Part 1
Giám khảo
Did you do puzzles in your childhood?
Thí sinh
I did not particularly remember doing puzzles in my childhood. However, I tried playing games such as chess and computer games with my friends, with my friends and my brothers, although I did not enjoy doing puzzles.
Giám khảo
When do you do puzzles, during your trip or when you feel bored?
Thí sinh
If I liked doing puzzles, I would imagine doing them in my free time when I was heading to bed and taking some time for myself. My mother, however, does her Sudoku puzzles the first thing in the morning.
Giám khảo
Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more difficult for you?
Thí sinh
I think word puzzles are easier for me, so I prefer doing math puzzles because it is more challenging and it keeps me interested. However, I'm not a fan of both kind of puzzles. I would rather play chess.
Giám khảo
Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?
Thí sinh
It is definitely good for old people to do puzzles. I remember that my grandmother had Alzheimer's disease and my mother always does sudoku first thing in the morning and I remember telling her to keep doing it as it will prevent her from getting Alzheimer disease as well. So I think everyone should do that.
Did you do puzzles in your childhood?
Điểm: 58.0Gợi ý: Be more concise and direct. Start with a clear topic sentence saying whether you did puzzles, then give one or two specific supporting details. Avoid repetition ("with my friends" repeated) and keep to 3–4 sentences. Use simple linking words like "but" or "however" correctly.
Ví dụ: I don’t really remember doing many puzzles as a child. Instead, I spent time playing chess and computer games with my brothers and friends. However, puzzles were not something I enjoyed back then.
When do you do puzzles, during your trip or when you feel bored?
Điểm: 64.0Gợi ý: Be clear about your current habits rather than hypothetical phrasing. Use present simple for routines and contrast with a linking word like "whereas" or "however". Keep it focused: one sentence about you, one about your mother as a comparison.
Ví dụ: I don’t usually do puzzles now, but if I did I would solve them in the evening before bed to relax. My mother, however, prefers doing Sudoku first thing in the morning.
Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more difficult for you?
Điểm: 62.0Gợi ý: Resolve the contradiction: if word puzzles are easier but you prefer math puzzles, explain why briefly. Use correct grammar ("both kinds of puzzles") and avoid conflicting statements. Provide one clear reason for your preference and finish with a concise closing sentence.
Ví dụ: Word puzzles are easier for me, but I prefer number puzzles because they are more challenging and keep me focused. That said, I generally enjoy playing chess more than either type of puzzle.
Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?
Điểm: 70.0Gợi ý: Be careful making medical claims. Say puzzles may help with mental stimulation rather than prevent specific diseases. Structure your answer: state your opinion, give a specific example about your mother or grandmother, then conclude. Use linking words like "for example" and avoid absolute claims.
Ví dụ: Yes, I think puzzles are beneficial for older people because they provide mental stimulation. For example, my mother does Sudoku every morning to keep her mind active, and I encouraged her to continue. In my view, regular mental activity can help maintain cognitive health.
× I did not particularly remember doing puzzles in my childhood.
✓ I do not particularly remember doing puzzles from my childhood.
The speaker is referring to a general memory that still holds now, so present simple is more appropriate than past simple. Use 'do not remember' for a current state of memory and 'from my childhood' is a clearer prepositional phrase for the time period.
× However, I tried playing games such as chess and computer games with my friends, with my friends and my brothers, although I did not enjoy doing puzzles.
✓ However, I played games such as chess and computer games with my friends and my brothers, although I did not enjoy doing puzzles.
The original repeats 'with my friends' and misuses 'tried playing' which suggests an attempt rather than a habitual action. Use simple past 'played' for past habitual activities and avoid repetition for clarity.
× If I liked doing puzzles, I would imagine doing them in my free time when I was heading to bed and taking some time for myself.
✓ If I like doing puzzles, I imagine doing them in my free time when I am going to bed and taking some time for myself.
The sentence mixes past and conditional forms incorrectly. The speaker should use present real condition (if I like) with present simple (I imagine) to describe a habitual action. 'Heading to bed' is acceptable but 'going to bed' fits common usage; keep consistent present tense.
× My mother, however, does her Sudoku puzzles the first thing in the morning.
✓ My mother, however, does her Sudoku puzzles first thing in the morning.
The adverbial phrase 'first thing in the morning' does not need the definite article 'the' when describing a habitual routine. Use present simple 'does' for habitual action.
× I think word puzzles are easier for me, so I prefer doing math puzzles because it is more challenging and it keeps me interested.
✓ I think word puzzles are easier for me, but I prefer math puzzles because they are more challenging and keep me interested.
Contradictory connectors 'so' was awkward; use 'but' to contrast. 'Math puzzles' is plural, so follow with plural pronoun 'they' and plural verb 'are'. Also remove redundant 'doing' and 'it' for smoother structure.
× However, I'm not a fan of both kind of puzzles.
✓ However, I'm not a fan of either kind of puzzle.
Use 'either' (not 'both') with a negative and 'kind' should be singular when modified by 'either'. Also 'puzzle' as a countable noun fits after 'kind of' in singular form.
× It is definitely good for old people to do puzzles.
✓ It is definitely good for elderly people to do puzzles.
'Old people' is grammatically acceptable but 'elderly people' is more natural and polite. Tense is fine (present general statement).
× I remember that my grandmother had Alzheimer's disease and my mother always does sudoku first thing in the morning and I remember telling her to keep doing it as it will prevent her from getting Alzheimer disease as well.
✓ I remember that my grandmother had Alzheimer's disease. My mother always does Sudoku first thing in the morning, and I remember telling her to keep doing it because I thought it would help prevent her from getting Alzheimer's disease as well.
Run-on sentence with mixed tenses. Split into sentences for clarity. Use past tense 'thought' or past modal 'would' when referring to a past belief: 'I thought it would help prevent' or 'I believed it would prevent'. 'Alzheimer's disease' requires possessive form and consistent capitalization for 'Sudoku'. Replace 'as' with 'because' for clearer causal connection.