1. When you plan travelling for leisure, what is the most important consideration for you before you make your choice? Why? Tell your partner. Use the ideas below to help you.
cost interest location safety time your own idea
Answer
1 mother’s / father’s mother
2 mother’s / father’s sister
3 brother’s / sister’s daughters
2. Read the task below. Decide which advert is more appealing to you. Think of four reasons.
You are planning a holiday abroad. Read the adverts below. Which trip appeals to you more? Say why and explain why you are rejecting the other option.
Answer
your own answers
3. Read the Speaking Strategy below. Listen to a student doing the task. Tick the topics she mentions. Were any of her reasons the same as yours?
comfort ◻
cost ◻
safety ◻
boredom ◻
interest ◻
speed ◻
convenience ◻
length of trip ◻
sea sickness ◻
Answer
comfort cost safety interest speed
length of trip sea sickness
Transcript
See exercise 3.
Speaking Strategy
When you explain which item you are choosing, try to give a number of different reasons for your choice. When you are saying why you reject the other options, try again to give more than one reason. Do not simply give opposite reasons. Try to come up with different arguments.
4. Listen again. Tick the phrases the student uses.
1 I think I’ll choose … mainly because …
2 I’m opting for … and that’s because …
3 The best option would be the … because …
4 I wouldn’t pick the … for the reason that …
5 I wouldn’t go for the … basically because …
6 The (other) reason why I’m (not) choosing the … is that …
Answer
1, 4 and 6
Transcript
I think I’ll choose the trip on the gondola – mainly because I’ve never been on one before. I’m actually not very keen on boats, but the trip is short and I think the gondola looks slow and therefore safe! I think it would be a wonderful thing to see the city from the water. Judging by the photo, the gondola looks quite comfortable as well. The gondola tour is also cheaper, though this wouldn’t be my primary reason for choosing it. I wouldn’t pick the boat trip for the simple reason that I don’t enjoy travelling by speedboat! I sometimes get seasick on a boat, which is a shame because I’m sure the tour would be wonderful. Obviously it would be an interesting way of sightseeing for other people. The other reason why I’m not choosing the boat trip is that I’m not a strong swimmer and so I sometimes don’t feel safe on a boat in open water. The boat in the picture looks quite small as well, so it might make me a bit nervous. So, all in all, the gondola is the most relaxing option for me!
5. Read the task and look at the photos below. Compare the options. Prepare the reasons for your choice under the headings (1-4) below.
You are on holiday abroad. Which of these activities would you choose and why? Say why you are rejecting the other option.
1 interest for you
………………………………………
2 location
………………………………………
3 cost
………………………………………
4 time required
………………………………………
Answer
your own answers
6. Now do the task using your notes from exercise 5.
Answer
your own answers
Extra exercises
Strategy
In a photo comparison task, you may be asked to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of an activity or a situation.
1. Look at the two photos below that show different places to stay. Compare the photos using the points below.
– location – facilities – cost – activities
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