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Do you work or study?
I am currently working as a purchasing manager with a medium sized construction company.

What are your responsibilities at work?
My primary responsibilities include monitoring inventory levels along our supply chains and arranging stock replenishment when it is needed. I communicate closely with our sales team and create purchase orders for items based on our forecasted figures.

Why did you choose this job?
I actually didn’t choose this job. I was working as a warehouse manager when a vacancy as a purchasing manager opened up. The directors at the company thought I would be a great fit for the role and encouraged me to join.

Is there something you don't like about your job?
I like most things about my job, but if I had to choose something I would say that the role requires dealing with a fair amount of uncertainty, and I don’t terribly like this. The construction industry has seasonal fluctuations, and sometimes demand for our product can be difficult to forecast. This can be a source of significant stress for me.

Let's talk about advertisements. Tell me about an advertisement you saw recently that you enjoyed.
Recently, I saw an advertisement for a new mobile application that promised to help users stay organised and manage their time more effectively. What I liked about the advertisement was that it was very visually appealing and easy to understand. They used simple and clear language to convey the features and benefits of the app and the animation was very engaging.

Would you like to be in an advertisement one day?
I think it could be an interesting experience to be in an advertisement one day. I could use it as a great opportunity to showcase my personality and talents to a wider audience. However, I would only want to be a part of an advertisement campaign that aligns with my values and beliefs.

In Part 1 of this exam, the examiner does not deviate once from the topic of 'snacks'. Are you getting hungry yet?

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Here is a transcript of this week's episode:

Where do you live at the moment?
I live with my parents in their house, which is north of this city.

Do you like snacks?
Yes, I do. Because my family is Chinese, we mostly eat traditional snacks from our hometown such as a crispy rice called 'guoba' and roasted peanuts. I also like dried fish snacks, which are usually quite spicy so you have to couple them with a drink of some kind.

What time of the day do you prefer to have snacks and why?
Where I am from, people tend to snack all day and I guess I would say I follow suit. In the early morning, it is not uncommon for me to start my day by snacking on salted ginger. If I'm feeling peckish in the afternoon or evening, I might grab a handful of sunflower seeds. In my opinion, anytime is a great time to snack on something!

Do you think snacking is a healthy habit?
I guess it depends on what you're eating. I presume snacking on processed foods like potato chips or chocolate wouldn't be great for your health long term. Traditional snacks from my country tend to be quite natural, though. They're mostly fresh or dried foods with few --if any-- additives. I guess so long as you're careful to munch on unprocessed foods only, snacking can be considered healthy.

What were your favourite snacks as a child?
Well, my snacking choices as a child were much less healthy than they are today! I enjoyed sweets and other sugary snacks. I remember my classmates and I would often get frozen snacks after school that were sweet and very similar to ice cream. My snacking choices have obviously evolved quite a bit since I was young!

If you had a child, what snacks would you give him or her?
I would try to push them towards the healthier options that I mentioned earlier. People say eating habits are partially established in childhood, so I think it is important to set a good example early. This doesn't mean that a child can't have the occasional sweet snack, but what's important is to remember that moderation and mindfulness are key.

Happy 2023! Thank you for tuning in to these episodes each and every week. I hope these resources play a part in your IELTS Speaking success.

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Here is a transcript of the sample heard in this episode:

We’ve been talking about a lesson that you remember well, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic.

What makes a lesson memorable?

I think a few things help achieve this. Firstly, the teacher has a lot to do with it. Teachers that can make a subject interesting to the learner will always have memorable lessons.  The learning environment can also enhance the experience. I used to study Arabic with a tutor while living in Dubai. We would meet in shopping malls and he would help me practise by watching me speak in Arabic to shop owners. Those were lessons I will never forget!

Why do people hire private tutors?

In many cases, it depends on the student’s learning style. Some people prefer having designated one-on-one time with the teacher so that they can focus on their own weaknesses without having to concern themselves with the needs of other students. I enjoy both classroom instruction and private tuition, but when studying languages I prefer having a private tutor that can give me immediate and ongoing feedback. I feel this accelerates my progress.

How are younger and older teachers different?

They are different in many ways. Often older teachers have a much deeper understanding of the topic they are teaching, and this just comes from experience. However, younger teachers might have better understanding of technology and how the topic might be applied to contemporary times. In the advertising industry, for example, there may be statistical understanding that an older teacher explains better, whereas a younger teacher has a better grasp of the reach and demographics best hit by apps like Instagram.

How have teaching styles changed compared to the past?

Teaching these days makes much greater use of technology. I can’t remember the last time I saw a classroom with chalk sticks and a blackboard. Since COVID, it is also common for teaching styles to blend distance with in-person learning. Certain skills are also considered central to the learning experience now. For example, a lot of learning these days demands students research a topic using a variety of media on the internet.

Do you expect people to learn in the same way in the future?

I feel learning styles will forever evolve, but for now I think learning will occur through a blend of virtual and in-person methods. I feel like humanity is still a bit shaky on how to use some of the technology that was introduced during the global lockdown, so I don’t anticipate drastic changes in the foreseeable future. I imagine the next few years will involve solidifying our use of current technologies.