English Lesson 73
Clothes and money
Buying clothes, a discussion about how you spend money, and money, young people and society.
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
Clothes
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
Where do you buy most of your clothes? Why?
I buy most of my clothes from a few shops in a shopping centre near my home. I like to try clothes on before I buy them. Sometimes I buy basic things, like T-shirts, online, because I already know my size.
- try clothes onput clothes on to check the size and look
- basic thingssimple, everyday items
- I already know my sizeI know what fits
How often do you buy new clothes? Why?
Not very often, maybe every two or three months. I only buy clothes when I really need something, like new shoes for winter. I'm not very interested in fashion, and I prefer to spend money on other things.
- every two or three monthssay how often
- when I really need somethingonly when necessary
- I prefer to spend money on other thingsI like to use money differently
How do you decide which clothes to buy?
First, I think about comfort and quality. Then I look at the price. I also try to buy colours that go with the clothes I already have, so I can wear them in different ways.
- First, … Then, …describe steps
- go with the clothes I already havematch my other clothes
- wear them in different wayscombine them differently
Have the kinds of clothes you like changed in recent years? Why?
Yes, a little. When I was a teenager, I wore bright colours and big logos. Now, I prefer simple clothes in dark or neutral colours. I think it's because I'm older, and I need to look more professional for work.
- big logoslarge symbols of brands
- neutral colourscolours like grey, beige and white
- look more professionallook right for work
Part 2 · Cue card
An interesting discussion about how you spend your money
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 an interesting discussion you had about how you spend your money.
You should say:
- who you had the discussion with
- why you discussed this topic
- what the result of the discussion was
- and explain why this discussion was interesting for you
Start
I'd like to talk about a discussion I had with my older sister last year. It really changed the way I manage my money.
Who you talked with
My sister works in a bank, so she knows a lot about money. She's also very honest, so she told me exactly what she thought.
Why you discussed it
We talked about it because I had a problem. Every month, I got my salary, and by the end of the month, I had nothing left. I didn't understand where my money went, so I asked for her advice.
The result
She asked me to write down everything I spent for one month. When I did that, I was shocked. I was spending a lot on taxis, coffee and online shopping. She helped me make a simple budget, and now I save about twenty percent of my salary every month.
Why it was interesting
It was interesting because I learned that small things add up. A coffee every day doesn't seem like much, but in a year, it's a lot of money. The discussion also brought me closer to my sister. Now, we often talk about saving and planning for the future.
- It really changed the way I manage my moneyit changed how I use money
- I had nothing leftno money remained
- asked for her adviceasked what she thought I should do
- I was shockedvery surprised in a bad way
- make a simple budgeta plan for spending money
- small things add upsmall amounts become big together
Part 3 · Discussion
Money, young people and society
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
Why do some parents give their children money to spend each week?
They want their children to learn how to manage money. If children have a small amount each week, they learn to make choices, and sometimes to save for something bigger. It also teaches them responsibility.
- manage moneycontrol and plan how you use money
- make choicesdecide between options
- save for something biggerkeep money to buy something expensive
Should schools teach children how to manage money?
Yes, definitely. Many adults have money problems because nobody taught them the basics. Schools could teach simple things, like making a budget, saving and the dangers of debt. These are skills everyone needs in real life.
- Yes, definitely.a strong yes
- the basicsthe simple first things
- the dangers of debtthe risks of owing money
Is it a good idea for students to earn money while studying?
Yes, if the job is part-time. Students learn responsibility and get work experience. They also understand the value of money better. But the job shouldn't take too much time, or their studies will suffer.
- earn moneyget money by working
- work experienceexperience from a job
- their studies will suffertheir studies will get worse
Is it true that money cannot buy happiness?
Partly. Money can't buy love, friendship or good health. But having enough money removes a lot of stress. If you can't pay your rent, it's hard to be happy. So I think money helps, but only up to a point.
- Partly.agree a little
- removes a lot of stresstakes away worry
- only up to a pointonly to some level
What are the problems in a society with a very big gap between rich and poor?
When the gap is very big, poor people feel angry and hopeless. Crime often increases. Poor children may not get a good education, so the gap continues to the next generation. It can also cause social unrest.
- gap between rich and poorthe difference in money
- hopelesswithout hope
- the next generationthe people who come after
- social unrestanger and protests in society
Do richer countries have a responsibility to help poorer countries?
I think they do. Many rich countries became rich partly by using resources from poorer countries in the past. Also, we all live on the same planet, so problems like disease and hunger affect everyone. But the help should be smart, like education and jobs, not just money.
- have a responsibilityshould do it as a duty
- using resourcesusing natural things like oil and minerals
- affect everyonehave an effect on all people
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.