English Lesson 106

TV shows and starting a business

Your favourite TV shows, someone who started a business, and choosing a job.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

TV programmes

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Where do you usually watch TV programmes? Why?

I usually watch them on my laptop in my room, using streaming apps. It's more convenient, because I can watch whenever I want. Sometimes I watch on the big TV in the living room with my family, especially football.

  • streaming appsapps for watching online
  • It's more convenientit's easier
  • whenever I wantat any time I like

What's your favourite TV programme? Why?

My favourite is a cooking competition called MasterChef. I like it because it's exciting, and I learn new recipes. I also enjoy seeing normal people follow their dreams and improve every week.

  • a cooking competitiona show where people compete in cooking
  • follow their dreamstry to do what they love
  • improve every weekget better each week

Are there any programmes you don't like watching? Why?

I don't like reality shows where people argue and shout all the time. They feel fake and a bit stressful. I also don't enjoy long political talk shows, because they're usually boring.

  • reality showsshows about real people's lives
  • They feel fakethey don't seem real
  • political talk showsprogrammes where people discuss politics

Will you watch more or fewer TV programmes in the future? Why?

Probably fewer. I'm getting busier with work, and I'd like to spend more time outside and with friends. When I do watch, I'll probably choose a few good series instead of watching randomly.

  • Probably fewer.a short prediction
  • I'm getting busierI have more work
  • instead of watching randomlynot without a plan

Part 2 · Cue card

Someone you know who has started a business

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe someone you know who has started a business.

You should say:

  • who this person is
  • what work this person does
  • why this person decided to start a business
  • and explain whether you would like to do the same kind of work
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about my cousin Nazanin, who started a small online business two years ago.

Who she is

She's twenty-nine, and she studied graphic design at university. She's very creative and hard-working.

What work she does

She makes hand-painted ceramic mugs and plates with traditional Persian patterns. She sells them on Instagram and through a small website, and she sends them all over the country.

Why she started it

After university, she worked in an advertising company, but she didn't enjoy it. She felt she had no freedom to be creative. During a holiday, she painted a mug for her mother, and her friends wanted one too. That's when she had the idea. She saved some money and left her job.

Would you do the same

I admire her, but I don't think I'd like to do the same work. I'm not very artistic, and running a business is very stressful. She works late every night, and she's responsible for everything. But I'd love to have her courage to follow her dream.

  • started a small online businessbegan selling on the internet
  • hand-painted ceramic mugscups painted by hand
  • She felt she had no freedom to be creativeshe couldn't use her ideas
  • That's when she had the ideathe idea came at that moment
  • I'm not very artisticI'm not good at art
  • her courage to follow her dreamher bravery to do what she loves

Part 3 · Discussion

Jobs and business

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

What kinds of jobs do young people not want to do in your country?

Many young people don't want hard physical jobs, like construction or farming. They also avoid jobs with very low pay or long hours, like working in factories. Most of them prefer office jobs or jobs with technology.

  • hard physical jobsjobs that are hard for the body
  • very low payvery little money
  • office jobsjobs at a desk

Who is best at advising young people about choosing a job, teachers or parents?

I think both can help in different ways. Parents know their child's personality very well. Teachers know their skills and talents at school. The best advice probably comes from people who actually work in that field.

  • in different waysdifferently
  • their skills and talentswhat they are good at
  • people who actually work in that fieldpeople with real experience

Is money always the most important thing when choosing a job?

No, not always. Money is important, because we need to pay for things. But if you hate your job, you'll be unhappy, even with a high salary. Things like interest, colleagues and free time are also very important.

  • No, not always.a careful no
  • if you hate your jobif you really don't like it
  • even with a high salaryeven if the pay is good

Why do some people want to start their own business?

Some people want to be their own boss and make their own decisions. Others have a special idea or skill. And some people hope to earn more money than in a normal job, even though it's risky.

  • be their own bosswork for themselves
  • make their own decisionsdecide for themselves
  • even though it's riskyalthough it might fail

What are the challenges of starting a business?

The biggest challenge is money, especially at the beginning, when there's little income. There's also a lot of paperwork and competition. And business owners often work very long hours, which can affect their health and family life.

  • little incomenot much money coming in
  • paperworkofficial forms
  • affect their health and family lifecause problems for health and family

Has the internet made it easier to start a business? How?

Yes, much easier. Now you can sell products on Instagram or a website without renting a shop. Advertising online is cheaper than on TV. And you can reach customers all over the country, or even the world, from your bedroom.

  • without renting a shopwithout paying for a shop
  • reach customersfind and sell to customers
  • from your bedroomfrom home

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.