Money

There is an audio discussion to listen to, common idioms relating to money and a list of conversation questions that we might use when discussing this important subject.

Audio discussion

Download audio discussion about money

Download transcript of audio discussion

While listening pause at interview questions and discuss them. Listen to an answer and compare.

Borrow vs lend money

Use 'borrow' when taking money from someone, use 'lend' when giving money to someone.

Phrasal Verbs

pay back - to return money owed to someone

pay off - to finish paying all money that is owed

save up - to keep money for a large expense in the future

put aside - to save money for a specific purpose

Idioms

Money doesn’t grow on trees – money doesn’t come easily

I’m not made of money – to not have a lot of money

Time is money – time is valuable so do not waste it

Beyond one’s means – more than one can afford

To cost an arm and a leg – to cost a lot of money

Flat broke – to have no money at all

Foot the bill – to pay for something

Conversation questions

Do you think money brings happiness?

What would you do if you were given $1 million?

In what ways do people’s lives revolve around money?

Do you agree with the expression “money is the root of all evil”?

Have you ever lost a lot of money?

Have you ever won a lot of money?

Do you think children should be given pocket money / an allowance?

How important do you think it is to save money?

Do you think people behave differently when they have a credit card compared to when they have cash?

Do you think that money can ever buy love?

Have you ever had money stolen from you?

What qualities must a person have to make big money?

Why do people often want more money, no matter how much they have got?

Why are poor people in many cases more generous than rich people?

What do you like spending money on?

Have you ever lent money to someone?

Have you ever found any money on the street? If so, what did you do with it?

When did you open your first bank account?

How old were you when you earned your first salary? What did you spend it on?