English Lesson 114
Emails and hotels
Emails and messages, a hotel you know, and hotels and working in them.
How to practise
- Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
- Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
- Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
- Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
- Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Part 1 · Interview
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
What kinds of emails do you receive about your work or studies?
I get emails from my manager about tasks, from clients with questions, and from the HR department about meetings and holidays. I also receive newsletters about my industry, which I read when I have time.
- the HR departmentthe office that handles workers' matters
- newslettersregular emails with news
- my industrymy area of business
Do you prefer to email, phone or text your friends? Why?
I prefer texting. It's fast and relaxed, and my friends can answer when they want. I call when it's something important or when I want to hear their voice. I never email my friends. Email feels too formal.
- fast and relaxedquick and informal
- when I want to hear their voicewhen I want to talk directly
- feels too formalseems too official
Do you reply to emails and messages as soon as you receive them? Why?
For work emails, I try to reply within a few hours. For messages from friends, it depends. If I'm busy, I reply later. I don't like feeling that I must answer everything immediately.
- within a few hoursin less than a few hours
- it dependsthe answer changes
- answer everything immediatelyreply at once
Are you happy to receive emails advertising things? Why?
Not really. I get too many, and most of them aren't interesting. They fill up my inbox, so it's hard to find important emails. I usually unsubscribe from them.
- They fill up my inboxthey take up space in my email
- I usually unsubscribeI stop receiving them
Part 2 · Cue card
A hotel that you know
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 a hotel that you know.
You should say:
- where the hotel is
- what it looks like
- what facilities it has
- and explain whether you think it is a nice hotel to stay in
Start
I'd like to talk about the Abbasi Hotel in Isfahan. I stayed there for two nights with my parents last year, for their anniversary.
Where it is
It's in the centre of Isfahan, close to the famous Naqsh-e Jahan Square. You can walk to most of the historic places from there.
What it looks like
It's in a building that's more than three hundred years old. It used to be a caravanserai, where travellers rested. In the middle, there's a beautiful garden with fountains and old trees, and the walls are covered with traditional paintings and mirrors.
Its facilities
It has a big traditional restaurant, a café in the garden and a small shop. The rooms are comfortable, with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. There's also a tea house where they play live traditional music in the evening.
Is it nice
I think it's a wonderful hotel, especially for people who love history. Sitting in the garden at night, with the lights and the music, felt magical. It's quite expensive, but for a special occasion, it's worth it. The only downside is that some rooms are a bit small.
- You can walk to most of the historic placesthey are close enough to walk
- It used to be a caravanseraiin the past it was an old roadside inn
- the walls are covered with…the walls have many … on them
- live traditional musicmusic played by real musicians
- felt magicalfelt wonderful and special
- The only downside is that…the only bad point
Part 3 · Discussion
Hotels
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What things are important when people choose a hotel?
Price and location are the most important. People want a hotel that's safe and close to the places they want to visit. Cleanliness is also very important. Many people read online reviews before booking.
- Price and locationhow much it costs and where it is
- Cleanlinesshow clean it is
- before bookingbefore reserving
Why do some people not like staying in hotels?
Some people find hotels expensive and impersonal. They prefer to stay with family or rent an apartment, where they can cook and feel at home. Others don't sleep well in a strange bed.
- impersonalnot friendly or personal
- feel at homefeel comfortable, like at home
- a strange beda bed you're not used to
Is staying in a luxury hotel a waste of money?
It depends. For a normal trip, I think it's a waste, because you spend most of the day outside. But for a special occasion, like a honeymoon, a luxury hotel can make the trip unforgettable.
- a luxury hotela very expensive, high-quality hotel
- a honeymoona holiday after a wedding
- unforgettableimpossible to forget
Is hotel work a good career for life?
It can be, for people who enjoy working with people and don't mind working evenings and weekends. There are good chances to move up, from receptionist to manager. But the hours are long, and the pay at the start is often low.
- don't mindare okay with
- chances to move upopportunities for promotion
- receptionistthe person at the front desk
How does working in a big hotel compare with working in a small hotel?
In a big hotel, there are clear roles, more training and better chances of promotion. But it can feel impersonal. In a small hotel, you do many different tasks and know all the guests. It's friendlier, but often busier.
- clear rolesclear jobs for each person
- chances of promotionopportunities to get a better job
- know all the guestsknow every visitor
What skills are needed to be a successful hotel manager?
A hotel manager needs strong leadership and communication skills. They should be calm under pressure, because problems happen every day. They also need to understand money and marketing, and speak foreign languages for international guests.
- strong leadershipgood ability to lead
- calm under pressurecalm when stressed
- international guestsvisitors from other countries
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.