Lily asks
Tell me about something that made you smile this week.
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 brother sent me a video of my parents' old dog, Biscuit. She's twelve now and quite slow. But in the video she found a ball in the garden and ran around like a puppy! She looked so proud of herself. I watched it about ten times on the bus and laughed out loud. People looked at me! It really brightened my day. I can't wait to go home and see her.
Phrases to borrow
laugh out loud
/ˈlɑːf aʊt ˈlaʊd/
laugh so people can hear you
I laughed out loud at his message in the library.
brighten someone's day
/ˈbraɪtn ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈdeɪ/
to make someone's day happier
Thanks for the flowers, they really brightened my day.
can't wait to do something
/kɑːnt ˈweɪt tə ˈduː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
be very excited about something that will happen
I can't wait to see you at the weekend!
Natural
Lily's voice note
My brother sent me a funny video of my parents' old dog, Biscuit. She's twelve now and really slow, so I didn't even know she could still run! But she found a ball in the garden and raced around like a puppy. She looked so proud of herself. I watched it about ten times on the bus and laughed every time. It made my week, to be honest. I really want to go home and see her soon.
Phrases to borrow
didn't even know
/ˈdɪdnt ˈiːvən ˈnəʊ/
a frame for something that surprised you
I didn't even know you could cook!
be proud of yourself
/biː ˈpraʊd əv jɔːˈself/
pleased with something you did
You passed! You should be really proud of yourself.
make someone's week
/ˈmeɪk ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈwiːk/
make someone very happy for the whole week
Getting that job offer made my week.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
My brother sent me a video of Biscuit, my parents' old dog. She's twelve and usually very slow. But in the video she spots a ball in the garden and suddenly she's full of beans, racing around like a puppy, ears flying. It's like she's got a new lease of life! I watched it about ten times on the bus and was in stitches. People stared! Then it cut off just as she fell over. I can't wait to go home and see her.
Phrases to borrow
full of beans
/ˈfʊl əv ˈbiːnz/
full of energy and very lively
The kids were full of beans after their nap.
a new lease of life
/ə ˈnjuː ˈliːs əv ˈlaɪf/
new energy or a fresh start after being tired or old
Moving to the coast gave my parents a new lease of life.
in stitches
/ɪn ˈstɪtʃɪz/
laughing a lot, so you can't stop
His story had everyone in stitches.
Your turn: answer Lily
Tell me about something that made you smile this week.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Feelings & wellbeing
didn't even know
a frame for something that surprised you
“I didn't even know you could cook!”
heytardy