All posts by weblio PH

Theme Talk – Expert: Endangered Species

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. What endangered species can you see in the picture?
Answer:
2. Where do you think they live?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. Name some endangered species you know.
Answer:
2. Are there endangered species in your country?
Answer:
3. Are you worried that endangered species might go extinct?
Answer:
4. Are humans to blame why there are endangered species?
Answer:
5. Would you like to work in a company that helps and protects endangered species? Why or why not?
Answer:
6. Do you think it’s important for people to know which animals are endangered? Why or why not?
Answer:
7. In your own simple way/s, what can you do to help save endangered species?
Answer:
8. Would you encourage others to help you save endangered species?
Answer:
9. What endangered animal best describes you? Why?
Answer:
10. Is it possible for humans to be endangered in the future?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud.
Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. extinct
meaning: [noun] not existing anymore, disappear forever
example: Many endangered animals are going to be extinct if humans won’t stop hunting them.
2. vulnerable
meaning: [adjective] easy to hurt and be harmed
example: Polar bears are in vulnerable state due to the thinning of ice caps.
3. beating on a dead horse
meaning: [idiom] wasting an effort to something/someone when there is no chance/hope at all
example: They are beating on a dead horse because no companies will support them in protecting endangered species.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. extinct
Answer:
2. vulnerable
Answer:
3. beating on a dead horse
Answer:

Theme Talk – Expert: Online Gaming

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. What can you see in the picture?
Answer:
2. When do you use the things in the picture?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. Have you tried playing online games? If you haven’t, why?
Answer:
2. What are the most popular online games in your country?
Answer:
3. If you can play only one online game for the whole day, what would it be and why?
Answer:
4. Do you think online gaming affects students’ performance at school? Why? Why not?
Answer:
5. Have you heard about online gaming competitions? What is your opinion about that?
Answer:
6. Does your country support online gamers who compete in international tournaments? Why? Why not?
Answer:
7. Do you consider online gaming a good hobby? Why? Why not?
Answer:
8. If you could choose between skipping school and playing online games while earning money, which one would you choose?
Answer:
9. Do you think playing online games is good for relieving stress? Why? Why not?
Answer:
10. Why do you think some people get addicted to playing online games?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. gadget
meaning: [noun] a small piece of equipment that does a particular job
example: He owns a gadget that allows him to play while walking.
2. tactic
meaning: [noun] a plan of doing something that you plan to achieve what you want
example: They successfully pulled off their strategic tactics to win the game.
3. rivalry
meaning: [noun] a serious and often continuing competition
example: The rivalry between the two players lasted for almost two years.
MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. gadget
Answer:
2. tactic
Answer:
3. rivalry
Answer:

Theme Talk – Expert: Movie Reviews

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. Do you know this superhero?
Answer:
2. How many people are behind him?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. What can you say about the last movie you watched?
Answer:
2. Based on question number 1, what was its genre/kind of movie?
Answer:
3. Based on question number 1, what was the best scene in that movie? How about worst?
Answer:
4. Would you recommend the movie you watched to others?
Why or why not?
Answer:
5. Describe the worst movie you watched in three words.
Answer:
6. Based on question number 5, why is it the worst movie you watched?
Answer:
7. Describe the best movie you watched in three words.
Answer:
8. Based on question number 7, why is it the best movie you watched?
Answer:
9. Would you watch the best movie again?
Answer:
10. In your opinion, who is the best actor and actress? In what movie/s did they play?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. mediocrity
meaning: [noun] quality is acceptable but not excellent
example: He did not fully enjoy the movie because of its mediocrity.
2. cliché
meaning: [noun] a saying that something/someone lacks originality
example: She did not finish watching the movie because it was full of clichés.
3. on the edge of (one’s) seat
meaning: [idiom] feeling excited and giving someone’s full attention
example: The movie she watched kept her on the edge of her seat.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. mediocrity
Answer:
2. cliché
Answer:
3. on the edge of (one’s) seat
Answer:

Theme Talk – Intermediate: Recycling Materials

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. Where are the flowers planted?
Answer:
2. Is this a good example of a recycled material? Yes or no?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. When was the last time you recycled things? What did you recycle?
Answer:
2. Name three to five things that can be recycled.
Answer:
3. Why do you think recycling is important?
Answer:
4. How often do you recycle materials?
Answer:
5. Would you encourage your family and friends to recycle too?
Answer:
6. Does your country promote recycling? Why? Why not?
Answer:
7. Do you think you save money whenever you recycle? Why? Why not?
Answer:
8. Do you throw away plastic bags and plastic bottles right after you use them?
Answer:

VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. recycle
meaning: [verb] to reuse something for a different or same purpose
example: She made a watering can out of a recycled bottle to water her plants.
2. garbage
meaning: [noun] waste, things that needs to be thrown away
example: He placed his garbage on the right trash can.
3. in deep water
meaning: [adjective] to be in a serious trouble/problem
example: If humans would not stop throwing waste everywhere, their surroundings will be in deep water.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. recycle
Answer:
2. garbage
Answer:
3. in deep water
Answer:

Theme Talk – Intermediate: Traditional Foods

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. What can you see in the picture?
Answer:
2. What are the people doing in the picture?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. What are the three most delicious traditional foods in your country?
Answer:
2. Have you tried any traditional foods from other countries?
Tell me about them.
Answer:
3. Are traditional foods expensive in your country?
Why do you think so?
Answer:
4. Do children in your country like eating traditional foods?
Why? Why not?
Answer:
5. What traditional food did you not like when you were younger?
Answer:
6. When do you usually eat traditional foods?
Answer:
7. Do you think it’s better to cook traditional food at home than
have it delivered from a restaurant?
Answer:
8. What is the first traditional food from your country that you
have ever eaten?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. culture
meaning: [noun] the way of life, habits and traditions of a particular group of people
example: My grandmother tells us stories about the old culture of our hometown.
2. trend
meaning: [noun] the general direction of changes and development
example: The recent food trends did not stop people from eating traditional food.
3. typically
meaning: [adverb] used for saying what usually happens
example: Typically, Filipinos celebrate holidays with traditional foods.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. culture
Answer:
2. trend
Answer:
3. typically
Answer:

Theme Talk – Intermediate: Exotic Pets

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. What kind of animal are they holding?
Answer:
2. Would you like to hold it too? Why or why not?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. Name some exotic animals/pets that you already saw.
Answer:
2. In your opinion, is it safe to own an exotic animal as a pet?
Answer:
3. If you could own an exotic pet, what would it be and why?
Answer:
4. Which do you prefer to own? A snake or a scorpion?
Answer:
5. Is there an exotic animal/pet that you’re afraid of? If yes, what is it?
Answer:
6. What exotic animals/pets does your country have?
Answer:
7. If you could give an exotic pet to your closest friend, what would it be and why?
Answer:
8. What exotic animal/pet describes your personality?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. exotic
meaning: [adjective] unusual, rare
example: Frogs that has a bright-colored skin are exotic and dangerous to humans.
2. personality
meaning: [noun] the kind of person an individual is
example: His favorite exotic animal is spider because it describes his mysterious personality.
3. poisonous
meaning: [adjective] deadly, harmful
example: There are many snakes, spiders and frogs that are poisonous to humans and to other animals.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. exotic
Answer:
2. personality
Answer:
3. poisonous
Answer:

Theme Talk – Intermediate: Online Communication

DESCRIBE THE PICTURE

Look at the picture below and answer the questions to describe it.

ANSWER

1. What can you see in the picture?
Answer:
2. What are the people doing in the picture?
Answer:

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.

ANSWER

1. Do you like communicating online? Why? Why not?
Answer:
2. To whom do you usually communicate online?
Answer:
3. Do you think communicating online is a good idea? Why? Why not?
Answer:
4. How does online communication benefit people?
Answer:
5. How often do you communicate online?
Answer:
6. Do you think communicating online is better than face-to-face conversations? Why? Why not?
Answer:
7. What is your opinion about meeting new people online?
Answer:
8. What problems could people experience when communicating online?
Answer:
VOCABULARY CHECK

Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.

ANSWER

1. link
meaning: [noun] a connection between documents or areas on the internet
example: You have to click the link to visit the website.
2. social networking
meaning: [noun] using web sites to meet people and talk to them
example: I met my friend through social networking.
3. virtual
meaning: [adjective] using computer images and sounds that makes one think an imagined situation is real
example: People often do virtual activities online.

MAKE A SENTENCE

Make sentences using the given vocabulary words.

ANSWER

1. link
Answer:
2. social networking
Answer:
3. virtual
Answer:

[TOEFL] Task 4_Exercise 2

PASSAGE READING

Please read the passage silently for 45 seconds.
Then, please read the passage aloud.

READ

Laughing is essential to people as it is one of their ways to express their emotions. It also helps them feel better since it improves their mood. Another reason why people laugh is to communicate with others. It helps them build relationships. According to a study, laughing is associated with human interaction. In fact, people laugh for about 30 times more when they are with other people as compared to when they are alone.

LECTURE READING

I will read aloud the lecture part. Please take down notes while I am reading.
After that, please read aloud the lecture part.

READ

In today’s lesson, we will be discussing the reasons why people laugh. Laughing has always been a huge part of people’s lives; they can’t go on a day without it. People laugh to express their emotions. They usually laugh when they hear funny jokes or when they are being tickled.
However, people do not only laugh because of funny jokes, they also laugh to communicate. People laugh for about 30 times more during conversations with their family and friends. It is their reactions to statements and comments. In social interactions, people laugh to display some sense of belongingness. It is a way to show the people around them that they understand and agree with them. A study on human relationships reveals that families, couples or friends who deal with problems through laughter feel less stressed. They feel it most especially when they are doing it together. When these problems turn into positive emotions, people feel a lot better both physically and mentally.

QUESTION

Using the examples in the lecture, please explain the reason why people laugh.

ANSWER

You have 60 seconds to answer. Please start your answer now.

ANSWER

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

We will check the sample answers. Please repeat after me.

SAMPLE ANSWERS

The professor is talking about the reasons why people laugh, the topic mentioned in the passage.
According to the passage, people laugh to express their emotions. He also mentions that they laugh to communicate.
The professor gives 2 examples to show the connection of laughter to human interaction by saying that people usually laugh during conversations with their family and friends.
The first point in the passage explains that people laugh to express their emotions.
The professor explains that they usually laugh when they hear funny jokes or when they are being tickled.
The second point in the passage mentions that people also laugh to communicate.
The professor mentions that it is their reactions to statements and comments during conversations.

[TOEFL] Task 4 Exercise 3

PASSAGE READING

Please read the passage silently for 45 seconds.
Then, please read the passage aloud.

READ

Poisonous animals can kill other living things by using poison. However, the poisonous substances inside their bodies do not affect them at all. They use one of the two basic strategies to avoid getting poisoned. Some animals use the first strategy wherein they keep the components of their poison in separate compartments. Others use the second strategy wherein they improve their bodies to become more resistant to poison.

LECTURE READING

I will read aloud the lecture part. Please take down notes while I’m reading.
After that, please read aloud the lecture part.

READ

Have you ever wondered how poisonous animals get to poison other living things but never themselves? In this lesson, we will be discussing the two basic strategies they use: securing the storage of toxins inside their bodies and gradually developing their ability to resist poison.
Let’s start with the first strategy. Some poisonous animals securely store the components of their poison inside their bodies. But why it does not affect them? Let’s use the bombardier beetle as an example. This kind of beetle prevents poisoning itself by keeping the components of its caustic spray in two different compartments located in its abdomen. When the components get mixed together, they create a violent chemical reaction that sends out caustic spray. The spray gets shoot out of the glands but does not affect the beetles as it passes through a hardened chamber that protects the beetle’s organs.
The second strategy focuses on animals improving their ability to resist poison by producing special proteins that inactivate the toxin in their blood. Just like bombardier beetles, snakes also keep their venom in a special compartment located behind their eyes. However, as for snakes, they let a small amount of venom run throughout their bloodstream so they can strengthen their immunity to poison.
These two basic strategies help poisonous animals to be safe and immune to their own toxins.

QUESTION

Using the examples in the lecture, please explain the reasons why poisonous animals do not poison themselves.

ANSWER

You have 60 seconds to answer. Please start now.

ANSWER

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Now, let’s check the sample answer. Please repeat after me.

READ

A professor is talking about the reasons why poisonous animals do not poison themselves, the topic mentioned in the reading passage.
According to the reading passage, poisonous animals prevents poisoning themselves by securely storing the toxic chemicals inside their bodies and developing their ability to resist poison.
The professor gives two examples as to how poisonous animals prevent themselves from being poisoned.
The professor mentions that a bombardier beetle prevents poisoning itself by keeping the components of its caustic spray in two different compartments located in its abdomen.
The second point in the reading passage explains that animals improve their bodies to become more resistant to poison.
The professor mentions that animals produce special proteins to inactive the toxin in their blood and they let a small amount of toxin to run throughout their bloodstream to strengthen their immunity.

[TOEFL] Task 2_Practice 1_1

INSTRUCTION

Please answer the questions below. I will correct your pronunciation and grammar.

QUESTION 1

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some people think children should listen to their parents. Others think children should do what they want and parents should listen to them.
What do you think and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is

QUESTION 2

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some people think having a difficult time is necessary. Others think we should avoid having a difficult time as much as possible.
What do you think and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is

QUESTION 3

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some people like to spend their weekend by doing outdoor activities. Others prefer to spend their weekend at home.
Which do you prefer and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is

QUESTION 4

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some parents think sending their children to school is the most effective way for them to learn. Others think homeschooling is more effective.
What do you think and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is

QUESTION 5

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some people like eating a heavy meal for dinner. Others prefer eating a heavy meal for breakfast.
Which do you prefer and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is

QUESTION 6

You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer.
Some people like to watch movies in a theater. Others prefer to watch movies at home instead.
Which do you prefer and why? Please answer with specific reasons and examples.

ANSWER

I think
The reason I think so, is