English Lesson 77
Music and local shops
Music and musical instruments, a shop near your home, and local businesses.
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
Music
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
What types of music do you like to listen to? Why?
I like pop and rock music, because they're energetic and make me feel good. I also enjoy film soundtracks when I'm working, because they help me concentrate without distracting me with words.
- energeticfull of energy
- film soundtracksmusic from films
- help me concentratehelp me focus
At what times of day do you like to listen to music?
Mostly in the morning, on my way to work. It wakes me up and puts me in a good mood. I also listen while I exercise. In the evening, I prefer quiet music, or silence.
- It wakes me upit makes me feel awake
- puts me in a good moodmakes me feel happy
- or silenceno sound at all
Did you learn to play a musical instrument as a child? Why?
Yes, I learned the piano for three years. My mother wanted me to learn, because she couldn't when she was young. I didn't like practising, so I stopped at twelve. Now I regret it, because I'd love to play well.
- a musical instrumentsomething you play to make music
- she couldn't when she was youngshe didn't have the chance
- Now I regret itnow I'm sorry about it
Should all children learn to play a musical instrument? Why?
I think all children should try. Learning an instrument is good for the brain, and it teaches patience. But they shouldn't be forced to continue if they really don't enjoy it. Every child has different talents.
- all children should tryeveryone should have the chance
- good for the brainhelps the mind
- be forced to continuemade to keep going
Part 2 · Cue card
A shop near where you live that you sometimes use
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 shop near where you live that you sometimes use.
You should say:
- what sort of products or services it sells
- what the shop looks like
- where it is
- and explain why you use this shop
Start
I'd like to talk about a small second-hand bookshop near my apartment. I go there about twice a month.
What it sells
It sells used books, mostly novels, poetry and history books, in Persian and some in English. Sometimes it also has old maps and postcards. The books are much cheaper than new ones.
What it looks like
It's a tiny, old shop with wooden shelves from the floor to the ceiling. Books are everywhere, even on the floor in piles. It smells of old paper, and there's a small radio playing classical music.
Where it is
It's on a quiet side street, about five minutes' walk from my home, between a bakery and a tailor's shop.
Why you use it
I use it because I love finding surprises there. You never know what you'll find. Last month, I found a beautiful old book of Hafez's poems for very little money. The owner is an old man who knows a lot about books, and he always recommends something interesting. Visiting the shop feels like a small adventure.
- second-hand bookshopa shop that sells used books
- from the floor to the ceilingcovering the whole wall
- in pilesone on top of another
- a quiet side streeta small street off a main road
- You never know what you'll findthere are always surprises
- feels like a small adventureis exciting
Part 3 · Discussion
Local businesses
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What types of local business are there in your neighbourhood?
There are a few small supermarkets, a bakery, a pharmacy and a dry cleaner. There's also a hairdresser, a dentist and two small restaurants. It's very convenient, because I can find most things I need within walking distance.
- a dry cleanera shop that cleans clothes
- It's very convenientit's easy and useful
- within walking distanceclose enough to walk
Are local businesses important for a neighbourhood? In what way?
Yes, very important. They make life easier, because people don't need to drive far. They create jobs for local people. And they help people get to know each other. The shop owners often know everyone in the area.
- make life easierhelp daily life
- drive fardrive a long way
- get to know each otherbecome familiar with each other
How do large shopping malls affect small local businesses?
Malls often hurt small businesses. They offer lower prices, more choice and free parking, so many customers go there instead. Some small shops have to close. But some local shops survive by offering friendly service and special products.
- hurt small businessescause problems for them
- more choicemore options
- survivecontinue to exist
- friendly servicekind and helpful treatment
Are there any disadvantages to running a business? Which is the most serious?
Yes, there are several. You have to work long hours, and you're responsible for everything. The income isn't stable, so some months you earn little. For me, the most serious disadvantage is the stress, because you always worry about money.
- running a businessmanaging your own company
- The income isn't stablethe money changes a lot
- the most serious disadvantagethe biggest problem
What are the most important qualities of a good business person?
A good business person needs to be hard-working and good with people. They should be honest, so customers trust them. They also need to be brave enough to take risks, but careful with money. And they must be able to learn from mistakes.
- good with peopleable to work well with others
- take risksdo things that might fail
- learn from mistakesuse errors to improve
Why do some people want to start their own business?
Many people want independence. They don't want a boss telling them what to do. Others have a passion, like baking or design, and want to turn it into a job. And some people hope to earn more money than in a normal job.
- independencefreedom to decide for yourself
- turn it into a jobmake it their work
- earn more moneyget more money
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.