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Describe a local news story that people were interested in

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Cue Card

Describe a local news story that people were interested in

You should say:

  • What it was about
  • When you saw/read this news story
  • Who was involved
  • And explain why people were interested in it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

  1. Do people read the newspaper where you live?
  2. Do people prefer local or international news?
  3. Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?
  4. How can people develop their national identity?

Sample Cue Card Answer

So, there was this crazy story that went down in our city last year. You might've seen it on the news - a local cat, named Max, got stuck in a tree for 48 hours. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous, but hear me out. Max's owner, Sarah, had been searching everywhere for him, posting flyers, asking around the neighborhood, the whole nine yards. She was frantic. Finally, someone spotted him perched on a branch about 30 feet up, meowing his head off. The fire department got called in, and they sent a team to rescue him.

The whole thing was live-streamed on social media, and it was wild. People were glued to their screens, watching this tiny cat dangling in the air. I mean, who doesn't love a good cat-in-a-tree story, right? But what really got people invested was the community that came together to help. Strangers were offering to lend their ladders, others were bringing over blankets to keep Max warm once he was rescued. It was this beautiful display of humanity, and it reminded us all that even in the midst of chaos, we can still come together and support each other.

The aftermath was just as interesting. Max became a local celebrity, with his own Instagram account and everything. People were donating to the local animal shelter in his name, and it sparked a whole conversation about animal welfare in our community. It was amazing to see how one little cat's misadventure could bring so much attention to important issues. And, of course, Max got a fancy new cat tree to prevent any future arboreal escapades.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

the whole nine yards
everything, the complete amount or extent of something
She's been searching everywhere, posting flyers, asking around the neighborhood, the whole nine yards.
glued to their screens
completely absorbed or captivated by something, often to the point of being unable to look away
People were glued to their screens, watching this tiny cat dangling in the air.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do people read the newspaper where you live? Honestly, I don't think many people in my area read physical newspapers anymore. With the rise of social media and online news sources, it's just easier for people to get their news fix on their phones or computers. I mean, think about it, why would you want to wait for a physical paper to be delivered to your doorstep when you can just scroll through your Twitter feed and get the latest updates in real-time? Plus, online news sources are often more up-to-date and cover a wider range of topics, so it's just more convenient for people to get their news online.

Do people prefer local or international news? From what I've observed, people in my community tend to prefer local news. I think it's because local news is just more relevant to our daily lives. When you hear about a new development project in your neighborhood or a local business that's struggling, it's just more relatable and interesting than some international news story that doesn't really affect you directly. Plus, local news often has a more personal touch, you know, like when the local paper does a feature on a community member who's doing something amazing. It's just more engaging and makes you feel more connected to your community.

Do you think it’s important to have a national identity? Absolutely, I think having a national identity is crucial. It's what binds us together as a country and gives us a sense of shared values and history. When you think about it, a national identity is like a shared narrative that explains who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for. It's what makes us proud to be American, or British, or whatever nationality you are. And it's not just about feeling proud, it's also about having a sense of responsibility to our country and to each other. When we have a strong national identity, we're more likely to work together towards common goals and support each other through tough times.

How can people develop their national identity? I think people can develop their national identity in a lot of ways, but one of the most important is through education. When we learn about our country's history, culture, and values in school, it helps us understand where we come from and what makes us unique. It's also important to engage with our community and participate in cultural events and traditions. For example, in my town, we have a big Fourth of July parade every year, and it's a great way to celebrate our national identity and connect with our community. Additionally, I think travel is also a great way to develop your national identity. When you visit other countries and see how they do things differently, it makes you appreciate your own country's unique qualities and values.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

get their news fix
to get the latest news or information
I get my news fix from social media
She gets her news fix from the newspaper
on their doorstep
at their home or place of residence
The newspaper is delivered on my doorstep every morning
The package was left on my doorstep
scroll through
to quickly look through something, often on a screen
I scrolled through my Twitter feed to catch up on the news
She scrolled through the menu to find something to eat
more relatable
easier to understand or connect with
The local news is more relatable to my life
The movie was more relatable to my experiences
community member
a person who lives in a particular community
The local paper did a feature on a community member who started a charity
The community member was honored for their contributions
binds us together
unites or connects people
Our shared values bind us together as a community
The event binds us together as a team
work towards common goals
to cooperate or collaborate to achieve shared objectives
We need to work towards common goals to achieve success
The team worked towards common goals to win the championship
engage with
to participate or interact with something
I engage with my community through volunteer work
She engages with her audience through social media
unique qualities
special or distinctive characteristics
The country's unique qualities make it a great place to visit
The product's unique qualities set it apart from the competition

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