Rank your favourite kinds of place to stay — hotel, hostel, a friend's spare room, camping — and tell me why.

A natural way to answer

I'd put a comfortable hotel first, because I like my own space and a good night's sleep. A friend's place would be second, since it's personal and relaxed. Hostels come next for the social side, and camping last — I never quite get the hang of roughing it.

Key phrases to use

• strapped for cash — short of money“I'm a bit strapped for cash this month.”
• dead last — in the very last position“Camping comes dead last for me.”
• get the hang of — learn how to do something with a bit of practice“It took me ages to get the hang of the metro.”