2A Money makes the world go round

A In each of the word groups below, circle the word(s) with a different meaning.
1 costly dear reasonable
2 careful affluent well-off
3 generous stingy mean
4 priceless worthless worth a fortune
5 hard up broke comfortably off
6 a rip-off dirt cheap extortionate
7 pricey valuable precious

B Match the situations in 1−8 with the advice and suggestions in A−H.

1 A
I’ve just come into €10,000! I was thinking about You could always dip into your savings if you
buying a new car. What do you reckon? really want to go.

2 B
I’ve nearly run out of money and I don’t get my Lucky you! Now you’re so affluent, how about
allowance until the end of the month. shouting me dinner?

3 C
I really want to go to the Jessie J concert, but the Yes, it does sound pricey. How about shopping
tickets cost an arm and a leg! around or buying a second-hand one?

D
4
I’m desperate to get a new laptop, but I’m broke. Hang on! Shouldn’t you think about keeping some
Perhaps I should borrow some money from the bank. back for a rainy day?

E
5 You ought to get a part-time job so you can help
I can’t believe that bike costs €800! I think they’re
them out with the monthly expenses.
trying to rip me off.

F
6 I wouldn’t get into debt if I were you. Why don’t
I owe my parents a fortune and I can’t afford you try saving up for one?
to repay them.

G
7
That’s because money burns a hole in your pocket.
I’ve just sold some shares and I made a killing! You’ve got to cut back on your spending.

8 H
My dad’s just lost his job. My parents are finding it Well, you’re going to have to tighten your belt
hard to make ends meet. until then.

C Work in pairs. Discuss whether you think the advice and suggestions given in B are good. What other advice would
you give to a friend in these situations? Role-play the scenarios with your partner.

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press • Photocopiable

 2A Money makes the world go round

Aims  To review and practise vocabulary and idioms related

to money
Time  10−15 minutes
Materials  1 handout for each student
• Give each student a handout and tell them to complete task
A. Check answers as a class, ensuring students can explain
why the items are different.
Answer Key
1 reasonable 4 worthless 7 pricey
2 careful 5 comfortably off
3 generous 6 dirt cheap
• Tell students to complete task B, then check answers as a
class. Make sure students are able to explain the idioms and
vocabulary and provide synonyms where appropriate.
Answer Key
1  D  2  H  3  A  4  F  5  C  6  G  7  B  8  E
• Working in pairs, students complete task C. Encourage them
to make use of the target language from the lesson as far
as possible. Give them time to come up with ideas for and
rehearse their role-plays, then ask for volunteers to present
their dialogues to the class. At the end, students could vote
for the role-play they think offered the best/worst advice, was
the funniest/most original, made the best use of the new
vocabulary, etc.

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press