Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you like science?
Thí sinh
Definitely, yes. I think science is an indispensable part of our lives. You know, it helps us understand how things work in the world around us. For example, by learning physics, we can understand things like electricity or how objects move. It's so useful and interesting.
Giám khảo
When did you start to learn about science?
Thí sinh
To be perfectly honest, I cannot remember exactly because it was such a long time ago, but I'd say I was first introduced to science in primary school, and then in secondary school I started studying more specialized subjects like chemistry, biology, and physics.
Giám khảo
Which science subject is interesting to you?
Thí sinh
Well, I find the biology quite fascinating. This is mainly because I'm really interested in how living things function. On top of that, I guess that's also why I did quite well in biology back in secondary school. It just feels more relatable compared to other science subjects.
Giám khảo
What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?
Thí sinh
I still remember making a small volcano with baking soda and vinegar in school. I also planted some beans in little cups with cotton and it filled like magic watching them group day by day. Nothing too advanced but definitely memorable.
Giám khảo
Do you like watching science TV programs?
Thí sinh
Yes, I enjoy them quite a bit, especially nature documentaries such as Planet Earth. You know, they explain science in such a beautiful and relaxing way that you don't feel like you are studying. On top of that, I also watch some space shows that I want to watch something truly amazing.
Giám khảo
Do Chinese people often visit science museums?
Thí sinh
Yeah, I think so. A good illustration of this is that whenever you go to a Science Museum in my city, especially during holidays, it's always packed with people. I guess they are popular because they are great places for parents to spend quality time with their kids, and at the same time they are also quite educational.
Do you like science?
Điểm: 86.0Gợi ý: Your answer is clear, relevant and contains specific examples, but it is slightly wordy and uses filler phrases like "You know" and "It's so". To improve, make the response more concise (max 4–5 sentences), begin with a direct topic sentence, and avoid fillers. Also try to add one linking word to connect the example to the main idea.
Ví dụ: Yes, I do. Science is essential because it helps us understand how the world works; for example, physics explains electricity and motion, which affect everyday devices. Therefore, studying science makes practical problems easier to solve.
When did you start to learn about science?
Điểm: 80.0Gợi ý: Good structure and detail, but opening phrase "To be perfectly honest" and a long qualifier weaken the answer. Be more direct with a clear topic sentence and use a linking word to show progression (e.g., "later"). Keep it within 3–4 sentences.
Ví dụ: I first learned about science in primary school. Later, in secondary school, I began studying specialized subjects such as chemistry, biology and physics, which gave me a deeper understanding.
Which science subject is interesting to you?
Điểm: 84.0Gợi ý: The answer is relevant and personal, with reasons and comparison, but uses tentative language like "I guess" and fillers like "Well" and "On top of that." Use stronger, confident phrasing and a linking word to connect reason and consequence.
Ví dụ: I find biology the most fascinating because I am interested in how living organisms function. Consequently, I performed well in biology at school, and it feels more relatable than subjects such as physics.
What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?
Điểm: 78.0Gợi ý: You give good concrete examples, which is excellent. However, avoid vague or poetic phrases like "it filled like magic" and correct minor phrasing errors (e.g., "they grew day by day"). Add a linking word to sequence events and keep sentences concise.
Ví dụ: I made a small volcano using baking soda and vinegar in class. I also planted beans in cups with cotton and watched them grow day by day, which was memorable even though the experiments were simple.
Do you like watching science TV programs?
Điểm: 75.0Gợi ý: The response names programs and gives reasons, but contains informal fillers and an unclear final sentence. Replace "You know" and fix the last sentence to clearly state interest in space shows. Use a linking word to contrast or add information (e.g., "besides").
Ví dụ: Yes, I enjoy science programs, especially nature documentaries like Planet Earth because they explain topics beautifully and entertainingly. Besides that, I also watch space shows to learn about astronomy and spectacular discoveries.
Do Chinese people often visit science museums?
Điểm: 82.0Gợi ý: Solid answer with an example and reasons, but informal words like "Yeah" and "I guess" reduce formality. Make the opening direct, tighten phrasing (avoid repeating "also/at the same time") and use a linking word to connect popularity to reasons.
Ví dụ: Yes, they do. For example, science museums in my city are usually packed during holidays because families visit for both entertainment and educational value, making them popular destinations.
× It just feels more relatable compared to other science subjects.
✓ It just feels more relatable compared to other science subjects.
No change needed; sentence is grammatically correct. 'Feels' is correctly used with adjective 'relatable'. Keep present simple to express general preference.
× I cannot remember exactly because it was such a long time ago, but I'd say I was first introduced to science in primary school, and then in secondary school I started studying more specialized subjects like chemistry, biology, and physics.
✓ I could not remember exactly because it was such a long time ago, but I'd say I was first introduced to science in primary school, and then in secondary school I started studying more specialized subjects like chemistry, biology, and physics.
The original uses 'cannot' which suggests present inability; 'could not' or 'cannot' both can be acceptable. However, given the past reference 'it was such a long time ago', 'could not' better matches past viewpoint. Use of past participle 'introduced' is correct. Suggest replacing 'cannot' with 'could not' for tense consistency.
× I still remember making a small volcano with baking soda and vinegar in school.
✓ I still remember making a small volcano with baking soda and vinegar at school.
Use 'at school' to indicate location where the activity occurred. 'In school' can be used but 'at school' is more natural for a one-time activity; prefer 'at' for specific location events.
× I also planted some beans in little cups with cotton and it filled like magic watching them group day by day.
✓ I also planted some beans in little cups with cotton, and it felt like magic watching them grow day by day.
Pronoun and verb choice errors: 'it filled' is incorrect; correct phrase is 'it felt like magic'. 'Group' is incorrect for plants growing; use 'grow'. Use a comma before the conjunction for clarity.
× Yes, I enjoy them quite a bit, especially nature documentaries such as Planet Earth.
✓ Yes, I enjoy them quite a bit, especially nature documentaries like Planet Earth.
'Such as' is acceptable, but 'like' is more natural in informal spoken English. No pronoun error really; this correction is stylistic. If keeping strict grammar, original is acceptable. Changed for naturalness.
× You know, they explain science in such a beautiful and relaxing way that you don't feel like you are studying.
✓ They explain science in such a beautiful and relaxing way that you don't feel like you are studying.
Removing 'You know' tightens sentence; grammatically original is acceptable as a discourse marker. No structural error; change is a style suggestion.
× On top of that, I also watch some space shows that I want to watch something truly amazing.
✓ On top of that, I also watch some space shows because I want to see something truly amazing.
Original sentence is ungrammatical and redundant: 'that I want to watch something truly amazing' mixes relative clause and purpose. Use 'because I want to see something truly amazing' or 'hoping to see something truly amazing' to express purpose.
× A good illustration of this is that whenever you go to a Science Museum in my city, especially during holidays, it's always packed with people.
✓ A good illustration of this is that whenever you go to the science museum in my city, especially during holidays, it's always packed with people.
Use definite article 'the' with a specific museum in the speaker's city. Capitalization: 'science museum' is a common noun and should not be capitalized unless part of a proper name.
× I guess they are popular because they are great places for parents to spend quality time with their kids, and at the same time they are also quite educational.
✓ I guess they are popular because they are great places for parents to spend quality time with their children, and at the same time they are also quite educational.
'Kids' is fine informally, but 'children' is more formal and consistent. No strict grammatical error; this is a register suggestion for clarity and formality.