Talking About Holiday Plans
In this lesson, you will listen to a conversation between a husband and wife planning their holiday destination. You will learn how to use Present Simple negative forms and short answers in real-life situations. The lesson also shows how to talk about family preferences and make simple decisions.
Listen to the audio and answer the questions in the quiz below.
Talking About Holiday Plans
Husband: I’m thinking about our summer holiday. Do you want to travel this year?
Wife: Hmm, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s better to stay nearby.
Husband: How about the children?
Wife: I’m not sure. I think they feel the same.
Husband: Does Sara like long trips?
Wife: No, she doesn’t. She gets bored quickly.
Husband: And does Adam enjoy busy places?
Wife: No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t like noise.
Husband: Do they like the beach?
Wife: Yes, they do, but they don’t like crowds.
Husband: So we don’t want a very crowded place.
Wife: No, we don’t. It’s too stressful.
Husband: What about flying? The kids don’t mind it, do they?
Wife: No, they don’t, but I don’t like flying.
Husband: That’s true. And we don’t have much time.
Wife: Exactly. We only have one week.
Husband: Does Sara like hotels?
Wife: No, she doesn’t. She prefers small places.
Husband: And does Adam sleep well in new places?
Wife: No, he doesn’t always sleep well.
Husband: So maybe a small house is better.
Wife: Yes, I think so. It sounds calmer.
Husband: We don’t need to fly. We can drive.
Wife: Yes, we can. And the kids don’t complain then.
Husband: So, a quiet place, short travel, and no crowds.
Wife: Yes, that works for us.
Vocabulary
Nearby: Close to home
Busy places: Crowded or noisy locations
Crowds: Large groups of people
Stressful: Causing worry or pressure
Calm / Calmer: Peaceful; not stressful
Flying: Traveling by airplane
Long trips: Journeys that take a lot of time
Sleep well / Not sleep well: To have good / poor sleep
Useful Sentences
Planning a trip / holiday
- “I’m thinking about our summer holiday.”
- “Do you want to travel this year?”
- “Maybe it’s better to stay nearby.”
- “We don’t need to fly. We can drive.”
Asking about preferences
- “How about the children?”
- “Does Sara like long trips?”
- “And does Adam enjoy busy places?”
- “Do they like the beach?”
Giving opinions
- “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s better to stay nearby.”
- “No, she doesn’t. She gets bored quickly.”
- “No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t like noise.”
- “Yes, they do, but they don’t like crowds.”
Talking about comfort / stress
- “It’s too stressful.”
- “It sounds calmer.”
- “He doesn’t always sleep well.”
Making suggestions / conclusions
- “So maybe a small house is better.”
- “So, a quiet place, short travel, and no crowds.”
- “Yes, that works for us.”
Grammar Focus: Present Simple Negative and Short Answers
- Present Simple Negative
- Structure:
Subject + do/does + not + base verb - Examples from conversation:
- She doesn’t like long trips.
- He doesn’t like noise.
- Sara doesn’t like hotels.
- Adam doesn’t always sleep well.
Notes:
- Use doesn’t with he, she, it.
- Use don’t with I, you, we, they.
- The main verb stays in base form after don’t/doesn’t.
- Short Answers
- Structure:
Yes / No + subject + do/does - Examples from conversation:
- No, she doesn’t.
- No, he doesn’t.
- Yes, they do.
- No, they don’t.
Notes:
- Use short answers to confirm or deny something without repeating the full sentence.
- Yes + do/does = agreement
- No + do/does = disagreement
- Common Questions in Present Simple
- Does + he/she/it + verb…?
- Does Sara like long trips?
- Does Adam enjoy busy places?
- Do + I/you/we/they + verb…?
- Do they like the beach?
Tips:
- Use does for he, she, it
- Use do for I, you, we, they
- Quick Practice Pattern
Question | Short Answer |
Does Sara like long trips? | No, she doesn’t. |
Does Adam enjoy busy places? | No, he doesn’t. |
Do they like the beach? | Yes, they do. |
Do the kids mind flying? | No, they don’t. |