B1

Being unproductive (uses of gerund)

1. Think about last weekend and list some things you did. Say which of them you enjoyed doing and
which you didn’t. Explain why.

2. Discuss the questions.

• Why do many people like weekends? productive (adj.):
• Would you say your weekends are usually productive or producing or achieving a lot
unproductive?

3. Think of why some people can’t fully enjoy their weekends. Then, watch a video
[https://youtu.be/D-nE_HXjnZw] and compare your answers with what the speaker says.
It’s hard to forget about work and enjoy things that are not productive. [00:10]

You can also ask your students the following questions: Do you find it difficult to forget about work on
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your days off? What helps you in this situation?

4. Watch the video again and tick the ideas that the speaker mentions.

A. People need to give up working on their days off because it can lead to burnout.
B. We can enjoy weekends more by doing things that are not productive. [00:24]
C. Consider spending more time with your pets because it’s a great source of pleasure.
D. Think about spending time on self-care.
E. Creating something with your hands is better than just turning off your phone. [00:29]
F. Taking your family on a hiking trip will help you disconnect from work. [00:34]

5. Look at the statements in ex. 4 again and do the tasks below.

A. Find and underline gerunds (verbs ending in -ing).
B. Complete the rules:
• We use gerunds:
– as a subject (e.g. in sentences E and F);
– after some verbs (e.g. in sentence C);
– after phrasal verbs (e.g. in sentence A);
– after prepositions (e.g. in sentences B, D).

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 B1
Being unproductive (uses of gerund)

Mention that as well as the verbs followed by gerunds, there are some that are followed by infinitives,
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e.g. ‘learn’, ‘hope’, ‘plan’, ‘fail’, etc.

6. Complete the statements with the correct form of the verb.

dance do go meet put off stand try watch work

A. Dancing is a fantastic activity to do when you need to forget about work.

B. I can’t stand wasting time on housework at weekends.
C. Sometimes it’s completely fine to put off all your responsibilities and just be lazy.
D. I don’t mind working at the weekend when necessary.
E. All I do during the week is dream about meeting my friends at the weekend and going somewhere
together.
F. Watching TV is something I’d never do at the weekend.
G. The best way to spend your weekend is to participate in doing something that helps you connect
with yourself.
H. I gave up trying to have a balanced weekend because my life is full of surprises.

7. Look at the statements in ex. 6 and say which ones describe how you feel about weekends and free
time. Give some details.

8. Look at the weekend goals below. Complete the gaps in the sentences to describe how these goals
can be achieved.
A. creating family memories
• My family hate… so…
• They always look forward to… so…
• … is something that my family have never done so…
B. having a great time with your friend
• We can’t imagine our meetings without… so…
• … is the thing that we both really enjoy so…
• My friend is really good at… so…
C. improving your physical fitness
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 B1
Being unproductive (uses of gerund)

• For me, it’s hard to keep… so…

• It’d be a great idea for me to practise… because it would help me…
• I’m interested in… so…

9. Choose two goals below and think of three or four activities, productive or unproductive, that will
help you achieve the goals. Explain why you think the activities will help.
EXAMPLE: Goal: reducing your stress levels

By meditating regularly I can learn how to be present in the moment, focus on my

breathing and let stressful thoughts go.

I’ll consider spending time in nature and doing outdoor activities such as hiking,
nature walks or yoga. Walking in nature is unproductive but it reduces stress levels.
Nature usually calms people down.

I plan to participate in drawing, painting or crafting classes. Such activities help

people express their emotions.

building team spirit with your co-workers exploring a new city’s culture and history

improving your relationship

growing personally
with your partner

This worksheet includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. It’s only
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available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. Print it and hand it out to your students.

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Being unproductive (uses of gerund)

Follow the instructions.

A. Choose a verb from the first column and a noun from the second.
B. Make a sentence with a gerund using the verb and the noun.
C. Make sure that at least one sentence you’ve created has a gerund:
– as a subject. – after a verb.
– after a preposition. – after a phrasal verb.
D. Feel free to create sentences that are fun or illogical.

EXAMPLES: play, book

Playing videogames is worse than reading books. (gerund as a subject)

like, forest
I never like going to the forest in summer because there are lots of mosquitoes there.
(gerund after a verb)

bake, house
I took up baking a week ago, and now my house smells of cookies. (gerund after a
phrasal verb)

wear, apple
I can’t live without wearing my skirt with apple print. (gerund after a preposition)

dance bicycle
enjoy camera
explore castle
hate guitar
jump moon
not mind mountain
paint ocean
sing pineapple
take up rainbow
write robot

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