Module 07 —Describing People & Places
Speaking Part 1 extended answers with reasons · Part 2 picture description language · Writing Part 6 short message
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Second pass at Reading 5 from Lesson 07.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Tell your partner three things about a friend's appearance and one thing about their personality.
Answer 'Do you like your neighbourhood?' with a reason. Now add a second reason using 'and'.
Look around the room. Describe one object using 'There is/are' and its position.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minDescribing people with 'have got' / 'be', and places with 'there is/are'
People: He's got short hair. She's friendly. Places: There's a park near my flat. There are lots of shops in the centre.
- 1At A2, we describe people with have got for physical features (She's got long hair) and be for character and looks (He's tall.
- 2She's friendly).
- 3We describe places with there is/are for what exists (There's a market on Sundays) and prepositions of place (next to, near, in the middle of, on the corner of) to say where things are.
- 4In the exam, examiners want you to go beyond one-word answers: always add a reason with because or a second idea with and or but so your answer sounds natural and complete.
My sister has got curly brown hair and she's quite tall.
There's a small café next to the station, and it's always crowded.
I like my town because it's quiet, but it hasn't got a cinema.
Question 1.'My brother ____ short black hair.'
Question 2.'There ____ a supermarket near my house.'
Question 3.'She's very ____ — she always says hello to everyone.'
Question 4.'The bank is ____ the post office and the bakery.'
Question 5.'I like my flat ____ it's really peaceful.'
Quick check 1.In Speaking Part 1, why should you add a reason to your answer?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
describing how busy or calm a place is
Is your neighbourhood crowded or peaceful?
What to do
Match each word with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use today's describing words in full sentences with a reason.
Ask your partner
- Describe someone friendly in your family.
- Is your best friend talkative or quiet?
- Do you prefer a peaceful place or a crowded one? Why?
"In the middle of my town there's..."in the middle of
Is it better to live in a spacious flat far from the centre, or a small flat near everything? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words describing a person you know well, including appearance and personality.
What to do
- 1.Read about three people who are describing places they live.
- 2.For questions 1–5, match each statement to person A, B or C.
Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.
The 5 people
The 8 texts
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minLinking 'has got' and 'there is' smoothly
Link the words together: She's_got /ʃiːz gɒt/, There's_a /ðeəz ə/.
- • She's got long hair.
- • There's a park near my flat.
- • He's got a friendly smile.
- • There are lots of shops in the centre.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minMy neighbourhood
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
I live in a small flat in the centre of town, next to an old cinema. My street is quite crowded during the day because there's a busy market on the corner, but it becomes peaceful in the evening. My neighbour, Sonia, is a retired teacher. She's got short grey hair and she's always smiling. She's very friendly and talkative, and she often stops to chat about her garden.
In the middle of the square near my flat, there's a small fountain where people meet. There isn't a big park nearby, but there's a spacious green area behind the library, which is perfect for a walk. I like living here because everything I need is close, and I've got good neighbours like Sonia.
Question 1.Where does the writer live?
Question 2.Why is the street crowded during the day?
Question 3.How does the writer describe Sonia's personality?
Question 4.What is in the middle of the square?
Question 5.Why does the writer like living there?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minDescribing a place you'd like to visit
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Interviewer:Tell me about a place you'd like to visit, Carla.
Carla:I'd love to visit Lisbon because I've heard it's really colourful, and my cousin lives there.
Interviewer:What do you know about it?
Carla:I know it's got lots of old streets and it's near the sea, so the weather is usually mild.
Interviewer:What would you do there?
Carla:I'd walk around the old town and try the local food, because I love trying new dishes.
Interviewer:Would you go alone or with someone?
Carla:Definitely with my sister — she's very talkative and she always makes trips more fun.
Interviewer:Is there anything you're not sure about?
Carla:Just the hills! I've heard some streets are really steep, so I'll need comfortable shoes.
Question 1.Why does Carla want to visit Lisbon?
Question 2.What does Carla say about the weather?
Question 3.Why does Carla want to try the local food?
Question 4.Who does Carla want to travel with?
Question 5.What is Carla unsure about?
Question 1.Which sentence best sums up why Carla wants to visit Lisbon?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minSpeaking Part 1 (extended answers) & Part 2 (picture description)
Always add a reason. When describing a picture, use I can see..., There is/are..., and in the middle/on the left/on the right.
Task
- 1In Part 1, answer personal questions with a reason, not just one word.
- 2In Part 2, describe a picture using I can see, There is/are and position words, then answer follow-up questions and repair mistakes calmly.
Example
Q: Do you like your town? A: 'Yes, I do, because it's quiet and there's a nice park near my flat, but it hasn't got a cinema.'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Give one adjective meaning 'full of people'.
Q2.Give one adjective meaning 'calm and quiet'.
Write a short message (25–35 words) to a friend recommending a place in your town, saying what it is, where it is, and why they should go.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi! You should visit the new café near the station. It's on the corner of Green Street, next to the bookshop. It's small but really cosy, and the cakes are amazing. Let's go together this weekend!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
What to do
Read the note from your friend and reply, covering all three notes.
Hi! I'm visiting your town next weekend. Can you recommend somewhere to go? Write back soon!
Your reply must cover:
- Name a place
- Give its location
- Give a reason to visit it
Show model answer
Hi Jamie! You should visit the market in the town centre, next to the old church. I love it because it's got lots of local food and it's really lively at weekends. See you soon!
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, describe a photo of a place (real or imagined) to your partner for one minute, then answer two follow-up questions from them.
Examiner
"Now talk together about whether it is better to live somewhere busy or somewhere quiet."
Discuss together
Is it better to live in a busy, crowded place or a quiet, peaceful one?
Now decide together
Agree on the three biggest advantages of living somewhere peaceful.
Useful discussion language
What to do
- 1.Practise this Part 1 interview in pairs.
- 2.Give a reason with every answer.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "What does your best friend look like?"
Tip: Use 'have got' for hair/height.
2.Examiner: "Is your street quiet or busy?"
Tip: Add a reason with 'because'.
3.Examiner: "What's your favourite place in your town?"
Tip: Say why, using 'because' or 'and'.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about a place near your home that you like."
Tip: Extend for 30–45 seconds: what it is, where it is, why you like it.
Show model extended answer
Near my home there's a small park with a lake, and I really like it because it's peaceful and it's great for walking after work. There's also a café next to the entrance, so I sometimes stop for a coffee before I go home.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the speaking and writing practice finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write five sentences describing a family member's appearance and personality.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Example
Record yourself describing your street or neighbourhood for 45 seconds, extending every idea with a reason.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Checklist
Write a 25-word message recommending a café, park or shop to a friend.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Content points
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Describe people with 'have got' (hair, height) and 'be' (personality).
- Describe places with 'there is/are' and position words (next to, near, in the middle of).
- Always extend Speaking Part 1 answers with a reason using 'because', 'and' or 'but'.
- In Part 2, describe a picture with 'I can see...' and 'There is/are...', then answer follow-up questions.
- In Writing Part 6, cover all three content points in a short, clear message.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameHabits vs right now
Practise this exam skill
Telling a story in the past
Practise this exam skill
Word partners
Practise this exam skill