Activity 1

Pay It Forward

A. List three things that make you feel good and three things that make you feel bad. Compare your
answers with a partner and give reasons.

Good Bad

B. Read part one of the infographic then turn your paper over. Work with a partner and explain the
following in your own words.
1. the concept of paying it forward
2. the message behind the United Nations World Humanitarian Day
C. Find words in the infographic that mean the following.
1. something that someone does __________
2. to become known by more people than before __________
3. to suggest that someone does something you believe would be good __________
4. to work without pay __________
5. an expression on your face that shows that you are happy __________
6. to provide someone with something you do not need (two words) __________
7. the ability to do something well __________
D. Look at the good deeds in the second part of the infographic. Put them in order from the most
effective deed to the least effective one.
E. With a partner, compare your answers. Give reasons for your order.
F. Work in pairs. Make a list of three good deeds that you would like to do.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Then exchange ideas with your partner.

– What good deeds would you like to do?

– When would you like to do them?

– How will people feel when you do your good deeds?

 Activity 2

The Mediterranean Diet

A. You are going to read about the Mediterranean diet. Make a list of the things you eat in a typical
week.
B. Now read the first part of the infographic. How many of your food words are in the categories
always, often, occasionally and seldom?
C. Find words in the infographic that mean the following:
1. something that you do regularly ____________________
2. a diet that has few animal products ____________________
3. the food that you serve or eat at one time ____________________
4. products that are made from milk ____________________
5. a sweet substance consisting of small white or brown pieces ____________________
6. sweet food that you eat after your main meal ____________________
7. plants used for adding flavour ____________________
8. substances made from plants to add flavour ____________________
9. small amounts of food that you eat between meals ____________________
10. type of cake that is usually round, hard and sweet ____________________

D. Read the infographic again and write affirmative and negative sentences using the following
verbs.

Example: I eat fish. I don’t use spices.

E. Compare your sentences with a partner. How similar are your diets?
F. Work in a group and discuss the following questions. Give reasons for your answers.
– How different is your diet from the Mediterranean one?
– Is the Mediterranean diet healthy?
– Is your diet good for you?
– Is there anything in the Mediterranean diet that you can’t do?
 Activity 3

7 Billion

A. Answer the following questions with a partner.

1. What is the population of your country?
2. How many people live in your town?
3. How many people are there in your capital city?
4. What is the population of your continent?

B. Read the infographic about world population then turn it over. Complete the sentences with the
numbers in the box.

1.2 6 37 1.3 60 two thirds 11 8

1. __________ of the world’s population will live in cities by the year 2050.
2. The population of India is __________ billion.
3. There were __________ billion people on Earth in 1987.
4. __________ % of the world’s population live in Asia.
5. __________ % of the people on our planet live in China and India.
6. China’s population is __________ billion.
7. Europe has __________ % of the world’s population.
8. There will be __________ billion people in the world by the year 2027.

C. Now look at the infographic again and check your answers.

D. Match each adjective in the left column with its opposite on the right. Now write the comparative
and superlative form for each.

Adjective Comparative Superlative Adjective Comparative Superlative

good dull
big cold
beautiful bad
warm unpopulated
far ugly
interesting near
populated small

E. Complete the sentences using a comparative or superlative form from exercise D.

1. China is _______________ country in the world.
2. Europe is _______________ than Asia.
3. Moscow is _______________ to Bucharest than Buenos Aires.
4. Oceania is _______________ continent in the world.
F. Choose three cities, countries or continents. Write comparative and superlative sentences about
them. Now compare answers with a partner.
 Activity 4

Getting to Work

A. Read the article. Discuss the questions with a partner.

1. What is super-commuting?

2. How do people super-commute?

3. What do you think of super-commuting?

The rise of super-commuting

The morning commute is something that bonds, for better or worse, many workers in large cities and
metropolitan areas. According to a survey conducted by the Trade Union Congress1, UK workers spent on
average 59 minutes per day travelling to and from work in 2018. However, not everyone has an average
commute. Meet the ‘super commuters’ – those who spend far longer, or travel far further than the UK
average.

Few people would say the morning commute is the highlight of their day, so why are people choosing to
make such long journeys every day? The main reason is house prices. Take London for example. The cost of
living or renting a property in London continues to rise. For many workers, it is more cost-effective to live
outside the city centre and commute in every day. Despite annual train fares to and from the city costing
thousands of pounds, this is still better value for commuters than living in the city.
For some, it is less about the cost of living and more about the quality of life. Living outside the city allows
for greater access to green spaces and fresh air. Some people take this to the extreme, commuting to
London from abroad. Cheap flights to the capital from Europe mean some commuters can afford to live in
countries such as Spain or France, where the lifestyle makes the long commute worthwhile.
Some super-commuters opt for more eco-friendly means of transportation. The relative ease of cycling
around London has encouraged many people to commute from the suburbs, initially by train and then
completing their journey by bike. This may increase journey times, but it also helps commuters stay fit and
healthy, while also doing their bit for the environment. Cycling among the traffic and fumes of central
London may not appeal to everyone, but it is one way to avoid the cost of public transport.
Whatever the reason for the rise in super-commuting, it has become some people’s reality. Do you think
this is a trend that is set to continue? How would you feel about spending more than two hours on your
daily commute? Do you feel super-commuting is a problem, or just a lifestyle choice? Share your comments
below.
B. Complete the table using information from the text and your own ideas.

Type of commute Pros Cons

Commuting by train

Flying

Cycling

C. Read the final paragraph of the text again. Share your response to the questions the author asked in
the Share your views box below. When you finish, read and respond to your classmates’ comments.

Share your views:

Comment:

Comment:

Comment:
D. Read each statement. Give each statement a score from 1–5 based on your opinion (1 = strongly
disagree, 5 = strongly agree).

1. Super-commuting should be encouraged because it leads to growth in areas surrounding big cities.

2. Companies based in cities with a high cost of living should pay for their staff to commute. It is not the
workers’ fault that the city is so expensive.

3. Commuting to London from abroad on a regular basis is unethical. I mean, think about your carbon
footprint!

4. I really don’t care about how people commute to work. It’s up to them.

5. I’d never take a job with a two-hour commute. It’s all about work-life balance for me.

E. Work in groups. Compare your opinions and explain your views.

Giving an opinion Acknowledging Agreeing Disagreeing

someone’s viewpoint
In my opinion … I see your point. I (totally/ completely) I’m not sure about
Personally, I think I see where you’re agree. that.
… coming from. I couldn’t agree more. I disagree.
I’d say that … That’s a good point. I’m with you on that. I don’t know about
I feel that … Fair point. I’d say the same. that…
For me, … Yeah, fair enough.
 Activity 5

Exercise

Change your exercise regime with these three unique sports

Had enough of the gym? Fallen out of love with running? Bored with swimming up and down the same pool,
day in, day out? Don’t worry, there are plenty of new ways to keep fit.
Here are three types of exercise that are rising in popularity around the world. Maybe one of these activities
can help you rediscover your motivation!

Paddle board yoga

Paddle board yoga combines traditional yoga practice with surfing. Yogis practise postures on a paddle
board while floating in calm waters. This form of exercise, which originated in Hawaii, has been around for a
while. It is currently popular in Southeast Asia, where the tropical beaches and beautiful blue skies provide
the perfect backdrop for a paddle board yoga selfie.
Paddle board yoga in exotic, 30° waters sounds great, but we can’t see many paddle board yoga classes
taking place on the River Thames in November. However, many yoga studios offer ‘surf yoga’ classes, where
you can practise your skills indoors and prepare for the big selfie moment on your next holiday.
This exercise will help you develop strength, flexibility, balance and patience.

Aerial fitness
Have you ever seen a trapeze artist perform and thought you’d love to do that? It might surprise you, but
aerial exercise such as trapeze training is actually quite popular. Aerial fitness classes often include a range
of activities, including aerial hoops, ropes, trapeze and tissu (which is a long piece of fabric). They are great
for building your core strength and confidence.
You might think it sounds fun, but is it safe? Rest assured, you aren’t just thrown on a trapeze and expected
to complete a few spins without a safety net. Don’t worry, you can photoshop the crash mat out of your
selfies!
This exercise will help you develop strength, balance, coordination, a strong core and bravery!

Joggling
Joggling involves jogging and juggling at the same time. Believe it or not, joggling is a competitive sport. The
Joggling World Championships began back in 1980, and these days ‘jogglers’ can be seen competing in
marathon events around the world. You are unlikely to learn how to juggle while running (well, you can try
if you like), so it’s best to practise these two activities separately first!
There has been no scientific research into the benefits of joggling, none that we know of, anyway! However,
juggling is said to increase focus and even reduce stress. Some jogglers say that joggling feels less like a
workout than running – maybe that’s because you have lots of breaks when you keep dropping the balls!
This exercise will help you develop coordination, stamina and concentration.
 A. Read the text about exercise. Then discuss the questions with a partner.

• What is the purpose of the text?

• Where might you find a text like this?

• Which activity would you most/least like to try? Explain your answer.

B. Read the text again. Make notes about each form of exercise in the table.

Paddle board yoga Aerial fitness Joggling

What is it?

Where can you do it?

How can it help you?

Other interesting details

C. Work in pairs. Your teacher will give you a role. Read the role and practise the conversation with
a partner. When you finish, change roles. Student B, describe a different exercise.

Student A: You are a joggler. Use your notes to describe joggling to your partner.
Student B: You are interested in joggling, but you’ve never tried it. Student A is a joggler. Ask them
questions about the exercise (you can use the questions in the table to help you).

D. Which sports, games or exercises can help you improve these skills? Note down your ideas below.
Stamina: running,
Strength: weightlifting,
Coordination: juggling,
Balance: yoga,
Flexibility: yoga,
Concentration: chess,
E. Discuss your ideas with a partner. Can you think of any activities that could help you improve all
these skills?
Student A: I think running helps you improve your stamina.
Student B: Yes, and it helps with strength, too.
Student A: Really, how?
Student B: Well …
 Activity 6

December Solstice

A. Make a list of 10 words that are connected with December.

_________________ __________________

_________________ __________________

_________________ __________________

_________________ __________________

_________________ __________________

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

1. When does winter begin in your country?

2. What are the other three seasons of the year?

3. What date is the shortest day where you live?

4. Are the days longer or shorter after this date?

5. What festivals do you celebrate in your country in December?

C. Find words in the infographic that mean the following.

1. to change direction _________________

2. to move something so that one side is lower than the other _________________

3. light and heat from the sun ____________________

4. a particular place __________________

5. to do the same as another person __________________

6. 12 o’clock at night __________________

7. things you give to someone as a present __________________

8. a black substance used to make fires _________________

9. containers that you fill with water to wash yourself in __________________

10. members of your family _________________

 D. Complete the paragraph with words from the box. Then read the infographic again to check your
answers.

hemispheres the Equator the Antarctic Circle

The Arctic Circle the Tropic of Capricorn the tropic of cancer

(1) __________________is an imaginary line that goes round the Earth and divides it into the

northern and southern (2)________________ . The line is between two other imaginary lines:

(3) ___________________ to the north and (4)_________________ the south. This area is the hottest

part of the Earth. The coldest parts of the world are (5)____________________ , an imaginary line

around the South Pole, and (6) ____________________, an imaginary line around the North Pole.

E. Look at the celebrations section in the infographic again. Write the information from the
infographic in the correct columns below.

Things that people do Food that people eat or offer

 Activity 7

Environment

A. Look at the pictures and match the words in the box to the correct one.

allotment congestion landfill litter recycling solar energy

B. In groups, discuss what you know about each of the six issues in the pictures.
C. Read the headlines. Which aspect of the environment do you think each one is about?

ONE GREEN, ONE BROWN

AND ONE BLACK

FEED THE WORLD!

WELL, START WITH
YOUR FAMILY

MAKE MONEY
FROM THE SUN!

CLEANER STREETS FOR THE TOWN

CYCLE, DON’T DRIVE

 D. Read the leaflet below and match the headlines from the previous exercise to the correct story.

Do something for your local environment

In this issue, we look at things we can do for our local environment.

1.__________________________________

Do you want to grow your own vegetables or keep a few chickens? Do you think you have green fingers?
There are almost one hundred allotment sites available on three-year leases. All the sites are available on a
first come, first served basis. Interested? Then give us a call.

2. _________________________________

Do you drive to work? Could you cycle? We have built lots of new cycle lanes in the last two years. They are
clearly marked and you can find a complete route map on our website. Remember, cycling is not only good
for the environment but will also help you stay healthy.

3. __________________________________

In the last few weeks, lots of new bins have been placed along the high street in an attempt to keep our
town tidy. Our community wardens will be patrolling the streets and will fine anyone who drops litter. The
fine for littering is £100.

4.__________________________________

Starting this month, we’re introducing a new system of recycling. Households will be given three bins. The
green one is for recyclable rubbish, such as paper, plastic, glass and card; the brown one is for garden and
food waste and the black bin is for all other rubbish. New collection times will be announced soon.

5. __________________________________

You can save money on your energy bills by installing solar panels on the roof of your house. For the next six
months, we are offering a subsidy of up to £1,000 to people who want to fit the panels on their roof.

Any questions? Call 0908 551 273 and speak to Sam Davies

or Olayinka Direto or visit www.townsvillegoesgreen.gov.uk

for more information.

E. Read the texts again and answer these questions.

1. How much is the fine for dropping litter?

2. What can you do on an allotment?

3. What will the council give you money for?

4. Where can you find a cycle route map?

5. Which bin do you use if you want to throw away bottles?

 Activity 8

Holi

A. Discuss the questions

 Do you have a favourite colour?
 What colour clothes do you like to wear?
 What colours make you feel happy?

B. Write the words in bold in the article next to their meanings. Then read the text about Holi.

1. ____________________: to cook over a fire or in an oven.

2._____________________ : people you do not know.

3._____________________ : large fires built outside – often at parties or celebrations.

4.______________________ : enjoyment or happiness expressed by laughing.

5. ______________________: to follow or run after someone quickly to catch them.

6._______________________ : a soft dry substance that looks like dust or sand.

7.________________________ : means that people are with each other and not alone.

8.________________________ : something that is liked by many people.

9. ________________________: the action of forgetting bad feelings about someone who has hurt you.

10.________________________ : to win or be more successful than another.

 Holi

Holi is also called the ‘festival of colours’, or the ‘festival of love’. It is a happy festival with lots of fun and
laughter. The festival of Holi usually lasts for one night and one day. It celebrates the end of winter and the
arrival of spring. It also celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Holi is a very old traditional Hindi festival celebrated in north India, Nepal and South Asia. Now, Holi is also
popular in other parts of the world such as the USA, the UK, Germany and Australia. In India, Holi starts in
the evening of the spring full moon. People build large bonfires, they roast food and there is lots of singing
and dancing.

The next morning is a time for fun, play and colour. People go out into the streets with coloured powder
and water. They chase and throw colours on their friends, neighbours and strangers.

By the afternoon, the streets, houses and people are bright red, pink, blue, yellow, purple and green. In the
evening, friends and families gather together to eat and drink. Holi is a time for forgiveness, new beginnings
and togetherness.

C. Complete the facts about Holi with information from the text.

1. The festival of Holi comes from ______________________.

2. It is also called _______________________.

3. The festival lasts for ____________________.

4. The festival starts with______________________ .

5. The next day, people throw __________________at each other.

6. In the evening they________________ .

7. Holi is a happy festival with lots of _________________________.

D. Match the quotes with the feelings they describe. Look up any words that you do not know.
1. She’s green with envy. a) Angry.

2. I’m feeling rather blue today. b) Happy.

3. That makes me see red! c) Sad.

4. I was tickled pink when I got the news. d) Jealous.

E. Complete these sentences about yourself.

• When I see ___________________then I sometimes go green with envy.

• ___________________makes me feel blue.

• __________________makes me see red!

• I was tickled pink when ______________________.

 Activity 9

Thanksgiving

A. Tick the things that make you happy:

Dinner with my family meeting with friends watching sports on TV

Going to a football match going to a festival a long weekend off work

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. On this day most US
Americans meet with their family and close friends for a very special meal.

In 1621, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, pilgrims and Native Americans held a three-day feast to give thanks
for the good harvest that year. The good harvest meant that they would have food for the winter.

Today, Thanksgiving reminds people that they have a lot to be thankful for.

These days many people have their Thanksgiving dinner around two o’clock in the afternoon and afterwards
they watch the National Football League (NFL) games on television. They might also attend a local parade or
watch the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with its large balloons and colourful floats.

The central part of a Thanksgiving meal is the roast turkey. This is typically served with stuffing, cornbread
dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie topped with marshmallows, green beans, sweetcorn, squash,
mashed potatoes, gravy, and dinner rolls.

The main course is then followed by a sweet pie: this might be pumpkin pie, apple, cherry, blueberry or
pecan, and it is served with whipped cream or ice cream.

Of course, there are usually leftovers which are then eaten during the following long weekend.

As Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, many businesses and schools also close on the Friday, so most
people get four days off work or school. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times to travel in the USA, as
people drive or fly to be with their families and friends.
B. Find a word in the Thanksgiving text that means:

1. a large meal for a lot of people, usually eaten to celebrate something __________________

2. the amount of a crop (plants grown for food) that is collected ____________________

3. the food that remains at the end of a meal after you have finished eating _________________

4. a celebration in which a large group of people move through the streets, often with decorated vehicles
and bands playing music ___________________

5. cooked in an oven ____________________

6. food that is cut into small pieces, mixed, and put inside meat or vegetables _________________
 Activity 10

Crime

A. Look at these pictures. What can you see in each one?

B. Complete the headlines with the words in the box.

arrest attempted crime detectives jailed thieves

Man charged with___________ murder

WOMAN ______________ FOR SMUGGLING

___________________ PUZZLED BY DEATH

POLICE ___________250 _____________

BURGLAR HELPS POLICE STOP __________________

  What do you think happened in each story?

C. Read the newspaper stories below and match the headlines from the previous exercise to the
correct story.

1. ______________________

Detectives investigating the murder of a woman are trying to find out exactly how and when she died. They
also don’t know her name. A man who was walking his dog discovered the body and called the police. The
police are examining the crime scene but don’t have any evidence yet.

2._______________________

Police have arrested a 55-year-old man after he tried to strangle a woman on New Year’s Eve. The 22-year-
old woman is in hospital. The man will appear in court tomorrow. Police want any witnesses to contact
them. The attack happened just after midnight outside Reveller’s nightclub.

3. _______________________

The police are employing an ex-thief to help them fight crime. ‘Bob’, who is in his forties, has spent more
than ten years in jail for various crimes including burgling around 500 houses. He now works with the police,
helping them to give advice to homeowners on how to stop potential burglars.

4. _________________________

A 19-year-old woman has been caught smuggling drugs worth £100,000. She has been sentenced to six
months in prison. Customs officers stopped the woman as she was walking through Gatwick Airport. She
was on her way home from holiday.

5.

Police in one UK town have arrested more shoplifters in a week than they would usually arrest in a year.
More than 30 undercover and uniformed officers caught people who were stealing from shops. The police
arrested nearly 250 people.

D. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?

Story 1: The police know how the woman was killed.

Story 2: The woman in the story isn’t dead.

Story 3: Bob doesn’t break into houses now.

Story 4: The woman was going on holiday when she was arrested.

Story 5: The police usually catch more than 250 shoplifters every wee
 Answer Key

Activity 1: Pay it forward

C.1. deed; 2. Spread; 3. Encourage; 4. Volunteer; 5 smile; 6. give away; 7. Skills

Activity 2: The Mediterranean Diet

C. 1.(eating) habits; 2. plant-based; 3. meal; 4. dairy products; 5.sugar; 6.dessert; 7. herbs; 8.spices; 9.
snacks; 10. Biscuits

Activity 3: 7 Billion

B. 1 two thirds; 2 1.2; 3. 6; 4.60; 5. 37; 6. 1.3; 7. 11; 8. 8

D.

Adjective Comparative Superlative Adjective Comparative Superlative

good better the best dull duller the dullest
big bigger biggest cold colder the coldest
beautiful more beautiful The most bad worse the worst
beautiful
warm warmer the warmest unpopulated less populated the least
populated
far farther/further the ugly uglier the ugliest
farthest/the
furthest
interesting more the most near nearer the nearest
interesting interesting
populated more the most small smaller the smallest
populated populated

E.1. the biggest / the most populated; 2. smaller; 3.nearer; 4. the least populated
Activity 4: Getting to work

B.

Type of Pros Cons

commute
Commuting by It is more cost- Annual train
train effective than fares can cost
living in central thousands of
London. pounds.
Flying Workers can (The text does
live in areas not mention a
where their negative.
quality of life is Encourage
better. students to
share their own
ideas , such as
increased
carbon
footprint, time
spent in
airport, etc.)
Cycling It keeps people Traffic and
fit and healthy. fumes in
It saves of Central
public London.
transport costs.

Activity 5: Exercise

B.

Paddle board yoga Aerial fitness Joggling

What is it? A mix between surfing Exercises using the Juggling while running
and yoga trapeze, aerial hoops,
ropes and tissu

Where can you do it? In the sea, on a paddle (The article doesn’t say, On any running path or
board, in calm waters, in but the reader can infer in a public space such as
a yoga studio that it is in a gym, studio a park
or indoor space.)

How can it help you? It helps you develop It helps you develop It can help you develop
strength, flexibility, confidence, strength, focus, coordination,
balance and patience. balance, coordination, a stamina and
 strong core and bravery. concentration. It may
also reduce stress.

Other interesting details It originated in Hawaii. It’s quite [but not There is a Joggling
It offers good selfie completely] safe; crash World Championship.
opportunities. mats are provided. Many jogglers run in
It is popular in It may also provide a marathons.
Southeast Asia. good selfie opportunity. There is no scientific
research about the
benefits of joggling.

Activity 6: December Solstice

C.

1. turn(s) away, turn(s) towards

2. tilt(s)

3. rays

4. point

5. follow

6. midnight

7. gifts

8. coal

9. baths

10. relatives

D.

1. the Equator

2. hemispheres

3. the Tropic of Cancer

4. the Tropic of Capricorn

5. the Antarctic Circle

6. the Arctic Circle

Activity 7: Environment

A.

1. congestion; 2. recycling; 3. litter; 4. solar energy; 5. allotment (a plot of land where people grow
vegetables, etc.); 6. Landfill

D.

1. Feed the world! Well, start with your family;

2. Cycle, don’t drive;

3. Cleaner streets for the town;

4. One green, one brown and one black; 5. Make money from the sun!

E. 1. £100; 2. grow vegetables or other things, keep chickens; 3. installing solar panels; 4. on the council
website; 5. Green (you could also elicit ‘bottle bank’)

Activity 8: Holi

B.

1. roast

2. strangers

3. bonfires

4. laughter

5. chase

6. powder

7. together

8. popular

9. forgiveness

10. victory

C.

1. India

2. the festival of love or the festival of colours

3. one and a half days / one night and one day

4. bonfires / much singing and dancing

5. colours / powdered colours / water / coloured water

6. eat and drink with friends and family

7. fun and laughter

D. 1d, 2c, 3a, 4b

Activity 9: Thanksgiving

B.

1. feast

2. harvest

3. leftovers

4. parade

5. roast

6. stuffing

Activity 10: Crime

C.

Man charged with attempted murder

Woman jailed for smuggling

Detectives puzzled by death

Police arrest 250 thieves

Burglar helps police stop crime

D.

1.F; 2. T; 3. T; 4. F; 5. F