Lily asks
Describe a good friend of yours. What are they like?
How to build your answer
Describe: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Say who or whatOne line to introduce it.
- 2Two detailsWhat they're like, or what it looks like.
- 3Why it mattersWhat it means to you.
- 4A small momentOne example that brings it to life.
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 best friend is Jess. We met at uni when we were eighteen, so we've known each other for years. She's really funny and very kind. We laugh at the same silly things. She lives in Manchester now, so I don't see her much. But we talk on the phone every week, sometimes for two hours! When my grandad died, she got the train down the next day. She's like a sister to me.
Phrases to borrow
know each other for years
/ˈnəʊ ˈiːtʃ ˈʌðə fə ˈjɪəz/
have been friends or known someone for a long time
We've known each other for years, since primary school.
be like a sister to someone
/ˈbiː laɪk ə ˈsɪstə tə ˈsʌmwʌn/
be as close to you as family
My neighbour's like a second mum to me.
Natural
Lily's voice note
That'd be Jess, my best friend from uni. We met when we were eighteen, and we get on really well. She's funny and kind, and she's very honest. She always tells me the truth, even when I don't want to hear it. She lives in Manchester now, so we mostly talk on the phone, every week, for ages. When my grandad died, she got the train down the next day. I can tell her anything. I'm really lucky to have her.
Phrases to borrow
get on (well) with someone
/ˈɡet ɒn (ˈwel) wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn/
have a friendly, easy relationship
I get on really well with my new boss.
tell someone the truth
/ˈtel ˈsʌmwʌn ðə ˈtruːθ/
say what is really true, even if it's hard
Please tell me the truth, do you like my haircut?
can tell someone anything
/kən ˈtel ˈsʌmwʌn ˈeniθɪŋ/
trust someone completely with your secrets and feelings
My nan's so easy to talk to, I can tell her anything.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Jess, my best friend. We met at uni at eighteen and just clicked. She's one of those people who makes everyone feel welcome. She's loud, silly and always up for anything, a picnic, a long walk, a last-minute trip. She lives in Manchester now, but when my grandad died, she dropped everything and got the first train down. I'll never forget that. We talk on the phone every week, for hours, and even when life gets busy, we just pick up where we left off.
Phrases to borrow
one of those people (who...)
/ˈwʌn əv ðəʊz ˈpiːpl̩ (huː)/
a type of person everyone knows
She's one of those people who's always on time.
be up for anything
/biː ˈʌp fə ˈeniθɪŋ/
happy to try any plan or activity
Ask Sam, he's always up for anything.
drop everything
/drɒp ˈevriθɪŋ/
stop what you're doing immediately to help
When she called crying, I dropped everything and went round.
pick up where you left off
/ˈpɪk ʌp weə jʊ left ɒf/
continue a friendship or activity as if no time has passed
We hadn't met for a year, but we picked up where we left off.
Your turn: answer Lily
Describe a good friend of yours. What are they like?
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
People & relationships
get on (well) with someone
have a friendly, easy relationship
“I get on really well with my new boss.”
heytardy