UNIT

UNIT 2 Proficiency

2
Discussing new activities and

What’s New?
changes in progress
Talking about study habits

LISTENING: What are you doing these days?

A. Listen to each person answer questions. Write the name of the person under the picture that
best matches each person’s answer. Three pictures are not described.

B. Listen again. Write the exact goal or desire of each person.

Tom: He wants to lose some weight and get into shape.
Peter: ________________________________________________________________________
Ann: _________________________________________________________________________
Carlos:________________________________________________________________________
Ellen: ________________________________________________________________________
Rachel: _______________________________________________________________________

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 UNIT 2
GRAMMAR: Present progressive

Statement
I am talking on the phone.
You are driving too fast! Be careful!
We’re working on the problem now.
They are cleaning the room now.
She is coming toward us now.
It’s raining pretty hard outside.
Negative
I’m not taking a history class this semester.
I’m sorry, but you are not speaking loudly enough.
We aren’t looking for any more clients now.
They aren’t playing soccer now. They went home.
He is not staying for long.
Can you help me? The copy machine isn’t working.

GRAMMAR: Present progressive sentences

A. Look at what the people are doing in the picture. Find and correct the grammar mistakes
in the following sentences.
1. Carlos is sleep at his desk. Carlos is sleeping at his desk.
→ __________________________________________
2. Ann texting on her phone. → __________________________________________
3. Ellen and Tom is talking to each other. → __________________________________________
4. Rachel no is studying. → __________________________________________
5. Pete is look in his bag for something. → __________________________________________
6. Sam no sleeping at his desk. → __________________________________________
7. Diana and Sam are read. → __________________________________________

B. W
 rite five more sentences about the picture using the present progressive. Some of the
sentences should be negative sentences.
1. _______________________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________________

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UNIT 2
Home Life

SPEAKING: Goals in action

A. Are you working on any new goals this semester? Talk about all four of the topics below with
your partner. Use the present progressive.

Example: I’m trying to exercise more these days. I’m studying in the library a little more than
last semester. I’m not learning a new skill these days, but I am trying not to waste so much
time watching TV.
• Health • Study • Learning a new skill • Breaking a bad habit

SPEAKING: What’s happening in the picture?

A. Look at the following pictures. With a partner, write at least four sentences to describe each
picture using the present progressive.

1. The man is skateboarding.

2. Many people are watching him.
3. The man is not wearing a shirt.
4. One man is taking a picture.

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________

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 UNIT 2
WRITING: Picture description
A. Look at the picture. Write a sentence about each character that answers the following questions:
• W
 hat is the character doing?
A (Tom is talking)
1 8
5 3
• Who is the character with? (a girl)
4 6
7
• W
 here is the character? (next to the
2
door)
→ Finished sentence: Tom is talking

with a girl next to the door.

1. Tom 2. Rachel 3. Ann 4. Sam 5. Pete 6. Diana 7. Carlos 8. Ellen

is talking
1. Tom _________________________________ a girl
with __________________next the door .
to __________

2. Rachel _______________________________ with __________________at ______________ .

3. Ann_________________________________ with __________________at ______________ .

4. Sam_________________________________ with __________________at ______________ .

5. Pete_________________________________ with__________________next to___________ .

B. Compare picture A above with picture B.

B What differences can you find?
Follow the example.
5 8 1
3 1. In Picture A, Tom is talking with a
girl next to the door, but in Picture B,
7
Tom is talking to Ellen.
2
2. _________________________________
___________________________________

___________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________________

6. ___________________________________________________________________________

Unit 2: Home Life 21

UNIT 2

LISTENING: Four Lies and One Truth

A. Listen to the narrator say five sentences describing picture A on page 21. Four of the five
sentences have a mistake. Make a note of each mistake below (follow the example). Write
‘correct’ for the sentence which does not have a mistake.
1. Tom and the girl are not behind the windows. They are next to the windows.
2. _______________________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________________

GRAMMAR: Simple present and frequency adverbs

Always 100% I always get nervous before tests.

Almost always 90-99% She almost always does well on tests.
Usually 60-90% He usually stays up late to study for tests.
Often 50-75% I often review my notes after class.
Sometimes 30-50% We sometimes study together before a test.
Rarely/almost never 01-10% Students rarely get a chance to retake a test.
Never 0% You never cheat on tests, right?

SPEAKING: How often do you…

A. Write how often you do each of the activities using frequency adverbs.
B. Ask and write down your partner’s answers.
1. study in the library 2. listen to music and study 3. get at least six hours of sleep
4. study with a friend 5. cheat on tests 6. study all night before a test

Example: I often study in the library. My partner rarely studies in the library.

1. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

2. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

3. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

4. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

5. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

6. I ___________________________________________ My partner_______________________

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 UNIT 2
C. Find four interesting similarities and differences between you and your partner.

1. I ___________________________________________, and my partner does too.

2. I ________________________, but my partner _______________________________.

3. I ___________________________________________, and my partner does too.

4. I ________________________, but my partner _______________________________.

LISTENING: Present progressive and simple present

A. Look at the following dialogues. Try to guess what words are missing in each dialogue.
B. Now listen to the dialogues and see if your answers are correct. Make any necessary changes.
1. A: What _________Carlos _______________?
B: ______ ______________ a movie and _____________ _____________.
A: How often ________ _______ ________ this?
B: He _____ ______when he ______ a movie. At least that is what he says!
2.  A: _________ __________ your dog ___________________?
B: _________ ______________ a hole and________________a bone.
A: How often ________________ _______________ _____________ that?
B: She________________ ____________ bones when she____________one.
It makes my mother angry!
3. A: _________________ your uncle _________________?
B: _______ ______________ on his motorcycle. ___ ________ his engine.
A: _______ ___________ __________ he do that?
B: H
 e __________ ____________ on his motorcycle on the weekends.
It’s his hobby.
4. A: _________________ your father _________________?
B: _______ ________________ at the TV.
A: _______ _________________ ________ ________ ____________ that?
B: He _______ _________ at the TV when he ________his favorite team
plays. They lose a lot.
5. A: _____________ ________________ your roommates ______________?
B: They ________ _________________ about something.
A: _______ _________ _______ _______ _________ that?
B: They _________ ______________ when they talk about doing chores.
6. A: _________________ your cousin _________________?
B: __________ _________________ money from my sister.
A: ________ __________ ________ _______ _______ that?
 B: She _______ ________ money. Unfortunately, she _____ ______ it back.

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UNIT 2

WRITING & SPEAKING: What do you usually do while...

A. Write answers to the following questions in complete sentences. Write your own question on
#6 and answer it.

Example: What do you usually do while you are waiting for class to start?
I usually talk to other students while I am waiting for class to start.

1. What do you usually do while you are waiting for class to start?

________________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you often do while you are waiting for a friend?

________________________________________________________________________________

3. What do you sometimes do while you are eating with your family?

________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you do anything while you are watching TV?

________________________________________________________________________________

5. Do you do anything while you are studying?

________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you ever_______________ while you are ________________?

________________________________________________________________________________

B. Share your answers with your partner. Complete the following sentences (one similarity and
one difference).
Example: My partner and I both listen to music while we are studying.

My partner and I both ____________________________________________________________.

My partner sometimes ____________________________, but I ___________________________.

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 UNIT 2
SPEAKING: The model student
A. What can you do to get the most benefit from your English class? The following are
suggestions that can help. For each suggestion, choose the response that most closely
represents your answer:
A. I already do this. B. I’ll definitely try to do this.
C. I might try to do this sometimes. D. I might not be able to do this.
E. I can’t do this.

___ Do all that is asked by the teacher and then a little more.
___ Preview upcoming class lessons.
___ Perform every classroom activity with enthusiasm.
___ Speak only in English.
___ Ask the teacher questions when you are unsure of something.
___ Make a goal to ask questions in class at least once a week.
___ Be partners with the other classmates who also want to improve their English.
B. Share your answers with your partner. How can you help each other follow these suggestions?

READING: Habits of Successful Test Takers

A. Read how each character is preparing for a test. Which characters are you most similar to
when preparing for a test?
There’s a big test tomorrow. What are you doing?

Tom: I’m studying with Ellen. We are both taking the same history class.
Right now, we’re quizzing each other to make sure we can remember the
answers.

Diana: I’m reviewing my lecture notes. I do it after every class. If I don’t

review my notes after the class, I just forget everything.

Rachel: I’m taking a break from studying. I’m taking a walk around my
neighborhood. I still need to study more, but this helps me clear my head.
I can’t really study well for more than one hour without a break.

Sam: I’m going to bed. I already prepared well for the test. Now, it’s important
to get a good night’s sleep. A tired brain can’t think or remember well.

Carlos: I’m cramming for the test. I forgot the test was tomorrow, so I’m just
starting to study for it now. I don’t know if I’ll get much sleep tonight.
I already feel tired.

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UNIT 2
Habits of Successful Test Takers
Before the Test
1. Good test-takers begin preparing for the test long before the exam day. They take good
notes in class and review them afterwards. They don’t get behind in the reading. They
already know most of the material before they actually begin to study for the test.
2. Good test takers study without distractions. People cannot multitask (do more than
one task at the same time) well. Even if a distraction is only for a few seconds, students
will forget what they have just studied and have to start over again. For most students, this
means turning off cellphones.
3. Good test takers do not ‘cram’ (wait until the night before the test and study for many
hours). Everyone’s brain needs time to rest between study sessions to remember
information. A good test taker will start to study at least two days before a test.
4. Good test takers do more than just review notes; they test themselves with practice
questions. Students often think they understand something just after they read it. However,
when the actual test time comes, many students realize they failed to deeply understand
the content or simply can’t remember it. Explaining the answers out loud or in writing is
another way to show what was actually learned.
5. Good test takers are healthy and rested. They exercise regularly so their brains are
working at full speed. They eat a good breakfast or lunch with plenty of vitamins and
protein on the day of the test. Good test takers get at least five hours of sleep the night
before the test. Tired students have trouble with memory, problem solving, and
concentration.
On the Day of the Test
1. Good test-takers try to arrive early at the classroom. This allows them to have some
time to quickly review their notes so that everything is clear in their memory.
2. Good test takers read test instructions and questions carefully. Many students lose
points only because they weren’t sure what the teacher was asking for.
3. Good test takers monitor the time while taking the test. Most tests have a time limit. A
good test taker makes sure she distributes the time well so that she doesn’t have to rush to
finish. This might mean giving up on questions that are taking too much time to answer.
4. If there is plenty of time to finish the test, good test-takers rarely finish early. They rest
for a few minutes and then go through the test again. With fresh eyes, they catch some of
their mistakes.

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 UNIT 2
B. Place a check mark by the advice that was given in the reading.
Next, note how often you follow this advice: Always, almost always, usually, sometimes, seldom,
rarely, never.

In the
Advice How often do you do this?
reading

Take good notes in class and review them often.

Chew gum during the test to help yourself concentrate.

Sleep well the night before the test.

Start studying for the test two or more days before the test day.

Study with a friend.

Study by doing practice test questions.

Read test instructions carefully.

Listen to music while you study.

Take a short rest during the test and then review your answers.

Review your notes right before the test starts.

Ask the professor many questions during class time.

Study all night before the test.

SPEAKING: How do you prepare for a test?

A. Ask and answer the following questions with a partner.

1. What advice in the reading do you already do?
2. What advice in the reading would you like to do more often?
3. What other test-taking advice have you heard?
4. When do you usually begin preparing for the test? Is it often the night before the test?
5. What can you do in every class that will help you be prepared for tests later?
6. What do you usually do the night before the test?
7. How do you usually feel before the test? Confident? Nervous?
8. What do you often think after a test? Do you sometimes have regrets?

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UNIT 2

READING: Brain Maintenance 101

A. The following are beliefs about the brain. Which ones do you think are true?
True False Most people only use 10% of their brain
True False Getting regular exercise will make you smarter.
True False Taking a nap in the middle of the day improves your brain functions.
True False Taking extra vitamins and supplements like Omega-3 improves brain functions.
True False There are special ‘brain game’ programs that help people become smarter.

B. Read and find out which statements above are true and which are myths.

Brain Maintenance 101

We’d all like to be smarter. Quick problem solving,
lasting memory, improved concentration: these and
other cognitive abilities provide great benefits and
advantages to almost everyone. This raises questions
many people ask: Can I get smarter? How can I keep
my brain in its best possible condition?
First, let’s dispel some common myths about the brain.
The oldest myth is that people use only 10% of their
brains. Some people believe that Albert Einstein said
this. It’s not true. No scientist has ever said anything like this. The fact is that we use all of our
brain. There isn’t any hidden area of the brain that is unused.
Perhaps an even more popular myth is the idea that supplements such as certain vitamins and
Omega-3 can improve brain functions. Recent reviews of a large number of studies on supplements
do not support this, however. Research finds that taking supplements has either very small effects
or simply no effect on brain function. These supplements may have good marketing, but they aren’t
backed by science. The same goes for ‘brain game’ programs that claim to improve memory, cognitive
speed, and other brain functions. People who use these programs might get better at the games, but
researchers can’t find any special effect on overall cognitive ability. You’d get the same results from
just reading a book, doing crossword puzzles, learning a new language, or any other activity that
gets your brain fully engaged.
If these supplements and products have little or no real benefit, what can we do to get the most out
of our brains? Researchers have found two activities that have a major effect on brain function:
exercise and sleep.
To get smarter, try going to the gym before you go to the library. Exercise is the single activity that
gives the most impressive results on brain function. People who begin to exercise regularly see large
improvements in all brain functions. Everyone, from children to the elderly, can receive these
benefits. Doing about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (jogging, swimming, playing sports, or any
other exercise that gets your heart pounding) at least three days a week is enough to improve your

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 UNIT 2
thinking by 80-120%. How does this work? Aerobic exercise gets your heart beating faster, and that
sends more blood to the brain. Blood not only sends oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain but
also removes wasteful buildup. Basically, more blood to the brain both feeds and cleans your brain,
making it work more effectively.
The second biggest factor in brain health is sleep. It’s no surprise that a lack of sleep makes it
difficult to concentrate and impossible to think clearly. We all know how foggy our brain gets when
we stay up too late. The brain is not that much different than our muscles; it needs time to rest in
order to work efficiently. Sleep is especially crucial in allowing our brains to solidify memories and
help our ability to problem-solve. Furthermore, it is not just getting a good night’s sleep.
Taking a nap in the middle of the day also brings great benefits. Research shows that a midday nap
can give you a 20-30% mental boost for three to six hours, which is plenty of time to finish your
work or school day. The Spaniards knew what they were doing when they invented the siesta!
So that’s it. If you want to get more out of your brain, exercise and sleep more. Not only will your
brain work better, your general health and stress levels will also improve. You probably have tests
coming in the next few weeks. Of course, you’ll still need to study hard. Exercise and sleep will not
magically put new information into your head! But remember: getting exercise and plenty of sleep
will help you understand and remember what you study. Come test time, you’ll be glad you did.

C. Answer the following questions:

1. Check your answers to the pre-reading exercise. Do you need to change any of your answers?
2. According to the reading, what are three activities you can do to improve your thinking?
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why might it be a bad idea to stay up all night studying for a test?
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. According to the reading, which activity is probably best for your brain?
A. dancing B. lifting heavy weights C. bowling D. taking supplements

D. Discuss the following questions with your partner.

1. How many hours of sleep do you usually get on weeknights? Weekends?
2. Do you ever take naps? Why or why not?
3. When you have a big test, do you stay up late to study?
4. Any mentally engaging activity can improve your thinking skills.The following are hobbies
and free-time activities that stimulate the brain.

Reading Playing chess Learning a new skill or hobby

Learning/practicing a musical instrument Doing crossword puzzles/sudoku/etc.

• Which ones do you do regularly?

• How often do you do them? How much time per day/week do you do each one?

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UNIT 2

WRITING & SPEAKING: Practices of Successful Language Learners

A. The following are the 10 most common practices of successful language learners according
to researchers. Indicate your own practices with each item on the list.

I already do I do this I don’t do this,

Language practice I don’t do this.
this often. sometimes. but I want to.

1. Read for pleasure in English

2. Seek opportunities to read in English

3. Look for people to talk to in English

4. Write notes and so on in English

5. Start conversations in English

6. Read without looking up all new words

7. Practice English with other students

8. Ask questions in English

9. Watch TV or movies in English

10. Seek many ways to use English

Take a look at the list and see if you can find a few practices that you could add to your study habits.
If they work for the successful students in this study, they’ll probably work for you as well!

B. Discuss the following with a partner.

1. Share your answers to the chart with a partner.
2. What are some English study practices on the list that you already do?
3. What are two to three practices in the list that you would like to do more?

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 UNIT 2
WRITING & SPEAKING: 5-minute conversations

A. Write at least four sentences for each question. See page 143 for tips on how to think of things
to write and say on a topic.

1. Tell me about yourself and your family. __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. How would you describe your personality?________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is something special or new that you are doing these days? _____________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. How do you study for tests? What are some ways you’d like to change how you study?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. Bring a picture of you and some family members or friends. What is happening in the
picture? Describe the event.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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