Lily asks
If you could live in any city for a year, where would you go?
How to build your answer
What if: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Pick oneChoose quickly. “I'd go for…”
- 2Why that oneThe reason it wins.
- 3Picture itWhat it would look like. “I'd probably…”
- 4The catchWhat could go wrong, or what you'd miss.
Lily's answer, three ways
The same story, from easy to advanced. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Easy
Lily's voice note
Ooh, I'd pick Barcelona, I think. It's sunny, it's by the sea, and you can walk almost everywhere. I'd love to get away from the London rain for a whole year. I can imagine having breakfast outside every day and going to the beach after work. I'd also try to learn some Spanish, because right now I only know hola and gracias. That's it. It'd be a bit scary at first, but I think I'd settle in quite fast. And my family would definitely come and visit.
Phrases to borrow
get away from something
/ɡet əˈweɪ frəm ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
escape from a place or situation for a while
I need to get away from my desk for a bit.
/ˈsetl ɪn/
start to feel comfortable in a new place
It took me a month to settle in at my new job.
Natural
Lily's voice note
Probably Barcelona. It's sunny, it's by the sea, and you can walk almost everywhere. After years of London rain, a whole year of sunshine sounds amazing. I'd love to have breakfast outside every day and go to the beach after work. I'd want to get to know my neighbourhood properly too, find my own local café, that kind of thing. I'd also learn some Spanish, because right now I only know hola and gracias. It'd be scary at first, but I'd just give it a go. And my family would definitely come and visit.
Phrases to borrow
get to know something
/ɡet tə ˈnəʊ ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
slowly learn more about a person or place
I'd like to get to know my neighbours better.
give it a go
/ɡɪv ɪt ə ˈɡəʊ/
try something to see if you can do it or like it
I've never surfed, but I'll give it a go.
come and visit
/kʌm ən ˈvɪzɪt/
travel to see someone where they live
You should come and visit me in London this summer.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Barcelona, without a doubt. I love the idea of a year somewhere sunny, by the sea, where you can wander almost everywhere on foot. After years of London drizzle, that sounds like heaven. I'd rent a tiny flat with a balcony, have breakfast outside every morning and head to the beach after work. A city like that slows you down a bit. I'd finally learn proper Spanish, too, because I've got hola, gracias and not much else. I'd probably have second thoughts the first week, but I'd soon find my feet. And my family would visit. For one year? I'd jump at the chance.
Phrases to borrow
slow you down
/sləʊ jə ˈdaʊn/
makes you live or move at a calmer speed
Living by the sea really slows you down.
have second thoughts
/hæv ˈsekənd ˈθɔːts/
start to doubt a decision you made
I booked the trip but now I'm having second thoughts.
find your feet
/faɪnd jɔː ˈfiːt/
start to feel confident in a new place or situation
It took me a few weeks to find my feet at the new job.
jump at the chance
/dʒʌmp ət ðə ˈtʃɑːns/
accept an opportunity quickly and happily
If they offered me a job in Rome, I'd jump at the chance.
Your turn: answer Lily
If you could live in any city for a year, where would you go?
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Dreams & goals
get to know something
slowly learn more about a person or place
“I'd like to get to know my neighbours better.”
heytardy