Use past tenses to describe when the story was first written etc.:
The story was originally written about 500 years ago.
I first read the story I saw the film / programme when I was living in Beijing.
Use present perfect tense:
I’ve always been a big admirer of Zhu Bajie.
People 5: An old person
Describe an old person who has influenced you.
You should say:
Who the person is
How you know this person
How he / she has influenced you
Whether this person has influenced other people.
Suggestion Talk
Talk about a teacher (the same as the next topic).
Uncommon Vocabulary
old aged pensioner elucidate (= explain) put in plain words
well-respected tutor mentor inspiring
Grammar Point
Use a mix of past tenses:
We first met when I was studying in my primary school.
He used to be my Chinese teacher.
Use future tenses:
I will always remember how he...
I will never forget how he...
People 6: A teacher who has influenced you
Describe a teacher who has influenced you.
You should say:
Who the teacher is
Where and when you met him / her
How he / she has influenced you
Whether you still know this teacher.
(Exactly the same as People 5: An old person.)
People 7: A neighbor
Describe a neighbor who you get on well with.
You should say:
Who the neighbor is
How long you known this person
What you like about this person
How often see this person.
(Exactly the same as People 5: An old person.)
People 8: A child you know
Describe a child that you know.
You should say:
Who the child is
How you know this child
What you like about this child
What things you do with this child.
Suggestion
Choose a young relative (cousin, brother or sister).
Uncommon Vocabulary
youngster kid youthful
relative chummy immature
(See also Part One Topic 14: Friends.)
Grammar Point
Use a mix of past tenses:
I’ve known this kid ever since he was a baby.
He used to live in the same community with me.
Use future structures:
I will always remember how he...
I will never forget how he...
People 9: A family member
Describe a family member who you like.
You should say:
Who the person is
What you like this person
What things you do together
Whether you think you are similar to this person.
(Exactly the same as People 8: A child you know.)
People 10: Compare two family members
Compare two members of your family.
You should say:
Who the two people are
How they are similar
How they are different
What you like about these two people.
You can use most of the same content from People 8: A child you know, but you can invent a twin brother or sister for that child, so you can talk about "my young cousins who are identical twins".
Uncommon Vocabulary
identical impossible to tell apart like two peas in a pod
likeness outward appearance trail
Grammar Point
You need to use some comparative structures:
A tends to be more... (adj.) whereas in contrast B seems to be more... (adj.) On the one hand, A is usually quite... (adj.) while B is often fairly... (adj.) One remarkable similarity is that they both... One clearly distinguished distinction is that...
People 11: Someone you have studied or worked with
Describe someone you have studied or worked with.
You should say:
How the person was
When you first met this person
Whether you had a good relationship
Whether other people liked this person.
Suggestion
Invent someone. Don’t talk about a real person. Choose a classmate or workmate who was also your friend and focus on friendship as well as studying or working.