TOEFL Speaking

Thank you for signing up for the study. I'd like to ask you some questions about your experiences with friendship. First, do you have a large group of friends, or do you prefer to have a smaller group of friends?

Idefinitely prefer having a small circle of close friends. I think it's more about the quality of friendships than the quantity. For one thing, maintaining friendships takes time and effort, and I'd rather invest that energy in a few meaningful relationships. For example, I've been really busy with work lately, so I don't get many opportunities to socialize. When I do have some free time, I'd much rather catch up with a close friend than spend it with a large group of people I barely know.

Very good. Now describe a time when a friendship taught you something valuable or helped you see something from a new perspective.

One valuable lesson I've learned from my friends is that true friendship means supporting each other during difficult times. For example, I've been struggling with my PhD applications lately because the process is quite stressful and time-consuming. Fortunately, some of my friends have been really supportive. They've helped me revise my application essays and given me useful advice. This experience made me realize that good friends aren't just people you have fun with, but also people you can rely on when you need help.

Great. Next question. In your opinion, what makes a friendship last a long time?

I think being genuine and treating others with respect are the keys to maintaining long-lasting friendships. For example, my friends and I don't get to hang out very often because we're all quite busy. However, we're always honest with each other and offer support whenever someone needs help. Even if we haven't seen each other for months, we can still trust and rely on each other. So I believe that honesty and mutual respect are what make friendships last.

OK, last one. Some people believe that maintaining friendships is essential for emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint? Why or why not?

I completely agree that maintaining friendships is important for our emotional well-being. As human beings, we naturally need social connections, and spending too much time alone can make us feel isolated or lonely. For example, I've been quite busy with work lately, so I haven't had many opportunities to hang out with my friends. As a result, I've started to feel a little isolated. I think spending more time with my friends would really help lift my mood and make me feel happier.

Thank you for agreeing to participate. I'd like to ask you some questions about gardening and plants. First, do you have a garden or any plants that you take care of? If so, how often do you spend time gardening? And if not, why?

I don't have a garden or any plants at home. That's mainly because I'm quite busy with my studies at the moment, so I don't really have enough time to look after them. However, I'd love to have some plants in the future because I think they can make a home feel more relaxing and welcoming. Maybe when I have more free time, I'll start with a few small indoor plants that are easy to take care of.

Thank you. What kinds of plants or gardens have you seen or heard about that you found interesting or appealing? Describe them and talk about why you found them interesting or appealing.

I've heard about some really interesting plants that grow in tropical regions. I find them fascinating because they look so unusual and almost magical. For example, some tropical plants are enormous, with huge leaves and unusual shapes that make them look completely different from the plants we normally see. I think it's amazing how diverse nature can be, and I'd really love to visit a tropical garden someday to see these plants in person.

I see. What challenges do you think people face when trying to grow plants or maintain a garden?

I think one of the biggest challenges is finding enough time to take care of plants. Most people are quite busy with work or their studies, so they may struggle to look after their plants regularly. For example, my roommate has several plants in our dorm, but unfortunately, some of them died shortly after he brought them home. That's mainly because he's been so busy with his studies that he sometimes forgets to water them. So I think having enough time and being consistent are really important when it comes to gardening.

Great. Some people believe that gardening can have positive effects on personal mental health and well-being. Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint? Why?

I definitely agree that gardening can have a positive effect on our mental health. That's because gardening allows people to connect with nature and relax. For example, although I don't garden myself, I have a few friends who really enjoy it. They have a small indoor garden in their apartment and spend a lot of time looking after their plants. They find it really relaxing, especially after a long day at work. So I think gardening is a great way to relieve stress and improve our emotional well-being.

Thank you for agreeing to participate. I'd like to ask you some questions about your gift-giving habits. To start, do you enjoy giving gifts? Why or why not?

I really enjoy giving gifts because it makes me happy to see other people happy. For example, I always try to get my sister something special for her birthday. I think giving her a thoughtful gift is a great way to show how much I care about her. It also makes her feel loved and appreciated, knowing that someone is thinking about her. So for me, giving gifts isn't just about the presents themselves, but also about making the people I love feel special.

Thank you. How do you decide what gift to give to someone? What factors do you consider?

I usually choose gifts based on people's hobbies and interests, or sometimes I simply ask them what they like. I think knowing someone's interests makes it easier to choose a gift they'll actually enjoy. For example, my sister is a big fan of anime and collectible characters, so I often buy her blind boxes featuring characters like Labubu. I've already given her quite a few of them. I think choosing gifts based on someone's interests is a great way to show that you care about them.

I see. Can you tell me about a memorable gift you've given or received? What made it special?

One of the most memorable gifts I've ever given was a necklace for one of my close friends. The necklace was inspired by a movie, and I chose it because it symbolized our friendship. I wanted to give my friend something meaningful that would remind them of our friendship, even when we weren't together. To me, it was more than just a piece of jewelry because it had a special emotional meaning. That's why I still remember this gift so clearly.

Interesting. Some people feel that it's helpful for people to make wish lists or online registries so that others know exactly what gifts to give them. Others feel that gifts should be a surprise. Which view do you agree with? Why?

I personally think gifts should be a surprise because I believe the element of surprise makes them more exciting and meaningful. For example, when someone gives me an unexpected gift, I feel really happy because it shows that they've put thought and effort into choosing something for me. I think this makes the experience much more memorable than simply receiving something from a wish list. So overall, I prefer surprising people with thoughtful gifts.

Thank you for taking part in our study. I'd like to ask you some questions about your grocery shopping habits. First, how often do you go grocery shopping each week? Why that often?

I usually go grocery shopping once a week because I'm quite busy with work and my studies during the week. Whenever I go, I buy all the groceries I need for the following week. After that, I usually prepare enough meals to last me the entire week. I find this routine really convenient because it saves me a lot of time and energy. That way, I can be more productive at work and have more free time to relax.

Great, thank you. Can you tell me what types of items you usually buy when you go grocery shopping? For example, do you buy fresh produce, dairy products, or packaged foods?

I usually buy a variety of groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, and some packaged items. That's mainly because I like to prepare different meals for the week ahead. Since some ingredients are difficult to find fresh here in Sweden, I sometimes buy frozen or packaged alternatives. However, I prefer buying fresh ingredients whenever possible. I also regularly pick up some oat milk. So overall, I buy a mix of different groceries depending on what I plan to cook.

Got it. When you are grocery shopping, how often do you impulse buy? In other words, buy things you did not plan on buying. What types of items do you or might you impulse buy?

I often buy snacks like chips and cookies on impulse. I usually try to eat healthily, so I avoid buying too many snacks because they're often high in fat or sugar. However, sometimes when I go grocery shopping after work, I feel really hungry. As a result, I end up buying snacks that weren't on my shopping list. So I'd say snacks are definitely the things I'm most likely to buy on impulse.

Great, that's helpful. Last question, some people believe that shopping at local farmers markets is better than shopping at large grocery stores. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Why?

I disagree because I think shopping at large grocery stores is more convenient than shopping at farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are less common in my area, so getting to one can take more time. Since I'm quite busy with work, even on weekends, I prefer shopping somewhere that's quick and convenient. At a supermarket, I can buy everything I need in one trip without spending too much time shopping. So overall, I think large grocery stores are a better choice for my lifestyle.