Lily asks
Tell me about a gift you received that you really loved.
How to build your answer
Tell a story: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Set the sceneWhen and where. “A few months ago, I…”
- 2What happenedTwo or three moments, in order.
- 3How it feltYour reaction. “I was mortified.”
- 4How it endedThe ending, or what you'd do now.
Lily's answer, three ways
The same story, from easy to advanced. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Easy
Lily's voice note
My nan gave me a little silver necklace when I turned eighteen. It's not expensive at all, but it was her mum's, so it means the world to me. She gave it to me in a tiny old box and said, "Look after it, love." I didn't expect it at all, and I burst into tears right there at the table. I wear it almost every day now, and when I touch it I think of her. It's the best present I've ever had.
Phrases to borrow
mean the world to someone
/miːn ðə ˈwɜːld tə ˈsʌmwʌn/
be extremely important to someone
My family means the world to me.
burst into tears
/ˈbɜːst ˈɪntə ˈtɪəz/
suddenly start crying
When she heard the news, she burst into tears.
Natural
Lily's voice note
The one that springs to mind is a little silver necklace from my nan, when I turned eighteen. It isn't expensive, but it was her mum's, so it's got real sentimental value. She gave it to me in a tiny old box at the dinner table and said, "Look after it, love." I had no idea it was coming, and I burst into tears right there. I wear it almost every day now. When I touch it, I think of her. It's the best present I've ever had.
Phrases to borrow
/ˈsprɪŋ tə ˈmaɪnd/
come into your thoughts quickly
When I think of summer, ice cream springs to mind.
sentimental value
/ˌsentɪˈmentl ˈvæljuː/
importance because of memories or feelings, not money
That old watch isn't worth much, but it has huge sentimental value.
have no idea
/ˈhæv nəʊ aɪˈdɪə/
not know anything about something
I had no idea you could speak Spanish!
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Without a doubt, a little silver necklace my nan gave me on my eighteenth. It's not worth much, but it was her mum's, so it's been handed down through the family. She slipped it to me in a tiny old box at the table and said, "Look after it, love." It took me by surprise, and I had a lump in my throat, then suddenly I was in tears right there. I wear it almost every day now, and whenever I touch it, I think of her. It's the kind of present money can't buy.
Phrases to borrow
hand something down
/ˈhænd ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈdaʊn/
give something to a younger person in the family
This recipe was handed down from my great-grandma.
take someone by surprise
/ˈteɪk ˈsʌmwʌn baɪ səˈpraɪz/
happen when someone isn't expecting it
The snow took everyone by surprise.
a lump in your throat
/ə ˈlʌmp ɪn jɔː ˈθrəʊt/
a tight feeling in your throat when you're about to cry
Watching the wedding video gave me a lump in my throat.
money can't buy
/ˈmʌni kɑːnt ˈbaɪ/
too special or personal to be bought
Time with your family is something money can't buy.
Your turn: answer Lily
Tell me about a gift you received that you really loved.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Memories & childhood
spring to mind
come into your thoughts quickly
“When I think of summer, ice cream springs to mind.”
heytardy