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Debating Winter Sports Options

A family is trying to decide between skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating for their winter holiday, talking about preferences, skill levels, and resort options.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Okay everyone, winter holiday is coming up, and we still haven't decided on our main activity. Skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating? What's everyone feeling?
2
Michael (Male)
I'm leaning towards skiing again, personally. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it, and those long runs are really exhilarating.
3
Emily (Female)
But Dad, remember last year you spent half the time falling? I think snowboarding looks way cooler. And it seems less intimidating than skiing, somehow.
4
John (Male)
Emily has a point, Michael. Snowboarding takes a different kind of balance, though. I've always found it harder to get started than skiing. Maybe ice skating would be a good compromise? We could all do that together.
5
Sarah (Female)
Ice skating is fun, but I was hoping for something a bit more adventurous since we're going to a mountain resort. What about the resort's beginner slopes for snowboarding, Emily? Have you looked into that?
6
Emily (Female)
Yeah, they have really good instructors and a dedicated beginner area. Plus, they offer package deals for lessons and equipment rentals. It sounds pretty straightforward.
7
Michael (Male)
Hmm, package deals sound tempting. And if Emily's keen on snowboarding, maybe we should give it a try. I wouldn't mind a new challenge. John, what do you think about trying snowboarding this year?
8
John (Male)
You know what? I'm game if you guys are. It's been a while since I've learned a new winter sport. As long as there's hot cocoa waiting for me at the end of the day, I'm in!
9
Sarah (Female)
Great! So it's snowboarding then. I'll check the prices and book those lessons. This is going to be fun!
10
Emily (Female)
Awesome! I can't wait!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

leaning towards

This phrase means preferring or being inclined to choose something. Use it when expressing a mild preference, like 'I'm leaning towards pizza for dinner.'

getting the hang of

This idiom means starting to understand or do something well after practice. It's casual and useful for talking about learning new skills, e.g., 'I'm getting the hang of driving.'

exhilarating

This adjective describes something exciting and thrilling that makes you feel energetic. Use it for adventure activities, like 'Skydiving is exhilarating!'

intimidating

This word means something that makes you feel scared or nervous because it seems difficult. Common in discussions of new challenges, e.g., 'Public speaking is intimidating at first.'

compromise

As a noun, it means an agreement where both sides give up something. Use it in group decisions, like 'Let's find a compromise on the movie choice.'

adventurous

This adjective describes activities that involve excitement and risk, like exploring new places. It's great for travel talks, e.g., 'I want an adventurous vacation.'

tempting

This means something attractive or appealing that makes you want to do it. Use for offers or ideas, like 'That dessert looks tempting.'

keen on

This phrase means very interested in or enthusiastic about something. It's informal, e.g., 'She's keen on learning guitar.' Use in expressing hobbies or preferences.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

I'm leaning towards skiing again, personally.

This sentence expresses a personal preference using 'leaning towards' for a gentle opinion. Useful in discussions to state your choice without being too strong; 'personally' adds emphasis on individual view. Practice for group decisions.

I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it.

Here, 'feel like' introduces an opinion, and 'getting the hang of it' is an idiom for improving at a skill. Great for sharing progress in learning activities; the present continuous tense shows ongoing improvement.

Snowboarding looks way cooler.

This uses 'way' as an intensifier to mean 'much' more, comparing things informally. 'Looks' suggests appearance or appeal. Useful for casual comparisons in conversations about preferences; teaches superlative-like emphasis.

Maybe ice skating would be a good compromise?

This suggests a solution using 'maybe' for possibility and 'would be' conditional for hypothetical ideas. 'Compromise' fits group talks. Ideal for negotiating in family or team settings; highlights polite suggestion structure.

They offer package deals for lessons and equipment rentals.

This describes services with 'offer' in present simple for general facts. 'Package deals' means bundled discounts. Practical for travel planning; teaches how to explain options and benefits clearly.

Package deals sound tempting.

Uses 'sound' + adjective to give an impression based on description. 'Tempting' shows appeal. Short and useful for reacting to ideas or offers; common in shopping or planning dialogues.

I'm game if you guys are.

Idiom 'I'm game' means willing to try something fun. 'If you guys are' is conditional agreement. Informal for friends/family; teaches expressing enthusiasm and group consensus.

This is going to be fun!

Future 'going to be' predicts excitement. Exclamatory for positive anticipation. Essential for ending plans enthusiastically; use after decisions to build positivity.