. Remember classes finish on the 20th May (that is, next Wednesday)
On our last week, we'll practice the different parts of the final, official exam.
. Remember to get a time for the oral exam (either coming to class or contacting me).
. Check the dates and room of the final exam on the web (www.xtec.net/eoitarragona)
. Remember to bring your ID card with you, both in the written and oral exams.
. And Good luck to you all!!
Thursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Homework - 13th May
- Use of English practice (to be corrected in class)
- Choose one of the following tasks and write a composition:
a. Describe a memorable day you had in the past with particular attention to your feelings and emotions at the time.
b. Working at weekends will become normal for every profession. Discuss the topic. Discuss points for and against this statement.
- Choose one of the following tasks and write a composition:
a. Describe a memorable day you had in the past with particular attention to your feelings and emotions at the time.
b. Working at weekends will become normal for every profession. Discuss the topic. Discuss points for and against this statement.
Unit 9. Vision
- Dependent prepositions (Grammar p. 119)
Verb + preposition: range from, work on, attribute to, hope for, succeed in, improve on, specialise in
Verb + object + preposition: draw inspiration from, make contributions to, devote your life to, make observations about
Noun + preposition: in the fields of, ideas for / of, development of, a solution to, admiration for, the quality of
Adjective + preposition: be famous for, be immersed inbe obsessed with
Prepositional Phrases: in a time of, on one occasion, of all time, in later life, in recognitions of
Activities: Exercises 6 & 7 p. 119; worksheet
- Unreal Past (Grammar p. 125)
Wish / if only + past simple (present reference) / + past perfect (past reference)
example: I wish I had studied more.
It's high time... / It's about time... + past simple: to express something that should be happening now but isn't
example: It's high time you went to bed.
Would rather / Would sooner + infinitive (if the person is the same) / + past simple (if the person is different)
example: My sister would rather stay home than go to school (same person).
People would rahter you came to the party (different person).
What if / Suppose / Supposing + past tenses (to refer to present or future).
example: What if you took the job, would you be happier?
What if / Suppose / Supposing + past perfect (to refer to a past situation).
example: What if you had taken the job, would you be happier?
What if / Suppose / Supposing + present simple (to ask about a situation we think is probable)
example: What if you don't pass your exam?
Activities: Exercices 8 & 9 p. 125; oral activity in pairs
Verb + preposition: range from, work on, attribute to, hope for, succeed in, improve on, specialise in
Verb + object + preposition: draw inspiration from, make contributions to, devote your life to, make observations about
Noun + preposition: in the fields of, ideas for / of, development of, a solution to, admiration for, the quality of
Adjective + preposition: be famous for, be immersed inbe obsessed with
Prepositional Phrases: in a time of, on one occasion, of all time, in later life, in recognitions of
Activities: Exercises 6 & 7 p. 119; worksheet
- Unreal Past (Grammar p. 125)
Wish / if only + past simple (present reference) / + past perfect (past reference)
example: I wish I had studied more.
It's high time... / It's about time... + past simple: to express something that should be happening now but isn't
example: It's high time you went to bed.
Would rather / Would sooner + infinitive (if the person is the same) / + past simple (if the person is different)
example: My sister would rather stay home than go to school (same person).
People would rahter you came to the party (different person).
What if / Suppose / Supposing + past tenses (to refer to present or future).
example: What if you took the job, would you be happier?
What if / Suppose / Supposing + past perfect (to refer to a past situation).
example: What if you had taken the job, would you be happier?
What if / Suppose / Supposing + present simple (to ask about a situation we think is probable)
example: What if you don't pass your exam?
Activities: Exercices 8 & 9 p. 125; oral activity in pairs
Sunday, May 3
Friday, April 24
Homework - Unit 8
- Worksheet: fronting & cause and effect expressions
- Writing mock (to do at home in 90 minutes)
- Reading & Grammar exam practice
- Revision pack - Units 6 to 10
- Writing mock (to do at home in 90 minutes)
- Reading & Grammar exam practice
- Revision pack - Units 6 to 10
Thursday, April 23
Unit 8. Issues
- Vocabulary: a better future (p. 104)
Useful expressions: it does more harm than good; it's a waste of space; it's overrated; it's been disastrous for humanity; it's underrated; it's indispensable; it's been a force for good; it's a lifesaver.
- Grammar: Reporting verbs (p. 105)
Check summary & worksheet (very useful!)
Activities: ex. 6, p. 105 / Worksheet
- Grammar: Fronting (p. 111)
. Object, verb or adverb are moved to the front of the sentence in order to emphasise what we want to say or to make our point clear.
. Examples:
What I wanted to tell you is that I am going to move to another place.
Why you said that, I can't understand.
Tired as I felt, I did all my homework.
Intelligent though she may seem, she has failed all her exams.
. Fronting phrases:
the trouble is...; the question is...; the fact of the matter is...; the fact remains...
- Vocabulary: cause & effect (p. 112)
Useful expressions: a major source, a cause of, to have its origins in, to have far-reaching implications, to have its roots in, to stem from
Useful expressions: it does more harm than good; it's a waste of space; it's overrated; it's been disastrous for humanity; it's underrated; it's indispensable; it's been a force for good; it's a lifesaver.
- Grammar: Reporting verbs (p. 105)
Check summary & worksheet (very useful!)
Activities: ex. 6, p. 105 / Worksheet
- Grammar: Fronting (p. 111)
. Object, verb or adverb are moved to the front of the sentence in order to emphasise what we want to say or to make our point clear.
. Examples:
What I wanted to tell you is that I am going to move to another place.
Why you said that, I can't understand.
Tired as I felt, I did all my homework.
Intelligent though she may seem, she has failed all her exams.
. Fronting phrases:
the trouble is...; the question is...; the fact of the matter is...; the fact remains...
- Vocabulary: cause & effect (p. 112)
Useful expressions: a major source, a cause of, to have its origins in, to have far-reaching implications, to have its roots in, to stem from
Thursday, April 16
Oral Mock exam - 27th & 29th April (Important)
Please, check date and time for the Oral Mock when you come to class. (Some assigned hours have been redistributed.)
Remember: you must be there ten minutes before your assigned time and take an identifying card with you
Remember: you must be there ten minutes before your assigned time and take an identifying card with you
Homework - 6.3
- Worksheet on linking words and expressions & describing vocabulary
- Composition (deadline 22nd April)
Write a narrative which contains the sentence: I remember those famous last words "Don't worry darling, tonight will be unforgettable"
Proposed Narrative structure:
. Introduction: state when, where, who, what happened, etc.
. Body: develope story
. Conclusion: resolution of story; moraleia; conclusion
- Composition (deadline 22nd April)
Write a narrative which contains the sentence: I remember those famous last words "Don't worry darling, tonight will be unforgettable"
Proposed Narrative structure:
. Introduction: state when, where, who, what happened, etc.
. Body: develope story
. Conclusion: resolution of story; moraleia; conclusion
6.3. Charisma
- Vocabulary: personal characteristics (p. 84)
Check the opposite expressions for the following adjectives: charismatic, inspirational, dignified, aloof, idealistic, tireless, trustworthy, resolute
- Idioms (& parts of the body) (p. 85)
Useful expressions: have one's hand full, to be an old hand, to be landed on one's feet, to be rushed off one's feet, to get a good hand for business, to have one's interests at heart, to face the music
Check the opposite expressions for the following adjectives: charismatic, inspirational, dignified, aloof, idealistic, tireless, trustworthy, resolute
- Idioms (& parts of the body) (p. 85)
Useful expressions: have one's hand full, to be an old hand, to be landed on one's feet, to be rushed off one's feet, to get a good hand for business, to have one's interests at heart, to face the music
Wednesday, April 15
6.3. Linking words and expressions
Time clauses
While, whilst, when, as : to express things that happen at the same time
Hardly + when; on + -ing verb; no sooner + than: to express things that happen immediately after the previous action
by which time; at which point: to express things that happen when other longer actions are finishing/have finished
Examples:
As the plane took off, she felt free.
On hearing of the crash, he ran straight to the hospital.
Hardly had she arrived home, when her child finished her homework.
Adding a point
As well as the obvious dangers, there was the weather to be considered.
In addition to the obvious dangers, there was the weather to be considered.
Not only were there the obvious dangers, but there was also the weather to be considered.
Developing a point
Besides / Furthermore / In addition / Moreover / What’s more / On top of that / To make matters worse, smoking has been directly linked to lung cancer.
Contrast
- Sentence. However / nevertheless / all the same, sentence
The identity of the attacker is known to the police. However, no name has been released.
The identity of the attacker is known to the police. No name, however, has been released.
-Although / Though / Even though / While / Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that sentence, sentence
Although the identity of the attacker is known by the police, no name has been released.
Remember: In spite of / Despite can also be followed by a noun or –ing verb.
In spite of the rain, we played tennis.
In spite of raining, we played tennis.
- Adjective / adverb + as / though + subject + verb (to emphasise contrast)
Much as I like television, even I can’t watch form more than three or four hours.
Hard though we tried to finish our work on time, it was not possible.
Other
- The identity of the attacker is known to the police. A name has none the less / still not been released.
-No, I didn’t say the President got it wrong. On the contrary, I think he’s handled the affair superbly.
-I prefer city life as opposed to country life.
-I prefer city life, whereas Sally prefers county life.
-Donahue established his reputation as a novelist. In contrast, his new book is a non-fiction work.
Explaining reasons
John has decided not to buy a new car. As a result / Accordingly / Thus / Hence / Consequently / For that reason, he will be able to go on holidays.
The employers have promised to investigate these complaints, and we in turn have agreed to end the strike.
Making generalisations
Broadly speaking, generally speaking, on the whole, by and large, to a large extent, this has been an encouraging year for the company.
Starting
For a start / First of all / In the first place / For one thing, I don’t agree with the government’s policy.
Giving new information
She then turned to Henry, who incidentally / by the way is now about two metres tall, and said…
By the way / Incidentally, do you remember the pub we used to go to as teenagers? …
Concession
Smith is a man of great personal integrity. Having said so / Even so / All the same, I don’t think he’d make a good chairman.
Activities: exercise 6, p. 83 / worksheet
While, whilst, when, as : to express things that happen at the same time
Hardly + when; on + -ing verb; no sooner + than: to express things that happen immediately after the previous action
by which time; at which point: to express things that happen when other longer actions are finishing/have finished
Examples:
As the plane took off, she felt free.
On hearing of the crash, he ran straight to the hospital.
Hardly had she arrived home, when her child finished her homework.
Adding a point
As well as the obvious dangers, there was the weather to be considered.
In addition to the obvious dangers, there was the weather to be considered.
Not only were there the obvious dangers, but there was also the weather to be considered.
Developing a point
Besides / Furthermore / In addition / Moreover / What’s more / On top of that / To make matters worse, smoking has been directly linked to lung cancer.
Contrast
- Sentence. However / nevertheless / all the same, sentence
The identity of the attacker is known to the police. However, no name has been released.
The identity of the attacker is known to the police. No name, however, has been released.
-Although / Though / Even though / While / Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that sentence, sentence
Although the identity of the attacker is known by the police, no name has been released.
Remember: In spite of / Despite can also be followed by a noun or –ing verb.
In spite of the rain, we played tennis.
In spite of raining, we played tennis.
- Adjective / adverb + as / though + subject + verb (to emphasise contrast)
Much as I like television, even I can’t watch form more than three or four hours.
Hard though we tried to finish our work on time, it was not possible.
Other
- The identity of the attacker is known to the police. A name has none the less / still not been released.
-No, I didn’t say the President got it wrong. On the contrary, I think he’s handled the affair superbly.
-I prefer city life as opposed to country life.
-I prefer city life, whereas Sally prefers county life.
-Donahue established his reputation as a novelist. In contrast, his new book is a non-fiction work.
Explaining reasons
John has decided not to buy a new car. As a result / Accordingly / Thus / Hence / Consequently / For that reason, he will be able to go on holidays.
The employers have promised to investigate these complaints, and we in turn have agreed to end the strike.
Making generalisations
Broadly speaking, generally speaking, on the whole, by and large, to a large extent, this has been an encouraging year for the company.
Starting
For a start / First of all / In the first place / For one thing, I don’t agree with the government’s policy.
Giving new information
She then turned to Henry, who incidentally / by the way is now about two metres tall, and said…
By the way / Incidentally, do you remember the pub we used to go to as teenagers? …
Concession
Smith is a man of great personal integrity. Having said so / Even so / All the same, I don’t think he’d make a good chairman.
Activities: exercise 6, p. 83 / worksheet
Wednesday, April 1
6.2. Kid power
- Listening & Speaking (p. 79)
- Vocabulary: Fashion & Fads (p. 79)
Useful expressions: be in; kick off, home in on the new; catch on; come about; come up; keep up with
- Grammar: whatever, whoever, whenever (p. 80)
. work as conjunctions; so they join two sentences.
. meaning = don't know what your are doing; doesn't make any difference; don't care
Activities p. 81 (9, 10, 12)
- Vocabulary: Fashion & Fads (p. 79)
Useful expressions: be in; kick off, home in on the new; catch on; come about; come up; keep up with
- Grammar: whatever, whoever, whenever (p. 80)
. work as conjunctions; so they join two sentences.
. meaning = don't know what your are doing; doesn't make any difference; don't care
Activities p. 81 (9, 10, 12)
Unit 6. Power
- Check homework
- Oral activity in pairs and groups: Summary and comment on Catalonia Today's news
- Power: Vocabulary (p. 75)
Useful expressions: have power over; in a position of power; economic power; special powers; come to power; hold the power
- Oral activity in pairs and groups: Summary and comment on Catalonia Today's news
- Power: Vocabulary (p. 75)
Useful expressions: have power over; in a position of power; economic power; special powers; come to power; hold the power
Thursday, March 26
Oral Mock exam - 27th & 29th April
Please, check date and time for the Oral Mock when you come to class.
Unit 6. Power
- Useful vocabulary related to power (check worksheet!)
- Grammar: Articles (p. 77 & Handout with exercises)
- Homework: Multiple choice grammar and vocabulary worksheet
- Grammar: Articles (p. 77 & Handout with exercises)
- Homework: Multiple choice grammar and vocabulary worksheet
Unit 5. Progress
- Check worksheet revision on sentence adverbials & conditionals (check with a partner if you couldn't come to class!)
- Listening p. 70: "A Recruitment Agency"
- Vocabulary: expressing quantity p. 70
Useful expressions: a little bit more, a great deal of, plenty of, not much of, an awful lot of, the vast majority, quite a few, a handful of
- Listening p. 70: "A Recruitment Agency"
- Vocabulary: expressing quantity p. 70
Useful expressions: a little bit more, a great deal of, plenty of, not much of, an awful lot of, the vast majority, quite a few, a handful of
Wednesday, March 25
Unit 5. Composition (Deadline 30th March)
- Choose one of the topics in p. 69 (exercise 8) and write a discursive essay exposing your points on the issue. (Remember to use the adverbial phrases checked over this unit!)
Proposed structure:
Introduction - Expose the state of the question
Main Body (2 paragraphs) - Reasons why you believe it to be a good idea or not
Conclusion - Conclude your exposition in a few words
Proposed structure:
Introduction - Expose the state of the question
Main Body (2 paragraphs) - Reasons why you believe it to be a good idea or not
Conclusion - Conclude your exposition in a few words
Unit 5. Fortunes
- Grammar revision: worksheet
- Video Listening: “Business Venture”
- Grammar: Sentence adverbials p. 69
. Adverbials show the speaker’s attitude and feelings:
Basic ideas: fundamentally, essentially
Unexpected points: surprisingly enough, believe it or not
Generalisations: by and large, broadly speaking
How something appears: seemingly, apparently
Contrast: however, on the other hand
Reflection on the past: looking back, with hindsight
Partial agreement: to a certain extent, up to a point
Activities: exercise 7, p. 69; Worksheet (as homework)
- Vocabulary: Money idioms (p. 71)
to be a bargain = to be dirt chip
to cost a fortune
to be worth a fortune = to be rolling in it
to be able to live on = not to be well off
to be a bit hard up
to be broke = to be skint = to be on the red
to cost an arm and a leg
to go halves = to split the bill
to treat oneself to something
- Video Listening: “Business Venture”
- Grammar: Sentence adverbials p. 69
. Adverbials show the speaker’s attitude and feelings:
Basic ideas: fundamentally, essentially
Unexpected points: surprisingly enough, believe it or not
Generalisations: by and large, broadly speaking
How something appears: seemingly, apparently
Contrast: however, on the other hand
Reflection on the past: looking back, with hindsight
Partial agreement: to a certain extent, up to a point
Activities: exercise 7, p. 69; Worksheet (as homework)
- Vocabulary: Money idioms (p. 71)
to be a bargain = to be dirt chip
to cost a fortune
to be worth a fortune = to be rolling in it
to be able to live on = not to be well off
to be a bit hard up
to be broke = to be skint = to be on the red
to cost an arm and a leg
to go halves = to split the bill
to treat oneself to something
Monday, March 16
Homework - review & check unit 4
- Exercises 2-5 from the Review & Check (p. 60). Useful to practice and revise grammatical structures and vocabulary!
Friday, March 13
Homework - Unit 5 (Deadline 18-03-09)
- Worksheet: Conditionals review
- Grammar & Reading (past mock exam)
- Writing: Formal letter. Choose one of the following options and write a formal letter (or both!!):
. You went on holiday and stayed in a four star hotel. However, neither the service nor the staff you received were up to the standards. Write a letter of complaint to the manager explaining the problems you had and requesting compensation.
. You have decided to apply for a post as marketing manager of an important company in their new office in Edinburgh.
- Grammar & Reading (past mock exam)
- Writing: Formal letter. Choose one of the following options and write a formal letter (or both!!):
. You went on holiday and stayed in a four star hotel. However, neither the service nor the staff you received were up to the standards. Write a letter of complaint to the manager explaining the problems you had and requesting compensation.
. You have decided to apply for a post as marketing manager of an important company in their new office in Edinburgh.
Letters of Complaint / Letters of Application
Letters of complaint
. Structure
- Introduction: state reasons for writing
- Main body: State complaint with justification / Suggest what should be done
- Conclusion: closing remarks
. Examples:
- Mild complaint:
I am writing to complain about a factual error in yesterday’s newspaper.
I hope that you will give this matter your prompt attention.
- Strong complaint:
I am writing to express my strong disapproval concerning the offensive behaviour of an employee at your company’s Winchester Road branch.
I demand a full, written apology or I will be forced to take legal action.
. Useful Language:
- To begin letters:
I am writing to complain about/ draw your attention to (the problem of)…
I am writing to express my disappointment / dissatisfaction with…
I am writing to express my annoyance / extreme dissatisfaction with / protest about
I regret to / feel I must inform you how appalled / shocked I was…
- To end letters:
I hope this matter will be dealt with / resolved as soon as possible.
I trust this matter will receive immediate attention.
I hope this matter will not be treated lightly.
I feel that you should … / I am entitled to compensation / a refund / a replacement.
Letters of application
. Structure
- Introduction: state reasons for writing
- Main body: education & qualifications; previous experience; personal qualitites; suitability
- Conclusion: closing remarks
. Useful language
- To begin letters:
I am writing to apply for the post/position of…advertised in yesterday’s…
I am writing in connection with/with regard to the vacancy in your Sales Department as advertised in…
- To end letters:
I enclose / Please find enclosed my CV / references from…
I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience/as soon as possible.
I would be available for an interview at any time…
Please contact me should you have any further questions/queries
- Experience / Qualifications:
I am currently/ At present I am employed / working as…
During this time, I held the position of…/ was responsible for…/my duties included
I have received training in…/ completed an apprenticeship…
My qualifications include…/ I am presently studying/attending a course…
I am due to take my final examination in June….
I have/hold/obtained/was awarded a degree/certificate in…
I have successfully complete a course… at (place)
. Structure
- Introduction: state reasons for writing
- Main body: State complaint with justification / Suggest what should be done
- Conclusion: closing remarks
. Examples:
- Mild complaint:
I am writing to complain about a factual error in yesterday’s newspaper.
I hope that you will give this matter your prompt attention.
- Strong complaint:
I am writing to express my strong disapproval concerning the offensive behaviour of an employee at your company’s Winchester Road branch.
I demand a full, written apology or I will be forced to take legal action.
. Useful Language:
- To begin letters:
I am writing to complain about/ draw your attention to (the problem of)…
I am writing to express my disappointment / dissatisfaction with…
I am writing to express my annoyance / extreme dissatisfaction with / protest about
I regret to / feel I must inform you how appalled / shocked I was…
- To end letters:
I hope this matter will be dealt with / resolved as soon as possible.
I trust this matter will receive immediate attention.
I hope this matter will not be treated lightly.
I feel that you should … / I am entitled to compensation / a refund / a replacement.
Letters of application
. Structure
- Introduction: state reasons for writing
- Main body: education & qualifications; previous experience; personal qualitites; suitability
- Conclusion: closing remarks
. Useful language
- To begin letters:
I am writing to apply for the post/position of…advertised in yesterday’s…
I am writing in connection with/with regard to the vacancy in your Sales Department as advertised in…
- To end letters:
I enclose / Please find enclosed my CV / references from…
I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience/as soon as possible.
I would be available for an interview at any time…
Please contact me should you have any further questions/queries
- Experience / Qualifications:
I am currently/ At present I am employed / working as…
During this time, I held the position of…/ was responsible for…/my duties included
I have received training in…/ completed an apprenticeship…
My qualifications include…/ I am presently studying/attending a course…
I am due to take my final examination in June….
I have/hold/obtained/was awarded a degree/certificate in…
I have successfully complete a course… at (place)
Unit 5. Fortunes (continuation)
- Grammar: Conditional review
. Mixed conditional: If + past perfect + would/could/may/might/should
To express a hypothetical present result in a past action
If we hadn’t answered the phone, we wouldn’t be here now.
. Instead of if, we can use
a) Happen to / Should happen to can be used with First Conditional sentences to emphasise that something is unlikely to occur.
b) Provided that / as long as to show that specific conditions should be met for something to happen.
c) Supposing to emphasise the imaginary, in informal speech.
d) If it hadn’t been for to express how a negative result would have occurred without a certain person or event happening.
e) If you will / would can be used as a polite form.
d) Should you is used in formal business communication.
. I wish / If only: to express hope and regret respectively
a) To talk about the present: I wish / If only + past simple
I wish I passed the exam with a good mark.
b) To talk about the past: I wish / If only + past perfect
If only I had studied harder.
- Listening: “Starting up a business” (p. 64)
. Mixed conditional: If + past perfect + would/could/may/might/should
To express a hypothetical present result in a past action
If we hadn’t answered the phone, we wouldn’t be here now.
. Instead of if, we can use
a) Happen to / Should happen to can be used with First Conditional sentences to emphasise that something is unlikely to occur.
b) Provided that / as long as to show that specific conditions should be met for something to happen.
c) Supposing to emphasise the imaginary, in informal speech.
d) If it hadn’t been for to express how a negative result would have occurred without a certain person or event happening.
e) If you will / would can be used as a polite form.
d) Should you is used in formal business communication.
. I wish / If only: to express hope and regret respectively
a) To talk about the present: I wish / If only + past simple
I wish I passed the exam with a good mark.
b) To talk about the past: I wish / If only + past perfect
If only I had studied harder.
- Listening: “Starting up a business” (p. 64)
5. Fortunes
- Vocabulary: Fortunes (p. 61)
Useful expressions: come into a fortune, haggle, the stock market, ask for a rise, high-income, pay on commission, go bankrupt.
- Grammar: emphasis (p. 63)
. Emphasis can be expressed by adding certain words:
own: He cooks his own bread.
very / indeed: She’s the best in the class, indeed.
in the least bit / at all: Keith wasn’t annoyed with us in the least bit.
actually / by no means / even: He didn’t even stop at the red light.
. Cleft sentences:
The reason why we left the party early is…
The thing that most annoys me about it is …
The person who I most admire is…
. It clauses:
It was Simon who asked…
. What clauses:
What you need is a cup of coffee
- Activities to practice inversion:
. ex. 7; p. 63
. oral activity in pairs
- Video Listening: “Progress” (news from CNN and ABC)
Useful expressions: come into a fortune, haggle, the stock market, ask for a rise, high-income, pay on commission, go bankrupt.
- Grammar: emphasis (p. 63)
. Emphasis can be expressed by adding certain words:
own: He cooks his own bread.
very / indeed: She’s the best in the class, indeed.
in the least bit / at all: Keith wasn’t annoyed with us in the least bit.
actually / by no means / even: He didn’t even stop at the red light.
. Cleft sentences:
The reason why we left the party early is…
The thing that most annoys me about it is …
The person who I most admire is…
. It clauses:
It was Simon who asked…
. What clauses:
What you need is a cup of coffee
- Activities to practice inversion:
. ex. 7; p. 63
. oral activity in pairs
- Video Listening: “Progress” (news from CNN and ABC)
Thursday, March 5
Unit 4. Progress (continuation)
- Grammar: Inversion (p.55)
. It is used to... emphasise the adverbial phrase in a sentence/ add variety to a text/ mainly in formal contexts.
. It is set at the start of a sentence followed by auxiliary verb + subject + infinitive:
He arrived and we left immediately – No sooner did he arrive than we left.
. Used with:
1. Negative adverbials - sentences with 'no' / 'not'
Not only does he play the guitar, but also the violin.
Not once has the child cried while being in the park.
Not until I go home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella.
On no condition are they to open fire without a warning.
Under no circumstances is he leaving the children alone.
No way am I going to sing in public (informal speech). / In no way am I going to sind in public.
2. Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
Never has he told me to go round his house.
Rarely has a minister been faced with such a problem.
Seldom has the team given a worse performance.
3. Time expressions: hardly, scarcely, no sooner
Hardly had the train left the station, when there was an explosion.
Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
No sooner had I reached the door than I realised it was locked.
4. Only after, only when, only then
Only after posting the letter did I remember that I had forgotten to put on a stamp.
5. Little
Little does the government appreciate what the results will be.
6. So / Such
So devastating were the floods that some areas may never recover.
Such was the force of the storm that the trees were uprooted.
- Activities to practice inversion:
. worksheet (to be finished on Monday)
. oral practice in pairs
. activity 8, p. 55
- Listening: taking notes "Gifted children" (p. 56)
. It is used to... emphasise the adverbial phrase in a sentence/ add variety to a text/ mainly in formal contexts.
. It is set at the start of a sentence followed by auxiliary verb + subject + infinitive:
He arrived and we left immediately – No sooner did he arrive than we left.
. Used with:
1. Negative adverbials - sentences with 'no' / 'not'
Not only does he play the guitar, but also the violin.
Not once has the child cried while being in the park.
Not until I go home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella.
On no condition are they to open fire without a warning.
Under no circumstances is he leaving the children alone.
No way am I going to sing in public (informal speech). / In no way am I going to sind in public.
2. Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
Never has he told me to go round his house.
Rarely has a minister been faced with such a problem.
Seldom has the team given a worse performance.
3. Time expressions: hardly, scarcely, no sooner
Hardly had the train left the station, when there was an explosion.
Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
No sooner had I reached the door than I realised it was locked.
4. Only after, only when, only then
Only after posting the letter did I remember that I had forgotten to put on a stamp.
5. Little
Little does the government appreciate what the results will be.
6. So / Such
So devastating were the floods that some areas may never recover.
Such was the force of the storm that the trees were uprooted.
- Activities to practice inversion:
. worksheet (to be finished on Monday)
. oral practice in pairs
. activity 8, p. 55
- Listening: taking notes "Gifted children" (p. 56)
Unit 4. Progress (continuation)
- Grammar: future forms (p. 52)
. revision: ex. 7
. oral activities in groups: personal contract / future predictions
- Vocabulary: two-part expressions (p.57)
Check the following expressions and try to memorise them (useful!):
law and order, facts and figures, trial and error, rules and regulations, aches and pains, tried and tested, out and about, by and large, once and for all, now and again, ready and waiting, sick and tired
- Video listening (not in book): "Barbie vs. Bratz" & "London 2010"
. revision: ex. 7
. oral activities in groups: personal contract / future predictions
- Vocabulary: two-part expressions (p.57)
Check the following expressions and try to memorise them (useful!):
law and order, facts and figures, trial and error, rules and regulations, aches and pains, tried and tested, out and about, by and large, once and for all, now and again, ready and waiting, sick and tired
- Video listening (not in book): "Barbie vs. Bratz" & "London 2010"
Friday, February 27
Unit 4. Progress
- Vocabulary (p. 47)
Check on the following expressions: network, cell, crash a system, organ, hacker, skin tissue, gene, test tube, software, strain, microchip, mission, firewall, orbit, shuttle, launch, up-to-date, computer nerd, technophobe.
- Future probability (structures) p. 50
Sure to happen: it almost definitely will.../ he will presumably.../ they are bound to...
Likely to happen: the chances are that... / I will probably... / there's a strong possibility that.../ he may / might well...
Unlikely to happen: I doubt whether.../ there's a slight possibility that.../ it probably won't... / the odds are against
Impossible: you haven't a hope of.../ it's inconceivable that... / he stands no chance of.../ you don't a chance of...
Check activities 6 & 7
- Listening p. 50
- Will for predictions & assumptions: verb patterns
. will + inf.: The developments of computers will continue until they are more intelligent than humans.
. will + continuous: In a hundred years' time we will be producing babies outside the womb.
. will + perfect: By the end of the century, we will have landed a spaceship on Mars.
. will + simple passive: Genetic engineering on humans won't be banned this century.
. will + perfect passive: By the end of the millenium, techniques will have been developed to redesign human DNA.
Check on the following expressions: network, cell, crash a system, organ, hacker, skin tissue, gene, test tube, software, strain, microchip, mission, firewall, orbit, shuttle, launch, up-to-date, computer nerd, technophobe.
- Future probability (structures) p. 50
Sure to happen: it almost definitely will.../ he will presumably.../ they are bound to...
Likely to happen: the chances are that... / I will probably... / there's a strong possibility that.../ he may / might well...
Unlikely to happen: I doubt whether.../ there's a slight possibility that.../ it probably won't... / the odds are against
Impossible: you haven't a hope of.../ it's inconceivable that... / he stands no chance of.../ you don't a chance of...
Check activities 6 & 7
- Listening p. 50
- Will for predictions & assumptions: verb patterns
. will + inf.: The developments of computers will continue until they are more intelligent than humans.
. will + continuous: In a hundred years' time we will be producing babies outside the womb.
. will + perfect: By the end of the century, we will have landed a spaceship on Mars.
. will + simple passive: Genetic engineering on humans won't be banned this century.
. will + perfect passive: By the end of the millenium, techniques will have been developed to redesign human DNA.
Thursday, February 19
Homework - Unit 10.3
- Composition: Describe a childhood memory (Deadline 25th February)
Check some useful expressions in... p.140
- Review and Check (Unit 10, p. 144)
- Cloze: Food
- Worksheet: phrasal verb particles and prepositions
Check some useful expressions in... p.140
- Review and Check (Unit 10, p. 144)
- Cloze: Food
- Worksheet: phrasal verb particles and prepositions
10.3. Looking back
- Modal verbs: revision / oral activity
- Listening: Childhood memories (p. 138)
- Discussion: which situations do you remember from your childhood?
moving house / changing school / making friends / spending time alone / doing exams / arguing with friends / summer holidays / birth of a brother or sister
- Grammar revision: uses of would (p. 139)
. as a polite request: Would you shut the window, please?
. a recurrent situation in the past: My grandmother would always give us chocolate for breakfast.
. past purpose or reason after so that: We packed all the books in wooden boxes so that they wouldn't get damaged.
. imagined situation (2nd or 3rd conditional): We'd have moved to a different area if we'd been able to afford it.
. strong wish: I wish they wouldn't make so much noise at night.
. past intention/expectation (reported): They always told us that one day we would move into a real house.
. refusal: The landlord wouldn't fix them.
- Vocabulary: phrasal verbs & particles (p. 141)
Useful vocabulary: write down, slow down, come back, lounge around, clam up, soldier on, hang around, drive around, pack up your possessions, cut down on something.
- Communication (p. 142)
to moan / to take a stand / to rave: listening & discussion
- Listening: Childhood memories (p. 138)
- Discussion: which situations do you remember from your childhood?
moving house / changing school / making friends / spending time alone / doing exams / arguing with friends / summer holidays / birth of a brother or sister
- Grammar revision: uses of would (p. 139)
. as a polite request: Would you shut the window, please?
. a recurrent situation in the past: My grandmother would always give us chocolate for breakfast.
. past purpose or reason after so that: We packed all the books in wooden boxes so that they wouldn't get damaged.
. imagined situation (2nd or 3rd conditional): We'd have moved to a different area if we'd been able to afford it.
. strong wish: I wish they wouldn't make so much noise at night.
. past intention/expectation (reported): They always told us that one day we would move into a real house.
. refusal: The landlord wouldn't fix them.
- Vocabulary: phrasal verbs & particles (p. 141)
Useful vocabulary: write down, slow down, come back, lounge around, clam up, soldier on, hang around, drive around, pack up your possessions, cut down on something.
- Communication (p. 142)
to moan / to take a stand / to rave: listening & discussion
Friday, February 13
10.2. What does it feel like?
- Listening & discussion (p. 135)
How did they feel...? the first person to discover Machu Pitcchu; the first person to flight an aeroplane; the first person to travel to the moon.
- Grammar: modals of deduction (revision) (p. 135)
to express deduction in the present = modal + infinitive
to express deduction in the past = modal + have + past partaciple
. must = certainty (John must be at home; I've seen his car)
. might/may/could = possibility (John may be at home or he may be at the library)
. can't / couldn't = impossibility (John can't be at home; his car would be in the garage)
remember that 'will' can also be used to make a guess about the present (will+infinitive); to make a guess about the past (will+have been)
- Vocabulary: strong feelings (p.137) (quite useful!!)
- Video Listening: Soho (in London)
How did they feel...? the first person to discover Machu Pitcchu; the first person to flight an aeroplane; the first person to travel to the moon.
- Grammar: modals of deduction (revision) (p. 135)
to express deduction in the present = modal + infinitive
to express deduction in the past = modal + have + past partaciple
. must = certainty (John must be at home; I've seen his car)
. might/may/could = possibility (John may be at home or he may be at the library)
. can't / couldn't = impossibility (John can't be at home; his car would be in the garage)
remember that 'will' can also be used to make a guess about the present (will+infinitive); to make a guess about the past (will+have been)
- Vocabulary: strong feelings (p.137) (quite useful!!)
- Video Listening: Soho (in London)
Unit 10. Feelings
- Vocabulary and discussion on 'feelings' (p. 131)
Useful expressions: at one's wits end, down in the dumps, to kick oneself, to be pleased with oneself, to be buzzing with energy, to be wound up, to be in two minds, to be over the moon
- Listening and discussion: 'Feeling lucky' (p. 132)
Do you agree with the following statements...
. lucky and unlucky people have a different psychology
. lucky people have positive expectations which are often unrealistic
. extroverts use body language to get people to respond to them
. children who receive praise regularly do better at school
- Grammar: modal verbs (revision)
What modal verb do we use to express...
. will: predictions / willigness
. might/may: possibility / suggestions
. must /can't: obligation / deduction
. don't have to: lack of obligation
. should / ought to: advice / recommendation
. can: permission / ability / possibility
. could: permission / possibility
. be supposed to: obligation
. be bound to: prediction of certainty
. be likely to: probability
- Questionnaire: "How lucky are you?" (p. 133/ solutions p. 151)
Useful vocabulary: have a tendency to, be open to new experiences, have gut feelings or hunches, to boost one's intuition, when chances of success seem slim, inthe look run, look on the bright side, dwell on things.
- Listening: "Feelin' so good" (P. 134)
Useful expressions: at one's wits end, down in the dumps, to kick oneself, to be pleased with oneself, to be buzzing with energy, to be wound up, to be in two minds, to be over the moon
- Listening and discussion: 'Feeling lucky' (p. 132)
Do you agree with the following statements...
. lucky and unlucky people have a different psychology
. lucky people have positive expectations which are often unrealistic
. extroverts use body language to get people to respond to them
. children who receive praise regularly do better at school
- Grammar: modal verbs (revision)
What modal verb do we use to express...
. will: predictions / willigness
. might/may: possibility / suggestions
. must /can't: obligation / deduction
. don't have to: lack of obligation
. should / ought to: advice / recommendation
. can: permission / ability / possibility
. could: permission / possibility
. be supposed to: obligation
. be bound to: prediction of certainty
. be likely to: probability
- Questionnaire: "How lucky are you?" (p. 133/ solutions p. 151)
Useful vocabulary: have a tendency to, be open to new experiences, have gut feelings or hunches, to boost one's intuition, when chances of success seem slim, inthe look run, look on the bright side, dwell on things.
- Listening: "Feelin' so good" (P. 134)
Tuesday, February 3
Homework - Unit 2
- Describe a stunning place you have visited - Deadline 9th February
- Reading task: read the opinion articles on the learning of languages and facebook from Catalonia Today - Deadline 11 th February
- Reading task: read the opinion articles on the learning of languages and facebook from Catalonia Today - Deadline 11 th February
2.3. Destination paradise
- Reading & class discussion (p. 26-27)
What do you know about Cali, Corsica or Cape Town? Where would you go on holidays if you could choose? Why?
- Vocabulary: adjectives to describe places (p. 28)
Useful expressions: stunning views, off the beaten track, in the heart of the town, tranquil, bustling, unspoilt, to stroll around
Remember the word order when you are using more than one adjective!!
opinion + size + shape + colour + material
Check the following description as an example:
"One of the men was tall and thin with short blond hair, pale skin, and bright blue eyes. He was wearing a smart grey suit with a thin blue cashmere jumper undereath, and he had an expensive-looking gold ring".
What do you know about Cali, Corsica or Cape Town? Where would you go on holidays if you could choose? Why?
- Vocabulary: adjectives to describe places (p. 28)
Useful expressions: stunning views, off the beaten track, in the heart of the town, tranquil, bustling, unspoilt, to stroll around
Remember the word order when you are using more than one adjective!!
opinion + size + shape + colour + material
Check the following description as an example:
"One of the men was tall and thin with short blond hair, pale skin, and bright blue eyes. He was wearing a smart grey suit with a thin blue cashmere jumper undereath, and he had an expensive-looking gold ring".
- Collocations (worksheet): easy and useful collocations to enrichen your vocabulary
peace and quite, black and white, stocks and shares, life and death, supply and demand, trial and error, profit and loss, thunder and lighting, pros and cons, up and down, ladies and gentlemen
- Phrasal verbs (useful!) p. 29
turn up, fit in, get by, catch on, fill in, hold up, carry out, a get through, see to, keep up with...
- Listening: Old boys' club & Ball room dancing club (p. 30)
- Review and practice (p. 32)
Thursday, January 29
2.2. It's a wiki, wiki world
- Reading on "Wikipedia" (p.24)
Some interesting expressions: guy, kooks, thorny business/problem, a security flaw, entry (on the Internet)
- Listening: "The uses of the internet" (p. 23)
& discussion .... how often do you use the Internet?; what do you use it for?; are there any websites that you use frequently?; do you trust what you read on the internet?
- Grammar: comparatives review
Emphasizers to use with comparatives:
. to express a small difference: slighlty, a little bit, a tiny bit, marginally: I'm slightly taller than Peter.
. to express a large difference: much, far, miles (informal), considerably (formal): They're far better than us at football.
Equality:
. as + adjective + as: I'm as intelligent as my sister.
. as + not + adjective + as
. not quite as: This bed isn't quite as comfortable as the other one.
. nowher near, nothing like: He is nowhere near as good as me at tennis.
Preference:
. would sooner / would rather + infinitive without to: I'd rather go to the party than stay home.
. rather than + prefer to: Rather than eat potatoes, I'd prefer to have a steak.
Some interesting expressions: guy, kooks, thorny business/problem, a security flaw, entry (on the Internet)
- Listening: "The uses of the internet" (p. 23)
& discussion .... how often do you use the Internet?; what do you use it for?; are there any websites that you use frequently?; do you trust what you read on the internet?
- Grammar: comparatives review
Emphasizers to use with comparatives:
. to express a small difference: slighlty, a little bit, a tiny bit, marginally: I'm slightly taller than Peter.
. to express a large difference: much, far, miles (informal), considerably (formal): They're far better than us at football.
Equality:
. as + adjective + as: I'm as intelligent as my sister.
. as + not + adjective + as
. not quite as: This bed isn't quite as comfortable as the other one.
. nowher near, nothing like: He is nowhere near as good as me at tennis.
Preference:
. would sooner / would rather + infinitive without to: I'd rather go to the party than stay home.
. rather than + prefer to: Rather than eat potatoes, I'd prefer to have a steak.
2.1. Living abroad
- Verb patterns (p. 21)
Considering the issue in general terms, we could say that...
. Verbs that show personal tastes
verb+ -ing: adore, fancy, don't mind, detest, can't stand
Mary adores living in her new house.
. Verbs that show one person or thing influencing the actions of another
verb + object + to infinitive: warn, tell, advise, urge, order, persuade, encourage, force, fobid, allow
Mother warned us not to go into the park.
. Verbs which are followed by a preposition + ing
I look forward to seeing you soon / He succeeded in finding a new job / My brother insisted on going to the party
- Speaking & sentence intonation (p. 22)
. What do you understad by 'cultural awareness'?
. Is cultural awareness imortant?
. Are there any customs/habits that are acceptable in your country but impolite in other countries?
Check on some "polite structures":
Would you mind opening the window?
Could you open the window?
Do you think you could open the window?
I was hoping you could come earlier.
Considering the issue in general terms, we could say that...
. Verbs that show personal tastes
verb+ -ing: adore, fancy, don't mind, detest, can't stand
Mary adores living in her new house.
. Verbs that show one person or thing influencing the actions of another
verb + object + to infinitive: warn, tell, advise, urge, order, persuade, encourage, force, fobid, allow
Mother warned us not to go into the park.
. Verbs which are followed by a preposition + ing
I look forward to seeing you soon / He succeeded in finding a new job / My brother insisted on going to the party
- Speaking & sentence intonation (p. 22)
. What do you understad by 'cultural awareness'?
. Is cultural awareness imortant?
. Are there any customs/habits that are acceptable in your country but impolite in other countries?
Check on some "polite structures":
Would you mind opening the window?
Could you open the window?
Do you think you could open the window?
I was hoping you could come earlier.
Thursday, January 22
Unit 2. Community
- Speaking and vocabulary (p. 19)
- Listening: “Living abroad” (p. 20)
- Giving advice/making recommendations about places (p. 21)
Useful vocabulary: It’s a must-see; It’s not all it’s cracked up to be; One thing to be wary of is…
- Song: "Enjoy the ride" by Morcheeba
- Listening: “Living abroad” (p. 20)
- Giving advice/making recommendations about places (p. 21)
Useful vocabulary: It’s a must-see; It’s not all it’s cracked up to be; One thing to be wary of is…
- Song: "Enjoy the ride" by Morcheeba
Formal Letters
Letters of Request
Remember to use the correct heading and final salutation!
Useful Language
To begin letters:
- I am writing to ask if you would be so kind/generous as to… / I am writing to request your assistance concerning the matter…
- I wonder if you could possibly / if it would be possible for you to help me…
- I would (greatly) appreciate it if you could…
- I would be most grateful if you could…
To end letters:
- I hope that my request will not inconvenience you too much.
- I must apologise for troubling you with this matter.
- I look forward to hearing from you/ receiving your reply as soon as possible.
- Thank(ing) your in anticipation of your/ in advance for your kind cooperation.
Writing task: (Deadline: 30th January)
Choose one of the following situations and write a letter of request:
- You want to request a loan from your bank manager for home improvements.
- You want the town council to place special bins in your area to encourage recycling.
Remember to use the correct heading and final salutation!
Useful Language
To begin letters:
- I am writing to ask if you would be so kind/generous as to… / I am writing to request your assistance concerning the matter…
- I wonder if you could possibly / if it would be possible for you to help me…
- I would (greatly) appreciate it if you could…
- I would be most grateful if you could…
To end letters:
- I hope that my request will not inconvenience you too much.
- I must apologise for troubling you with this matter.
- I look forward to hearing from you/ receiving your reply as soon as possible.
- Thank(ing) your in anticipation of your/ in advance for your kind cooperation.
Writing task: (Deadline: 30th January)
Choose one of the following situations and write a letter of request:
- You want to request a loan from your bank manager for home improvements.
- You want the town council to place special bins in your area to encourage recycling.
Friday, January 16
7.3. Perfect Pets?
- Welcome back from the Christmas break! Hope you’ve had a good time and a lot of presents.
- Verb patterns: revision and exercises (p. 95)
- Video listening from ABC News: “Kangaroos” & “Cloning”
- Reading: activities and class comment (p. 96)
- Listening: jobs with animals (p. 96)
- Grammar: describing quantities (p. 97)
- Vocabulary: buying and selling (p. 98). We wrote and read a few interesting online advertisements!
Useful vocabulary: It’s one of a kind, it’s state of the art, it’s on the market, it’s brand new
- Suffixes (p. 99)
Can you think of suffixes you can add to the following words? redundant (redundancy), motivate (motivation), tear (tearful), child (childish), etc.
- Video Listening: “In the wilderness” – do you know anything about the Evenk tribe in Siberia?
- Verb patterns: revision and exercises (p. 95)
- Video listening from ABC News: “Kangaroos” & “Cloning”
- Reading: activities and class comment (p. 96)
- Listening: jobs with animals (p. 96)
- Grammar: describing quantities (p. 97)
- Vocabulary: buying and selling (p. 98). We wrote and read a few interesting online advertisements!
Useful vocabulary: It’s one of a kind, it’s state of the art, it’s on the market, it’s brand new
- Suffixes (p. 99)
Can you think of suffixes you can add to the following words? redundant (redundancy), motivate (motivation), tear (tearful), child (childish), etc.
- Video Listening: “In the wilderness” – do you know anything about the Evenk tribe in Siberia?
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