Friends— Part 1 Report

Suggestion: Your answer is clear and well organized, with a direct comparison and reasons. However, use the past tense consistently: say “we had” rather than “we have.” Also, “Whereas” should connect smoothly to the previous sentence, and “things to do like watching a movie” could be expressed more naturally as “activities such as watching movies.”

Example: Yes, it’s quite different now. These days, I prefer meeting friends in cafés because they have a relaxed atmosphere where we can sit and chat over coffee. In the past, however, we usually met in shopping malls because there were plenty of activities to enjoy, such as watching movies and shopping.

Suggestion: You provide relevant reasons and examples, but the second sentence is grammatically incomplete because “which” has no clear main clause. Also, “suitable for meetings” is less natural than “suitable for meeting people,” and a library may not always be appropriate for conversation. Make the contrast between quiet and noisy places more precise.

Example: Some places are suitable for meeting people because they are quiet and peaceful. For example, a private home is ideal for having a focused or confidential conversation. In contrast, busy cafés and crowded parks can be noisy and distracting, so it may be difficult to talk comfortably.

Suggestion: Your response has a clear preference, a personal reason, and a useful explanation. Improve the naturalness of “one to one” by writing “one-on-one,” and replace “shared advice” with “exchange advice.” Add commas around the example clause and avoid joining too many ideas in one sentence.

Example: I prefer spending time with one friend because I’m a bit of an introvert and find one-on-one conversations more comfortable. When I meet a close friend, we can discuss personal matters and exchange advice. This helps us understand each other better and develop a deeper bond.

Suggestion: This is a direct and effective answer with clear reasons and an alternative. To sound more natural, say “Actually, no” with a comma, and use “which are more comfortable” because you are referring to two places. You could also explain briefly why meeting outside is more convenient.

Example: Actually, no, I don’t usually invite friends to my home because I value my privacy and my apartment is quite small. Instead, we normally meet at a café or in a park, as these places are more comfortable for everyone and give us more space.

Suggestion: This is a strong answer with a clear structure, a good linking expression, and a specific example. Add commas after “me” and “for example” to improve punctuation and delivery. “Make major life decisions” sounds slightly more natural than “make big life decisions,” although your original phrase is understandable.

Example: Friends are extremely important to me, not only because they give me practical advice when I have to make major life decisions, but also because they support me emotionally during stressful times. For example, a close friend helped me weigh up the pros and cons before I changed jobs.

Suggestion: Your main idea is understandable, but there are several grammar and fluency problems. Remove the repeated “because I don’t,” say “I only have a few close friends,” use “keep in touch,” and say “via WeChat” or “on WeChat.” Organize the answer into two or three smooth sentences.

Example: No, I don’t go out very often because I only have a few close friends and we’re all quite busy. We usually keep in touch via WeChat, and we meet up occasionally for lunch or coffee when our schedules allow.

Suggestion: You answer the question directly and provide a clear reason and alternative location. However, “more convenient for at least one person” is slightly awkward and vague. Say “more convenient for whoever lives nearby” or explain that it reduces travel time.

Example: We usually meet at restaurants because we enjoy trying new dishes and discovering different cuisines. Sometimes, though, we meet near one of our homes, especially when someone is busy or when it would reduce everyone’s travel time.

Suggestion: This is a well-developed answer with varied activities and specific details. To make it more concise and natural, avoid repeating “to” in “to take photos ... and to enjoy.” You could also say “at weekends” or “on weekends,” depending on your preferred variety of English.

Example: Most of the time, we have long conversations to catch up and share recent experiences, which helps us stay close. We sometimes go to the cinema or go hiking at weekends, where we take photos of the scenery and enjoy the fresh air.

Suggestion: Your answer is natural, specific, and well supported with background information. Improve the connection between the short sentences by using “In fact” or “Since.” Also, “a friend named Tom” is slightly more natural than “a friend called Tom,” although both are correct.

Example: Yes, I’ve known a close friend named Tom since primary school. In fact, our fathers were classmates, so our families have been close for many years. We’ve stayed friends because we share many interests and have had a lot of enjoyable experiences together.

× Whereas in the past we used to meet in shopping malls because we have a lot of things to do like watching a movie.

✓ Whereas in the past we used to meet in shopping malls because we had a lot of things to do, like watching a movie.

The phrase in the past refers to a past situation, so have should be changed to its past-tense form, had. Use the past tense consistently when describing past habits or experiences.

× For example, a library or a private house which makes it easier to concentrate and hold a confidential conversation.

✓ For example, a library or a private house is suitable because it makes it easier to concentrate and hold a confidential conversation.

The original sentence is not a complete, well-formed example because it lacks a main verb connecting the example to the previous idea. Add is suitable to form a complete sentence.

× No, I don't go out very often because I don't because I only have a few close friends.

✓ No, I don't go out very often because I only have a few close friends.

Because is repeated unnecessarily, which disrupts the sentence structure. Use because only once to introduce the reason.

× We're usually keeping touch via we chat and we meet up occasionally for lunch or coffee when our schedules allow.

✓ We usually keep in touch via WeChat, and we meet up occasionally for lunch or coffee when our schedules allow.

The adverb usually describes a regular habit, so use the simple present, keep, rather than the present continuous, are keeping. The fixed expression is keep in touch, so the preposition in is also needed.

× We're usually keeping touch via we chat and we meet up occasionally for lunch or coffee when our schedules allow.

✓ We usually keep in touch via WeChat, and we meet up occasionally for lunch or coffee when our schedules allow.

The correct expression is keep in touch, not keep touch. The preposition in is required in this fixed phrase. For regular communication, you can say keep in touch via WeChat.