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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 2

Recurring Habits

Themed Conversation: Weekends & Free Time

Expression Chunks

I have a habit of + -ing

Meaning: Describes something you do repeatedly, sometimes without consciously deciding to.

Sample sentence: I have a habit of checking my phone as soon as I wake up.

Use it in your answer:

  • What do you repeatedly do even when you tell yourself not to?Answer using: I have a habit of...
  • What do you sometimes realize you're doing without planning to?Answer using: I have a habit of...
  • What usually happens when you have a completely free evening?Answer using: I have a habit of...
  • What happens when you start watching or reading something interesting late at night?Answer using: I have a habit of...
  • When plans change at the last minute, what do you normally do?Answer using: I have a habit of...

I often find myself + -ing

Meaning: Describes realizing that you repeatedly end up doing something, often unintentionally.

Sample sentence: I often find myself watching videos when I meant to read.

Use it in your answer:

  • What do you repeatedly do even when you tell yourself not to?Answer using: I often find myself...
  • What do you sometimes realize you're doing without planning to?Answer using: I often find myself...
  • What usually happens when you have a completely free evening?Answer using: I often find myself...
  • What happens when you start watching or reading something interesting late at night?Answer using: I often find myself...
  • When plans change at the last minute, what do you normally do?Answer using: I often find myself...

I usually end up + -ing

Meaning: Describes the final result of a situation, especially when it was not the original plan.

Sample sentence: I usually end up staying home when I don't make weekend plans in advance.

Use it in your answer:

  • What do you repeatedly do even when you tell yourself not to?Answer using: I usually end up...
  • What do you sometimes realize you're doing without planning to?Answer using: I usually end up...
  • What usually happens when you have a completely free evening?Answer using: I usually end up...
  • What happens when you start watching or reading something interesting late at night?Answer using: I usually end up...
  • When plans change at the last minute, what do you normally do?Answer using: I usually end up...

Question Chunks

What's + noun + like?

Sample question: What's your typical weekend like?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

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

How do you usually spend + time?

Sample question: How do you usually spend a quiet Sunday?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

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

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: Weekends & Free Time

hang out

Definition: spend relaxed time with someone

Sample sentence: I usually hang out with friends at a café on weekends.

Practice questions:

  • Where do you usually hang out with your friends?
  • Who do you hang out with most often?
  • What do you usually do when you hang out with friends?
  • Did you have a favorite place to hang out when you were younger?
  • Would you rather hang out at home or go somewhere? Why?

take up

Definition: begin a hobby or activity

Sample sentence: I'd like to take up photography when I have more free time.

Practice questions:

  • What hobby would you like to take up?
  • Have you taken up anything new recently?
  • What hobby did you take up when you were younger?
  • Is there an activity you would never take up? Why?
  • If you had more free time, what would you take up?

wind down

Definition: gradually relax

Sample sentence: I wind down by listening to music before bed.

Practice questions:

  • How do you usually wind down after a busy day?
  • How long does it take you to wind down after work?
  • Do you use your phone to wind down, or does it keep you awake?
  • What helps you wind down before bed?
  • Where do you like to go when you really need to wind down?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • What does a typical weekend look like for you?
  • After a busy week, how do you usually wind down?
  • Do you prefer making plans for the weekend or deciding at the last minute?
  • What hobby or activity do you wish you had more time for?
  • When was the last time you had a completely free day? What did you do?
  • Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with other people?
  • Is there a hobby you started but eventually gave up?
  • What is something you would like to take up in the future?
  • Do you think adults have enough free time these days?
  • If you suddenly had an extra day off this week, how would you spend it?