Modul 6: Oral Exams B2/C1: Part 1 Set 3. Topics 25-35
Keegan (Maine, USA) 11db egyszerű, hétköznapi témában mondja el gondolatait. Ezek a témák a nyelvvizsgák tipikus bevezető témái. Egy-egy videó mindössze pár percnyi anyag, sok-sok érdekes információval az amerikai kultúrával, élettel kapcsolatban.
Fontos, hogy a kézikönyvekben leírtak szerint dolgozz az anyagon. A videók össz hossza kb. 10 perc.
25 Neighbours and neighbourhood (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you like your neighbours?
I don’t really know my neighbours that well, but I suppose I do like them, yes.
suppose: to think or believe that something is true or possible (based on the knowledge that you have) | I suppose getting top marks in a university-level physics exam is not simple at all.
- 02 Are neighbours usually close to each other in your country?
It depends where you live: in the city, most people don’t know each other. Neighbours don’t even know each other, so they aren’t close at all, but in the countryside, your survival can sometimes depend on your neighbours, and so you tend to be very close to them.
close1: knowing somebody very well and liking them very much | Talia and Nia are close; they grew up knowing each other and being friends from a young age.
survival2: the state of continuing to live or exist, often despite difficulty or danger | Exporting oil is necessary for our country’s economic survival because our ability to transport goods and people depends on it.
depend on3: to need and trust someone or something; to counting on them to help or do what you expect | Babies and young children depend on their parents or caretakers to feed them.
tend: to be usually like that; to be likely to do something or to happen often or usually | People tend to focus on short-term rewards instead of long term ones.
- 03 What is your neighbourhood like?
I don’t really have a neighbourhood. We live too far from other people to really know them, and the people who live close, we don’t contact.
neighbourhood4: a district or an area of a town; the people who live there | This is a very quiet neighbourhood.
contact5: to communicate with somebody, for example by phone, letter or email | Mike is finally contacting his old friend through the phone.
- 04 Do you think your neighbourhood is a good place for children?
I don’t think it’s a very good place for children as there isn’t enough space for them to be.
as: because | As they are popular, some books are placed at the front of the library so that they can be easily accessed.
space: an empty area or a place where you can put things or use for different purposes | The wardrobe takes up too much space in my room, so I am planning to throw it out.
- 05 How could your neighbourhood be improved?
I think my neighborhood could be improved by all of us: actually meeting each other and getting to know each other.
improve6: to become or make something/somebody better than before | Tom wishes to improve his Swedish as he is planning to go on holiday there; he is using a website to help him in it
get to know: to gradually begin to like, know, or understand someone or something | Jen got to know Lisa in a summer camp, and now they are good friends.
- 06 Do you think it is important to have a good relationship with your neighbours?
It’s very important to have a good relationship with your neighbours. When trouble comes, they’re going to be the people you are going to rely on, so it’s good to have a relationship with them.
relationship7: the way how people, groups, or countries treat, act and get along with each other | Samantha and her daughter have a great relationship.
trouble: a problem, worry, difficulty, etc. or a situation causing this | Although she didn’t mean to (= want to), she caused a lot of trouble for her clients.
rely on8: to need or depend on somebody/something | Babies rely on their mothers to nurture (= to care for and protect) them.
Do you like your neighbours?
I don’t really know my neighbours that well, but I suppose I do like them, yes.
Are neighbours usually close to each other in your country?
It depends where you live: in the city, most people don’t know each other. Neighbours don’t even know each other, so they aren’t close at all, but in the countryside, your survival can sometimes depend on your neighbours, and so you tend to be very close to them.
What is your neighbourhood like?
I don’t really have a neighbourhood. We live too far from other people to really know them, and the people who live close, we don’t contact.
Do you think your neighbourhood is a good place for children?
I don’t think it’s a very good place for children as there isn’t enough space for them to be.
How could your neighbourhood be improved?
I think my neighborhood could be improved by all of us: actually meeting each other and getting to know each other.
Do you think it is important to have a good relationship with your neighbours?
It’s very important to have a good relationship with your neighbours. When trouble comes, they’re going to be the people you are going to rely on, so it’s good to have a relationship with them.
26 Newspapers (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 How do you usually get your news?
I usually get my news by hearing it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, or who heard it from the news. I don’t like reading newspapers and watching the television and all that.
and all that: and everything related to the subject mentioned | Stephanie hates celebrating birthdays, New Years and all that.
- 02 Do you often read the newspapers?
I read the newspapers if I’m very bored and there’s nothing else around to read, but apart from that, I tend to avoid them.
around: present in a place; available | When we went to the beach at night there were rarely any other people around.
apart from that: except for that | I love chocolate cakes and eat them regularly at celebrations, but, apart from that, I stay away from anything that has sugar in it.
avoid: to keep away from somebody/something; to try not to do something | You should avoid going to that shop because everything they sell is too expensive!
- 03 What kind of news do you usually follow?
I don’t really follow any news, but if I did follow any news, it would be the news on crop failures and droughts and things like that, as those are things that would actually affect me.
crop1: a plant that is grown in large quantities, especially as food | The farmer regularly sprays these crops with pesticides (= chemicals that kill insects that destroy plants).
crop failure: it is when the plants someone grows for food don’t give them enough to eat or share with others | Shortages in rainfall often lead to crop failures.
drought2: a long period of time when there is little or no rain | The drought has resulted in the drying out of the corn field.
affect3: to produce a change in somebody/something | The standards of hygiene in hospitals directly affect how much diseases spread; this is partly why hospitals are often cleaned.
- 04 How do most people get the news in your country?
Most people in my country find someone who they like and who usually has a TV show or something, and then listen to them – and only them – and ignore everyone else.
ignore4: to pay no attention to something | Gary is ignoring his daughter because he is texting someone.
- 05 Do you think international news is important?
International news is important as much as it affects me. If it doesn’t affect me, then it isn’t important, but most things do affect me in some roundabout way, so I do care about International news somewhat.
in a roundabout way: not in a simple, clear, and direct way; indirectly | Maxine said, in a roundabout way, that she wanted to go eat in a fancy restaurant today.
somewhat: to some degree but not too much | Frank is somewhat anxious to go to the desert because he is afraid that he will get lost and die.
How do you usually get your news?
I usually get my news by hearing it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, or who heard it from the news. I don’t like reading newspapers and watching the television and all that.
Do you often read the newspapers?
I read the newspapers if I’m very bored and there’s nothing else around to read, but apart from that, I tend to avoid them.
What kind of news do you usually follow?
I don’t really follow any news, but if I did follow any news, it would be the news on crop failures and droughts and things like that, as those are things that would actually affect me.
How do most people get the news in your country?
Most people in my country find someone who they like and who usually has a TV show or something, and then listen to them – and only them – and ignore everyone else.
Do you think international news is important?
International news is important as much as it affects me. If it doesn’t affect me, then it isn’t important, but most things do affect me in some roundabout way, so I do care about International news somewhat.
27 Noise (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you live in a noisy area?
I do not live in a noisy area. I live about as far from noise as one can get, though you still hear the occasional car.
occasional: happening or done sometimes but not often | Lisa has the occasional glass of wine.
- 02 What kinds of sounds do you hear on a daily basis?
I hear lots of crickets and birds, and that’s cicada right over there that I hear right now and mainly just squirrels and birds … and things like that.
cricket1: a small brown jumping insect that makes a loud high sound by rubbing its wings together | Crickets can usually be found in the grass.
cicada2: a large insect with transparent wings, common in hot countries. The male makes a continuous high sound after dark by making two membranes (= pieces of thin skin) on its body vibrate (= move very fast) | This type of cicada is often found in Thailand.
squirrel3: a small animal with a long, thick tail and red, grey or black fur. Squirrels eat nuts and live in trees | Red squirrels, such as this one, live for an average of three years.
- 03 Where do you go to spend time in peace and quiet?
I either go to the woods to find peace and quiet, or I go to this building as it’s usually abandoned.
either … or: one thing or another; one of the two things or people | I will either go to the cinema or just eat out in a pizzeria.
peace: the state of being calm or quiet | John always sits back on his sofa and watches TV until midnight, in peace.
as: because | I usually walk on Saturday mornings to the forest as I like breathing the fresh air and watching the wild animals there.
abandoned4: left and no longer wanted, used or needed | This car has been abandoned as its owner bought a new car.
- 04 Are there any sounds which you think are pleasant?
Yes, I think that birds chirping and things like that are pleasant but more than that, I like music. Music is designed to sound good unless it isn’t designed to sound good, in which case it sounds bad.
chirp: (of small birds and some insects) to make short high sounds | The crickets are chirping outside this warm summer evening.
pleasant5: fun, attractive, or giving pleasure | These friends are having a pleasant afternoon in a local café.
unless: used to give the only situation in which something will not happen or be true; if not | You will get a great mark on your exam unless you are so tired that you fall asleep during your exam.
- 05 Do you have noisy friends?
I don’t, but that’s not due to the lack of noisy people but more due to my lack of friends.
due to: because of | Theresa couldn’t attend the business meeting due to her recent leg injury.
lack: the state of not having something or not having enough of something | Passengers complained about the lack of information when flights were cancelled.
Do you live in a noisy area?
I do not live in a noisy area. I live about as far from noise as one can get, though you still hear the occasional car.
What kinds of sounds do you hear on a daily basis?
I hear lots of crickets and birds, and that’s cicada right over there that I hear right now and mainly just squirrels and birds … and things like that.
Where do you go to spend time in peace and quiet?
I either go to the woods to find peace and quiet, or I go to this building as it’s usually abandoned.
Are there any sounds which you think are pleasant?
Yes, I think that birds chirping and things like that are pleasant but more than that, I like music. Music is designed to sound good unless it isn’t designed to sound good, in which case it sounds bad.
Do you have noisy friends?
I don’t, but that’s not due to the lack of noisy people but more due to my lack of friends.
28 Patience (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Are you a patient person?
I’m sometimes a patient person, and sometimes I’m not.
patient: able to wait for a long time or accept annoying behaviour or difficulties without becoming angry | Stephanie is not a patient person as she often gets irritated by the smallest things.
- 02 Do you ever get impatient?
Yes, I get impatient sometimes, though not very often.
- 03 When was the last time you lost your patience?
I don’t remember the last time I lost my patience, but I have the memory of a goldfish, so it’s not that I don’t get impatient.
goldfish1: a small orange or red fish; goldfish are kept as pets in bowls or ponds | This goldfish is owned by my cousin, Sam.
have the memory of a goldfish: to have a very poor memory; to forget quickly | George has the memory of a goldfish.
- 04 Which person in your family is the most patient?
Either my mother or my father is the most patient. It’s hard to tell which. Both of them have a lot of patience.
either… or…: used to show a choice of two things | John is either already in the café or he is going to arrive in five minutes’ time.
Are you a patient person?
I’m sometimes a patient person, and sometimes I’m not.
Do you ever get impatient?
Yes, I get impatient sometimes, though not very often.
When was the last time you lost your patience?
I don’t remember the last time I lost my patience, but I have the memory of a goldfish, so it’s not that I don’t get impatient.
29 Pets (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you have a pet?
No, I don’t currently have a pet, although I used to have several cats, and our family had a dog.
currently: at the present time | Frank is currently discussing the details of the business deal with a representative from the company.
- 02 Do you like animals?
Yes, I like animals. I like all kinds of animals, but I especially like the ones that I don’t see very often.
especially: used to show that something is more important or happens more often in one situation than in another | The garden is very small, especially if you have big dogs (= more so, if you have big dogs).
- 03 What’s your favourite animal?
My favourite animal is probably the grey squirrel. They’re very entertaining to watch and are quite nice to look at.
probably: used to say that something is likely to happen or to be true | Jimmy has probably gone to school already as today is a school day.
squirrel1: a small animal with a long, thick tail and red, grey or black fur; squirrels eat nuts and live in trees. | This grey squirrel is eating nuts on the top of the fence, somewhere in England.
entertaining2: something that you enjoy watching, listening to, doing or experiencing | Lisa and Jen find the comedy movie they are watching extremely entertaining.
- 04 What is a popular pet to have in your country?
Most people here have dogs. An especially popular type of dog is the labrador retriever because it is good in water, and this country is very wet.
especially: very much | It is especially cold here towards the end of January.
labrador retriever3: one of the most popular pedigree dogs in Britain and the US | There are different coloured labrador retrievers available for those looking to get a dog.
wet4: used to describe weather or periods of time when rain falls | The weather is wet, but I hope this will change very soon.
- 05 Did you have a pet as a child?
When I was a child, I had a cat. He was quite nice. He is now dead.
- 06 Why do people have pets?
Most people have pets for companionship, although some pets – usually dogs – are quite useful.
companionship5: the pleasant feeling that you have when you have a friendly relationship with somebody and are not alone | Vivien only has the companionship of her cat on weekends.
quite: to some degree; fairly | Stuart plays the violin quite well. (= He’s very good but not the best.)
useful6: that can help you to do or achieve what you want | The hammer is a very useful tool.
Do you have a pet?
No, I don’t currently have a pet, although I used to have several cats, and our family had a dog.
Do you like animals?
Yes, I like animals. I like all kinds of animals, but I especially like the ones that I don’t see very often.
What’s your favourite animal?
My favourite animal is probably the grey squirrel. They’re very entertaining to watch and are quite nice to look at.
What is a popular pet to have in your country?
Most people here have dogs. An especially popular type of dog is the labrador retriever because it is good in water, and this country is very wet.
Did you have a pet as a child?
When I was a child, I had a cat. He was quite nice. He is now dead.
Why do people have pets?
Most people have pets for companionship, although some pets – usually dogs – are quite useful.
30 Reading (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you often read?
Yes, I read quite often, though not as often as I did when I was a child.
- 02 What is your favorite kind of book to read?
History books are my favorite kind of book to read. I read as many of them as I can get my hands on.
get your hands on sth: to find something | Janet could never get her hands on premium-level perfumes because of theheir high price.
- 03 Do you often read newspapers?
I read the newspaper if I happen to come upon it and have nothing better to read, but other than that, I don’t read them much.
come upon: to meet or find somebody/something by chance | Last year, as I walked along the streets of San Simone, Italy, I came upon my private school teacher!
happen: to do or be something by chance (and not because you have planned out) | Jack went to a foreign country on a business trip where he happened to meet his future wife.
- 04 Do you have any e-books?
Regrettably, I do. I only have e-books when I can’t find an actual physical book anywhere, and so I need to download it online, but I much prefer having the physical thing in my hands.
regrettably: used to describe something that you are sorry about and wish had not happened; unfortunately | Regrettably, the number of virus infections has increased over the last two days.
- 05 What books did you read as a child?
I read every book I could get my hands on. I read dictionaries, encyclopaedias, the Bible; everything I could find. I just read anything I could get my hands on. I really like reading.
encyclopaedia1: a book or set of books giving information about all areas of knowledge, usually arranged in alphabetical order | Danny enjoys reading an encyclopedia during his lunch break.
- 06 Do you think it is important to encourage children to read?
I do not think children should be encouraged to read. I think that encouraging them to read would only discourage them from it in reality. I think that books should be placed around them; they should be available to them, but I don’t think that they should be forced to read or anything like that because it’ll only turn them off from reading. If they’re going to read, they’ll read.
encourage2: to help someone do something and make them feel like doing something is a good idea | Joe is encouraging his son’s creativity by high-fiving him after he has built a Lego building.
discourage3: to make somebody feel less confident or enthusiastic about doing something | There was such heavy rain this afternoon that most people got discouraged from going outside.
available: that you can get, buy or find | The contact details of the company are available on their website. (= You can find the details there.)
force4: to make somebody do something that they do not want to do | Although she was ill, Jane was forced to attend school today.
turn someone off5: to cause someone to lose interest | The article Steve read about how hamburger meat is produced turned him off from eating any burgers for life.
Do you often read?
Yes, I read quite often, though not as often as I did when I was a child.
What is your favorite kind of book to read?
History books are my favorite kind of book to read. I read as many of them as I can get my hands on.
Do you often read newspapers?
I read the newspaper if I happen to come upon it and have nothing better to read, but other than that, I don’t read them much.
Do you have any e-books?
Regrettably, I do. I only have e-books when I can’t find an actual physical book anywhere, and so I need to download it online, but I much prefer having the physical thing in my hands.
What books did you read as a child?
I read every book I could get my hands on. I read dictionaries, encyclopaedias, the Bible; everything I could find. I just read anything I could get my hands on. I really like reading.
Do you think it is important to encourage children to read?
I do not think children should be encouraged to read. I think that encouraging them to read would only discourage them from it in reality. I think that books should be placed around them; they should be available to them, but I don’t think that they should be forced to read or anything like that because it’ll only turn them off from reading. If they’re going to read, they’ll read.
31 Shopping (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you like shopping?
I like shopping sometimes when there’s something I need, like a tool.
tool1: an instrument such as a hammer, screwdriver, saw, etc., that you hold in your hand and use for making things, repairing things, etc. | Frank keeps his most used tools on a wooden table in his house.
- 02 What’s your favourite shop?
My favourite shop is a hardware store, Loaves. It sells a lot of tools, and I like tools. It has pretty much any tool I need.
hardware store2 (BrE: hardware shop): a store that sells tools and equipment for the house and yard/garden | Tools are on sale in the hardware shop this weekend.
pretty much: almost completely; very nearly | Jane, who is going on holiday tomorrow, is pretty much finished packing the clothing that she will take.
- 03 Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?
Shopping with others can be fun, but if I’m shopping for groceries, then I prefer shopping alone because I can do it faster than others. When I shop with others for groceries, it usually takes a lot longer.
groceries3: the food and other items that you buy in a food store or supermarket | These are the groceries Sally regularly buys every week.
- 04 What kinds of shops are there where you live?
There are no shops where I live, though there is a town 10 miles away with many shops: hardware stores, grocery stores, department stores … Pretty much anything you need can be found there, but where I live, there is nothing.
department store4: a large shop that is divided into several parts, each part selling a different type of goods | Samantha took a job as a cashier in the clothing section of a department store.
- 05 Have you ever bought anything online?
Yes, I have bought one thing online. I bought a box of cartridges. Other than that, I don’t normally buy things online. I prefer to see them in person.
cartridge5: a case containing something that is used in a machine, for example ink for a printer, film for a camera, etc. Cartridges are put into the machine and can be removed and replaced when they are finished or empty. | Maggie is just replacing the cartridge in the office printer.
other than that: except that | I love chocolate cakes, but other than that, I stay away from all types of foods with sugar in them.
in person6: if you do something in person, you go somewhere and do it yourself, instead of doing it by letter, asking somebody else to do it, etc. | Lisa, who won the title of top salesperson of the year, had to pick up her trophy in person.
- 06 Do you think men and women have different opinions about shopping?
Yes, I think men and women probably do have different opinions about shopping just like about most things, but I don’t exactly know what they are.
Do you like shopping?
I like shopping sometimes when there’s something I need, like a tool.
What’s your favourite shop?
My favourite shop is a hardware store, Loaves. It sells a lot of tools, and I like tools. It has pretty much any tool I need.
Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?
Shopping with others can be fun, but if I’m shopping for groceries, then I prefer shopping alone because I can do it faster than others. When I shop with others for groceries, it usually takes a lot longer.
What kinds of shops are there where you live?
There are no shops where I live, though there is a town 10 miles away with many shops: hardware stores, grocery stores, department stores … Pretty much anything you need can be found there, but where I live, there is nothing.
Have you ever bought anything online?
Yes, I have bought one thing online. I bought a box of cartridges. Other than that, I don’t normally buy things online. I prefer to see them in person.
Do you think men and women have different opinions about shopping?
Yes, I think men and women probably do have different opinions about shopping just like about most things, but I don’t exactly know what they are.
32 Sport (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you like sports?
I like sporting quite a lot but not as much as some people.
- 02 What is your favourite sport?
My favourite sport is probably hurling, though I like a lot of other sports as well.
hurling1: an Irish ball game similar to hockey played by two teams of 15 boys or men | Stephen is practising hurling in the park.
as well: in addition to somebody/something; too | I started laughing at Anne’s joke but I was not the only one; Jimmy laughed as well.
- 03 Do you often watch sports on TV?
No, I think that sports should be played, not watched. I don’t find them very entertaining to watch.
entertaining2: that you enjoy watching, listening to, doing or experiencing | Max found the experience of going to the cinema very entertaining.
- 04 Did you play sports as a child?
Yes, I played soccer, and I ran quite a lot.
soccer3 (BrE: football): a game played by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball which players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal. | The soccer player in blue has just scored a bombastic goal.
- 05 What is the most popular sport in your country?
In my country, that’s tied between either baseball or football, I think. hockey is also popular but not as popular.
tie4: to have the same score or level (or ranking) in a game, competition, or comparison, or to make the scores the same | Since they have run out of time to play, Sam and Steve decided that their match should be a tie.
football5 (BrE: American football): a game played by two teams of 11 players, using an oval ball which players kick, throw, or carry. Teams try to put the ball over the other team’s line. | These (American) football players are ready to start the finals in the tournament.
hockey6: a game played on a field by two teams of 11 players, with curved sticks and a small hard ball. Teams try to hit the ball into the other team’s goal. | Bill is an aggressive hockey player.
popular7: liked or enjoyed by a large number of people | Mark is a popular actor who has appeared in many Hollywood movies.
- 06 How do most people in your country keep fit?
Most people in my country keep fit by going to the gym, if they do at all.
keep fit8: physical exercises that you do, usually in a class with other people, in order to improve your strength and to stay healthy | Lisa keeps fit by running in the park almost every morning.
gym9: a room or hall with equipment for doing physical exercise, for example, in a school | Maggie often goes to the gym in the afternoon because she enjoys working out.
at all: (used to make negatives and questions stronger) in any way or of any type | Dan has not been here at all for the last two days; he’s been very sick.
Do you like sports?
I like sporting quite a lot but not as much as some people.
What is your favourite sport?
My favourite sport is probably hurling, though I like a lot of other sports as well.
Do you often watch sports on TV?
No, I think that sports should be played, not watched. I don’t find them very entertaining to watch.
Did you play sports as a child?
Yes, I played soccer, and I ran quite a lot.
What is the most popular sport in your country?
In my country, that’s tied between either baseball or football, I think. hockey is also popular but not as popular.
How do most people in your country keep fit?
Most people in my country keep fit by going to the gym, if they do at all.
33 TV (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 Do you often watch TV?
No, I don’t often watch television, although I do join in when my family are watching something.
join in1: to take part in an activity with other people | Everyone who was a kid joined in the synchronised dance to the music.
- 02 What sorts of things do you watch on TV?
I mostly watch older television shows, although if a new one is good, I might watch it.
- 03 What is your favorite TV program?
My favorite TV show is classic Star Trek because of the detail that was put into it. It is still entertaining to watch.
detail2: the small features of something that you only notice when you look carefully | The detail of this drawing is admirable.
entertaining3: that you enjoy watching, listening to, doing or experiencing | Lisa found the fashion show entertaining.
- 04 Do you ever watch foreign programs or films?
Yes, I do. I am quite fond of Russian films.
(be) fond of4 sth/someone: to like someone or something very much | Stephen is fond of his puppy as it brings him much joy.
- 05 What did you watch on TV when you were a child?
When I was a child, we didn’t have a television set.
- 06 Do you think children should watch TV?
I think that some television is good for a child if it’s carefully picked, but too much might be bad.
pick5: to choose somebody/something from a group of people or things | Larry’s parents let him pick one new toy from all the ones in the toy shop.
Do you often watch TV?
No, I don’t often watch television, although I do join in when my family are watching something.
What sorts of things do you watch on TV?
I mostly watch older television shows, although if a new one is good, I might watch it.
What is your favorite TV program?
My favorite TV show is classic Star Trek because of the detail that was put into it. It is still entertaining to watch.
Do you ever watch foreign programs or films?
Yes, I do. I am quite fond of Russian films.
What did you watch on TV when you were a child?
When I was a child, we didn’t have a television set.
Do you think children should watch TV?
I think that some television is good for a child if it’s carefully picked, but too much might be bad.
34 Transport (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 How did you get here today?
I live here.
- 02 What is your favorite mode of transport?
My favorite mode of transport is by foot. It builds strength and endurance, and it gets you places and – barring some terrible accident – you can’t lose your legs either.
mode: a particular way of doing something; a particular type of something | Steven’s favourite mode of communication is email.
endurance1: the ability to continue doing something painful or difficult for a long period of time without giving up | Completing the last mile of the marathon was a matter of physical and mental endurance for Tim, who was already very tired.
barring: except for; unless there is/are | Barring a serious traffic jam, we should arrive at your meeting on time.
- 03 Do you ever use public transport?
I haven’t used public transportation in years, but I haven’t had much occasion to since I left China.
occasion: a reason or cause | Mathew does not have much occasion to speak Chinese at his workplace because there is no one who speaks the language well.
- 04 Do you like the transport system in your country?
If by “transport system” you mean the roads, then no, I don’t. They’re pretty terrible. They have many holes in them and no one fixes them.
hole2: a hollow space in something solid or in the surface of something | This road has many holes in it because it hasn’t been repaired for a long time.
- 05 What is the difference between taking a bus and a train?
A bus drives on roads and usually goes a shorter distance while the train drives on rails and usually goes a longer distance and sometimes has cabins.
distance3: the amount of space between two places | Susie lives within walking distance from her friend (= she can easily walk there in a short period of time).
rails4: each of the two metal bars that form the track that trains run on | Carl, who is an engineer, is checking if the rails are safe.
cabin5: a private area in a train where passengers sit or sleep | This is an old tran’s cabin in second class.
How did you get here today?
I live here.
What is your favorite mode of transport?
My favorite mode of transport is by foot. It builds strength and endurance, and it gets you places and – barring some terrible accident – you can’t lose your legs either.
Do you ever use public transport?
I haven’t used public transportation in years, but I haven’t had much occasion to since I left China.
Do you like the transport system in your country?
If by “transport system” you mean the roads, then no, I don’t. They’re pretty terrible. They have many holes in them and no one fixes them.
What is the difference between taking a bus and a train?
A bus drives on roads and usually goes a shorter distance while the train drives on rails and usually goes a longer distance and sometimes has cabins.
35 Weather (steps 1, 2 and 4)
- 01 What’s the weather like today?
The weather today is hot, and there is a slight breeze blowing, but it’s fairly normal. Quite dry.
slight: very small in degree | Maxine and Jess were both great chess players; however, Jess had a slight advantage in the tournament because Maxine arrived exhausted (= very tired).
breeze1: a light wind | A summer breeze is blowing Francesca’s hair to the side.
- 02 What is your favourite weather?
My favourite weather is when there’s a storm coming in, and it just comes such that the weather front passes over my house, and it has only just come, but the rain has not started yet. That is my favourite weather.
such that: in a way that | The runner had strong legs; in fact, his legs had power such that he seemed like he could keep up with cars (= he was able to run as fast as the cars moved).
pass2: to go or move in the direction mentioned | This construction worker is repairing a broken water pipe so that water can pass through it properly.
- 03 Do you like the weather in your country?
I sometimes like the weather in my country, and sometimes I would like to run as fast as I can to get away from here, as far away from here as I possibly can.
- 04 Is the weather the same in all parts of your country?
The weather isn’t the same in all parts of my country. In my country, Maine, the north is very very cold. The winter lasts for 6 months or longer, and you can find piles of snow even in the summer. In the south, it’s a lot more temperate. It’s a lot wetter and it’s a lot hotter.
last: to continue to exist or to function well | All of the electronic products that my favourite company sells last for a long time.
pile3: a number of things that have been placed on top of each other, or a mass of something that has been placed somewhere | The pile of sand on this road is a potential source of danger.
temperate: (of a climate or region) having a mild temperature without extremes of heat or cold | Canada is a country which has a temperate climate.
- 05 Does the weather affect the way you feel?
The weather does affect how I feel. As I mentioned before, when a storm front has just come over, but the rain hasn’t started, the air pressure makes me feel happy.
affect: to produce a change in somebody/something | We are all indirectly affected by the exploration of oil by large oil companies; the discovery of new oil reserves might lead to lower oil prices.
air pressure4: the air around you has weight, and it presses against everything it touches | The air pressure on the top of the Mount Everest is much lower that that at sea level.
- 06 Does the weather in your country ever affect transportation?
The weather very much affects transportation in my country. We have a 6-month winter, and there is a lot of snow. When it snows, cars stop moving. Usually, they have a snowplough that clears the snow so you can drive, but there was a time when a snowplough driver got stuck in the snow. He got snowed in, and he had to ditch his vehicle and go to the nearest house to stay for the night until they could send people to clear it out.
snowplough5: a vehicle or machine for cleaning snow from roads or railways | This snow plough truck is helping make this road drivable.
stuck: unable to move or to be moved | Sam can’t get out of his room since his door is locked and he cannot find the key; he is stuck.
snowed in6: to be unable to leave a place because of heavy snow | Erica and her family were snowed in for days in their house last year.
ditch7: to get rid of something or someone that is no longer wanted | The construction of this building has been ditched (= they left the building unfinished).
clear (something) out8: to tidy a place by getting rid of things that you do not want | Susan is clearing her wardrobe out.
What’s the weather like today?
The weather today is hot, and there is a slight breeze blowing, but it’s fairly normal. Quite dry.
What is your favourite weather?
My favourite weather is when there’s a storm coming in, and it just comes such that the weather front passes over my house, and it has only just come, but the rain has not started yet. That is my favourite weather.
Do you like the weather in your country?
I sometimes like the weather in my country, and sometimes I would like to run as fast as I can to get away from here, as far away from here as I possibly can.
Is the weather the same in all parts of your country?
The weather isn’t the same in all parts of my country. In my country, Maine, the north is very very cold. The winter lasts for 6 months or longer, and you can find piles of snow even in the summer. In the south, it’s a lot more temperate. It’s a lot wetter and it’s a lot hotter.
Does the weather affect the way you feel?
The weather does affect how I feel. As I mentioned before, when a storm front has just come over, but the rain hasn’t started, the air pressure makes me feel happy.
Does the weather in your country ever affect transportation?
The weather very much affects transportation in my country. We have a 6-month winter, and there is a lot of snow. When it snows, cars stop moving. Usually, they have a snowplough that clears the snow so you can drive, but there was a time when a snowplough driver got stuck in the snow. He got snowed in, and he had to ditch his vehicle and go to the nearest house to stay for the night until they could send people to clear it out.