English Lesson 57
Computer games and rooms
Work, study and computer games, your favourite room at home, and homes and furniture.
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
Work, study and games
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
How much time do you spend studying each day?
On normal days, about three hours. I have classes in the morning, and in the evening I review my notes and do homework. Before exams, I study much more, sometimes eight hours a day.
- On normal days, …on usual days
- review my notesread my notes again
- sometimes eight hours a daygive a number
Do you sometimes work in a group with other students?
Yes, quite often. Many of our projects are group projects. I like it, because we share ideas and learn from each other. But it's sometimes difficult when one person doesn't do their part.
- quite oftenmany times
- learn from each otherteach one another
- doesn't do their partdoesn't do their share of the work
Do you prefer playing computer games alone or with a friend? Why?
I prefer playing with friends. It's more fun when we can talk and laugh together. We usually play football games or team games online. When I play alone, I get bored after half an hour.
- I prefer playing with…prefer + -ing
- It's more fun when…give a reason
- I get bored after half an hourlose interest quickly
Are computer games more popular with men or with women? Why?
In my country, I think more men play them, especially action and sports games. But this is changing. Many women play games on their phones, like puzzles. So I'd say games are popular with everyone, but people choose different types.
- popular with men or with womenwho likes them more
- But this is changingthe situation is different now
- people choose different typespeople like different kinds
Part 2 · Cue card
The room in your home you like most
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 the room in your house or apartment which you like most.
You should say:
- where the room is
- what it is used for
- what it looks like
- and explain why you like this room the most
Start
I'd like to talk about the living room in my parents' apartment. It's my favourite room, and it's the heart of our home.
Where it is
It's in the middle of the apartment, between the kitchen and the bedrooms. It has a big window that looks out over a small park.
What it is used for
We use it for almost everything. We watch TV there, receive guests, and in the evening, we sit together and drink tea. During exam time, I sometimes study there too, because it's bright.
What it looks like
It's quite large, with cream walls and a beautiful Persian carpet on the floor. There's a big, soft sofa, a bookshelf full of books and many plants near the window. On the walls, there are family photos and a painting my uncle made.
Why you like it
I like it because it feels warm and welcoming. It's where my family spends time together, so it's full of good memories. On winter evenings, when it's cold outside and we're all there with tea and fruit, I feel really happy and relaxed.
- it's the heart of our homethe most important place
- looks out overhas a view of
- receive guestswelcome visitors
- a bookshelf full of booksa shelf with many books
- warm and welcomingfriendly and comfortable
- full of good memorieswith many happy memories
Part 3 · Discussion
Homes and living spaces
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What types of things do people usually put on the walls of their rooms?
Most people put up family photos, paintings or mirrors. In my country, many people also hang calligraphy, which is beautiful writing, often of a poem. Young people often put posters of their favourite bands or films in their bedrooms.
- put up family photoshang photos on walls
- calligraphybeautiful handwriting as art
- posterslarge printed pictures
Is it more important for a room to look nice or to be comfortable? Why?
I think comfort is more important. You spend a lot of time in your rooms, so you need to feel relaxed. A beautiful room that isn't comfortable is like a museum. But ideally, a room should be both.
- comfort is more importanta clear opinion
- is like a museumnice to look at, not to live in
- ideally, …in the best situation
How can the colours of a room affect the way people feel?
Colours have a big effect on our mood. Light blue and green make people feel calm, so they're good for bedrooms. Bright colours, like yellow and orange, give energy, so they're good for kitchens. Dark colours can make a small room feel even smaller.
- have a big effect on our moodchange how we feel a lot
- give energymake people active
- feel even smallerseem smaller
What is modern furniture like compared with older styles?
Modern furniture is usually simpler, lighter and more practical. It often has clean lines and neutral colours. Old furniture was heavier, made of dark wood, with lots of decoration. Old furniture usually lasted longer, though.
- simpler, lighter and more practicala list of differences
- clean linessimple shapes
- neutral colourscolours like white, grey and beige
- lasted longer, thoughthough = but, at the end
Which room do families usually spend the most time in? Why?
In most families, it's the living room. It's where people watch TV, talk and eat snacks. In some homes, the kitchen is the centre, especially when there's a dining table there. People always gather where there's food!
- In most families, it's…a direct answer
- the centrethe main place
- People always gather where there's foodgather = come together
What do you think living spaces will be like in the future? Why?
I think homes will be smaller, especially in big cities, because land is expensive. Furniture will be more flexible, for example, a bed that becomes a sofa. Homes will also be smarter, with lights and heating controlled by phone.
- land is expensivethe ground costs a lot
- more flexibleable to change use
- controlled by phonemanaged using a phone
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.