Lily asks
Describe the home you grew up in.
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
I grew up in a small house in the town where my mum and dad still live. It's on a quiet street, with a tiny garden at the back. Nothing fancy. The kitchen was the best room, though. It was always warm, and there was always something on the stove. My brother and I did our homework at the kitchen table while Mum cooked. My bedroom was tiny, but I loved it. When I go back now, it still feels like home, even though they've done it up a bit.
Phrases to borrow
nothing fancy
/ˈnʌθɪŋ ˈfænsi/
simple and ordinary, not special or expensive
We just had pasta, nothing fancy.
feel like home
/ˈfiːl ˈlaɪk ˈhəʊm/
make you feel comfortable, like you belong there
After a year, this city finally feels like home.
do something up
/duː ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp/
repair and decorate an old place
They're doing up an old cottage.
Natural
Lily's voice note
It was a small house in the town where my mum and dad still live. Pretty ordinary, really, on a quiet street with a tiny garden at the back. The kitchen was the best room. It was always warm, with something on the stove, and my brother and I did our homework at the kitchen table while Mum cooked. We'd sit there for hours and hours. My bedroom was tiny, but I loved it. They've redecorated since, but going back always takes me back. Now, in my London flat, I'd give anything for that kitchen.
Phrases to borrow
hours and hours
/ˈaʊəz ənd ˈaʊəz/
a very long time
I spent hours and hours on that puzzle.
take someone back
/teɪk ˈsʌmwʌn ˈbæk/
make you remember a time in the past
This song really takes me back to my school days.
give anything for something
/ɡɪv ˈeniθɪŋ fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
want something very much
I'd give anything for a cup of tea right now.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
It was a small house in the town where my mum and dad still live, on a quiet street with a tiny garden at the back. Nothing to write home about from the outside. But the kitchen was the heart of it. It was always warm, something bubbling on the stove. My brother and I did our homework at the kitchen table while Mum cooked around us, with our books all over the place. My bedroom wasn't big, but I loved it. They've done it up since, but I can still picture it down to the last detail. And that kitchen's still the warmest room. Some things never change.
Phrases to borrow
nothing to write home about
/ˈnʌθɪŋ tə raɪt ˈhəʊm əˌbaʊt/
ordinary, not special or exciting
The hotel was fine, but nothing to write home about.
all over the place
/ɔːl ˈəʊvə ðə ˈpleɪs/
everywhere, often in an untidy way
There were toys all over the place.
down to the last detail
/daʊn tə ðə ˈlɑːst ˈdiːteɪl/
completely, including every small part
She planned the party down to the last detail.
some things never change
/səm ˈθɪŋz ˈnevə ˈtʃeɪndʒ/
said when something is still the same as before, often with a smile
You're late again? Some things never change.
Your turn: answer Lily
Describe the home you grew up in.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Memories & childhood
hours and hours
a very long time
“I spent hours and hours on that puzzle.”
heytardy