The people in your life are the easiest thing to talk about, because you already know what you want to say. Here are the words to say it.
1. Talking About Your Family
Nina: Do you have a big family?
Omar: Not very big. Four people.
Nina: Who lives with you?
Omar: My wife and my two sons.
Nina: That's nice.
Omar: Yes, the house is always busy.
2. Brothers and Sisters
Lee: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Maya: Yes, I have one brother.
Lee: Is he older or younger?
Maya: He's older than me. How about you?
Lee: I'm an only child.
3. Showing a Photo
Ana: Look, this is my family.
Tom: Nice photo. Who's this?
Ana: That's my mother.
Tom: She looks very kind.
Ana: She is. And this is my sister.
Tom: You look the same!
4. Introducing a Friend
Sara: Ben, this is my friend Carla.
Ben: Hi, Carla. Nice to meet you.
Carla: Nice to meet you too.
Sara: Carla works with me.
Ben: Oh, really? Where do you work?
Carla: At the hospital.
5. Asking About Children
Ravi: Do you have children?
Kate: Yes, one daughter.
Ravi: How old is she?
Kate: She's six.
Ravi: Does she go to school?
Kate: Yes, she started this year.
6. Where Your Family Lives
Jo: Does your family live here?
Elena: No, they live in another city.
Jo: Do you see them often?
Elena: About once a month.
Jo: Do you miss them?
Elena: Yes, a lot.
7. Describing a Person
Ali: What is your father like?
Sun: He's quiet, but very funny.
Ali: Is he tall?
Sun: Yes, taller than me.
Ali: And your mother?
Sun: She talks a lot. I like that.
8. Talking About Pets
Mia: Do you have a pet?
Dan: Yes, a dog. His name is Max.
Mia: How old is he?
Dan: Three years old.
Mia: I love dogs.
Dan: Come and meet him one day.
Words to know
| only child | a person with no brothers or sisters I'm an only child. |
| older | greater in age He's older than me. |
| kind | friendly and caring She looks very kind. |
| often | many times Do you see them often? |
| miss | to feel sad because someone is far away I miss them. |
| quiet | not talking much He's quiet, but very funny. |
| pet | an animal that lives with you Do you have a pet? |
| like | used to ask about character What is your father like? |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Do you have any brothers or ________?
B: Yes, I have one brother.
2. A: Is he older or younger?
B: He's older ________ me.
3. A: Who's this?
B: That's ________ mother.
4. A: Do you have children?
B: Yes, one ________.
5. A: Do you see them ________?
B: About once a month.
6. A: What is your father ________?
B: He's quiet, but very funny.
Show the answers
1. sisters 2. than 3. my 4. daughter 5. often 6. like
Common mistakes
Not: I have a brother older.
Say: I have an older brother.
In English the describing word comes before the noun.
Not: My sister has 20 years.
Say: My sister is 20.
Age uses be, never have.
Not: How is your father?
Say: What is your father like?
How is he? asks about health. What is he like? asks about character.
Your turn
Talk about your own family. Say these five things aloud, one after another.
- Say how many people are in your family.
- Say if you have brothers or sisters, and who is older.
- Describe one person in your family in two sentences.
- Say where your family lives and how often you see them.
- Say whether you have a pet, and its name.
Quick review
Choose one person you love and describe them out loud for thirty seconds. Do it again tomorrow with a different person. This is the fastest way to make these words feel like your own.