Speak 10
Word of the Day: LATELY
Your goal: Use lately to talk about recent activities and situations.
REVIEW
LATELY means recently or during the time leading up to now.
“I’ve been busy lately” means you have been busy during recent days or weeks.
Common patterns include I’ve been… lately and I haven’t… lately.
CHOOSE TWO AND RESPOND
Read each question aloud. Choose two responses that make sense together. Use lately in at least one. Say them together as your answer. Then try a different combination.
“How have you been?”
I’ve been busy lately.
Work has kept me busy.
I’ve been tired lately.
I’ve had some early mornings.
I’ve been doing well lately.
I’ve had more time to rest.
“Have you been cooking?”
I’ve been cooking more lately.
I’ve tried a few new recipes.
I haven’t cooked much lately.
I’ve been getting home late.
I’ve been making simple meals lately.
They don’t take much time.
“Are you practicing English?”
I’ve been practicing every day lately.
I read the sentences aloud.
I’ve been studying more lately.
I want to improve my speaking.
I haven’t practiced much lately.
I plan to start again today.
“Have you seen your neighbors?”
I haven’t seen them lately.
Our schedules are different.
I’ve been seeing them more lately.
We leave at the same time.
We’ve been talking more lately.
They’re very friendly.
“Have you been reading?”
I’ve been reading more lately.
I read before bed.
I haven’t read much lately.
I’ve been busy with work.
I’ve been reading short stories lately.
I can finish one in an evening.
COMPLETE THE RESPONSE
Choose a word from the box. You may use a word more than once. More than one answer may work.
busy • tired • cooking • practicing • reading • seen
“How’s work?”
“I’ve been _____ lately.”“Are you getting enough rest?”
“I’ve been _____ lately.”“Are you making meals at home?”
“I’ve been _____ more lately.”“How’s your English?”
“I’ve been _____ a lot lately.”“Are you enjoying your books?”
“I’ve been _____ every evening lately.”“How is your neighbor?”
“I haven’t _____ her lately.”
EXTEND THE CONVERSATION
Choose an ending. Say the whole response aloud.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been busy lately. _____”
I’m working on a project.
Things should slow down soon.
How have you been?
“Are you practicing English?”
“I’ve been practicing more lately. _____”
I’m feeling more comfortable.
I repeat the phrases aloud.
I try to practice every morning.
“Have you been reading?”
“I’ve been reading short stories lately. _____”
They fit my schedule.
I’ve found some interesting ones.
What have you been reading?
