Grammar snack: Used to

Summary

A conversation unfolds as a family discusses the whereabouts of their mother, who is visiting London. The children speculate about her relationship with her head teacher, noticing his change in style. The mother surprises them with a call from London, sharing her excitement about rediscovering the city. She reflects on the changes, such as new cafes and cultural sites, while also recognizing familiar places like the West End and Piccadilly Circus. She plans a weekend getaway for the family to explore London together, rekindling her love for the city and its evolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker doesn't know where their mom is but mentions that she called earlier and wanted to speak to both of them.
• 😀 The mom may be in a relationship with the head teacher, as the speaker suspects they've been seeing each other for a while.
• 😀 The speaker notes that the head teacher has recently started wearing nicer clothes, possibly signaling a change in his lifestyle.
• 😀 The speaker wonders if the mom will start traveling less, as she used to take long trips but now only goes away for a maximum of a week.
• 😀 The mom unexpectedly calls and reveals that she is in London, expressing excitement about the city.
• 😀 The mom is writing about London and mentions that she had forgotten how amazing it is, especially being so close to home.
• 😀 The mom hints at staying near home but doesn't give a direct answer when asked if she plans to stay near more often.
• 😀 The mom reminisces about the past, noting how London has changed over the years, with some of her favorite spots being different now.
• 😀 The mom appreciates the transformation of London's South Bank, mentioning the London Eye and Tate Modern as highlights.
• 😀 The mom shares her excitement about the new developments in London but points out that the West End and Piccadilly Circus haven't changed much, though they still hold nostalgic value.
• 😀 The mom has booked a weekend trip to London for the family, encouraging them to get to know the city better.

Q & A

What did the speaker's mom call about?

The speaker's mom called earlier and mentioned that she would call back to speak to both of them.

What is the speculation about the mom's relationship with her head teacher?

The speaker speculates that the mom might be going out with the head teacher, mentioning that he has been dressing better recently, which could indicate a change in their relationship.

What did the speaker think about the mom's possible travel habits?

The speaker wonders if the mom will start traveling less, as she used to go on long trips, but now only travels for a maximum of a week.

Where is the speaker's mom calling from?

The speaker's mom is calling from London, as she surprises them by being there.

What did the speaker realize about London during the call?

The speaker realized how amazing London is and noted that it is near home, which they hadn’t fully appreciated before.

What prompted the speaker to write about London?

The speaker mentioned that despite always being abroad, they decided to write about London, one of the most interesting cities in the world, which is just an hour from home.

How has London changed since the speaker last visited?

London has changed in several ways, such as the record shop the speaker used to visit being replaced by a trendy bubble tea cafe. The area near the river, especially around the South Bank, is now very different.

How does the speaker feel about the changes in London?

The speaker appreciates the changes in London, particularly enjoying the South Bank area and the modernized view of the London Eye. They also like the new building for the Tate Modern.

Has the West End in London changed much?

No, the West End hasn't changed much. The theaters are still great, and Piccadilly Circus, though a little different, remains a central meeting place with its lights.

What plans did the speaker make regarding a trip to London?

The speaker has booked hotel rooms for themselves and the family for the upcoming weekend, so they can get to know London better.

How did the speaker plan to organize the trip?

The speaker planned to book train tickets for the trip and promised to call back in an hour to finalize the details.