English Lesson 96

Phone calls and journeys

Making phone calls, a journey you remember well, and daily travel and commuting.

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

Telephoning

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

How often do you make phone calls? Why?

Not very often, maybe two or three times a day. I mostly send messages, because they're quicker and less disturbing. I make calls when something is urgent, or to talk to my parents in the evening.

  • less disturbingdon't interrupt people as much
  • when something is urgentwhen it needs quick action
  • in the eveningat night

Who do you spend the most time talking to on the phone? Why?

My mother. She lives in another city, so we talk almost every evening. She tells me about her day, and I tell her about mine. Our calls can last half an hour, even when nothing special happened.

  • She tells me about her dayshe describes what she did
  • can last half an hourcan continue for 30 minutes
  • even when nothing special happenedeven on normal days

When do you think you'll next make a phone call? Why?

Probably right after this exam. I promised my family I'd call them and tell them how it went. They're probably more nervous than me!

  • right after this examimmediately after
  • tell them how it wenttell them the result
  • more nervous than mea funny comparison

Do you sometimes prefer to send a text instead of calling? Why?

Yes, often. Texts are better for simple information, like 'I'm five minutes late'. The other person can read it when they're free. Also, with people I don't know well, I feel more comfortable writing than calling.

  • instead of callingin place of a call
  • when they're freewhen they have time
  • I feel more comfortable writingwriting feels easier

Part 2 · Cue card

A journey you remember well

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 journey that you remember well.

You should say:

  • where you went
  • how you travelled
  • why you made the journey
  • and explain why you remember this journey so well
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about a train journey from Tehran to Mashhad that I made with my grandfather when I was twelve.

Where you went

We travelled about nine hundred kilometres east, to the city of Mashhad, to visit relatives and the holy shrine.

How you travelled

We took an overnight train. We had a small cabin with four beds, and we shared it with a friendly older couple. The train left in the evening and arrived early the next morning.

Why you made the journey

My grandfather wanted to visit his brother, who was ill. My parents were busy, so they asked me to go with him and help him. It was the first time I travelled without my parents.

Why you remember it

I remember it because it was such an adventure. At night, I looked out of the window at the dark desert and the stars. My grandfather told me stories about his childhood, and the couple shared their food with us. I felt very grown-up. Now that my grandfather has passed away, this journey is one of my most precious memories of him.

  • an overnight traina train that travels through the night
  • a small cabina small room on a train
  • the first time I travelled without my parentsmy first trip alone with others
  • such an adventurea very exciting experience
  • I felt very grown-upI felt like an adult
  • one of my most precious memoriesvery valuable memories

Part 3 · Discussion

Daily journeys

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

Why do people need to travel every day?

Most people travel every day to get to work or school. They also travel to shop, see doctors and visit family. In big cities, homes, offices and shops are often far apart, so people need to travel a lot.

  • to get to workto arrive at work
  • are often far apartare often far from each other

What problems can people have on their daily journey to work or school?

Traffic jams are the biggest problem, because they waste time and cause stress. Public transport can be crowded and late. In bad weather, journeys become longer and more dangerous. And travelling costs money every day.

  • Traffic jamslong lines of cars that can't move
  • crowded and latefull and not on time
  • costs money every dayis a daily expense

Will daily journeys like these be less common in the future?

I agree, partly. More people will work and study from home, at least some days a week. Online shopping also means fewer trips to shops. But many jobs, like doctors and builders, can't be done from home, so people will still travel.

  • I agree, partly.agree a little
  • at least some days a weeka few days or more
  • fewer trips to shopsfewer visits to shops

What are the advantages of living close to your workplace?

You save a lot of time and money, because you don't need a long journey. You're less tired and stressed. You can even walk or cycle to work, which is good for your health. And you have more time for family and hobbies.

  • your workplacewhere you work
  • save a lot of time and moneyspend less
  • walk or cycle to workgo to work on foot or by bike

How could daily journeys be made more pleasant?

Cities could plant more trees along streets and build safe paths for walking and cycling. Public transport should be clean, comfortable and on time. And people can make the journey pleasant themselves, for example by listening to music or podcasts.

  • more pleasantnicer
  • safe pathssafe ways for people
  • on timenot late

Is it better to travel by public transport or by car? Why?

For most people in cities, public transport is better. It's cheaper, it causes less pollution, and you don't have to look for parking. But a car is more flexible, and it's better for families with small children or for places without good public transport.

  • causes less pollutionmakes the air less dirty
  • look for parkingfind a place to leave the car
  • more flexibleyou can change plans easily

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