TrendSpeak English

Talking about your country

Written by

poster

in

English for Beginners: Talking About Your Country

Dialogue

Alice: Hi Bob! Great to see you. How are things?

Bob: Alice! Hey! Things are great, thanks. Just thinking about home. Where are you from again?

Alice: I’m from Australia! Land of sunshine, beaches, and… well, kangaroos!

Bob: Kangaroos! Really? Do they just hop down the street like people walk dogs?

Alice: (Laughs) Not quite *down* the street, but you see them in fields and parks! Our national animal is cute, but they can actually box!

Bob: Boxing kangaroos! That sounds like an adventure! My country, Canada, is a bit different.

Alice: Oh, Canada! Land of maple syrup, politeness, and… snow, right?

Bob: Exactly! Lots and lots of snow in winter. We have polar bears too, but they prefer napping to boxing.

Alice: Polar bears! Wow. So, is it always cold there?

Bob: Not always! We have beautiful, warm summers too. But yes, winter is a big deal. We even have special festivals for snow and ice.

Alice: Snow festivals! That’s amazing. We have beach festivals. I guess every country has its quirks.

Bob: Definitely! What’s your favourite food from Australia?

Alice: Hmmm, Vegemite on toast. It’s… unique. You have to try it, but just a tiny bit first!

Bob: Vegemite! I’ve heard stories. Is it true you need a special guide to eat it properly?

Alice: You just need to be brave, Bob! What about poutine from Canada?

Bob: Poutine! Fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It’s absolutely delicious. No bravery needed, just an empty stomach!

Current Situation

Talking about your country is a fantastic way to start a conversation and make new friends. People are often curious about other cultures, and sharing information about your homeland allows you to practice English while also teaching others something interesting. You can talk about your country’s weather, animals, famous landmarks, food, or unique customs. It’s a common and enjoyable topic that helps you learn about the world and improve your English speaking skills.

Key Phrases

  • Where are you from?: A common way to ask about someone’s origin.
    “Excuse me, where are you from?”
  • What’s it like there?: Asks for a general description of a place.
    “You’re from Japan? What’s it like there?”
  • Land of [X] and [Y]: A descriptive and often slightly playful way to summarize a country’s main characteristics.
    “My friend says his country is the land of mountains and ancient history.”
  • Lots and lots of [something]: Emphasizes a large quantity.
    “In my city, there are lots and lots of tall buildings.”
  • National animal/food/etc.: Refers to something officially recognized or strongly associated with a country.
    “The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States.”
  • A bit different: Means slightly unlike something else.
    “This coffee tastes a bit different today.”
  • A big deal: Something important or significant.
    “Christmas is a big deal in many countries.”
  • Has its quirks: Means a place or thing has unusual or peculiar features.
    “This old car has its quirks, but it still runs well.”
  • You have to try it!: A strong recommendation to experience something.
    “This new restaurant is amazing, you have to try it!”
  • No bravery needed, just an empty stomach!: A humorous way to say something is delicious and easy to eat.
    “This huge pizza? No bravery needed, just an empty stomach!”

Grammar Points

1. Describing Places with “What’s it like…?”

We use “What’s it like…?” to ask for a general description of a place, person, or thing. The answer usually includes adjectives.

  • Question: What’s Australia like?
  • Answer: It’s sunny and has lots of beaches.
  • Question: What’s the weather like in winter?
  • Answer: It’s very cold and snowy.

2. Quantifiers: “Lots of,” “A bit,” “Almost every,” “Everywhere”

These words help us talk about amounts and frequency.

  • Lots of / Lots and lots of: A large quantity.
    “We have lots of friends. There are lots and lots of stars tonight.”
  • A bit: A small amount or degree.
    “It’s a bit cold today. The food is a bit spicy.”
  • Almost every: Indicates something happens or exists nearly all the time or in nearly all cases.
    “It rains almost every day here. Almost every student passed the exam.”
  • Everywhere: In or to every place. Often used with a little exaggeration for humor.
    “There are trees everywhere in the forest. I see your company’s ads everywhere!”

3. Modal Verb for Recommendation: “You have to…”

“You have to…” is used to express a strong recommendation or a necessity.

  • “You have to try this cake!” (Strong recommendation)
  • “You have to study for the test.” (Necessity)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the best word or phrase.

  1. My country has _______ beautiful mountains. (a bit / lots of)
  2. In winter, it can be _______ cold. (almost every / a bit)
  3. Our capital city is amazing, you _______ visit it! (have to / lots of)
  4. I love summer because the sun shines _______ day. (almost every / everywhere)
  5. There are shops _______ in the city center. (a bit / everywhere)
Show Answers
  1. lots of
  2. a bit
  3. have to
  4. almost every
  5. everywhere

Exercise 2: Answer these questions about your own country.

Write 1-2 sentences for each answer.

  1. What’s your country like?
  2. What is your favourite food from your country?
  3. What’s special or unique about your country?
Example Answers
  1. My country is very green with lots of forests and lakes. It has four distinct seasons.
  2. My favourite food from my country is [name of food]. It’s a traditional dish with [brief description].
  3. Our country is special because of its ancient history and many historical sites. We also have a very friendly culture.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts