Home-work for the 9th and 10th of April

Advanced 2


1. Informal letter from booklet I gave you.

2. CD 3 Listening finish up to and including 19.

3. Revise all writings for writing exam on the 11th of April.

4. Finish reading reader and we will discuss writing a review of it on
our return.

5. Check monologues and interactions on Blog and prepare ideas for a few of them!

6. W/B 5A


Intermediate 1


1. W/B 5B

2. W/B Write 3 short e-mails on P. 79 and complete P. 78. Use the expressions in 3A for the e-mails. Follow instructions for the e-mails in Question 5 a and 5 b.

3. Finish CD 2 and if you have CD 3 begin it!

4. Finish reader as we will be talking about writing a review of it after Easter.

5. Check monologues and interactions on Blog and prepare ideas for a few of them!

6. A Progress test on 15th/16th of April (Reading, Listening and Writing in class and consolidation test on grammar and vocabulary to complete at home).

And last but not least, a very Happy Easter to all of you! : ))

Expressing 'likes'

Have a look at this interesting video which tells us in a good-humoured way how to say we like something without using the verb 'like'...something to remember for the oral exams. ; )
Enjoy!

ADVANCED 2 EXAMPLES OF MONOLOGUES AND INTERACTIONS

** I have added in more MONOLOGUES and INTERACTIONS for the May 2012 EXAM. Therefore in total, you have the examples from the January/February exam and the new MONOLOGUES and INTERACTIONS for the May 2012 FINAL EXAM. Remember these are examples which may be altered.

MONOLOGUES

You will speak on your own for about 5 minutes on one of the following.

You are required to use vocabulary and grammar structures which we have studied. Please make use of the 'opinion' work-sheet which I gave you at the beginning of the academic year.

1. Success: Think of s successful person and what makes them successful. What are your own beliefs regarding success, in general?

2. Motivation: What or who motivates you in different areas of your life? What is your opinion of the importance of motivation?

3. Work: Think about important factors that make people happy at work. Explain your reasoning.

4. Work: Describe a job you would love to do and a job you would hate to do. Reason your answer.

5. Personality: describe some qualities that you consider negative and also qualities that you consider positive. Imagine you have to sell yourself in a job interview, describe the qualities you have to offer in order to do this.

6. Family: In the 21st century, friends are the new family. Give your opinion on this.

7. Family: Children are left too much on their own nowadays. It would be better if one parent did not work and stayed at home with the children until school age. Discuss.

8. Family: Your parents brought you up,it is your responsability to look after them when they are old. Give your opinion on this.

9. Language: People nowadays in public life should be able to speak good English. Give your opinion on this.

10. Language: A lot of schools now have bilingual programs where other subjects are taught in English. Discuss your views on this.

11.Childhood: Describe a specific incident in your childhood and how it made you feel and why you remember it so accurately now.

12.Multi-tasking: What is mutitasking? Do you think it saves time or are you probably wasting time by doing things less effectively? Discuss.

13.Time: Everyone would benefit by seeing a psychotherapist from time to time. Give your opinion on this..

14. Time: Both partners need to take the same amount of time off when they have a baby.

15. Give your opinion on this: 'Revenge Is Sweet'

16. Age: What worries you most about getting old?

17. Reading: Discuss your reading tastes. Give examples of types of writing you like

18.Life-style: Nowadays people are ruled by superficial values. Give your opinion on this.

INTERACTION

You have between 5 and 6 minutes to discuss one of the following topics together.

You are required to use vocabulary and grammar structures which we have studied.
Please make use of the 'opinion' work-sheet which I gave you at the beginning of the academic year.

Try to discuss these issues giving both sides. At times you will have to argue 'against' what your partner has said in order to extend and deepen the discussion.
The objective is to interact at conversational level, not to win a debate!

1. Life-style: In our society people are defined by how much money they earn.

2. Life-style: People today have an unhealthy interest in the lives of celebrities.

3. Work: Businesses and organisations should stop playing background music. Silence is much more relaxing.

4. Love: The institute of marriage has changed positively in this country over the last 20 years.

5. Age: Retired people have too much time on their hands. They should be encouraged to carry on working longer hours.

6. Life-style: It's only a matter of time before governments impose a complete ban on smoking and drinking.

7. Language: English programmes should stop being dubbed into Spanish.

8. Family: The family is a trap from which it can be difficult to escape.

9. Work: The longer you stay in one job, the happier you become.

10. Work: A competitive work salary is NOT an important factor as regards job satisfaction.

MORE MONOLOGUES


1. Think of a film you really enjoyed that was based on an historical event or a real event. Talk about it under the following headings: where and when set, main characters, plot, memorable scenes, adjectives to describe it and why e.g. moving, thought-provoking. P. 52,53

2.Look at p. 61 exercise 6d, be prepared to discuss these questions using the conditionals.

3. Talk about addictions. See p. 63 exercise 6c. Use vocab. from Exercise 5a.

4. Talk about one of the topics listen in exercise 6a, p. 63. Be prepared to be able to talk about any of them using the appropriate level of vocabulary and advanced grammar.

5. Talk about a favourite work of art e.g. portrait, landscape painting, still-life, abstract painting etc Describe why it is a favourite and tell us anything else that you know about it. P. 72

6. Talk about alternative medicines. Which ones are popular in your country? Why do you think people are skeptical about them? Have you ever any alternative medicines? If so, was your experience positive or negative? P. 78, 79

7. Talk about 'A Travel Experience to Remember' why is it memorable? What happened to make it particularly memorable? P. 86, 87

8. Think of pets that you have had or that friends have had. Do you agree that pets and their owners become more alike over time? P. 88, 89

9. Talk about 'Hunting as a sport should be banned' Give explanations, reason and give examples. P. 90, 91

10. Talk about 'Living Abroad' - the advantages and disadvantages. Give examples and reasons. P. 92, 93


MORE INTERACTIONS


1. Talk together about one of the following laws: Cyclists should have to pass a cycling test to get a license before they are allowed on the roads OR It should be against the law not to vote in elections.

2. Talk about one of the following laws: Car drivers should not be allowed to eat or drink while driving. OR Couples should be obliged to attend 3 months of marriage counselling before being able to get a divorce.

3. Talk about one of the following laws together: Competitive sports should be banned in schools so that children's self-esteem in not affected by losing. OR All advertising aimed at children under 12 should be banned.

4. Talk together about what extent two or three of the statements on P. 63 are true for your country. Give explanations and examples. Reason your answer.

5. Discuss together one or two of the statements on page 71, exercise 5c. Reason your opinions.

6. Discuss together 'Drug companies have no interest in preventing or eradicating illnesses, only in controlling them.' P. 78, 79

7. Discuss together: 'Alternative medicine does more than mainstream medicine to prevent illness. ' P. 78, 79

8. Discuss together: 'In a civilised society, there is no place for entertainment which involves cruelty to animals.' Explain, reason and give examples. P. 90, 91

9. Discuss together famous tourist sights that you may have seen that you consider to be overrated and also discuss famous tourists sights which you have seen that lived up to your expectations. Explain, reason and give examples. P. 84, 85

10. Discuss together the pros and cons of living in a country which is not your own. Explain, reason and give examples. P.92,93


Ask Yourself the following when contemplating your Speaking Exam


1.Have you used a variety of advanced grammar (especially grammar that has been studied this year)?
2. Have you used a variety of vocabulary and/or vocabulary from the book?
3.Is the content relevant? And coherent?
4.Is there fluency and good pronunciation or are you pausing a lot and interrupting the flow of language?
5.Do you use inking words and a variety of ways to given an opinion?
6.Do you sound confident and comfortable speaking in English?
7.Are you being careful not to repeat the same points?
8.Do you answer the question correctly or is the content sometimes irrelevant?

POSSIBLE SPEAKING MONOLOGUES AND INTERACTIONS FOR INTERMEDIATE 1

These are examples of the Monologues and Interaction parts of your Speaking Exam.

IMPORTANT: I will be adding more MONOLOGUE and INTERACTION examples between now and the exam dates.

MONOLOGUES

You have to speak for about 2 minutes on your own
about one of the following.
You need to use the vocabulary and grammar studied in class.
You need to use a variety of grammar (present simple and continuous, present perfect simple and present perfect continuous, past simple, past continuous, used to, past perfect, modal verbs, 'going to,' will, first conditional - as soon as, unless, if etc )

1. Speak about week-end activities you enjoy doing and explain why. (p. 6/8 vocab.)

2. Speak about things that make you happy and explain why. (P. 6/8 vocab.)

3. Speak about mobile phones and how you feel about them. (P. 8/9 vocab.)

4. Speak about how you relax. (P. 8,9, 10)

5. Speak about these 4 different feelings and the last time you felt these feelings : annoyed, concerned, bored and happy. (P.10, 11)

6. Speak about what you are good at/ frightened by/ fed up with now in your life and explain why. (P.10,11)

7. Speak about when you were a child and what you were keen on/ scared of/ embarrassed by and explain why. (P.10,11)

8. Speak about work - a job you have or a job you'd like to have, use as much vocabulary as possible related to work. (P. 8, 16,17)

9. Talk about food, ways to cook and things in your kitchen. What is your favourite food and why? (P.8, 18,19)

10. Talk about eating habits in your country. (P.8, 18,19)

11.Talk about sleep and your routine and what you do if you can't sleep and the reasons for not being able to sleep. (P.20, 21)

12. Talk about things that are happening now or around now in your life and if you enjoy these things or not. (P.8,9, 18, 19)

13. Talk about holidays and things that have to be done before, during and after. (P.8,9, 10, 24, 25)

14. Talk about some experiences you have had in your life (unusual or not!). (P.8,9.10,24,25...remember present perfect simple)

15. Talk about a place that you recommend to visit in your country explaining why we should visit this place. (p. 8,9, 10, 30, 31)

16. Talk about a film or book or show you recommend and explain why you recommend them. (P. 8,9, 10, 30, 31)

17. Talk about travelling and the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone or with other people. (P. 8, 9, 10,24, 25, 26,)

18. Talk about one of the best holidays you have had explaining why it was the best holiday. (P. 8, 9, 10, 24, 25, 26)

19. Speak about what is your favourite season/day/celebration and give reasons why. (P. 6, 7, 8, 9)

20. Speak about a favourite childhood memory and why it is a favourite memory. (P. 8, 9, 10)


INTERACTION

You have about 3 minutes to interact together.

You need to interact together - asking questions, answering, responding, suggesting, recommending,advising etc

1. You already know some things about your partner, ask 4-6 questions using question tags to check information about your partner. Take it in turn to do this. When it is your turn, respond to the question tag questions. (P.12, 13)

2. Work together to plan to run a company with good working conditions. (see modal verbs p. 17 and work vocab. p. 16 and 17 and p. 8)

3. Imagine you don't know your partner, find out about their hobbies, friends, job, studies, plans for the future and their last holiday and reasons for learning English. (P.6, 7, 8)

4. One of you likes ready made meals, the other prefers home cooking. Discuss your reasons and compare and contrast. (P. 8, 18, 19)

5. Ask each other questions and respond to questions about your holidays and the things you do before, during and after the holidays. (P. 8, 9,10, 24,25,26, 30)

6. Ask each other questions and respond to questions about your work/studies. (P. 8, 9, 10, 16, 17)

7. One of you has a problem, the other must give advice. Show concern, ask for advice, respond and react to advice and decide on a conclusion to the problem. (P. 8 22, 23)

8. One of you asks for a recommendation e.g. a film to see, the other recommends or not recommends some films and you respond to the recommendation and arrive at a conclusion. (P. 8, 30, 31)

9. One of you asks for a recommendation e.g. a place to visit, a place to stay, a book to read etc, the other recommends or not recommends and you respond to the recommendation and arrive at a conclusion. (P. 8, 30, 31)


10. Talk to each other about a timeline of your life. (see page 27) and ask each other questions about each other's timeline.

11. Choose a place/country you know well and recommend it to your partner, then respond to the recommendation. (P. 8, 30, 31)

MORE MONOLOGUES


1. Talk about your favourite band, musician or singer. When was the last time you saw/heard them? Give details of the event. (P. 34 vocab. and use the present tenses and past tenses and see P. 126 4A for ideas)

2. Talk about what you used to do when you were a child (best friend/music/sports/TV/pets/holidays/etc see P. 35 past tenses)

3. Talk about people you know using the following adjectives: stubborn, determined, mean, sensible, sensitive, brave, reliable...explain your reasons (P. 36/37)

4. Talk about a past experience or anecdote from your life, use all the 4 past tenses to describe this experience. (P. 36/37/138)

5. Talk about what your favourite type of house is and explain why. Talk also about the 5 most important things are to look for in a new home. (P. 42 43)

6. Choose someone you know well and compare yourself to them (age, personality, studies, job, tastes in music, films etc) (P. 42, 43, 140)

7. Choose two homes that your friends or family live in. Compare the two places. Which do you prefer and why? (P. 42, 43, 140)

8. Talk about how you get rid of stuff that you never use. What are the typical things you have to get rid of? Do you think you are a tidy person? Why/Why not? (P. 44, 45)

9. Talk about two things you have arranged to do, two things you have planned to do and two things you will probably do in the next four weeks. Use information from P. 45, 141

10. Talk about making decisions. What was the last big decision you made? How do you usually make big decisions? (P. 52, 53)

11. Talk about what you will do as soon as you arrive home today. What will you do after you finish this English course? (Use futures P. 143 and 52, 53)

12. Talk about how you use a computer. What do you use it for? (P. 60,61)

13. Use the verbs 'make' and 'do' and talk about some things you make and do. Use a variety of grammar tenses and use at least 3 expressions with 'make' and 3 others with 'do.' P. 52, 53

14. Think of your top 10 tips for parents or for teenagers. e.g. If you're children can't sleep, read them a story. Tell your parents when you will be home in case they are worried. Use conditional zero and conditional 1. P. 54, 55

MORE INTERACTIONS


1. Ask each other about your past habits using 'used to.' Ask about best friend/music/sport/TV programs/gigs etc (P. 34/35)

2. Find out from each other the last concert/gig you both went to. Ask about when it was, where it was, your home at the time, who you went with, the audience, the songs performed, duration of concert, other interesting information. (P. 34, 35, 126)

3. Ask each other questions about their past experiences (travelling, studying, childhood, family, living on the mainland or abroad etc) using past simple, past continuous, past perfect, present perfect simple and continuous. (P.36, 37)

4. Talk together about the five most important things to look for in a new home. Mention at least 5 things and discuss why. (vocab. P. 42, p. 43)

5. Ask each other questions about their home, compare each others homes. Include location, size, distance from shops etc, age and condition of home, size of rooms etc, type of neighbourhood. (P. 42,43)

6. Ask each other questions about their best friend, compare each others' best friends. Include looks, personality, studies, background, age, tastes, behaviour, work etc. (P. 42,43)

7. Ask each other questions about getting rid of junk. Use the following vocabulary in your questions: sort out, get rid of, throw away, give away, take out, put away, tidy up etc (see p. 44). Ask questions with: Who? How often? Which? What? When? Ask and answer at least 3 questions each. (P. 44, 45)

8. Ask each other questions to find out about each others' plans for the near future. Ask about what the other person has planned to do, what things they will probably do. Ask and answer at least 3 questions each. (P. 44,45)


9. Think of 4 or 5 things you want to get rid of. Ask your partner what they want to get rid of and why. Find out what they will do with the things they want to get rid of. Think of things like: furniture, books, computer games, clothes, DVDs, videos, CDs, toys, magazines etc P. 44, 45


10. Ask and answer questions with the verbs 'make' and 'do.' Use vocabulary from P. 52. Use present, past and future tenses.

11. Give your opinion on the following, discuss together one of these topics. P. 123 activity 6D. OR P. 127 activity 6D. OR P. 118 activity 6D. Use the discussion language from p. 58, 59.

12. Discuss together one of the following ideas: People who live in flats shouldn't keep pets or Tourists destroy the places they visit or Footballers get paid too much. Use expressions from P. 58, 59











** NOTE: I will put up more examples during the next few weeks.

MAY EXAM DATES FOR 2012

ADVANCED 2 (Exams take place during class times)

Monday 14th of May Reading

Wednesday 16th of May Writing

Monday 21st of May Listening

Wednesday 23rd of May and Monday 28th of May Speaking

NOTE: We may also have to use Wednesday the 9th of May for Speaking exams if there are more people who are going to sit the exam. I will confirm this at a later date.

IMPORTANT: Most of the students now have their speaking exam date, let me know in class or in the comments box if you want a speaking date.

CERTIFICATION EXAM FOR ADVANCED 2:
Wednesday the 6th of June from 4pm to 8.30pm approximately (Reading, Writing and Listening). The speaking exams will be done the week of the 11th of June and may extend into the week of the 18th of June.

INTERMEDIATE 1 (Exams take place during class time)

Monday 14th of May and Tuesday 15th of May: Reading

Wednesday 16th of May and Thursday 17th of May: Writing

Monday 21st of May and Tuesday 22nd of May: Listening

From the 23rd of May to the 29th of May: Speaking

NOTE: It might be necessary to have some Speaking exams on the 9th and 10th of May, depending on the number of students. I will confirm this at a later date.

IMPORTANT: Most of the students now have their speaking exam date, let me know in class or in the comments box if you want a speaking date.

Home-work for week beginning the 26th of March

ADVANCED 2

1. CD 3 from listening 10 to 13

2. Grammar S/B P. 72, 77 and 149 and 150

3. Letter of complaint for 28th (see S/B P. 112 and 113 complete all and check writing booklet I gave you at the beginning of the academic year)

4. Correct and return discursive composition

5. Continue with reader

** Note: Writing exam on the 11th of April.


INTERMEDIATE 1

1. Complete 5A workbook

2. Story writing plus include pictures, drawings, if you want for display on the notice-board outside the classroom.

3. CD listening complete all and get CD 3 next week.

4. Prepare monologue based on P. 43 Question 9 comparing two houses and if you didn't do last week's monologue, (an anecdote/experience from your past using all 4 past tenses), please do it also.

5. Continue reading Fruitcake special and think about After Reading activity.

A Celebration of Ireland

Here are a selection of videos that we will be looking at in Advanced 2. The objective will be to watch the videos and then discuss them.


And these are the two songs which we will sing...one is in the Irish language!






This is an Irish song that we are going to have a look at...isn't it wonderful?

ADVANCED 2 CD 3 ANSWERS

NA2
CD3: Key


1.
1. map (out)
2. conserve the site
3. humid
4. coach park
5. an underground stream
6. (loose) stones
7. leg
8. tour guide

2.
1. (our) civilization
2. gold
3. processed food
4. the food industry
5. blood pressure
6. heart attacks
7. third
8. roads

3.
1. D
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. B

4.
1. F
2. E
3. C
4. H
5. A
6. A
7. G
8. H
9. C
10. E

5.
1. chains
2. 98%
3. a few/several hours
4. flour
5. (rather) tasteless
6. stale
7. allergies
8. lose money


6.
1. complex
2. right angle
3. small and unimportant
4. in (the) rear
5. 67 (long)
6. corridors
7. (a) god
8. official functions

7.
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. A

8.
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. A

9.
1. (long-distance) running
2. long jump
3. nephew
4. build
5. shooting
6. proper diet
7. equipment
8. attitude

10.
1. a (poor) tailor
2. original
3. 18th century
4. social mobility
5. the details
6. Arabic cultures
7. exotic
8. budget


11.
1. D
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. B
6. C

12.
1. F
2. D
3. G
4. A
5. C
6. C
7. H
8. D
9. F
10. B

13.
1. at the top
2. more famous
3. five million
4. painted it
5. good fun
6. appreciate the painting
7. crowds of people
8. 10 seconds
9. impossible to see
10. unresolved mysteries
11. meaningful image

14.
1. A
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. C

15.
1. G
2. D
3. A
4. F
5. C
6. B
7. H
8. C
9. F
10. E

16.
1. problem-solving
2. fantasy
3. negative consequences/complaints
4. dishonest
5. interrupted
6. dreams
7. time lights
8. 30 days

17.
1. researching
2. writing
3. three or four
4. three or four
5. relationships
6. run down
7. two or three weeks
8. pyjamas
9. restaurants
10. expenses

18.
1. 90 minutes
2. 20 minutes
3. rapid-eye-movement
4. in colour
5. 10 minutes
6. half an hour
7. external sounds
8. stimulation

19.
1. the Park rules
2. is illegal
3. seeds and insects
4. uninhabited islands
5. fearless
6. feed
7. litter
8. souvenirs
9. your guide’s instructions

20.
1. A
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. C

21.
1. wake up
2. conscious
3. daylight hours
4. measured their levels
5. anticipation
6. inside their minds/brains/heads
7. can control them
8. flying

22.
1. tennis final
2. £1265.79
3. membership fees
4. police station
5. Installation of
6. locks
7. £80
8. (new) nets
9. (set of) glasses

Home-work for week beginning the 12th of March

INTERMEDIATE 1

1. W/B 4 B

2. Continue reading The Fruitcake Special, try to finish the 2nd story and do the workcard as you go.

3. CD 2 numbers 5 6 7 8

4. There will be 6 groups who do some quick and easy research on Saint Patrick's Day, go to this webpage to get the questions and to find the places to research the answers. Please write up your answers and you can illustrate them if you want. Be prepared to mix with your class next week to share the information that you have found. Good luck! (P.S. you may research other things about Saint Patrick's Day if you feel inspired! : ))

Here are some videos of the history of Saint Patrick's day that you can watch and learn from...


ADVANCED 2

1. W/B 4 B plus listening

2. Nelson's Dream Chapter 2 plus workcard

3. CD 3 numbers 4 5 6

4. Writing a discursive composition see page P. 64/65 S/B for Wednesday the 14th

5. S/B Grammar P. 146, 147 and 61

Learn an Irish Dance for Saint Patrick's Day

Hello everyone,

Please watch this video to see an Irish dance performed by Spanish students! We are going to try to learn this dance in class next Wednesday and Thursday (14th/15th)...practice a little at home if you like... ; )

INTERMEDIATE 1 CD 2 Answers

NI1
CD2


1.
1B
2C
3A
4C
5B
6A
7A
8B

2.
a. scenes
b. crocodile
c. different
d. family
e. Qualifications
f. Short courses
g. fall
h. professional diver.

3.
1a
2b
3b
4c

4.
1a
2b
3c
4a

5.
1a
2a
3c
4a
5b
6c
7c
8b

6.
A newspapers
B school play
C vet
D moved to London
E drama school
F flat
G producers
H script

7
1. chillies, curry, spicy
2. potatoes, chips, fried
3. rice, vegetables, chopsticks

8.
1. D
2. C
3. A
4. B

9.
A. True
B. True
C. False
D. True
E. False
F. False
G. True

10.
A. Chris Turner 042317364 sell
B. Helen Foot 078322331 buy
C. Karen Singleton 6723909099 buy
D. Nicholas Dart 5472104783 sell
E. Jenny Page 1324659780 sell

Message a
Excellent
Yes

Message b
She can’t afford it

Message c
How old it is
Her dad

Message d
Mobile
He’s grown out of it
Two and a half years
Free delivery

Message e
Yesterday
Yesterday
£40

11.
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. C

12
1. mobile phone
2. laptop computer
3. video camera
4. MP3 player
5. digital camera

13.
A. True
B. False
C. False
D. False
E. True
F. True
G. False
H. True

14.
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. B
7. A

15.
A. False
B. False
C. True
D. False
E. True




16.
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. B

17.
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. D

18.
1. B
2. D
3. E
4. C
5. A