Lily asks
What is something new you have learned recently?
How to build your answer
Opinion: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Your viewAnswer straight away. “Honestly, I think…”
- 2One reasonYour main reason, not five.
- 3An exampleFrom your own life.
- 4The other sideShow you see it. “That said…”
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, okay, I've learned how to make proper bread. My flatmate's mum gave me her recipe, and I've been practising every weekend. The first one was a disaster. It was flat and hard, like a brick. But I kept at it, and last Sunday it finally came out right, all soft inside with a crunchy crust. I was so proud I sent photos to everyone. My mum said, 'Since when do you bake?' I couldn't believe it either, to be honest.
Phrases to borrow
keep at it
/kiːp ət ɪt/
continue trying even when something is hard
Learning a language is hard, but keep at it.
can't believe it
/kɑːnt bɪˈliːv ɪt/
be very surprised by something
When I saw my exam result, I couldn't believe it.
Natural
Lily's voice note
I've learned how to make proper bread. My flatmate's mum gave me her recipe, and I've practised every weekend since. I didn't realise how much practice it takes! My first loaf was flat and hard, like a brick. But last Sunday it finally came out right, soft inside with a crunchy crust. I was over the moon. I sent photos to everyone, and my mum said, 'Since when do you bake?' It just shows it's never too late to learn something new.
Phrases to borrow
realise how much
/ˈrɪəlaɪz ˈhaʊ ˈmʌtʃ/
suddenly understand the size or importance of something
I didn't realise how much I missed home until I went back.
be over the moon
/ˈbiː ˈəʊvə ðə ˈmuːn/
extremely happy
She was over the moon when she got the job.
it's never too late
/ɪts ˈnevə tə ˈleɪt/
you can still do something even if you're older
My nan learned to use a smartphone at eighty. It's never too late!
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Proper bread, would you believe. My flatmate's mum passed on her family recipe, and I've been at it every weekend since. It's been a lot of trial and error. My first loaf could've been used as a doorstop, flat and hard as a brick. But I kept plugging away, and last Sunday it finally came out right: soft and fluffy inside, with a proper crunchy crust. I was proud as punch. I sent photos to literally everyone, and my mum replied, 'Since when do you bake?' I think I've caught the bug now.
Phrases to borrow
trial and error
/ˈtraɪəl ən ˈerə/
learning by trying different ways until one works
I learned to fix my bike by trial and error.
keep plugging away (at something)
/ˈkiːp ˈplʌɡɪŋ əˈweɪ (ət ˈsʌmθɪŋ)/
keep working hard at something, even when progress is slow
I'm not great at Spanish yet, but I keep plugging away.
proud as punch
/praʊd əz ˈpʌntʃ/
very pleased and proud
My dad was proud as punch at my graduation.
catch the bug
/kætʃ ðə ˈbʌɡ/
become very keen on a new hobby or activity
I went running once with a friend and caught the bug.
Your turn: answer Lily
What is something new you have learned recently?
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Daily life
realise how much
suddenly understand the size or importance of something
“I didn't realise how much I missed home until I went back.”
heytardy