Part 1
Giám khảo
Did you have a bike when you were a child?
Thí sinh
No, I didn't have a bike when I was a child and I still don't know how to ride it because my parents never taught me and I was way too nervous to try it on my own so I just never gave it a try and learned.
Giám khảo
Do you think bikes are popular in your country?
Thí sinh
Yes, I think bikes are very popular in my country. Everyone at least once tried riding a bike when they were a child, and almost everyone in my country knows how to ride a bike. So yes, I think they're very popular.
Did you have a bike when you were a child?
Điểm: 68.0Gợi ý: Answer directly, then give one or two supporting details. Your explanation is relevant, but the answer is a long run-on sentence and the ending repeats the idea that you never tried. Break it into shorter sentences and say “ride a bike” rather than “ride it” for clarity.
Ví dụ: No, I didn’t have a bike as a child, and I still can’t ride one. My parents never taught me, and I was too nervous to try on my own.
Do you think bikes are popular in your country?
Điểm: 72.0Gợi ý: Your answer addresses the question and includes a relevant supporting detail. However, you repeat that bikes are popular and use broad claims such as “everyone” and “almost everyone.” Give a more measured example, and use a linking phrase to connect it to your opinion.
Ví dụ: Yes, bikes are quite popular in my country. Many people learn to ride as children, and you can often see people cycling in parks or on bike paths. They’re also a convenient way to get around in some areas.
× No, I didn't have a bike when I was a child and I still don't know how to ride it because my parents never taught me and I was way too nervous to try it on my own so I just never gave it a try and learned.
✓ No, I didn't have a bike when I was a child, and I still don't know how to ride it because my parents never taught me and I was way too nervous to try it on my own, so I just never gave it a try or learned how to ride.
In a negative statement with never, use or to connect actions that did not happen. Using and can suggest that both actions happened, which conflicts with the intended meaning. Use never gave it a try or learned how to ride to show that neither action happened.