Part 1
Giám khảo
Are you good at giving gifts?
Thí sinh
It really depends on the situation. If I know the person well, like a close friend or a family member, I usually can pick out the throughout gift. However, for acquaintances or for occasions like weddings, I sometimes feel stuck or end up choosing something more generic.
Giám khảo
When do you usually give gifts to others?
Thí sinh
Occasionally, I gift gifts spontaneously without any specific reason, just to bring the smile to someone's face. If I come across something that reminds me of a friend or family member, I get it off for them. These spontaneous churches can strengthen relationship and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
Giám khảo
What do you consider when choosing a gift?
Thí sinh
Well, I always set a budget to ensure I don't overspend gifts. Sometimes a thoughtful, inexpensive gift can be more meaningful. It is a true gift. It might allow for a larger budget. I also look for sales and discounts to get the best value.
Giám khảo
Have you ever given others a handmade gift?
Thí sinh
Yes, I have given handmade gifts on several occasions. For instance, during the winter holiday I once made a cookie for my friend. I believe that handmade gifts are unique and often more meaningful than store bought ones as they show thoughtfulness and effort.
Giám khảo
Do expensive gifts better express your feelings?
Thí sinh
It depends on the relationship with the person and the occasion. For some people, expensive gifts might be appreciated, while others might refer something more personal. Cultural differences can also influence how gifts are perceived, so to give intention and the references are key factors.
Are you good at giving gifts?
Điểm: 65.0Gợi ý: Be more concise and correct word choice; give a clear topic sentence then one or two specific supporting details. Avoid errors like “throughout” and use linking words to contrast (e.g., “but” or “however”).
Ví dụ: I am good at giving gifts to people I know well because I can choose items that match their tastes. However, for acquaintances or big events like weddings I often play it safe and buy something more generic, since I’m unsure of their preferences.
When do you usually give gifts to others?
Điểm: 50.0Gợi ý: Use correct collocations and avoid repetition. Start with a clear topic sentence, then give one specific example and a linking phrase to explain the effect. Correct vocabulary errors (e.g., “gift gifts,” “get it off,” “churches”).
Ví dụ: I often give gifts spontaneously when I see something that reminds me of someone. For example, if I find a book that fits a friend’s interest, I’ll buy it right away, and this kind of surprise often strengthens our relationship.
What do you consider when choosing a gift?
Điểm: 60.0Gợi ý: Give a clear topic sentence and coherent supporting details using linking words. Remove unclear sentences (“It is a true gift. It might allow for a larger budget.”). Be specific about what you consider (recipient’s taste, occasion, practicality).
Ví dụ: When choosing a gift, I first set a budget to avoid overspending. I also consider the recipient’s interests and the occasion; for example, for a friend who loves cooking I might buy a specialty utensil, and I often look for sales to get better value.
Have you ever given others a handmade gift?
Điểm: 80.0Gợi ý: This answer is clear and relevant but could be improved by adding one short linking phrase and a slightly more detailed example (e.g., what made the cookie special). Keep it within 3–4 sentences.
Ví dụ: Yes, I have. For example, last winter I baked a batch of decorated cookies for a close friend and packaged them in a handmade box; because I spent time baking and decorating them, the gift felt more personal and meaningful.
Do expensive gifts better express your feelings?
Điểm: 55.0Gợi ý: Express a clear opinion in the topic sentence and support it with two specific reasons using linking words. Correct phrasing mistakes (“refer” → “prefer”, unclear final sentence).
Ví dụ: I don’t think expensive gifts always express feelings better. While some people appreciate costly items, others prefer thoughtful, personal presents; moreover, cultural expectations matter, so I focus on what the recipient would value most.
× I usually can pick out the throughout gift.
✓ I can usually pick out an appropriate gift.
The original sentence uses 'throughout' incorrectly and has awkward word order. 'Throughout' is not a correct adjective for 'gift'. Reorder adverb 'usually' to natural position and replace 'throughout' with 'appropriate' to convey intended meaning.
× Occasionally, I gift gifts spontaneously without any specific reason, just to bring the smile to someone's face.
✓ Occasionally, I give gifts spontaneously without any specific reason, just to bring a smile to someone's face.
'Gift' as a verb is uncommon in this context; the correct verb is 'give'. Also 'the smile' is incorrect article usage here; use 'a smile'. This fixes verb choice and article use.
× If I come across something that reminds me of a friend or family member, I get it off for them.
✓ If I come across something that reminds me of a friend or family member, I get it for them.
The phrasal verb 'get off' is incorrect in this context. The correct phrasing is 'get it for them' meaning purchase it on their behalf. Removing 'off' corrects the preposition error.
× These spontaneous churches can strengthen relationship and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
✓ These spontaneous gestures can strengthen relationships and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
'Churches' is a wrong word substitution (likely meant 'gestures'), and 'relationship' should be plural as a general noun 'relationships'. Correcting the noun choice and plurality fixes meaning and grammar.
× Well, I always set a budget to ensure I don't overspend gifts.
✓ Well, I always set a budget to ensure I don't overspend on gifts.
'Overspend' needs the preposition 'on' when referring to spending on something. Adding 'on' corrects the verb-preposition collocation.
× It is a true gift.
✓ A thoughtful, inexpensive gift can be truly meaningful.
The original sentence 'It is a true gift' is vague and awkward in context. Rewriting to 'A thoughtful, inexpensive gift can be truly meaningful' clarifies meaning and matches surrounding sentences.
× It might allow for a larger budget.
✓ Sometimes, saving on small gifts might allow for a larger budget for other occasions.
The original sentence is unclear about what 'it' refers to. Clarifying the subject and adding context improves coherence and sentence structure.
× I also look for sales and discounts to get the best value.
✓ I also look for sales and discounts to get the best value.
This sentence is correct; no change needed. Included for completeness.
× For instance, during the winter holiday I once made a cookie for my friend.
✓ For instance, during the winter holidays I once made cookies for my friend.
'Winter holidays' is more natural as a plural when referring to that season. Also 'a cookie' could be plural 'cookies' if more than one was made; plural sounds more natural. This adjusts noun number to typical usage.
× I believe that handmade gifts are unique and often more meaningful than store bought ones as they show thoughtfulness and effort.
✓ I believe that handmade gifts are unique and often more meaningful than store-bought ones, as they show thoughtfulness and effort.
Add hyphen in 'store-bought' (compound adjective) and include a comma before 'as' to separate clauses. This corrects punctuation and compound adjective form.
× For some people, expensive gifts might be appreciated, while others might refer something more personal.
✓ For some people, expensive gifts might be appreciated, while others might prefer something more personal.
'Refer' is the wrong verb here; the correct verb is 'prefer'. Replacing it fixes the sentence meaning and structure.
× Cultural differences can also influence how gifts are perceived, so to give intention and the references are key factors.
✓ Cultural differences can also influence how gifts are perceived, so giving intention and personal relevance are key factors.
The phrase 'to give intention and the references' is ungrammatical and unclear. Use gerund 'giving' and replace 'references' with 'personal relevance' to convey intended meaning and fix structure.