to join pieces of metal together by heating their edges and pressing them together | Henry is welding stainless steel.

• 02 Where did you study that?

I studied it at a college, and because welding was so much cooler than everyone else, we had our own building.

cool³: used to show that you really like something because it looks nice, is popular, and maybe a bit special. | I think that Larry’s sunglasses are cool.

• 03 Why did you choose that subject?

I chose that subject for one reason and one reason alone: that reason is that welders get paid more money than most people; however, there is significant risk to it, which is why they get paid more.

subject⁴: an area of knowledge studied in a school, college, etc. | Michael’s favourite subject is Art; painting, in particular (= especially).

significant: large or important enough to have an effect or to be noticed | Stress may have a significant effect on the physical health of a person. 

risk: a situation that could be dangerous or have a bad effect | Health risks can be reduced by daily walks.

• 04 Is it a popular subject in your country?

It is not a very popular subject in my country because there is a high demand for welders, but a lot of people do study it.

demand: the desire (= wish/want) or need of customers for goods or services | The demand for smartphones significantly increased in the 2010’s as they became a cool item to have.

• 05 Do you like the subject?

I like it fairly well, though I would much prefer to do something else. I like it, and it is very useful to me, because I like to make things, but at the same time, I don’t prefer it.

useful5: that can help you to do or achieve what you want | This book is full of useful information on accounting.

• 06 Did you get on with your colleagues/classmates?

I got on as well with my colleagues as one possibly can, though in welding it is hard to get to know one’s classmates because most people are fairly deaf, and you spend most of the day with earplugs in and a mask on, in a little booth with a curtain. It’s a fairly solitary job. I knew most of my classmates by reputation, and I became good friends with one of them who I am still good friends with today, but he quit. He was no longer in the welding class. 

fairly: to some extent but not very; quite | The IQ test was a fairly simple one to do but the last questions were hard. 

deaf⁶: unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well | These deaf students are being taught how to communicate effectively through sign language.

earplug⁷: ​a piece of soft material that you put into your ear to keep out noise or water | Hayley is sleeping with earplugs because she lives on a busy street with a lot of noises.

booth⁸: a small place with walls or sides where you can do something privately; for example, make a phone call or vote | Several little booths are being used to vote for the new president.

curtain⁹: a piece of cloth that is hung to cover a window | Lisa is opening her window curtains because she wants her room to be filled with light.

solitary¹⁰: done alone; without other people | Suzy has a solitary job where she mostly works at night, checking over the work of some of the analysts.

reputation: the opinion that people have about what somebody/something is like, based on what has happened in the past | John has an excellent reputation as a lawyer, which he’s built over the last 10 years.

quit¹¹: to choose to leave your job, school, etc. | Steve quit his job this morning.

• 07 What was your first day like?

My first day at welding was very easy with just a walkthrough of what would be taught in the class. What’s far more interesting was my second day. My class was in fact the first class in the decades of my teacher having taught there to have gone straight into welding and actually operating the machines the second day.

walkthrough¹²: a careful explanation of the details of a process | Stephen works as an Information Technology (IT) consultant, and he is giving a customer a walkthrough of how to download and use some software.

decade: ten years | I haven’t played tennis for at least two decades. 

be to: used to say what will happen at a later time | Her classmates never dreamt that she was to become the prime minister one day. 

• 08 What are the main aspects of your subject?

The main aspects of it would be getting more accurate with the electrode to be able to put down better beads and being able to keep it up more steadily. Another aspect of it is eyesight. You have to be able to see the thing very well because, remember, you are wearing a shaded visor, so seeing anything at all is extremely hard.

aspect: a particular part or feature of a situation, an idea, a problem, etc. | The politicians focused on the small details of the issue (= problem) and missed the most important aspects of it. 

accurate¹³: very correct | Harry is very accurate when he kicks football; his aim is good and he scores goals most of the time. 

electrode¹⁴: a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, substance, or region | Welders create the arc (= the bright electric current) with the help of the electrode.

(weld) bead¹⁵: a weld bead is created by applying filler material to a joint between two pieces of metal | These weld beads look quite accurate.

steadily¹⁶: without changing | Stella is trying to hold the glass more steadily, so she is using both of her hands..

eyesight¹⁷: the ability to see | Susie is having an eyesight test to see if she needs a new pair of glasses.

shaded¹⁸: slightly dark because something blocks direct light from the sun | Billy is always wearing shaded glasses even when he is indoors.

visor¹⁹: a part of a helmet that can be pulled down to cover the face | Tom pulled up his motorbike helmet’s visor to take a better look at his new trophy.

(not) at all: in any way; to any degree | It is usually difficult to understand advanced Quantum Physics at all; even if it is just on a single page.

• 09 If you had the chance, would you have changed your subject?

I would absolutely change subject if I had the chance. I like welding. It’s a useful skill to have, but I do not want to work as welder. I would much prefer to have studied framing.

subject: an area of knowledge studied in a school, college, etc. | Music was one of my favourite subjects in school. 

• 10 Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject?

I do not plan to get a job in the same field as my subject. I do not want to work as a welder. It’s a good skill to have because I like making stuff on my own time, but I don’t want to work that as a job. 

field: a professional area that someone works in or is interested in | Lance works in the field of catering (= providing food and drinks for meetings or social events). 

skill: a particular ability or type of ability | Frank’s colleagues have excellent technical skills; for example, they are able to code very well. 

stuff: used to refer to things when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about | I have lost my school bag and all my stuff with it. 

What did you study?

Well, I don’t study anything now, but when I was in college not too long ago, I studied welding.

Where did you study that?

I studied it at a college, and because welding was so much cooler than everyone else, we had our own building.

Why did you choose that subject?

I chose that subject for one reason and one reason alone: that reason is that welders get paid more money than most people; however, there is significant risk to it, which is why they get paid more.

Is it a popular subject in your country?

It is not a very popular subject in my country because there is a high demand for welders, but a lot of people do study it.

Do you like the subject?

I like it fairly well, though I would much prefer to do something else. I like it, and it is very useful to me, because I like to make things, but at the same time, I don’t prefer it.

Did you get on with your colleagues/classmates?

I got on as well with my colleagues as one possibly can, though in welding it is hard to get to know one’s classmates because most people are fairly deaf, and you spend most of the day with earplugs in and a mask on, in a little booth with a curtain. It’s a fairly solitary job. I knew most of my classmates by reputation, and I became good friends with one of them who I am still good friends with today, but he quit. He was no longer in the welding class.

What was your first day like?

My first day at welding was very easy with just a walkthrough of what would be taught in the class. What’s far more interesting was my second day. My class was in fact the first class in the decades of my teacher having taught there to have gone straight into welding and actually operating the machines the second day.

What are the main aspects of your subject?

The main aspects of it would be getting more accurate with the electrode to be able to put down better beads and being able to keep it up more steadily. Another aspect of it is eyesight. You have to be able to see the thing very well because, remember, you are wearing a shaded visor, so seeing anything at all is extremely hard.

If you had the chance, would you have changed your subject?

I would absolutely change subject if I had the chance. I like welding. It’s a useful skill to have, but I do not want to work as welder. I would much prefer to have studied framing.

Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject?

I do not plan to get a job in the same field as my subject. I do not want to work as a welder. It’s a good skill to have because I like making stuff on my own time, but I don’t want to work that as a job.

• 01 What is your favourite drink?

My favourite drink is – right now – coffee as it helps to get me up in the morning sometimes and gives me an extra boost of energy when I need it.

boost¹: an increase in something | Mark finds that getting up early gives him a boost of confidence to be better than his business competition (he starts the day with an advantage).
Is it common for people to drink tea and coffee in your country?

It is very common in my country for people to drink tea and coffee. Although, I will say while both are consumed, coffee is by far predominant.

common²: happening often; existing in large numbers or in many places | During winters, it is common for people to catch a cold or the flu.

consume³: to eat or drink something | This cake is almost fully consumed; Jack had eaten most of it before he went upstairs to play video games.

by far: by a great amount | Max is the fastest runner in the class by far. (= He’s much, much faster than the others.)

predominant⁴: having more power or influence than others; dominant | In the USA, liberalism is the predominant left-leaning ideology while conservatism is the predominant right-leaning ideology.

• 02 Did you prefer different drinks as a child?

As a child, I did indeed prefer tea. I still like tea, and I still use it whenever I need it, but I drink coffee more often now, so I have to say that coffee is my favourite. But I still drink tea when I’m sick or when I’m cold and just need something to warm me up, then I drink tea.

indeed: used to say that something is really/absolutely true or right. | Did Steve fall down the stairs today? Indeed he did. (= Yes! Absolutely!)
whenever: at any time that; on any occasion that | Mary asked her parents for help with her homework whenever she needed it.

• 03 Do you think it’s important to drink lots of water?

I do indeed think it is important to drink lots of water. In fact, if you don’t drink enough water, many, many bad things will happen, which would otherwise be solved by drinking enough water. For example, if you suffer from frequent headaches, drinking more water is just as good or, in some cases, even more effective than some pain medications, as the reason why you’re having the headache is because of the lack of water.

Otherwise: used to state (= tell) what would happen if things were different or if something didn’t happen; or else| Lock the car doors before you leave, otherwise someone might open it.

solve⁵: to find a way of dealing with a problem or difficult situation | According to some, perhaps the problem of Ann repeatedly failing tests would be solved if she had better teachers.

suffer⁶: to be badly affected by a disease, pain, sad feelings, a lack of something, etc. | Frank is suffering from depression.
frequent: happening or doing something often | Jack is a frequent visitor to his neighbour; they both enjoy playing board games like Monopoly. 

pain medication⁷: a drug/medicine that decreases pain (= makes it less painful) or removes it | Tammy is going to take the pain medications in her hand because she has a serious headache.

lack of⁸: the fact that something is not available or that there is not enough of it | Brad is having problems concentrating at work because of his regular lack of sleep (= he doesn’t sleep enough).

Also, if you exercise, you work out or you want to build your muscles, you need to remember to drink lots of water. The thing about water is we are made out of 80% water, and when we don’t have enough of it, things go wrong, but it’s beyond just being made up of water. Also, a lot of the chemical processes in the body rely on water. As such, water is extremely important.

exercise⁹: to do sports or other physical activities in order to stay healthy or become stronger | Stephen enjoys exercising in the mornings.

work out¹⁰: to train the body by physical exercise| Bill and Liz like to work out just before lunch.

muscle¹¹: a piece of body tissue that you make tight and relax in order to move a particular part of the body | Stevie has pain in his shoulder muscles after his previous workout.

beyond: more than something | Maggie’s career success was far beyond anything her friends or family could have predicted.

process: a series of steps in order to make something or make something happen, or a series of changes that happen naturally | Slowing down and having grey hair are natural ageing processes.

rely on: to need or depend on somebody/something | Since he sold his car, John has relied on public transport to get to work.
as such: because of this | There weren’t any vegetarian dishes that tickled our fancy (= that made us interested) in the restaurant. As such, we left and cooked our own dinner at home.

• 04 What is the traditional drink in your country for celebrating?  

The old traditional drink in my country for celebrating would be champagne, but I don’t know anyone that actually drinks champagne. It’s almost a cliche that you drink champagne when you celebrate here, but I don’t know anyone that actually does it. Here they mainly drink beer or some sort of hard liquor to celebrate.

celebrate¹²: to show that a day or an event is important by doing something special on it | Jen and her friends are celebrating her promotion at work.

champagne¹³: a sparkling white wine (= one with bubbles) produced in the Champagne region of France, typically drunk on special occasions | These friends are about to drink some champagne to celebrate a birthday.

cliché: often said, used, or done, and therefore not original and not interesting | A lot of movies use clichéd slow-motion action scenes.

liquor: strong alcoholic drink; spirit | Although she likes the way it looks, Sally especially hates the scent of liquor. 

What is your favourite drink?

My favourite drink is – right now – coffee as it helps to get me up in the morning sometimes and gives me an extra boost of energy when I need it.

Did you prefer different drinks as a child?

As a child, I did indeed prefer tea. I still like tea, and I still use it whenever I need it, but I drink coffee more often now, so I have to say that coffee is my favourite. But I still drink tea when I’m sick or when I’m cold and just need something to warm me up, then I drink tea.

Do you think it’s important to drink lots of water?

I do indeed think it is important to drink lots of water. In fact, if you don’t drink enough water, many, many bad things will happen, which would otherwise be solved by drinking enough water. For example, if you suffer from frequent headaches, drinking more water is just as good or, in some cases, even more effective than some pain medications, as the reason why you’re having the headache is because of the lack of water.

Also, if you exercise, you work out or you want to build your muscles, you need to remember to drink lots of water. The thing about water is we are made out of 80% water, and when we don’t have enough of it, things go wrong, but it’s beyond just being made up of water. Also, a lot of the chemical processes in the body rely on water. As such, water is extremely important.

What is the traditional drink in your country for celebrating?  

The old traditional drink in my country for celebrating would be champagne, but I don’t know anyone that actually drinks champagne. It’s almost a cliche that you drink champagne when you celebrate here, but I don’t know anyone that actually does it. Here they mainly drink beer or some sort of hard liquor to celebrate.

• 01 What do you often do in the evenings?

I usually spend time with my family in the evenings. We do a lot of things: sometimes we watch television, sometimes we listen to polkas … many things.

polka¹: a fast dance for two people together that was popular in the 19th century; a piece of music for this dance | Steve and Carey often spend their evenings polka dancing in a dance hall. 

• 02 Do you do the same thing every evening?

Yes, I do the same thing almost every single evening.

• 03 Do you prefer to spend you evenings with family or friends?

I prefer to spend my evenings with both, but if one had to win out, it would be my family. I prefer to spend time in the evenings with my family.

prefer²: to like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than something else because you like it better | Michael prefers driving to work with the radio on to driving in silence.

• 04 Do you ever work or study in the evenings?

I sometimes work or study in the evenings, but I rarely do that. I much prefer spending time with my family then.

• 05 What is a popular activity for young people in your country in the evenings?

Very unfortunately, I don’t know many young people in my country, and I have no idea what they do in the evenings, so I don’t really know how to answer this question.

unfortunately: used to say when a situation or fact makes you sad or disappointed, or gets you into a difficult position | Unfortunately, Alfie dropped the ice-cream right after leaving the shop, so he had no chance to even taste it.

• 06 Do you do the same thing in the evenings as you did when you were a child?

Yes, I do roughly the exact same thing in my evenings as I did when I was a child. 

roughly: approximately but not exactly | It took Kerry roughly five years to write and publish her new novel.  

What do you often do in the evenings?

I usually spend time with my family in the evenings. We do a lot of things: sometimes we watch television, sometimes we listen to polkas … many things.

Do you do the same thing every evening?

Yes, I do the same thing almost every single evening.

Do you prefer to spend you evenings with family or friends?

I prefer to spend my evenings with both, but if one had to win out, it would be my family. I prefer to spend time in the evenings with my family.

Do you ever work or study in the evenings?

I sometimes work or study in the evenings, but I rarely do that. I much prefer spending time with my family then.

What is a popular activity for young people in your country in the evenings?

Very unfortunately, I don’t know many young people in my country, and I have no idea what they do in the evenings, so I don’t really know how to answer this question.

Do you do the same thing in the evenings as you did when you were a child?

Yes, I do roughly the exact same thing in my evenings as I did when I was a child.

• 01 Do you like your neighbours?

I don’t really know my neighbours that well, but I suppose I do like them, yes.

suppose: to think or believe that something is true or possible (based on the knowledge that you have) | I suppose getting top marks in a university-level physics exam is not simple at all.

• 02 Are neighbours usually close to each other in your country?

It depends where you live: in the city, most people don’t know each other. Neighbours don’t even know each other, so they aren’t close at all, but in the countryside, your survival can sometimes depend on your neighbours, and so you tend to be very close to them.

close¹: knowing somebody very well and liking them very much | Talia and Nia are close; they grew up knowing each other and being friends from a young age. 

survival²: the state of continuing to live or exist, often despite difficulty or danger | Exporting oil is necessary for our country’s economic survival because our ability to transport goods and people depends on it. 

depend on³: to need and trust someone or something; to counting on them to help or do what you expect | Babies and young children depend on their parents or caretakers to feed them.  

tend: to be usually like that; to be likely to do something or to happen often or usually | People tend to focus on short-term rewards instead of long term ones.

• 03 What is your neighbourhood like?

I don’t really have a neighbourhood. We live too far from other people to really know them, and the people who live close, we don’t contact.

neighbourhood⁴: a district or an area of a town; the people who live there | This is a very quiet neighbourhood. 

contact⁵: to communicate with somebody, for example by phone, letter or email | Mike is finally contacting his old friend through the phone.

•  04 Do you think your neighbourhood is a good place for children?

I don’t think it’s a very good place for children as there isn’t enough space for them to be.

as: because | As they are popular, some books are placed at the front of the library so that they can be easily accessed.  

space: an empty area or a place where you can put things or use for different purposes | The wardrobe takes up too much space in my room, so I am planning to throw it out.

• 05 How could your neighbourhood be improved?

I think my neighborhood could be improved by all of us: actually meeting each other and getting to know each other.

improve⁶: to become or make something/somebody better than before | Tom wishes to improve his Swedish as he is planning to go on holiday there; he is using a website to help him in it 

get to know: to gradually begin to like, know, or understand someone or something | Jen got to know Lisa in a summer camp, and now they are good friends.

• 06 Do you think it is important to have a good relationship with your neighbours?

It’s very important to have a good relationship with your neighbours. When trouble comes, they’re going to be the people you are going to rely on, so it’s good to have a relationship with them.

relationship⁷: the way how people, groups, or countries treat, act and get along with each other | Samantha and her daughter have a great relationship. 

trouble: a problem, worry, difficulty, etc. or a situation causing this | Although she didn’t mean to (= want to), she caused a lot of trouble for her clients.  

rely on8: to need or depend on somebody/something | Babies rely on their mothers to nurture (= to care for and protect) them. 

Do you like your neighbours?

I don’t really know my neighbours that well, but I suppose I do like them, yes.

Are neighbours usually close to each other in your country?

It depends where you live: in the city, most people don’t know each other. Neighbours don’t even know each other, so they aren’t close at all, but in the countryside, your survival can sometimes depend on your neighbours, and so you tend to be very close to them.

What is your neighbourhood like?

I don’t really have a neighbourhood. We live too far from other people to really know them, and the people who live close, we don’t contact.

Do you think your neighbourhood is a good place for children?

I don’t think it’s a very good place for children as there isn’t enough space for them to be.

How could your neighbourhood be improved?

I think my neighborhood could be improved by all of us: actually meeting each other and getting to know each other.

Do you think it is important to have a good relationship with your neighbours?

It’s very important to have a good relationship with your neighbours. When trouble comes, they’re going to be the people you are going to rely on, so it’s good to have a relationship with them.

• 01 How do you usually get your news?

I usually get my news by hearing it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, or who heard it from the news. I don’t like reading newspapers and watching the television and all that.

and all that: and everything related to the subject mentioned | Stephanie hates celebrating birthdays, New Years and all that.

• 02 Do you often read the newspapers?

I read the newspapers if I’m very bored and there’s nothing else around to read, but apart from that, I tend to avoid them.

around: present in a place; available | When we went to the beach at night there were rarely any other people around.  

apart from that: except for that | I love chocolate cakes and eat them regularly at celebrations, but, apart from that, I stay away from anything that has sugar in it.   

avoid: to keep away from somebody/something; to try not to do something | You should avoid going to that shop because everything they sell is too expensive!

• 03 What kind of news do you usually follow?

I don’t really follow any news, but if I did follow any news, it would be the news on crop failures and droughts and things like that, as those are things that would actually affect me.

crop¹: a plant that is grown in large quantities, especially as food | The farmer regularly sprays these crops with pesticides (= chemicals that kill insects that destroy plants).   

crop failure: it is when the plants someone grows for food don’t give them enough to eat or share with others | Shortages in rainfall often lead to crop failures.  

drought²: a long period of time when there is little or no rain | The drought has resulted in the drying out of the corn field.  

affect³: to produce a change in somebody/something | The standards of hygiene in hospitals directly affect how much diseases spread; this is partly why hospitals are often cleaned.

• 04 How do most people get the news in your country?

Most people in my country find someone who they like and who usually has a TV show or something, and then listen to them – and only them – and ignore everyone else.

ignore⁴: to pay no attention to something | Gary is ignoring his daughter because he is texting someone.

• 05 Do you think international news is important?

International news is important as much as it affects me. If it doesn’t affect me, then it isn’t important, but most things do affect me in some roundabout way, so I do care about International news somewhat.

in a roundabout way: not in a simple, clear, and direct way; indirectly | Maxine said, in a roundabout way, that she wanted to go eat in a fancy restaurant today .  

somewhat: to some degree but not too much | Frank is somewhat anxious to go to the desert because he is afraid that he will get lost and die.  

How do you usually get your news?

I usually get my news by hearing it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, or who heard it from the news. I don’t like reading newspapers and watching the television and all that.

Do you often read the newspapers?

I read the newspapers if I’m very bored and there’s nothing else around to read, but apart from that, I tend to avoid them.

What kind of news do you usually follow?

I don’t really follow any news, but if I did follow any news, it would be the news on crop failures and droughts and things like that, as those are things that would actually affect me.

How do most people get the news in your country?

Most people in my country find someone who they like and who usually has a TV show or something, and then listen to them – and only them – and ignore everyone else.

Do you think international news is important?

International news is important as much as it affects me. If it doesn’t affect me, then it isn’t important, but most things do affect me in some roundabout way, so I do care about International news somewhat.