English Lesson 63
Music and city visits
Studying English and music, a city you have visited, and tourism and city life.
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.
Do you think music is important?
Yes, I think it's very important. Music can change our mood, help us relax and bring back memories. Every culture in the world has music, so I think it's a natural part of being human.
- change our moodchange how we feel
- bring back memoriesmake us remember
- a natural part of being humansomething all humans need
What kind of music do you enjoy most?
I enjoy acoustic music the most, like songs with just a guitar and a voice. It feels honest and calm. I also like some jazz, especially in the evening. I'm not a big fan of very loud music.
- acoustic musicmusic without electric instruments
- It feels honest and calmdescribe the feeling
- I'm not a big fan of…I don't really like
How long do you listen to music every day?
Probably about two hours. I listen on my way to work and back, which takes about an hour. I also listen while I'm cooking or cleaning, because it makes boring jobs more fun.
- on my way to work and backgoing and returning
- it makes boring jobs more funmusic helps with dull tasks
What do you like about learning English?
I like that I can understand so much more of the world. I can watch films, read news and talk to people from other countries. It feels like a door that opens to new places. And every time I understand something new, I feel proud.
- understand so much more of the worldlearn about many places
- It feels like a door that opensa nice image
- I feel proudI feel happy about myself
Part 2 · Cue card
A city you have visited
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 city you have visited.
You should say:
- where it is
- when you visited this city
- what you did there
- and say what you liked or disliked about visiting this city
Start
I'd like to talk about Dubai. I visited it two years ago, and it was very different from any other city I had seen.
Where it is
Dubai is in the United Arab Emirates, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It's only a short flight from my country.
When you visited
I went there in December, which is the best time to visit, because the weather is warm but not too hot. I stayed for five days with my cousin.
What you did
We went up the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. The view from the top was unbelievable. We also visited huge shopping malls, walked along the beach, and took a desert tour in a jeep. In the evening, we watched the dancing fountains.
What you liked and disliked
I liked how modern and clean everything was. The buildings looked like something from a science-fiction film. But I didn't like how expensive it was, and it felt a bit artificial. I missed old streets and traditional places. It was a great trip, but I wouldn't want to live there.
- very different from any other city I had seenpast perfect comparison
- a short flighta plane trip that doesn't take long
- the tallest building in the worldsuperlative
- The view from the top was unbelievablevery amazing
- it felt a bit artificialnot natural or real
- I wouldn't want to live thereimaginary: I don't want to
Part 3 · Discussion
Tourism and cities
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What kinds of places do people like to visit most? Why?
Many people like beaches, because they want to relax and enjoy the sun. Others like historic cities, where they can learn about the past. And young people often prefer big modern cities with shopping, nightlife and entertainment.
- enjoy the sunbe in the sunshine
- learn about the pastlearn history
- nightlifeentertainment at night
What are international tourists interested in when they visit your country?
Most of them are interested in history and architecture, like old mosques, palaces and gardens. They're also curious about Persian food and the hospitality of the people. Some come for nature, like deserts and mountains.
- architecturethe style and design of buildings
- curious aboutwanting to know about
- hospitalitybeing friendly and generous to guests
Should governments promote tourism to attract more foreign tourists?
Yes, I think they should. Tourism brings money and jobs, and it helps people from different countries understand each other. But the government should also protect historic places and nature, so tourism doesn't damage them.
- promote tourismadvertise and support tourism
- brings money and jobshelps the economy
- doesn't damage themdoesn't harm them
What are the advantages of living in a big city?
There are more jobs, better universities and better hospitals. You have a lot of choice in shopping and entertainment. Public transport is usually better. And you can meet people with different ideas and backgrounds.
- You have a lot of choicemany options
- better universities and better hospitalsa list
- different ideas and backgroundsdifferent thoughts and life stories
Why do so many people move to cities each year? What are the negative effects?
People move to cities to find jobs, education and a more modern life. But when too many people arrive, cities become crowded. There's more traffic and pollution, housing gets expensive, and some people end up living in poor conditions.
- a more modern lifea life with more modern things
- become crowdedhave too many people
- end upfinally be in a bad situation
- poor conditionsbad living situations
What can governments do to stop people in rural areas moving to cities?
They can create jobs in rural areas, for example in farming, small factories and tourism. They should also build good schools and health centres there. And fast internet is very important, so young people can work and study online without leaving their village.
- rural areasvillages and countryside
- health centressmall medical clinics
- without leaving their villagewhile staying in the village
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.