(a) Bouquet of (flowers) (phrase) an attractively arranged bunch of flowers, especially
one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony
6.3. Do you think flowers are important?
For an introvert like me, enjoying the harmonization of various types of flowers with
different gorgeous colors in the garden or in florist shops could brighten up my days and
lift my spirits.
Vocabulary
Harmonization (n) a good combination
Gorgeous (adj) beautiful, very attractive
Brighten up (phrasal verb) make something more pleasant and happy
Lift our spirits (expression) make us feel happier
6.4. Are flowers important in your culture? (Give examples)
Definitely.
With beautiful meanings, some flowers are chosen to show people’s key
virtues. Lotus flowers, for example, have been regarded as the national flower. The lotus
plants grow from the marsh but their leaves and flowers grow toward the direction of
the sunlight, which symbolizes the purity and faithfulness of people’s spirits.
Vocabulary
Virtue (n)
good qualities or characteristics
To regard as (v) to consider or think of in a specified way
To symbolize (v) to be a symbol of
6.5. Do people in your country ever use flowers for special occasions?
Flowers are widely used in many occasions and festivals in our country to represent for
a blessing, happiness and good luck. Most families have at least one kind of plants or
flowers at home.
6.6. What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?
A bunch of flowers is considered as a gift for a wide range of occasions for both people
to send and receive flowers. For example,
in a birthday party, Women’s day, or
Valentine’s day, colorful flowers are arranged nicely in a small vase and given to each
other.
Vocabulary
A bunch of flowers (phrase) a number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or
fastened together.
6.7. In your country, do people (ever) give flowers as a gift?
Yes, they do. As mention above, flowers play an essential role in different occasions as
a special gift for people to show love to one another. People, especially girls, are happy
and pleased when they receive their favorite flowers from beloved ones on their
birthday.
7. Bus and taxi
7.1. How often do you take the bus?
Even though I don’t really like public transport, I have to take bus to go to my university
on a daily basis because it is quite far to bike from home to my university and it is the
safest choice for me.
On a daily basis (adv) everyday
7.2. When was the first time you took a taxi?
My very first time taking a taxi was around 10 or 11 years ago. It was raining heavily
after my class finished. The streets were seriously flooded so my dad could not come to
pick me up. He asked me to take a taxi to go home. It was one of my very first experience
travelling alone without my parents.
Vocabulary
To be flooded (v) to become covered or submerged by
a flood
To pick SO up (n) to go somewhere to collect someone, typically in one's car
7.3. What are the advantages of taking a taxi compared with buses?
Their 24/7 tailored service has been improved and become
better recently which is
much more flexible and save us a great deal of time and energy, especially when we
rush for any appointment. Moreover,
by taking a taxi, we don’t need to walk to the
station or destination.