I enjoy life. I'm pretty easygoing.
If my friends want to do something, I'll usually go along with their
plans, unless they're really crazy. I know what I'm capable and not capable of.
My friends often call me when something is worrying them. They say I'm a good listener, and I
always tell them the truth. I don't like to see my friends upset or depressed.
I'm a pretty motivated person. I always know what I want. Once I decide to do something, I do it. I
always try my hardest to achieve my goals.
What are my worst qualities? Well, I always want things that other people have. I sometimes lose
my temper in stores and can shout if I don't get what I want. I guess I often do things without
thinking about the consequences.
unless
noun
Disfruto la vida. Soy bastante tolerante. Si mis amigos quieren hacer algo, generalmente seguiré
sus planes, a menos que estén realmente locos. Sé de lo que soy capaz y de lo que no soy capaz.
Mis amigos a menudo me llaman cuando algo les preocupa. Dicen que soy un buen oyente, y
siempre les digo la verdad. No me gusta ver a mis amigos molestos o deprimidos.
Soy una persona muy motivada. Siempre se lo que quiero. Una vez que decido hacer algo, lo hago.
Siempre intento lo mejor para lograr mis objetivos.
44
¿Cuáles son mis peores cualidades? Bueno, siempre quiero cosas que otras personas tengan. A
veces pierdo los estribos en las tiendas y puedo gritar si no consigo lo que quiero. Supongo que a
menudo hago cosas sin pensar en las consecuencias.
a no ser que
sustantivo
Unidad 9
Things and stuff
Activity A
Vocabulary
Complete the questions with the words in the box.
Do you
own
a lot of valuable things?
How attached are you to the things you own – especially your most valuable
possessions
?
What things do you find hard to throw away or
part with
?
What kinds of objects have you collected or
accumulated
over time?
What are your main aims or
goals
for this coming year?
How
materialistic
are you?
Unit 9 Lesson A Possessions
1 Things and stuff Activity C
Use your own ideas. Here are some examples.
Do you own a lot of valuable things?
I don't own anything of great value, really, but I want to start collecting art. I have a
lot of personal items, though, like clothes, books, and souvenirs.
How attached are you to the things you own – especially your most valuable
possessions?
I'm very attached to my possessions. I always find it hard to throw things away,
even if I don't use them much.
What things do you find hard to throw away or part with?
I find it especially hard to give away clothes. They remind me of all the good times
I had wearing them.
What kinds of objects have you collected or accumulated over time?
Every time I go on vacation, I buy things to remind me of the trip. I've collected a
lot of stuff, and sometimes I can't even remember where it came from!
What are your main aims or goals for this coming year?
I hope to get rid of some of the stuff I've accumulated in my closets. I've decided
not to put anything new there without throwing other things away first.
How materialistic are you?
Well, I like to think I'm not materialistic. I'd rather say there are some things I can't
live without.
What did they say?
Activity A
Grammar and vocabulary
Read the statements. Then choose the correct verb forms to report what the people
said.
"I think I'll clean out my closets soon."
My sister said that she
thought she'd clean out
her closets soon.
"I've been saving money to buy a new car."
had been saving
My friend said that he
money to buy a new car.
"I haven't found a new dress for the wedding yet."
hadn't found
My mom said that she
a new dress for the wedding yet.
"I can't part with my favorite jeans, even though they're torn."
couldn't part w ith
My cousin said he
his favorite jeans, even though they
WERE torn.
5
"My goal is to pay off my credit card debt by next year."
w as
My older brother said that his goal
to pay off his credit card debt by next year.
"I'm always buying shoes. I think I have about 30 pairs."
w as alw ays buying
My best friend said that he
thought
shoes and that he
had
he
about 30 pairs.
"I won't ever throw out my favorite photographs."
w ouldn't ever throw out
My grandma said that she
her favorite photographs.
"My parents bought me a beautiful pearl necklace."
bought
My aunt said that her parents
her a beautiful pearl necklace.
