Listening – Speaking V

SESSION 2
SPEAKING PART 1:
TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL INTERESTS
1. INTRODUCTION TO LIKES AND DISLIKES
Questions about likes and dislikes are very common in Part 1, so it’s important to know a
variety of expressions to describe your feelings. It may be useful to start with a brief introduction
to help you give a more specific answer. If you need to give a negative opinion, it’s a good idea
to begin with a softening phrase.
Eg: Who are your favorite actors? // Do you like programs or shows from other countries?
Do you like books? // What are your favorite kinds of books?
Exercise 1: Look at statements a-g and decide if they express positive or negative feelings about
each activity.
a I'm keen on photography. __
b I can't stand board games. __
c I'm crazy about computer games. __
d I'm fanatical about playing cards. __
e Going to gigs is not my kind of thing. __
f Well, it’s not really my cup of tea. ___
2. TALKING ABOUT LIKES

Exercise 2: Listen to three people talking about what they like doing in their free time.
Complete the table below with the activities they like doing? Which is their favorite?
Activities Favorite

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

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 Listening – Speaking V

Exercise 3: Complete the list of expressions below for expressing and explaining
preferences. Listen again and fill in the blank

Expressing preferences Explaining preferences

1. I … ……….. listening to music. 3. What … ….. me……. is that..

4. That’s ………….. thing about….
2. My…… …….. thing of all is going to the
7. ………….. thing I………….. gardening is
theatre.
that..

5. I…… …….. being outdoors. 8. And…….. other ……….. is that I can..

9. I can do it ………….. fun or …………..
6. Best of………….. I like gardening. 10. ………….. it relaxing.

3. TALKING ABOUT DISLIKES

Exercise 4: Read the following statements and find the words/ phrases that denote dislikes
a. I don’t ___________ ______ enjoy video games since it tires my eyes out.
b. Speaking of jazz, I _________ it ____________ boring.
c. Actually, I don’t __________ that much for fast food. It’s cheap but too bad for our
health.
d. I must say that I’m not a ____________ of action movies, no matter how good they are.
e. Reading novels can’t be __________________ because I have too little time to spend on
such long stories.
4. STRATEGIES (Revise Session 2)
5. USEFUL LANGUAGE
5.1. INTRODUCTION
It depends on what kind of…/ what you mean by…
5.2. SOFTENING PHRASES
To be honest, ….
I’m afraid,……..
Actually,…..

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 Listening – Speaking V

5.3. LIKES
I (quite/really) enjoy/ I don’t mind…..
The (kind of)….. I enjoy most is/ are…… because……
I find…….(very/extremely/really) interesting/ relaxing/ enjoyable. etc
5.4. DISLIKES
I don’t (really) like/ enjoy….. (very much/at all)
I’m not (very/ all that) keen on…..
I find……(rather/ really) boring/ frustrating/ annoying. etc
6. CLASSROOM PRACTICE
Topic 1: Leisure time
1. What is your favorite way to relax?
2. How often do you hang out with your friends?
3. How do you usually spend the weekend?
4. Do you like reading?
5. Are you interested in music?
Topic 2: Shopping
1. Where do you shop?
2. Do you spend a lot of money of clothes?
3. Are there many shops near where you live?
4. Do you enjoy shopping?
5. What do you often shop?
6. Are high class clothing brands good?
7. Are clothes expensive?

Topic 3: Sports

1. Do you like playing sports?

2. What is your favourite kind of sports?
3. What do you prefer, individual or team sports?
4. Have you ever tried extreme sports before?
5. What sports would you learn if you have opportunity to do so?

Practice at home

3 English Language Skills Development Division – F.O.E. – H.N.U.E.