Describe a person who taught you something useful.

Sample answer (estimated band 7.5)

I'd like to talk about my high school woodworking teacher, Mr Arman Li. He taught me how to build a simple bookshelf during my final year at Riverside High. At first it was just a class project, but what he showed me turned out to be very useful. He never imposed a rigid method; instead he demonstrated key techniques, let us practice, and corrected mistakes. He emphasised the rule 'measure twice and cut once' and insisted on a step-by-step approach when planning a piece. Because we actually did everything ourselves, I gained real hands-on experience with a saw, a plane, and a power drill. There was one moment when my shelf collapsed because I rushed the glue and didn't clamp properly. Mr Li didn't scold me; he helped me understand what went wrong, taught me basic trouble-shooting on the fly, and encouraged me to try again. That taught me the value of patience and careful planning. Since then I've used those skills many times — fixing a wobbling kitchen cabinet, building a small desk for my home office, even helping friends move and reassemble furniture. Beyond carpentry, his lessons about breaking tasks into manageable steps and checking work twice have affected how I approach projects at work. For me, that ordinary teacher gave a very practical education that I still rely on.

Part 3 discussion questions

1. How important are vocational skills for a country's economy?
2. Should governments fund more hands-on training programs?
3. How can schools balance academic and practical education?
4. What role do mentors play in helping young people find careers?
5. Has the workplace changed the way people learn new skills?

Part 1 questions: Learning experiences

1. Who taught you something useful when you were a child?
2. Do you prefer learning from teachers or from friends?
3. What skill would you like to learn next?
4. Have you ever had to teach someone a practical skill?
5. Do schools teach enough practical skills?