Monday, November 23, 2009

TOEFL Speaking Part 3

1. If your teacher makes a mistake, is it better to correct the teacher or ignore the mistake? Use reasons to support your response.


In my opinion, we should correct the teacher. There are many reasons for that.

First of all, all the students will listen to the correct answer. Otherwise, the other students will believe that it is the right one because it was said by our teacher.

Another reason is that, it will be an opportunity to start a discussion among students and teacher in order to broaden their horizons.

In addition, the teacher will appreciate that I paid attention on what she said.

For all the above reasons and many more, I believe that we have to correct the teacher and not to ignore a mistake, which could even be accidental.

2. Is it better to take chances in life or play it safe?


I believe that it is better to take risks in life. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, if someone takes chances in life he leads an interesting life.

Secondly, when you take risks you never know what future has store for you. It could be something positive, for example, a good job or a romantic relationship!

So, I think we should get every chance that arises!


3. Is it better to have a career that pays a lot of money but keeps you away from your family or a career that does not pays so much but allows you time with your family? Use reasons to support your response.

I consider it is better to have a career that doesn’t pay so much but allows me time with my family. There are many reasons for that.

One of them is that, when you are far away from your family, you suffer, because you miss the care and warmth of your family.

Another reason is that I wouldn’t need the money I gained because I would be lonely without my family. I would have no-one to spend it on.


4. Do you make decisions quickly or take your time making them? Use details and examples to support your response.

Irrespective of the discussion, I believe that we should consider them carefully before taking them.

The first reason is that by devoting time to reflect on a decision, you make a safer choice. For example, I gave it serious thought before leaving my job for another one.

The second reason is that if you don’t take the necessary time to think things over, you run the risk of choosing the wrong option, which will probably affect your life but also, people around you, for instance your family or colleagues.


5. Do you think children should always obey their parents, or are there times when it is not necessary for children to obey?

In my opinion, the children should always obey their parents. There are many reasons for that.

One of them is that, the obedience shown by a little child is very important. If they follow their parents’ rules they will be very successful when they grow up. Only with discipline and self-control do you succeed in life professionally and personally.

In this way, I believe that the parents are responsible for teaching their children to obey to them, by using rules and advice.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Vocabulary Calendar of November

1. I try to take advantage of every chance I meet.
2. I am influenced by horror films and I have nightmares at night!
3. I have to work diligently in order to achieve my aims.
4. I sat in a shaded place to rest after 2 hours of running.
5. I contribute to the decrease of the exhaust fumes by getting about on foot.
6. A major feature of a devastated area is the lack of water.
7. The company that I have sent an application to is internationally acclaimed.
8. We have already sent the invitation to the prominent author “…”.
9. Last night I didn’t sleep due to the anxiety I had.
10. After 5 years of hard work, he managed to have his own house.
11. This book gives advice ti parents on discipline.
12. These days a lot of people live under difficult circumstances.
13. She noticed that the night life was thriving.
14. He has a respectable family.
15. The old man who lives next to me has an enormous amount of money.
16. I came up with an innovative idea in the meeting.
17. Many companies search various ways of attracting potential customers.
18. Research demonstrates that many young people are disappointed with their job.
19. This road has been under construction for over a year.
20. She became rich due to a bequest of $5.000.000.
21. Next year I am going to implement the rules of a healthy lifestyle.
22. The instructions I have to follow are very strict.
23. I am trying to convince her to come with me, but she doesn't want to do so.
24. The polling is decided to start at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
25. I have doubts whether she tells me the truth or not.

TOEFL Speaking Part 2

1. Do you prefer to take essay exams or multiple choice exams?

I prefer to take multiple choice exams. There are two reasons for this.
Firstly, I believe that it is easier to find the correct answer, because you have three or four options and the correct answer is one them.
Secondly, you don’t need to spend much time in order to justify your response.
For these two reasons, I find the multiple choice exams more manageable!


2. Would you prefer to take a trip by plane or by train?

I love the route by train! There are many reasons for that.
First of all, I could sit and relax. Otherwise, I could meeting other people and have fun!
In addition, I would have a chance to take a look at the spectacular scenery which I couldn’t do if I travelled by plane.
For the above reasons and many more, I find the trip by train more interesting!

3. Would you like to live in a big city or a small town?

I would like to live in a small town. There are many reasons for that.
One of them, is that I could get about without using a car and going whenever I want. I love walking, so, a small town is ideal for me. In this way, I would avoid the traffic!
Furthermore, in a small town I would have an easy life, with more friendly people and a closer circle of friends.
To sum up, the above reasons are the most important ones, but there are many more!

4. Do you think it is better to study alone or study with friends?

In my opinion, it’s better to study alone for many reasons.
Firstly, when you study alone you can concentrate better on your work because there isn’t anyone to disturb you.
Moreover, you can have a break whenever you want, without having to follow the others’ programme. Therefore, you can function independently.
For these two reasons, I believe that it’s more effective to study alone than to study with other!


5. Do you prefer to play sports or watch sports?


I prefer to play sports for many reasons.
First of all, you can keep fit and healthy. Otherwise, the life we lead is sedentary.
Additionally, you can have fun by acquainting other people. Team sports, especially, enhance cooperation and develop new friendships.
So, playing sports, instead of watching them, is fulfilling and intriguing!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Vocabulary Calendar of October


  1. I will borrow money to go on holiday.
  2. The policeman came into the house by force.
  3. My boyfriend is emotional!
  4. When I was going to work, I met him by chance.
  5. The disease has killed thousand people in last months.
  6. I made a crucial decision about my future.
  7. The little boy’s behavior wasn’t proper.
  8. Which is the amount of money we have to pay for that?
  9. I moved in Heraklion 3 years ago.
  10. In the meeting with a novel client I involved in a lively debate.
  11. He accepted my offer spontaneously.
  12. Today there were two serious incidences at the hospital.
  13. His behavior was violent.
  14. The detective was searching for evidence.
  15. She failed the exams due to a lack of confidence.
  16. The little children imitate the behavior of their parents.
  17. This weekend I will visit my relatives in Thessaloniki.
  18. I focus my attention on finding a solution for the problem that I face.
  19. The policeman couldn’t correlate the two facts.
  20. I like reading books of all sorts.
  21. We are approaching our destination.
  22. The children are influenced by theirs peers.
  23. My views differ from yours.
  24. Next week I’m going to go sightseeing in Acropolis.
  25. She tried to express her feeling but he didn’t seem to realize anything.
  26. The little guy has an inherent talent.
  27. He behaved without dignity.
  28. I drew the conclusion after I read the text.
  29. Yesterday was a national holiday.
  30. Working out in a gym I released all my energy.
  31. The confrontation of problem needed a method to be followed.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Challenge week 7: If you had a choice of a country to holiday in, where would it be and why?


I would choose to go on holiday in Dubai. Dubai is actually one of the best places I have come across in travel magazines.




What is more, based on the TV documentaries that I have seen, I believe that Dubai would be a very interesting place to visit. So, I would like to go sightseeing there. I would have a private tourist guide to explain me the architecture of the buildings and help me see the sights.




Specifically, the highlights of the sights are “The Palm Islands” and “The world”. The Palm Islands, named Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali, are man-made islands which are built in the shape of a palm tree! These two islands are primarily destinations for relaxation and entertainment. The other sight is called “The world” due to its shape. “The world” is consisted of thousands small private artificial islands whose shape looks like the continents of the world!



However, Dubai would be a fantastic destination where I could go to relax and enjoy the sunny weather. This place contains the most expensive of first class hotels, luxury villas and apartments, famous beaches, restaurants, café and malls. So, I would go shopping, swimming and I would do water sports.


Furthermore, I am curious to meet the local people and find out more about their lifestyle and culture.


If you want more information you can visit this page of the Lonely Planet site!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

TOEFL Speaking Part 1


1. If you could have any job in the world what would it be? Use details to support your response.
If I could have any job in the world, I would love to be a guide for tourists. There are many reasons that I would choose this job.
First of all, I would often travel! I like very much to go in places that I have never been there before.
Moreover, I would speak 5 or 6 languages fluently! This would significantly expand my horizons.
For these two reasons and even more I would want to choose this job.


2. At what age should a person be allowed to drive? Use reasons to support your response.
In my opinion, a person should be allowed to drive at the age of 25. There are two reasons that I believe that.
Firstly, it should be based on the skill of the person. A person at the age of 25 has the physical ability to co-ordinate his brain with his body.
Furthermore, an individual at the age of 25 has reached an age of maturity to drive affectively.
However, everybody is different at any age… For example, there are some people that I don’t think should ever drive!

3. What is the best excuse to give your teacher when you have not done the homework? Use reasons to support your response.
If I haven’t done my homework I think of some excuses! Some examples follow bellow.
Firstly, the phrase: “Oh, no! I forgot it!” is a common excuse as we have a lot of things to do everyday.
Secondly, the phrase: “Did we have homework?!... I didn’t note it down!” is a human excuse because sometimes people are absent-minded.
These are two common examples of excuses, but there are many more.



4. What is your favorite day of the year? Use reasons to support your response.
My favorite day of the year is the day in which I met the love of my life for the first time. That’s the day of our anniversary! We celebrate every year by giving gifts to each other.




5. What change would you like your government to make? Use reasons to support your response.
I would like the government to protect the environment by taking measures.
Firstly, this can be achieved by promoting the renewable energy. Hence, we would save a considerable amount of energy.
Secondly, the government should teach the people the importance of recycling. If we learn how to recycle at home we will cut down on the amount of rubbish we throw away daily.
To sum up, these are the measures I would like the government promote in order to protect the environment and have a greener future!