FAMILY IDIOMS FOR IELTS PART 1

​family idioms for IELTS PART 1

​·         Hive of activity – a place where a lot is happening
New York is a hive of activity. There’s always something to do, even at night!

·         Second to none—the best, better than everything else
I truly believe my town is second to none. It’s just a great place to live!

·         Middle of nowhere: a place that is very remote, far from any city or town
I was born in the middle of nowhere. The nearest shop was 20 miles away!

·         Hustle and bustle: to have many activities in a crowded and modern place
I love living in London. I always wanted the hustle and bustle of a big city.

·         A stone’s throw (from)—very close to
My apartment is just a stone’s throw from the center of Paris.

​conversation

​Student A: Hey, have you ever been to New York?
[heɪ, hæv juː ˈɛvər bɪn tə nu ˈjɔrk]

Student B: No, not yet. Why? [noʊ, nɑt jɛt. waɪ?]

Student A: Well, it's a hive of activity, you know? There's always something to do, even at night!
[wɛl, ɪts ə haɪv əv ækˈtɪvəti, jʊ ˈnoʊ? ˈðɛrz ˈɔlweɪz ˈsəmθɪŋ tə du, ˈivən ət naɪt!]

Student B: Wow, really? It must be an amazing place, then. Is it second to none?
[waʊ, ˈrɪli? ɪt ˈmʌst bi ən əˈmezɪŋ pleɪs ˈðɛn. ɪz ɪt laɪk ˈsɛkənd tə nʌn?]

Student A: Absolutely! I truly believe my town is second to none. It's just a great place to live! [ˌæbsəˈlutli! aɪ ˈtruːli bɪˈliv maɪ taʊn ɪz ˈsɛkənd tə nʌn. ɪts ˈdʒʌst ə greɪt pleɪs tə lɪv!]

Student B: That sounds fantastic. Unlike where I grew up, it was in the middle of nowhere. The nearest shop was 20 miles away! [ðæt ˈsaʊndz fænˈtæstɪk. ənˈlaɪk ˈwɛr aɪ ɡru ʌp, ɪt wəz ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl ʌv ˈnoʊˌwɛr. ðə ˈnɪrɪst ʃɑp wəz 20 maɪlz əˈweɪ!]

Student A: Oh wow, that must have been so remote. I can't imagine living like that. I prefer the hustle and bustle of a big city. [oʊ waʊ, ðæt mʌst hæv bɪn soʊ rɪˈmoʊt. aɪ kænt ɪˈmædʒɪn ˈlɪvɪŋ laɪk ðæt. aɪ prɪˈfɜr ðə ˈhʌsəl ənd ˈbʌsəl ʌv ə bɪɡ ˈsɪti.]

Student B: Yeah, that's why I moved here. My apartment is just a stone's throw from the center of the city. [jeə, ðæts ˈwaɪ aɪ muvd hɪr. maɪ əˈpɑrtmənt ɪz ˈdʒʌst ə stoʊnz θroʊ frʌm ðə ˈsɛntər əv ðə ˈsɪti.]