English Lesson 12
The internet and films
Using the internet, a film you enjoyed, and films compared with books.
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
The internet
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
Do you use the internet very often? What for?
Yes, I use it all day. For work, I need it to search for information and talk to my team. In my free time, I use it to watch videos, read the news and chat with friends. I also do most of my shopping online.
- I use it all daya strong, simple answer
- search for informationlook for facts online
- In my free time, …talk about hobbies
How important is the internet in our daily lives?
It's extremely important. We use it for almost everything: banking, shopping, studying and even ordering a taxi. When the internet goes down, people feel lost, because they can't do their daily tasks. I think it's as important as electricity now.
- extremely importantextremely = very, very
- When the internet goes down, …goes down = stops working
- feel lostfeel confused, not sure what to do
- as important as electricitymake a comparison
How important will the internet become in the future?
I think it'll become even more important. More things in our homes will be connected, like fridges, lights and cars. Also, more people will work and study online. So life without the internet will be almost impossible.
- even more importanteven = more than now
- will be connectedwill use the internet
- almost impossiblenearly impossible
How do you think the internet will change entertainment in the future?
I think TV channels will become less popular, because people will watch everything online, whenever they want. Video games will also become more realistic, with virtual reality. And maybe we'll watch concerts from home, but feel like we're really there.
- whenever they wantat any time they choose
- more realisticmore like real life
- virtual realitytechnology that makes you feel inside a computer world
- feel like we're really theredescribe the experience
Part 2 · Cue card
A film you have enjoyed watching
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 film you have enjoyed watching.
You should say:
- what the name of the film was
- what the main idea of the film was
- when you watched it
- and explain why you enjoyed watching it so much
Start
I'd like to talk about the film Inside Out. It's an animated film, but I think it's great for adults too.
The name of the film
As I said, it's called Inside Out. It was made by Pixar, the company that also made Toy Story.
The main idea
The film shows what happens inside the head of a young girl. Her feelings, like Joy, Sadness and Anger, are like little characters who control her. The main idea is that all feelings are important, even sadness.
When you watched it
I watched it a couple of years ago, at home, with my younger sister. She chose it, and at first I wasn't very interested.
Why you enjoyed it
I enjoyed it because it was funny and clever at the same time. It also taught me something. I used to think that sadness was always bad, but the film shows that it helps us understand each other. My sister and I talked about it for a long time after we watched it.
- It's an animated filma film with drawings, not real actors
- As I said, …repeat something you said before
- The main idea is that…explain the message
- at first I wasn't very interestedat first = at the beginning
- funny and clever at the same timeboth together
- I used to think that…show how your opinion changed
Part 3 · Discussion
Films and books
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What are the differences between watching films and reading books?
When you watch a film, everything is shown to you: the people, the places and the music. It's quick and easy. When you read a book, you have to imagine everything yourself. It takes more time, but it gives you more details, and you can understand the characters' thoughts better.
- everything is shown to youyou don't need to imagine
- you have to imagine everything yourselfyou create pictures in your mind
- It takes more time, but…compare the two
- the characters' thoughtswhat the people in the story think
Which one is more powerful, films or books? Why?
I'd say books are more powerful, because they make you think more. You spend days with a book, so the story stays with you longer. But films can reach more people. A good film can change the opinions of millions of people in just two hours.
- I'd say…a soft way to give your opinion
- make you think moremake your mind work more
- stays with you longeryou remember it for a long time
- can reach more peoplemore people can see them
How can films help to shape our society?
Films can show people new ideas and other ways of life. For example, a film about a social problem, like poverty, can make people care more and want to help. Films also create role models. Many young people copy the way their favourite actors talk and dress.
- shape our societychange the way society is
- other ways of lifedifferent ways people live
- make people care moremake them feel it is important
- role modelspeople that others want to be like
What are the differences between films made in the past and films made now?
The biggest difference is the special effects. Modern films use computers to create amazing scenes, like flying cities or giant monsters. Old films were simpler, so they focused more on the story and the acting. Also, old films were often slower. Modern films are much faster.
- special effectstricks used to show things that are not real
- Old films were simpler, so…explain a result
- focused more on…gave more attention to
Are international films popular in your country? Why?
Yes, they're very popular, especially Hollywood films and Korean series. People like them because they have big budgets and exciting stories. Also, they show life in other countries, which people find interesting. Most people watch them with subtitles or dubbed into our language.
- big budgetsa lot of money to make the film
- which people find interestingfind = think something is…
- subtitlestranslated words at the bottom of the screen
- dubbedwith the voices changed into another language
How has technology changed the way films are made? Is it a positive development?
Technology has changed everything. Now you can make a film with just a good phone and a laptop. That's very positive, because young film-makers with little money can tell their stories. The only negative side is that some big films depend too much on effects and forget the story.
- Technology has changed everythinga strong start
- with little moneylittle = not much
- The only negative side is that…add one bad point
- depend too much onneed something too much
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.