FUNCTIONS:

Agreeing

Disagreeing

Hesitating

Introducing your opinion

Asking for opinions

Expressing preferences

Asking for clarification

Expressing likelihood

Speculating, guessing

Advice and recommendations

Describing a picture

Agreeing

I think you’re right

I would go along with the idea

I completely agree with you

That makes perfect sense

You have a point there

Absolutely, that’s spot on!

I couldn’t agree more

Disagreeing

That’s not how I see it

I couldn’t agree less

You must be kidding

That’s a ridiculous idea, don’t you think?

With all due respect, I must disagree

I’m afraid I can’t see it that way

No way, that’s nonsense!

Hesitating

I’m in two minds about it

I have some reservations regarding that

I’m not entirely convinced

There’s something that gives me pause

While I’m not entirely opposed, I do have some doubts

Introducing your opinion

To my mind

I reckon

In my opinion

As I see it

It seems to me

I would argue

From my point of view

Asking for opinions

Don’t you think …?

What’s your attitude to …?

What’s your opinion of …?

Are you in favour of …?

What’s your position as regards …?

You don’t support …, do you?

Expressing preferences

I prefer…

I would rather…

My preference would be…

I tend to favour…

If I had to choose, I would…

I lean towards…

I am inclined to…

I’m a big fan of…

I really enjoy…

I’m into…

I absolutely love…

I’m crazy about…

I’m fond of…

It’s right up my alley

It’s my thing

I can’t get enough of…

It appeals to me

It’s growing on me

I wouldn’t miss it for the world

I’m not a big fan of…

I don’t really enjoy…

I’m not into…

I can’t stand…

I’m not fond of…

It’s not my cup of tea

It doesn’t do anything for me

I’m sick of…

It gets on my nerves

It puts me off

I’d rather not…

It leaves me cold…

Asking for clarification

Could you please elaborate on that?

Would you mind explaining that further?

I’m not quite sure I understand. Could you clarify?

Could you provide more details?

Can you expand on that point?

Expressing likelihood

“It’s a foregone conclusion that…”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that…”

“I am almost certain that…”

“It’s highly likely that…”

“Chances are that…”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if…”

“It’s possible that…”

“There’s a chance that…”

“It’s unlikely that…”

“I doubt that…”

Speculating, guessing

“It seems to me that…”

“My gut feeling is that…”

“From what I gather…”

“If I were to guess…”

“It would appear that…”

“I reckon that…”

“I suspect that…”

“In all likelihood…”

“There’s a distinct possibility that…”

“It’s plausible that…”

Advice and recommendations

“You might want to consider…”

“Perhaps you could try…”

“If I were you, I would…”

“One thing you could do is…”

“Have you thought of…”

“May I suggest…”

“It might be beneficial to…”

“Consider this approach…”

“Why not give this a go…”

“If it were up to me, I’d…”

Describing a picture

“In the foreground…”

“In the background…”

“In the center of the image…”

“On the left side of the picture…”

“On the right side of the picture…”

“At the top of the picture…”

“At the bottom of the picture…”

“The picture depicts…”

“The image illustrates…”

“The photograph shows…”

“One can see…”

“Notice how…”

“This scene captures…”

“This photograph highlights…”

DICTIONARY

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Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

Talking about presents
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Everyday English

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

part one

Go through the flashcards with some useful vocabulary related to talking about gifts and giving.

part two

Answer the questions. Move your mouse over the icons to see the questions.

part three

QUESTION #1

Do you prefer giving or receiving presents?

“I’d say I much prefer giving presents to receiving them. There’s something incredibly rewarding about putting thought and effort into choosing or even creating a gift that feels just right for someone. It’s not just about the item itself but the thought behind it. When you see the surprise or genuine appreciation on their face, it’s a moment that stays with you. It’s as though you’ve managed to brighten their day in a way that words alone might not achieve.

Of course, receiving presents has its charm too. It’s lovely to be on the receiving end of someone else’s
thoughtfulness, especially when the gift shows they’ve really paid attention to what makes you happy or what you’ve been wanting for a while. But personally, I find the process of giving much more
fulfilling.

I think what makes giving so special is the opportunity to strengthen relationships. It’s not just about the material aspect—it’s a way to show appreciation, love, or gratitude. So while receiving gifts is enjoyable,
giving feels like a much richer experience for me. It’s about creating meaningful connections and making others feel valued.”

niezwykle satysfakcjonujący

szczera wdzięczność / prawdziwe docenienie

to tak, jakby

też ma swój urok

troskliwość / uważność wobec innych

dający spełnienie

wzmacniać relacje

przyjemny

wartościowe / głębokie relacje

czuć się docenionym

Question #2

How do you feel about giving presents without a special occasion?

“I really enjoy giving presents without waiting for a special occasion. In fact, I think it makes the
gesture even more meaningful. When there’s no expectation or obligation, it feels like a genuine act of thoughtfulness. It’s a way of saying, “I was thinking about you,” without needing a specific reason to do so.

What I love most about giving surprise gifts is the element of spontaneity. Whether it’s a small token,
like their favorite snack, or something more personal, it often catches people off guard in the best way possible. It can turn an ordinary day into something memorable for both of you.

That being said, I try to strike a balance. I don’t think it’s about the frequency of giving but rather the
sincerity behind it. A well-timed, unexpected gift can say so much more than something given just because it’s expected. So, I’m definitely in favour of gifting without an occasion—it’s a simple yet powerful way to show you care.”

specjalna okazja

w rzeczywistości / tak naprawdę

gest

spontaniczność

drobny upominek / mały gest

zaskakuje ludzi (znienacka)

zwykły dzień

skoro tak / to powiedziawszy / z drugiej strony

znaleźć równowagę

szczerość

dobrze dobrany w czasie

być za czymś / popierać

QUESTION #3

Do you prefer to offer presents which are practical or pure fun?

I’d say I usually go for practical presents, but it really depends on the person. I like giving things people can actually use every day, like a backpack, a thermos, or something for their room. Even a small token can mean a lot if it’s chosen well. When I buy a gift, I try not to rush it — I think about what the person really needs or likes.

That said, I also enjoy giving fun presents from time to time. A funny game, a cool T-shirt, or a little surprise can really make someone’s day. Sometimes I even go the extra mile with the wrapping or a personal note, just to make it more special.

In the end, I like to mix both. What matters most to me is that the person feels happy and feels valued. If they smile when they open the present, I know I picked the right thing.

drobny upominek / mały gest

nie spieszyć się z czymś

sprawić komuś ogromną radość / uprzyjemnić komuś dzień

postarać się bardziej niż zwykle / zrobić coś ponad standard

pakowanie (prezentu), opakowanie

czuć się docenionym

wybrałem / wybrałam

QUESTION #4

How do you feel about giving or receiving cash as a gift?

When it comes to giving cash as a gift, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it’s really practical. If you’re not sure what someone is into, giving money is a safe option because they can just pick out something they truly want. It also helps you avoid the pressure of choosing the “perfect” present.

On the other hand, cash can feel a bit impersonal. For me, a gift isn’t only about the thing itself, but about the thought that goes into it. Even a small present that’s chosen with care can mean a lot and feel warmer than just handing over an envelope with money. That said, for things like weddings, graduations, or when someone is saving up for something important, giving cash really makes sense.

As for receiving cash, I’m fine with it, especially if it comes with a nice note, like “This is for that thing you were talking about.” Then it feels less like a transaction and more like a kind gesture. So yes, money does the job — but I still think personal gifts usually stick in your memory longer.

mieć mieszane uczucia

bezpieczna opcja / bezpieczny wybór

bezosobowy

bardzo dużo znaczyć

zakończenia szkoły / rozdania dyplomów

nie mam z tym problemu / jest mi z tym OK

miły gest

spełnia swoją rolę / wystarcza

zapadać w pamięć

BONUS RESOURCES

FREE PRACTICE

Choose one question from the Talking Picture and write your own answer to it. Paste your answer in the comments section or send it to your teacher.

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