Candidate Task Card

Model answer

Well, to be honest, I want to talk about an afternoon last autumn when I got caught in a sudden downpour on my way home from work. I was walking back from the bus stop, and suddenly the sky turned pitch black and it just started pouring down out of nowhere. It was raining so hard that I couldn't even see the end of the street, and within a few minutes, the roads were flooded. I didn't have an umbrella with me, so I had to take shelter under a small cafe awning for nearly an hour. The wind was blowing wildly, and water was splashing everywhere. Um, it really caught me off guard because the weather forecast had said it would be clear all day. Eventually, the rain eased off a bit and I managed to walk home, but I was completely soaked to the skin. It made me realize how quickly bad weather can turn all your plans upside down.

Useful Phrases:

• got caught in a sudden downpour — unexpectedly stuck in very heavy rain
• out of nowhere — happening very suddenly without warning
• take shelter — find a safe place to protect yourself from bad weather
• caught me off guard — surprised me because I was not expecting it
• soaked to the skin — completely wet all over from heavy rain

Question 1

Model answer

I think a lot of it comes down to money, really. Land in flood-prone areas is often much cheaper, so families on lower incomes simply might not have any other choice. Also, some people have lived in these places for generations, so they feel a strong sense of community and don't want to leave. Plus, living near rivers can be great for agriculture or local trade. So even though it's risky, people tend to weigh the benefits against the dangers and choose to stay put.

Useful Phrases:

• comes down to — depends mainly on
• lower incomes — earning less money
• sense of community — feeling connected to neighbors and a local area
• weigh the benefits — compare the positive aspects with the risks
• stay put — remain in the same location without moving

Question 2

Model answer

In my view, yes, governments really should step in and set stricter rules. When people build right next to rivers, it creates huge safety risks when heavy rain hits. Also, when flood disasters happen, emergency services spend a lot of resources helping affected residents. Having said that, governments also need to offer alternative housing solutions instead of just banning construction. If they don't provide safe land elsewhere, people will just end up building illegally anyway. So a balanced approach is definitely needed here.

Useful Phrases:

• step in — take official action to deal with a problem
• stricter rules — tighter regulations or limits
• safety risks — potential hazards or dangers to people
• having said that — introducing a contrasting argument or another point
• balanced approach — dealing with a situation in a fair and sensible way

Question 3

Model answer

Well, I'd say the most practical thing is to put together a basic emergency kit beforehand. That means stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable food, and a battery-powered flashlight in case the power goes out. Families should also clear out their gutters and secure loose items around the house, like garden furniture or potted plants. Lastly, it's really important to keep an eye on official weather alerts so everyone knows exactly when to seek shelter or evacuate if things get really severe.

Useful Phrases:

• put together — prepare or assemble items into a collection
• stocking up on — gathering or buying large quantities of supplies
• in case — as a precaution against a future event
• clear out — remove dirt or unwanted items from a space
• keep an eye on — watch or check regular updates on something

Question 4

Model answer

Well, I think it's actually a bit of both. On one hand, news channels and social media cover extreme weather events constantly now, so we definitely hear about storms much more frequently than people did in the past. But on the other hand, many people feel that storms are getting stronger where they live. So while the media makes us hear about every storm, the weather itself may really be changing too.

Useful Phrases:

• a bit of both — a combination of two suggested options
• on one hand — presenting one perspective or side of an argument
• cover extreme weather — report news stories about severe weather conditions
• in the past — during earlier historical periods
• on the other hand — presenting a contrasting side of an argument