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5TH INITIAL

CONVERSATION

Teacher: Cintia Benedetti


Student’s Name …………..
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Quote Analyses:
1. Read the quote and take same minutes to think about it.

a. What’s the quote about? …………………………………………………………………………..

b. Do you agree with such statement? Why?.......................................................................................................

2. Paraphrase the quote.

Directly look at quote and replace the text with your words. It is vitally important to
maintain the same meaning .

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Analyze your classmate’s new versions

Look at the subtle parts of the quote, and explain why the author used them in his writing--
Tone, diction, mood, figurative language, others
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1. Watch the following monologue about weekends. Then Discuss:

Conversation questions about weekends


 What is your idea of perfect weekend?
 Do you have any hobbies that you like to do on the weekend?
 Do you usually go out to eat on the weekend?
 What time do you usually wake up on the weekend? What time do you usually go to bed?
 When it rains on the weekend, what do you usually do?
 What do you like to do on the weekend in the summer? What about in the winter?
 What’s the most memorable weekend have you had in the past years?
 What would life be like without weekends?
 How do you feel when your weekend is over?
 Do you ever have to work on the weekend? If yes, how do you feel about this?
 Do you have any traditions in your country regarding meals on weekends? For example, in
some countries it is traditional to have a ‘Sunday roast’.
 Is there anything you dislike about weekends?
 Which are better – weekends now or weekends when you were a child?
 Do you do everything you want to do at the weekends?
 Some countries have a 6-day work week. What do you think this would be like?
 Sweden just reduced the length of work days to 6-hour. Do you think this is a good idea?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
 Are you happy with a two-day weekend or should it be longer?
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Joel: Hey, Tom, when you were in Thailand, did you, were you good at bargaining? You know how you
have to haggle to get the price lower.

Tom: Once I got started it was OK, but getting started was so difficult.

Joel: What do you mean?

Tom: I just knew that when I walked up to a market stall, that I'd pick up something, and if it was
something that I wanted, to get it, I'd have to start fighting. I'd have to get through his argument it felt
like, and I was really uncomfortable about doing that.

Joel: That's the problem with me, too. I was always too nice. It's like, you know, I'd give them one price
and then, they would never go for the price that I ask for so I, if the price was a 100, and I said, "OK,
50", then they would say, "Well, OK, 95", and I usually wouldn't take it much further than that.

Tom: Oh, no, that's completely, I'm completely different. If I started it was because it was something
that I really wanted, and I'd already have an idea of the price, so once I started that whole deal, it
could take quite a long time. I'd, we'd chat, you know, it's a very friendly way of doing it in Thailand.
We'd talk about the price. I'd do a lot of smiling. I'd pick up some other things that were similar and I'd
really go for it and take a long time.

Joel: I heard that the trick to it is you really need to tell them a whole story, like you can't just say, "
Oh, I want the price lower", you have to say like, "Oh, well, you know, I don't have any money and I
really need to get this for my family and this is the last time I'm going to be here, you know, I've run out
of money, can you give me a deal on it. You can't just tell them you want a lower price. You have to
give them a good reason and you have to have a dramatic story to go along with it.

Tom: I've done that in the past. I've emptied out my wallet, and I've said, this is for my lunch. This is for
the taxi. This is all I've got left for you. Right, and then you take a bus home. A bus is a lot cheaper than
a taxi.
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Joel: I've also heard, like you can get, usually if, as I've said before, if the price is, the quoted price is
100, then you should shoot for, not a third of that but, even like, half of that. You can get it for 50, not
75.

Tom: Yeah, I think the first price is always, you can always get a big reduction on that, but I remember
the last time I went shopping in Thailand I was buying stuff for my mum and I'd left it really late and it
was pouring down with rain and my mom wanted something, it was very specific, some silk trousers and
she wanted 10 pairs to give them away to her friends, and I trolled around this big bazaar with
hundred of shops looking for this very specific product and eventually I found it and the shopkeeper
only had half a dozen; I wanted more, and she said her price and I just gave her the money. I wanted
to get home as quickly as possible, so I got half a dozen ties on top of the trousers because I hadn't
bargained. She gave me something extra just for not trying.

Joel: Are you going to Thailand over this break?

Tom: I'm going at Christmas, yeah.

Joel: I'm wondering if, I got really big feet, and I'm having a hard time getting shoes here. Do you
know, I know you have big feet too, I'm wondering, is it possible to get big shoes?

Tom: Yeah, they definitely have them. They make them there and they're all these outlets.

Joel: And. they're cheap too, right?

Tom: That's right.

Joel: I'm wondering if you can pick me up some when you're out there, like any kind of business shoes.

Tom: You want business shoes?

Joel: Yeah.

Tom: OK.

Joel: Just black business shoes, any kind you find is fine.

Tom: Lace-ups?

Joel: Yeah, lace-ups are fine. And like a size 12, American.

Tom: You want one pair, or two pairs?

Joel: Yeah, maybe two pairs, that's even better.

Tom: Sure, I'll see what I can find.


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Bargaining practice
You are a buyer. Try to get the seller to reduce the price to one you think is fair. Provide
reasons why you think the price should be lower. You can choose to accept or reject the final
asking price of the seller.
Item Asking Price
Antique clock (there are some scratches on it) $150
A purse in a market (not real leather) $50
Second-hand car (Has done 100,000 km) $10,000

Conversation Questions
 Is bargaining an acceptable practice in your country?
 In what kinds of shops is it acceptable?
 Do you like to bargain?
 What sort of things have you bargained for?
 What’s the best bargain you have got?
 What strategies did you use?
 Have you ever been ripped off?
 What is the bargaining etiquette in your country?
 What other negotiating do you do in your everyday life?
 What are some reasons people give for wanting a price reduction?
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At a Hotel:

Bell hop or bell boy: This is the person who carries your bags for you when you arrive at a hotel and
responds to any requests for service that you might have as a guest.

The bell boy put our suitcases on the cart as we got out of the taxi and entered the hotel.

To check in: This is done at the beginning of a hotel stay. When you have already made a reservation
for a hotel room, you must check in to get the keys to your room.

What is the earliest time we can check in at your hotel?

To check out: This is done at the end of your stay at the hotel. When you check out, you pay your hotel
bill and leave your keys.

Don’t forget to turn in your key when you check out.

Room service: Many hotels will deliver meals directly to your room, usually at a high price.

I don’t feel like going out for dinner. Let’s stay in and order room service.

Wake up call: This is an alarm that is sent through the phone by the hotel to wake you up for an
appointment or a flight. You can usually request a wake up call at the front desk.

I don’t want to miss my flight tomorrow so I’m going to ask for a wake up call at 5am.

Maid: This is the person who comes in and cleans your room when you leave.

John left a tip for the maid when he checked out of his hotel.

To book a room: To reserve a hotel room in advance

If you visit New York City in the summer, you should book a room in advance because it’s a busy time of
year in the Big Apple.
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At the Airport:

Shuttle bus: This is a small bus that will take you from one terminal to another terminal.

We got off the plane and jumped on a shuttle bus to get to other terminal for our connecting flight.

To take off: Your plane takes off when it leaves the ground to begin the journey.

What time does your plane take off tomorrow?

To touch down: Your plane touches down when it first arrives at the destination. This is the moment your
plane hits the runway.

When we touched down in L.A., I turned on my cell phone to get my messages.

To have a layover: When you stop in an airport and change planes to get to your final destination, you
have a layover. This can also be called a stopover.

Mary has had a long day. She had a layover in New York on her way home to Boston.

To see someone off: When you see someone off, you accompany them to say goodbye as they begin
their journey.

Dan’s mom saw him off this morning at the airport.

Red-eye: A flight that leaves late at night and arrives the following morning is called a red-eye.

The cheapest and most convenient flights across the United States are usually red-eyes.

Elbow room: The space in the airplane between your elbows and your neighbor’s elbows is called
elbow room.

There is only one airline that offers enough elbow room.

To set off: When you set off you begin a journey.

When did you set off on your journey around the world?

Baggage claim: This is the place where you pick up your checked baggage after you get off the flight.
It can also be called the luggage carousel.

After everyone got off the flight they went down to the baggage claim to get their luggage.

On Public Transportation

There are many different names for underground train travel in the United States. Here are a few of
them:

 The subway (New York City)

 The T (Boston):

 BART (San Francisco)


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 The Metro (DC)

To hop on the subway: To hop on a train or subway means to quickly get on the train.

Instead of hailing a cab, you should hop on the subway to get to 42nd street.

Fare: The fare is the amount of money that you have to pay to get a ticket for the subway or bus.

The fare for one ride on the T in Boston is $2.50.

Turnstile: A turnstile is a gate that is often found at the entrance to the subway. It allows one person to
pass at a time.

You can’t get through the turnstile without swiping your card.

Local train: A local train is a train that makes all stops on the line.

To get from Union Square to 28th street on the R train, you should take a local subway.

Express train: An express train only stops at specific stations. These are usually busy stations.

The downtown express train will get you from 86th street to 59th street in a few minutes.

Uptown train/Downtown train: These names indicate the direction that a specific subway is headed in
New York City.

Where can I get an uptown N train?

Inbound train/Outbound train: These names indicate the direction that a specific T is headed in Boston.

To get from Harvard Square to Boston Common, you need to take an inbound Red Line T.

To swipe your card: When you swipe your card, you run your card through the card machine at the
turnstile in order to enter the subway.

Many tourists have trouble swiping their fare card in the New York City subway.

To hail a cab: To hail a cab is to get the attention of a cab driver in order to get a ride.

It’s almost impossible to hail a cab when it rains.

A cabbie: A cabbie is a person who drives a cab.

Cabbies in New York don’t like to make trips to Brooklyn because they think it’s a waste of time.

On the Road:

Neck of the woods: This is a region, an area, or a neighborhood.

I will call you when I get to your neck of the woods.

To be a backseat driver: A backseat driver is a passenger who is critical toward the person who is
driving about the way they are driving or the directions they are using.

I don’t want to invite Sam on our road trip because he is such a backseat driver.
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To make a pit stop: When you stop briefly for food, drinks or to use the bathroom, you make a pit
stop.

Can we make a pit stop at the next exit? I want to grab a snack.

To hit the road: You hit the road when you begin a journey.

Come on, let’s hit the road. It’s already 10am and we need to be there by 2pm.

To take a road trip: A journey by car for a few hours, a month, or even a year can be called a road
trip.

We took a month-long road trip around the United States when we were in college.

To fill it up: To fill the entire gas tank with gas is to fill it up.

A: How much gas do you need?

B: Just fill it up, please!

To hit the open road: To begin a journey by car is to hit the open road.

After a weekend of classes, he was happy to leave and hit the open road.

General Travel Vocab and Expressions:

To get away: To escape your daily life and take a vacation is to get away.

I have been working too hard this summer. I really need to get away.

To be homesick: If you miss your home while you are traveling, you are homesick.

The kid was homesick after two weeks at camp.

Souvenir: A souvenir is an item that you purchase while traveling to take home to remember the trip.

I bought a scarf as a souvenir when I went to France.

To have itchy feet: When you have a hard time staying in one place and you have the desire to travel
and see new places, you have itchy feet.

My friend Joe can’t stay in one place. He is always moving around. He has itchy feet.

Off the beaten path: A place that is not commonly traveled, out of the way, away from other travelers
can be described as off the beaten path.

I don’t like to visit the usual tourist attractions. I prefer to go to places that are off the beaten path.

To travel light: To travel light is to travel without a lot of luggage.

If you go hiking this summer, remember to travel light.


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Verbs and Transport

 catch a bus/train – “I am going to catch a bus to work today”

 drive a car – “I am going to drive my car to the service station”

 ride a bike/motorbike – “I am going to ride my bike to the shops”

 get a plane/taxi – “I am going to get a plane to London”

Phrasal Verbs

 To get on a bus/bicycle/motorbike/train - "Are you going to get on this bus or the next one?"

 To get off a bus/bicycle/motorbike/train - "We will be getting off the train at the next stop"

 To wait for the bus/train/taxi - "I have been waiting for the bus for 40 minutes, I hope it comes
soon!"

 To get in the car/taxi - "Watch you don't bump your head as you get in the taxi"

 To get out of the car/taxi - "You will need to get out of the car, there are too many people in
it"
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Conversation Questions

 What forms of transportation do you use?

 Which transportation do you prefer – air, sea or road?

 Which form of transportation do you think is the safest? (train, bus, car, plane, bicycle,
motorbike, boat, foot)

 What do you think of the transportation in other countries?

 Are you happy with the public transport system in your country?

 What type of transport do you think we will see in the future?

 What’s your favourite method of transportation?

 What do you think is the most dangerous form of transportation? Why?

 Do you often use public transportation?

 At what age can a person obtain a driver's license in your country?

 Do you drive a car often?

 What is your favourite kind of car? Why?

 What do you think about electric cars? Do you think all cars will be electric in the future?

 Can you ride a motorcycle?

 Do you think a motorcycle rider should be required to wear a helmet?

 Do you like riding a bicycle?

 Have you ever missed your last train or bus home?

 What do you usually do to keep yourself entertained when riding a train or bus?

 Do you sometimes take a taxi (cab)?

 Do you like traveling by aeroplane?

 Would you like to go on a cruise? Why or why not?

 Is there any environmentally-friendly transportation in your area?


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Vocabulary

Nouns Adjectives Verbs

Reservation Single (room) Register

Reception/front desk Twin (room Call

Concierge )Double (room) Check In

Bellboy/porter Ensuite (bathroom) Tip

Lobby Clean

Amenities/facilities Complimentary

Guest Tidy

Room service

Wake up call

Housekeeper
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Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verb Explanation Example

Check into The ambassador checked into his favourite


hotel upon arriving

Check out To end and pay for your stay at a hotelI

Serve up At what time is breakfast served up?

Stay on To remain somewhere for longer than


expected

Phrasal Verb Practice Questions

 Have you ever checked into a hotel?

 Have you ever enjoyed your stay at a hotel so much that you didn’t want to check out?

 At what time do you like to have breakfast served up when staying at a hotel?

 Have you ever stayed on somewhere?

Conversation Questions

 Do you like staying at hotels? Why/why not?

 How often do you stay at hotels?

 Do you normally stay at hotels for work/for pleasure?

 What's the longest you've ever stayed at the same hotel?

 Have you ever been to a hotel for a special occasion, such as a wedding or conference?

 Have you ever worked at a hotel? Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages of
working at a hotel?

 Are there many hotels in your country/where you live?

 Are there any historic or luxurious ones? Why is it so special?

 Do you prefer to stay in hotels in the city, countryside or seaside?

 What's the best hotel you've ever stayed in?

 What’s the worst hotel you’ve stayed in?

 Have you ever been to a hotel with unique features?

 Have you ever stayed in a luxury hotel? What was it like?

 What do you look for when choosing a hotel? (for example, price, comfort, facilities)
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 Which features are the most important for you – swimming pool, sauna, air conditioning, good
view, good food, TV, internet connection, gym?

 Have you ever used room service?

 Have you ever had to lodge a complaint at a hotel?

 Have you ever had anything stolen at a hotel?

 What irritates you most about a hotel – bad service, small room, lack of cleanliness, noise,
parking problems, bad food?

 Have you ever been upgraded to a better room?


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When it comes to having a good time, the locals in Rome really know how to party. Whether you're into the
club scene or simply a laid back wine bar where you can share a glass of wine with some friends, 10Best
has your go-to-guide on the hottest spots for nightlife in Rome!

Are you the type of person who likes to dance the night away? Testaccio is a mecca for nightclubs and when
Romans want to party, they head over to this neighborhood. Akab and L'Alibi are two of the most popular
dance clubs in the area. Meanwhile, back in the Centro Storico, Shari Vari Playhouse and K-Club keeps the
night revellers shaking their things on the dance floor into the wee hours of the night.

Looking for something a little bit more low key and relaxed? Those not into the club scene might want to
check out some of Rome's hippest wine bars and lounges that serve up some of the best aperitivo (Happy
Hour) in the Eternal City. Salotto 42 is a posh place to hang out with friends over a glass of wine. The
bohemians and artsy crowd gather nightly at Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere or Circolo degli Artisti in the
Pigneto neighbourhood. For a unique night out in Rome aboard a vintage tram, check out dates for Rome
Tram Tracks and for some of the best laughs in the eternal city, the Rome's Comedy Club runs a regular
show.

Drinks with friends, live music, relaxed or an all-night boogie - Rome after dark has something for everyone.

For some of the best live music around town, you will never be disappointed at Circolo degli Artisti. The
centro sociale (underground bar) is situated between San Lorenzo and another hip, bohemian part of town
called Pigneto. Plenty of big name indie rock bands (both Italian and international) have played here such
as Pete Doherty, Billy Corgan, the Sonics and others. The club is rather big and has various rooms full of
activities such as movie screenings, makeshift picnics and art galleries. The outdoor area is large with bar
service provided throughout and there is often a couple of food stands and sometimes even a vintage
market. BUS: 5, 14. TRAM: Porta Maggiore. (06 70305684)

One of Rome's flashiest and most exclusive nightclubs, La Cabala is situated in a medieval palazzo on top of
the restaurant Hostaria dell'Orso, a 14th century building that overlooks the Tiber River. It's pretty much
Rome's version of a classy supper club and located in the ever stylish Piazza Navona area it's no wonder the
venue has developed this reputation. The is quite big and it is spread out across a three-level space that
includes a piano bar, restaurant, and nightclub. The crowd is very stylish and generally aged 25-30+. Music
is generally house, dance and techno and the venue is open only on weekends, Friday to Saturday. BUS: 30,
492. Metro: Spagna. (06.68301192)

Many of the latest hotspots in Rome are New York warehouse style eateries, with quite a few located in up-
and-coming industrial Ostiense. Porto Fluviale is a bright and cool space and houses several different types
of restaurants: a trattoria, pizzeria, bar and dining room all with the same modern rustic style and laidback
feel. The food is great, affordable and local. At lunch time they put on a large buffet spread and the in the
evening there is a lively atmosphere at aperitivo time where you can order "spuntini" or small bar snacks off
the menu plus an extensive drinks and cocktail list. (+39 06 5743199)
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When it comes to aperitivo time, this bar is one of the best in Rome. Thanks to its posh décor and hip music,
this place gets lively around happy hour time (7-9pm), when tourists and locals pack this place in to grab a
drink with friends and chow down on their hearty food buffet. Here one can order a glass of wine or
prosecco or even one of their uber delicious cocktails made with exotic fruit. It's also the perfect place to
come for a late night drink and listening to the music playing from their nightly live DJ set. BUS: 40, 64, 46.
(06/6832361)

Conveniently located across from the suggestive Hadrian's Temple, is a tiny sleek bar where locals go to see
and be seen. The interior of this venue is modern and fashionable featuring plushy couches and chairs. The
walls are adorned with contemporary art and design and fashion books are stacked against the walls. At
night, Salotto 42 morphs into a buzzing cocktail bar for the hip, 30-something crowd. If there isn't anything
that you fancy on the list, the bar staff are always happy to come up with something signature just for you.
Closed in August. BUS: 80, 492, 62, 52, 53. METRO: Spagna. (06-6785804)

Freni e Frizioni (which literally means brakes and clutch)is perhaps one of the most happening places in all of
Trastevere. The mechanic shop-turned hipsters' bar is especially popular during aperitivo time. The place
gets jumping from 7pm onwards and features a mixed crowd of shabby chic bohemians, locals, tourists and
American college students. This place does up a mean mojito for about 7-8 euros. During aperitivo hour (7-
9pm), they also have a nice spread of finger foods and veggies to munch on. Freni e Frizioni stays lively
well into the night as well. So if you don't make it for happy hour, grabbing an after-dinner drink here is
also a good alternative. BUS:23. TRAM: 8. (06.45497499)

Who takes you to dance in the shadow of the Colosseum? Rome Tram Tracks that's who! You will no doubt
see all the sights and main attractions in Rome but never have you seen them on board a vintage tram with
live music, wine and aperitivo snacks. The energy on board is electric and as Domenico and his band belt out
tracks by the Rolling Stones, Elvis and Italian artists like Antonello Venditti and Lucio Battisti, you just can't
help but be on your feet and dancing. The ride runs for about an hour and 45 minutes and is one of the most
unique ways to spend a night in Rome. The total price is �40 and includes all food, beverage and
entertainment. Shows are currently running twice a month (generally Monday evenings). Visit website for
details. BUS TRAM: Porta Maggiore. (334 732 8705)

Rome's Comedy Club founded by Italian-American Marsha De Salvatore is one of the most entertaining
nights in Rome. The eternal city's only English speaking comedy show features an open mic round up of
Rome's funniest. Held at a theatre restaurant in the Ostiense neighbourhood, it's easily accessed by the
historical center. Doors open for dinner at 8:45pm with showtime at 10:00pm and the entry is �15 for drink
and show or �35 euro for a drink, show and 4-course meal. Shows are generally held on the last Friday of
each month but visit the website for more information or to sign up for regular updates. BUS: 3. METRO:
Piramide. (06 5755561, 3921505171)

K-Club is the hottest new restaurant and cocktail bar to recently touch down in the Centro Storico. This venue
enjoys a prime position tucked away in a lovely little piazza behind the Pantheon called Piazza delle
Coppelle. K-Club is a chic restaurant decked out with a sleek black, silver and purple design throughout the
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locale. It starts of the night as a 'trendy' restaurant. hip with the well-to-do thirty-somethings and politico
crowd. Then close to midnight, the restaurant morphs into a lively cocktail bar with dj set and sometimes even
live music. It specializes in over 130 different cocktails. BUS: 116, 80, 52, 53, 492. METRO: SPAGNA. (06
6880 4760)

Shari Vari Playhouse has fast become the new It-girl on Rome's nightclub scene. The club, which was formerly
known as the Supper Club, is huge and is conveniently located just around the corner from both Largo
Argentina and the Pantheon. It has three levels of rooms to choose from with each featuring a different
dance genre including hip-hop, retro, house and dance music. It attracts quite a stylish international crowd
and very well-dressed Romans with a worldy attitude. To avoid disappointment, it's highly recommended to
reserve a table. The club hosts regular themed events and promote these 'serate' on their website. BUS: 64,
40, 46. TRAM: 8 (3342532673)
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How would you feel if you had a brother or sister who was gifted or famous?

You are going to read an article in which 4 people talk about their relationship with their brother or
sister. Find out which person is

a. a twin

b. the oldest

c. a middle child

d. the youngest of four

After Reading:

Which person

1. remembers having mixed feelings about the success of a sibling?

2. used to try not to get involved when a sibling was badly behaved?

3. once stopped doing something because of sibling rivalry?

4. now finally appreciates the value of a sibling relationship?

5. felt rather irritated on the birth of a sibling?

6. could depend on a sibling for practical advice as a child?

7. thinks people can get labelled too easily?

8. noticed how a sibling was treated differently as a child?


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9. was too cautious to take up a much-wanted career?

10. regards a sibling as the most efficient person in the family?

Let’s Talk

Which sibling relationship in the article did you find most interesting? Why?

Who do you look up to?

Have you ever set your heart on something?

Do you sort out your possessions regularly and get rid of things you don´t need?

Where would you like to get away to?

Vocabulary

Identify the underlined phrasal verbs in the article with meanings 1-8

1. organize something

2. escape

3. succeed

4. make (someone) leave

5. be determined

6. suddenly become successful

7. admire

8. arrive unexpectedly
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Read the restaurant review and tick the things that are mentioned.

Staff writer’s expectations location


décor other diners atmosphere
prices food service

Would you go to the Hard Rock Café in London after reading this review?

Have you ever been disappointed or pleasantly surprised by a meal in a restaurant?

In which paragraph does the writer:

a. give details about the food?

b. say who she recommends the restaurant for?

c. give some basic information about the restaurant?


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You are going to read an extract from a novel about Eilis, a young girl in the 1950s, who is about to
leave her home in Ireland to go and live in America.

How you would feel about leaving your family, town and country to emigrate?

After reading!
1. From the first paragraph we understand that Eilis is …

Worried? Anxious? Disappointed? Upset?

2. What impression do you get of Eilis’s family?

3. What did Eilis worry about in bed at night?


CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

 In what ways do you think emigrating in the 1950s would have been a more life-changing
experience than it is these days?
 What would you miss most about your home town if you had to emigrate?
 Are you happiest in familiar places and with people you know or are you always looking fo
new experiences?

VOCABULARY: Deducing Meaning


Which option is correct? How did you guess?

The other options may seem

tempting but there is only evidence

for one answer in the text

1. In line 19 small talk means

A. talked very little. C. talked about unimportant things.

B. talked very quietly D. talked about childish things.

2. In line 20 resume means

A. start doing something again. C. discuss the meaning of something.

B. make a summary of something. D. try to understand why something happened.

Let’s work out the meanings of these words and expressions from the context.

1. presumed (line 1) 3. lost her nerve (line 7) 5. unbidden (line 23)

2. singled out (line 3) 4. taken aback (line 17) 6. dread (line 29)
CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

VOCABULARY: Expressions with HOME


CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

I was born and brought up in Paris – that’s my ……………………………….

George is a very good host- he makes everyone …………………………….. in his house.

I’m saving to buy a ………………………………… ; somewhere I can go to every summer.

I can’t afford to go away this summer- I’m going to ……………………………………………

Oh no. I haven’t got my wallet with me. I must have left it ……………………………….

Every time I go to Barcelona I stay with my friends Eva and Josep. Their house has become a real
……………… for me.

AFTER READING !!!

Discuss: Is the story about a strange coincidence? Why?

GAME!

Finding the best option

1. Why did the writer decide not to go to his grandfather’s funeral?

A: His mother did not want him to go.

B: He didn’t have enough money to pay for an airline ticket.

C: He didn’t want to go on such a long journey.

D: He realized he would probably not arrive soon enough.

2. What was the writer thinking about as he sat on the balcony?

A: How much he would like to see his grandfather and George again.

B: How well his grandfather has looked after his garden.

C: How depressing and dark it was outside in the street.

D: How difficult it was to see properly.

3. What was peculiar about the old man’s hat?

A: It was like the one the writer’s grandfather wore.

B: It was a strange hat to wear on a day like that.

C: It had not been well looked after.

D: It was an unusual style that was difficult to find.


CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

4. Why didn’t the writer follow the man and the dog?

A: He was convinced he hadn’t really seen them.

B: He knew he would never be able to catch up with them.

C: He didn’t want to have his suspicions confirmed.

D: He was afraid they might turn out to be real.

5. What does “did” in line 58 refer to?

A: Prefer to know

B: Catch more than a glimpse

C: Believe they existed

D: Keep my grandfather present

6. At the end of the story what impression are we left with?

A: The man did not want his dog any more.

B: The man did not like the writer patting his dog.

C: The writer would like to have a dog of his own.

D: The writer suspected the dog would be called George.


CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

Look at the photo. What is your opinion about young people going on adventures like this? What are
the risks and benefits for them?

Read the title and introduction to the article about a young mountaineer:

a. What kind of person do you think he is?

b. Read the main text quickly. Was there anything that surprised you about Jordan?
CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

1. What do you think about Jordan’s achievement? Do you think his father was right to encourage him?

2. Do parents always encourage their children to achieve for the right reasons?

3. At what age do you think young people are ready to take decisions about their lives?

----------------------------------------<<<----------------------------<<<-----------------------------<<<

Work in pairs and discuss these questions

 If you could have chosen your nationality, which one would you want to be?

 If you had had the choice at birth, which famous person would you want to look like?

 If a machine allowed you to go back in time, what would you have done differently?

 If you were a different sex, how do you think it would have affected your life?
CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

You are going to read an extract from a crime novel. For questions 1-6, choose the answer
(A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

1. The writer mentions Martin’s unwillingness to kill files to show he


A: has a lot of patience.
B: wishes he was braver.
C: Avoids being aggressive.
D: is fond of small creatures.

2. The people in the queue didn’t try to stop the violence because they
A: were afraid of getting involved in it.
B: realized it was none of their business.
C: wanted to know what would happen next.
D: didn’t want to lose their place in the queue.

3. Martin threw his bag at the Honda driver


A: to protect himself from being hit by the bat.
B: because the Honda driver was damaging the victim’s car.
C: because he had decided it was the only sensible solution.
D: to distract the Honda driver from killing the Peugeot driver.
CONVERSATION
5TH INITIAL

4. ducked in line 39 means


A: found it exciting.
B: tried his best to catch it.
C: moved to avoid being hit.
D: Could never see anything.

5. that in line 56 refers to


A: using magic
B: closing his eyes.
C: trying to hide from people.
D: making himself anonymous.

6. Martin was astonished that


A: his bag had missed the Honda driver.
B: The Honda driver had decided to leave.
C: The Honda driver was unable to find him.
D: the crowd was supporting the Honda driver.

Do you think that Martin was right to get involved? What would you have done?

What examples of road range have you experienced or witnessed?

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