Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you look out the window at the scenery when travelling by bus or car?
Thí sinh
Yes, I usually look out of the window when I travel by bus or car because I find it very relaxing and I enjoy seeing the landscape change. For instance, when I travel to Manali last year, the mountains were covered in lush green forest which made the journey really memorable.
Giám khảo
Do you take photos of the scenery outside the car window?
Thí sinh
Yes, whenever I travel by car or bus, I usually take the photos of the different kinds of landscape from my iPhone. This is very passionate for me and I also would like to love a photography class in the future, so I'm just learning about it right now.
Giám khảo
Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?
Thí sinh
I prefer mountains over the sea. I remember last year I visited Manali for hiking purpose with my friends. I was very happy during that time and I will cherish this memory throughout my life. So I prefer the mountains over the sea in my future as well.
Do you look out the window at the scenery when travelling by bus or car?
Điểm: 78.0Gợi ý: Your answer is clear and relevant with a good example, but there are small issues with word choice and sentence variety. To improve, use a concise topic sentence, vary sentence structures, correct minor grammar (e.g. 'when I travel' → 'when I travel', avoid 'when I travel to Manali last year'—use past tense consistently), and add a linking phrase to connect the reason and the example. Keep responses to no more than 4–5 sentences.
Ví dụ: I usually look out of the window when I travel by bus or car because I find it very relaxing and interesting to watch the landscape change. For example, when I traveled to Manali last year, the mountains were covered in lush green forests, which made the journey especially memorable. Because I enjoy observing nature, looking out the window helps me relax and feel inspired.
Do you take photos of the scenery outside the car window?
Điểm: 65.0Gợi ý: The idea is good but the answer has several grammar and phrasing mistakes and some redundancy. Improve accuracy by using natural collocations ('take photos' without 'the', 'I am passionate about this', 'I would like to take a photography class') and by linking motivations and future plans concisely. Aim for 2–3 sentences: a topic sentence plus a brief reason or plan.
Ví dụ: Yes, I often take photos of the scenery from my iPhone when I travel. I am passionate about photography and plan to take a photography class in the future to improve my skills, so I practice by photographing different landscapes during trips.
Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?
Điểm: 72.0Gợi ý: Your answer states your preference and gives a personal example, which is good. Improve by using a clear topic sentence plus concise supporting details, correct awkward phrases ('for hiking purpose' → 'for hiking'), and avoid repetition. Add a brief reason why you prefer mountains (e.g. for hiking, fresh air, scenery).
Ví dụ: I prefer the mountains to the sea because I enjoy hiking and being surrounded by nature. For example, I visited Manali last year with friends for a hiking trip; the trails and fresh mountain air made the experience unforgettable, so I would choose mountains again in the future.
× Yes, I usually look out of the window when I travel by bus or car because I find it very relaxing and I enjoy seeing the landscape change.
✓ Yes, I usually look out of the window when I travel by bus or car because I find it very relaxing and enjoy watching the landscape change.
The original sentence is mostly correct but contains a slight stylistic issue: 'enjoy seeing the landscape change' is acceptable, but 'enjoy watching the landscape change' is more natural when referring to observing scenery. No tense change is required; keep present simple for habitual actions. Suggest simplifying by removing the repeated subject 'I' before 'enjoy' for smoother flow.
× For instance, when I travel to Manali last year, the mountains were covered in lush green forest which made the journey really memorable.
✓ For instance, when I traveled to Manali last year, the mountains were covered in lush green forest, which made the journey really memorable.
The clause refers to a past event and should use past simple 'traveled' rather than present 'travel'. Also add a comma before the nonrestrictive clause 'which made the journey really memorable.' Use past tense consistently for actions completed in the past.
× Yes, whenever I travel by car or bus, I usually take the photos of the different kinds of landscape from my iPhone.
✓ Yes, whenever I travel by car or bus, I usually take photos of the different kinds of landscapes with my iPhone.
The phrase 'take the photos' incorrectly uses definite article 'the'; use 'take photos' for general action. 'Different kinds of landscape' should be plural 'different kinds of landscapes' or 'different types of landscape'. Use 'with my iPhone' instead of 'from my iPhone' to indicate the device used to take photos.
× This is very passionate for me and I also would like to love a photography class in the future, so I'm just learning about it right now.
✓ Photography is a passion of mine and I would like to take a photography class in the future, so I'm learning about it right now.
'This is very passionate for me' is incorrect: 'passionate' describes a person, not an activity; use 'Photography is a passion of mine.' 'Would like to love a photography class' is ungrammatical; use 'would like to take a photography class.' Remove redundant 'just' for clarity. Maintain present progressive 'I'm learning' to show ongoing action.
× I prefer mountains over the sea.
✓ I prefer the mountains to the sea.
Common collocation is 'prefer X to Y' not 'prefer X over Y' and include the definite article when speaking about general categories of natural features: 'the mountains' and 'the sea.' This yields a more natural and grammatical sentence.
× I remember last year I visited Manali for hiking purpose with my friends.
✓ I remember that last year I visited Manali for hiking with my friends.
Use 'visited' (past simple) correctly; add 'that' after 'remember' for clarity (optional). 'For hiking purpose' is ungrammatical; use 'for hiking' or 'for hiking purposes.' The revised sentence uses past tense consistently and natural noun phrase.
× I was very happy during that time and I will cherish this memory throughout my life.
✓ I was very happy at that time and I will cherish that memory throughout my life.
'During that time' is acceptable but 'at that time' is more natural here. Use 'that memory' to refer back to the specific experience. Future tense 'will cherish' is fine for a future-continuing sentiment; no change needed except wording for naturalness.
× So I prefer the mountains over the sea in my future as well.
✓ So I will prefer the mountains to the sea in the future as well.
The original mixes present preference with future intent awkwardly. To express continuing future preference, use 'will prefer' or better simply 'I will continue to prefer the mountains to the sea.' Also use the collocation 'prefer X to Y' and 'in the future' rather than 'in my future.'