Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you like shopping?
Thí sinh
Absolutely. I think shopping is one of the best ways for me to de stress. I really enjoy going into the stores that I love and comparing prices and looking for the things that I feel like would really benefit me in terms of clothes or sometimes stationery.
Giám khảo
Do you compare prices when you shop? Why?
Thí sinh
I do like to compare prices for the sole reason of finding the best deal for me. I work very hard for my money and I do believe that spending on something should be very valuable to me and it should be worth the money I'm spending as well.
Giám khảo
Is it difficult for you to make choices when you shop?
Thí sinh
In my experience, it's only difficult to make choices when I shop whenever I don't know what I'm looking for. These are the instances that I shop for, the things that I don't know what I'm buying for and when I'm buying it for. But when I do know what I want, it's easier for me to compare prices and look for better deals, either online or in store.
Giám khảo
Do you think expensive products are always better than cheaper ones?
Thí sinh
Contrary to popular belief, I do believe that there are cheaper products that are better in terms of performance compared to the expensive products. Whenever I shop, I always look out for quality before I look at the price and then I compare on which is the best deal I can get.
Do you like shopping?
Điểm: 84.0Gợi ý: Your answer is natural and relevant, with good detail about why you like shopping. To improve, make the response slightly more concise, avoid repetition (e.g., repeating “comparing prices” later), and use a clear topic sentence followed by one or two supporting details with linking words to enhance coherence.
Ví dụ: Yes, I do. Shopping is a great way for me to de-stress because I enjoy exploring stores and finding useful items. Moreover, I like comparing prices and options so I can choose clothes or stationery that offer both good quality and value.
Do you compare prices when you shop? Why?
Điểm: 88.0Gợi ý: This is a clear and relevant answer with a personal reason, which is excellent. To improve, tighten the language to avoid redundancy (e.g., “should be very valuable to me” and “worth the money” convey the same idea). Use a linking phrase to connect reason and consequence.
Ví dụ: Yes, I always compare prices because I work hard for my money and want to get the best value. Therefore, I check different shops and online stores to ensure I buy something durable and reasonably priced.
Is it difficult for you to make choices when you shop?
Điểm: 78.0Gợi ý: Your idea is clear but the answer is a bit repetitive and wordy. Simplify the structure: state the main point, then give a specific example or brief explanation. Use linking words like 'however' or 'for example' to improve coherence.
Ví dụ: Usually no — unless I’m uncertain about what I need. For example, when I buy a gift without a clear idea, I struggle to choose; however, if I know exactly what I want, I can quickly compare prices online and in shops.
Do you think expensive products are always better than cheaper ones?
Điểm: 86.0Gợi ý: Good opinion and clear stance. To improve, make the statement more concise and add a specific example to support your view. Use linking words like 'for instance' to make the support concrete.
Ví dụ: No, I don’t think so. Cheaper products can sometimes perform better; for instance, I once bought an affordable phone with excellent battery life that outperformed a more expensive model. Therefore, I always check quality first and then compare prices to find the best deal.
× I think shopping is one of the best ways for me to de stress.
✓ I think shopping is one of the best ways for me to de-stress.
The issue is with word formation: 'de stress' should be written as a hyphenated verb form 'de-stress' or as one word 'destress'. Using the hyphen clarifies it is a verb phrase modifying 'ways'. Suggestion: use 'de-stress' or 'destress'.
× I really enjoy going into the stores that I love and comparing prices and looking for the things that I feel like would really benefit me in terms of clothes or sometimes stationery.
✓ I really enjoy going into the stores that I love, comparing prices, and looking for things that I feel would really benefit me in terms of clothes or sometimes stationery.
The original sentence is wordy and contains an unnecessary 'like' and redundant 'the' before 'things'. Remove 'like' after 'feel' (colloquial) and streamline the parallel verb forms: 'going', 'comparing', and 'looking'. Also remove the definite article 'the' before 'things' to make it more natural.
× I do like to compare prices for the sole reason of finding the best deal for me.
✓ I do like to compare prices for the sole reason of finding the best deal for me.
This sentence is grammatically acceptable. It uses 'do like' for emphasis with correct verb form for first person, so no change is required. Included here to explicitly indicate no error with third-person singular.
× I work very hard for my money and I do believe that spending on something should be very valuable to me and it should be worth the money I'm spending as well.
✓ I work very hard for my money, and I believe that spending on something should be valuable to me and worth the money I'm spending.
Redundant phrases 'do believe' and 'very' make sentence wordy. 'Should be very valuable to me and it should be worth' repeats the idea; combine clauses and remove redundancy for clarity. This addresses pronoun and phrasing repetition.
× In my experience, it's only difficult to make choices when I shop whenever I don't know what I'm looking for.
✓ In my experience, it's only difficult to make choices when I shop if I don't know what I'm looking for.
Using 'whenever' creates a tense/aspect awkwardness; 'if' is the correct conditional connector for general present situations. The sentence refers to habitual present, so 'if I don't know' is appropriate.
× These are the instances that I shop for, the things that I don't know what I'm buying for and when I'm buying it for.
✓ These are the times I shop for things when I don't know what I'm buying or why I'm buying it.
Original sentence has poor structure and redundant prepositions ('for' repeated) and unnatural phrasing 'the things that I don't know what I'm buying for and when I'm buying it for.' Rephrase to clear relative clauses and remove extra 'for'. Use 'times' instead of 'instances' for natural speech.
× But when I do know what I want, it's easier for me to compare prices and look for better deals, either online or in store.
✓ But when I do know what I want, it's easier for me to compare prices and look for better deals, either online or in stores.
Use plural 'stores' for natural collocation 'online or in stores'. Tense and structure are correct otherwise.
× Contrary to popular belief, I do believe that there are cheaper products that are better in terms of performance compared to the expensive products.
✓ Contrary to popular belief, I believe that some cheaper products perform better than expensive ones.
Streamline and correct comparative structure: 'are better in terms of performance compared to the expensive products' is wordy and awkward. Use comparative 'perform better than' and replace 'the expensive products' with 'expensive ones' for natural phrasing. Also remove redundant 'do' in 'do believe'.
× Whenever I shop, I always look out for quality before I look at the price and then I compare on which is the best deal I can get.
✓ Whenever I shop, I always look for quality before I look at the price, and then I compare to see which is the best deal I can get.
'Look out for' is usually used for warnings; 'look for' is better for seeking quality. 'Compare on which' is incorrect; use 'compare to see which' or 'compare which one is the best'. Also add a comma before 'and' for clarity.