PART 1
BORROWING
ANSWERS
Have you ever borrowed books from others?
(Answer 1)
As I’m still a student, yes I have, innumerable times. Honestly, I don’t have the means to buy books. Although I have a part-time job, my wage is just enough for my daily needs and for the rent of my apartment. To be honest with you, I make ends meet, and buying my own books isn’t my priority.
(Answer 2)
Not even once because I don’t want to bother other people. I make sure to buy the books that I love to read. In case, I can’t find the books in a bookstore or in an online shop, I just go to a city library to check if there are any and if I’m lucky enough to find one, that’s the time that I borrow.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Innumerable [adj.] – countless
(The) means [noun] – money
Make ends meet [phrase] – earn money to live without getting any debt; manage; get by
The least of my concerns [expression] – is something that someone is not worried about since there are other important things to focus on
Not even once [expression] – never
Bother [verb] – disturb
In case [phrase] – used to talk about things we should do in order to be prepared for possible future situations
TIPS
i.) FIRST ANSWER: The speaker did not immediately say YES, instead, he injected his status which is ‘a student’ in order to give the examiner an idea of who he was and for him to spontaneously deliver his answer without any hesitation. Then, he provided a realistic reason to support his answer. Notice his usage of vocabulary – they’re really good!
ii.) SECOND ANSWER: The speaker gave a direct negative answer and simply explained his answer. Then he transitioned to using a condition (In case…) in order to make his answer longer. This kind of technique can surely help you extend your answer. If you can use it in your answer, it’ll be great!
Is it good to borrow money from friends?
(Answer 1)
Well, I don’t see any problem with borrowing money from friends as long as we keep our promise to pay them on time. As you know, money can usually break a relationship, so as much as possible, we have to avoid compromising our good relationship with our friends, and make sure to repay them on the exact date as promised.
(Answer 2)
Well for me, no, because it does break a relationship. I’ve had many experiences where I let go of the people whom I once called friends because they never returned the money that they borrowed from me. It’s just so frustrating because they took advantage of my kindness. Well, anyway, there are some people who are really shameless that they never really care about paying what they owe you.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Keep a promise [expression] – to fulfill the promise
On-time [phrase] – to/on schedule
Compromise [verb] – bring into danger or disrepute by foolish or reckless behavior
Repay [verb] – pay back
Owe [verb] – have an obligation to pay or repay
Let go [phrase] – to give up
Frustrating [adj.] – making someone feel annoyed or disappointed
TIPS
i.) FIRST ANSWER: The speaker provided a very natural answer by affirming that there’s no problem with borrowing. And then right after that, he talked about the reality of money being the destroyer of relationships. He ended his answer by concluding that a promise of repaying should be kept when borrowing money. This is a very easy question since we all experience this at least once in our lives, so don’t be scared about this question. Speak from your heart.
ii.) SECOND ANSWER: Here the speaker gave a no-answer. Then he talked about his bad experiences with lending money to his friends. His answer focused more on being a lender rather than being a borrower. And his experience made him disagree with the idea of ‘borrowing money’. This is a different way to answer that question. This kind of answer surely leads to confusion, if the examinee is not 100% focused on his answer.
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Do you like lending things to others?
(Answer 1)
Well, it depends on what kinds of things people want to borrow from me. If they are just petty things like books, shoes, clothes, things like that, without a second thought, I can lend those things. However, if it’s more valuable like a car or jewelry, I never give in lending these precious things even to my closest friends because I’m afraid that they might damage or lose them.
(Answer 2)
Well, it’s on a case-by-case basis, if the borrower is a person who is near and dear to me, without hesitation, I will lend, however, if the person who wants to borrow things from me is careless or irresponsible, even if he’s my friend, I never ever give him any chance to borrow and use my things.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Petty [adj.] – less important
Without a second thought [phrase] – to act immediately
Give in [phrasal verb] – submit; surrender
Case-by-case basis [adj.] – used to describe a decision that’s made separately
Borrower [noun] – a person who takes and uses something belonging to someone else
Near and dear [expression] – very important
TIPS
i.) FIRST ANSWER: The speaker used a ‘conditions’ technique in his answer. He provided two kinds of situations and then explained them thoroughly. This is a very good way to make his answer a bit longer.
ii.) SECOND ANSWER: The speaker also used the same technique as in the first answer, however, the content was just different. This time he focused on the borrower and not on things. In the first answer, the speaker centered his answer on things. Brief answer and a good one!
How do you feel when people don’t return things they borrowed from you?
(Answer 1)
Of course, I will be very upset, especially if the borrower is the person to whom I give my trust. But, I’m usually patient, so if he gives me a reasonable explanation as to why he can’t return my things, then I’ll just wait until he can give my things back. Well, as long as there is an acceptable reason, I don’t stress myself by thinking about it.
(Answer 2)
I definitely hate it when people never really care about returning my things, most especially if they don’t make any effort to explain to me the reason. I’m a person who doesn’t like reminding others to return my things or asking them to pay me the money that they borrowed. And because of that, I don’t easily lend my things to others. I don’t want to be stressed out.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Upset [adj.] – unhappy
Reasonable [adj.] – sensible; rational
Give back [phrasal verb] – to return
TIP
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker immediately expressed his feelings and then transitioned his answer to talking about his character of being patient. It is such a direct answer! Always give a straightforward answer and avoid beating around the bush.
Have you ever borrowed money from your friends?
Yes, but just once, that was when I was seriously struggling financially and that’s because I got laid off from my work. Actually, that was my first experience to borrow money from one of my closest friends and honestly, I was kind of embarrassed doing such but I had no choice then.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Lay off [adj.] – discharge a worker; dismiss
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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