Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3

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Activity 4 Activity 5 Activity 6

Pre-Advanced 2 Unit 2

Activity 7 Activity 8 Activity 9

Let’s discuss

Activity 1

1. How do you keep up with the news?2. Do you read any newspapers / listen to any radio programs?

Which ones?1. How often do you read / listen to them?2. Do you have any special moments when you enjoy reading /

listening to them?

Photography and you

Activity 2

1. Are you interested in photography?2. Do you often take pictures? 3. If you do, what are the things you particularly enjoy taking photos

of?1. Do you ever buy photography books?2. Do you follow any particular photographer’s work?

What did they say?

Remember about a time when …

Activity 3

1. … someone at work admitted making a mistake.2. … somebody in your family blamed you for doing something

you had not done.3. … you promised to do something but never fulfilled your

promise.4. … somebody explained that they had not been able to …

because …5. … you suggested taking life easy.6. … your spouse / partner / best friend criticized you for …7. … a coworker agreed to … when you asked them for the favor.

Activity 4

You left somebody housesitting and you are not very happy with his/her work. Talk to your friend about it.

Role-play a TV interview with famous photographer Steve McCurry about his iconic picture.

Choose one role-play to work with.

Somebody to take care of your house?

Activity 4

Student A

Student BYou can insert iage here.

Role A

Activity 4 Student A

Before you went on vacation, you contacted a man to take care of your house and had to pay a lot of money for it! When you came back and saw that the house was a real mess, you decided to talk to the person in charge to see what he had to say. Now you are talking to a friend of yours and you’re telling him / her what the man told you. The following are the tasks the person was supposed to do and the excuses given for not fulfilling the activities. Water the plants every day – did it every once in a while Be careful with the dog; he shouldn’t attack anyone – never

thought he was so aggressive Leave the lights downstairs on all the time – a waste of energy! Call the plumber to come and fix a dripping tap – just forgot! Clean the whole house 3 or 4 times a week – I was too demanding

Useful Language:• He agreed to … but …• I warned him that …• He promised to … but …• He complained that … / about …• He admitted / denied …• He blamed me for …• He never apologized for …

Role B

Activity 4 Student B

Before your friend went on vacation, he / she contacted a man to take care of his / her house and had to pay a lot of money for it! Once back, he / she found that the house was a real mess and decided to talk to the caretaker. Your friend is really furious and is now taking it off his / her chest with you. Lend a good ear and be sympathetic.

Useful Language:• Had he agreed to …? • Did he apologize for …?• What nerve!• Had he promised he would …?• Did he admit …?• Did you warn him …?

Interview with Steve McCurry

Activity 4

TV Reporter

Steve McCurry

Activity 4 Student A

You are a TV reporter interviewing photographer Steve McCurry about his iconic picture of Sharbat Gula, “The Afghan Girl”. Ask him to remember his encounters with her. He’s just back from his last trip to Afghanistan.

Useful Language:What did she say when you….. ?… her if you could…? Did you think the picture would be ..……….. at the moment? What did you want to warn the public …….? Did anyone persuade you ….? How…. Sharbat’s brother feel …. the war? How did she and her bother manage to make a living? Does she complain about…(+Verb)…? What would you suggest a photographer should……..?

Activity 4 Student B

You are American photojournalist, Steve McCurry. You are back from your last trip to Afghanistan and you have a lot to share with the audience. Answer the reporter’s questions. Add your own pieces of information. Use reporting verbs.

Useful Language: …agree to …/ admit/ …warn/beg/ persuade … to … …complain/does not complain ……. I’d suggest /recommend …I’d insist on …../ I’d advise them to…. … accused of …V+ing……deny V+ing… criticized for……asked him/her to….

What’s the main point in each story?Activity 5

1. The first news story is about

2. The second news story is about

3. The third news story is about

4. The fourth news story is about

a. a cure for the common cold.

b. the world’s happiest nation.

c. a special butterfly.

d. the effects of eating chocolate.

Activity 6

Your friend fancies himself as an amateur anthropologist. His latest obsession is Stonehenge. Pretend you share his interest.

You are going to interview your grandmother for a school project. Let her tell you about the good old days.

Choose one role-play to work with.

Use this information about Stonehenge for your role-play

People have always considered Stonehenge as one of the great mysteries in the world.

They found out that it was built between 3100 and 1600 BC. They believe it was probably a place of burial. Scientists have reported that the people buried at the site

were men and women in equal proportions. People think Stonehenge was built with the position of the sun

in mind.

Activity 6

amateur anthropologist

interested friend

Role A

Activity 6 Student A

Last week you read some interesting facts about Stonehenge. You’re really delighted to have learned so much about this wonderful site. Tell your partner about all the information you know.

Useful Language:• I’ve read about …• It has always been …• I’m delighted because I learned …• It was found out …• It is thought / considered / believed …• It has been reported …

Role B

Activity 6 Student B

Your partner is really into interesting facts about the world. He / She is very happy because he / she read some information about Stonehenge, a wonderful pre-historic site in England. Be curious and see what he/ she has to tell you. Maybe you will go crazy about history too!

Useful Language:• Had you ever heard / read about … before?• What did you learn …?• Really? That’s interesting / amazing / inspiring!• Has it been proved / shown …• Is it considered …?• Did the article say anything about …?

Activity 6

Grandma Grandchild

Grandma’s stories

Activity 6 Student A

Your grandchild is very curious. He/She´s always asking you to tell

him/her stories about your life in the past and you’ve always enjoyed

sharing your experiences with him/her. Today he/she is especially

inquisitive and he/she wants to know about how life was when you

were young. Try to answer his/her questions as completely as you can.

Useful Language:

In my times, it was believed that…

It was said that…

Once it was reported that …

It was known that…

It was claimed that…

It was thought that…

Activity 6 Student B

You are working on a school project about “The Old Days”. You’d like

to get a good grade and you’ve decided to ask your grandma, who is an

“open book”. She’s always happy to help you with your homework. Ask

her about the beliefs, legends, myths, customs, etc. back in the “Good

Old Days”.

Useful Language:

It is said that back in the Good Days…., is that true?

What about the Wolf-Man, legend?

We nowadays believe that…, what about in your times?

It is claimed that “All the past was better”, do you agree?

FlyingActivity 7

1. What’s your experience of flying? 2. When was the last time you flew?3. What airline did you fly? Where did you go?4. Can you discuss with your partners some good and bad things

that have happened to you on planes? 5. Do you think the bad things could have been avoided? How?

Words, words, words

Activity 8

1. In what situations would you say “Don’t take my word for it”?

2. Have you ever given your word and promised to do something but failed to keep your promise?

3. Can you remember the last time you were at a loss for words? What happened? What was the situation?

4. When you choose a hotel, do you go about it word of mouth or because you have seen an ad or read about it?

Is it true?

Activity 9

1. Have you ever witnessed an accident?2. Did you have to report what you saw?3. When people tell you about an accident do you always take

their word for it? 4. Are people usually reliable or do they tend to blow things out

of proportion?