Speaking
Practice

An area of my hometown that has changed quickly is a district near the old bus station. Over the last five or six years, it has undergone rapid change and looks very different from when I was younger.

The area used to have small houses, local shops and several empty plots. Now, many of those spaces have become apartment buildings, cafés and convenience stores. A new road has also been built, and public transport connections are improving. Construction is still continuing in several streets.

The main reason is population growth and new development. More people have moved into the district because it is close to the city centre but was previously cheaper than nearby areas. This has attracted local businesses and larger companies. The changes have made shopping and transport more convenient, but they have also created traffic congestion at busy times. I recently visited a street where there used to be only a few houses, and I was surprised to see a supermarket, gym and several cafés there.

I have mixed feelings about the changes. The area is more useful and lively, which is positive, but it has also lost some of its quiet character. I hope future development includes more trees and public space.

A useful object at home that I would find very difficult to live without is the refrigerator. It is such a normal household appliance that I rarely think about it, but my family relies on it every single day.

We use it to keep food fresh, store drinks and save leftovers after meals. It also has a freezer where we keep meat, ice and a few prepared foods. Because several people live in my home, we usually buy groceries for a few days at a time rather than shopping every day.

I realised how important the refrigerator was when it stopped working for one weekend. At first, we thought the problem was minor, but the temperature inside started rising. We had to move some food to a relative's refrigerator and cook several items earlier than planned. We also bought ice to protect a few things temporarily. The experience was inconvenient and showed me how much our normal routine depends on this one appliance. Without it, food shopping and meal preparation would require much more planning.

I cannot imagine daily life without a refrigerator because it is a basic necessity rather than a luxury. It helps prevent food waste, saves time and money, and makes it possible to store food safely for several days.

A person who is very good at welcoming people into her home is my aunt, Mai. I have known her all my life, and family gatherings at her house are usually relaxed and enjoyable.

She is naturally friendly, but what makes her a good host is that she pays attention to small details. Before guests arrive, she prepares the living room, offers refreshments and makes sure there are enough seats. She never makes the house feel too formal, which helps people relax.

I noticed this clearly at a family dinner last year. One of my cousin's friends came with us and did not know anyone else. My aunt welcomed him at the door, introduced him to everyone and immediately asked about his university course. During dinner, she made conversation without asking uncomfortable questions and noticed when his glass was empty. After a short time, he was laughing and talking with the rest of the family. Later, he said he had expected to feel awkward but instead felt completely at ease.

I think my aunt is a welcoming host because she is thoughtful rather than simply generous. She notices what guests need and helps them feel included. Her home feels warm because people are treated naturally, not like formal visitors.

My ideal home would be a medium-sized apartment in a quiet neighbourhood of a large city. I would not want anything luxurious; I would mainly want a comfortable place that is practical for daily life.

The apartment would have two bedrooms, an open-plan living area and a balcony with enough space for a few plants. I would also like large windows for natural light and good natural ventilation. The kitchen would be simple but well organised, and I would want one small room or corner that could be used as a home office.

Location would be just as important as the apartment itself. Ideally, it would be within easy reach of public transport, a supermarket and a park. I would like to live in an area that is quiet at night but still has cafés and useful services nearby. If I worked partly from home, having a separate work area would help me keep work and personal life apart. The balcony would also give me a place to sit outside in the morning or evening.

This home would be ideal because it balances comfort, convenience and privacy. I would probably want to live there when I settle down more permanently. For me, an ideal home is not about size; it is about having a space that supports the way I actually live.

A place where I often read and write, apart from my home, is the public library near my university. It is about a ten-minute walk from campus and has a large quiet study area on the second floor.

I usually go there once or twice a week, especially when I have an assignment or need to do some reading without interruptions. I normally stay for one or two hours. I use the library to read course material, take notes and write a first draft before doing final editing at home.

One reason I started going regularly was a difficult essay last semester. I had tried working at home, but I kept checking messages and moving between different tasks. I went to the library one morning, found a desk near a window and put my phone on silent. For the next ninety minutes, I read two articles, took notes and wrote the main outline of the essay. The productive atmosphere made it easier to stay focused because everyone around me was also working quietly.

I feel calm and organised when I study there. The library is free from many everyday distractions, but it is not completely isolated. That balance makes it a useful place for both reading and writing.