PART 1
TIDINESS/CLEANLINESS
ANSWERS
Are you a tidy person?
(Answer 1)
Definitely! I can’t live a life being untidy. I want my things to be organized like the books on my shelves are arranged based on colors and thickness, my clothes in my wardrobe are all folded neatly and hung properly, not to mention how my shoes are sorted from casual to formal or from winter shoes to summer shoes. Actually, I don’t consider myself an OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) person, I just love seeing my things organized.
(Answer 2)
Not at all, as an extremely busy person, that’s the last thing I want to do. I’m a part-time worker and a full-time student, so I don’t have time to think about tidiness. You might think that I’m kinda irresponsible but my work and my study take priority over any other things.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Not to mention [phrase] – in addition to
Sort [verb as used in the answer] – arrange; classify
Obsessive-compulsive disorder [noun] – a personality disorder by excessive orderliness or perfectionism
The last thing I want to do [expression] – something you do not want to do
Priority [noun] – a thing that is regarded as more important than others
TIPS
i.) The speaker gave a positive answer but not saying the traditional answer “yes”, instead he used a very good expression that meant yes. Then after that, he gave examples of his practices of being tidy. In that way, he’s able to express his answer in a more substantial way, plus he’s able to use some very good vocabulary words.
ii.) The speaker gave a direct negative answer with the use of a very helpful negative expression that helped him express his answer creatively. Right after that, he talked about the reason why he wasn’t tidy and simply ended his answer by stating that he valued his priorities more than anything else.
How do you keep things tidy?
Well, like I said earlier, I always make sure to arrange my books on my bookshelves where they look pleasant to my eyes, and fold and hang my clothes in an organized way so it’s easier for me to find a perfect outfit for the day. Actually, that helps me live a comfortable life!
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Fold [verb] – to bend something like cloth so that one part of it lies on the other path
Hang (Hung – past participle) [verb] – to fasten or support a piece of clothing at the top leaving the other parts free to move
TIP
i.) The speaker reiterated his previous answer by adding more helpful good vocabulary words to express his answer in a better way. It’s also a very good way to show-off his vocabulary knowledge to the examiner.
Do you think people should be tidy all the time?
(Answer 1)
No, tidiness is not one of life’s necessities. It’s a matter of choice or being part of one’s personality. If one is brought up by parents who are particular about tidiness, then most probably he will be tidy, or if one gives importance to cleanliness and orderliness, then he can’t afford to live a life that lacks tidiness.
(Answer 2)
No one’s perfect, I myself as a person who values tidiness can’t be tidy all the time. There are times that I miss arranging things in my house because I’m occupied by so many tasks and that’s just normal. However, I suppose if one has an extreme condition of OCD, then being tidy all the time becomes a daily essential for that kind of person.
(Answer 3)
How I wish people could be tidy all the time but that’s just unrealistic! If people could be tidy 24/7, then this world would be perfect, but of course, that’s just far from reality.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Necessity [noun] – essential
Bring up [phrasal verb] – to bring a person to maturity by nurturing care and education
Orderliness [noun] – the quality of being arranged or organized
Occupied [adj.] – busy and active
Extreme [adj.] – too much; utmost
24/7 [adverb] – twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week
TIPS
i.) The speaker gave a negative answer and provided his reason at once. Then gave two specific examples that would make the examiner understand his point of view clearly. You can never go wrong with a direct answer.
ii.) The speaker developed his answer by borrowing a common saying about the absence of perfection. Using a saying or proverb is a very good way to start an answer as it helps you showcase your language prowess to the examiner. Anyway, he talked about the time when he couldn’t make himself tidy and transitioned to talking about a special case of an OCD person. It’s a well-developed answer!
iii.) The speaker started answering the question by expressing his wish about tidiness and expressing his logical opinion. It’s a brief answer yet substantial and realistic.
Are you tidier at work or at home?
(Answer 1)
Of course, at home because that’s where I live – it’s my personal space. Although I practice tidiness in the office, I still think that it’s incomparable to how I organize my things at home. In the office, I don’t have the absolute freedom to organize things completely due to office rules. I need to adhere to some regulations that our office has set.
(Answer 2)
I’m not really a tidy person and it’s shameful to say that but honestly, I try my very best to be a little tidy at work because I want to gain my boss and colleagues’ respect. I don’t want them to think that I’m an awful worker.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Incomparable [adj.] – cannot be compared; without equal
Adhere [verb] – believe in and follow the practices
Set [verb] – to cause something or someone to be in stated conditioned
Shameful [adj.] – disgraceful
Awful [adj.] – very bad
TIPS
i.) The speaker presented his choice at once and started talking about his practices of being tidy. He admitted that he even practiced tidiness at work but not as much as he did at his own house and provided a brief reason for it. Simple and clear!
ii.) The speaker provided a negative answer and expressed how embarrassing for him to admit that he wasn’t tidy. That itself sounded very natural which is very important in getting a good mark since he showed to the examiner that he’s a natural speaker of the English language.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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