English Lesson 83
Entertainment and friends
Going out in the evening, one of your friends, and friendship, neighbours and time alone.
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
Entertainment
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
Do you prefer relaxing at home or going out in the evening? Why?
On weekdays, I prefer relaxing at home, because I'm tired after work. I cook something simple and watch a series. But on Thursday evenings, I love going out with friends, because I have the next day off.
- On weekdays, …Monday to Friday style workdays
- cook something simplemake easy food
- I have the next day offI don't work the next day
When you go out for an evening, what do you like to do?
I usually go to a café or a restaurant with friends. Sometimes we go to the cinema or a concert. In summer, we like walking in the park and getting ice cream late at night.
- go out for an eveningleave home for fun at night
- getting ice creambuying ice cream
- late at nightat a late time
How popular is this with other people in your country?
Very popular. Cafés are full every evening, especially with young people. People in my country love spending time together and talking. In summer, parks are busy until midnight, because it's too hot during the day.
- Very popular.a short answer
- are full every eveninghave many people
- it's too hot during the dayexplain the reason
Is there any kind of entertainment you don't like? Why?
I don't really like nightclubs or very loud places. I prefer places where I can hear my friends and have a real conversation. I'm also not a fan of horror films. They give me bad dreams!
- I don't really like…a soft dislike
- have a real conversationtalk properly
- horror filmsfrightening films
- They give me bad dreamsthey cause nightmares
Part 2 · Cue card
One of your friends
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 one of your friends.
You should say:
- how you met
- how long you have known each other
- how you spend time together
- and explain why you like this friend
Start
I'd like to talk about my friend Hamid. He's one of the funniest and kindest people I know.
How you met
We met at work. When I started my first job, he was sitting at the desk next to mine. On my first day, I didn't know anyone, and he invited me to have lunch with him.
How long you've known each other
We've known each other for about seven years now. He moved to another company three years ago, but we're still close.
How you spend time together
We play football together every Thursday evening with a group of friends. After that, we usually have dinner and talk about everything. Sometimes we go camping in the mountains in the summer.
Why you like him
I like him because he always makes people laugh, even in difficult situations. He's also very reliable. If I need help, like moving house or fixing my car, he's always the first one to come. He's the kind of friend who makes your life better.
- one of the funniest and kindest people I knowa warm opening
- he invited me to…he asked me to join him
- We've known each other for…present perfect
- go campingsleep outside in a tent
- very reliableyou can always trust him
- the kind of friend who…describe a type of friend
Part 3 · Discussion
Relationships
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What are the most important qualities for friends to have?
I think trust and loyalty are the most important. A friend should keep your secrets and support you. Good friends also accept you as you are, and they're honest with you, even when it's difficult.
- trust and loyaltybeing trustworthy and faithful
- keep your secretsnot tell others
- accept you as you arelike you without wanting you to change
What causes friendships to break up?
Sometimes friends simply drift apart, because they move or change. Other times, there's a big argument, or one friend feels betrayed, for example if a secret is shared. Jealousy and money problems can also end friendships.
- break upend
- drift apartslowly become less close
- feels betrayedfeels the other person was not loyal
- Jealousybeing unhappy that someone has what you want
Apart from friends and family, what other relationships are important today?
Relationships with colleagues are very important, because we spend so much time at work. Mentors are also important, especially for young people. And online communities can give people support, for example people with the same hobby or health problem.
- Mentorsexperienced people who guide younger people
- online communitiesgroups of people on the internet
- give people supporthelp people
Have relationships with neighbours changed in recent years? How?
Yes. In the past, neighbours visited each other often and shared food. Now, especially in big apartment buildings, many people don't know their neighbours. Everyone is busy, and people are more private.
- shared foodgave food to each other
- don't know their neighboursdon't know the people next door
- more privatekeep to themselves more
How important is it for a person to spend some time alone? Why?
I think it's very important. Time alone helps us rest, think about our lives and understand our feelings. It also helps creativity. Even very social people need some quiet time to recharge.
- think about our livesreflect
- It also helps creativityit helps new ideas
- rechargeget energy back
Which are more important to people, their family or their friends? Why?
For most people in my culture, family is more important. Family is there for your whole life. But friends are important in a different way. They share our interests, and we choose them. A happy life needs both.
- for your whole lifeall your life
- in a different waydifferently
- we choose themwe decide who they are
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.