Grammar Present tense review | Present perfect

1 Life changes simple review

Vocabulary Book review | Things we read
Challenge Review and talk about a book
Interaction Recommending a book
Writing A book review

READING

1 Work in pairs. Look at the covers of the books. Then 2 Read the website quickly and note in which books
discuss the questions. you can find the following characters:
● What can you see on the covers?
Estella Holden Lily Phoebe Pip Rosaleen
● Who wrote them?

e vie on ng

.
● What do you think they are about?

ld
pi on nt
● Have you read any of them in your language?

t b re c hi

so
co w te
ed ly
no er ple blis

or
ay ch m u
m a sa P
d r te e nd

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

an fo fre mo

Published in 1951, this is still the greatest coming-of-age novel ever written. The main
character is Holden Caulfield. Like most 17-year-olds (including me), he doesn’t know
what to do with his life. But one thing is clear. He wants to avoid anything ‘phony’ or
is is ch

fake. He doesn’t want to be like all the phony people he sees around him. The only
person he really loves and can talk to is his younger sister Phoebe.
Th Ri

Salinger didn’t allow a film of his novel to be made. Even so, The Catcher in the Rye
has sold 65 million copies around the world! This book can change the way you look
at the world.
©

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This isn’t the kind of book I normally read (the narrator is a girl!), but a friend
recommended it. This 2002 novel is set in the USA in the 1960s and it tells the story
of Lily Owen, a white girl in the racially divided south. Her father treats her badly,
but she’s a survivor. With the family’s black servant Rosaleen, Lily goes on a quest to
discover the identity of her dead mother. On the journey, she meets three strange
beekeepers who help her to grow up and be at peace with her history.
The Secret Life of Bees has sold 6 million copies and a film was made in 2008. I’m
reading this book at the moment – and I’m loving it!

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

This is an old book (published in 1860), but it’s brilliant. At the beginning, the orphan
boy Pip is living with his bullying sister and her husband. But his life changes forever
when he meets a terrifying escaped convict called Magwitch. The plot is exciting
and there are some unforgettable characters, such as the eccentric Miss Havisham
and the beautiful Estella. Pip is given a fortune by an unknown donor and becomes a
gentleman. However, money can bring unhappiness – by the end of the story, he is a
wiser but sadder man.
There are at least nine films of Great Expectations!

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 8 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1
VOCABULARY Book review
3 Read the website and write the names of the 7 Match the book covers with four of the genres.
characters. Who ...
adventure story autobiography biography classic novel
1 ... is living with his sister and brother-in-law at the
crime novel fantasy novel graphic novel historical novel
beginning of the story?
horror story non-fiction book romance science fiction story
2 ... leaves home with the family servant?
3 ... doesn’t have a clear idea of what he wants to do?
4 ... is a man who has escaped from prison?
5 ... is the only person her brother can talk to?
6 ... loses happiness but gains wisdom?

4 Read the website again and answer the questions.

e vie on ng

.
1 Which is the oldest book? When was it published?

ld
pi on nt
2 Which two novels are set in the USA?

t b re c hi

so
3 Why hasn’t a film been made of The Catcher in the Rye?

co w te
ed ly
4 Why do you think Magwitch is ‘terrifying’? 8 Write sentences about your favourite genres.
5
no er ple blis
What does Lily want to find out?
My favourite sort of books is thrillers.

or
6 Which novel has a happy ending?
9 In groups, share your opinions about books.
5 Read Word Zone. Then write recommendations for
ay ch m u
these things. 10 Read the review and answer these questions.
m a sa P

● When was it written? ● Who is the author?

a fast food restaurant a film
d r te e nd

● Where is it set? ● What does the title refer to?

a song a video game a website
● Who is the narrator? ● What is he like?
● What is the plot about? ● Why does the reviewer like
an fo fre mo

I recommend this website, it has very useful information in it.

the book?
● Who is the main character? ● What is the reviewer’s
recommend
favourite part?
is is ch

WORD We use recommend to tell someone that

ZONE
something is good and to suggest they try it.
Th Ri

I recommended The Catcher in the Rye to BOOK OF THE WEEK

my friend.
The Curious Incident of the
I really recommend watching The Hobbit:
©

Dog
an Unexpected Journey.
in the Night-Time
My teacher recommended that I join my
local library. The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-Time is a murder mystery
6 Ask and answer the questions with your partner. novel, which was written by Mark
Haddon and published in 2003. The
● What is the last novel you have read? Who are the main
novel is set in England in the 1980s,
characters? Where is it set? Did you enjoy it? Why / Why
but the title refers to a Sherlock
not? Would you recommend it?
Holmes story. The narrator is the
● Would you choose to read any of the books mentioned in
main character, a 15-year-old autistic boy called Christopher.
Ethan’s blog? Why / Why not?
After he is blamed for the death of his neighbour’s dog, he
What is the last novel decides to investigate the mystery. The plot follows Christopher’s
you have read? investigations and adventures. The reader has to understand the
events from Christopher’s point of view. Because he is autistic, he
The last novel I have read has been The Boy in doesn’t understand basic emotions very well, but he is very
the Striped Pyjamas. It was really interesting analytical like the detective Sherlock Holmes. My favourite part is
when Christopher goes on his own to London to find his mother
and gets lost there. This is a very funny but moving novel, which
I recommend for older teens and adults.

More
FAST FINISHERS Write a short paragraph using your answers to the questions in exercise 6. practice
9

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 9 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1 Grammar
presentation
GRAMMAR
G Present tense review
We use the present simple to talk about regular 3 Interview your partner. Ask follow-up questions
actions, habits and routines, and to describe and note the answers.
Present simple & present continuous

permanent situations and facts. What time do you usually get up?
I live in Belgium. Kyle plays tennis once a week.
At quarter to seven.
We use the present continuous to talk about What about at the weekend?
activities in progress at the time of speaking, and
about temporary situations. We often contrast it 4 Write about your partner.
with the present simple.
Sara gets up at quarter to seven during the week. However, she
Hi! I’m sitting on the bus. Where are you?
gets up after ten o’clock on Sundays!
We’re living in Berlin this year, but we usually live

e vie on ng
in London. We usually use the present simple to talk about

.
ld
books and film plots.

pi on nt
Historic
present
In spoken English, on the internet and in text
In the middle of his 111th birthday party, Bilbo Baggins

t b re c hi
messages, like and love are used with the present

so
co w te
ed ly
continuous. It is common but informal. puts on his ring and disappears.

no er ple blis
I’m loving it! The historic present is also used for newspaper

or
Grammar reference page 113 headlines.

1 Complete the dialogue with the present simple or the Ship sinks in Sydney harbour.
ay ch m u
present continuous.
m a sa P

Grammar reference page 113

Lucy: Hey, Josh. 1 ... you ... (want) to meet up later?I’d like you
5 Read the book review and write the verbs in brackets in
d r te e nd

to meet my cousin Bella from America.

Josh: Sure. 2 ... she ... (stay) with you at the moment? the correct form.
Lucy: Not quite yet. Her plane landed about three hours
an fo fre mo

ago. I 3... (wait) for her at the station. My reading list by Katy

Josh: What 4... Bella ... (do) now? 5 ... she ... (look for) a job?
Lucy: No, she’s at college. She 6 ... (study) Literature and This week’s book is To Kill a
is is ch

Film. Well, she 7 ... (say) ‘movies’! Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I 1… normally … (not like) historical
Josh: Cool. Hey, Lucy. Which station are you in at the moment?
books, but this novel is incredibly
Th Ri

Lucy: Paddington.
powerful. The story 2… (take) place
Josh: That’s amazing! Because I’m here, too! I 8 ... (stand) in
over a three-year period in the
a queue at the ticket office. I 9 ... (need) a new travel
©

1930s in the USA. The main story

card. Where 10 ... you ... (stand)? We can meet up. 3… (focus) on the trial of a black
Lucy: I’m on Platform 4. What 11 ... you ... (wear)? man. However, for me the real story
Josh: Um, I 12 ... (wear) a black leather jacket and a blue cap. is about the man who 4… (try) to
You can’t miss me! bring up three children on his own.
Atticus Finch is a lawyer with two young children. The story is
2 Write questions to ask your partner.
told through the innocent eyes of Scout, his daughter. The story
1 What time / usually / get up? 5… (be) dark and complicated, and Harper Lee 6… (show) us a

What time do you usually get up? period of history that was full of racism and inequality. However,
2 How / go / to school? Scout 7… (bring) humour to the storytelling, so the book never
8… (get) depressing. My brother 9… (read) this at the moment.
3 What / study / this year?
4 What / have / for lunch? He has to read it for school. Unfortunately, he 10… (hate) it!
5 How often / see friends / during the week?
6 What / read / at the moment? 6 Complete the sentences about yourself.
7 What / usually / do / at the weekend?
● I occasionally ...
8 You / play / any sports / these days?
● At the moment, I ...
9 What films / like watching?
● I never ...
● These days, I ...
● When I can, I ...
● In the evening, I ...

More
practice FAST FINISHERS Write more sentences like the ones in exercise 6.
10

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 10 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1
LISTENING Follow an online conversation between two old friends

Oscar and Daisy

e vie on ng

.
ld
pi on nt
t b re c hi

so
1 Look at the photo and discuss the questions. 5 Read the expressions in Face 2 Face. Can you remember

co w te
ed ly
who said them? What were they talking about?

no er ple blis
● How do you keep in contact with old friends?
● Do you ever use Skype? Why / Why not? FACE 2 FACE

or
● What are the differences between seeing the other person
and talking over the phone? Which do you prefer? ● just a bit ● The funny thing is
ay ch m u
● for ages
m a sa P

2 Listen to the first part of the conversation between

Dialogues page 146
Oscar and Daisy and answer the questions.
d r te e nd

1 How did Oscar and Daisy get in contact again? 6 Go to page 146 and put the expressions in Face 2
2 Where is Daisy living now? Face into the dialogues. Listen and check.
an fo fre mo

3 When and why did she go there?

YOUR TURN TO SPEAK
3 Listen to the second part of the conversation. Read
is is ch

the questions and choose the correct answers. 7 Look at Express yourself and answer the questions.
1 Daisy lives in ... . Which expressions can you use to show you are:
Th Ri

A an apartment B a bungalow C a house impressed sympathetic surprised

2 Compared to school in the UK, Daisy... .
A finds the lessons B has more C finds the lessons
©

more difficult homework longer Express yourself

3 Her classmates think she ... . Responding
A has a weird B is difficult to C has a cute accent That’s amazing! You’re joking! That’s terrible!
accent understand That’s really great. You poor thing. No way!
4 Her brother is ... .
A working in B living in C on American TV 8 Work in pairs. Read the instructions below.
Hollywood New York
Student A: You meet an old friend who you haven’t seen
5 Daisy’s mother is ... .
for three years. You want to find out all about them! Write
A teaching in a B teaching in the C teaching from some questions to find out what your friend is doing,
primary school UK home where he / she lives, what his / her family is doing, what has
6 Daisy is reading a lot of old ... .
changed in his / her life, etc.
A British novels B American novels C history books Student B: You moved away from your old town three
4 Listen again and note your answers to the questions. years ago. You now meet an old school friend. Think about
where you live now, why you moved there, what you are
1 Why does Daisy like her new home? doing, what the rest of your family is doing, what has
2 What does Daisy say are the two main differences changed in your life, etc.
between school in the UK and the USA?
3 What is Daisy’s brother doing? 9 Now role play a conversation. Student A starts. Try
4 Why does Oscar ask what Daisy is reading? to use expressions from Express yourself. Then swap
roles and role play a new conversation.

11

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 11 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1
R
READING
1 Read the Study Skill. Then look at the photos in
Predicting the content of a text
Melissa’s blog and answer the questions.
STUDY Use visual clues, such as photos and
● What do you think Melissa has written about? SKILL
illustrations, to predict the words you’ll
● What has happened in her life? meet in a text before you start reading.
2 Quickly read the blog and see if your ideas were right.

My crazy life by Melissa

e vie on ng

.
ld
pi on nt
I’ve had this blog for three years now and I’ve noticed that I’m getting a lot more views these

t b re c hi

so
days. Thank you! I’ve also realized that a lot of my new followers don’t know very much about

co w te
ed ly
me. So I’ve decided to introduce myself again to the new guys and update my old friends.

no er ple blis
The theme of this week’s blog is… All about me!

or
My look Reading
ay ch m u
m a sa P

So far, this year has been revolutionary! I’ve changed lots My new e-reader has changed my
d r te e nd

of things about my life, and one of them is… my hair. Do way of reading. I’ve only had it a
you realize how many hours I’ve wasted trying to make it month and I’ve already read three
look presentable? So no more long hair that’s boring to novels! I think I only finished six
an fo fre mo

wash, comb and keep under control. I’ve just been to the in the whole of last year! The last
hairdresser’s and this is my new cool style. What do you one I’ve read is The Hunger Games
is is ch

reckon? by Suzanne Collins. It was so

much better than the film!
Wearing
Th Ri

It was a terrible decision, but I’ve finally thrown away my

Watching
©

favourite green sweater. My mum just wasn’t prepared to Have you ever seen the X-Men films?
repair it any longer. The Big Farewell happened on Tuesday. No? Then you have to check them out
It was a very sad day, but that sweater was full of holes. immediately! I’ve even learnt a lot of
BREAKING NEWS! I’ve just bought a new blue and pink the dialogue. I haven’t seen the last one
sweater and I can’t stop wearing it! yet, though. Maybe this weekend!

My secret life Thinking about

I’ve checked my phone fifty times since this morning. I
I’ve recently discovered
think I’m becoming obsessed! I have to get a life!
peanut butter – not that
smooth industrial stuff
but the genuine organic
The future
variety! It’s my perfect I hope to travel and learn some languages. Maybe I’ll
food, especially with become a journalist. Or an interpreter. Or even an English
banana. That’s the dream teacher. That will be tough – I don’t know enough about
combination. English grammar!

OK, guys. I hope you all have a great week. I’ll write another post at the weekend.
Bye!

12
12

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 12 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1
VOCABULARY Things we read
3 Read Melissa’s blog and decide if the information is true, 6 Look at the words in the box. Which of them can you see
false or not mentioned. Correct the false sentences. below?
1 Melissa’s blog is three years old. advertisement blog blurb brochure catalogue
2 Melissa has got long hair now. diagram flyer greetings card instructions leaflet
3 She has recently thrown away her favourite old letter menu message note notice programme
sweater.
4 She reads three books a month.
1
5 She knows the X-Men films very well. Paul Hot 2

6 She gets about 50 texts a day. Please feed the appetizers

7 She is planning to become a journalist. cat and water Fried chicken
8 Her followers can read her next blog post soon. Egg roll

e vie on ng
the plants. Thx

.
Cheese salad

ld
4 Read the blog again and answer the questions. Why...

pi on nt
t b re c hi

so
1 ... has Melissa decided to introduce herself again? 4

co w te
FOR SALE

ed ly
3
2 ... do you think she had her haircut?
3
no er ple blis
... did she throw away her favourite sweater? Quality ladies’
mountain bike £50

or
4 ... is she reading more novels now?
With full suspension
5 ... does she say, ‘I have to get a life’?
and 18-speed gearing.
ay ch m u
6 ... does she want to travel and learn languages?
m a sa P

7 ... does she want to learn English grammar?

5 How is your life like Melissa’s? Discuss the questions.

Missing 5 6
d r te e nd

Snowy.
● What’s your favourite food at the moment? Long-haired white
● What films have you watched recently? cat with blue eyes.
an fo fre mo

● Has anything changed in your life this year? Please contact 07885
● What do you hope to be in the future?
7 Answer the questions about the words in exercise 6.
is is ch

I love Mexican food. I go to a great

restaurant in town with my parents. Which ...
Th Ri

1 ... are usually written by hand?

I’ve never eaten it. But I love Italian 2 ... would you normally see online?
food. I’ve loved pizzas for years! 3 ... are communications between friends or family?
©

4 ... are personal communications between strangers?

And what is your perfect Italian food?
8 Write a list of the text types you have read in the
past week. Then tell your partner about them.

I’ve read instructions for a new video game

that I got for my birthday. How about you?

VERB
grow up bring up flick through
ZONE read on put down
10 Complete the sentences with the verbs in the correct form.
1 I ... a few books at the airport but I didn’t see any that I liked.
2 I’m reading the latest Dan Brown thriller – it’s amazing! I
9 Match the verbs to the definitions. can’t ... it ... !
1 continue reading 3 My aunt ... my cousins by herself after my uncle died.
2 look at different parts of a book very quickly, in a shop 4 I got to a really violent scene in my book, and I couldn’t ...
for example after that.
3 turn from a child into an adult 5 I had an idyllic childhood. I ... in a tiny village in the
4 place something that you were holding onto a table or mountains.
the floor
11 In pairs, turn to page 150 and discuss the questions.
5 look after a child until they are an adult

More
FAST FINISHERS Write a blog about your life using the same headings as Melissa. practice
13

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 13 12/3/14 12:37 PM

 1 Grammar
presentation
GRAMMAR
G Present perfect simple review
We use the present perfect to talk about an 4 Now ask and answer the questions in pairs.
experience if the exact time isn’t important.
Present perfect simple

How long have you lived in your present home?

I’ve slept in a tent. We’ve been to South Africa.
We often use it with ever and never. I’ve lived there for three years.
We’ve never read The Lord of the Rings.
Have you ever seen Avatar? just yet already
We use the present perfect with for, since and

Linking to the
present
We use the present perfect to talk about past
how long to talk about situations that started in events which relate to the present in some way.
the past and are continuing in the present. Look, I’ve tidied my room. Are you impressed?
We’ve lived here for ten years.
Josh has eaten nearly all the cakes! There are only two left.

e vie on ng

.
She’s been a teacher since 2010.

ld
We can use a variety of adverbs: yet, already and

pi on nt
Don’t use the present simple for these situations. just with the present perfect.

t b re c hi

so
I’ve known her since 2012. NOT I live here since 2008. I’ve just been shopping.(I got home 10 minutes ago)

co w te
ed ly
no er ple blis
Grammar reference page 113 I haven’t read any books in English yet. (but I intend to)

or
1 Read Melissa’s blog and complete it with the verbs I’ve already read two hundred pages of my new book!
in the boxes. Use short forms when possible and the (more than expected)
ay ch m u
present simple or present perfect. Grammar reference page 113
m a sa P

My crazy life 5 Use just, already and yet to write explanations.

d r te e nd

by Mel
by elisissssa
sa 1 Lisa looks nervous.
Home She hasn’t seen her exam results yet.
an fo fre mo

be live not make 2 Nick’s hands are shaking.

3 Jake’s bedroom is in a mess.
You know we 1 ... in this neighbourhood for the last three years.
4 Connor and Leo don’t have to study this weekend.
Well, there 2 … change in the air! My parents are thinking of
is is ch

5 Keira’s in pain. She’s holding her cheek.

moving. They 3 … a decision yet, but watch this space!
Films 6 Write sentences in the present perfect about the following
Th Ri

things. Three of them should be true and one false.

get not like start watch
Recently, I 4 … really interested in old films. It’s weird, isn’t it? I something important or unusual you have done in your life
©

5 … watching them online in bed. I 6 … about 30 of them now. I

something you have just done
mean, I 7 … them all, and loads of them are in black and white, but
they make a change from all those action movies and romcoms. something you have to do and have already done

Health something you want to do and haven’t done yet

be (x2) do feel read
7 Say your sentences to your partner. Ask questions
I 8 … terrible. I’ve got flu! I 9 … in bed since Monday. But I 10 …
and try to guess the false sentence.
a couple of books and I 11 … some revision for my exams next
week – so it isn’t bad! But I 12 … bored. Someone entertain me! I’ve spoken to Andy Murray.
When did that happen?
A couple of years ago.
2 Write questions to ask another person. How long ... ?
How long have you lived in your present home?
PRONUNCIATION /v/ and /b/ More
practice
● live in your present home ● own your mobile phone
8 Listen and repeat the sentences.
● have your hair style ● be able to use a computer
● be awake today ● know your best friend 1 They’ve been in Berlin for over two years.
2 Have you ever broken an expensive vase?
3 Answer the questions in exercise 2. Write three answers 3 Victoria Beckham’s biography was very boring.
with for and three with since.
More practice? page 147

More
practice FAST FINISHERS Write as many of your partner’s sentences as you can remember.
14

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 14 12/3/14 12:38 PM

 Review and talk about a book
1
PREPARATION

1 Work in groups. Look at the different types of

books below and discuss the questions.
● Which types of books have you read?
● Which types do you enjoy reading most?
● What are your favourite books and what genre are they?

NON FICTION

• art and architecture • nature

e vie on ng

.
• history • popular science

ld
pi on nt
• travel • sport
• biographies and autobiographies

t b re c hi

so
co w te
ed ly
no er ple blis
FICTION DO THE CHALLENGE

or
• classics • graphic novels 3 Work in pairs. Look at Express yourself. Can you add
ay ch m u
• crime and • fantasy and
any other useful expressions or adjectives?
m a sa P

detective fiction science fiction

• short stories • historical novels
d r te e nd

• horror and ghost stories Express yourself

Describing a book Giving opinions
an fo fre mo

2 Choose a novel or non-fiction book you know well and The novel is set in ... I loved / hated / quite enjoyed it.
complete the table. It is written by ... I thought it was exciting ...
It is narrated by ... I thought it was well written ...
is is ch

BOOK REVIEW The story starts / ends ... I found it (very) interesting / scary ...
It really held my attention.
Title
Th Ri

Publication date
Author 4 Work in pairs. Follow the instructions.
©

Where and when it is set Student A: Use your notes to tell your partner about your
The main characters book. Try to use the expressions in Express yourself.
Student B: Listen carefully and ask questions. Decide if you
Point of view
would like to read the book.
Story summary
5 Swap roles. Student B describes their book and
(max 25 words)
Student A listens and asks questions.

Your opinion of... FOLLOW UP

the story / plot

6 Write a review for a book website. Divide it into the
following paragraphs.

the descriptions 1 Introduction; author, dates and general theme

2 When and where it is set; how it begins
3 The narrator and main characters; your opinion of the
the language and style characters
4 A short summary of the story; how it ends
your overall opinion 5 Your overall opinion

15

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 15 12/3/14 12:38 PM

 1
IINTERACTION Recommending a book

Express yourself
Starting a conversation Asking for information Recommending a book
Have you read ...? Who wrote it? I couldn’t put it down.
Have you read anything by ...? What’s it about? It’s a great read.
What are you reading at the moment? When’s / Where’s it set? It’s a real page-turner.
Are you much of a reader? What happens next? You should definitely read this book.
Would you recommend it? You’ll love it.

e vie on ng
AT THE BOOKSHOP 4 Listen to the second part of the conversation and

.
ld
answer the questions.

pi on nt
t b re c hi
1 What type of book is Fahrenheit 451?

so
co w te
ed ly
2 What is the importance of the title?

no er ple blis 3 Why are books banned in this future society?

or
4 What is odd about the Fire Department in this society?

VOCABULARY
ay ch m u
m a sa P

5 Look at the adjectives below and answer the questions.

d r te e nd

disappointing gripping hilarious serious

tear-jerking terrifying thought-provoking
an fo fre mo

1 Which ones did you hear in the conversations? Which

1 You are going to hear two people recommending books did they refer to?
books to read. Before you listen, discuss the questions.
is is ch

2 Which ones do you think are negative?

● How do you choose the next book you’re going to read?
Do you choose by genre or author?
6 Think of things you have read or seen that you can
Th Ri

describe with the adjectives in exercise 5. Then discuss

● Do you look at the cover and read the blurb or read the
them with your partner.
critics’ reviews?
©

● Do you go by friends’ recommendations or reviews?

YOUR TURN TO SPEAK
2 Read the blurb and answer the questions.
7 Read and follow the instructions.
1 Is the book fiction or non-fiction?
2 What is the book about? ● Choose a book that you would recommend everyone to
3 Would you be interested in reading it? Why / Why not? read. It can be fiction or non-fiction.
● Make notes on the author, what the book is about and
In space, everything we need for a comfortable life is missing. reasons why people should read it.
There’s no air, no fresh food, no gravity, no hot showers and
8 Work in groups of three or four. Take it in turns to
no privacy. And all the everyday activities we find so easy to
recommend your books. Ask questions to find out more
do such as washing, eating and using the bathroom become
about other people’s suggestions.
a bit of a nightmare in space. Mary Roach is our brilliantly
entertaining guide to life in space in this laugh-out-loud funny I really recommend Frankenstein. It’s a
book. This is the ideal read for armchair astronauts everywhere! great horror story and very scary, too.
That’s an old book, isn’t
3 Listen to the conversation and answer the questions. it? Isn’t it a bit boring?
1 Which book has Nicky recently finished? It isn’t boring at all! It was written
2 Why are astronauts’ lives boring? by Mary Shelly and it’s a classic.
3 Sam says astronauts suffer from ‘cabin fever’. What is this?
4 What does the book teach the reader?

16

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 16 12/3/14 12:38 PM

 1
WRITING A book review WRITING
Giving reasons and results
SKILL

1 Read the book review and answer the questions. 3 Find one expression for giving a reason and one for
giving a result in the book review. Look at these words
1 Who is the author?
and expressions. Do they express a reason or a result?
2 When was the book published?
3 Where is the story set?
as a result of because of consequently since therefore

The Unforgotten Coat 4 Join the sentences with the correct words and
BY HARRY STEVENSON expressions, keeping the sentences in the same order.
The Unforgotten Coat was 1 They didn’t have the correct paperwork. They couldn’t
written by Frank Cottrell stay in the country. (because / therefore)

e vie on ng

.
Boyce and was published in 2 She acted as their guide. They didn’t speak any English.

ld
pi on nt
2011. (because / consequently)

t b re c hi
3 She taught them about life in the UK. They learnt all

so
It is set in a school in

co w te
ed ly
about their new culture. (as a result / since)
Liverpool, and it tells the

no er ple blis
story of two brothers from Mongolia, Chingis

or
and Nergui, who join the school. The narrator YOUR TURN
is Julie, one of the students in the boys’ class. TO WRITE
ay ch m u
She has gone back to her primary school years
m a sa P

later when it is about to be demolished. She PLAN BEFORE YOU WRITE

finds Chingis’s coat in the lost property box,
5 Choose a book you have read recently and think
d r te e nd

and this is the starting point of the story.

about your answers to the questions and make notes.
Julie was Chingis and Nergui’s ‘good guide’, 1 Who wrote it and when was it published?
an fo fre mo

so she was responsible for teaching them about 2 Where is it set? Who are the main characters? Who is
life in the UK and helping them to understand the narrator?
things like football, the school uniform and the 3 What is the plot about?
is is ch

English language. One day, the boys disappear 4 Would you recommend it? Why / Why not?
from school, but Julie follows them and brings
Th Ri

them back. However, the next day, the class WRITE NOW
finds out that the boys have been sent back to
6 Write a book review.
Mongolia because they do not have the correct
©

paperwork to stay in the UK. 1 Use Harry’s review as a model.

2 Use your notes from exercise 5 and the plan below.
It is beautifully presented in the form of
3 Remember to include some words and expressions for
a diary with photos from the boys’ camera,
giving reasons and results.
which Julie finds in the pocket of the coat. It
is funny, moving and full of surprises. I would Paragraph 1 – give information about the title, author
recommend this book to readers of all ages. and publication date.
Paragraph 2 – describe where it is set, who the main
characters are and who the narrator is.
2 Read the book review again and decide if the sentences
Paragraph 3 – give some information about the plot.
are true or false.
Paragraph 4 – give your opinion and make a
1 The story is about life in Mongolia. recommendation.
2 The main characters are not from Liverpool.
3 Julie tells the story when she is older. CHECK AND CORRECT
4 Julie’s job was to teach the two boys how to play football.
5 The boys have to go back to Mongolia because they are 7 Check and correct your book review.
not allowed to stay in the UK. 1 Check that the words and expressions for giving
6 Julie took the photos that appear in the book. reasons and results are correct.
2 In pairs, swap your book reviews and check each
other’s work.

17

657859 _ 0008-0017.indd 17 12/3/14 12:38 PM