Big Grammar Book 3 - Photocopiabrill

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PurlandTraining.

com

by Matt Purland

Intermediate Level (CEFR B1-B2)


PurlandTraining.com
[email protected]

https://purlandtraining.com

First published in the UK by PurlandTraining.com 2019

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PHOTOCOPIA BRILL!
Introduction

Hi there . . . !

. . . and welcome to the first-ever collection of printable worksheets from my new


website – PurlandTraining.com! I’ve called this first volume photocopiaBRILL!
because: a) it’s a book of photocopiable worksheets, and b) they are BRILL(iant)!
This book is for any student of English who wants to improve their language skills by
self-study, since it includes full answers and notes for use (from p.115). It’s also
suitable for any teacher of English who needs variety in their material and aims to
provide thought-provoking and stimulating lessons for their students.

The worksheets cover a wide range of skills, from grammar, vocabulary, and reading,
to speaking and listening, pronunciation, and writing. There’s loads of useful material
here, including practice with tenses, conditionals, adjectives, quantifiers, and
much more! There is an extensive section about word groups, including homonyms,
homophones, antonyms, and minimal pairs, while the speaking and listening
material features lots of useful discussion questions on interesting topics like social
networks, graffiti, laughter, and, of course, breakfast! This book also features
some terrific infographics, which will be sure to inspire discussion, for example
Fight or Flight on p.102.

Most of this material is taken from the PurlandTraining.com website and has been
collected together in book form (with answers) for the first time in this volume.
As usual, thanks to all my students who have tried out various drafts of this material
and given feedback. If you have any comments or questions, I’d love to hear from
you. Pease contact me via the website: PurlandTraining.com. If you do visit the site,
be sure to check out the Free Books page, where you can download free PDF copies
of all my previous books. This is my 27th resource book, but I feel like I’m just getting
started! I’m absolutely delighted to still be able to produce new material for you after
all these years!

I hope you like this book.

Matt Purland Ostróda, Poland, 28th October 2019

4
PHOTOCOPIA BRILL!
Contents

4 Introduction
5 Contents

Grammar
9 This, That, These, Those 1
10 This, That, These, Those 2
11 When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous 1
12 When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous 2
13 When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous – Writing Activity
14 Future Simple and Future Continuous – Multiple Choice Quiz
15 Using Future Perfect Continuous – Info Page
16 Using Future Perfect Continuous – Activity
17 Get to Know... the Conditional Family 1
18 Get to Know... the Conditional Family 2
19 Get to Know... the Conditional Family 3
20 Get to Know... the Conditional Family 4
21 Get to Know... the Conditional Family – Your Ideas
22 Create Maths Problems with Zero Conditional Question Forms
23 There is / There are – Info Page
24 There is / There are – Exercises
25 Countable and Uncountable Nouns – Info Page
26 Countable and Uncountable Nouns – Exercises
27 Adjectives – Info Page
28 Adjectives – Exercises
29 100 Adjective + Preposition Collocations (A-Z List)
30 100 Adjective + Preposition Collocations (A-Z List – Gap Fill)
31 100 Words You Didn’t Know Were Adverbs – Ordered by Type
32 When Do We Use All and Whole in English?
33 Mega-List of Quantifiers in English
34 26 Past, Present, and Future Uses of Would
35 26 Past, Present, and Future Uses of Would – Activities
36 Understanding Ellipsis – Info Page
37 Understanding Ellipsis 1
38 Understanding Ellipsis 2
39 Causative Verbs – Have / Get 1
40 Causative Verbs – Have / Get 2
41 20 Common Errors that English Students Make – Part 1
42 20 Common Errors that English Students Make – Part 2
43 20 English Phrasal Verbs with RUN

Vocabulary
45 Telling the Time – Info Page
46 Telling the Time – Exercises
47 Describing People – Info Page
48 Describing People – Exercises
49 6 Important Word Groups in English
50 6 Important Word Groups in English (Gap-Fill)
51 100 Common English Homonyms

5
PHOTOCOPIA BRILL!
Contents

52 100 Common English Homonyms (Gap-Fill)


53 200 Common English Homophones
54 200 Common English Homophones (Gap-Fill)
55 100 Common English Homographs
56 100 Common English Homographs (Gap-Fill)
57 100 Common English Antonyms
58 100 Common English Antonyms (Gap-Fill)
59 200 Common Minimal Pairs in English
60 200 Common Minimal Pairs in English (Gap-Fill)
61 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1)
62 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1) – Research
63 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1) – Gap-Fill
64 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2)
65 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2) – Research
66 Learn 100 New English Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2) – Gap-Fill
67 List of 300 Loanwords in English
68 Raw Materials – English Idioms
69 Word Search – Find 40 Two-Letter English Words
70 100 Great English Oxymorons
71 Football Verb / Noun Collocations in English
72 It Is What It Is! And 15 Other Infuriating English Phrases

Reading
74 The Businessman and the Fisherman (Gap-Fill)
75 The Businessman and the Fisherman (Discussion Questions)
76 The Ultimate Tardigrade Quiz – 50 Questions!

Speaking and Listening


78 Using an Object for Discussion Practice
79 Giving Your Opinion – Info Page
80 Giving Your Opinion – Exercises
81 Which is Better? Discussion
82 Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 1
83 Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 2
84 Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 3
85 Talking about a Song in an ESOL Class (Blank)
86 Find Alternatives to Plastic 1
87 Find Alternatives to Plastic 2
88 Find Alternatives to Plastic – Write Your Own
89 Restaurants – Discussion Questions
90 Social Networks – Discussion Questions
91 Selfish People – Discussion – Part 1
92 Selfish People – Discussion – Part 2
93 Graffiti and Street Art – Discussion Questions
94 Raw Materials – Discussion Questions – Page 1
95 Raw Materials – Discussion Questions – Page 2
96 Laughter – Discussion Questions
97 Talk about Your Country / Breakfast – Discussion Questions
98 At What Age Can I Legally… in the UK?
99 The Only Discussion Question Starters You’ll Ever Need!

6
PHOTOCOPIA BRILL!
Contents

100 Discussion Question Starters – Cheat Sheet


101 20 Lies that are Hard to Dispute
102 Fight or Flight?
103 27 Different Kinds of Holiday

Pronunciation
105 Silent Letters – Info Page
106 Silent Letters – Exercises
107 Glottal Stops – Info Page
108 Glottal Stops – Exercises
109 Intonation – Info Page (1)
110 Intonation – Info Page (2)
111 Intonation – Exercises
112 How to Say the English Alphabet

Writing
114 Story Planning – My Life Without…

115 Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

7
PurlandTraining.com

grammar
Grammar Demonstratives

This, That, These, Those 1

This, that, these, and those are called demonstratives. They can be either determiners (before a
noun) or pronouns (before a verb). We use them to show the distance in space or time between the
speaker/writer and the noun:

singular (1) plural (1+)


near in space or time this these
here / now
not near in space or time that those
there / then

demonstrative determiners: demonstrative pronouns:

before a noun, e.g. before a verb, e.g.

This bag is heavy. This is a heavy bag.

a) Complete each sentence with this, that, these, or those. b) Write D for determiner and P for
pronoun. c) Discuss with a partner: which words in each sentence helped you to find the answer?

1. Look at ____________ beautiful mountains.


2. I’m getting off because ____________ is my stop.
3. I’ll use ____________ laptop and you use ____________ one over there.
4. Who was ____________ on the phone? My cousin Alan.
5. ____________ meeting last night was a waste of time.
6. I need to borrow ____________ book, but ____________ librarian said I couldn’t.
7. ____________ are my favourite plants. Yes, they are lovely. I don’t like ____________ over
there by the gate.
8. Hi Paul, ____________ is Brian. Is ____________ a good time to talk?
9. Who are you meeting ____________ morning?
10. ‘Please take another cake.’ ‘Is ___________ the last one?’ ‘Yes, but you can have it.’
11. Mmm, ____________ cakes look delicious. I can’t wait to try one!
12. Do you remember the 1980s? Yes, ____________ were the days!
13. ____________ is going to be the best party ever!
14. Mmm, ____________ cakes are delicious. Please have another one!
15. ____________ is Joe who works in the accounts department.
16. I prefer ____________ trousers to ____________ in the other shop.
17. What have you been doing ____________ week?
18. OK, stop. ____________’s enough petrol! It’s full.
19. I think I’ll go to bed early tonight. Yes, ____________’s a good idea.
20. ‘I really hate Clive.’ ‘____________ was a nasty thing to say, Jo.’

9
Grammar Demonstratives

This, That, These, Those 2

This, that, these, and those are called demonstratives. They can be either determiners (before a
noun) or pronouns (before a verb). We use them to show the distance in space or time between the
speaker/writer and the noun:

singular (1) plural (1+)


near in space or time this these
here / now
not near in space or time that those
there / then

demostrative determiners: demonstrative pronouns:

before a noun, e.g. before a verb, e.g.

This bag is heavy. This is a heavy bag.

a) Complete each sentence with this, that, these, or those. b) Write D for determiner and P for
pronoun. c) Discuss with a partner: which words in each sentence helped you to find the answer?

1. ____________ classes began two months ago.


2. ‘Look! ____________’s my favourite actor!’ ‘Where?’ ‘Over there.’
3. ____________ is a good concert, isn’t it?
4. Did you go to Sally’s flat yesterday? No, but I’m going ____________ morning.
5. ‘My grandma gave me ____________ earrings.’ ‘They’re beautiful. They really suit you.’
6. Look at ____________ coin I found.
7. ‘____________ is a picture of my classmates.’ ‘They look nice.’
8. ____________ kids are playing too close to the road. Go and tell them.
9. Did you watch ____________ tv programme I told you about?
10. They had to sell their car. Yes, ____________ was a shame.
11. I wish ____________ bus would start moving. I’m going to be late.
12. ____________’s my house on TV!
13. Look at ____________ scar on my hand.
14. ____________ class was so boring.
15. ____________ guinea pigs are so cute. They’re happy for me to stroke them.
16. Hi Mike. How are you? ____________ are my friends Millie and Liam.
17. ____________ are my horses in the video.
18. Look at ____________ man over there.
19. ‘____________ are the last two pancakes.’ ‘Thanks, dad.’
20. ____________ classes begin next week.

10
Grammar Tenses

When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous 1

a) Study the information below about when to use Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses.
Note that both tenses can be used in four different times: General Time, Present, Past, and Future.
b) Match each sentence to one of the tenses and uses, e.g. 1. = PrS C. Write the code on the line.

When to use Present Simple:


PrS Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time regular actions I go to work every day.
B* General Time facts Tokyo is the capital city of Japan.
C* Present state I feel fine (at the moment).
D Present now – live commentary Grant passes to Moore; Moore takes a shot; he scores!
E Present instructions First you break two eggs, then you mix in the flour, and add milk.
F Past historic present 1 – slang story So he says get out but I say no, I’m not going nowhere!
G Past historic present 2 – history Napoleon leaves the chateau the next day and rides to Paris.
H* Past news headline PM argues against road closures.
I* Future schedules The train leaves at 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
J* Future after when, while, if, before, etc. I will talk to you when you get home.
*most common uses
When to use Present Continuous:
PrC Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time repeated actions I’m always forgetting to take my lunch to work!
B* General Time after when, while, if, before, etc. I love it when the sun is shining.
C* Present now – unfinished actions Tina is walking to work (at the moment).
D* Present temporary situations We’re living in Berlin (at present).
E Present trends Jogging is getting more popular these days.
F Present now – live commentary They’re sprinting up the track; getting closer; Thomas is leading…
G Past historic present 1 – slang story I’m washing the car, right, and my kids are trying to help, but...
H Past historic present 2 – history War is approaching and the United States is preparing for the worst.
I* Future arrangements (+ time phrase) We’re meeting our son’s teacher on Monday.
J Future just about to start an action We’re going to bed. Goodnight.
*most common uses

1. The weather is lovely today. PrS C


2. Claire is running for the bus. __________
3. So my old man is rude to the bouncer and we are both chucked out of the club. __________
4. If you don’t stop misbehaving there will be trouble! __________
5. Barry visits his grandparents once a month. __________
6. Lucas is always messing around in class. __________
7. After that you put the tray into the oven and wait for fifteen minutes. __________
8. Don’s just leaving. __________
9. Paul usually eats breakfast while he’s reading the newspaper. __________
10. Ferguson warns of new debt crisis. __________
11. I’m staying with an old friend for a few weeks. __________
12. Timms opens the plane door and steps out; he waves then begins his descent. __________
13. Look! Bob’s coming, and he’s bringing his mates; they’re all running…! __________
14. We’re sitting in the garden, minding our own business, and a fox appears. __________
15. We start tomorrow at 9am. __________
16. Unemployment is rising and Thatcher is briefing her cabinet at Number Ten. __________
17. Motor vehicles cause most of the carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S. __________
18. It’s becoming much harder for young people to get on the housing ladder, isn’t it? __________
19. Hugh is having a drink with Emily tomorrow evening. __________
20. Washington is elected Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. __________

11
Grammar Tenses

When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous 2

a) Study the information below about when to use Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses.
Note that both tenses can be used in four different times: General Time, Present, Past, and Future.
b) Match each sentence to one of the tenses and uses, e.g. 1. = PrC J. Write the code on the line.

When to use Present Simple:


PrS Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time regular actions I go to work every day.
B* General Time facts Tokyo is the capital city of Japan.
C* Present state I feel fine (at the moment).
D Present now – live commentary Grant passes to Moore; Moore takes a shot; he scores!
E Present instructions First you break two eggs, then you mix in the flour, and add milk.
F Past historic present 1 – slang story So he says get out but I say no, I’m not going nowhere!
G Past historic present 2 – history Napoleon leaves the chateau the next day and rides to Paris.
H* Past news headline PM argues against road closures.
I* Future schedules The train leaves at 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
J* Future after when, while, if, before, etc. I will talk to you when you get home.
*most common uses
When to use Present Continuous:
PrC Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time repeated actions I’m always forgetting to take my lunch to work!
B* General Time after when, while, if, before, etc. I love it when the sun is shining.
C* Present now – unfinished actions Tina is walking to work (at the moment).
D* Present temporary situations We’re living in Berlin (at present).
E Present trends Jogging is getting more popular these days.
F Present now – live commentary They’re sprinting up the track; getting closer; Thomas is leading…
G Past historic present 1 – slang story I’m washing the car, right, and my kids are trying to help, but...
H Past historic present 2 – history War is approaching and the United States is preparing for the worst.
I* Future arrangements (+ time phrase) We’re meeting our son’s teacher on Monday.
J Future just about to start an action We’re going to bed. Goodnight.
*most common uses

1. We’re going to the park now. PrC J


2. There are fifty-two weeks in a year. __________
3. Suddenly – it’s startin’ to rain and everybody’s packin’ away their picnic things. __________
4. King Alfred is doing everything in his power to defeat the Viking hordes. __________
5. You click on the ‘Contact’ link, open the web page, then type your comment in the box. __________
6. Girls are learning faster than boys, according to new research. __________
7. Peter plays tennis every Friday. __________
8. So Barbara asks John to dance, but he says no, and then walks off in the other direction. __________
9. Hammond’s car is now passing his teammate, who is trying his best not to let him through. __________
10. I’m getting ready. __________
11. The dancers join hands; they step forward; they bow; they thank the audience. __________
12. The water is nice and warm. __________
13. You can have a cake when they’re ready. __________
14. I’m working with Corey on a new project at the moment. __________
15. It’s hard to concentrate while the builders are making such a noise. __________
16. The Rainhill Trials are a huge success and Stevenson’s Rocket wins a place in history. __________
17. Wilkins aims for Cup Final glory. __________
18. They’re always telling me to work harder. __________
19. The first bus leaves at 6:42 in the morning. __________
20. The inspectors are coming in to see us next Tuesday. __________

12
Grammar Tenses

When to Use Present Simple and Present Continuous – Writing Activity

a) Study the information below about when to use Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses.
Note that both tenses can be used in four different times: General Time, Present, Past, and Future.
b) Write one sentence to demonstrate each use.

When to use Present Simple (*most common uses)


PrS Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time regular actions I go to work every day.
B* General Time facts Tokyo is the capital city of Japan.
C* Present state I feel fine (at the moment).
D Present now – live commentary Grant passes to Moore; Moore takes a shot; he scores!
E Present instructions First you break two eggs, then you mix in the flour, and add milk.
F Past historic present 1 – slang story So he says get out but I say no, I’m not going nowhere!
G Past historic present 2 – history Napoleon leaves the chateau the next day and rides to Paris.
H* Past news headline PM argues against road closures.
I* Future schedules The train leaves at 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
J* Future after when, while, if, before, etc. I will talk to you when you get home.

When to use Present Continuous (*most common uses)


PrC Time: Use: Example:
A* General Time repeated actions I’m always forgetting to take my lunch to work!
B* General Time after when, while, if, before, etc. I love it when the sun is shining.
C* Present now – unfinished actions Tina is walking to work (at the moment).
D* Present temporary situations We’re living in Berlin (at present).
E Present trends Jogging is getting more popular these days.
F Present now – live commentary They’re sprinting up the track; getting closer; Thomas is leading…
G Past historic present 1 – slang story I’m washing the car, right, and my kids are trying to help, but...
H Past historic present 2 – history War is approaching and the United States is preparing for the worst.
I* Future arrangements (+ time phrase) We’re meeting our son’s teacher on Monday.
J Future just about to start an action We’re going to bed. Goodnight.

1. PrS A ____________________________________________________________________________

2. PrS B ____________________________________________________________________________

3. PrS C ____________________________________________________________________________

4. PrS D ____________________________________________________________________________

5. PrS E ____________________________________________________________________________

6. PrS F ____________________________________________________________________________

7. PrS G ____________________________________________________________________________

8. PrS H ____________________________________________________________________________

9. PrS I ____________________________________________________________________________

10. PrS J ____________________________________________________________________________

11. PrC A ____________________________________________________________________________

12. PrC B ____________________________________________________________________________

13. PrC C ____________________________________________________________________________

14. PrC D ____________________________________________________________________________

15. PrC E ____________________________________________________________________________

16. PrC F ____________________________________________________________________________

17. PrC G ____________________________________________________________________________

18. PrC H ____________________________________________________________________________

19. PrC I ____________________________________________________________________________

20. PrC J ____________________________________________________________________________

13
Grammar Future Forms

Future Simple and Future Continuous – Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the correct answers to the questions below:

1. How do you make Future Simple?


a) subject + will + infinitive b) subject + will + be + ing form

2. How do you make Future Continuous?


a) subject + will + have + ing form b) subject + will + be + ing form

3. Which sentence is Future Simple?


a) I will go to the shop later. b) I will be go to the shop later.

4. Which sentence is Future Continuous?


a) He will be study later. b) He will be studying later.

5. Which contraction (short form) is incorrect?


a) We’ll meet you at six o’clock. b) We will’ll meet you at six o’clock.

6. Which statement(s) are true? We use Future Simple for:


a) immediate future b) promises c) future predictions d) future plans

7. The negative form of will:


a) willn’t b) will not c) want d) will no

8. The contraction of ‘will not’ is:


a) won’t b) willn’t c) weren’t d) want

9. Choose the correct answer(s). We use shall instead of will:


a) to make suggestions b) in very formal sentences c) in everyday speech and writing

10. Future continuous is also known as:


a) Future Simple b) Future Continuing c) Future Perfect d) Future Progressive

11. Which Future Continuous sentence(s) are incorrect?


a) I will be being at home. b) We will be watching the match. c) We will be knowing the results.

12. Put this Future Simple question in order: taxi will this a you getting home evening be
a) Will you a taxi be getting home this evening? b) Will you this evening be getting a taxi home?
c) Will you be getting a taxi this home evening? d) Will you be getting a taxi home this evening?

13. We use Future Simple in __________ Conditional.


a) Third b) Second c) First d) Future

14. What is the correct answer to this question in Future Simple: Will you fly to Madrid tomorrow?
a) Yes, I won’t. b) Yes, I’ll. c) Yes, I will fly. d) Yes, I will.

15. Which one of these is not a future form in English?


a) present simple b) present continuous c) future continuous d) be + going to + ing form

14
Grammar Future Forms

Using Future Perfect Continuous

How Future Perfect Continuous is formed

Positive form: subject / will / (adverb) / have / been / ing form I will (probably) have been reading
Negative form: subject / (adverb) / will / not / have / been / ing form I (probably) will not (won’t) have been reading
Yes / no questions: will / subject / (adverb) / have / been / ing form? Will he (probably) have been reading? / Yes, he (a) will (have). / No, he (a) won’t (have).
Wh- questions: wh- / will / subject / (adverb) / have / been / ing form? What will he (probably) have been reading? / A book.

Typical Future Perfect Continuous sentence construction

TIME (BY / BEFORE / ON / AT / IN / /WHEN) [unless the time is known] + FPC phrase + FOR + NUMBER or TIME

Future:
Time Phrase: Example:
BY + TIME By the end of August we will have been living here for three years.
BY THE TIME + ACTION TIME IS By the time you get here, I will have been reading for two hours.
BEFORE + ACTION STATED Before you get here, I will have been reading for two hours.
ON + DAY / DATE On January 18th we will have been living here for three years.
AT + CLOCK TIME At 3pm I will have been reading for two hours.
IN + MONTH / SEASON In January we will have been living here for three years.
WHEN + ACTION When you get here I will have been reading for two hours. FOR + NUMBER
AS OF + TIME As of Friday we will have been living here for three years. or TIME
TIME Tomorrow afternoon I will have been reading for two hours.
MIXED CONDITIONAL: If you get here at 3pm I will have been reading for two hours.
If + PRESENT SIMPLE + TIME / FPC
AT THAT TIME At that time [previously mentioned] we will have been living here for three years.
BY THEN TIME IS By then I will have been reading for two hours.
BY THAT POINT / STAGE KNOWN By that point we will have been living here for three years.
TIME IS KNOWN I will have been reading for two hours.
TIME IS IMPLIED I will have been reading for the whole / entire day.

Past:
Time Phrase: Example:
TIME Yesterday Bill will have been reading (for two hours). FOR IS OPTIONAL
TIME IS KNOWN I will have been reading (for the last / past two hours).

15
Grammar Future Forms

Using Future Perfect Continuous

Complete the sentences using the sentence prompts below. Say which use you intended from the following options. Try to vary subjects, main verbs, and uses:

FUTURE: PAST:
1. To predict the duration of a future action By noon I will have been teaching for an hour. 4. To speculate about a past action I suppose Sarah will’ve been playing golf yesterday.
2. To mark an anniversary On Friday I will’ve been living here for ten years. PAST & FUTURE:
3. To mark how long sby has been waiting In a minute Bob will’ve been waiting for half an hour. 5. To demonstrate cause and effect [P] Ian will’ve been cooking all day, so I bet he was tired.
[F] Ian will’ve been cooking all day, so he will be tired.

Example: Use:

By 2pm I will have been reading for two hours . 1.


(time) (subject) (will’ve) (present participle) (number / time)

1. By + time ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

2. By the time + action ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

3. By then ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

4. By that point / stage ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

5. Before + action ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

6. On + day / date ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

7. At + clock time ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

8. In + month / season ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

9. When + action ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

10. If + action + time ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

11. Time ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

12. Time is known ____________________ _______________ will have been _______________ for _______________. _______________

16
Grammar Conditionals

Get to Know... the Conditional Family 1

To remember conditionals, it can be helpful to think of them as members of a family. This enables us
to understand the different mood of each conditional and when to use them:

Family Member: 1st clause: 2nd clause: Time:


1st conditional Ferne Conditional present simple future simple real future
2nd conditional Becca Conditional past simple would + infinitive unreal future
3rd conditional Herb Conditional past perfect would + have + 3rd form unreal past
zero conditional Nero Conditional present simple present simple general time

Complete each gap using one of these verbs in the correct form:

APPLY | WORK | MESS ABOUT | GET | BRING | HURRY UP | GIVE | GO | MEET

LOSE | REVISE | BOIL | LOVE | CRASH | HAVE | BE | LOOK | FALL | DRINK | FAIL

Ferne Conditional (42) Mother and office manager; focused on the short-term real future. She is:

• Practical: If you 1.__________ home from work early, we’ll go to the supermarket.
• Caring: If I don’t iron your shirt, you’ll 2.__________ really scruffy.
• Nagging: If you don’t 3.__________ for your exams, you won’t get good marks.
• Organising: If the weather is nice tomorrow, we’ll 4.__________ to the beach.
• Realistic: If you don’t 5.__________, you’ll miss your bus!

Becca Conditional (18) Daughter and student: focused on a hypothetical or distant future. She is:

• Introspective: If I 6.__________ two kilos by next month, I would look OK in that dress.
• Unrealistic: I would be a complete mess if I 7.__________ David Beckham!
• Planning ahead: If I 8.__________ to study in Glasgow, I could live with my best friend.
• Giving advice: If you paid for my driving lessons, I could 9.__________ you a lift to work.
• Cautiously optimistic: If I 10.__________ my German exam, I could probably retake it.

Herb Conditional (48) Father and IT boss; focused on a hypothetical past and unhappy present. He is:

• Depressed: If I’d 11.__________ harder at school, I might have had a better career.
• Regretful: If I hadn’t married Ferne, my life might have 12.__________ more fun.
• Relieved: If I hadn’t ordered the cake last week, we wouldn’t have 13._________ it in
time for Ferne’s birthday party.
• Nostalgic: If I hadn’t 14._________ my dad’s car, I wouldn’t have had to leave home at
eighteen and find a job.
• Hopeless: If I’d 15._________ more cash, I could’ve had a takeaway on the way home.

Nero Conditional (10) Son and schoolboy; focused on things that are always true, e.g. facts. He is:

• Enthusiastic: I 16.__________ it if we have pizza and chips for tea!


• Realistic: If I 17.__________ off my bike it really hurts!
• Positive: If I go skateboarding with my mates, we always 18.__________!
• Factual: If the kettle 19.__________, the water is very hot.
• Funny: If I 20.__________ lemonade too quickly, the bubbles come out of my nose!

17
Grammar Conditionals

Get to Know... the Conditional Family 2

To remember conditionals, it can be helpful to think of them as members of a family. This enables us
to understand the different mood of each conditional and when to use them:

Family Member: 1st clause: 2nd clause: Time:


1st conditional Ferne Conditional present simple future simple real future
2nd conditional Becca Conditional past simple would + infinitive unreal future
3rd conditional Herb Conditional past perfect would + have + 3rd form unreal past
zero conditional Nero Conditional present simple present simple general time

Complete each gap using one of these verbs in the correct form:

COME | TAKE | LOSE | BECOME | BUILD | JOIN | DROP | BUY | SNOW

RIDE | LEAVE | ASK | GET | EARN | SIT | MOVE | BE | DO | FIX | EAT

Ferne Conditional (42) Mother and office manager; focused on the short-term real future. She is:

• Practical: If you want to 1.__________ a sandwich for lunch, I’ll give you a fiver.
• Caring: If the rash doesn’t clear up, I’ll 2.__________ you to the doctor’s.
• Nagging: I will be very cross if you 3.__________ home later than eleven o’clock!
• Organising: If the bus is late, I’ll 4.__________ you in town next to the post office.
• Realistic: You won’t get a pay rise if you don’t 5.__________ your boss.

Becca Conditional (18) Daughter and student: focused on a hypothetical or distant future. She is:

• Introspective: If I 6.__________ more like my mate Debbie, boys would like me more.
• Unrealistic: If I won the Nobel Prize for Physics, I would 7.__________ rich and famous.
• Planning ahead: If I worked during the summer, I’d 8.__________ enough money for a car.
• Giving advice: If we advertised in the paper, more people would 9.__________ our team.
• Cautiously optimistic: If I got a new bike for my birthday, I’d 10.__________ to uni every day.

Herb Conditional (48) Father and IT boss; focused on a hypothetical past and unhappy present. He is:

• Depressed: If I had 11.__________ the shower, the family wouldn’t have been annoyed.
• Regretful: I would have 12.__________ a promotion if I hadn’t been rude to my boss.
• Relieved: If I hadn’t 13.__________ that boiled egg, I would have been hungry all day.
• Nostalgic: If Betty hadn’t 14.__________ to Leek, we would’ve probably got married.
• Hopeless: If I’d been more careful, I wouldn’t have 15.______ Ferne’s brother’s Rolex.

Nero Conditional (10) Son and schoolboy; focused on things that are always true, e.g. facts. He is:

• Enthusiastic: If uncle Gaz takes us to the cinema, we can 16._______ right at the back.
• Realistic: If I don’t 17._______ my homework, my parents get cross.
• Positive: If I wake up early, I 18._______ stuff with my LEGO.
• Factual: If you 19._______ a dirty coin in some cola, it comes out really shiny.
• Funny: If it 20._______, we make a big snowman and stick in a carrot for his nose.

18
Grammar Conditionals

Get to Know... the Conditional Family 3

To remember conditionals, it can be helpful to think of them as members of a family. This enables us
to understand the different mood of each conditional and when to use them:

Family Member: 1st clause: 2nd clause: Time:


1st conditional Ferne Conditional present simple future simple real future
2nd conditional Becca Conditional past simple would + infinitive unreal future
3rd conditional Herb Conditional past perfect would + have + 3rd form unreal past
zero conditional Nero Conditional present simple present simple general time

Complete each sentence by adding appropriate main verbs in the correct form:

Ferne Conditional (42) Mother and office manager; focused on the short-term real future. She is:

• Practical: If we 1.__________ online, we’ll 2.__________ time at the airport.


• Caring: If you 3.__________ to watch the match, I’ll 4.__________ my film upstairs.
• Nagging: If you don’t 5.__________ your dirty clothes in the washing bin, I won’t be
able to 6.__________ them.
• Organising: If my brother wants to 7.__________ to the gig, I’ll 8.__________ another
ticket for him.
• Realistic: We won’t 9._______ the car if we don’t 10._______ an advert in the paper.

Becca Conditional (18) Daughter and student: focused on a hypothetical or distant future. She is:

• Introspective: I’d 11.________ better marks if my teachers 12.________ me more.


• Unrealistic: If I could 13.________ anywhere in the world, I’d 14.________ to Canada.
• Planning ahead: If dad 15._______ me some money, I’d be able to 16._______ on holiday.
• Giving advice: If I 17.________ you, I wouldn’t 18.________ that violet jacket to the prom.
• Cautiously optimistic: If Jackie 19.________ with Tim, I’d probably try to 20.________
with him.

Herb Conditional (48) Father and IT boss; focused on a hypothetical past and unhappy present. He is:

• Depressed: If I’d 21.________ my heart, I could have 22.________ a professional


football player.
• Regretful: If I’d 23.________ my health, I wouldn’t have had to 24.________ the
rugby team.
• Relieved: If the babysitter hadn’t 25.________ on time, we would have 26.________
the beginning of the meeting, because the traffic was awful.
• Nostalgic: If I hadn’t 27.________ glasses at school, I might have 28.________ more
girlfriends.
• Hopeless: If we hadn’t 29.________ a row at Mandy’s birthday party, we wouldn’t have
30.________ so stupid.

Nero Conditional (10) Son and schoolboy; focused on things that are always true, e.g. facts. He is:

• Enthusiastic: If I 31. _____ any new football stickers, I 32._____ them to school to swap.
• Realistic: If I 33.________ late, I usually 34.________ tired for the rest of the day.
• Positive: If the circus 35.________ in town, we usually 36.________.
• Factual: If you 37.________ there are any penguins at the North Pole, you
38.________ absolutely wrong!
• Funny: Dad 39.________ shouting if he can’t 40.________ his car keys.

19
Grammar Conditionals

Get to Know... the Conditional Family 4

To remember conditionals, it can be helpful to think of them as members of a family. This enables us
to understand the different mood of each conditional and when to use them:

Family Member: 1st clause: 2nd clause: Time:


1st conditional Ferne Conditional present simple future simple real future
2nd conditional Becca Conditional past simple would + infinitive unreal future
3rd conditional Herb Conditional past perfect would + have + 3rd form unreal past
zero conditional Nero Conditional present simple present simple general time

Complete each sentence by adding appropriate main verbs in the correct form:

Ferne Conditional (42) Mother and office manager; focused on the short-term real future. She is:

• Practical: If you 1._______ the grass this morning, I’ll 2._______ the garden table and
chairs.
• Caring: If you 3._______ any help, you should 4._______ me on my work phone.
• Nagging: If you don’t 5._______, you’ll 6._______ late for school, Nero!
• Organising: I’ll 7._______ my brother if the plumber can’t 8._______ the sink.
• Realistic: If we don’t 9._______ this bill on time, they will 10._______ the gas!

Becca Conditional (18) Daughter and student: focused on a hypothetical or distant future. She is:

• Introspective: If I 11._______ more confidence, I would 12._______ the drama club.


• Unrealistic: If I 13._______ a mouse, I’d 14._______ in a hole in the wall.
• Planning ahead: If Jenny 15._______ ice-skating with me, we could 16._______ to David all
night.
• Giving advice: Dad, if you just 17._______ to look on the bright side, you wouldn’t
18._______ so grumpy all the time!
• Cautiously optimistic: If Terri 19._______ her cousins to the party, they might 20._______ us
a lift home.

Herb Conditional (48) Father and IT boss; focused on a hypothetical past and unhappy present. He is:

• Depressed: If I hadn’t 21._______ Becca’s glasses, she wouldn’t have 22._______


angry.
• Regretful: I would’ve 23._______ better if I’d 24._______ that third piece of cake!
• Relieved: If Erikson hadn’t 25._______ in extra time, we wouldn’t have 26. _______
the semi-finals!
• Nostalgic: If mummy had 27._______ me more, I would have 28._______ more
confident at school.
• Hopeless: If I had 29._______ to bring my wallet, I could’ve 30._______ for our meal.

Nero Conditional (10) Son and schoolboy; focused on things that are always true, e.g. facts. He is:

• Enthusiastic: If Becca’s friend John 31._______ round, we 32._______ football.


• Realistic: If I forget to 33._______ my teeth before school, my mouth doesn’t
34._______ that fresh.
• Positive: If there 35._______ a good film on at the cinema, I always 36._______ my
dad to take me.
• Factual: If I haven’t 37._______ my room, my mum 38._______ annoyed.
• Funny: If I want to 39._______ Becca laugh, I 40._______ a song in a silly voice.

20
Grammar Conditionals

Get to Know... the Conditional Family – Your Ideas

To remember conditionals, it can be helpful to think of them as members of a family. This enables us
to understand the different mood of each conditional and when to use them:

Family Member: 1st clause: 2nd clause: Time:


1st conditional Ferne Conditional present simple future simple real future
2nd conditional Becca Conditional past simple would + infinitive unreal future
3rd conditional Herb Conditional past perfect would + have + 3rd form unreal past
zero conditional Nero Conditional present simple present simple general time

Write five sentences for each person using the relevant conditional form:

Ferne Conditional (42) Mother and office manager; focused on the short-term real future:

1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________

Becca Conditional (18) Daughter and student: focused on a hypothetical or distant future:

6. ___________________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________________________

Herb Conditional (48) Father and IT boss; focused on a hypothetical past and unhappy present:

11. ___________________________________________________________________________
12. ___________________________________________________________________________
13. ___________________________________________________________________________
14. ___________________________________________________________________________
15. ___________________________________________________________________________

Nero Conditional (10) Son and schoolboy; focused on things that are always true, e.g. facts:

16. ___________________________________________________________________________
17. ___________________________________________________________________________
18. ___________________________________________________________________________
19. ___________________________________________________________________________
20. ___________________________________________________________________________

21
Grammar Conditionals

Create Maths Problems with Zero Conditional Question Forms

Change a boring sum into an imaginative maths problem using zero conditional question forms –
the funnier the better! Zero conditional is formed by using: If + present simple + present simple.

For example: Boring: 2 + 5 - 4 = 3. Imaginative: ‘If I have two bottles of Coke and I buy five more, but
then my cousin steals four of them, how many bottles of Coke do I have in my fridge?’ Answer: 3.

Verb ideas for plus + Verb ideas for minus -


acquire, add, bring, buy, discover, earn, delete, destroy, drop, eat, get rid of, hide,
find, get, make, produce, receive, steal lose, misplace, remove, sell, take away

Verb ideas for multiplied by x Verb ideas for divided by ÷


breed, copy, discover, duplicate, grow, allot, apportion, assign, distribute,
increase, multiply by, replicate divvy up, share, split equally with/between

1. 1 + 4 - 3 = 2. If _______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

2. 8 + 2 - 5 = 5. If _______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

3. 16 - 8 + 4 = 12. If _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

4. 14 - 6 + 18 = 26. If ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

5. 450 + 96 ÷ 8 = 68.25. If ________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________

6. 44 + 4 ÷ 8 = 6. If ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

7. 15.5 - 9 x 4 = 26. If ____________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________

8. 22 - 7 x 4 = 60. If _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

9. 18 ÷ 6 + 17 = 20. If ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

10. 312 ÷ 8 + 1,062 = 1101. If ______________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________

22
Grammar Sentence Building

There is / There are

1. We usually use there is and there are in the opening sentence when describing a place, e.g. “I’m at school
but there is nobody here.” “Because it’s Saturday!”

We use there is / there to say what there is or is not – what exists or what does not. We also use it to talk about
numbers/quantities (There are a lot of people here.); events (There’s a meeting later.) and the weather (There
is rain forecast.). After there is we can use the pronouns: something/everything/nothing, and
somebody/everybody/nobody. After there is not we use: anything/anybody.

There is: There are:


Before singular countable nouns Before plural nouns
Before uncountable nouns
Contraction is usual in spoken English: there’s No contraction in written English: there’re

2. We use verb to be, so there is and there are can transformed into different tenses, e.g.

Tense: Positive: Negative: Question:


Present Simple: there is / there’s there is not / isn’t is there?
there are there are not / aren’t are there?
Past Simple: there was there was not / wasn’t was there?
there were there were not / weren’t were there?
Present Perfect: there has been / there’s been there has not been / hasn’t been has there been?
there have been there have not been / haven’t been have there been?
Future Simple: there will be / there’ll be there will not be / won’t be will there be?

...and so on. Note that we don’t use be with continuous tenses because it is a state verb, so not:
There is being... / are being... etc. We can also combine there is/are with modal verbs, e.g. there must be, there
can be, there used to be, there might have been, etc.

3. Collocation: after there is / there are we can use the following type of phrases:

There is / are: noun phrase: place:


There is a bag on the table.

We can make the sentence more interesting by:

a) adding another place:

There is / are: noun phrase: place #1 place #2


There is a bag on the table in the kitchen.

b) using a conjunction to add another clause:

There is / are: noun phrase: place: conjunction + clause


There is a bag on the table, because I put it there.

c) using a relative clause (which, that, who, etc.)

There is / are: noun phrase: place: relative clause:


There is a bag on the table which belongs to Dianne.

We can also make the sentence more interesting by using adjectives with the nouns:
There is a bag on the table. > There is a small blue bag on the kitchen table.

It is better to combine information to make a longer sentence, not use several short sentences, e.g.

Not: There is a bike. It is in my yard. It is great. I like it. but: There is a great bike in my yard, which I like.

4. Pronunciation: when we are speaking we use reduced forms rather than long vowel sounds, e.g.

• “There’s a film on TV.” We say thz not theirz. The phrase “There’s a...” is pronounced th z. The article
“a” is far more likely to follow “There is” than “the”, because it forms an opening sentence (first mention).
• “There are two people here.” We say th r, not their rar

5. Avoid confusion with it: It is a book on the table. “There” is not a subject, while “it” is. “There” is a false
subject. It introduces the thing that will become the subject – usually in the following sentence.

23
Grammar Sentence Building

There is / There are – Exercises

1. Correct the error in each sentence:

a) There is two trees in the garden. f) There’s anything I want to tell you.
b) It’s a good programme on TV. g) There are some meat in the fridge.
c) There are too much information. h) It is a new printer in the office.
d) There’re a lot of people here. i) There must being a bigger plate.
e) There is being a lot of traffic today. j) There aren’t anything to do here.

2. Complete the gaps below:

a) There __________ a party down at the harbour yesterday.


b) There __________ be time to call at the bookshop – sorry.
c) __________ there enough worksheets for all the students?
d) There __________ usually five kids at the chess club, but today __________ only one.
e) __________ there anybody who has a nut allergy?
f) There __________ two female CEOs of this firm to date.

3. i) Write each sentence in the correct order, adding punctuation as necessary:

a) left jar there in aren’t biscuits the many ___________________________________


b) lot has bad lately been a of there weather ___________________________________
c) an be meeting there’ll tomorrow important ___________________________________
d) late reason there today any is you why are ___________________________________

ii) Complete the table by writing your own sentences:

Noun Phrase: Place #1: Place #2:


There is
There are

Noun Phrase: Place: Conjunction + clause:


There is
There are

Noun Phrase: Place: Relative clause:


There is
There are

iii) Combine three sentences into one long sentence:

a) There is a guy in my class. He comes from Brazil. He is really friendly.


__________________________________________________________________________

b) There will be a vacancy. It will be in personnel. It is the place where you want to work.
__________________________________________________________________________

c) There are some sweets. They are in the cupboard. The cupboard is in the kitchen.
__________________________________________________________________________

4. Match each sentence with its Clear Alphabet translation:

a) Waiter! There’s a fly in my soup! 1) Th Wo zn_ E nii weir t Park.


b) There are only three days until my birthday. 2) Thl bii y Bar bi kyoo won Frai dei.
c) There wasn’t anywhere to park. 3) Wei t! Th z Flai yin mai Soop!
d) There’ll be a barbecue on Friday. 4) Th r Eun lii Ttree Dei sn til mai Ber ttdei.

24
Grammar Word Classes

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

• Some English nouns are countable. We can count them using numbers: one, two, three, etc.
They have plural forms, with -s or –es. They are individual items. Almost everything that you
can see around you is a countable noun. For example: chair, table, book, pen, desk, door,
wall, bag, etc. Countable nouns are far more common than uncountable nouns.

• Some English nouns are uncountable. We cannot count them using numbers. They are not
individual items, but items which have no fixed shape or size. They are sometimes called
mass nouns or uncount nouns. They have only one form. They do not have plural forms.
They are substances which are made up of many smaller parts, for example:

food: pasta, pizza, cheese, rice, butter, meat, beef, lamb, chocolate, gum
liquid: water, juice, wine, beer, vinegar
material: wood, paper, metal, iron, plastic, fabric, cotton
sports: football, rugby, tennis, racing, swimming, basketball
weather: rain, snow, sun, wind, thunder, lightning,

Many abstract nouns are uncountable. Abstract nouns are things that we cannot see or
touch; which do not have a physical form, for example: accommodation, advice, happiness,
information, progress, etc. However, not all abstract nouns are uncountable. Some are
countable, for example: date, favourite, journey, mortgage, programme, etc. On the other
hand, some common everyday things are uncountable, e.g. furniture, money, work,
homework, luggage, etc. Activities with gerunds are uncountable, e.g. reading, writing,
swimming, shopping, walking, sailing, etc.

• Some English nouns can be countable or uncountable, depending on the context. The
meaning changes, depending on whether the noun is countable or uncountable. We need to
learn them. For example:

Countable Meaning: Uncountable Meaning:


Do you fancy a coffee? (one drink) I don’t like coffee. (all coffee)
We saw a lamb in a field. The lamb at this restaurant is great.
Shall we get a pizza? Pizza is the national dish of Italy.
We had a good time at the party. Time passed and night came.

• We can make uncountable nouns countable by using quantity words in front of them, e.g.
These words are called partitives. For example:

a jar of jam a bottle of juice a jug of cream


a piece of paper a packet of butter a slice of cheese
a bag of sugar a glass of milk a bar of chocolate

• It is important to know whether nouns are countable or uncountable, so that we use articles
and determiners correctly. There must be an article (a, an, or the) or a determiner before
singular countable nouns; there can be an article (the) before uncountable nouns if the
context is specific, e.g. ... If not, we don’t use an article before uncountable nouns, or if
there is a certain amount we use some, e.g. ...

• A singular verb follows uncountable nouns, e.g. the meat was, not the meat were.

• We can use the following determiners:


Plural Countable Nouns: Uncountable Nouns
some (positive forms) some (positive forms)
a lot of a lot of
all all
any (negative and question forms) any (negative and question forms)
many much (negative and question forms)
- a little

25
Grammar Word Classes

Countable and Uncountable Nouns – Exercises


1. Put each word into the correct category:

road, power, cotton, sand, chocolate, pizza, pepper, rule, hat, butter, hamburger, football

Countable Nouns: Uncountable Nouns: Can be Countable or


Uncountable:

2. Add vowel letters to these common uncountable nouns:

a) p ____ st ____ d) r ____ ____ n g) ch ____ ____ s ____


b) c ____ ff ____ ____ e) s ____ l ____ d h) h ____ pp ____ n ____ ss
c) s ____ g ____ r f) pl ____ st ____ c i) h ____ m ____ w ____ rk

3. Complete the sentences using ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘some’, or ‘any’:

There is _______ book on the table. There is _________ apple in the basket.
There is _______ music on the radio. There is _________ milk in that glass.
There isn’t _______ cheese in the fridge. There’s _______ programme about fish.
There’s _______ money in my purse. Is there _________ snow outside?

4. Match the quantity words (partitives) with the uncountable nouns:

slice bowl gust jar bottle game tube plate

a) a ____________ of soup e) a ____________ of salad


b) a ____________ of peanut butter f) a ____________ of wind
c) a ____________ of tennis g) a ____________ of water
d) a ____________ of toothpaste h) a ____________ of cheese

5. Correct the errors in this shopping list:

a) a can of bread ____________ e) a loaf of coffee ____________


b) 2 tins of ice cream ____________ f) 3 mm of honey ____________
c) 2 buckets of gum ____________ g) a bar of sugar ____________
d) a tube of cake ____________ h) a cup of beans ____________

6. Add ‘a’, ‘an’ or zero article (nothing) in each gap:

a) We bought ______ new TV yesterday. d) We played basketball for ______ hour.


b) The door is made of ______ old wood. e) They had a walk in ______ wood.
c) I don’t like watching ______ TV. f) There was ______ orange basketball.

7. Write any incorrect sentences out correctly: (singular verb forms)

a) The gum were stuck to the desk. c) Printer paper cost a lot.
b) Dinner is ready. d) The rice are coming to the boil.

8. Complete the gaps in the story using a little, any, a few, many, and much:

Yesterday was our day off, so we had a)__________ free time. We did b)__________
shopping, then drove to the hills. There wasn’t c)__________ traffic – just d)__________
cars – so we arrived at the picnic place quickly. We were so glad that Tina made
e)__________ sandwiches but unfortunately we had forgotten to pack f)__________ plates!

26
Grammar Word Classes

Adjectives
1. An adjective is a content word that describes a noun. Adjectives are the third largest word group in
English, after nouns and verbs. An adjective usually goes before a noun but after an article, e.g.
a big fork, a green taxi, an old house, etc. The extra information makes the noun more interesting to
the listener or reader, because it makes it more specific and therefore easier to imagine. Specific is
interesting while general is boring. Consider which is more interesting:

General: “The man wore a t-shirt.” Specific: “The tall athletic man wore a blue striped t-shirt.”

We often find adjectives after verb be, e.g. It is a big fork. / There was an empty taxi. Here are some of
the most common adjectives with their opposite adjectives:

big / small beautiful / ugly clean / dirty long / short

It is possible to use many adjectives before a noun, e.g. “a large long white wooden Hawaiian
surfboard”, but it is better to limit the number of adjectives to two or three at the most, e.g. “a large white
Hawaiian surfboard”.

2. There is a particular order for different types of adjective. For example, we can say: “I met an old
Italian man”, but not “I met an Italian old man.” The correct order is:

opinion | size / length | shape | age | colour | origin | material | purpose | noun

3. Adjectives have three forms: normal, comparative (for comparing one noun with another), and
superlative (for saying that one thing is the most x). If an adjective has one syllable, we usually add
-er suffix + than to make comparative form and the + -est suffix to make superlative form:

Normal: Comparative Form: Superlative Form:


big bigger than the biggest

If an adjective has two or more syllables, we usually use more [adjective] than to make comparative
form, and the most [adjective] to make superlative form. For example:

Normal: Comparative Form: Superlative Form:


beautiful more beautiful than the most beautiful

Some longer adjectives do not fit this pattern, e.g. tasty (two syllables) > tastier > tastiest, while a few
common adjectives have irregular forms which we need to learn, for example:

Normal: Comparative Form: Superlative Form:


good / bad better than / worse than the best / the worst

4. Adjectives, verbs, nouns, and adverbs can belong to word families. They look like they belong
together, although they may have different suffixes, e.g.

Adjective: Verb: Noun: Adverb:


clean to clean cleaner / cleanliness cleanly

There is an important group of adjectives which have both -ing and -ed endings, for example:
amazing/amazed, boring/bored, etc. In general, we use -ing adjectives to describe things and -ed
adjectives to describe how people feel, e.g. “He was bored.” / “The party was boring.” We can use so,
very, or another intensifier to make the adjective stronger, e.g. “He was so bored.” / “The party was
very boring.” / “I felt absolutely amazed!” / “The concert was too long.” etc.

5. Adjectives can be strong or weak (sometimes called base). Strong adjectives are more interesting than
weak adjectives, because they are more expressive – so it is better to use them when we can, e.g.

Weak: Strong: Weak: Strong:


angry furious happy ecstatic

Remember that English is a rich language and many adjectives have synonyms (words that mean the
same), e.g. the concert could be great, wonderful, fantastic, fabulous, terrific, magnificent, pleasing, and
brilliant! Begin by learning weak adjectives, then their strong equivalents, then other synonyms.

27
Grammar Word Classes

Adjectives – Exercises

1. i) Underline the adjective in each phrase:

a) my lovely goldfish b) a soft cushion c) Mike’s younger brother d) a great day

ii) Match the adjectives below with their opposite adjectives:

far weak small nasty dirty loud cold ugly

a) big __________ e) beautiful __________


b) hot __________ f) clean __________
c) near __________ g) quiet __________
d) nice __________ h) strong __________

2. Change the order of adjectives to make them correct:

a) a wooden beautiful doll e) smelly yellow round cheeses


b) an blue old car f) a middle-aged woman tall
c) a Swedish priceless clock g) my brown favourite jacket
d) an cricket Australian expensive bat h) a square huge leather folder

3. Rewrite the dialogue to make it correct:

a) My dog is biggest than yours. e) Your dog is the worse.


b) No, my dog is biggest. f) No, mine is the better!
c) But mine is the most beautifulest. g) OK, let’s say mine is the nicer.
d) No, mine is beautifuler than yours. h) And mine is stronger than.

4. i) Complete the gaps in this word families diagram:

Adjective: Verb: Noun: Adverb:


good None a) b)
exciting c) d) e)
hot f) g) h)
safe None i) j)
short k) l) m)
wonderful n) o) p)

ii) Add a suffix – either -ing or -ed:

a) The match was so bor-_____. e) The headphones were amaz-_____.


b) We were excit-_____ about the gift. f) Jennifer was really surpris-_____.
c) The sushi was disgust-_____. g) Her reaction was interest-_____.
d) My boss is annoy-_____ me now. h) By the end of the day I felt tir-_____.

5. Match the weak adjectives below with the following strong adjectives:

hilarious priceless freezing ancient unforgettable silent lovely packed

a) cold __________ e) valuable __________


b) funny __________ f) nice __________
c) old __________ g) crowded __________
d) quiet __________ h) memorable __________

28
Grammar Word Classes

100 Adjective + Preposition Collocations (A-Z List)

accused of a crime hopeless with money


addicted to drugs identical to yours
afraid of the dark / to do sth (something) impressed with / about your new job
allergic to gluten incapable of doing sth
amazed at / by the news independent of other people
angry about sth / with sby (somebody) innocent of a crime
annoyed about sth / with / by sby interested in sailing
anxious about sth involved in a school play
appreciated for their hard work jealous of a crime
ashamed of doing sth wrong keen on fishing / him / her
astonished by the news kind to sby
aware of sth late for class
bad at sport married to sby
bored by the bus journey nervous about the job interview
brilliant at swimming nice to sby
busy with cooking dinner notorious for a famous crime
capable of doing sth difficult pleased with sby / myself
careful with money / about sth polite to sby
careless of sby to do sth proud of sby
certain of the truth ready for work
clever with words related to sby
concerned about the latest news responsible for cleaning the office
conscious of the time rude to my boss
crazy about pets sad about the accident
critical of my employees safe from harm / danger
crowded with people satisfied with my life
cruel to sby scared of spiders
delighted with my birthday present sensitive to sunlight
dependent on my carer serious about my job
different to other people shocked by the news
disappointed with you short of time
engaged in planning a meeting sick of your complaining
enthusiastic about the race on Saturday silly of you to do sth
envious of my friend similar to her
excellent at English sorry for my mistake
excited about the party on Friday night stupid of me to do sth
experienced in the truth successful in business
famous for his music suitable for children aged 3+
fed up with this homework sure about my choice of car
fond of my nephew surprised by the price of that dress
free of / from artificial flavours / to do sth suspicious of my husband
friendly to sby terrible at golf
frightened of / by the horror movie terrified of drowning
full of fun tired of endless discussions
furious about my broken vase typical of your behaviour
generous to my friends upset by my friend
good at chess used by sby / sth
grateful to everybody for their help weak at maths
guilty of a crime / about sth (feel) worried about the test
happy about going on holiday wrong about what happened

29
Grammar Word Classes

100 Adjective + Preposition Collocations (A-Z List – Gap-Fill)

Add a preposition and object to each adjective:

accused e.g. of a crime hopeless _____________________


addicted _____________________ identical _____________________
afraid _____________________ impressed _____________________
allergic _____________________ incapable _____________________
amazed _____________________ independent _____________________
angry _____________________ innocent _____________________
annoyed _____________________ interested _____________________
anxious _____________________ involved _____________________
appreciated _____________________ jealous _____________________
ashamed _____________________ keen _____________________
astonished _____________________ kind _____________________
aware _____________________ late _____________________
bad _____________________ married _____________________
bored _____________________ nervous _____________________
brilliant _____________________ nice _____________________
busy _____________________ notorious _____________________
capable _____________________ pleased _____________________
careful _____________________ polite _____________________
careless _____________________ proud _____________________
certain _____________________ ready _____________________
clever _____________________ related _____________________
concerned _____________________ responsible _____________________
conscious _____________________ rude _____________________
crazy _____________________ sad _____________________
critical _____________________ safe _____________________
crowded _____________________ satisfied _____________________
cruel _____________________ scared _____________________
delighted _____________________ sensitive _____________________
dependent _____________________ serious _____________________
different _____________________ shocked _____________________
disappointed _____________________ short _____________________
engaged _____________________ sick _____________________
enthusiastic _____________________ silly _____________________
envious _____________________ similar _____________________
excellent _____________________ sorry _____________________
excited _____________________ stupid _____________________
experienced _____________________ successful _____________________
famous _____________________ suitable _____________________
fed up _____________________ sure _____________________
fond _____________________ surprised _____________________
free _____________________ suspicious _____________________
friendly _____________________ terrible _____________________
frightened _____________________ terrified _____________________
full _____________________ tired _____________________
furious _____________________ typical _____________________
generous _____________________ upset _____________________
good _____________________ used _____________________
grateful _____________________ weak _____________________
guilty _____________________ worried _____________________
happy _____________________ wrong _____________________

30
Grammar Word Classes

100 Words You Didn’t Know Were Adverbs – Ordered by Type

We usually think of adverbs as words that end in -ly, like quickly and happily, but there are lots of
everyday adverbs that don’t end in -ly. Here are 100 of the most common, ordered by type:

Conjunctive: Frequency: Place: Probability:


again always about maybe
also ever abroad perhaps
besides never ahead
furthermore often anywhere Time:
meanwhile once around after
moreover seldom away already
next sometimes back before
twice backward late
Degree: deep later
almost Interrogative: down now
as how downstairs since
enough when east soon
even whenever everywhere then
less where far till
little wherever here today
more why home tomorrow
most inside tonight
much Linking: near until
no however north yesterday
not nevertheless nowhere yet
still therefore off
too though on
very out
wide Manner: outside
fast somewhere
Duration: hard south
forever loud there
long so together
straight up
Emphasis: well upstairs
just wrong west
quite

31
Grammar Quantifiers

Extension: Write a number to show which


When do we use all and whole in English? kind of error each sentence represents:
1. Word Order
2. Determiners
3. Vocabulary
4. Singular/Plural Nouns
Practice Worksheet
5. Countable/Uncountable Nouns

Ex. 1 Write each sentence correctly:

1. I want all cakes. ___________________________________________


2. I waited all the morning. ___________________________________________
3. People all are very busy. ___________________________________________
4. We ate three all apples. ___________________________________________
5. The whole people are very busy. ___________________________________________
6. All the morning it has been raining. ___________________________________________
7. I waited all my the life. ___________________________________________
8. He ate a whole apples. ___________________________________________
9. I waited whole the morning. ___________________________________________
10. He listened to the whole music. ___________________________________________

Ex. 2 Write each sentence correctly:

1. I waited whole my life. ___________________________________________


2. It’s been raining all days. ___________________________________________
3. A whole days went by as I waited for her text.___________________________________________
4. We ate three whole the apples. ___________________________________________
5. I waited my all life. ___________________________________________
6. The whole my apple has gone. ___________________________________________
7. Whole of day it has been raining. ___________________________________________
8. We ate three whole my apples. ___________________________________________
9. I have eaten the whole spaghetti. ___________________________________________
10. We put all things in the car. ___________________________________________

Ex. 3 Find the incorrect sentences, and write them correctly:

1. All people are very busy. ___________________________________________


2. She has drunk the whole juice. ___________________________________________
3. He has eaten two whole apples. ___________________________________________
4. Of cake I ate the whole. ___________________________________________
5. It rained all day on Friday. ___________________________________________
6. We watched the whole concert. ___________________________________________
7. I waited whole my the life. ___________________________________________
8. We all missed the bus. ___________________________________________
9. I want the all cakes. ___________________________________________
10. Everybody finished work and went home. ___________________________________________

Ex. 4 Find the incorrect sentences, and write them correctly:

1. I ate all the cakes. ___________________________________________


2. I cooked the whole pasta. ___________________________________________
3. I’ve lived in Bournemouth all my life. ___________________________________________
4. I have waited for this moment my whole lives.___________________________________________
5. Of cake I ate my the all. ___________________________________________
6. We ate three whole apple. ___________________________________________
7. I ate the whole cake. ___________________________________________
8. I have waited for this moment whole the my life._________________________________________
9. We went to England for three whole days. ___________________________________________
10. We had three whole puddings. ___________________________________________

32
Grammar Quantifiers

Mega-List of Quantifiers in English


Quantifiers are words that we use before a noun to say how many or how much there is.
They are determiners, pronouns, and numbers. Countable and uncountable nouns share many of the same quantifiers,
but some are used only with either countable or uncountable nouns.

Countable noun = an individual item with a fixed shape, e.g. a book


Uncountable noun = a quantity of something which has no fixed shape, e.g. water

A Quantifiers used with countable and uncountable nouns:

Notes: Countable Nouns (books / them) Uncountable Nouns (water / it)


You should try to learn all (of)
these quantifiers. They a lot of
are the most useful, lots of
because we can use some / some of (positive)
them with both count. any / hardly any / not any (negative)
and uncount. nouns! part of / a bit of / a piece of
no / none of / zero
a load of / loads of / heaps of / tons of / a shedload of
1 this / that
1 or more the
¼, 1/3, ½, ¾, (a) quarter of / a third of / (a) half (of) / three quarters of
more
most (of)
plenty of
a good deal of / a great deal of
containers a packet of / packets of
a box of / boxes of
a pound of / 200 grams of
the rest of / the remainder of
enough / not enough / more than enough
a (small, medium, large) quantity of
either (of) or / neither (of) nor

B Different quantifiers that are equivalents:

Notes: Countable Nouns (books / them) Uncountable Nouns (water / it)


These quantifiers are the a few / fewer / the fewest a little / less / the least
easiest to mix up, few / very few / fewer / the fewest little / very little / less / the least
because we use a many / so many / too many much ( - & ? ) / so much ( + ) /
different word with each too much ( + & ?)
kind of noun! both (of) both (when 2 nouns)
a (small, medium, large) number of a (small, medium, large) amount of

C Quantifiers used only with countable nouns because they signify numbers:

Notes: Countable Nouns (books / them) Uncountable Nouns (water / it)


1 a / an -
1 / 1+ another / other -
1 every, each -
1 the whole (of) -
1+ these / those -
2 a couple of -
1, 2, 3, etc. one, two, three, etc. -
approx. 1-10 several / one or two -
12 + 12, etc. dozens of -
100 + 100, etc. hundreds of -
1,000 + 1,000, etc. thousands of -
1m x 1m, etc. millions of -
1bn x 1bn, etc. billions of -
51%+ the majority of -
1+ these / those -

33
Grammar Modal Verbs

26 Past, Present, and Future Uses of Would

Would is used:
1. as the past form of will (see 7 sentences labelled P below)
2. to describe hypothetical situations (see 12 sentences labelled H below)
3. to create a formal or polite sentence (see 7 sentences labelled F below)

Connected:
a) past intentions/expectations It was clear that they would phone back again. (P)
b) reported speech (past of will) He said he would see me at work the following day. (P)
1. Past: c) used to They would walk home by the river every Friday. (P)
d) insistence He would keep (on) begging me to go, but I couldn’t. (P)
e) 3rd conditional If I hadn’t met her, we wouldn’t have become friends. (H)
f) would + have (did not happen) I would have gone to the match, but I didn’t have time. (H)
g) past possibility I needed to find somebody who would listen to me. (P)
h) future in the past #1 (result) Emily would go on to win first prize in the contest. (P)
i) future in the past #2 (prediction) I thought/knew/believed/was sure you would buy that car. (P)

a) likes and dislikes I would like/love/hate another cup of tea. (F)


b) offers and invitations Would you like to go for a walk, Deidre? (F)
2. Present: c) Polite requests (indirect questions) Would you.../Would you be able to.../Would it be possible
for you to... + infinitive; Would you mind... + gerund (F)
d) typical behaviour You would say/do that, wouldn’t you? (H)
e) to express uncertainty He would seem/appear to be late. / I wouldn’t know. (F)
f) 2nd conditional (hypothetical) If I were better paid, I wouldn’t be living in this flat. (H)
g) mixed conditional If I’d done more revision, I wouldn’t be so nervous now. (H)
h) permission (formal/literary) “May I sit here?” “I would be glad/honoured if you would.” (F)
i) adjective: a would-be + position John is a would-be pilot. = an aspiring/wannabe pilot (H)
j) hypothetical behaviour (now) I’d give you half of my dessert, but it’s too delicious! (H)

a) 2nd conditional – unreal future If I had enough money, I’d climb Mount Kilimanjaro. (H)
b) advice: If I were you/him/her/them If I were you, I wouldn’t go to the gig next week. (H)
3. Future: c) imaginary/hypothetical plans It would be good to have a walk this evening. (F)
d) preferences I would prefer not to/rather not go to the auction. (F)
e) predictions/probability I’d think/imagine/guess it would probably rain later. (H)
f) I wish / If only + would I wish it would snow tomorrow. (H)
g) would that (formal/literary; Would that they would/could change their ways. /
strong wish/regret) Would that I were healthier/richer/stronger, etc. (H)

Fact file:
• would is a modal auxiliary verb. It only has one form, so cannot be conjugated.
• After would there must be a verb infinitive without to. The negative form is: would not / wouldn’t.
• The contraction is ’d, e.g. She would like to get a job. / She’d like to get a job. Avoid confusion with
the past form contraction of had: She had got a job. / She’d got a job.
• It is pronounced Wuud. It is a homophone with the material “wood”. They both sound exactly the
same but have different spellings and meanings. The weak form is wd.
• would dates back to the 14th century. It was first recorded c.1300 as the Old English word wolde,
which was the past form of wyllen, which we know today as will.

34
Grammar Modal Verbs

26 Past, Present, and Future Uses of Would – Activities


a) Write one sentence in three forms (+, -, ?) to show an example of would in each use:

b) When is would used...?


1. as the past form of will (label your sentences P below)
2. to describe hypothetical situations (label your sentences H below)
3. to create a formal or polite sentence (label your sentences F below)

a) past intentions/expectations _______________________________________________


b) reported speech (past of will) _______________________________________________
1. Past: c) used to _______________________________________________
d) insistence _______________________________________________
e) 3rd conditional _______________________________________________
f) would + have (did not happen) _______________________________________________
g) past possibility _______________________________________________
h) future in the past #1 (result) _______________________________________________
i) future in the past #2 (prediction) _______________________________________________

a) likes and dislikes _______________________________________________


b) offers and invitations _______________________________________________
2. Present: c) Polite requests (indirect questions) _______________________________________________
d) typical behaviour _______________________________________________
e) to express uncertainty _______________________________________________
f) 2nd conditional (hypothetical) _______________________________________________
g) mixed conditional _______________________________________________
h) permission (formal/literary) _______________________________________________
i) adjective: a would-be + position _______________________________________________
j) hypothetical behaviour (now) _______________________________________________

a) 2nd conditional – unreal future _______________________________________________


b) advice: If I were you/him/her/them _______________________________________________
3. Future: c) imaginary/hypothetical plans _______________________________________________
d) preferences _______________________________________________
e) predictions/probability _______________________________________________
f) I wish / If only + would _______________________________________________
g) would that (formal/literary; _______________________________________________
strong wish/regret)

Fact file:
• would is a modal auxiliary verb. It only has one form, so cannot be conjugated.
• After would there must be a verb infinitive without to. The negative form is: would not / wouldn’t.
• The contraction is ’d, e.g. She would like to get a job. / She’d like to get a job. Avoid confusion with
the past form contraction of had: She had got a job. / She’d got a job.
• It is pronounced Wuud. It is a homophone with the material “wood”. They both sound exactly the
same but have different spellings and meanings. The weak form is wd.
• would dates back to the 14th century. It was first recorded c.1300 as the Old English word wolde,
which was the past form of wyllen, which we know today as will.

35
Grammar Sentence Building

Understanding Ellipsis

Ellipsis occurs when we leave out unnecessary words from a sentence. The omitted words are
unnecessary for working out the meaning, because they do not affect the meaning, e.g.

This is the book I like. NOT This is the book that I like.

In this way, ellipsis ‘tidies up’ the sentence by making it more streamlined or ‘word-efficient’. In
English, it is not necessary to repeat words and phrases in the same sentence, for example: “The
twins bought ice creams for the twins themselves.” This creates redundancy.

We can also use ellipsis when we know the listener or reader is aware of the meaning from the
context, e.g.

Two friends walk into their work canteen and one goes towards the kettle.
He says to his colleague: “Tea?” instead of “Would you like a cup of tea?”

Native speakers use ellipsis all the time, and are quite proficient with it. They know what is missing
and why it does not matter to the meaning. However, learners of English may realise that part of the
sentence is missing, but struggle to guess the missing part. They find they don’t get the meaning of
the sentence, because “something is missing” – which is the definition of ellipsis. However, sometimes
we don’t use ellipsis when we want to sound more formal, e.g. “It is the book that I like.” is more formal
than “It’s the book I like.”

There are many kinds of ellipsis, some of which are listed below. We can use one or more of them in
the same sentence:

Textual ellipsis – the surrounding text makes the meaning clear:

Type of ellipsis: Example with ellipsis: The full sentence without ellipsis:
1. contractions We’ll go for a meal. We will go for a meal.
2. relative pronoun (or clause) missing The bike I bought yesterday... The bike that I bought yesterday...
3. verb phrase missing before gerund While driving, I thought of you. While I was driving, I thought of you.
4. verb phrase missing after verb + to We can leave, if you want to. We can leave, if you want to leave.
5. pronoun replaces a noun phrase That bike was the one I borrowed. That bike was the bike that I borrowed.
6. imperative form replaces modal Go with us tomorrow. You could go with us tomorrow.

Situational ellipsis – knowledge of the context makes the meaning clear:

Type of ellipsis: Example with ellipsis: The full sentence without ellipsis:
7. a word or two replace a sentence Football? Do you want to go and play football?
8. auxiliary verb(s) (or be) missing You watching the match later? Are you watching the match later?
9. short answer instead of full “Did you take the call?” “Yes, I did.” “Yes, I did take the call.”

Structural ellipsis – general/cultural knowledge makes the meaning clear:

Type of ellipsis: Example with ellipsis: The full sentence without ellipsis:
10. news headline, title of book/film, Tories deliver killer blow at election. The Conservative Party (nicknamed the
etc., slogan – assumes reader’s prior Tories = slang) wins decisively (delivers
knowledge killer blow = slang) at the General Election.

Telegraphic ellipsis – note form, which is clear to the original writer:

Type of ellipsis: Example with ellipsis: The full text without ellipsis:
11. note form, e.g. diary entry, Got up, had breakfast, went out, I got up and had breakfast, then I went out
shopping list, note to self, etc. met Philip, walked to South Bank, and met Philip. We walked to the South
then Tate M. Bank, then we went to Tate Modern.

Note: in punctuation, an ellipsis is the symbol with three dots: ...


This also means that something is missing: We went to the library... five minutes later we had to leave!
or that something continues: Nobody guessed who broke the washing machine, but...

36
Grammar Sentence Building

Understanding Ellipsis 1

Ellipsis occurs when we leave out unnecessary words from a sentence. Write each sentence again
without ellipsis, and add numbers to show which kind of ellipsis was in each sentence:

No.
1. Take a book if you need to.
_________________________________________________________________________

2. I’ve never been to Peru.


_________________________________________________________________________

3. The last science-fiction film I saw was the one with blue people in it.
_________________________________________________________________________

4. Talk later? OK?


_________________________________________________________________________

5. The agreement we reached was unacceptable.


_________________________________________________________________________

6. After reading the report, Jody concluded it’d been a waste of time for her.
_________________________________________________________________________

7. I didn’t want to, but Jack forced me to attend the meeting.


_________________________________________________________________________

8. Wash hair, get dressed, eat breakfast, leave by 8.


_________________________________________________________________________

9. Tea?
_________________________________________________________________________

10. The Amazing Sombrero


_________________________________________________________________________

11. Dan saw a fox when out running.


_________________________________________________________________________

12. Find the car keys?


_________________________________________________________________________

13. “Bus gone?” “Yes. Just.”


_________________________________________________________________________

14. Talks Fail


_________________________________________________________________________

15. The book I needed wasn’t available.


_________________________________________________________________________

37
Grammar Sentence Building

Understanding Ellipsis 2

Ellipsis occurs when we leave out unnecessary words from a sentence. Write each sentence again
without ellipsis, and add numbers to show which kind of ellipsis was in each sentence:

No.
1. He’s going to finish watering the plants later.
_________________________________________________________________________

2. Put the vase on the table where the kids can’t break it.
_________________________________________________________________________

3. The map we’ve been using is the wrong one.


_________________________________________________________________________

4. Break?
_________________________________________________________________________

5. You coming with us?


_________________________________________________________________________

6. When shopping, I always look for bargains.


_________________________________________________________________________

7. Giraffe Fears Increase


_________________________________________________________________________

8. The hotel room is ready to use when you want to.


_________________________________________________________________________

9. Mike said he was busy, so I didn’t invite him.


_________________________________________________________________________

10. Collins Signs for City


_________________________________________________________________________

11. Contact the other players and tell them about the match.
_________________________________________________________________________

12. “Dave.” “Paul.” “Nice to meet you.”


_________________________________________________________________________

13. Was she late? No.


_________________________________________________________________________

14. Try the anchovies. Mmm! So divine!


_________________________________________________________________________

15. Leave work by 2, quick change, race to mum’s, home before dark.
_________________________________________________________________________

38
Grammar Verb Forms

Causative Verbs – Have / Get 1


The causative verbs in English are: HAVE, GET, LET, MAKE, and HELP. We use them to show that the subject caused the
action to happen without actually doing it themselves. There are three structures with HAVE / GET. We often use them to talk
about people who deliver services, e.g. a mechanic, a plumber, a dry-cleaner, etc. In each case using get is more informal:

1. have / get + object + past participle I had / got my tyres changed (by the mechanic).
We do not know who did the action, or it is not important. The subject can take credit for something they do not do!

2. have + person + infinitive + object I had the mechanic change my tyres. TIP! have / get act as
We say who did the action for us state verbs, so no
continuous tenses, apart
3. get + person + to + infinitive + object I got the mechanic to change my tyres. from present continuous
We say who did the action for us for future

1. Write five sentences with have / get + object + past participle and the given tense:

Ex. pa/sim living room We had our living room decorated (by Frank) last week.

a) pr/sim carpet _______________________________________________________

b) pr/cont tax return _______________________________________________________

c) pa/sim portrait _______________________________________________________

d) pa/cont piano _______________________________________________________

e) fu/going to package _______________________________________________________

2. Write five sentences with have + person + infinitive + object and the given tense:

Ex. pr/sim dentist I have the dentist look at my teeth fairly regularly.

f) pr/perf designer _______________________________________________________

g) modal verbs doctor _______________________________________________________

h) imperative form plumber _____________________________________________________

i) 1st cond electrician _______________________________________________________

j) 2nd cond dietician _____________________________________________________

3. Write five sentences with get + person + to + infinitive + object and the given tense:

Ex. pa/perf waiter We’d got the waiter to bring us a jug of water before our meal arrived.

k) modal verbs bakery _______________________________________________________

l) pa/perf builder _______________________________________________________

m) 3rd cond vet _______________________________________________________

n) zero cond gardener _______________________________________________________

o) fu/perf mechanic _______________________________________________________

39
Grammar Verb Forms

Causative Verbs – Have / Get 2


The causative verbs in English are: HAVE, GET, LET, MAKE, and HELP. We use them to show that the subject caused the
action to happen without actually doing it themselves. There are three structures with HAVE / GET. We often use them to talk
about people who deliver services, e.g. a mechanic, a plumber, a dry-cleaner, etc. In each case using get is more informal:

1. have / get + object + past participle I had / got my tyres changed (by the mechanic).
We do not know who did the action, or it is not important. The subject can take credit for something they do not do!

2. have + person + infinitive + object I had the mechanic change my tyres. TIP! have / get act as
We say who did the action for us state verbs, so no
continuous tenses, apart
3. get + person + to + infinitive + object I got the mechanic to change my tyres. from present continuous
We say who did the action for us for future

1. Write five sentences with have / get + object + past participle and the given tense:

Ex. pa/sim duvet I had my duvet dry cleaned (by the dry cleaner) yesterday.

a) pr/sim bouquets _______________________________________________________

b) pr/cont hair _______________________________________________________

c) pa/sim house _______________________________________________________

d) pa/cont essay _______________________________________________________

e) fu/going to sports injury _______________________________________________________

2. Write five sentences with have + person + infinitive + object and the given tense:

Ex. pr/sim refuse collector Gerald often has refuse collectors take away large items of rubbish.

f) pr/perf lawyer _______________________________________________________

g) modal verbs tattooist _______________________________________________________

h) imperative form window cleaner _______________________________________________

i) 1st cond car wash guys ______________________________________________________

j) 2nd cond neighbour _______________________________________________________

3. Write five sentences with get + person + to + infinitive + object and the given tense:

Ex. pa/perf postman They’d got the postman to deliver mail to her mum, instead of to me.

k) modal verbs chiropodist ______________________________________________________

l) pa/perf pizza place _______________________________________________________

m) 3rd cond travel agent _______________________________________________________

n) zero cond Alan _______________________________________________________

o) fu/perf beautician _______________________________________________________

40
PurlandTraining.com

vocabulary
Vocabulary Essential Skills

Telling the Time


o’clock
five past
We tell the time in English, not say five to
the time. How could you be on time
00 ten past
for your English class without a ten to 23 13
watch (wrist) or a clock 22 14
(wall/phone)? We can ask: What’s
21 15 quarter past
the time? What time is it? or Have quarter to
you got the time, please? To reply, 20 16
we use it is... or it’s... We can say 19 17
twenty to twenty past
It’s time for + noun, e.g. It’s time 18

for lunch. Or It’s time to + verb, e.g. twenty five past


twenty five to
It’s time to begin.
half past

There are two ways of telling the time in English: saying two numbers together (10.40 =
It’s ten forty), or using past and to (10.40 = It’s twenty to eleven). The easiest method is
to say two numbers. We use past when the time is between 01 and 30, and to when the
time is between 31 and 59. We only use o’clock when the time is on the hour: It’s ten
o’clock. We count time on a clock in intervals of 5 minutes.

If the number of minutes past or to is odd, e.g. 6 or 19, we say minutes, e.g. 2:19 =
It’s nineteen minutes past two. If the time is between 01 and 09 minutes past, we use
the word oh, e.g. 7.08 = seven oh eight. Or we could say: It’s about / around /
nearly ten past seven.

We don’t use the 24-hour clock in everyday speech or writing, e.g. it's fourteen
o’clock, but we may need to read it when we look at a bus, train, plane timetable.
However, we can use am (night & morning: 12.00am – 11.59am) and pm (afternoon,
evening & night: 12.00pm – 11.50pm) to state which time period we mean. Usually
the context makes am and pm redundant, e.g. ‘Your next lesson is at 3 o’clock on
Tuesday.’ It is very unlikely for the lesson to be at 3am! 12pm = midday while 12am
= midnight.

A second is the smallest common unit of time. There are 60 seconds in a minute; 60
minutes in an hour; 24 hours in a day; 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) in a weekend;
7 days in a week; 2 weeks in a fortnight; 28, 29, 30, or 31 days in a month; 3
months in a quarter; 12 months or 365 days in a year; 366 days in a leap year; 10
years in a decade; 25 years in a generation; 100 years in a century; and 1,000
years in a millennium.

Time and prepositions: we say on + day (on Monday), in + month or year (in June;
in 2016), and at for specific times (at 4 o’clock) and time periods (at the weekend).

Here are some common idioms connected with time: I can be on time for my
lesson; spend time with a friend; kill time doing something trivial while waiting; have
time for an activity; have a whale of a time or have the time of my life at an
amazing party. That’s because time flies when you’re having fun – it goes quickly
when you are not aware of it – but drags when you are clockwatching – counting
the time until something boring ends.

45
Vocabulary Essential Skills

Telling the Time – Exercises

1. Write the times using It’s + numbers and It’s + past/to:

a) 11.40 ______________________________ e) 9.40 ______________________________


______________________________ ______________________________
b) 10.15 ______________________________ f) 1.55 ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
c) 7.55 ______________________________ g) 12.00 ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
d) 3.12 ______________________________ h) 4.04 ______________________________

2. Convert these times into the 24-hour clock using figures:

a) 2.15pm ______________________________ e) 6.48pm ______________________________


b) 4.35pm ______________________________ f) 10.08am ______________________________
c) 1.10am ______________________________ g) 9.30pm ______________________________
d) 10.20pm ______________________________ h) midnight ______________________________

3. Write each time correctly:

a) It’s fifty past twelve. ______________________ e) It’s thirty before ten. _____________________
b) It’s qarter past three. _____________________ f) It’s ten oh five o’clock. ____________________
c) It’s four past eight. ______________________ g) It’s forty past second. ____________________
d) It’s ten. ______________________________ h) It’s thirty two minutes to eight. _____________

4. Put the time periods in order of size from shortest to longest. Mark them 1-15:

week decade generation year leap year


millennium weekend month minute quarter
day hour second fortnight century

5. Match the idioms on the left with their meanings on the right:

1. to be on time a) to have no time left


2. time is money b) to do nothing while waiting for something
3. to run out of time c) to not do something useful or worthwhile
4. to kill time d) you have got time to do something
5. time flies when you're having fun e) to be in prison
6. time is dragging f) time seems to be going slowly
7. to have a whale of a time g) to have a great time
8. to waste time h) time goes quickly when you don’t pay attention to it
9. to do time i) to arrive at the agreed time
10. time is on your side j) time is valuable

6. Complete each gap using an appropriate word or phrase from this unit:

Tina: ‘Let’s meet a)________ five b)________ c)________ Sunday. I’ll try to d)________, but I can’t guarantee it
because my bus is often late. It will be great to e)________ time with you! I will get the bus home f)________ Tuesday
morning g)________ five h)________ eleven. I hope we will i)________ time to visit the leisure centre. Last time we went
I had j)________. It was fantastic! Life here is so boring. I’ve been k)________ time every day, just playing on my phone.
I don’t like l)________ time, so it will be good to see you next m)________ and do something fun!’

7. Complete the gaps using prepositions of time on, at, or in:

a) ________ spring e) ________ Christmas Day i) ________ 10 o'clock


b) ________ 12th February f) ________ Monday afternoon j) ________ the weekend
c) ________ the morning g) ________ a fortnight k) ________ night
d) ________ the moment h) ________ Monday l) ________ July

8. Write each time from its phonetic spelling:

a) Ten t Siks ______________________ e) Kor t t Wun ______________________


b) Se v n Klok ______________________ f) i Le v neu For ______________________
c) Too Wei teen ______________________ g) Ttree yei Yem ______________________
d) For Fi fteen ______________________ h) Har Fpar Steit ______________________

46
Vocabulary Essential Skills

Describing People
We can describe a person by talking about... Note: x = he (male), she (female),
they (singular), or a person’s name
Examples of Vocabulary:
1. Personal Details:

• name His/her/their name is... / x is called/named...


• relationship to you x is my... brother/sister, mum/dad, friend, wife/husband
• age x is (about)... years old. / in their (early/mid/late) twenties, thirties, etc.
• race x is... white (Caucasian), black, Asian, Hispanic, Chinese, Indian, etc.
• nationality x is... British, American, Japanese, etc. / is from... Mali, Sweden
• religion x is a... Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Atheist, etc. / x is Jewish
• address His/her/their address is... / They live in...
• family connections x has got ... brothers/sisters/children / is married/separated/divorced
• job/occupation x is a... teacher, manager, driver, etc. / works at... [company]

Try to combine information into one longer sentence, rather than several short sentences, e.g.
“Bob is my brother. He is 28. He is British.” “My brother Bob is a 28 year old British man.”
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Appearance – what they look like:

• height x is... ( x cm/m) tall, short, average height


• weight / build x is... fat/overweight, thin/slim, medium-/well-built, athletic
• face x is... handsome (m.), pretty, beautiful (f.), cute, plain, ugly
x has got a... big/long/round/ fat/lovely/ugly face/nose, etc.
• eye colour x has got... blue, brown, green, grey, black eyes
• hair length/style/colour x has got... long/short curly/wavy/straight brown/black/blonde/red/grey hair
• hair features x has got a... beard, moustache, pony tail, fringe / x is... bald
• glasses and accessories x is wearing... glasses, sunglasses, jewellery, earrings, bracelets, a hat/cap
• distinguishing marks x has got a... piercing, tattoo, mole, scar, big nose / freckles, braces, acne
• expression (they look...) x looks... happy, pleased, sad, serious, excited, tired, half-asleep, angry
• clothes and shoes x is wearing a... white shirt, jeans, new dress, blue trainers, old jacket
• general x is... smart, elegant (f.), well-dressed, casual, informal, scruffy

_________________________________________________________________________________

3. Personality and Character – what they are like

• What you think of them? What do they think of themselves? (interview them, if possible!)
• personality positive/negative, open, friendly, quiet, shy/outgoing, moody, funny
• character honest/dishonest, hard-working/lazy, generous/selfish, reliable, brave
• opinions mainstream/left-field, opinionated, has strong opinions, right/left wing
• prejudiced towards a specific... race, gender, class, social group / tolerant, fair, easy-going

When giving information, remember: statement + reason(s) + example(s), for example:


“Bob is generous.” “Bob is generous, because he always lends me money if I ask, for example...”
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Preferences – what they like and don’t like, e.g. music, books, TV, film, culture, food, travel

• likes/dislikes, hobbies x likes/doesn’t like... because... for example...

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. Actions – what they do:

• regularly (present simple) “x plays football every Saturday...” e.g. habits, routines, regular activities
• now (present continuous) “x is (probably) driving home from work at the moment...”
• past (past simple) “x went to the gym yesterday...”
• past up to now (present perfect) life experience and achievements, e.g. “x has been to Pisa twice...”
• future (future simple) “x will buy some new shoes tomorrow...”

47
Vocabulary Essential Skills

Describing People – Exercises

1. i) Correct the sentences:

a) My brother name is Adam. e) My mum is call Theresa.


b) He’s six year old. f) Brian is a white Belgium soldier.
c) Sarah is teacher. g) He live in Nepal.
d) Paul are a 26 year-old vet. h) She works in the town hall.

ii) Match the sentence halves:

a) Laura is Catholic and comes from e) a professor of music.


b) My sister is thirty and is married to f) a pupil at primary school.
c) Her name is Tina and she lives on g) the south of France.
d) Tim is nine years old and is h) Marlborough Street.

2. i) Look at the pictures below and write three sentences to describe each person.

ii) Write three negative sentences to describe each person, e.g. “Sarah is not an old woman.”

Stewart Sarah Maisie Paul

Mike Graham Zoe Tina

ii) Look at the pictures and say whether each statement is true, false, or we don’t know:

a) Maisie has got straight hair. f) Stewart is middle-aged.


b) Sarah has got five tattoos. g) Zoe is wearing glasses.
c) Graham is quite tall. h) Sarah has got short hair.
d) Tina is ten years old. i) Paul is about eleven years old.
e) Graham looks serious. j) Tina has got blonde hair.

3. i) Say whether each adjective describes personality or character. Write (P) or (C):

brave generous dishonest moody positive reliable quiet open friendly

ii) Complete the gaps with a time phrase:

Paul plays football a)____. b)____ he went skiing in Switzerland. He has lived in Manchester
c)____. d)____ he is going to start secondary school. He had an open day there e)____.

48
Vocabulary Word Groups

6 Important Word Groups in English

Homonyms: same sounds and spelling but different meanings; cause problems with reading:

Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2: Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:


bright light intelligent mouse animal computer
can metal container modal verb orange fruit colour
fly insect e.g. plane play sport theatre
glass drinking e.g. window watch time TV
lie recline not true wave beach say hello

Homophones: same sounds but different spellings and meanings; cause problems with spelling:

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


aren’t aunt hear here meat meet sea see
ate eight hole whole one won son sun
buy bye hour our plain plane wait weight
eye I it’s its red read weather whether
flour flower knew new right write wood would

Homographs: same spelling but different sounds and meanings; cause problems with pronunciation:

Homograph: Noun: Verb: Homograph: Word 1: Word 2:


insult abuse offend close adj. near v. shut
invite invitation request live adj. broadcast v. exist
present gift show read v. infinitive v. 3rd form
record vinyl disc note tear n. crying v. rip
transport vehicle move use n. e.g. single v. consume

Using synonyms helps to make our writing more interesting and raise the level:

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


big large eat consume loud noisy soon shortly
bus coach find discover nearly almost under below
but however good decent on upon usually normally
by beside hot boiling party gathering walk stroll
coat jacket long extended slowly gradually work job

Learning words and their antonyms together allows us to increase our vocabulary twice as fast:

Adjectives: Nouns: Adverbs: Verbs:


best worst day night always never buy sell
easy difficult floor ceiling before after give get
good bad man woman fast slow go come
hot cold question answer more less open close
quiet loud work rest now then start finish

A minimal pair is a set of two words that have the same sounds apart from one different sound:

Vowel Sound (Middle): Initial Con. Sound: Middle Con. Sound: Final Con. Sound:
ball bowl bed head eaten even card cars
get got feet meat hobby hockey gate gave
mat met fun done meaning meeting made make
ship shop learn burn pedal petal rice right
will wool rose toes simple symbol yes yet

49
Vocabulary Word Groups

6 Important Word Groups in English (Gap-Fill)

Homonyms: same sounds and spelling but different meanings; cause problems with reading:

Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2: Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:


bright light intelligent mouse
can orange
fly play
glass watch
lie wave

Homophones: same sounds but different spellings and meanings; cause problems with spelling:

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


aren’t aunt hear meat sea
ate hole one son
buy hour plain wait
eye it’s red weather
flour knew right wood

Homographs: same spelling but different sounds and meanings; cause problems with pronunciation:

Homograph: Noun: Verb: Homograph: Word 1: Word 2:


insult abuse offend close
invite live
present read
record tear
transport use

Using synonyms helps to make our writing more interesting and raise the level:

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


big large eat loud soon
bus find nearly under
but good on usually
by hot party walk
coat long slowly work

Learning words and their antonyms together allows us to increase our vocabulary twice as fast:

Adjectives: Nouns: Adverbs: Verbs:


best worst day always buy
easy floor before give
good man fast go
hot question more open
quiet work now start

A minimal pair is a set of two words that have the same sounds apart from one different sound:

Vowel Sound (Middle): Initial Con Sound: Middle Con. Sound: Final Con. Sound:
ball bowl bed eaten card
get feet hobby gate
mat fun meaning made
ship learn pedal rice
will rose simple yes

50
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Homonyms

Homonyms are words which have the same sounds and spelling, but different meanings, for example,
‘bat’ (cricket) and ‘bat’ (animal). It is good to be aware that the same word can have two or more meanings.

‘Homonym’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + ónoma (name).

Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2: Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:


address place speech lie recline not true
back body part return light not heavy not dark
band music group ring long lengthy yearn
bark tree dog match football light
bat e.g. cricket animal may modal verb fifth month
bear animal put up with mean unkind signify
board wooden panel directors mine workplace belongs to me
book read reserve mole animal informant
bow ribbon violin mouse animal computer
box container hit musical adj. of music theatre
bright light intelligent orange fruit colour
can metal container modal verb paper printer newspaper
cast bandage stage group park green space leave a car
chair furniture chairperson peer look closely at aristocrat
change difference small money pen for writing for animals
chip food computer phone mobile call somebody
club tool organisation pick choose tool
cool cold trendy play sport theatre
crane bird machine pop music genre fizzy drink
dance waltz action pound currency beat
duck bird crouch down printer computer business
fair blonde pleasure park racket for tennis scam
fall trip autumn remote far TV
fat overweight butter right correct direction
film movie record ring jewellery call somebody
fine good punishment rock music stone
fire flames sack rocket spaceship plant
firm company hard rose flower got up
flat horizontal apartment row a boat spreadsheet
fly insect e.g. plane saw tool past of see
foot measurement body part seal animal official stamp
fudge confectionery compromise short petite alcohol
general unspecific army rank show TV let sby see sth
glass drinking material sick unwell fantastic
grand impressive a thousand sink furniture move down
grave ground very serious skate fish on a rink
hide skin conceal space place for sth solar system
hip body part trendy spring season metal coil
hit successful beat square shape not cool
iron clothes material stalk follow plant stem
jam food problem suit clothes be suitable
jerk idiot movement taxi car plane
jet plane water tie clothing fasten
just adverb fair tongue body part meat
kid child baby goat trip holiday stumble
kind nice type trunk elephant suitcase
lap seated overtake watch time TV
lark bird prank wave beach say hello
leave work holiday go out well adverb water hole
left direction past of leave yard back garden measurement

51
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Homonyms (Gap-Fill)

Homonyms are words which have the same sounds and spelling, but different meanings, for example,
‘bat’ (cricket) and ‘bat’ (animal). It is good to be aware that the same word can have two or more meanings.

‘Homonym’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + ónoma (name).

Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2: Homonym: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:


address place speech lie
back light
band long
bark match
bat may
bear mean
board mine
book mole
bow mouse
box musical
bright orange
can paper
cast park
chair peer
change pen
chip phone
club pick
cool play
crane pop
dance pound
duck printer
fair racket
fall remote
fat right
film ring
fine rock
fire rocket
firm rose
flat row
fly saw
foot seal
fudge short
general show
glass sick
grand sink
grave skate
hide space
hip spring
hit square
iron stalk
jam suit
jerk taxi
jet tie
just tongue
kid trip
kind trunk
lap watch
lark wave
leave well
left yard

52
Vocabulary Word Groups

200 Common English Homophones

Homophones are words which have the same sounds, but different spellings and meanings, for example,
‘beat’ (hit) and ‘beet’ (vegetable). It is good to be aware that words can sound the same but be different.

‘Homophone’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + phono (sound).

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


ad add faint feint made maid sacks sax
ail ale fate fete mail male sail sale
air heir feat feet main mane sane Seine
aisle I’ll fiancé fiancée mat matte sauce source
allowed aloud fill Phil meat meet saw sore
aren’t aunt fined find meter metre scene seen
ate eight fir fur mind mined scent sent
ball bawl flair flare missed mist sea see
bard barred flaw floor moose mousse seam seem
bare bear flea flee morn mourn sew so
base bass flew flu morning mourning shake sheik
be bee flour flower muscle mussel side sighed
beach beech for four naval navel sighs size
bean been forth fourth none nun sight site
beat beet foul fowl oar or sky Skye
beer bier genes jeans one won sole soul
berry bury grate great packed pact some sum
berth birth groan grown pail pale son sun
bite byte gym Jim pair pear stair stare
blew blue hair hare patience patients suite sweet
boar bore hale heil peace piece tail tale
board bored hart heart peak peek talk torque
bold bowled heal heel pedal peddle taught taut
bolder boulder hear here peer pier tea tee
bough bow heard herd pi pie team teem
brake break he’d heed place plaice their there
buy bye hi high plain plane threw through
canvas canvass higher hire pleas please thyme time
carat carrot him hymn plum plumb tide tied
cell sell hole whole pole poll told tolled
cent sent holy wholly poor pour too two
cereal serial hour our practice practise use yews
cheap cheep in inn pray prey vain vane
check cheque it’s its pride pried vale veil
chord cord key quay profit prophet wade weighed
coarse course knead need pseud sued wail whale
council counsel knew new rain reign wait weight
cue queue knight night raise rays ware wear
dam damn knit nit rap wrap warn worn
dear deer knot not raw roar watt what
desert dessert know no read red weak week
die dye knows nose read reed weather whether
doe dough lain lane retch wretch we’ll wheel
does doze lays laze right write wet whet
draft draught lead led road rode while wile
duel jewel leak leek roam Rome wine whine
dune June leased least root route wood would
earn urn lieu loo rose rows yoke yolk
ewe you light lite rote wrote you’ll Yule
eye I loan lone rough ruff your you’re

53
Vocabulary Word Groups

200 Common English Homophones (Gap-Fill)

Homophones are words which have the same sounds, but different spellings and meanings, for example,
‘beat’ (hit) and ‘beet’ (vegetable). It is good to be aware that words can sound the same but be different.

‘Homophone’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + phono (sound).

Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2: Word 1: Word 2:


ad add faint made sacks
ail fate mail sail
air feat main sane
aisle fiancé mat sauce
allowed fill meat saw
aren’t fined meter scene
ate fir mind scent
ball flair missed sea
bard flaw moose seam
bare flea morn sew
base flew morning shake
be flour muscle side
beach for naval sighs
bean forth none sight
beat foul oar sky
beer genes one sole
berry grate packed some
berth groan pail son
bite gym pair stair
blew hair patience suite
boar hale peace tail
board hart peak talk
bold heal pedal taught
bolder hear peer tea
bough heard pi team
brake he’d place their
buy hi plain threw
canvas higher pleas thyme
carat him plum tide
cell hole pole told
cent holy poor too
cereal hour practice use
cheap in pray vain
check it’s pride vale
chord key profit wade
coarse knead pseud wail
council knew rain wait
cue knight raise ware
dam knit rap warn
dear knot raw watt
desert know read weak
die knows read weather
doe lain retch we’ll
does lays right wet
draft lead road while
duel leak roam wine
dune leased root wood
earn lieu rose yoke
ewe light rote you’ll
eye loan rough your

54
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Homographs

Homographs are words which have the same spelling, but different sounds and meanings, for example,
‘live’ (on TV) and ‘live’ (reside). ‘Homograph’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + graph (writing).
Group A: nouns (stress on 1st syllable), verbs (stress on 2nd syllable). Group B are general homographs:
Group A
Homograph: Noun: Verb: Homograph: Noun: Verb:
accent speaking highlight project assignment protrude
ally friend work with protest rally complain
combat fight prevent rebel dissenter protest
combine machinery mix recall memory remember
commune collective pray recap summary review
compost fertiliser break down record vinyl disc note down
compound bunker combine refill top-up replenish
compress bandage flatten refund repayment repay
conduct behaviour e.g. orchestra refuse rubbish decline
conflict war clash relapse deterioration deteriorate
conscript new recruit recruit remake new version re-create
consort companion accompany reprint reissue republish
construct theory build research study investigate
content matter feel happy retake exam recapture
contract agreement reduce second ordinal no. transfer
contrast difference compare segment section divide
convert new believer change subject topic endanger
convict prisoner find guilty survey enquiry measure
decrease reduction reduce suspect defendant presume
default standard evade torment annoyance annoy
defect fault change sides transplant e.g. heart relocate
desert wilderness abandon transport vehicle move
digest publication process update news inform
discharge emission dismiss uplift support raise
discount price reduction disregard upset shock annoy
entrance way in captivate Group B
escort companion accompany Homograph: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:
essay homework attempt bass n. instrument n. fish
exploit adventure make use of bow n. violin n. ribbon
export goods distribute close adj. near v. shut
extract excerpt remove does n. female deer v. 3rd form: do
finance funding provide money excuse n. reason v. overlook
impact effect hit house n. building v. action
implant transplant insert frequent adj. regular v. visit often
import introduction bring in intimate n. close friend v. suggest
incense e.g. candle anger lead n. metal v. direct
incline slope slant live adj. broadcast v. exist
increase growth enlarge minute n. 60 seconds adj. very small
insert leaflet include moped n. vehicle v. past / mope
insult abuse offend perfect adj. flawless v. refine
intrigue conspiracy interest putting n. golf skill v. placing
invite invitation request read v. infinitive v. 3rd form
object thing complain resume n. CV v. restart
perfume bottle action row n. spreadsheet v. argue
permit licence allow separate adj. detached v. disconnect
pervert deviant corrupt sewer n. cesspit n. seamstress
present gift award sows n. female pigs v. seeds
proceeds profits continues tear n. crying v. rip
process procedure walk use n. e.g. single v. expend
produce food make wind n. breeze v. coil
progress headway advance wound n. cut v. past of wind

55
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Homographs (Gap-Fill)

Homographs are words which have the same spelling, but different sounds and meanings, for example,
‘live’ (on TV) and ‘live’ (reside). ‘Homograph’ comes from the Greek words homos (same) + graph (writing).
Group A: nouns (stress on 1st syllable), verbs (stress on 2nd syllable). Group B are general homographs:
Group A
Homograph: Noun: Verb: Homograph: Noun: Verb:
accent speaking highlight project
ally protest
combat rebel
combine recall
commune recap
compost record
compound refill
compress refund
conduct refuse
conflict relapse
conscript remake
consort reprint
construct research
content retake
contract second
contrast segment
convert subject
convict survey
decrease suspect
default torment
defect transplant
desert transport
digest update
discharge uplift
discount upset
entrance Group B
escort Homograph: Meaning 1: Meaning 2:
essay bass n. instrument n. fish
exploit bow
export close
extract does
finance excuse
impact house
implant frequent
import intimate
incense lead
incline live
increase minute
insert moped
insult perfect
intrigue putting
invite read
object resume
perfume row
permit separate
pervert sewer
present sows
proceeds tear
process use
produce wind
progress wound

56
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Antonyms

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, for example ‘yes’ and ‘no’. We often think of adjectives as
words that have opposites, but many other kinds of words also have antonyms, e.g. ‘this’ and ‘that’.

‘Antonym’ comes from the Greek words anti (against) + ónoma (name).

Adjectives: Nouns: Adverbs: Verbs:


alive dead arrival departure above below accept refuse

beautiful ugly attack defence ahead behind add subtract

best worst attic cellar always never agree disagree

black white birth death backward forward are aren’t

cheap expensive child adult before after arrive leave

clean dirty day night carefully carelessly build destroy

easy difficult employee employer early late buy sell

empty full error correction east west can cannot

funny serious failure success everybody nobody do don’t

good bad floor ceiling everywhere nowhere get on get off

happy sad friend enemy fast slow give get

hot cold girl boy first last go come

light dark health illness here there have haven’t

nice nasty hero villain home abroad laugh cry

normal weird man woman inside outside live die

polite rude morning evening long short open close

public private praise insult more less push pull

quiet loud question answer near far put on take off

rich poor sea land north south read write

right wrong summer winter now then save spend

same different sun moon often rarely sit stand

soft hard sunrise sunset on off start finish

true false victory defeat over under stop go

warm cool winner loser up down will won’t

young old work rest upstairs downstairs work play

57
Vocabulary Word Groups

100 Common English Antonyms (Gap-Fill)

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, for example ‘yes’ and ‘no’. We often think of adjectives as
words that have opposites, but many other kinds of words also have antonyms, e.g. ‘this’ and ‘that’.

‘Antonym’ comes from the Greek words anti (against) + ónoma (name).

Adjectives: Nouns: Adverbs: Verbs:


alive dead arrival above accept

beautiful attack ahead add

best attic always agree

black birth backward are

cheap child before arrive

clean day carefully build

easy employee early buy

empty error east can

funny failure everybody do

good floor everywhere get on

happy friend fast give

hot girl first go

light health here have

nice hero home laugh

normal man inside live

polite morning long open

public praise more push

quiet question near put on

rich sea north read

right summer now save

same sun often sit

soft sunrise on start

true victory over stop

warm winner up will

young work upstairs work

58
Vocabulary Word Groups

200 Common Minimal Pairs in English

The term minimal pair describes two words that have the same sounds apart from one sound.

The different sound can be a vowel sound (middle) or a consonant sound in the initial (first), middle, or final
position:

Different Vowel Different Initial Different Middle Different Final


Sound (Middle) Consonant Sound: Consonant Sound: Consonant Sound:
bald bold baby maybe Adam Alan boom boot
ball bowl bean mean alive arrive cap cash
boat bite beat heat baker bather card cars
cane keen bed head Benny berry cared cares
cap cup bees knees bobble bottle cheap cheat
cheers cheese bell well body bossy close clothes
crate Crete bend mend boogie booty drape drip
crime chrome boat coat carbon Carmen fad fed
curse course book look colour cutter gate gave
dead did bull wool cycle sidle guild guilt
deep dip cat hat darling darning ham have
dig dog clock flock decree degree home hone
fail fall coin join eaten even juice jute
flag flog couple supple feature feeler knife nice
flight float crack track feeding feeling large laugh
gate goat curls girls hammer hanger light like
get got daily Haley heady heavy load loaf
guess goose dear peer healing heating made make
hat hate drone prone hobby hockey married marries
heat heart face base ladder lacquer might mile
height hit fail tale leather letter mouse mouth
jam gem fan man loser looser nail name
joke Jack feel real maiden mason nice night
lamp limp feet meat marker martyr north Norse
make mark fill hill meadow mellow page pain
mat met finger linger meaning meeting pain pays
mate might food rude measure mega peas peep
neat note fun done medal metal quick quiz
nice niece games James melon Megan rain raise
nine none gate wait miner miser ran rap
noon nun good wood mugger mother receipt receive
plain plan half laugh mummy money refuse refute
pool pull hard guard nature neighbour rice right
pot pit heard third omen open roof root
queen Quorn heart part pager paper scene seem
rate right heat seat pedal petal side sign
seek soak him gym precedent president slim slip
ship shop king ring rabbit racquet some son
smell smile knife life rabid rapid tail take
soon sun learn burn renew review teach team
spin spine lose zoos Santa sander thick thin
start state lung young shadow shallow touch tongue
take tech made laid shocking shopping tried trite
through throw meant rent silly ciggie vague vain
tide towed meek weak simmer singer verb verse
veal vole moon June simple symbol walk warn
watt wet nose rose soggy sorry wash watch
whale while pillar villa swigging swimming weed wheel
will wool rock wok wader whaler wrote rogue
yarn yawn rose toes wedding webbing yes yet

59
Vocabulary Word Groups

200 Common Minimal Pairs in English (Gap-Fill)

The term minimal pair describes two words that have the same sounds apart from one sound.

The different sound can be a vowel sound (middle) or a consonant sound in the initial (first), middle, or final
position:

Different Vowel Different Initial Different Middle Different Final


Sound (Middle) Consonant Sound: Consonant Sound: Consonant Sound:
bald bold baby Adam boom
ball bean alive cap
boat beat baker card
cane bed Benny cared
cap bees bobble cheap
cheers bell body close
crate bend boogie drape
crime boat carbon fad
curse book colour gate
dead bull cycle guild
deep cat darling ham
dig clock decree home
fail coin eaten juice
flag couple feature knife
flight crack feeding large
gate curls hammer light
get daily heady load
guess dear healing made
hat drone hobby married
heat face ladder might
height fail leather mouse
jam fan loser nail
joke feel maiden nice
lamp feet marker north
make fill meadow page
mat finger meaning pain
mate food measure peas
neat fun medal quick
nice games melon rain
nine gate miner ran
noon good mugger receipt
plain half mummy refuse
pool hard nature rice
pot heard omen roof
queen heart pager scene
rate heat pedal side
seek him precedent slim
ship king rabbit some
smell knife rabid tail
soon learn renew teach
spin lose Santa thick
start lung shadow touch
take made shocking tried
through meant silly vague
tide meek simmer verb
veal moon simple walk
watt nose soggy wash
whale pillar swigging weed
will rock wader wrote
yarn rose wedding yes

60
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1)

How many of these words do you know? Learn new words by studying the -ous words and their ‘easy’ synonyms:

acrimonious bitter lustrous shiny


ambiguous unclear magnanimous generous
arduous difficult mellifluous melodious
atrocious terrible meticulous thorough
auspicious favourable momentous significant
autonomous independent monotonous repetitive
barbarous brutal mutinous disobedient
bulbous round nebulous unclear
calamitous disastrous noxious poisonous
capacious roomy oblivious unaware
capricious unpredictable obnoxious horrible
censorious critical officious bossy
chivalrous brave onerous difficult
conscientious reliable pernicious wicked
conspicuous visible pompous arrogant
contagious infectious portentous ominous
contemptuous scornful precarious risky
copious plentiful precocious gifted
courteous polite prestigious respected
decorous well-behaved pretentious self-important
deleterious harmful rambunctious rowdy
dolorous sad raucous wild
dubious uncertain riotous violent
egregious shocking sacrilegious heretical
eponymous named after salacious scandalous
expeditious quick sanctimonious self-righteous
facetious foolish scrupulous trustworthy
fatuous childish seditious rebellious
fictitious made-up serendipitous unexpected
fortuitous lucky specious false
frivolous light-hearted spontaneous impulsive
gratuitous unprovoked strenuous energetic
heinous terrible stupendous amazing
hideous ugly subconscious hidden
homogenous standardised supercilious arrogant
humongous huge surreptitious secret
illustrious famous suspicious wary
imperious arrogant tenacious persistent
inauspicious unfavourable thunderous loud
incongruous odd traitorous disloyal
indigenous native tremulous trembling
infamous notorious tumultuous volatile
ingenious clever unambiguous clear
inglorious shameful uproarious hilarious
injudicious unwise vacuous empty
innocuous harmless vertiginous high
instantaneous instant viscous sticky
invidious unfair vivacious lively
judicious wise voluminous big
lugubrious gloomy voracious hungry

61
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1) – Research

Use the internet or a thesaurus to find an ‘easy’ synonym for each of the -ous words below:

acrimonious ______________ lustrous ______________


ambiguous ______________ magnanimous ______________
arduous ______________ mellifluous ______________
atrocious ______________ meticulous ______________
auspicious ______________ momentous ______________
autonomous ______________ monotonous ______________
barbarous ______________ mutinous ______________
bulbous ______________ nebulous ______________
calamitous ______________ noxious ______________
capacious ______________ oblivious ______________
capricious ______________ obnoxious ______________
censorious ______________ officious ______________
chivalrous ______________ onerous ______________
conscientious ______________ pernicious ______________
conspicuous ______________ pompous ______________
contagious ______________ portentous ______________
contemptuous ______________ precarious ______________
copious ______________ precocious ______________
courteous ______________ prestigious ______________
decorous ______________ pretentious ______________
deleterious ______________ rambunctious ______________
dolorous ______________ raucous ______________
dubious ______________ riotous ______________
egregious ______________ sacrilegious ______________
eponymous ______________ salacious ______________
expeditious ______________ sanctimonious ______________
facetious ______________ scrupulous ______________
fatuous ______________ seditious ______________
fictitious ______________ serendipitous ______________
fortuitous ______________ specious ______________
frivolous ______________ spontaneous ______________
gratuitous ______________ strenuous ______________
heinous ______________ stupendous ______________
hideous ______________ subconscious ______________
homogenous ______________ supercilious ______________
humongous ______________ surreptitious ______________
illustrious ______________ suspicious ______________
imperious ______________ tenacious ______________
inauspicious ______________ thunderous ______________
incongruous ______________ traitorous ______________
indigenous ______________ tremulous ______________
infamous ______________ tumultuous ______________
ingenious ______________ unambiguous ______________
inglorious ______________ uproarious ______________
injudicious ______________ vacuous ______________
innocuous ______________ vertiginous ______________
instantaneous ______________ viscous ______________
invidious ______________ vivacious ______________
judicious ______________ voluminous ______________
lugubrious ______________ voracious ______________

62
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 1) – Gap-Fill

Complete each gap with one of the options below + ous:

egregi capaci fatu lugubri pernici homogen injudici autonom salaci incongru

copi tumultu nebul vivaci acrimoni surreptiti precoci speci supercili rambuncti

1. The boys were so __________ on the coach on the way home after the football match.

2. We’re not looking for a lot of variety, so we want the jobs to be fairly __________.

3. The tent was really __________, which meant we all had plenty of room.

4. Our daughter is incredibly __________ for her age, what with dancing, singing, music…

5. I didn’t expect to meet my uncle at the nightclub, so it felt really __________.

6. I don’t understand the point you are trying to make; your writing is completely __________.

7. The defendant continued his __________ behaviour by launching a one-man crime wave.

8. I hope you are all taking __________ notes. I will be asking questions after this presentation.

9. Their divorce became __________ when they failed to agree on the custody of their children.

10. Have you got any __________ gossip for me from the party?

11. His __________ decision to drive down the motorway at 4 mph may have cost him his licence.

12. It was such a __________ atmosphere, with grandpa in tears and Leo checking his watch.

13. That new boy is so __________. He’s always looking down his nose at the other students.

14. Emilia is such a lovely __________ girl – always so lively, and she never stops!

15. ‘My brother could have written a better story – and he’s two.’ ‘What a __________ remark!’

16. ‘Do you think we’ll all be travelling around in __________ cars by 2025?’ ‘No.’

17. Kami’s teenage years were __________ as she went from jailbird to number one hockey star.

18. Your __________ proposal can never become law, because it is based upon a falsehood.

19. Rejecting your own son as heir will be an __________ mistake, sir!

20. Petra leaned below her seat and gave the dog a cake in as __________ a way as possible.

63
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2)

How many of these words do you know? Learn new words by studying the -ous words and their ‘easy’ synonyms:

advantageous beneficial malicious nasty


analogous equivalent meretricious superficial
anomalous inconsistent miscellaneous assorted
assiduous diligent monstrous horrific
audacious brave multitudinous countless
avaricious mean nefarious wicked
boisterous lively notorious disreputable
bumptious conceited nutritious wholesome
cacophonous noisy obsequious flattering
callous cruel ominous warning
cantankerous grumpy ostentatious showy
carnivorous meat-eating parlous dangerous
clamorous noisy parsimonious miserly
conscious awake perfidious disloyal
contentious argumentative perspicacious wise
contiguous joining ponderous slow
credulous naive precipitous rash
delirious delighted preposterous outrageous
desirous eager presumptuous rude
devious deceitful prodigious remarkable
disingenuous dishonest pugnacious aggressive
duplicitous two-faced punctilious meticulous
efficacious effective rapturous delighted
erroneous wrong ravenous very hungry
extemporaneous unrehearsed rigorous thorough
extraneous unnecessary sagacious wise
fastidious fussy salubrious healthy
ferocious fierce scrumptious very tasty
fractious irritable scurrilous scandalous
garrulous talkative sententious moralistic
glutinous gooey simultaneous concurrent
gregarious sociable sinuous winding
hazardous risky solicitous caring
heterogenous mixed splendiferous splendid
hilarious very funny spurious fake
horrendous awful sumptuous lavish
ignominious embarrassing superfluous unnecessary
impecunious poor tedious boring
impervious waterproof tempestuous passionate
impetuous hasty tenuous questionable
inconspicuous unobtrusive tortuous complicated
industrious hard-working treacherous disloyal
ingenuous innocent ubiquitous universal
iniquitous wicked unctuous sycophantic
injurious harmful venomous poisonous
insidious sneaky vexatious annoying
licentious immoral vicarious indirect
ludicrous ridiculous vigorous energetic
luminous shining vociferous vocal
luxurious deluxe zealous keen

64
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2) – Research

Use the internet or a thesaurus to find an ‘easy’ synonym for each of the -ous words below:

advantageous ______________ malicious ______________


analogous ______________ meretricious ______________
anomalous ______________ miscellaneous ______________
assiduous ______________ monstrous ______________
audacious ______________ multitudinous ______________
avaricious ______________ nefarious ______________
boisterous ______________ notorious ______________
bumptious ______________ nutritious ______________
cacophonous ______________ obsequious ______________
callous ______________ ominous ______________
cantankerous ______________ ostentatious ______________
carnivorous ______________ parlous ______________
clamorous ______________ parsimonious ______________
conscious ______________ perfidious ______________
contentious ______________ perspicacious ______________
contiguous ______________ ponderous ______________
credulous ______________ precipitous ______________
delirious ______________ preposterous ______________
desirous ______________ presumptuous ______________
devious ______________ prodigious ______________
disingenuous ______________ pugnacious ______________
duplicitous ______________ punctilious ______________
efficacious ______________ rapturous ______________
erroneous ______________ ravenous ______________
extemporaneous ______________ rigorous ______________
extraneous ______________ sagacious ______________
fastidious ______________ salubrious ______________
ferocious ______________ scrumptious ______________
fractious ______________ scurrilous ______________
garrulous ______________ sententious ______________
glutinous ______________ simultaneous ______________
gregarious ______________ sinuous ______________
hazardous ______________ solicitous ______________
heterogenous ______________ splendiferous ______________
hilarious ______________ spurious ______________
horrendous ______________ sumptuous ______________
ignominious ______________ superfluous ______________
impecunious ______________ tedious ______________
impervious ______________ tempestuous ______________
impetuous ______________ tenuous ______________
inconspicuous ______________ tortuous ______________
industrious ______________ treacherous ______________
ingenuous ______________ ubiquitous ______________
iniquitous ______________ unctuous ______________
injurious ______________ venomous ______________
insidious ______________ vexatious ______________
licentious ______________ vicarious ______________
ludicrous ______________ vigorous ______________
luminous ______________ vociferous ______________
luxurious ______________ zealous ______________

65
Vocabulary New Words

Learn 100 New Words with the Suffix -ous (Part 2) – Gap-Fill

Complete each gap with one of the options below + ous:

efficaci salubri cantanker impetu sagaci hazard anomal meretrici contigu parl

obsequi pugnaci tortu perfidi splendifer disingenu parsimoni ludicr bumpti garrul

1. My teacher described it as a __________ piece of writing that was more style than substance.

2. Your tone of voice is rather __________, so I would appreciate it if you could tone it down.

3. I wouldn’t say that Todd was a __________ person; in fact I’ve hardly heard him say a word.

4. She shouldn’t have reacted so quickly, but unfortunately she was just far too __________.

5. Dangling from a cliff with a storm swirling around him, Jeff was in a __________ situation.

6. There’s a __________ old man who lives near me, who is always moaning about my kids.

7. Oh, the roller coaster ride was __________! I can’t describe how utterly fabulous it was!

8. His brother is ingratiating – he’s so __________; clearly making sure that he’s in the will.

9. The two countries of Niger and Sudan are not __________, because Chad lies between them.

10. Take three spoons of this medicine and I believe you will find it to be perfectly __________.

11. Thank you for your __________ advice, O Wise One. I am determined to put it into practice.

12. The prices in the hotel restaurant were absolutely __________! Forty-five pounds for a starter!

13. Some of the figures on this spreadsheet you gave me are rather __________.

14. What she did was pretty __________, because she filmed him at work without his permission.

15. Deluded Alan and Pam believe they’re the best couple in the village; they’re so __________.

16. It’s such a __________ place to live – right on the coast, with a fresh sea breeze.

17. I don’t know whether to trust Fay. Arthur told me that she is a little bit __________.

18. We got lost because the satnav broke and we ended up following a __________ route.

19. There was plenty of ice on the road, which made my drive home rather __________.

20. Why doesn’t Mr. Roland ever pay for a round of drinks? He’s such a __________ old man.

66
Vocabulary Loanwords

List of 300 Loanwords in English

Loanwords are words that we borrow from other languages. Here are 300 common loanwords that we use in English:

a cappella (IT) cocoa (SP) jaguar (POR) paprika (HU) sporran (SG)
abacus (HE) coffee (AR) jasmine (AR) parliament (FR) spritzer (GE)
abseil (GE) commando (POR) jeans (IT) pasta (IT) stampede (SP)
ad hoc (GR) concerto (IT) Jesuit (HE) pasteurisation (FR) strudel (GE)
ad nauseam (GR) cosmonaut (RU) jodhpurs (HI) perestroika (RU) sudoku (JA)
aficionado (SP) cotton (AR) John (HE) pet (SG) sugar (AR)
aide-memoire (FR) crag (SG) jubilee (HE) pharaoh (HE) sumo (JA)
aikido (JA) credit (IT) judo (JA) pharisee (HE) sushi (JA)
alchemy (GR) croissant (FR) juggernaut (HI) phoenix (FR) syrup (AR)
alcohol (AR) cushy (HI) kamikaze (JA) physics (GR) talc (AR)
alligator (SP) dachshund (GE) kangaroo (AA) piano (IT) tangerine (AR)
ambiance (FR) delicatessen (GE) karaoke (JA) piazza (IT) tapioca (POR)
angst (GE) dingo (AA) karate (JA) piccolo (IT) taverna (GR)
art nouveau (FR) diva (IT) khaki (HI) pierogi (POL) telephone (GR)
avatar (HI) dodo (POR) kimono (JA) pizza (IT) television (FR)
baguette (IT) dollar (GE) kindergarten (GE) pizzeria (IT) theatre (GR)
balaclava (RU) doppelgänger (GE) koala (AA) poodle (GE) tomato (SP)
balcony (IT) drongo (AA) kookaburra (AA) potato (POR) topic (GR)
banana (SP) duet (IT) kosher (HE) pretzel (GE) tourist (SP)
bandanna (HI) dungaree (HI) Labrador (POR) prima ballerina (IT) traffic (AR)
bandicoot (AA) edelweiss (GE) lacquer (AR) ptarmigan (SG) trio (IT)
bank (IT) elixir (AR) lager (GE) putsch (GE) trousers (SG)
bar mitzvah (HE) embarrass (POR) lemming (NO) pyjamas (HI) tsar (RU)
bard (SG) emoji (JA) lemon (AR) quarantine (IT) tsunami (JA)
baritone (IT) emu (POR) leviathan (HE) quartet (IT) turquoise (FR)
behemoth (HE) encyclopaedia (GR) lieutenant (FR) quartz (POL) tycoon (JA)
bigos (POL) espresso (IT) limousine (FR) rabbi (HE) type (GR)
billabong (AA) et cetera (etc.) (GR) llama (SP) realpolitik (GE) typhoon (AR)
biro (HU) eureka (GR) loch (SG) ream (AR) umbrella (IT)
biscuit (IT) falsetto (IT) lottery (IT) restaurant (FR) utopia (GR)
bog (SG) fascism (IT) mackintosh (SG) rhumba (SP) vamoose (SP)
bonsai (JA) feta (GR) maestro (IT) rickshaw (JA) vanilla (SP)
boomerang (AA) finale (IT) magazine (AR) ruble (RU) veranda (HI)
brouhaha (HE) fjord (NO) mammoth (RU) rutabaga (SW) vindaloo (POR)
buccaneer (POR) flamingo (POR) manga (JA) sabre (HU) viola (IT)
bungalow (HI) frankfurter (GE) mango (POR) sake (JA) violin (IT)
bureaucracy (FR) futon (JA) marmalade (POR) salsa (SP) virtuoso (IT)
cabal (HE) gateau (FR) mattress (AR) samurai (JA) vodka (RU)
café (FR) gauntlet SW) mayor (FR) satsuma (JA) wallaby (AA)
cafeteria (SP) geisha (JA) mea culpa (GR) schadenfreude (GE) wasabi (JA)
cairn (SG) gherkin (POL) merchandise (IT) schmooze (HE) whisky (SG)
candy (AR) giraffe (AR) messiah (HE) schnapps (GE) wombat (AA)
canoe (SP) glockenspiel (GE) modus operandi (GR) schwa (HE) wonga (AA)
carat (GR) goulash (HU) monsoon (AR) seltzer (GE) wunderkind (GE)
caricature (IT) government (FR) moped (SW) sequin (AR) yoga (HI)
cashew (POR) graffiti (IT) mosquito (SP) serendipity (AR) zebra (POR)
cauliflower (IT) grotesque (IT) moussaka (GR) sergeant (FR) zeitgeist (GE)
ceilidh (SG) guarana (POR) mozzarella (IT) shampoo (HI) zen (JA)
cello (IT) guerrilla (SP) muesli (GE) sheikh (AR) zenith (AR)
chauffeur (FR) gymkhana (HI) nacho (SP) shindig (SG) zero (AR)
cheetah (HI) haiku (JA) nadir (AR) ski (NO) zombie (POR)
chef (FR) hallelujah (HE) Neanderthal (GE) slalom (NO) zoology (GR)
chemistry (AR) hamburger (GE) ninja (JA) slogan (SG)
cherub (HE) hamster (GE) oboe (IT) smashing (SG)
chocolate (SP) hoi polloi (GR) ombudsman (SW) smorgasbord (SW)
choir (GR) honcho (JA) opera (IT) sofa (AR)
chutzpah (HE) hosanna (HE) orange (AR) solo (IT)
ciao (IT) hotel (FR) orienteering (SW) sonnet (IT)
cider (HE) hummus (AR) origami (JA) soprano (IT)
clan (SG) hurricane (SP) ouzo (GR) sorbet (IT)
coach (HU) iguana (SP) paella (SP) sovereignty (FR)
cobra (POR) intelligentsia (RU) paparazzi (IT) spaghetti (IT)

Key: AA (Australian Aboriginal), AR (Arabic), FR (French), GE (German), GR (Greek), HE (Hebrew), HI (Hindi), HU (Hungarian),
IT (Italian), JA (Japanese), NO (Norwegian), POL (Polish), POR (Portuguese), RU (Russian), SG (Scottish Gaelic), SP (Spanish),
SW (Swedish)

67
Vocabulary Idioms

Raw Materials

A. Match an English idiom on the left with a literal translation on the right:

1. ‘Only when the last tree has been cut a) Do not waste resources because they
down, the last fish been caught, and may not be easily replaced.
the last stream poisoned, will we
realise we cannot eat money.’
Cree Native American prophecy

2. To cost / charge the earth. b) To feel like your contribution makes little
or no difference.

3. To make the most of something. c) To start enjoying the outdoors again.

4. To promise the earth. d) Why? (with emphasis)

5. Waste not, want not. e) To enjoy something now because it will


not last for long.

6. To use something up. f) Don’t drop litter!

7. Why on earth…? g) We must take care of the environment.

8. To get back to nature. h) To use a resource until nothing remains.

9. Don’t be a litter bug! i) To agree to a lot, but probably not deliver.

10. To be a drop in the ocean. j) To be very expensive.

B. Write a sentence with each idiom. Say it aloud, then change the idiom for the literal phrase
(above). Which sounds more natural?

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________

6. ___________________________________________________________________

7. ___________________________________________________________________

8. ___________________________________________________________________

9. ___________________________________________________________________

10. ___________________________________________________________________

68
Vocabulary Word Search Puzzles

Find 40 Two-Letter English Words

Find 40 two-letter English words in this fun word search puzzle:

1. up 11. we 21. be 31. hi


2. my 12. me 22. no 32. go
3. at 13. ta 23. or 33. it
4. OK 14. ex 24. he 34. um
5. ab 15. ma 25. to 35. on
6. id 16. an 26. in 36. op
7. er 17. ow 27. of 37. by
8. us 18. as 28. so 38. am
9. pa 19. do 29. pi 39. yo
10. if 20. ad 30. is 40. oh

69
PurlandTraining.com

reading
Reading Gap-Fill

The Businessman and the Fisherman

1. Check that you understand these vocabulary words:

enough centrally retire seaside


immediate needs resting pier concerned
sweat deep in thought badly-dressed fleet
congratulated processor profit middleman
rewarding distribution eventually wander

2. Work with a partner. Read the text, fill in the gaps, put the parts in the right order, then discuss the questions on
the following page:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A well-dressed businessman – a tourist – was at the a) _______________ of a b) _______________ village
when a small boat with just one c) _______________ fisherman appeared. Inside the small boat were several
large tuna. The businessman d) _______________ the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked him how
long it had taken to catch them. The fisherman replied, “Not long.” The businessman then asked him
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish, to which the fisherman replied, “I have e) _______________
to support my family’s f) _______________.” The businessman then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of
your time?” The fisherman said, “I sleep late,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fish a little, play with my children, rest with my wife, then g) _______________ into the village each evening
where I have a glass of wine and play guitar with my friends. I have a full and h) _______________ life.” The
businessman looked i) _______________ and told him, “I’m a very successful businessman and may be able to
help you. You
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
should spend more time fishing, and with the extra money buy a bigger boat. With the j) _______________ from
the bigger boat you could buy several boats, and k) _______________ you would have a whole
l) _______________ of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a m) _______________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
you would sell directly to the n) _______________, and finally open your own factory. You would control the
product, processing, and o) _______________. Of course, you would need to leave this village and move to the
big city, then possibly even a different country,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
where you would run your growing business p) _______________.” The fisherman asked, “But how long would
all this take?” The businessman replied, “Fifteen to twenty years, I guess.” “But what then?” asked the fisherman,
q) _______________ on the warm sand. The businessman laughed and said, “That’s the best part!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the time is right you could launch your company on the stock market and become very rich. I feel sure you
would make millions!” “Millions?” said the fisherman, “And then what?” The businessman wiped the
r) _______________ from his forehead and smiled, “Then you would s) _______________. Move to a small
coastal fishing village
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, rest with your wife, then wander into the village each
evening and have a glass of wine and play guitar with your friends.” “But I’m doing that now,” said the fisherman,
and the businessman walked away t) _______________.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adapted from a story by Heinrich Böll: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anekdote_zur_Senkung_der_Arbeitsmoral

74
Reading Discussion Questions

The Businessman and the Fisherman

Read the story on p.74 and discuss the following questions with a partner or small group:

1. What are the main themes of the story?

2. What is the moral of the story? What lesson does the author want the reader to take away
from it?

3. Who is right, in your opinion? Who do you identify with the most – the businessman or the
fisherman? Why?

4. How did you react to the ending of the story? Were you surprised or moved, for example?
Why? / Why not?

5. What are the pros and cons of each man’s point of view? Compare each man’s position.

6. Would this story be the same if both characters were women? If not, how would it be different?

7. Is the fisherman saying that it is wrong to plan for the future? Isn’t he being irresponsible?
What about when he is too old to work? What about his family?

8. Should we be happy with what we have, or have ambition and strive for more / a better life?

9. Is it wrong to take pleasure in our achievements – setting a goal; striving for it; and achieving
it?

10. Is the story biased in favour of either person? How does the narrative achieve this?

11. Can money buy happiness? What is the relationship between money and happiness?

12. What does the story mean to you? Does it make you want to change your way of life? How
could you do this? Do you want to?

13. What is your ultimate goal – or end-game – in life?

14. Are you happy to accept the rat race: learn, earn, rest, then die? Can you imagine a different,
more fulfilling way of life? Describe it. If not, why not?

15. Do you live in the moment, like the fisherman? What does it mean to do this? Have you ever
tried it? How can we do this? What are the benefits/drawbacks of this?

75
Reading True, False, or Opinion?

The Ultimate Tardigrade Quiz – 50 Questions!

The tardigrade must be one of the most fascinating animals on the planet – and off it too! Work with a
partner or small group and test your knowledge of tardigrades with our fun quiz. (Prior research is highly
recommended!)

Print this page onto card, cut up the cards, then lay them face down on a table and mix them up. Take
turns to draw one, read it out loud, and say whether the statement is TRUE, FALSE, or OPINION. If you
get it right, keep your card. The one with the most cards at the end is the winner! Or work alone and sort
the cards into the three groups, then check the answers.


1. Tardigrades are also known as moss piglets. 26. They are among the most interesting animals.

2. There are more than 1,100 species of Tardigrade. 27. They can live for up to two months.

3. Tardigrades have two arms and two legs. 28. Some people like to dress up as tardigrades.

4. Tardigrades make excellent pets. 29. Tardigrades are not invertebrates.

5. They are a type of micro-animal. 30. Tardigrades are harmless if you eat them.

6. They eat soil. 31. Tardigrades cannot swim.

7. They have been found almost everywhere. 32. You have probably eaten a few on a fresh salad.

8. Tardigrades are awesome! 33. My cousin kind of looks like a tardigrade.

9. They were discovered in 1846 by van der Groot. 34. Tardigrades do not live on humans or animals.

10. They can withstand extreme temperatures. 35. They can survive being eaten by humans.

11. They will be the last species left alive on earth. 36. They’re called water bears due to how they move.

12. The word ‘tardigrade’ means ‘water bear’. 37. Like insects, they have six legs.

13. They can live in the vacuum of outer space. 38. You’re probably around ten metres from one now.

14. They can survive dehydration and starvation. 39. They are like real life (miniature) gummy bears.

15. Tardigrades are also known as water pigs. 40. No tardigrade fossils have been found.

16. Tardigrades are responsible for global warming. 41. Tardigrades live in water.

17. Tardigrades do not have eyes. 42. They are about 0.02mm long when fully grown.

18. They can withstand very high doses of radiation. 43. They are incredibly resilient.

19. A person who studies tardigrades is a Tardist. 44. They have two claws on the end of each leg.

20. They can suspend their metabolism for years. 45. Tardigrades always reproduce asexually.

21. They cannot be seen under a normal microscope. 46. Tardigrades are the best species on the planet.

22. Tardigrades have unpleasant features. 47. Some tardigrades are cannibals.

23. They live in damp places, like mosses and soil. 48. Tardigrades are mostly brown.

24. A tardigrade is not able to change its basic shape. 49. Scientists do not use tardigrades for research.

25. They have telescopic mouths which spiral out. 50. Tardigrades are impossibly cute.

76
PurlandTraining.com

speaking and listening


Speaking and Listening Discussion

Using an Object for Discussion Practice

Work with a partner or small group. Both of you choose a different object that you would like to discuss.
It can be something real from where you are – a book, a stapler, a board eraser – something that you’ve
brought in from home – a cushion, a coffee mug, a shopping bag – or something from a catalogue, book,
or newspaper. In fact, any real object that you can think of or imagine!

Then…

• Describe it for the other person to guess.


• Draw it for the other person to guess.
• Interview the other person about their object. Focus on correct question forms.
• Interview the other person, but imagine you are an alien called ________, who knows nothing
about planet Earth…
• Talk about your object for no less than… a) 20 seconds, b) 40 seconds, c) one minute, etc.
There could be ‘banned’ words that you can’t use, e.g. talking about a chair: ‘sit’, ‘furniture’, etc.
• Compare your object with another object; list at least 5 similarities and 5 differences.
• Talk about your object using a different tense and form (+ / - / ?) for each sentence, e.g.

• present simple
• present continuous
• past simple
• present perfect
• future simple

and so on! See how many sentences you can make before you run out of tenses!

• Discuss at least 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages of your partner’s object, then swap over.
• Try to sell your object to your partner.
• Imagine your partner is a shopkeeper who sold you your object. Try to get a refund.
• Imagine your item is alive. Imagine:

a) its name
b) it’s life history to date
c) what it does in a typical day
d) how it feels about you – and humans in general

• Write or tell the official biography of your object in no more than 200 words.
• Describe how it is made / grown / produced, etc. What was its journey from the moment of its
creation to this moment in your hands?
• Tell a weird / funny / sad, etc. story about your object.
• Make up a song about it – in different genres: pop, rock, country, rap, reggae, etc.
• Create a role play / short movie on your phone about your object.
• List at least six ways in which your object could be improved.
• How could you transform your object into something else or use it for another purpose?
Think of at least four examples.
• Describe your object for at least a minute, but as if it is something else and not the object at all.
• Create a board game, card game, or puzzle based on your object.
• Write a quiz about your object, or create an app or mobile game based on your object.
• Write a social media post about your object and tag four friends.

Tip: to keep the class moving, each mini-game could be given a fixed time, e.g. 5 minutes. When a bell
rings, students move on to the next game (and new partner) – or randomise the games by cutting up
the list and putting the pieces on the walls around the classroom. Students choose their next game.

78
Speaking and Listening Opinions

Giving Your Opinion


1. We can give our opinion about absolutely anything in life, but we most often need to give our opinion when
choosing between different options. Here are a few more common occasions when you might need to give your
opinion and recommend what to do, based on your experience and insight (how you see things):
shopping clothes, jewellery, shoes, electrical equipment; especially big
purchases, e.g. furniture, holidays, cars, our home, etc. 2. We can ask for other people’s
services restaurants, hotels, resorts, RAC, plumbers, mechanics, lawyer, etc. opinions in various ways:
people say what you think of other people, e.g. appearance, life choices;
discuss family problems, decisions, news, events, work, education, What do you think of / about...?
travel, past mistakes, future options and possibilities, etc.
advice tell others what you think they should do in a given situation What is your opinion / view of...?
politics talk about local, national, and world news, current affairs, famous
people, events, religion, etc. Do you think that...?
ethical discuss contentious moral and ethical issues, e.g. the death penalty
issues What / How about...?
culture talk about / review music, books, film, TV, sport, games, theatre, art
judging auditions, court cases, competitions, presentations, job interviews, Do you agree that...?
homework, course work, exams, tests, etc.
time talk about past, present, and future events, possibilities, ambitions, Do you think / feel / believe that...?
hopes, fears, dreams
weather / two topics that provide an endless source of discussion, opinion, and
traffic speculation for British people!

Collocations with opinion: agree with, ask, disagree with, find out, get, give, have, hold, know, offer,
receive, say, state, trust, value

3. Agreeing and disagreeing: we can say simply “yes” (“yeah” – informal) or “no” (“nah” – informal). Here are
some more phrases to choose from:

Agreeing: Disagreeing:

I (totally) agree (with sth or sby). / Me too. / So/Neither do I. I (completely) disagree (with sth or sby). / No way!
Yes, of course. / Quite right! / Absolutely! / That’s a good point. That’s / You’re (absolutely) wrong!
That’s (absolutely) right. / That’s true. / You’re not (far) wrong. That’s not true / untrue / false.
I have a different opinion / view.
I respect your opinion, but... (formal)
If you can’t agree: I’m afraid I have to (respectfully) disagree. (formal)
(What a load of) rubbish! (informal)
We’re not going to agree (on this), so let’s agree to disagree / Don’t be ridiculous! (informal)
change the subject. / You don’t have to agree with me, but... You must be joking / kidding! (informal)

4. Our opinion is subjective, not factual. When giving our opinion we add an introductory phrase which acts as a
kind of disclaimer, letting the listener know that this is what we think, feel, or believe, rather than a fact:

I think / feel / believe / guess / reckon... Giving a general opinion: I’ve never thought about it before.
It is my (personal / strong) opinion that... Most / some people think / feel (that)... To state unrequested negative opinions:
In my opinion / view... / As far as I know... It is (widely) thought that.. Don’t take this the wrong way, but...
For me... / To be honest... When you don’t have an opinion: I’m not being funny, but...
If you ask me... / If you want my opinion I don’t know. / I’ve got no idea. [rude / negative opinion] Just sayin’!

After making our first statement we should back it up with reasons and examples. This model of speaking
enables us to talk continuously, because the examples are themselves statements, which lead to further reasons
and examples – and so on: statement -> reason -> example(s) -> statement, -> reason, etc.

5. We can use verbs and adjectives graded from positive to negative to give an opinion:

Verbs: I ______ it.

hate / can’t stand really dislike dislike don’t mind / like / enjoy really like love / adore
negative - don’t like can put up with positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

Adjectives: It is ______.

terrible / awful really bad bad / poor OK / so-so / not bad good great / super fantastic / brilliant
negative - positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

79
Speaking and Listening Opinions

Giving Your Opinion – Exercises

1. Write three things that you could give your opinion about in each category:

buying a new... e.g. car


using a service
family and friends
ethical issues
judging something

2. Complete the gaps in the dialogue:

Phil: What a)__________ you think of the football match yesterday?


Simon: I thought it was b)__________ good. Samson played well. c)__________ about you?
Phil: Yes it was a good result. You know what, I need to get a birthday present for my girlfriend. d)__________
you e)__________ I should get her a voucher?
Simon: In my f)__________, that’s not very thoughtful. What g)__________ jewellery?
Phil: That’s a good h)__________, but to be i)__________, I haven’t got much cash. What about a magazine?
Simon: Don’t take this the j)__________ way, but I don’t k)__________ she will l)__________ that, Phil!

3. i) Put the parts together and write three sentences with statement -> reason -> example:

for example, on The Guardian website. the style was really modern. You shouldn’t buy that dress,

and you’ll look terrible! because most news is free online – She recommended her hairdresser

’cause she did a great job – I don’t like buying newspapers, because it’s so old-fashioned

ii) Write five sentences using the statement -> reason -> example model:
statement: reason: example:
e.g. I don’t eat meat because I’m a vegetarian, but I love salads, pasta, and rice.

4. Complete the gaps with the words below:

great | really like | good | like | poor | terrible | love | dislike

not bad | hate | fantastic | don’t mind | really bad | really dislike

i) Verbs:

a)__________ b)__________ c)__________ d)__________ e)__________ f)__________ g)__________


negative - positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

ii) Adjectives:

h)__________ i)__________ j)__________ k)__________ l)__________ m)__________ n)__________


negative - positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

80
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Which is Better? Discussion

a) Work with a partner. Discuss each pair below and make notes in the space provided. One of
you argues that one of the things is better, while the other person argues the opposite – that the
other thing is better. Think of at least four advantages / disadvantages for each thing:

• Hot or cold _________________________________________________


• Night or day _________________________________________________
• Rich or poor _________________________________________________
• Black or white _________________________________________________
• People or animals _________________________________________________
• Coffee or tea _________________________________________________
• Car or bus _________________________________________________
• Cat or dog _________________________________________________
• House or flat _________________________________________________
• Summer or winter _________________________________________________
• Beach or sea _________________________________________________
• Wet or dry _________________________________________________
• Coast or inland _________________________________________________
• Town or country _________________________________________________
• Wine or beer _________________________________________________
• Orange or Apple _________________________________________________
• Light or dark _________________________________________________
• Sweet or sour _________________________________________________
• Sweet or savory _________________________________________________
• Happy or sad _________________________________________________
• Salt or pepper _________________________________________________
• Paper or pen _________________________________________________
• Pen or pencil _________________________________________________
• Work or play _________________________________________________
• iPhone or Android _________________________________________________
• Walk or ride _________________________________________________
• TV or cinema _________________________________________________
• Tree or bush _________________________________________________
• Flower or plant _________________________________________________
• Read or write _________________________________________________
• Google or Yahoo! _________________________________________________
• Apple or Microsoft _________________________________________________
• Supermarket or corner shop _________________________________________________
• MS Office or Open Office _________________________________________________
• Painting or drawing _________________________________________________
• Boat or yacht _________________________________________________
• Train or tram _________________________________________________
• Chocolate or sweets _________________________________________________
• Angry or calm _________________________________________________
• Sharp or blunt _________________________________________________
• Stupid or clever _________________________________________________
• Bright or dim _________________________________________________
• Active or relaxed _________________________________________________
• Full or empty _________________________________________________
• Heavy or light _________________________________________________

b) Think of your own pairs, then repeat the activity.

81
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 1

When something unpleasant happens to you, there is always a friend or family member who advises
you to ‘Just forget it!’ – as in, do not take any further action about the matter.

Discuss the situations below with a partner or small group and say whether you would ‘just forget it’
or take further action. If you would take further action, to what level would you take it? For example:

1. complain at the time 5. start a boycott


2. write an email 6. contact the media
3. write a letter 7. organise a protest / direct action
4. make a phone call 8. seek revenge

1. You are passed over for a promotion at work – unfairly in your opinion.
2. You witness a dog owner allowing their dog to poop on the pavement, then fail to pick it up
and bag it.
3. Your flight is delayed by six hours, causing inconvenience but no real extra expense.
4. You are short-changed in a bakery by ninety-five pence.
5. Your good friend does not invite you to their upcoming wedding.
6. Your nursery teacher has overlooked your very talented child for the best parts in the school
play – again – meaning that they have to play a tree.
7. The bus fails to stop, making you twenty minutes late for work.
8. Your pizza at a nice restaurant arrives cold.
9. Your new lawnmower breaks down and needs a serious repair after using it only twice.
10. Somebody spills your pint in a nightclub – all over your partner’s new white coat.
11. Somebody eats the last slice of cake from the fridge when you had reserved it.
12. Somebody backs into your car in a car park, causing minor damage.
13. A group of teenagers are laughing and eating noisily behind you at the cinema – then start
shouting out what happens next.
14. You find out your partner of two years has been having an affair.
15. You ask your child to clean up the house. They do it, but really badly.
16. On a long-haul flight the person in front of you reclines their seat.
17. The police stop you on suspicion of speeding, but you are adamant that you always obey the
speed limit.
18. Your father is wrongly diagnosed by his GP, which leads to his untimely death.
19. Your insurance company refuses to pay out for a damaged mobile phone, worth over £1,000.
20. Your best friend refuses to lend you his car while he’s away on holiday.

82
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 2

When something unpleasant happens to you, there is always a friend or family member who advises
you to ‘Just forget it!’ – as in, do not take any further action about the matter.

Discuss the situations below with a partner or small group and say whether you would ‘just forget it’
or take further action. If you would take further action, to what level would you take it? For example:

1. complain at the time 5. start a boycott


2. write an email 6. contact the media
3. write a letter 7. organise a protest / direct action
4. make a phone call 8. seek revenge

1. The owner of the B&B where you stayed for a week charges you for damage to the room,
which you know had been there when you arrived.
2. You book tickets to see your favourite actress live in a West End musical, only to find that on
the day you go it is her day off and her part is being played by an understudy.
3. The launderette shrinks your favourite blouse.
4. You send your brother £100 in cash in the post, but it doesn’t arrive.
5. You are fired from your job after a few weeks for reasons that you feel are unfair.
6. Somebody insults you on social media.
7. Somebody blocks your parking space at work.
8. Your train is cancelled three days in a row, meaning that you have to take the bus.
9. A cyclist cuts in front of you when leaving the traffic lights, then gives you the finger.
10. Another child has been bullying your child at school for a few months.
11. You buy some clothes online, but they do not fit. The online retailer refuses to give a refund.
12. At your child’s school sports day another parent insults your child’s weight.
13. Your father borrows one of your books and returns it damaged.
14. A funeral business uses one of your Facebook photos in an advert without asking you.
15. You write a letter to HMRC to complain about overpayment of tax but they do not reply.
16. You go on holiday abroad but find the hotel is nothing like what they advertised.
17. You agree to let your friends stay in your house while you are on holiday, as long as they don’t
smoke there. You arrive home to find that the house stinks of smoke.
18. You go for a massage which should last one hour, but the massage therapist finishes the
session after 50 minutes without comment.
19. You have a haircut, but afterwards you feel very unhappy about how it looks.
20. Twelve years ago your mother behaved in a manner which really upset you. You still feel hurt.

83
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Just Forget It! Discussion – Part 3

When something unpleasant happens to you, there is always a friend or family member who advises
you to ‘Just forget it!’ – as in, do not take any further action about the matter.

Discuss the situations below with a partner or small group and say whether you would ‘just forget it’
or take further action. If you would take further action, to what level would you take it? For example:

1. complain at the time 5. start a boycott


2. write an email 6. contact the media
3. write a letter 7. organise a protest / direct action
4. make a phone call 8. seek revenge

1. You buy a coffee in a trendy coffee shop but find it is lukewarm.


2. You pay £4.89 for some washing powder in a supermarket, but on the way out of the shop you
notice it is on offer and should have been £3.49.
3. Your child is hit by a car driven by a guy who is high on drugs. Your child will never walk
again.
4. You pay for a month of English lessons, but after the first one you are unhappy with the quality
of the teaching.
5. You receive an email from your parents informing you that you were adopted.
6. Your neighbour’s cat keeps fouling in your vegetable garden.
7. Your friendly neighbour’s likeable son has smashed your greenhouse window with his football.
8. The local vicar refuses to let you and your fiancée get married in your local church, because
you don’t attend regularly enough.
9. You find a homeless man camping in the doorway of a shop that you own.
10. You are involved in a film project but your name is misspelled in the credits.
11. You phone up a talk radio station to discuss politics, but because of your views the presenter
turns you into a laughing stock live on air – and later on social media.
12. Your wife orders a birthday cake from a bakery for your daughter’s fifth birthday, but they
deliver it two days late, making it redundant.
13. Your taxi driver punctuates a long drive with his racist thoughts.
14. Your son’s secondary school headmaster fines you £60 for taking him out of school during
term time for a holiday.
15. The last train home is cancelled meaning you have to book a hotel for the night.
16. Your personal trainer is consistently late for your training sessions.
17. When you have to pull out of a stag weekend in Prague due to family illness, your friend still
charges you the full £900 cost of the weekend.
18. You find an earwig in a tin of beans.
19. A painter drops a paint pot on your head by accident as you walk down the road.
20. Builders began work on your new bathroom, but you haven’t seen them for two months.

84
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Talking about a Song in an ESOL Class

Complete the information about a song, and present it to the rest of the class:

About the song:

Title: Artist:

Writer(s): Country:

Release Date: Duration:

About the music:

Genre: Instrument(s):

Tempo: Chord Sequence:

Melody: Hooks:

Lyrics:

What is it about? My memories of the song:

My favourite line:

5 facts about the song: 5 reasons why it’s great:

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

85
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Find Alternatives to Plastic 1

Work with a partner or small group. Write the source (e.g. online store) and the price of each plastic item
below. Then search for an equivalent item which is biodegradable. Write the source and the price.
Compare the items and prices. Discuss the pros and cons and how easy it was to find a non-plastic
alternative. If there is no alternative invent one.

LIVING ROOM Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
TV

games console

tablet

children’s toy

fan heater

KITCHEN Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
bottle of milk

box of juice

bin bags

fridge freezer

lunch box

BATHROOM Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
tube of face cream

washing machine

baby wipes

bottle of bleach

multipack of loo rolls

86
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Find Alternatives to Plastic 2

Work with a partner or small group. Write the source (e.g. online store) and the price of each plastic item
below. Then search for an equivalent item which is biodegradable. Write the source and the price.
Compare the items and prices. Discuss the pros and cons and how easy it was to find a non-plastic
alternative. If there is no alternative invent one.

BEDROOM Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
mobile phone

headphones

alarm clock

reading glasses

fitness ball

OFFICE Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
laptop

printer

A4 plastic wallet

modem

sticky tape

HOME Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:
trainers

rucksack

vacuum cleaner

debit card

iron

87
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Find Alternatives to Plastic – Write Your Own

Work with a partner or small group. Write down three rooms and five plastic items found in each one.
Write the source (e.g. online store) and the price of each item. Then search for an equivalent item which
is biodegradable. Write the source and the price. Compare the items and prices. Discuss the pros and
cons and how easy it was to find a non-plastic alternative. If there is no alternative invent one.

Room: Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:

Room: Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:

Room: Plastic Biodegradable


Item: Source: Price: Source: Price:

88
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Restaurants – Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions about restaurants with a partner or small group:

1. What is your favourite restaurant? Why do you like it? How often do you go there?
Who do you usually go with?
2. What do you like to order at a restaurant? Do you always order the same thing?
3. Do you leave a tip for the waiter/waitress when you pay? If yes, how much do you leave?
If not, why not?
4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? Would you like to? Why? / Why not?
Imagine what a normal shift would be like.
5. Are you an easy customer or a difficult customer? Give examples.
6. Has anything funny or surprising ever happened to you in a restaurant? Tell me about it.
7. Would you like to own a restaurant? Do you think it would be a good investment?
Why? / Why not? Why do people set up or buy restaurant businesses?
8. Is restaurant food better than home-cooked food? Are you a good cook?
Do you prefer home-cooked food? Why?
9. Have you ever had food poisoning or felt sick after visiting a restaurant? What happened?
Tell me about it.
10. Do you like to visit different restaurants while on holiday, or do you stick to the hotel
restaurant?
11. Why do we need restaurants? What social / cultural functions do they have?
12. What would happen if there were no more restaurants from next week?
13. Do you prefer small and cosy restaurants to large busy ones? Why? Give reasons.
14. Have you ever complained about the food or service at a restaurant? Tell me about it.
15. If you could have a meal at a restaurant with five famous people (alive or dead), who would
you choose and where would you dine? What do you think you would you talk about?
Who would be the most fun? Who would refuse to pay the bill? Why?
16. Is it better to work in a restaurant than a shop? Why?
17. Can you guess what my favourite restaurant is?
18. Do you think restaurants should play background music or have a quiet ambience? Why?
19. What is the oddest smell you have ever experienced at a restaurant?
20. Have you ever popped into a restaurant just to use the toilet? Why? Did you get caught?
What other funny or forbidden things have you done at a restaurant?

89
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Social Networks – Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions about social networks with a partner or small group:

1. Which social networks do you use? What do you use them for?
2. What is your favourite social network? Why? What is unique about it?
3. What is the definition of a social network? What makes something a social network?
What essential qualities does it have to have?
4. Does peer pressure fuel the growth of social networks?
5. Which social networks are the coolest? What makes them cool? Which social networks are
uncool? What makes them uncool?
6. Do you prefer to access social networks on a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone? Why?
7. How many social networks do you belong to? What was the first social network you joined?
What was the last social network you joined? Why did you sign up for it?
8. Which social network has the most useful functions? Have you ever sold anything on a social
network? Have you ever bought ads? How satisfied were you with the results?
9. Which social network is the most fun? Why? Which social networks are boring? Why?
10. If you could keep only three social networks and the rest disappeared, which ones would you
choose and why? If you could keep only one, which would you choose and why?
11. Can you remember a time before social networks? How did you... a) make new friends online?
b) Have fun online? c) Discover the news online? d) Share photos and videos online?
12. How did people keep in touch with friends in the past, before social networks came along?
Would you like to go back to those days? Why? Why not?
13. Which social network is best for… a) sharing photos with friends, b) making new friends,
c) listening to music, d) watching films, e) finding new work contacts, f) learning, g) making
calls, h) texting, i) selling your belongings. Give reasons for your choices.
14. Are social networks essential, or an unnecessary distraction? Can you imagine a world
without social networks? Give reasons for your answers.
15. What dangers do social networks pose? Are you happy to trade your privacy in order to get
free access to a social network? Why? / Why not? Would you pay monthly to get more privacy
on a social network? Why? / Why not?
16. Have you ever had a problem using a social network? Tell me about it.
17. What do you do when you see something you don’t like, or don’t agree with online?
18. Do you think that children should be allowed to register for social networks? Why? / Why not?
19. Is the number of friends or followers that you have on social networks important to you?
Why? / Why not? How many friends have you got on Facebook? How many of them are real
friends? What about on other social networks?
20. Do you rely on social networks to get… a) local news, b) national news, c) international news?
How reliable do you think the news sources are?

90
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Selfish People – Discussion – Part 1

Selfish people really are a uniquely gifted kind of human being. It takes a lot of skill to do what they
do – i.e. to do whatever they want to do, without worrying about how their actions affect the rest of us!

A. Below is a list of some of the things that selfish people do on a regular basis. Discuss each
one with a partner or small group. Say why they are annoying and how much they annoy you
on a scale of 1 (OK) to 5 (very annoying).

B. You could also talk about what action you would take in each situation – if any. If you wouldn’t
take any action, why not?

Selfish people… Annoyance

Level:

1. play loud music in public. ________


2. arrive uninvited (and late) at your birthday party – without a gift. ________
3. drive their incredibly noisy motorbikes up and down the road. ________
4. take up more than one seat on a bench when other people want to sit down. ________
5. blow huge clouds of vapour into your face from their mouths while ‘vaping’. ________
6. let their cat(s) enter your garden and foul on your prize vegetables. ________
7. include men who walk around topless in the summertime. ________
8. play loud music at night while you are trying to relax or sleep. ________
9. allow their dog(s) to come up to you and bother you without your permission. ________
10. walk down designated cycle lanes. ________
11. smoke close to you so that you end up stinking of tobacco smoke. ________
12. cycle on the pavement. ________
13. walk two abreast which means you have to move to the side of the pavement. ________
14. finish the toilet roll but do not bother to replace it. ________
15. start hoovering or switch on the washing machine at two in the morning. ________
16. meet somebody they know in a queue and join the queue there instead of ________
at the back.
17. accept another driver’s invitation to enter a lane without waving to thank them. ________
18. use both of the armrests on an aeroplane, meaning that you have none. ________
19. park outside a shop ‘for a few minutes’ blocking other cars from leaving. ________
20. shout and sing in the street when drunk, causing fear among other people. ________

C. Imagine if you were selfish and did all these things on a regular basis. How would your life
be different? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of having the gift of being
a selfish person?

91
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Selfish People – Discussion – Part 2

Selfish people really are a uniquely gifted kind of human being. It takes a lot of skill to do what they
do – i.e. to do whatever they want to do, without worrying about how their actions affect the rest of us!

A. Below is a list of some of the things that selfish people do on a regular basis. Discuss each
one with a partner or small group. Say why they are annoying and how much they annoy you
on a scale of 1 (OK) to 5 (very annoying).

B. You could also talk about what action you would take in each situation – if any. If you wouldn’t
take any action, why not?

Selfish people… Annoyance

Level:

1. drop litter without thinking about it. ________


2. walk down the road with their head buried in their mobile phone. ________
3. have the radio on in the garden. ________
4. disrupt a flight with bad behaviour because they are on a hen or stag do. ________
5. eat an apple or a bag of crisps noisily. ________
6. wear an offensive amount of aftershave or perfume, so you can only smell them. ________
7. allow their dog(s) to foul on the footpath, then walk off without picking it up. ________
8. do not bother recycling, because they don’t care about the environment. ________
9. talk and eat loudly at the cinema during the quiet parts of the film. ________
10. regularly kick the back of your seat on an aeroplane ‘by accident’. ________
11. drop their cigarette ash on the ground where they stand. ________
12. spoil the plot of a book or film that you had hoped to enjoy. ________
13. switch on the ‘big light’ in the bedroom at night when you are trying to sleep. ________
14. never buy a round of drinks in the pub. ________
15. take two seats on a bus or train with their bag on one seat, then pretend to be ________
asleep when people get on and are looking for somewhere to sit.
16. cross the road when a driver stops for them but do not thank them. ________
17. walk into the living room where people are watching TV, pick up the remote and ________
change channels, without saying a word.
18. don’t return your phone calls. ________
19. snore loudly and make no attempt to stop doing it. ________
20. refuse to lend you anything – even a pen. ________

C. Imagine if you were selfish and did all these things on a regular basis. How would your life
be different? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of having the gift of being
a selfish person?

92
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Graffiti and Street Art – Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions about graffiti and street art with a partner or small group:

1. What is graffiti? What is a ‘tag’?


2. What is street art?
3. What is the difference between graffiti and street art? Is there a difference?
4. Is street art better than graffiti? Why? / Why not?
5. Do you like graffiti? Why? / Why not? What kind of art do you like the best?
Who is your favourite artist? What do you like the most about them?
6. Have you ever been involved in creating graffiti or street art? How did you feel?
7. Would you like to be a graffiti artist? What would your ‘tag’ be?
8. Can you draw your name or initials in the style of graffiti?
9. Is there graffiti in your town? What do you think of it?
10. Does street art or graffiti improve an environment or make it worse?
11. Are graffiti artists criminals? Should they be punished, e.g. fined or put in prison? Why? / Why not?
12. Does anybody have the right to paint on somebody else’s property?
13. Are graffiti artists just people who can’t draw? Do they have talent? How do they compare to
traditional artists?
14. How would you feel if somebody painted graffiti on your property?
15. Do you know any graffiti artists? Describe them.
16. What causes graffiti?
17. Have you ever been to a street art exhibition? Would you like to? What do you think it would be
like?
18. Is graffiti ‘the worst kind of art’, as some people think? Why? / Why not?
19. Are graffiti artists selfish and inconsiderate towards other people? Why? / Why not?
20. Are graffiti artists generally male? If so, why?
21. Why do people feel the need to write their name on things, e.g. a book, table at school, or a wall in
town? How is this connected with feelings of possession and belonging?
22. Who is the best artist… a) in the world today, b) in history, c) that you know personally?
Are you a good artist? Is artistic talent innate, or can it be learned?
23. Is graffiti always political? What is the point of graffiti? What is the point of street art?
What do the artists want to say about their lives or society?
24. Who owns graffiti? If somebody paints on your property, can you legally claim the artwork as your
own?
25. Is graffiti threatening to people? What kind of people feel threatened by graffiti?
26. Should we remove graffiti and street art? What is the cost of removing it? Who has to pay for it?
27. Would your school director be happy if you wrote graffiti all over the school building?
Why? / Why not?
28. What would the world be like without graffiti or street art?

93
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Raw Materials – Discussion Questions (Part 1)

Discuss the following questions about raw materials with a partner or small group:

1. Which raw materials do we need to make... a) a mobile phone, b) a pen, c) a Sunday roast,
d) an ironing board, e) a guitar, f) a spoon, g) a carpet, etc.?

2. Which raw material could you... a) easily live without, b) live without but it would be hard,
c) not live without? Why?

3. Which materials do we waste the most? Why? How could we better save, manage, reuse, and
recycle these materials, e.g. reuse old scrap paper as notebooks?

4. Why are some raw materials more expensive than others? Which raw materials are the
cheapest? Which are the most valuable? Why?

5. Which raw material is the most used? List the top five most used raw materials in the world
today. Discuss why they are the most useful. Which are the least useful?

6. Should we use sentient beings (e.g. animals) as raw materials for food, clothing, shoes,
entertainment, sport, etc.? Would you be happy to catch, kill, cook, and eat your own meals?
Why? If no, why not?

7. Should we use animals for our entertainment, e.g. bullfighting, cock fighting, dog fighting, in
circuses, etc.

8. What things can you do from scratch? Can you... a) build a fire outdoors, b) catch, kill, and
cook your own food, c) make clothes, d) knit a jumper, e) make furniture, f) write and perform
an entertaining show, g) build a car from a kit, etc.? What would you like to be able to do that
you can’t do at the moment?

9. How often do you think about the raw materials in the products that you buy? Do you ever
wonder how many thousands of miles the materials in your hand have travelled to be there?
Does it make any difference to your life? Why? / Why not?

10. Which raw materials have been used to make the things around you where you are now?
Are they natural or processed? How have they been processed?

11. How important is recycling to you? Do you recycle regularly? Why do other people want us to
recycle materials? Is it a good idea? Why? / Why not? What can we make from recycled...
a) paper and card, b) plastic, c) glass, d) metal, e) fabric, etc.?

12. Can you make something useful or beautiful out of... a) wood, b) metal, c) glass, d) paper,
e) fabric, f) wool, g) clay? If not, why not? Would you like to learn one or more of these crafts?
How could you learn them?

13. How does intensive mining for raw materials affect local communities around the planet?
Does it affect your community? If yes, how? If no, how would you feel if it did?

14. What are the raw materials of your life? What is your life made up of, e.g. friendship, love,
work, etc. What are the raw materials of... a) a successful life, b) a happy life, c) a happy
marriage, d) a happy family, e) a good friendship, f) a great career?

94
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Raw Materials – Discussion Questions (Part 2)

Discuss the following questions about raw materials with a partner or small group:

1. Do we need to continually buy new ‘must-have’ gadgets? How often do you upgrade your…
a) mobile phone, b) laptop, c) tablet, d) car? Do you need to upgrade them so often?
What happens to your old devices and gadgets? Can they be fully recycled?

2. Why is the earth so rich in useful natural resources? Have you ever held in your hand…
a) raw gold, b) wool from a freshly shorn sheep, c) fresh rainwater, d) fresh milk from an
udder, e) newly fallen snow, f) natural cotton, g) a fossil, h) coal?

3. Will the planet’s raw materials ever run out? Which raw materials have already run out?
Which are close to running out? What will happen when all the raw materials have been used?
Which raw materials used for fuel are running out? Should we be concerned?
Which raw materials are infinite, if any?

4. Could you live in the wild? Could you gather raw materials? How and where? Do you agree
with the hypothesis that mankind is the only species that is not naturally adapted to life on
earth. For example, we need clothes, tools, heating etc. while other species do not.
How do we make life more comfortable for ourselves?

5. Would you like to work as a... a) miner, b) sheep shearer, c) fisherman, d) metalworker,
e) butcher, f) lumberjack? g) cotton picker, h) JCB driver? Why? / Why not? Are they well paid
jobs? Is the work easy and comfortable? Imagine a typical day in the life of one or more of
these people.

6. Why are people who collect raw materials often so badly paid? Why can it be so difficult to
collect the fruits of the earth? How do you feel about child labour being used to bring us raw
materials... a) in the past, b) today?

7. How long have you had your mobile phone? How long will you keep it for? How long could it
potentially last? How will you get rid of it? What will happen to it? What is its life cycle?
How could you possibly extend it?

8. Could you live on only natural medication, i.e. homeopathic remedies? Why? / Why not?
Since mankind has existed for more than two hundred thousand years without modern
medicine, why couldn't you? What raw materials are humans made of?

9. Why do we rely on plastic to make so many products? Could we ever get rid of plastic
completely? Will plastic end when the oil runs out? Since plastic is in the food chain due to
plastic waste in our oceans, are we part-plastic?

10. Research then describe to your partner: find out how to make... a) paper, b) glass, c) steel,
d) leather, e) honey, f) a diamond, g) a tin can, h) a beef burger, i) wine.

11. Which countries do raw materials come from? Why are countries which are so rich in raw
materials often among the poorest on earth?

12. Compare two different materials, e.g. wood and glass. What is different / similar about them,
their uses, how they are harvested and then changed in production?

95
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Laughter – Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions about laughter with a partner or small group:

1. What is laughter? Can you spell it? Can you pronounce it? How do you write laughter in your
language, e.g. ‘ha ha!’ in English, but ‘Jajajajaja!’ in Spanish?
2. When did you last laugh? Who or what made you laugh? How often do you laugh?
What would I need to do to make you laugh right now?
3. Do you like laughing? What is the difference between laughing and smiling?
4. How do we laugh? What happens to our bodies, especially: a) mouth, b) eyes, c) chest,
d) diaphragm, e) heart, f) breath? What does laughter: a) sound like, b) look like, c) feel like?
5. Where do you usually laugh? Why? What effect would laughter have on the atmosphere:
a) at a party, b) at a business meeting, c) in church, d) at a comedy club, e) at a funeral,
f) in an exam, g) at a family dinner, h) at the doctor’s?
6. Are you self-conscious about laughing in front of: a) friends, b) family, c) strangers? Why?
7. Is it easier to laugh in a big group e.g. at a comedy club or at the theatre? Would you laugh as
much if you were the only person in the audience? If no, why not?
8. Is laughter ever wrong? When is laughter inappropriate? Can it be illegal to laugh?
9. How would you feel if you couldn’t stop laughing? Is it possible to die laughing?
10. What is the point of laughter? Is there any evolutionary advantage? Does laughter send out
useful signals, e.g. that the one laughing is not a threat?
11. Do animals laugh? Do animals find things funny? If not, why not – and why do we?
12. Can robots laugh? Do you think machines will enjoy our sense of humour in the future?
13. Have you ever laughed till you cried? Have you ever laughed until you couldn’t breathe and
thought you might black out, i.e. uncontrollable laughter? What were you laughing at?
Do you like that sensation? Why? / Why not?
14. Can laughter be subversive? Can it be used as a weapon? Does satire make you laugh?
15. Do you prefer to laugh on your own or with friends? Do you laugh at the same things as your
friends and family? Do you believe that laughter is infectious? Why? / Why not?
16. Is there anything that you wouldn’t laugh at? What? Is it possible to laugh even though you
don’t really find something funny?
17. Do you know anybody who doesn’t laugh very often – or who never laughs? Why is that?
18. Are you good at making people laugh? What are the best ways to make other people laugh?
How do you feel when a group of people are laughing: a) because of you, b) at you?
19. What are the benefits of laughter? Is laughter ‘the best medicine’, for example?
20. How would you describe your laugh? Are you a loud, moderate, or quiet laugher?
21. Describe the difference(s) between these different kinds of laughter: a) chuckle, b) giggle,
c) cackle, d) guffaw, e) snigger, f) sneer, g) chortle, h) hoot, i) titter, j) snicker, k) roar, l) snort,
m) howl, n) fall about laughing? Do you laugh in all these different ways? In what situations
would you laugh like that? Can you give an example of each kind of laughter now?
22. Do you know the meaning of these idioms about laughter? a) to have a laugh, b) to have the
last laugh, c) to get the giggles, d) laughter is the best medicine, e) to be laugh-a-minute,
f) he who laughs last laughs longest, g) to laugh your head off, h) to burst out laughing?
23. Do adults laugh at different things to children? Do women laugh at different things to men?
24. Do you agree that ‘the couple who laugh together, stay together? Is it important for married
couples to have the same sense of humour? Why? / Why not?
25. Do optimistic people laugh more than pessimistic people? If yes, why?
26. Is it possible to change your mood from angry to happy by forcing yourself to laugh, thus
releasing the feel-good chemicals endorphins in the brain?
27. Do you ever say something immediately after laughing, like ‘Oh no!’ or ‘Oh dear?’ If yes, why?
28. Do the things you laugh at change as you get older, or remain broadly the same? Why?
29. How would you feel if you were walking down the street and heard the following people laugh?
a) a baby, b) a group of women, c) a group of teenage boys, d) a lone man, e) a lone woman,
f) a lone child? Why? What would be the difference?
30. Do you agree with this quotation from the famous poem ‘Solitude’ by Ella Wheeler:
‘Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone’? What does it mean?

96
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Talk about Your Country / Breakfast – Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions about your country with a partner or small group:

1. What country do you come from? Tell me all about it.


2. What are the people like in your country?
3. Who are some of the famous people in the history of your country? Who is famous now?
4. What are the main industries in your country? How do people make their money?
5. Do you have a good quality of life in your country? Why? / Why not?
6. What are you most proud of when you think about your country?
7. What do you think are the main problems facing your country at the moment?
8. Have you ever lived in another country? If not, would you like to? Tell me more.
9. Tell me about the natural landscape in your country.
10. What about the different kinds of wildlife?
11. If I were to take a holiday in your country, what would be the best places to visit? Can you plan
an itinerary for me?
12. What are the most famous culinary dishes in your country? Can you describe how to make
one of them, for me, please?
13. Do you have any unusual customs in your country? Tell me about one of them.
14. What are the best TV shows, films, and cultural events from your country?

Discuss the following questions about breakfast with a partner or small group:

1. What do you usually have for breakfast? What time do you usually have breakfast?
2. What is your favourite breakfast cereal?
3. What does the word ‘breakfast’ mean?
4. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
5. Where do you usually eat breakfast? Do you ever eat breakfast ‘on the go’?
6. Do you prefer a quick breakfast or a leisurely breakfast?
7. What is the most you would pay for breakfast in a restaurant?
8. Can you describe a full English breakfast? Have you ever tried it? Do you like it?
9. Has anybody ever made you breakfast in bed? How did you feel about it?
10. Do you know how to make traditional porridge?
11. Could you manage without breakfast each morning?
12. Peanut butter, honey, jam, or Marmite on toast? Why?
13. Some people call breakfast the most important meal of the day. Do you agree?
Why? / Why not?
14. What do you think I like to eat for breakfast?

97
Speaking and Listening Discussion

At What Age Can I Legally… in the UK?

a) Draw a line to show when you can legally do each thing in the UK.
b) Discuss the differences and similarities between the UK and your country.

At what age can I legally…?


NO LIMIT
1. get married with my parent or carer’s consent
2. have a part-time job
3. buy cigarettes and tobacco
4. buy and drink alcohol in a pub
5. have a full-time job
6. place a bet in a bookmakers
7. join the army with my parent or carer’s agreement
8. apply for a passport
9. drink alcohol with a meal in a restaurant
10. open a bank account without my parent or carer’s signature
11. have sex
12. have an abortion without my parent or carer’s consent
13. make a will
14. live on my own
15. vote in elections and referendums
16. go into a pub and buy soft drinks
17. get a tattoo
18. ride a moped
19. have a driving licence for a car
20. change my name by deed poll
21. fly a hot air balloon
22. play the National Lottery
23. buy fireworks
24. pawn my belongings in a pawn shop
25. adopt a child
26. pilot a plane
27. pay tax and national insurance
28. leave full-time education or training
29. claim benefits
30. become a blood donor

98
Follow-up
Speaking and Listening Discussion
questions:

Discussion Question Starters – Cheat Sheet Why?

Why not?

Choose a topic and off you go! Who?

What?

General: Experience: Where?

• What is…? Tell me about… • Have you ever…? Do you ever…? When?
• Why do we have…? What do you know about…? • Can you…?
Which?
• What do you think of when you hear the word… / see…? • What do you usually do when…?
• Have you ever considered…? • What happens when / if…? How?
• What are the main problems with…? • When was the last time you…?
• What are the three most important facts about…? • What experience do you have of…?
• What different kinds of… are there? • What is / are… like in other countries, e.g. …?

Opinion: Hypothetical:

• Do you agree or disagree with this quotation…? • How would your life be different if…?
• Do you believe that…? • If you were… what would you be?
• How important is… to you? • If you could be… for one day, what would you do?
• What are the advantages / disadvantages of…? • What would life be like without…?
• What is your favourite / least favourite…? • What would the world be like if…?
• What do you like / dislike the most about…? • What would happen if…? What would you do if…?
• What do you think about…? • How would you convince somebody who…?
• Would you support a proposal to…? • If money were no object…?
• Would you like to…? • Invent your own…

Comparison: Time perspective:

• Compare… • How has… changed over the years?


• Name five differences between… and… • What are your earliest memories of…?
• Do you prefer… or…? • How will… be different in the next ten / twenty / fifty years?

100
PurlandTraining.com

pronunciation
Pronunciation Spelling and Sounds

Silent Letters
1. Silent letters are letters in words which are not pronounced, e.g. b in lamb and n in autumn. English is
not a phonetic language – we do not speak as we write English. There are 48 different sounds in
English but only 26 letters in the alphabet, which means that there isn’t one letter to represent each
sound. This means that we often need to use digraphs – two letters together which represent either
individual vowel or consonant sounds, e.g.

Con.Digraph: Sound(s): Examples: Vowel Digraph: Sound(s): Examples:


ch k / ch chord / cheese ai ei gain, pain, rain, vain
kn n knee, knight, know eigh ai / ei height / eight
ps s psalm, psychiatrist oa eu boat, coat, float, goat
qu kw quick, quite, quiz ough eu / o / or dough / cough / bought
rh r rhubarb, rhyme, rhythm ui i build, guild, guilt, circuit
sc s muscle, scissors ue e guess, guest, parquet
wh w/h whale, what / whole ar / er / or uh popular / teacher / doctor

We could call a in coat or h in what silent letters, because they are not pronounced. However, they are
part of recognised spelling patterns (digraphs), which we can learn, so they are not true silent letters.
Similarly, words with double letters – such as butter, illness, gorilla, and apple – could be said to
contain silent letters. One letter in each is certainly redundant – e.g. the second t in butter – but double
consonant letters help us to know how to pronounce words. Double letters usually make the first vowel
letter short. For example, compare the pronunciation of biter (long ai sound) and bitter (short i sound).

2. There are also words which have vowel letters that are not pronounced, because they are changed to
schwa sounds (weak vowel sounds). For example, the first a in amazing is not pronounced as short a
but rather as a schwa sound: uh: uh Mei zing. This is due to English word stress. In cinema we
pronounce the first vowel letter i as strong short i, while the other two vowel letters become schwa
sounds: cinema = Si n m. Does this make the e and a in cinema silent letters? They are still pronounced
– just not as you might expect. So, maybe not.

3. True silent letters are letters which appear in words but do not have any connection with them. Below are
some good examples. It is worth learning the spellings of these words and practising saying them out
loud as you write them (sounding them out):
Silent Letter: Example(s):
b bomb, climb, comb, dumb, lamb, numb, plumb, thumb; plumber; debt, doubt, subtle
d grandson, handkerchief (nd changes to ng sound = assimilation), handsome; Wednesday
h honest, honour, hour
l chalk, talk, walk; calf, half; folk, yolk; almond, calm; salmon; could, should, would
n autumn, column, solemn; hymn; government
p cupboard, raspberry, receipt
s aisle, Isla, island, isle; chamois, debris
t listen, often, soften; ballet, duvet, haricot; Christmas, mortgage; tsunami

There is a special case with silent e at the end of a word, e.g. time, pale, role, etc. This is called the
magic e rule, where the existence of vowel + consonant + e (or another vowel letter) causes the first
vowel to be long. So while this e is a silent letter, it has a useful function. This applies to lots of words.

4. Silent letters are caused by two main factors. English is an old language dating back to C5th AD and it is
rich in vocabulary with over 1m words. As new words have been added over time, the spellings have
become fixed by writing and printing them, while pronunciation evolved in a different direction, causing
separation of written and spoken English. In the case of many words with silent letters the spelling
shows how the word used to be pronounced in the past, when the English language was far more
phonetic. For example, In the Middle Ages knight had two syllables and was pronounced with every
letter sounded: k Neehht. As new words have been added to English from other languages, the spelling
was often retained but the pronunciation was altered to fit our vowel sounds and stress rules. In
American English there have been attempts to rationalise the spelling by deleting redundant letters, e.g.
letters are dropped from the end of various words: omelette > omelet, programme > program, etc.

5. Other silent letters are also useful because they provide a way of telling the difference between
homophones – words that have the same pronunciation, but different meanings and spellings, e.g.

a) ad/add e) hart/heart i) new/knew m) our/hour


b) be/bee f) hi/high j) no/know n) red/read (past)
c) by/bye g) hole/whole k) nose/knows o) to/too/two
d) find/fined h) in/inn l) not/knot p) way/weigh

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Pronunciation Spelling and Sounds

Silent Letters – Exercises

1. i) Circle the silent letter(s) in each word:

a) climb d) should g) mortgage


b) cupboard e) government h) talk
c) handsome f) two i) page

ii) Add a silent letter to complete the spelling of each word:

a) l i s _ e n d) l a m _ g) a u t u m _
b) _ o n e s t e) b e _ h) i _ l a n d
c) r a s _ b e r r y f) a _ m o n d i) a b o v _

2. Underline the letter(s) in each word which are pronounced as schwa sounds:

a) teacher e) popular i) particular


b) amazing f) cinema j) current
c) another g) problem k) nature
d) computer h) internet l) physical

3. Put the following words into categories and circle the silent letter(s) in each word:

cheese rain bottle file guild redder know doubt question grandma

fought psychic honest apple weight hotter seat why comb add

Silent letter is part of a consonant digraph: Silent letter is part of a vowel digraph:

Silent letter is part of a pair of double letters: True silent letter not connected to the word:

4. Discuss the following questions with a partner:

• How phonetic is your first language? Are there silent letters? How did you learn to spell it?
• How difficult is English spelling? Do you feel confident with it? How can you improve?
• Why doesn’t anybody reform English spelling so that it makes sense? What would you do first?
What would happen if English were written phonetically – as we speak it?

5. Read the story and cross out the incorrect homophone in each pair:

Yesterday I a) red/read a b) finish/Finnish book for an c) our/hour. It was about an d) in/inn


which nobody e) nose/knows about. There were f) to/too many boring characters for it to g) be/bee
fun, so there was h) no/know i) way/weigh that j) I/eye could finish it. I k) new/knew I
l) wood/would m) find/fined it boring, and it was n) so/sew heavy that it was uncomfortable to
o) hold/holed. I p) told/tolled my friend q) not/knot to bother with it, but to r) by/buy something
different instead. He is not s) one/won for t) hi/high culture!

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Pronunciation Phonemic Alphabet

Glottal Stops

A glottal stop is a technique of connected speech. We use it to make


our speech sound more fluent. A glottal stop is classed as a consonant glottis open – we can breathe!
sound, but it is really an action – the sudden cutting-off of a vowel sound
just after making it, instead of letting it run on. We hear a glottal stop as a
short gap in the flow of speech, so it is really the absence of sound – for
about a quarter of a second. It happens when we close our glottis (our
vocal cords and the opening between them, in the larynx). The air flow is
stopped for a brief moment, and the previous sound is cut short – clipped. It
is possible to learn to control the glottis – to open and close it. Try holding
your breath – you just closed your glottis! The glottal stop is very common
in Standard Pronunciation. It is not unique to English, but can be found in
many other languages, e.g. Chinese, German, and Arabic.

In Clear Alphabet a glottal stop is written as _ (underscore) which implies


that there is something missing (i.e. an unnecessary consonant sound).
By using Clear Alphabet we can see this kind of hidden feature of spoken
English. With the normal Roman alphabet we can easily forget about the
glottal stop, but if we don’t use it our pronunciation is less natural and
smooth, and communication is reduced. In IPA glottal stop is written as: glottis closed – we can eat and speak!
/?/

We make a glottal stop when we want to remove difficult cc sound connections from our speech. A
cc sound connection occurs when the final sound of one syllable is consonant and the next sound,
from the beginning of the next syllable, is also consonant. For example, “hot day”. We often use a
glottal stop after elision. It is important to remember that we do not need to pronounce every letter in
English when we speak. Elision occurs when we automatically delete a consonant sound (especially t)
from the end of a syllable to make the sound connection easier. For example, in the phrase “a cat was
playing”. the t sound in “cat” is automatically deleted by the speaker and replaced with a glottal stop:
uh Ka_ w Splei ying. By replacing a consonant sound with a glottal stop, we stop the friction that
would have occurred by the meeting of the two consonant sounds. Why can’t we just use elision and
not a glottal stop...? It is our habit... If you use only elision without a glottal stop it will sound very odd,
e.g. uh Ka w Splei ying. The rule: if vowel sound + t + con. sound use elision & glottal stop.

It occurs when vowel + t meets another consonant sound, i.e. not when t follows a consonant, e.g. in
fast car. In this situation, t is deleted (elision) and s moves forward (FCL): Far Skar. But see also
paint pot = Pain_ Pot.There are many common words which will create cc connections when followed
by a consonant sound, meaning that you are likely to hear glottal stops quite often:

• common function words that end with t : not, at, that, what, it just, out
• contracted negative auxiliary verbs with not: don’t, didn’t, haven’t, won’t, can’t, wouldn’t, etc.
• common verbs and associated phrasal verbs: get, put, sit, etc.
• common one-syllable content words that end with t : white, hot, want, wait, etc.

Apart from using glottal stops with elision, we sometimes also use them when we move consonant sounds
forward (FCL – Forward Consonant Linking), for example in the phrase “Let’s go”, we move forward s but we
are still left with a cc connection, so we delete t and replace it with a glottal stop: Le_ Sgeu.

If you do not use glottal stops, your spoken English will not sound as natural and smooth as it could,
because you are pronouncing too many consonant sounds, especially t and d. This will slow down your speech
and mess up the stress pattern and the sound spine. Making a glottal stop is a physical action which can be
learned, just like any physical action, e.g. clicking your fingers. Unfortunately, the glottal stop can’t be avoided if
you want to speak like a native speaker. It must – and can – be learned and mastered.

Note: in some accents of English, e.g. Estuary English, some people will use a glottal stop even when they don’t
need to, e.g. late night = Lei_ Nai_ bottle = Bo_ uhl and better = Be_ uh There is no following consonant
sound, but the speaker still uses a glottal stop.

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Pronunciation Phonemic Alphabet

Glottal Stops – Exercises

1. Delete the unnecessary consonant sound (elision) in each phrase and underline the place
where a glottal stop will occur. Practise saying each phrase out loud using a glottal stop, then
say them without glottal stops. What is the difference?

a) hot day c) not many e) that man g) don’t worry


b) got mail d) wet grass f) let them h) at night

2. Choose the correct answer:

i. A glottal stop is… a) a sound in English; b) a very short gap in a sentence


ii. Using glottal stops makes our speech sound… a) more fluent; b) less fluent.
iii. We use a glottal stop… a) before elision; b) after elision.
iv. We usually need to use a glottal stop because of a troublesome… a) t; b) p sound.
v. We… a) can; b) cannot learn to control our glottis manually.

3. Write your answers:

a) Where is the glottis? ___________________________________


b) What do the vocal cords do? ___________________________________
c) What can happen when the glottis is open? ___________________________________
d) What can happen when the glottis is closed? ___________________________________

4. Discussion these questions with your partner or group and teacher:

a) Were you aware of the glottal stop in English before this lesson?
b) Do you use the glottal stop in your language? What are the similarities and differences in how you use it,
compared with English?
c) Do you feel confident about using glottal stops in English? If not, why not? How can you improve your
glottal stop technique? Are you prepared to practise the technique repeatedly until you have completely
mastered it? If not, why not?

5. Translate these phrases from Clear Alphabet to the English alphabet. Each one includes one
or more glottal stops. Practise saying each phrase out loud with a glottal stop:

a) Pe_ Ka_ wz... ______________ d) No_ t Dei ______________


b) Ho_ Dei_ ______________ e) Nai_ nai_, Jon ______________
c) Si_ Daun ______________ f) ai Weun_ Geu ______________

6. Delete the unnecessary consonant sound(s) (elision) in each sentence and underline the
place where a glottal stop will occur. Practise saying each sentence out loud using glottal
stops where necessary. Say them without glottal stops. What is the difference?

a) Our cat got put down. e) We ate out late last night.
b) Can you vote for me? f) The boat house needs a paint job.
c) Kate wrote a short note. g) It’s Pat’s mate’s pet dog Pete, dad.
d) Bart bought some light wheat. h) No, it’s not Pat’s mate’s pet!

7. a) Find twenty one-syllable words ending in t (sound) in the word search. b) Write five
sentences with the words and practise saying them out loud, including glottal stops:

t n o t h w a i t u p o
e t t t i a o a t e h t
e e h a w h a t t c e h
m t a e f o o t e a a g
t i t m i g h t i t r u
p k e t g e t a o b t o
t e l w h i t e t e g b

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Pronunciation Speaking Skills

Intonation

1. In short, intonation means the ups and downs of the voice in a sentence. Good pronunciation involves three
elements: sentence stress (the sound spine), connected speech (connecting syllables, not speaking word by
word), and intonation. Varied intonation is more interesting than robotic, monotonous speech, and therefore
easier and more appealing to listen to. For example, when reading aloud we should aim to “lift the words from the
page” using intonation, rather than reading in a flat boring voice.

Stress is non-negotiable – the sound spine must be heard clearly – and connected speech is a must if you want to
sound natural. But stress and connected speech are not enough – we need to use intonation. For example, we
could have correct stress and connected speech, but still sound flat, dull, and emotionless. Without hearing
emotion we cannot be sure of the speaker’s intention. English intonation is more familiar to speakers of some
languages than others, e.g. European students of English may find English intonation patterns more familiar than
speakers from the Middle East or the Far East. However, many non-English speakers of English would agree that
English intonation (and stress) seem “too much” – too exaggerated – when compared with their language.

2. Let’s say that we are clear about the sound spine of our sentence and we are using connected speech. What
about intonation? Standard (neutral) intonation in a statement (not a question) usually involves going on a
journey: up the mountain and back down again. We usually go up around the middle of the sentence, and back
down at the end. We must have closure. Let’s take an example of a short sentence. We go up in the middle,
either:

a) at a clause break, e.g.

I went to the post office, because I needed to buy stamps.

or b) on the key concept word, e.g.

I met my friend in the park. (“friend” is the key concept word – it is the main point of the sentence)

In a longer sentence, or a list, there will be more ups and downs. We have to decide which specific words or
phrases are the most important in our communication. By “going up” on them we give them emphasis, e.g.

I met my friend with his aunt and brother in the park.

3. Intonation in questions usually depends on the kind of question:

a) For yes/no questions – we go up at the end (rising intonation). The listener feels compelled to answer,
because we need closure. For example,

Do you want a lift home?

b) For wh- questions (what, where, when, etc.) – we go down at the end (falling intonation). For example:

Where has Tony gone?

c) When the speaker uses a question tag, they can go up if they want to check some information, e.g.

The concert starts at eight, doesn’t it?

d) ...and down if they are making a general statement and believe that the listener will agree, e.g.

We’ve had a lovely day, haven’t we?

We can add extra emphasis when replying to questions, depending on what part of the sentence the speaker
asked about. In the sentence below there are seven possible wh- questions that could be asked.

John rode his bike to the city lake quickly yesterday, because he was late.
who what – action what – object where, which how when why

For example, if somebody asked: “Who rode their bike to the city lake?” you could put extra emphasis on the
name in the answer, by going up on the word “John”: John rode his bike to the city lake. or John did.

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Pronunciation Speaking Skills

Other intonation techniques include:

• Rising intonation at the end of a statement when we want to continue without being interrupted, e.g.

I wanted to get some rice at the supermarket. You know, the one on the corner. And it was closed, so...

• When making a list we use rising-falling intonation, e.g.

Jennifer bought a pencil, a pencil sharpener, some pens, a ruler, and a new bag for school.

Be sure to get that closure at the end!

Function words are usually unstressed in standard English pronunciation, but we can use intonation to give
them extra emphasis – to make our point. Each function word has a strong form and a weak form, so we can
use the strong form if we want to emphasise that word. For example, the weak form of the auxiliary verb “have” is
uhv, while the strong form is Hav – i.e. we hear the strong vowel sound a in the strong form, but in the weak
form it is reduced to a schwa sound. Here is a sentence with neutral (normal, standard) intonation:

I’ve finished doing my homework. (general statement – note the normal rise and fall)

...while here is the same sentence but with specific intonation:

I have finished doing my homework. (I’m confirming the news that my homework is finished – stop nagging!)

4. Another important use of intonation is to show mood, which helps to express intention and meaning. There are
several invaluable tools in the intonation toolbox and each one is adjusted to convey mood, for example:

tone of voice pitch extra emphasis volume rhythm speed pausing


on content words (for effect)
angry higher yes louder intact faster yes
sad lower no quieter broken slower no

...and so on. An emotion like anger is a high-energy emotion and the speaker demands that the listener hears
them clearly. The intonation toolbox enables this. On the other hand, sadness is a low-energy emotion and the
speaker may be less focused on whether anybody is listening. The intonation tools used reflects this intention.

Of course, tone also depends on the personality of the individual person. For example, each person will “sound
upset” in a different way. Furthermore, some people – typically men – will have a lower pitch range than others –
typically women and children.

5. There are a number of short words and sounds that change their meanings completely depending on the
intonation. If we do not use intonation, or use the wrong kind, our meaning might not be clear and communication
may fail. For example:

sound / word: rising flat falling rising-falling


oh I’m interested I’m annoyed I’m disappointed I understand at last
OK Do you agree? I’m frustrated / I accept something I’m happy to agree
stop talking
yes Tell me more / Please stop talking I agree / I strongly agree /
Can I help? I accept something sarcasm
no I didn’t know that Refusal –no discussion Standard negative reply It’s fine / I don’t mind

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Pronunciation Speaking Skills

Intonation – Exercises
1. What is... a) sentence stress, b) connected speech, c) intonation?

2. Draw the clause break in each sentence and draw intonation arrows in each:

a) I left early because I didn’t like the film. c) Jim bought some cornflakes and a pie.

b) It was past ten o’clock, so we had to go. d) The book was good at first, then boring.

3. Listen* to four sentences and underline the key concept word or phrase in each one:

a) I got the tube to work today. c) There are three biscuits left.
b) She left her brother at home. d) I can’t find the remote control.

4. Draw arrows to show standard intonation in each question:

a) Do you like raw fish? c) This is the right bus, isn’t it?

b) We both enjoyed the gig, didn’t we? d) What’s the date today?

5. Listen* to four questions. Match each question to an answer below:

a) Perry did. c) Yes, he did.


b) Red. d) Last week.

6. Write the tools in the intonation toolbox from the first letters:

a) t _ of v _ c) e _ e _ e) p_ g) v_
b) r_ d) p_ for e_ f) s_

7. Listen* to the sentence read with different moods. Match each version to a mood below:

a) angry c) excited e) relieved


b) happy d) sad f) apologetic

8. Complete the table to show what happens with four different moods. Write and read your own sentences
out loud using the different moods:

tone of voice pitch extra emphasis volume rhythm speed pausing


on content words (for effect)
nervous
surprised
tired
disgusted

9. Read each sentence out loud with neutral intonation, then in different moods, e.g. happy, sad, nervous,
etc. Which tools from the intonation toolbox did you use to make each mood?

a) I’ve gone to the shops. c) There are two sausages left in the oven.
b) He lived in Birmingham all his life. d) The garden needs watering.

10. i) Listen* and match each short sound or word with a meaning below:

a) I’m interested. c) I understand. e) Stop! Come back!


b) I’m disappointed. d) It smells delicious. f) Thinking what to say.

ii) Create a role play using only short sounds, intonation, and mime.

11. Discussion: How does your language compare to English when it comes to stress and intonation? Do
you think there is too much of this in English? What short sounds do you use in your language, and what
do they mean? List ones which are the same as in English. List ones which are different.

*Access the recordings here:


https://purlandtraining.com/free-lessons/elementary-english-course/unit-3-0-health-and-the-human-body/lesson-3-3-intonation/

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PurlandTraining.com

writing
Writing Creative Writing

Story Planning – My Life Without…

You’re going to write a newspaper or magazine article of around 200-300 words.

1. Choose a profession, a thing that starts with the first letter of that profession, and a time
period, then fill in the gaps in the sentence below:

The _______________ who lived without _______________ for _______________.

For example: The teacher who lived without tyres for a year.

2. Plan your story by answering the following questions. You can write in the first person (about
yourself) or third person (about somebody else). Use this page to make notes, then write your
story on the next page:

WHO? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

WHERE? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

WHEN? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

WHY? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

HOW? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

EVENTS: 1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________

The situation now: _______________________________________________________

Future possibilities: _______________________________________________________

3. When you have finished your text, check it for errors and make corrections.

4. Write ten comprehension questions based on your story, with answers, e.g. ‘Where did x
live?’ ‘In Ely.’ Share your quiz with another student. Check their work*.

5. Write ten true / false / don’t know statements based on your story, with answers, e.g. ‘Jo
lived in Ely.’ ‘True.’ Share your quiz with another student. Check their work*.

6. Work with another student to produce a short role play based on one – or both – of your
stories. Perform it for the rest of the class.

*Another option: students all put their finished stories in a box and each takes out a different story, writes the questions as in 4.
and 5., then gives the text and quizzes to another student (not the original author).

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PurlandTraining.com

answers to worksheets
and notes for use
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

Grammar

9 Look at those beautiful mountains. (D) Example of words that helped: ‘Look’ means that I’m
pointing something out; ‘mountains’ – if you can see mountains, plural, they are not near, so we use
‘those’. 2. this (P). 3. this (D), that (P). 4. that (P). 5. That (D). 6. this (D), that (D). 7. These (P),
those (P). 8. this (P), this (P). 9. this (D). 10. that (P). 11. those (D). 12. those (P). 13. This (P).
14. these (D). 15. This (P). 16. these (D), those (P). 17. this (D). 18. That (P). 19. that (P). 20. That
(P).

10 Those classes (D) began two months ago. Example of words that helped: ‘began two months
ago’ – the time is not near; it is finished time (past simple), and ‘classes’ is plural, so we use ‘those’.
2. That (P). 3. This (P). 4. this (D). 5. these (D). 6. this (D). 7. This (P). 8. Those (D). 9. that (D).
10. that (P). 11. this (D). 12. That (P). 13. this (D). 14. That (D). 15. These (D). 16. These (P).
17. Those (P). 18. that (D). 19. These (P). 20. These (D).

11 1. PrS C. 2. PrC C. 3. PrS F. 4. PrS J. 5. PrS A. 6. PrC A. 7. PrS E. 8. PrC J. 9. PrC B.


10. PrS H. 11. PrC D. 12. PrS D. 13. PrC F. 14. PrC G. 15. PrS I. 16. PrC H. 17. PrS B.
18. PrC E. 19. PrC I. 20. PrS G.

12 1. PrC J. 2. PrS B. 3. PrC G. 4. PrC H. 5. PrS E. 6. PrC E. 7. PrS A. 8. PrS F. 9. PrC F.


10. PrC C. 11. PrS D. 12. PrS C. 13. PrS J. 14. PrC D. 15. PrC B. 16. PrS G. 17. PrS H.
18. PrC A. 19. PrS I. 20. PrC I.

13 Answers will vary.

14 1. a). 2. b). 3. a). 4. b). 5. b). 6. a), b), c). 7. b). 8. a). 9. a), b). 10. d). 11. a), c). 12. d).
13. c). 14. d). 15. d).

16 Answers will vary. Sample answers: 1. By four o’clock Tim will have been working for four hours.
(Use 1.) 2. By the time I retire I will have been living here for twenty years. (Use 2.) 3. By then Betty
will have been running for forty minutes, so she will be tired. (Use 5.) 4. By that point our parents will
have been driving for five hours. (Use 1.) 5. Before you get there, I’m sure Mary will have been
watching TV all afternoon. (Use 4.) 6. On Monday he will have been representing our company for
five years. (Use 2.) 7. At ten pm he will have been waiting on hold for more than half an hour. (Use 3.)
8. In May Billie will have been working here for two years, which means she should get a pay rise.
(Use 5.) 9. When the bell rings, we will have been studying for an hour. (Use 1.) 10. If the bus doesn’t
arrive in the next five minutes, we will have been standing here for fifteen minutes. (Use 3.)
11. Yesterday I reckon Michael will have been cooking for about an hour. (Use 4.) 12. We will have
been waiting at the bar for ten minutes. (Use 3.)

17 1. get. 2. look. 3. revise. 4. go. 5. hurry up. 6. lost. 7. met. 8. applied. 9. give. 10. failed.
11. worked. 12. been. 13. had. 14. crashed. 15. brought. 16. love. 17. fall. 18. mess about.
19. boils. 20. drink.

18 1. buy. 2. take. 3. come. 4. drop. 5. ask. 6. was / were. 7. become. 8. earn. 9. join. 10. ride.
11. fixed. 12. got. 13. eaten. 14. moved. 15. lost. 16. sit. 17. do. 18. build. 19. leave. 20. snows.

19 Answers will vary. Sample answers: 1. check in. 2. save. 3. want. 4. watch. 5. put. 6. wash.
7. go. 8. get. 9. sell. 10. put. 11. get. 12. liked. 13. travel. 14. go. 15. gave. 16. go. 17. were.

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Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

18. wear. 19. broke up. 20. go out. 21. followed. 22. been. 23. looked after. 24. quit. 25. come.
26. missed. 27. worn. 28. had. 29. had. 30. looked. 31. get. 32. take. 33. wake up. 34. feel.
35. is. 36. go. 37. think. 38. are. 39. starts. 40. find.

20 Answers will vary. Sample answers: 1. cut. 2. put out. 3. need. 4. call. 5. get up. 6. be. 7. call.
8. mend. 9. pay. 10. cut off. 11. had. 12. join. 13. was / were. 14. live. 15. went. 16. talk. 17. tried.
18. be. 19. invited. 20. give. 21. broken. 22. been. 23. felt. 24. had. 25. scored. 26. reached.
27. loved. 28. been. 29. remembered. 30. paid. 31. comes. 32. play. 33. brush. 34. feel. 35. is.
36. ask. 37. tidied. 38. gets. 39. make. 40. sing.

21 Answers will vary.

22 Answers will vary. Sample answers:

1. 1 + 4 - 3 = 2. If my son invites four of his mates to join his Simply Red tribute band, but after
two weeks three of them quit due to ‘musical differences’, how many go on tour?

2. 8 + 2 - 5 = 5. If eight apples fall from a tree in our garden, followed by two more, but then a
roaming goat eats five of them, how many apples are in my fruit bowl?

24 1. a) There are two trees in the garden. b) There’s a good programme on TV. c) There is too
much information. d) There is a lot of people here. e) There is a lot of traffic today. f) There’s
something I want to tell you. g) There is some meat in the fridge. h) There is a new printer in the
office. i) There must be a bigger plate. j) There isn’t anything to do here.

2. a) was. b) will not / won’t. c) Are / Were. d) are, was. e) Is, Was. f) have been.

3. i) a) There aren’t many biscuits left in the jar. b) There has been a lot of bad weather lately.
c) There’ll be an important meeting tomorrow. d) Is there any reason why you are late today?

ii) Answers will vary. Sample answers:

There is a book on the table in the office.

There are two pencils in the pencil case, but they are not mine.

There is a laptop in the hall which belongs to my grandpa.

iii) a) There is a guy in my class from Brazil who is really friendly.


b) There will be a vacancy in personnel where you want to work.
c) There are some sweets in the cupboard in the kitchen.

4. a) 3). b) 4). c) 1). d) 2).

26 1. countable nouns: road, hat, hamburger; uncountable nouns: cotton, sand, butter; both: power,
chocolate, pizza, pepper, rule, football.

2. a) pasta. b) coffee. c) sugar. d) rain. e) salad. f) plastic. g) cheese. h) happiness. i) homework.

3. There is a book on th table. There is some music on the radio. There isn’t any cheese in the
fridge. There’s some money in my purse. There is an apple in the basket. There is some milk in that
glass. There’s a programme about fish. Is there any snow outside?

117
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

4. a) bowl. b) jar. c) game. d) tube. e) plate. f) gust. g) bottle. h) slice.

5. a) a slice of bread. b) 2 tubs of ice cream. c) 2 pieces / packs / sticks of gum. d) a piece of cake.
e) a jar of coffee. f) 3 jars of honey. g) a bag of sugar. h) a tin of beans.

6. a) a. b) zero article. c) zero article. d) an. e) a. f) an.

7. a) The gum was stuck to the desk. b) Correct. c) Correct (past simple). d) The rice is coming to
the boil.

8. a) a little. b) a little. c) much. d) a few. e) many. f) any.

28 1. i) a) lovely. b) soft. c) younger. d) great.


ii) a) small. b) cold. c) far. d) nasty. e) ugly. f) dirty. g) loud. h) weak.

2. a) a beautiful wooden doll. b) an old blue car. c) a priceless Swedish clock. d) an expensive
Australian cricket bat. e) smelly round yellow cheeses. f) a tall middle-aged woman. g) my favourite
brown jacket. h) a huge square leather folder.

3. a) My dog is bigger than yours. b) No, my dog is bigger / the biggest. c) But mine is the most
beautiful. d) No, mine is more beautiful that yours. e) Your dog is worse / the worst. f) No, mine is
better / the best. g) OK, let’s say mine is nice / the nicest. h) And mine is the strongest / stronger than
yours.

4. i)

Adjective: Verb: Noun: Adverb:


good None a) good / goodness b) well
exciting c) excite d) excitement e) excitedly
hot f) heat g) heat h) hotly
safe None i) safety j) safely
short k) shorten l) shortness m) shortly
wonderful n) wonder o) wonder p) wonderfully

ii) a) boring. b) excited. c) disgusting. d) annoying. e) amazing. f) surprised. g) interesting. h) tired.

5. a) freezing. b) hilarious. c) ancient. d) silent. e) priceless. f) lovely. g) packed. h) unforgettable.

30 Answers will vary. For sample answers, see p.29.

32 Answers will vary. Sample answers: (error # in brackets.)

Ex. 1: 1. I want all the cakes. (2.) 2. I waited all morning. (2.) 3. Everybody is very busy. (3.) 4. We
ate all three apples. (1.) 5. Everybody is very busy. (3.) 6. It has been raining all morning. (1 & 2.) 7. I
waited all my life. (2.) 8. He ate a whole apple. (4.) 9. I waited the whole morning. (1.) 10. He listened
to all the music. (1.)

Ex. 2: 1. I waited my whole life. (1.) 2. It’s been raining all day. (4.) 3. A whole day went by as I
waited for her text. (4.) 4. We ate three whole apples. (2.) 5. I waited all my life. (1.) 6. The whole
apple has gone. (2.) 7. It has been raining the whole day. (1 & 2.) 8. We ate three whole apples. (2.)
9. I have eaten all the spaghetti. (2.) 10. We put everything in the car. (2.)

Ex 3: 1. Everybody is very busy. (3.) 2. She has drunk the whole bottle of juice. (5.) 3. He has eaten
two whole apples. (Correct.) 4. I ate the whole cake. (1.) 5. It rained all day on Friday. (Correct.)
6. We watched the whole concert. (Correct.) 7. I waited my whole life. (1 & 2.) 8. We all missed the
bus. (Correct.) 9. I want all the cakes. (1.) 10. Everybody finished work and went home. (Correct.)

118
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

Ex. 4: 1. I ate all the cakes. (Correct.) 2. I cooked all the pasta. (1.) 3. I’ve lived in Bournemouth all
my life. (Correct.) 4. I have waited for this moment my whole life. (4.) 5. I ate all of the / my cake. (1 &
2.) 6. We ate three whole apples. (4.) 7. I ate the whole cake. (Correct.) 8. I have waited for this
moment my whole life. (1.) 9. We went to England for three whole days. (Correct.) 10. We had three
whole puddings. (Correct.)

35 Answers will vary. For sample answers, see p.34 and also below:

1. Past:
+ They would walk home by the river every Friday.
- They would not (wouldn’t) walk home by the river every Friday.
c) used to ? Would they walk home by the river every Friday?

37 1. You can take a book if you need to take a book. (6, 4.) 2. I have never been to Peru. (2.)
3. The last science-fiction film that I saw was the science fiction film with the blue people in the
science fiction film. (2, 5, 5.) 4. Can we talk later? Will that be OK? (6, 7.) 5. The agreement that
we reached was unacceptable. (2.) 6. After Jody had spent time reading the report, Jody concluded
that reading the report had been a waste of time for Jody. (3, 5, 1, 5.) 7. I did not want to attend
the meeting, but Jack forced me to attend the meeting. (1, 4, 4.) 8. I must wash my hair, get
dressed, then eat breakfast and leave by 8 o’clock. (11.) 9. Would you like a cup of tea, Natalie?
(7.) 10. The main character of the novel is called The Amazing Sombrero. (10.) 11. Dan saw a fox
when Dan was out running. (5, 3.) 12. Did you find the car keys? (8.) 13. “Has the bus gone?” “Yes,
the bus has just gone.” (8, 7.) 14. Talks to find a new deal for the manager of City Football Club
have failed. (10.) 15. The book that I needed was not available. (2, 1.)

38 1. He is going to finish watering the plants later. (1.) 2. Would you put the vase on the table
where the kids cannot break the vase. (6, 1, 5.) 3. The map which we have been using is the wrong
map. (2, 1, 5.) 4. Do you want a break? (7.) 5. Are you coming with us? (8.) 6. When I am out
shopping, I always look for bargains. (3.) 7. Fears about the giraffe that has got lost in Chicago
have increased. (10.) 8. The hotel room is ready to use when you want to use the hotel room. (4.)
9. Mike said that he was busy, so I did not invite Mike. (2, 1, 5.) 10. A new striker called Mark
Collins has signed a two-year contract with Bradley City Football Club. (10.) 11. You ought to
contact the other players and tell the other players about the match. (6, 5.) 12. “Hi, my name is
Dave.” “Hello, my name is Paul.” “It is nice to meet you.” (7, 7, 8.) 13. “Was she late?” “No, she was
not late.” (9.) 14. You ought to try the anchovies. Mmm! The anchovies are so divine. (6, 5, 8.)
15. Tomorrow I will have to leave work by 2 o’clock, have a quick change, then race to my mum’s
house, and try to be home before it gets dark. (11.)

39 Answers will vary. Sample answers:

1. a) We have our carpet cleaned (by a specialist) once a month. b) I’m getting my tax return done (by
my accountant) next week. c) Jane had her portrait painted (by an artist) yesterday. d) They were
having their piano tuned (by a piano tuner) earlier on. e) I’m going to get my package delivered (by
courier) tomorrow.

2. f) They have had a designer create the wedding dress just for them. g) We can have the doctor
make an appointment at the hospital for you. h) Have the plumber fix that leaky tap immediately! i) If
we have the electrician check our boiler, it will be much safer! j) If I had a dietician create an eating
plan, I might lose more weight!

3. k) I might get the bakery to make Terry’s birthday cake. l) We’d got the builder to fix the wall, but
then the roof collapsed. m) If I’d got the vet to look at my rabbit earlier, he might’ve saved him. n) If we
get our neighbour’s gardener to cut the grass, he always does a really good job. o) Jan will have got
the mechanic to fix her car by the end of the day.

119
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

40 Answers will vary. Sample answers:

1. a) We always have our bouquets made professionally (by the florist). b) I’m having my hair cut (by
the hairdresser) tomorrow morning. c) We had our house valued (by the estate agent). d) Ivan was
having his essay checked (by his tutor). e) I’m going to get my sports injury treated (by a
physiotherapist).

2. f) We have had lawyers consider his case on a number of occasions. g) I could have the tattooist
create a floral pattern on your arm. h) Have the window cleaner do all the windows please! i) If I have
the car wash guys clean my car, will it be worth paying £8? j) If I had my neighbour look after my
parakeet I could go on holiday.

3. k) You should get the chiropodist to examine your feet. l) I’d got that pizza place to reserve a table
for us at 8pm. m) If I’d got the travel agent to book the tickets, I would have saved time. n) If we get
Alan to organise the meeting, it always goes wrong! o) She must have got the beautician to paint her
nails by now!

Vocabulary
46 1. a) It’s eleven forty. / It’s twenty to twelve. b) It’s ten fifteen. / It’s quarter past ten. c) It’s seven
fifty-five. / It’s five to eight. d) It’s three twelve. / It’s twelve minutes past three. e) It’s nine forty. / It’s
twenty to ten. f) It’s one fifty-five. / It’s five to two. g) It’s twelve o’clock / midday / midnight. h) It’s four
oh four. / It’s four minutes past four.

2. a) 14:15. b) 16.35. c) 01:10. d) 22:20. e) 18:48. f) 10:08. g) 21:30. h) 00:00.

3. Answers will vary. Sample answers: a) It’s ten to one. b) It’s quarter past three. c) It’s four minutes
past eight. d) It’s ten o’clock. e) It’s half past nine. f) It’s five past ten. g) It’s two forty. h) It’s twenty-
eight minutes past seven.

4. 1. second. 2. minute. 3. hour. 4. day. 5. weekend. 6. week. 7. fortnight. 8. month. 9. quarter.


10. year. 11. leap year. 12. decade. 13. generation. 14. century. 15. millennium.

5. 1. i). 2. j). 3. a) 4. b) 5. h) 6. f). 7. g) 8. c) 9. e) 10. d).

6. a) at. b) o’clock. c) on. d) be on time. e) spend. f) on. g) at. h) to / past. i) have. j) a whale of a time.
k) killing. l) wasting. m) weekend / Sunday.

7. a) in. b) on. c) in. d) at. e) on. f) on. g) in. h) on. i) at. j) at. k) at. l) in.

8. a) ten to six. b) seven o’clock. c) two eighteen. d) four fifteen. e) quarter to one. f) eleven oh four.
g) three am. h) half past eight.

48 1. i) a) My brother’s name is Adam. b) He’s six years old. c) Sarah is a teacher. d) Paul is a 26
year-old vet. e) My mum is called Theresa. f) Brian is a Belgian soldier. g) He lives in Nepal. h) She
works at the town hall.

ii) a) – g). b) – e). c) – h). d) – f).

2. i) Answers will vary. ii) Answers will vary. iii) a) False. b) We don’t know. c) We don’t know.
d) False. e) True. f) False. g) False. h) False. i) True. j) True.

3. i) brave (C) generous (C) dishonest (C) moody (P) positive (P) reliable (C) quiet (P) open (P)
friendly (P). ii) Answers will vary. Sample answers: a) every day. b) Last month. c) for five years.
d) Next week. e) two months ago.

120
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

63 1. rambunctious. 2. homogenous. 3. capacious. 4. precocious. 5. incongruous. 6. nebulous.


7. pernicious. 8. copious. 9. acrimonious. 10. salacious. 11. injudicious. 12. lugubrious.
13. supercilious. 14. vivacious. 15. fatuous. 16. autonomous. 17. tumultuous. 18. specious.
19. egregious. 20. surreptitious.

66 1. meretricious. 2. pugnacious. 3. garrulous. 4. impetuous. 5. parlous. 6. cantankerous.


7. splendiferous. 8. obsequious. 9. contiguous. 10. efficacious. 11. sagacious. 12. ludicrous.
13. anomalous. 14. perfidious. 15. bumptious. 16. salubrious. 17. disingenuous. 18. tortuous.
19. hazardous. 20. parsimonious.

68 A. 1. g) 2. j) 3. e) 4. i) 5. a) 6. h) 7. d) 8. c) 9. f) 10. b). B. Answers will vary.

69

71 Players: 11. commit a foul. 14. defend your area. 18. kick the ball. 22. pass the ball. 26. save
a goal. 27. score a goal. 33. sprint a hundred metres. 35. tackle an opponent. 36. take a penalty.
39. warm up before going on.

Referees: 4. award a penalty. 5. blow a whistle. 13. confer with other officials. 15. enforce the
rules. 16. examine the VAR footage. 23. penalise a player. 24. preside over a game. 29. send off
a player. 30. show a yellow or red card. 38. toss a coin.

Supporters: 1. advise the manager on tactics. 3. attend matches. 7. buy a season ticket. 8. cause
trouble with rival fans. 9. check match results. 10. cheer on the players. 12. complain about
everything. 32. sing football chants. 34. support their team. 40. watch a match on TV.

Clubs: 2. appoint a new manager. 6. bring out a new team strip. 17. fire a manager. 19. loan out a
player. 20. maintain the ground. 21. organise matches. 25. run the football club. 28. sell tickets
and merchandise. 31. sign a new player. 37. talk to the media.

121
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

Reading
74 a) pier. b) seaside. c) badly-dressed. d) congratulated. e) enough. f) immediate needs.
g) wander. h) rewarding. i) concerned. j) profit. k) eventually. l) fleet. m) middleman. n) processor.
o) distribution. p) centrally. q) resting. r) sweat. s) retire. t) deep in thought.

75 Answers will vary. Suggested answers to selected questions:

1. Here are some of the themes that can be found in the story:

• The fisherman may be saying to the businessman, “Why don’t you rest now, when your
ultimate goal is to be able to make enough money to retire, i.e. to rest?” This paradox dates
back to Parallel Lives by Plutarch, written in the late 1st century AD.
• Quality time spent with family vs. time spent at work.
• The fisherman lives in the moment, while the businessman lives in the future.
• Both characters are polar extremes; we need to find balance in our lives between both
positions; the dream could be to live on the beach, but with a nice modern home, clean
clothes, and MONEY; there could be a third character who represents a third more moderate
position – a middle-way. Can we compromise? e.g. a four-day working week.

5. The reader can get a negative impression of the businessman from the story (see below).
Here are some arguments in favour of the businessman’s point of view:

• He creates jobs for many people, not only his family; the fisherman only looks after his own
family.
• The fisherman is a stereotype of the anti-materialist who is happy with his poor lot – but
poverty is not fun.
• Human beings have higher needs than only food and subsistence, see for example Maslow's
hierarchy of needs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

10. The story can be seen to be biased in favour of the fisherman’s point of view because:

• The businessman is shown as enquiring, while the fisherman has a fixed position that remains
unchallenged.
• The ending shows the businessman’s position to be untenable, but without examining the
fisherman’s position. He appears to be living a life without money, but where does he live, for
example? How does he pay the bills? We don’t know his living conditions. How does he
manage for heat, light, water, electricity, healthcare, hygiene (e.g. cleaning clothes, home,
etc), entertainment, and so on?
• What happens when disaster strikes – his boat is stolen, the fish supply dries up/is poisoned,
etc. There is no mention of insurance!
• There is a lack of variety: “Fish for dinner again, dear?” …and for every meal? The
fisherman’s family’s immediate needs are met – but the family will be hungry again soon, and
human beings crave variety in everyday life.

76 1. True. 2. True. 3. False. They have four pairs of legs. 4. Opinion. 5. True. 6.False. They eat
plant cells, algae, and other small invertebrates. 7. True. 8. Opinion. 9. False. They were first
discovered by a German zoologist called Goeze in 1777. 10. True. They can withstand temperatures
between −272 °C (−458 °F) up to 151 °C (304 °F). 11. Opinion. 12. False. Tardigrade means ‘slowly
stepping’, from the Latin: tardus (‘slow’) + gradior (‘step, walk’). 13. True. 14. True. 15. False. They
are also known as water bears. 16. Opinion. 17. False. They have very simple single-celled eyes.
18. True. 19. False. They are known as Tardigradologists. 20. True. When their environment
becomes untenable they enter a ‘tun’ state, where they can suspend their metabolism – even for ten
years. 21. False. They can. 22. Opinion. 23. True. 24. False. They do not have a stable three-
dimensional form, which means they are able to alter their basic shape. 25. True. Once the mouth is
extended sharp teeth are revealed. 26. Opinion. 27. False. They can live for up to two and a half

122
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

years under normal conditions. 28. True. Search for ‘tardigrade costumes’. 29. False. They are
invertebrates. 30. True. 31. False. They can, since they live in water. 32. True. 33. Opinion.
34. True. 35. False. They cannot. Our digestive system would kill them. 36. True. 37. False. They
have eight legs. 38. True. 39. Opinion. 40. False. There are tardigrade fossils dating from 530 million
years ago. 41. True. 42. False. They are usually 0.3-0.5mm long when fully grown. 43. True.
44. False. There are usually four to eight claws on the end of each leg. 45. False. Some are male,
some female, and some are asexual. 46. Opinion. 47. True. 48. False. They are almost translucent.
49. False. Tardigrades are being used by scientists for research, including research into vaccines and
space travel. 50. Opinion.

Sources and links to further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
https://www.livescience.com/61974-why-tardigrades-are-awesome.html

Speaking and Listening


80 1. Answers will vary. Sample answers:

buying a new... house


using a service restaurant
family and friends appearance
ethical issues global warming
judging something competition

2. Answers will vary. Sample answers: a) did. b) really. c) What. d) Do. e) think. f) opinion.
g) about. h) idea. i) honest. j) wrong. k) think. l) appreciate.

3. i) You shouldn’t buy that dress, because it’s so old fashioned and you’ll look terrible!
I don’t like buying newspapers, because most news is free online – for example, on The Guardian
website. She recommended her hairdresser ’cause she did a great job – the style was really modern.

ii) Answers will vary.

4.
i) Verbs:

a) hate b) really dislike c) dislike d) don’t mind e) like f) really like g) love
negative - positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

ii) Adjectives:

h) terrible i) really bad j) poor k) not bad l) good m) great n) fantastic


negative - positive +
0%______________l_______________l_______________50%_______________l_______________l______________100%

85 See example on p.128.

98 Answers correct at time of publication. 1. 16. 2. 13. 3. 18. 4. 18. 5. 18 (England only.) 6. 18.
7. 18. 8. 16. 9. 16. 10. 18. 11. 16. 12. no limit. 13. 18. 14. 16. 15. 18. 16. 14. 17. 18. 18. 16.
19. 17. 20. 16. 21. 16. 22. 16. 23. 18. 24. 18. 25. 21. 26. 17. 27. 16. 28. 18. (England only.)
29. 16. 30. 17.

Sources and links to further reading:

https://fullfact.org/law/legal-age-limits/

123
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school
http://www.themix.org.uk/crime-and-safety/your-rights/what-age-can-i-9102.html
http://www.themix.org.uk/housing/housing-problems/im-16-can-i-legally-move-out-of-my-parents-
8069.html
http://www.deedpoll.org.uk/WhoCanApply.html
https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Learning-to-fly/So-you-want-to-learn-to-fly-/

101 – 103 You could use this material as the basis for discussion and/or role playing.

Pronunciation
106 1. i)
a) climb d) should g) mortgage
b) cupboard e) government h) talk
c) handsome f) two i) page

ii)
a) l i s t e n d) l a m b g) a u t u m n
b) h o n e s t e) b e e h) i s l a n d
c) r a s p b e r r y f) a l m o n d i) a b o v e

2.
a) teacher e) popular i) particular
b) amazing f) cinema j) current
c) another g) problem k) nature
d) computer h) internet l) physical

3.
Silent letter is part of a consonant digraph: Silent letter is part of a vowel digraph:
know rain
psychic guild
why fought
weight
seat
Silent letter is part of a pair of double letters: True silent letter not connected to the word:
bottle cheese
redder file
apple doubt
hotter question
add grandma
honest
comb

4. Answers will vary.

5. The correct homophones are: a) read. b) Finnish. c) hour. d) inn. e) knows. f) too. g) be. h) no.
i) way. j) I. k) knew. l) would. m) find. n) so. o) hold. p) told. q) not. r) buy. s) one. t) high.

108 1.

a) ho_ day c) no_ many e) tha_ man g) don_ worry


b) go_ mail d) we_ grass f) le_ them h) a_ night

124
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

2. i. b). ii. a). iii. b) iv. a). v. a).

3. a) It is part of our larynx, in the neck. b) i) protect us from choking; ii) regulate airflow; iii) produce
sounds when we speak. c) We can breathe. d) We can eat and speak.

4. Answers will vary.

5. a) pet cat was… b) hot date. c) sit down. d) not today. e) night, night, John. f) I won’t go.

6.
a) Our ca_ go_ pu_ down.
b) Can you vo_ for me?
c) Ka_ wro_ a sho_ note*.
d) Bar_ bough_ some ligh_ wheat*.
e) We a_ ou_ la_ last** night.
f) The boa_ house needs a pain_ job.
g) It’s Pa_’s ma_’s pe_ dog Pe_, dad.
h) No, it’s no_ Pa_’s ma_’s pet*!

* could also end with a glottal stop


** no glottal stop; t is deleted and s moves forward

7. a) 11 across: not, wait, put, ate, what, foot, might, let, white, hit, get. 7 down: meet, kite (or kit),
hate, meat, cat, heart, bought. 2 diagonal: hot, hat.

t n o t h w a i t u p o
e t t t i a o a t e h t
e e h a w h a t t c e h
m t a e f o o t e a a g
t i t m i g h t i t r u
p k e t g e t a o b t o
t e l w h i t e t e g b

b) Answers will vary.

111 Note: you can access the recordings you need for these exercises here:

https://purlandtraining.com/free-lessons/elementary-english-course/unit-3-0-health-and-the-human-
body/lesson-3-3-intonation/

1. a) Sentence stress is the sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables in a spoken sentence.
b) Connected speech is the group of techniques we use to connect syllables in a sentence in spoken
English. c) Intonation is the way we put emphasis on different parts of a sentence, using varied pitch,
volume, rhythm, etc.

125
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

2.

3. a) tube. b) brother. c) three biscuits. d) remote control.

4.

5. 1. c). 2. d). 3. b). 4. a).

6. a) tone of voice. b) rhythm. c) extra emphasis. d) pausing for effect. e) pitch. f) speed.
g) volume.

7. 1. c). 2. e). 3. b). 4. d). 5. a). 6. f).

8. Answers will vary. Sample answers:

tone of voice pitch extra emphasis volume rhythm speed pausing


on content words (for effect)
nervous lower no quieter broken slower no
surprised higher yes louder broken slower yes
tired lower no quieter intact slower no
disgusted higher yes louder broken faster yes

9. Answers will vary.

10. i) 1. c). 2. e). 3. a). 4. d). 5. b). 6. f).

ii) Answers will vary.

11. Answers will vary.

126
Answers to Worksheets and Notes for Use

112 Listen to a recording of how to say the English alphabet here. Why not listen and repeat?

https://purlandtraining.com/free-lessons/elementary-english-course/unit-1-0-learning-english/lesson-1-
1-alphabet/

114 Answers will vary.

127
Speaking and Listening Discussion

Talking about a Song in an ESOL Class – Example

About the song:

Graceland Paul Simon

Paul Simon USA

1986 4:48

About the music:

Folk rock guitar, pedal steel guitar, drums, bass


guitar

Mid-tempo D G Bm A D

Melody: Hooks: bass line; South African rhythms

Lyrics:

“The lyrics deal with the singer’s “My grandma bought the CD; I played
thoughts during a road trip with his it a lot. I got into Paul Simon again in
son to Graceland (the legendary 1988 when we moved to Dorset and I
home of Elvis) after the breakup of his started college... Walking through the
marriage to actress and author Carrie passageway; playing guitar with my
Fisher…” friends…”

My favourite line: “And she said losing love is like a window in your heart…”

4 facts about the song: 3 reasons why it’s great:


• It features backing vocals by the • The use of South African
Everly Brothers and Ladysmith musicians and instruments
Black Mambazo
• It’s a sad song; emotive;
• Paul Simon broke an embargo plaintive
to work with South African
musicians • The lyrics are interesting and
evocative: “The Mississippi
• It won the 1988 Grammy Award Delta was shining like a National
for Record of the Year guitar...”

• It only reached 82 in US charts

128
101 photocopiable worksheets
for effective English lessons!

Practice the following skills:

grammar
vocabulary
reading
speaking and listening
pronunciation
writing

Including full answers and notes for use

PurlandTraining.com
[email protected]

Intermediate Level (CEFR B1-B2)

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