Student workbook

INTERMEDIATE 1
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
3¬ Objectives / Intermediate 1
5¬ Unit 1 / Education
9¬ Unit 2 / Away from home
13¬ Unit 3 / Celebrations
18¬ Unit 4 / Weather
22¬ Answer key / Unit 1
23¬ Answer key / Unit 2
24¬ Answer key / Unit 3
25¬ Answer key / Unit 4

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 OBJECTIVES / INTERMEDIATE 1
Unit 1–Education

In this unit learners will listen to a radio interview with a local high
school football hero. They will listen to and take part in a dialogue
between two students discussing their math test, and they will read
an article about the role of pre-school education today. The grammar
section deals with the Present Perfect–statements, questions, and
answers. The vocabulary section provides learners with exposure to
and practice of words and phrases on the topic of education.

Unit 2–Away From Home

This unit deals with the problems and excitement of being away from
home. Learners will watch a video clip about a new employee from
a different country adjusting to his new surroundings. Learners will
listen to and take part in a dialogue with a Japanese student in the
US, and read about a study exchange program for learning French.
The grammar section deals with the Present Perfect Progressive. The
vocabulary section provides learners with exposure to and practice of
words and phrases on the topic of studying abroad.

Unit 3–Celebrations

This unit focuses on celebrations and national holidays. Learners

will listen to a radio call-in program about national holidays in diffe-
rent countries. They will listen to and take part in a dialogue of a man
apologizing for being late to a party, and they will read a story about
Thanksgiving, an American holiday. The grammar section deals with
the Passive voice–with or without an agent. The vocabulary section
provides learners with exposure to and practice of words and phrases
on the topic of celebrations.

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 Objectives / Intermediate 1

Unit 4–Bad Weather

This unit deals with different aspects of the topic of bad weather. Lear-
ners will listen to the radio weather report warning of a bad storm
approaching. They will listen to and take part in a dialogue of a cou-
ple deciding what to do in case of bad weather, and they will read a
weather warning notice. The grammar section deals with Relative
Clauses–object, subject, and with or without relative pronouns. The
vocabulary section provides learners with exposure to and practice of
words and phrases on the topic of weather.

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 UNIT 1 / EDUCATION
1. Vocabulary

Select the correct answer to fill the gap.

1. Muhammad Ali was the __________ boxer of all time.

a. famous
b. greatest
c. master

2. Shakira had dark hair before she became __________.

a. intelligent
b. lose
c. famous

3. Someone who is __________ understands well and can learn new

things easily.
a. famous
b. intelligent
c. master

4. After studying for many years, Susan finally got her _________ in
nursing.
a. diploma
b. famous
c. elementary school

5. If you don’t win, you _________.

a. grade
b. master
c. lose

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 Unit 1 / Education

2. Grammar

a. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brac-
kets in the present perfect.

Example: Where is Camilo?

He has gone to Belgium. (go)

1. Have you ever been to Hawaii?

2. No, I _________. (have)

3. Maria can’t go to the party because she ______ _______ her

homework. (finish)

4. I ________ never ________ skydiving. (do) _________ you

_________ the new Spiderman movie? (see)

5. How long ________ you _________ lived in Spain?

b. Read the e+mail and select the correct form of the verb.

Dear Juan

I am sorry to hear you are being / have been sick. We have mis-
sed / been missed you at soccer training, so I hope you are well
soon.

As you have probably heard / are probably hearing, we lost the

last two matches, so we really need you back on the team with
us!

Are you deciding / Have you decided what you are going to do in
the summer vacation? Some of us are planning a camping trip
after the exams. Would you like to come with us?

Take care and get better soon.

Carlos

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 Unit 1 / Education

3. Reading

Read the extract and mark the sentences T (true) or F (false).

Sports and Education Work Well Together

By Jay P Greene and Daniel H Bowen
New York Times, October 21, 2014

Athletics have always been an es-

sential component of a liberal edu-
cation, but recently sports in school
have come under attack. If, because
of that, athletics are cut or eliminated from schools, the quality
of education would likely be harmed.

Schools that offer more sports and field more successful teams
produce higher test scores and graduation rates, research
shows. There is a relatively consistent body of research showing
that students who participate in athletics tend to fare significant-
ly better both in school and in later life. Participating in sports,
like playing in the school band or competing on the debate team,
are cognitively and organizationally demanding activities that
help convey self-discipline and leadership skills. This is espe-
cially true for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In addition, our own research has found that schools that offer
more sports and field more successful teams produce higher
test scores and graduation rates. So, there is no reason to be-
lieve that schools that emphasize sports do so at the expense of
other educational goals.

1. The writers believe that sport is an important part of education. _____

2. Students from schools that offer sports have the lowest test scores. ____

3. Research shows that students who participate in sports don’t do well

later in life. ____

4. Playing sports helps students to develop leadership skills. ____

5. Sports are bad for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. ____

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 Unit 1 / Education

4. Vocabulary

grade – music – kindergarten – college – elementary – grades – school

Camila: Hi Laura, long time no see! How are you?

Laura: Hey Camila! I’m good thanks. Yes, it has been a long time. I can’t
believe how big Ben is now.

Camila: Yes, the kids are growing so fast. He’s seven years old now, and is
at 1. _______________________ . My daughter, Ester, is 15 and has alre-
ady started to think about 2. ___________ applications.

Laura: What do you think she will study at college?

Camila: Well, she has always loved playing the piano, so she might study
3. ______________ . But her best 4. _____________ at school have been in
geography. What about your kids?

Laura: My youngest is three years old and goes to the

5. ___________________ near our house. My oldest daughter is in the se-

cond 6. ___________________ at elementary school.

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 UNIT 2 / AWAY FROM HOME
1. Vocabulary

a. Match the words in the box with the meaning below.

opportunity – homesick – roommate – accent – overseas – transfer

1. someone you share a room, house or apartment with

_____________________________________________

2. to change to a different school or course

_____________________________________________

3. the feeling of sadness when you are away from your home and
friends or family
_____________________________________________

4. on the other side of the sea or ocean

_____________________________________________

5. the chance to do something positive

_____________________________________________

6. the way people from a similar region speak

_____________________________________________

b. Choose a word from the box above to complete the sentences.

1. I missed my family and was really _______ when I went to Aus-
tralia to study English.

2. It was the first time I went ____________ .

3. The Australian ________ was difficult to understand when I first

got there.

4. My _________ , the person I lived with, was from Singapore.

5. After completing the semester as an exchange student, I got

the _________ to __________ to a top university in my country.

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 Unit 2 / Away from home

2. Grammar

Write questions or sentences with the following words using the present
perfect progressive.

Example: how long / you / study English ?

How long have you been studying English?

1. John / work / Microsoft / 10 years

2. I / live / Australia / since I was a baby.

3. Mary / study / engineering / January.

4. the baby / sleep / since 6 o’clock

5. Oscar / play tennis / two years

6. how long / you / wait / for the bus ?

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 Unit 2 / Away from home

3. Reading

Alejandra is an exchange student from Colombia studying in Russia. Read

the email she sent to her family and write T (true) or F (false) next to the
sentences below.

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all well.

I have been adjusting to my life here in Moscow. As you know, I

was very homesick in the beginning. I missed home and all my
friends and family so much, but now it is better as I have been
making new friends and enjoying the course. In our International
Relations classes, we have been learning about the relationship
between Russia and Colombia, so that is very interesting for me. I
miss patacon and empanadas so much!

One of my new friends, Sarah, is from Australia. It is also her

first time overseas. In the beginning, I found her accent difficult
to understand, but now I am used to it. My roommate, Ming, is
from Singapore, and she has been teaching me how to cook
Singaporean food. It’s really great!

Well, keep in touch.

Lots of love,

Alejandra

1. Alejandra was not homesick when she first arrived in Russia. _____

2. Now she feels better living there. _____

3. She misses Colombian food. _____

4. Sarah has lived in many different countries. _____

5. Sarah’s accent was easy for Alejandra to understand. _____

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 Unit 2 / Away from home

4. Vocabulary

Unscramble the words then use them to complete in the sentences below.

sims – skhicmoe – anectc – mrateoom – esoervas

– eepk in houtc – erntasfr – pontupiyt

1. Does Sheila live alone or with a ___________________________ ?

2. My new job is a great ________________________ for me to travel

overseas.

3. Were you _________________________ when you moved to Spain?

4. I will ___________________________ you when you move to Brazil.

5. Let’s _______________________ after we graduate. (3 words which

means to call or write often)

6. Do you think Juan will be able to ____________________ to a new

school next semester?

7. The Texan _______________________ can be difficult to unders-

tand at first.

8. You might need a visa if you are planning to travel _____________ .

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 UNIT 3 / CELEBRATIONS
1. Vocabulary

Read the statement and choose the correct word.

1. People sometimes have a 2. My favourite holiday /

celebration / bake sale to display is Thanksgiving Day.
raise money.

3. John bought a lot of 4. Many people in the US

apples so he could make a enjoy watching fireworks /
celebration / apple pie to television on Independence
welcome his guests from Day.
Japan.

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 Unit 3 / Celebrations

2a. Reading

Read about how New Year is celebrated in three different countries.

Brazil
New Year’s Eve on the Beach
Brazilians dress in white and gather by the ocean to honor the
passing year and welcome the next. In Rio de Janeiro, revelers
light candles, watch a fireworks display, and throw flowers into
the ocean as an offering to Yemanja, the Afro-Brazilian goddess
of the seas, who represents abundance, safety, and fertility. Whi-
te garments symbolize purity and prosperity. In this ultra-multi-
cultural country, people gather to celebrate the communal spirit
and the desire for social harmony.

Spain
The 12 Grapes of Noche Vieja, New Year’s Eve
At the stroke of midnight, Spaniards eat one grape for each toll
of the clock. They observe this century-old ritual (which began
after a spectacular harvest) whether they’re at home, in a pac-
ked restaurant in Barcelona, or in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where
the grape-eating countdown, like the ball drop in Times Square,
is televised.
The essence: The good harvest is celebrated in the hope of at-
tracting luck and riches in the coming year.

Ecuador
La Quema de los Anos Viejos, the Burning of Effigies in a
Midnight Bonfire,
New Year’s Eve
In late December, Ecuadorians make life-size dolls resembling
unpopular public figures (such as local politicians or Osama bin
Laden) and display them on balconies or in windows. On New
Year’s Eve, the dolls are piled in the street and torched, creating
a bonfire. Some people believe that jumping over the burning
dolls brings good luck. The essence: The fires wipe away evil and
bring good fortune for the coming year.
By Robin Epstein,
Real Simple.com

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 Unit 3 / Celebrations

2b. Reading

Answer the questions from the text.

1. What color do people wear

at New Year in Brazil?

2. What is thrown into the

ocean in Rio de Janeiro?

3. How many grapes are

eaten at midnight in Spain
on December 31?

4. Do the Spanish people

celebrate New Year at
home or in restaurants?

5. Why do Ecuadorians burn

effigies at New Year?

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 Unit 3 / Celebrations

3. Grammar

Rewrite the sentences from the text using the passive voice.

Example:
In Rio de Janeiro, revelers (people at a par-
ty) throw flowers into the ocean.

In Rio de Janeiro, flowers are thrown into the ocean.

1. People wear white clothes to celebrate New Year in Brazil.

2. At midnight in Spain, Spaniards eat one grape for each toll (strike)
of the clock.

3. They observe this century-old ritual whether they’re at home or in

a restaurant.

4. In Ecuador, people display life-size dolls resembling unpopular pu-

blic figures on balconies or in windows.

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 Unit 3 / Celebrations

4. Vocabulary

Carlos has been transferred to New York by his job. Read the telephone
conversation with his cousin Luz, and complete the sentences with the
words from the box.

gather – event – tradition – parade – annual

Luz: So how was Saint Patrick’s Day?

Carlos: It was amazing. It’s the biggest __________ I’ve ever been to!

Luz: So tell me about it!

Carlos: There is a huge ____________ in the streets, with every-

body dressed in green. I heard on the news that over 150,000 people
___________ for this ___________ celebration.

Luz: Wow, that sounds like fun! What an interesting __________ .

Carlos: Yes, it is. After the parade, we went to the pub and drank
some Irish beer.

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 UNIT 4 / WEATHER
1. Vocabulary

Match the words with the pictures.

heavy rain – thunder and lightning – strong wind –

cloudy sky – flooding – bright – sunshine

1. _________________________ 2. _________________________

3. _________________________ 4. _________________________

5. _________________________ 6. _________________________

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 Unit 4 / Weather

2. Grammar

a. Put the words in the correct order to make sentences using relative
clauses.

Example: that’s / sitting / I / was / Excuse me, / where

Excuse me, that’s where I was sitting.

1. person / is / John / I / the / love / will / only / ever

John_____________________________________

2. didn’t / I / the / man / see / who / the / bag / stole

I________________________________________

3. The / Mary / bought / dress / beautiful / that / yesterday / is

The______________________________________

4. table / keys / pass / Please / me / the / on / the

Please___________________________________

5. the / buy / wanted / to / Emma / car / That’s

That’s____________________________________

6. children / eaten / have / The / all / the / cakes / yesterday / made / I

The______________________________________

b. Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. That is the man ____________________ buy Juan’s car.

which going to / who is going to / who goes to

2. I have a friend at school ____________________ five languages.

which speaking / what speaks / who speaks

3. Is that the teacher __________________ you a bad grade?

that gives / who gave / are giving

4. The tournament was the first time _____________ a tennis match.

Anna won / Anna winning/ Anna can won

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 Unit 4 / Weather

3. Reading

Read the article and answer the questions below.

The local weather services warned that rain would continue this weekend.
We have been receiving heavy rains over the past week and the storms
are expected to continue. Authorities warned people not to leave items
outside that could easily be taken indoors, as they said there was also a
high risk of strong winds.

In case of flooding, residents should look for the nearest emergency shel-
ter. However, please make sure that you drive carefully as fog is expected
all weekend, which will make visibility difficult.

Bright sunshine is expected to return to the city after the weekend, at

which time temperatures will be back to normal, with mostly cool and dry
weather.

1. It will be sunny over the weekend. _____

2. We can expect flooding. _____

3. Residents should stay outside this weekend. _____

4. It will continue raining next week. _____

5. The sun will be shining next week. _____

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 Unit 4 / Weather

4. Vocabulary

Complete the conversation with a word from the box.

rain – cloudy – lightning – winds – dry – rain – sunny

Jamie: Do you know what the weather is going to be like today? I was
thinking that if it is _________ we could have a picnic.

Melissa: It looks quite ___________ now so I think it might ________ later.

I don’t think today is the best day for a picnic.

Jamie: Oh yes, that’s a pity. I’m just looking at the weather report now. It
says we should expect strong __________ and heavy _________ .

Melissa: I think it’s going to be cool and ________ tomorrow, so maybe we

could have the picnic tomorrow instead.

Jamie: Yeah, it definitely won’t be fun being in the park if there is thunder
and _________ .

Melissa: So what should we do today?

Jamie: How about going to the mall to watch a movie instead?

Melissa: That sounds great!

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 ANSWER KEY / UNIT 1
1. Vocabulary 3. Reading
1. greatest 1. T
2. famous 2. F
3. intelligent 3. F
4. diploma 4. T
5. lose 5. F

2a. Grammar 4. Vocabulary

1. haven’t 1. elementary school
2. hasn’t finished 2. college
3. have done 3. music
4. have seen 4. grades
5. have lived 5. elementary school
6. grade
2b. Grammar
1. have been
2. have missed
3. have probably heard
4. have you decided
 ANSWER KEY / UNIT 2
1a. Vocabulary 3. Reading
1. roommate 1. F
2. transfer 2. T
3. homesick 3. T
4. overseas 4. F
5. opportunity 5. F
6. accent

1b. Vocabulary
1. homesick
2. overseas
3. accent
4. roommate
5. opportunity, transfer

2. Grammar
1. John has been working
at Microsoft for 10 years.
2. I have been living in Aus-
tralia since I was a baby.
3. Mary has been stud-
ying engineering since
January.
4. The baby has been slee-
ping since 6 o’clock.
5. Oscar has been playing
tennis for two years.
6. How long have you been
waiting for the bus?
 ANSWER KEY / UNIT 3
1. Vocabulary 4. Vocabulary
1. bake sale 1. event
2. holiday 2. parade
3. apple pie 3. gather
4. fireworks 4. annual
5. tradition
2b. Reading
1. white
2. flowers
3. 12
4. both

3. Grammar
1. White clothes are worn
in Brazil to celebrate
New Year.
2. One grape is eaten for
each toll of the clock at
midnight in Spain.
3. This century-old ritual is
observed at home or in
restaurants.
4. In Ecuador, life-size
dolls resembling unpo-
pular public figures are
displayed on balconies
or in windows.
5. The dolls are burnt at
midnight.
 ANSWER KEY / UNIT 4
1. Vocabulary 2b. Grammar
1. flooding 1. who is going to
2. cloudy sky 2. who speaks
3. strong wind 3. who gave
4. bright sunshine 4. Anna won
5. thunder and lightning
6. heavy rain 3. Reading

2a. Grammar 1. F
2. T
1. John is the only person I 3. F
will ever love. 4. F
2. I didn’t see the man who 5. T
stole the bag.
3. The dress Mary bought 4. Vocabulary
yesterday is beautiful.
4. Please pass me the keys 1. sunny
on the table. 2. cloudy
5. That’s the car Emma 3. rain
wanted to buy. 4. winds
6. The children have eaten 5. rain
all the cakes I made 6. dry
yesterday. 7. lightning