Describe a product you bought and felt happy cue card.

 Cue Card-21

Describe a product you bought and felt happy. 

1. What was it?

- iPhone 6s

2. Where you bought it?

- Elante mall

- a month ago

3. What it was for?

- To call

- Message

- Click Photos 

4. Explain why it made you happy?

- Awaiting since long 

1. I recently bought an iPhone 6s for myself.

2. I purchased it from Elante Mall in Chandigarh about a month ago.

3. I bought it to make and receive calls, send and receive messages, click pictures and several other reasons.

4. It made me happy because I had been waiting for it since a long time and I finally had it. 

I am a shopaholic and I go out to buy various things. I am very fond of phones and gadgets. About a month ago, I bought an iPhone 6s from Elante Mall and the purchase made me really happy. It is helpful in my work like making projects and assignments and it gives me facilities to shop, connect with friends and also click good quality photos. I am a keen photographer, I had thought of buying this phone earlier but I was delaying it because I did not want to bother my parents with this expense. I started collecting money for it and once I had the amount, I purchased it with no second thoughts. It soon became the envy of all my friends and it also gives me joy because it is user friendly and I have been an apple user for the last 4 to 5 years. I have saved every penny I could to buy this heart-desired gadget for. I have stored my favourite songs in it and captured some beautiful moments with friends and family. I would recommend everyone to buy if it fits the budget because it is a phone worth the money spent. 

Follow ups:

1. How often do people in your country go shopping? (People go for shopping depending upon the time available. However, mostly people prefer to go out for shopping over the weekends.)

2. What kinds of places are popular for shopping in India? (In India, small markets, trade fairs, exhibitions and shopping malls are common for shopping.)

3. Do you think online shopping will replace shopping in stores? (I do not think that any amount of advancement in science and technology will replace shopping in stores because people who want to see and try things before buying will always visit stores.)

4. Did you ever have a bad shopping experience? (Yes, I had a bad shopping experience. I had ordered a pair of earphones through an online shopping site and the one day after arrival, it stopped working.)

5. Why is online shopping so popular these days? (Online shopping is so popular these days because people are too used to being dependent on technology and with such facilities, they tend to buy every possible thing online. I save the time and effort of going to a store and shopping.)

Related Question: A useful thing you recently bought.

A person who apologized to you

 Cue Card-20 

A person who apologized to you.

1. Who this person is?

- Friend in Canada.

2. When this happened?

- Not long ago.

3.  What was it for?

- Trusted someone else.

- Shouted at me.

4. Explain how you felt?

- I felt upset first.

- happy later when it was solved.

1. The person who apologized to me is a dear friend who lives in Canada.

2. This incident happened recently.

3. It was because he made the mistake of trusting someone else more than me and shouted at me when I was right. 

4. Initially I was hurt and upset but later I was happy that I got sorted out. 

Nobody is perfect all make mistakes but the best thing we can do after committing a mistake is admitting it and apologizing to people who may have been affected by it. I feel people always apologize, when the relationship holds more value than their ego and not to prove someone right or wrong. Not long ago, one such incident happened with me. My close friend who is in Canada, was very rude to me and blamed me for something I had not done. She made the mistake of believing someone who was not worth trusting and told me that I had lied to her, so I wanted to tell her that I would never speak to her again because I hate being blamed for things I don’t do. However, before I could tell her that she sent me a message, apologizing for her rudeness and not trusting me. She told me that she valued our friendship and would always be careful before trusting anyone without verifying the facts. I generally accept apologies and do not take time to forgive others. I decided to end the matter and continue our friendship as if nothing had happened. I feel, we should not hesitate or rethink before apologizing because it is not worth losing a relationship when it can be saved with an apology. We should always be ready to forgive and forget. 

Follow ups:

1. Is it important to say sorry? (I think, saying sorry is very important because if a person makes a mistake, an apology is the least that is expected from him/her.)

2. In what situations do people say sorry? (People say sorry when they hurt someone, fight, forget something important or break someone’s trust.)

3. Why do some people hate to say sorry? (A few people hate to say sorry because they feel apologizing is not worth compromising with their ego.)

4. In what situations should we apologize immediately? (In situations where we hurt someone, damage someone’s belongings etcetera we should be sorry immediately.)

5. When was the last time you found it hard to accept an apology? (I normally never find it hard to accept apologies because when I commit a mistake, I also expect people to forgive me. So, I easily forgive others.) 

Proverb: Forgive and Forget.

Meaning: We should forget the hurt and forgive the people who cause the hurt or pain. 

A person who apologized to you.

A place near water which you have visited

 Cue Card-19 

A place near water which you have visited. 

1. Where is it?

- Sukhna Lake

- Chandigarh 

2. What you did?

- Admired nature 

- Saw people

- Relaxed yourself 

3. Who you went with?

- Alone

4. Explain what you liked?

- Beauty of nature 

- Calm atmosphere 

1. The place near water that I visited is Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.

2. I admired the sky and observed various people involved in different activities and relaxed myself. 

3. I had gone alone.

4. I loved the beauty of nature and the calm atmosphere. 

Being a nature a lover and a keen observer, I admire and contemplate the bounty of nature in all its manifestations like trees, grass, rivers, lakes, clouds, flowers, sunlight, animals and humans. I find these creations of the Almighty very fascinating. When I feel tired and fed up of the daily monotonous routine, I go to a beautiful lake called ‘Sukhna Lake’ in Chandigarh. It is a popular tourist attraction and a well known spot for all seeking an escape from the daily humdrum of life. Last week, I went alone to the lake to enjoy the beauty of nature. I entered the premises of the lake at about 5.00 pm. I saw people of all age groups and from different walks of life feeling happy, close to this wonder of nature. Some were following their fitness routine, others were eating, some were chatting but I was on a different mission. I was sitting alone and reflecting on this marvelous creation of the Almighty. The sky had clouds scattered around and they looked like little pieces of cotton which someone had carefully placed in the sky. A lot of people may have found the sky to be dull and gloomy but for me, it was an unusual kind of beauty. That is why they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every cloud has a silver lining. This visit was particularly memorable because it helped me to change my perspective on life. I started looking at everything from the view of finding something good in it. It has been an unforgettable visit and I am looking forward to many more in the future. 

Follow ups: 

1. Why do so many people like going to places near water such as lakes, rivers or oceans? (Many people like to go to places near water to relax and admire the beauty and charm of nature.)

2. Do you think children and old people do the same type of things when they go to beach? (No, I do not think children and old people do the same activities on a beach. Children love playing with sand and adults chit chat and relax.)

3. Do you think that human activity is posing a threat to the oceans of the world? (Humans are being very careless and irresponsible by treating water bodies as means of waste disposal. Human activities are causing water pollution which is very harmful for oceans and aquatic life.)

4. How important is water in people’s everyday lives? (Water is also called life. It is very important for our survival and day to day activities.)

Related Question: A memory you have related to nature.

A wedding you have been to.

 Cue Card-18 

A wedding you have been to.

1. When this happened?

- Recently 

- a month ago 

2. Whose wedding?

- First cousin brother’s wedding 

3. Who was with you?

- My whole family

4. Explain why you feel happy about it.

- Togetherness 

- Celebration 

- New beginning 

- New family member 

1. I attended a happy event about a month ago.

2. It was the marriage of my cousin.

3. My whole family was with me to celebrate this event. 

4. I felt very happy because we all of us were together in the grand celebration and a new member was added to the family and it was a new beginning for my cousin. 

Being a Punjabi Indian, I have the previlege of being invited to many big, fat punjabi wedding. In my culture, the union of two souls is celebrated with a lot of mirth and jubilation. Attending a wedding excites me and I plan my clothes and jewellery well in advance. I attended my first cousin’s wedding about a month ago. This was an awaited family event because all the others including the elders of the family were eagerly waiting for my cousin to find a match. When he finally found the right girl after a long wait, the entire household was ready to celebrate the beginning of another phase of his life. The marriage lasted for about five to six days with all small functions at home in which there was a small gathering and all grand ones in banquets. It was a destination wedding in Jaipur and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly in the pink city. Each One of us was dresses in extravagant beautiful attires looking happy and ready for the occasion. We kept singing traditional songs and danced enjoying every moment to the fullest. Every person present there enjoyed every aspect of the wedding ranging from food and decoration to photography. Some unique concepts were used in the marriage, a book was placed at the entrance for everyone to write messages for the couple and their photographs were being flashed on the screen. This whole event was full of life and bliss. The event justified its classification as a big, fat punjabi wedding and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now looking forward to even greater fun at the wedding of my younger cousin which is coming soon. 

Follow ups:

1. How would you define happiness? (In my opinion, happiness is a state of mind in which an individual feels content with what the situation he is in.)

2. What kind of things make Indian people feel happy? (Marriages, birthdays, shopping, promotions etcetera are some of the many things which make Indians happy.)

3. Do you think people would be happy when they become richer? (I do not think that money can buy happiness, so according to me becoming richer may not make anyone happy.)

4. Why do some people say happiness never lasts long? (Some people think that happiness never lasts long because life is an alternating share of joy and pain and like all other things, happiness is also temporary.)

5. What kinds of things make people unhappy? (People can be unhappy due to many reasons. Some of them are bad health, failure in achieving desired objectives, deadlines, financial problems and problems in personal life.)

Related Question: Recent happy event. 

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution.

 Cue Card-17 

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution. 

1. Where is it?

- Agra

2. When you visited 

- A year ago

3. What kind of pollution you saw there?

- Air pollution 

4. Explain how this place was affected?

- Marble was flaking 

1. I visited Agra which is affected by pollution.

2. I had gone there a year ago.

3. The pollution that I observed was air pollution.

4. The Mathura gas refinery which is near the Taj Mahal is causing discoloration of the Taj. 

Pollution refers to the addition of unwanted substances to the environment which degrade its quality. There are several kinds of pollution and due to the increased interference of man in nature, the level of pollution all over the globe is rising. The city that is a home to one of the wonders of the world is affected by air pollution. The fanous city of Agra, where the beautiful Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is now bearing a burnt of man’s activities. The monument which is an attraction to tourists from every part of the world was built by Shah Jahan in pure white marble and is acclaimed for its lusture and grandeur. Sadly, due to the emissions from the Mathura gas refinery, which is at a distance of 50 km from the Taj, its is getting dirty white. The air of the surrounding areas is polluted by the smoke emitted by this oil refinery. The marble of the Taj is also flaking slowly and this is a matter of great concern as we cannot afford to let this historical monument, deteriorate. It is a proof of our rich, royal and beautiful past. Though the government is taking some steps towards saving this wonder but there is very little that can be done. Only the effect of pollution can be reduced but it cannot be eliminated. I feel that it is high time for us get some serious about various kinds of pollution and its effects so that preventive measures can be taken to curb it. 

Follow ups:

1. What kinds of pollution are serious in your country? (In my country, all kinds of pollution are present but air and water pollution have become the concerns.)

2. What can individuals do to protect our environment? (Individuals can do a lot to protect the environment. They can plant trees, ensure proper waste disposal and usage of eco- friendly products to protect the environment.)

3. Do you think individuals should be held responsible for pollution? (Yes, I believe that individuals are responsible for pollution because certain measures can only be taken by the authorities and individuals may not be effective in cases where legislations for environmental protection needs to be passed and enforced.)

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution. 

Describe a program/application in your computer/phone.

 Cue Card-16 

Describe a program/application in your computer/phone. 

1. What the app is?

- WhatsApp 

2. When you started using it?

- 6 to 7 years ago

3. How you use it?

- On my phone

- Internet Connection

4. How you feel about it?

- Made life easy

- Better communication 

- Addictive

1. My favourite app is WhatsApp.

2. I started using it 6 to 7 years ago.

3. I use it daily on my phone with the help of an internet connection.

4. I feel it has made life a lot easier, allowed better communication but it is addictive. 

These days, science and technology are progressing by leaps and bounds and there are hundreds and thousands of applications which are the brainchild of computer experts. I also use many different applications like Facebook, Flipkart, Instagram, Wynk etcetera but my favourite will always be WhatsApp. It is a blessing and I think we all feel handicapped without it in our phones. It initially allowed chatting and exchanging pictures. However, with the passage of time many additions are being made. One can now send pictures with captions and even make audio calls. The option of video calling is yet to come. I think WhatsApp is the most commonly used application and is found in the phone of every individual. It helps people to connect with their loved ones, carry out businesses, people make groups to share ideas, beliefs, or send important information of common interest. I find this a marvelous creation and I will always use it. 

Follow ups: 

1. What kinds of apps do you have on your phone ?

- I have social networking, photo editing, shopping, music and banking apps on my phone. 

2. What are the drawbacks of having too many apps on your phone?

- There are several drawbacks of having too many apps like the phone can get hanged, too much memory gets used and many updates have to be done from time to time.

3. How much time do you spend on these apps everyday?

- I spend almost two hours on these apps each day and on days that I have holidays, I spend even more time. 

4. Do you like to look for new apps or do you just keep using old ones?

- I am not very fond of looking for new apps but if someone suggests an app to me and I feel it is of my use then I download it. 

Related Question: An app that you have recently started using. 

A time when the weather changed your plan cue card

 Cue Card-15 

A time when the weather changed your plan.

• When this happened?

• What kind of weather was it?

• Explain why you could not finish the planned activity?

• What you did at the end? 

1. On my younger cousin’s birthday weather changed my plan.

2. At about 10am it started raining very heavily.

3. Our picnic got canccelled because the rain did not show any mercy. 

4. Finally, we celebrated her birthday by ordering food, requesting our neighbours to join us and playing indoor games.

Due to the increased interference of man in nature, the patterns of weather are undergoing an erratic change. Unexpected and unsystematic season cycles are have become common. A recent plan that I had with my cousins was a fiasco. It was the birthday of my younger cousin when we decided to go for a picnic and celebrate it. We got everything ready the previous night. Everyone was so thrilled that the lengthy discussions about what we would do the following day carried on till late night. At about 10am we decided to leave for the fun filled day we had planned, when we were getting ready to leave the heavens opened up. We thought that it will stop raining in sometime but Mother Nature had other plans in store and the downpour only got heavier. Everyone was disappointed so we decided to celebrate the birthday at home with the same enthusiasm. We prepared some snacks, called some of our neighbours, played board games, cards and watched a movie on television. Though we were upset intially but later, it turned out to be a fulfilled day and probably we enjoyed more than what we may had enjoyed at the picnic, the neighbours who joined us added to the fun. It was a memorable day and the birthday girl was also very happy. 

Follow ups:

1. Where can people get weather reports?(People can get weather reports from newspapers, applications on mobile phones, websites and television news.)

2. How do weather reports affect people’s life? (Weather reports affect people’s holidays, travel plans. They also affect everyday decisions like washing clothes etc.)

3. What do people do on rainy days and sunny days? (On sunny days people generally wear light cotton clothes, use sunglasses, hats etcetera to protect themselves against the sun’s heat but on rainy days they use raincoats, colourful umbrellas. On rainy days people prefer to remain confined to their homes and on sunny days people don’t hesitate to venture out.)

4. Has climate affected your country? (Like every other part of the world, my country too has been affected by unexpected climate changes. Human interferences with the balance of nature is the primary reason for erratic climatic conditions.)

5. Does weather affect your mood? (Yes weather affect my mood, on sunny days, I feel lively and energetic on cloudy days, I feel sad and gloomy.) 

A time when the weather changed your plan.