After the verbs sound, smell, taste and feel we use an adjective, not an adverb. That sounds nice. The soup smells wonderful. The tea tastes sweet. This blanket feels soft.

We use “like” before a noun: It sounds like rain. It smells like fresh bread. It feels like silk.

Hear means that a sound comes to your ears — you do not decide: I can hear a dog. Listen to means that you pay attention on purpose: I listen to the radio every morning.

We say “listen to” + something: Listen to me! She listens to music. We never say “listen music”. We can also use “can hear” for what is happening now: I can hear birds.

We use the present continuous for sounds that are happening now: It is raining. A child is laughing. Somebody is playing the piano.

We use the present simple for things that are always true or happen often: The church bell rings at noon. My neighbour plays music every evening.

• What can you hear at this moment?
• Is your street noisy or quiet?
• What is the loudest sound in your home?
• Do you listen to the radio?
• What sound do you like in the morning?
• Is your neighbourhood peaceful?
• Do you hear birds in the morning?
• What sound makes you smile?
• Do you hear a clock in your room?
• What sound do you hear when it rains?
• Do you like loud music?
• Is there a sound you really hate?

• How does rain sound? Describe it.
• What does your kitchen sound like in the morning?
• How does your street sound at night?
• Which sounds make you feel calm?
• Which sounds make you feel nervous?
• Tell me about a sound that reminds you of your childhood.
• What do you hear when you walk to the shop?
• How does a happy person’s laugh sound?
• What is a noisy place you don’t like?
• What sounds tell you that you are at home?
• Describe the sound of your favourite instrument.
• What sounds do you hear in a market?

• Can sounds change our mood? Give examples.
• Is a quiet place always a good place? Why or why not?
• Why do some people love silence and others don’t?
• How do sounds help you understand the world?
• Is noise a problem in your city? What could we do?
• How can sounds tell you about the weather or the time?
• What are the most beautiful sounds in the world, in your opinion?
• If you could record one sound for ever, what would it be?

• What do you hear when you wake up?
• Is your home noisy or quiet?
• Who in your house makes the most noise?
• Does your voice sound different on the phone?
• Does the bus sound loud near your home?
• What does the sea sound like?
• Does your tea taste sweet or bitter?
• Does your sweater feel soft?
• What does your favourite food smell like?
• How do you feel when you hear a thunderstorm?
• What sound does your phone make?
• Do you listen to podcasts or the news?

• Do you think city life is too noisy?
• Which is better: living in a quiet place or in a busy place?
• What would you do if you could hear a sound from 100 years ago?
• What if all the sounds in the world stopped for one day?
• Do you prefer natural sounds or music?
• Is it good to listen to music while working?
• Would you like to live near the sea? Why?
• Which sound would you take to a desert island?

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