WEEK 2 SESSION 2

Making excuses

grammar: conjunctions: and, or, because, but

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GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 1: Language presentation/review
Read this dialogue between Ben and his friend Emma. When will Ben get his book back?
tonight
GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 1: Language presentation/review

and and
or or
but but
because because
so so
GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 2: Pronunciation
We give most stress to the most important information words. Underline two or three
words in each sentence that you think should be stressed.

1)I was____
late and my ______
friend was late,____
too.
2)Do you_____
walk to school or take the____
bus?
3)I got up_____
early, but I arrived____
late for school.
4)I was____
late for ______
school because I_______
missed the____
bus.
 Activity 3: Language practice: Fill the gaps in the dialogue between Kate and Laura with
the correct conjunctions

but

or
so
and
because
 GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 4: Language practice
Fill in each gap using one of these conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because.
but
1) I have a car, ________ because the tube is faster.
I never drive to work _________
because it was very crowded.
2) We couldn't do any shopping _________
but very unhealthy, _____
3) Junk food is delicious _____ so you shouldn’t eat it very
often.
so
4) I knew Sara could help me, _________ I asked her for help.
or
5) Would you like to watch a film at home _________ to go to the movies?
 GRAMMAR Making excuses

Activity 4: Language practice

Fill in each gap using one of these conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because.

so
6) I wasn't feeling well, _________ and
I went to the doctor, _________ he told
me that I need to start a diet.
but
7) I'm from the UK, _________ and
I live in the US _________ my wife is Russian.
but
8) He's a great person, _________ he's totally crazy.
and
9) My brother is easy-going _________ but my sister is very
positive, _________
pessimistic.
or
10) The city is expensive. You should rent a room in a shared flat _________
a small studio.
GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 5: Role-play
Work in pairs. You and your partner would like to do something together on the
weekend. Take turns to choose activities from the 'things to do' list.
When your partner makes a suggestion, tell him/her you can’t do it and give one of
the excuses from the list. Choose a reasonable one.
How many of the conjunctions can you use in your conversation? Tick (✔ ) these
words each time you use them:
and ___ because ___ but ___ or ___ so ___
GRAMMAR Making excuses
Activity 5: Role-play
Things to do Excuses
•soccer game •bad leg
•movie theater •very tired
•restaurant •don’t like loud music
•tennis or badminton •on a diet
•visit [name of a mutual friend] •prefer to play sports not watch
•rock concert •already have plans for Sunday
•video games or movies at home •headache

How about having a soccer game? – I’m sorry, I can’t because I’m having a bad leg.
Why don’t we …
Would you like to …
Do you want to …