Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to social services.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

 distinguishing between past actions and the result of past actions in the present

The grammar focus of this unit is:

 SIMPLE PAST and PRESENT PERFECT

Listening Comprehension
Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: https://langschool.eu/courses/intermediate-en/media/9_sec2_text1.mp3

Transcript:

Patrick Reilly has come to the local Social Welfare office to get some information. :Clerk:
Hello. How can I help you? :Reilly: I'd like some information about unemployment
benefit. :Clerk: Right. Have you been employed in the last year? :Reilly: Yes. I've had 3 or 4
jobs in the last 2 years but the last company I worked for closed down a couple of weeks ago
and now I'm out of work. :Clerk: Did you pay social insurance contributions? :Reilly: Only
for the last two months, in my last job. :Clerk: Well, I'm afraid that if you haven't paid
contributions for 39 weeks I can't help you.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

1. At the moment Patrick is:

a.  Employed.

b.  Out of work.

c.  On holiday.

2. What has Patrick done for the past two years?

a.  He has been working.

b.  He has been out of work.

c.  He has been travelling.

3. How long did he work in his last job?

 a.  39 weeks.

b.  Two months.

c.  2 years

4. Did he pay social insurance contributions in the last job?

a.  Yes.

b.  No.

c.  We don't know.

5. Did he pay social insurance contributions in the previous jobs?

a.  Yes.

b.  No.

c.  We don't know.

6. What has Patrick come to find out about?

a.  Social insurance contributions

b.  Unemployment benefits

c.  Social Welfare

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Jacky has had a baby but she isn't married, and the baby's father has been sent to prison for two
years. :Clerk: Nice looking baby. What's her name? :Jacky: It's a boy, and his name's Lee, and I want
to know if I am entitled to child support. :Clerk: Oh, OK. Let's see. Are you married? :Jacky: No I'm
not, thank God. And anyway the father's gone away. :Clerk: What do you mean, 'he's gone
away'? :Jacky: He's been sent to prison and I want to know if I can claim a prison allowance
too. :Clerk: Oh, right, well I'm going to have to ask you some questions and fill in an application form
so that we can assess your situation.
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What is Jacky's present situation?

a.  She is a lone parent.

b.  She is married.

c.  She is divorced.

2. Why has the baby's father gone away?

a.  He doesn't like babies.

b.  He has emigrated.

c.  He has been sent to prison.

3. Which is correct?

a.  Jacky has a baby girl.

b.  Jacky has a baby boy.

c.  Jacky has a baby girl and a baby boy.

4. What does Jacky want to claim?

a.  A prison allowance.

b.  Child support.

c.  Child support and a prison allowance.

5. What is the clerk going to do?

 a.  Give her a prison allowance

b.  Assess her situation

c.  Give her child support.

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The Blind Person's Pension is paid to:

a.  Visually impaired people.

b.  Blind and visually impaired people.

c.  Blind people.

2. To qualify for the Pension you must have:

a.  An eye test.

b.  A means test.

c.  An eye test and a means test.

3. The payment you receive:

a.  Is a fixed personal rate.

b.  Is a fixed personal rate and an amount for dependants.

c.  Does not include an amount for dependants.

4. You will also receive:

 a.  A pass for free travel on all kinds of transport.

b.  A pass for free travel on all kinds of public transport.

c.  A pass for free travel on all kinds of private transport.

5. The Blind Welfare Allowance is:

a.  A child allowance.

b.  A supplementary income maintenance payment.

c.  A blind person's pension

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. How much is the Blind Pension rate for people under 66?

a.  134.80 euros per week.

b.  160.40 euros per week.

c.  89.40 euros per week.

2. The increase per week for a dependent child is:

 a.  89.40 euros

b.  66 euros

c.  16.80 euros

3. Over the age of 66 the rate:

a.  Goes down.

b.  Goes up.

c.  Remains the same.

4. Do you still get an increase for a dependent child if you are over 80?

a.  Yes.

b.  No.

c.  We don't know.

Exercise 5: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Since her husband died Annie has been:

 a.  Living alone.

b.  Living with her daughter.

c.  Living in a residential home.

2. Carol will no longer be able to care for her mother because :

a.  She will be better cared for in a home.

b.  She has to sell the house.

c.  She has accepted a new job in a different part of the country.

3. Payment for the home will be covered by:

a.  Her widow's pension.

b.  The money they can get from selling Annie's house.

c.  Annie's pension and the money from the sale of the house

General Comprehension
Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

1. There are different kinds of benefits and allowances.

TRUE

FALSE

2. Unemployment benefit and unemployment allowance are not the same thing.

TRUE

FALSE

3. Unemployment benefit is for people who have paid insurance contributions.

TRUE

FALSE

4. A prison allowance is paid to people in prison.

TRUE

FALSE

5. You can get child support even if you aren't married.

TRUE

FALSE

6. The visually impaired need an eye test to get a Blind Person's Pension.
 TRUE

FALSE

7. A woman whose husband has died is usually entitled to a widow's pension.

TRUE

FALSE

8. The cost of living in a residential home is always covered by the State.

TRUE

FALSE

9. Some old people need more care and nursing than others.

TRUE

FALSE

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press ‘Play’ to listen to the instructions:

Grammar Practice
Exercise 1: Transformation

In this exercise, respond to a statement in the Present Perfect with a question beginning with
`When ..' in the Simple Past.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

Example:

I've applied for a pension.

When did you apply?
 1. A. I've applied for a pension.

B. ?
2. A. My mother has gone into a residential home.

B. ?
3. A. Jacky has had a baby.

B. ?
4. A. I've received an increase.

B. ?
5. A. My wife has got a new job

B. ?
6. A. John has taken an eye test.

B. ?

Exercise 2: Transformation

In this exercise, respond to a question in the Present Perfect with an answer in the Simple
Past, using `last week'.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

I've found my travel pass.

Where did you find it?

1. A. I've found my travel pass.

B. ?
2. A. My mother has gone into a residential home.

B. ?
3. A. Jacky has had a baby.

B. ?
4. A. I've lost my pension book.

B. ?
 5. A. My husband has got a new job

B. ?
6. A. John has taken an eye test.

B. ?

Exercise 3: Transformation

In this exercise, respond to a question in the Present Perfect with an answer in the Simple
Past, using `last week'.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

Example:

Have you applied for benefit yet?

Yes, I applied last week.

1. A. Have you applied for benefit yet?

B. ?
2. A. Has your mother gone into a residential home yet?

B. ?
3. A. Has Jacky had her baby yet?

B. ?
4. A. Have you received an increase yet?

B. ?
5. A. Has your wife got a new job yet?

B. ?
6. A. Has John taken an eye test yet?

B. ?

Exercise 4: Transformation

In this exercise, you will hear a question in the Present Perfect. Answer in the affirmative
using the Present Perfect and `already'. Be careful with the position of `already'!

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

Example:
Have you received the money yet?
Yes, I've already received it.

1. A. Have you received the money yet?

B. ?
2. A. Have you filled in the form yet?

B. ?
3. A. Have you been to the unemployment office yet?

B. ?
4. A. Has your mother gone into a residential home yet?

B. ?
5. A. Has George found his pension book yet?

B. ?
6. A. Have you finished yet?

B. ?

Exercise 5: Transformation

In this exercise, you will hear a question in the Present Perfect. Answer in the negative using
the Present Perfect and `yet'.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

Example:

Have you received the money yet?

No, I haven't received it yet.
 1. A. Have you received the money yet?

B. ?
2. A. Have you filled in the form yet?

B. ?
3. A. Have you been to the unemployment office yet?

B. ?
4. A. Has your mother gone into a residential home yet?

B. ?
5. A. Has George found his pension book yet?

B. ?
6. A. Have you finished yet?

B. ?

Exercise 6: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

1. a.  A lot of people have asked for asylum in Britain last year.

b.  A lot of people asked for asylum in Britain last year.

2. a.  Where did you take your test?

b.  Where have you taken your test?

3. a.  Did her husband die yet?

b.  Has her husband died yet?

 4. a.  I already sent the application form.

b.  I've already sent the application form.

5. a.  I've been out of work for six months now.

b.  I was out of work for six months now.

6. a.  I thought you received an increase last month.

b.  I thought you have received an increase last month.

Consolidation
Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording:
This exercise can be also done purely orally:

1. The Social Welfare Department is responsible for a number of schemes.

TRUE

FALSE

2. Child Benefit depends on Social Insurance contributions.

TRUE

FALSE

3. Social assistance payments are paid for by State funding.

 TRUE

FALSE

4. Social Insurance contributions are related to wages or salary.

TRUE

FALSE

5. If you pay Social Insurance you are entitled to Unemployment Benefit.

TRUE

FALSE

6. A claimant must satisfy a means test to qualify for Social Assistance.

TRUE

FALSE

7. Lone Parents receive a Social Assistance Allowance.

TRUE

FALSE

8. Child Benefit is paid only to families with a low income.

TRUE

FALSE

9. A means test decides how much Social Assistance you can receive.
 TRUE

FALSE

10. Social Assistance schemes are financed entirely by the State.

TRUE

FALSE

Exercise 2: Dictation

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the ‘>’ key to listen to
the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions,
read the Exercise Help.

Exercise 3: Cloze

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same
words.

Recording:

? Social Welfare Department is responsible ? a number of social insurance and

social assistance schemes, including unemployment, illness, maternity, caring, widowhood,

retirement and old age. Payments are generally divided ? three groups: Firstly,

contributory payments ? made on the basis ? Social Insurance contributions related

to the wages or salary a worker receives. Secondly, Social Assistance (or non-contributory)

payments are made on the basis of a means test. Thirdly, payments ? as Child Benefit or

Free Travel do not depend on a ? test or on Social Insurance contributions related to

wages or salary.

Payments made ? the social insurance system are funded by contributions from

employers and employees. ? deficit is met by State subsidy. Entitlement to social

insurance benefits depends on the person claiming (the claimant) having paid a certain

number of contributions in a specific period of time. On the ? hand, social assistance

payments do not depend on contributions made by the claimant, and are paid for by State
funding.

Exercise 4: Gap Filling

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely orally:

1. If you are unemployed, you can ____ unemployment benefit.

a.  claim

b.  demand

c.  contribute to

2. To apply for an allowance you must ____ an application form.

a.  fill up

b.  write out

c.  fill in
3. Carol will no longer be able to ____ her mother.

a.  care about

b.  care for

c.  care

4. They haven't chosen a home ____ .

a.  yet

b.  already

c.  still

5. The payment you receive is ____ of a personal rate for you and a payment for your
dependants.

a.  made for

b.  made by

c.  made up

6. The child's father has been sent to prison ____ two years.

a.  for

b.  during

c.  in

7. Social Assistance is paid only to families with a ____ income.

a.  small

b.  short

c.  low
8. The social insurance system is funded by ____from employers and employees.

a.  pay

b.  contributions

c.  charges

9. Any deficit is met by State ____ .

a.  subsidy

b.  loan

c.  fund

10. With a Travel Pass you can travel on State public transport for ____ .

a.  the free

b.  free

c.  by free

11. Workers receive ____ for their work.

a.  wages and salary

b.  contributions

c.  funds

12. ____ parents receive a Social Assistance Allowance.

a.  lonely

b.  alone

c.  lone
13. Carol has accepted a new ____ .

a.  work

b.  job

c.  employment

14. Fill in an application form so that we can ____ your situation..

a.  access

b.  assess

c.  asset

15. Have you been employed in the____ year?

a.  last

b.  ultimate

c.  latest

16. What do you ____ , 'he's gone away'?

a.  mind

b.  say

c.  mean

17. Nice ____ guy!

a.  looking

b.  look

c.  looked
 18. Payments are generally ____ into three groups.

a.  divided

b.  separated

c.  formed

19. The last company I worked for has closed ____ .

a.  down

b.  up

c.  for

20. Certain people with ____ vision may also qualify

a.  narrow

b.  low

c.  small

https://langschool.eu/courses/intermediate-en/unit09.en.html

Vocabulary
1. Adoption :
2. Allowance :
3. Application
4. Asylum seeker
5. Awarded
6. Benefit
7. Caring
8. Child support
9. Claim
10. Community
11. Contributory
12. Counselling
13. Day centre
14. Dependants
15. Disability
16. Disadvantaged
17. Entitled
18. Foster home
19. Health
20. Insurance
21. Lone parent
22. Maintenance
23. Means test
24. Migrant
25. Nurse
26. Orphan
27. Pension scheme
28. Rate
29. Recreation
30. Rehabilitation
31. Residential home
32. Retirement
33. Rights
34. Salary
35. Scheme
36. Social services
37. Social worker
38. Support
39. To apply for
40. To assess
41. To award
42. To claim
43. To fund
44. To qualify
45. Unemployment
46. Visual impairment
47. Voluntary work
48. Wages
 49. Welfare
50. Widow

Vocabulary

1. Adoption : adoption
2. Allowance : allocation
3. Application : demande
4. Asylum seeker : demandeur d’asile
5. Awarded : attribué/octroyé
6. Benefit : avantage-prestation
7. Caring : bienveillance (n)-bienveillant (adj)
8. Child support : pension alimentaire pour un enfant
9. Claim : réclamer (vb) -réclamation (n)
10. Community : communauté-société civile
11. Contributory : contribuant
12. Counselling : soutien-thérapie (GB)
13. Day centre : centre de jour-hôpital de jour
14. Dependants : personnes à charge
15. Disability : handicap
16. Disadvantaged : désavantagé
17. Entitled : intitulé Entitled person : ayant droit
18. Foster home : foyer nourricier foster care : famille d’accueil
19. Health : santé
20. Insurance : assurance
21. Lone parent : parent seul -foyer monoparental
22. Maintenance : maintien-maintenance
23. Means test : examen des ressources
24. Migrant : migrant
25. Nurse : infirmier/infirmière
26. Orphan : orphelin
27. Pension scheme : régime de retraite
28. Rate : taux
29. Recreation : loisir
30. Rehabilitation : réadaptation-réinsertion
31. Residential home : foyer résidentiel
32. Retirement : la retraite
33. Rights : les droits
34. Salary : salaire
35. Scheme : plan-projet
36. Social services : services sociaux
37. Social worker : travailleur social
38. Support : aide
39. To apply for : postuler à /faire une demande
40. To assess : évaluer
41. To award : attribuer-récompenser
42. To claim : réclamer
43. To fund : financer
44. To qualify : qualifier
45. Unemployment : chomage
46. Visual impairment : déficience visuelle
47. Voluntary work : volontariat
48. Wages : salaires
49. Welfare : aide sociale-assistance sociale
50. Widow : veuf