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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 5

Developing Habits

Themed Conversation: Growing Up

Expression Chunks

I've gotten into the habit of + -ing

Meaning: Describes a habit you have developed, usually relatively recently.

Sample sentence: I've gotten into the habit of planning the next day before I go to bed.

Use it in your answer:

  • What useful routine have you developed recently?Answer using: I've gotten into the habit of...
  • What is something you've done in the same way for as long as you can remember?Answer using: I've gotten into the habit of...
  • What do you repeatedly misjudge, forget, or leave until later?Answer using: I've gotten into the habit of...
  • What do you normally do before making an important decision?Answer using: I've gotten into the habit of...
  • What personal routine has become easier for you over time?Answer using: I've gotten into the habit of...

I've always been the type to + base verb

Meaning: Describes a long-standing characteristic or behavior.

Sample sentence: I've always been the type to think carefully before making a big decision.

Use it in your answer:

  • What useful routine have you developed recently?Answer using: I've always been the type to...
  • What is something you've done in the same way for as long as you can remember?Answer using: I've always been the type to...
  • What do you repeatedly misjudge, forget, or leave until later?Answer using: I've always been the type to...
  • What do you normally do before making an important decision?Answer using: I've always been the type to...
  • What personal routine has become easier for you over time?Answer using: I've always been the type to...

I seem to always + base verb

Meaning: Used when you notice a repeated pattern in your behavior, sometimes with mild surprise or frustration.

Sample sentence: I seem to always underestimate how long a task will take.

Use it in your answer:

  • What useful routine have you developed recently?Answer using: I seem to always...
  • What is something you've done in the same way for as long as you can remember?Answer using: I seem to always...
  • What do you repeatedly misjudge, forget, or leave until later?Answer using: I seem to always...
  • What do you normally do before making an important decision?Answer using: I seem to always...
  • What personal routine has become easier for you over time?Answer using: I seem to always...

Question Chunks

Have you always + past participle/adjective?

Sample question: Have you always been this organized?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Has there ever been a time when + clause?

Sample question: Has there ever been a time when you completely changed a habit?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: Growing Up

grow up

Definition: become an adult

Sample sentence: I grew up in a place where everyone knew each other.

Practice questions:

  • Where did you grow up?
  • What was your neighborhood like when you were growing up?
  • What did you want to be when you grew up?
  • Who influenced you most while you were growing up?
  • Do you think children grow up too quickly these days?

look up to

Definition: admire someone

Sample sentence: I looked up to one of my teachers when I was younger.

Practice questions:

  • Who did you look up to when you were younger?
  • Is there someone you look up to now?
  • What qualities make you look up to someone?
  • Did you ever look up to a teacher or coach?
  • Do young people today have good people to look up to?

grow out of

Definition: stop liking or doing something as you mature

Sample sentence: I eventually grew out of my fear of speaking in public.

Practice questions:

  • What is something you loved as a child but grew out of?
  • Did you grow out of any fears as you got older?
  • What habit are you glad you grew out of?
  • Are there some things people never really grow out of?
  • What would you like to grow out of?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • What were you like as a child?
  • What did you enjoy doing after school when you were young?
  • Who did you look up to when you were growing up?
  • What is something you loved as a child but have grown out of?
  • What childhood habit have you kept as an adult?
  • Were you more adventurous or more cautious when you were younger?
  • What did you think adulthood would be like when you were a child?
  • What is one lesson you learned only after growing up?
  • Do you think childhood is easier or harder for children today?
  • If you could spend one day at any age from your childhood again, which age would you choose?