Examiner: Good morning/afternoon. Can you tell me your full name, please?
Candidate: Good morning. My name is Wara.
Examiner: Thank you. And where are you from?
Candidate: I’m from Indonesia.
Examiner: Thank you. Now, in this first part, I’d like to ask you some questions about yourself. Let’s talk about online shopping. How often do you buy things online? And why is that?
Candidate: Well, I’d say I shop online quite frequently, probably several times a month. I mainly use Tokopedia, which is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in Indonesia. The main reason is convenience, really – I can browse products during my lunch break at work or in the evening without having to deal with traffic or crowded shopping malls. Plus, the variety of products available online is much greater than what I’d find in physical stores.
Examiner: What was the last thing you bought online?
Candidate: Actually, the last thing I purchased was quite unusual – it was Football Manager 2008 on a flash drive. I know it’s an old game, but I’m quite nostalgic about it and wanted to revisit it. I found a seller on Tokopedia who had it available, which was perfect since it’s nearly impossible to find in regular shops nowadays.
Examiner: Do you ever see things in shops and then buy them online? Why or why not?
Candidate: Yes, I do that occasionally, particularly with electronics or books. I find it useful to see and touch products in physical stores first to check the quality and specifications, but then I’ll compare prices online before making the final decision. Often, online retailers offer better deals or promotions, so it makes financial sense to purchase through them. However, for groceries or items I need immediately, I just buy them in the shop there and then.
Examiner: Do you think the popularity of online shopping is changing your town or city centre? Why or why not?
Candidate: Absolutely, I think it’s having a significant impact. In my area, I’ve noticed that some traditional retail shops have closed down or reduced their floor space because they simply can’t compete with online prices. However, on the flip side, there’s been a rise in cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues – places that offer experiences rather than just products. I think city centres are transforming from pure shopping destinations into more social and experiential spaces, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Examiner: Now, I’m going to give you a topic and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you talk, you’ll have one minute to think about what you’re going to say, and you can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?
Candidate: Yes, I understand.
Examiner: Here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe a time when you enjoyed visiting a member of your family in their home.
[One minute preparation time]
Examiner: All right? Remember, you have one to two minutes for this. Don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?
Candidate: Yes, of course. I’d like to talk about a visit I made to my stepmother and sister in their home in Kandang Roda, Cibinong, which is in the Bogor area, not too far from Jakarta.
This visit happened about six months ago, and the main purpose was really to check up on their livelihood and see how they were doing. You see, I don’t live with them anymore since I moved for work, so I try to visit whenever I can to make sure everything’s going well with them.
When I arrived, it was around midday, and my stepmother had already prepared lunch for us. We sat down together at the dining table, and she’d cooked some of my favourite Indonesian dishes – there was nasi goreng, some grilled chicken, and fresh vegetables. While we were eating, we just talked about everything – their daily routines, my sister’s progress at school, my work at the Ministry, and just general family updates.
What I particularly enjoyed about this visit was the quality of the conversation we had. In our busy lives, we often just exchange quick messages on WhatsApp or brief phone calls, but sitting together face-to-face allowed for much deeper, more meaningful chat. My sister told me about her ambitions and the subjects she’s interested in, and my stepmother shared some concerns she had that she hadn’t mentioned before over the phone. There was this warmth and intimacy that you simply can’t replicate through digital communication.
I think what made it special was the simplicity of it all – no elaborate activities or expensive outings, just good food, comfortable surroundings, and genuine connection with family members I care about. It reminded me how important it is to maintain these relationships and not let physical distance create emotional distance as well.
Examiner: Thank you. Have you visited them since then?
Candidate: Yes, I try to visit every few months when my work schedule allows it.
Examiner: We’ve been talking about visiting family members, and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider first of all families in your country. When do families celebrate together in your country?
Candidate: In Indonesia, families typically come together for several important occasions throughout the year. The most significant is definitely Lebaran, or Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. This is when there’s a massive tradition called “mudik,” where millions of people travel back to their hometowns to reunite with extended family. Beyond religious celebrations, families also gather for important life events like weddings, which are huge affairs in Indonesian culture, as well as birthdays, particularly milestone ones, and unfortunately, funerals as well. There’s also the Lunar New Year for Chinese-Indonesian families. What’s characteristic about Indonesian culture is that these gatherings tend to be quite large, often involving not just immediate family but extended relatives, neighbors, and close family friends.
Examiner: How often do all the generations in a family come together in your country?
Candidate: I’d say this varies considerably depending on geographical proximity and family structure, but generally speaking, multi-generational gatherings happen quite regularly in Indonesia compared to Western countries. For families living in the same city or area, it’s not uncommon to have weekly or at least monthly gatherings, perhaps for Sunday lunch at the grandparents’ house. However, for families spread across different cities or islands – which is increasingly common due to work migration – these full multi-generational reunions might only happen a few times a year, particularly during major holidays like Lebaran. That said, Indonesian culture places tremendous value on respecting elders and maintaining family ties, so even younger generations who’ve moved away make considerable efforts to return home for important occasions.
Examiner: Why is it that some people might not enjoy attending family occasions?
Candidate: Well, there are several reasons, I think. Firstly, family gatherings can sometimes come with unwanted pressure or intrusive questions – you know, the classic “When are you getting married?” or “Why don’t you have children yet?” which can be quite uncomfortable, particularly for young adults. Some people also experience tension with certain family members due to personality clashes, old conflicts, or differing values and political views, which can make these occasions stressful rather than enjoyable. Additionally, for introverts or people with social anxiety, large, noisy family gatherings can be quite overwhelming and emotionally draining. There’s also the practical aspect – these events often require significant travel, expense, and time off work, which isn’t always feasible. And honestly, some people simply don’t feel a strong connection to their extended family and find these obligations more of a chore than a pleasure, though admitting this is quite taboo in many cultures, including Indonesian culture.
Examiner: Do you think it is a good thing for parents to help their children with schoolwork?
Candidate: I think parental involvement in schoolwork is generally beneficial, but it depends on how it’s done. When parents help their children by explaining concepts, encouraging curiosity, and teaching problem-solving approaches, it can significantly enhance learning and also strengthen the parent-child relationship. It also allows parents to monitor their child’s academic progress and identify areas where they might be struggling. However, there’s a fine line between helping and doing the work for them. If parents simply provide answers without ensuring understanding, or if they become overly controlling about homework, it can actually hinder the child’s development of independence and critical thinking skills. I also think it’s important to acknowledge that not all parents have the time, knowledge, or educational background to help with certain subjects, particularly at higher levels, and that’s perfectly acceptable. The key is finding the right balance between support and allowing children to develop their own learning autonomy.
Examiner: How important do you think it is for families to eat together at least once a day?
Candidate: I believe eating together as a family is quite important, though I understand it’s increasingly difficult in modern life. These shared meals provide a natural opportunity for family members to connect, share their experiences from the day, and maintain communication in a relaxed setting. Research has shown that children who regularly eat with their families tend to have better academic performance, healthier eating habits, and stronger family bonds. From my own experience, some of the most meaningful conversations with my family have happened around the dinner table. That said, I think the quality matters more than the frequency – having one genuinely engaged meal together a few times a week is probably more valuable than rushing through daily meals while everyone’s distracted by their phones or television. In today’s world, where parents might work irregular hours and children have various after-school activities, I think families should aim for regular shared meals when possible, but shouldn’t feel excessive guilt if daily meals together aren’t realistic.
Examiner: Do you believe that everyone in a family should share household tasks?
Candidate: Yes, absolutely, I think shared responsibility for household tasks is both fair and beneficial for everyone involved. Firstly, from a practical standpoint, when household chores are distributed among all capable family members, it prevents one person – historically and typically the mother – from being overwhelmed and exhausted by shouldering the entire domestic burden. This is particularly important in families where both parents work outside the home. Beyond fairness, though, I think involving children in household tasks is crucial for their development. It teaches them life skills they’ll need when they eventually live independently, instills a sense of responsibility and contribution to the family unit, and helps them appreciate the work that goes into maintaining a home. Of course, the distribution should be age-appropriate and consider individual circumstances – you wouldn’t expect a young child to do the same tasks as a teenager or adult. But the principle of everyone contributing according to their ability creates a more harmonious, equitable household and prepares children to be competent, responsible adults.
Examiner: Thank you very much. That is the end of the speaking test.
Candidate: Thank you.
