English Lessons (Speaking): "Friendships and Relationships" (B2)

with commonly used phrasal verbs, expressions and idioms.

Questions

1. Who do you consider your closest friend and why?
Sample answer: I consider my colleague Sarah my closest friend because she always has my back.
Explanation: “has my back” = supports or protects me
Follow-up: Can you describe a situation where she supported you?

2. How has your relationship with your friends changed over the years?
Sample answer: We used to hang out every day, but now we mostly catch up online.
Explanation: “hang out” = spend time together casually; “catch up” = talk to share news
Follow-up: What caused the biggest change in your friendships?

3. Do you think it is important to share the same interests with friends?
Sample answer: Yes, sharing interests makes it easier to get along and have fun.
Explanation: “get along” = have a friendly relationship
Follow-up: Can you give an example of a shared hobby with a friend?

4. How do you usually resolve disagreements with friends?
Sample answer: I try to talk things over calmly and work things out together.
Explanation: “talk things over” = discuss something carefully; “work things out” = find a solution
Follow-up: Can you describe a recent disagreement and how it ended?

5. Do you think friendships at work are different from friendships outside work?
Sample answer: Yes, work friendships can be more formal, but some really click.
Explanation: “really click” = form a strong and natural connection
Follow-up: Do you maintain close friendships with colleagues outside work?

6. How do you usually celebrate special occasions with friends?
Sample answer: We usually throw a small get-together or go out for dinner.
Explanation: “throw a get-together” = organize a casual gathering
Follow-up: Which celebration was the most memorable for you?

7. Have you ever had to end a friendship? Why?
Sample answer: Yes, we drifted apart because our lives went in different directions.
Explanation: “drift apart” = slowly lose contact or grow distant
Follow-up: How did ending the friendship make you feel?

8, Do you enjoy meeting people from different cultures?
Sample answer: Yes, it’s exciting to learn about different ways of thinking and living.
Explanation: “ways of thinking and living” = lifestyles or cultural habits
Follow-up: Can you give an example of a cultural experience with a friend?

9. How important is trust in a friendship?
Sample answer: Trust is key; without it, friendships can fall apart quickly.
Explanation: “fall apart” = break down, fail
Follow-up: Have you ever faced a situation where trust was tested?

10. Do you prefer spending time with old friends or making new ones?
Sample answer: I prefer hanging out with old friends because we can really open up.
Explanation: “open up” = talk honestly about feelings or thoughts
Follow-up: Can you describe a recent meeting with an old friend?

11. How do you usually support your friends in difficult times?
Sample answer: I listen, offer advice, and try to cheer them up when needed.
Explanation: “cheer someone up” = make someone feel happier
Follow-up: Can you give an example of supporting a friend recently?

12. Do you often discuss personal goals with friends?
Sample answer: Yes, we talk things through and keep each other motivated.
Explanation: “talk things through” = discuss details carefully
Follow-up: What goal did you recently discuss with a friend?

13. Have you ever made friends online? How did it go?
Sample answer: Yes, I met a friend through a language app and we hit it off.
Explanation: “hit it off” = form a good friendship quickly
Follow-up: Do you plan to meet them in person?

14. Do you think friends influence your personal decisions?
Sample answer: Yes, friends often give me a different perspective or steer me in the right direction.
Explanation: “steer someone in the right direction” = guide or advise someone correctly
Follow-up: Can you describe a decision influenced by a friend?

15. What activities help you strengthen friendships?
Sample answer: Traveling together or teaming up for projects really brings us closer.
Explanation: “team up” = join together to do something; “bring us closer” = make friendship stronger
Follow-up: Which activity has been the most effective for you?

16. How do you feel when a friend is upset with you?
Sample answer: I feel stressed and try to clear the air quickly.
Explanation: “clear the air” = resolve misunderstandings or tension
Follow-up: Can you share a time when this happened?

17. Do you enjoy spending time with large groups of friends or small groups?
Sample answer: I prefer small groups because we can really open up and chat.
Explanation: “chat” = talk informally
Follow-up: Can you describe a recent gathering with friends?

18. Have you ever helped a friend achieve a goal? How?
Sample answer: Yes, I helped my friend prep for a job interview and it paid off.
Explanation: “prep” = prepare; “pay off” = succeed or be beneficial
Follow-up: Did your help make a difference in their success?

19. Do you think friendships change with age?
Sample answer: Yes, people grow apart or priorities shift as we move on in life.
Explanation: “grow apart” = slowly lose closeness; “move on” = continue with life
Follow-up: Can you describe a friendship that changed over time?

20. Do you prefer friends who are similar or different from you?
Sample answer: I like a mix; different viewpoints really spice up conversations.
Explanation: “spice up” = make more interesting or lively
Follow-up: Can you give an example of an interesting difference?

21. How often do you meet friends during holidays or vacations?
Sample answer: We usually get together at least once during summer holidays.
Explanation: “get together” = meet for social purposes
Follow-up: What do you usually do together?

22. Have you ever forgiven a friend after a serious conflict?
Sample answer: Yes, I forgave my friend after we hashed things out.
Explanation: “hash things out” = discuss to solve a problem
Follow-up: How did it affect your friendship afterward?

23. Do you enjoy discussing your hobbies and interests with friends?
Sample answer: Yes, swapping ideas about hobbies makes hanging out more fun.
Explanation: “swapping ideas” = exchanging ideas; “hanging out” = spending time together
Follow-up: Which hobby do you talk about most?

24. Have you ever travelled abroad with friends?
Sample answer: Yes, I went to Italy with two friends and we had a blast.
Explanation: “have a blast” = have a very enjoyable time
Follow-up: What was the most memorable part of the trip?

25. Do you think social media affects friendships positively or negatively?
Sample answer: Both; it helps keep in touch but can stir up misunderstandings.
Explanation: “keep in touch” = stay in contact; “stir up” = cause
Follow-up: Have you experienced a misunderstanding because of social media?

26. How do you celebrate achievements with friends?
Sample answer: We usually go out for dinner or throw a small party to celebrate.
Explanation: “throw a party” = organize a celebration
Follow-up: Can you describe the last achievement celebration?

27. Do you prefer friends who are honest or polite?
Sample answer: I prefer honesty, even if it sometimes hurts a bit.
Explanation: “hurts a bit” = can be uncomfortable but valuable
Follow-up: Can you share a time when honesty helped you?

28. Have you ever helped a friend move or start a new life?
Sample answer: Yes, I helped my friend move to a new apartment and lent a hand.
Explanation: “lend a hand” = help someone
Follow-up: How did it make your friendship stronger?

29. Do you enjoy discussing personal values and beliefs with friends?
Sample answer: Yes, it helps me broaden my horizons and see things differently.
Explanation: “broaden my horizons” = gain more knowledge or understanding
Follow-up: Can you give an example of such a discussion?

30. How do you usually maintain friendships despite distance or busy schedules?
Sample answer: We keep in touch through calls, messages, and meet up when possible.
Explanation: “keep in touch” = stay in contact; “meet up” = meet someone
Follow-up: Which method works best for you?