Part 2
Part 2 - Cue Card
Describe something you were given that you really wanted
You should say:
- What the item was
- Who gave it to you
- When you received it
- And explain why you really wanted it
Part 2 Sample Response
The thing I really wanted and eventually got was a guitar - an acoustic one. My older brother gave it to me for my 18th birthday, which was... let me think, about three years ago now.
I'd been obsessing over getting a guitar for probably two years before that. I kept watching these YouTube videos of people playing, and there was something about the sound that just... I don't know, it spoke to me somehow. I'd see my friends at school who could play, and I was always asking them to teach me chords during lunch breaks, which probably got pretty annoying.
My family knew I wanted one, but guitars aren't exactly cheap, especially decent ones. My parents kept saying 'maybe next year' or 'we'll see,' you know how it goes. But my brother had been watching me struggle with this old broken guitar I'd borrowed from a friend, and I guess he felt sorry for me.
When he surprised me with it, I honestly almost cried. It wasn't the fanciest guitar - just a Yamaha FG800 - but it was mine, and it sounded beautiful. I think I wanted it so badly because music had become this... escape for me, especially during my final year of high school when everything felt really stressful. Having my own instrument meant I could finally learn properly and express myself through music instead of just listening to it.
Essential Vocabulary
Types of desired items
- long-awaited purchase - something you waited a long time for
- dream possession - ideal thing you wanted to own
- must-have item - thing you felt you absolutely needed
- coveted object - something you really desired
- prized possession - valuable item you treasure
- wishlist item - thing on your list of wants
- status symbol - item that shows your position
- practical necessity - something you needed for daily life
- luxury indulgence - expensive treat for yourself
- meaningful gift - present with special significance
Reasons for wanting something
- personal passion - strong individual interest
- practical need - required for daily activities
- social pressure - wanting what others have
- creative expression - way to show artistic side
- childhood dream - something you wanted since young
- quality of life improvement - making life better
- hobby enhancement - improving your interests
- emotional connection - feeling attached to the idea
- future investment - something that will help later
- stress relief - helped you feel more relaxed
Who gives gifts
- close family member - relative you're close to
- supportive parent - mother or father who helps you
- understanding sibling - brother or sister who gets you
- generous grandparent - grandpa or grandma who spoils you
- thoughtful friend - caring person in your social circle
- romantic partner - boyfriend or girlfriend
- mentor figure - someone who guides you
- surprise benefactor - unexpected gift giver
- collective effort - group of people together
- anonymous donor - unknown generous person
Emotional responses
- overwhelmed with joy - extremely happy
- couldn't contain excitement - very enthusiastic
- speechless with gratitude - too thankful for words
- tears of happiness - crying from joy
- pinch-me moment - seemed too good to be true
- burst of euphoria - sudden feeling of extreme happiness
- profound appreciation - deep thankfulness
- childlike excitement - innocent, pure joy
- sense of validation - feeling understood and supported
- emotional breakthrough - important feeling moment
Impact and significance
- life-changing moment - event that altered your path
- confidence booster - something that made you feel better
- creative catalyst - sparked artistic expression
- personal milestone - important achievement in your life
- skill development - improved your abilities
- social connection - brought you closer to others
- identity formation - helped you understand yourself
- future foundation - started something important
- enhanced quality of life - improved daily experience
- created lasting memories - gave you permanent good thoughts
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "I'd been obsessing over..." expressing strong desire
- "There was something about... that just..." explaining attraction
- "You know how it goes..." relating to common experience
- "I honestly almost..." emphasizing emotional reaction
- "It wasn't the fanciest... but..." acknowledging limitations positively
- "What I found amazing was..." highlighting impressive aspects
- "Looking back on it..." reflecting on experiences
- "The thing that really got to me was..." explaining emotional impact
Part 3
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- Should employees have their own goals?
- What rewards can companies offer to outstanding employees?
- Why do people like shopping more now than in the past?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of consumerism for a country's economy?
- How should children spend their allowance money?
- What kinds of gifts do young people like to receive as rewards?
Part 3 Sample Response
I think there are several reasons for this shift, actually. First, shopping has become much more convenient - you can literally buy anything online from your phone in Vietnam nowadays. But I think the bigger factor is that shopping has transformed from just buying necessities to being a form of entertainment and self-expression. Social media plays a huge role too... people want to show off their purchases, and there's this constant pressure to have the latest things. Plus, with credit cards and payment plans, people can afford things they couldn't buy outright before.
Essential Vocabulary
Employee goals and motivation
- personal development objectives - individual growth targets
- career advancement goals - aims for professional progress
- performance metrics - ways to measure success
- skill-building targets - objectives for learning new abilities
- work-life balance goals - aims for personal and professional harmony
- intrinsic motivation - internal drive to succeed
- accountability measures - ways to track responsibility
- professional autonomy - independence in work decisions
- growth mindset - attitude focused on improvement
- self-directed learning - taking charge of your education
Employee rewards and recognition
- financial incentives - money-based rewards
- performance bonuses - extra pay for good work
- promotion opportunities - chances to advance position
- flexible working arrangements - options for work schedule
- professional development funding - money for training and education
- public recognition - acknowledging achievements openly
- additional vacation days - extra time off as reward
- stock options - ownership shares in company
- mentorship programs - guidance from senior employees
- conference attendance - opportunities to learn and network
Modern shopping trends
- retail therapy - shopping to improve mood
- impulse purchasing - buying things without planning
- online convenience - easy shopping from home
- social media influence - buying because of internet pressure
- instant gratification - wanting things immediately
- brand consciousness - caring about product names and status
- comparison shopping - checking different options easily
- influencer marketing - celebrities promoting products
- disposable income - extra money for non-essentials
- consumer culture - society focused on buying things
Consumerism economic impact
- economic stimulus - spending that boosts economy
- job creation - new employment from business growth
- tax revenue generation - money for government from sales
- innovation incentive - motivation for companies to improve
- market competition - businesses competing for customers
- environmental degradation - damage to nature from production
- resource depletion - using up natural materials
- debt accumulation - people owing too much money
- wealth inequality - gap between rich and poor
- overconsumption issues - buying too much stuff
Children's money management
- financial literacy - understanding money and spending
- savings habit development - learning to keep money for later
- needs versus wants - distinguishing essential from optional
- budgeting skills - planning how to spend money
- charitable giving - donating money to help others
- impulse control - resisting urge to buy immediately
- value assessment - judging if something is worth the cost
- delayed gratification - waiting for better rewards
- money appreciation - understanding work required to earn
- responsible spending - making smart purchasing decisions
Young people's preferred rewards
- experiential gifts - activities and experiences over objects
- technology gadgets - latest phones, computers, devices
- fashion accessories - clothing and style items
- entertainment vouchers - tickets for movies, concerts, games
- travel opportunities - trips and adventure experiences
- skill development courses - classes to learn new abilities
- social experiences - activities to do with friends
- creative supplies - materials for artistic expression
- subscription services - ongoing access to music, apps, content
- personalized items - customized gifts made especially for them
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "I think there are several reasons for this..." introducing multiple factors
- "The bigger factor is that..." emphasizing most important point
- "Social media plays a huge role..." highlighting modern influences
- "There's this constant pressure to..." describing social expectations
- "With credit cards and payment plans..." explaining enabling factors
- "On the positive side..." presenting benefits
- "The downside is that..." acknowledging problems
- "From an economic perspective..." considering financial aspects
- "In terms of practical benefits..." focusing on useful aspects
- "The challenge is finding the balance between..." discussing competing needs