Handouts: Speaking (Vstep) Week 4: Let's Talk About Going Out

HANDOUTS: SPEAKING (VSTEP) WEEK 4
Part 1: Social Interaction (2’)

Let’s talk about going out.
- What do you like doing when you go out?
- Do people in your country go out a lot?
- What kind of entertainment is popular in your country?
Let’s talk about celebrations
- Do you like celebrations?
- Which is your favorite festivals?
- Are there many celebrations in your hometown?
PART 2: Monologue (4’) (1’ for preparation)
Describe an important holiday that is celebrated in your country.

You should say:
 When this celebration takes place
 what people do during this celebration
 what you especially like and dislike about this celebration
and explain why it is important.
Follow-up questions:
-Do you think we should have more public holidays?
- Do you think modern life give people enough time for leisure?
PART 3: Discussion (4’)

Topic for discussion: Public holidays
- Do you think we should have more public holidays? Why (not)?

- Why are public holidays important to some people?
- How do you think traveling today is different from what it was several decades ago?
FORMAL LETTERS vs INFORMAL LETTERS
Formal letters are sent to organizations, government departments, chair holders, etc to
make complaints, requests, inquiries, orders etc. In case of formal letters, the person to
whom you are addressing the letter is not a friend. Your tone is full of respect making
use of formal words and sentences to create a nice impression on the recipient.
Informal letters are written to friends and relatives. The purpose of writing a letter is not
to make a complaint or inquiry, and the tone is also casual. The words used can be
colloquial and slang. Informal letters can be considered a freestyle swimming where you
are free to write in the style and tone as you wish.
Activity 1. Read the letters and do the tasks that follow

Hi Linda,
How's it going?
Sorry I haven't been in touch for such a long time but I've had exams so I've been
studying every free minute. Anyway, I'd love to hear all your news and I'm hoping we
can get together soon to catch up. We just moved to a bigger flat so maybe you can
come and visit one weekend?
How's the new job?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Helga
-------------------------------------------
Hi Helga,
I've been meaning to write to you for ages now so don't worry! How did your exams go?
When will you know your results? I'm sure you did brilliantly as always!
As for me, I'll have been in the new job three months by the end of next week so I'm
feeling more settled in. At first I felt like I had no idea what I was doing but now I realise
it's normal to feel like that. There was a lot to learn – there still is actually – and I soon
had to get used to the idea that I can't know everything. I used to work late a lot and at
weekends but I'm slowly getting into a normal routine.
Which means I'd love to come and visit! We really need a good catch up! I can't believe
we haven't seen each other since Carl's wedding. How does next month sound?
Anyway, I'd better get back to work.
Congratulations on the new flat! Can't wait to see you!
Love,
Linda
Task 2. Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
1. “Hi …” is less formal than “Dear … ,”. T F
2. “How’s it going?” is an informal way to say “How are you?”. T F
3. It’s important to give the reason for writing in the first sentence. T F
4. Phrasal verbs like “catch up” make your writing sound more formal. T F
5. “How does ... sound?” is an informal way of suggesting something. T F
6. People don’t write in paragraphs in informal emails. T F
Task 2. Match the sentences (1–6) with the replies (a–f).
1. ___ I was wondering if you want to go for a. Things have been good and …
dinner. b. Sorry to hear that!
2. ___ I’m really sorry I’ve not been in touch. c. Don’t worry! I’ve been super busy too.
3. ___ How are you doing? d. I’d love to. How about Tuesday?
4. ___ Just to let you know I passed my exams! e. Happy to help any way I can.
5. ___ I’ve been ill for most of the month so I f. So good to hear your news
couldn’t come to your party.
6. ___ I was hoping you could do me a favour.
Activity 2: Choose the best word/ phrase for each gap
Sample letter 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
(1) _____ to express my dismay at the service at your Eden Hill branch on Saturday 14
January.
I often (2) _____ prescriptions from the pharmacy (3) _____ my grandmother, Mrs
Elaine Bingham. On this occasion there were two prescriptions: one for 10 x 50 mg
Kendomol and one for 50 x 100 mg Leoprone. (4) _____. However, as I was leaving I
saw that I had been given 500 mg tablets of Kendomol. This is ten times stronger than
the prescription called for.
If I hadn't noticed the difference between the prescription and the actual tablets, my
grandmother could have taken a dangerous overdose of Kendomol. (5) _____ worried
about getting any future prescriptions at Eden Hill.
The pharmacist apologised and corrected the mistake but I wanted to (6) _____. I think
it happened because there were not enough staff on duty. I (7) _____ but there needs
to be a minimum of two pharmacists at all times so all prescriptions can be checked.
I hope (8) _____.
(9) _____,
Roger Bingham
1. A. I’m writing B. I am writing

2. A. collect B. get
3. A. on behalf of B. for
4. A. I was served quickly even though B. It didn’t take time to get the medicine
there appeared to be only one although there was just one
pharmacist on duty pharmacist there
5. A. I’m really B. I would be
6. A. you to know about that B. bring it to your attention
7. A. understand that mistakes happen B. know that we all make mistakes
8. A. you’ll do something about this sometimes
B. you can take steps to make sure this
9. A. Yours faithfully mistake does not happen again
B. Best wishes
Sample letter 2
(1) _____,
(2) _____ Hope you’re doing well and looking forward to your stay at my place. (3)
_____.
The first thing you’ll need to do is pick up the keys from one of my neighbours. (4)
_____ number 10 any time after 5pm and ask for Sarah. (5) _____, and she’ll tell you
which key is which.
If the weather (6) _____ a bit warmer, you might want to turn the heating off. Just open
the cover on the boiler in the kitchen and look for the ‘on/off’ switch. You can also open
the windows using one of the keys, but please shut them if you go out.
The only other thing (7) _____ you is that there’ll be a festival in the town centre during
the second week of your visit. It would definitely be worth checking out. And (8) _____
to go to that restaurant I told you about – it’s called ‘The Grill’, it’s just across the street,
and the food is great.
Enjoy your stay and look after the flat!
(9) _____.
Simon
1. A. Dear John B. Dear Mr.Smith
2. A. I hope that B. Hope
3. A. I’m just writing tell you a few things B. I am writing to inform you of
that you’ll need to know what you should do
4. A. Would you please visit B. Just pop over to
5. A. She’ll be there B. You will be warmly welcomed
6. A. gets B. becomes
7. A. to tell B. to notify
8. A. I would like to remind you B. don’t forget
9. A. Yours sincerely B. See you soon
Activity 3: Compare the above letters. Which one is a formal and which one is an
informal letter? What are the differences between the two types?
Activity 4: Put the following words/ phrases into the right column. Match each informal
expression with one formal expression which is similar in meaning.
Just a quick line to say at your earliest convenience

Please keep me informed I regret that I will be unable to attend
I suggest we get together Would you be available
It will not be necessary for you to As soon as you get here
I would appreciate it if you keep me informed I hate to have to tell you this but
You can contact me if you need more information. I really appreciate your assistance
Yours faithfully, That’s why we had to
Please accept my apologies for Upon your arrival
I regret to inform you that Sorry I can’t make it.
As a result of this, we have had to I am writing to inform you that
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to Warm wishes,
as soon as you can Thanks a lot
You won’t have to Sorry for
Informal letters Formal letters

Dear Peter, Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Ms. Jones,
Activity 4: Put the words/ phrases into the right column
buy - purchase enough - sufficient initially - at first

need - require attempt – try immediately - right away
ask for - request also - moreover That's why - Therefore
inform - tell wrong - erroneous depart - leave
commence - start watch - observe repair - fix
get - acquire respond - answer reside - live
whole - entire cheap - inexpensive better - superior
Informal words/ phrases Formal words/ phrases

buy purchase
WRITING HANDOUT
I. Sentence transformation.
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences so that their meaning stays the same, using the
words given.
Example:
0. No one in my family is allowed to smoke. allowed
Smoking …….is not allowed…. in my family.
1. No one in my family is as handsome as my father. most

My father is ............................. man in my family.
2. My mum cooks better than anyone else in my family. is
My mum .......................... cook in my family.
3. My sister is 5 years older than me. younger
I am ............................. than my sister.
4. My brother is taller than my sister. as
My brother .................................. short as my sister.
5. My father is the best driver in my family. well
No one in my family ............................... as my father.
6. I am not as intelligent as my sister. more
My sister .................................... than me.
7. My sister is better at English than me good
I am not ..................................... English as my sister.
8. My brother has more friends than my sister. fewer
My sister ...................................... than my brother
9. My father earns the most money in my family. as
No one in my family can ................................. money as my father.
10. No one in my family gets up as early as my mum. the
My mum gets up ............................ in my family.
II. Paragraph writing
Your English teacher has asked you to write a paragraph about a vacation that you have had with
your family.
In your paragraph, you should mention:
- Where and when you went with your family
- What you did there
- and how you felt about the vacation
Write your paragraph in about 80-100 words.
III. Letter writing

Read this part of a letter you receive from your English speaking friend Tom.
‘ That’s all about my last vacation. What about yours? Write to me soon and tell me about it.’
Write a letter to your friend Tom . In your letter, you should tell him:
- Where you went and which places you have visited
- What you did there
- How you felt about your vacation
Write your letter in about 100-120 words.

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HANDOUTS: SPEAKING (VSTEP) WEEK 4

Part 1: Social Interaction (2’)

PART 2: Monologue (4’) (1’ for preparation)

Describe an important holiday that is celebrated in your country.

PART 3: Discussion (4’)

- Do you think we should have more public holidays? Why (not)?

Activity 1. Read the letters and do the tasks that follow

Activity 2: Choose the best word/ phrase for each gap

1. A. I’m writing B. I am writing

Just a quick line to say at your earliest convenience

Informal letters Formal letters

Activity 4: Put the words/ phrases into the right column

buy - purchase enough - sufficient initially - at first

Informal words/ phrases Formal words/ phrases

1. No one in my family is as handsome as my father. most

III. Letter writing

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