Speaking June 16-19 collection

Describe a time when you made a plan to do an activity with a lot of people

Answer

Well, it was right before last Chinese New Year when I helped organise a big Spring Festival party for our university’s international students club. A few of us sat down in the student centre meeting room about two weeks before the holiday and brainstormed ideas over cups of coffee. We decided on a potluck dinner, lantern-making corner and a karaoke contest.

Actually, the activity took place in the main lecture hall on campus, where we set up long tables for food, decorated red lanterns and arranged a small stage. I was in charge of food coordination, so I emailed everyone to confirm dishes and dietary needs, then created a shared spreadsheet to track contributions.

Honestly, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety when the plan came together—excited because it meant bringing dozens of students from different countries together, and anxious about logistics like audio tests and table layouts. Come to think of it, seeing everyone laughing over dumpling-making and singing Spring Festival songs later made me realise how rewarding it is to turn a rough plan into a festive celebration.

part3

What kind of plans do young people often make?

Well, a lot of young people map out detailed study and career plans. I guess they’ll set goals like passing certain exams, securing internships, or researching postgraduate options. Come to think of it, classmates often draft timelines—“by June, finish my thesis draft; by August, apply for three companies”—and use apps to track progress. Actually, having that road map reduces anxiety and keeps them motivated, especially when juggling coursework and job hunting.

Why can't people always follow their plans?

Actually, plans can fail when they’re overly ambitious. I guess someone might set five tasks for a single afternoon, underestimate how long each takes, and then feel overwhelmed. If I’m being honest, realistic goal‐setting and breaking big plans into smaller steps help ensure you can actually stick to them.

Why do people make plans?

Actually, planning helps people manage their time more effectively. To be honest, our days are often jam-packed, so allocating specific slots for tasks—like studying, meetings, or exercise—ensures nothing important gets overlooked. Believe it or not, breaking larger tasks into smaller steps makes workloads feel less overwhelming and boosts productivity. Frankly, good planning means you spend less time wondering “What next?” and more time actually doing things.

Is it important to make plans?

Actually, planning is key to using time effectively. Believe it or not, blocking out specific hours for lectures, revision, and downtime prevents overlap and last-minute panic. Frankly, when you know exactly what needs to be done and when, you waste less time deciding what to do next and more time doing it.

Why do some people like to make plans while some others don't like to?

Well, some people are naturally inclined towards structure—they’re conscientious and like knowing exactly what comes next. I mean, having a detailed plan gives them a sense of control and reduces anxiety. Actually, this personality trait—often linked to the “judging” side in Myers-Briggs terms—drives them to sketch out to-do lists and schedules. At the end of the day, planning aligns with their need for order, whereas spontaneous folks find those same lists confining.

Are there any people who never make plans?

Believe it or not, some folks never formalise any plans simply because they’re serial procrastinators. To be honest, they might have good intentions—like promising to study or exercise—but they never actually map out when to do it. Come to think of it, this habit often stems from underestimating how long tasks take or waiting for a perfect “motivational mood.” Frankly, without even a rough plan, deadlines sneak up and things get left undone.

Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting

I guess a particularly inspiring person was Li, a senior volunteer I met at our environmental club’s orientation. She’s been running beach-cleanup drives since high school. During our first meeting, she walked us through planning routes, recruiting helpers, and liaising with local authorities.

Her passion got me thinking—why not organise a similar event closer to campus? So, I teamed up with her to plan a riverside cleanup for World Cleanup Day. She showed me how to draft a simple action plan, create a sign-up form, and source gloves and bags.

At the end of the day, seeing over twenty students show up and collect dozens of kilos of trash was incredibly fulfilling. Li’s hands-on approach and genuine care inspired me to take the lead and realise that, well, planning and community spirit can turn a small idea into something impactful.

part3

What qualities make someone a role model？

Let me think, when I consider someone who really stands out as a role model, their honesty and moral compass come to mind first. Truth be told, people look up to those who walk the talk—who stick to their principles even when it’s tough. You know, authenticity breeds trust; if a person owns up to mistakes and treats others fairly, that genuine integrity inspires others to act the same way.

Why should children learn from role models？

Well, you know, kids are like sponges when it comes to picking up habits and attitudes. To be honest, having a role model who demonstrates kindness, honesty, or perseverance gives them a concrete example to emulate. If a child sees someone they admire owning up to mistakes and treating others with respect, they’re more likely to internalise those moral values themselves instead of just hearing about them in theory.

Who can influence children more，teachers or parents？

Frankly speaking, it really depends on the child’s age and the context. Come to think of it, parents lay the groundwork in early childhood—instilling core values and emotional security—while teachers become increasingly important during school years, shaping study habits and social norms. At the end of the day, the strongest influence often comes from the synergy between home and school: when parents and teachers share expectations and communicate well, children benefit from a consistent support network.

What kind of international news inspires people？

Actually, stories about nations coming together to tackle global crises—like coordinating disaster relief after a major earthquake or pooling resources to fight a pandemic—often resonate deeply. I mean, when you see countries setting aside political differences to send medical teams, food aid, or vaccines, it reminds us of our shared humanity. Believe it or not, these collaborative efforts can spark hope and motivate ordinary people to volunteer or donate themselves. At the end of the day, international solidarity in the face of tragedy shows how much we can achieve when we work together.

Besides parents and teachers，who else can motivate children？

Actually, media figures—whether it’s a scientist like Witten on TV or a popular young vlogger sharing study tips on youtube—can really motivate children. Oddly enough, seeing someone from outside your family or school achieve something meaningful makes kids think, “Hey, I could do that too.” In a way, those wider role models expand their horizons beyond the immediate circle.

Can online teaching motivate students to learn？How？

Well, online teaching can really boost motivation through interactive tools. You know, features like live polls, quizzes, and virtual breakout rooms make lessons feel more engaging than a one-way lecture. I mean, when students compete in a real-time quiz or collaborate on a shared whiteboard, they’re actively participating instead of just passively listening. Ultimately, that sense of play and instant feedback keeps energy high and encourages learners to stay focused.

Describe a time when you saw children behave badly in public

A few months ago I was at a crowded shopping mall with some friends. Actually, a group of three kids—probably around six or seven years old—started sprinting up and down the corridor, weaving between shoppers and even brushing against product displays. Believe it or not, one little girl knocked over a perfume stand, and bottles went flying everywhere. Other shoppers let out startled gasps, and within seconds mall security appeared, gently guiding the kids back to their parents.

To be honest, I felt a mix of irritation and sympathy. It was annoying because people’s shopping was disrupted, but I could also tell the parents were overwhelmed and didn’t know how to rein in the kids. At the end of the day, it highlighted for me how challenging it is to keep energetic children under control in public spaces.

part 3

What bad behavior do children usually have?

Well, I mean, one of the most common issues is tantrums—kids kicking and screaming when they don’t get what they want. Actually, I’ve seen little ones throw themselves on the floor in supermarkets over candy. To be honest, those outbursts stem from impatience and a lack of self-control. Frankly, it can be really stressful for everyone around, especially parents trying to calm them down in public.

How should parents stop their children from behaving badly in public?

Well, before heading out, parents can outline clear expectations—like staying close, using “inside voices,” and asking before grabbing things. I mean, laying out these simple rules in advance gives kids a roadmap to follow. To be honest, gentle reminders—“Remember our quiet voices?”—work better than sudden scolding. At the end of the day, combining clear guidelines with calm prompts helps children understand boundaries without feeling embarrassed in public.

Are parents these days stricter than those in the past?

Well, I guess yes, in many urban areas parents today are definitely more strict compared to previous generations. I mean, with fierce competition for top schools and jobs, mums and dads often set rigid study schedules and limit leisure time. Actually, they monitor every homework assignment and extracurricular activity, sometimes even hiring tutors to ensure top performance. To be honest, this level of oversight can feel intense, but parents see it as necessary to secure their child’s future in a crowded market.

Whose influence on children is more important? Friends' or parents'?

Well, kids spend their earliest years with parents, so to be honest, mums and dads lay down the groundwork—values, routines, even language patterns. You know, when a child sees their parent handling conflicts or showing kindness, that modelling becomes the default blueprint for their own behaviour. Frankly, friends come into play later, but the initial moral compass and emotional security are typically set at home.

Describe a person who persuaded you to do something

Actually, last spring I had a brief but impactful chat with Professor Zhang, who supervised my environmental science project. I’d just finished my pilot study and was feeling unsure about sharing preliminary results. He invited me to his office and insisted I submit an abstract to the campus undergraduate research forum.

He gave me a few examples of students whose early presentations led to conference invitations and even publication opportunities. He said, “It’s better to get feedback now than regret not trying later.” Frankly, his confidence in my research made me reconsider my hesitation.

In the end, I did prepare a ten-minute talk. Standing at that podium — nervous as I was — I received constructive feedback that improved my final paper. Looking back, I’m really glad I followed his advice, since it accelerated my growth as a researcher.

part 3

What impact does advertising have on children and their parents?

Well, advertising aimed at kids often triggers what marketers call “pester power”—you know, when children insistently nag parents for toys or snacks they’ve seen on TV or online. Actually, this can significantly increase a family’s impulse purchases, as parents give in to avoid tantrums. To be honest, that dynamic sometimes leads to budget stress, with mums and dads trying to balance parenting peace and household expenses.

What do parents often persuade their children to do?

Well, you know, parents often nudge their kids to focus more on schoolwork—whether it’s completing homework on time or attending extra tutoring sessions. Actually, in China it’s quite common for mums and dads to encourage enrolment in weekend cram classes for subjects like English or math. To be honest, they see academic success as the cornerstone of future opportunities, so they’ll gently, or sometimes not so gently, persuade children to hit the books before any leisure activities.

Who do children listen to more, their parents or their teachers? Why?

I guess it really depends on the context and the child’s age. For young kids under ten, parents’ guidance on daily life prevails. At the end of the day, they’re still at home most of the time and look to their parents for approval. But for teenagers, teachers and coaches—people who represent wider society—can sometimes have a stronger pull, especially on topics like career advice or teamwork. Frankly speaking, children listen to whoever they perceive as most credible for that particular issue.

What are some good ways to persuade children?

Well, using positive reinforcement is often surprisingly effective. You know, praising specific actions—like “Great job finishing your homework so quickly”—or offering small rewards, such as stickers or extra playtime, makes kids feel recognised. Actually, in many Chinese households, parents give a red star chart for daily tasks, which motivates children to keep up good habits. At the end of the day, celebrating progress rather than focusing on mistakes encourages kids to cooperate without feeling pressured.

What advice should young people follow?

Well, you know, I’d advise young people to keep learning, even after formal education ends. Actually, in today’s fast-changing world, skills become outdated quickly, so picking up new languages or tech know-how through online courses really pays off. To be honest, cultivating adaptability and a growth mindset helps you stay relevant and seize unexpected opportunities.

How do advertisements persuade people?

Well, you know, many adverts first try to pull on our heartstrings. They’ll weave a short story—maybe a family reunited over dinner or a pet rescued from a shelter—to trigger feelings like warmth or compassion. Actually, once viewers connect emotionally, they’re far more likely to remember the brand. To be honest, this narrative approach makes us feel we’re part of something meaningful, not just buying a product.