雅思口语话题加答案

Visiting People

1.What is the value (or importance) of visiting others?

Well I think most importantly, it shows the person you’re visiting that they mean something to you.

And in today’s day and age, you know, it’s all too easy to just send someone a message or call them up, so if you go to the trouble of actually visiting someone, then I think it means a lot to them.

Today’s day and age =今天的时代

Call someone up = call someone –for spoken English, we often add “up”

go to the trouble of doing sth =不辞劳苦地做某事

it means a lot to them =对他很有意义

2.Do you ever feel that it's inconvenient when someone visits you?

Yeah, I’d say occasionally I do. You know, I think we’ve all experienced times when having a guest over to our home hasn’t been the most convenient thing, especially if they overstay their welcome! But more often than not, I find it very enjoyable having people over, and don’t see it as being inconvenient at all.

Overstay their welcome =逗留过久而惹人生厌

More often than not =多半

Having people over = inviting people to my home

3.Are there any differences between the way children visit their friends and the way adults visit

their friends?

Yeah, I suppose there are. I mean, when children visit their friends, they tend to play games together rather than talk about stuff, which is what adults normally do. For example, when I think back to when I was a child, I would always be playing a game of some sort whenever I visited a friend, but now wh en I’m visiting friends, we normally just have a few drinks together and chat about stuff. So yeah, I’d say this is probably the main difference.

when I think back to…… =当我回想起

So yeah =所以嗯（often used in spoken English at the beginning of the end sentence）

I’d say = I think = I would say

4.In China, when people visit each other, what questions do they ask each other?Well I guess the

usual questions are things like, “how’s it going”, “what are you up to these days?” um, “How’s everything going with your work?” So you know, I’d say it’s actually pretty much the same as in other countries.

how’s it going = how are you doing = how are you

what are you up to = what are you doing? (e.g. what are you up to this weekend = what are you doing this weekend?

Pretty much = more or less (差不多)

5.Should the guest offer help to the host?

Well, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, and the host certainly wouldn’t expect it, but I think if a guest did offer help, then it would be a nice gesture. And I mean, even if the host didn’t take the m up on the offer, it would still leave a good impression on them.

A nice gesture =友好的表示

6.Is the way people visit other people in China today different to the way people used to visit each

other in the past?

That’s an interesting question, an d I’m not actually that sure, because I didn’t really pay that much attention to it when I was younger. But I suppose in the past, people didn’t really use to bother with taking gifts and things when they went to see their friends, whereas if you went empty-

handed to visit someone’s house now, it wouldn’t leave a good impression, and your host would probably label you as being stingy!

Bother =费心(often we use it in the negative, for example: “most people don’t bother to exercise every day”) it can also mean “懒得做某件事–can’t be bothered to do something”, for example, “I usually can’t be bothered to cook in the evenings”)

Empty-handed =空手

Stingy =小气

Label you as being…… =被起了个……的绰号

7.How do you think the way people visit each other will change in the future?

Let me have a little think…um…actually I can’t really see it being that much different to how it is now. But I think what could happen in the future is that people will visit friends in places like cafes and restaurants instead of actually going to their homes, the reason being that it’s less effort for the host that way!

I can’t really see it being that much different to how it is now =我觉得跟现在不会有太大差别

8.If a friend was visiting you at home, how would you make them feel comfortable?

Well, thinking about it, I would firstly put some background music on, so that there were no

awkward silences, if you know what I mean! And I would also make sure that the temperature was just right, so for that I would most likely turn on the air-conditioning. Oh and finally, I would let them help themselves to whatever food or drink they wanted, which I think would make them feel at home.

awkward silence =尴尬的沉默

make sure =确保

9.How do people entertain guests at home?

They entertain them in a number of ways, of which the most common would be preparing a nice meal for them. And by that I mean a lot of food and drink would be prepared, as it’s the ca se here in China to prepare more than is really needed. You know, it’s the sign of a good host!

by that I mean =我的意思是说……

as = because

it’s the case here in China to… =这里的情况是……

1.What do you think are the good points and the not-so-good points about eating a picnic lunch?

Well, looking at the good points, I’d say that firstly, it’s a very pleasant feeling sitting outside to eat, because you can enjoy the fresh air and sunny weather while you’re eating, assuming it’s a nice day of course! And it also makes a nice change from sitting inside to eat, which we do most of the time.

So those would be some of the good things about it, and as for the downsides, well I guess if you’re unlucky, you might get mosquitos(蚊子) or things flying around you, which could get quite irritating (厌烦), especially if you got bitten by one. And as well as this, I suppose another not-so-good thing about them is that it’s a bit of an effort carrying all your food and drink to the picnic site.

But on the whole I’d say the good points definitely outweigh the bad points!

assuming = 假定

it’s a bit of an effort =有点麻烦

the good points (definitely) outweigh the bad points =优点大于缺点

2.On what occasions (or, in what circumstances) do people choose to eat outdoors and on what

occasions do people choose to eat in a restaurant?

Well I’ve never really thought about it before, but my feeling would probably be that people

generally eat outdoors on informal (非正式的) occasions, for example w hen they’re with friends or family, whereas(而) I think it’s fair to say that for more formal occasions, like business dinners and banquets, people tend to choose restaurants to eat at, probably because it’s relatively easier to organize.

So that’s one thing, and I think it’s also true that a lot of people like to go for picnics when they have a whole day free, because having a picnic generally takes a lot longer than having a meal at home or in a restaurant.

I think it’s fair to say that…… =我觉得可以说

3.What are some differences between eating in an open-air environment and eating indoors?

Well obviously one of the differences would be that if you’re eating outside, you’re gonna be

affected by the weather, whereas if you’re indoors, then it really doesn’t matter what the weather’s like, because it won’t have any affect on your meal. So that’s one thing, and from a more personal point of view, I find that eating outside is generally more relaxing than eating inside, which is because I think being outside has a kind of calming effect on us, if you know what I mean!

has a calming effect =有镇静效果

4.Do Chinese people often have picnics?

Well it’s hard to generalize, of course, but on the whole(总的来说), I wouldn’t say they do, at least not here in Hangzhou anyway, because it seems to me that most people either eat at home or at

a restaurant, simply as it’s much less effort than preparing a picnic.And I mean, if I think of the

people I know, they probably only have a picnic about two or three times a year, if that!

it’s hard to generalize, of course=有点难概括（当然）

at least not here in Hangzhou anyway=至少不在这里（杭州）

two or three times a year, if that!=，顶多量、三次

5.If you were going to have a picnic, what sort of place would you choose to go to?

Well first of all, I’d want to go to a place which w as well away from traffic, because that way it would be more peaceful, and you wouldn’t get horrible exhaust fumes blowing around you. And as well as this, I would also choose a place with lots of greenery, for example sitting on a nice lawn surrounded by trees and flowers, because I mean, that’s what having a picnic’s all about, isn’t it.

a place which was well away from…=离……远一点

that way it would be more peaceful = 这样就会平静一点

that’s what having a picnic’s all about, isn’t it=野餐不就应该这样子，对不对！

Sit in the shade=坐在阴凉处

6.When people are going to have a picnic, what preparations do they usually do?

Well I’d say the first thing people do is go to the supermarket to get all the food, and also things like disposable (一次性的) cups and plates, which they can just throw after they’ve finished using them. So that’s probably the main thing, and depending on how big the picnic is going to be, some people might decide to cook a few dishes to take on the picnic. What else?还有什么？

Um……., oh yeah, and one other thing people might need to do if they’re going to a popular picnic area is to make a booking a few days in advance, because some places can get pretty crowded.

1. What do you think 'happiness' is?

Well, in simple terms, I guess I’d say it’s a feeling that we get when we’re content with something, for example when we’re doing something we enjoy.

in simple terms –简单地说(used especially when explaining something)

2. What are some things that make you happy?

Let me have a little think…um… well, first of all, what always makes me happy is seeing my friends and family happy, which I suppose is probably the same for everyone. And as well as that, I’d say just doing the things I enjoy always puts me in a happy mood, you know, like playing the piano, and going to KTV with my friends.

3. Do you think people who have more talent are happier than others?

No I wou ldn’t say they are. I mean, there are countless examples of famous singers and actors who were extremely talented, but for some reason turned to things like drugs or alcohol in order to escape the depression they felt. And on the other end of the scale, there are people with seemingly very little talent, but who are very happy and content with their life. So for me I’d say happiness bears no relation at all to the amount of talent a person has.

on the other end of the scale -在另一极端seemingly -看来似乎

bears no relation at all –根本没有关系(you can also say, “…bears little relation to…)

4. Do you think money makes people happy?

Yeah, I suppose it does. You know, I think it’s fair to say that money makes us all feel happy to some degree, because you can do so much with it, like buy new clothes or go on holiday or whatever. But saying that, I’d say it’s only a kind of short-term happiness that we get from money, because the feeling soon fades, as I’m sure you’ll agree! So I think if we want to enjoy long-term

happiness, then it’s really other things that bring about it, like appreciating what we already have in life.

To some degree -到某个程度But saying that –但话又说回来

the feeling soon fades –那个感觉一会儿就消失bring about –导致appreciating –感激

5. Are the things that make people happy today the same as several decades ago?

I guess the answer would have to be yes and no. Yes, because there are things like helping others which have always made people

feel happy and will always continue to do so. And no, because people nowadays have generally become more materialistic, which is a reflection of the society we now live in. So a lot of happiness now comes from acquiring material goods and possessions, like houses and cars, which wasn’t so much the case several decades ago.

6. Why do people feel happy when they are with members of their family?

Well I suppose the reason is simply that our family are people we love and feel close to, so it’s natural that being with them will make us feel happy. I guess that’s all there is to it!

that’s (really) all there is to it -也不过如此而已

7. In general, what do you think makes a happy family?

That’s a good question, and thinking about it, I would say it’s basically just showing love, support and appreciation to one another.

So in other words, I think it’s not enough for us to just love our family members, but also show it, and by doing this we will be able to create happiness within the family. For example, you know, if a child does badly in a school exam, their parents should

encourage and support them, as opposed to telling them off, and if they do well or win a prize, then their parents should show how proud they are. And in this way, I think the family will definitely be a happy one!

as opposed to –而不……tell off –教训,斥责;训斥;训诫in this way –这样做

8. What kind of people do you think are most likely to be happy?

I guess it’s probably people who have a positive outlook on life, because they always tend to look on the bright side of things. So

for instance, if they come across problems, they’ll probably see them as challenges rather than problems.

Have a positive outlook on life -积极面对生活、对生活充满热情

look on the bright side of things -对事物抱乐观态度、从好的方面看

9. Do you think there is any relationship between a person's age and their happiness?

Yeah, I’d say there probably is, because for example, most young children seem to be very ha ppy most of the time, one of the reasons being that they’re blissfully unaware of all the pressures of modern-day life. And for a lot of adults, the pressure they face can be overwhelming, which naturally has an effect on their mental well-being, and can lead to a mid-life crisis. Having said all that though, I think it’s very possible to go through one’s whole life being happy if you live it in the right way

blissfully unaware –幸福地不知道Mid-life crisis -中年危机Having said all that though –不过话虽然这么说

10. Some people say the happiest time in people's lives is the period when they are at school? Do you agree?

No I don’t, I’d say it’s too big a generalization. I mean, of course, it might be the happiest time for some, but not for everyone. You know, we all have different experiences of our time at school, and for a lot of people it probably wasn’t that enjoyable, because they might have been bullied for example.

Generalization –概括Be bullied by someone –被别人欺负（一般指的比较严重的起伏）

11. Do young people and old(er) people find happiness from the same things?

No, I’d say there’s probably a slight difference. Because I mean, older people seem to find happiness from the simple things in life, such as playing a game of chess or simply sitting outside their homes watching the world go by, whereas I think it’s fair to say that young people often need a bit of excitement in their lives to feel happy. So that’s one thing, and what else…um… oh yeah, I’d say being in good health is another thing that makes elderly people feel happy, whereas a lot of young people kind of just take it for granted.

Being in good health –身体健康Watch the world go by -闲看人来人往

Whereas –而Take for granted –认为……是理所当然的

12. Do you think old people are very happy?

Yes, I’d say on the whole they are, because I mean, the feeling I get whenever I’m with them is that they have a calm demeanor about them, which I think reflects a kind of peace of mind. You know, it’s as if they’ve learned to accept everything they’re faced with in the world, and as a result, I think this generally gives them a feeling of happiness.

on the whole –总的来说calm demeanor -镇静的风度peace of mind –心平气和

13. When you are old(er), what kinds of things do you think will bring you happiness?

I imagine it will be things like spending time with my family, seeing my grandchildren grow up, and looking at old photographs,

which will help me reflect on all the happy memories from my life.

Reflect on happy memories -回忆快乐

14. Do you think people were happier in the past than they are now?

No I don’t actually. I’d say people are generally happier now, the main reason being that our standards of living have improved considerably from the past. I mean, for one thing, we now have a lot more freedom in choosing to lead our lives how we want, which wasn’t really the case in the past.

Describe a useful website that you like to visit.

Useful phrases: (Talking about Taobao…)

Ok, well the first website that came to mind when I saw this topic was Taobao dot com, which (I suppose you could say) is the Chinese equivalent of https://www.sodocs.net/doc/9b309860.html, 好的，那么当我看到这个话题的时候，我第一想到的网站是淘宝网，这个网站应该可以说是相等于(国外的)https://www.sodocs.net/doc/9b309860.html,.

There’s a huge range of stuff you can buy on this website.

(“stuff” just means “things”, and is uncountable, so no “s” at the end. It’s used a lot in spoken English)

One of the best things about this website is that the prices are generally a lot cheaper than in the shops.

I mainly go on it to buy things like clothes…

I know that shopping online can be quite risky, because the product often isn’t as good as it looks on the website, but if you do enough research, such as read (through) the customer reviews of the product you’re thinking of buying, then I think you can avoid this kind of thing happening to you, because you’ll be able to get an idea of (你将能够了解) how reliable the supplier is.

(Talking about https://www.sodocs.net/doc/9b309860.html, )

Ok right then, well (好的，那么) the website I’d like to talk to you about is Ted dot com, which you might (well) have heard of before, and possibly even been on (你可能听说过，也可能上过).

And as for what’s on the website, well to put it simply, it’s basically a huge collection of video speeches by various people from all kinds of fields,

So it’s a really great resource (一个极好的资源) for learning stuff

It’s completely free, you know, it doesn’t cost anything t o listen to the talks,

And what’s great about it is that (它很好的一点就是) you can choose Chinese or English subtitles（字幕） for most of the talks, and also download them onto your computer.

I also like to read the comments (评论) written by other people who have watched the talk.

I go on it (probably) something like two or three times a week（我大概每周量、三次上这个网站） , so pretty much every other day （所以差不多每隔一天）

I’m normally on it while I’m having my lunch (我一般吃午饭的时候在上个网站) because most of the talks are between about 10 to 20 minutes

As for why I think it’s a good website –well first and foremost , it’s because the (vast) majority of talks are incredibly interesting, at least in my opinion anyway （至少在我看来）, so there’s a tremendous amount you can learn from them. (能够从它们学到很多很多！)

…I think it’s wonderful to have a website like this, which brings all these great talks together in one place

…and another good thing about it is that the talks on the website don’t go on for too long （不延续太久）. You know we’ve all listened to speeches which drag on and on（拖延很久）, but these ones are (generally) all quite short and to the point（直切主题的）. (Talking about Yahoo)

…what I like about Yahoo is that the news articles are always very short and concise(简明的), you know, not too wordy (文字略嫌罗唆) like a lot of other news websites.

…and another good thing about the articles on Yahoo is that they are generally written in a pretty colloquial (口语的) style, which makes them easy to read.

(Talking about the BBC World Service Website)

…I would say it’s definitely one of the best English learning resources on the web, because you can listen to the radio live for 24 hours a day…

…and as well as this (除此之外), there are loads of other radio programmes you can also listen to.

(loads of = lots of – and used mainly in spoken English)

(Talking about Renren website人人网)

Ok, well the first website that came to mind when I saw this topic was Renren dot com, which (I suppose you could say) is the Chinese equivalent of Facebook.

…it’s basically the Chinese version (版本) of Facebook.

…it’s a social networking site (社交网站)

…you can upload photos onto the website so that your friends can enjoy looking at them.