English Lesson 23

Hometown and photos

Your hometown and its beautiful places, your favourite photo, and cameras and selfies.

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

Your hometown

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

Where do you come from?

I come from Shiraz, a city in the south of Iran. It's famous for its gardens, its poets and its friendly people. I lived there until I was eighteen, and then I moved to Tehran for university.

  • I come from…say your city
  • It's famous for…say what people know it for
  • I lived there until I was…talk about your past
  • moved to … for universitysay why you moved

Can you tell me something about your hometown?

Shiraz is a big city, but it feels relaxed. The weather is mild most of the year, so people spend a lot of time outside. It has a long history, and it's the home of two famous poets, Hafez and Saadi. Their tombs are in beautiful gardens.

  • it feels relaxedit gives a calm feeling
  • most of the yearin almost all seasons
  • It has a long historyit is very old
  • tombsplaces where dead people are buried

Can you tell me about some famous scenic spots in your hometown?

The most famous one is Eram Garden. It has tall trees, flowers and a lovely old palace. Another great place is the Pink Mosque. In the morning, the sun shines through its coloured windows, and the whole room turns red, blue and yellow. It's like being inside a rainbow.

  • scenic spotsbeautiful places to visit
  • The most famous one is…give the main example
  • Another great place is…add a second example
  • It's like being inside a rainbowmake a picture with words

Do you often go back to your hometown?

I go back about three or four times a year, usually during the holidays. My parents still live there, so I stay with them. Every time I go back, I visit my old friends and eat my favourite local food.

  • go backreturn
  • about three or four times a yearsay how often
  • Every time I go back, …describe a habit

Part 2 · Cue card

Your favourite photograph

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 your favourite photograph.

You should say:

  • where the photo was taken
  • who took the photo
  • what is in the photo
  • and explain why it is your favourite photograph
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about a photo of my whole family at my grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary. It's on the wall in my room.

Where it was taken

It was taken in my grandparents' garden, about two years ago. It was a sunny spring afternoon, and the trees were full of flowers.

Who took it

My cousin took it. He's a professional photographer, so he set up his camera on a stand and used a timer. Then he ran quickly to join us in the picture.

What is in it

There are about thirty people in the photo. My grandparents are sitting in the middle, holding hands, and everyone is standing around them. Some of the children are sitting on the grass. Everyone is laughing, because my little nephew was making a funny face.

Why it is your favourite

It's my favourite because it's the only photo where my whole family is together. Some of us live in other cities now, so it's very hard to meet all at once. Sadly, my grandfather passed away last year, so this photo is even more special to me now.

  • wedding anniversarythe date you got married, every year
  • It was taken in…passive: say where a photo was made
  • set up his cameraset up = prepare something for use
  • in the middlein the centre
  • all at onceall at the same time
  • even more special to me nowspecial = important in a different way

Part 3 · Discussion

Photography

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

When do people use cameras in your country?

These days, people use their phone cameras all the time. They take photos of food, friends and nice places. For special events, like weddings, people still hire a professional photographer with a real camera, because the quality is much better.

  • all the timevery often
  • For special events, …for important days
  • hire a professional photographerpay an expert to take photos
  • the quality is much betterit is much higher level

How can someone take a good photo?

First, you need good light. Natural light in the early morning or late afternoon is the best. Second, think about what you want to show, and don't put too many things in the picture. And finally, take several photos, so you can choose the best one.

  • you need good lightlight is important
  • Natural lightlight from the sun
  • don't put too many things in the picturekeep it simple
  • take several photosseveral = more than two, not many

Why are selfies so popular these days? Do you like taking selfies?

Selfies are popular because they're quick and easy, and people like to share them on social media. They're a way to show where you are and who you're with. Personally, I don't take many selfies. I prefer taking photos of places and other people.

  • quick and easyfast and not difficult
  • share them on social mediaput them online
  • Personally, …give your own opinion
  • I prefer taking photos of…prefer + -ing form

How has new technology helped people take better photos?

Phone cameras are now very smart. They fix the light and colours automatically, and they can take clear photos even at night. There are also many free apps to edit photos. So now, people with no training can take photos that look almost professional.

  • fix the light and colours automaticallychange them without your help
  • edit photoschange and improve photos
  • with no trainingwithout lessons
  • look almost professionallook nearly like an expert's work

What are the advantages of storing photos on the internet? Do you use any service for this?

The biggest advantage is safety. If your phone is lost or broken, your photos are still safe online. You can also see them on any device and share them easily. I use Google Photos. It saves all my photos automatically, so I don't need to worry about them.

  • storing photoskeeping photos
  • The biggest advantage is…give the main good point
  • on any deviceon a phone, laptop or tablet
  • I don't need to worry about themthey are safe

With today's technology, can anyone take high-quality photos? Do you agree?

I partly agree. Anyone can take a clear and colourful photo now. But a great photo needs more than a good camera. It needs a good eye, an idea and the right moment. That's why professional photographers are still in demand.

  • I partly agree.agree with some of the idea
  • needs more than a good cameraa camera is not enough
  • a good eyea natural talent for seeing beauty
  • are still in demandpeople still want them

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