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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 22

Getting Used to Things

Themed Conversation: First-Time Experiences

Expression Chunks

I've become accustomed to + noun / -ing

Meaning: Means something that was once unfamiliar now feels normal.

Sample sentence: I've become accustomed to working independently.

Use it in your answer:

  • What part of your current routine once felt unfamiliar but now feels normal?Answer using: I've become accustomed to...
  • What change are you still adjusting to?Answer using: I've become accustomed to...
  • What have you learned to do better as you've become more independent?Answer using: I've become accustomed to...
  • What was difficult when you first started working or studying seriously?Answer using: I've become accustomed to...
  • What new environment took you the longest to feel comfortable in?Answer using: I've become accustomed to...

I'm getting used to + noun / -ing

Meaning: Describes the ongoing process of becoming comfortable with something new.

Sample sentence: I'm getting used to asking for help sooner instead of struggling alone.

Use it in your answer:

  • What part of your current routine once felt unfamiliar but now feels normal?Answer using: I'm getting used to...
  • What change are you still adjusting to?Answer using: I'm getting used to...
  • What have you learned to do better as you've become more independent?Answer using: I'm getting used to...
  • What was difficult when you first started working or studying seriously?Answer using: I'm getting used to...
  • What new environment took you the longest to feel comfortable in?Answer using: I'm getting used to...

I've learned to + base verb

Meaning: Describes a skill, behavior, or lesson you have developed through experience.

Sample sentence: I've learned to give myself time to adjust when something is new.

Use it in your answer:

  • What part of your current routine once felt unfamiliar but now feels normal?Answer using: I've learned to...
  • What change are you still adjusting to?Answer using: I've learned to...
  • What have you learned to do better as you've become more independent?Answer using: I've learned to...
  • What was difficult when you first started working or studying seriously?Answer using: I've learned to...
  • What new environment took you the longest to feel comfortable in?Answer using: I've learned to...

Question Chunks

What was it like to + verb?

Sample question: What was it like to start your first job?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

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

What took you the longest to get used to?

Sample question: What took you the longest to get used to when you started living independently?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

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

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: First-Time Experiences

settle in

Definition: become comfortable in a new place

Sample sentence: It took me a few weeks to settle in at my new workplace.

Practice questions:

  • How long does it take you to settle in somewhere new?
  • What helps you settle in at a new job?
  • Have you ever struggled to settle in after moving?
  • Who helped you settle in at school or work?
  • What advice would you give someone trying to settle in somewhere new?

figure out

Definition: understand or solve

Sample sentence: I had to figure out many things on my own.

Practice questions:

  • What is something you had to figure out on your own?
  • How do you usually figure out a difficult problem?
  • Have you ever struggled to figure out new technology?
  • Who do you ask when you can’t figure something out?
  • What are you still trying to figure out about adult life?

get used to

Definition: become accustomed to

Sample sentence: It took me a while to get used to the new routine.

Practice questions:

  • What took you a long time to get used to?
  • How quickly do you get used to a new routine?
  • Was there anything difficult to get used to at your first job?
  • What would be hard for you to get used to if you moved abroad?
  • Do you think people can get used to almost anything?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • What first-time experience do you remember especially clearly?
  • What was your first job or major responsibility like?
  • How did you feel the first time you traveled somewhere without your family?
  • Have you ever moved somewhere new and had to settle in?
  • What is something you had to figure out completely on your own?
  • Which new situation took you the longest to get used to?
  • Do you usually enjoy being a beginner at something?
  • What is something you were nervous to try but ended up enjoying?
  • What new experience would you like to have in the next year?
  • Do you think first experiences are usually more memorable than later ones? Why?