English Lesson 41

Your home and reading

The place where you live, a book you read recently, and reading habits.

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 home

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

Tell me about the apartment or house where you live.

I live in a small apartment on the second floor. It has one bedroom, a living room and an open kitchen. It's quite simple, but I've decorated it with plants and photos, so it feels warm and cosy.

  • on the second floorthe level of the building
  • an open kitchena kitchen without a wall, open to the living room
  • I've decorated it with…made it pretty with
  • warm and cosycomfortable and pleasant

What can you see from the window of your home?

From my bedroom window, I can see a small park with tall pine trees. In the morning, I can hear birds singing. From the living room, I can see the street and a bakery on the corner. The smell of fresh bread comes in every morning.

  • From my bedroom window, I can see…describe a view
  • on the cornerwhere two streets meet
  • The smell of fresh breada nice detail

Do other houses in your neighbourhood look like yours?

Yes, most of them look similar. They're all four- or five-storey apartment buildings, built about twenty years ago. They're made of light brown brick. There are only a few old houses left, and they look very different, with small gardens.

  • look similarlook nearly the same
  • five-storeywith five floors
  • There are only a few … leftmost are gone

Would you change anything about your home?

Yes, I'd love a bigger kitchen. I enjoy cooking, but my kitchen is so small that two people can't work in it at the same time. I'd also like a balcony, so I could sit outside and drink my tea in the evening.

  • I'd love…say a wish
  • so small that…so + adjective + that = shows the result
  • so I could…explain the purpose

Part 2 · Cue card

A book you have recently read

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 book you have recently read.

You should say:

  • what book it is
  • who the author is
  • what the story or main idea is
  • and explain whether you enjoyed the book or not
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about a book called The Alchemist. I read it last month, and I finished it in just three days.

The author

It was written by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian writer. It's one of the best-selling books in the world, and it has been translated into more than eighty languages.

The story

It's about a young shepherd boy called Santiago. He has a dream about treasure near the pyramids in Egypt, so he leaves his home to find it. On his journey, he meets different people who teach him important lessons about life.

Did you enjoy it

Yes, I really enjoyed it. The story is simple, and the language is easy to understand, so it's also good for English learners. The main message is that you should follow your dreams, even when it's difficult. I found that very inspiring.

Ending

After I finished it, I started thinking about my own dreams. I'd recommend it to anyone who feels a bit lost in life. It's short, but it stays with you for a long time.

  • It was written by…say who the author is
  • has been translated into…put into other languages
  • shepherd boya boy who looks after sheep
  • On his journey, …during his trip
  • follow your dreamstry to do what you dream about
  • it stays with you for a long timeyou remember it for a long time

Part 3 · Discussion

Books and reading

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

What types of books are popular among children and adults in your country?

Children love picture books and adventure stories. Teenagers often read fantasy books, like Harry Potter. Among adults, novels and self-help books are very popular. Poetry is also important in my culture, so many homes have a book of poems by Hafez.

  • picture booksbooks with many pictures for children
  • fantasy booksstories with magic and imaginary worlds
  • self-help booksbooks that give advice to improve your life
  • a book of poemsa collection of poetry

How does our modern lifestyle affect our reading habits?

Our modern lifestyle is very busy, and we're always on our phones. So people read fewer books. Instead, they read short texts, like posts and news headlines. It's hard to concentrate on a long book when your phone is always buzzing.

  • reading habitshow and how much people read
  • we're always on our phoneswe use phones all the time
  • read fewer booksfewer = a smaller number
  • your phone is always buzzingmaking noise with messages

What problems do people who can't read face in society?

People who can't read have a lot of problems. They can't read signs, forms or medicine labels, so they depend on others. It's also very hard for them to find a good job. And these days, they can't use many online services, like banking.

  • they depend on othersthey need help from others
  • medicine labelspapers on medicine with instructions
  • online servicesservices on the internet

How can we encourage young children to love reading?

Parents should read to their children every night, from a very young age. They should also let children choose their own books, about things they like, like animals or space. And it helps if children see their parents reading too.

  • read to their childrenread stories aloud for them
  • from a very young agefrom when they are very small
  • let children chooseallow them to decide
  • it helps if…it is useful when

It is often said that reading habits come from the family. Do you agree?

Yes, mostly. If a child grows up in a house full of books, with parents who read, they usually start reading too. But school and friends also play a role. Sometimes a good teacher can make a child love books, even if their family doesn't read.

  • Yes, mostly.agree with most of it
  • grows up in a house full of bookslives with many books as a child
  • also play a rolealso have an effect

How can good reading skills help us in our careers?

Good readers understand information quickly, so they can learn new things at work faster. They can also read reports and emails carefully and avoid mistakes. And people who read a lot usually write and speak better, which is very important in most jobs.

  • understand information quicklyget ideas fast
  • avoid mistakesnot make errors
  • people who read a lotpeople who read often
  • which is very important in most jobsadd a reason

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