Speaking
Practice

A change that could improve my local area would be creating more pedestrian-friendly streets. At the moment, many roads are designed mainly for cars and motorbikes, so walking can feel uncomfortable, especially during hot weather or busy hours.

There are some pavements, but they are often narrow or blocked by parked vehicles. The area also lacks shaded public space, even though many residents walk to nearby shops, schools and cafés. In my view, better walking conditions would make daily life more pleasant and safer.

The local authority could start with one or two busy streets. First, it could repair the pavements and add clear crossings. Then it could plant more trees and create shaded walkways. Parking rules would also need to be enforced so that pedestrians have enough space. If traffic flow became a problem, some streets could use one-way systems or lower speed limits. These are not huge changes, but together they could make a real difference.

I would support this change because it would encourage people to walk more, reduce short motorbike trips and make the neighbourhood feel more welcoming. A good local area should be convenient not only for vehicles but also for people on foot.

An elderly person in my family whom I really enjoy talking to is my grandfather. He is in his late seventies, and I usually see him once or twice a month because he lives about an hour away from my home.

He is a calm and wise person with a very good sense of humour. Even though he is older, he takes an interest in new technology, current events and what younger people are doing. He does not speak in a serious way all the time, so conversations with him feel relaxed rather than formal.

One thing I especially like is hearing him share memories from his younger years. Last time I visited, he told me about his first job and how he had to travel a long distance every day. He compared that routine with the way people work now and asked about my own plans. We ended up talking for nearly an hour. He did not simply give advice; he listened carefully and asked questions before sharing his opinion.

I enjoy talking to him because I learn a lot from his life experience without feeling that I am being lectured. He helps me see problems from a wider perspective, and his stories also make family history feel more personal.

A family event I am really looking forward to is my cousin's wedding, which is going to take place later this year. It will be one of the biggest family gatherings we have had for quite a long time.

The wedding reception will be held at a hotel in my hometown. Most of my relatives live in different places now, so some of them will travel quite far to attend. I have not seen several cousins for more than a year, which is one reason the event feels special to me.

Before the wedding, I am going to help with a few preparations, such as checking the guest list and helping decorate a small family table. On the day itself, I will probably arrive early, take photos and welcome relatives as they come in. During the reception, I hope to catch up with family members, enjoy the meal and join the group photos. There may also be a short tea ceremony at home before everyone goes to the hotel.

I am looking forward to the event because it will bring the family together for a happy reason. Weddings can be busy, but they also create a rare chance for people of different generations to spend time together.

A child I know quite well is my niece, An. She is seven years old, and I usually see her every weekend because my sister lives quite close to me.

An is extremely curious and energetic. She asks endless questions about animals, space and how everyday things work. She is also imaginative and can spend a long time making up stories with toys or drawing strange little characters. At the same time, she can be quite playful and sometimes finds it difficult to sit still.

A few weeks ago, I helped her with a school project about plants. Instead of simply copying information, she wanted to grow a few beans in a jar so she could watch the roots develop. Every day she checked them and wrote one short sentence about what had changed. When the first green shoot appeared, she ran to show everyone in the house. I liked seeing how excited she was about something so simple.

I am very fond of her because she brings a lot of energy into the family. She can be noisy, but she also cheers people up easily. Spending time with her reminds me to be more curious and to notice small things that adults often ignore.

The family member I spend the most time with is my younger brother. We live in the same home, so naturally we see each other every day and spend more time together than I do with most other relatives.

He is easy-going, practical and quite funny. We have a lot in common, especially our taste in films and food, although we are different in some ways. He is more spontaneous, while I usually prefer to plan things in advance.

On normal days, we share household tasks, eat dinner together and often chat over dinner about work, study or something we saw online. At weekends, we sometimes go for coffee, watch a film or do grocery shopping together. When one of us is busy, the other usually helps with small things around the house. Last month, for example, I had several deadlines, so he cooked dinner twice and handled some errands without making a big deal about it.

I spend the most time with him mainly because we live together, but I also genuinely enjoy his company. It is comfortable to have a close family member around who understands my habits and does not require formal conversation. Our time together is usually simple, but it feels natural and supportive.