Intensive English 3

Week 4
Online session 2
Unit 7: Problems

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Unit 7: Problems

Session 2 communicative objective

•By the end of this session, you will be able to talk about everyday problems
and past events.

2
 Family

Read the script for a voice message and answer these questions:

1. What is the relationship between Jennifer and Peter?

2. What problem does Jennifer have?
3. What favor does she need?

Jennifer: Hi Peter. Could you do me a favor? My car

broke down and I’m at the garage right now. The
mechanic says the brakes need to be replaced, so it’s
going to take some time. Could you pick up Tony
from school? Please answer me back. Bye.

3-5 minutes
Warm up
whole class 3
 Everyday problems
Pre • Which are some everyday problems you usually have?
production 1 • How do you solve them?

I usually take too much time to get up in the

morning.

I often get stressed when teachers give me a lot

of homework.

6 minutes

whole class

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 Everyday problems
Work in pairs. Read your role cards. Role-play conversations in the four situations the pictures show.
Production 1 Student A Student B
• Imagine you are in the problem situations the photos
show. • Answer student A’s call.
• You need to do the things in the boxes. • Agree to do the favor (s)he asks you.
• Call student B and ask for help.

1 2
pick up a suit from pick up your child
the laundry from school

check if your house welcome an

door is locked important client

3 4 Language bank
14 minutes Would you do me a favor?
Could you (explain what you need)?
I’m really stuck.
pairwork I was supposed to (activity)...
Thanks a lot! / I really appreciate it.

Exchange roles. 5
 Everyday problems

Present your dialogs here.

Feedback

5 minutes

whole class

6
 Problems!

• Read this short dialogue.

Pre • What follow-up question can you ask?
production 2
A: What's the worst problem you
have ever had?
B: Last year I was on my way to an important
job interview when my car broke down.

A: ____________________________?
6 minutes

whole class
Remember that follow-up
questions are essential to keep
a conversation going.

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 Problems!

Production 2 • Work in pairs.

• Ask and answer the questions below.
• Remember to react to what you partner says and ask follow-up questions.

1. What's the worst problem you have ever had?

2. What is your first reaction to problems? Do you panic/ analyze it/ run to someone to talk
and get help?
3. Are you quick at solving your problems or does it take you quite a time to think of a
solution?
4. Is there anyone who is always ready to help you when you have problems?
5. Do you usually help people with their problems?
6. … (your question here)

14 minutes Language bank Reaction phrases

I agree. I can imagine!
That’s what I think too. What a nightmare!
pairwork I feel the same. Sounds awful/terrible!
Really? Wow, that’s amazing!
I don’t think so. Oh, I see what you mean.
I disagree. Oh my God! 8
 Problems!

Report your classmates’ ideas here.

Feedback

(Partner’s name) told me that…

He/She said…
He/She is…
When he/she has a problem, he/she…

5 minutes

whole class

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 What had happened ?
Look at the pictures. One action happened before another. Read the example for situation 1. Then, say what happened in situations 2 to 5.

Situation 1 He arrived late to work because he had overslept. Situation 4

Situation 3
oversleep arrive late
go to a party fall asleep in class

Situation 2 Situation 5
have a fight break up

chat all night long arrive late to class

be in traffic miss the flight

3-5 minutes
Optional lead-in
whole class 10
 Problems
Pre • Look at the pictures.
• What do you think happened?
production 3 • Use the question bank and share your answers.

Question bank
1. What happened first?
2. What happened next?
3. Why did (s)he…?
4. Had (s)he… before?
2 5. What had (s)he done before?
6. How did (s)he feel after that?
6 minutes

whole class

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 Problems Question bank
• What happened first?
• Work in pairs. Talk about what happened in these situations. • What happened next?
• Ask and answer questions from the question bank. • Why did (s)he…?
Production 3 • Ask follow-up questions. • Had (s)he… before?
• What had (s)he done before?
• How did (s)he feel after that?
1

2 3

4
6
5
14 minutes

pairwork

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 Problems

Tell us what happened in these situations.

Feedback
1 2 3

4 5 6

5 minutes

whole class

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 Why did you say that?
Imagine you are asked to answer these questions. What would you say?
Pre
production 4
1. Why did you say “I’m sorry.” to your best friend?
2. Why did the driver say “Watch out!” to the pedestrian?
3. Why did the girl say “I can’t.” to her boyfriend?
4. Why did the parent say “Be careful!” to his/her young daughter?
5. Why did your neighbor say, “That’s terrible!” to you?
6. Why did your teacher say, “That’s very nice of you.” to everybody in class?
7. Why did you say “I can’t find it.” to your mom?
8. Why did the doctor say “You have to come back.” to the patient?
6 minutes 9. Why did the police say “Show me your ID and license.” to the driver?
10. Why did the president say “Stay home.” to the people in the country?
whole class

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 Why did you say that?
• Work in pairs.
Production 4 • Use your imagination to give explanations.

1. Why did you say “I’m sorry.” to your best friend?

2. Why did the driver say “Watch out!” to the pedestrian?
3. Why did the girl say “I can’t.” to her boyfriend?
4. Why did the parent say “Be careful.” to his/her young daughter?
5. Why did your neighbor say, “That’s terrible!” to you? Language bank

6. Why did your teacher say, “That’s very nice of you.” to everybody in class? X had (done)…
X hadn’t (done)…
7. Why did you say “I can’t find it.” to your mom? X though he/she had
(done)…
8. Why did the doctor say “You have to come back.” to the patient?
X said he/she had (done)…
9. Why did the police say “Show me your ID and license.” to the driver? before
already
10. Why did the president say “Stay home.” to the people in the country?
14 minutes Example:
A: I said “I’m sorry” because I had lost my friend’s favorite book before. I had already bought one
pairwork but I apologized. Or maybe because I had lied to him or her.
B: I have another idea: I said “I’m sorry.” because I had broken my friend’s cell phone.

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 Why did you say that?

Share your findings here.

Feedback

(Partner’s name)/I said “…” because…

The driver said “…” because…

X said “…” because…

5 minutes

whole class

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Summary

Now I can…
√talk about everyday problems and
past events.

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Preparation for
next class

Study units 8 and 9.

Do Grammar Practice component exercises.
Work on the Enrichment Practice component.
Work on the SBC component

Study the Use of English file.

Check out the Practice Resources folder.
Check out the TOEIC Bridge Resources folder.

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Sources
 https://thenounproject.com/
 https://www.shutterstock.com/
 https://pixabay.com/es/
 https://www.languageties.com/en/conversation-
questions/topic/problems
 English Discoveries Student platform

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