Speaking
Practice

A handmade gift I once gave was a small photo album for my best friend's birthday. I made it about two years ago when she was moving to another city for work.

We had been friends for many years and had hundreds of photos together, so I wanted to give her something personal rather than buying another normal present. I decided that a handmade album would remind her of different stages of our friendship.

I selected around thirty photographs, printed them in different sizes and bought a plain notebook with thick pages. Then I put the album together one page at a time. I added simple decorations, wrote captions under some photos and included short notes about funny memories. One page showed our first university trip, while another had pictures from ordinary coffee meetings. It took several evenings because I wanted the layout to look neat rather than rushed.

I gave her a handmade gift because the occasion felt important and I wanted to add a personal touch. She became emotional when she opened it and spent a long time looking through every page. I think handmade presents can be more meaningful because they are one of a kind and show the time someone has invested.

An occasion when I wore my best clothes was my cousin's wedding last year. It was a fairly formal celebration, so I decided to dress up more carefully than I normally do.

I wore a dark tailored suit, a white shirt and a simple pair of smart shoes. I had bought the suit a few months earlier for formal events. I chose it because it fit well and looked suitable without being too attention-grabbing.

On the morning of the wedding, I prepared everything early so I would not be in a rush. I ironed the shirt, polished the shoes and asked my brother whether the jacket looked right. At the reception, several relatives commented that I looked unusually formal, which made me laugh because they normally see me in T-shirts and jeans. I also felt more comfortable taking family photos because I knew the outfit looked neat. The clothes stayed comfortable enough even after several hours.

I felt confident wearing my best clothes because I had made an effort for an important family occasion. I would not want to dress like that every day, but for weddings or ceremonies, a formal outfit helps me feel prepared and shows respect for the event.

An experience when I lost something happened last year when I misplaced my wallet in a shopping centre. It contained some cash, two bank cards and my identification card.

I had spent the afternoon buying a few things and meeting a friend for coffee. I only realised the wallet was missing when I reached the parking area and tried to pay for parking. At that moment, I could not remember when I had last used it.

I immediately retraced my steps. First, I went back to the café and checked around the table, but nothing was there. Then I visited two shops and asked the staff whether anyone had handed in a wallet. While searching, I used my banking app to temporarily lock the cards because I was worried someone might use them. After about forty minutes, I returned to the information desk. Luckily, a cleaner had found the wallet near a bench and handed it in. Everything was still inside.

I felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment. I had started to panic because replacing the cards and identification would have been inconvenient. After that experience, I became much more careful about checking my pockets before leaving a place.

A place where I thought things were too expensive was a row of cafés and souvenir shops near a famous tourist attraction I visited last year.

I went there with two friends while travelling. The area was attractive and very convenient because it was directly beside the main sightseeing spot. We expected prices to be slightly higher than normal, but some of them surprised us.

One café charged almost twice what I normally pay for a basic coffee. Bottled water and simple snacks were also much more expensive. In a souvenir shop, a small printed T-shirt cost more than a similar one in the city centre. I think businesses there charge a premium because they have a prime location and many visitors do not have time to shop elsewhere. Rent is probably higher too, but the mark-up still felt excessive. We eventually bought only drinks and waited until later to eat a proper meal.

I understand why tourist areas are more expensive, but I do not like feeling that convenience is being used to justify any price. The area itself was enjoyable, but several products were simply not worth the price. I would visit again, but I would plan ahead and buy basic things elsewhere.

A small shop I often go to is a corner shop about two minutes from my apartment. It is not part of a large chain and has been run by the same family for many years.

Most customers are people who live nearby, including students, office workers and older residents. The shop sells everyday essentials such as bottled water, milk, eggs, bread, instant noodles, cleaning products and a few fresh vegetables.

I usually go there when I need to pick up groceries quickly and do not want to travel to a supermarket. The owner recognises many regular customers and is always friendly. Last week, I realised late in the evening that I had no eggs for breakfast, and the shop was still open, so I could solve the problem in a few minutes. The prices are sometimes slightly higher than a large supermarket, but the difference is small for basic items.

What I like most is the convenience and the personal atmosphere. I also appreciate that it stays open late. The only disadvantage is the limited selection, and sometimes I pay a little extra. Still, for small daily purchases, it is one of the most useful places near my home.