B1 Dialog #11. Talking about birthdays

Do you like birthdays? It depend’s on our age, isn’t it?
Dialogue in English about birthday. 20 questions and answers. You can download a PDF transcript for our dialogue from the link above. We will be grateful if you like the video and subscribe to our channel.

How to work with the dialog?

1. Listen to the dialogue and read the PDF transcript. Turn on subtitles if necessary.
2. Listen to the dialogue again, repeating the questions and answers aloud (!!!).
3. Come up with your own answers to the questions. Use PDF vocabulary if needed.
4. Listen to the questions and answer them aloud (!!!), with a correct intonation, pronunciation and rhythm.
5. Go back to the video from time to time and repeat the exercise.

Talking about birthdays

(1) Do you like birthdays?

Yes, I do. Because I like parties.

(2) What’s the best and worst birthday you’ve ever had?

The best birthday for me is a birthday with my friends and family. The worst one was when I sat at home with a cake and did nothing. It was boring.

(3) Do you know how people celebrate birthdays in other countries?

I think people celebrate birthdays similar in all countries.

(4) What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever been given?

I like all my presents because they mean people are attentive to me. I keep all of them. But I like getting good books the most.

(5) What present would you like for your next birthday?

I got a driver’s license a month ago so I would like to get a new car.

(6) Do you think everyone should have a holiday from school or work on their birthday?

Maybe, but I like being at work on that day. You know, everyone congratulates you, tells good words, gives presents. That’s very nice.

(7) In English people wish those whose birthday it is “many happy returns”. What do you think this means?

To wish “many happy returns” means wishing many happy years of life.

(8) What do you do on people’s birthdays in your country that you think doesn’t happen in other countries?

As I said, I think that all birthdays are pretty much the same in all countries.

(9) Do you know of any big events that happened on your birthday?

No I don’t. I have a birthday on a plain day without any big events. But your birthday is Valentine’s day. Are you happy with it? 

Yes I am, but I don’t think that some big event happened on that day. Nothing special.

(10) Do you think birthdays have become too commercial?

No I don’t. I think it’s a good opportunity to have a good time with relatives and friends. First of all, It’s good memories and they don’t have to be commercial.

1) How do you usually celebrate your birthday?

I usually celebrate it with my family. When I was a kid, I celebrated them more often with my friends. But when people get older, it’s not so easy to gather together for a celebration.

(2) What did you do on your last birthday?

I went to my parents, we had a small party at home, talked a lot and sang songs.

(3) Do your family and friends always remember your birthday?

My family and close friends always congratulate me and don’t forget about my birthday. I appreciate it and always congratulate them on their birthdays as well. 

(4) What are the milestone birthdays in your country?

For kids the milestone birthdays are 1, 16 and 18 I think. Then goes 30, 40, 50 years old and so on.

(5) Do you think old people like birthdays?

Normally they don’t. But it depends on people. Some of us trust that our age is only numbers and don’t worry about it that much. I agree on this point. 

(6) Do you think you were born at a good time of the year?

Yes I think so. February is a good month despite it’s winter. I think I was born at a good time of the year.

(7) Do you sing the song “Happy Birthday” in your country?

Yes we do, but in the russian language. It’s quite a popular song. Especially children like it.

(8) Would you like to live to celebrate your hundredth birthday?

If I’m feeling well and don’t have any serious problems with my health, so yes I would. Why not?

(9) What happy memories do you have of your birthday parties?

Each birthday I celebrate with my friends and family is important to me. All of them were good and left me with happy memories.

(10) What is a “birthday suit” and why is it called so?

A birthday suit means to be completely naked as you just came to this World without any clothing. In Russia we say “в чем мать родила”.