The world around us
Understand familiar places, weather, the environment, technology and local services.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Mapped to Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) English (as an Additional Language) 0772. The 2029–2030 syllabus states there are no significant changes affecting teaching; revised specimen questions support bilingual learners. All four skills carry equal weight. Spoken prompts use browser text-to-speech, not Cambridge recordings; speaking recordings stay in the page and are not automatically scored. Check the exam-year syllabus, June series and centre availability.
Before you begin
- The syllabus is designed for learners whose first language is not English. Use familiar everyday situations, and practise asking for repetition or clarification when you need it.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What should you do first when a question asks for a specific detail?
What you will learn
- Understand main ideas and relevant details in familiar spoken and written material
- Communicate simply and clearly in everyday situations
- Use topic vocabulary and common language structures accurately enough for the purpose
Topic vocabulary
Build a small, reusable word bank for countries and directions · weather and nature · digital messages · public services · size and materials. Learn each word in a phrase or situation, not as an isolated translation.
Notice which words name a person, place, action or quality. A context sentence helps you remember the word and select the right form later.
Language and communication focus
Use comparative forms to compare places, and there is/are with quantity words to describe local features.
When you do not know a word, keep listening or reading for context. Use a simpler expression, ask a polite question or check your understanding rather than stopping the conversation.
Practise all four skills
Read the original short text and identify its main point and a supporting detail. Then answer the questions in your own words where appropriate.
Listen to the original spoken prompt, answer before opening the transcript, then use the speaking recorder only if you want a private playback. The browser voice and checklist are practice aids, not Cambridge audio or official assessment.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What makes a short spoken or written answer clear?
Worked example
Which route is shorter, and where is the community garden?
Show the worked solution
- The riverside path is shorter than the road route.
- It may close after heavy rain.
- The garden is two streets east of the library.
Answer The riverside path is shorter; the garden is two streets east of the library.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
A town map shows the library north of the station and the park east of the library. Where is the park in relation to the station?
Give me a hint
Combine the two direction steps in order.
Compare my reasoning
- Start at the station and move north to the library.
- From the library, move east to the park.
- Keep both directions relative to the original station.
The park is north-east of the station.
Look for these in your work
- Both map steps used
- Direction order preserved
- Final position stated
Write a short notice about a park clean-up. Include the meeting place, start time, one item to bring and a weather-related instruction.
Give me a hint
Use a heading and make each practical detail easy to find.
Compare my reasoning
- State where and when volunteers meet.
- Name one useful item to bring.
- Add a clear instruction for rain or heat.
An original notice that includes all four details in clear sentences.
Look for these in your work
- All details included
- Instructions unambiguous
- Vocabulary fits a public notice
A recycling centre is farther away than a nearby bin, but it accepts more materials. Explain which option you would choose for glass and give a reason.
Give me a hint
Compare convenience with the specific material accepted.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify which option accepts glass.
- Consider the extra travel distance.
- Choose an option and connect it to the stated goal.
Choose the recycling centre if the nearby bin does not accept glass; the extra journey is needed for the correct service.
Look for these in your work
- Evidence used
- Trade-off recognised
- Choice linked to purpose
Hear an original prompt, then review your own response
The spoken clips use browser speech synthesis in English when a matching voice is available. Voices, accents and pacing vary; these are not Cambridge recordings. Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Listening practice
A community weather update
Listen for the expected weather and the recommended change of plan.
Transcript unlocks after you check each answer.
Speaking rehearsal
Give a visitor directions from a familiar public place to a useful service. Mention one landmark and check that the visitor understands.
Use about 1 minute to plan your practice response, then speak for about 45 seconds. This practice timer does not reproduce exam preparation rules.
The recording is not transcribed. This optional text and the audio both stay in the open page.
Review your recording
- Did I answer each part of the prompt?
- Did I give one relevant detail or reason?
- Did I link my ideas with a clear connector?
- Could my partner understand my key words?
This self-review is not an official speaking mark. A teacher or examination centre must assess the speaking endorsement.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a detail that is true but does not answer the question
- Translating word for word instead of checking meaning and sentence order
- Giving an opinion without a reason or relevant detail
- Speaking or writing in long sentences that make the main point unclear
What can you explain now?
What is a useful response when one unfamiliar word does not stop you understanding the whole message?
Compare with the explanation
Use surrounding words and the situation to infer a likely meaning
Context helps you keep the overall message while avoiding an unsupported guess.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Name two useful words or expressions from the world around us and use one in a new sentence.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.