3 May 2010

Cookie Workshop

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

1 May 2010

unit 12 and reported speech

Reported Speech
">I'm posting some grammar for reported speech rules, which is what we'll be seeing in class next week.
Test for the previous unit will follow shortly

12 April 2010

Welcome back after Easter break. End of unit 9.

Hi again. It's that time of the year again: spring and just a few weeks to go before the end of the course and that means we have to pull our socks up and get ready for the hardest thing of all: EXAMS!!
There's only a month left and three units to cover in that short period of time so we'll be focusing on basic matters like grammar and vocabulary. The reading activities will be set for homework and we'll have to rush our way through the three units left. Still, I hope we'll have enough time to practise all the new contents and vocab.

Well, to keep you  busy I'm posting below the test for unit 9. We haven't seen the grammar in class due to lack of time and to the fact that it was quite easy. I was more interested in the vocabulary and topic of the unit since it's one of the most common topics in the oral exams.

Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 9



Vocabulary



A Underline the word, a, b, or c that doesn’t belong with the container.

(1) a box of a) tissues b) eggs c) jam

(2) a bottle of a) milk b) tomato soup c) beer

(3) a can of a) peanuts b) cola c) lemonade

(4) a tub of a) margarine b) crisps c) ice cream

(5) a jar of a) jam b) coffee c) lemonade

(6) a packet of a) orange juice b) biscuits c) crisps





B Match the words in the box to the definitions (7–12). There are two extra words.

discount shop        shop assistant            security guard             shopaholic

shoplifter              corner shop                  shopping centre            window-shopping



(7) someone who is addicted to shopping and buying things is a _______________

(8) when you look at lots of things but don’t buy anything you are _______________

(9) a big building with lots of different shops inside is called a _______________

(10) someone who steals things from a shop without paying is a _______________

(11) a shop where everything is cheaper than in a normal shop is a _______________

(12) someone who works in a shop helping customers is a _______________



C Complete the text with words from the box. There are three extra words.

advantage        corner shops             danger           high street            hurry

a look             online-shopping         our word          trouble         your breath



Are you in a (13) _______________? Then (14) _______________ at Eezeemall.com is the thing for you. Shop from the comfort of your own home and take (15) _______________ at what we can offer you. If you’ve heard bad things about Internet shopping, please take (16) _______________ that you are not in any (17) _______________ at all – security is our top priority. We also think that value for money is important and, because we don’t have any (18) _______________ shops you can take (19) ___________ of some of the lowest prices around.



Grammar

D Complete the text with a, b, or c below.

Are you (20) _______________ modern man? Do you enjoy shopping for (21) _______________ food or simply eating the stuff? Most of (22) _______________ men I know hate food shopping, but, according to (23) _______________ National Office of Statistics there are (24) _______________ who really enjoy it. Recently I was talking to (25) _______________ husband of a friend and he told me that he really enjoyed shopping at his local supermarket. He said that he never had

(26) _______________ time to enjoy being with his wife as they were either at

(27) _______________ work or at home with their children. But, when they went shopping they had (28) _______________ of time to talk about (29) _______________ different things. He also said that he liked thinking about what he was going to eat and that there were (30) _______________ things that they ate now that they had never even tried before they started shopping together.



(20) a) the b) a c) Ø

(21) a) the b) any c) Ø

(22) a) the b) a c) Ø

(23) a) the b) some c) Ø

(24) a) too many b) any c) a few

(25) a) the b) some c) Ø

(26) a) enough b) plenty c) many

(27) a) the b) any c) Ø

(28) a) much b) many c) plenty

(29) a) any b) lots of c) few

(30) a) many b) the c) none





E Complete the sentences with the correct words.

(31) I don’t have enough / little time to go shopping.

(32) She spends too much / a few money on clothes.

(33) Have you looked at any / plenty of online-shopping websites?

(34) None of / Most of the shops had what I wanted, so I’ll have to try again tomorrow.

(35) Some / Any of my friends are shopaholics.

(36) A few / Few of the shops had what I wanted, so I was quite happy.

(37) I only spend a little / a lot of time shopping at the weekend.

(38) Most / Most of the time I spend relaxing.

(39) Most / None people enjoy buying new things.



Functional language


F Correct the mistakes in the sentences. There is one mistake in each sentence.

(40) I’d like a money back.

____________________________________________________________________________

(41) What to be the problem?

____________________________________________________________________________

(42) You ask someone to help me?

____________________________________________________________________________

(43) It’s a lot unacceptable.

____________________________________________________________________________

(44) I think there’s a wrong with it.

____________________________________________________________________________

(45) I’m that’s not good enough.

____________________________________________________________________________





G Complete the conversation with phrases from the box.



afraid                          that’s not good enough                there’s a problem

to be the problem                  to have my money back            to the manager



A: Excuse me!

B: Yes, Sir. Can I help you?

A: I hope so. I bought this CD player here yesterday and I think (46) _______________ with it. It doesn’t seem to work.

B: Let me have a look? Mmm.

A: What?

B: Have you dropped it?

A: No!

B: Well, it’s broken, I’m afraid. I can’t replace it until next week.

A: Next week? I’m (47) _______________. Could I speak (48) _______________, please?

B: Of course, Sir.

C: What seems (49) _______________?

A: I bought this CD player here yesterday and it’s broken.

C: Ah! What would you like me to do?

A: I want (50) _______________.

C: Certainly, Sir.



Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 9- Answer key


Vocabulary

1 c) jam

2 b) tomato soup

3 a) peanuts

4 b) crisps

5 c) lemonade

6 a) orange juice

7 shopaholic

8 window-shopping

9 shopping centre

10 shoplifter

11 discount shop

12 shop assistant

13 hurry

14 online-shopping

15 a look

16 our word

17 danger

18 high street

19 advantage



Grammar

20 b) a

21 c) Ø

22 a) the

23 a) the

24 c) a few

25 a) the

26 a) enough

27 c) Ø

28 c) plenty

29 b) lots of

30 a) many

31 enough

32 too much

33 any

34 None of

35 Some

36 A few

37 a little

38 Most of

39 Most


Functional language

40 I’d like a money back refund. OR I’d like a my money back.

41 What to be is the problem?

42 Can you ask someone to help me?

43 It’s a lot totally unacceptable.

44 I think there’s a something wrong with it.

45 I’m sorry that’s not good enough.

46 there’s a problem

47 afraid that’s not good enough

48 to the manager

49 to be the problem

50 to have my money back

11 March 2010

end of unit 8

We're way into March and the end of unit 8 will follow shortly. Below you'll find the test for unit 8 although it'll take us a further week to see it finished. We'll be skipping unit 9 and getting on with unit 10 instead, which deals with mysteries and modal verbs of  speculation.Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 8


Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 8

Vocabulary

A Complete the text with words from the box. There are four extra words.

witnesses prison thieves stolen quality one-way

newspapers motorway limit judge headlines evidence



Breaking news

The police are looking for a group of car (1) _______________ who have (2) _______________ more than thirty cars in the last two days. They have already made the (3) _______________ in the national (4) _______________, but we can now bring you the news that there is (5) _______________ that the oldest is probably only 14 years old! Several (6) _______________ have told police that they have seen a group of kids near to each of the cars only minutes before they were stolen. Yesterday there was a high-speed chase down the (7) _______________ with both the police car and the stolen car breaking the 70 mph speed (8) _______________. More on this story in a minute.


B For questions 9–13, which word is the odd-one-out?

(9) a) circulation b) daily c) judge

(10) a) credit b) driving c) ID

(11) a) news coverage b) guilty c) trial

(12) a) journalist b) evidence c) headline

(13) a) motorway b) one-way street c) right-wing


C Complete the text with the correct compound nouns.

In Britain there are many laws connected to driving. It is now illegal to use a (14) _______________ phone while you are driving and you have to wear a (15) _______________. There are lots of

(16) _______________ zones in the centre of towns and cities. You should also be careful because there are often (17) _______________ streets. It’s a good idea to take your driving

(18) _______________ with you, just in case you are stopped by the police.


Grammar


D Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

What (19) had / would you do if you saw a bank robbery?

If she (20) hadn’t / wouldn’t bought the newspaper, she wouldn’t (21) read / have read the story.

If I (22) haven’t / hadn’t listened to you, I (23) hadn’t / wouldn’t have become a journalist.

If I were famous, I would (24) give / have given lots of money to charities.

I (25) had / would never want to be famous.

If I (26) haven’t / hadn’t witnessed the crime, the robbers (27) would / had have escaped.

If you were stopped for speeding, what (28) had / would you say?

If you (29) asked / had asked him nicely, I’m sure he would take your photo.


E Read the text and then complete 30–37.

A man who was sentenced to five years in prison by a judge heard yesterday that his sentence would be changed. The unfortunate man, Duncan Smith, had been on trial for stealing a bicycle and then hitting a woman on the head. Mr Smith had never denied taking the bike, but claimed that he had thought it was his as he had an identical one. He admitted hitting the woman but said he had only done it because she had hit him first. The problem with Mr Smith’s sentencing came when the jury were reading out their verdict. At the exact moment the foreman of the jury read out ‘Not guilty’ a woman sitting at the front shouted something. The judge didn’t hear the word ‘Not’ and thought the jury had found Mr Smith guilty.



If Duncan Smith hadn’t hit the woman, he (30) ____________________ have been on trial.

Duncan Smith (31) wouldn’t ____________________ the bike, if he (32) ____________________ one that was exactly the same.

If the woman (33) ____________________ him first, he (34) ____________________ have hit her.

If the woman (35) ____________________ something, then the judge (36) ____________________ the correct verdict.

If the judge (37) ____________________ the word ‘Not’, then he wouldn’t have sentenced Mr Smith to five years in prison.



Functional language


F Put the words from the box in the correct place in the sentences. Each sentence has one word missing.

want      me         let            kind          I ’ll           I


(38) Can get anything for you?

________________________________________

(39) I do that if you like.

________________________________________

(40) me pay for that.

________________________________________

(41) Do you me to take you?

________________________________________
(42) That’s really of you.

________________________________________

(43) Would you like to help you?

________________________________________

G Complete the three conversations with words and phrases from the box.

all right Can I Do you want me it’s OK

Shall I would be great Would you like

Conversation 1

Dad: Oh dear!

Brenda: What is it, Dad?

Dad: I’m just so tired.

Brenda: (44) _______________ get anything for you?

Dad: No, (45) _______________, thanks.

Brenda: Are you sure? (46) _______________ make some coffee?

Dad: Yes, OK. That would be lovely.

Conversation 2

Brenda: Oh no! I should be at the swimming pool soon.

Dad: Is it your competition?

Brenda: Yes, it is.

Dad: (47) _______________ me to drive you there?

Brenda: Would you? That (48) _______________.

Conversation 3

Police officer: Excuse me, sir!

Man: Yes?

Police officer: I’m afraid you were driving too fast.

Man: (49) _______________ to show you my driving licence?

Police officer: No, that’s (50) _______________. Just don’t drive so fast again.

Man: I won’t. Thank you.

Answer key


Vocabulary

1 thieves

2 stolen

3 headlines

4 newspapers

5 evidence

6 witnesses

7 motorway

8 limit

9 c) judge

10 b) driving (licence)

11 a) news coverage

12 b) evidence

13 c) right-wing

14 mobile

15 seatbelt

16 no parking

17 one-way

18 licence

Grammar

19 would

20 hadn’t

21 have read

22 hadn’t

23 wouldn’t

24 give

25 would

26 hadn’t

27 would

28 would

29 asked

30 wouldn’t

31 have stolen

32 hadn’t had

33 hadn’t hit

34 wouldn’t

35 hadn’t shouted

36 would have heard

37 had heard

Functional language

38 Can I get anything for you?

39 I’ll do that if you like.

40 Let me pay for that.

41 Do you want me to take you?

42 That’s really kind of you.

43 Would you like me to help you?

44 Can I

45 it’s OK

46 Shall I

47 Would you like

48 would be great

49 Do you want me

50 all right

19 February 2010

Test for unit 7 and some news stories (an interesting listening activity)

http://www.elllo.org/yeartwo/newsgal/18_mark2.htm




Well, we're back after the mock exam period and looking forward to working hard, I hope!
Above you can see the link to an interesting listening activity about some news stories (our new topic in unit 8). Below you have a test for the last unit we've seen in class. Good luck!


Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 7

Vocabulary

A Choose the correct word(s), a, b, or c to complete 1–8.

(1) Most people think that life as a _______________ is boring. But I don’t think so. Now I can catch up with all those things I didn’t have time for when I was working.

a) adolescent b) elderly c) pensioner



(2) My gran is an amazing woman. She’s lived _______________ so many different things.

a) out of b) through c) up to



(3) After Mike left me, I decided it was really time to _______________.

a) live for b) move on c) embark



(4)

A: What’s wrong?

B: I can’t find my keys!

A: Are these yours?

B: Yes, they are. Oh what a _______________!

a) relief b) nuisance c) shame



(5) My parents are so demanding. I’m always worried I won’t be able to live _______________ their expectations.

a) for b) through c) up to



(6)

A: I wish I hadn’t talked to Peter.

B: Why? What did he say?

A: He’s moving anyway and he doesn’t want me to go with him!

B: Oh! What a _______________!

a) relief b) nuisance c) shame



(7) Well, that’s it. I’ve made my decision and there’s _______________.

a) at a crossroads b) no turning back c) take a new direction



(8) Bob must be _______________. After all, he’s been working here since he finished university.

a) adolescent b) elderly c) thirty something





B Match words or expressions from the box to 9–16. Look carefully at the words in italics.

lived for    embarked on    live off         live through     retired

take off            taken an unexpected turn                   What a surprise



(9) Wow! That was horrible. I never want to experience that again! _______________

(10) Her life has changed so suddenly. _______________

(11) You want to give me a promotion? Amazing! _______________

(12) You’ve got to get a job soon. You can’t depend on your parents forever! _______________

(13) It took quite a long time for my career to be successful. _______________

(14) I can’t believe it. That’s the third new career you’ve started. _______________

(15) Bob stopped working two years ago and now he spends his time playing golf and going on holiday. _______________

(16) She was so upset when he left her. He was all she wanted in life. _______________



Grammar

C Complete the sentences with the correct words.

(17) I’ve been working here for / since a long time.

(18) They’ve been planning on getting married for / since as long as I can remember.

(19) He’s wanted to be an actor for / since he was a little boy.

(20)

A: How long have you been waiting?

B: For / Since about thirty minutes.

(21) I’ve known Hannah for / since last summer.

(22) Make up your mind! You’ve been talking about this for / since the last two weeks.

(23) She’s been thinking of changing her job for / since ages.



D Complete the text with the Present Perfect Simple or the Present Perfect Continuous. Use the verbs in brackets.

Since Bob Simkins started working in Madison computers things have (24) _______________ (change) a lot. Bob has (25) _______________ (work) for the company for nearly fifteen years now. “When I started,” says Bob, “there were only five of us. I’ve (26) _______________ (see) the company grow so much.” Now Madison Computers employs more than five hundred people. “I’ve (27) _______________ (know) Stan Madison since we were teenagers” says Bob. “And I’ve

(28) _______________ (help) him make money ever since!” However, next week Bob is leaving his job to travel around the world. “I’ve (29) _______________ (think) of doing something like this for ages, but I’ve never (30) _______________ (have) the time. Now that I’m almost fifty I think it’s about time I lived for myself and not for my job.”


E Write sentences in the Present Perfect Continuous using the prompts.

(31) She / live / in London since December. ________________________________

(32) Max / do / his homework for hours. __________________________________
(33) I / not / stay / here very long. ______________________________________

(34) How long have you / work / here? __________________________________

(35) She / learn / how to dance the Samba. _______________________________

(36) They / not / argue / today. _________________________________________

Functional language


F Complete the sentences with the correct words.

(37) Have you ever thought about change / changing your job?

(38) Why don’t you tell / telling her how you feel?

(39) I think you should make / making your mind up.

(40) Have you tried look / looking for a new job?

(41) If I were you, I’d ask / asking her tonight.

(42) There’s no harm in talk / talking to her, is there?

(43) What you need to do is decide / deciding which is more important.


G Complete the three conversations with phrases from the box.

do you think I should                Have you ever thought about                       Have you tried

I really think you should                  if I were you                      there’s no harm in                                       what you need to do is


Conversation 1

Tim: (44) _______________ giving up your job and moving to another country?

Steve: Well, sometimes. But I don’t think I could. It’s such a big change.

Tim: Yeah! I suppose you’re right. But (45) _______________ dreaming, is there?

Steve: No, I guess not.



Conversation 2

Paul: You know that Jenny wants me to move to Scotland with her.

Andy: Yeah!

Paul: So what (46) _______________ do?

Andy: You’re asking me for advice? Well, (47) _______________, I’d say yes. After all, how long have you been seeing each other?

Paul: Five years.

Andy: Well then, (48) _______________ move up there with her. After all, it’s not as though you’re doing anything here at the moment.

Paul: No, that’s true. I guess you’re right.

Answer key






Vocabulary

1 c) pensioner

2 b) through

3 b) move on

4 a) relief

5 c) up to

6 c) shame

7 b) no turning back

8 c) thirty something

9 live through

10 taken an unexpected turn

11 What a surprise

12 live off

13 take off

14 embarked on

15 retired

16 lived for


Grammar

17 for

18 for

19 since

20 For

21 since

22 for

23 for

24 changed

25 been working

26 seen

27 known

28 been helping

29 been thinking

30 had

31 She’s been living in London since December.

32 Max has been doing his homework for hours.

33 I’ve not been staying here for very long.

34 How long have you been working here?

35 She been learning how to dance the Samba.

36 They haven’t been arguing today.


Functional language

37 changing

38 tell

39 make

40 looking

41 ask

42 talking

43 decide

44 Have you ever thought about

45 there’s no harm in

46 do you think I should

47 if I were you

48 what you need to do is / I really think you should

49 Have you tried

50 I really think you should / what you need to do is

22 January 2010

end of unit 6

We're  well into the mionth of January and we're just about to finish unit 6. Next week we'll be devoting one day to finishing unit 6 and another one to taking a look at the present perfect continuous, which is the main grammar point in unit number seven. Right after that exams will begin and go on for two weeks. I'm posting below the test for unit 6; I hope you find it useful. Good luck!!


Straightforward Intermediate Unit Test 6




Vocabulary

A Complete the conversation with words or phrases from the box. There are three extra words and phrases.

beach parties booked brochures cosmopolitan destination like a good idea

luggage much fun the beaten track paid range secluded too bad



Sue: So, have you decided where you’re going on your honeymoon?

Pam: Well, not exactly.

Sue: What do you mean? Don’t tell me you haven’t (1) _______________ your tickets yet?

Pam: No, not yet. We haven’t even chosen the (2) _______________ yet.

Sue: Why not? You don’t have a lot of time left.

Pam: I know. I picked up some (3) _______________ ages ago and we’ve been looking at them, but Brian wants to go to a really (4) _______________ resort with lively nightclubs,

(5) _______________ and a wide (6) _______________ of sports activities.

Sue: Well, that doesn’t sound very (7) _______________.

Pam: I know, but I’d prefer to go somewhere a bit quieter. Not off (8) _______________, but somewhere with nice (9) _______________ beaches where we can go for romantic walks.

Sue: Now that sounds (10) _______________.

Pam: Yeah! You know I want this holiday to be amazing. After all it is our honeymoon!





B Choose the correct word, a, b, or c to complete 11–19.

(11) When did you _______________ your tickets?

a) book b) do c) pay



(12) No, you don’t need to _______________ a deposit.

a) book b) do c) pay



(13) Make sure you _______________ early for your flight.

a) arrive b) do c) pick up



(14) Don’t forget to _______________ the packing the night before.

a) choose b) do c) make

(15) It’s so difficult to _______________ a good holiday destination.

a) choose b) do c) make



(16) Buy a map so you can _______________ your way around.

a) find b) do c) choose



(17) How did you _______________ your hotel?

a) arrive b) choose c) check out



(18) You can leave your luggage behind the reception desk after you _______________.

a) check out b) book c) pick up



(19) Can you _______________ some holiday brochures when you’re in town?

a) check out b) book c) pick up





Grammar

C Complete the conversation with the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

James: What (20) ____________________ (you/do) tonight?

Chris: I don’t know. I (21) ____________________ (probably/stay) at home and watch TV.

James: Why don’t you come out with me? I (22) ____________________ (meet) Jack at eight o’clock.

Chris: What are you (23) ____________________ (do)?

James: I’m not sure yet. Perhaps we (24) ____________________ (go) for a meal.

Chris: You (25) ____________________ (not/have) Italian food, are you?

James: No, I don’t think so. We (26) ____________________ (probably/eat) at that new Indian restaurant.

Chris: OK, that sounds nice.





D Put the words in brackets in the correct place in the sentences.

(27) As soon as he arrives, we leave. (will)

_____________________________________________________________________________

(28) We’ll stop and have lunch we get there. (before)

_____________________________________________________________________________

(29) You need anything else just ask. (if)

_____________________________________________________________________________

(30) I’m sorry, but you have to pay before you can use it. (will)

_____________________________________________________________________________

(31) I’ve finished this, I’ll come and help you. (once)

_____________________________________________________________________________

(32) I’ll tell you we get there. (when)

_____________________________________________________________________________





E Complete the sentences with the best verb form.

(33) Give me five minutes to finish this. As soon as I finish / will finish I’ll help you.

(34) I’m not sure which one to get. I’ll probably / I’m going to buy the cheaper one.

(35) If you want / will want to visit Madrid, don’t go in August. It’s always too hot.

(36) When I’ve decided which resort I like I tell you / I’ll tell you.

(37) We had a fantastic holiday. I think we’ll / we’re going to visit the same place quite soon.

(38) Come on! We’ll be / We’re being late if you don’t hurry up.

(39) Come on, let’s go home. I’m sure it will / is going to rain. Look at those clouds over there.





Functional language

F Rearrange the words to make indirect questions.

(40) are / I / they / where / wonder / ?

_____________________________________________________________________________

(41) when / arriving / you / do / is / she / know / ?

_____________________________________________________________________________

(42) tell / you / like / to / go / where / could / you’d / me / ?

_____________________________________________________________________________

(43) I’d / know / you’d / what / to / like / like / eat / tonight / to / ?

_____________________________________________________________________________

(44) you’re / you / tell / staying / one or two nights / me / if / can / ?

_____________________________________________________________________________



G Rewrite the direct questions using the prompts.

(45)

A: Can you help me?

B: I wonder if ____________________________________?



(46)

A: Do you have any flights to Santiago, Chile?

B: I’d like to know ____________________________________?



(47)

A: How much does it cost?

B: Could you tell me ____________________________________?



(48)

A: When does it leave?

B: Can you tell me ____________________________________?



(49)

A: Is there a cheaper one?

B: Do you know ____________________________________?



(50)

A: What time does it arrive in Santiago?

B: Do you think you could find out ____________________________________?




Answer key



Vocabulary

1 booked

2 destination

3 brochures

4 cosmopolitan

5 beach parties

6 range

7 much fun

8 the beaten track

9 secluded

10 like a good idea

11 a) book

12 c) pay

13 a) arrive

14 b) do

15 a) choose

16 a) find

17 b) choose

18 a) check out

19 c) pick up





Grammar

20 are you doing

21 ’ll (will) probably stay

22 ’m (am) meeting

23 doing / going to do

24 ’ll (will) go

25 aren’t having / aren’t going to have

26 ’ll (will) probably eat

27 As soon as he arrives, we will leave.

28 We’ll stop and have lunch before we get there.

29 If you need anything else just ask.

30 I’m sorry, but you will have to pay before you can use it.

31 Once I’ve finished this, I’ll come and help you.

32 When we get there, I’ll tell you.

33 finish

34 I’ll probably

35 want

36 I’ll tell you

37 we’ll

38 We’ll be

39 is going to







Functional language

40 I wonder where they are?

41 Do you know when she is arriving?

42 Could you tell me where you’d like to go?

43 I’d like to know what you’d like to eat tonight?

44 Can you tell me if you’re staying one or two nights?

45 I wonder if you can help me?

46 I’d like to know if you have any flights to Santiago, Chile?

47 Could you tell me how much it costs?

48 Can you tell me when it leaves?

49 Do you know if there is a cheaper one?

50 Do you think you could find out what time it arrives in Santiago?

OR Do you think you could find out when it arrives in Santiago?