Unit 7: Practical - Subjective Questions

Important listening skills include:

• Identifying the main idea: Understand why the speakers are discussing the reunion.
• Recognising specific details: Listen for the date, venue, participants, activities, and arrangements.
• Understanding relationships: Identify who the speakers are and how they are connected to the school.
• Interpreting tone and emotion: Notice feelings such as excitement, nostalgia, hesitation, or disappointment.
• Inferring meaning: Understand information that is suggested but not directly stated.
• Taking notes: Record names, events, opinions, and decisions briefly and accurately.

These skills help a listener follow both the factual content and the emotional background of a reunion conversation.

A biography is a factual account of another person's life written by someone else.

Essential features include:

• Introduction: Name the person and explain why the person is significant.
• Early life: Mention family background, birthplace, childhood, and education.
• Major experiences: Describe important events, struggles, decisions, and achievements.
• Chronological organisation: Present events in a logical sequence, usually from birth to later life.
• Evidence and accuracy: Use reliable facts, dates, quotations, and sources.
• Character and influence: Explain the person's qualities, beliefs, contributions, and impact on society.
• Conclusion: Summarise the person's lasting importance.

An effective biography combines factual information with clear narrative writing so that readers understand both what the person did and why it mattered.

A radio discussion about economic growth may examine the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.

Principal ideas may include:

• Employment: Economic growth can create jobs and increase household incomes.
• Standard of living: People may gain better access to education, healthcare, housing, and technology.
• Infrastructure: Governments and businesses may invest in transport, energy, communication, and public services.
• Unequal distribution: Growth does not always benefit all social groups equally.
• Environmental effects: Rapid industrialisation can cause pollution, resource depletion, and climate problems.
• Sustainable development: Long-term growth should balance economic progress with social justice and environmental protection.
• Government policy: Taxation, education, investment, trade, and innovation influence growth.

A good listener should distinguish between facts, expert opinions, examples, and conclusions during the discussion.

When listening to a witness describing a crime, the listener should remain attentive, objective, and sensitive.

• Focus on sequence: Identify what happened first, next, and finally.
• Record factual details: Note the time, place, people involved, clothing, vehicles, objects, and direction of movement.
• Separate observation from assumption: Distinguish what the witness actually saw or heard from what the witness believes.
• Notice uncertainty: Pay attention to words such as "possibly," "I think," or "I am not sure."
• Avoid interruption: Allow the witness to complete the account before asking questions.
• Check consistency: Compare details within the account without pressuring the witness.
• Respect privacy and emotion: A crime witness may feel frightened or confused.

The listener's purpose is to understand and record the account accurately, not to make an immediate judgement about guilt or innocence.

An effective real-life story presents an actual experience in an engaging and meaningful way.

Its main elements are:

• Setting: Establish the time and place of the events.
• Characters: Introduce the people involved and their roles.
• Conflict or challenge: Present the problem, danger, decision, or difficulty.
• Chronological sequence: Arrange events in a clear order.
• Descriptive details: Use precise details about actions, surroundings, and emotions.
• Dialogue: Include realistic speech when it helps reveal character or move the story forward.
• Climax: Show the most important or dramatic moment.
• Resolution: Explain how the problem ended.
• Reflection: State what the narrator learned or how the experience changed them.

The story should remain truthful while using narrative techniques to maintain the reader's interest.

A smile is both a physical expression and a form of social communication. A radio documentary about its role and social evolution may present the following ideas:

• Emotional expression: Smiling can communicate happiness, amusement, relief, affection, or friendliness.
• Social connection: A smile can welcome people, reduce tension, and build trust.
• Cultural variation: The meaning and acceptability of smiling differ across cultures, situations, and social groups.
• Politeness: In some contexts, people smile to show respect or cooperation even when they are not genuinely happy.
• Power and identity: Smiling behaviour may be influenced by age, status, profession, and social expectations.
• Historical change: Ideas about when and how people should smile have changed over time.
• Health and psychology: Smiling may influence mood and social well-being, although it cannot replace genuine emotional support.

The documentary therefore presents the smile as a behaviour shaped by biology, culture, history, and social relationships.

Gender roles are social expectations about how people should behave, work, dress, communicate, and participate in family or public life based on perceived gender.

They are maintained through:

• Family upbringing and division of household responsibilities.
• Educational choices and career expectations.
• Media representation and advertising.
• Cultural traditions and social institutions.
• Language, jokes, and everyday assumptions.
• Workplace policies and unequal opportunities.

Harmful stereotypes can be challenged by:

• Providing equal educational and employment opportunities.
• Representing diverse identities in media and textbooks.
• Sharing domestic work fairly.
• Encouraging all people to express emotions and develop different skills.
• Questioning discriminatory language and assumptions.
• Creating laws and workplace practices that support equality.

Gender equality does not mean that everyone must behave identically; it means that personal choices and opportunities should not be limited by stereotypes.

Understanding the human body helps people make responsible health decisions.

• Body systems: The circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, skeletal, muscular, and immune systems work together.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet should provide carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, muscles, bones, and mental health.
• Sleep: Adequate sleep supports memory, immunity, growth, and emotional balance.
• Hygiene: Handwashing, dental care, safe food preparation, and cleanliness reduce the spread of disease.
• Mental health: Stress, anxiety, and depression require attention and support just as physical illnesses do.
• Prevention: Vaccination, medical check-ups, safe behaviour, and avoiding tobacco and harmful drugs reduce health risks.
• Reliable information: Health claims should be checked against qualified medical advice and trustworthy sources.

Health is a combination of physical, mental, and social well-being rather than merely the absence of illness.

An effective article informs, analyses, or entertains a clearly identified audience.

Structure:

• Headline: Attracts attention and indicates the subject.
• Introduction: Presents the topic and establishes its importance.
• Body paragraphs: Develop ideas with facts, examples, explanations, quotations, and evidence.
• Logical progression: Uses paragraphs and transitions to connect points.
• Conclusion: Summarises the discussion or leaves the reader with a significant thought.

Language features:

• A suitable formal or semi-formal tone.
• Clear, precise, and varied vocabulary.
• Topic sentences and cohesive devices.
• Facts separated from opinions.
• Direct and indirect quotations where appropriate.
• Descriptive or persuasive language depending on purpose.
• Accurate grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing.

The writer should adapt the content, tone, and level of detail to the intended readers.

A lasting legacy is the enduring influence, contribution, values, or achievements that a person leaves behind after their active life.

Chuck Feeney's profile is significant because it demonstrates a distinctive approach to philanthropy:

• He donated a major portion of his wealth to educational, medical, cultural, and social causes.
• He supported institutions and communities rather than focusing only on personal recognition.
• His giving reflected the principle that wealth can be used to improve public welfare.
• He encouraged giving during one's lifetime so that donors can observe and evaluate the results.
• His modest lifestyle contrasted with the scale of his charitable work.
• His example influenced other wealthy individuals to consider responsible and strategic philanthropy.

His legacy is therefore not only the money he donated, but also the idea that success should be connected with service, social responsibility, and measurable public benefit.

A job description explains the nature and responsibilities of a job, while a person specification describes the qualities and qualifications required of the applicant.

Job description usually includes:

• Job title and department.
• Main purpose of the role.
• Duties and daily responsibilities.
• Reporting relationships.
• Working hours, location, and conditions.
• Performance expectations.

Person specification usually includes:

• Educational qualifications.
• Professional experience.
• Technical and communication skills.
• Personal qualities and attitudes.
• Essential and desirable criteria.
• Any legal, physical, or professional requirements.

The job description answers "What will the employee do?" The person specification answers "What kind of person can perform the job effectively?" Both documents help employers recruit fairly and help applicants judge their suitability.

"Function inflation" refers to the increasing number of functions added to modern appliances, even when many users may need only their basic purpose.

Advantages:

• A single device can perform several tasks.
• Consumers may save space by owning fewer separate appliances.
• Digital controls can improve precision and convenience.
• Smart features may help monitor energy use or automate routine tasks.
• Additional functions can support users with specific needs.

Disadvantages:

• Products may become more expensive and difficult to operate.
• Unused features can create confusion and reduce usability.
• More electronic parts can increase the likelihood and cost of repairs.
• Short replacement cycles may increase electronic waste.
• Marketing may encourage consumption without meeting a genuine need.
• Users may lose sight of the appliance's essential function.

A sensible approach is to evaluate durability, repairability, accessibility, energy use, and actual need rather than choosing a product only because it has more features.

Writing about a life-changing experience requires both clear narration and thoughtful reflection.

• Choose a meaningful event: Select an experience that changed a belief, decision, relationship, or direction in life.
• Establish the context: Explain when, where, and why the event occurred.
• Present the situation: Introduce the people and circumstances involved.
• Describe the turning point: Focus on the decision, discovery, success, loss, or challenge that caused change.
• Use sensory details: Show what was seen, heard, felt, and thought.
• Maintain a logical sequence: Use time markers and well-organised paragraphs.
• Include reflection: Explain the lesson learned and the long-term effect.
• End purposefully: Connect the experience with the writer's present identity or future plans.

The writing should be personal and honest, but it should also be selective, coherent, and relevant to the central idea.

An effective formal self-introduction should be brief, relevant, confident, and polite.

A useful structure is:

• Greeting: Address the audience appropriately.
• Name: State your full name clearly.
• Current role: Mention your course, institution, occupation, or area of responsibility.
• Relevant background: Give one or two important qualifications, interests, or experiences.
• Purpose: Explain why you are attending the meeting, class, interview, or event.
• Closing: Express willingness to participate or interact.

The speaker should maintain suitable eye contact, use an audible voice, avoid unnecessary personal details, and adapt the vocabulary to the audience. A formal introduction should sound natural rather than memorised and should communicate confidence without exaggeration.

Narrative writing tells a story or presents a sequence of connected events.

Key features include:

• Beginning: Introduces the setting, characters, situation, and initial problem.
• Development: Shows actions, complications, choices, and rising tension.
• Climax: Presents the most significant or exciting moment.
• Resolution: Explains how the conflict ends.
• Point of view: Uses a consistent first-person or third-person perspective.
• Characterisation: Reveals personalities through actions, dialogue, thoughts, and description.
• Setting: Creates a clear sense of place and time.
• Chronology: Uses appropriate sequencing and time expressions.
• Theme: Communicates an idea, lesson, or emotional insight.

Strong narrative writing balances action, description, dialogue, and reflection while maintaining unity and reader interest.

A formal report presents information, findings, or recommendations in an objective and organised manner.

Typical format:

• Title: Clearly states the subject.
• To, From, Date, and Subject: Identifies the report's context where required.
• Introduction: Explains the purpose, scope, and method.
• Findings: Presents relevant facts, observations, or results.
• Discussion: Interprets the findings and explains their significance.
• Conclusion: Summarises the main outcome.
• Recommendations: Suggests practical actions when requested.

Language features:

• Formal and objective vocabulary.
• Clear headings and short paragraphs.
• Tables or bullet points for accessible presentation.
• Evidence-based statements rather than emotional claims.
• Passive voice where appropriate, but active and precise sentences where clearer.
• Consistent tense and accurate data.

A report should enable a reader to locate important information quickly and make an informed decision.

Formal e-mail writing and informal letter writing differ in purpose, audience, structure, and tone.

Both forms require clarity, correct paragraphing, appropriate punctuation, and careful proofreading. The writer must always adapt the form to the relationship with the reader.

An online product review should provide balanced information that helps potential buyers make a decision.

Recommended content and organisation:

• Identify the product: Give its name, model, and purpose.
• State the context of use: Explain how long and in what circumstances it was tested.
• Discuss performance: Evaluate quality, reliability, ease of use, and important features.
• Mention advantages: Identify what the product does well.
• Mention limitations: Discuss defects, missing features, cost, or maintenance concerns honestly.
• Compare value: Consider price, durability, alternatives, and overall usefulness.
• Give a clear judgement: State who would benefit from the product.
• Support claims: Use specific examples rather than vague praise or criticism.

A credible review avoids false information, personal attacks, undisclosed advertising, and exaggerated claims. It should be fair, specific, and written for the intended audience.

Word stress is the emphasis placed on one syllable of a word. A stressed syllable is usually louder, longer, clearer, and sometimes higher in pitch than unstressed syllables.

A syllable is a unit of pronunciation containing a vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants. Correct syllable division helps speakers pronounce words clearly.

Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice across a phrase or sentence.

• Falling intonation commonly signals completion in statements and many wh-questions.
• Rising intonation can indicate a yes/no question, uncertainty, or a request for confirmation.
• Fall-rise intonation may express reservation, contrast, or partial agreement.

These features affect meaning, emphasis, attitude, and comprehensibility. Incorrect stress or intonation may make a familiar word difficult to recognise or may unintentionally make a speaker sound impatient, uncertain, or rude.

English speech sounds are commonly studied as consonants and vowels.

• Consonants: These are produced with some obstruction or narrowing of airflow. They can be described by place of articulation, manner of articulation, and voicing.
• Vowels: These are produced with relatively open airflow and are described according to tongue position, tongue height, lip shape, and length.
• Voiced and voiceless sounds: Voiced sounds involve vibration of the vocal cords, while voiceless sounds do not.
• Minimal pairs: Words such as ship and sheep demonstrate how one sound can change meaning.
• Connected speech: Sounds may change, link, or weaken when words are spoken in a phrase.

Learners can improve by listening to reliable pronunciation models, using phonemic dictionaries, recording themselves, practising minimal pairs, focusing on word stress, and receiving corrective feedback. Clear pronunciation is more important than imitating a particular accent.