Lily asks
Describe your idea of a perfect day off.
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
Okay, so first, no alarm. I'd wake up naturally, maybe around nine, and make pancakes with loads of lemon and sugar. Then I'd go for a long walk in the park with a takeaway coffee. In the afternoon I'd meet a friend for lunch somewhere cheap and cheerful, then go home and read on the sofa. Dinner would be something easy, maybe pasta with a big salad. Then a good film and an early night. It's nothing fancy, I know, but that's my perfect day.
Phrases to borrow
wake up naturally
/ˈweɪk ʌp ˈnætʃrəli/
wake up without an alarm
On holiday I always wake up naturally.
cheap and cheerful
/ˈtʃiːp ən ˈtʃɪəfl/
not expensive but nice and fun
We found a cheap and cheerful Italian place.
an early night
/ən ˈɜːli ˈnaɪt/
going to bed earlier than usual
I'm tired, I need an early night.
Natural
Lily's voice note
No alarm, that's the main thing. I'd sleep till about nine, then make pancakes with lemon and sugar. After that I'd grab a coffee to take away and head out for a long walk in the park. It really helps me forget about work. Then I'd meet a friend for lunch somewhere simple, nothing posh, and go home to read on the sofa for a bit. Dinner would be something easy, like pasta and a big salad. Then a good film and bed. It's not exciting, but it's perfect for me.
Phrases to borrow
grab a coffee
/ˈɡræb ə ˈkɒfi/
quickly get a coffee
Shall we grab a coffee after work?
forget about something
/fəˈɡet əˈbaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
stop thinking about something for a while
Let's forget about the exam for one evening.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
My perfect day off starts with no alarm at all. I'd drift awake around nine, staying off my phone for a while, and make a big stack of pancakes with lemon and sugar. Then I'd take a coffee to the park and walk for ages while it's still quiet and a bit misty. Lunch would be with a friend somewhere cosy and cheap, chatting for hours. After that I'd let the day unfold, maybe a nap, maybe a book on the sofa. In the evening I'd settle in with a bowl of pasta and a good film. No emails, no rush. Just time to breathe.
Phrases to borrow
stay off your phone
/ˈsteɪ ɒf jɔː ˈfəʊn/
not use your phone
I'm trying to stay off my phone in the evenings.
let the day unfold
/ˈlet ðə ˈdeɪ ʌnˈfəʊld/
let things happen without planning
On holiday I like to just let the day unfold.
settle in with something
/ˈsetl ɪn wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
to get comfortable somewhere and stay for a while
It was raining, so we settled in with a film and some snacks.
time to breathe
/ˈtaɪm tə ˈbriːð/
time to relax without pressure
After the move, I finally have time to breathe.
Your turn: answer Lily
Describe your idea of a perfect day off.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Dreams & goals
head out
leave to go somewhere
“I'm heading out, see you later.”
heytardy