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Discussing Shared Interests/Hobbies

Friends discover or revisit common interests, hobbies, or past events, leading to more in-depth discussions and bonding.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Hey Mark, so good to see you! It's been ages. How have you been?
2
Mark (Male)
Sarah! You too! I'm doing great, thanks. Just got back from a hiking trip. What about you? Still into photography?
3
Sarah (Female)
Absolutely! More than ever, actually. I recently joined a local photography club. It’s been really fun to learn new techniques and meet other enthusiasts.
4
Mark (Male)
That's awesome! I remember you always had an eye for it. You know, I've actually been thinking about getting into it myself. Any tips for a beginner?
5
Sarah (Female)
Definitely! Start with understanding the basics like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. A good entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera would be a great start. We should totally go on a photo walk sometime!
6
Mark (Male)
That sounds amazing! I'd love that. It'd be great to have someone to learn from. Speaking of outdoor activities, are you still rock climbing at all?
7
Sarah (Female)
Not as much as I used to, but I still hit the climbing gym occasionally to keep in shape. Sometimes I miss the outdoor adventures, though.
8
Mark (Male)
You know, the hiking trip I just took had some incredible scrambling sections. Maybe we could combine our interests sometime? A photography hike?
9
Sarah (Female)
That's a fantastic idea, Mark! We could plan something for a weekend soon. I know a few scenic trails that would be perfect for both.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

ages

This means a very long time, often used informally to express surprise at how much time has passed since last seeing someone. For example, 'It's been ages since we met.'

hiking

Walking long distances in nature, usually on trails, as a hobby or exercise. It's popular for enjoying outdoor scenery and staying fit.

photography

The art or hobby of taking pictures with a camera. People do it to capture moments, nature, or events.

enthusiasts

People who are very interested and excited about a particular activity or hobby, like photography or sports.

aperture

A basic camera setting that controls how much light enters the lens, affecting photo brightness and depth of field.

shutter speed

The length of time the camera's shutter is open to expose the sensor to light, which controls motion blur in photos.

rock climbing

A sport where you climb rocks or artificial walls using hands and feet, often for adventure and exercise.

scrambling

Climbing over rough terrain or rocks without equipment, like a mix of hiking and easy climbing, common in outdoor adventures.

scenic

Describing places or views that are beautiful and picturesque, often used for recommending travel spots like trails.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

It's been ages. How have you been?

This is a casual greeting for reuniting with friends after a long time. 'It's been ages' means a long time has passed, and 'How have you been?' is the present perfect for asking about recent life. Use it at parties to start conversations warmly.

Still into photography?

A friendly way to ask if someone continues a hobby. 'Still into' uses 'into' to show interest in something. It's useful for discussing shared interests and keeping the chat light.

Absolutely! More than ever, actually.

This strongly agrees and adds emphasis. 'Absolutely' means completely yes, and 'more than ever' shows increased enthusiasm. Use it to show excitement in responses during hobby talks.

Any tips for a beginner?

Asking for advice politely. It's a simple question structure useful when starting a new hobby. Practice it to learn from friends and build connections.

We should totally go on a photo walk sometime!

Suggesting a future activity enthusiastically. 'Totally' adds casual agreement, and 'sometime' means at an unspecified time. Use this to propose plans and bond over interests.

That sounds amazing! I'd love that.

Expressing strong positive reaction to a suggestion. 'Sounds amazing' is idiomatic for something great, and 'I'd love that' uses conditional for polite acceptance. Great for responding to invitations.

Not as much as I used to, but I still hit the climbing gym occasionally.

Describing a change in habit. 'Not as much as I used to' compares past and present frequency, and 'occasionally' means sometimes. Use it to talk about hobbies that have lessened over time.

That's a fantastic idea! We could plan something for a weekend soon.

Agreeing and suggesting next steps. 'Fantastic idea' praises positively, and 'could' softens the suggestion. It's practical for making concrete plans during social chats.