IELTS BAND7

Friends are the people in our lives whom we need to share our lives, to share our joys, our sorrows. They are the people who we need the most in times of trouble. The people who understand us and are just like us. The ones who are with us in every crazy thing that we do and support us in every glut we fall ourselves into.

Are there any famous stories of friendship in your culture?

There is a very popular story of friendship between Krishna (the Lord) and Sudama. Sudama was from a poor family while Krishna belonged to a royal one. Despite the differences in their financial condition, both of them enjoyed each others company. Over the years they loose contact and Krishna becomes the leader or the king of Dwarka while Sudama remains humble. There comes a time in Sudama’s life when he is very poor and is not able to feed his family. Then, his wife reminds  him of their friendship. Though reluctant to go and meet him, Sudama goes and brings along beaten rice with him as gift. Krishna not only welcomes him with both hand but even without him asking, give him all the riches.

Can you describe one of your closest friends.

Over the years, I have the pleasure to be with some amazing people, one of them is Vipula Badoni. She is my closest friend and an amazing person. She is one of those sweetest people you would meet and would never talk harshly to anyone. Ever ready to help people, she is a doctor and very caring about her patients and family as well. No matter how little we are able to meet each other, whenever there is a trouble or joy, we both contact each other first.

Do you have any childhood friendships that are still strong today?

It won’t be very old, but I have a friend who has been with me since we were in high school. So, it is almost a decade that we have known each other. It is amazing that physically we have been together with each other only for two years but it is only when we separated our ways that we even came closer.

Do you have any long distance friends?

Most of my friends are long distance. My job requires me to travel a lot and so it is very difficult for me to stay in touch with people I know and I love, so we are almost always connected with each other either using our phones or letters. But, it is amazing since, whenever we meet, it is always like we met just yesterday.

How do you keep in touch with your long-distance friends?

We are connected with each other on either social media or on phone. There are even some friends of mine who I am connected with using letters. Yes, there is a friend of mine who does not like talking either on phone or social media. For her, I prefer writing letters and it is very beautiful. Because, every month we both wait for each others letters.

How often do you see your long-distance friends?

There are some friends of mine I have not seen for as long as I think five years. But those of my friends who live near my parents house and come during festivals, we get to meet each other every year.

Do you think it is a good idea to borrow money from a friend? Why or why not?

I am not a very big supporter of borrowing money, either from friend or family or for that matter anyone else. But, in cases of emergencies, I think it is not a bad idea to borrow money from a friend. But, it should be kept in mind that the money has to be returned as soon as possible. Because, often people tend to get worried in financial affairs.

Do you make friends easily?

If you say, people whom I can hang out with and interact here and there, yes I can do that very easily. But, then there are few people in my life who are very close to me and know me inside out. So, for the general interaction, yes I do make friends easily but for the intimate details about me, I tend to share it with only a few..

IELTS BAND7

We all grow up and we do in a different environment, so the way you grew up is completely different from the way your parents did and then it is completely different from the way your children will grow. This difference often makes people think in different way, and today let us have a look at some of the questions related to generation gap.

What is a generation gap?

Generation gap is the difference in the thought process of how people think and perceive things. So, there might be a generation gap between a parent and a child and even between two friends, because one might think in the present, the other in future.

Have you ever felt a generation gap with your friends?

There are some people in my life, with whom I do not totally agree with. Most of the times they believe in something my parents are more likely to believe, while I tend to disagree. But, this is something that happens on a few occasions. Most of the times the people who are very close to me, tend to in the same line as me.

How do you over come the generation gap?

The only way that people can overcome generation gap is when we stop thinking about it like that. We need to understand that their are two different individuals and they can think in any way that they want to. And more importantly, everyone should understand that the time is changing and the best way to remain updated is by being with time.

When do you feel the generation gap the most?

I feel it the most with my relatives, not even my  parents. Because my parents tend to understand my opinion, but with relatives they are more likely to just pass their judgement without understanding why I am thinking and in those situations, there is not much that I can say.

Is it possible to overcome a generation gap?

Yes, I think with a little understanding that times have changed and the generation gap is nothing but the comparison that people make of time.

At what point in life does the generation gap seem to be the largest?

When we are teenagers, I believe that is the time when generation gap seem to be the largest. Because, teenagers are going through lot of changes in their lives and they are discovering themselves, so it seems as if someone trying to tell you the right, is not able to understand you.

Do you think you can be a better parent than your own parents in future?

I am not very sure of it because I believe my parents have done an incredible job at growing us. With me, I think let time and situation speak of that.

Do you think it is OK to date or marry someone of a different generation to yourself, either older or younger?

Marriage is more about love. So, if someone can find love in a different generation, one should go ahead with it.

Do you think your generation’s fight is similar to your parents generation’s fight?

I think too an extent it is different because the situation is different, the circumstances are different. We are living in a world of internet where there is so much happening. But, when you look at a deeper level, I believe we are fighting the same fight. The one of making a great career and then finding love and in the hustle between the two, figuring out what we  truly want from our lives.

When did you first become an adult in your mind?

I remember reading archies comics during my college days and I was inspired by this girl, Betty. She is an amazing character, who does find a balance between love and career and I realized that I need to do something of that sort. So, I took a job and it was when then that I started realizing that at the end we all are individuals responsible for our lives. I started forgiving people better and understanding myself more. It was then that I felt, may be I have become an adult.

When is an age gap beneficial, and when is it a hindrance?

I think when you want to seek advice over something, age gap is beneficial because people older to you have seen much more world and you can get to know a completely different perspective than yours. But, it becomes hindrance, when the older person tries to completely put on their advice to the younger with little or no choice in the younger counterpart to take decision.

Can you talk to your parents about everything?

I think almost. In recent years, I have become much more open to them and tend to talk to them more like a friend, than simply parents.

IELTS BAND7