UNIT 1

I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO RUDE

1. Speaking Practice.
a. Answer the quiz about yourself.

What kind of person are you?

1. I work best...
a. in a group
b. by myself

2. I consider myself...
a. emotionally stable
b. very moody

3. My friends say I am...

a. fun and outgoing
b. serious and dependable

4. I spend a lot of time...

a. worrying about the problems of other people
b. thinking about my own problems

5. What I mostly praise in people is...

a. sensitivity
b. loyalty

6. What I mostly despise in people is...

a. pessimism
b. vanity

7. I usually believe...
a. everybody
b. nobody

8. I make decisions...
a. after changing my mind several times
b. quickly

9. I mostly care about...

a. causes
b. effects

10. In ten years...

a. I expect recognition
b. I expect to be filthy rich

MOSTLY A

You like being surrounded by people and tend to choose jobs and activities that
involve interaction. Your intuition is propably one of your strongest features and you
should take advantage of it more often.

MOSTLY B

You have really strong principles and know exactly what you want in life. Your
sensitivity is the personal characteristic that rules your life and you should take
advantage of it whenever possible.

2. Some people believe that our color preferences say a lot about our personalities.
Choose your favorite color and read what it reveals about you.

Red people are outgoing, ambitious and impulsive. They are usually optimistic and
can't stand monotony.

Yellow people are witty and imaginative. On the other hand, they tend to be lazy and
stubborn.

Blue people are generally patient, persevering, conservative and self-controlled.

Shyness is something blue people should work on.

Pink people are usually delicate, fragile, and have a strong need to feel protected,
loved and secure. Pinks should be careful not to give the impression they're too needy
or insecure.

Brown people are responsible, reliable, patient and kind. As no one is perfect, they
have a tendency to be inflexible.

Navy blues are original and have excellent taste. They're also charming and sensitive.
Unfortunately, meanness is among their flaws.
Orange people are usually curious, popular and funny. They are also dramatic and
fickle.

Green people are generally modest, polite and patient. However they should be
careful not to look or sound too shallow.

White people are perfectionists and humble. On the other hand, fans of the color
white can be naive and easily deceived by others.

Gray people are generally hard-working but have a tendency to work too much. They
are also prudent and calm.

Purples are witty, fastidious and sensitive, with a strong desire to be unique and
different. However, others often consider them sarcastic or smug.

People who prefer the color Black behave in a mysterious way and are highly
persuasive. Although they are tactful and friendly, these people should be careful not
to sound phony.

What's your favorite color? What does it say about your personality? Do you agree
with this?

3. Listening Practice

Is there anything you'd like to change about your personality? Listen to three people
talking about themselves and check the correct names (track 2).

VANESSA KEVIN LISA

Impulsivity
Anxiety
Insecurity
Discipline
Spontaneity
Ambition
Laziness
Patience
Inflexibility

Grammar Booster
ADVERBS + ADJECTIVES
When we use adverbs to modify adjectives, we have to place the adverbs immediately
before the adjectives. Examples:

I used to be really anxious

She's absolutely funny
Professor Davis is incredibly patient
My boss is too ambitious
Adrian is pretty responsible
Lorna is quite spontaneous
My son is always so lazy
After she became a model, she became extremely conceited
Eleanor is very insecure

Exception
When we use the adverb enough we have to place it after the adjective that it
modifies. Example:
I am not persuasive enough to work as a salesperson.

4. Speaking practice
Work in pairs. Tell each other what you like and don't like about yourselves. Then tell
your partner what he or she should do to improve his or her flaws. Follow the
example:

Student A: I think I'm too insecure, you know. I am never sure of what to say or do.
Student B: You should start improving your confidence by doing simple things. Why
don't you start wearing make up?
Student A: Well, I'll try. On the other hand, I am pretty reliable. I think that's my best
quality.
Student B: I'm reliable too, but I'm quite impatient sometimes.
Student A: A friend of mine is taking yoga classes and she says it helps a lot.

5. Speaking practice
a. What qualities do you praise in a romantic partner? Go through the list below and
choose five qualities that you consider the most important.

polite funny
sensible shy
sensitive outgoing
independent adventurous
dependable helpful
charming wise
loyal kind
romantic passionate
optimistic ambitious
friendly tactful
hard-working patient
creative witty
faithful stable
generous

b. Now work in pairs. Tell your partner why you consider the five qualities you've
checked important. Follow the example.

Student A: In my opinion, a romantic partner should be dependable because I hate

people I can't rely on.
Student B: I agree with you. I also think a romantic partner should be optimistic
because I hate people who are always negative.

Grammar Booster
AS + ADJECTIVE + AS
We use as + adjective + as to compare people, places, events or things when there is
no difference between them: Examples:
Mike is as intelligent as his father.
Tom Cruise is as famous as Brad Pitt.

We can also show difference by using not as + adjective + as. Examples:

Jennifer is not as beautiful as Sarah.
My sister is not as shy as I am.

6. Language in Context (Track 3)

Julie, Jason and Marcia are talking about their ideal romantic partners. Follow the
conversation as you listen.

Julie: To me, a boyfriend should be as handsome as Brad Pitt and as rich as Bill Gates.
Jason: Come on, Julie. Money can't buy happiness. In my opinion, a girlfriend should
be as hard-working as I am. That's what's important.
Marcia: I agree with you. And I also think a boyfriend shouldn't be as jealous as my ex-
boyfriend.

Describing what annoys you

I can't stand people who whistle
It makes me furious when I see people mistreating animals
People who talk in the movie theater really annoy me
It drives me crazy to share a bedroom with my sister. She's extremely disorganized!
I loathe people who throw litter on the street
Pessimism is one of my pet peeves

7. Listening Practice (Track 4)

Some people are calling a radio talk show to talk about their pet peeves. Listen and
take notes of what each speaker can't stand about his or her romantic partner.

Kimiko

Douglas

Lilian

Kirk

8. Speaking Practice
Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.

What do you think of...

people who are constantly late?
people who wear too much perfume?
people who blow smoke in your face?
people who throw litter on the street?
people who whistle?
slow drivers who refuse to move from the fast lane?
drunk people?
people who keep interrupting you while you're talking?
people who talk with their mouths full?
people who mistreat animals?
people who talk in the movie theater?
people who make noise while eating?
people who ask you for money and don't pay you back?

9. Fluency practice
Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.
• Are you the kind of person who keeps promises?
• Have you ever lied to your romantic partner?
• Have you ever forgotten an important date?
• Have you ever been rude to someone you love? Why?
10. Language in context (Track 5)
Sarah and Roger are having an argument. Follow the conversation as you listen.

Sarah: Hi honey, I was talking to Juliet on the phone and she invited us to her birthday
party next Friday.
Roger: Sorry, but I won't be able to make it because I'm going on a business trip on
Thursday.
Sarah: Australia again?
Roger: Yes. I should have told you before, but things have been so hectic at the office
that I completely forgot about it.
Sarah: Roger, I'm sick and tired of going everywhere alone. You promised me you'd
stay home more.
Roger: Sorry, sweetheart, but there's this new project and I have a pretty important
meeting in Sydney. I can't miss it.
Sarah: I should have married someone who keeps his promises.
Roger: Don't jump down my throat, Sarah. This is my job.
Sarah: You shouldn't have taken this job. It's ruining our marriage.
Roger: Come on. Don't be so dramatic. Hey, why don't you come with me this time?
Sarah: OK, I'll think about it. First, let me call Juliet and say we can't make it.

11. Fluency practice

Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.

• Do you think Roger should have told Sarah in advance about this business trip?
Why or why not?
• Should Sarah have been more understanding?
• In your opinion, should Sarah go to Juliet's birthday party or should she take
this trip with her husband?
• Have you ever had an argument with someone you love? Is there anything you
regret about it?

Grammar Booster
Should have and Shouldn't have
We use should and shouldn't have + past participle to express advice, regret and
criticism of past events.

Affirmative
Roger should have told Sarah about his business trip.

Negative
 Roger shouldn't have taken this job.

Question
Should Sarah have married Roger?

12. GAME
Play this game in pairs or in groups of three. The first student to reach FINISH wins.

START
1. Your best friend didn't help her mother with the dishes yesterday and now her
mother is tired.
2. You forgot your boyfriend's or girlfriend's birthday and let him or her down.
3. GO BACK TO START
4. You've lied to your best friend and now she doesn't believe anything you say.
5. You went over the speed limit and got a ticket.
6. You borrowed your best friend's sunglasses and broke them by accident.
7. One of your classmates has lied about his grade to his parents and now he is
grounded
8. You left your house this morning without an umbrella and now it's raining cats and
dogs.
9. MOVE FORWARD 2 POSITIONS
10. You missed class a lot and now you are not ready for the test.
11. You didn't check your e-mails one time last week and you missed a great party.
12. MISS A TURN
13. You went to bed very late last night and didn't wake up on time to go to work.
14. You were rude to your boss and got fired.
15. You ate too much last night and now you have a stomachache.
16. Your cousin hasn't brushed his teeth and now he has a toothache.
17. You borrowed your sibling's favorite book and left it on the train.
18. You bought a very expensive sneakers and now you don't even have money for the
bus.
19. You were making fun of a colleague behind his back and he overheard everything.
20. MOVE FORWARD 3 POSITIONS
21. You didn't fill up your car's tank and it stopped in the middle of the road.
22. You got stuck in a traffic jam and missed the plane.
23. You forgot to turn off your cell phone and it rang in the middle of a movie.
Everybody in the movie theater started complaining.
24. You forgot to pay a bill on time and now you have to pay interest.
25. MISS A TURN
26. You won the lottery but you lost the ticket.
FINISH
13. Listening practice (Track 6)
a. These people are talking to their friends about their problems. Listen and answer
the questions.

1.
• How long has he been unemployed?
• Why can't he get a job?

2.
• How many time has she gone out with the man?
• Where did she meet the man?
• Why is she worried?

b. Now work in pairs and discuss the following questions.

• What should or shouldn't they have done?
• What should they do now?

14. Fluency Practice

Work in pairs and act out the situation below. Take turns as A and B.

Student A
You trusted your boss who you thought could keep an important secret. However, he or
she told your secret to everyone in your department. Tell student B, who happens to be
your best friend in the company, what happened and ask for advice.

Think about these things: What was the secret? Why did you tell your boss about it?

Student B
Student A, who is your best friend in the company, told an important secret to his or
her boss. You always thought this boss was not reliable. Now the boss has told your
friend's secret to everyone and Student A is asking for your advice. Tell him or her what
he or she should or shouldn't have done and what he or she should or shouldn't do
now.

Ask Student A about: His or her secret. Why he or she trusted the boss.

15. Fluency practice

There are many radio programs that help callers with their problems. Work in pairs. Go
through the problems and pieces of advice below and talk to each other about them.
Do you agree with the psychologist's point of view?

A. My name is David and I've been married for nine years. My wife is angry most of the
time and she always takes her anger out on our seven-year-old daughter and me. We
haven't had a decent convesation in months. All we do is fight. I know she is under a lot
of stress at work, but I got so tired of her behavior that I finally left home. Now I am
really worried about my daugther. Should I have stayed home because of my daughter?

Psychologist. Hi, David. To start with, you shouldn't have left home. Husbands should
always be patient. Besides that, your behavior taught your daughter that we don't
have to deal with problems and that the best thing to do is to run away from them.
Why don't you return home and look for a marriage counselor? You can also try to
please your wife by giving her boxes of chocolate. I'm sure this will be the beginning of
a new life for you three.

B. I'm Ethan. My best friend, Jeff, introduced me to one of his friends, Megan, at a
party and we started dating. It was more for a lack of anything better to do than
because I liked her, but we've already been together for two years. The problem is that
I've always been in love with Jeff's girlfriend, Marjorie. Last week, I found out that Jeff
and Marjorie broke up. I was so happy that I called Marjorie and told her about my
feelings. When I hung up, I realized I shouldn't have been so impulsive. I don't mean to
hurt my best friend or Megan. What should I do?

Psychologist. Hello, Ethan. You shouldn't have told Marjorie in the first place. Women
love talking and this means your best friend Jeff already knows about it. Don't do
anything for a while. Be frank with Jeff only when he asks you for a good explanation.
After all, people nowadays don't care much about love relationships and there is a
possibility that you won't end your friendship because of a woman.

16. Writing Practice

Imagine you're a psychologist. Look at the example below and write back to caller B,
Ethan, with some advice.

Dear David,

I can imagine how bad you felt, but you shouldn't have left home. Your first
responsability is to protect your daughter and leaving home is not an option!
You should go back home and start marriage counseling with your wife. Try to find a
way to talk to her because she may be hurt and not willing to listen. Suggest meeting
at her favorite restaurant or having a quiet cup of coffee together. Explain that you
love her and your daughter and want to have a happy family. And don't forget to listen
to her side of the story. There may be many things you can do to help the relationship
too!

Best Regards,

Dr. Phillips

17. Reading Practice

a. Work in pairs. Have you said or done anything recently that you regret? Talk to each
other about it.
b. Read the text below and fill in the blanks with the words below.

been - should have - stupid - shouldn't have - romantic - done

I can't help crying whenever I think about life without you, Jeff.
I think about the time we spent together: our walks, our drives, our play-
fighting, seeing _________ movies, visiting the mall, exploring downtown, kissing in
public, you driving me home late at night or early the next morning, holding hands
while watching TV, laughing at each other's stupidity, calling each other fat, pretending
our hands were little hungry monsters with sound effects, taking bad pictures of each
other and much more.
I miss all that. And I feel so _________ now for not appreciating the precious
moments that we had.
I shouldn't have _________ what I did. It was all my fault.
I shouldn't have _________ so irresponsible. I know that now.
I _________ destroyed it all.
I know I ended up hurting you.
There's no excuse for that.
I _________ been wiser, but now it's too late.
It hurts me a lot to realize that I lost you, Jeff.
We've had so many great moments together, and I was an idiot to just let them
slip through my fingers...

18. Fluency practice

Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.
• What do you think the author shouldn't have done?
• Considering your answer to the first question, do you think Jeff should have
given the author another chance? Why or why not?
• What things do you think are difficult to forgive in a relationship? Why?
LEARNING TIP
Use the time you have in class to work on your language skills. This means not only
paying attention in class, but also speaking English all the time. For example, if you
finish a pair or group activity early, use this time to talk to your partner(s) about a
related topic. Maximize your learning by making the most of your time.

UNIT 2

NO MORE TESTS, NO MORE HOMEWORK!

"I hate homework. Yes I do. All students do. Especially me. Teachers assign homework
every day. Please, give us a break! I wish teachers had to do homework every day. This
way they would certainly feel the pain!" Phillip Potter, student

1. Share your ideas

Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.
• A teenage student wrote the poem above as an assignment for his English
class. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
• How many hours a day do you dedicate to homework assignments?
• Have you ever asked anyone for help with your homework?
• "More homework means smarter students". Do you agree? Why or why not?
• How often do you have tests at school?
• Do you think tests are a necessary evil?
• Some students feel nervous before and during a test. Why do you think this
happens?
• Have you ever gone blank during a test after having studied really hard?
• "Getting an A on a test doesn't necessarily mean that a student is prepared for
the real world". Do you agree? Why or why not?

2. Points of view
Teachers, parents and students have different points of view on homework and
testing. Read what they say and discuss the points of view with your partner. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with each one?

"Tests should be abolished! Schools should focus more on creating bright thinkers. The
problem is, you memorize the material on a Friday and by Monday you're already
forgotten everything"
Lucas A.,
high school student
"Why do I have to memorize dates and details of historical events? Nobody is going to
ask me those things during a job interview."
Thaliana K.,
high school student

As far as I am concerned, homework is helpful to learning. Listening to theory and

putting it into practice are two completely different things. As a teacher, I can explain
how things work, but students should have the chance to try it for themselves or it may
never make sense to them."
Celine Y.,
history teacher

"Personally, I think homework is a waste of time. Instead of spending two or three

hours a day doing homework, I could learn about things that really mean something to
me."
Brianna P.,
high school student

"I think homework is really useful. I do my homework every day as soon as I get home
from school. That way I don't have to spend hours and hours studying for tests."
Catherina C.,
high school student

"Why do our kids have to do so much homework? Nobody knows. The school board
says the parents want it, and the parents say the school requires it. Personally, I think it
doesn't really teach kids anything new and robs them of all the other time that they
could be investing in other activities."
Priscilla J.,
mother

"As a teacher, I see examinations as a poor method of assessment. They do not reflect
how well you will be able to use your knowledge in the real world."
Brian O.,
math teacher

"To my mind, homework and tests helped me become the professional I am today.
Because of my effort and curiosity. I got a great job. I owe many of my achievements to
the excellent education I had."
Ronald M.,
economist
3. Grades and school reports
Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.
• Would you say you have good studying habits?
• Does the word "test" scare you? Why?
• How do you feel when you don't do well on a test?
• How are school grades determined in your country (tests, projects,
participation, etc.)?
• In the U.S.A., letters are often used to indicate performance (A, B, C, D and F).
How does (did) your school or college list school grades on report cards?
• Did you ever lie to your parents about your grades? Why?

4. Sarah's report card (Track 7)

Listen to Sarah talking to her father and fill in her report card with the missing
information.

PROGRESS REPORT CARD

Subject Final Grade

English
D
Math
History
C

5. GRADES ARE NOT EVERYTHING

Work in pairs. Discuss the statement below with you partner

"Good grades and successful careers are two completely different things."

6. School Days
Work in pairs or in small groups. Discuss what subjects are or are not relevant to your
(future) career.

RELEVANT SUBJECTS IRRELEVANT SUBJECTS

7. What should schools teach?
Read what a mother says about her son's educational experiences. Then discuss the
questions that follow with your partner.

I was driving my twelve-year-old son to school today and thinking about

last weekend. We didn't do much since he spent hours on his computer working on an
assignment he had to hand in today. He was asked to write an additional chapter to
Gulliver's Travels. I found it so unreasonable that I started to reflect on his educational
experiences so far. Has he been learning useless things that he's probably going to
forget as soon as he stops being a student? Why don't schools rethink their curriculum
in order to include some major life skills? Here's a list of skills I think schools should
include in their programs:

1. How to say YES and NO at the right time and in the right way.
2. How to handle stress.
3. How to solve conflicts.
4. How to make decisions.
5. How to get along with co-workers.
6. How to protect yourself from drugs, violence and other harmful influences.
7. How to develop positive social skills.
8. How to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
9. How to increase your self-esteem and self-responsibility.
10. How to develop a lifetime enthusiasm for learning.

These subjects are not academic, but no one can deny their importance
to our children's lives. Unfortunatily, a bunch of well-intentioned teachers are forced to
focus on the curriculum and to rush through the year so that all the academic skills will
be covered, and what really counts is always left behind.

• What was the assignment her son was working on last weekend? Do you think
it's interesting? Why or why not?
• Why is she worried about her son's education?
Do you agree that schools should revise their curriculums? Why or why not?

8. Skills for self-improvement

What skills should schools teach in order to create more independent and better
individuals? Write them down.
UNIT 3

SLOW DOWN, PLEASE!

1. Fluency practice
Work in pairs or in small groups and discuss the following questions.

• Can you drive a car? If so, how old were you when you got your driver's
license?
• At what age can you get a driver's license in your country?
• Do you have a car? If not, would you like to have one? If so, which car would
you like to have? Why?
• Is car insurance expensive in your city? Do you think it's important to have
insurance?

2. Listening practice (Track 8)

Hannah is talking about driving. Listen and decide whether the statements below are
True (T) or False (F).

1. She loves driving at night. T/F

2. She never drives without wearing a seat belt. T/F
3. She never runs red lights. T/F
4. She usually talks on the cell phone while driving. T/F
5. She has never been in a car accident. T/F
6. She likes listening to music while driving. T/F
7. She can change a flat tire. T/F
8. She recently got a ticket for parking her car somewhere she shouldn't have. T / F
9. She always tries to obey the speed limit. T/F
10. She loves honking her horn. T/F

3. Speaking Practice
Work in pairs. Make a list of driving DOs and DON'Ts. Follow the examples.
You shouldn't drive without wearing a seat belt.
You should pay a lot of attention when passing someone.
You shouldn't talk on your cell phone while driving.

Grammar Booster
PARTICIPLE CLAUSES after CONJUNCTIONS and PREPOSITIONS
To avoid repeating the subject in a sentence, we can use participle clauses (verb + ing)
after many conjunctions and prepositions. Examples:

She likes listening to music while she drives.

=
She likes listening to music while driving.

She never drives when she is not wearing seat belt.

=
She never drives without wearing a seat belt.

4. Fluency Practice
Work in pairs. Discuss the opinions below with your partner. Which gender is better on
the roads? To what extent do you agree or disagree with the opinions?

"I believe women drivers are more careful than men drivers and so they have fewer
accidents. I think men are more aggressive drivers. They speed more and take more
risks. Male drivers also seem to need to react negatively to female drivers." Christine,
23, U.K.

"Come on! Women are only better drivers when they are in the passenger seat! Women
lack the confidence that men have. And with less confidence, how can they be better
drivers?" Tom, 19, U.S.A.

"Having narrowly missed being knocked off my motorcycle by both male and female
drivers I would say that there is still room for improvement in both." Josh, 27, U.S.A.

"Facts show that women have fewer accidents than men. This makes them safer on the
road. End of story. Men seem to claim the road as theirs and take great offense at the
knowledge that women drive better. It's quite funny really. You are not the 'King of the
Road', so just live with it." Sarah, 21, U.K.

"With men it's a 'proud thing'. Take parking for example. If a woman tries to get into a
tricky spot and can't, then she's just a typically bad woman driver, but if a man does
the same thing, then it's "too bad, that was a tricky space to get into". Society should
be less chauvinist." Justine, 56, France

"I have seen women cutting off as many people as men, and I also saw a woman
almost drive up on the sidewalk because she was yakking on a mobile phone. So
women aren't better than men. But men aren't better than women. I've seen terrible
men drivers too! There is only one distinction and that is good drivers and bad drivers.
We all fall into one of those categories." Hiro, 35, Japan
 Grammar Booster
Comparatives LESS and FEWER
We use less before uncountable nouns and adjectives (plus than after them) as the
comparative of little. Examples:
• In my opinion, men have have less patience with slow drivers than women.
• I think women are less aggressive than men when driving.

We use fewer before countable nouns (plus than after them) as the comparative of
few. Example:
• As far as I'm concerned, women have fewer accidents than men.

5. GAME
Work in pairs. Form sentences using either less or fewer. The student who makes the
most correct sentences at the end of the game wins. Follow the examples.

Female truck There are fewer female truck drivers than male ones. careful
drivers Male drivers are less careful than female ones.

dangerous passengers

planes expensive

fast seats

accessories polluted

economical bicycles

comfortable accidents

6. Listening Practice (Track 9)

A few people are taking driving lessons. Listen to their instructor and check the traffic
signs mentioned. Number them 1 to 5.
7. Speaking practice
a. These are traffic signs from different places around the world. Match them with
their meanings.

( ) You can't honk.

( ) You can drive both directions on this street.
( ) You can reach 100 kilometers per hour.
( ) You can't enter.
( ) You can't park.
( ) You can make a U-turn.

b. Work in pairs and compare your answers. Follow the example.

Student A: What does the first sign mean?
Student B: It means that you you're not allowed to enter.

Grammar Booster
ALLOWED TO
We use allowed to talk about permission, regulations and laws. Examples:
You are allowed to drive both directions.
You're not allowed to turn left.

8. Fluency practice
Work in pairs. Talk about the regulations in your country. Do you consider any of them
unfair?

• In your opinion, at what age should people be allowed to get a driver's license?
Why?
• Should voting be compulsory? Why or why not?
• At what age do people start voting in your country? Do you agree with that?
• Should joining the army be mandatory? Should women also be forced to serve
the army?
• At what age are people allowed to start working formally in your country?
9. Language in context (Track 10)
Oliver is at a car rental agency. He wants to rent a car for three days. Follow the
conversation as you listen.

Agent: Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?

Oliver: Hi. I'd like to rent a car for three days.
Agent: What kind of car would you like?
Oliver: I was thinking of a midsize car.
Agent: Let me check. I'm afraid we don't have any. But we have a couple of compact
cars available. How many people are with you?
Oliver: It's just me and my wife.
Agent: The compact car would work fine. It's comfortable and it can hold all your
luggage. Besides, this type of car causes less pollution than midsize ones.
Oliver: And what's the daily rate for that?
Agent: Let's see. It'll come to twenty-seven ninety a day.
Oliver: Wow! A little expensive. What's the cost for mileage?
Agent: Our cars have unlimited miles. That doesn't include gas, of course. You have to
return the car with a full tank of gas.
Oliver: What about insurance?
Agent: The insurance is twenty dollars more, but I really recommend it.

10. Listening practice (Track 10)

a. Jeff wants to rent an economy car that pollutes as little as possible. He's now calling
a car rental agency. Listen and fill in the blanks with the missing information.

A B C
Type of car: Type of car: Type of car:
hybrid luxury subcompact

Mileage: Mileage: Mileage:

Daily rate: Daily rate: Daily rate:

Daily insurance: Daily insurance: Daily insurance:

Features: Features: Features:

power windows _____________ _____________
_____________ seats five to six people seats four people
and cruise control _____________ ____________
11. Fluency practice
Work in groups of three and act

Student A Student B
You are a car rental agent and have You and a friend are on vacation in
four cars available at the moment. Talk Montreal. You are at a car rental
to two customers, Student B and C. Ask agency and want to rent a car that is
for their needs and decide on the best environmentally-friendly, economic
option for them. and that has hydraulic steering.

Language Booster

Customer Agent
 I'd like a minivan for three days.  What kind of car are you
 Do you have any rentals with interested in?
unlimited mileage?  I recommend a midsize car. It's
 Do you have a special weekend a very comfortable, fully
rate? equipped and environmentally-
 How much is it per day? friendly car.
 Does that include insurance?  How many people are there?
 Does it have air conditioning?  Our rates are the lowest in
town.
 The first two hundred miles are
free, after that, it's ten cents per
mile.
12. Fluency Practice

Work in pairs or in small groups and discuss the following questions.

• How do you commute?

• Do you think the way you commute affetcs the environment in a negative way?
• Do you consider yourself a green person? Why or why not?
• Do you recycle? If so, what kinds of materials do you recycle most?
• Do you know how long it takes different materials like plastic bags and soda
cans to decompose?

13. Language in context

Ben and Kate rented a car and have started their trip. Follow the conversation as you
listen.

Ben: Kate, do you know where the trash bag is?

Kate: There's no trash bag in this car. Hey! What do you think you are doing? Don't you
dare throw that can out of the window!
Ben: Why not?
Kate: Have you ever heard about preserving the environment?
Ben: But a single can can't cause much harm, can't it?
Kate: Do you know how long it takes to aluminum cans to decompose?
Ben: No, I don't.
Kate: From 200 to 500 years.
Ben: Really? So, can you tell me where I can throw away this can?
Kate: Give it to me and I'll find a way to recycle it.

14. Listening Practice (Track 13)

a. Work in pairs. Which of the items below do you think can be recycled?

b. Listen to two friends talking about recycling and check your answers.
15. Speaking Practice

Work in pairs. Ask and answer about the things below. Follow the example.

Student A: Could you tell me how much water a leaking tap wastes per day?
Student B: Yes, A leaking tap wastes around 46 liters of water per day.

a leaking tap a plastic bag old cell phone batteries

around a million years deliver them to the

Around 46 liters per day
to decompose manufacturer

a cigarette butt Tietê River

from two to five years to decompose

most polluted river in the city of São
Paulo
16. GAME

Play this game in pairs or groups of three. The first student to reach FINISH wins.

• START

• What's the most beautiful park in your city?

• Where can I find a recycling center?

• How much is a hybrid car?

• GO BACK TO START

• What's the fastest car in the world?

• Where is the nearest gas station?

• What's the most polluted city in the world?

• MOVE FORWARD TWO SQUARES

• How much is a cell phone battery?

• How many diapers does a child wear a day?

• What can I do to save water?

• What do you do to help the environment?

• MISS A TURN

• What's the biggest park in your town?

• Where can I buy recycled paper?

• How do you commute to work?

• What can I do to save energy?

• Where can I rent a car?

• FINISH
17. Reading practice
a. Work in pairs. Discuss what a good driver should be like.
b. Now read the rules below and do the activity that follows.

FIVE BASIC DEFENSIVE DRIVING RULES

1. Most 2. By 3. Before 4. Make 5. Driving

collisions wearing starting the sure you at a higher
involve this car, take a are able to than
distraction significant look drive reasonable
on the part safety around and safety. speed cuts
of one or device, make sure Don't drive your
both you're everything when you reaction
drivers. protected is in a safe drink time, and
Next time from place. alcohol, can result
you drive, impact When you when you in a ticket
try since it stop the are sleepy or worse, a
concentrati absorbs vehicle, or tired, or fatal
ng on the much of loose when you accident.
driving the force objects will take Obey the
task. Don't of the travel at medication speed limit
do crash. the speed s that wherever
anything Besides the vehicle might you go.
that might that, it was affect your
distract keeps you originally reflexes.
you such as from being going, until
eating, thrown out they hit
smoking or of the something
using your vehicle. or
cell phone. someone.
So, to
avoid
accidents,
store your
things in
appropriat
e places
such as the
glove
compartm
ent or the
trunk.
 Match each phrase below with a corresponding rule:
( ) Pay attention!
( ) Don't speed!
( ) Don't drive impaired!
( ) Wear your seat belt!
( ) Secure loose objects!

c. Discuss the following questions with your partner.

• Do you know people who refuse to wear a seat belt? Why do they do that?
• Why do you think some people refuse to let another person drive their cars
even if they are impaired?
• Would you support the idea of riding bikes instead of driving cars to help stop
air pollution? Why or why not?

LEARNING TIP
Take responsibility for your learning. Talk to your teacher about your performance and
about any difficulties you might be having with the material. Also, set a study program
that fulfills your needs. Your learning success depends on a responsible attitude.