Unit 15 Describing things 2 While you listen
You are going to hear three conversations where people describe what tings are like.
As you listen,take notes on what they are describing and which adjectives they use.
Conversation 1
Mm,this fish is really nice.What's yours like?
Well,I'm beginning to wish I'd had the same as you.
I usually love chicken,but,to be honest,this is a bit bland.
The waiter said it was in a delicious mushroom sauce,but it doesn't taste of anything.
Conversation 2
So,is the wine all right?
Mm,yeah,it's all right,but it's nothing special.
I see what you mean.$15 for this!It really is very ordinary.
Yes,it's a bit disappointing,to say the least.Shall we send it back?
No,I can't be bothered.It's not that bad.
Conversation 3
Didn't you go to see Macbeth last week?
Yeah,it was brilliant.I've been to it a few times beforre,
but I think this was the best production I've ever seen.
Yeah,someone I work with went and said it was wonderful.
I wish I'd been able to get a ticket.
4 Asking linked questions
1.What's his house like?Is it big?
Yes,it's huge.It's got four bedrooms and an enormous garden.
2.What was that book like?Was it interesting?
No,it wasn't,actually.It was really boring.In fact,I didn't even finish reading it.
3.What's your new job like?Are you enjoying it?
Yes,very much.My boss is really nice and it's quite well paid,really.
4.What was Tunisia like?Was it warm?
Yes,it was quite warm,but not as hot as the last time we went.
5.What's this CD like?Is it any good?
Yes,I think it's great.The third track is brilliant.
6.How was the match?Did you win?
No,we lost three-one.It was just terrible.I can't believe it.
1.While you listen Not exactly Shakespeare
Guess what I went and saw last night-
Titanic-it's on again this week at the Duke of York's.
Oh,yeah.I saw that when it first came out.
What did you think of it?Did you like to?
Oh,it was great.I really enjoyed it.
I though the special effects were amazing,and the acting was brilliant.
It's one of those films where,you know,
when I first heard about how much money they'd spent on it,
I just couldn't believe it,but it was really great.
It was a bit like one of those old disaster movies,you know,
like Towering Inferno or Earthquake,only better.
Really?I'm surprised.I though the acting was a bit wooden myself,
and the dialogue was just awful.
I can't believe you actually thought it was worthe the money they'd spent on it.
I mean,didn't you find the whole thing jsut a little bit over-the-top?
Oh,no.Not at all.I thought it was brilliant.But the acting was horrendous!
Well,I know it's not exactly Shakespeare,but it's not meant to be,is it?
I'll tell you something weird though,
there was this guy sitting next to us who snored all the way through the film!
Really?That's must've been really annoying.
How could anybody actually sleep through all that noise!
I don't know -just dead tired,I suppose.
Yeah,I guess so,but really,though,
didn't you think it was all just a bit too sentimental?
I know what you mean,but I honestly didn't.
I really thought it was all done just right.It was so romantic.
Oh well,each to his own.Have you seen Bomb Alert 2 yet?
No,I haven't even heard of it.Who's in it?
Um,Jean-Paul van Klam,
he's great in it and,um,that woman from Kamikaze,you know who I mean.
Remember?She was Turtle-woman too,
although I must admit she wasn't very good in that.
Oh,her.So what's like?Any good?
Yeah,it's great-if you like blood all over the place and that sort of thing.
Oh,it doesn't really sound like my sort of thing,actually.I think I'll give it a miss.
1 Negative questions
Listen to these example and practise them with a partner.
11.I really like living our here in the country.
Oh,realy.Don't you find it a bit boring?
No,not at all.It's great.
2.I'm going to see Dogs of War tonight.
Oh really.Don't you think it looks really violent?
Yes,a bit,but then I like that kind of thing.