Describe a skill you learned as an adult

Sample answer (estimated band 7.5)

I'd like to talk about learning to cook properly, which I only really did after I moved out of my parents' house at twenty-three. Before that I could just about make an omelette, so living alone was a bit of a shock. At first I relied on short recipe videos, but I kept making the same mistakes, so a friend persuaded me to join a weekend class at a community kitchen. The teacher focused on basics — knife skills, controlling heat, balancing flavours — rather than fancy dishes, and that made a huge difference. I'd say it took about six months before I felt confident cooking for other people without a recipe in front of me. The main reason I decided to learn was money, honestly: I was spending far too much on takeaways. But it turned into something I genuinely enjoy, and now cooking on a Sunday evening is how I unwind before the working week.

Part 3 discussion questions

1. Why do some adults find it harder to learn new skills than children?
2. Should employers pay for their staff to learn new skills?
3. Is it better to learn a skill from a teacher or from online videos?
4. Which skills do you think will be most valuable in twenty years' time?

Part 1 questions: Daily routine

1. What time do you usually get up?
2. Is your routine different at the weekend?
3. What part of the day do you enjoy most?
4. Would you like to change anything about your daily routine?