Important people

Two friends hugging

Listen to the speakers talking about important people in their lives and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Do this exercise before you listen.

Remote audio URL

Transcript

A (Girl)

She lives next door and she’s always been really important in my life. When we were little and my mum was working she used to look after us. She’d tell us stories about her childhood. It was like listening to fairy stories, life was so different when she was a child. In her kitchen she used to keep a special dish with sweets for us, and she was always baking cakes and pies. Now she doesn’t bake so much. She’s started eating more healthily in her old age, salads and vegetables and things. It’s funny how she’s changed. She also goes to this special gym class for old people, it’s amazing. I don’t see her so often now, but she’s always the same person however much her lifestyle changes.

B (Boy)

He’s four years older than me and that seemed like a huge amount when we were children. When we were at the same school we’d never talk to each other during school hours. But now we’re older it’s a lot better, although I’ll always be the little one, and that’s annoying sometimes. He’s taken me to rock concerts that I wouldn’t have gone to otherwise and when he was at uni I went to stay with him sometimes. That was really cool. It was great to see what real student life was like when I was still at school. Now that he’s working he’s really busy, but we still hang out sometimes. We go to football matches together because we both support our home team. It’s always good to see him.

C (Girl)

We’ve known each other since we were five and we’ve always got on really well. Well, apart from that time when we fell out because we both liked the same boy. But he went off with Heather Jenkins, so we made friends again quite quickly! We both like the same kind of music and going dancing at the weekend, and when we were younger we went out on our bikes together. At school we’re good at different things. I’m good at languages and Laura’s good at maths. That’s good though – it means that we can help each other with our homework. Next year I’m probably going to study in London and she’s going to Manchester, but I’m sure our relationship won’t change.

D (Boy)

His family moved in just a few houses down from us when I was about ten, and I still remember how excited I felt when I found out there was another boy on the street. I’d been the only boy, you see. The others were all girls. We were good friends from the beginning because we were into the same things: computers and football, mostly. But we had quite a few of the same hobbies for a while. I remember making lots of models of aeroplanes one year. Another year we took up fishing. We had all the equipment and everything and we’d spend ages down by the river. I never go fishing now. His family moved away a couple of years ago. We’re still friends on Facebook but we don’t really have much contact.

E (Girl)

I can remember all the details of when we met. I was wearing a red dress and I’d just had my hair cut. I can even remember what music was playing the first time I saw him. I knew he was special from the beginning, and I was right. We’ve been together ever since. Well, it’s only been eighteen months, and some people say that isn’t very long, but it seems like ages to me. We’ve got such similar personalities and so much in common. I’m sure we’ll stay together forever.

Discussion

Which people have been important in your life? Tell us about them!

Language level
Average: 3.4 (14 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by sanyalearning on Sat, 12/09/2023 - 08:51

I think the most important person in my life is my lovely mother. She is giving her experience and knowledges for me. I know she always will help in any different situations. Mum won't never throw me away.

Submitted by pomelo on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 15:42

My family and teachers are very important people to me, they helped me a lot giving me a lot of advice and experience.

Submitted by Fadikly on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 18:07

EXACTLY most important thing is family. i love my family. its too important about life

Submitted by lucalvesilva on Sat, 05/14/2022 - 11:18

Definitely, my family is essential in my life. Although we don't have much contact as i would like to, we are together is really special and we have a great time. I wish i could see them much. At christmas we cook together, we remember amazing memories and we laugh.
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Submitted by Elsa on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 09:21

We all have different tastes. Some think, their family is the most essential in their life and others think their friends are. As for me, they both are important. not only them but also my grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts too. Being an only child among my friends, I love them as if they were my siblings. And they love me as much as your friends do. On the other hand, my family also pays me huge of love too. I wish we all can stay with our dearest for thousands of years.
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Submitted by Valeria_ on Sat, 11/13/2021 - 03:20

I have several important people in my life, but I think that the most important are my grandmother and my dad, since my grandmother was the one who took care of me and my brothers since we were little and my dad is also always with me and they help me, my Granny is always on the lookout for me and my brothers and my dad and I these days we have been watching Dragon Ball every day and he always tries to have fun.

Submitted by Arwen on Fri, 11/05/2021 - 20:00

I have a lot of important people in my life: my mum, my dad, my sister, my aunts, my uncles, my grandfathers, my grandmothers, my cousins, my friends… But I think the most important person in my life is my father’s father, my grandfather. He is eighty-four years old. I spend time with him but, I would like to spend more time with my grandfather. When we are together we like fixing and inventing anything. I think that the reason why we invent things isn’t to be rich, the reason why we do this, is to spend time together. Also, we go for a walk together because he walks very slowly and I walk slowly too…. We are the perfect couple to walk!

Submitted by Tauriel on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 18:28

My most important people in my life are my mum, my dad and my two brothers. But, especially, the best person in my life is my grand-father because I like going to the mountain with him and his dogs and I love playing cards with him and I love winning him too!

Submitted by xocolate2021 on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 16:00

The most important people in my life are my family, but the most special person is my mother because I know that I can tell her about any of my problems and she will help me. My closest friends are all important but I'm closer to some of them than to others Other important people in my life are my grandmother and my little cousin.

Submitted by luisfrances on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 15:18

There are many important people in my life: my friends, my family, my neighbours… I definitely could not pick just one. My family has always been there for me when I needed them. I love them all, especially my little brother and my grandparents. My brother is (most of the time) very kind and sweet. Also, he is really funny. I am always laughing when I am around him. As for my grandparents, they have always helped me. My grandfather tells me stories of when he was a little kid and my grandmother always listens to me and gives me advice and, of course, her food is the best I have ever tried in my entire life. Although I cannot see them as much as I would like to, I really appreciate the time we spend together. I have left out some important people but if I included them, this text would be endless so I am going to end this here.

Submitted by Faustinaa on Sun, 10/24/2021 - 17:25

My family is the most important for me. I'm closest to my mum, because she is very supportive and sympathetic with me, but I love all of my family equally. My closest friends are my childhood friends, because I have known them since ten years ago, so I can trust them. Other people have been important in my life, like the people of my basketball team.

Submitted by kou on Thu, 10/21/2021 - 05:36

The most important people in my life are my close family and my friends. My parents have raised me and they have always taken care of me since I was little. My big sister introduced me to what nowadays are my hobbies, and she’s the one that understands me the most in my family. My friends also made me who I am today, they always listen to me and support me. They never fail to put a smile on my face and I’m grateful for having people as kind as them.

Submitted by hawaii on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 17:56

This person is my cousin. He is 5 years older than me but I have a good relation with him. He is an important person because I can talk with him about everything and he tries to help me in everything I need. He is tall and has blond short hair, he wears glasses and is studying an ICT vocational training course. Last year he helped me with my ICT homework. I love him☺

In reply to by kou

Submitted by g00day on Thu, 05/06/2021 - 18:29

The most important people for me are my family. But if I have to choose one person, I will choose my mother. She's kind, takes care of me. She cooks and feeds me delicious food. She always listens to me and gives me advice. I rely on her very much. Love her
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Submitted by Andrii on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 19:38

The most important people for me is my family, especially my mum. She is always very kind to me and I love her the most in the whole world.
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Submitted by rafaelyeshua on Mon, 12/28/2020 - 19:14

i think that the most importants people in my life are my mum, my brother and my grandma, firstly, my mum gave me the life, she has teached me a lot of stuff, without her, i wouldn't be the person i am, my brother has helped us in these moments... he has worked to make us move forward, my grandmother has gave the whole family the life... without her we couldn't be here, hopefully, she lives more years.

Submitted by Daniel45 on Wed, 11/04/2020 - 22:19

My grandfather was very imoportant to my because he played with me at Holidays but he died few years ago.

Submitted by cookiepg on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 09:57

all my family and my friends are important
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Submitted by Xuka on Thu, 08/27/2020 - 16:54

I can't live without my family. My parents gave birth to me and my siblings and raised us with a lot of difficulties. So, we love each other very much. We always encourage together to try to study hard and also do housework to help our parents. With my best friend, she is a particular listener. We can talk about our subjects, school, friends, family, hobbies for hours. I hope our friendship lasts forever.

Submitted by Vuquan on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 08:09

The most important people in my life are my parents. They gave birth to me and raised me.

Submitted by Mamou1 on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 10:45

All my family are the people who have been important in my life. My parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, uncle, aunties, cousins, because every time when I had problem there here. They take care on me since I was born and they help me all the time to make the right choose. My family are composed only by people who know wow to make others feel better, that's why I love them and why they have been important in my life.

Submitted by yare8p on Sat, 05/16/2020 - 02:30

My grandparents are very important to me, because they have been taking care of me sincee i was born. They supports a lot to my mother because she is single mother and she has to work many hours at day, so, my grandparents look after me and my little brother.

Submitted by atykho on Sun, 05/03/2020 - 12:39

My grandmother is very important persin in my life. I spent every summer vacations with her. She lives in a house with a garden at the countryside. She teaches me gardening, tells me a lot of things about nature.

Submitted by cammmiloe on Wed, 04/15/2020 - 12:49

I have never had best friends in my childhood because I was shy and I did not have many relationships, At school, I had always afraid to talk with girls so I just spent time with boys. Although I have two siblings and with them, I shared my childhood, I used to play plenty of time with my brother, we bothered my sister, etc.. It was a really great childhood in Colombia.

Submitted by Shhhh on Sun, 04/05/2020 - 02:04

I'm closer to my uncle's partner and my mother has. From my friends I am very close to a childhood friend and my best friends in the village where I live and nearby towns.The truth is that all people have been important because I have always learned something from them.

Submitted by Shhhh on Sun, 04/05/2020 - 02:03

I'm closer to my uncle's partner and my mother has. From my friends I am very close to a childhood friend and my best friends in the village where I live and nearby towns.The truth is that all people have been important because I have always learned something from them.

Submitted by huetran on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 13:25

My sister is very important to me. i can't imagine what would happen without her in my life. she is like a friend of mine, she always listens to me and gives me advice to get over my problems. I regularly have my own presents from my sister everytime she comes back home after working or travelling. That makes me so happy and love her more.

Submitted by NCarboni on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 17:39

My important people are my family, Before my friends, beacuse I have got a beautiful relationship with them, ideed, to symbolize our relationship, I made a tattoo some months ago about them!
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Submitted by JoModerator on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 13:39

Hi NCarboni,

Thanks for your comments on LearnEnglish Teens. This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but it sounds like you are older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but if you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other.

 

Best wishes,

Jo (LearnEnglish Teens team)

In reply to by NCarboni

Submitted by francesca_m on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 10:53

The most important people in my life are my parents. They have always believed in me and helped in difficult moments. Another very important person is Monica, my cousin. I spend a lot of time with her!

Submitted by giusy_r on Sat, 03/07/2020 - 11:03

In my life my family and my friends have been important because with them I can be 100% me

Submitted by jamh4949 on Fri, 01/31/2020 - 16:08

Absolutely, The most important people in my life are my parents, they have made me what I am today.
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Submitted by Jony3031 on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 00:24

my important people are my grandsmother since i was with her since i was little and in any holiday season. i'm going to help her and also passing to my grandsfather, uncles and cousins. also enjoy a relaxing time.

Submitted by Butterfly14 on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 11:16

My mother has been important people in my life.My mother love me so much.She take care of me.She cooks and feeds me delicious food.She always help me.She taught me to swim, to draw, to be kind

In reply to by Jony3031

Submitted by Rohan26 on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 04:25

My father,mother and brother,sister have been important in my life.My father pamper me so much.He gives me everything that i ask.Now he is no more.I miss him so much.My mother love me so much.She take care of me.she cooks and feeds me delicious food.My brother buys me expensive clothes,gadgets.My sister cooks and feeds me delicious food.She hides my faults from my mother and brother.Now she is married now and now we talk less.

Submitted by Thu on Tue, 08/13/2019 - 09:59

Of course, is my mother, she is a very kind mother, like a godmother in the fairy tale. She makes me feel comfortable and safe, of course. : )

Submitted by Palmlover on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 13:41

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.He is founder of Turkey.And he is amazing, ı love him so much

Submitted by thheeennd on Mon, 05/06/2019 - 14:54

My best friend Vika is 1 year older than me, but looks like a little pretty girl. She is short and she does not like it. I think it is funny! I like her appearance, she is very beautiful, with blond hair and blue-grey eyes. We met 10 years ago, but first we did not get along. Then we became friends and spent a lot of time together. Every summer we swam in her pool and every summer we made concerts near the porch for grandmothers and children. I remember we cooked dinner on her birthday and then rushed boiled potatoes from the balcony. We still make some kinds of nonsense together! Vika has a small sister Arina who loves me very much! We quarrel very rarely and I sure that I would never find such friend as Vika!

Submitted by FFrost on Fri, 04/12/2019 - 07:13

There are three important people in my life. They are my best friends. We had have a frendship for eges. Before we spend a lot of time together. We hung out, had a walk, played volley and so on. But no we cant meet very often, because some of them has his own family or another reasons. And somehow, even under all these reasons we keep tradition, each our birthday we selebrate together and its briliant time. I beleave that our trardition wont be broke down.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 04/12/2019 - 10:46

Hi FFrost,
 
Thanks for your comment on LearnEnglish Teens, it sounds like you have some great friends! This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but it sounds like you might be older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but if you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other. If you are an adult, you are also welcome to use our LearnEnglish page for adults: 
 
Best wishes,
 
Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

In reply to by FFrost

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Submitted by Batgirl on Sun, 11/25/2018 - 13:19

I think all people that appeared in my life are important, because all of them gave me some useful life lessons. Some of them moved to another place, with some I just fell out, but I still know that they are important for me.

Submitted by phuonganh6bdck on Sat, 06/02/2018 - 14:57

my mother
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Submitted by bilko on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 18:20

I have a sister whose name is Zehra and 5 years younger than me. We have in common but she always envies me. I don't understand what is the reason...
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Submitted by kawaiirain on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 08:38

3 other girls and me are best friends. But now, we are having some problems. Two of my friends are having an argument. Although we sometimes argue, this time is really serious. We are both sad. What should I do to save our friendship ?
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Submitted by Elsa007 on Sat, 03/24/2018 - 09:12

Hi kawaiirain, sorry to hear that. I wonder if the friends trust each other with their heart?? If so, it seems that the argument might be a little spice for their friendship! But, if the friendship is easily clouded by a deceptive friend who enjoys inane babblings, they might need time to truly understand and build a better bond with each other. What are they arguing? What do they want from each other? How serious and constructive are they to improve?... I hope they are arguing on the same wavelength!

In reply to by kawaiirain

Submitted by XDGamerminecraft on Mon, 03/12/2018 - 13:19

Hello, I think this site is very nice and i use it every day Pls like and subskribe

Submitted by daniel91815 on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 13:58

one of the most people important in my life is my mom, aunties and my friends because they are very supportive and i have good moments with them

Submitted by ropey84 on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 22:15

the best person that has been in my whole life is my mother. I take care of myself she is always there to help me, she is a good person and she has done everything she can to give me the best
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