Speaking Boost · B1 · Lesson 5 of 50
Speaking Boost B1 · Block 1: Who I Am

What really matters?

People at the end of their lives say the same things about what really matters. Talk about your values, spend 1,000 coins on your ideal life, and give your first two-minute talk to finish Block 1.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Quick choices

Choose quickly, then explain your choice.

  1. Money or free time? Why?
  2. Living in one place all your life or moving every few years?
  3. A job with a big salary or a job you love?
  4. Being always honest or always kind?
  5. If your home was on fire (and everyone was safe), what one thing would you save?
  6. What made you really happy this week? Was it something big or something small?
2

Words and phrases

10 min
2.1

Words for values

For each word, say how important it is to you on a scale from 1 to 10, and why.

2.2

Which value?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. He never lies, even when the truth is uncomfortable. He values
  2. She has stayed with the same company and friends for 20 years. Her is amazing.
  3. I want to work from anywhere and decide my own hours. I need
  4. I'd like a stable job, savings and a house. For me, comes first.
  5. He has three cars and a yacht. He has great
  6. Her work at the hospital gives her life a sense of
  7. Every evening I think of three good things that happened. It helps me feel
  8. I wish I had spent more time with my grandad. I really it.
2.3

Word families

Choose the correct noun, then press Check answers.

  1. honest →
  2. loyal →
  3. free →
  4. kind →
  5. grateful →
  6. secure →
2.4

Phrases for priorities

Use each phrase to say something true about your priorities.

  • What matters most to me is...Найважливіше для мене — це...What matters most to me is my family's health.
  • For me, the most important thing is...Для мене найважливіше — ...For me, the most important thing is freedom.
  • I'd rather... than...Я б краще..., ніж...I'd rather earn less than work 60 hours a week.
  • It's (not) worth + -ing(Не) варто + діяIt's not worth getting stressed about small things.
  • I can't imagine my life without...Я не уявляю свого життя без...I can't imagine my life without music.
  • I used to think..., but now I realise...Раніше я думав(-ла)..., а тепер розумію...I used to think money was everything, but now I realise time is more valuable.
  • At the end of the day, ...Зрештою, ...At the end of the day, people matter more than things.
  • I try to make time for...Я намагаюся знаходити час для...I try to make time for my friends every week.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

What people regret most

Read the article. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Lessons from the end of life

Bronnie Ware worked for many years as a carer for people in the last weeks of their lives. She spent a lot of time talking with them, and she noticed that the same regrets came up again and again. She wrote about them in a blog post, which later became a best-selling book.

The most common regret was not having the courage to live a life true to themselves, instead of the life other people expected. Many people said they had followed dreams that were not really their own.

The second regret, especially among men, was working too hard. They had missed their children growing up and spent too little time with their partners.

Others wished they had had the courage to express their feelings, that they had stayed in touch with old friends, and that they had let themselves be happier. Many realised too late that happiness is, at least partly, a choice.

None of the people she cared for said they wished they had earned more money or bought a bigger house. In the end, it was always about people, courage and time.

3.2

True or false?

  1. Bronnie Ware was a doctor.
  2. The most common regret was not living a life true to themselves.
  3. Many people regretted not working harder.
  4. Some people wished they had kept in touch with friends.
  5. Several people regretted not earning more money.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Which of these regrets do you think is the most common in Ukraine? Why?
  2. Which one worries you most for your own life?
  3. Are you living the life you want or the life others expect?
  4. What could you change this month so you don't have that regret in 30 years?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Talking about priorities

What matters (most) is...

Puts the important idea at the end, for emphasis.

What matters most is being healthy. What I value is honesty.

I'd rather + verb (than + verb)

Your personal preference.

I'd rather live in a small flat than spend two hours commuting.

It's (not) worth + -ing

Saying if something is a good use of time or money.

It's worth learning English. It's not worth worrying about it.

Block review: you can now also say what someone is like vs is being like (Lesson 1), how people seem (Lesson 2), what you used to do (Lesson 3), and what you have achieved (Lesson 4). Try to use all of them today!

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. I'd rather
    at home tonight.
  2. It's not worth
    the most expensive model.
  3. What
    most to me is my family.
  4. I'd rather walk
    take a taxi.
  5. Is it worth
    Lviv in winter?
  6. She
    think money was everything.
  7. I
    leaving that job.
  8. He
    really happy with his new life.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. I'd rather to work from home. →
  2. It's not worth to worry about it. →
  3. I'd prefer walk than drive. →
  4. What matter most is health. →
  5. I am regretting nothing. →
  6. I'd rather stay home that go out. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use the structures above.

  1. What matters most to you now, and what mattered most to you ten years ago?
  2. Would you rather have more money or more free time? Explain with examples from your life.
  3. What is worth spending money on, and what is not worth it at all?
  4. What do you make time for, even when you're very busy?
  5. Which decision in your life have you never regretted? Which one do you regret a little?
  6. What would you rather do: change the world a little, or make your own family very happy?
5

Values auction

8 min
5.1

The values auction

You have 1,000 coins for your whole life. Spend them on the things you want most. You can't spend more than 1,000! Then explain your top three and why you gave nothing to some things.

Coins left1000
A job you love
Perfect health until 90
True love that lasts
Complete financial security
Freedom to travel anywhere, any time
Fame and recognition
A big, close family
Five true friends for life
A house by the sea
The respect of everyone who knows you
Two free hours every day
Speaking five languages fluently

Useful language: I spent most of my coins on... because... · I didn't spend anything on... It's not worth it for me. · I'd rather have... than... · If I had more coins, I would...

5.2

Mini-talk: what really matters

This is the final speaking task of Block 1. Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for two minutes without stopping.
  2. Part 1: three things that really matter to you and why (use real examples).
  3. Part 2: how your priorities have changed over the years.
  4. Part 3: one thing you want to make more time for, starting this week.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Which three values describe you best?
  2. What would you never do, even for a lot of money?
  3. What do you spend too much time on? What too little?
  4. What are you most grateful for in your life right now?
  5. Who taught you your most important values?
  6. What would you do if you didn't need to work?
  7. What does a perfect ordinary day look like for you?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Do you need to share values with a partner or a friend? Which ones?
  2. What values do you want to pass on to children?
  3. Which values are typical for people in your country?
  4. Have you ever stopped being friends with someone because of different values?
  5. Who do you know who lives completely by their values?
  6. How are young people's values different from their grandparents'?
6.3

Part III: Thinking deeper

  1. Can money buy freedom?
  2. Is it selfish to put your own happiness first?
  3. Do difficult times change what people value?
  4. Should companies choose employees by their values or their skills?
  5. Is it possible to have a good work-life balance in today's world?
7

Roleplay

10 min
7.1

The podcast guest

You

Podcast guest

You are a guest on a popular podcast called "What Really Matters". Talk about your life and values:
  • the moment you understood what really matters to you
  • a big decision you made because of your values
  • one thing you used to value but no longer do
  • your advice for listeners
Speak for at least 3 minutes in total. Use grammar from all of Block 1.
Your teacher

Podcast host

Asks short questions, for example:
  1. Who are you, in one sentence?
  2. What does success mean to you?
  3. What do you regret?
  4. What do you do every day that makes you happy?
  5. Last question: what really matters?
7.2

The big decision

You

Close friend

Your friend has to make a big decision and asks for your help. Help them think it through:
  • ask about their values and priorities
  • talk through the pros and cons of each option
  • share a similar experience from your own life
  • give your honest advice at the end
You do most of the talking. Use: What matters most to you? · I'd rather... · It's (not) worth... · If I were you, I'd...
Your teacher

Friend

Chooses one decision:
  1. "I got a job offer abroad with double the salary, but my family is here."
  2. "Should I leave my stable job to start my own business?"
  3. "My partner wants to move to the countryside. I love the city."
8

Debate

7 min
8.1

Agree or disagree?

"In your twenties and thirties, career should come first."

Ideas for

It's the best time to build skills and save money. Later you'll have more responsibilities. A strong career gives freedom and security for the rest of your life.

Ideas against

Those years never come back. Relationships, health and friends also need time. The article showed people regret working too hard, not too little.

Round 1: give your real opinion for 1–2 minutes. Round 2: defend the opposite side for 1 minute. Use: What matters most is... · I'd rather... · It's not worth... · At the end of the day...

9

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

honestyfreedomgratitudepurposeregretprioritisesecuritywork-life balance
  1. My new job finishes at 5, so I finally have a good .
  2. Saying "thank you" every day helps you feel .
  3. I don't anything. Every mistake taught me something.
  4. Working from anywhere gives me real .
  5. Since she started volunteering, her life has a sense of .
  6. In a crisis, you need to your health and your family.
  7. I prefer , even when the truth hurts.
  8. A permanent contract gives me a feeling of .
H2

Choose the correct form

  1. I'd rather home tonight.
  2. It's not worth about it.
  3. What most is your health.
  4. I'd rather walk wait for the bus.
  5. She is usually calm, but today she very impatient.
  6. He his father.
  7. We live in a small flat.
  8. I so happy.
H3

Correct or incorrect? (Block 1 review)

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. I'd rather to stay at home.
  2. It's worth visiting that museum.
  3. She seems like very tired.
  4. I didn't use to like coffee.
  5. I have met him in 2019.
  6. What matters most is kindness.
  7. He's being really rude today.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. What matters most to me is
  2. I'd rather earn less
  3. It's not worth
  4. I can't imagine my life without
  5. I used to think money was everything,
  6. At the end of the day,
  7. I try to make time for

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.