Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CONVERSATION
Quote Analyses:
1. Read the quote and take same minutes to think about it.
Directly look at quote and replace the text with your words. It is vitally important to
maintain the same meaning .
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Look at the subtle parts of the quote, and explain why the author used them in his writing--
Tone, diction, mood, figurative language, others
CONVERSATION
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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.
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: 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: I'm wondering if you can pick me up some when you're out there, like any kind of 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To touch down: Your plane touches down when it first arrives at the destination. This is the moment your
plane hits the runway.
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.
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.
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 T (Boston):
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.
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.
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.
Cabbies in New York don’t like to make trips to Brooklyn because they think it’s a waste of time.
On the Road:
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.
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.
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.
Souvenir: A souvenir is an item that you purchase while traveling to take home to remember the trip.
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.
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
Which form of transportation do you think is the safest? (train, bus, car, plane, bicycle,
motorbike, boat, foot)
Are you happy with the public transport system in your country?
What do you think about electric cars? Do you think all cars will be electric in the future?
What do you usually do to keep yourself entertained when riding a train or bus?
Vocabulary
Lobby Clean
Amenities/facilities Complimentary
Guest Tidy
Room service
Wake up call
Housekeeper
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Phrasal Verbs
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?
Conversation Questions
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?
What do you look for when choosing a hotel? (for example, price, comfort, facilities)
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5TH INITIAL
Which features are the most important for you – swimming pool, sauna, air conditioning, good
view, good food, TV, internet connection, gym?
What irritates you most about a hotel – bad service, small room, lack of cleanliness, noise,
parking problems, bad food?
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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5TH INITIAL
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
After Reading:
Which person
2. used to try not to get involved when a sibling was badly behaved?
Let’s Talk
Which sibling relationship in the article did you find most interesting? Why?
Do you sort out your possessions regularly and get rid of things you don´t need?
Vocabulary
Identify the underlined phrasal verbs in the article with meanings 1-8
1. organize something
2. escape
3. succeed
5. be determined
7. admire
8. arrive unexpectedly
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Read the restaurant review and tick the things that are mentioned.
Would you go to the Hard Rock Café in London after reading this review?
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 …
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?
Let’s work out the meanings of these words and expressions from the context.
2. singled out (line 3) 4. taken aback (line 17) 6. dread (line 29)
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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.
GAME!
A: How much he would like to see his grandfather and George again.
4. Why didn’t the writer follow the man and the dog?
A: Prefer to know
B: The man did not like the writer patting his dog.
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:
b. Read the main text quickly. Was there anything that surprised you about Jordan?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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.
Do you think that Martin was right to get involved? What would you have done?