OGE Mock #1 · Pair Edition

Dear Jane, Thank you for your email! Happy belated birthday — your park picnic sounds wonderful, and the handmade photo album must be a real treasure. In our family we usually celebrate birthdays at home. My parents bake a big cake, my friends come over, we play board games, and at midnight everyone signs a paper napkin with a wish for me. It is a small but very warm tradition. The present that makes me really happy is anything related to books or travel — a new novel, a poster of an old city, a notebook from somewhere far away. I keep them for years. I definitely think handmade gifts are better than shop-bought ones, because they show that you spent time thinking about the person. Write back soon! Best, Masha

1. Should teenagers help with the housework? Why? Yes, teenagers should definitely help with the housework, because our parents work hard all day and sharing the chores is a fair way to thank them. For example, in my family I take out the rubbish and help with cooking on Saturdays. Personally, I don't always enjoy doing the washing-up, but I never refuse — it's part of the deal. 2. Are big birthday parties a waste of money? I partly agree. A huge restaurant party with expensive decorations can really be a waste, because the next day there is nothing left except photos. For example, my best birthday was a small picnic in the park with five friends — handmade gifts and one cake. Personally, I prefer small celebrations because they feel more meaningful. 3. What can young people do to protect the environment? Young people can do a lot, even at home. We should sort the rubbish, save energy by turning off the lights, and use reusable bottles instead of plastic. For example, our class organised a "no-plastic Friday" last term. Personally, I believe small daily actions matter more than one big eco-event a year. 4. Boys and girls — should they share the same chores? Yes, I strongly believe boys and girls should share the same chores. Vacuuming the carpet is not "girls' work", and fixing a lamp is not "boys' work". For example, in my family my brother does the laundry and my mum fixes things. Personally, I think the home is cleaner when everyone helps with everything. 5. Is climate change really a serious problem for our generation? Yes, climate change is one of the most serious problems for our generation, because we will live with the consequences for the longest time. For example, summers are already hotter than ten years ago, and some species are becoming endangered. Personally, I think every teenager should learn at least the basics of ecology at school. 6. Handmade gifts vs shop-bought — which is better? I definitely prefer handmade gifts, because they show that you spent time thinking about the person. For example, last year my friends made me a photo album from our school trip — I still look at it. Personally, I think the price of a present matters much less than the feeling behind it.

1. What household chores do you usually do at home? At home I usually take out the rubbish, make my bed every morning, and on Saturdays I help my mum with the cooking. I don't love doing the washing-up, but I never refuse — it's part of the deal. 2. How often do you and your family recycle paper or plastic? We recycle almost every day. We have three small bins in the kitchen — for paper, plastic and glass. Once a week, my dad takes everything to the recycling point near our house. 3. How do you and your family usually celebrate birthdays? We throw a small party at home. My mum bakes a big cake, my friends come over, we play board games and we always try to bring handmade gifts. The candles and the wish are the most important part for me. 4. Why is it important for teenagers to help their parents at home? It's important because our parents work hard all day, and sharing the chores is a fair way to thank them. Also, learning to cook and clean is a useful skill for our own future life. 5. Some people say that big birthday parties are a waste of money. Do you agree? I partly agree. A huge restaurant party with expensive decorations can really be a waste. But a small home party with friends and handmade gifts costs almost nothing — and people remember it for years. 6. What advice would you give to a friend who wants to live in a more eco-friendly way? I would advise them to start small. Use a reusable bottle, recycle paper and plastic, walk or cycle to school. You don't have to change everything at once — one new habit a month is already a lot.

I'm going to give a talk about protecting the environment. In my area, the most serious problems are air pollution and rubbish on the streets. There are too many cars, and not all people throw their waste in the bins. In summer, the air sometimes feels heavy, and you can see smog above the city. But people can do a lot, both at home and at school. At home, families should save water, recycle paper and plastic, and turn off the lights when they leave a room. At school, we can organise eco projects, plant trees in the school yard, and bring reusable bottles instead of buying plastic ones. I really believe that young people can make a real difference. We are the generation that will live with the consequences for the longest time, so we have the strongest reason to act. Of course, one person alone is not enough — but when thousands of students do small things every day, the result is huge. As for my own attitude, I think recycling and other green habits should not feel like a punishment — they must become a normal part of daily life. I am proud that my family separates the rubbish, and I love our school's no-plastic week. In conclusion, protecting the environment is not someone else's job — it is ours. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you for listening!