I

Present Continuous / READING TEXT

Warm up
1. Do you like New York? Why? Why not?
2. Named two famous buildings you can see there.

am eating.

You, we, they

are
re

He, she, it

is
's

1. Read the text.

Sarah Miller is in New York. She is writing a letter to her best friend.
Dear Sophia,
How are you? How is London? I am having a very good time in New York. Its
Sunday and its sunny and warm. Now its ten in the morning and we are in Central Park. I am
sitting under a tree, I am listening to my radio and I am writing to you, of course.
My Canadian cousin Rosemary is here with us, she is reading a comic. Shes very pretty.
Shes tall and slim and she has got long wavy brown hair. Her parents are in Toronto.
My father is reading The New York Times, an American newspaper. My mother is
playing with my little brother Jimmy on the grass and they are eating popcorn.
There are many people in the park. Some men are jogging, two girls are walking their dogs,
an old man is skating! And he can do that quiet well.
We often come to this fantastic park, in this wonderful city because we relax here. But
sometimes we visit other interesting places: museums, shops
New York is great! There are many fantastic skyscrapers and there are people everywhere!
Love, Sarah
2. Now answer these questions
1. What is Sarahs surname?
________________________________________________
2. Where is Sarah?
________________________________________________
3. What is she doing?
________________________________________________
4. What is the weather like, there?
________________________________________________
5. Who is Sarah writing to?
________________________________________________
6. What is Sarahs father doing?
_________________________________________________
7. Is Sarahs brother eating a hamburger?
_________________________________________________
8. How many girls are walking their dogs in the park?
________________________________________________
9. Are men playing tennis?
________________________________________________
10. Does Sarah like New York? Why?
________________________________________________

and

Present Continuous / READING TEXT

Read the text and answer the questions:

Im sitting on the beach, eating an ice-cream, Alice and Paul are swimming in the sea and Tom is in the park.
Hes playing with his friend. Peter is listening to the radio and reading. Were having a fantastic holiday. Abercwm is a little
fishing village in north Wales with a park, a castle, some Roman remains and some lovely gardens, and there is a little
fishing port with a lighthouse. Everybody here is really friendly. I think were lucky. This is our second holiday this year and were doing
just what we want to do: sleeping, eating, and playing games. The food is lovely too.
Vocabulary
remains=
fishing village=
lighthouse=
lucky=
1. Whats the author of the text doing?
______________________________________________________________
2. What are Alice and Paul doing?
______________________________________________________________
3. What is Peter doing?
______________________________________________________________
4. Wheres Tom?
______________________________________________________________
5. Wheres Abercwm?
______________________________________________________________
Present Continuous / READING TEXT
This is Annas first letter in English to David. There are some mistakes. Rewrite wrong verb forms .Underline if the verb form is correct:
Dear David,
I live . in a large flat in Rome. Im having.. have .. two sisters. They are called Rosa and Maria. We are getting up
______________ at seven oclock every morning, and we have _________________ coffee and a small breakfast. I leave
_________________ the flat at eight and walk to the university. I am finishing _________________ classes at five every day, and I
arrive _________________ home at six. This month I work _________________ very hard for my exams. At the moment, I eat
_________________ breakfast in the kitchen of our flat, my mother drinks _________________ coffee, and my sisters are reading
_________________ magazines.
On Saturday afternoons I am playing ____________________ tennis with my friends, or
I go ____________________ to the cinema. Today, Im going to see a new English film. Sometimes I am watching
____________________ American films on TV, but Im not understanding ____________________ the words! Are you liking
____________________ films?
Please write to me soon.
With best wishes,
Anna

Reading 1 - comprehension with questions

Read the text and then try to answer the following questions without seeing the text:

Peter is an electrician. He's going out the door. He is getting into his car. Right now he is starting
the motor. The car is moving. He is driving past a railway station. He is stopping the car. His
friend is getting in the car. They are driving to work. Peter's friend is happy to be in the car. It is
quite early in the morning, and today it's very cold. Peter's friend is going to be early for work
today.
Select the correct answer in the box on the right:
1. What is Peter? He is a(n) __________ .
A) mechanic
B) electrician
C) chemist
D) plumber
2. What is he doing first? He's __________ .
A) getting into his car
B) going out the door
C) starting the motor
D) is moving
3. What is Peter starting? He's starting __________ .
A) the train
B) the door
C) the motor
D) his car
4. What is his friend doing? He's __________ .
A) stopping the car
B) getting in the car
C) driving past a railway station
D) starting the motor
5. How is Peter's friend feeling? He's feeling __________ .
A) cold
B) late
C) happy
D) warm
6. His friend likes to be in the car because __________ .
A) it's very cold today
B) it's quite early in the morning
C) he's going to work D) he's driving past a railway station
7. Where are they driving? They're driving __________ .
A) to work
B) to the railway station
C) to Peter's place
D) to a movie
8. Peter's friend is going to be __________ .
A) cold for work day
B) late for work
C) sick of work D) early for work

NO FRIENDS FOR ME

(To be present/ Simple present)

I am lonely. I am always by myself. I meet people every day. I smile at them. I say hello. I am nice to them. I want
to have a friend. But I have no friends. What is wrong with me? I am polite. I am friendly. I am nice. I am kind.
Why dont people like me? All I want is one friend. Everyone has one friend. I always see people with their friends.
They laugh with each other. They have fun with each other. They do things with each other. What about me? I am
by myself. I watch TV by myself. I go to movies by myself. I go to restaurants by myself. I go to the park by
myself. I told my mother that I am lonely. She said it is my fault. Why? I askefd. She said, Because you never
ask anyone to be with you. My mom is right. I never ask people to be with me. I am afraid they will say no.
1.

Read the text and write the verbs.

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

2.

Read the passages again and make questions according to.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________________
SIMPLE PRESENT- (ELEMENTARY)

BRENDAN
Read the text carefully.
Hi! Im Brendan. Im ten years old and Im a student.
I live in Liverpool with my family: my father, my mother, my brother Tom and my
sister Susan. Tom is three years old and Susan is fourteen. My father is an engineer and my
mother is a nurse. My mum and my dad are from Wales. They are forty-two years old.
We live in a detached house. It has got two floors and the attic. On the first floor there
are five rooms: the hall, the kitchen, the living room, the dining room and the toilet. On the
second floor there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is a garage on the right
of the house and a small garden in front of the house. We are a very happy family!
A Mark the sentences TRUE or FALSE according to the text. Correct the false
ones.
T F
1. 1. Brendan and his family live in
London.
2. 2. His sister is three years old.
3. 3. Brendans father is an engineer.
4. 4. There are four bedrooms upstairs.
5. 5. There is a garage.

B Answer the questions about the text.

1. How old is Brendan?
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Is he a student?
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Whats his mothers job?
________________________________________________________________________
4. Are his parents from England?
___________________________________________________________________
5. How old are they?
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. How many floors are there in his house?
___________________________________________________________
7. Where is the kitchen?
__________________________________________________________________________
8. How many toilets are there?
_____________________________________________________________________
9. Are there two bathrooms upstairs?
_______________________________________________________________
10.

Is there a big garden?

___________________________________________________________________________
C- SPEAKING: Now rewrite the story. Use pronoun He
Hes Brendan. Hes ten years
old._________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

SIMPLE PRESENT (PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

Read the following text and make questions about.
PETS
Americans love pets. About 60 percent of Americans live with one or more animals.
About four in ten households have at least one dog. Three in ten households own at
least one cat.
Americans think of their pets as part of the family; 79 percent of pet owners give
their pets holiday or birthday presents, 1 and 33 percent of pet owners talk to their pets
on the phone or through the answering machine. Many pet owners sleep with their dogs
or cats. Many people travel with their pets. (It costs about $50 to fly with a pet.) Some
hotels allow guests to bring their pets.
Americans pay a lot of money to keep pets. They spend $12 billion a year in vet bills
and pet supplies. There are schools, toys, hotels, restaurants, clothes, and cemeteries
for pets. There are magazines for pet owners. There are hundreds of Web sites for pet
owners.
Pets are a lot of fun. They are affectionate, too. People who are lonely get a lot of
love from their animals. Medical research shows that contact with a dog or a cat can
lower a person's blood pressure.
Pets need a lot of attention. Before you buy a pet, it's important to ask yourself these
questions:
Are you patient?
Are you home a lot?
If you have children, are they responsible?
Are pets allowed where you live?
Unfortunately, some people don't realize that pets need a lot of care. Some people
see a cute puppy or kitten, buy it, and later abandon it because they don't want to take
care of it. It is important to understand that a pet is a long-term responsibility.
(Grammar in Context)
affectionate: loving, friendly,
at least: as a minimum
household /hashld/ noun [ C ] hous, family; a family or group of people who live together in a
house
Many households own more than one television.
take care of sb/sth: /ke r/ to look after someone or something
My parents are going to take care of the house while we're away.
cute /kjut/ adjective attractive; clever in a way that is annoying or rude
a cute baby
He thinks it's cute to tell dirty jokes.
affectionate /feknt/ adj. showing that you like or love someone (sevdiini belli eden)
an affectionate little girl
He's very affectionate.
medical /medkl/ adj. relating to medicine and different ways of curing illness - medical
treatment/student
realize: understand, recognize
supply: source,
three in ten: 3/10
through: by means of, via, by

1. __________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________________________
7. __________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph Plan
INTERMEDIATE)

SIMPLE PRESENT/TO BE PRESENT (PRE-

name place
job opinion
about job

KATE

My name is Catherine, but I'm called 'Kate' by my friends. I live

near Leeds, in the north-east of England. I'm a dental nurse. I work for
a young Australian dentist. He's very nice and he's a very good
dentist, but I don't like my job very much.
The first
person in
My sister is called Mary. She's married with two children, a girl
family
and a boy, and lives in a house near London, in a town called Enfield.
She's a teacher. She teaches in a big school in the north of London.
The second
She likes her job very much.
person in the
My brother's name is George. He is single. He doesn't have a job.
family.
He's unemployed. He sits at home watches television all the time. I
think he is very lazy.
I love my sister and my brother a lot.

1. What is Catherine called by her friends?

__________
2. Where
does
she
live?
________________________
3. Does
she
live
with
her
sister?
_________________
4. What
does
she
do?
__________________________
5. Does
she
like
her
job?
________________________
6. Where
is
the
dentist
from?
____________________
7. Does
Catherine
like
him?
______________________
8. What
is
her
sister's
name?
____________________
Now tell about you and your family.

9. Is
she
married?
______________________________
10.
What
does
she
do?
___________________________
11.
Where
does
she
work?
________________________
12.
Does
she
like
her
job?
________________________
13.
Does
she
live
in
London?
______________________
14.
Does she live in a flat or a house?
_______________
15.
What does Catherine's brother do?
______________
16.
What's his name?

name place
job opinion
about job

The first
person in
family

The second
person in the
family.

Opinion

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Mr X
1. Mr X is a very busy man. Hes a teacher at Gulan Private Primary School and he has a parttime job at Ishik University . Mr X works hard, but he enjoys what he does. He usually arrives
at his office at eight oclock in the morning and works until one. He always eats lunch at his
desk at work. Then he leaves for the university.
2.

3. Mr X is busy in the evening, too. He usually studies for several hours every night. On
Mondays and Wednesdays, however, he always plays soccer he really loves sports. When
he has time, he sometimes goes out for dinner or shopping.
4.
5. On the weekends, Mr X often invites 15 or 20 friends to join him for a picnic in the park. His
favorite activity at a picnic playing soccer.
Read the article about Tom and answer the questions.
1. Does Mr X work hard?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Does he enjoy it?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Where does he usually eat lunch?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Does Mr X play any sports? What sport(s)?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. When does he play?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What does he do in the evenings?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7. What does he often do on weekends?
__________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW SHOES
Simple Present / Simple Past

1. She is young. Her shoes are old. She wears them to work. She goes to work five days a week.
She loves her work. She is a waitress. She works at a restaurant. The restaurant is near her
home. She walks to the restaurant. She stands up all day long. She is young and strong. But
her shoes are not. They are old. She saw an ad in the paper. All shoes were on sale at the
shoe store. She walked into the store. She looked around. She saw some black shoes. They
looked good. She tried them on. They were very comfortable. They felt good. They were only
$25. She paid cash. She wore them home. She felt good. She was ready for work the next day.

SIMPLE PAST
George Washington
The man many people call the 'Father of the United States of America' was born on
11 February 1732 in Virginia, then a British colony in America. He was a second
generation American because his grandfather had been born in England.
George Washington didn't go to school because there were no schools in the area
where he lived. He learnt some arithmetic but he didn't learn to spell very well. When he
became the first President of the new nation he was often criticised for his bad spelling.
When George was seventeen he got a job as a planner for the new town of
Alexandria. He was a very tall (1.9m), well built young man with enormous hands and
reddish hair.
In 1752 Washington became a soldier in the British army and two years later he
became Lieutenant Colonel. He fought against the French who were the enemies of the
British colonists. He left the army in 1758 when the war with the French ended and in the
following year married his wife, Martha.
He became a rich man because he owned a lot of land through his family and
marriage. At that time Britain had almost complete control of North America. The British
Parliament passed many new laws making the colonists pay higher taxes. When they
rejected the new laws the British Parliament passed more laws demanding even higher
taxes.
The colonists realised that they could only change the situation if they were united
and prepared to fight the British. In 1774 the first Continental Congress, a meeting between
representatives of all the different states and colonies, took place in Philadelphia, and
George Washington was sent as one of the representatives of Virginia. The following year,
at the Second Continental Congress, Washington was elected Commander-in-Chief of the
American army. On 4 July 1776 Congress passed the Declaration of Independence. This
began the War of Independence between England and America.
There were many battles during the American war of Independence; some were won
by the Americans and some by the British. At times it seemed that the British had won the
war but George Washington kept his army together and when, in 1778, the French sent
soldiers to fight against the British, the war started to turn in favour of the Americans.
In 1783 the British had to leave New York, and the war was at an end. George went
back to his home at Mount Vernon. His friends eventually persuaded him to return to
politics and in 1789 he was elected the first President of the United States of America and
went to live in New York, the capital in those days. He was a brilliant President and
encouraged the various states to work together and build the country. In 1793 he was
elected President for the second time. He finally retired from politics in, 1796.
On 12 December 1799 Washington was riding his horse to inspect his farms. It began
to rain and it was very cold. When he returned home he had a terrible cold. He became very
ill and he died on 14 December 1799. Two years later his wife, Martha, died. They were
buried together at their home at Mount Vernon.
Experts agree that if George Washington had not existed, the world would be a very
different place today. Not many people have had such a big influence on the history of the
world as George Washington, Father and first President of the United States of America.
(One World WB 3)
1. Read and answer
a. What nationality was George Washington?
b. Which country's army did he first fight in?

c. Which country's army did he fight in after that? What was the first country he fought
against?
d. What country did he fight against after that?
2. Read the text again and write what happened on these dates. Some of the
dates are mentioned as time references such as: 'two years later'.
a. 1732
e. 1775
b. 1749
f. 1776
c. 1754
g. 1789
d. 1759
h. 1801
3. Read and answer these questions.
a. Why did the colonists want to be independent?
b. What happened in 1778 that changed the war?
c. How did Washington die?

ANSWER KEY:
1.
a. American
b. Britains
c. Americas
2.
a. Washington was born.
b. George Washington got a job as a planner for the new town of Alexandria. He was
seventeen.
c. He became a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army.
d. He married Martha.
e. Washington was elected Commander-in-Chief of the American army.
f. Congress passed the Declaration of Independence. The war between England and
America began.
g. Washington was elected the first President of the USA.
h. Martha Washington died.
3
a. They didn't want to pay taxes to the British Government.
b. The French sent soldiers against the British.
c. He caught a cold and became very ill.

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

HANDICAPPED PEOPLE DO USEFUL WORK
Joseph Emmons can't use his
eyes. He's blind. He has a trained dog named Buster
that leads him where he wants to go. Buster sees for Mr. Emmons. He's called a seeing-eye
dog.
Although Mr. Emmons has a handicap, it isn't a big problem. He has a useful job and he
earns his own money. Mr. Emmons sells brooms and mops to people in this part of the city.
He has worked every day except Sunday for forty years.
Mr. Emmons gets up at 6:00 every morning and eats breakfast with his wife. Then he
leaves the house at 7:00. He holds Buster and walks from house to house. He carries his
mops and brooms with him. While he talks to people, the dog sits and waits. The people
choose a broom, and then they pay him.
Buster doesn't let Mr. Emmons talk to people very long. He likes to keep moving. It
takes four and one-half months to walk to every house in this part of the city. Mr. Emmons
visits each house every four months, and by then the people are usually ready to buy new
brooms.
Mr. Emmons likes his job. He's very healthy because he works outside every day. But
these days he has a problem. His brooms last so long that sometimes they are still good
after four months. Then nobody needs to buy a new one.
Mr. Emmons is proud of his brooms because blind people make them. He picks up a
new supply of brooms every week. He says, "If you don't sell people something good,
they're not going to buy from you the second time you come around."
VOCABULARY:
blind
handicapped
earn
broom
mop

Simple Past Tense

DINOSAURS LIVED MANY YEARS AGO

A. Read the following text and underline the Simple Past
Tense.
Dinosaurs lived on the earth for 135 million years. They appeared
200 million years ago, and they disappeared 65 million years ago. They
were the largest animals ever to live on earth, and they ruled the earth for a very long
period of time.
Dinosaurs lived in North America, in Africa, and in Europe. During this time, the land
in North America was under a large, shallow sea. Many dinosaurs lived in the water, which
helped to hold up their great weight. The early dinosaurs walked on two feet, and they ate
meat. The later dinosaurs were larger and walked on four feet. Some of the later dinosaurs
ate plants only.
The Stegosaurus was very large. It was a plant eater, but it was often in danger from
the meat-eating dinosaurs. It developed scales along its back to protect itself.
The Stegosaurus was so large that it took a long time for messages to travel from its
brain to its legs. To solve this problem, it developed a second brain by its back legs to
control its leg movements.
Why did dinosaurs die out? Nobody knows for sure. Probably a change in the weather
made serious problems for them. About 70 million years ago, the Rocky Mountains formed
in North America. The plant life and the weather changed. Perhaps the dinosaurs couldn't
change fast enough.
People who like dinosaurs can see fossils in Dinosaur National Park. This park is in
Utah and Colorado. Fossils are bones which have become stone. Fossils have taught us a lot
about these great animals of the past.
B. Make information questions with the questions words below and answer each
question with a short answer.
1. Dinosaurs lived on the earth for 135 million years. (How long?)
Question: How long did dinosaurs live on the earth? Answer: For 135 million years.
2. They appear ed 200 million years ago. (When?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
3. They disappeared 65 million years ago. (When?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
4. They ruled the earth for a very long period of time. (How long?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
5. Dinosaurs lived in North America, in Africa, and in Europe. (Where?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
6. Many dinosaurs lived in the water, which helped to hold up their great weight. (Why?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
7. The Stegosaurus developed scale s along its back to protect itself. (Why?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
8. The Stegosaurus developed a second brain by its back legs to control its leg movements. (Why?)
Q:_________________________________________________________________________________
A: _________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary:
appear / p r / verb [ I ] come into view, show, look, become visible, seem
He appeared calm and relaxed.
She appeared to be crying
rule v.: rule, direct, control, manage

hold up: keep up, shore up, support

SIMPLE PAST TENSE/ PAST PERFECT

THE PLANE THAT FLEW SOLO

1 Read the unusual story and number the events in the box in the order they happened, 1-6.
a)

......The plane took off without the pilot

b)

......The plane had mechanical trouble

c)

......The pilot got out to restart the plane

d)

......The pilot took off

e)

......The plane started to move along

f)

......The pilot landed

Carol Hall looked out of her office window and wondered what was going on. A yellow, single-engine
plane was moving along the runway, apparently ready for take-off, except that it just missed another aircraft that
was coming in to land.
'We couldn't understand what the pilot was trying to do,' said Ms Hall.
A moment later, she found the answer, as the pilot rushed into her office and called the emergency services.
His plane had left without him. If that was unusual, what followed was almost unbelievable, as the plane got faster,
lifted off into the air, and climbed to 2,000 feet.
The pilot, Paul Sirks, had taken off early in the morning to meet friends for breakfast in Illinois.
But his plane began having mechanical trouble and as he landed at Grimes Field, the engine stopped - so he
got out to restart it by turning the propeller. As he did so, the engine started. And before he could get back in, the
plane began to move across the airfield.
'It just got away from him and took off,' Ms Hall explained.
2. Put these events from the story in the correct points on the timeline below:
a) The pilot called the emergency services.
b) The plane left without its pilot.
....

Past

time of speaking
present

3. Why is the past simple used for one event in the text (the pilot... called the emergency services) and the past perfect used for
another (His plane had left without him.)'?
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 47)
1.

___________________________________________________________________________________.

2.

___________________________________________________________________________________.

3.

___________________________________________________________________________________.

4.

___________________________________________________________________________________.

5.

___________________________________________________________________________________.

PERSONEL, POSSESSIVE and REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
1. The text below describes robots designed to think like people. Read the text and
answer the question.
How are the robots different from humans?
.
MARCH OF THE MACHINES

We built lots of little robots on wheels. We gave them 'eyes' to see with, a tiny brain to
learn with - the same sort that humans have, but much less powerful. And the rest we let them
find out for themselves.
We didn't programme them; we didn't give them instructions. And what did they do in the new
world they found themselves in? Like children, they learned.
One of them became a 'leader'. When they wanted to, they chose a new leader. And
when one of these little robots became weak, with a low battery, the others 'bullied' him. They
built up a whole social order of their own. Yet they were machines with less brain power than a
bee. A brain's power can be measured by the number of cell-connections in it. Our robots have
50. A human brain has a billion.
We humans, their creators, gave our robots just one basic instinct - survival. The rest
they found out for themselves.
2. Are the pronouns underlined in these sentences correct or not? Look back at the
text to check.
a) We didn't programme they; we didn't give they, instructions.................................................
b) ... the others 'bullied' he...................................................................................................
c) They built up a whole social order of their own..................................................................
d) The rest they, found out for heirselves ...............................................................................
3. In the text, who or what is:
a) we..........................
b) it
c) they
(Grammar in Context 2, p189)

POSSESSIVE and DEMONSTRATIVES

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
1. Read the text about a five-year-old's misunderstanding and answer the question.
What was his mistake? ..
TWIN TROUBLES
My five-year-old son, David, had just started school. His classroom was up some steps, and
each day another mother left her twin babies in their pram at the bottom of the steps, while she
took her child into the
classroom. After a week of this David said, 'It's sad those babies have been forgotten. They've
been left there since I started school1 He felt much better when I explained they were only
there for a few minutes each day and hadn't been there for the whole week.
2. Underline any possessives (my, your, his, her, its, their, our) in the text. Double
underline any demonstratives (this, that, these, those).
3. Look at the text again. Who do the words in bold refer to? Fill in the gaps.
His classroom Davids.classroom
a) her twin babies ................................. babies
b) their pram ................................. pram
c) her child ................................. child
4. '... a week of this ...'What does this refer to?............................
Why do you think David says 'those babies', not 'these babies'?

..

(Grammar in Context 2, p 194)

COUNTABLE and UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS and EXPRESSIONS of QUANTITY

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
1. Read the text about Malaysia's rainforests and answer the questions.
a) Why do people visit the national park in the text?..........................
b) Why do they need a torch? ............................................................
Malaysia has some of the most ancient rainforests in the world, which have remained
unchanged for many millions of years. Mammals in these forests include elephants, rhinos (very
rare now), tigers, leopards, several kinds of deer, various gibbons and monkeys and porcupines
to name a few.
Malaysia's great national park, Taman Negara, covers 4,343 square kilometres of rainforest.
Some visitors see lots of wildlife and come away happy, others see very little and find the park
disappointing.
There are several hides in the park where you can stay overnight. You need to take your own
sleeping bag or some sheets, and a powerful torch to see any animals that come out at night.
Even if you're not lucky enough to see any wildlife, the sounds of the jungle are fantastic.
2. Which of these words and phrases from the text are countable (singular or plural),
and which are uncountable? Write c or u after each word or phrase.
a) animals
..........................................
b) wildlife
..........................................
c) millions of years
..........................................
d) sheets
..........................................
e) hides
..........................................
3. Find examples of the following in the text: many, a few, lots of, several, some, and
any. Use the text and your own knowledge to complete the table.
many
Can be used with
plural nouns
Can be used with
uncountable
nouns

several

a few

some

lots of

any

MODAL (should, must, have got to)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

DILEMMAS with Vannessa Goodman

THIS WEEKS PROBLEMS

Do I have to act my age?

Polly is 47. She is single, and her children have left home. She is very successful in her
career, and has a lot of friends, but she isnt satisfied. She longs to change her life. She
wants to live abroad, paint, and write poem, but her friends tell her he should stop being
silly and act her age.

Must I be a slave to my mobile?

Jason's company has bought him a mobile phone. The)' want him to keep it on all the
time, so that they can contact him anywhere, anytime. He dislikes the idea of always being
available, and he hates the way people use mobiles to have private conversations in public.

Should I throw my son out?

Sarah's 24-year-old son lives at stay in bed till late, and watches TV all day. He buys and
sells drugs. He's clever, but he dropped out of school. He's never had a job. His father
wants to throw him out, but Sarah worries that he could get further into drugs and end up
in prison.

READERS ADVICE

Children always need the support of their parents, whether they're four or 24.1 think you
should pay for him to get some qualifications, and when he's ready, ........................ to find
somewhere to live. Meanwhile, ........................ him all the love that he needs.
Jenny Torr Brighton
I decided to give it all up and change my life dramatically three years ago. Since
then, ........................ the most exciting three years of my life. It can be scary, but if you
don't do it, you won't know what you've missed. I don't think ......................... . Go for it.
Mike Garfleld Manchester
He's using you. I think ......................... It's time for him to go. Twenty-four is too old to be
living with his parents. He's got to take responsibility for himself. And ......................... about
his drug-taking. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
Tony Palmer - Harrow
Why......................... it? He isn't their slave, they don't own him. And I also can't stand the
way people use their mobiles in restaurants, on trains and buses. They think that the
people around them are
invisible and can't hear. ..........................
Jane Sands
London
I think......................... before she gives up her job and goes to live abroad. Does she think
that the sun will always shine? If there is something in her life that makes her unhappy now,
this will follow her. She should take her time..........................
Nigella Lawnes Bristol
.........................! He should have a word with his company and come to an arrangement
with them. Why can't he turn it off sometimes? Mobile phones are great, and if he's got one
for free, .......................... They are one of the best inventions ever.
Pete Hardcastle Birmingham
Where do these lines go? Put a letter in the gaps.
a. ... you should tell him to leave home.
b. ... she should be very careful...
c. ... you should help him ...
d. ... you should worry.
e. ... He must keep it!
f. ... before making a decision.
g. ... It is so rude.

h.
i.
j.
k.
l.

... he's very lucky.

... I have had...
... you must tell the police ...
... you've got to give ...
... should he accept...
(p.66)

New Headway pre-int.

MODAL (can, could, may)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

Read this magazine article to find out why a man who played a hero in the
movies is a real-life hero today. While reading, pay special attention to modals
and related expressions. Underline modals.

A REAL LIFE HERO

Everyone knows Superman. He's a comic book hero. He can
do things that ordinary people can't do. And most people know
Christopher Reeve. He's the actor who played Superman in four
movies. As Superman, Reeve could fly. He could see through walls.
He had the strength of one hundred men, and his enemies could not
defeat him. These movies were very popular, and for most people
Christopher Reeve was Superman until May 26, 1995.
On that day Reeve was in a horse-jumping competition. His
horse couldn't jump over a hurdle, and Reeve fell. He injured his
spinal cord very badly. Now he is paralyzedhe is not able to move
any part of his body below his neck. He cannot write, walk, or even feed himself. A machine
helps him breathe. He is able to talk, but his voice is often difficult to understand.
What kind of life does Reeve have after this terrible accident? Does he spend his
time feeling sorry for himself? No. In fact, he's still a very busy man. He still acts in films
and directs them. Most importantly, he makes speeches and raises money for the study of
spinal cord so injuries. He has also started a research center.
Reeve today
Reeve has brought hope to other people who are paralyzed. He speaks to people all
over the country with similar injuries. He tells them that they can still have useful Lives, and
he explains his idea of what makes a hero. According to Reeve, a hero is an ordinary person
who can find the strength to continue even with serious problems.
Christopher Reeve has made some progress with special exercise. He has recovered
some feeling in his left leg and parts of his left arm. Although doctors think that he will
always be paralyzed, Christopher Reeve still has hope for the, future. Researchers may find
a cure for spinal cord injuries. Reeve believes that he might even walk again. And who
knows? For so this real-life hero, nothing is impossible.
competition: a contest or an athletic event
cure: something that makes a sick person healthy
defeat: to beat someone in a fight or battle
enemy: a person who hates
wants to hurt somebody
hurdle: a fence or wall that
horses jump over in a race
spinal cord: a system of
nerves in the back that
connects the brain to other
parts of the body
hero: superman, brave man
AFTER YOU READ
Write T for true or JF for false for each statement.
1. ........ Christopher Reeve was not famous before his accident.
2. ........ Christopher Reeve is still a busy man.

or

3.
4.
5.
6.

........
........
........
........

Christopher Reeve gives hope to people with spinal cord injuries.

The doctors think Christopher Reeve will walk again.
Christopher Reeve doesn't believe that ordinary people can be heroes.
Christopher Reeve feels positive about the future.
(Grammar Sense 2 p57)

MODAL (must, mustnt, can, cant)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the dialogue and write sentences using must, mustn't or can't and the
prompts in the box.
smoke / plane
a.
b.
c.
d.

follow / safety rules

wear seat belt / seat belt sign on
out of seat / turbulence

get

Passengers must .
..
..
..

Marvin: Excuse me, can I take off my seat belt, please?

Flight attendant: I'm sorry sir, but you mustn't take off your seat belt when the seat belt
sign is on.
Marvin: But I want to get up!
Flight attendant: I'm sorry but all passengers must stay in their seats during turbulence.
It's for your own safety.
Marvin: Well, can I at least smoke a cigarette?
Flight attendant: I'm afraid you can't smoke on the plane.
Kate: Marvin, stop being difficult!
Marvin: Kate, this seat is uncomfortable and I need to have a cigarette to calm down.
Flight attendant: Turbulence makes us all a bit nervous, but we must follow certain rules
for our safety. Now, how about a cup of tea?
Marvin: But...
Kate: Yes, please. A nice cup of tea is just what you need, Marvin.
Marvin: I don't want tea!
Kate: Marvin, what's wrong with you? You're acting like an eight-year-old.
Marvin What's wrong with me? Kate, we took off after a two-hour delay, so we're going to
arrive two hours late. Now Kate the turbulence is making me dizzy and on top of
everything, my seat is too small. At least you're not sitting next to the most annoying
person on the plane!
(Amr. Channel Pre int. p44)

MODAL (dont have to, have to, can, could)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

1. Read the following article. Pay special attention to modals and related
expressions. Underline modals.
2. Read the text quickly and match the headings a-d with the paragraphs 1-4
of the text.
3. What to check before you start packing
a) Clothes
b) Learn from my mistakes
c) Luggage
PACKING TIPS
1. .
I've traveled a lot and I know how difficult it is to pack for a trip. On my first flight
from Atlanta to New York as a student, I thought it a smart move to take my stereo with me.
However, when I got to the airport, I found that my luggage was overweight and I ended up
leaving half of my stuff behind. Since then, I've developed a lot of packing techniques and
I've finally learned my lesson. Here are some tips so that you don't have to learn the hard
way.
2. .
When you travel abroad, it's a good idea to check the weather forecast for the
country you're visiting. This will give you an idea of what kind of clothes you should take
with you.
Make sure you know what you can and can't take into the country you're traveling to.
There are things you can't take into certain countries, e.g. wood into Australia or raw meat
into Iceland.
Traveling by plane means that you have to check luggage security guidelines. For
example, passengers mustn't carry sharp objects in their hand luggage and sometimes
they can't take certain foods or drinks with them at all.
PACKING for a FOUR-DAY TRIP
3. .
Try to take as little as possible with you. Don't take a suitcase or a heavy backpack. A
medium-sized bag is enough. This way:
You don't have to check in or wait for your luggage, so you save time.
You can also save money because you don't need to take a taxi. You can use public
transportation with ease.
4. .
Take as little as possible. Do not think of what you need to take with you. Think of
what you couldn't do without on that particular trip.

3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Make sure that the clothes you take dry out quickly because sometimes you need to
wash a piece of clothing and wear it again.
Choose materials which do not crease so that you needn't do any ironing.

Read the text again and answer the following questions.

What problem did the writer have with his luggage on his trip to New York?
Why are weather forecasts important when packing for a trip?
What kind of things mustn't you have in your hand luggage when flying?
Why is it best to pack only one bag?
What kind of clothes should you pack for a four-day trip?
(Amr. Channel Pre int. p46)

MODAL (must, dont have to, couldnt, )

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the letter Mick has sent to his penpal Marek and answer the questions
below.
a. Why is Mick writing to Marek?
b. What does Marek have to do?
c. Where is Marek from?
d. What words does Mick use to refer to Australia and Australian?
e. Where is Mick planning to take Marek?
Dear Marek,
Thanks for your letter. I couldn't believe we're finally going to meet. I know it's a bit
early, but there are a few things you need to do before you come to Australia.
Im sure you already know that you need a visa to come down under. Ive heard that
it can, twice a while so you must apply for it as soon as possible. The best thing to do is call
the Australian embassy in Warsaw, and ask, for all the details.
It's also wise to have some dollars on you before you arrive in Oz. Don't chaise
money at the airport. The exchange rate isnt that good. Having traveler's checks with you,
is also a good Idea, as it is safer than carrying money.
Don't forget that it's summer here, so you dont have to bring jackets or sweaters
with you. Bring light clothes and your swimming trunks, of course. We're going surfing at
Bell's Beach. It's world famous for its annual surf competition and it has the best waves
ever! I'm also taking you to see an 'Aussie Rules Football' game, the greatest game on
earth!
Go to go now. We're going to have so much fun, I promise you that!
Take care,
Mick,
P.S. Make sure you take your passport and ticket with you before you leave home!
(Amr. Channel Pre int. p49)

MODAL (must, mustnt, should, supposed to)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

Read the following article. Pay special attention to modals and related
expressions. Underline modals.

AN APARTMENT LEASE
When people rent an apartment, they often have to sign a lease. A lease is an
agreement between the owner (landlord1) and the renter (tenant). A lease states the period

of time of the rental, the amount of the rent, and rules the renter must follow. Some leases
contain the following rules:
Renters must not have a waterbed.
Renters must not have a pet.
Renters must not change the locks without the owner's permission.
Renters must pay a security deposit.
The renter does not have to agree to all the terms of the lease. He can ask for
changes before he signs. A pet owner, for example, can ask for permission to have a pet by
offering to pay a higher security deposit.
Owners also have to follow rules. They must provide heat during the winter months.
In most cities, they must put a smoke detector in each apartment and in the halls.
Many owners ask the renter to pay a security deposit, in case there are damages.
When the renter moves out, the owner is supposed to return the deposit plus interest if the
apartment is in good condition. If there is damage, the owner can use part or all of the
money to repair the damage. However, he may not keep the renter's money for normal
wear and tear (the normal use of the apartment).
When the lease is up, the owner can offer the renter a new lease or he can ask the
renter to leave. The owner is supposed to give the renter notice (usually at least 30 days) if
he wants the renter to leave.
An owner can't refuse to rent to a person because of sex, race, religion, nationality,
or disability.
*A landlord is a man. A landlady is a woman. (Grammar in Context 2, Page 211)

MODAL (should, had better)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the following conversation. Pay special attention to should and had better.

TENANTS' RIGHTS
A: My apartment is always too cold in the winter. I've got to move.
B: You don't have to move. The landlord is supposed to give enough heat.
A: But he doesn't.
B: You should talk to him about this problem.
A: I did already. The first time I talked to him, he just told me I should put on a sweater. The
second time I said, "You'd better give me heat or I'm going to move."
B: You shouldn't get so angry. That's not the way to solve the problem. You know, there are
laws about heat. You should get
information from the city so you can know your rights.
A: How can I get information?
B: Tomorrow morning, you should call the mayor's office and ask for a brochure about
tenants' rights. When you know what the law is exactly, you should show the brochure to
your landlord.
A: And what if he doesn't want to do anything about it?
B: Then you should report the problem to the mayor's office.
A: I'm afraid to do that.
B: Don't be afraid. You have rights. Maybe you should talk to other tenants and see if you
can do this together.
(Grammar in Context 2, Page 219)

MODAL (have to, need, can)

GAELIC FOOTBALL
The Irish play football, and they are good at rugby, but they also play Gaelic football. This
kind of football comes from a traditional Irish game.

Gaelic football is an exciting game. It has elements of football and rugby. You play it with a
round ball, like a football, but the players can use their hands.
There are strict rules. The players can touch the ball, but they are not allowed to throw it.
They have to pass the ball from hand to hand to other players. They also have to bounce or
kick it when they run with it. They have to score goals to get points for their team.
In Gaelic football the players do not wear special clothes. They put on shorts and T-shirts
and trainers, but they dont need any special equipment like helmets or gloves. To play the
game they dont use sticks, bats or rackets. They just need a ball.
The first international tournament took place in 1886 in Ireland. However, today Gaelic
football is quite popular in the USA and Australia.
1. Read the description of Gaelic football and decide if the statements are true
(T) or false (F).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The Irish are good rugby players.

T/F
Gaelic football is a combination of football and rugby.
The players cant touch the ball with their hands.
The players wear helmets.
T/F
Gaelic football is not popular in America.

T/F
T/F
T/F

2. Read the text again and circle the correct answer, a, b or c.

1
2
3
4
5

Gaelic football is an .......................... game.

a) Australian b)
American
c)
Irish
The players can use ..........................
a) their feet. b)
bats and balls.
c)
sticks and flippers.
When the players run with the ball, they ..........................
a) cannot give it to other players.
b)
cannot kick it.
c)
have
bounce it.
The players ..........................
a) wear shorts and T-shirts.
b)
cant use special equipment.
c) dont have to score points for the team.
In 1886, there were the first .......................... championships.
a) English football
b)
Gaelic football
c)
American rugby

to

MODAL (have to, need, can)

NECESSITY- MUST- HAVE(GOT) TO, MUST NOT, DONT HAVE TO

BECOMING A DRIVER
- must (2) - don't have to - will have to (2) - must - must not - have to(3)
In our society, people are always on the move, and most people1 drive to get
from one place to another. With so many people on the roads, it is necessary for everyone
to know how to drive safely. That's why youand all other drivers2pass a test
to get a driver's license before you drive.
It takes time and practice to become a safe driver. You 3 learn how to drive
safely in fog, snow, and other dangerous weather conditions. Also, you 4 learn
how to drive in different traffic situations. In the city, for example, you 5 be
careful about traffic at cross-streets. On expressways, you 6 deal with crosstraffic, but you 7 know how to change lanes and pass other cars.
Finally, you 8 learn the driving laws. Many of these are common sense. For
example, according to the law, you 9 wear your seat belt when you drive. And,
of course, you 10 drive under the influence of alcohol.
ANSWER KEY
NECESSITY MUST- HAVE(GOT) TO, MUST NOT, DONT HAVE TO

BECOMING a DRIVER
In our society, people are always on the move, and most people 1-have to drive to get
from one place to another. With so many people on the roads, it is necessary for everyone
to know how to drive safely. That's why youand all other drivers 2-must pass a test to
get a driver's license before you drive.
It takes time and practice to become a safe driver. You 3-will have to learn how to drive
safely in fog, snow, and other dangerous weather conditions. Also, you 4-will have to learn
how to drive in different traffic situations. In the city, for example, you 5- have to be careful
about traffic at cross-streets. On expressways, you 6-don't have to deal with cross-traffic,
but you 7-must know how to change lanes and pass other cars.
Finally, you 8-have to learn the driving laws. Many of these are common sense. For
example, according to the law, you 9-must wear your seat belt when you drive. And, of
course, you 10-must not drive under the influence of alcohol.

MODAL (can, should, must, could)

BEFORE YOU READ:
Read the following article. Pay special attention to modals and related words.
Underline them.
MEDICINE
Sometimes when you feel sick, you try to treat* the illness yourself. You can buy over thecounter drugs, such as aspirin, without a prescription*. However, you should always use
medications* with caution*. You should read the information on the package. For example,
parents shouldn't give some medicines to young children. Other medications could be
harmful to pregnant* women. In many cases, prolonged* use could be harmful; if the illness
persists*, you should see a doctor.
A pharmacist cannot sell prescription drugs without permission from a doctor. When you
need a prescription drug, you must get a prescription from a doctor. Most people can't read
a doctor's prescription because it is written in Latin. But a pharmacist can read the
prescription.
The prescription form that the doctor uses has a place for the doctor to check:
May substitute*
May not substitute
If the doctor checks the first box, this means that the pharmacist can give you a generic
drug, which is cheaper than the name-brand equivalent*. Tell the pharmacist which kind of
drug you would rather have. If the doctor has checked the second box, the pharmacist must
give you exactly what the doctor has ordered. Pharmacists must obey the law; otherwise,
they can lose their license.
When you visit your doctor, you should always tell him or her about any other medications
you are taking. The combination* of some medications could be dangerous. Pharmacists
often put warning labels on drugs: "This medication may cause drowsiness*," Alcohol can
intensify* this effect," or "This medication should be taken after a meal
Comprehension Questions:

1. Before you use medicine, what should you do at first?

___________________________________________
2. When you cant treat your illness, what should you do?
__________________________________________
3. Can everybody read a doctors prescription? Why?
______________________________________________
4. When do pharmacists lose their certificate?
____________________________________________________
5. Why do pharmacists have to put warning labels on the medicines?
__________________________________
6. How is an American pharmacy different from a pharmacy in your country?
___________________________________________
VOCABULARY LIST:

Case: situation,
Caution n.: care, concern, trouble, problem
Combination n: mixture, grouping
Drowsiness n.: sleepiness, tiredness
Equivalent n.: something that has the same value, purpose, job etc as something else
Indicate v.: signify, point to, show
Intensify v.: build up, increase, make stronger
Medication n: medicine, pills, drug, prescription
Persist v.: keep on, carry on, continue,
Pregnant adj.; with child, if a woman or female animal is pregnant, she has an unborn baby growing inside her
body
Prescription n.: medicine, drug, instruction
Prolonged adj.: extended, total, complete
Refill v.: fill up,
Substitute n.: alternate, v. replace with, exchange
Treat n. care for

MODAL (must, mustnt, had to, should, shouldnt, dont have to)
(INTERMEDIATE)
RUN YOUR WAY for HEALTH
When I started running seven years ago, I could manage only about a quarter of a
mile before 1 had to stop. Breathless and aching, I walked the next quarter of a mile, then I
jogged the next quarter of a mile, alternating these two activities for a couple of miles.
Within a few weeks I could jog half way round Hampstead Heath without stopping. Soon I
started to run up the quarter-mile slope to the top of Parliament Hill, although I had to stop
at the top to get my breath back. Eventually I found that I could even manage to get up the
hill comfortably.
I started to run because I felt desperately unfit. But the biggest pay-off for me was
and still is the deep relaxation that I achieve by taking exercise, It tires me out but I find
that it does cairn me down.
In those early days I saw few other runners, Now there are many moreand not just
the macho sports freaks. Men and women of all ages have now taken up running. Some
25,000 runners aged five to 85 are attracted each year to the Sunday Times Fun Run in
Hyde Park.
In the last two years the London Marathon has become the biggest British sporting
event overtaking the boat race and the Derby in the number of spectators it attracts.
When I started to jog I never dreamt of running in a marathon, but in 1982 I realized that if I
trained for it, it was within my reach, and after a slow, six-month build-up I managed the
26,2 miles in just under four hours. A creditable performance for a first-timer and a far cry
from those days when I had to stop for breath after a quarter of a mile.
What about heart attacks?
My story shows that an unfit 39-year-old, as I was when I started running, who had
taken no serious exercise for 20 years, can do the marathonand that this is a sport in
which women can beat men. But is it crazy to do it? Does it make sense to run in the

expectation of becoming healthier? What about the chances of injuring yourself or dying of
a heart attack?
I was personally convinced of the health benefits of running because I felt unfit, and I
wasn't worried about the risk of a heart attack, because I was not a smoker and I was
sticking to a fairly low animal-fat diet. But one person I knew well did die immediately after
a jog and plenty of people told me I was mad to start running.
Reassuring evidence now comes from doctors in Seattle, showing that vigorous
exercise actually reduces the chances of heart attack. They found that people who had a
sudden heart attack when they appeared to be completely fit had taken less exercise than
those of similar age. According to their findings, published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (volume 248, p 3113) it is necessary to take 20 minutes of vigorous
exercise at least two or three days a week to obtain some protection from heart attack.
Apart from jogging, the exercise might be swimming, singles tennis or squash, digging or
chopping wood. Whatever it is, the exercise should leave you out of breath.
There is a small risk of unaccustomed stress causing a heart attack when a person is
very unfit, but this can be reduced if exercise is always increased in easy stages. My advice
is: if you are under 40, are healthy and feel well, you can begin as I did by jogging gently
until you are out of breath, then walking, and alternating the two for about two miles. Build
up the jogging in stages until you can do the whole distance comfortably.
At first, two or three times a week will probably be enough. People over 40 who are in
any doubt about their health should see their doctor before starting an exercise
programme. Over-40s should begin by making a vigorous walk of at least two miles part of
the daily routine. When you can do this comfortably you can start the mixed jogging and
walking routine and progress from there. You will! have to expect soreness of muscles and
joints to begin with. If soreness changes to pain, or if you find that you suffer from deep
tiredness which you cannot shake off, then stop jogging for a while and just walk.
Reading for specific information
Answer these questions.
1. Which of these subjects are discussed in the article?
a. . The author's recovery from cancer due to running
b. . Advice on illnesses caused by too much exercise
c. . Advice on how to start running for exercise
d. . Advice on how to train for the London Marathon
e. . Evidence that running is the best way of avoiding a heart attack
f. . How the author trained himself for the London Marathon
2. Are these statements true or false? Put [T]or [F]in the box next to the
sentence.
a. The author came first in the London Marathon.
b. Running has always been a popular sport in England.
c. The author knew someone who died after jogging.
d. Exercise should leave you breathless if it is to improve your health.
e. People over 40 shouldn't try running if they haven't done it before.
4. Comprehension Check
a. How did the author feel when he started running?
b. What for him are the pleasures of running?
c. How much exercise do doctors suggest you should take to avoid a heart attack?
(New Headway 1st ed. int. p.45)

SIMPLE PRESENT- PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

(INTERMEDIATE)

A MAGICAL WORLD
The 'Harry Potter' series, by author J.K. Rowling, is the most successful book series in recent
years. With millions of readers all over the world, the Harry Potter stories are attracting the interest
of both children and adults. Everyone has loved Harry's adventures, which are a mixture of fantasy
and horror in a mysterious world of witches and wizards. Any child reading the book who is living a
normal, sometimes boring, life, can suddenly become Harry Potter and experience a great adventure.
The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was brought out
in 1997, was very successful. The book was made into a film in 2001.
The author, Joanne Kathleen Rowling (J.K. Rowling) always wanted to be a writer. Her first book was
called Rabbit. She wrote it at the age of six and, although it was not published, she continued to
write.
She started writing about Harry Potter after she got the idea on a long train journey to
London. By the time she got off at the station, Harry's story had become a seven-book series and
many of the characters in the book had already been invented.
Joanne then moved to Portugal for three years to teach English, married a journalist and had a
child. When her daughter was born, her first book was one-quarter finished.
Back in Britain, in a tiny flat in Edinburgh, she continued to write at the local cafe while her
baby slept in her pram. In June 1997, five years after Joanne's idea on the train, Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone was published and got brilliant reviews.
The Harry Potter books have made her one of the richest woman in Britain, but Joanne still
lives in Edinburgh and is still writing Harry Potter stories in the local cafe. (Go Ahead int. p6)
COMPREHENSION CHECK
For questions 1-5, choose the answer A, B or C which you think fits best, according to the
text.
1. Why are the Harry Potter books so popular?
A. The author is successful.
B. Witches are interesting.
C. Readers can experience Harry's adventures.
2. The first book in the Harry Potter series
A. took five years to write.
B. was only for adults.
C. was published after the film.
3. The author J.K. Rowling
A. wanted to be an English teacher.
B. has been writing for many years.
C. became a journalist.
4. How did the author feel about her first Harry Potter book?
A. She wouldn't let anything stop her from writing.
B. She preferred to go to the cafe with her friends.
C. She found it very tiring to write.
5. The author continues to write in cafes. What does this tell us about her?
A. She thinks this is what rich people do.
B. She gets her ideas there.
C. Money and success have not changed her.

PRESENT PERFECT
(INTERMEDIATE)
1. Read the newspaper interview with Andrew and Esther and answer the questions.
a) What animals have Andrew and Esther worked with?
b) Would they like to change jobs with each other?
Andrew Hayton, 26, has worked at Longleat Safari Park* for more
than
eight years. He is currently an elephant keeper and has also looked
after
rhinos.
Why did you choose this job?
I had been doing various jobs here. I heard about the rhino vacancy
and I
thought, 'This is the job for me' - I've always liked animals.
Have you ever thought of working in a zoo?
Zoos are very good and have a place, but not for larger animals.
Esther Wen man, 30, has worked at London Zoo for nearly seven years. She is head keeper of
reptiles, and before that was a bird keeper.
What made you choose this job?

I've always been interested in conservation and ecology.

Have you ever thought of working in a safari park?
You don't get such good collections of birds and reptiles in
2. Underline seven examples of the present perfect simple in the text (have I has + past
participle).
3. Look at these sentences:
Esther has worked at London Zoo for seven years.
Elaine worked at London Zoo for seven years,
Who still works at London Zoo now: Esther or Elaine? ................................
*a safari park is a park where wild animals are kept and in which they can move freely
(Developing Gr. in Context. P41)

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE yet/just/already

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read about Anna, a British journalist who did an intensive Polish course. Then cover the
article and answer the questions.
1. What languages did Anna already know?
2. Why did she choose to learn Polish?
3. Where did she do the course?
4. What did she think was the most difficult thing about Polish?
5. Where is she going to do the 'tests'?
6. What five things does she have to do?
7. What are the rules?
HOW MUCH CAN YOU LEARN IN A MONTH?
I work for a magazine, which was doing an article about British language learners. As an experiment,
they asked me to learn a completely new language for one month. Then I had to go to the country
and do some 'tests' to see if I could 'survive' in different situations. I decided to learn Polish because
my great-grandmother was Polish and I have some relatives there. I can already speak French and
Spanish quite well but Polish isn't a Latin-based language so I knew it would be completely different.
I did a one-month intensive course at a language school in Birmingham. I thought I was good at
languages before I started learning Polish, but now I'm not so sure. I found it incredibly difficult. The
grammar was really complicated and the words were not like any other language I know so it was
very hard to remember them. For example, I thought 'football' was more or less an international
word, but in Polish it's ptfka nozna. And the pronunciation is unbelievable! Every word is full of z's
where you don't expect them, like jezdzlsz which means 'you go'.
My course finished yesterday and I'm going to Krakow for the weekend to do my tests. A local guide
called Kasia is corning with me and is going to give me a mark out of 10.
These are the tests and the rules:
Tests
You have to...
1. get a taxi.
2. order a drink in a bar.
3. ask for directions (and follow them).
4. phone and ask to speak to someone.
5. ask somebody the time.
Rules
-you mustn't use a dictionary or phrasebook. -you mustn't speak English at any time. - you mustn't
use your hands or mime.
(English File- Pre Int. Page 57)

1.
2.
1.
2.
3.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE yet/just/already

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the paragraphs and put them in order. Number them 1-5.
Now read the whole article in order. Choose the best summary, A, B, or C.
Mr and Mrs Serrano argued with their children. The children decided to leave home.
Mr and Mrs Serrano argued a lot. Their children were unhappy so they left home.
Mr and Mrs Serrano argued with their children a lot. They told their children to leave home.
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR TEENAGE CHILDREN?
Why not throw them out?

(A)....... I What did the Serrano's boys do? In fact they didn't go very far from home. The oldest boy
David went to live with his girlfriend and has just started work in her father's construction company.
The youngest son has rented a flat near the family home (his mother paid the first month's rent
only).
(B).......I So Maria and Mariano asked their sons to leave the family home in Zaragoza in Spain. But
the two boys didn't want to go. Then, Mr and Mrs Serrano took an unusual decision - they went to
court.
(C).......I Do you have rude and moody teenage children living in your house? Have you ever secretly
wanted to throw them out? A Spanish couple. Mr and Mrs Serrano, from Zaragoza in Spain, have
done exactly that.
(D).......I Maria and her husband Mariano lived with their two sons, David, 20 and Mariano, 18. The
situation was impossible.' said Maria. 'We were always arguing, our children were treating our house
like a hotel, and they weren't contributing anything. Also they weren't studying or looking for work.
They were complaining all the time and insulting us. They didn't respect us. I love my children, but in
the end it was ruining our lives.'
(E).......Normally, under Spanish law parents do not have the right to make their children leave home.
But in this case the judge decided that the situation in the Serrano family was 'intolerable'. He gave
Mr and Mrs Serrano the right to tell their children to go.
Elizabeth
Nash,
The
Independent 18/10/99- (English File- Pre Int. P 43)

PRESENT PERFECT- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(INTERMEDIATE)
1. Read the article about some unusual Christmas cards. Why are they unusual?
Catherine Wild has been receiving Christmas cards from the same family for the past 17 years. This
year the usual card dropped through her letter box from 'Pat and Roger and family' with an extra
card they want passed on to Auntie Muriel. Mrs. Wild, aged 67, has no idea who is sending the cards.
She started receiving the cards after she bought her home in Worcester from a woman called Dawn.
She spent years trying to solve the Christmas card puzzle, but now she has given up and puts the
card up on the wall every Christmas. 'If only I knew who it was from!' said Mrs Wild.
2. Look at examples a), b) and c) of different tenses from the text:
a) Catherine Wild has been receiving Christmas cards from the same family for the past 17 years.
b) She started receiving the cards after she bought her home in Worcester from a woman called
Dawn.
c) She spent years trying to solve the Christmas card puzzle, but now she has given up and puts the
card up
on the wall every Christmas.
Match sentences a), b) and c) to the following tenses:
.... the past simple
.... the present perfect simple
.... the present perfect continuous
(Developing Gr. in Context. P41)
(adapted from an article by Richard Smith in The Independent, 21 December 1996}

PRESENT PERFECT- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(INTERMEDIATE)
A. Read the texts and whose life has changed the most?
1. What
is
Victoria
doing
now?
.............................................................................................................
2. What
was
she
doing
.............................................................................................................
3. What
made
her
change
life? ..............................................................................................................
4. How does she feel now?
.............................................................................................................
C.
5. What
is
Sally
doing
now?
.............................................................................................................

before?
her

6. What

was
she
doing
.............................................................................................................
7. What
made
her
change
life? ..............................................................................................................
8. How does she feel now?
.............................................................................................................

before?
her

Holidays can be good for your health. You lie on a beach and relax, and tensions disappear. But
sometimes a holiday can change your life completely, which is what happened two years ago to
Victoria Smith and Sally Gook.
VICTORIA SMITH, six years ago, was working as a manager at Next, a British chain store. Then she
went on holiday to Borneo...
'It was a working holiday,' said Victoria, 'where you could study orang-utans in the wild -1 have
always been interested in apes, so I thought it would be fun.' The holiday was wonderful, and when
Victoria came home she found it very difficult to return to her old life. 'Suddenly the problems in the
store just seemed so trivial.' Although everybody told her she was mad, she decided to go back to
university and study biology. Four years later she became a chimpanzee keeper.
For the last two years Victoria has been working at Monkey World, a centre in south-west England
which looks after apes which have been ill-treated. Many have been rescued from laboratories and
circuses all over the world. She works long hours, and the pay isn't very good, but she loves it. 'Apes
are like a big family, each with their own personality.'
'I'm really happy now. Since I started working here I feel that I've been doing something important,
not just wasting my life.'
SALLY GOOK wakes up every morning to a deep blue sky and blazing sun. For the last two years she
has been Living on the tiny Greek island of Lipsi, which is only 16 square kilometers in size and has a
population of just 650.
But until a few years ago she lived in London. 'I was working for American Express and I had a good
social life and earned a Lot of money. But 1 had to get up very early every morning, often in horrible
weather, and get a train and the tube to work.'
Then one day she and a friend decided they needed a relaxing holiday, and they came to Lipsi. '1
loved it - the people, the mountains, the sun, and the delicious food. Suddenly I knew there was a
different life waiting for me here.' A few months later she applied for a job at the travel company
which had organized her holiday.
Since then she has been living on Lipsi and working as a tourist guide. Her boyfriend, who is Greek, is
a farmer. Sally said, 'I've only been back to London once, and I can't imagine ever living there again.'
Read the following article and underline present perfect continuous and present perfects verbs.
(New English File- Int-page 26)

SIMPLE PRESENT-PRESENT PERFECT- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(INTERMEDIATE)

TEEN EMPLOYMENT
Lots of teenagers have part-time jobs so that they can earn extra spending money and feel
independent. They have jobs in shops, supermarkets or cafes; they babysit, deliver newspapers or
look after people's gardens. The most popular jobs for girls are babysitting and working in shops.
Read what Jane and Natalie have to say about their part-time jobs.
JANE: There are a lot of young families in my neighborhood and they often need someone to look
after the children. I'm fifteen and they trust me to be responsible and take care of their kids. I have

been babysitting for one year now. I usually work on Friday and Saturday nights when the parents
want to go out. I enjoy spending time with the children, but sometimes I have to be strict, especially
when it's bedtime. I earn enough money to buy my own clothes and CDs, and my parents are proud
of the fact that I'm working and not asking them for money. Today, I'm a bit tired because I've been
looking after my neighbors daughter all weekend, but that doesn't happen very often.
NATALIA: 'My aunt has a greengrocer's and I help her there after school. I serve customers, put
things on the shelves, check the stock and generally keep the shop clean and tidy. It isn't hard work
and I like making my own money. I've been working since I was fourteen. I use my pay to buy things
that I wouldn't be able to afford if I wasn't working. For example, I saved up and bought a CD player
last Christmas and I have just bought a small TV for my room. My parents were worried at first
because they thought working after school would affect my studies, but it hasn't. In fact, they're
really pleased that I have learned the value of money.' It's important for teenagers to have some
experience of working. This is because it makes them more independent and teaches them to deal
with responsibility, and these are valuable lessons in life.
(Go Ahead int. p15)
Comprehension Check
Say if the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
Jane
1. ....... works every day.
2. ....... takes care of children.
3. ....... buys clothes for the children.
4. ....... asks her parents for money all the time.
5. ....... says her parents are happy that she works.
Natalie
6. ....... works at the weekends.
7. ....... started work at the age of fourteen.
8. ....... is not doing well at school because she works.

THINKING ABOUT TIME

PAST PERFECT
(INTERMEDIATE)

Read it and underline any examples of the past perfect.

When they got back at about 4.00, the news was not VV good. They had searched the main paths
from the house and with help from local people they had also searched a large area of the jungle, but
had found nothing. Martin had gone down to the town and asked at the taxi and bus stands, but
again had found out nothing. No one had seen a tall man in his sixties. Martin and Jones had a rest
and then went out again to make further enquiries.
This time they went to the golf club in Tanah Rata to ask people there if anyone had seen Jim. When
they got there they found that the police had just been and interviewed everyone. One man claimed
he had seen a man that looked like Jim at about 3.00 the afternoon before, walking down the hill
from the golf club. When Martin and Jones asked him more questions, however, they discovered that
the description did not really match. The man he had seen was wearing blue trousers and a white
jacket, but Jim was wearing a pair of grey trousers and had left his jacket behind.
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 49)

PAST PERFECT
(INTERMEDIATE)

THE PLANE THAT FLEW SOLO

1. Read the unusual story and number the events in the box in the order they happened,
1-6.
g) ......The plane took off without the pilot
h) ......The plane had mechanical trouble
i) ......The pilot got out to restart the plane
j) ......The pilot took off
k) ......The plane started to move along
l) ......The pilot landed
Carol Hall looked out of her office window and wondered what was going on. A yellow, singleengine plane was moving along the runway, apparently ready for take-off, except that it just missed
another aircraft that was coming in to land.
'We couldn't understand what the pilot was trying to do,' said Ms Hall.
A moment later, she found the answer, as the pilot rushed into her office and called the
emergency services. His plane had left without him. If that was unusual, what followed was almost
unbelievable, as the plane got faster, lifted off into the air, and climbed to 2,000 feet.
The pilot, Paul Sirks, had taken off early in the morning to meet friends for breakfast in Illinois.
But his plane began having mechanical trouble and as he landed at Grimes Field, the engine
stopped - so he got out to restart it by turning the propeller. As he did so, the engine started. And
before he could get back in, the plane began to move across the airfield.
'It just got away from him and took off,' Ms Hall explained.
2. Put these events from the story in the correct points on the timeline below:
c) The pilot called the emergency services.
d) The plane left without its pilot.
....

time of speaking
Past
present
3. Why is the past simple used for one event in the text (the pilot... called the emergency services)
and the past perfect used for another (His plane had left without him.)'?
................................................................................................................................................................
..............................
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 4)

PAST PERFECT - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

CAROL'S SEARCH FOR HER ROOTS

My name is Carol Angelo. I am the second generation of my family born in the U.S. My
family came from a small town in the mountains in Southern Italy. I've been working on my
family tree for two years. It's been fun but has sometimes been frustrating. Ive been
spending all my free time at a family history library looking for family records. Ive also
been spending a lot of time on the Internet looking at Web sites for information about
genealogy. I've joined genealogy newsgroups, which have been a big help. Ive gone to
courthouses to look for public records, such as land deeds and tax records. Ive been
reading old newspapers, checking the obituaries and wedding notices. I've been searching
old phone books for family names and new phone books online for living relatives in Italy. I
was fortunate to find a man in Italy who went to the town where my ancestors were born.
He provided me with a lot of information, pictures, and a wonderful book about the town my
family came from.
By doing this search, I have found that I still have relatives in Italy and here that I didn't
know existed. This year, there was a huge family reunion, and I was able to meet some of
my relatives for the first time. People came from all over the country and brought old photo
albums along with stories. I am in the process of doing a family Web site where we can all
exchange information and photos and chat online.

So far I have only found information from the last couple hundred years; there is much
more for me to do. One thing I have learned about genealogy is that it is a work in progress
that is never finished.
(Grammar in Context 2)

PAST PERFECT - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

TALK OF THE QUEEN

Oprah Winfrey began speaking publicity in church when she was two. By the time she was
twelve, she had already decided on a career. She wanted to be "paid to talk." In fact, it
wasn't that long before she got her first radio Job. Although she hadn't had any experience,
she became a news reporter.
When Winfrey got her TV talk show in 1986, she had already been a TV news reporter and
had acted in a major Hollywood movie, The Color Purple. Oprah's warm personality made
her TV guests comfortable. Her stories on topics such as child abuseOprah, herself, had
been a victim touched the hearts of her audience. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" became so
popular that by the tare 1980s "Oprah" had become a household word. In 1994 Winfrey
decided that the quality of talk-show themes had been getting worse and worse. She
promised to focus on more uplifting, meaningful issues such as runaway teenagers who
return home. She also made a personal change. She had always had a weight problem, but
in 1995 TV viewers saw a new Winfrey. She had been dieting and working outand she had
lost almost 90 pounds! She had also successfully competed in a Washington, D.C.
marathon.

Today Oprah Winfrey is still going strong. In addition to her talk show, she continues
to be involved in movies. In 1998 she starred in Beloved, which she had been
planning to produce for ten years. When asked about her future, Winfrey said, "It's
so bright it burns my eyes." TAYLOR LEWIS
(Focus on Grammar A High Int.)

PAST PERFECT - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
On October 23, I ran the Bostan Marathon with a partner, Marcia Davis. We had been
training (1.train) together since last year, and we (2. plan) to enter the
race ever since we saw Oprah in the Washington Marathon. The start of the race was
dramatic. Up to that point, we ___, 3. (joke and laugh) but we were very
serious when we fined up. I was so nervous I couldn't breathe. Marcia and I
___ 4. (practice) on those same streets for a couple of weeks, so at the beginning we did
well. By the time we got to Heartbreak Hill, we _ 5. (run)for almost four
hours, and I really believed we could finish. Then, halfway up the hill, Marcia stopped. She
just couldn't run anymore. We 6. (look forward) to this race for so long
that I didn't want
to go on alone, but Marcia wanted me to finish. When I got to the finish fine, I saw Marcia.
She 7. (wait) for me for three hours. First we cried. Then we started talking
about next year's marathon. (Focus on Grammar A High Int.)

PAST PERFECT - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

TROUBLED TEEN
Complete this psychologist's description of a patient who had appeared as a guest on a TV
talk show. Use the past perfect or past perfect continuous form of the appropriate
verbs in the box. Use the continuous form when possible.
arrest

become

bring

have

hurt

leave

lose

recommend

I ___had seen__1_ a hundred like him before. He sat on the couch and stared out the
window. He was only sixteen. His mother sat next to him. She 2_ him to see
me. She 3_ control of her son. Ever since his father 4_ them
four years before, she _________5_ trouble with her son. He 6__ more and
more angry and depressed. Recently he 7_ someone in a school fight. The
police 8_ him and_9_ psychological counseling. The mother
was afraid that he was going to run away from home.
(Focus on Grammar A High Int.)

GOING TO & WILL

(INTERMEDIATE)

UNUSUAL SEA CROSSINGS

1. Read Stories I and 2 about unusual sea crossings and answer the questions.
a) Which types of boat are mentioned?
b) Which type was unsuccessful?
c)
Story 1
In the late 1960s, Kenneth Blyton successfully crossed the English Channel in a metal bottle with a
small motor. It was his third crossing, but his first time by bottle. When he landed in France, he
described his next plan. 'I have already crossed by bed and by barrel,' he said. 'Next year I'm going
to cross by giant banana.'
Story 2
A man from Kentucky tried to row across the icy Bering Strait, between Alaska and Russia, in a bath.
Unfortunately, things went a bit wrong for him. According to the explorer, 'By late afternoon on the
fourth day, although the sun was still high, the sea went rather thick. Next morning I was frozen in/
No problem. He left the bath in the ice and walked to land, where he told reporters, 'I'll try again in
the summer.'
2. Look at these sentences from Stories 1 and 2 and answer the questions.
I. Next year I'm going to cross by giant banana.
II. I'll try again in the summer.
a) Which sentence suggests that the man decided something before speaking?.....
b) Which suggests he decided at the same time as speaking?.....
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 53)

FUTURE - WILL
(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the text quickly and write the appropriate heading for each set of
predictions:
PESSIMISTIC SCIENTISTS, OPTIMISTIC SCIENTISTS.
Since the 1 950s, we have destroyed more than a third of our natural world. Our way of
life has caused many serious environmental problems. We use huge amounts of natural
resources and produce too much garbage. Pollution is changing the Earth's climate and our
planet is getting hotter. The big question is: will things ever change for the better?
There are some scientists who are optimistic. They believe that with the help of science
and strict laws today's environmental problems will disappear in the future. Other scientists
are pessimistic. They believe that environmental problems are getting worse and soon it
will be too late to save the environment. Let's see what predictions the pessimistic and the
optimistic scientists have made about life on Earth in the year 2100.

.
The Earth's population will probably be 22.2 billion.
The Earth's temperature will be 2.5 to 10,4 F higher than it is today. The ice at the North
and South Pole will melt and the sea level will rise by 3.5 to 34.5 inches. Cities at or
below sea level will sink.
Half of the Earth's plants and animals will disappear along with the tropical rain forests.
We will use up all the Earth's natural resources. People won't be able to survive on Earth,
so they will have to find a new planet to live on.
.
The law will oblige families to have no more than one child, and this will reduce the
Earth's population to two billion.
People will use environmentally-friendly energy sources like the sun and the wind, which
do not pollute the air, so the Earth's temperature will not increase.
Strict laws will protect animal and plant species from extinction.
A population of two billion people will need fewer natural resources, so there will be
enough food, water, etc. for everyone.
Read the text again and find what the words in bold refer to.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

They exist because of our way of life.

.
We use a lot of them.
.
We produce a lot of it.
.
Our planet is hotter because of it.
.
They can help us solve environmental problems.

and

6. Some scientists say they will be higher in the year 2100. ,

and .
7. They don't pollute the air.
.
8. Strict laws will protect them from extinction.
.
and
.
(Amr. Channel Pre int. p52)

FUTURE CONTINUOUS & FUTURE PERFECT

(INTERMEDIATE)

WILL WE BE USING DOCTORS IN THE FUTURE?

1.
What do you think will be different about medicine and the treatment of diseases in
20 or 30 years' time?
2.
Read the text about scientists' predictions. How many different ways of diagnosing
problems does it discuss?
In the future doctors will be diagnosing illnesses 1 differently, but we may not need to use
doctors at all We will be able to decide for ourselves what the problem is. We will look up
symptoms on the Internet and order a testing kit to check our blood for diseases we think we
have. We may not even have to do this. Science will have advanced so much that we will have
microchips in our bodies to monitor our blood pressure, temperature and heartbeat on a daily
basis.
3. Match the underlined verb forms from the text with the correct tense names,
i)-iii).
a. ... doctors will be diagnosing illnesses differently.....
i) the future with will
b. We will look up symptoms on the Internet.....
ii) the future continuous
c. Science will have advanced so much.....
iii) the future perfect
4. Fill in the gaps in the descriptions with the correct tense names from Exercise
3.
To make predictions about the future in general we often use a)...........................................

To predict an action in progress at a particular time in the future we use

b)...........................................
c).......................................... locates an action that will happen before a particular time in
the
future.
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 63)

HARRY POTTER

GERUND - INFINITIVE
(INTERMEDIATE)

1. Read the reviews for the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowlinj
Underline one word in each review that shows the speaker liked the book.

'I think Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is brilliant. Once you start reading you can't stop. My
Mum kept telling me off because every night I was using up the electricity very late. I didn't want to
stop until I'd reached the very end.'
'I love Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Before I read this book my parents had to force me
to read anything. 1 preferred watching TV or playing computer games. Now I want to read all of the
Harry Potter books.'
'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a spectacular book. The story goes straight into your
head. It's very funny. It made me wish I was a wizard. I'd love to make up magic spells.'
2. These verbs in the texts - start, keep, want, force, prefer, make, love - are all followed
by another verb. Put them in the right column in the chart.
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 133)

Verb +
infinitive

to

Verb + -ing/orm

+ Verb + object + to +
infinitive

Verb + object + infinitive

GET / HAVE SOME THING DONE

(INTERMEDIATE)
WOMAN SELLS 50P BROOCH FOR 13,000
1. Read the newspaper article and answer the questions.
a.
b.

What was the good news for the woman in the article?
Where did the woman find the brooch?

A HOUSEWIFE who feared losing her home sold a brooch bought for 50p for 13,225 at auction
yesterday. She had been going through serious financial problems after divorcing her husband.
The buyer bought the diamond butterfly-shaped brooch at auctioneers, Phillips, in west London.
The woman noticed the brooch in the corner of a shelf at her local second-hand shop about a year
ago. Her local jewelers told her the diamonds were not real.
When the woman had the brooch valued, Phillips' jeweler specialist, Keith Pearson, told her it would
sell for up to 10,000 at auction.
2. Look at this sentence from the text, and answer the questions.
When the woman had the brooch valued, Phillips' jeweler specialist, Keith Pearson, told her it would sell
for up to
I 0,000 at auction.

a. Who valued the brooch, the woman or Keith Pearson?...........................

b. What is the form of the underlined phrase, i) or ii)? .....
i) have + object + past participle

ii) have + past participle + object

(Developing Grammar in Context- p 163)

BE / GET USED TO
(INTERMEDIATE)
i. Do you think there are some jobs that men do better than women and some that women do better
than men? Which ones?
ii. In the article about a woman bus driver, find two things she likes about the job and one thing that
she found difficult at first.
IT'S A POWER THING. ROSALYN CLARK ENJOYS LIFE AS A BUS DRIVER
I've always loved driving. For some reason I find it relaxing, so driving a bus is ideal. Some of the
male bus drivers were a bit funny at first and I think it took them a while to get used to the fact that I
was a woman. I could see it in their faces that they were a bit shocked.
I like being in control of a big vehicle. Perhaps it's the power. I don't find London traffic stressful, and I
don't let anyone annoy me. I've learnt to manage when people start being rude.

I think I'm quite a good driver, although some days are better than others. Changing back to driving
cars when I'm not working was a bit difficult at first. I kept forgetting how wide the car was, but I'm
used to it now.
3. Find and underline two examples of be I get used to something in the article.
4. Underline the correct statement.
a) Be I get used to something means that something is:
i) no longer new and strange
ii) finished and no longer true
b) Be / get used to is followed by:
i) the infinitive
ii) a noun / pronoun or the -ing form
5. What does it refer to in this sentence from the text:
I kept forgetting how wide the car was, but I'm used to it now.
(Developing Grammar in Context- p 168)

SIMPLE PRESENT- frequency adverbs

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
LETTER ABOUT AMERICAN CUSTOMS
Dear Sofia,
I want to tell you about life in the U.S. Some American customs are so strange for me.
Americans treat their pets like a member of the family. My friend Marianne lives alone
but she has a dog, Sparky. She always carries a picture of Sparky in her wallet. She
often buys toys for him, especially on his birthday. Once a month, she takes him to a
dog groomer. The groomer gives him a bath and cuts his nails. When Marianne travels,
she sometimes takes her dog with her. She often calls her dog on the telephone when
she's not home and talks into the answering machine. Sparky even sleeps in bed with
her.
Another strange custom is this: Sometimes Marianne invites me to go to a restaurant.
When the check arrives, she usually starts to divide the bill in half. Or she says, "Your
part is $10.95 and my part is $12.75." In our country, whenever I invite someone to a
restaurant, I pay.
There's another strange custom. When Americans don't finish their meal in a
restaurant, they often ask for a doggie bag. Even people who don't have a dog ask for a
doggie bag. They take the food home and eat it later. But in Marianne's case, she
usually likes to share her food with Sparky. She often orders a steak in a restaurant
because Sparky likes a good steak.
There is another custom that is strange for me. Americans often ask, "How are you?"
but they rarely wait for an answer. Marianne asks me this question whenever she sees
me, but she never listens to my answer. If I start to say, "I don't feel well," she doesn't
hear me and says, "That's nice." Sometimes I hear her ask other pet owners, "How's
your dog?" or, "How's your cat?" She seems more interested in animals' health than in
people's health.
I learn a lot about American customs from Marianne. If I don't understand something,
she always explains it to me. But life is still strange for me here.
Please write me soon. How are you? I'm not American. I REALLY want to know the
answer.
Your good friend,
Elena PAGE 18

COMPARISONS

BELOW FREEZING
1 ..........
The Antarctic is the world's coldest region and the most difficult to reach. The area includes an icecovered continent, Antarctica. It is surrounded by an ocean, which is mainly covered with ice, and is

much colder than the Arctic. In fact, it has the coldest temperature on Earth, -89C, so it is
understandable that its only human inhabitants are visiting scientists.
2..........
For centuries, mankind has wondered what this southern part of the world is like. We know some
things, but much has still to be learned about the land under the ice, such as the ways in which
animals and plants survive in freezing Antarctic temperatures and the effect the Antarctic weather
has on the rest of the world.
3..........
Apart from some small insects, there are no land animals in the Antarctic. There are also very few
plants because it is so cold. However, in the surrounding seas there is probably more animal life than
anywhere else in the world. Tiny fish swim alongside great whales, and there are also many seals, as
well as penguins, seagulls and other birds.
4..........
The area has powerful winds which sometimes blow at 160 km an hour for days. Even in summer,
the temperature is usually below freezing. In February, when the Antarctic winter approaches,
temperatures are lower than -8QC! In fact, it is so cold that if you stepped out of doors, your
eyebrows would freeze!
5..........
Explorers and scientists arrive at the end of the summer and leave when a ship can reach them a
year later. So, for a whole year, they are unable to go anywhere. They must all try to get along with
each other, even if they dislike someone. It is sort of like Big Brother, but much, much worse! One
scientist went mad and had to be locked in a room for five months until the next ship arrived.
Another one set fire to the camp so that they would be forced to leave.
6.........
The countries of the world have agreed that Antarctica should be used only for peaceful purposes
and that no weapons testing should be carried out there.
Comprehension Check
Choose the most suitable heading from A-G for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which
you do not need to use.
(Go Ahead
int. p52)
A. AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT
B. THE CREATURES IN THE AREA
C. A DIFFICULT LIFE
D. MAPPING THE AREA
E. THE LOCATION
F. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
G. THINGS WE DO NOT KNOW
H.
Answer: 1-E, 2-G, 3-B, 4-F, 5-C, 6-A

PASSIVE
Read the following article and underline passive verbs.
JURY DUTY
All Americans are protected by the Constitution. No one person can decide if a
person is guilty or innocent. Every citizen has the right to a trial by jury. When a person is
charged with a crime, he is considered innocent until the jury decides he is guilty.
Most American citizens are chosen for jury duty at some time in their lives. How are
jurors chosen? The court gets the names of citizens from lists of taxpayers, licensed drivers,
and voters. Many people are called to the courthouse for the selection of a jury. From this
large number, twelve people are chosen. The lawyers and the judge ask each person
questions to see if the person is going to be fair. If the person has made any judgment
about the case before hearing the facts presented in the trial, he is not selected. If the juror
doesn't understand enough English, he is not selected. The court needs jurors who can
understand the facts and be open-minded. When the final jury selection is made, the jurors
must raise their right hand and promise to be fair in deciding the case.
Sometimes a trial goes on for several days or more. Jurors are not permitted to talk
with family members and friends about the case. In some cases, jurors are not permitted to
go home until the case is over. They stay in a hotel and are not permitted to watch TV or
read newspapers that give information about the case.
After the jurors hear the case, they have to make a decision. They go to a separate room
and talk about what they heard and saw in the courtroom. When they are finished
discussing the case, they take a vote.
Jurors are paid for their work. They receive a small amount of money per day.
Employers must give a worker permission to be on a jury. Being on a jury is a very serious
job.
charge v. : accuse, blame
courtroom n: a room where a court of law meets
MIX

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the text and answer the questions.

JIM SPRINGER AND JIM LEWIS

JIM SPRINGER AND JIM LEWIS were reunited after forty years by Dr Thomas
Bouchard, Professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota. He was
investigating how much of our personality depends on genes. Dr Bouchard was
amazed by how many things the twins had in common. He had expected them to

look identical and to have similar medical histories. But he and his team were very
surprised to find the enormous similarities in the two Jims' personalities, their
lifestyle, their hobbies, their religion, even their political beliefs.
Some of the similarities are incredible: Jim Springer's son is called James Allen, and
Jim Lewis's is called James Alan. They both have dogs named Toy. They like and hate
the same sports and they voted for the same President. And both Jims have the
same romantic habit of leaving little love letters for their wives around the house.
Dr Bouchard is convinced that genes are probably much more important in
determining our personality and preferences than people used to think.
(English File- Pre Int. Page 95)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Who reunited the two Jims?

What did Dr Bouchard want to find out?
What was he very surprised by?
What are their sons and their dogs called?
What do they both do for their wives?
What does Dr Bouchard believe, as a result of the case of the two Jims?
SO, BECAUSE, BUT, ALTHOUGH

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the story and answer the questions.

ONE OCTOBER EVENING

(A) Next day Jamie phoned Hannah and invited her to dinner. He took her to a very
romantic French restaurant and they talked all evening. After that Jamie and Hannah
saw each other every day. Every evening when Hannah finished work they met at
5.30 in a coffee bar in the High Street. They were madly in love.
(B) Suddenly, a man ran across the road. He was wearing a dark coat so Hannah
didn't see him until it was too late. Although she tried to stop, she hit the man.
Hannah panicked. She didn't stop and she drove to the coffee bar as fast as she
could. But when she arrived Jamie wasn't there. She phoned him, but his mobile was
turned off, so she waited for ten minutes and then went home.
(C) Hannah met Jamie in the summer of 2004. It was Hannah's 21st
birthday and she and her friends went to a club. They wanted to dance, but they
didn't like the music so Hannah went to speak to the DJ. This music is awful,' she
said. 'Could you play something else?' The DJ looked at her and said, 'Don't worry, I
have the perfect song for you.'
(D) I Two hours later a police car arrived at Hannah's house. A policewoman
knocked at the door. 'Good evening, Madam,' she said. 'Are you Hannah Davis? I'd
like to speak to you. Can I come in?'
(E) One evening in October, Hannah was at work. As usual she was going to meet
Jamie at 5.30. It was dark and it was raining. She looked at her watch. It was 5.20!
She was going to be late! She ran to her car and got in. At 5.25 she was driving
along the High Street. She was going very fast because she was in a hurry.
(F) Two minutes later he said: 'The next song is by Coldplay. It's called Yellow and
it's for a beautiful girl who's dancing over there' Hannah knew that the song was for
her because she was wearing a yellow dress. When Hannah and her friends left the
club, the DJ was waiting at the door. 'Hi, I'm Jamie,' he said to Hannah. 'Can I see
you again?' So Hannah gave him her phone number.

1. ..........When did Hannah meet Jamie?

2. ..........Why did Hannah go and speak to Jamie in the club?
3. ..........Why did Jamie play Yellow7.
4. ..........What happened when Hannah left the club?
5. ..........Where did they go on their first date?
6. ..........Where did they go every evening?
7. ..........What was the weather like that evening?
8. ..........Why was Hannah driving fast?
9. ..........Why didn't she see the man?
10.
..........What did she do after the accident?
11.
..........Was Jamie at the coffee bar?
12.
..........What happened two hours later?
MIX

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the article and mark the sentences T (true), F (false), or DS (doesnt
say)
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS RESCUED BY TEXT MESSAGE

Two British climbers were rescued yesterday after sending an SOS text message to
a friend in London.
Rachel Kelsey, 34, and her partner, Jeremy Colenso, 33, who are both experienced
climbers, were on a climbing holiday last week in Switzerland. But on Saturday
night, when they were 3,000 metres up in the mountains, there was a terrible
storm. The wind was incredibly strong and the snow was two metres deep. They
couldn't move and they had to spend the night on the mountain. Rachel had her
mobile phone with her, so she sent a text message to five friends in the UK asking
for help.
About four hours later, one of her friends, Avery Cunliffe in London, replied with a
text message. Avery said, 'I don't usually have my mobile in the bedroom. At about
4 a.m. I woke up and saw Rachel's message. I found the number of the police in
Switzerland and phoned them. They contacted the mountain rescue team.'
But the weather was so bad that the helicopter couldn't get to the two climbers. The
rescue team sent a text message to Rachel and Jeremy telling them that they had
to spend a second night on the mountain. The message said: 'So sorry Rachel. We
tried. Wind too strong. Have to wait till morning. | Take care. Be strong.' Rachel said,
'I thought we were going to die. It was freezing, -15C, and really windy on the
mountain. We spent the night talking and planning a holiday in the sun!'
Next morning the storm passed and the helicopter arrived to take them off the
mountain. Avery said, 'When I heard that Rachel and Jeremy were safe I was
dancing around my flat.' Rachel said that she and Jeremy were now looking forward
to a hot bath and a good meal. But first they were going to buy the rescue team a
bottle of whisky!
(English File- Pre Int. Page 27)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Rachel and Jeremy were climbing for the first time.

They couldn't go down the mountain because of bad weather.
Avery was sleeping when Rachel's message came.
He called the mountain rescue team in Switzerland.
Rachel's other four friends didn't reply.

6. The helicopter couldn't rescue them immediately.

7. Rachel and Jeremy spent three nights on the mountain.
8. They wanted to buy Avery a bottle of whisky.

SIMPLE PAST PAST CONTINUOUS (PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Read the article once and mark the sentences T (true) or F (false).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

........Imagine was a hit three times.

........Yoko Ono helped to write Imagine.
........Ono wrote poems for John Lennon.
........Lennon never said that Yoko helped him with the song.
........Imagine was written in two places.
........John Lennon opened the new Liverpool Airport.

WHO WROTE IMAGINE?

Imagine, John Lennon's most famous song, was recently voted 'Britain's favourite
song of all time'. It's an idealistic song about peace and the hope for a better world.
Imagine all the people living life in peace.' The song was a big hit in 1971, and again
in 1980 when Lennon was murdered in New York. It became a hit for a third time
after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001.
But who really wrote the song? Until recently the answer to this question was
always John Lennon. But on a TV programme this week Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono,
spoke for the first time about how she, in fact, helped to write the song.
Ono said that the idea and inspiration for Imagine came from some of her poems
that John Lennon was reading at that time. The poems began with the word
'Imagine': 'Imagine a raindrop, Imagine a goldfish.' Ono said, 'When I was a child in
Japan during the Second World War my brother and I were terribly hungry. I
imagined delicious menus for him and he began to smile. If you think something is
impossible, you can imagine it and make it happen.'
In an interview just before he died, Lennon admitted that Yoko deserved credit for
Imagine. He said, 'A lot of it - the lyrics and the concept - came from her, from her
book of poems, imagine this, imagine that.' Lennon said that he was 'too macho' to
share the credit with her at the time.
Ono said that some of the song was written when they were flying across the
Atlantic and the rest was written on the piano in their bedroom at their home in
England. Ono said, The song speaks about John's dream for the world. It was
something he really wanted to say.' Imagine became a popular song for peace
activists everywhere.
In March 2002 the airport in his home town of Liverpool was re-named John Lennon
Airport. A sign above the main entrance has a line from Imagine: 'Above us only
sky'.
(English File- Pre Int. Page 21)
SIMPLE PAST regular/irregular verbs

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)
Complete the sentences with Tim, Gabriela, or Kelly.
1. .............. wanted to go somewhere hot.
2. .............. wanted to go somewhere cool.
3. .............. had great food.

4. .............. wanted to forget somebody.

5. .............. had problems sleeping.
6. .............. wanted to go on holiday with different people.

IN THE RIGHT PLACE... BUT AT THE WRONG TIME!

Tim, 20, student from Manchester
When I was a teenager I went on holiday with my parents to Brittany in France. My
parents rented a lovely house on the beach, and the weather was great. But I was
17, and I didn't want to be on holiday with my mum and dad and my little brother. I
wanted to be with my friends. We went to the beach every day and sunbathed and
we went to a fantastic seafood restaurant for my birthday. But I was miserable and I
hated every minute of it. I didn't smile once in two weeks. What really made me
furious was that my parents let my older sister, who was 19, go to
Gabriela, 28, marketing manager from Rome
I'm from Rome and the summer here is really hot. So last year my husband and I
decided to go to Sweden, to escape from the heat. We booked a 10-day holiday in
Stockholm, where the temperature in the summer is normally about 20 degrees. But
when we got to Stockholm there was a heatwave and it was 35 degrees every day.
It was awful because there was no air-conditioning anywhere. We couldn't sleep at
night - it was boiling in the hotel, and in the shops and museums too. We didn't
want to go shopping or go sightseeing or do anything - we were too hot. We just sat
in cafes and argued all day. We didn't need to go to Sweden to do that!
Kelly, 26, TV journalist from Belfast
Three years ago I broke up with my boyfriend and I decided to go on holiday on my
own to the Seychelles. My travel agent told me that it was a wonderful place. But he
didn't tell me that it was also a very popular place for people on their honeymoon.
Everywhere I looked I saw couples holding hands and looking romantically into each
other's eyes! The travel agent also said it was always sunny there - but the weather
was terrible - it was cloudy and very windy. To pass the time I decided to do a diving
course (one of my lifetime ambitions). But it was a complete disaster because the
first time I went under the water I had a panic attack. I couldn't escape from the
island so l spent an incredibly boring (and expensive) two weeks in 'paradise'.
(English File- Pre Int. Page 16)
1.______________________________________________________________________________.
2.______________________________________________________________________________.
3.______________________________________________________________________________.
4.______________________________________________________________________________.
QUANTIFIERS too not enough

(PRE-INTERMEDIATE)

HOW OLD is YOUR BODY

How old are you? How old is your body? The answer to these two questions isn't
always the same. Our body age can be much younger or much older than our

calendar age (even eighteen years different!). We can now calculate our body age
by answering questions about the way we live. If our body age is older than our
calendar age, we should change our lifestyle.
EXERCISE
I know I'm too fat because don't do enough exercise. I spend too much time sitting
in studios. All I do is play squash, but I don't play very often - about once a month. I
would go to a gym if I had more time.
I eat quite a lot of fresh food and a lot of fruit, but I probably eat too much meat. My
girlfriend says I don't drink enough water. I drink a little alcohol - just a glass of red
wine with my dinner. But I don't drink any beer. I drink a lot of coffee. It goes with
the job.
LIFESTYLE
Like everybody I'm too busy! There aren't enough hours in the day. I love my job but
I work too much (sometimes I spend 14 hours a day in the studio - that's too many),
I often feel a bit tense and irritable. I smoke a few cigarettes when I go out, but I'm
not a regular smoker. I only wear sunscreen when I go to the beach. My skin is quite
dark so I don't think it's a problem.
PERSONALITY
I'm quite pessimistic. I always think that things will go wrong - and they usually do,
especially at work.
SOCIAL LIFE
I don't have much free time but I have a few close friends and I try to see them
regularly. If I'm too busy then I phone them.
DOCTOR'S VERDICT:
Tariq should do more exercise, for example he could walk to work. This would help
him to control his stress. His diet is quite healthy but he should drink more water
and less coffee. He must give up smoking. Although his skin is quite dark he should
wear sunscreen all year round, even in winter. And he should try to be more
positive.
Read the introduction to the article and answer the questions.
1. Is our body age the same as our calendar age?
2. How can we calculate our body age?
3. What should we do if our body age is older than our calendar age?

SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE PARK

Dear Fatima,
It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting in the park now under a big, old tree.
I'm taking a break from my studies to write you this letter. I'm watching Americans and
their strange behaviors. I want to describe some of these behaviors to you. I want to
know what you think of them.
I'm sitting in the shade, but most of the people are sitting in the sun.
A lot of people are wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts. They're trying to get a
suntan. Don't they know that the sun is bad for the skin?
Most of the people are sitting alone. Some of them are reading magazines. One
woman is talking on her cell phone. A man is playing Frisbee with his dog. He's throwing
it to the dog, and the dog is running to catch it. Why isn't he playing with a friend? Why
is he playing with a dog? Another woman is working on a computer. Why isn't she
relaxing? Some people are listening to a personal stereo. I don't think they're having
fun. Some people have a big boom box. They're playing their music loud and bothering
other people.
Most of the people in the park are young, but I see a few elderly people too. Two elderly
men are playing tennis. Another elderly man is jogging. They seem to be in very good
health. But I also see an elderly woman in a wheelchair. A young woman is pushing the
wheelchair, but I don't think it's her daughter. Don't American children spend time with
their parents when they are old and sick?
I'm learning a lot about American customs. In fact, I'm keeping a diary and writing my
observations.
Please write to me soon and let me know what is happening back home.
Your friend,
Sarah PAGE 38
THE GRAYING OF AMERICA
The overall population of the U.S. is growing slowly. At the end of the twentieth century,
the American population was 273 million. By the middle of this century, it is going to be
394 million. Even though this is not a big growth, one group is growing very fastthe
elderly (65 years old and over). There are two reasons for this sudden rise in the
number of older Americans. First, life expectancy is increasing. In 1900, when the life
expectancy was 47, 1 in 25 Americans was elderly. In 1990, with a life expectancy of 79
for women and 73 for men, 1 in 8 was elderly.
The second reason for this growth is the aging of the "Baby Boomers." In the 18 years
after World War II, from 1946 to 1964, a large number of babies were born75 million.
The people born during this period, known as the Baby Boomers, are now middle aged
and will soon be elderly. The average age of the population is going to increase as the
Baby Boomers get older and live longer. The median age of Americans in 1970 was 28;
in 1995 it was 35.8. By 2050, it will be 40.3. In the middle of the twenty-first century, 1
in 5 Americans will be elderly.
What does this mean for America? First, more and more middle-aged people are going
to have the responsibility of taking care of parents and other older relatives. They will

become the "sandwich" generation, taking care of their parents as well as their
children. For taxpayers, this means that they are going to pay more as one-fifth of the
population uses one half of the resources.
It will be interesting to see how America will handle these changes.PAGE54
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR
Today all people in the United States have equal rights under the law. But this was not
always the case, especially for African-Americans.2 Even though slavery in the U.S.
ended in 1865, blacks continued to suffer inferior treatment. The government did little
to improve the lives of African Americans.
Life for black people was especially hard in the South. Many businesses there used to
have signs in their windows that said: "Blacks Not Allowed." Public restrooms used to
have signs that said: "Whites Only." Black children had to go to separate, and often
inferior, schools. Buses used to reserve the front seats for white people. African
Americans had to stand or sit in the back of the bus. Martin Luther King, Jr., a black
minister living in Montgomery, Alabama, wanted to put an end to discrimination.3
One evening in December of 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old African American woman,
got on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, to go home from work. She was tired when she
sat down. When some white people got on the crowded bus, the bus driver ordered Ms.
Parks to stand up. Ms. Parks refused to leave her seat. The bus driver called the police
and they came and arrested Ms. Parks.
When Martin Luther King, Jr., heard about her arrest, he told African Americans in
Montgomery to boycott the bus company. People who used to ride the bus to work
decided to walk instead. One year later, as a result of the boycott, the Supreme Court
outlawed discrimination on public transportation.
During his life, King organized many more peaceful protests. He was in jail many times
because of his activities, but this did not stop him. In 1963, he led a peaceful
demonstration in Washington, D.C., where he gave his most famous speech. He said, "I
have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not
be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
In 1964, Congress passed a new law that officially gave equality to all Americans. This
law made discrimination in employment and education illegal. King won the Nobel
Peace Prize4 for his work in creating a better world.
In 1968, King went to Memphis, Tennessee, to support striking city workers. A great
tragedy occurred there. King was shot and killed. He was only 39 years old.
In 1983, Martin Luther King's birthday (January 15) became a national holiday. PAGE 77

DISCRIMINATION AND SEGREGATION

Segregation, or separation of the races, used to be part of American life. Many hotels,
schools, and restaurants used to be for whites only. And many professions used to be
limited to whites. One example of this was in major league baseball. African-Americans,
unable to join the major leagues, used to have a separate league. That finally changed
in 1947, when the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers saw African-American Jackie
Robinson play baseball and invited him to join his team. Even though Robinson was a
great player, he suffered insults and even death threats.
Another profession where African-Americans suffered discrimination was in acting. They
appeared in movies and on TV, but they used to play servants and slaves. Their
characters were often lazy, stupid, or superstitious. In 1984, The Cosby Show, starring
Bill Cosby, changed the image of African-Americans on TV. This popular show was about
an upper-middle-class African-American family.

Another area where African-Americans suffered discrimination was in music. Marian

Anderson, a talented opera star, performed all over the U.S. and Europe. But in 1939,
when a concert hall in Washington, D.C., found out that their performer was going to be
a black woman, the performance was canceled.
Even though laws today prohibit discrimination, many African-Americans still feel it in
their everyday life. Marian Anderson [1902-1993) PAGE 90
AN AMERICAN WEDDING
bride
bouquet
groom
Many American young couples consider their wedding to be one of the most important
days of their life. They save for it and often spend a year planning for it: finding a
place, selecting a menu, buying a wedding dress, ordering invitations and sending them
to friends and relatives, choosing bridesmaids and ushers, selecting musicians, and
much more.
When the day arrives, the groom doesn't usually see the bride before the wedding. It is
considered bad luck for him to see her ahead of time. The guests wait with excitement
to see her too. When the wedding begins, the groom enters first. Then the
bridesmaids and ushers enter. When the bride finally enters, everyone turns around to
look at her. Often the bride's father or both her parents walk her down the aisle to the
groom's side.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom promise to love and respect each other for
the rest of their lives. They answer questions about love and respect by saying "I do."
The groom's "best man" holds the rings for them until they are ready to place them on
each other's fingers. At the end of the ceremony, the groom lifts the bride's veil and
kisses her.
There is a party after the ceremony. People make toasts, eat dinner, and dance. The
bride and groom usually dance the first dance alone. Then guests join them.
Before the bride and groom leave the party, the bride throws her bouquet over her
head, and the single women try to catch it. It is believed that the woman who catches it
will be the next one to get married.
The newlyweds1 usually take a trip, called a honeymoon, immediately after the
wedding. PAGE: 102
HIS STORY/HER STORY
Frank and Sylvia are like many American couples. They have problems balancing their
relationship, their children, their careers, their families, and other responsibilities. Read
each one's story.
Sylvia's story:
Now that I'm married, I don't have time for myself anymore. We used to spend time
with each other. Now that we have kids, we never have time
for ourselves. We both work, but Frank doesn't help me with housework or with the kids.
I have to do everything all by myself. My husband only thinks of himself. When he wants
something, like a new CD player or new software, he buys it. He never buys me flowers
or other presents anymore. I tell myself that he still loves me, but sometimes I'm not so
sure. Sometimes I think the problem is his fault, but sometimes I blame myself.
Frank's story:
Sylvia never has time for me anymore. We used to do things together. Now I have to do
everything myself. If I want to go to a movie, she says that she's too busy or too tired or
that the kids are sick. I rarely go to the movies, and if I do, I go by myself. It seems that
all I do is work and pay bills. Other married people seem to enjoy themselves more than
we do. She says she wants me to help her with the housework, but she really prefers to
do everything herself because she doesn't like the way I do things. She wants us to see

a marriage counselor, but I don't like to tell other people about my problems. I like to
solve my problems myself. (PAGE 118)
PILGRIMS, AMERICAN INDIANS,1 AND THANKSGIVING
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. At this time,
they get together with family and friends, eat a traditional big meal, and give thanks for
all the good things in their lives. What is the origin of this special day?
In 1620, a group of 120 men, women, and children left England for America on a ship
called the Mayflower. They came to America in search of religious freedom. They started
their new life in a deserted2 Indian village in what is now the state of Massachusetts.
But half of the Pilgrims did not survive their first cold, hard winter. In the spring, two
American Indians found the people from England in very bad condition. They didn't
have enough food, and they were in bad health. Squanto, an English speaking American
Indian, stayed with them for several months and taught them how to survive in this new
place. He brought them deer meat and animal skins; he showed them how to grow corn
and other vegetables; he showed them how to use plants as medicine; he explained
how to use fish for fertilizer3he taught them many skills for survival in their new land.
By the time their second fall arrived, the Pilgrims had enough food to get through their
second winter. They were in better health. They decided to have a thanksgiving feast4
to celebrate their good fortune. They invited Squanto and neighboring Indian families of
the Wampanoag tribe to come to their dinner. The Pilgrims were surprised when 90
Indians showed up. The Pilgrims did not have enough food for so many people.
Fortunately, the Indian chief sent some of his people to bring food to the celebration.
They brought five deer, fish, heans, squash, corn hread, berries, and many wild turkeys.
The feast lasted for three days. There was a short time of peace and friendship between
the Indians and the Pilgrims.
Now on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., we eat some of the traditional foods, such as
turkey, sweet potatoes, and cranberries, that the Indians shared with the Pilgrims.
The natives of America are called American Indians, Indians, or Native Americans. ;
Deserted means empty of people.
! We put fertilizer in the earth to help plants grow. Fertilizer is made of natural things. 1
A. feast is a large dinner.
TAKING THE LAND FROM THE NATIVE AMERICANS
Before the arrival of Europeans, there were between 10 and 16 million Native
Americans in America. Today there are fewer than 2 million. What happened to these
natives of America?
The friendship between the Indians and Europeans did not last for long. As more English
people came to America, they did not need the help of the Indians, as the first group of
Pilgrims did. The white people started to take the land away from the Indians. As
Indians fought to keep their land, many of them were killed. Also, there were many
deaths from diseases that Europeans brought to America. In 1830, President Andrew
Jackson took the Indians' lands and sent them to live on reservations. Indian children
had to learn English. Often they were punished for speaking their own language. As a
result, there are very few Indians today who speak the language of their ancestors.6
Today there are about 500 tribes in the U.S., each with its own traditions. There are
about 300 reservations, but only 22 percent of American Indians live on this land. There
is a lot of unemployment and poverty on many reservations. As a result, many Indians
move to big cities to find work. Many return to their reservations only for special
celebrations such as Pow-Wows, when Indians wear their traditional clothing and dance
to traditional music.
'Ancestors are grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.
EXERCISE, DIET, AND WEIGHT

Americans are concerned about their weight. Everyone knows that it's important to eat
well and exercise regularly. We see beautiful, thin fashion models and want to look like
them. We see commercials for exercise machines showing fit, thin people exercising.
Health clubs are full of people trying to get in shape. Sales of diet colas and low-calorie
foods indicate that Americans want to be thin. However, 50 percent of Americans
are overweight. Why is this so?
First, today's lifestyle does not include enough physical activity. When the U.S. was an
agricultural society, farmers ate a big, heavy meal, but they burned off the calories by
doing hard physical labor. Today, most people don't get enough exercise. Instead of
walking, Americans drive almost everywhere, even when the trip is close to home.
When people get home from work, they're usually too tired to exercise regularly. After
dinner, they just watch TV. They have no chance to burn off calories.
Another reason why Americans don't lose weight is that they eat poorly. They are
influenced by commercials and ads for fatty foods, soft drinks, candy, and sugary
cereals that look good. Even though most people know that these foods aren't healthy,
many don't have enough time to eat a well-balanced diet. It's easy to stop at a fast-food
restaurant to pick up a greasy burger and fries. These foods are high in fat,
carbohydrates, sodium, and calories. People eat them quickly and in large quantities
triple burgers, extra-large colas, large orders of fries.
Eating a high-fat diet and not getting enough exercise will result in heart disease for
many people.
OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN
In the United States, at least one in five children is overweight. Over the past 20 years,
this number has increased by more than 50 percent. Why are so many children
overweight?
First, many children don't get enough physical exercise. Only one-third of children who
live within a mile of their school walk to school. When children get home from school,
they spend too much time watching TV and playing video games. The average
American child spends 24 hours a week watching TV. In addition, many children have
unhealthy eating habits. Children eat too much food that is high in calories and fat.
Eight percent of the calories children take in are from sodas.
Genetics is also a factor. Children with overweight parents may be at risk for becoming
overweight. However, if families develop good eating and exercise habits early, they
can prevent their children from becoming overweight.
ELLIS ISLAND
For many years, Ellis Island, an island in New York harbor, was the main door through
which millions of immigrants entered the United States. From the time it opened in
1892 until the time it closed in 1924, the U.S. Bureau of Immigration used Ellis Island to
receive and process new arrivals. During this time, 12 million foreigners passed through
this door with the hope of becoming Americans. They came from Italy, Poland, Russia,
Germany, China, and many other countries. Sometimes more than 10,000 people
passed through the registry room in one 24-hour period. New arrivals often waited for
many hours while inspectors checked to see if they met legal and medical standards.
Most did not speak English, and they were tired, hungry, and confused. Two percent
(250,000 people) did not meet the requirements to enter the U.S. and had to return to
their countries.
After Congress passed an immigration law that limited the number and nationality of
new immigrants, immigration slowed down and Ellis Island was closed as an
immigration processing center. It remained abandoned until 1965, when President
Lyndon Johnson decided to restore it as a monument. Restoration of Ellis Island was
finished by 1990. Now visitors to this monument can see the building as it looked from

1918 to 1920. In addition, they can see a wall with the names of many of those who
passed through on their way to becoming American citizens.
Albert Einstein
Of the many immigrants who came to the U.S., one will always be remembered
throughout the world: Albert Einstein. Einstein changed our understanding of the
universe. When people think of the word "genius," Einstein's name often comes to
mind. However, in Einstein's early years, he was not successful in school or at finding a
job.
Einstein was born in Germany in 1879 of Jewish parents. He loved math and physics,
but he disliked the discipline of formal German schooling. Because of his poor memory
for words, his teachers believed that he was a slow learner. Einstein left school before
receiving his diploma and tried to pass the exam to enter the Swiss Polytechnic
Institute, but he failed on his first attempt. On his second attempt, he passed. He
graduated in 1900. He was planning to become a teacher of physics and math, but he
could not find a job in this field. Instead, he went to work in a patent office as a third
class technical expert from 1902 to 1909. While he was working at this job,he wrote in
his spare time. In 1905, when he was only 26 years old, he published three papers that
explained the basic structure of the universe. His theory of relativity explained the
relationship of space and time. Einstein was finally respected for his brilliant discovery.
He returned to Germany to accept a research position at the University of Berlin.
However, in 1920, while he was lecturing at the university, anti-Jewish groups often
interrupted his lectures, saying they were "un-German."
In 1920, Einstein visited the United States for the first time. During his visits, he talked
not only about his scientific theories, but also about world peace. While he was visiting
the U.S. again in 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. They took his property,
burned his books, and removed him from his university job. The U.S. offered Einstein a
home. In 1935, he became a permanent resident of the U.S., and in 1940, he became a
citizen. He received many offers of jobs from all over the world, but he decided to
accept a position at Princeton University in New Jersey. He lived and worked there until
he died in 1955.
Overview of Modals and Related Expressions
List of Modals
Facts About Modals
can
could
should
will
would
may
might
must
1. The base form follows a modal. Never use an infinitive after a modal.
You must pay your rent. (NOT: You must to pay your rent.)
2. Modals never have an -s, -ed, or -ing ending.
He can go. (Not: He cans go.)
3. To form the negative, put not after the modal.
You should not leave now.
4. You can make a negative contraction with some modals.
can't couldn't shouldn't won't wouldn't mustn't
Don't make a contraction for may not or might not.
5. Some verbs are like modals in meaning: have to, be able to, be supposed to, be
permitted to, be allowed to, had better.

He must sign the lease. = He has to sign the lease.

I must pay my rent by the first of the month. I'm supposed to pay my rent by the first
of the month.
He can pay the rent. = He is able to pay the rent.
Before You Read 1.
Do you live in an apartment? Do you have a lease? Did you
understand
the lease when you signed it? 2. Do renters in your hometown usually have to sign a
lease?
Read the following article. Pay special attention to modals and related expressions.
An Apartment Lease
When people rent an apartment, they often have to sign a lease. A lease is an
agreement between the owner (landlord1) and the renter (tenant). A lease states the
period of time of the rental, the amount of the rent, and Did you know...?
rules the
renter must follow. Some leases contain the following rules:
In the U.S.; renters pay about 26 percent of their income on rent.
Renters must not have a waterbed.
Renters must not have a pet.
Renters must not change the locks without the owner's permission.
Renters must pay a security deposit.
1 A landlord is a man. A landlady is a woman.
210
Lesson Eight
The renter does not have to agree to all the terms of the lease. He can ask for changes
before he signs. A pet owner, for example, can ask for permission to have a pet by
offering to pay a higher security deposit.
Owners also have to follow rules. They must provide heat during the winter months. In
most cities, they must put a smoke detector in each apartment and in the halls.
Many owners ask the renter to pay a security deposit, in case there are damages. When
the renter moves out, the owner is supposed to return the deposit plus interest if the
apartment is in good condition. If there is damage, the owner can use part or all of the
money to repair the damage. However, he may not keep the renter's money for normal
wear and tear (the normal use of the apartment).
When the lease is up, the owner can offer the renter a new lease or he can ask the
renter to leave. The owner is supposed to give the renter notice (usually at least 30
days) if he wants the renter to leave.
An owner can't refuse to rent to a person because of sex, race, religion, nationality, or
disability.
FINDING A JOB
Finding a job in the United States takes specific skills. The following advice will help you
find a job.

Write a good resume. Describe your accomplishments.2 Avoid including

unnecessary information. Your resume should be one page, if possible.

Find out about available jobs. One way is by looking in the newspaper or on the
Internet. Another way is by networking. Networking means exchanging information with
anyone you knowfamily, friends, neighbors, classmates, former coworkers,
professional groupswho might know of a job. These people might also be able to give
you insider information about a company, such as who is in charge and what it is like to
work at their company. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, 94 percent of
people who succeed in finding a job say that networking was a big help.

Practice the interview. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed you will feel. If
you are worried about saying or doing the wrong thing, practice will help.


Learn something about the company. You can find information by going to the
library and looking in directories or finding the company's Web site. Finding information
takes time, but it pays off.
3 Accomplishments are the unusual good things you have done, such as awards you
have won or projects you have successfully managed.
211
You can get help in these skillswriting a resume, networking, preparing for an
interview, researching a companyby seeing a career counselor. Most high schools and
colleges have one who can help you get started.
Finding a job is one of the most difficult jobs. Some people send out hundreds of
resumes and go on dozens of interviews before finding a job. And it isn't something you
do just once or twice in your lifetime. For most Americans, changing jobs many times in
a lifetime is not uncommon.
Alexander's Story
I've been in the U.S. for two years. I used to study British English, so I had a hard time
understanding Americans at first, Without good English skills, I couldn't find a job in my
field. Now my English is much better. I'm used to speaking English every day in my job,
with my neighbors, and even with my children. My children used to speak Ukrainian
with me all the time when we first arrived, but now that they're in school, they're used
to hearing and speaking English all the time. They also learned English from watching
American TV. They're beginning to forget Ukrainian. When I ask them a question in
Ukrainian, they answer me in English. It's no problem for me, but my parents don't
speak English, and they can't get used to having so little communication with their
grandchildren.
I used to be an engineer in Ukraine. But for the past two years in the U.S., I've been
working as a taxi driver. Now that I know enough English, I'm ready to find a job in my
field. However, it's been difficult for two reasons. First, I'm not using to selling myself at
a job interview. In fact, it's uncomfortable for me to say how wonderful I am to a
stranger. But my job counselor told me that I have to get used to it because that's what
Americans do. Second, in my country, I used to draw by hand. In the U.S., everything is
done by computer. I'm not used to using a computer. To improve my skills, I've been
taking courses in Computer Aided Design (CAD). My children, however, have grown up
with computers, so they're used to them and love them.
It has been hard to get used to so many new things, but little by little we're doing it.
Senior Singles
Florence Lustig
When most of us think of single people, we think of young adults. However, many
people who are looking for romance and marriage are seniors. Many people over 65 are
singleeither because of divorce or death of a spouse.
Florence Lustig, a 72-year-old resident of Florida whose husband died six years ago,
wanted to meet other singles her age. She looked at singles ads in newspapers, but was
discouraged; most of the ads were written by young people. Sometimes she saw an ad
for someone her age and answered the ad, but she found she didn't have much in
common with the men whose ads she answered. She wanted to meet people whose age
and interests were similar to her own. She looked for groups to join, but couldn't find
any that were right for her. So she started her own club. She placed an ad in the local
newspapers to look for other senior singles who shared some of her interests, and soon
seniors were contacting her. Her group, which she named "Senior Singles, Mix and
Mingle," plans all kinds of activities: the members go to concerts, take walks, go to
museums, invite speakers.
But it will be hard for Florence to find a husband. Because the life expectancy for
women is much higher than it is for men (79 for women, 73 for men), most of the

people in her group are widows, women whose husbands have died. While Florence
would like to get married again, she's happy to make new friends so that she doesn't
have to go places alone.

5 FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDADJECTIVE OR ADVERB.
Last week I had my first job interview in the U.S. I wanted to do
________;________A_______________friend of mine told me about a
(good)
(1 good)
resume service. He told me that this service helps you prepare your resume
________________I wanted my resume to look________________I never
(2 careful)
(3 professional)
wrote a resume before, so I used this service. I wanted to have a _______________resume.
(4 perfect)
A few days before the interview, I worked very_______________to
(5 hard)
prepare answers to possible questions. The night before the interview, I chose my
clothes____________________and ironed them. I wanted to appear
(6 careful)
.. My friend told me that it's best to look
(7 neat)
(8 conservative)
so I chose my dark-blue suit. I went to bed_______________________, as
(9 early)
_, but I didn't sleep_________________because I was
(10 usual)
(11 good)
(12 extreme/nervous)
The interview was _ because I had trouble answering
(13 difficult)
many of the questions. The interviewer was _ , but she didn't
riendly)
speak __ I couldn't understand her pronunciation. I could
(15 clear)
_ understand some of the questions.
(16 hard)
I probably won't get this job. But it was_______________practice to
(17 good)
have this interview. It prepared me_______________for the next interview.
EXERCISE 6 A WOMAN WROTE A STORY ABOUT THE MAJOR EVENTS IN HER LIFE. FILL IN THE BLANKS
WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN PARENTHESES
My name is Irina Katz. I____w&e ^orn____________in 1938 in the former Soviet
(born)
Union in a small Ukrainian town. I________________- there until 1941. In
(1 live)
1939 World War II____________________________.. In 1941 the German army
(2 start)
my country, and my father________________into the
(3 invade)
(4 go)
army. My family__________________to leave our city. We
(5 have)
to Uzbekistan. After the war_______________, my family
(7 end)
to Ukraine, to the city of Lvov. My father________________back from the
(9 come)
army as a disabled soldier. In 1989 we_______________permission to leave
(10 get)
our country.

(6 go)
(8 return)

There__________________a few circumstances that_________________

(11 be)

(12 lead)

to our decision to leave our country. First, we_______________that we

(13 think)
would have more opportunities in the U.S. My family is Jewish and we
discrimination. Second, we ____________________________________ to get
(74 suffer)
(15 want)
away from a bad political situation. It________________not easy to make
(16 be)
this decision. My father___________________________to leave because he
(17 not/want)
sick. However, my married daughter
(18 be)
(19 move)
to the U.S. with her family in 1987. I________________her very much. In
(20 miss)
1988 my father_________________, and then we _________________that
(21 die)
(22 realize)

we
no reason to stay. However, it
very PAGE 85
EXERCISE 15 USE A LOT OF, TOO MUCH, OR TOO MANY TO FILL IN THE BLANKS IN THE
STORY BELOW. IN SOME CASES, MORE THAN ONE ANSWER IS POSSIBLE.
My name is Coleen Finn. I'm a Ho-chunk Indian. My tribal land is in Wisconsin. But I live in
Chicago because there is_______________unemployment on my tribal land, and I can't find a
good job there. There
Coleen Finn
are
(1)
opportunities in Chicago, and I found a job as a
secretary in the English Department at Truman College. I like my job very much. I
have_______________responsibilities and I love the challenge.
(2)
I like Chicago, but I miss my land, where I still have .___(3) relatives and friends. I often go back to visit them whenever I get tired of
life in Chicago. My friends and I have_______________fun together, talking,
W
cooking our native food, walking in nature, and attending Indian ceremonies, such as PowWows. I need to get away from Chicago once in a while to feel
closer to nature. Even though there are_______________nice things about
(5)
cars and trucks in the big city and
Chicago, there are there is________
(6)
(7)

pollution. A weekend with my tribe gives me time to relax and smell fresh air. (141

)
READ THIS COMPOSITION BY AN AMERICAN INDIAN. CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORDS TO
COMPLETE THE COMPOSITION.
My name is Joseph Falling Snow. I'm (an, @, any) Native American from a Sioux9 reservation
in South Dakota. I don't live in South Dakota anymore because I couldn't find (a, any, no)

job. There's (a little, a few, very little, very few) work on my reservation. There's (much, a
lot of, many} poverty. My uncle gave me (a, an, some, any} good advice. He told me to go
to Minneapolis to find (a, an, some} job. Minneapolis is a big city, so there are (much,
many, any} job opportunities here. It was easy for me to find a job as a carpenter. I had
(no, not, any} trouble finding a job because I have (a lot of, many, much} experience.
My native language is Lakota, but I know (any, a few, very few} words in my language. Most
of the people on my reservation speak English. (A few, Any, A little} older people still speak
Lakota, but the language is dying out as the older people die.

(A few, A little, Few, Little) times a year, I go back to the reservation for a Pow-Wow. We
wear our native costumes and dance our native dances. It gets very crowded at these
times because (much, any, a lot of) people from our reservation and nearby reservations
attend this celebration. We have (much, many, a lot of) fun.
FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE SIMPLE PRESENT, THE SIMPLE PAST, THE PRESENT
PERFECT, OR THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS FORM OF THE VERB IN
PARENTHESES ().
Paragraph 1
I__________the Internet every day. I______________it for three years.
(1 use)
(2 use)
to use it when I______________interested in genealogy.
(3 start)
(4 become)
I___________on my family tree for three years. Last month, I___________
(5 work)
(6 find)
information about my father's ancestors. My grandfather__________with us
(7 live)
now and likes to tell us about his past. He______________born in Italy, but
(8 be)
he__________here when he was very young, so he____________________
(9 come)
(10 live)
here most of his life. He doesn't remember much about Italy. I
___any information about my mother's ancestors yet.
(11 not/find)
Present Perfect; Present Perfect Continuous
275
_________ to the U.S. when a war______________out in my country.
(1 come)
(2 break)
I____________in the U.S. for five years. At first, everything___________very
(3 live)
(4 be)
hard for me. I_____________________any English when I
(5 not/know)
(6 arrive)
But I_________________English for the past five years, and now I
(7 sludy)
(8 speak)
it pretty well. I_________________________my college education yet, but I
(9 not/start)
plan to next semester.