English Lesson 55

Shoes and the countryside

Shoes and shopping for them, a day in the countryside, and city life compared with village life.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Shoes

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Do you like shoes? Why?

Yes, I do. Good shoes make a big difference to my day, because I walk a lot. I also think shoes can show your style. I have a pair of white trainers that I wear with almost everything.

  • make a big differencehave a big effect
  • show your styleshow your taste in fashion
  • a pair of white trainersa pair = two shoes

How often do you buy shoes?

Not very often, maybe twice a year. I usually buy new shoes when my old ones are worn out. I don't like shopping for shoes, because it's hard to find a pair that fits perfectly.

  • Not very oftenrarely
  • worn outold and damaged from use
  • fits perfectlyis exactly the right size

Do you prefer comfortable shoes or good-looking shoes? Why?

Comfortable shoes, definitely. If my feet hurt, I can't think about anything else. But I try to find shoes that are both comfortable and nice. For weddings, I sometimes wear smart shoes, but I always regret it at the end of the night!

  • Comfortable shoes, definitely.a short, strong answer
  • I can't think about anything elseit's all I think about
  • smart shoesformal, nice-looking shoes
  • I always regret itI'm always sorry I did it

Do people in your country own too many shoes?

I don't think most people do. Many people have only three or four pairs: for everyday, for sport, for winter and for parties. But some young people, especially fans of trainers, collect them and have dozens of pairs.

  • I don't think most people doa soft no
  • for everydayfor normal days
  • have dozens of pairsa dozen = 12, so many

Part 2 · Cue card

An enjoyable day you spent in the countryside

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 enjoyable day you spent in the countryside.

You should say:

  • when and where you went
  • who you went with
  • what you did there
  • and explain why you enjoyed the experience
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about a day I spent in a small village called Filband. It's in the mountains in the north of my country, and it's famous for being above the clouds.

When and where

I went there last summer, in July. We left the city very early in the morning, and the drive up the mountain road took about three hours.

Who you went with

I went with three of my close friends from university. We had planned the trip for a long time, but we were always too busy. Finally, we all took a day off work.

What you did

When we arrived, the village was completely covered by clouds, like a sea of white. We walked along the hills, took hundreds of photos and had a picnic on the grass. A local family sold us fresh bread and cheese, and it was the best breakfast I've ever had.

Why you enjoyed it

I enjoyed it because it was so peaceful. There was no traffic and no phone signal, so we really talked to each other. The air was cool and fresh, unlike the hot city. On the way back, we were tired but very happy. We promised to go back every summer.

  • famous for being above the cloudsknown for its high position
  • We had planned the trip for a long timepast perfect
  • took a day off workdidn't go to work for a day
  • like a sea of whitemake a picture with words
  • no phone signalphones couldn't connect
  • unlike the hot citydifferent from the city

Part 3 · Discussion

Cities and the countryside

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

Is it better to live in the countryside or in the city? Why?

It depends on your age and your needs. For young people, the city is often better, because there are more jobs and universities. For families with small children or older people, the countryside can be better, because it's calm, safe and healthy.

  • It depends on your age and your needsthe answer changes
  • calm, safe and healthya list of good points

What are some of the challenges facing towns and cities today?

The biggest challenges are traffic, air pollution and expensive housing. Many cities are growing too fast, so they don't have enough schools, hospitals or public transport. Water shortages are also a problem in some dry areas.

  • challengesdifficult problems
  • growing too fastgetting bigger too quickly
  • Water shortagesnot having enough water

What are the advantages of living in a large city compared with a rural area?

In a big city, you have more choices: more jobs, more universities, better hospitals and more entertainment. Public transport is usually better too. And you can meet people from many different backgrounds.

  • you have more choicesmore options
  • entertainmentfun activities like cinemas
  • from many different backgroundsfrom different places and cultures

Should people be allowed to build houses anywhere in the countryside?

No, I don't think so. If people build everywhere, we'll lose forests, farms and wildlife. The government should have clear rules. People can build in villages, but some natural areas should be protected for everyone.

  • No, I don't think so.a clear no
  • wildlifewild animals and plants
  • clear rulessimple, strict rules
  • protected for everyonekept safe for all people

Why do so many people move from villages to big cities? What can the government do?

Most people move to find work and better education. Villages often don't have good schools, hospitals or jobs. The government could create jobs in rural areas, for example in farming and tourism, and improve the internet, so people can work from villages.

  • to find workto get a job
  • rural areasvillages and the countryside
  • work from villagesdo their jobs while living in villages

What changes have you noticed in the way people live in small towns?

Life in small towns is becoming more like city life. Most people have smartphones and the internet now. There are new supermarkets and cafés. But many young people have left, so the population is getting older.

  • is becoming more like city lifeis getting similar to cities
  • many young people have leftmoved away
  • the population is getting oldermore old people, fewer young

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.