Part 2
Part 2 - Cue Card
Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What this person grows
- Where this person grows them
- And explain why this person loves to grow plants
Part 2 Sample Response
I'd like to talk about my neighbor, Mrs. Lan - she's probably in her early 60s and has been living next door to my family for... oh, about ten years now. She's absolutely obsessed with gardening, and honestly, her balcony looks like a mini jungle.
She grows all sorts of things in containers on her apartment balcony - herbs like mint, basil, and lemongrass, plus vegetables like tomatoes, chili peppers, and green beans. But what really impressed me is that she's managed to grow a small papaya tree in a large pot, which seems impossible for such a small space. She's also got these beautiful orchids hanging from the balcony ceiling.
Her setup is quite clever, actually. She's got different levels using wooden shelves and hanging baskets to make the most of the space. There are these little plastic bottles she's turned into watering systems, and she's even composting kitchen scraps in a small bin.
I think she loves gardening because it keeps her busy during retirement, but it's more than that. She always tells me how relaxing it is to water the plants in the early morning, and she's genuinely proud when she can cook with her own herbs or give fresh vegetables to neighbors. I think for her generation, especially people who grew up in the countryside, there's something deeply satisfying about growing your own food. Plus, she mentioned once that it reminds her of her childhood helping her grandmother in the village garden.
Essential Vocabulary
Types of people who garden
- passionate gardener - person who loves growing plants
- green-thumb enthusiast - someone naturally good with plants
- urban farmer - person growing food in city
- plant parent - someone who cares for plants like children
- hobby horticulturist - amateur plant grower
- seasoned cultivator - experienced plant grower
- nature lover - person who enjoys natural things
- sustainable living advocate - someone promoting eco-friendly lifestyle
- retired gardener - older person with time for plants
- therapeutic grower - person who gardens for mental health
What they grow
- edible herbs - plants used for cooking
- medicinal plants - herbs used for health benefits
- ornamental flowers - beautiful plants for decoration
- vegetable crops - food plants like tomatoes, peppers
- fruit trees - plants that produce fruits
- aromatic herbs - plants with strong, pleasant smells
- leafy greens - vegetables like lettuce, spinach
- root vegetables - plants like carrots, potatoes
- climbing vines - plants that grow upward on supports
- succulent collection - water-storing plants like cacti
Where they garden
- rooftop garden - plants grown on building top
- balcony setup - container garden on apartment balcony
- backyard plot - garden area behind house
- community garden - shared growing space
- greenhouse cultivation - growing plants in protected structure
- indoor growing station - plants grown inside house
- vertical garden wall - plants growing up on wall
- raised bed system - plants grown in elevated containers
- windowsill herbs - small plants on window ledge
- container gardening - growing plants in pots and boxes
Motivations for gardening
- therapeutic benefits - mental health improvements
- food security - ensuring access to fresh produce
- cost savings - saving money on groceries
- environmental consciousness - caring about planet
- nostalgic connection - reminds them of past
- creative expression - artistic way to arrange plants
- physical exercise - gentle workout through gardening
- sense of accomplishment - feeling proud of success
- community connection - sharing with neighbors
- stress relief - way to relax and unwind
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "What really impressed me is that..." highlighting surprising aspects
- "I think the reason they love... is because..." explaining motivations
- "It's more than that..." indicating deeper meaning
- "For someone like them..." considering personal context
- "There's something deeply satisfying about..." explaining emotional connection
- "What I find fascinating is..." expressing personal interest
- "What strikes me most is..." emphasizing key points
- "I have to admire..." expressing respect and appreciation
Part 3
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- How do people grow plants in cities?
- Do you think farming is important?
- Is there any difference between the way food is produced nowadays and the way it was done in the past?
- Do people like to grow vegetables in your country?
- Do you think it's good to let kids learn how to plant?
Part 3 Sample Response
Absolutely, farming is crucial for so many reasons. Obviously, we need it for food security - without farmers, we'd literally starve. But it's also becoming increasingly important for environmental reasons. Sustainable farming practices can help combat climate change by storing carbon in soil and reducing the need for long-distance food transportation. In Vietnam specifically, agriculture is still a major part of our economy and employs millions of people, especially in rural areas. I think we sometimes take farmers for granted, but they're basically the foundation of society.
Essential Vocabulary
Urban plant growing methods
- container gardening - growing plants in pots and boxes
- vertical farming systems - multi-level growing structures
- rooftop agriculture - farming on building tops
- hydroponic cultivation - growing plants in water without soil
- balcony gardening - small-scale growing on apartment balconies
- community garden plots - shared growing spaces in neighborhoods
- indoor growing lights - artificial lighting for plants inside
- space optimization techniques - methods to maximize growing area
- micro-farming methods - very small-scale food production
- wall-mounted planters - containers attached to walls
Importance of farming
- food security - ensuring adequate food supply
- economic backbone - fundamental part of economy
- employment generation - creating jobs for millions
- rural livelihood - way of life for countryside people
- environmental stewardship - caring for land and nature
- cultural heritage - traditional way of life and knowledge
- nutritional independence - ability to feed own population
- export revenue - money earned from selling food abroad
- sustainable development - growth that doesn't harm future
- biodiversity preservation - protecting variety of life forms
Traditional vs modern farming
- mechanized agriculture - using machines instead of manual labor
- chemical fertilizers - artificial nutrients for plants
- pesticide application - using chemicals to kill pests
- genetic modification - changing plant DNA for better crops
- irrigation technology - modern water delivery systems
- precision farming - using data and technology for efficiency
- organic farming revival - return to natural growing methods
- sustainable practices - methods that protect environment
- crop rotation systems - changing what's grown each season
- traditional knowledge - old methods passed down generations
Teaching children to plant
- environmental education - learning about nature and ecology
- responsibility development - learning to care for living things
- patience cultivation - learning to wait for results
- scientific understanding - learning how plants grow and develop
- practical life skills - useful abilities for daily living
- connection to nature - developing relationship with natural world
- food appreciation - understanding where food comes from
- motor skill development - improving hand coordination
- problem-solving skills - figuring out how to help plants grow
- sustainable mindset - thinking about protecting environment
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "Absolutely, farming is crucial for..." strongly agreeing
- "Obviously, we need it for..." stating clear benefits
- "But it's also becoming increasingly important for..." adding additional reasons
- "In Vietnam specifically..." providing local context
- "I think we sometimes take... for granted..." pointing out overlooked importance
- "They're basically the foundation of..." emphasizing fundamental role
- "There's definitely been a shift towards..." describing trends
- "The main difference is that..." comparing old and new
- "From my observation..." sharing personal insights
- "The beauty of teaching kids... is that..." explaining benefits