Dialogue

Current Situation

Camping is a popular outdoor activity where people spend one or more nights away from home, often sleeping in a tent or a recreational vehicle (RV). It’s a great way to escape the busy city life and enjoy nature. People go camping to relax, explore forests, mountains, or lakes, and spend time with friends and family. Common activities include hiking, fishing, cooking over a campfire, and stargazing. Before going, it’s important to prepare a packing list, check the weather, and choose a suitable campground.

Key Phrases

• Camping trip: A journey involving staying overnight in a tent or camp.

  Let’s plan a camping trip next summer.

• Tent: A portable shelter made of fabric, used for camping.

  We need a new tent for the trip.

• Sleeping bag: A soft, insulated bag to sleep in, especially when camping.

  My sleeping bag keeps me warm at night.

• Campfire: A fire made outdoors, usually at a camp, for cooking or warmth.

  We roasted marshmallows over the campfire.

• S’mores: A sweet snack made by toasting a marshmallow and chocolate between two graham crackers.

  Do you want to make s’mores tonight?

• Bug spray: A liquid used to repel insects like mosquitoes.

  Don’t forget bug spray for the mosquitoes.

• Packing list: A list of items to pack for a trip or activity.

  Alice sent me the camping packing list.

• Pitch a tent: To set up a tent.

  It’s easy to pitch a tent with two people.

• Out in nature: In an outdoor, natural environment away from cities.

  I love being out in nature.

• Family-friendly: Suitable for families with children.

  This campground is very family-friendly.

Grammar Points

1. Present Continuous for Future Plans

We often use the present continuous tense (verb “to be” + -ing form) to talk about future plans that are already arranged or decided, especially when a specific time or date is mentioned.

• Alice: “I’m planning a camping trip next month!” (She has already decided and is making arrangements.)
• Alice: “We’re going to a family-friendly campground.” (The destination is set.)

My sister is visiting us next weekend.

They are having a party on Saturday.

2. “Going to” for Future Intentions

We use “going to” (verb “to be” + going to + base form of verb) to talk about future plans or intentions, or to make predictions based on present evidence.

• Bob: “Are we going to eat tree bark?” (Bob is asking about their future food plans.)
• Alice: “It’s going to be so much fun!” (Alice is predicting a fun experience.)

I’m going to learn a new language next year.

Look at those dark clouds! It’s going to rain.

3. Basic Questions with “Do” and “Wh-words”

To ask simple questions in English, especially about general facts or needs, we often use “Do” (for I/you/we/they) or “Does” (for he/she/it). For specific information, we use Wh-words (What, When, Where, Who, Why, How).

• Bob: “Do we need a tent?” (Asking about a general necessity.)
• Bob: “What about food?” (Asking for information about food.)
• Bob: “So, when is this adventurous trip?” (Asking about the time of the trip.)

Do you like coffee?

Where are you going?

4. Imperatives (Commands and Instructions)

We use imperatives to give commands, instructions, or make suggestions. They usually start directly with the base form of the verb. For negative commands, we use “Don’t” + base form of verb.

• Alice: “Don’t worry so much!” (A negative command/suggestion.)
• Alice: “Just don’t forget your pillow!” (A negative instruction.)

Open the door.

Don’t touch that!

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the dialogue or key phrases.

1. We need a ____ and sleeping bags for camping.
2. I’m ____ a camping trip for July.
3. Don’t ____ bug spray!
4. ____ we need to bring food?
5. It’s ____ to be so much fun!
6. We can roast hot dogs over the ____.

Answers:

1. tent
2. planning
3. forget
4. Do
5. going
6. campfire

Exercise 2: Match the Phrase

Match the key phrase with its correct meaning.

• 1. S’mores
• 2. Pitch a tent
• 3. Packing list
• 4. Out in nature

Meanings:

• a. A list of items to prepare for a trip.
• b. To set up a portable shelter.
• c. A sweet snack with marshmallow, chocolate, and crackers.
• d. In an outdoor, natural environment.

Answers:

• 1. c
• 2. b
• 3. a
• 4. d

Exercise 3: Make it Future

Rewrite the following sentences using “going to” or the present continuous for future plans.

1. (I / plan / camping trip / next month)
2. (It / be / fun)
3. (We / bring / marshmallows)
4. (You / forget / your pillow?) – Make this a question.

Answers:

1. I’m planning a camping trip next month.
2. It’s going to be fun.
3. We’re bringing marshmallows. OR We’re going to bring marshmallows.
4. Are you going to forget your pillow?