Cue Card

Describe a interesting foreigner

You should say:

• Who they are
• How you know them
• What kind of person they are
• And explain why you think they are interesting.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do you have any foreign friends?
2. Do you think having friends from other countries is a good way to learn foreign cultures?
3. Before you go to a foreign country, do you think it’s important to understand the language and culture?
4. What do you think of people who work at an international company?
5. What kinds of abilities do people need to have when working at an international company?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I met him on a crowded train in Tokyo. He was sitting across from me, sipping a can of sake and staring out the window at the neon lights blurring by. He looked like a character from a Haruki Murakami novel - worn leather jacket, scuffed up boots, and a mop of messy black hair. But it was his eyes that really caught my attention - they were this piercing green, like the first shoots of spring in a Japanese garden.

He introduced himself as Kaito, and we struck up a conversation. He was a musician, on his way to a gig in Shibuya. He pulled out his guitar and started playing this haunting melody that seemed to match the rhythm of the train. People around us started to stare, mesmerized by the beauty of the music.

As we talked, I realized that Kaito was more than just a musician - he was a cultural fusion of East and West. He grew up in LA, but his parents were Japanese, and he'd spent years studying traditional Japanese music. He was a true original, blending different styles and influences to create something entirely new.

What struck me most about Kaito, though, was his sense of wonder. He saw the world with fresh eyes, like a child discovering magic for the first time. He pointed out the beauty in the mundane - the way the light reflected off the train windows, the sound of the city outside. It was infectious, and soon I found myself seeing the world through his eyes.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

character from a novel

a person who seems like they could be a character in a book

He looked like a character from a novel, with his worn leather jacket and scuffed up boots.

piercing green

a bright, intense green color

His eyes were this piercing green, like the first shoots of spring in a Japanese garden.

cultural fusion

the blending of different cultures to create something new

He was a cultural fusion of East and West, blending traditional Japanese music with Western influences.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do you have any foreign friends? I've been fortunate enough to have a few foreign friends throughout my life, and I have to say, it's been a truly enriching experience. One of my closest friends, for instance, is from Japan, and we met while I was studying abroad. What I find fascinating about her is the way she seamlessly blends traditional Japanese customs with modern American culture. For example, she's always introducing me to new Japanese tea ceremonies, but she's also super into American pop culture, like watching the latest TV shows. It's amazing to see how she navigates both worlds with such ease.

Do you think having friends from other countries is a good way to learn foreign cultures? Absolutely! Having friends from other countries is one of the best ways to learn about foreign cultures, in my opinion. When you have a friend who's from a different country, you get to experience their culture firsthand, without even realizing it. For instance, my friend from Japan would often cook traditional Japanese meals for me, and I'd get to try all sorts of new dishes I'd never even heard of before. But it's not just about the food – it's about the little things, like how they celebrate holidays, or the way they interact with their families. It's a really immersive way to learn about a culture, and it's way more fun than just reading about it in a book.

Before you go to a foreign country, do you think it’s important to understand the language and culture? I think understanding the language and culture of a foreign country is crucial before visiting. I remember when I went to Japan for the first time, I didn't speak a word of Japanese, and it was really tough to navigate the city. But once I started learning some basic phrases and understanding the customs, everything became so much easier. For example, I learned that in Japan, it's customary to bow when greeting someone, and that it's considered impolite to tip at restaurants. These little things might seem insignificant, but they can make a huge difference in how you're perceived by the locals. Plus, when you understand the culture, you can appreciate the little things, like the way the food is presented, or the way people interact with each other.

What do you think of people who work at an international company? I have a lot of respect for people who work at international companies. I think it takes a special kind of person to be able to navigate different cultures and languages on a daily basis. My friend who works at an international company is always telling me about the different projects she's working on, and how she has to communicate with teams in different countries. It's amazing to see how she can switch between languages and cultures so easily. Plus, she's always learning about new customs and traditions, which I think is really cool.

What kinds of abilities do people need to have when working at an international company? I think people who work at international companies need to have a few key abilities. First and foremost, they need to be able to communicate effectively across different languages and cultures. This means being able to understand nuances and customs that might be specific to certain countries or regions. They also need to be adaptable and flexible, as they'll be working with people from different backgrounds and time zones. And finally, they need to be curious and open-minded, always willing to learn about new cultures and traditions. My friend who works at an international company is always telling me about the different cultural differences she encounters, and how she has to be creative in finding solutions that work for everyone.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

seamlessly blends

to combine two or more things together smoothly and naturally

she seamlessly blends traditional Japanese customs with modern American culture

navigate both worlds

to move easily and successfully between two different situations or environments

she navigates both worlds with such ease

firsthand

directly and personally, without relying on others

you get to experience their culture firsthand

immerse

to become completely involved or surrounded by something

it's a really immersive way to learn about a culture

crucial

extremely important or necessary

understanding the language and culture is crucial

navigate

to find your way through a difficult or complex situation

once I started learning some basic phrases and understanding the customs, I was able to navigate the city

appreciate

to recognize and enjoy the good qualities of something

when you understand the culture, you can appreciate the little things

respect

a feeling of admiration for someone or something

I have a lot of respect for people who work at international companies

nuances

small differences or subtleties in meaning or expression

they need to be able to understand nuances and customs that might be specific to certain countries or regions

adaptable

able to adjust to new or changing circumstances

they need to be adaptable and flexible

open-minded

willing to consider new ideas or perspectives

they need to be curious and open-minded