CUE CARD
You should say:
Where it is
What it is like
Why you visited it
and explain why you would not like to live there
ANSWER
(Where it is)
Today, I would like to share with you some information about the house of my best Singaporean friend, Jia Jing, that really impresses me. It is located in one of the largest heartland neighbourhoods in Singapore called Yishun. The thing I like most about this house is that it bristles with many different kinds of plants and has a minimalist design.
(Why you visited it)
Jia Jing invited me to a year-end party which he hosted right at his apartment. Despite my packed schedule, I tried my best to attend the party.
(What it is like)
As far as I know, his condo had just undergone a substantial transformation, from a mediocre condo flat into a spacious, streamlined home. Arriving on his doorstep, I was greeted not by the usual metal gate/wooden front door combo, but by a padlocked glass door that opens onto a small foyer. Inside the apartment, a sophisticated backdrop of dark and light wood panels and mirrors is punctuated starkly yet strikingly with Zen accents such as a bonsai tree and a Japanese lantern.
(And explain why you would not like to live there)
There are two main reasons why the idea of residing in this house has never crossed my mind. First, this house is located in Singapore, which has the highest living costs in the world. Also, since this is a private condo, the maintenance fee residents have to pay on a monthly basis is relatively high. Thus, living in this fancy condo is not an ideal choice for those who are financially disadvantaged like me.
Vocabulary
1. Bristle with (phrasal verb):
Singapore bristles with magnificent skyscrapers.
2. Mediocre (adj):
The film’s plot is predictable and the acting is mediocre.
3. Cross someone’s mind (phrase):
It crossed my mind yesterday that you must be short of staff.
