Profesorado de Inglés

Tecnicatura Superior en Traducción de Inglés

Prácticas Discursivas I
Lengua Inglesa I

Unit 1:
RELATIONSHIPS
https://pngtree.com/freepng/workplace-character-
relationship-business-icon_4067164.html

Prof. Trad. Esp. Evangelina Aguirre Sotelo.

Prof. Melina Tejeda.
Prof. Trad. Jazmín Guzmán

HANDOUT OF LANGUAGE PRACTICE 2025

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Index 3
Lifestyles 4
Describing people 21
Relationships 41
Friendship 51
Love Relationships 58
Social Media and Relationships 66
Short Story “Manhood” by John Waine 71
Consulted Bibliography 73
Extra Practice 74
Mock Exam 87

Advanced Organizer:

In this unit you will learn and practice about…

✔ people’s lifestyles
✔ relationships
✔ present tenses
✔ past tenses
✔ description of people
✔ short story analysis

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 LIFESTYLES
Warm up

SPEAKING PRACTICE

1. Look at the following photos. What kind of lifestyle (occupation, free-time

activities) do these people have? Use these words to help you express your
ideas. Justify your choices:

Exciting – energetic – dangerous – active – busy – peaceful – relaxing – tiring – creative -

boring – interesting – stressful

Listening Practice

1. Listen to Kelly and Matt. Complete the following table:

From Occupation Free-time

Kelly

Matt

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 2. Now describe Kelly’s and Matt’s lifestyle with your own words. What about
yours? What kind of lifestyle do you have?

Reading Comprehension

1. Answer the following questions:

What is an eco-camp? What kind of lifestyle do people in an eco-camp have?

2. Now read the following interview with an eco-protester. Answer the following
questions. Give reasons:

a) Do you agree with the eco-protester?

b) Would you like to live in an eco-camp?
c) How is your life different from the life of the eco-protesters?

I'm in the eco-protesters’ camp in Burnham Wood. It's starting to rain. Most of the
protesters aren't working; they're sitting around a wood fire. Danny, the leader of the
protest, is cutting some wood but he agrees to answer some questions.

What are you doing here in the wood? Well, we're not on holiday! We belong to a protest
group and this is the camp's second year. The council want to build luxury houses here and
we're trying to stop them. This wood is a thousand years old and it has important wildlife.

Do you like life in the camp? It's not easy. But we like it because we're close to nature.
We get up early and we're always busy. We do the 'housework' and different jobs in the
camp. We sleep in the treehouses.

Are you getting ready for the winter? Yes, at the moment I'm building a new treehouse.
It's getting cold at night up in the trees and I hate that!

What do you do when you're not working? In the evenings, we have our big meal. We don't
watch TV, of course. We prefer playing music and talking anyway. We don't go to bed late.

What do you eat? We're vegetarians - we don't eat fish or meat. Every day, someone goes
to get fruit and vegetables from outside the supermarkets in the town. At the end of the
day, they throw away perfectly good food. It doesn't look very nice but it tastes fine!

Do you ever leave the camp? I don't go out often. Occasionally, I go to a friend's house in
the town and have a hot shower and wash my hair. I love that!

What do the local people think? Most of them agree with us and they bring us food and
clothes. They want to keep this wood, too!
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3. Complete the following sentences about the eco-protesters using the Present
Simple and the Present Continuous and verbs from the text.

Present Simple
a) Danny ________ an ecologist and he _____________ to a protest group.
b) They ___________________ a big meal in the evenings.
c) _________ Danny eat meat? No, _______ _______
d) _________ they like living in the camp? Yes, they ______.
e) Danny _________ go to bed late.
f) In the evenings, they _________ watch TV! They ______________ playing music and
talking.

Present Continuous
a) At the moment, Danny ______________ a new treehouse.
b) Most of the protesters _________________. They _______________around a fire
now.
c) ______ it _______ cold at night up in the trees? Yes, it _______
d) ______ they _______ ready for the summer? No, they ______
e) Danny, the leader of the protest, _____________ questions.

4. Match the sentences (1, 2) to the rules (a, b). Find more examples in the text for
each use:

1. We sleep in the treehouse

2. We like it because we’re close to nature

The Present Simple describes:

a) An activity we do regularly (e.g. every day)

b) A present state, a feeling or an opinion

5. Find sentences 1 and 2 below in the text. What tense is used? Which meaning,
a or b, is correct?

1. He is cutting some wood.

a) He has an axe in his hand right now.
b) He cuts wood a lot.

2. At the moment, I’m building a new treehouse.

a) I’m busy with the treehouse right now, while we’re talking.
b) I’m busy with the treehouse most days this month.

The Present Continuous describes:

a) An activity happening now, at the time of speaking

b) An activity happening for a limited period of time but not necessarily now.

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 USE OF ENGLISH

1. Look at the pairs of sentences below. Decide which of the two people (in
brackets) could say each of the sentences:

1 a) “I don’t watch TV.” b) “I’m not watching TV.”

(a student busy with homework / Danny the eco-protester)

2 a) “I’m working at a restaurant.” b) “I work at a restaurant.”

(a waiter / a student on a holiday job)

3 a) “I travel a lot.” b) “I’m travelling a lot.”

(a student on a gap year / an airline pilot)

2. Complete the dialogue. Put the verb in brackets into the Present Continuous or
the Present Simple:

Sue: Could you turn the TV down? I _____________ (try) to read my book.
Tom: OK. What ________________ (you / read)?
Sue: It’s about a journalist. She ______________ (work) for the BBC. I’m at the part in the book
where she _____________ (interview) people about the Mafia.
Tom: That’s interesting. Who _____________ (she / interview)?
Sue: She _____________ (talk) to a man who has got lots of information about Mafia families. She
_______________ (not like) him very much but …
Tom: Sorry, can you smell anything? ____________ (something / burn)?
Sue: No, it’s just the neighbours. They _____________ (often have) a barbecue at the weekend
… Oh, no! I _____________ (cook) sausages for supper! They _____________ (burn)!

Taken and modified from: Harris, M. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain: Pearson Longman.

3. Present Simple or Present Continuous? Read and complete the dialogue. Use
the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Mr. Jackson: Where’s David?

Mrs. Jackson: In the sitting room. Peter’s with him.
Mr. Jackson: Is he? He ___________________ (not go) in the sitting room in the evenings
when we __________________ (watch) TV. He ________________ (not talk) to us. He
__________________ (stay) in his bedroom. But when Peter ____________________ (come),
he ________________ (sit) in the sitting room with him. What _________________ (they / do)
now?
Mrs. Jackson: They _________________ (play) their guitars and _________________ (write)
a song.
Mr. Jackson: I ________________ (not like) Peter. David _________________ (dot do) his
homework when Peter ________________ (be) here. They ________________ (talk) for
hours.
Mrs. Jackson: Well, they _________________ (not talk) now and I think the song they
__________________ (write) together is very good.
Taken from: Reilly, P. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Language Powerbook. Malaysia: Pearson Longman.

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 Listening Practice

It’s a Dog’s Life!

1. Look at the following pictures about dogs. How different do you think their lives
are?

Listening Strategies: Prediction

Before you listen, read the questions. Try to guess the answers.
Use the pictures and your general knowledge of the world to help you
(e.g. Sheepdogs aren’t usually pets, they usually work outside.)

2. Listen to two interviews from a TV programme and check your predictions.

Were you right?

3. Now listen again. Complete the following table:

Bob and Tina Rover

Where do they sleep?

Bob and Tina Rover

What do they eat?

What exercise do they

do?

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 4. Complete the chart with the following expressions related to the dogs. Can you
remember their preferences?

can’t stand – don’t like – enjoy – hate – likes - loves – prefers - quite likes

a) Bob and Tina _________________ going to a dog psychiatrist.

b) Bob and Tina _________________ spending time on their own. They bark a lot.
c) Bob _____________ chicken.
d) Tina _____________ roast beef.
e) The poodles really _____________ swimming in the dog pool.
f) Rover __________________ going in the car.
g) Rover _______________ playing with one of the farm cats.
h) Rover _______________ working with me.

Think about it!

Which verb form follows the verbs denoting preferences?

Taken from: Harris, M. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain: Pearson
Longman

Vocabulary development

MULTI-WORD VERBS

Multi-word verbs (sometimes called phrasal verbs) in English consist of a verb plus a particle,
which could be a preposition or an adverb such us pick up or look after.

Multi-word verbs have a unique meaning that cannot be derived by the literal meanings of their
individual elements. For example, look up does not necessarily mean “to look above” but,
among its several meanings, it is “to look for information in a dictionary or reference book.”
Sometimes they are considered informal, but the truth is that some phrasal verbs can be
replaced by a more formal counterpart (go on – continue), but sometimes there is no other
synonym and they may appear in both oral and written discourse.

1. Look at these sentences from the interviews. Identify the multi-word verbs and
try to guess their meaning from the context:

a) When they get up, I give them breakfast.

b) What do they get up to during the day?
c) When we get back home, I always have a cup of tea.
d) Roger gets on with the cats.
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 2. Now replace the words in italics with the multi-part verbs from the previous
exercise:
a) I do my homework when I return from school.
b) I have a very good relationship with my neighbour – we have a lot in common.
c) I get out of bed late at weekends.
d) What do you do when you’re out there with your friends?

BREAK UP If a marriage breaks up or two people in a romantic

relationship break up, their marriage or their relationship
ends.

COME ACROSS to find or meet by chance.

DRIFT APART If two people drift apart, they gradually become less
friendly and their relationship ends.

END UP to finally be in a particular place or situation.

FALL OUT to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them.

GET ALONG to have a good relationship or deal successfully with a

situation.

ON (WELL) WITH to have a good relationship.

OVER To feel better after something or someone has made you

unhappy.

GIVE UP to stop doing something before you have finished it,

usually because it is too difficult.

GO THROUGH to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation.

GROW UP to gradually become an adult.

LET DOWN to disappoint someone by failing to do what you agreed to

do or were expected to do.

LOOK AFTER to take care of or be in charge of someone or something.

PUT UP WITH to accept or continue to accept an unpleasant situation or

experience, or someone who behaves unpleasantly.

SETTLE DOWN to become familiar with a place and to feel happy and
confident in it.

SPLIT UP If two people split up, they end their relationship or

marriage.

STAND BY to continue to support or help someone who is in a difficult

situation.

TAKE UP to start doing a particular job or activity.

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 GAP FILLING - Fill in a multi-word verb. Be careful with tenses!
1) After working her way around the world, she ______________ teaching English as a
foreign language.
2) You have to ______________ your friends through thick and through thin. That is the
real meaning of true friendship.
3) They had a strong argument. After the party, Mary ______________ with her
boyfriend last week. There is no way to fix things.
4) I quickly ______________ in my new house. I really love the neighbourhood. I feel I
have been living here for ages.
5) He's so moody - I don't know why she ______________ him. He can be happy one
minute and angry the next on!
6) We ______________ the neighbours' cat while they're away.
7) I'm relying on your help - please don't ______________ me ______________.
8) Taking responsibility for yourself is part of the process of ______________.
9) She ______________ a lot in order to achieve what she has.
10) He ______________ some of his old love letters in his wife's desk.

Using the phrasal verbs from the previous activity, describe your lifestyle. Discuss your
daily routine, exercise habits, dietary choices, and any other lifestyle factors you feel are
important to your overall health and well-being. Additionally, explain how you could improve
your lifestyle by incorporating healthier habits or making positive changes to your current
routine.
Example: I tend to have a lot on my plate. I don’t get on with my co-workers because they are
not efficient. So I end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed. When this happens, I take a break to
divide my tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first. In terms of my health, I make it a point to
look after myself by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet. I've gone through periods
where I've struggled with my weight, but I've learned to make healthier choices and incorporate
physical activity into my daily routine. By doing so, I feel more energized and focused throughout the
day. However, I know there is always room for improvement. To make my lifestyle even healthier, I
could try to cut down on my screen time and disconnect from technology for a few hours each day.
I could also make an effort to incorporate more mindfulness and meditation practices into my routine
to reduce stress and improve my mental well-being. Overall, by making small changes and staying
consistent with healthy habits, I can continue to improve my lifestyle and overall health.

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Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb in the correct form
1. After a heated argument, Sarah and Jack decided to b___________ and go their separate
ways, indicating they couldn’t be together anymore as a couple after all that resentment.
2. During my research, I c____________ a fascinating article about renewable energy sources.
3. As we grew older, my childhood friends and I slowly began to d______________ and
pursue different interests, we slowly became less close over time.
4. Despite their differences, Jane and Mark always manage to g________________ well,
meeting half way in every decision.
5. Emily had to g__________________ a lot of hardship before finally achieving her dreams,
she faced challenges and obstacles to finally become a lawyer.
6. I can’t p_____________________ his constant complaining anymore; it’s driving me crazy!
I won’t tolerate or endure his constant complaining anymore; it’s becoming unbearable.
7. When their business failed, the partners had no choice but to s______________ and go
their separate ways, they ended their partnership and become entrepreneurs.
8. Sarah always knows she can count on her best friend to s_________________ her in
times of need to find support and loyalty.
9. Jack t________________ painting as a hobby after being inspired by a visit to the art gallery.
10. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies; it feels like just yesterday we were g________________
together; it feels like just yesterday we were playing at the yard and now we are going college together.

Remember to look for some visuals to remember the vocabulary items! For example,

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Listen to the conversation and fill in the gaps: https://www.espressoenglish.net/phrasal-verbs-for-romantic-relationships/
Emily: Who was that guy you were talking to at the bar? It looked like he was (1) ________________ you.
Sarah: Yeah, we struck up a conversation, and eventually he (2) ___________ me ________. I gave
him my number, but I’m not sure if I’ll actually go out with him.
Emily: Oh? How come?
Sarah: He’s nice, but I just don’t feel like we have much chemistry – so I don’t want to (3)
____________ him ________.
Emily: Well, don’t be too quick to judge. My last boyfriend and I didn’t (4) __________ it _______
right away – I only started to (5) _____________ him after we went out a few times and I got to know
him better. We were together for 3 years.
Sarah: So why’d you (6) _____________? If you don’t mind my asking.
Emily: Not at all. We just started to (7) _________________ – different interests, different plans for
the future. The breakup was mutual.
Sarah: Ah, that’s great. My last relationship was a nightmare – I (8) ___________________ a guy at
a New Year’s party and we were together for six months – but we were constantly fighting and (9)
_____________. I don’t know how I (10) _________________ him for so long.
Emily: How’d it end?
Sarah: He (11) _______________ me – I caught him (12) ____________________ his ex. He
begged me for another chance, but I know he was just trying to (12) ______________ me
__________ – so I said no.
Emily: Ugh! Good for you.
Sarah: Heh, thanks. So how about you – are you (13) _______________ anyone at the moment?
Emily: Oh, I’ve gone on a few dates here and there, but nothing serious. To be honest, I’m
not really interested in (14) _______________ just yet – I’m enjoying the single life too much!

Try to use the phrasal verb in your answer! Why? Because actually using the phrasal verb will
help you remember it better.
1. Mention a time when someone was hitting on you. How did you react?
2. Who is a person that you really hit it off with?
3. How did your previous relationship end – why did you break up?
4. What should a couple do if they begin to drift apart, but they want to save the relationship?
5. What is one thing (or one type of person) that you will NOT put up with in a relationship?
6. Do you think it’s possible to save a relationship after one person cheats on the other?
7. At the moment, are you enjoying the single life, or are you interested in settling down? (Or have
you already settled down?)

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 Reading Comprehension

Picture taken from: https://www.vuelio.com/uk/social-media-index/londonlifestyle-blogs-uk-top-10/

1. Which of these statistics about the UK do you think are true?

a) On average, women live ten years longer than men.
b) 75% of men between 55 and 64 are overweight.
c) Over two-thirds of women go to work.
d) Nearly a third of the population lives on their own.
e) Over three-quarters of the population get up before 8 a.m. during the week.

2. Read the following article and check your guesses:

The UK has been described as one of the best countries among developed nations for quality of life

according to the Better Life Index. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD) has released a report on how the financial crisis has affected well-being in developed

countries, and the UK has ranked highly. The report looked at 25 different factors including

housing, income, jobs, community, education, environment, civic engagement and health, and found

that the UK was one of the best performing countries in terms of environmental quality, social

engagement, personal security and the chance for engagement with civic society. The UK ranked

among the top 20 of countries in terms of work-life balance and wealth, but it did not do so well in

terms of education or life satisfaction. The report also showed that the UK was good at

communicating, measured highly for civic engagement, and was one of the best performing countries

in terms of water quality.

Since the first official UK census in 1801, there have been several more censuses taken, and the

good news is that people now live longer. On average, people live for 81 years (79 for men and 83

for women), which is a significant increase from 52 years in 1991 There are various reasons for this,

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including a healthier lifestyle. More people see smoking as a health hazard. Fewer people smoke

nowadays, with only 14% of the population smoking compared to 50% thirty years ago. Additionally,

people are eating more fruits and less fat. However, despite these positive changes, a significant

proportion of people aged between 55 and 64 are seriously overweight.

In terms of employment, more people work than ever before. As of today, 83% of men and 75% of

women are employed. Real wages have also increased three times in comparison to 50 years ago,

although the income gap between rich and poor has also widened. The computer industry has

experienced significant growth in job opportunities, particularly for young people. Education is

crucial for young people to obtain well-paying jobs, and there has been a substantial increase in the

percentage of 16-18 year-olds in education. The British work the longest hours per week in Europe,

with an average of 45.7 hours for men and 40.7 hours for women.

Traditional family and home life have also changed dramatically. Currently, almost a third of the

population lives alone, and fewer people are getting married. Over 40% of babies born in England

and Wales are to unmarried parents. Women are having children later in life, with 32 being the

average age for first-time mothers. Young people are staying with their parents longer due to the

high cost of living. It is really expensive to get a place to live.

The British lifestyle seems to support the proverb "Early to bed, early to rise." Most people wake

up before 8 a.m. on weekdays (77%) and go to bed before midnight (81%). Meal times are usually at

8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (breakfast), 1 p.m. (lunch), and between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (dinner).

When it comes to leisure activities, TV is still popular, with people watching an average of 25 hours

per week. Nowadays, streaming services like Netflix have become an integral part of people's TV

viewing habits. Children, in particular, tend to watch TV content on paid-for on-demand services

rather than on live or broadcast TV. According to a recent study, nearly eight in ten children (78%)

aged 3-17 watched content on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, compared

to less than half (47%) who said they watched live TV. Teenagers spend less time watching TV and

more time on computers, mainly playing video games or using social media (mainly TikTok). The

younger generation spends a considerable amount of time online, with the 13-24 age group spending

an average of ten hours per day on the internet. With these trends, one might wonder if the British

people are becoming a nation of couch potatoes.

Adapted from: Harris, M. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain: Pearson Longman and
https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/nov/05/what-makes-uk-such-a-good-place-to-live-oecd

15
 3. Read the article again and answer the following questions:
a) Why are people living longer?
b) What job area is growing fast?
c) Why are young people staying with their parents longer?
d) Why do some people think the UK is a nation of ‘couch potatoes’?

SPEAKING PRACTICE

1. Get in small groups. Compare the lifestyle in the UK with the lifestyle in your country.
Is there any difference? Are there any similarities? Use the Chat GPT as a resource to
deepen your understanding of the lifestyle in the UK and to identify additional similarities and
differences. Share your own examples or personal experiences to support their ideas.
Discuss the similarities and differences between the two lifestyles, focusing on topics such
as food and drink, housing, work and leisure, education and healthcare, and transportation.

Example: Some insights on the lifestyle in the UK and Argentina, and their similarities and differences
in various areas.
Food and Drink  In the UK, traditional dishes include fish and chips, Sunday roast, shepherd's pie,
and bangers and mash. The country is also known for its love of tea and ale. In contrast, Argentina is
famous for its meat-centric cuisine, with dishes like asado (barbecue), empanadas, and mate (a
popular drink made from the yerba mate plant).
Housing  The UK has a variety of housing options, from apartments to townhouses and detached
homes. Renting is common, particularly among young people, and housing prices in big cities can
be high. On the other hand, in Argentina, many people live in apartments, particularly in Buenos Aires.
Homeownership rates are lower in Argentina than in the UK, and the country has a history of economic
instability that can impact housing prices.
Work and Leisure  The UK is known for its workaholic culture, with the average full-time employee
working 42.5 hours per week. The country also has a strong tradition of leisure activities, including
sports like football, cricket, and rugby, as well as a vibrant theatre and music scene. Argentina is
known for its passion for football and the siesta, a mid-day break for rest and relaxation. Work-life
balance is generally better in Argentina, with the average workweek around 40 hours.
Education and Healthcare  Both the UK and Argentina have free, public education systems,
although private schools also exist. The UK has a strong higher education sector, with globally
renowned universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, while Argentina has a reputation for producing
high-quality scientists and engineers. In terms of healthcare, the UK has a publicly funded National
Health Service (NHS), while Argentina has a mix of public and private healthcare systems.
Transportation  In the UK, public transportation is widely available and includes buses, trains, and
the London Underground. Driving is also common, although the country has a reputation for high
traffic and congestion in its major cities. In Argentina, buses and taxis are the most common forms of
public transportation, and driving can be challenging due to the country's road infrastructure.
In terms of similarities, both the UK and Argentina have a strong culture of socializing over food and
drink, and both are passionate about their sports. They also have public education systems and a mix
of public and private healthcare options.
Overall, there are many differences between the lifestyles in the UK and Argentina, particularly in
terms of food, housing, and work culture. However, there are also similarities, particularly in the areas
of socializing, sports, and education and healthcare systems.

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Vocabulary development

1. Complete the following sentences with one of the following adjectives:

dangerous – interesting – energetic – creative – boring – stressful – exciting – peaceful

– busy – relaxing – tiring – active

a) In summer my life is very _____________. I don’t do very much and I rest a lot.
b) My aunt has a very _______________ lifestyle. She travels a lot and she does a lot
of sport.
c) Jo is an artist; she is very ______________. She has a lot of interesting ideas.
d) A pop star’s life can be very ______________! They do a lot of different things and
meet famous people.
e) A police officer or a firefighter’s job can be _____________.
f) Sarah is always ______________. She never has any free time; she’s always
occupied.
g) My life is very ______________ at the moment. It’s not interesting at all.
h) Kate’s lifestyle is often demanding and exhausting. It can be extremely
______________.
i) I like my job because it’s very _____________. It isn’t boring at all.
j) A politician’s lifestyle may be really ____________ because there is a lot of pressure.
k) I like studying in the library because it is usually ____________. It’s quiet, not loud or
noisy at all.
l) Sally is ____________; she’s got a lot of energy.
Taken from: Reilly, P. et al. (2006). New opportunities. Pre-Intermediate Language Powerbook. Malaysia:
Pearson Longman

17
 USE OF ENGLISH

THE “ING” FORM

1. Match the sentences (1-8) with the rules (a-d):

1- Working with animals is very relaxing.

2- I’m not afraid of meeting dangerous animals.
3- I love being close to nature.
4- I’m trying to grow vegetables in my garden. a- -ing form after a preposition
5- I often go cycling because the countryside is b- -ing form after a verb
beautiful here. c- -ing form as a subject of the
6- A friend from the city is staying with me for a week sentence
to have some rest. d- -ing form as part of a tense
7- I’m good at finding mushrooms in the forest. form
8- When I was young, I didn’t enjoy getting up so
early.

2. Now translate sentences 1-4 above. What are the differences between your
language and English?

3. Practice using –ing forms. Use the following clues to write sentences.

a) sail in the lake / good fun

b) climb mountains / can be/ very dangerous sometimes
c) my nephew / very good at / play video games
d) sunbathe / a long time / dangerous for your skin
e) have a shower / at the moment/ not able to help you
f) love / jet-ski / in the summer and / practice / water skiing
g) be tired of / study so much during my holidays.

4. Look up the following adjectives in the dictionary and determine which

prepositions they are used with. Then write sentences of your own:

Afraid + of I’m afraid of not passing my English Language exam this year.

Bored – different – good/bad – interested – necessary – responsible – tired – useful

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 5. Complete the dialogue at a campsite with the –ing form of these verbs:

be – cook – do – go out – live – meet – put – sleep – spend – use

A What’s the best place for the tent?

B Well, avoid 1) ________________ it near the river; it’s very wet down there.
A OK. I love 2) ________________ in the countryside, don’t you?
B Yeah, but I miss 3) ______________ with my friends. Do you mind 4) ______________ the
cooking?
A No, I quite enjoy 5) _______________ on a camp fire.
B I prefer 6) ________________ a microwave – it’s much easier.
A Oh, where’s your sense of adventure? I bet you can’t imagine 7) ________________ without
a TV. And I bet you hate 8) _________________ a week without your mobile phone.
B That’s true. I quite like 9) ________________ new people – but I can’t stand 10)
_______________ on the ground!

Adapted from: Harris, M. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain: Pearson
Longman

THE “TO INFINITIVE” FORM

6. Match the sentences (1-3) with the rules (a-c) below:

1- Jenny is saving money to travel.
2- My mother has never learnt to drive
3- My flat is very easy to find. / Nice to meet you

a) After adjectives
b) To express a reason or purpose.
c) After some verbs like: AFFORD, AGREE, DECIDE, EXPECT, FORGET, HOPE,
LEARN, NEED, OFFER, PLAN, PRETEND, PROMISE, REFUSE, TRY, WANT,
WOULD LIKE.

7. Choose the right option:

1) l'm in charge of buying / to buy the monthly food.
2) It’s important for me spending / to spend time with my family and friends.
3) Getting / To get a job can be complicated when you graduate.
4) Employer carried on working /to work until we finished.

19
 8. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence. Use the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
1 a I never thought I would see so many punks in Japan!
b I never .................................. so many punks in Japan! (expect)
2 a 'Let's go to the festival in Reading,’ said Mike.
b Mike .................................. to the festival in Reading, (suggest)
3 a I'm thinking of buying that black leather coat.
b I....................................that black leather coat, (consider)
4 a Looking for vintage clothes is something we enjoy,
b We .................................. for vintage clothes, (love)
5 a My mum said she'll buy me some new boots for my birthday,
b My mum .................................. me some new boots for my birthday, (promise)
6 a It looks like 1980s fashion is popular again.
b 1980s fashion....................................popular again, (seem)

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Complete the questions with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Then work in pairs and answer the questions.
1 Why do you think people want ................. (be) fashionable?
2 Have you ever chosen ................. (wear) something in order to shock people?
3 Can you imagine ever..................(dress) like your parents?
4 Do you think you'll need..................(change) the way you dress when you start work?
5 Are there any colours you avoid ................. (wear)?
6 Where do you most enjoy..................(shop) for clothes?
7 Which item of clothing do you most regret..................(buy)?

Talk about your hobbies and interests. Use both to-infinitive and -ing forms to describe what you like to do.
Example: One of my favourite hobbies is reading. I love to read books on a variety of topics, from science fiction to
biographies. Reading allows me to learn new things and escape into different worlds. In my free time, I enjoy going to
the library to borrow books, as well as browsing online bookstores to find my next read. Another interest of mine is hiking.
I enjoy being outdoors and exploring new trails. Hiking allows me to exercise while enjoying nature's beauty. I like to plan
out hikes in advance, and I also enjoy reading about the history and geography of the places I am visiting. I also enjoy
cooking, both as a hobby and a way to provide for myself. I like trying new recipes and experimenting with different
ingredients. I enjoy the process of preparing and cooking meals, and also the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious dish
that I made myself. Finally, I am interested in learning new languages. I enjoy studying different languages and cultures,
and it helps me to communicate with people from different parts of the world. I like using online resources and apps to
practice my language skills, as well as taking classes when I have the opportunity.
20
 DESCRIBING PEOPLE

Taken from: Redman, S. (1997). English Vocabulary in Use. Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate. The UK CUP

21
 1. Add these words to the corresponding category:

shoulder-length – smooth - ponytail – beard – wavy – moustache – big forehead –

piercing – tanned - fringe - sparkling – pale - wrinkles

FACE EYES HAIR COMPLEXION

Double-chin, Almond-shaped, Bald, dark, fair, Dark, light, spotty,
freckles, thin lips, dark, brown, hazel, plaits, red, long,
narrow, long, thin round, big curly, blond

Can you add more words in each category?

Describing Age

Adapted from: Redman, S. (1997). English Vocabulary in Use. Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate. The UK
CUP.

1. Study the vocabulary above and attempt to describe yourself. Consider the
following questions:

a) How old are you?

b) How tall are you?
c) How would you describe your build?
d) What kind of hair have you got?
e) What colour is it?
f) What about your eyes?

22
2. What stage of life are these people at?

a) Paul isn’t 2 yet, so he’s still a __________________________.

b) Albert was a bus driver for 40 years but stopped work two years ago, so he is now
________________________.
c) Susan is 25, so she is in her _____________________.
d) Caroline is 50 this year so she is now in her _________________________.
e) Ron is 33 and his wife is 32, so they are both in _________________________.
f) Joan is 75 this year, so she’s quite ____________________.
g) Jason was born six weeks ago, so he’s a __________________________.
h) Leyla is 13 this year, so she’ll soon be a ________________________.
i) Ravi is 18 this year, so legally he becomes _______________________.
j) 15 is often a difficult age for boys going through _________________________.

3. Put each of the words or expressions below into an appropriate list. Add any
other words and expressions which you think will be useful when describing
people you know or have seen.

Attractive Absent-minded Considerate Tends to exaggerate

Clumsy Relaxed Hates making decisions Moody
Dynamic Bad-tempered Hides her feelings Patient
Sociable Mean Cheerful Decisive
Polite Sincere Tolerant Mature
Reliable Friendly Selfish Sensible
Sensitive Tense Kind Strong
Lazy Warm Easy-going Cold
Unpleasant Punctual Generous Unfriendly
Ambitious Shy Clever Hard-working
pessimistic Miserable Tidy Flexible

POSITIVE NEGATIVE EITHER / NEITHER

23
You can often make opposites of adjectives using a prefix. For example:

Usual Unusual
Honest Dishonest
Dependent Independent
Possible Impossible

1. Read the following passage. Then identify the adjectives and use the
corresponding prefix to make their opposites:

Peter is very organized and reliable. He is also sociable, sensitive and tolerant. He seems
interested in and aware of other people’s feelings and is often kind. When you ask him for
something, he’s always sympathetic and helpful. He is also very patient with children. I think
he must be very satisfied with his life.

Taken from: Harris, M.; Mower, D & Sikorzynska, A. (2006). New Opportunities. Intermediate. Student’s
Book. Italy: Pearson Longman

2. What prefix forms the opposite of each of these words? Work with a
dictionary.

kind – flexible – friendly – honest – reliable – sensitive – ambitious – pleasant

3. What nouns can be formed from these adjectives? Use a dictionary to help you.

punctual – confident – sensitive – optimistic – generous – strong – reliable –

ambitious – flexible – lazy – stupid – shy

4. How would you describe the person in each of these descriptions?

a) He never bought me a drink all the time we were together.

b) I have to tell her what to do every minute of the working day. She wouldn’t even open
a window without someone’s permission.
c) He often promises to do things but half the time he forgets.
d) I don’t think he’s done any work since he’s been here.
e) She finds it difficult to meet people and talk to strangers.
f) He could work in any of the departments, and it doesn’t matter to him if he’s on his
own or part of a team.
g) One of the great things about her is that she is so aware of what other people think or feel.

24
 h) Bob, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He’s always making people angry
or upset because he just doesn’t consider their feelings.
i) The other thing about Bob is that he really wants to get to the supervisor’s job and
then become boss for the whole department.
Taken from: Redman, S. (1997). English Vocabulary in Use. Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate. The UK
Cambridge University Press.

5. Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the word in the right:

Strategy Tip!

First, read each sentence and think about: What kind of word is needed? A noun, a verb, or
an adverb? Change the form of each word accordingly. Remember some words might need
a prefix or a suffix.
1. My friend’s __________ amuses me; she comes up with new ideas all the time. CREATIVE
2. Her __________and kind nature always make people feel welcome. GENEROSITY
3. He had a very ______ approach to the problem and came up with a practical solution. LOGIC
4. Her __________ attitude meant that she wouldn’t back down from her opinion. STUBBORNNESS
5. He was very __________ when he presented his proposal to the team. CONFIDENCE
6. She always handles difficult situations with a lot of __________. PATIENT
7. Do you believe everyone has a right to __________. HAPPY
8. She is __________ and enjoys doing things on her own. DEPENDENCE
9. His __________ nature makes him a great listener and friend. COMPASSION
10. She always approaches new experiences with a lot of __________ CURIOS
11. Her __________ attitude made it hard for her to wait for anything. PATIENCE
12. He was _________ about what happened, and no one believed his story. HONESTY
13. Her __________ behaviour upset a lot of people in the office. CONSIDERATE
14. His __________ personality made it hard for him to adapt to new situations. FLEXIBILITY
15. She can be __________ of people who don’t share her beliefs. TOLERANCE
16. Do you believe everyone has a right to ________________ HAPPY
17. It was a terribly __________________ experience. EMBARRASS
18. I think his ________________ was hurt when she left him. PROUD
19. Her _________________ was the cause of most of their arguments. JEALOUS
20. I don’t know why he felt such __________________ . ANGRY
21. They were all moved by the _________________ of the occasion. SAD
22. I felt so _________________ when it happened. EMBARRASS
23. I don’t know why it caused so much _______________. EMBARRASS
25
 Take a look at these sentences and try to guess the differences:
 This grammar lesson is boring. I am bored reading all about these grammar rules.
 I am tired right now. My flight was tiring (because it was a twelve-hour flight).
 Public toilets are usually disgusting. I am disgusted by the smell in some of them.
 Your speech was very inspiring. I am now inspired to do wonderful things with my life.

Taken from: https://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Adjectives_ED_ING.htm

There is quite a long list of adjectives ending in -ED and -ING in English, and most of them are based on a verb that can
be changed into an adjective by adding either -ED or -ING.

Alarmed - Alarming Depressed - Depressing Frightened - Frightening Satisfied - Satisfying

Aggravated - Aggravating Disappointed - Frustrated - Frustrating Shocked - Shocking
 Amused - Amusing Disappointing Fulfilled - Fulfilling Sickened - Sickening
 Annoyed - Annoying Discouraged - Discouraging Gratified – Gratifying Soothed - Soothing
 Astonished - Astonishing Disgusted - Disgusting Inspired - Inspiring Surprised - Surprising
 Astounded - Astounding Distressed - Distressing Insulted - Insulting Tempted - Tempting
 Bored - Boring Disturbed - Disturbing Interested - Interesting Terrified - Terrifying
 Captivated - Captivating Embarrassed - Embarrassing Moved - Moving Threatened - Threatening
 Challenged - Challenging Encouraged - Encouraging Overwhelmed - Thrilled - Thrilling
 Charmed - Charming Entertained - Entertaining Overwhelming Tired - Tiring
 Comforted - Comforting Excited - Exciting Perplexed - Perplexing Touched - Touching
 Confused - Confusing Exhausted - Exhausting Pleased - Pleasing Troubled - Troubling
 Convinced – Convincing Fascinated - Fascinating Relaxed - Relaxing Unsettled - Unsettling
Relieved - Relieving Worried - Worrying
26
 Listening Practice

1. Have a look at the chocolates. Pick one (triangular, diamond-shaped,

rectangular, square, spiral, round or oval). Which one do you like the most?

Triangular shape rectangular shape

Square shape spiral shape round shape

Oval shape

2. Now listen to the radio programme. Do you agree with the description of your
personality?

Taken from: Harris, M.; Mower, D & Sikorzynska, A. (2006). New Opportunities. Intermediate. Student’s Book.
Italy: Pearson Longman

27
 SPEAKING PRACTICE

1) What zodiac sign are you and what does it say about your personality?
2) Do you believe that your zodiac sign accurately describes your personality? What are
some positive traits associated with your zodiac sign? What are some negative traits?
3) Are there any zodiac signs that you think are incompatible with your own sign? Why?
4) Do you think that astrology and zodiac signs can be used to predict the future or make
important decisions? Why or why not?
5) How much weight do you give to zodiac signs and astrology in your daily life?

Maybe you should look to the stars… So, you’re about to match with someone on a
dating app. You like their photos (and let’s be honest, looks count). They’re the right age, in
the right location, and there are no signs from their bio that they are a complete lunatic.
Wait! Scroll through that bio again. Do they mention their star sign?
Star signs can tell us a lot about someone’s personality. Here’s our quick guide to the
positive and negative traits for each Zodiac sign, to help you decide whether that potential
match might actually be compatible.
Disclaimer: There is no scientific proof linking personality traits to certain star signs.
Mind you, love isn’t an exact science, is it?

28
Taken from: © Springer Nature Limited 2019. Macmillan Education is part of the Springer Nature group. Everyday life:
Star signs

29
 EXERCISE 1: READ FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING
Skim read the text about each Zodiac sign again. Answer the questions.
• Do you think the information about your own star sign is accurate? Why / Why not?
• Which star sign do you think would be the best / worst match for you? Why?

EXERCISE 2: READING FOR DETAIL

Read the text again. Answer the questions according to the text. (People with) which star sign …
… might be easy to introduce to friends and family? _______________________________
… might be difficult to interact with at first? _________________________________
… might be good to date if you like being spoilt? _________________________________
… might like to compete as much as an Aries? _________________________________
… might chat about your relationship with them to others? __________________________
… might be less interested than others in the photos on a dating app? _________________
… might find it hard to accept the independence that an Aquarius needs? ______________
… might the writer have had a negative dating experience with? Why? ___________
… might the writer of the text be? Why? _________________________________

EXERCISE 3: CONNECTING THE TEXT TO REAL LIFE

a. Think of two people you know well who are about your own age. These could be
friends or family members. If you can, choose people who are single and are looking
for a relationship. Make notes on their personality traits.
Person 1 ________________________________________________________________

Person 2 ________________________________________________________________

b. Describe each person to a partner. Work together with your partner to decide which
star signs would be a good match for each person. Check this description:
I know an amazing 30-year-old woman who loves exploring new places and trying new
things. She's a creative soul who expresses herself through art, especially painting and
poetry. Her organized nature means she's great at planning exciting dates and experiences.
But that's not all - she's also an excellent listener and always tries to understand things from
other people's perspectives. Her warm and empathetic personality makes her a great
partner for someone who values close relationships with their friends and family. Overall,
this woman is the perfect combination of fun, creativity, and empathy. So if you're looking for
a partner who will bring excitement and depth to your life, she's the one for you!

30
Vocabulary Development

1. Use a suitable word or phrase from the list below to complete each sentence.
Use each item once only.

Bald patch Impulsive Shy Have the sense

Courage On a diet Spiteful Look my best
Curly hair Parting Upset easily Lose my temper
extrovert Piercing eyes Very proud Speak openly

a) She’s always going _______________________ because she has a complex about

not being slim enough.
b) Unfortunately, she gets _________________________ so be careful what you say.
c) He has medium-length grey hair with ______________________ down the middle.
d) As I meet a lot of people in my job, I try to _____________________, which means I
spend quite a lot on clothes every year.
e) She’s very _____________________ so she keeps doing things she regrets later.
f) As he’s tall, you don’t notice the _________________ on top of his head.
g) He was so _____________________ that at parties he never spoke to people
unless he had been introduced to them.
h) It takes __________________ to stand up to somebody who’s bullying you.
i) I can ____________________ to her. I don’t have to hide my feelings.
j) She had a perm because she thought ____________________ looked fashionable.
k) He’s a great ____________________He loves going out and meeting people.
l) She had _____________________ which seemed to look right through you.
m) She’s ______________________ of her son and never stops talking about him.
n) I hope they’ll _______________________ to lock the doors and call the police.
o) It was very _______________________ of him to deliberately try to make a fool of
her.
p) I’m afraid I seem to ______________________ more often these days, especially
when I get bad service.

31
 2. Match the verbs below with the multi-word verbs in italics in the sentences:

Stop trying – depress – have a good relationship with – continue doing something –
criticize – tolerate – meet – start doing (a hobby or a sport)

a) Geoff never lets things get him down.

b) Alice doesn’t give up easily and always gets on with her work in class.
c) My mum gets on with most people and she loves to get together with her friends.
d) Tom is good at art and would like to take up photography.
e) Charlie is always getting at me.
f) Mary puts up with a lot of criticism.
Taken from: Harris, M.; Mower, D & Sikorzynska, A. (2006). New Opportunities. Intermediate. Student’s Book.
Italy: Pearson Longman

3. Match the underlined expressions 1-8 with the correct meanings a-h.

1. He’s a bit of a cold fish. a) A very kind person who has the right feelings about
something important.
2. She’s as hard as nails.
b) Very annoying, a nuisance.
3. He’s a pain in the neck. c) Someone who behaves as if they know everything.
4. Her heart’s in the right place. d) Someone who is extremely successful in their job or in
school.
5. He’s an awkward customer. e) Someone who prefers to be on their own.
6. She’s a real know-all. f) Unfriendly person who seems to have no strong
feelings.
7. He’s a high-flyer. g) A difficult person to deal with.
8. She’s a bit of a loner. h) Very tough or not caring about the effects of your
actions on other people.

4. Complete the following sentences using the expressions below:

a) She loved answering all the questions in class. She thought she was so clever.
She was a real ___________________________.
b) He didn’t like going out with friends and he spent most of the time at home in his
room on the computer or reading. He was a bit of a _________________ really.
c) They say he’ll be a partner of the firm by the time he’s thirty; He’s a
_________________.
d) I wish Caroline would stop coming into my room and borrowing my clothes. She is
such a(n) ____________________________.
e) Brian’s been asking about getting an increase in his salary. Will you talk to him
about it? On the subject of money, he’s a bit of a(n) ______________________.
f) I know Steve is a bit loud and insensitive at times, but honestly, his
_______________________.

32
 g) She had to go out to work from the age of fifteen and has had quite a difficult life.
As a result, she’s __________________________.
h) He never seemed to get excited about anything. All in all, he was a bit of a
______________________.
Taken from: Acklam, R. & Araminta, C. (2006). Total English. Upper-intermediate. Student’s Book.
London: Pearson Longman.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

1. Try to describe your personality. Think about positive and negative

adjectives. Justify your choices.

SELF-EXPLANATORY SENTENCES
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “self-explanatory” means “easy
to understand and not needing any more explanation.” The technique of writing self-
explanatory sentences provides opportunities of expanding your vocabulary and
practising a diverse range of grammatical structures.
This technique consists in writing a sentence made up of one, two or three clauses or a
series of sentences containing a particular lexical item whose meaning can be derived
from the context provided. Good examples are the sentences in exercise 4 before, like
this one:

She loved answering all the questions in class. She thought she was so clever. She was
a real know-all.

It is important to highlight that the sentence not only contains the lexical item under study
but also contains an explanation of its meaning. For example, by reading the sentence
above, can you derive the meaning of “a know-all”? How has the author of this sentence
achieved this?

5. Make your own attempt for writing self-explanatory sentences. Use the
following terms:

Get on with sb
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Tie the knot
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Moody
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

33
 Listening Practice

Listening Strategies: True or False

● Before you listen, read the statements. Where you can, try to make guesses
about what is true or false.
● Underline important or key words (e.g. opinion adjectives or facts and numbers)
in the statements.
● While listening, listen for these key words or synonyms of them (e.g. attractive /
good-looking).
● When you listen a second time, check your answers.

1. Listen to the descriptions of a girl. Then decide if the following statements are True
or False:

a) Lucy sometimes changes the colour of her hair. ________

b) She is as good-looking as a model. ________

c) One of her favourite hobbies is walking. ________

d) She’s a person that her friends can rely on. _______

e) She could work harder at school if she wanted. _______

f) The best time of the day for her is the morning. ________

g) She’s very organized and tidy. ________

h) She’s a friendly, outgoing person. _______

34
 2. Listen to the description again and complete the following sentences:

Appearance
What does she ____________________?
She’s usually got ____________________. And she
sometimes _____________________ in a pony tail.
Everyone says she __________________ a model!

Interests
What does she like?
She likes _______________________, rock music.
She’s always ___________________ her walkman
on!

Personality
What is she ___________________?
She’s got a _____________________, you know.
She sometimes ___________________ a bit
disorganized, but really she’s totally
___________________.
And she’s ___________________ other students.
She always ____________________ her best. .
She can be __________________ in the mornings.
She’s always __________________ and will always
do _________________ to help.
Speculation
A nice girl. Her parents _____________________ proud of her.

Adapted from: Harris, M.; Mower, D & Sikorzynska, A. (2006). New Opportunities. Intermediate. Student’s
Book. Italy: Pearson Longman.

Reading Comprehension

1) Look at photos A-D and answer the questions. Then read the article ‘The Math of
Beauty’ and check your ideas.

1) What’s the difference between the two photos of the girl in A and B?
2) Who are the women in C and D?
35
2) Check the underlined word in the article. Then match them to definitions A-I.

a) has two sides that are not the same in size or shape ……………
b) changed something to do what you want …………….
c) many …………..
d) not relaxed or comfortable
e) added more detail and information to an idea or story ……………
f) has two sides that are the same in size or shape ……………
g) giving your pleasure or satisfaction …………
h) the best possible …………
i) units of information inside a cell of a living thinking which controls what it will be like
…………

3) Choose the correct answers.

1) What suggests that there are rules for which faces we find beautiful?
a) We each prefer some faces to others.
b) A majority of people find the same faces beautiful.
c) We have strong feelings about beauty.
d) We all disagree about who is attractive.

2) Why aren’t we comfortable with a face that is perfectly symmetrical?

a) It suggests that someone’s genes aren’t perfect.
b) It doesn’t look good in a mirror.
c) It doesn’t look like the face of a real person.
d) It always looks unattractive.

3) How can we find the golden ratio?

a) By developing theories about it.
b) By reading the works of Euclid.
c) By visiting Athens in Greece.
d) By dividing one measurement of something beautiful by another.

4) A preference for golden ratio is found in

a) Women more than men.
b) All cultures and historical periods.
c) Modern times especially.
d) Western cultures more than eastern ones.

5) How could you find out if your face is ideal?

a) By using your mobile phone or computer.
b) By visiting a surgeon.
c) By looking at a photograph of yourself.
d) By matching your face with other ideal ones.

36
 The Maths of Beauty

It’s often said that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’

and our ideas of attractiveness certainly depend on
personal preferences.
Nevertheless, there are faces which most people agree
are very beautiful or handsome.
Is this something that we just feel about a certain face,
or does it mean that there are ‘rules’ for what makes
someone look beautiful?

It was long thought that symmetry was the key to explaining beauty. If the two halves of a
face are symmetrical, we find it pleasing. There is also a deeper reason why symmetry is
desirable to someone looking for a partner of the opposite sex, especially when a girl is
looking for a boy. A symmetrical face and body suggest that someone’s genes must be in
very good condition, and that their children will be strong and healthy.
Increasing amounts of symmetry enhance the attractiveness of a face, but recent
experiments have revealed that there is a limit to this. When one side of a person’s face is
used in a mirror image in a photograph to make a perfectly symmetrical face, the result can
make us feel uneasy (photo B). It seems too unnatural, and we even begin to find it
unattractive.
For a better explanation of what makes a face appear ideal, we need to enter the world of
mathematics. The Greek mathematician Euclid developed his theory of the ‘golden ratio’ in
300 BC. He saw that if you measure different parts of many of the things, we find beautiful
in nature – flowers and sea shells for example – and divide the measurements by each
other, you keep finding the same ratio. This golden ratio is 1.62. It was used when the
Greeks designed the Parthenon in Athens, which is considered to be one of the most perfect
buildings ever built.
Leonardo Da Vinci used the golden ratio in the lengths of each part of the body of his perfect
man, and when he painted the Mona Lisa. The ratio is easily found when measuring the
different parts of a beautiful face. If the height of a face divided by its width comes to 1.62,
it will be seen as perfectly shaped. If the distance from the top of the head to the pupils of

37
 the eyes, divided by the distance from the pupils to the lips is 1.62, that is also perfect. The
ideal width of the central teeth compared to the next teeth?
1.62. There are numerous opportunities for the golden ratio to appear in a face. Dr
Stephen Marquardt, a surgeon, developed a ‘mask’ that can be put on top of a photo of a
face to show how close it comes to ‘perfect beauty.’
The golden ratio is so powerful that it appears to work across cultures and across time.
Queen Nefertiti of ancient Egypt (photo C) was clearly just as successful an example of
the golden ratio as Angelina Jolie is today (photo D). And although different cultures show
strong preferences for particular eye and hair colours in their ideals of beauty, the impact
of the golden ratio is the same for both men and women.
Magazines know all about this of course, and photographs of beautiful models are usually
manipulated to appear even more beautiful by moving the nose, or an eye, a millimetre
across, up or down. And there are apps which allow you to upload a photograph and get a
score for how closely a face matches the golden ratio. Don’t be too disappointed if your
score seems low, though. No one is perfect, and of course, there are people with
asymmetrical faces and less than golden ratios who many people find incredibly
attractive!

The full number, called phi, is similar to the better known number pi – neither can
be fully calculated. Phi is actually 1.6180339887… never-ending.
Adapted from: Wildman Jayne (2014). Insight Intermediate. Workbook Unit 1, pp.8–9. Oxford University
Press.

Taken from: http://www.mishfitlife.com/blog/2015/8/20/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder

38
 The phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" means that the perception of beauty is

subjective and varies from person to person. What one person finds beautiful, another may not.

It suggests that beauty is not an inherent quality of an object or person but it is instead a

product of individual perception and personal experience. Therefore, the standard of beauty is

not universal but rather depends on the eye, or the personal preference, of the beholder. This

phrase is often used to suggest that there is no absolute definition of beauty and that each

individual should be free to define it for themselves.

1. Fill in the blanks with the missing words:

CURVIER - ATTRACTIVE - ABSOLUTE - FEATURES - GENERATIONS
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" can be related to the change of_________. As societal
norms and standards of beauty evolve over time, reflecting the values and beliefs of each
generation. What is considered beautiful or __________ can vary greatly from generation to
generation. For example, in the past, __________ figures were considered more desirable,
whereas today, a slimmer physique is often seen as the ideal.
Similarly, fashion trends have also evolved over time. What was considered fashionable in the
1960s is not necessarily fashionable today, and what is trendy now may not be in the future.
This demonstrates how beauty is not an inherent quality of an object or person but rather a
product of individual perception and personal experience.
Another example of the changing standards of beauty can be seen in the representation of
different races and ethnicities in media and advertising. In the past, Eurocentric beauty
standards dominated the media, but in recent years, there has been a push for greater
diversity and representation of different ethnicities, body types, and skin tones in advertising
and media. This reflects the changing attitudes and beliefs of each generation regarding
beauty and what is considered attractive. In fact, this shows that what is considered beautiful
is not __________, but rather a product of the cultural and societal context of a particular
generation.
In summary, the phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" can be related to the changing
standards of beauty with the change of generations. Each generation has its own set of
societal norms and values, which are reflected in their perception of beauty.

2. Can you relate "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" with the change of generations?
Think about your own ideas and provide specific examples.
39
 Listening Practice

1) Listen to two friends describing their University picture. Then, choose the
correct option (a, b or c).
1. Lucas is ______
a. tall and slim
b. tall and plump
c. short and young
2. Lucas is _____
a. talkative and honest
b. energetic and creative
c. creative and athletic
3. Tina has _____
a. short, brown and curly hair.
b. long, black and wavy hair.
c. long, brown and straight hair
4. Mr. Smith is _____
a. in his 30s.
b. in his 50s.
c. in his 60s.
5. Bruce is ____
a. tidy and relaxed
b. untidy and friendly
c. untidy and disorganised.
6. Andrea has ____
a. small, brown eyes
b. small, green eyes
c. small, black eyes

2) Listen to the conversation again and name the people in the pictures.
a) Lucas
b) Tina
c) Mr Smith
d) Andrea

Taken from: https://intensivos.lenguas.unc.edu.ar/web/play/

40
RELATIONSHIPS

41
Taken from: McCarthy, M., O’Dell, F. & Shaw, E. (1997). Vocabulary in Use. Upper-intermediate. Hong Kong:
Cambridge University Press.

Reading Comprehension

1. Discuss these questions with a classmate and then with the rest of the class:

a) Who do you look more like, your mother or your father?

b) Who are you more like in character, your mother or your father?

2. In a magazine article, two different members of the same family describe their
relationship with each other. Work in two groups:

Group A: Read what Oliver Darrow says about his daughter, Carmen.

Group B: Read what Carmen Darrow says about his father, Oliver.

42
Oliver Darrow, actor, talks about his daughter, Carmen.
My first wife and I only had one child, it might have
been nice to have more, I would have liked a son, but
we just had Carmen.
I see her as my best friend. I think she always comes to
me first if she has a problem. We have the same sense
of humour and share many interests, except that she's
crazy about animals, obsessed with them - she has
always had dogs, cats, and horses in her life.
We were closest when she was about four, which I
think is a wonderful age for a child. That's when they need their parents most. But as soon as
Carmen went to school, she seemed to grow up and grow apart from her family, and any
father finds it difficult with a teenage daughter. She was very moody and had an odd group of
friends. There was an endless stream of strange young men coming to our house, I
remember l once got annoyed with her in front of her friends and she didn't talk to me for
days.
I've always wanted the best for her. We sent her to a good school, but she wasn't happy
there. She left because she wanted to become an actress, so with my connections I got her
into drama school, but she didn't like that either. She worked for a while doing small roles in
films, but she must have found it boring because she gave it up, though she never really said
why. She got married a few years ago; her husband's a vet. They must be happy because
they work together, and she loves animals.
We have the same tastes in books and music. When she was younger, I used to take her to
the opera - that's my passion - but she can't
have liked it very much because she hasn't come
with me for years. I don't think she goes to the
cinema or watches TV much. She might watch
my films, but I don't know. It’s not the kind of thing she talks to me about.
I'm very pleased to have Carmen. She's a good daughter, but I don't think she likes my new
wife very much because she doesn't visit us very often. I'm looking forward to being a
grandfather one day. I hope she'll have a son.

43
Carmen Darrow, veterinary assistant, talks about her father, Oliver.

I don't really know my father. He isn't easy to get on with. I've

always found him difficult to talk to. He's a bit reserved, but he
loves to be recognized and asked for his autograph.
I think people see his films and think he's very easy-going, but
he really isn't. He's won some awards for his films, and he's
really proud of them. He used to show them to my friends when
they came to the house and that really embarrassed me.
He can't have been home much when I was a small child
because I don 'I remember much about him. His work always came first, and he was often
away from home making films. I wasn't surprised when he and my mother split up.
He must have wanted the best for me, but the best was always what he wanted. He chose my
school and I hated it. I had no friends there. I was miserable and didn't do well, so I was
asked to leave. He must have been very disappointed, but he said nothing to me. He wanted
me to be an actor like him but I'm not at all like him. I tried it for a while, but I was miserable
until I met my husband. He's a vet and I'm his assistant. Now I'm doing what I always wanted
to do, working with animals.
My father and I have always been so different. I love animals and he loves books and music,
and above all opera, which I hate. If he comes to see us (we live on a farm), he always wears
totally the wrong clothes, but we still don't see much of each
other. It's because he didn't really want me to marry
George. He wanted me to marry a famous film star or
something, but of course I didn't. George and I don't
want children, we have our animals, but my father would love to have a grandson. Maybe his
new wife will give him the son he wants, but probably not. She cares too much about being
slim and beautiful.
I occasionally see one of his films on TV. I find it hard to believe he's my father. He's like a
stranger.
Taken from: Soars, J. & L. (2003). New Headway. Intermediate. Student’s Book. New Edition. The UK: OUP

44
3. In your groups, discuss the answers to the following questions about your
person:

1. Which two sentences best describe their relationship?

a) It was closer when Carmen was a child.
b) They get on well and have similar interests.
c) They don’t have much in common.

2. Which two sentences best describe Oliver?

a) He’s done a lot for his daughter.
b) He isn’t very sensitive to how she feels.
c) He’s more interested in himself than his family.

3. Which two sentences best describe Carmen?

a) She is selfish and spoilt.
b) She tried to please her father.
c) She was never really happy until she married George.

4. How did Oliver behave in front of Carmen’s friends?

5. Why did she leave school?
6. Is she happily married? How do you know?
7. What does Carmen think of her father’s career?
8. Why don’t they see each other very much?

4. Read the other text and compare your answers.

5. What do you think? Who has the more realistic view of the relationship? Oliver
or Carmen? Why?

SPEAKING PRACTICE

1. Discuss. What idiosyncrasies (somebody’s individual qualities, habits, etc.) do

you find irritating in other people? See the following examples and speak about
them in general:

a) “She loves to complain and criticize – she’s always negative.”

b) “He doesn’t really listen when you speak to him.”
c) “He can’t accept any sort of criticism. He is always right.”
d) “She leaves her clothes and stuff everywhere around the house.”

2. List the most irritating things about one person in your life – a friend, a family
member, or just someone you know. Then say what you like about the same
person.
Adapted from: Johnston, O. & Farrell, M. (2000). Ideas and Issues. Intermediate. Student's Book.
Chancerel International Publishers Ltd

45
 Vocabulary Development

1. Find out the meaning of the following expressions. Then use them to complete
the sentences below:

The salt of the Earth A Jekyll and Hyde

A pain in the neck A trouble maker
The life and soul of the party A show-off

a) I don’t know how you can share a car with Simon every morning. All he talks about is
motorbikes. I find him a real _________________________________________.
b) Don’t have anything to do with Alan. He’s just a ___________________________.
c) Mike loves flashing his Rolex around and his latest BMW. He’s a ______________.
d) Things are always more interesting when Patricia arrives. She’s _______________.
e) One minute she’s happy and friendly, the next she totally ignores you! She’s a real
___________________________if you ask me.
f) I love my grandmother. She’s kind, honest, uncomplicated. She’s ______________.

2. Have a look at these expressions. What do they mean? In which contexts can
you use them?

At each other’s throats Ups and downs

A shoulder to cry on Don’t see eye to eye
There’s no love lost Fight like cat and dog
Through thick and thin Clear the air

a) A: Thanks for listening, Rachel. I feel better for talking to you.

B: That’s OK. You can always come to see me if you need __________________
b) A: You’ve had the same flat mate for years, haven’t you? You must get on very well.
B: Well, we’ve had our ________________ over the years but on the whole it’s worked
very well.
c) A: Do you get on well with your brothers and sisters?
B: Yes, I do, but my brother and elder sister _____________________________.
d) A: Is it true that Jeff and Laura are having problems?
B: I think so. They seem to be ______________________ most of the time these days.
e) A: How are you getting on with your new business partner?
B: Well, we _____________________ on everything, but that’s a good thing. It’s when
we agree on something too quickly that mistakes are made.
f) A: My parents have been married for 50 years.
B: In those days, people stayed together ________________________.
g) A: Why was there such a bad atmosphere in that morning?
B: You’re new here. Didn’t you notice that ______________________ between George
and Andrew?
h) A: There’s a bad atmosphere in our office. Some people aren’t talking to each other.
B: Well, it’s time you had a meeting to _______________________.
46
 3. Complete the following statements about good relationships. Use the
corresponding word from the right column:

a) I think my teacher has a soft ______________ for me. House

b) Even If you get married, don’t neglect your ____________ friends. Need
c) It’s always fun to meet someone you ____________ it off with. Books
d) I must say I get on like a ____________ on fire with my mother-in-law. Turn
e) I get on best with people who’re on the same ____________ as myself. Hit
f) My children all try to stay in my good ___________. Spot
g) Do someone a good ____________ and you’ve made a friend. Pick
h) Do your best not to get off on the wrong ___________. Foot
i) A friend in ___________ is a friend indeed! Wavelength
j) You can ____________ your friends, but you can’t pick your relations! close

Taken from: Wright, J. (2002). Idioms Organiser. Croatia: Thomson Heinle.

4. Use these words to complete the following sentences:

Acquaintance Make friends Good company

Date Split up On speaking terms
In common House on fire Break the ice
Gets on my nerves

a) The way Hannah slams the door really ______________________.

b) We played some games to ______________________ and get the party going.
c) Joe isn’t exactly a friend of mine. He’s more of an ________________________.
d) A: Are Dave and Ann still going out?
B: Haven’t you heard? They _______________ a couple of months ago.
e) We never argue. In fact, we get on like a _________________ all the time.
f) It was so easy to ________________as everyone was so helpful and hospitable.
g) I’m afraid I’m not very ___________________tonight; I’ve got a lot on my mind.
h) Lucie and I get on really well. We’ve got so much ____________________.
i) Max hasn’t been __________________ with his neighbours since their tree fell into
his gardens and caused all that damage.
j) A: Why is Bill spending so long in the bathroom?
B: He’s got a __________________ with his new girlfriend this evening.

47
 5. Find out the meaning of the expressions in italics. Decide whether these
comments are positive or negative:

a) They’re always at each other’s throats.

b) They are devoted to each other.
c) I can’t stand him.
d) We’re firm friends.
e) We’ve never really hit it off.
f) He’s fallen for her
g) She broke the engagement off.
h) I think we’ve grown apart.
i) He walked out on her.
j) He’s constantly nagging me.
k) I’ll always stand by you.
l) I’m quite fond of her.
m) We’ve fallen out.
n) They’re like chalk and cheese!

6. Read the sentences and fill in the blanks with the following idiomatic expressions:
CLEAR THE AIR - GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT - GIVE (IT) A SHOT - NOT
KEEP ANYTHING BOTTLED UP - HOLD A GRUDGE - KEEP (SOMETHING) BOTTLED UP
- GO THROUGH THE FLOOR - BE UNDER THE ILLUSION

1) My sister wants me to go bungee jumping with her, but I'm a little scared. Still, I think
I might _____ _____ _____ and face my fears.
2) I had a disagreement with my friend yesterday, so we decided to meet up and
_____ _____ _____ before it turned into a bigger problem.
3) I don't think I can apologize enough to my friend for what I did. I hope she doesn't
_____ _____ _____ against me forever.
4) I could see that my brother was upset, but he refused to talk about it. He tends to
_____ _____ _____ _____.
5) I don't like to _____ _____ _____ _____ when I'm feeling stressed. It's important for
me to find ways to release my emotions.
6) I _____ _____ _____ _____ that my relationship with my ex-boyfriend was perfect,
but looking back, I can see that there were a lot of issues.
7) When I realized I had accidentally sent the email to the wrong person, I wanted to
_____ _____ _____.
8) When I first met my new neighbor, I accidentally spilled coffee on her shoes, and I
felt like I _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ with her.
48
7. Choose five expressions and write some true sentences about yourself using them:

49
 Listening Practice

1. Do a class survey. Find out who has got any brothers and / or sisters:

a) Who has got the most? How many? Do they like having lots of brothers and sisters?
b) Has anyone got a twin brother or sister? Do they like being a twin?
c) Is anyone in the class an only child? Do they like being one?

2. Listen to two people talking about their families. Complete the chart:

Louisa Rose

How many brothers and

sisters has she got?

Was she happy as a child?

Why? Why not?

Is she happy now? Why?

Why not?

What do you learn about

other members of her
family?

What are the advantages and

disadvantages mentioned?

SPEAKING PRACTICE

3. Discuss the following questions:

a) How many children have you got / would you like to have?
b) What size is the perfect family? Why?
c) Would you like to have twins? Why? Why not?
Adapted from: Soars, J. & L. (2003). New Headway. Intermediate. Student’s Book. New Edition. The UK: OUP.

50
 FRIENDSHIP

Warm-up
SPEAKING
PRACTICE

1. Mention some reasons why friends are important:

2. Talk about one of your best friends. Refer to:

a) What’s your best friend called?

b) How old is he or she?
c) When and where did you first meet them?
d) What do you usually do together?
e) What qualities or characteristics make your friend special to you?

Listening Practice

1. Three people are talking about their oldest friend. Listen to their conversations
and answer:

● When and where did they meet their oldest friend?

● What did they like about them?

Make notes after each conversation.

Kenny

Damian

Katie

51
 2. Listen again. Answer the questions about the people:

a) Who has a lot of friends on Facebook? How many?

b) Whose mums met before they were born?
c) Who's going to travel the world with a friend?
d) Whose oldest friend lives in Canada?
e) Who's talking to their oldest friend?
f) Who doesn't have many friends?
g) Which friends don't see each other very often?
h) Who named his son after the friend?
i) Whose friend is like a sister?
j) Whose brother is boring?

Taken from: Soars, J. & L.. (2012). New Headway. Pre-intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain: OUP

Reading Comprehension

1. Discuss. What are three important characteristics of a good friend?

2. Read the following text. Which characteristics are mentioned?

What makes a good friend?

On average each person makes an amazing 363 friends in their life – but only six of them
will be true friends! We carried out a global survey to find out what makes a ‘good friend’.

‘A friend should be there for you all the time, not just when they want to be. They will keep
in touch even though you may be far apart. Some of my closest friends live abroad but it
doesn’t really make a lot of difference.’ - Maciek, 19, Poland

‘To me a good friend is someone who you have a lot in common with. You can share your
beliefs and passions with them. I’m very lucky as I have three or four people like that but
I’m still looking for my soulmate.’ Haruki, 25, Japan

‘I think a good friend is somebody who you can trust and tell secrets to. They will never lie
to you. If I ever found out that a friend of mine had lied to me, I know I couldn’t be friends
with them anymore.’ - Emily, 14, Britain

52
‘I think that a true friend is someone who you can feel completely comfortable with and you
don’t have to make yourself into someone you’re not. They should accept you for who you
are and not try to change you.’ - Mercedes, 31, Spain

‘I don’t think you need to have known someone for ages for them to be a really good friend.
But I do think that they should be there when you feel down or whenever you really need
them.’- Rachel, 15, New Zealand

‘A good friend is someone who listens to you but, at the same time, doesn’t just agree with
everything you say. They should definitely tell you if they think you’re making a mistake
although that can be hard.’- Debbie, 23, South Africa

‘I think you know someone will be a really good friend as soon as you meet them. You just
click straightaway. Then, the most important thing is trust. You have to know they will
always look out for you and be totally loyal to you.’- Stefano, 21, Italy

‘It’s someone who is kind, has a good sense of humour, someone who forgives easily!
Sometimes I’m not very nice to my best friend but she knows I don’t mean it, so she
doesn’t mind really.’- Lanza, 16, USA

‘For me to call someone a really good friend, we have to see eye to eye on most things. I
don’t need to have contact all the time but, when I do, I definitely want to feel we’re on the
same wavelength.’- Mick, 36, Ireland

Taken from: Acklam, R. & Araminta, C. (2006). Total English. Upperintermediate. Student’s Book.
London: Pearson Longman.

3. Now read the text again. Find who has the following views:
A good friend:
1- finds the same things funny that you do ______
2- is similar to you ______
3- doesn’t want you to be different ______
4- doesn’t always say that you are right ______
5- supports you when you feel miserable or upset ______
6- doesn’t only support you when it’s convenient for them ______
7- is always on your side ______
8- won’t tell other people your secrets ______

53
4. Read the sentences. What do the phrases in italics mean? Match them with the
definitions on the right.
1. I don’t think I made a very good first a) have many similar attitudes or experiences
impression on your parents. They didn’t seem to another person
very interested in me. b) feel you see things in a similar way to
2. The first time we met, we just clicked. It was someone else
amazing. We started going out soon after. c) make people think well of you when they
3. We have a lot in common. Of course, we both first met you
work for the same company but we also like d) have a similar view about something to
doing lots of the same kinds of things outside of somebody else
work. e) like someone as soon as you meet them
4. My sister and I don’t really see eye to eye on for the first time
much. We’ve always argued – even as children.
5. She thinks about things in the same way as
me. I really feel on the same wavelength as her.

5. Answer the following questions:

a. What qualities do you value most in a friend?
b. What are some examples of times when your friend has shown that they are loyal and
trustworthy?
c. In what ways does your friend support you when you need it?
d. Does your friend listen attentively when you talk and show genuine interest in your life?
e. Do you feel comfortable being yourself around your friend?
f. Does your friend give you honest feedback when you need it, even if it's not what you
want to hear?
g. Is your friend someone who is willing to apologize when they have hurt you?
h. Does your friend make time for you and prioritize your friendship?
i. In what ways does your friend challenge and inspire you to grow as a person?
j. Is your friend someone who celebrates your successes and accomplishments?
k. Is your friend someone who you can trust to keep your secrets and confidences?

54
 A small circle of good friends is better than one best friend
1. Look at the types of friends in each heading. Can you predict what characteristics each
kind of friend might have?
A The Party Partner
There is a time in most children’s lives when they have just one ‘best friend’. This is the only
person they are interested in and the only person they need. But as we get older, most people realise
that it’s actually much healthier to have a small circle of good friends with different personality types.
Firstly, a ‘party partner’ is essential. You need at least one wild friend who encourages you to do
spontaneous things like go to a late night party or buy something really expensive. This kind of friend
will put interest back in your life. He or she will make you feel more energetic and relieve a lot of
stress.

B The Workmate
Secondly, you also need a ‘workmate’. This friend helps you with your schoolwork or your career.
He or she advises you and discusses your progress. If you have a friend like this, you’re in luck. This
is someone who will help push you, support you and encourage you to do your best. It's a good idea
to find someone who is at a similar life stage, or a bit older. But don’t choose someone who is
too competitive. You need someone self-confident and generous for this kind of friend.

C The Hobby Sharer

Thirdly, one kind of friend who is fun to have is the ‘hobby sharer’. This is someone who you
have absolutely nothing in common with, except that at the moment you share the same interest or
hobby. If you start a new hobby, like going to the gym, it is much more motivating to have someone
to go with. This friendship could collapse at any time but is very nice while it lasts. The great thing
about this kind of friend is that you can start all sorts of new things with different ‘hobby sharer’
friends. He or she can help you move on to a new stage in your life.

D The ‘Tell-anything’ Friend

Finally, almost the opposite of the ‘hobby sharer’ is the kind of friend known as the ‘tell-anything’
friend. He or she could also be known as your ‘three-in-the-morning’ friend. You might never have
to wake this friend up because you’re in a panic about something, but you know you could. This is
perhaps the only friend who you show your worst side to and with whom you can truly be yourself.
The key to being a ‘tell-anything’ friend is that even though you may not agree with your friend, you
are always loyal and always on their side. This, after all, is what a true friend should be.

55
 2. Find words in the text that mean:
1) extremely important ___________________
2) something has not been planned or organized, but happens by itself __________________
3) to persuade ___________________
4) to reduce ___________________
5) to try as hard as you can to do something ___________________
6) to agree to help somebody___________________
7) trying very hard to be more successful than others_______________
8) willing to give money, spend time in order to help ______________
9) sure that you can do things well ___________________
10) to use something with other people ___________________
11) to damage or become weak ___________________
12) to leave your present occupation and start doing another one ___________________
13) always supporting your friends ___________________
14) a sudden feeling of fear that makes you unable to think clearly ___________________
15) having a lot of energy and determination___________________

3. For questions 1-9, choose from the people (A-D).

A The Party Partner B The Workmate C The Hobby Sharer D The ‘Tell-anything’ Friend
Which of these friends …
1. … likes to do unplanned things?
2. … is the best for helping with homework?
3. … would help you in a desperate situation?
4. … is generally very different from you?
5. … is usually a lively and active person?
6. … may suddenly stop being your friend?
7. … is someone you probably wouldn’t mind crying with?
8. … shouldn’t be a very ambitious person?
9. … is usually a faithful and reliable person?

4. Think about yourself. Answer the following questions.

1. Which type or types of friend from the text do you think you are?
2. Tell another student, giving reasons.
3. Do you agree with the title of the text: A small circle of friends is better than one best friend? Discuss
with a partner, giving your reasons.
4. Which qualities, mentioned in the text, do you prize most in your friends? Why?

56
 Listening Comprehension

1. Before you listen, think about friendship among women. Is it different from
friendship between men?

2. What are the two main points that Laura makes about the differences between
boys and girls?

3. Now listen to Laura and James being interviewed. Who has these opinions?
Write L for Laura, J for James, or B for both:

a) Talking about your problems is a sign of weakness. ______

b) Girls and boys have different kinds of friendships. ______
c) Boys’ friendships don’t last as long. ______
d) It may not be something good to have friendships that last a long time. ______
e) It’s important to tell your friends your secrets. ______

4. Do you agree with any of them? Why?

Example:
a) Talking about your problems is a sign of weakness.

The idea that talking about your problems is a sign of weakness is a common
misconception. In reality, seeking help or support is a sign of strength and courage, as it
shows that you are willing to confront your issues and take steps to address them.
Keeping your problems bottled up can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and
depression, and may make it more difficult to find solutions.

It's important to remember that everyone faces challenges and difficulties in their lives,
and seeking help or talking about your problems is a normal and healthy way to cope.
Whether you choose to confide in a friend, family member, therapist, or support group,
sharing your struggles can help you gain perspective, feel heard and validated, and find
the resources and tools you need to move forward.

It's also worth noting that talking about your problems doesn't mean that you are weak or
unable to handle your own issues. It simply means that you understand the importance
of seeking support and recognize that sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to
seek help from others who have the knowledge, experience, or expertise to help you. So,
if you are struggling with something, don't hesitate to seek help - it's a brave and healthy
choice that can ultimately lead to greater well-being and personal growth.

Taken from: Johnston, O. & Farrell, M. (2000). Ideas and Issues. Intermediate. Student's Book. Chancerel
International Publishers Ltd

57
 LOVE RELATIONSHIPS

Reading Comprehension

1. In pairs, choose one of the photos in the following article and answer the
questions. Use the ideas to help you:

a) What can you say about the two people? Are they…?
● In their teens / twenties / fifties/ seventies
● Married / divorced / engaged / retired

b) What kind of relationship do you think they have? How do you know?
● Romantic / caring / passionate / friendly
● Hold hands / kiss / be in love / hug

2. Read the text and see if your predictions in the previous exercise were correct:

A LOVE THAT’S LASTED FOR FIFTY YEARS

Is there a key to true love? Norm and Jean Sell are about to celebrate their fiftieth
wedding anniversary.

Max Murdoch asked them for their secret

12 February, 2006

Max: So how long have you known each other?

Norm: We’ve known each other for almost 52 years-
Jean: Norm! We’ve known each other for more than 52 years. We
met in 1953!

Max: How long have you been married, then?

Jean: We’ve been married since 14 February 1956. Valentine’s
Day.

Max: have you lived here since then?

Jean: Not exactly. We’ve lived in Stretford since the wedding, but
not in this house.
Norm: No, we’ve only been here for sixteen years.
Jean: Eighteen years, Norm. We’ve lived in this house for
eighteen years. Since 1988.

Max: How did you meet?

Norm: Well, I used to be a policeman. I retired ten years ago …
and Jean was the waitress in my local café.
Jean: It was love at first sight.

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 Max: So what’s your secret for a successful relationship?
Jean: I think you have to fall in love many times – always with the
same person.

Max: Have you ever fallen out?

Norm: We’ve had a few little arguments, but we haven’t had a
serious argument for years.
Jean: No, not since Christmas Day 1977. Remember you…
Norm: We have a simple rule – if one of us is angry, we always
try to sort it out before we say goodnight.

Max: One last question – have you got any regrets?

Norm: I’m just sorry I didn’t marry Jean earlier.
Jean: And I’ve never regretted a single day.

3. Look at the article again and complete these sentences:

a) Norm and Jean have been married for ____________ years.

b) They’ve been married since __________.
c) Norm was a policeman, but he retired _________ years ago.

4. Look at these sentences related to the previous exercise and circle the correct
words in the rules.

a) We use the Past Simple / Present Perfect to talk about situations which began in the
past and continue now.
b) We use since / for to say when the situation started.
c) We use since / for to say how long this situation has been true.

5. Read the text again and answer the questions. Use the Present Perfect and the
time expressions in the box:

Christmas 1977 1953 18 years 50 years

a) How long have Norm and Jean known each other?

b) How long have they lived in Stretford?
c) How long have they lived in their house?
d) Have they had a serious argument recently?

6. Read the sentences and answer the questions.

a) Ian has been my boyfriend for five c) Karen has been married for two years.
months. Kevin was married for ten years.
Leo was my boyfriend for five years. Who is still married?
Who is my boyfriend?

b) Pat has lived here for ten days.

Pam lived here for five years.
Who still lives here?
59
 7. Decide if these expressions take for or since. Then choose four expressions
and make sentences:

7 o’clock
10 minutes Tuesday a long time ages last night a week
1 January most of my life 2004
1) …………………………………………………………………………………………………
2) …………………………………………………………………………………………………
3) …………………………………………………………………………………………………
4) …………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. In pairs, answer the questions about yourself. Then interview your classmate:

How long have you:

a) Been a student at this institution?
b) Known your best friend?
c) Lived in your house / flat?
d) Liked your favourite band / artist?

Adapted from: McKinlay, S. & Hastings, B. (2010). Success. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. London:
Pearson Longman.

Use of English

Present Perfect and Simple Past

1. Complete the sentences with the Present Perfect form of the verbs in brackets:

a) _________ you ever __________ (write) to a film star?

b) I _____________ (not meet) my boyfriend’s parents yet.
c) My girlfriend and I ______________ (not speak) today because we had an argument yesterday.
d) _____________ your sister _____________ (get) engaged yet?
e) We _______________ (not choose) an engagement ring yet.
f) Jim and Melanie aren’t here today. They _______________ (go) to their cousin’s wedding.
g) My aunt and uncle ________________ (have) three babies in three years.
h) My mum is furious because my dad _______________ (forget) her birthday today.
i) I ______________ (know) my best friend since we were in kindergarten.
j) My parents ______________ (be) married for 25 years.
k) Have you ______________ (date) anyone recently?
l) She _______________ (break up) with her boyfriend last month.
m) We _______________ (not see) each other for a long time.
n) They _______________ (have) a lot of arguments in the past, but they have always managed
to work things out.
o) He _______________ (fall) in love with her the moment he met her.
p) I _______________ (never forget) the day we first met.

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 2. Circle the correct alternative:
a) We _____ our first date on Valentine’s Day last year.
had have had

b) He _____ her to marry him yet.

didn’t ask hasn’t asked

c) _____ she _____ “yes” yet?

did / say has / said

d) My mum _____ my dad to marry her when they were both five!
asked has asked

e) He _____ “yes” until he was twenty-seven.

didn’t say hasn’t said

f) My grandparents ______ for fifty years and they are still very happy.
were married have been married

g) Phone the vet! The dog _____ my ring!

ate has eaten

3. Write the questions. Use the Present Perfect and ever.

a) Be / engaged?
b) See / an opera?
c) Read a novel / in a foreign language?
d) Fall in love / at first sight?
e) Eat / snails?
f) Win / a prize for running?

4. Match the short answers with the questions in the previous exercise:

1. No, I haven’t. I haven’t met the right person yet. _______

2. No, I haven’t. I’ve never been in a race. _______
3. Yes, I have. I love classical music. _______
4. Yes, I have! I fall in love with every good-looking person I meet. _______
5. No, I haven’t! I’m a vegetarian. _______
6. Yes, I have, but I used a dictionary a lot. _______

5. Use the prompts to complete the conversation. Use the Present Perfect or the Past
Simple:

8.30 p.m. Ann and Leo are having dinner together. It’s their first date.
Leo: you / eat / here / before? _________________________________
Ann: Yes, I have.
Leo: when / come / here? ____________________________________

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Ann: My parents brought me here for my birthday last year.
Leo: What / eat? ___________________________________________
Ann: I think I had fish with rice and vegetables. It was very nice.
Leo: I / eat not / Chinese food before ______________________________. I think I’ll have
the chef’s suggestion.
Ann: That’s a good idea, I’ll have the same.

8.01 pm
Ann: how long / you / live in Brighton? ___________________________
Leo: I moved here two months ago. I / not meet / many people yet.
__________________________________. I / join / a tennis club last month
___________________________________ so I’ve played tennis a few times.
Ann: I like tennis too but I / not play / for a long time.
_________________________________. I / be / busy revising.
Leo: you / finish / your exams now? _______________________________
Ann: Yes, I have! I / finish / on 5th June. ____________________________
Leo: Have you got your results yet?
Ann: No, I haven’t. A friend got hers this morning so I hope mine will arrive in tomorrow’s
post.
9.45 p.m.
Ann: Thank you. That was a lovely meal.
Leo: I’m glad you enjoyed it. I / have / great time this evening
_____________________________.
Ann: So have I! Let’s do it again soon.

6. Complete the conversation with the Present Perfect or the Past Simple form of the
verb in brackets.

1. A: Have you ever been (ever be) to the USA?

B: Yes! I ______________ . I __________ (go) to New
York last summer.
A: I __________ always __________ (want) to go to New
York! __________ you __________ (enjoy) it?
B: Yes, I __________ (have) a great time.
A: What __________ (be) your favourite places?
B: I really __________ (love) Central Park and 5th
Avenue.

7. Now, it’s your turn! Write a conversation using the Present Perfect or the Past Simple
tenses.

Adapted from: White, L. & Fricker, R. (2007). Success. Pre-Intermediate. Workbook. London: Pearson
Longman.

62
63
 Vocabulary Development

1. Put the following nouns into these expressions:

CRUSH HEELS ROCKS PLUNGE KNOT LOVE
a) Tie the ………………..
b) Have a ………………… on someone
c) Take the ……………….
d) Fall in ………………….
e) On the …………………
f) Head over ……………. In love

2. Now use the correct form of the idiomatic expressions in these situations.

a) A: I’ve never seen Camilla so relaxed and happy. What’s happened to her?
B: Didn’t you know? She’s met Mr. Right! She’s __________________________ with
this French chef who works in a restaurant in the town centre.
b) A: Kate, do you remember our art teacher at school? He was nice, wasn’t he?
B: Oh, yes, Mr. Eastwood. I’ll never forget him! I ___________________________ on
him until the day I saw him with his six children and dreadful wife!
c) A: Tim, you and Sharon have been together now for ten years. Isn’t it about time you
tied ________________?
B: Well, funny you should mention it. Last night we decided to ___________________
so I hope you’re free on June 12th! I’m looking for a best man!
d) A: I hear you’ve got Tom and Barbara’s children staying with you at the moment.
B. Yes. I’m afraid Tom and Barbara’s marriage is _____________________. They’re
having a little time and space to talk on their own.
e) If you can ________________________, can you fall out of love?

3. All the idiomatic expressions in this exercise deal with relationships going
wrong. Match the two parts of each conversation:
a) Are Luke and Louise still together?
b) David’s told me that he won’t come skiing with us if Frank’s going to be there. Have
you any idea why?
c) What’s your honest opinion of our new Head of Marketing?
d) Why won’t the three political parties involved get together and cooperate?

1. Well, as far as I can gather, there’s no love lost between them. They fell out over
something last year and haven’t spoken since.
2. No, I’m afraid not. They’ve gone their separate ways.
3. I can’t stand her. And I can’t be more honest than that!
4. It’s quite simple. They hate each other’s guts! They wouldn’t even share a taxi!
Adapted from: Wright, J. (2002). Idioms organiser. Croatia: Thomson Heinle.

64
 Listening Practice

1. These sentences describe the events in Nina's life. Put them in the order you think
they happened.

_____ They got married in 2002 in a registry office.

_____ They went to Venice on their honeymoon.
_____ The marriage started to go wrong.
_____ In 2004, they had a son, Sam.
_____ They split up and got divorced in 2008.
__9__ It's their anniversary today! They've been married since 2010.
_____ Nina remarried. She married Robert, a colleague from work.
_____ They got engaged two years later.
Nina and Ted in 2002
__1__ Nina and Ted started going out when they were both 17.

2. Listen to Alison talking about her life. In what ways is her story different from
Nina's? Who are Ben, Mark, Ellen, Tessa, and Tom?
Taken from: Sears, J. & L. (2012). New Headway. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s book. New Edition. Spain: OUP

SPEAKING PRACTICE

3. Refer to a love relationship of someone you know (it could be a friend, a

relative or some famous person). Talk about the different stages of their
relationship. Use specific vocabulary. Example:
One of my closest friends has been in a long-term relationship with her partner for over five
years now. They first met in college, and quickly fell in love with each other. During the first
stage of their relationship, they were completely infatuated with each other and spent all their
time together, going on dates and talking for hours on end.

After a year of dating, they decided to move in together, which marked a new stage in their
relationship. Living together allowed them to learn more about each other, and they had to
navigate the challenges of sharing a space and balancing their individual needs and interests.

Over the next few years, they went through various ups and downs, like any relationship, but
they always found a way to work through their issues and come out stronger on the other
side. They supported each other through career changes and personal growth, and made a
commitment to prioritize their relationship even when life got busy and stressful.

Recently, they have been talking about taking their relationship to the next level and getting
engaged. They have both expressed their love and commitment to each other, and are
excited to see what the future holds for their relationship. It's clear that their relationship has
gone through many stages, and each one has brought them closer together and strengthened
their bond.
65
 SOCIAL MEDIA AND RELATIONSHIPS

Warm up

How do you think people are the most common ways for people to meet friends and
meet romantic partners nowadays? Is it through work, university, the internet, bars
and nightclubs, or mutual friends?
Do you think that social networking sites are effective platforms to know the love or
your life? Why? Why not?
Would you consider marrying someone you met on a dating app like Tinder or through
Instagram?
Have your say:

“Our relationship with technology is having a damaging effect on the way we relate
to each other.”

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the previous statement? Support your
answers by referring to different types of personal relationships, such as family, friendships
or love relationships.

1- Take a look at this short film https://vimeo.com/251834397. The idea is to show how the
use of cell phones and social media can adversely affect relationships. It wants to highlight
how a person can be consumed so much with technology and social media that they miss
out on some of the simple and best parts of life. Do you agree or disagree? How do you
think that human relationships are being influenced by social media? Support your ideas.

2- Have you ever heard about the concept ‘Phubbing’? Watch this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGNppJWj8IM and find out the meaning of the term.
Do you feel identified with this? When you go out do you see people in that situation?

66
If you check the Cambridge dictionary, you will see three new terms: phubbing, phubber
and phub. Study the meaning:

Phubbing
noun [ U ]
UK /ˈfʌb.ɪŋ/ - US /ˈfʌb.ɪŋ/
the act of ignoring someone you are with and giving attention to your mobile
phone instead:
o Researchers found almost half of relationships are affected by phubbing.
o What is phubbing and could it be hurting your relationship?
o Phubbing happens, but it isn't a kind way to treat someone.
o Phubbing may compromise our ability to be attentive, either to our environment or
to each other.
o Let's talk about phubbing, and why it is ruining this generation's ability to hold a
real conversation.

phubber
noun [ C ] informal
UK /ˈfʌb.ər/ US /ˈfʌb.ɚ/
someone who ignores the person that they are with and gives attention to their
mobile phone instead:
o Do you get annoyed at phubbers who look at their phone instead of you?
o I’m not a phubber. In fact, last night the whole family sat together around the
dinner table in friendly conversation.
o My husband is a phubber and a phone addict.
o We're a nation of phubbers in the bedroom.
o Over 80% of people in America are phubbers, and it's getting worse.

phub
verb [ T ] informal
UK /fʌb/ US /fʌb/
to ignore someone you are with and give attention to your mobile phone instead:
o Almost half of people surveyed said that their partners phubbed them.

67
 Reading Comprehension

1- Read the following article that appeared in a student magazine about the impact
that social media has on relationships. Then, answer the questions that follow:

CULTURE X SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HAVE ON RELATIONSHIPS

Are millennials spending too much time checking their social media
accounts and not enough time interacting face-to-face?
By Cady Cohen, University of Central Florida
Have you ever realized how much time you’ve spent on social media? How many countless
hours, minutes and seconds you’ve spent checking your story on Snapchat or scrolling
passed all of your followers’ pictures on Instagram?
In today’s society, we are addicted to our phones, computers, tablets and other
technological devices. We spend too much time on our devices checking social media
pages and it can really take a toll not just on yourself, but the relationships you have.
When you go out to dinner and look around the room, you can guarantee that at least 60
percent of the people sitting around you are on their phones or have them sitting in arms
reach. How sad is it to see such a shocking number? I, unfortunately, am guilty of spending
too much time checking my social media accounts at inappropriate times, for example, on
a date with my boyfriend.
For some reason I am glued to my phone and I have to constantly check for updates no
matter where I am. The sad thing is that I’ll check an app, close it, and then reopen it not
even a second later — that’s how obsessed I am. Since there are a growing number of users
on social media and most of them are millennials, can social media affect relationships?
ABSOLUTELY.
In the past few years, social media has become one of the most powerful tools of
technology. With power comes great responsibility, but there aren’t always positives to
power. Social media was originally created as a networking tool, but has become so much
more. People across the world can connect through small screens with the use of the
internet and social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Sure, that may sound great
and all, but being able to connect to over a billion people through a screen can become
addicting and overwhelming. The constant checking of social media can actually drive you
insane.
It’s crazy to think that a form of technology could be as addicting, in a sense, as a drug.
Spending countless hours refreshing your feed is draining and it literally sucks the life out
of you. Hey, I’m not necessarily bashing social media, I think social media could be a
great thing and I am a hard-core addict, but I think us millennials need to learn how to put
our phones down once in a while. Taking a break from social media is as refreshing as
taking a cold shower on a hot day.

68
By having almost the entire world attached to their phones through social media, it can
take a toll on romantic, personal and professional relationships. The constant need to click
refresh allows little time for physical interaction.
For example, the other day my boyfriend and I went out on a dinner date and while we
waited for our food, we weren’t speaking out loud. Instead, we were checking our social
media accounts, sending a few Snapchats to each other every so often. I have noticed
recently how often I am on my phone refreshing apps and checking the latest posts, and
the number is upsetting.
As humans, we sometimes are unaware of what we are doing, almost like a subconscious
thing. I have been addicted to social media ever since middle school when I made my first
MySpace account. Now, I am almost 22 and still find myself glued to my screen and
scrolling through unimportant things. If social media is so powerful now, what does the
future hold?
It’s hard to say what’s going to happen in the future of social media, but I can tell you if
it’s anything like what we have seen in the past four or five years, we should be worried.
We millennials are the future of this country and if we can’t put our phones down for one
second to have a normal conversation, then who knows what’s going to happen to real-life
human interaction.
I shouldn’t have to be afraid to have a normal conversation with people in person, but I
am. I get the worst social anxiety when it comes to speaking out loud. This is truly heart-
breaking because a lifetime ago I used to be a social butterfly that couldn’t shut her mouth.
Now, I cringe at the thought of communication and human interaction, which is difficult
when you are working in the media industry. Is social media to blame for my decline of
communication skills? Hard to say, but I can tell you this, before I became obsessed with
social media, I could give an oral presentation without any struggle and could lead a group
with no fear.
Though, it’s not even just a fear of verbal communication, I have lost friendships because
of social media. Constantly checking Instagram to see what my friends are up to is no way
to live. It used to drive me insane to see my friends at parties or out doing some fun and
exciting thing while I was at home doing nothing.
I am guilty of overreacting when one of my “friends” or followers wouldn’t like one of my
photos on Instagram or the link to my published article on Facebook. I cared more about a
like than the actual thing I was posting. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even post a certain picture
because I was afraid no one would “like” it. The amount of likes you get on your post
shouldn’t be the most important thing. It’s so silly and so not important.
So how do you break the ties between social media? Stop freaking checking it so often!
Go outside, go read a book, learn a new recipe, go to the gym, run around your community;
no matter what you do, just stop checking your accounts so frequently. Another great tip
would be to delete your accounts, I’m not saying forever, but delete them until you no
longer feel the undeniably, uncontrollable need to check them. Your social skills will
improve and your relationships will actually strengthen because you will be able to focus
all of your attention on more important things.
If you feel like you are missing out on the world because you aren’t seeing the latest happy
birthday meme floating around Twitter or the pictures from recruitment week on
69
 Instagram, I guarantee you are going to be okay and I promise you aren’t really missing
much. Go put your focus and attention on things that actually matter in life, like your
personal well-being or your friends, family and romantic relationships. Don’t let social
media suck you into the vortex of fakeness; focus on where you are in the real world.
Taken from: https://studybreaks.com/culture/negative-effects-social-media-can-relationships/

a) What’s the writer’s opinion on social media? Does she think that it affects relationships in
a negative way? What arguments does she provide?
b) What pieces of advice does the author give to millennials in order to stop being addicted
to social media? Can you think of other ideas?
c) Look up the meaning of the words in bold type and provide other examples of their use.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Think about the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Here are some
questions to guide you:

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
In what ways can social media be used to connect In what ways can social media be addictive and
with people from all around the world? negatively impact mental health?
How can social media be used to build and How can social media be used to spread
maintain relationships with friends and family? misinformation and fake news?
How can social media be used to raise awareness In what ways can social media be used to bully and
about important social and political issues? harass individuals?
In what ways can social media be used to promote How can social media contribute to a culture of
businesses and personal brands? comparison and feelings of inadequacy?
How can social media be used to share information In what ways can social media negatively impact
and educate others about various topics? relationships and communication between
How can social media be used to support and uplift individuals?
individuals and communities? How can social media be used to infringe on
In what ways can social media be used to facilitate individuals' privacy and security?
communication and collaboration between In what ways can social media be used to
individuals and groups? perpetuate stereotypes and discriminatory
How can social media be used to promote attitudes?
creativity and self-expression? How can social media contribute to a culture of
In what ways can social media be used to seek overconsumption and materialism?
advice and support from others? In what ways can social media be used to spread
How can social media be used to discover new negativity and hate speech?
interests and connect with like-minded individuals? How can social media contribute to a lack of focus
and productivity in individuals' personal and
professional lives?

70
 1. To analyse this story, refer back to the Guidelines for Analysing Short Stories. In your analysis, also
consider these questions:

a) Can you summarize the short story?

b) What is the meaning of Manhood? Is it relevant for the story? How? What is the significance
of the title "Manhood"? How does it relate to the story's content and message?
c) Why do you think Mr. Willison forces his son to develop his strength?
d) At the end of the story, Mr. Willison discovers his son has been lying to him. What do you
think Mr. Willison’s reactions will be? Do you have clues form the story? Which ones?
e) If you were Rob, what would you have done?
f) Do you think Mr Willison is a good father? Is Mrs Willison a good mother? What do you think
is worse, parents who over-protect their children or parents who don’t care about them?
g) At one point in the story, Mr. Willison says: “There is a law. The unchangeable law of nature
that says that the young males of the species enjoy taking part in manly trials of strength.”
What does this quote tell us about Mr. Willison? Do you agree with it?
h) What’s the difference between the term masculinity and manhood?
i) Do you think that one of the themes is how people’s failure to communicate openly and
clearly can lead to unfortunate events? Support your ideas.
j) How do the setting and time period of the story contribute to its meaning?
k) How does the story explore the tension between traditional notions of masculinity and
modern ideas about gender roles?
l) What is the role of women in the story? How do their actions and attitudes shape the main
character's perception of manhood?
m) How might different readers interpret the story differently based on their own experiences
and perspectives?
n) How does Wain use character development to convey his message about manhood?
o) How does the story relate to larger societal issues or cultural values of the time period in
which it was written?
p) What is the overall significance of the story "Manhood"? What does it suggest about the
human experience or the nature of identity?

71
 2. Read the text and answer the following questions:
1. Where are Mr Willison and his son planning to go at six o’clock?
2. Why does Mr. Willison it is his ‘big night’? Give two reasons for your answers.
3. What happened on Mrs Willison’s big night?
4. What is Mrs. Willison’s attitude at this stage? Give a reason for your answer.
5. Whom do you think is right, the father of the mother? Give a reason for your answer.
6. Answer TRUE or FALSE and give a reason for your answer. Mr Willison’s big night is successful.

Mrs Willison did not lift her eyes from the television set as he entered. “All ready now, Mother,” said
Mr Willison. “He’s going to rest in bed now, and go along at about six o’clock.” I’ll go with him and wait
till the doors open to be sure of a ringside seat.” He sat down on the sofa beside his wife, and tried to
put his arm round her. “Come on, love,” he said coaxingly. “Don’t spoil my big night.”
She turned to him and he was startled to see her eyes brimming with angry tears. “What about my
big night?” she asked, her voice harsh. “Fourteen years ago, remember? When he came into the
world.”
“Well, what about it?” Mr Willison parried, uneasily aware that the television set was quacking and
signaling on the fringe of his attention, turning the scene from clumsy tragedy into a clumsier farce.
“Why didn’t you tell me then?” she sobbed. “Why did you let me have a son if all you were interested
in was having him punched to death by a lot of rough bullet-headed louts who —”
“Take a grip on yourself, Grace. A punch on the nose won’t hurt him.”
“You’re an unnatural father,” she keened.

72
Consulted bibliography

Acklam, R. & Araminta, C. (2006). Total English. Upperintermediate. Student’s Book.

London: Pearson Longman.

Evans, V. (2000). Successful Writing. Intermediate. The UK: Express Publishing.

Harris, M. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Spain:

Pearson Longman.

Harris, M.; Mower, D & Sikorzynska, A. (2006). New Opportunities. Intermediate. Student’s
Book. Italy: Pearson Longman.

Johnston, O. & Farrell, M. (2000). Ideas and Issues. Intermediate. Student's Book. Chancerel
International Publishers Ltd.

McCarthy, M., O’Dell, F. & Shaw, E. (1997). Vocabulary in Use. Upper-intermediate. Hong
Kong: Cambridge University Press.

McKinlay, S. & Hastings, B. (2010). Success. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s Book. London:

Pearson Longman.

Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English. USA: Pearson Longman.

Redman, S. & Gairns, R. (2003). Test your English Vocabulary in Use. Pre-Intermediate &
Intermediate. London: CUP.

Redman, S. (1997). English Vocabulary in Use. Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate. The UK

CUP.

Reilly, P. et al. (2006). New Opportunities. Pre-Intermediate Language Powerbook.

Malaysia: Pearson Longman.

Sears, J. & L. (2012). New Headway. Pre-Intermediate. Student’s book. New Edition. Spain:
OUP.

Soars, J. & L. (2003). New Headway. Intermediate. Student’s Book. New Edition. The UK:
OUP.

White, L. & Fricker, R. (2007). Success. Pre-Intermediate. Workbook. London: Pearson

Longman.

Wildman Jayne (2014). Insight Intermediate. Workbook Unit 1, pp.8–9. Oxford University
Press.

Wright, J. (2002). Idioms Organiser. Croatia: Thomson Heinle.

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74
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Present Simple or Present Continuous?
 https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/present-simple-present-continuous/
 https://agendaweb.org/verbs/present-continuous-present-simple.html

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77
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 PAST SIMPLE 1
Positives, Negatives and Questions
 Find and correct the mistakes below.

1. They eat dinner at six o’clock yesterday.

2. Did Maria drove to work this morning?

3. I not finished my homework last night.

4. Did you busy last Monday?

5. Was she buy a new car yesterday?

6. I wanted to went to Montreal two years ago.

7. Was you late for the meeting?

8. Who did you talked to?

9. Where was you stay in Washington?

10. I was read that book last year.

11. John flied to Argentina last week.

12. He weren’t at home last night.

13. I not see the movie last weekend?

14. What do you did last night?

15. Did they has a good time at the party?

16. Did you in class yesterday?

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 PAST SIMPLE 2
Positives, Negatives and Questions
 Write the sentences below in the past simple.

1. He goes to bed early.

2. We don’t like onions.

3. Stewart lives in Vancouver.

4. Does she exercise?

5. I hate cooking.

6. They play video games.

7. He knows the answer.

8. I forget his name.

9. They don’t study history.

10. Do they drive?

11. Jenny works at a hotel.

12. Do you swim?

13. We don’t like the movie.

14. Where do you live?

15. He doesn’t drink tea.

16. They start class at 8:00.

17. Does he eat breakfast?

18. I don’t run fast.

19. He has a car.

20. Do you enjoy sports?

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 PRESENT PERFECT 1
I have I have
You have You have
He has He has
She has eaten. She has not eaten.
It has It has
We have We have
They have They have
Yes, No,
Have I I have. I have
Have you you have. you have
Has he he has. he has
Has she eaten? she has. she has not.
Has it it has. it has
Have we we have. we have
Have they they have. they have

Complete the sentences below. Use ‘haven’t or ‘hasn’t’ for negative sentences.

1. I’m really hungry because I (eat) .

2. A: Mary (do) her homework?B: Yes, she .
3. we (see) that movie? I can’t remember.

4. Oh no! I (lose) my cell phone!

5. No, Pat and Sue (arrive) . They’re not here.
6. Mr. Smith (have) breakfast?
7. I’m nervous. I (fly) in a plane before!
8. A: he (call) ? B: No, he .
9. you ever (write) a poem?
10. I’m not happy. I still (find) my cell phone.
11. you (decide) what food you want to order?
12. Sarah (read) the magazine I gave to her?
13. you (put) all your toys away?
14. It (rain) for a very long time.
15. I think I (forget) to buy some bread.
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 PRESENT PERFECT 2
Positives, Negatives and Questions
 Write the sentences below in the present perfect tense.

1. I saw a penguin.
2. Did they eat breakfast?
3. Jennifer didn’t finish her homework.
4. Did they meet the president?
5. No, we didn’t.
6. Did Roberto visit Vancouver?
7. Yes, he did.
8. Mrs. Smith didn’t read the book. _
9. He was a teacher.
10. Were you in jail?
11. I didn’t clean my room.
12. No, they weren’t.
13. Was she sick?
14. Did he swim in the ocean?
15. They didn’t arrive. __________________________________________________
16. Where were they?
17. We lived here for a year.
18. What did he do?
19. It didn’t rain for a long time.
20. Who finished the homework?

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STILL, ALREADY OR YET?  https://agendaweb.org/grammar/still-already-yet-
exercises.html
ALREADY-SINCE-FOR-YET-JUST? 
https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/grammar-exercise-already-since-for-yet-just.php
PAST SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT?  https://test-english.com/grammar-
points/b1/past-simple-present-perfect/
-ING OR TO INFINITIVE
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/verb-patterns-verb-infinitive-or-
verb-ing
https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/gerund-infinitive/gerund-infinitive-
index.htm
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-1.html
PREFERENCE VERBS:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/hate-like-love-and-prefer
https://www.examenglish.com/grammar/like_ing.htm
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1-b2/would-rather-would-prefer/
WORD FORMATION:
https://www.liveworksheets.com/ck115755pa
https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/word-formation/wf070-adjectives.htm
https://www.baamboozle.com/game/1204489

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Past Simple
Exercise 1
1. They ate dinner at six o’clock yesterday.
2. Did Maria drive to work this morning?
3. I didn’t finish my homework last night.
4. Were you busy last Monday?
5. Did she buy a new car yesterday?
6. I wanted to go to Montreal two years ago.
7. Were you late for the meeting?
8. Who did you talk to?
9. Where did you stay in Washington?
10. I was read that book last year.
11. John flew to Argentina last week.
12. He wasn’t at home last night.
13. I didn’t see the movie last weekend.
14. What did you do last night?
15. Did they have a good time at the party?
16. Were you in class yesterday?

Exercise 2
1. He went to bed early.
2. We didn’t like onions.
3. Stewart lived in Vancouver.
4. Did she exercise?
5. I hated cooking.
6. They played video games.
7. He knew the answer.
8. I forgot his name.

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9. They didn’t study history.
10. Did they drive?
11. Jenny worked at a hotel.
12. Did you swim?
13. We didn’t like the movie.
14. Where did you live?
15. He didn’t drink tea.
16. They started class at 8:00.
17. Did he eat breakfast?
18. I didn’t run fast.
19. He had a car.
20. Did you enjoy sports?

Present Perfect
Exercise 1
1. haven’t eaten
2. Has / done / has
3. Have / seen
4. have lost
5. haven’t arrived
6. Has / had
7. haven’t flown
8. Has / called / hasn’t
9. Have / written
10. haven’t found
11. Have / decided
12. Has / read
13. Have / put
14. hasn’t rained
15. have forgotten

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Exercise 2
1. I have seen a penguin.
2. Have they eaten breakfast?
3. Jennifer hasn’t finished her homework.
4. Have they met the president?
5. No, we haven’t.
6. Has Roberto visited Vancouver?
7. Yes, he has.
8. Mrs. Smith hasn’t read the book.
9. He has been a teacher.
10. Have you been in jail?
11. I haven’t cleaned my room.
12. No, they haven’t.
13. Has she been sick?
14. Has he swum in the ocean?
15. They haven’t arrived.
16. Where have they been?
17. We have lived here for a year.
18. What has he done?
19. It hasn’t rained for a long time.
20. Who has finished the homework?

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 USE OF ENGLISH SECTION:

A. Read the sentences and complete them by using an idiom, set expression or phrasal verb
(10pts.):
1. I met this guy and he seems a bit unfriendly and doesn’t show any emotions. I think he’s a bit of a
l_________
2. John and I have different points of view about family matters. We don’t really s______________.
3. In today’s age of social networks and instant messaging, misunderstandings can arise very easily.
It’s important to speak to each other to c____________________.
4. It’s no wonder Mike is in therapy - apparently their marriage has been o_______________ for months.
5. I have f_________________ with my brother since we had an argument about dad’s estate so I really
don’t know a thing about him anymore.

B. Write a self-explanatory sentence with the following term. (6pts.):

a Jekyll and Hyde
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

to take the plunge

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

C. Complete the following dialogue using Present Simple or Present Continuous form of the
verbs in brackets. (16pts.):
Nick: Hey Mary! How's it going?
Mary: Pretty good, Nick! What about you?
Nick: Great! (1)_____________________ (you/want) to go to It Italy restaurant tonight?
Mary: Sorry, we (2)______________________(not go out) on Saturdays. Tom and
I (3)_____________(always/stay) at home and (4)_________________(watch) TV.
Nick: That's OK. Is Tom there now?
Mary: Yes, but he (5)__________________________(talk) on his mobile with my sister in law, Julie.
(6)__________________(you/remember) her?
Nick: Yes, of course. She (7)_____________________(live) in Barcelona at the moment, right?
Mary: You are right. However, she's in town now. She (8)________________________ (stay) with a friend
for a few days.
Nick: That's nice. Tell her that I say hello.
Mary: Sure.

D. Right or wrong? Tick ✓ or cross X the sentences. Correct the wrong sentences. (15 pts.). Example:
I've never been in debt. ✓
How much has your new camera cost? X → How much did your new camera cost?
1) My aunt and uncle had three babies in three years. ____________________________
2) Did you ever been to Paris? ______________________________________________
3) We booked our holiday online a month ago. _________________________________
4) When have you bought that leather jacket? __________________________________
5) They've paid back the loan last month. _____________________________________
6) We haven't paid the gas bill yet. __________________________________________
7) Have you ever wasted a lot of money on something? ___________________________
8) My mum asked my dad to marry her when they were at university! ________________
9) I spent my whole salary and the bonus really quickly last month. __________________
10) Have you seen the Batman film on TV two days ago? ____________________________
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 E. Read the sentences and choose the right option (5pts.):
1) My husband is in charge of paying / to pay the rent.
2) I don't avoid wearing / to wear any colors of clothing. I just make sure I feel comfortable with the
clothes.
3) It’s important for me enjoying / to enjoy life. Live life to the fullest because it only happens once.
4) Eating / to eat healthy food is a must. Doctors recommend vegetables, fruit, whole grains, healthy
fats, and healthy proteins.
5) My mother has just retired but she needs to go on working / to work because her salary isn’t
enough.

READING COMPREHENSION SECTION:

Read the profile on a dating website and complete the activities below:

Student Status
Student Status is a dating website for college and university students. Read Victor’s profile
on the website.
My name’s Victor and I’m 25 years old. I’m from Brasilia and I’m single. I’m studying Business
Studies at London University. It’s really interesting and I love London. My mum and dad are
English teachers for an online language school in Brazil – so my English is good. I want to
work in Europe when I leave university – perhaps at a travel company because travelling is my
favourite thing to do.
People think that I’m a quiet person when I first meet them, but my best friends in Brasilia say
that I’m very talkative! I don’t like team sports very much, but I love running. I run with a
running group from my university. The people in the group are very friendly and we see new
areas of London every week – London is a very beautiful city, but cold! I run most days,
sometimes with the group and sometimes alone, and I try to eat lots of healthy food.
I live in a house with three other students. We go out to a restaurant together every Friday
night. I enjoy trying new food and talking together. At the weekend, my three housemates like
loud bars and clubs, but I prefer museums and cafés.
I’ve got short black hair and brown eyes, and I’m slim because of all the running I do.
Sometimes I have a beard but I don’t at the moment. I’m looking for a partner who is kind and
funny. I’d like to meet someone who has the same interests as me.
Would you like to go on a date with me? If so, I’m waiting for your reply!
Reading taken and adapted from: Lambert, Jerry; Latham-Koenig, Christina; Oxenden, Clive; Seligson,
Paul (2019). English File Pre-Intermediate, fourth edition. File Test 1. Photocopiable. Oxford University
Press.

A) Read the profile on a dating website and answer the questions in a complete way. (10pts.):
Example: Where does Victor want to work? He wants to work in Brazil.
1) Is Victor English? _______________________________________________________
2) What do his parents do? _________________________________________________
3) Does he have a beard now? ________________________________________________________
4) What partner is he looking for? _____________________________________________________
5) What do Victor and his classmates do every Friday night? _________________________________

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B) Read the profile again. Write true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. (18pts.):
Example: Student Status is a dating website for students. T
1 Victor thinks his university course is boring. ____________________________________________
2 Victor’s dad works for a travel agency. _________________________________________________
3 Victor’s best friends say he is shy. ____________________________________________________
4 His running group meets every week. __________________________________________________
5 Victor and his friends hate trying new food. _____________________________________________
6 Victor enjoys visiting cafés. __________________________________________________________
7 Victor never has a beard. ___________________________________________________________
8 Victor is slim and he has short brown hair and brown eyes. _______________________________
9. Victor loves team sports. ____________________________________________________________
10. Victor is married. __________________________________________________________________

LISTENING COMPREHENSION SECTION:

A) Listen to Elspeth Gordon describe her two dates. Write J for John or S for Sebastian. The
first one is done as an example.(10pts.):
Listening taken and adapted from: Lambert, Jerry; Latham-Koenig, Christina; Oxenden, Clive; Seligson, Paul (2019).
English File Pre-Intermediate, fourth edition. File Test 1. Teacher’s book. Oxford University Press.
0) He’s tall, dark and handsome. S
1) He is a real gentleman.
2) He is one metre ninety.
3) He is a teacher.
4) He asks for a second date.
5) He is a teacher.

Which man do you think Elizabeth prefers? Why?: __________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

B) Listen to five conversations and complete the blank spaces:(10 pts.):

Conversation 1: Conversation 3:
Julie: Mark, have you ever Tim: Have you ever bought Conversation 5:
been to a fancy dress something you’ve never Dan: Tina, have you ever
party? __________________? been shopping in a foreign
Mark: I have, actually. I went Alice: Yes, I have. I bought some city?
to one last Saturday night. beautiful designer boots last year. Tina: Yes, I have. I went to
Julie: Oh, so, did you wear The problem was, they didn’t Berlin last summer. I
anything fun? really fit. I just wanted to buy _____________shopping on
Mark: I went as Mickey them because they were fantastic the Ku’damm. It’s like Oxford
Mouse. boots. They’re still under my Street in London.
Nobody_____________ it bed. Dan: Were the shops good?
was me! Tim: Oh, Alice … Tina: Oh, yes, the Ku’damm
Alice: Please don’t tell anyone! has really good shops. And I
love shopping somewhere
Conversation 2: Conversation 4: new.
Dad: Have you done your John: I’m looking for an
homework yet, Izzie? interesting book to read. Have
you ___________ anything
interesting recently? Emma: Well,

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Izzie Yeah, I’ve I’ve just finished The Shadow of
_________________done it, the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I
Dad. really enjoyed it. Have you read
Dad: OK, that’s good. What it?
was it today? John: No, I haven’t. What’s it
Izzie: I wrote something like?
about celebrities and Emma: It’s a really good story. In
fashion. It was quite fact, when I started reading it, I
interesting. couldn’t stop.

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