Teacher Notes

Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a review of Grammar - Adjectives & Adverbs.

The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:

Part One

Listen to the people speaking to each other. In the conversations, one person is describing something to the other person. How do the people ask for descriptions? What words do they use to describe these objects?

Conversation #1

A: Have you seen my bag anywhere?

B: I’m not sure. What does it look like?

A: It’s a small, leather shoulder bag.

B: Is that it?

A: No, that one is big.

B: What colour is it?

A: It’s kind of grey. It has a blue strap.

B: Oh, is it that one over there? Under the desk?

A: Oh, yeah, that’s it. Thanks.

Conversation #2

A: I’ve got my eye on a new phone.

B: Oh yeah? Why? Is yours broken?

A: No, I just really want this one.

B: Why? What’s so special about it?

A: Oh, I don’t know. It’s sort of gold and it’s really thin.

B: That’s it? Is it light? Fast?

A: Yes, it is. Also, the screen is big and beautiful.

B: It sounds awesome. How expensive is it?

A: It's not so bad.

B: Wow. You should buy it right away.


Part Two

Giving a Description

When we need to describe things for people, we usually use adjectives to describe size, shape, feeling or colour. Here are common words that we use to describe objects:

Size

  • big
  • short
  • heavy
  • wide
  • small
  • long
  • light
  • thin

Shape

  • round
  • square
  • straight
  • curved
  • flat

How Something Feels

  • hard
  • soft
  • sharp
  • smooth
  • rough

How Something Tastes

  • good / delicious
  • bad / terrible
  • sour
  • salty
  • sweet
  • bitter
  • spicy / hot
  • bland
  • juicy
  • dry

When we are describing something, we often use words before adjectives. Here are some words we use with adjectives to describe things:

It's
He's
She's
etc.
kind of
sort of
a little
a bit

quite
pretty

so
very
really
blue.
round.
old.
rough.
young.
tall.
 
It's
He's
She's
etc.
not that
not very
not so
not really
not too
big.
long.
expensive.

Example #1 Example #2 Example #3

What colour is it?

It's kind of blue.

What does his car look like?

Um, it's blue and a little old.

How big is your new phone?

Oh, I don’t know. It’s not too big.

It Looks Like...

We can also use like in our descriptions to mean similar to. We use nouns after like:

  • That cloud looks like a bear.
  • This meat tastes like chicken.
  • That sounds like a bird.
  • Her perfume smells like flowers.
  • Rice in Korea is like Japanese rice.

Practice

Intro Student One Student Two

With a partner, take turns describing objects. Do not tell your partner what the thing is, just describe it so he/she can guess:


Part Three

Asking for a Description

When you want someone to describe something for you, there are many questions you can ask. Here are some possible questions:

What does it
(he, she, etc.)
look
taste
smell
feel
sound
like?
 
How does it
(he, she, etc.)
look?
taste?
smell?
feel?
sound?
How big
small
expensive
tall
young
is it?
(he, she, etc.)
 
What is it made of?
used for?
like?
 
What colour is it?

What...Like? / How...?

These two kinds of questions are commonly used to ask for descriptions, but their answers are a little different:

What...Like?

This question asks for a description with details:

What does turkey taste like?

It tastes good. It's like chicken but not so juicy. It's kind of dry.

How...?

This question asks for a reaction. We do not use like with how. We usually answer with adjectives:

How does the turkey taste like?

It's delicious!


Practice

Intro 1 2 3 4 5

Work with a partner. Together, think of ways we can answer the questions in each of the tabs. When you are finished, discuss your answers as a class.

Example

How does sushi taste?

Sushi tastes good.

Really? No way! I think sushi tastes terrible.

What does sushi taste like?

Sushi tastes good. It's kind of bland.

It's usually not hot and not cold. The rice is a little sweet.

  • How does perfume smell?
  • What does perfume smell like?
  • How does a McDonald's hamburger taste?
  • What does a McDonald's hamburger taste like?
  • What is a McDonald's hamburger made of?
  • How does jazz music sound?
  • What does jazz music sound like?
  • What is a computer mouse used for?
  • What does a computer mouse look like?
  • What's the weather like today?
  • How warm is it?
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