English Lesson 31

Weather and happiness

The weather where you live, a recent happy event, and what makes people happy.

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

Weather

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

What is the climate like in your country?

My country is very big, so the climate is different in each part. The north is green and rainy. The centre is dry, with very hot summers and cold winters. And the south is hot and humid most of the year. So we have four seasons at the same time!

  • the climatethe usual weather of a place
  • different in each partit changes from area to area
  • hot and humidhumid = with a lot of water in the air
  • at the same timetogether

Does the weather affect people's lives in your country?

Yes, a lot. In summer, it gets very hot, so many people stay inside during the afternoon. In winter, air pollution gets worse, and sometimes schools close because of it. Farmers also depend on rain, so a dry year can be a big problem for them.

  • Yes, a lot.a short, strong answer
  • it gets very hotgets = becomes
  • schools close because of itexplain a result
  • depend on rainneed rain to work

What's your favourite kind of weather?

I love cool, sunny days, like in autumn. It's not too hot and not too cold, so it's perfect for walking. I also like rainy days when I'm at home. There's nothing better than drinking tea and reading a book while it's raining outside.

  • not too hot and not too coldthe right temperature
  • perfect for walkingvery good for walking
  • There's nothing better than…this is the best thing

Is there any type of weather you don't really like?

Yes, I can't stand very hot weather. When it's over forty degrees, I feel tired all the time, and I can't sleep well at night. I also don't like windy days, because there's a lot of dust in the air.

  • I can't stand…I really don't like
  • over forty degreesmore than 40 °C
  • I feel tired all the timealways tired
  • dustvery small dry dirt in the air

Part 2 · Cue card

A recent happy event

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 recent happy event you have had.

You should say:

  • what the event was
  • what you did
  • why you enjoyed it
  • and explain how it was a happy event for you
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about my sister's wedding. It happened last month, and it was one of the happiest days for our whole family.

What the event was

My younger sister married a man she met at work. They had been together for three years, so we were all waiting for this day.

What you did

I helped a lot with the preparations. I booked the photographer and organised the music. On the day, I welcomed the guests at the door, and later I gave a short speech. I was very nervous, but people laughed at my jokes, so I relaxed.

Why you enjoyed it

I enjoyed it because the whole family was together. Relatives came from different cities, and some of them I hadn't seen for years. The music was great, and we danced until midnight.

Why it was happy

It was a happy event because my sister looked so happy. I could see in her eyes that she had found the right person. After the wedding, my mother hugged me and said she was proud of how I helped. That made the day perfect for me.

  • one of the happiest days for our whole familya strong opening
  • They had been together for…past perfect: a relationship before
  • the preparationsthe work before an event
  • I was very nervous, but…describe a change in feeling
  • she had found the right personthe perfect partner
  • That made the day perfect for mea strong ending

Part 3 · Discussion

Happiness

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

What moments do you think make people happy?

I think the happiest moments are usually simple ones: a family dinner, a laugh with friends, or the moment you reach a goal after a lot of hard work. Big events, like weddings and the birth of a child, also bring a lot of happiness.

  • simple onesones = moments
  • reach a goalget what you worked for
  • bring a lot of happinessmake people very happy

What moments are happy for elderly people?

Elderly people are usually happiest when their family visits them. Spending time with their grandchildren is very important to them. They also enjoy feeling useful, for example when they give advice or teach a family recipe. Being healthy is also a big part of happiness at that age.

  • elderly peopleold people, a polite word
  • happiest when…the happiest time is when
  • feeling usefulfeeling that you help others
  • at that agewhen people are old

Are rich people happy? Why?

Not always. Money can make life easier, because rich people don't worry about paying bills. But money can't buy good health, true friends or a happy family. Some rich people are very lonely, or they're always worried about losing their money.

  • Not always.a soft no
  • make life easierhelp in daily life
  • money can't buy…some things don't depend on money
  • lonelysad because you are alone

It is said that happiness cannot be bought with money. Do you agree?

I mostly agree. Money can buy comfort, but not real happiness. However, I think a basic amount of money is necessary. If people can't pay for food or rent, it's very hard to be happy. So money helps up to a point, but after that, other things matter more.

  • I mostly agree.agree with most of it
  • comfortan easy, pleasant life
  • a basic amount of moneyenough money for necessary things
  • up to a pointonly to some level

Is there a relationship between age and happiness?

Yes, I think there is. Children are often very happy, because they have few worries. Middle-aged people are usually busy and stressed, with work and children. Many older people become happier again, because they have more free time, and they care less about what others think.

  • few worriesnot many problems to think about
  • Middle-aged peoplepeople about 40 to 60 years old
  • happier againhappy one more time
  • they care less about what others thinkothers' opinions matter less

Are the things that make people happy today the same as twenty years ago?

The basic things are the same: family, friends and health. But some things have changed. Today, many young people feel happy when they get likes on social media, or buy the newest phone. Twenty years ago, people were happy with simpler things, like a family trip.

  • The basic things are the samethe main things haven't changed
  • some things have changedshow the difference
  • get likes on social mediapeople press 'like' on their posts
  • simpler thingsless complicated things

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