Sudan University Of Science & Technology

College of Languages

Department of University Requirements

General English

For First Year Students

(Semester 1)

2020

0
 Contents

Subject Page

Introduction 3

General Objectives 4

Unit One: Know Your University 5

Unit Two: English as a World Language 17

Unit Three: Using Your Dictionary 29

Unit Four: The Ideal Job 41

Unit Five: A World Guide to Good Manners 55

Unit Six: For Fitness 62

Unit Seven: A Casual Encounter 72

Unit Eight: Robots 81

Unit Nine: The Wonderful World of Animals 88

Unit Ten: Country Music 100

Unit Eleven: Soccer 107

Unit Twelve: Good Health 115

Unit Thirteen: The Internet and Society 124

Unit Fourteen: Connecting People 135

Unit Fifteen: Mrs. Smith's Cat 151

1
Unit Sixteen: Food 160

Unit Seventeen: Lifelong Learning 166

Unit Eighteen: The Structure of a Paragraph 176

Unit Nineteen: The Development of a Paragraph 183

Unit Twenty: Entertainment Trends 194

References 201

Appendices 203-247

2
 Unit Eleven

SOCCER

* Football (1)

- Pre- reading:

1. When was the last World Cup played? Where?

2. Use the table below to ask questions:

e.g. Student 1: What‘s your favourite national team?

Student 2: …………………………………….

Student 1: Why?

Student 2:……………………………………..

favourite
What‘s your less favourite national team? Why?
Who's regional footballer?
international
least favourite

* Vocabulary

1. Fifa congress

The international organization that controls football is ‗Fifa‘, which

stands for Federation International de Football Association. A congress is
a meeting.
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2. era

This word is used to talk about a period of time in the past when
something or someone is important.

3. hosting

If a country hosts the World Cup, then the competition is being played in
that country.

4. inaugural

This adjective means the very first. It is mainly used when talking about
special events and competitions.

5. dominated

If a team dominated it means that they were much stronger and they did
much better than the others.

6. did not disgrace themselves

This expression is used to describe good performances by a team that

isn‘t very strong. Although they are a weaker team and didn‘t win, they
did play well.

7. packed into

This expression shows that the stadium was completely full, there was no
extra space.

8. brains behind

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When someone is described as the brains behind something, then it is that
person‘s idea or plan.

9. row

Another word for an argument or disagreement.

10. rumour has it

This expression means that what is being told is not a fact, but is what
people believe to be true.

* Reading

World Cup history: The First World Cup

Read the passage carefully then answer the questions that follow.

On 26 May 1928, at a meeting in Amsterdam, the Fifa congress

decided that a new tournament open to all its members should be played.
A year later in Barcelona it was agreed that Uruguay, the Olympic
champions and the era‘s footballing superpower, should celebrate 100
years of independence by hosting the first World Cup the following year.

Only 13 nations took part in the inaugural tournament, with a

majority of nine coming from South America. All games were played in
three stadiums in Montevideo and, as expected, the South American
countries dominated, although the European teams did not disgrace
themselves.

Some 100,000 fans packed into the Centenar to Stadium for the
final on 30 July to see Argentina throw away a 2-1 half-time lead as
Uruguay ran out 4-2 winners.

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 Jules Rimet, the Fifa president and brains behind the World Cup,
presented the trophy to the winning team, captain Jose Nazassi. That
event marked the birth of the greatest football‘s tournament in the world.

After a pre-match broke over which ball to use for the final, it is
believed the Argentine ball was used in one half and the Uruguayan ball
in the other. Rumour has it that this is how the phrase ‗a game of two
halves‘ evolved.

Exercise [1]:

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. When was the first World Cup played?

A ○ 1928 B ○ 1929

C ○1930 D ○ 1931

2. Where was the first World Cup played?

A ○ Holland B ○ Spain

C ○ Brazil D ○ Uruguay

3. Which of these statements about the first World Cup is not

true?

A ○ Most of the teams came from South America.

B ○ The South American teams were the strongest.

C ○ All the matches were played in the same stadium.

D ○ The European teams did not play badly.

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4. What was the score after the first 45 minutes of the final?

A ○ Argentina 2 - 1 Uruguay

B ○ Argentina 1 - 2 Uruguay

C ○ Argentina 4 - 2 Uruguay

D ○ Argentina 2 - 4 Uruguay

5. What is the best definition of the phrase ―a game of two

halves‖?

A ○ A different ball should be used in each half of the match.

C ○ Anything can happen in football.

C ○ Players shouldn't argue with the referee.

D ○ Each team should use its own ball for part of the match.

* Football (2)
Have your say!
* Should Video Replay Be Scrapped?
Exercise [2]:
Below are comments sent in response to the question above.
Go through each comment, then do the questions on the
right hand column.
I can not believe this decision; there is 1. Is he in favour or against the use of
far too much shirt pulling and more video replay?
serious incidents such as elbowing 2. What‘s the strongest point in his
going on in football. Referees are argument?
doing their best to maintain order on 3. Does he think referees are doing their
the pitch but it is a very difficult job job properly?
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and they must be helped in every way 4. How does he support his argument?
possible and this decision seems to Is it by giving examples or comparisons
completely contradict this. etc.
Martin, UK

Of course video replays should be 1. Is he in favour or against the use of

scrapped. If people want video replay?
unimaginative, boring, over-sized 2. What‘s the strongest point in his
chess they should stick to cricket or argument?
American football! If people cannot 3. Does he think referees are doing their
appreciate that part of the reason our job properly?
‗beautiful game‘ is so entertaining is 4. How does he support his argument?
the knowledge that fate plays a big Is it by giving examples or comparisons
part in any team‘s fortunes, then they etc.
are watching for all the wrong
reasons. If it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it!
Steve Hoklen, UK

I cannot believe I am hearing this. We I. Is he in favour or against the use of

now live in a time of technology and video replay?
what a better place to use it than in 2. What‘s the strongest point in his
sports? American football and even argument?
Rugby League use technology to their 3. Does he think referees are doing their
advantage. Also this would keep the job properly?
fans and media off the back of 4. How does he support his argument?
football referees. If he was able to Is it by giving examples or comparisons

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consult his fourth official on vital etc.
decisions such as penalties with the
aid of technology, arguments would
be avoided.
Craig, England

I hate the idea of using video evidence 1. Is he in favour or against the use of
in football. Half the joy of watching video replay?
soccer comes from complaining about 2. What‘s the strongest point in his
controversial decisions. Football argument?
doesn't need modernizing in any way, 3. Does he think referees are doing their
shape or form. After all, look what it job properly?
did for the now laughable sport of 4. How does he support his argument?
rugby league! Is it by giving examples or comparisons
Darren Robinson, UK etc.

The beautiful game should — not be 1. Is he in favour or against the use of

spoi1ed by bad decisions. Obviously, video replay?
referees are human beings and are 2. What‘s the strongest point in his
prone to errors. So why shouldn‘t we argument?
use the technology available today to 3. Does he think referees are doing their
help referees. job properly?
Jean, France 4. How does he support his argument?
Is it by giving examples or comparisons
... etc.

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* Discussion:

1. Which argument do you find more convincing than others?

2. Where do you stand? Are you in favour or against the use of
technology in football. In both cases explain why?
3. Referees are humans. So what if they make mistakes?
4. Will you go against them? Or will you support them?

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 Unit Twelve

GOOD HEALTH

* Good Health (1)

* Pre- reading:

1. Have you ever been taken to hospital?

2. Do you go to bed late / early?

3. Do you play football / basketball, etc.?

Which of these words do you associate with poor health / illness

Headache fever herbs

Sweat unfit cough
Bitter pain vomit
Jump faint recover
Exercise [1]:

* Complete the sentences with a suitable word from the list

below. Make any necessary changes.

need keep Just poor Suitable wealth enough

1. There are ……………………………. for everybody.

2. Ali always …………….. his glasses for such small writing.

3. Salah Idrees is a …………………… man.

4. Awad: I'm going to al-suq –al- Markazi to buy fish, then I'll take
a mini-bus from there to my home-village in al-Gazira.

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5. Khalid: But is the fish ……………………. in this hot weather?

* Read the passage, then answer the questions following it.

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

This is an o1d English saying. Have you ever heard it before? It

means that we must go to bed early and get up early in the morning. Then
we shall be healthy. We shall also be rich (wealthy) and clever (wise).

Perhaps this is true. The body must have enough sleep to be

healthy. You should have eight hours sleep every night. Who do not have
enough sleep cannot do their work properly. They will not be wise and
they may not become wealthy!

The human body also needs exercise. Walking, running, jumping,

swimming, playing games, are all exercise. Exercise keeps the body
strong.

Exercise also helps the blood to move around inside the body. This
is very important. Our blood takes food to all parts of our body. The brain
in our head also needs blood. We think with our brain. Exercise helps
us to think better!

* Comprehension questions:

Exercise [2]:

1. The passage says that we shall be healthy if we go to bed

a. late and get late. b. early and get late.

c. early and get up early. d. late and get up early.

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2. You need

a. ten hours b. nine hours

c. eleven hours d. eight hours
3. Sleep early every night. Then you will become "wealthy and
wise". This means

a. rich and happy b. rich and clever

c. clever and happy d. healthy and clever
4. The body also needs exercise to make it

a. wealthy b. strong
c. faster d. clever
5. Exercise also

a. makes more blood. b. helps the blood to move.

b. makes food for the blood. d. stops us thinking.

* Good Health (2)

* Vocabulary and Reading

* Vocabulary

Which nouns in the box come from adjectives and which

ones come from verbs?

swimming saying cleanliness walking painfulness Illness

importance dirtiness

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* Reading

- Read the text, then do the questions following it.

Our bodies also need air to breathe. We must have plenty of clean
air to stay healthy.

There is something that our bodies must not have. We do not want
illness or diseases. When we are ill, we have to stay in bed. When we
feel unwell, we may have a headache or different kinds of pain, and
perhaps a high temperature. We cannot work and we cannot play. We feel
unhappy.

One cause of illness and disease is dirt. Dirt is full of germs, but
they are too small to see without a microscope. They are too small but
they are alive. They can get inside our bodies and make us ill. They can
get in through our noses or mouths. They can get in through our mouths
more easily than through our noses. We should keep our mouths closed
and breathe through our noses. They can get into our bodies through our
skin. We must keep our bodies clean. We must wash our hands before
meals. We must keep our fingernails clean.

We must also keep our teeth clean. Germs can make teeth bad.
Then they become black or hurt. Toothache is very terrible. We must
clean our teeth every morning and every night.

We must also keep our homes and our streets clean. Drains carry
away dirty water. We must not throw rubbish in the drains. Where should
we throw rubbish? Sick people spit in the streets. This is very dirty.
People who spit give diseases to other people.

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* Exercise [3]: Comprehension questions:

1. The passage also says that fresh............. helps to prevent illness.

a. blood b. air

c. food d. exercise

2. Another word for illness is

a. disease b. temperature

c. germs d. health

3. When we are ill, we sometimes have a high temperature. This

means that we

a. feel hot b. have a headache

c. feel unhappy d. cannot work

4. Illness is sometimes caused by

a. disease b. dirt

c. pains d. headaches

5. Germs can get into our bodies through our

a. hair b. fingernails

c. blood d. mouths

6. We must remember to

a. wash b. sweep

c. clean d. exercise

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7. Our teeth twice a day and........................... spit in the streets.

a. always b. sometimes

c. often d. never

Exercise [4]:

1. Finish the sentence. Use these words:

hot thirsty tired sleepy cold ill

a. I am wearing two coats. I feel ______.

b. I want a drink. I feel ______.
c. This is hard work. I feel ______.
d. I am going to bed. I feel _____.
e. I want a coat. I feel ____.
f. I have a pain in my stomach. I feel ______.

Exercise [5]:
* Finish the sentence. Use these words:

comfortable happy tired ill busy cheerful difficult Fierce

1. Mary looks _____. Her face is very white.

2. Ann seems very _____. She is smilling.

3. May I sit in that chair, please? It looks very ........................

4. You seem very _____, Peter. Go to bed early tonight.

5. John seems very _____. He always has a big smile on his face.

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6. The children seemed very _____. They were all working hard.

7. That lion looks _____ . It is roaring very loudly.

8. This summary looks very _____ but I shall try to do it.

* Vocabulary

Exercise [6]:

Insert the right word in the gaps. Choose from the list
below:

blood \ sleep \ clean\ air \ healthy \ inside \ body \ germs

We should have eight hours ______ every night. This will help us to be
_______. Exercise also helps us to be healthy. It helps the blood to move
around inside the ______. It also takes the ______ to the brain. Then we
can think better. Our bodies also need clean __________to breathe.

One cause of illness is dirt. Dirt is full of…………… These are too small
to see but they are alive. Germs can get …………..our bodies and make
us ill. We must keep our bodies …………..

* Language Focus

1. Asking for and giving advice: Must, Should

We use must for giving strong advice.

Examples:

You must always come to class on time.

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 You mustn't use your mobile phone in the class.

2. We use should or (be) supposed to give less strong advice.

Examples:

You should switch off your mobile phone before you go in.

You are supposed to stay quiet.

3. Practice:

* Work in pairs. What advice would you give to an

English girl who has just arrived to see Sudan and who
doesn't know much about Sudanese culture.

Prompts: wear head scarf

: drink alcohol

: smoke in public

: ride bicycle

: wear/dress short skirts.

* Write sentences giving advice on how to do the following

things:

a. give a party (birthday)

b. study for exams
c. attract girl's / boy's attention
d. be successful in life/ study/ work
e. choose a husband / wife

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* Punctuation

1. Read this carefully. Notice the punctuation marks: comma, full

stop, speech marks and then question mark.

‗Hello, Sam,‟ said Mary. „How are you?‟

„Fine, thanks,‟ said Sam. „How are you?‟

2. Now write out this conversation and add the appropriate

punctuation marks.

Hello Mary said Anne How are you feeling

Very well thanks said Mary How are you

* Drill

John and Mary met in the street. Write out their conversation.
Begin like this: Hello, Mary, said John. „How …

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 Unit Thirteen
THE INTERNET AND SOCIETY

* Pre-reading:
1. Should we use the Internet as a learning tool?

2. In what ways can we use the Internet to enhance our academic

knowledge?

3. In what ways could too much involvement with the Internet be

harmful to a person?

* Read this information about the Internet.

“I think there is a world market for maybe five

computers ”
Tomas Watson (1874-1956)
Charirman of IBM, 1943

United Nations estimate for number

of Internet users in 2005: one billion

―The Internet has affected our lives in countless ways. We

communicate by mail, we gather and share data via the World
Wide Web, we conduct transactions, over the Internet, we find out
important medical and political information on the Net, we see
friends in chat rooms, and we "instant message‖ them when we
find they are online.‖

Vint Cerf

Father of the Internet

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Exercise [1]:
1. Ask and answer these questions with your partner.
a. How often do you use the Internet?

b. What do you use it for?

c. Do you think the Internet is useful?

d. Is the Internet more powerful than other forms of

communication?

e. What jobs can you think of that need the Internet?

f. Do you think the Internet will disappear in the future?

2. Make a group and compare your answers.

 Vocabulary skills : Antonyms

Exercise [2]:
* Match each word on the left with its antonym on the
right.
a. important search

b. positive forbid

c. rare modern

d. allow trivial

e. traditional negative

f. advantages solution

g. problem disadvantages

h. find common

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* Read this text.
Teens online
For many young people, communicating on the Internet has
become an essential part of life. E-mail and instant messages,
because of their ease and speed, have partly replaced face-to-face
meetings and telephone conversations. Teens say that online
communication can create distance between people. However, they
add that this distance can be very helpful, especially for people
who are shy or want to finish a difficult relationship.

Exercise [3]:

3. For each word below, find an antonym in the text

above.
a. unnecessary _________________________

b. difficulty _________________________

c. completely _________________________

d. closeness _________________________

e. unhelpful _________________________

f. outgoing _________________________

* Discussing:
The pros and cons of Internet life.
With your partner, think of three advantages and three
disadvantages of the Internet. Then make a group and compare
your ideas.

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* Read the text. Are any of your ideas mentioned?
The pros and cons of Internet life

Many people now believe that the Internet is the most important
invention in history. Some say it has a greater impact on our lives
than the car, plane, or television. The World Wide Web is changing
how we shop, how we work, how we contact each other, how we
spend our leisure time, and how we learn. However, the role of the
Internet in our society can be both positive and negative.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have two young children, and I have to stay at home to look after them.
It‘s too expensive to put them in nursery school. The Internet, though,
allows me to work from home. I have started my own mail-order
business. Now my husband and I have more money to spend on the
children!

Terri

I‘m worried about the effect the Internet is having on our society. When
our young people use the Internet, they read information and see images
of the outside world and they believe everything. They don‘t get a
balanced view, and I‘m worried they may reject our traditional culture.

Malik

I love the economic advantages the Internet offers ---e-commerce and

online trading give everyone the chance to be a millionaire!

Tim

I suffer from a rare disease, and it‘s great to communicate with people all
over the world who also have the same problem. It‘s a wonderful
community. Without the Internet, I‘d feel so alone.

Jane

People say the Internet is great because you can see places all over the
world and meet people, too. But I think that‘s garbage—it‘s just not true.

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The Internet encourages people to stay at home rather than go out into the
real world and see real places and meet real people. Get a life, surfers!

Naomi

The Internet can make dreams come true. I‘ve always wanted to write
children‘s stories, but no publisher would print them. Now I have my own
website and I like to think that children everywhere are enjoying them.

Kathrin

I‘m really worried about the content of some of these Internet sites. There
is far too much bad material, and I don‘t want my children finding it. It‘s
a real danger.

Lee

* Understanding the text

Exercise [4]:
Read these questions and write your answers.
a. What can Terri do thanks to the Internet?
______________________________________________________

b. Why does Jane like the Internet?

______________________________________________________

c. What kind of stories has Kathrin published on the Internet?

______________________________________________________

d. How can someone become rich on the Internet?

______________________________________________________

e. Find five parts of our lives that the Internet is changing.

______________________________________________________

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Exercise [5]:

Write the name of the person who …………..

a. worries about kids seeing bad things on the Internet.
...................

b. would be lonely without the Internet.

....................

c. has achieved a personal goal thanks to the Internet.

....................

d. thinks some people live too much of their lives on the

Internet. ...................

e. says people can make a lot of money out of the Internet.

....................

f. believes the Internet can harm traditional values.

....................

g. has an Internet-based business.

....................

Exercise [6]:

Who is in favor of the Internet, and who is against it?

What are their reasons?
In favor of Reason

____________ _____________________________

____________ _____________________________

____________ _____________________________

____________ _____________________________

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 Against Reason

____________ ______________________________

____________ ______________________________

____________ ______________________________

Who do you agree with?

* Reading skills: Separating fact and opinion.

Exercise [7]:
Look again at ―The pros and cons of Internet life‖ chat
page. Which of these statements are facts and which
are opinions? Write F (fact) or O (opinion).
a. _______The Internet is more important than any other invention.

b. ________ Terri stays home with her children because childcare

is very expensive.

c. _______ Young people believe everything they see on the

Internet.

d. _______ The Internet gives some people a chance to make a lot

of money.

e. _______Minority groups and people with illnesses can support

one another over the Internet.

f. ________ Kathrin‘s stories are very entertaining.

g. _______ Children can access websites which have adult content.

h _________ The Internet stops people from meeting in real life.

* Read this text.

Online privacy
Some people say that we have less privacy now than we had in the
past. They claim it‘s possible to discover everything someone does on
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 the Internet, and even spy on people. They also say that people can use
the Internet too much, so they become more distant from their families
and friends. But other people claim that the Internet creates equal
opportunities for everyone. They argue that the Internet helps to take
power away from the wealthy, and that we can all have a voice on the
Internet, whatever our views or beliefs.

Does the text above describe facts or opinions? Circle

the words that support your answer.

Exercise [8]:
Write two sentences, one giving your opinion of the
Internet and the other giving a fact about it.
My opinion of the Internet:

______________________________________________________

A fact about the Internet:

______________________________________________________

Read your sentences to your classmates. They must

decide which your opinion is and which is a fact.
* Word review
Exercise [9]:
For each word in italics, choose the word below that
has a similar meaning.
Who is online?
The a. invention of the Internet brought many b. advantages especially in
c. business and d. leisure. However, an estimated 85% of people around
the world are not online. The Internet, therefore, has no e. impact on their
lives at all. For many, the technology is still too f. expensive. Others g.
reject the Internet because they are h. worried about the effect it will have

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on their traditional culture. Today, it is still mostly people in wealthy and
developed countries who use the Internet.

a. 1. creation 2. size e. 1. influence 2. control

b. 1. supporters 2. benefits f. 1.advanced 2. costly

c. 1. advertising 2. commerce g. 1. want 2. refuse

d. 1. free time 2. home life h. 1. concerned 2. unhappy

Talk about it:

Which of these activities do you do, would you consider
doing, on the Internet? Check (√) your answers.
Do now Would
Definitely

consider
wouldn‘t do

a. Listen to and download music

b. Play games

c. Check sports scores

d. Send e-mail

e. Chat with friends

f. Look for news

g. Look for information

h. Surf to pass the time

i. Research a product before buying it

j. Buy things

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Make a group and compare your answers.
* Focus on Grammar
* Modals: Should and Shouldn‘t

Use should to give advice You should sit two to four

or say that something is a feet away from this light.
good idea. = it‘s a good idea to sit two to
four feet away from the light.

Use shouldn‘t to give You shouldn‘t look directly

advice or say that something at the light = it‘s a bad idea to
isn‘t a good idea. look directly at the light.

Always use the base form of the verb with should and shouldn‘t

Should (n‘t) Base of Verb

You Should sit two to four feet away
You shouldn‘t look
How close should 1 sit? from this light.
directly at the light.

Exercise [10]:
Complete the sentences with should and shouldn‟t and the
base form of the correct verb.
eat look sleep take exercise see stay out talk

1. You ______________ directly at a bright light.

2. People ______ antidepressants if their doctors haven‘t told them to.

3. Jane has all of the symptoms of depression. She ______ her doctor.

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 4. Bob is always tired because he goes out to clubs almost every
night. He _________ more and he ________ late every night.

5. Natalie is gaining too much weight. She _____________ more and

she ________________ so much ice cream.

6. Jeremy is having serious problems in school, and he‘s fighting a lot

with other kids. I think he _____________ to a psychiatrist.

* Writing

* Assignment

Write sentences with should and shouldn‟t to respond to the

statements. Write at least two sentences with should and two
sentences with shouldn‟t. the first one has been done for you.

1. I have a terrible headache. You should take some aspirin.

2. I have all of the symptoms of the flu.

__________________________________________________

3. Dennis was playing football and hurt his back.

__________________________________________________

4. Richard and his friend fight all of the time.

_________________________________________________

5. Eddie is losing weight very fast.

__________________________________________________

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 Unit Fourteen
CONNECTING PEOPLE

* Pre-reading:
Read these opinions. Check (√) the one you most agree
with.
a. The Internet doesn‘t bring people together. It separates them. People
spend too much time alone rather than going out into the real world
and having real contact with people.

b. The Internet is a great way to connect with other people. It offers so

many new possibilities for communication. You can contact people
all over the world, people you wouldn‘t normally meet.

CONNECTING ……………………

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* Read this information
a. The Internet is great __my mother is online, so I keep in touch with
her regularly. It‘s so much easier to send an e-mail than to write a
letter!

b. Surfing the web, I found people from my high school class. We had
a reunion last week. It was fantastic to see so many old friends.

c. Using my Family.com, I was able to find forty relatives that I

didn‘t know I had!

* Make a list of ways the Internet can help connect people.

136
- Think about it.
1. Write your answers. Then interview your partner and
write their answers.
Me My
partner

a. Would you use the internet to research your family. …….…. ………

b. Would you post a message on the Internet to find a friend?

…….…. …………
c. Would you post your details on the Internet? …….…. …………
d. Do you keep in touch with your family by e-mail? …….…. ...………

e. Do you use text messages on your cell phone to

contact friends? …….…. …………

f. Do you have any friends you meet over the Internet?

…….…. …………

* Make a group and compare your answers.

* Vocabulary skills: Using a dictionary
Exercise [1]:
Read this text. Then use your dictionary to complete the chart
below.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a network that connects computers all over the world.
Using an Internet service called the World Wide Web, you can access
all kinds of information, you can surf the web to view documents, play
games, download pictures and movies, listen to music, and watch
programs. Some people use the Internet to look for family members or
for people they love who are missing.

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 Noun Verb Adjective

connection …………………… connected

accessibility access …………………..

………………… inform ……………………

………………….. correct correct

Exercise [2]:
Read this text. Then look up the words in italics in your
dictionary. For each word, note the part of speech, its
pronunciation, and meaning.
Looking for my mother:

When I was ten years old, my parents told me that I was a. adopted. I
didn‘t b.believe it at first, but after my parents told me the whole
story, I understood. They said they had found me through an adoption c.
agency when I was six months old. My natural mother had. d.
abandoned me outside a hospital soon after I was born. When I heard
the news, I was shocked. I knew I had to find my e. real mother.

* Predicting
Look at the title of the poem you are going to read. It is
by a mother whose daughter was adopted at birth by
another woman.
Search for a stranger

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Exercise [3]:
Discuss these questions with your partner.
a. Who do you think the stranger is?

b. Why does the mother want to search for her daughter?

c. Do you think she will find her daughter?

* Read the text and check your predictions. Search for a

stranger
You were not a mistake.

But on the night you were born.

I screamed. And later, I cried.

Alone in the darkness, no family.

Or friends …. abandoned.

I held you in my arms, and right away.

It felt natural-gentle kisses falling to your face.

Salty with tears, so pink and innocent.

I wondered ―Will time break this connection?‖

It did not.

I did not name you.

There was no time, and no point.

I whispered ―I love you‖ and sang.

Softly as the footsteps came.

Hollow and empty in the hall.

―I‘ve changed my mind,‖ I wanted to say.

But I was silent, and you were gone.

139
 Prayers help, but they can‘t correct.

My mistake, or bring you back to me.

My heart is still breaking.

I cry without tears now.

When I see children playing.

In the street or school yard.

At Christmas … on your birthday.

So many painful anniversaries.

I buy presents sometimes.

Like a small bear, in pink.

I have a room full of guilt – my heart hurts.

Twenty years after you went away.

I believe that I will give them to you someday.

I dream of you.

Ask myself if you are married yet, have children.

Are you studying hard?

It‘s time to begin the voyage.

To search for the stranger I know so well.

* Understanding the text

Exercise [4]:
Read these questions and write your answers.
a. Who wrote the poem?

……………………………………………………………................
140
 b. Who was with her after she gave birth?

…………………………………………………………................

c. Did she give a name to her baby?

………………………………………………………………...........

d. Does she know where her child is now?

……....……………………………………………………................

e. How old is her child now?

......…………………… …………………………………................

Exercise [5]:
For each statement write Yes or Maybe.
a. The baby was a boy.

…………………………………………………………................

b. The woman can‘t forget her child.

……………………………………………………………................

c. The birth was painful.

…………………………………………………………................

d. She buys presents to stop feeling guilty.

…………………………………………………………................

e. She believes she will see her child again someday.

.....................................................................................................

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* Discussion

Make a group. Discuss these questions.

a. Did she want to have the baby?

b. Why did she cry after giving birth?

c. Why didn‘t she name her baby?

d. Why was her baby taken away from her?

e. Why do you think she wanted to change her mind at the last
minute?

* Reading skills: Inferring meaning

Exercise [6]:
1. Look again at the poem ―Search for a stranger.‖ Can you
explain these lines from the poem?
a. You were not a mistake

b. Hollow and empty in the hall

c. I cry without tears now

d. So many painful anniversaries

e. I have a room full of guilt

2. Which of these adjectives describe the mother? Her

family and friends? The baby?
abandoned guilty innocent regretful selfish unsupportive

3. Read your adjectives to another group. Can the other

group guess correctly who the adjectives describe?

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4. Now read the mother‘s story.

Finding my baby
When I was nineteen, I really needed some money. I agreed to be paid
to have a child, and then give the baby to a childless couple. It was the
worst decision of my life. My family and friends thought I was selfish
and crazy. I was, but I was also young and didn‘t listen to their good
advice. After the birth, I wanted to change my mind and keep the
baby, but I had agreed to give my child away. I knew that the couple
really wanted the baby, so I gave her to them. Years later, I tried to
find my daughter, but without success. Then, last year, I got a
computer and tried the Internet. I searched and posted messages on
every website I could find for locating missing people. Amazingly,
two months later, my daughter replied. We spoke on the phone and
then exchanged photographs. Two days after that, I couldn‘t believe
my eyes when I met her for the first time. We ran to each other‘s arms
and hugged and cried. I felt like I was whole again. I have given her
all the toys I bought through the years, and we see each other often.

Exercise [7]:

Check (  ) the statements below that can be inferred from

the text.

a.  The woman didn‘t understand how hard her agreement would

be.

b.  Her family and friends didn‘t help her.

c.  She was tricked into giving away her child.
d.  Nobody helped her search for her daughter.
e.  Her daughter has forgiven her.

143
* Word review:
Exercise [8]:
Match each word or phrase in italics with a word or phrase
that has a similar meaning.
Online communication

As well as helping you find 1. strangers, the Internet is useful for keeping
in touch with family and friends, too. You can send e-cards for every 2.
anniversary from weddings to birthdays. You can order flowers and 3.
presents, too. But be careful. It‘s easy to make a 4. mistake when you
type in your credit card details. Also, try not to write an e-mail when you
are angry. Because it arrives 5. right away, you can‘t 6. change your
mind later, and so it‘s possible to 7. hurt someone. Have you ever sent an
e-mail when you were angry and then had a feeling of 8. guilt
afterwards?

a. ………………. error e. ....people you don‘t

know

b. ………………. gifts f. ……….... shame

c. ………………. have second thoughts g. ……….... special

date

d. ………………. immediately h. ……….... upset

144
* Focus on Grammar

Modals: Can and Could

We use can to express I can speak French.=
possibility or ability in the I am able to speak French.
present. Can‘t is the
negative of can.
No, you can‘t fly tomorrow. =
No, it‘s impossible for you to
fly tomorrow.

We use could to express Last time I traveled, I could

ability or possibility in the buy cheap airline tickets in
past. Couldn‘t is the advance. = Last time I traveled,
negative of could. it was possible for me to buy
cheap airline tickets in
advance.

Last time I traveled I couldn‘t

change my ticket after buying
it. = Last time I traveled, it
wasn‘t possible to change my
ticket after buying it.
Can and could are also Could I please ask you some
used to make polite questions?
requests.
Can I borrow your pen?

Always use the base form of the verb with can, can‘t, could, and couldn‘t.
Can/can‘t
+ Base Form of Verb
Could/couldn‘t
Can 1 ask you some questions?
I couldn‘t change my ticket after buying it.

145
Exercise [9]:
Complete the paragraph with can, can‟t, could, or couldn‟t
and the base form of the verb. Pay attention to present and
past time.
Last year, Hung went on vacation to Hong Kong. He flew as an air

courier. He was very happy with the price of the ticket. But this ticket

was non-refundable. He 1. (change)___________ it after he bought it.

Usually he flies as a regular passenger, and his tickets are refundable.

If he wants, he 2. (change) ________________ them. When Hung

went to Hong Kong, he 3. (check) _____________ any luggage

because he was an air courier. He 4. (bring) __________________

only one small carry-on bag. But when he flies as a regular passenger,

he 5. (check)____________________ as many bags he wants. When

he traveled as an air courier, he 6. (travel) _________________

exactly when he wanted. He 7. (travel) ________________ only

when the courier company needed him. As a regular passenger, Hung

8. (travel) _________________ any time he wants, and he 9. (buy)

_________________ his tickets in advance. He likes to travel as a

regular passenger-but he doesn‘t like the cost!

146
Exercise [10]:
Write sentences about which kind of travel is/was
possible/not possible for the following travelers. Use can,
can‟t, or could and the words and phrases that follow. Most
items have more than one possible answer. The first one has
been done for you.
VERBS KINDS OF TRAVEL

go as an air courier

fly economy class

travel first class

by Concorde jet

e.g. 1. Alice isn‘t sure when she will return from Casablanca.

She can‟t go as an air courier because she‟s not flexible.____ ___

2. When is a basketball player. He is seven feet tall and he has very long
legs. _________________________________________________

3. Janet has lots of money. She wants to go to London.

____________________________________________________

4. Elizabeth had very little money to spend on her airplane ticket.

___________________________________________________

5. Robin needed to make a reservation two months before Christmas.

_____________________________________________________

6. Hal needs to take many gifts to his relatives in Norway.

______________________________________________________

147
7. Nicole is afraid of being on an airplane for more than four hours. She
needs to fly from New York to London.

____________________________________________________

* STYLE: Connecting Sentences with And and But

1. Look at the pairs of sentences. Decide which sentences
explain advantages about first-class and air-courier travel and
which sentences explain disadvantages. Check (√) the
appropriate column
Advantages Disadvantages

First-Class Travel

First class has lots of space. __________ ___________

First class has very good food. __________ ___________

Air-Courier Travel

Air-courier travel is cheap. __________ ___________

Air-courier can‘t bring much luggage. __________ ___________

* Connect each pair of sentences into one. Use and or but.

Connecting Sentences with And and But

The connector word and connects sentences that have similar

ideas__ for example, two sentences about advantages.

First class has lots of space, and it has very good food.

(advantage), and (advantage)

The connector word but connects sentences that have contrasting

ideas___ for example, a sentence about an advantage and a sentence
about a disadvantage.

148
 Air-courier travel is cheap, but air courier can‘t bring much
luggage.

(advantage), but (disadvantage)

When you connect two sentences with and or but, use a comma (,)
between the ideas.

Air-courier travel is cheap, but air courier can‘t bring much

luggage.

When the subject of both sentences is the same, use a pronoun as the
subject in the second sentence.

It

First class has lots of space, and first class has very good food.

Exercise [11]:

Fill in the blanks with the correct connector word (and or

but). Add the correct punctuation. The first one has been
done for you.
1. Brian had a lot of time for his vacation, but he didn‘t have a lot of
money.

2. Brain loves living in San Francisco _____________ he misses his

friends in Paris.

3. A Concorde jet will get you to London very quickly __________ there
is only one Concorde flight each day.

4. Airline seats often seem uncomfortable _____ airline food often seems
bad.

5. If you want to save money, you should call Dirt Cheap Travel
________ if you have plenty of money, you can call any travel agent.

149
6. Brain couldn‘t check bags to Paris ______________ he can check
bags back to San Francisco.

7. Air-courier travel is cheap ________________ the work is easy.

* Writing
* Assignment
Think about a recent trip you took somewhere or an
imaginary one.

What were some advantages and disadvantages? Write

sentences using and and but.
Example:

My flight to Singapore was very long, but the people were very nice.

1. ___________________________, but ________________________

2. ___________________________, and _________________________

3. _______________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________

150
 Unit Fifteen
MRS. SMITH‘S CAT!

* Pre-reading:

1. Which of the following pets do you have in your home?

tick()
a. cat
b. canary

c. kitten

d. rabbit

e. dog

f. gold fish

2. Which two of these pets would you like? Why?

1. _____________________________

2. _____________________________

151
* Read the passage, then answer the questions that follow.

Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Smith are sisters. Mrs. Wilson lives in a
house in Duncan and Mrs. Smith lives in a condominium in Victoria. One
day Mrs. Wilson visited her sister. When her sister answered the door
Mrs. Wilson saw tears in her eyes. ―What's the matter?‖ She asked. Mrs.
Smith said ―My cat Sammy died last night and I have no place to bury
him.

She began to cry again. Mrs. Wilson was very sad because she
knew her sister loved the cat very much. Suddenly Mrs. Wilson said ―I
can bury your cat in my garden in Duncan and you can come and visit
sometimes. Mrs. Smith stopped crying and the two sisters had tea
together and a nice visit.

It was now five o'clock and Mrs. Wilson said it was time for her to
go home. She put on her hat, coat and gloves and Mrs. Smith put the dead
Sammy into a shopping bag. Mrs. Wilson took the shopping bag and
walked to the bus stop. She waited a long time for the bus, so she bought
a newspaper. When the bus arrived she got on the bus, sat down and put
the shopping bag on the floor beside her feet. She then began to read the
newspaper. When the bus arrived at her bus stop she got off the bus and
walked for about two minutes. Suddenly she remembered she left the
shopping bag on the bus.

152
Exercise [1]:
* Choose the best answer:
1. Where does Mrs. Smith live?

a. in a condominium in Duncan.

b. in a condominium in Victoria.

c. in a house in Duncan.

2. Why is Mrs. Smith upset?

a. because her sister came to see her cat.

b. because her cat died. c. because Mrs. Wilson was sad.

3. What did Mrs. Wilson do?

a. take the cat with her on the bus.

b. put her gloves in the shopping bag.

c. prepare dinner for her sister.

4. Who did Sammy, the cat, live with?

a. Mrs. Wilson b. Mrs. Smith

c. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Smith

5. What time did Mrs. Wilson go home?

a. when the bus arrived at 5 pm.

b. after she walked for two minutes.

6. How did Mrs. Wilson go home?

a. walked for two minutes before she caught the bus.

b. read a newspaper on the bus. c. took a bus.

153
7. What did Mrs. Wilson forget?

a. the newspaper.

b. her handbag.

c. the shopping bag.

8. Where did Sammy die?

a. in Mrs. Smith‘s house in Duncan.

b. in Mrs. Wilson‘s garden.

c. in Victoria.

9. To what do the following words refer?

1 . him _________________________________________

2. she _________________________________________

3. she _________________________________________

Exercise [2]:
(1) Add a word from the passage to complete each
sentence:
1. Mrs. Smith said that …………………cat Sammy died last night.

2. When the …………………………..arrived she got on it.

3. They put the cat into ………………………………….bag.

4. Mrs. Wilson waited for a long time, so she began to…. to kill time.

5. The two sisters ……….in different places: Duncan and Victoria.

6. Mrs. Wilson walked for …………………….then she remembered

that she forgot the cat on the bus.

154
(2) Which words in the passage mean the opposite to the
following?

1. live ______________________________________________

2. hate ______________________________________________

3. sell _________________________________________________

4. forget _______________________________________________

5. house _____________________________________________

* Language focus
1. Possessive pronouns and adjectives:

my-mine, your - yours, his – his, her – hers, it – its, our– ours,
their – theirs

- Example:

We've got two cars. Mine is older than my husband's, but his is
worth more.

2. Reflexive pronouns:

me - myself, you - yourself/ yourselves, him – himself, her –

herself, it - itself, we - ourselves, they - themselves.

- Example:

1. I'll do most of the work myself.

2. He'll do most of the work himself.

155
* Pronouns:

Subject Object Possessive Reflexive

I Me Mine Myself

You You Yours Yourself/yourselves

He Him His Himself

She Her Hers Herself

It It Its Itself

We Us Ours Ourselves

They Them Theirs Themselves

* Personal pronouns:
Exercise [3]:
1 Fill in the correct personal pronoun into the gaps. The
words in brackets tell you which you should use.
Example:  often reads books. (Peter)

Answer: He often reads books.

1.  is reading a book. (Willy)

2.  is green. (The blackboard)

3.  are on the wall. (The posters)

4.  is running. (The dog)

5.  are watching TV. (My mother and I)

156
6.  are in the garden. (The flowers)

7.  is riding his bike. (Tom)

8.  are dirty. (Robin‘s shoes)

9.  has a brother. (Diana)

10. Has  got a computer? (Mandy)

* Personal pronouns
Exercise [4]:
2 Choose the correct personal pronoun.
1.  am sitting on the sofa.

2.  are watching TV.

3. Are  from England?

4. is going home.

5. are playing football.

6. is a wonderful day.

7. are speaking English.

8. Is  Kevin‘s sister?

9.  are swimming in the pool.

10  is in the cinema.

157
* Pronouns
Exercise [5]:
3 Which pronoun can substitute the underlined phrase in
the sentence?
1. The teacher always gives the pupils homework.
a. me b. them c. you
2. I read the book to my little sister.
a. her b. us c. him
3. The boys are riding their bikes.
a. it b. them c. her
4. My father is writing a letter to John.
a. him b. her c. me
5. I don‘t know the answer.
a. she b. her c. it
6. Open the window, please.
a. it b. them c. us
7. Sally is going to Ann.
a. her b. him c. me
8. Can you tell the people the way to the cinema, please?
a. you b. us c. them
9. The books are for Peter.
a. her b. him c. you
10. Can you help my sister and me?
a. her b. me c. us

158
Exercise [6]:
Fill in the correct pronoun:
1. You‘re too young to go out by ___________.

2. He told ___________to do it, but we forgot.

3. Switzerland is famous for ______watches and chocolate.

4. _______ plans to move to a new house soon.

5. Give it to him, not to______

6. ______have done our share.

7. There‘s no secret between you and____

Exercise [7]:

Add in the correct personal pronoun:

1. _______should do your work.

2. _______hasn‘t sold her car yet.

3. She cut ______badly.

4. I trust him. He‘s an old friend of _____

5. _____is John‘s new friend.

6. Mary went out with a friend of ______.

7. Talk to Mr. Green and tell ______your plans.

159
 Unit Sixteen
FOOD
* Pre-reading:
Before you read this passage, think about your Science
lessons and discuss these questions.
1. What do all humans and animals need to live?

2. What substances are needed for photosynthesis to take

place?

* Read the passage carefully, underlining any new words.

We get food either by eating plants, food manufactured from

plants, or animals that have eaten plants. Everyone has seen plants
growing, but have you ever thought where plants get their food? In 1652
a Belgian scientist called Van Helmot asked himself that question. Like
most people, he thought that plants must get all their nourishment from
the soil. However, he was a scientist, and it‘s the job of scientists to test
their ideas by experiment. This is what he did.

First, he dried some soil on fire, put it in a pot and weighed it. He
moistened the soil with rain water and planted a small tree in it. For the
next five years he did little more than water the soil regularly with rain
water.

After five years, he removed the tree from the pot and weighed it.
He found that the tree had gained an enormous amount of weight. Next,
he weighted the soil in the pot because he wanted to find out how much it
has supplied the tree‘s food. To his amazement, he discovered that the
soil weighed almost exactly the same as when he had started his
experiment five years earlier.

Van Helmot thought that this was very strange. Where had the
weight of the tree come from if not from the rich black soil? After a lot
of thought, he decided that it must have come from the water he had
added. This appeared to be the only logical answer as there seemed to be
160
no other source from which the weight could have come. Van Helmot
was partly right, but he didn‘t realize that there was another source of
nourishment apart from water and the soil. True, it was invisible, but he
was surrounded by it and so was his tree.

We now know that all plants make their own food. The leaves of
plants and trees are like factories, producing everything they need by a
process called ‗photosynthesis‘. During photosynthesis, the leaves of a
plant change the energy from the sun into chemical energy. This happens
because of the bright green substance in the leaves of plants called
chlorophyll. The chemical energy produced by the leaves and the air
combines carbon dioxide, one of the gases in the air, with water from the
soil. During the process, oxygen and sugar are produced. The oxygen is
released back into the air and the sugar, which is called a carbohydrate, is
sent to other parts of the plant and used as its food.

This simple equation illustrates the process of photosynthesis:

Chlorophyll + sunlight + carbon dioxide + water = oxygen + sugar

This system is very important to our survival. All animals breathe

in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is poisonous
to animals if they breathe in too much. Fortunately, plants and trees take
in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. In fact, each year the plants of
the world extract about 150 billion tons of this poisonous gas from the air.
It‘s easy to see that if the balance of nature is changed, for example by
cutting down too many trees, we will actually be taking away our
‗oxygen-making factories‘ and could slowly poison ourselves.

* Comprehension
Exercise [1]:
Read the passage again and answer the following questions.
1. What question did Van Helmot ask himself?

2. What didn‘t he understand about the results of his experiment?

3. Which harmful gas does photosynthesis take from the atmosphere?

161
4. Which very important gas is produced during photosynthesis?

Exercise [2]:
Choose the correct answer to questions 1 – 4.
1. Scientists conduct experiments

a. to prove that what most people think is correct.

b. to show that what most people think is incorrect.

c. to try to find out the truth about ideas.

d. to prove that other scientists‘ ideas are wrong.

2. Van Helmot‘s tree gained an enormous amount of weight. If the

soil had lost the same amount, Van Helmot would have thought
that .....................of the tree‘s nourishment had come from the soil.

a. very little b. most

c. none d. all

3. The passage tells us that chlorophyll......trap energy from the sun.

a. may b. should

c. could d. is able to

4. If the balance of nature was upset,

a. we would have to make all our own food.

b. life on Earth would be impossible.

c. we would have to eat meat all the time.

d. we would have to eat plants all the time.

162
Exercise [3]:
Read the note and underline all the food words in the second
paragraph. The first one has been done for you. Then
answer the questions that follow.

Hi Matt,

I won‟t be home until 7:30. Can you go to the store? I want to make
spaghetti and a salad for dinner, but we don‟t have everything we need.
And we also need some food for the weekend.

For tonight, can you get some spaghetti, some onions, some lettuce,
and tomatoes? And how about a watermelon for dessert?

We‟ll need bread and eggs for breakfast tomorrow. I noticed that
we‟re almost out of rice and milk. I also thought it would be nice to have
some more fruit in the house. Could you buy bananas and grapes? Oh,
and how about a cake for dessert ,too?

If you go to Rainbow Grocery, then buy all organic produce. See you
later.

Love,

Alice

1. Which food words in the second paragraph are singular? What

word comes before a singular food word?

2. Which food words in the second paragraph are plural? What is the
last letter in the plural food words?

163
* Grammar Focus: Count and Non-Count Nouns
Some nouns can be counted. I need an onion. I need onions.

These are called count nouns. I need a tomato. I need tomatoes.

Use a, an, or one before a singular

count noun. Plural count nouns
need only –s or –es at the end of the
word.

Some nouns can‘t be counted. I buy produce at the supermarket.

These are called non-count nouns.
We have bread.
They do not have a plural form.
Do not use a, an or a number
before non-count nouns. DO not
add –s or –es to non-count nouns.

Some can be used with plural I need some onions. [count]

count nouns and non-count nouns
I need some milk. [non-count]
in affirmative statements.

Use any with plural count nouns I don‘t have any onions. [count]
and non-count nouns in negative
I don‘t have any milk. [non-count]
statements.

A lot of can be used with plural I need a lot of onions. [count]

count nouns and with non-count
I need a lot of milk. [non-count]
nouns.

Exercise [4]:
Find all the food items in the note in exercise [3] and do the
following:
1. Circle all the singular count nouns.

2. Put a square around all the plural count nouns.

3. Underline all the non-count nouns two times.

Check your answers with classmates.

164
Exercise [5]:
Complete the paragraph with count nouns and non-count
nouns. Make the nouns plural where necessary. The first
one has been done for you.
Matt went to the store. He bought eggs, [rice]
..........................................., [spaghetti]..................................., [milk]
.............................................., and [bread] ....................................... But
the store didn‘t have any organic [produce] ....................................... So,
he went to the natural grocery store across town. There he bought
[lettuce]................................., [tomato]...................................,
[banana]................................., and [grape] ........................................... But
he forgot to buy a [watermelon] .........................................

* Discussion
In some parts of the world, people are cutting down
ancient forests. Why is this bad for both animals and
humans?

165
 Unit Seventeen
LIFELONG LEARNING

* Pre-reading:
This is an article about learning in the future. Before you read it,
discuss these questions with a partner.

1. Why is it important to continue your education after you

have left school or university?

2. Can you think of any ways of doing this?

166
Now read the article, underline any new vocabulary.

Twenty years ago, many university students believed that once they
had graduated, their education was complete. They would get a job
and all they had to do was to work hard with the same employer until
it was time to retire. Today, work isn‘t like that. In the modern
world, most young people must expect to change employers several
times in their working lives. Many of them will possibly become
self-employed, running their own businesses. This means that
throughout people‘s lives they‘ll need to acquire new knowledge and
skills. They will need to understand that learning must be lifelong.

Lifelong learning means learning that goes on for life, from the time
you leave full-time education until after you retire. This is necessary
because the world of work is changing a lot faster than it used to. For
example, nowadays employers often only employ staff on short-term
contracts to complete a certain job. This keeps their costs down.
Once the job is over, the employees have to look for another
organization to employ them on other jobs.
167
To remain employable, individuals must be good at the jobs they are
doing today, and must also look ahead to learn the skills they need
for jobs they may do in the future.

Tarek is working in the finance department of a large

company. He knows that to get promotion he must improve his
computer skills. The company he works for needs highly qualified
staff so it pays an outside training company to provide special
courses for its employees. Tarek is also doing an evening course in
Accountancy, paid for by his company. He finds that doing his job
and study part-time is hard work, but the course makes him better
at his job and more interested in it.

Nahla is another example. She is married with two teenage children.

Nahla has a BSc in Information Technology and she would like to go
back to work when her children leave home. She wants to catch up
with the latest developments in IT and wants to get a degree in the
subject. However, the nearest university which runs courses in IT is
in the capital. She can‘t leave her family and become a student at a
university. What can she do? The answer for Nahla is distance
learning‘. ‗Distance learning‘ is when teacher and student are in
different places.

The Open University

The British Open University (the OU‘) was the first university to
provide distance learning and degrees. It admitted its first students in
1971 and is now Britain‘s largest university with 200,000 students.
Undergraduate courses are open to everyone and do not require any
previous educational qualifications. As well as providing courses, for
British students, courses are available throughout Europe and other
parts of the world. The average age of OU graduates is 35, but in
2000 the youngest students was 20 and the oldest was 94. The 94
Year-old student graduated with an Arts degree. He really did
believe in lifelong learning!

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 * Comprehension
Exercise [1]:
Read the passage again and answer the following
questions.
1. Why is the idea of lifelong learning important today?

2. What does ‗self-employed‘ mean?

3. Why must people keep learning new skills nowadays?

4. Why do some people only have short-term contracts?

Exercise [2]:

Choose the correct answer to questions 1-4.

1. Most young people in the future

a. will not have to work hard.

b. will stay with the same employer.

c. will become self-employed.

d. will change jobs several times.

2. You are more likely to get promotion in your job if you

a. have a university degree.

b. pay an outside company to prove your computer skills.

c. keep up with the knowledge and skills you need to do your

job.

d. get your employer to pay evening courses.

3. One of the advantages of distance learning is that

a. you don‘t need to study at home.

b. you have to go to a university to study.

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 c. you can become self-employed.

d. you can study without leaving your job and family.

4. Which statement is true?

a. Only British citizens can study at the Open University.

b. Some open university courses are available to people who do

not live in Britain.

c. You have to have a degree to study at the Open University.

d. You have to be 35 or over to study at the Open University.

* Discussion

Would you like to study at the Open University? Which

subject would you choose?

* Language Focus
* Idioms and fixed expressions
1. What is an idiom?

An idiom is a group of words with a meaning that is different from

the individual words, and often difficult to understand from the individual
words. Here are some common idioms.

The teacher told us to get a move on. [=hurry; be quick]

My wife and I take it in turns to cook. [ = I cook one day, she

cooks the next, etc.]

I don‘t know the answer off-hand. [=without looking it up or

asking someone]

It‘s not far. We can take a short cut. [=a quick way] through the
park.

I‘m not very good at small talk. [=social talk; not about serious
things]

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 I‘m sorry I can‘t make it [= come] on Friday.

I asked her to keep an eye on [=watch / look after] my suitcase

while I went to the toilet.

2. Fixed expressions

There are also expressions in English where the meaning is easy to

understand, but the same idea in your language may need a completely
different expression. In other words, if you just translate from your
language, you may say something in English which is completely wrong.
For this reason, you need to learn some expressions as idioms. For
example:

A: What was wrong with the hotel?

B: Well, for a start it was next to a motorway and very noisy. And to
make matters worse, there were factories on the other side of the road,
which stayed open 24 hours a day.

It‘s not a problem in the short term [=at the moment] but in the long
term [=for the longer future] we will need to think about it and probably
spend some money on it.

3. Using idioms

Idioms are important but they can be difficult to use correctly.

- With many idioms, if you make just a small mistake, it can sound
strange, funny, or badly wrong. For example: get a move; a small
talk; put an eye on, off-hands, etc.

- Idioms often have special features: they may be informal or funny

or ironic; they may only be used by certain people [e.g. young
children, or teenagers, or elderly people]; they may only appear in
limited contexts; they have special grammar. For these reasons,
you can often ‗learn‘ the meaning of an idiom but then use it
incorrectly. For example: After her husband died she was down in
the dumps. [This idiom means ‗sad and depressed‘ but is
completely wrong here: the situation is too serious and the idiom is
too informal].
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4. Easy idioms to use

Some idiomatic expressions are used on their own, or with just one
or two other words. These are often the easiest to use.

A: Are you coming?

B: Yes, hang on. [=wait]

A: What‘s up? [=what‘s the matter?]

B: Nothing.

A: I‘m really sorry but I‘ve forgotten to bring the book you lent me.

B: That‘s OK. Never mind. [=it‘s OK, don‘t worry; it‘s not
important]

A: Can I borrow your dictionary?

B: Sure, go ahead. [=help yourself; take it; do it]

A: I don‘t know which one to choose.

B: Well, make up your mind. [=make a decision]

It can be difficult to guess the meaning of an idiom, especially if

you do not have the full context. Look at these examples.

1. I feel like a drink.

2. They‘ve gone for good.

3. I‘m tied-up all afternoon.

4. She was pulling my leg when she said that.

5. I can probably make do with a smaller flat.

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Exercise [3]:
Here is a fuller context for each of the above idioms. Can
you guess the meaning now?
1. A: Are you hungry?

B: No, but l feel like a drink.

2. A: Do you think they‘ll ever come back to England?

B: No, they‘ve gone for good.

3. A: Do you have a lot of clients to see?

B: Yes, I‘m tied-up all afternoon.

4. A: Did she tell you there were no bathrooms in the hotel?

B: Yes, I think she was pulling my leg when she said that.

5. A: Do you really need a large flat?

B: Well, it‘s nice to have a big place, but I can probably make
do with a smaller flat.

Exercise [4]:
Replace the underlined words in each dialogue with a
suitable idiomatic expression from the previous pages. Can
you think of similar expressions in your own language?
1. A: Is Rebecca here?

B: Yes, wait a minute. I‘ll get her.

2. A: Does it take long to get there?

B: No, I know a quick way.

3. A: Could I borrow this for a minute?

B: Yes, take it.

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4. A: Sorry I can‘t come on Thursday.

B: That‘s OK. Don‘t worry.

5. A: What‘s the matter?

B: Nothing. Why?

6. A: Look after my things for a minute?

B: Yeah, sure.

7. A: Do we have to go now?

B: Yes, hurry up, otherwise we‘ll be late.

8. A: You‘ll have to decide soon.

B: Yes I know, but it‘s very difficult.

Exercise [5]:
Complete the expressions in these sentences.
1. It wasn‘t a very successful holiday. For a ...............................the
beach was a long way from our hotel; then to make
........................worse, the car broke down on the third day and we
had to walk to the beach, the rest of the time.
2. We take it in ...........................to look after the dog.
3. She asked me about the times of the trains but I couldn‘t tell her
off. .............
4. I don‘t enjoy parties where you just stand around and
make........................ talk with lots of people you don‘t know.
5. We can probably make .................................with a three-roomed
flat for the moment, but in the long ............................we will have
to think about moving into a bigger place.

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Exercise [6]:
Can you find at least three idiomatic expressions in this text.
What do they mean?
I went to stay with my cousin last week. We are the same age but
have very little in common: he loves sport and I hate it; I‟m mad
about music and he‟s not interested in it. As you can imagine, we
didn‟t have a very good time together, and by about Thursday we
were really getting on each other‟s nerves, so I decided to come
home.

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 Unit Eighteen

THE STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPH

1. In this unit, you will learn . . .
1. the definition of a paragraph.
2. the parts of a paragraph.
3. how to identify and write topic sentences.
2. What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences about a single topic. Together
the sentences of the paragraph explain the writer‘s main idea (most
important idea) about the topic. In academic writing, a paragraph is often
between five and ten sentences long, but it can be longer or shorter,
depending on the topic. The first sentence of a paragraph is usually
indented (moved in) a few spaces.

3. Understanding a paragraph

Exercise [1]:
Read this paragraph. It is the beginning of an article about
Switzerland in a student newspaper. Then answer the
questions.
Switzerland — Something Interesting at Every Turn
By Ken Jones
If you dream of travelling to a country with beautiful mountains, delicious food, wonderful
places to go sightseeing and polite people, you should visit Switzerland. If you look at the map, the
first thing you notice is that Switzerland has many mountains, including some of the highest in
Europe. Climbing or skiing down the mountains is great fun. Another thing you will notice is that
Switzerland shares its borders with five different countries: France, Germany, Italy, Austria and
Liechtenstein. In fact, there are four official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian
and Romansch. All these groups of people make Swiss culture very interesting. Finally, Switzerland
has many cities and interesting places to visit. Cities such as Bern have modern buildings like the
Paul Klee Zentrum, yet the traditional alpine refuges in the mountains show that the country‟s old
traditions are still alive. All the people, places and things to see definitely make Switzerland a great
place for a holiday.

a. What is the topic of the paragraph?

__________________________________________________ _

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b. What is the main idea about the topic?

__________________________________________________

c. What ideas help explain the main idea?

______________________________

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paragraph organization

What makes a paragraph? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A paragraph has three basic parts:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1. The topic sentence. This is the main idea
of the paragraph. It is usually the first xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
sentence of the paragraph, and it is the
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
most general sentence of the paragraph.

2. The supporting sentences. These are

sentences that talk about or explain the Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
topic sentence. They are more detailed
ideas that follow the topic sentence. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3. The concluding sentence. This may be xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
found as the last sentence of a paragraph.
It can finish a paragraph by repeating the main idea or just giving a
final comment about the topic.

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Exercise [2]:

Read the paragraph about Switzerland in exercise 1 again.

Circle the topic sentence, put one line under the supporting
sentences, and put two lines under the concluding sentence.

Exercise [3]:
Put a tick () next to the group of sentences that makes a
good paragraph.
Why are the other groups of sentences not good paragraphs?

a]

My best friend has many different hobbies, such as skiing, cooking, and playing
the piano, and she is very good at all of these activities. For example, she has played
the piano for ten years and has won three piano competitions. She also likes to spend
time traveling, and she has been to many different countries in the world. She grew up
speaking Spanish and English, but now she can also speak French and Italian. I like my
best friend very much.

b]

Classes in literature are useful no matter what job you intend to have when you
finish university. Books are about life. People who study literature learn the skill of
reading carefully and understanding characters, situations, and relationships. This kind of
understanding can be useful to teachers and business people alike. Literature classes also
require a lot of writing, so they help students develop the skill of clear communication. Of
course, a professional writer needs to have this skill, but it is an equally important skill for
an engineer. Finally, reading literature helps develop an understanding of many different
points of view. Reading a novel by a Russian author, for example, will help a reader learn
more about Russian culture. For anyone whose job may bring them into contact with
Russian colleagues, this insight can help encourage better cross-cultural understanding.
Studying literature is studying life, so it is relevant to almost any job you can think of.

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c]

One good way to learn another language is to live in a country where that language is
used. When you live in another country, the language is around you all the time, so you can
learn to listen to and speak it more easily.

* The topic and the main idea

 The topic sentence …

• usually comes first in a paragraph.

• gives the writer‘s main idea or opinion about the topic and helps the
reader understand what the paragraph is going to talk about.

Exercise [4]:
Highlight the topic of the sentence. Underline the main idea
about the topic.
The first one has been done for you as an example.

a. Switzerland is a very interesting country to visit.

b. Dogs make excellent pets.

c. A really good place to study is the library at my school.

d. Learning a foreign language creates job opportunities.

e. Football is my favourite sport because it is exciting to watch.

f. One of the most valuable tools for students is the computer.

g. My sister and I have very different personalities.

h. Summer is the best time to travel in my country.

i. My hometown is a friendly place to live.

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Exercise [5]:
For each of these paragraphs, choose the sentence from the
list below that would make the best topic sentence.
a.
..............................................................................................................................

....................When Ken wanted to enter a good university, he studied hard to pass

the examination. The first time he took the exam, he did not do well, and he felt
very discouraged. But he knew he wanted to study at that university, so he
studied more. The next year, he tried taking the exam again. The second time, he
did very well, and now he is studying engineering. I believe Ken is a good role
model for me, and he has taught me that never giving up is the best way to
succeed.

1. One of my closest friends, named Ken, is a person I can trust.

2. My friend Ken is a very successful student.

3. I admire my friend Ken because he doesn‘t give up.

b.
……………………………………………………………..Many children begin learning to play football
when they are very young. You can often see them playing at school or in the streets
around their houses. At secondary school, students may play football in a team and
compete in championships. If a player is very good, he might go on to play for a
professional team. People in my country love watching football on television and also
go to matches whenever they can. Many people have a favorite team or player, and
everyone loves to talk about matches and competitions. Football is really like a
national sport in my country.

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1. I love playing football, and I hope I can become a professional player
one day.

2. There are many popular sports in my country, but the most popular
sport is football.

3. Football is a difficult sport to learn to play well.

Exercise [6]:
Write a topic sentence for three of these topics.
a. a favourite place to relax

b. a grandparent

c. a book I have read

d. a favourite food to eat

e. playing a musical instrument

topic: ________________________

______________________________________________________

topic: ________________________

____ _________________________________________________

topic: ________________________

______________________________________________________

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Exercise [7]:
These sentences are mixed up parts of one paragraph.
Number the parts in order:
1. topic sentence, 2. supporting sentences, and 3. concluding sentence.

What should I study at university?

a. ……………. It wasn't an easy decision, but for the reasons listed above, I have decided to
study journalism.

b. ……………. It can be difficult to choose a subject to study at university because there are
so many choices, but by considering my skills and interests, I have decided to study
journalism.

c. …………. I have always enjoyed writing, so it is sensible to choose a subject that involves
writing. When I begin working, I would like to have the opportunity to travel, and travel is
often an important part of a journalist's job. Finally, I am also interested in photography,
and pictures are very important in journalism.

Exercise [8]:
Use words or phrases in the box to complete the sentences.

concluding sentence indented main idea paragraph

supporting sentences topic topic sentence

a. The ………………is usually the first sentence in a……………….

It gives the …………………. and the …………………………..
b. The first sentence of a paragraph can be………………………
c. The …............………come after the topic sentence, and they
explain the topic sentence.
d. The ……………………….comes at the end of a paragraph.

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 Unit Nineteen
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARAGRAPH
 In this unit, you will learn …
 methods of paragraph support and development.
 how to write concluding sentences.
 how to do peer editing.

 Paragraph development
After you have chosen a topic and written a topic sentence, you
develop your main idea by adding more information to explain what you
mean. This unit will explain three common ways to develop a paragraph:
giving details, giving an explanation, and giving an example.

 Details
Details are specific points that tell more about a general statement.

Read this brochure from a health club. Notice the details

that help develop the paragraph.
Atlas health centre
You'll love working out at the Atals health centre, and you'll love
what it does for you! We have state –of- the-art exercise equipment in
large, air-conditioned rooms. You can work out alone or with the help of
one of our professional personal trainers. If you like exercising with
friends, join an aerobics or swimming class – or even try kickboxing! Our
staff nutrition experts are always on hand to talk with you about health
issues. When you've finished, you can relax with a whirlpool bath or a
sauna. Come and exercise with us at Atlas, and you'll soon be feeling
strong and looking good.

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Exercise [1]:
In the paragraph above, underline the topic sentence. Below,
list the details used to support the topic sentence. Compare
your answers with a partner.
a. ………………………………………………………………………

b. ……………………………...………………………………………

c. ……………………………………………………………………….

d. ………......…………………………………………………………..

e. …….…………………………………………………………………

f. ………………………………………………………………………….

* Explanation
An explanation tells the reader what something means
or how something works.
Exercise [2]:
In this paragraph, underline the topic sentence. Then
answer the questions.

A stitch in time saves nine. ‘My mother, who likes sewing, used this simple
saying to teach me the value of working on problems when they are still small.
Originally, the saying referred to sewing—if you have a small hole in a shirt, you can
repair it with one stitch. But if you wait, the hole will get larger, and it will take you
nine stitches. This simple sentence reminds me to take care of small problems before
they become big problems.

a. What is the writer trying to explain?..........................................

b. Is she successful? Do you understand the explanation? yes /no

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* Example

An example is a specific person, place, thing, or event

that supports an idea or statement.

Exercise [3]:
This paragraph includes an example from the writer‘s own
experience. Underline the topic sentence.
Even when a first date is a disaster, a couple can still become good friends. For example,
my first date with Greg was terrible. I thought he was coming to pick me up at 6.30, but instead he
came at 6.00. I didn’t have time to do my hair, and my make-up looked messy. When I got into his
car, I scraped my leg against the car door and tore my tights. Next, he took me to an Italian
restaurant for dinner, and I accidentally dropped some spaghetti on my shirt. Then we went to a
film. Greg asked me which film I wanted to see, and I chose a romantic comedy. He fell asleep
during the film, and I got angry. Now that Greg and I are good friends, we can look back and laugh
at how terrible that first date was!

Why do you think the writer chose to use an example to

develop the paragraph in the exercise above? Write your
reason here.
...........................................................……………………………………

* Choosing a means of support

Exercise [4]:
Would you develop each of these topics with details, an
explanation, or an example? Explain your choices. (More
than one answer is possible.)
a. what freedom means to me

b. an unusual holiday

c. weddings in my country
185
d. why I don‘t like swimming

e. the ideal job

Develop your own paragraph. Look back at the topic

sentences you wrote in the previous unit. Follow these steps.
Step one: Choose one that you would like to develop into a paragraph.

Step two: Brainstorm some ideas using any method you like.

Step three: Develop your paragraph with supporting sentences.

Step four: Exchange paragraphs with a partner. Say what kind of support
your partner used… Could your partner tell what kind of support you
used?

* Concluding sentence

 How to end a paragraph

The final sentence of a paragraph is called the concluding sentence.
It sums up the main points or restates the main idea in a different way. A
sentence that sums up the paragraph reminds the reader of what the
writer‘s main idea and supporting points were. A sentence that restates
the main idea should give the same information in a slightly different
way, perhaps by using different words or by using different word order. A
concluding sentence should not introduce a new point.

Read the example paragraphs in the previous exercises again.

Underline the concluding sentences. Do the concluding sentences sum
up the information in the paragraph or restate the main idea?

Exercise [5]:
Read these paragraphs. Is the main idea developed by
details, an explanation, or an example? Is there a concluding
sentence? Circle yes or no. If there is no concluding
sentence, write one.

186
 Even simple study habits can improve your marks. At university I learned how
important it is to get enough sleep. When you are well-rested, it is easier to learn. Research
shows that when people don’t get enough sleep, their memories aren’t as effective. If
students are tired, they might even fall sleep in class! It's easy to see how getting enough
sleep can improve your performance at university.

a. means of support: ……………………………………………

concluding sentence? yes / no

…………………………………………………………………..

My favourite subject is psychology. I enjoy learning about the ways people

think and behave. I am also interested in learning about the way children’s minds
develop.

b. means of support: …………………………………………….

concluding sentence? yes / no

…………………………………………………………………..

I am too nervous to sing karaoke songs with my friends. The last time I
tried was on my birthday, when my friends took me to a karaoke club. I told my
friends I didn’t want to sing, but they encouraged me until I said yes. When I stood
up in front of the microphone, I was so scared, I felt dizzy. It was hard to hear the
music, and my mouth was too dry to make a sound. I just stood there until a friend
jumped up next to me and finished the song.

c. means of support:…………………………………………….

concluding sentence? yes / no

…………………………………………………………………..

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 I will never eat dinner at The Little French Bistro again. The restaurant is not
very clean. You can see dust in the corners and on the shelves. The food is expensive,
but the portions are small. I never feel full after I've finished eating. In addition, the
waiters are not very friendly. For these reasons, I will not visit that restaurant again.
d. means of support: …………………………………………….

concluding sentence? yes/ no

…………………………………………………………………

For me, a friend is someone who accepts you the way you are. A friend doesn’t
want you to change your personality or your style. I like people who don't care if the
people they are with are wearing popular clothes or listening to trendy music.

e. means of support:…………………………………………….

concluding sentence? yes / no

………………………………………………………………….

* Peer editing

 What is peer editing?

Showing your work to another student is a very useful way to
improve your writing. This is called peer editing. You read your partner‘s
writing and your partner reads yours. You comment on your partner‘s
writing and your partner comments on yours. You might talk together,
write comments on a sheet that your instructor gives you, or write directly
on your partner‘s work.

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 Topic sentence Even when a first date is a disaster, a couple can still become

Developed by example good friends. For example, my first date with

Can you make this stronger?

Greg wasn’t very good. I thought he was coming to pick

When did he come?

me up at 6.30, but he didn’t. When I got into his car,

Explain how you tore them. Tell me more about this.

I tore my tights. Next, I accidentally got some spaghetti on

What kind of film? How did you feel about that?

my shirt. Then we went to a film. He fell asleep during the

concluding sentence film. Now that Greg and I are good friends, we can look back and
laugh because even when a first date is a disaster, a couple can still become good friends.

Good! The same as the topic sentence

Here is the first draft of the paragraph about the writer‘s first date
with Greg. The writer has shown the paragraph to another student, who
wrote some comments.

 Why do writers use peer editing?

There are two reasons for peer editing. The first is to get a reader‘s
opinion about your writing. A reader can tell you that…

• you should add more details or explanation.

• something is not organized clearly.

189
• you have some information that is not relevant.

• there is something that is hard to understand.

These comments will help you write your next draft.

The second reason to share writing with others is for you to read
more examples of writing. Other people will have had experiences that
you haven‘t. They may show you fresh ways of writing about
experiences.

Reading their paragraphs and essays can give you good ideas to use
yourself in the future.

 How do I peer edit?

• Read your partner‘s work several times. The first time, just react from
the beginning to the end. Ask yourself, ‗What is it about? What is the
writer‘s purpose?‘

• On your second reading, go more slowly and look at specific parts of

the writing and make notes.

• Look for topic sentences and concluding sentences.

• Note places where you have trouble understanding something, where

there seems to be unnecessary information, or where there is not
enough information.

- Look at the handwritten comments on the paragraph

above, and answer these questions with a partner.
a. How many of the comments are statements? How many are
questions?

b. Why do you think the peer editor sometimes wrote questions instead of
statements? For example, why did she write ‗Can you make this
stronger?‘ instead of ‗Please make this stronger‘?

c. Why do you think the peer editor marked the topic sentence and the
concluding sentence?

d. Do you agree with the peer editor‘s comments?

190
e. What do you think the writer will do next?

f. Read the paragraph about the date again. Did the writer use the reader‘s
suggestions?

• Let the writer know which parts of the text are especially strong or
interesting.

• Ask questions. This is a good way to let the writer know where he or
she could add more information.

• Circle or underline words, phrases, and sentences that you wish to

comment on.

• Don‘t look for grammar or spelling mistakes. Pay attention just to

the content and organization of the work.

• Give constructive suggestions

For each pair of sentences, check () the one that you feel
would be most helpful to the writer. Share your answers
with a partner, and explain your choices.
a.  This is a weak topic sentence.

 Can you make this topic sentence stronger?

b.  Did you remember a concluding sentence?

 Why didn‘t you write a concluding sentence?

c.  You didn‘t write enough.

 Please explain more about your holiday. Where did you stay? What
did you do during the day?

d.  I‘m not sure what this part means.

 This must be wrong. I can‘t understand it.

e.  I think this sentence should come before the next one.

Your organisation is pretty bad. You‘d better change it.

191
f.  Why do you keep saying the same thing over and over again?

 I think these two sentences are really saying the same thing.

g.  I can‘t understand why you‘re talking about your sister.

 Your paragraph is about your brother, but this sentence is about your
sister. Are you sure it‘s relevant?

h.  This is a good paragraph. Nice work! I wish I could write as well as

you.

 I like your topic sentence because it has a strong main idea. Your
example is funny. I wish I could meet your brother!

Exercise [6]:

Read this paragraph aloud with a partner. Then peer edit it

together. Then join another pair and share your comments.

My father is a teacher. I admire him a lot. I am considering

becoming a teacher, too. My older brother works for a big company.
My sister really loves learning, so she is a natural teacher. My father
always helped me with my homework. I think I will become a
teacher.

* Writing
* Assignment
Write a second draft of the paragraph in the previous
exercise. Use the comments you and your partner made.
Then exchange paragraphs with your partner. Discuss how
your versions are different from the original. Do you think
the second drafts are better? Why or why not?

192
 Review
Exercise [7]:
Read these statements. Write T (true) or F (false). If the
statement is false, change it to make it true.

a. ……….Details give more specific information than the topic sentence.

b. ……….An explanation tells the reader what something is or how it

works.

c. ……….A detail is usually a short, personal story.

d. ……….The concluding sentence uses the same words as the topic

sentence.

e. ……….The concluding sentence should finish the paragraph with a

new idea.

f. ……...….A peer editor should mark any spelling and grammatical

mistakes carefully.

g. ……….A peer editor should give some positive comments.

h. ……….Peer editing helps the writer, not the reader.

i. ………....If a peer editor can‘t understand something that you wrote,

then you know he or she isn‘t a very good reader.

j. ……….... A peer editor should be able to identify your topic sentence,

main idea, and concluding sentence easily.

193
 Unit Twenty

ENTERTAINMENT TRENDS

* Pre-reading:

1. Which of the following types of entertainment do you enjoy?

How often do you . . . often sometimes

seldom

a. watch live sports events?

b. go to the theater?

c. go to the movie theater?

d. visit museums?

e. go to amusement parks?

f. listen to live music concerts?

2. Make a group and compare your answers.

* Vocabulary skills:

* Prefixes

Exercise [1]:

Match each prefix with a word in the box. Then use the new
words to complete the text.

expensive legal liked practical rational successful

194
a. dis ..................... c. in.......................

d. il........................

b. ir.......................... d. im..................
f.un........................

The beginning of television

In 1925, after many 1. ........................attempts, Scottish inventor John

Baird created the first moving images. Some people 2.
..........................the invention, saying it was evil and should be 3.
........................... Fortunately, no one listened to these 4.
......................claims. This was the beginning of television! The first
program went ―on the air‖ in London in 1936. However, it was 5.
....................... to manufacture televisions in large numbers until the
1950s. Later, black and white television changed to color. Today, a TV is
relatively 6. .............................and a central part of life for people all over
the world.

* Predicting
1. Look at the headline of the newspaper article you are going to
read.

Do books have a future?

2. What do you think you will read about? Check [ ] Yes or No.

a. The increasing popularity of books as a form of entertainment [ ]

b. Ways traditional book publishing is adapting to new situations [ ]

c. The merger of several book publishing companies [ ]

d. News of libraries closing due to lack of demand [ ]

e. Famous authors and their work [ ]

195
3. Read the text and check your predictions.

In News World‘s future Poll, there was an even division over

whether people will spend more or less of their leisure time on reading by
the year 2020.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce the number of

hours Americans spend reading each year has been around 100 since
1985. But according to Albert Greco, a specialist in media economics, it‘s
becoming more difficult for books to compete against high-tech
developments such as music delivered over the Internet. He expects
books to become less popular.

To make books more popular, publishers are trying everything

from publishing more large-type books for aging readers [studies show
that people read more as they get older] to copying Hollywood and
concentrating on sequels, spin-offs, and branding- linking books to
movies and television.

But David Rosenthal of Simon and Schuster predicts that books

will have to find their own unique place in the market. He says that
people will continue to buy books because books can be much deeper
than television and web surfing. And there are times when reading
electronically is simply impractical, for example when standing in a very
crowded train. Rosenthal also predicted a better-made book, with greater
attention given to cover design and higher quality paper, emphasizing
―the book as a sign of status and permanence‖. And though it may seem
irrational in the twenty-first century, some people just like the way a book
feels.

Publishers are trying to keep up with the technological advances

that are transforming the way people read. Books that readers download
electronically are inexpensive for publishers to produce because there are
almost no manufacturing or distribution costs. If the idea of electronic
books catches on, publishers will no longer have to worry about being left
with unsold copies of a book that the public disliked.

196
 So, in the words of Mark Twain, reports of the death of reading
have been greatly exaggerated: it seems that the book as a traditional
form of entertainment will be around for some while yet.

* Understanding the text

Exercise [2]:

Read these questions and write your answers.

a. Who wrote the article?

......................................................................................................
b. What is the name of the magazine?

......................................................................................................

c. How many hours do Americans spend reading per year?

.....................................................................................................

d. Albert Greco is an expert on what subject?

.......................................................................................................

e. What three predictions does David Rosenthal make about the

future of books?

1. ..................................................................................................

2. ..................................................................................................

3. ..................................................................................................

Exercise [3]:
For each statement, write T [true] or F [false].
a. ................ The increasing availability of music over the Internet
is bad for book sales.

b. ................ Older people read less, as their eyesight is not as good.

c. ................ Books that relate to movies and television programs

are popular.
197
d. ................ E-books are more expensive for publishers to make
than traditional books.

e. ................ Information in books is usually more thorough and

detailed than TV or the Internet.

Exercise [4]:
What five forms of entertainment are mentioned in the
article?
a....................................................................................................................

b....................................................................................................................

c....................................................................................................................

d....................................................................................................................

e....................................................................................................................

* Discussion:
Do you think that electronic books will ever be as popular as
traditional books?
Reading skills:
* Understanding the main idea
Exercise [5]:
1. The topic of the article ‗Do books have a future?‖ is about the
future of books. Which one of the following best gives the main
idea? Check [√ ] your answer.

a. [ ] Traditional books are finished as a form of

entertainment.

b. [ ] Book publishing can only be saved by developing

electronic books.

198
c. [ ] There will always be a healthy market for electronic
books.

d. [ ] New technologies will replace traditional book

publishing before 2020.

e. [ ] Traditional book publishing can survive, but it must

adapt with technology.

Exercise [6]:
Read this text. Check [√] the most appropriate main idea.
A fundamental change is happening in entertainment around the
world. People are relying more and more on their televisions and CD
players for their entertainment. The problem is that people want to
choose what they do and when and where they do it. This makes home-
based entertainment more attractive than live performances. The biggest
and best-known theaters, located in large cities, find they have to focus on
glamorous productions with top stars to attract the crowds. Meanwhile,
many small and medium-sized arts organizations face growing financial
pressures.

a. [ ] People go to the theater because they want to see

famous stars.

b. [ ] The most successful arts organizations are ones in big

cities.

c. [ ] Live performances are becoming less popular because

people prefer to stay home for their entertainment.

d. [ ] Only the biggest theaters and arts organizations will

survive in

the future.

e. [ ] There are fewer and fewer entertainment choices these

days.
199
Exercise [7]:
Complete the paragraph using the present progressive tense
of the verbs provided. Use contractions. The first two have
been done for you.
I‘ m watching [watch] a football game. My team is playing
[play] for the championship. For once I ..............................[not/watch]
the game on TV. I was finally able to get a ticket, and I‘m actually at the
stadium! My team‘s quarterback.....................[throw] the ball to one of
his receivers. The receiver .......................[run] down the field. The
players on the other team.........................[try] to stop the receiver from
catching the ball. But I think they .....................................[not/run] fast
enough. I think he might be able to catch the ball! But the man in front
of me .........................[jump] up and down. He
.....................................[make] it impossible for me to see what
..................[happen] ................................Too bad I
...........................[not/sit] at home in front of my TV!

* Writing
* Assignment
Write a well-developed paragraph, as you have learned about the
development of a paragraph in unit [19], arguing for or against the idea
of that books give more reliable information than the Internet.

200
 References
1. Alptekin, C. 2002. Towards intercultural communicative
competence in ELT. ELT Journal 56[1]: 57-64.

2. California Sate University-Lesson plans with a multicultural focus.

3. Cok, V. 1991. Second Language and Language Teaching. Edward

Arnold.

4. Don Dallas, 1999, Hello! 8, Arab Republic of Egypt, Ministry of

Education, Book Sector.

5. Ellis, N., and A. Beaton. 193. Psycholinguistic determinants of

foreign language vocabulary learning. Language learning 43 [4]:
559-617.

6. Ellis, R. 1994. The Study of Second Language Acquisition.

Oxford: Oxford University Press.

7. Eric. H. Glendinning and Beverly Holmstrom, reading, Cambridge

University Press, 2004.

8. http://www.bbc.com. Uk/world service/learning English.

9. Johnnx Cash and June Carter Cash, Artiost Consultants

productions Inc. Los Angeles.

10. Johns, T. 1994. From printout to handout: Grammar and

vocabulary teaching in the context of data-driven learning. In
perspectives on pedagogical grammar, ed. T. Odin, 293-313.
Cambridge University Press.

11. Krashen, S. 1981. Second Language Acquisition and Second

Language Learning. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

12. Martin Hewings, Advanced Grammar in Use, Cambridge

University Press 2005.

13. Miles Craven, Developing Reading Keys, Macmillan.

14. Miles Craven, Extending Reading keys, Macmillan.

201
15. Natsha Haugnes & Beth Maher, 1998, North Star [Focus on
Reading and writing] Carol Publishing Group. Press Book.

16. Patricia Wilcox, Changing Times, United States Department of

State, 2005.

17. Raymond Murphy, 1989, Grammar in use, Cambridge University

Press.

18. Stuarts Redman, English Vocabulary in Use [pre-intermediate and

intermediate]. Cambridge University Press.

19. Stubbsm M. 1981. Language and Literacy: The social linguistics of

reading and writing. London: Routledge and Kegan.

20. Swain, M. 1994. The output hypothesis: Just speaking and writing
aren't enough. Canadian Modern Language Review 50 [1]: 158-64.

202
 Appendix [1]
Irregular Verbs
Simple Form Simple Past Past Participle

B
be was , were been

become became become

begin began begun

bend bent bent

bite bit bitten

blow blew blown

break broke broken

bring brought brought

broadcast broadcast broadcast

build built built

buy bought bought

catch caught caught

choose chose chosen

come came come

cost cost cost

cut cut cut

dig dug dug

203
do did done

draw drew drawn

drink drank drunk

drive drove driven

eat ate eaten

fall fell fallen

feed fed fed

feel felt felt

fight fought fought

find found found

fit fit fit

fly flew flown

forget forgot forgotten

forgive forgave forgiven

freeze froze frozen

get got gotten [got]

give gave given

go went gone

grow grew grown

204
hang hung hung

have had had

hear heard heard

hide hid hidden

hit hit hit

hold held held

hurt hurt hurt

keep kept kept

know knew known

lay laid laid

lead led led

leave left left

lend lent lent

let let let

lie lay lain

light lit [lighted] lit [lighted]

lose lost lost

make made made

mean meant meant

meet met met

205
P

pay paid paid

put put put

quit quit quit

read read read

ride rode ridden

ring rang rung

rise rose risen

run ran run

say said said

see saw seen

sell sold sold

send sent sent

set set set

shake shook shaken

shoot shot shot

shut shut shut

sing sang sung

sit sat sat

sleep slept slept

206
slide slid slid

speak spoke spoken

spend spent spent

spread spread spread

stand stood stood

steal stole stolen

stick stuck stuck

strike struck struck

swear swore sworn

sweep swept swept

swim swam swum

take took taken

teach taught taught

tear tore torn

tell told told

think thought thought

throw threw thrown

understand understood understood

upset upset upset

wake woke waked [woken]

207
wear wore worn

win won won

withdraw withdrew withdrawn

write wrote written

208
 Appendix [2]
Spelling of –ing and –ed forms
End of verb Double the Simple - -
consonant? form ing ed

-e No a. smile smilling smiled -ing form: drop the

–e, add –ing.
hope hoping hoped
Ed form: just add –
d.

Two No b. help helping helped If the verb ends in

consonants two consonants, just
learn learning learned
add –ing or –ed.

Two No c. rain raining rained If the verb ends in

vowels + two vowels + a
heat heating heated
one consonant, just add
consonant –ing or –ed.

One vowel Yes One syllable verbs

+ one
d. stop stopping stopped If the verb has one
consonant
syllable and ends in
plan planning planned
one vowel + one
consonant, double
the consonant to
make the –ing or –
ed form.

No Two syllable verbs If the first syllable

of a two-syllable
e. visit visiting visited
verb is stressed, do
offer offering offered not double the
consonant.

209
 Yes f. prefer preferring preferred If the second
syllable of a two-
admit admitting admitted
syllable verb is
stressed, double the
consonant.

-y No g. play playing played If the verb ends in a

vowel + y, keep the
enjoy enjoying enjoyed
–y. Do not change
it to –i.

If the verb ends in a

consonant +-y keep
the –y for the –ing
form, but change
the –y to –i to make
the –ed form.

Ie N/A i. die Dying died -ing form: Change –

ie to –y and add –
tie tying tied
ing.

-ed form: just add –

d.

Exercise [1]:
Write the –ing and –ed forms of the following verbs. [The
simple past / past participle of irregular verbs is given in
parentheses].
-ing -ed

1. start starting started

2. wait ......................... .........................

3. quit ......................... ........[quit].......

210
4. write ......................... [wrote/written]

5. shout ......................... .........................

6. cut ......................... ...........[cut]........

7. meet ......................... ..........[met]........

8. hope ......................... .........................

9. hop ......................... .........................

10. help ......................... .........................

11. sleep ......................... ........[slept].......

12. step ......................... .........................

13. tape ......................... .........................

14. tap ......................... .........................

15. rain ......................... .........................

16. run ......................... ......[ran/run]......

17. whine ......................... .........................

18. win ......................... .........[won].......

19. explain ......................... .........................

20. burn ......................... .........................

21. swim ......................... ...[swam/swum].

22. aim ......................... .........................

23. charm ......................... .........................

24. cram ......................... .........................

25. tame ......................... .........................

211
Exercise [2]:
Write the –ing and –ed forms of the following verbs.
-ing -ed
1. open ......................... .........................

2. begin ......................... ..[began/begun]..

3. occur ......................... .........................

4. happen ......................... .........................

5. refer ......................... .........................

6. offer ......................... .........................

7. listen ......................... .........................

8. admit ......................... .........................

9. visit ......................... .........................

10. omit ......................... .........................

11. hurry ......................... .........................

12. study ......................... .........................

13. enjoy ......................... .........................

14. reply ......................... .........................

15. stay ......................... .........................

16. buy ......................... .....[bought]......

17. try ......................... .........................

18. tie ......................... .........................

19. die ......................... .........................

20. lie* ......................... .........................

212
* Lie is a regular verb when it means „not tell the truth‟. Lie is an irregular verb
when it means „put one‟s body flat on a bed or another surface‟: lie, lay, lain.

Exercise [3]:
Write the –ing and –ed forms of the following verbs.
-ing -ed

1. lift ......................... .........................

2. promise ......................... .........................

3. slap ......................... .........................

4. wave ......................... .........................

5. carry ......................... .........................

6. happen ......................... .........................

7. choose ......................... [chose/chosen]

8. ride ......................... .[rode/ridden]....

9. mop ......................... .........................

10. mope ......................... .........................

11. smile ......................... .........................

12. file ......................... .........................

13. fail ......................... .........................

14. drag ......................... .........................

15. use ......................... .........................

16. prefer ......................... .........................

17. pray ......................... .........................

18. point ......................... .........................

213
19. appear ......................... .........................

20. relax ......................... .........................

21. borrow ......................... .........................

22. cry ......................... .........................

23. eat ......................... ....[ate/eaten].....

24. remind ......................... .........................

25. tip ......................... .........................

214
 Appendix [3]
Capitalization
Capitalize the following:

1. The first word of a a. We saw a movie last Capitalize = use a big

sentence night. It was very good. letter, not a small letter.

2. The names of people b. I met George Adams

yesterday.

3. Titles used with the c. I saw Doctor [Dr.] Compare:

names of people Smith. Do you know
I saw a doctor.
Professor [Prof.]
Alston? I saw Doctor Wilson.

4. Months, days, holidays d. I was born in April.

Note: Seasons are not
capitalized: spring,
Bob arrived last
summer, fall, autumn,
Monday.
winter
It snowed on Thanks-
giving Day.

5. The names of places: e. He lives in Chicago. Compare:

city She was born in She lives in a city.

California.
state/province She lives in New York
They are from Mexico. City.
country
Tibet is in Asia. Compare:
continent
They crossed the They crossed a river.
ocean
Atlantic Ocean.
They crossed the
lake
Chicago is on Lake Yellow River.
river Michigan.
Compare:
desert The Mississippi River
I go to a university.
flows south.

215
mountain The Sahara Desert is in I go to the University
Africa. of Texas.
school
We visited the Rocky Compare:
business
Mountains,
We went to a park.
street, etc.
I go to the University of
We went to Central
building Florida.
Park.
park, zoo I work for the General
Electric Company.

He lives on Grand
Avenue.

We have class in Ritter

Hall.

I went jogging in Forest

Park.

6. The names of courses f. I‘m taking Chemistry Compare:

101 this term.
I‘m reading a book
about psychology.

I‘m taking Psychology

101 this term.

7. The names of languages g. She speaks Spanish. Words that refer to the
and nationalities names of nations,
We discussed Japanese
nationalities, and
customs.
languages are always
capitalized.

8. The names of religions h. Buddhism, Words that refer to the

Christianity, Hinduism, names of religions are
Islam, and Judaism are always capitalized.
major religions in the
world. Talal is a
Moslem.

216
Exercise [1]:
Add capital letter where necessary.

W T
1. we‘re going to have a test next tuesday.

2. do you know richard smith? He is a professor at this university.

3. professor smith teaches at the university of arizona.

4. the nile river flows into the mediterranean sea.

5. john is a catholic. Ali is a moslem.

6. anna speaks french. she studied in france for two years.

7. i‘m taking a history course this semester.

8. i‘m taking modern european history 101 this semester.

9. we went to vancouver, british columbia, for our vacation last

summer.

10. venezuela is a spanish-speaking country.

11. canada is in north america.*

12. canada is north of the united states.

13. the sun rises in the east.

14. the Mississippi river flows south.

 When north, south, east and west refer to the direction on a compass, they are
not capitalized; Japan is east of China.
 When they are part of a geographical name, they are capitalized: Japan is in
the Far East.

217
Exercise [2]:
Add capital letters where necessary.
1. We don‘t have class on saturday.

2. I‘m taking biology 101 this semester.

3. I‘m taking history, biology, english, and calculus this semester.

4. We went to a zoo. We went to brookfield zoo in chicago.

5. I live on a nice street. I live at 2358 olive street.

6. We went to canada last summer. We went to montreal in july.

7. I like vietnamese food.

8. The religion of saudi arabia is islam.

9. She works for the xerox corporation. It is a very large corporation.

10. Pedro is from latin america.

11. My uncle lives in st. Louis. I‘m going to visit uncle bill next
spring.

12. On valentine‘s day [february 14], sweethearts give each other

presents.

13. We went to a park. We went to woodland park.

14. Are you going to go to the university of oregon or oregon state

university?

15. Alice goes to a university in oregon.

16. I voted for senator jones. A senator is an important person.

218
 Appendix [4]
Preposition Combinations

1. Preposition Combinations with Verbs and Adjectives

This list contains only those preposition combinations used in

exercises in the text.

A. be absent from

be accustomed to

be acquainted with

admire [someone] for [something]

be afraid of

agree with [someone] about [something]

be angry at/with

apologize to [someone] for [something]

apply to [a place] for[something]

approve of

argue with [someone] about [something]

arrive at [a building, a room]

arrive in [ a city, a country]

ask [someone] about [something]

ask [someone] for [something]

B be bad for

believe in

belong to
219
 be bored with/by

borrow [something[ from [someone]

C be clear to

compare [X] /with [Y]

complain to [someone] about [something]

consist of

be crowded with

D depend on/upon [someone] for [something]

be different from

be disappointed in

be divorced from

be done with

dream about /of

be drunk on

E be engaged to

be equal to

be excited about

excuse [someone] for [something]

be exhausted from

F be familiar with

be famous for

be finished with

forgive [someone] for [something]

be friendly to / with
220
 be frightened of/by

be full of

G get rid of

be gone from

be good for

graduate from

H happen to

hear about / of

hear from

help [someone] with [something]

hope for

be hungry for

I insist on

be interested in

introduce [someone] to [someone]

invite [someone] to [something]

be involved in

K be kind to

know about

L laugh at

listen to

look at

look for

look forward to
221
M be mad at

be married to

matter to

be the matter with

N be nice to

O be opposed to

P pay for

be polite to

be prepared for

protect [X] from Y]

be proud of

Q be qualified for

R be ready for

be related to

rely on/upon

be responsible for

S be satisfied with

be scared of/by

search for

separate [X] from [Y]

be similar to

speak to/with [someone] about [something]

stare at

T talk to /with [someone] about [something]

222
 be terrified of/by

thank [someone] for [something]

be thirsty for

be tired from

be tired of

travel to

W wait for

wait on

be worried about

ll. Two –word verbs

This list contains only those two-word verbs used in the

exercises in the text. The verbs with an asterisk* are no
separable. The others are separable.

A. ask out ..............................ask someone to go on a date

C call back ............................return a telephone call

call off ...............................cancel

*call on..............................ask to speak in class

call up................................make a telephone call

cross out ............................draw a line through

D do over ...............................do again

*drop in [on] .......................visit without calling first or without an

invitation

*drop out [of] ....................stop attending school

223
F figure out ............................find the solution to a problem

fill in .................................complete a sentence by writing in a

blank.

fill out .....................write information in a form [e.g. an application

form]

fill up ................................fill completely with gas, water, coffee,

etc.

find out .............................discover information

*fool around [with] ...................have fun while wasting time

G *get along [with]........................have a good relationship with

*get back [from].........................return from a trip

*get in [to]..................................enter a car, a taxi

* get off ......................... leave a bus, an airplane, a train, a subway,

a bicycle

*get on...........................enter a bus, an airplane, a train, a subway,

a bicycle

*get out [of]....................leave a car, a taxi

*get over ..........................recover from an illness

*get through [with].................finish

give back...................return something to someone

give up ...................... quit doing something or quit trying

*grow up [in] ...................become an adult

H hand in .................................give homework, tests papers, etc., to a

teacher

224
 hand out ................................give something to this person, then
that person, then another person, etc.

hang up ...............................[1] hang on a hanger or a hook; [2] end

a telephone call.

K * keep on .............................continue

L leave out ...............................omit

*look out [for] .......................be careful

look up ...................................look for information in a reference

book

M make up ................................invent

P pay back ...............................return money to someone

pick up ..................................lift

put away .............................put something in its usual or proper

place

put back ...............return something to its original place

put down............................stop holding or carrying

put off...............................postpone

put out............................extinguish [stop] a fire, a cigarette. a cigar

put on ..........................put clothes on one‘s body

R *run into .................meet by chance

*run out [of].......................finish the supply of something

S shut off .............stop a machine or light, turn off

start over .................start again

T take off ...................remove clothes from one‘s body

tear down....................destroy a building

225
 tear off.......................detach, tear along a dotted or perforated line

tear out [of] .............remove a piece of paper from a book or

notebook

tear up ...................tear into small pieces

throw away/out ...............put in the trash, discard

try on ......................put on clothing to see if it fits

turn down.....................decrease the volume

turn off ...................stop a machine or a light, shut off

turn on ................begin a machine or a light

turn up .............increase the volume

W wake up ...........................stop sleeping

*watch out [for] .........................be careful

write down ......................write a note on a piece of paper

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 Appendix [5]
Guide to Correcting Compositions
To the student: Each underlined word or phrase represents an area of
usage. Refer to this list to find out what kind of error you have made and
then make the necessary correction.

1. Singular-plural He have been here for six month.

He has been here for six months.

2. Word form I saw a beauty picture.

I saw a beautiful picture.

3. Word choice She got on the taxi.

She got into the taxi.

4. Verb tense He is here since June.

He has been here since June.

5.+ Add a word I want go to the zoo.

I want to go to the zoo.

5.- Omit a word She entered to the university.

She entered the university.

6. Word order I saw five times that movie.

I saw that movie five times.

7. Incomplete sentence I went to bed. Because I was tired.

I went to bed because I was tired.

8. Spelling An accident occured.

An accident occurred.

9. Punctuation What did he say.

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 What did he say?

10. Capitalization I am studying english.

I am studying English.

11. Article I had a accident.

I had an accident.

12?. Meaning not clear He borrowed some smoke. [???]

13. Run-on sentence My roommate was sleeping, we didn‘t

want to

wake her up.

My roomate was sleeping. We didn‘t

want to wake her up.

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 Appendix [6]:
Model Examinations with Answer Key

Subject: English Name: ……………..................

College: ……………………. Index No.: ………………........
Time allotted: 2 hrs. Total mark: ………….............

Attempt All Questions

Section [A]: Reading

Read this article carefully, then answer the questions that follow.
Lifetimes Magazine-issue 24

Three steps to success

She had no job. She was a single mother, living in a small apartment
with her baby daughter. Life was hard. Now, she is a great success.
Children and adults buy her books all over the world – in thirty
languages. It seems her books win awards and break records almost
every day. Who is she? J.K. Rowling – the woman who wrote the
Harry Potter stories.

What is the secret of her success?

STEP 1: Do something that you enjoy.

Rowling says she wrote ―Harry Potter and the Philosopher‘s Stone‖
because she wanted a challenge. She wanted to achieve something
special. She likes writing. In fact, she wrote her first book (called
―Rabbit‖) when she was six years old. Perhaps this is the first reason for
her success – she chose to do something that she enjoyed.

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STEP 2: Follow your dream.

But how did she become such a great success? Well, in 1992, Rowling
left her job in England and went to Portugal. She moved to Portugal to
have more time to do what she loved most – write. She worked as an
English teacher. She used her free time in the mornings to write ―Harry
Potter and the Philosopher‘s Stone.‖

STEP 3: Never give up.

She married, but later divorced. She returned home to the U.K. with her
baby daughter Jessica. She lived in Edinburgh in Scotland. She lived in
a very small, cold apartment. Life as a single mother was hard, but she
was determined to finish writing ―Harry Potter and the Philosopher‘s
Stone.‖ She wrote mostly in cafes and while her daughter was asleep. She
had no money for a computer or typewriter – she used a pen and paper.
When things became difficult, she didn‘t forget her goal, and she didn‘t
stop working.

The road to success was hard for Rowling, but eventually she succeeded.
Her advice to people who want success is simple: Try your best. If you
really want to succeed, then you will. Be prepared to make mistakes –
learn from them. You have to be strong, and never give up. Sounds
simple, doesn‘t it?

Question [1]

1. Why did Rowling write ―Harry Potter and the Philosopher‘s

Stone.‖?
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
2. What was the title of the first book she wrote?
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

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3. How many languages are the Harry Potter books available in?
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

4. What is the name of her daughter?

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

5. What are the three steps to her success?

a. ........................................................................................................
b. ........................................................................................................
c. ........................................................................................................
[7 marks]

Question [2]

Read the article again. Write true [T] or false [F] for each of these
statements.
1. ................... Rowling is very rich now.
2. ................... Both children and adults like her books.
3. ................... She has a daughter.
4. ................... She wrote many books before ―Harry Potter and the
philosopher‘s Stone.‖
5. ................... She doesn‘t enjoy writing very much.
[5 marks]

Question [3]

Put these events in Rowling‘s life in order.

1. ................... She lived in Edinburgh.

2. ................... She got married.
3. ................... She got divorced.

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4. ................... She worked in Portugal.
5. ................... She left her job in England.
[10 marks]
Question [4]

Use the words in the box to complete this text.

achieve - challenge - determined - failure - goals -

hard - success - successful

Believe it or not, 1-..................................doesn‘t always make you happy!

2-
It‘s natural to want to ........................................a lot in life. We all
3-
need .............................................. to aim for, and no one wants to feel
4- 5-
like a ........................................ However, some people are so
6- 7-
.......................... to be .........................that they never stop. When one
.............................is over, they immediately look for another one. These
8-
people can find it ..................................to relax and enjoy what they
have. For them, success is the most important thing of all-and they pay a
high price for it.
[8 marks]

Section [B]: Language Reference

Question [5]

Write these words in phonetic symbols.

e.g. right /raıt/

1. cite / / 2. talk / /
3. shoe / / 4. crime / /
5. cycle / / 6. fixed / /
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7. orphan / / 8. advice / /
9. health / / 10. wrestling / /
[5 marks]

Question [6]

Make sentences and questions with these words.

1. I / meet / we / hope / again / soon.

..........................................................................................................

2. for / Jack‘s murder / The police / yet/ haven‘t / arrested / anyone.

............................................................................................................

3. email / Everyone / address / an / have / will.

...........................................................................................................

4. his / What / in / does / Ahmed / do / free time?

..........................................................................................................

5. are / What / this / do /going / to / evening / Khalid and Mohamed ?

..........................................................................................................
[10 marks]
Question [7]

Read the sentences carefully. Choose the best word [a, b or c] for
each space.

1. In 2005, Ahmed married Sulma ...................................in 2007 he

came to live in Khartoum with his family.
a. and b. because c. when
2. Nelson Mandela was in Prison................. 1962 ……………1990.
a. from/until b. since/until c. in/to
3. .................................do you know in your new class?
a. Who b. How c. What

233
4. A new restaurant has just ..............................near our house.
a. come b. opened c. begun
5. A. Did you watch television yesterday?
B. Yes, I ...............................................
a. watched b. did c. have
6. Who does ..................................as a receptionist?
a. works b. work c. to work
7. A. England ............................win the next World Cup.
B. Do you think Brazil will win?
a. would b. won‘t c. will
8. That‘s your towel not ....................................
a. my b. yours c. mine
9. English ................................in over 45 countries.
a. has spoken b. spoke c. is spoken
10. Look at the pronouns [it, she, they] which is incorrect?
a. Mrs. Adam works for a furniture company. She is a sales
representative.
b. I want to sell some books. It‘s in very good condition.
c. I hope you like the new chairs. They are very cheap!

[10 marks]

Question [8]

Write a composition of not less than 200 words on something you

have done with your community. Your description of that thing may
answer some of the following questions:
- What did you do?
- Who did you do it with?
- Why did you do it?
234
- What did you think about the experience?
- What did that experience teach you?

 ……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
[15 marks]

Good Luck
235
* Answer Key
Questions [1]:

1. She wrote it because she wanted a challenge.

2. Her first book was called Rabbit.

3. They are available in thirty languages.

4. Her daughter is called Jessica.

5. a. Do something that you enjoy.

b. Follow your dream.

c. Don't give up.

Question [2]:

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

Question [3]:

The order of events is as follows:

5 4 2 3 1

Question [4]:

1. success 2. achieve 3. goals 4. failure

5. determined 6. successful 7. challenge 8. hard

Question [5]:

1. /saıt/ 2. /t:k/ 3. /u:/ 4. /kraım/

5. /saıkl/ 6. /fikst/ 7. /:fn/ 8. /ədvaıs/

9. /helӨ/ 10. /resliη/

236
Question [6]:

1. I hope we meet again soon.

2. The police haven't arrested anyone for Jack's murder yet.

3. Everyone will have an email address.

4. What does Ahmed do in his free time?

5. What are Khalid and Ahmed going to do this evening?

Question [7]:

1. a 2. a 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. b

7. b 8. c 9. c 10. b

Question [8]:

Answers will vary.

237
Subject: English Name: …………………..........
College: ……………………. Index No. : …………...............
Time allotted: 3 hrs. Total mark: ………….............

Attempt All Questions

Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions that follow.

Pele [born 1940, Brazil] is often called the greatest soccer player in
the world. His real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He started
playing soccer when he was a teenager. His family was very poor. He
cleaned shoes for money. In 1956, he played his first professional game,
for Santos Soccer Club. The club won many national and international
competitions. Pele also led the Brazilian team to three World Cup wins
in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He played a total of 1.363 matches and scored
1.282 goals. He left soccer in 1974 but the next year decided to play for
an American team called the New York Cosmos. His salary was seven
million dollars. He was the highest-paid sports star in the world. His last
game was against his old Santos club, in 1977.
After he became famous, Pele wrote several autobiographies. He
also starred in many movies. He even wrote all the music for the movie
"Pele" [1977]. The next year, he received the International Peace Award.
Brazil‘s representative in the United Nations said he believed that Pele
helped international goodwill and friendship more than any politician.

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Question [1]

A. Answer these questions.

1. When was Pele born?
..................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
2. What is his real name?
..................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
3. What job did he have as a child?
..................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
4. What club did he play at the end of his career?
..................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
5. Find four things of Pele‘s successes outside of soccer.
a................................................................................................
b................................................................................................
c................................................................................................
d................................................................................................
B. How old was Pele when ...
1. he started playing soccer?
..................................................................................................
2. he received the International Peace Award?
..............................................................................................
3. he stopped playing soccer in Brazil?
.............................................................................................
4. he went to the U.S.A. to play for the New York Cosmos?
..................................................................................................
5. he won his second World Cup?
................................................................................................

[13 marks]
Question [2]

This text contains five mistakes. Circle them. Then re-write the text
correctly.
The Argentinean soccer player Pele came from a wealthy family. He
started playing professional soccer in 1956, at the age of eighteen. He
239
won the World Cup twice, and later went to England to play soccer there.
He retired from soccer in 1977.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
[5 marks]

Question [3]

Which of these statements are facts and which are opinions? Write F
[fact] or O [opinion] next to each statement.

1. Pele is the greatest soccer player in the world. [ ]

2. He scored a total of 1.282 goals. [ ]
3. He helped international goodwill and friendship more than any
politician. [ ]
4. In 1974, he was the highest –paid sports star in the world. [ ]
5. Pele is Brazilian. [ ]
[5 marks]
Question [4]

Use these words in the box to complete the sentences.

design - fit - psychologist - scientists - winner

1. You have to be very ..............................to be an Olympic athlete.

2. Sports companies .................equipment they hope will break world

records.

240
3. A sports .........................helps athletes to develop a positive way of
thinking.

4. People remember the .......................of a race, not those who lose.

5. Some .................spend all their lives trying to develop better sports

clothing.

[5 marks]

Section [B] Language Reference

Question [5]

A. Add one of the following prefixes to each word.

dis - inter - ir - semi - un

a. .................healthy b. .................circle
c. .................rational d. ...............like
e. ...............national
B. Add one of the following suffixes to each word.

able - ly - ment - ness - or

a. different............ b. fashion................
c. visit................... d. excite..................
e. tired..................
[5 marks]

241
Question [6]

A. Write the following words in phonetic symbols.

e.g. might /maıt/

1. lamb / / 2. sweep / /
3. pick / / 4. excite / /
5. quit / / 6. lose / /
7. rice / / 8. height / /
9. sweat / / 10. sign / /

B. Write the headwords for the following words:

e.g. children: child

1. teeth : …………………………
2. richest: …………………………
3. designers: …………………………
4. kindness: …………………………
5. went: …………………………
6. incorrect: …………………………

[8 marks]
Question [7]

Fill in the gaps with a, b or c.

1. A. When ...............................you get married?
B. Last May.
a. do b. did c. are
2. A. In 10 years, we won‘t buy CDs in the shops.
B. .........................we buy them on the Internet.
a. Can b. Will c. Won‘t

242
3. They have been married .........................thirty years.
a. since b. for c. from
4. Ali ......................work harder this year or he will fail his exams.
a. must b. should c. can
5. 90% of the world‘s rice ............................in Asia.
a. is grown b. will grow c. grew
6. Americans are not very different ..........................other people.
a. from b. to c. with
7. Omer loves photography .............................science.
a. to b. with c. and
8. Each new patient ....................to complete a medical questionnaire.
a. asks b. asked c. is asked
9. ................you give us some advice about where to eat this evening?
a. Will b. Should c. Can
10. Some countries in the Arab world ....................a difficult time in
a. went through b. came across c. went with
[5 marks]

Question [8]

Use these words to complete sentences.

because - finally - However - so - too

1. I was hungry ................................., there was no food in the house.

2. I was too tired to go shopping ......................I decided to go to a

restaurant.

243
3. I went to a local restaurant ....................my friend works there.

4. The food there is very good, and it‘s cheap, ...............................

5. I had to wait for about half an hour, but when the meal
.................arrived, I was happy.
[5 marks]

Question [9]

Change the words in bold. Use mine , yours , his, hers, its, ours,
or theirs.
e.g. That‘s your towel not my towel.

That‘s your towel not mine.

1. I didn‘t like the hotel. The hotels‘ rooms are really small.
………………………………………………………………….
2. A. Is that Sarah‘s sun cream?
B. Yes, it‘s Sarah‘s.
………………………………………………………………….
3. That suitcase looks like your suitcase.
…………………………………………………………………….
4. Our house is bigger than their house.
………………………………………………………………….
5. I haven‘t got a razor, but I will use Ahmed‘s.
…………………………………………………………………….
[5 marks]

244
Section [C] Writing

Question [10]

Write a well-structured paragraph developing four or five reasons why

smoking should be banned in public places.

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

[14 marks]

The best of Luck

245
Answer Key
Questions [1]:

A. 1. Pele was born in 1940.

2. His real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

3. He was a shoe-shine boy.

4. He played for the New York Cosmos.

5. a. he wrote several autobiographies.

b. He starred in many movies.

c. He wrote music.

d. He helped international goodwill and friendship.

B. 1. He was a teenager.

2. He was thirty eight years old.

3. He was thirty four years old.

4. He was thirty five years old.

5. he was twenty two years old.

Questions [2]:

- Brazilian - poor - sixteen - three times -

America

Question [3]:

1. O 2. F 3. O 4. F 5. F

Question [4]:

1. fit 2. design 3. psychologist 4. winner 5.

scientists

246
Question [5]:

A. a. differently b. fashionable c. visitor

d. excitement e. tiredness

Question [6]:

A. 1. /læm/ 2. /swi:p/ 3. /pık/ 4. /ıkısait/ 5. /kwıt/

6. /lu:z/ 7. /raıs/ 8. /haıt/ 9. /swet/ 10. /saın/

B. 1. tooth 2. rich 3. design 4. kind 5. go

6. correct

Question [7]:

1. b 2. b 3. b 4. a 5. a 6. a

7. c 8. c 9. c 10. a

Question [8]:

1. However 2. so 3. because 4. too 5. finally

Question [9]:

1. Its 2. hers 3. yours 4. Ours / theirs

5. his

Question [10]:

Answers will vary.

247
248