Describe a family member you admire.

Sample answer (estimated band 7.5)

I want to talk about my older sister, Lina. She’s thirty-two and runs a small bakery in the centre of our town called Sunrise Bakes. Growing up she always seemed calm and practical, and now she’s turned those qualities into a real strength in business and in life. What impresses me most about Lina is her resilience. A few years ago the bakery almost went under when a rival opened nearby, but instead of panicking she rethought the whole operation. She started offering home deliveries, focused on a few signature pastries, and trained two young women from our neighbourhood so they could earn steady wages. I remember one night when the ovens broke down; she stayed up until dawn making adjustments, then found a way to borrow equipment so no customers were let down. She has this knack for turning setbacks into opportunities and she leads by example — not by giving orders, but by doing the work herself. On a personal level she’s incredibly supportive; she saved money to help me with my university fees without making a fuss. Because of her I try to be more responsible and calm when things go wrong. In short, Lina isn’t perfect, but she’s the kind of person whose attitude and actions I really admire and try to emulate.

Part 3 discussion questions

1. How important is it for society that children respect their elders?
2. In what ways have modern lifestyles changed family relationships?
3. Should governments do more to support families? Why or why not?
4. How do role models within the family influence a person's choices later in life?
5. Are there differences between urban and rural families when it comes to caring for older relatives?

Part 1 questions: Family life

1. Who do you live with now?
2. How often do you meet extended family members?
3. Do you have any regular family traditions?
4. What kind of help do parents usually give their children?
5. Who in your family do you get along with best?