你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a time when you taught a friend/relative something * You should say: * Who you taught * What/how you taught * What the result was * And explain how you felt about the experience [图片] **Standard Phrase **Words showing Cohesion (C&C) An experience I remember teaching a close friend was two years ago. It was my best friend, Mei, who was grappling with challenges in English pronunciation. She had a keen interest in improving her language skills, particularly in achieving a more authentic American accent. In our teaching sessions, I adopted a comprehensive approach. I started by breaking down the basics of English pronunciation, introducing her to phonetic symbols, and sharing various tips and tricks to enhance her pronunciation. It was crucial to create a comfortable learning environment, so we focused on practical exercises that made the learning process enjoyable. I remember laughing a lot! The results were gratifying. She demonstrated exceptional dedication, practicing rigorously, and I was there to provide guidance and give constructive feedback. Over time, her English pronunciation showed remarkable improvement, reflecting her commitment and the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts. Personally, the experience was incredibly rewarding. Being actively involved in someone's learning journey and witnessing tangible progress was fulfilling. It not only highlighted my ability to teach, but also emphasized the impact that supportive and tailored guidance can have on an individual's skill development. This encounter with a hands-on teaching method gave me a sense of accomplishment, confirming that I possess the capability to effectively impart knowledge to those around me. * grapple with 尽力解决 * have a keen interest in 对……有浓厚的兴趣 * authentic 地道的 * teaching sessions 教学环节 * adopt 采取 * a comprehensive approach 全面的办法；综合的方案 * break down 分解 * the basics of ……的基础知识 * phonetic symbols 音标 * tips 技巧 * enhance 增强；提升 * practical exercises 实践练习 * gratifying 令人高兴的；让人满意的 * demonstrate 展示 * exceptional 优秀的；卓越的 * dedication 尽心尽力 * rigorously 严格地 * provide guidance 提供指导 * give constructive feedback 提供建设性的反馈 * remarkable improvement 显著提升 * commitment 投入 * collaborative 合作的；协同的 * incredibly rewarding 非常值得 * actively involved in 积极投入 * witness 目睹 * tangible progress 肉眼可见的进步 * emphasize 强调 * supportive 支持的；给与帮助的 * tailored guidance 专门指导 * encounter with 遇到 * hands-on 亲身实践的；上手的 * a sense of accomplishment 成就感 * possess the capability to 拥有……的能力 * impart knowledge 传授知识

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating in restaurants? I think there’s at least a couple for both. One of the benefits from dining at a restaurant is that it's fast and convenient, and secondly, it makes a break from cooking at home. Also, with restaurants, one has a diverse range of choices from which to choose, and that can cater to different tastes, and of course, saves one from the hassle of doing dishes. Another thing that comes to mind is the social aspect of dining out, which allows people to socialize with acquaintances, friends and family. On the contrary, the cost, I believe, is considerably higher than cooking at home. Second is that some people may find the atmosphere to be noisy or the place crowded, affecting their overall dining experience. Moreover, the reliance on restaurant meals may contribute to eating unhealthily due to hidden additives like MSG and calories and the like. * dine at a restaurant 出去吃饭 * a break from 休息 * a diverse range of 多种多样的 * different tastes 不同的口味 * save one from the hassle of 省去……的麻烦 * dine out 出去吃饭 * considerably higher than 比……高得多 * atmosphere 气氛 * reliance on 依赖 * additives 添加剂 * MSG 味精 [图片] What fast food is there in your country? In my country, fast food options abound. International chains like KFC and McDonald's offer a variety of items, but predominantly centered around chicken and fries. Subway is another common choice, but nowhere near as busy as the big fast-food chains, and specializes in sandwiches. While Pizza Hut is also ever-present, it may not be as fast as expected, so actually, come to think of it, I’m not sure if we classify it as fast food or not. We also have Chinese versions of the fast-food giants I mentioned, and there are local pizza fast-food joints too. I guess we can say there is also traditional Chinese fast food, like the bowls of hot pot, noodles, soups etcetera, one can buy on the street, but in a way, for me anyway, when I think of fast food, I usually think ‘fast food’ being synonymous with Western food, as in being an element of Western food. * abound 有很多 * international chains 国际连锁 * center around 围绕 * specialize in 专做 * ever-present 永远都在 * classify...as 把……归为 * joints 场所 * synonymous with 是……的代名词 [图片] Why do some people choose to eat out instead of ordering takeout? I think there’s a variety of reasons why people opt to dine out instead of ordering takeout. Primarily, I would say, it's about the ambiance. Restaurants provide a distinct atmosphere which ordering takeout can’t replicate. Whether it's a romantic date, a gathering with coworkers, or a celebration with friends, the social aspect is crucial. Young people often choose popular restaurants like Haidilao, a famous hotpot chain, for birthday celebrations, where they enjoy not just the food, but also the entertaining noodle performances, dances, and the vibrant atmosphere. Moreover, the convenience of restaurants located in or near malls adds an extra layer of enjoyment, allowing people to combine dining with leisure activities like shopping or taking an after-dinner stroll. * opt to 选择 * replicate 复制 * crucial 至关重要的 * vibrant 有活力的；朝气蓬勃的 * add an extra layer of 添加一层…… * leisure 闲暇的；悠闲的 * after-dinner stroll 饭后散步 [图片] Do people in your country socialize in restaurants? Haha, in fact, I would say the Chinese are renowned internationally for being great restaurant socializers. Socializing in restaurants is deeply ingrained in our culture. Beyond merely serving as a space to eat, restaurants play a pivotal role in hosting a myriad of significant events. From weddings, with their jubilant celebrations, to birthday parties where friends and family gather to celebrate. But I would say most of all, that, for the majority, they eat in restaurants, whether cheap and in a poor area, or in the best restaurants, to socialize, and in fact, we could even say it is almost tied with eating. * renowned 知名的 * socializers 社交爱好者 * socialize 社交 * deeply ingrained in 根深蒂固；扎根于 * play a pivotal role in 在……中发挥着重要的作用 * a myriad of 大量的 * tied with 与……是捆绑的 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a time when you saw a lot of people smiling. You should say: * Where you were * What the people were doing * Why they were smiling * And explain your feelings about this situation. A moment I can recall that brought immense joy and smiles to thousands of people was on August 9th of this year when I went to Gardens by the Bay with a few of my classmates in Singapore, surrounded by a diverse crowd, predominantly Singaporeans. The atmosphere was stimulating as everyone came together to celebrate Singapore's National Day. People of all ages, from kids to adults and seniors, were gathered for this grand event. There were so many people that we could hardly find a place to lay down our picnic blanket on the rooftop of a huge building. There were supersonic fighter jets flying through the sky. And there were also two fighter jets slowly gliding through the sky, proudly carrying the Singapore flag. The sense of pride was palpable, and the collective joy on everyone's faces was truly heartwarming. As night fell, the real spectacle began. We all watched in awe as a magnificent display of fireworks illuminated the sky. The beauty of the moment wasn't just in the dazzling lights but in the unity of the people. I could see the genuine smiles on faces, and it wasn't just about the spectacular show; it was a celebration of their country, a moment of shared pride and identity. What struck me the most was the inclusivity of the event. It wasn't limited to Singaporeans; foreigners like myself were also welcome to join in the event. It felt like more than just a display; it was a collective expression of love for their country. Personally, I was touched by the event. Being physically present rather than watching it on TV made it a participatory experience. It wasn't just about witnessing the celebration; it was about becoming a part of it. The contagious joy and pride I felt that day made it an unforgettable celebration. * diverse 多样化的 * predominantly 主要是；以……为主 * stimulating 振奋人心；很有意思 * people of all ages 各年龄段的人 * could hardly find 几乎找不到 * supersonic 超音速的 * glide 滑过 * palpable 明显的 * heartwarming 感人的 * spectacle 精彩的表演 * in awe 震撼；敬畏 * illuminated the sky 点亮天空 * dazzling lights 让人眼花缭乱的灯光 * the unity of ……的团结 * genuine 真诚的 * spectacular 壮观的；精彩的 * shared 共同的 * inclusivity 包容 * collective 集体的；共有的 * participatory 允许所以成员参与；参与性 * contagious 有感染力的 [图片]

好久不见！欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 What sports can help keep people healthy? I think all types of sports can help people maintain their health, but some of the best sports are those that focus on cardio, such as jogging, playing squash, basketball, tennis, swimming, and the like. All sports in some way help us to move our body so that’s why a lot of people, after sitting in an office or a classroom for hours, go jogging or play a sport as it helps shake off the sedentary position many of us find ourselves in every day working in an office or sitting at a desk. * maintain their health 保持健康 * cardio 有氧运动 * playing squash 打壁球 * shake off 摆脱 * sedentary 久坐的 [Image] Are there health classes in your school? Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by ‘health classes’, but certainly all schools incorporate PE classes into their curriculum. For example, back in my school days, every week we had one or two physical education classes where we were taught sports and knowledge about health, for instance, what makes a healthy diet and how to protect our eyesight. They were fun, and for most of us, it was the class we looked forward to every week. * incorporate 包含 * curriculum 课表 * physical education 体育课 * look forward to 期待 [Image] What is your favorite sport? I don’t really have a favorite sport because I’m the type of person who, unfortunately, have poor eye-hand coordination, not to mention two left feet, and as a result, I’m not good at any type of sport. Hence, I’ve developed a dislike for most sports. I do enjoy long walks though, as well as bicycling, and sometimes, I go for long walks and can walk for hours without losing my breath. * poor eye-hand coordination 手眼不协调 * two left feet 笨手笨脚 * without losing my breath 不会上气不接下气 [Image] How do you keep healthy? As I just mentioned, I’m not a sports person, rather long walks tend to be my cup of tea and that’s what I do to keep healthy. I sit for hours every day because of the nature of my work and also because I like reading, so kind of a static sedentary lifestyle. I like to go bicycling in the morning though, and sometimes in the evening, I go for a walk. * my cup of tea 我喜欢的东西 * the nature of ……的性质 * static sedentary lifestyle 久坐的生活方式

你好呀，欢迎收听英语考试Cat🐱🐱🐱🐱 很多备考雅思口语的小伙伴，很关心自己的英语发音。这一期教你让英语发音突飞猛进的方法。 我的方法很简单，就4个词： 停顿、重读、不读、连读 接下来，我详细解释这4个词的含义，并附带练习的句子。 第1个词： 1. 停顿 我刻意把“停顿”放到最前面，因为其它3个方法，都是以停顿为前提的。 当一句话比较长的时候，我们可以按意思，把句子分成几个小块，每个小块就是一个意群，意群和意群之间稍微停顿即可，这样就会显得很有节奏，也方便听众抓取关键信息。 我截取了乔布斯在斯坦福大学演讲的几句话，来举例。 I am honored to be with you today / at your commencement / from one of the finest universities / in the world. 单独看任何一个意群，它的意思是完整的: * I am honored to be with you today * at your commencement * from one of the finest universities * in the world 当然，你可以不用划分这么多意群，具体划多少，看自己的肺活量吧，哈哈。 同理，接下来这几句话，我们在朗读之前，先在纸上、屏幕上，或脑子里划分意群： Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten / to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you / three stories from my life. The first story is about / connecting the dots. I dropped out of Reed College / after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in / for another 18 months or so / before I really quit. 了解意群后，我们来看第2个词： 2. 重（zhong）读 一句话里比较重要的词（多为实词），比如名词、动词、形容词、副词，或你想强调的词，读重一点。 举例： I am honored to be with you today / at your commencement / from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories. The first story is about connecting the dots. 目前为止，我们学习了意群和重读，现在来看第3个词： 3. 不读 我就不用高深的术语了（对，说的就是“失去爆破”）。 大前提：在同一个意群的、两个相邻的词。当前一个词的词尾为： k/g/t/d/p/b这些音，后一个词的开头为辅音，那么，前一个词词尾的/k/g/t/d/p/d等辅音，不用发出来。 如果你实在不知道什么是辅音，那就看后一个词的开头，是不是辅音字母（除了A/E/I/O/U，其它英语字母都为辅音字母）。 有一点得注意，前一个词词尾的辅音，虽然不用读出来，但最好顿半秒，把位置还是要给人家留出来。 举例： honored to at your want to big deal just three first story the first six months but then 第4个词： 4. 连读 大前提：在同一个意群的、两个相邻的词。 当前一个词为辅音结尾，后一个词为元音开头，这个时候，可以把两个词连起来读。 举例： one of this is that's it out of 小提示：t的左右两边都是元音字母的时候，发音可以浊化成/d/。 stayed around as a drop-in did I drop out 现在，我们一起练习读这几句话。 * ' 表示这个词要重读 * 下划线表示连读 * / 表示停顿 * 横线表示不读、顿半秒 I am 'honored to be with you today / at your 'commencement / from one of the 'finest 'universities in the world. I 'never graduated from college. 'Truth be told, this is the 'closest I’ve ever gotten / to a 'college graduation. 'Today / I want to tell you 'three stories from my life. That’s it. 'No big deal. Just 'three stories. The 'first story is about / 'connecting the dots. I 'dropped out of 'Reed College / after the 'first '6 months, but then 'stayed around as a 'drop-in / for 'another '18 'months or so / before I 'really quit. So 'why did I drop out? 总结一下，让英语发音突飞猛进的方法，就八个字： 停顿、重读、不读、连读 下次看到任何英语句子，都先停下来，每句话都做4种标记，再朗读。 下次开口讲英语，也刻意训练“停顿、重读、不读、连读”，长此以往，你的发音就会嗖嗖嗖，提上去。 希望对你有帮助。

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you usually buy coffee in a coffee shop? Yes, I do. Usually, I walk to a coffee shop, and in most cases, that's Starbucks, to get a cup of ice Mocha. I don't really order coffee online, and in fact, I've never done that, especially after moving to Singapore. For me, a cup of coffee deserves a special trip, walking to the shop, and sipping it there, forms part of the 'coffee experience'. That's why a majority of coffee shops offer a relaxing ambiance I think, with nice music, lighting, comfortable tables and chairs– these 'frills', so to speak, add to the coffee experience. * deserve 值得 * sip 抿 * experience 体验 * a majority of 大多数 * ambiance 氛围 [图片] When was the last time you had a cup of coffee? Well,I had a cup of coffee earlier this afternoon. Getting an ice Mocha on a sunny day has become a routine for me. Perhaps it's psychological, but I feel more productive with a cup of coffee on my table and feel it's conducive to my reading or working. I guess it gives me my caffeine and sugar fix. * routine 惯例 * psychological 心理（作用） * feel more productive 感觉更高效 * conductive 有益 * caffeine 咖啡因 * sugar fix 补充糖分 [图片] Do you prefer to use tea or coffee to serve your guests? It depends on what type of guests I'm serving. Since most of my guests are my own age –millennials – we much prefer bubble tea to coffee or tea these days. When my friends come over, one of the things we most like to do together is order bubble tea online and sometimes it can be a time-consuming process because there are basically hundreds of options to choose from! If, however, my guests are older, then tea is the best choice. And there are some very nice green teas in my kitchen cabinet for this very purpose. However, in saying that, if I have a dinner party, after dinner, we may make some coffee. * * millennials 千禧一代 * bubble tea 奶茶 * time-consuming 耗时的 * options 选择 [图片] Dopeople like tea and coffee nowadays? Again, it really depends on what type of demographics we are talking about. But generally, older people prefer tea to coffee. In fact, a lot of them, especially those not living in big cities, have probably never tried coffee before and are hesitant to try it. Tea seems to be the favorite beverage for this demographic. The younger generation, on the other hand, drink coffee more. And as I mentioned, the trappings of today’s cafés make it ideal for friends. * demographics 群体 * hesitant 犹豫 * beverage 饮料 * ideal 理想的

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Do you like chatting with friends? Absolutely. I chat with my friends a lot in my free time. We gossip, make weekend plans, and talk about such things as brunch or dinner places, that sort of thing. Yesterday a few friends first chatted online and then met up to shop for presents and talked about throwing a surprise birthday party for a mutual friend. * gossip 八卦 * weekend plans 周末计划 * met up 见面 * throwing a surprise birthday party 举办惊喜生日派对 * mutual friend 共同的朋友 [图片] What do you usually chat about with friends? We chat about almost everything. We talk about our school projects, our various courses, the best places to shop, our weekend plans, and other more mundane things, like about our days…what made or screwed up our day, and that sort of thing. Sometimes we talk about current events or heavier subjects, but rarely. * mundane 世俗的；平常的 * screw up 搞砸 * current events 时事 * heavier subjects 沉重的话题 [图片] Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or via social media? Though chatting online is more convenient, I much prefer to communicate with friends in person because sometimes words cannot convey our emotions one hundred percent. I feel more connected with a friend when we meet and chat and hang out together. Also, without meeting up and spending time together, a new friend, or an acquaintance, will simply remain forever an acquaintance, or just someone I know, and not really a true friend. * in person 当面 * convey 传达；传递 * acquaintance 熟人 * a true friend 真正的朋友 [图片] Do you prefer to chat with a group of people or with only one friend? I think it depends on my state of mind and the particular occasion. There are times when I’m in the mood to hang out with only one friend and have a deep conversation. When I’m with a group of people, I can get a little timid sometimes and most likely won’t talk much, especially when I don’t know the group members well. Conversely, I can become much more animated in a group conversation when everyone knows everyone else. * state of mind 思想状态 * in the mood 心情好；在状态 * a deep conversation 深度交流 * animated 活跃

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Why are some meeting places better than others? I guess it’s because some places have a nicer ambiance, for example, a nice café down the road or a pleasant park. These places are usually quieter and friends can chat without being interrupted. Noisy places, on the other hand, are less desirable places to meet I think because it’s difficult to have a conversation without kinda yelling. So, places that are quieter are better. * ambiance 气氛；氛围 * with being interrupted 不被打扰 [图片] Are there any differences between your favorite meeting places in the present and those from your childhood? Yeah, sure. Back when I was a kid, I used to meet my friends at their home. For us, that was a way of showing friendship, inviting friends over. We would visit each other’s home and help with the farm work. These days, me and my friends usually meet in a restaurant and after the meal, take a walk in the park or go to a café and chat. * inviting friends over 邀朋友到家 [图片] Do you think there are some places that are more suitable for meeting with others? It depends on who one is meeting. If they’re meeting with family members, a restaurant is probably the best option. If they are meeting important clients, an office meeting room is more suitable. And I guess when meeting a classmate, then places like the school library or exercise courts are better, and for meeting with friends, as I said, a quiet place is best. * the best option 最好的选择 [图片] Where are your favorite places to meet with people? As I mentioned, I prefer to meet friends in a restaurant that we both like. We can order some nice food and drinks and just chat over the meal. I think it’s a very pleasant thing to do. * chat over the meal 边吃饭边聊天 [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 [图片] Do you like taking photos? Yes, definitely. However, unlike lots of young females who perhaps take numerous selfies and share them on social media, I tend to take photos of my cats, my books, nice food my husband cooks, and places I’ve traveled to. Do you like taking selfies? It depends, really. When I was much younger, I was a little bit narcissistic and the albums of my smartphone were full of selfies. But as I got older, I started to lose interest in taking photos of myself, instead, as I mentioned just now, I take photos of my cats, books, notes, and the like, but once in a while, I take a selfie. What is your favorite family photo? Umm…when I think about it, I don’t really have a proper family photo. Somebody’s always missing in the family photos. I think the only complete family photo is the one my family took two years ago in the yard of my home back in Sichuan. It was Spring Festival time and after lunch, I suggested we have a photo together. And that one is my favorite. Do you want to improve your photography skills? Yes, I do. I’m so unconfident with my photography skills that whenever I’m grabbed by somebody to take a photo for them, I would always politely reject their request. For example, last summer in Chengdu, I was strolling in a park with my friend and there was this older man who seemed to be traveling by himself, and he asked if I can help take a photo of him so that he can send to his children, I said I can’t and had to ask my friend to do it for him. So yes, I want to improve my photography skills and come to think of it, I might even take photography lessons. Standard Phrases: * Yes, definitely. * It depends, really. * Umm…when I think about it, * Yes, I do. * So yes, * But once in a while Vocabulary: * Numerous 无数的 * Narcissistic 自恋的 * Unconfident 不自信 * Grabbed by somebody 被某人捉住 * Politely reject their request 礼貌拒绝 * Strolling 散步 * And come to think of it 仔细想想 Coherence: * when * but as * instead * and the like * and that one * that whenever * would * for example * and come to think of it * but once in a while [图片] Mac's Comment: At times 'chunking' was faulty, there was occasionally inaccurate intonation and occasional inaccurate grammar including inaccurate modal verb usage.

你好呀，欢迎收听英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 Describe a special day out that cost you little money. You should say: * When was the day * Where you went * How much you spent * And explain how you feel about the day [图片] I’ve had quite a few occasions where a day out didn’t cost much. The most recent one is a Sunday. It was in the afternoon and my friend and I decided on the spur of the moment to go for a bike ride and go to a forest park. So we quickly packed two bottles of water, 2 cans of beer, some cookies, sunflower seeds, a book, and off we went! We were on our bikes for about an hour, cycling towards a forest park nearby. At first, we rode slowly and so the ride was relatively easy. But then we started to climb a slope leading to the forest park. As the slope got deeper, cycling became more difficult, and at last, I had to get off my bike and push. Once we got up the hill, we got on our bikes again. After about 10 minutes of cycling on the ridge of the hill, we saw a beautiful lake. So, we went for a short walk on the shore of the lake, and after that, we rode on. Finally, we reached the gate of the park, and we found a spot on the grass, so we sat down to enjoy the snacks, beer, and both of us read for a while. After that, we walked around a little, and then we headed back. I would say the total cost of this short trip was about 20 yuan, so, really cheap. My friend and I were quite excited about the trip because the natural scenery along the way, particularly the hill part, was fantastic. And we decided that we’ll go on other long bike rides like this one. [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听：英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 [图片] Is it important to take photos while traveling? Yeah, sure. When visiting somewhere, taking photos can help us not just record the journey but also keep a record of meaningful moments, so that years later, while recalling some particular places we travelled to, we can simply pull out a photo album or a digital photo and rekindle the memories associated with that trip as we go through each one. And so I think regardless of the demographic, people take seriously their desire to capture things, events, people, and the like on film. Can you trust other people's travel journals on the Internet? I think so, for the most part. A lot of travel journals are written by people from their first-hand experiences, from which they record the local weather conditions, ticket prices, transportation information, food they tried, hiking routes, almost all aspects. And in most cases, these journals include a variety of photos and videos. And so when a person is considering traveling somewhere, he can refer to these journey logs to gain more of an idea of what the place is really like instead of reading promotional materials, say, from travel agents, which definitely cannot be trusted! [图片] What factors affect how people feel about traveling to a place? A lot of elements I think, for instance, location,cost, weather conditions, safety factors, landscape, food and accommodation,even language…all these are important factors people will consider whenconsidering traveling to a place. Will you go to a foreign country totravel because of the distinct landscape? Sure, yeah. For instance, going to Thailand because of its beaches, which is something I’ve done, I mean, for many people, including myself, I probably wouldn’t go to Thailand if it didn’t have such lovely and sandy beaches. I’d like to go to England too, to see its famed ‘English countryside’, maybe one day I will. [图片]

你好呀，欢迎收听英语考试Cat 🐱🐱🐱🐱 How do people make sure they're getting the right information? Which do you think is a better way to provide information, by phone or by email? What jobs provide information to others? Why don't people trust information on the internet? 我们整理了一份：雅思写作考前复习手册，目前是8.0版（大作文88页，A类小作文64页）。 需要这份手册的朋友，记得订阅我们，再加我微信 ID：EnglishCat996（请备注：来自小宇宙）。