Ready for C1 p 69. Getting on. Speaking. Sample Answer

Fill in the gaps with one word:

1. Who do you get on best _____________ in your family?

KEY

1. with

2. Is there a time when your whole family likes to get _____________?

KEY

2. together

3. Are you the ________________ of person who likes meeting new people?

KEY

3. kind

4. Is it better to have a few ______________ friends or a wide circle of acquaintances?

KEY

4. close

5. How important do you think it is to meet ______________ with friends in person?

KEY

5. up

Discuss the questions with a partner:

1. Who do you get on best with in your family?

2. Is there a time when your whole family likes to get together?

3. Are you the kind of person who likes meeting new people?

4. Is it better to have a few close friends or a wide circle of acquaintances?

5. How important do you think it is to meet up with friends in person?

Monologue. Sample answer:

4. Is it better to have a few close friends or a wide circle of acquaintances?

5. How important do you think it is to meet up with friends in person?

Monologue on Friendship and Socialising

I’d like to get (1)__________ by addressing a question that has surely crossed everyone’s (2)__________ at some point: is it better to have a few close friends or a wide circle of acquaintances? Have you ever (3)____________ which of the two brings greater happiness and fulfilment? Well, in my (4)___________, having a few close friends is (5)___________ more valuable than knowing a large number of people superficially.

Nobody will (6)__________ that true friendship requires trust, loyalty, and a strong emotional connection. When you have a close friend, someone you get on (7)___________ a house on fire (8)____________, you always have someone to turn (9)___________ in difficult times. On the other (10)__________, a wide circle of acquaintances might offer a sense of social engagement. (11)_____________, when things get tough, many of them may turn their back (12)____________ you. An important (13)___________ to remember is that friendships require effort. If one person constantly (14)___________ the other down or, even worse, has it (15)___________ for them, it can put a great strain (16)___________ a relationship and eventually turn (17)___________ sour.

(18)___________ examining this point, let’s (19)_________ to the second question: how important is it to meet up with friends in person? To my (20)_____________, face-to-face interaction is crucial (21)___________ maintaining strong bonds. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to keep in touch with people through messages and social media, but nothing can replace real-life conversations and shared experiences. When it (22)_____________ to friendships, spending time together strengthens trust and understanding. I’m absolutely (23)______________ that without regular meet-ups, (24)______________ the strongest friendships can become distant.

In (25)____________ of social relationships, I reckon conflicts are inevitable. Even the closest of friends sometimes (26)___________ out, and if issues aren’t resolved, a once-great friendship can become a rocky relationship. However, if two people take (27)_____________ each other straightaway and genuinely care, they will (28)___________ the effort to repair the damage rather than look (29)_____________ on each other.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I would like to draw (30)____________ to the role of respect in friendship. We often look (31)_____________ to certain friends because of their kindness or wisdom, (32)____________ others might (33)______________ an instant dislike (34)___________ someone for no real reason. To be honest, I’ve always believed that a strong friendship should be built on mutual respect rather than one person feeling superior.

The obvious conclusion is that (35)_______________ having a large social circle might seem appealing, (36)_________ is deep and meaningful friendships (37)___________ truly enrich our lives. All things (38)_____________, meeting up in person plays a fundamental role in keeping these bonds alive. (39)__________, if you have a good friend, cherish them, make time for them, and never (40)__________ them for granted.

KEY

1. started

2. mind

3. wondered

4. view

5. far

6. deny

7. like

8. with

9. to

10. hand

11. However/ Nevertheless/ Nonetheless

12. on

13. point

14. puts

15. in

16. on

17. it

18. After

19. turn

20. knowledge

21. in

22. comes

23. convinced

24. even

25. terms

26. fall

27. to

28. make

29. down

30. attention

31. up

32. while

33. take

34. to

35. while

36. it

37. that/ which

38. considered

39. So/ Therefore/ Consequently

40. take