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Views #1243 | Intermediate (B1)

Culture Comparison

Felipe talks about how life seems different in Colombia and Ecuador.

Katia: Hello, Felipe, how are you?

Felipe: Hello, I'm fine. You?

Katia: Good, good, but, you know, I was wondering for me Ecuador and Colombia seem to be so the same. Can you tell me how can I distinguish them or what is the difference between Ecuador and Colombia?

Felipe: Well I don't think, maybe OK let's say culture is pretty much the same but let's talk about people OK? Ecuadoreans and Colombians are different I think. Colombian people are more hard working people. They really, they really worry about working and earning a lot of money and stuff like that, you know. But Ecuadoreans are more like, you know, easy-going people so I think that's the main difference between them.

Katia: That is so interesting. What about climate or the cities or the nature? Is there any differences between Ecuador and Colombia?

Felipe: Yes, you're right. The climate and environment is quite different. Well, there is one similarity and it's that they, both countries have their highlands which is the Andes highlands and the Amazon region and the coastal region but the size of the countries are different. Colombia is a huge country and also it has the Caribbean Sea which Ecuador doesn't have. And now if you look at Ecuador, Ecuador is quite a small country compared to Colombia.

Katia: That is so interesting. What about some similarities? Is there any similarities between Ecuador and Colombia?

Felipe: Well if you, yes there are many similarities. For example, if you look at the food, mainly the food is composed of, you know, potatoes and corn and many fruits that both countries have so if you travel to Colombia, if you travel to Ecuador, you will pretty much find the same kind of food because it's made of the same, from the same kind of ingredients.

Katia: OK, perfect. So now I have a better idea of the differences and some similarities over Ecuador and Colombia. Thank you, Felipe.

Felipe: OK, you're welcome.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson

distinguish

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Can you tell me how I can distinguish between Ecuador and Colombia?

When you 'distinguish' between two things, you recognize that they are different from each other. Notice the following:

  1. What is the best way to distinguish between local people and foreigners?
  2. They are twins, and it's very difficult to distinguish between them.

easy-going

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Ecuadoreans are more easy-going than Colombians.

'Easy-going' people are relaxed and don't get too stressed about things. Notice the following:

  1. When you are backpacking, you need to be really easy-going.
  2. She's pretty easy-going, so I don't think she'll mind if we change plans.

climate

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The climate and the environment are quite different in each country.

When you are talking about general weather patterns during the year, you are talking about the 'climate' of a place. Notice the following:

  1. What is the climate like in that part of the country?
  2. I would like to live in a place with a warmer climate.

mainly

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People from Ecuador and Colombia eat mainly the same kinds of food.

'Mainly' can be replaced with 'generally' or 'mostly.' There are differences between foods from the countries, but most of what they eat is the same. Notice the following:

  1. He works mainly during the week, but sometimes he has to work weekends too.
  2. She eats mostly fish and seafood, because it's healthier than red meat.

composed of

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The food is composed of potatoes and corn.

What something is 'composed of' is what it is made of. Notice the following:

  1. Much of the trip will be composed of meetings, but we will get a little time to explore.
  2. Most of what they eat here is composed of rice and vegetables.

Vocabulary Quiz

distinguish • easy-going • climate
mainly • composed
  1. She's very strict at work, but surprisingly in her personal life.
  2. How do you between the male and female birds?
  3. I would love a vacation to a tropical .
  4. She listens to classical music.
  5. Eating natural food is better for you, because it's of less artificial ingredients.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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1245 Outsourcing
1245 Outsourcing
Todd and Julia talk about outsourcing.

1244 Ecuador and Colombia
1244 Ecuador and Colombia
Felipe compares Colombia and Ecuador.

1143 Culture Comparison
1243 Culture Comparison
Life in Colombia and Ecuador.

1242 Capetown
1242 Capetown
Capetown and the surrounding areas.

1141 South African Landscape
1241 SA Landscape
Peter talks about South African climates.
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Hello, and welcome to elllo. My name is Todd Beuckens. I've been an ESL teacher for 25 years. I created elllo to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.
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