UNIVERSITATEA DE TIINE AGRICOLE I

MEDICIN VETERINAR
ION IONESCU DE LA BRAD

Asist. Simona Catrinel Avarvarei

ELEMENTARY ENGLISH
Specializarea I.E.A.- anul I

Ediia a II-a

Iasi - 2006

INTRODUCTION
You have probably wondered about many things related to the use
of English worldwide, and if you havent received an answer or if
the situation is still blurred we gladly try to clear things up for you.
HOW
MANY
PEOPLE
SPEAK
ENGLISH
AS
A FIRST, AND AS A SECOND, LANGUAGE, WORLDWIDE?
Statistics are not always reliable, and there are many ways to speak
English how does one define this? English can be a first, second,
or occasional language, anywhere on a spectrum between standard
English at one extreme, and pidgin varieties at the other.
However, estimates of first-language speakers range between 300
million and 400 million, with roughly the same number of secondlanguage speakers.
WHICH VARIETIES OF ENGLISH ARE SPOKEN BY THE
LARGEST AND THE SMALLEST NUMBERS OF PEOPLE?
American English is the largest variety, spoken by 250 million
people.
It is difficult to select the variety with the smallest number of
English-speakers (would only predominantly English-speaking
countries be considered? would second-language speakers count?)
but as an example, in 1993 the first-language speakers of English in
Hong Kong were estimated to number 59,000.
However, all English-speaking populations are undoubtedly
growing in numbers, so estimates become inaccurate quite rapidly!
HOW MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD HAVE
ENGLISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE?
This is a complicated question, as the definition of first language
differs from place to place, according to each countrys history and
local circumstances. The following facts illustrate the complexities:
Australia, Botswana, the Commonwealth Caribbean nations,
Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United
States have English as either de facto or statutory official language.
In Cameroon and Canada, English shares this status with French;
and in the Nigerian states, English and the main local language are
official. In Fiji, English is the official language with Fijian; in
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Lesotho with Sesotho; in Pakistan with Urdu; in the Phillipines with

Filipino; and in Swaziland with Siswati. In India, English is an
associate official language (after Hindi), and in Singapore English is
one of four statutory official languages. In South Africa, English the
main national languagebut just one of eleven official languages.
In all, English has official or special status in at least 75 countries
(with a combined population of two billion people). It is
estimated that one out of four people worldwide speak English with
some degree of competence.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY OUTSIDE BRITAIN
TO USE ENGLISH AS ITS FIRST LANGUAGE?
Ireland was invaded by an English force under Henry II in 1171,
after which Norman French and English were introduced.
Newfoundland was claimed for England in 1583, and settled from
1610 onwards. The first significant and fast-growing Englishspeaking settlement dates from 1607, at Jamestown in the colony of
Virginia (later a part of the United States).
IS BRITISH ENGLISH BETTER THAN THE OTHER
KINDS?
Well, there is no such thing as a homogeneous British English
which could be considered to be better than other varieties! There
is a range of regional varieties (southern, northern, Scottish,
Northern Irish, west-country, Birmingham, Liverpool, etc.), and
registers (used for occasions of differing formality), and there are
different forms of British English depending upon the speakers
educational level, age, and so on. Even standard British English
the English of educated people varies from place to place as a
result of regional accents.
There was a time when certain English speakers in (for instance)
Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa used British English as
their yardstick, and aspired to speak what they believed to be the
Queens English. The local accent and vocabulary were looked
down upon as being somehow inferior; but this attitude has now
largely disappeared, except among some (older) conservative
speakers of English. In each English-speaking region there is a
standard form of English, widely considered to be good
English but these will of course all differ from standard British
English, and from each other.
3

UNIT 1 DAILY LIFE

Topics: Personal qualities and relationships.
Word power: Adjectives and useful expressions.
Listening: Views of Britain.
Reading: Everybody has a chance.
Grammar/Pronunciation: The present simple tense. Vowel
sounds.
CONVERSATION
Dave: Hello?
Jim: Hi. My name is Jim Brady. Im calling about the ad for a
roommate.
Dave: Oh, yes.
Jim: Are you still looking for someone?
Dave: Yes, we are.
Jim: Oh, good. Im really interested.
Dave: Well, there are four of us, and its a fairly small house, so we
want someone who is easy to get along with.
Jim: Well, Im pretty easygoing.
Dave: Great! Can I ask a few questions?
Think of three questions Dave might ask Jim.
REFERAT I - WORD POWER
1. Match each word with a definition. Then mark if each word has a
positive (+) or a negative (-) meaning.
a) easygoing

people who dont do what they say they will.

b) emotional

a person who doesnt of the ask for other

peoples help or advice.

c) generous
d) independent

a person who waits calmly for things and

doesnt worry if things are not on time.
someone who likes giving things to other people.

e) moody

a person who doesnt usually worry or get angry.

f) patient

someone who is always gloomy or depressed.

g) proud

a person who enjoys being with other people.

h) sociable

people who have a high opinion of their

4

i) unreliable

importance.
people who show their feelings easily.

2. What qualities should a friend have? Think of five adjectives.

3. Useful expressions. How do you translate them in your language?
Come in.
Just now.
Come on.
Hang on a minute.
Dont be rude.
Hurry up.
See you.
AN EXERCISE OF IMAGINATION
4. Think of three qualities you like or dislike most in these people.
a) a roommate
b) a friend
c) a boss

I cant stand a roommate who

I think a friend should be
I dont like a boss who

READING Everybody has a chance

Positive things happen to a decisive and active person, such as
one who decides and tells a friend, Ill meet you in _______ at x
oclock, and actually goes to the place at the promised time. If the
person doesnt complete the thought with action, he or she draws
negative responses from nature, no matter what excuses he or she
may use and no matter how Prominent he or she may be. Even if
this person did arrive at the agreed meeting place late, the other
person may have already left or this person may wind up in an
accident.
To paraphrase words of Goethe: Man can decide of his life
and destiny only on the present moment.
We are all equally eligible to make decisions from moment to
moment. This is true for the wealthy as well as the needy, young
and old, people living in Japan as well as people living right in the
middle of New York City. Before wondering, Why am I so
unfortunate? we should admit lack of effort putting things into
action.
5

Our destiny depends on how much we actually do of the

things we feel in our heart.
Right or wrong?
a) Do positive things happen to indecisive persons?
a
r

b) Is the decision making process equal for all people?

a
r

c) Do you agree or disagree with what Goethe said?

a
r

GRAMMAR The present simple tense

1. Active learning. Match the sentences in column B with what each
of them represents.
Example: 1. habitual, repeated actions;
a) Mother goes shopping every afternoon.
A

1. general characteristics,
permanent situations.
2. general truths, facts that
are always true.
3. headlines

a) The earth revolves

on its axis.
b) Youll have a pleasant
surprise when you open the box
c) This is our programme.
We leave at 9.00, arrive in
London at 11.00, spend the day there
and set out
that night for Clevedon.
d) Shakespeare says: Neither a
borrower nor a lender be.
e) Claim for higher wages.
Clerks threaten strike.
f) Todays Radio: Sir Charles
Groves conducts Elgars cantata
Caractacus.
g) In many factories work begins at
7 oclock.

4. commentaries
5. scheduled future
informal actions
6. to introduce quotations
7. in time clauses

2. Use these words to complete the sentences: plays, likes

like, play.
Positive
I
We
You
They

l_______
p_______

football.
tennis.

He/She
It

l________
p________

football.
tennis.

Negative
I
We
You
They

dont
do not

He/She
It

doesnt l_______football.
does not p_______tennis.

l_______football.
p_______tennis.

Interrogative
Complete this table using four of these words: do, likes,
play, does, plays, like.
I
_________We__________football?
_________You_________ tennis?
They
_________He/She_______the guitar?
It
This is the simple present tense. We use it to talk
mainly about regular activities.
3. Think about your family. Write down three things which:
all the people in the family do;
only you do;
only your mother does;
only your father does.
7

REFERAT I: Complete the text:

Terry Im bored. Every days the same. I feel like a robot. I get up at
ten to eight, I get dressed, I have my breakfast. I go to school at
twenty to nine, I come home at half past three, I do my homework, I
watch TV, I get undressed and go to bed at quarter past ten. And
then the next day, get up again at ten to eight, I get dressed, I.
Complete the text with your own short sentences describing an
ordinary day in your life.
PRONUNCIATION Vowel sounds
1. These are the vowel sounds of English.
/i:/ need
/i/ did
/e/ ten
// cat
/:/ car
/^/ run
/o/not
/o:/ four
// book
/u:/ Sue

/ju:/ computer
/3:/ work
// under
/ei/ day
/ai/ nine
/oi/ boy
/a/ how
// go
/e/ there
/i/ here

2. Match the sounds to the correct word.

Example A /3:/ = bird
A /3:/
B /u:/
C /ai/
D /I:/
E /^/
F //
G /ju:/
H /o/
I /o:/
J /:/

come
watch
bird
cant
room
walk
night
sleep
new
dont

3. Complete these words with the correct symbol:

/m
/w

d/
z/

made
was
8

/br
/sk
/sn
/s
/f
/j

t/
l/
/
d/
m/
./

brought
school
snow
said
farm
year

UNIT 2 JOBS
Topics: Jobs, careers, education and skills.
Word power: Job names and some useful expressions.
Listening: Listening for likes and dislikes.
Reading: Hire and fire.
Grammar/Pronunciation: The present tense continuous.
Consonant sounds.
CONVERSATION
1. Read Celias interview at an employment agency.
Mrs. Log: When did you graduate, Celia?
Celia: I graduated last year.
Mrs. Log: I see. And what have you been doing since then?
Celia: Traveling mostly. I love to travel, but now I think its time for
me to get a job.
Mrs. Log: Uh-huh. Are you good at foreign languages?
Celia: Yes, I think so. I speak French and German and I can speak a
little Russian.
Mrs. Log: Mmm. What kind of job are you looking for?
Celia: Well, Id like to have a job where I can use my writing skills.
I love working with computers organizing information. Also,
Id like to work in a large office, so that Im around other
people.
Mrs. Log: OK well, I think I have the perfect job for you!
2. Can you think of a job for Celia?
3. Take turns asking these questions:
How many languages do you know?
What computer skills do you have?
9

Do you like working on a team?

Would you rather work on your own?
Are you good at managing people?
REFERAT I - WORD POWER
1. Choose three of these jobs and list three advantages and three
disadvantages for each.
traveling salesperson
construction worker
taxi driver
police officer
fireman
accountant
2. How interesting are these jobs? Rank them from 1 to 6 (1=most
interesting).
3. Think of three jobs that have a lot of responsibilities.
What is your job like? Can you describe it in five adjectives?
LISTENING
Listen to two people interviewed for jobs. Which job is each
person applying for?

Looking for private detective.

Agency needs sharp, young trainee
for full time position.

Spanish teacher needed for private

language school. Native speaker with
2 years experience preferred.
10

Vacancy in law office. Lawyer needed to work

for an export company. Must know international law.

International tour guide. Immediate opening

with large tour agency. Good salary/benefits.
2. Listen again and take notes. What does each job require?
3. Listen to Julia and Carlos talking about their new jobs and take
notes. What do they like or dislike about them?
4. Listen again. How does Carloss new job compare with his old
one?
READING
Now read this article about job stress.

Stress on the job costs American companies as

much as $150 billion a year in lower productivity, unnecessary
employee sick leave, and higher medical costs. Three quarters of the
office workers today say they suffer from stress at work. Recently,
psychologists and doctors have begun to study the poblem more
closely. They have discovered that the most stressful professions are
the ones that involve danger and extreme pressure and those that
carry a lot of responsibility without much control.
The signs of stress range from nervousness, anger, and frequent
illness to forgetfulness and even mental problems. The best way to
deal with stress is through relaxation, but sometimes the only
answer is to fight back or walk away.
11

Ten jobs with high stress

Inner-city high school teacher
Police officer
Miner
Air traffic controller
Medical intern
Stockbroker
Journalist
Clerk in complaint department
Waitress/waiter
Secretary
Some warning signs of stress
Intestinal distress
Rapid pulse
Frequent illness
Persistent fatigue
Irritability
Nail biting
Lack of concentration
Increased use of alcohol and drugs
Hunger for sweets
Some ways to cope with stress
Maintain a sense of humour
Meditate
Get a message
Exercise regularly
Eat more sensibly
Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine
Spend more time with family and friends
Say no to the boss
Quit your job
Answer the questions below:
a) Why do you think the jobs above often produce stress?
b) Do you show any of the warning signs when you are stressed?
c) How else do people react when they are under stress?
d) Which of the ways to cope listed above are most effective?
e) What are some other ways of coping with stress?
12

LINK
THE
EXPLANATION

JOB

TITLES

TO

THEIR

Chairman of the Board of deals with the suppliers

Directors (1)
Managing Director (2)
Coordinates all commercial activities
Finance director
responsible for one factory
Accountant (3)
head of the sales team
Marketing Manager
big boss, top of the hierarchy
Sales Manager
head of maintenance, catering and
other facilities
Product Manager
must come up with new products
from time to time
Production Manager
responsible for one product of the
companys product portfolio
Plant Manager
the well-being of employees and
laborers alike is his major concern
Foreman
responsible for all money matters
Personnel Manager
runs the company
Research and Development in charge of a group of workers
Manager
Purchasing Manager
responsible for the companys output
Facility Manager
has an overview of the books
(1) In the USA: President
(2) In the USA: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
(3) In the USA: Financial Controller
GRAMMAR Present tense continuous
Subject+To be + Verb ended in ing
Positive
I am singing
You are singing
He
She is singing
It
We are singing
13

You are singing

They are singing
Subject + To be + not + V ended in ing
Negative
I am not singing/Im not singing.
You are not singing/arent
He
She is not singing/isnt
It
We are not singing/arent
You are not singing/arent
They are not singing/arent
To be + Subject + Verb ended in ing
Interrogative
Am I singing?
Are you singing?
Is he/she singing?
Is it singing?
Are we singing?
Are you singing?
Are they singing?
Mainly, the present tense continuous expresses an action, which is
in progress at the moment of speaking, and the form of the ver itself
indicates that the duration of the action is limited. The feeling of
immediate present is often emphasized by just and now.
The sun is shining in the sky now.
The pupil is just writing the exercise.
It also expresses a definite arrangement in the near future, being the
most usual way of presenting somebodys immediate plans:
What are you doing tomorrow?

14

It expresses a frequent repetition of an action which has a distinct

meaning of annoyance, irritation, case in which one uses the
following adverbs: always, constantly, for ever.
Why are the children being so noisy today?
She is always complaining about her new boss.
With the verbs to get or to grow it expresses a transition from one
state to another:
In winter, the days are getting colder and colder.
REFERAT I
Choose the right form of the verbs given in brackets:
I (speak; am speaking) German.
You (understand; are understanding) me well.
The children (drink; are drinking) milk every day.
Grannie (Tells; is telling) us a nice story now.
I (buy/am buying) flowers at this moment.
The boy (greets/ is greeting) me every morning.
You (drive; are driving) too fast.
PRONUNCIATION Consonant sounds
These are the consonant sounds of English.
/d/ dog
/t/ to
/b/ big
/p/ pen
/g/ good
/k/ come
// she
/t/ rich
// leisure
/d/ jacket
/f/ from
/v/ very

// this
// fourth
/s/ six
/z/ zoo
// sing
/j/ yesterday
/h/ how
/m/ man
/n/ no
/l/ leg
/r/ red
/w/ wet
15

2. Complete these words with the correct symbol.

/_____i:p/ cheap
/_____mr/ camera
/tein_____/ change
/_____o:/ sure
/___fei/ caf
/_____^n/ one
/ i:z/ these
/_____es/ yes
/ba:__/ bath
/pli: _/ please

UNIT 3 DESTINATIONS
Topics: Cities and places; climate.
Word power: The weather.
Listening: When one travels, one goes shopping.
Reading: Discovering Australia.
Grammar/Pronunciation: Quantifiers with
uncountable nouns. Pronunciation tips.

countable

and

CONVERSATION
1. Read this dialogue:
A: Im thinking about spending my vacation in southeast Asia, but I
havent decided where.
B: Oh? What kind of place are you looking for?
A: Somewhere with good weather, thats quiet and far away from
the crowds.
B: Hmm, Phuket might be the place.
A: Phucket? Wheres that?
B: In Thailand. Its a beautiful island with excellent beaches. I was
there last summer. Its fantastic.
A: Sounds good. But what about the weather?
B: The weather is great. And there are plenty of cheap hotels along
the beach.
A: It sounds just like the kind of place Im looking for.

16

2. Have a conversation like the one above, using your own

information about a place you have visited during your summer or
winter holidays.
REFERAT I - WORD POWER: THE WEATHER
1. Look at these words that describe the weather. Can you add six
words to the list?
Drought
Flood

hail
humidity

Thunder
Tornado

wind
typhoon

lightning
shower

snow
storm

sun
summer

2. Now make five sentences using two words from the list in each
sentence.
e.g. When there is thunder, there is usually lightning.
READING: When one travels, one goes shopping
1. Here are the parts of two shopping dialogues. They are in the
correct order but they are mixed up. Write A or B to each part.
A Have you gotCant Forget by Yo Yo Rah, please?
B My watch isnt working. I think it needs a new battery.
Just a minute. Ill have a look in the catalogue. Is it a single or an
album?
An album.
Hmm. Yes. Shall i put new battery in for you?
Ah yes. Here it is, but we havent got it in stock.
Yes, pleae.
There you are. Its OK now.
Can I order it?
Certainly. What name is it, please?
Thank you. How much is that?
Collins. Sam Collins.
3.50 please.
Here you are.
OK. It will be about three days.
Thank you. Thats 1.50 change.
17

2. Add a beginning and an ending to each dialogue.

READING Discovering Australia
Is Australia the worlds largest island or tits smallest continent?
Actually, its both. In fact, Australia is the only country that is also a
continent. Although roughly the size of the United States mainland,
Australia has a population of about 16.5 million people. That makes
this island nation one of the least densely populated countries.
What ethnic groups make up the Australian population? The
majority of Australians are of English, Irish, Italian, Greek, Dutch
and Polish descent. However, over the past 50 years, some 4 million
people from more than 120 countries have made Australia their
home. This includes a large number of Asian and African
immigrants. About one percent of the population is Aborigine. The
Aboriginal people were the first settlers in Australia. They came
from Asia about 40,000 years ago.
In addition to being the smallest continent, Australia is also the
driest inhabited continent. Lush green pastures may be typical in
sheep farming areas (there are, by the way, more sheep than people
in Australia). However, much of the land, particularly in the
Outback, is so arid that people are unable to live on it in its
undeveloped state.
That explains why most Australians live in the metropolitan areas,
many of which line the coast, and why Australia is considered on of
the worlds most urbanized countries.
Make friends with a koala at one of our wildlife parks. Explore the
lush, green bushland areas of the Blue Mountains. Marvel at the
coral of our magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Or be awed by our
ancient landscapes and strange land formation.
Lining our coast are some of the worlds most sophisticated cities
like Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. There you can enjoy all the
best in fashion, food, the arts, theater, and sports.
Australia has a variety of unique plants, trees, and wildlife. No
matter where you go in Australia, youll find something to delight
you. So surf or ski, relax on our beautiful beaches, see the
Aboriginal rock art painted thousands of years ago, and meet
interesting people. Dont wait. Its always a good time to visit
Australia.

18

REFERAT I - Answer the questions below:

a) Which passage would you expect to find in a travel brochure?
b) Which passage states only facts about Australia?
c) What are four facts about Australia?
d) What are four opinions?
e) Why would anyone want to vacation in Australia?
f) Why do most Australians live in cities or towns?
GRAMMAR:
Quantifiers
and uncountable nouns

with

countable

With countable nouns

There are

too many tourists.

a few hotels.
few restaurants.
not, many beaches
plenty of parks.
a lot of/lots of shops.
(not) enough hotels.
hardly any thunderstorms.
no typhoons.

With uncountable nouns

There is

too much rain.

a little pollution.
little poverty.
not much traffic.
plenty of sightseeing.
a lot of/lots of crime.
(not) enough industry.
hardly any humidity.
no public housing.

PRONUNCIATION TIPS
/r/
1. Put these words in Africa if we say the r or Antarctica if we
do not say the r.
19

year
terrible
America
over

breakfast
dinner
travel
bird

brother
picture
north
Arctic

sport
equator
morning
strong

/ /, /t /
1. Look at these pairs of words.
A ship
B shoe
C wish
D cash

chip
chew
which
catch

E wash
F sheep
G shop

watch
cheap
chop

UNIT 4 THE MEDIA

Topics: The media, news stories, dreams.
Word power: Verbs.
Listening: Listening to a narrative about dreams.
Reading: Media facts.
Grammar/Pronunciation: Past tense and past continuous. Reduced
and blended forms in Wh- questions.
REFERAT II - CONVERSATION
1. Match each headline with the beginning of a news story below:
Emergency
Flight 85
Clerk
Pays
to Get to Work on Time

on Stockbrokers
Never Stops Ringing
High

Phone
Price

a) A Miami man was fined $ 4,000 yesterday for stealing an

ambulance.
b) A woman who lost $ 50,000 on the stock market was arrested
in a public phone booth today.
c) A 727 airplane made an unexpected landing yesterday.
d) A man who tried to break into a house on Friday got stuck in
a chimney for fifty hours.
20

2. Choose one of these headlines and make up an interesting story

about it.
Women Get Phone Call from Elvis Presley
Man Received Letter Mailed 50 Years Ago
Celebrity Reveals Shocking Secret!
Identical Twins Reunited After 45 Years Apart.
Job Applicants Life Saved by Being 5 Minutes Late for Interview

WORD POWER: VERBS

1. Find six pairs of opposites in the list below.
admit
arrest
borrow

deny
enter
fail

leave
lend
receive

release
send
succeed

2. Write six sentences in the past tense using any of the verbs from
the above mentioned list.
LISTENING
1. Listen to one of your colleagues reading the following text:
A: You know, I had a really strange dream last night.
B: Oh, yeah? What was it about?
A: Well, I dreamed that I was driving in the country late at night when
I saw a UFO land on the road in front of me.
B: And then what happened?
A: Well, first, I got out of my car. While I was standing there, this
strange green creature came out of the UFO. I tried to run away,
but I couldnt move. Then, as it was coming nearer, it put out its
hand and touched my face. It felt wet and horrible!
B: Ugh! And?
A: And then I woke up and found my cat on my pillow. It was
licking my face!
2. Now close the book. How much of the dream can you remember?
21

3. Take turns talking about a dream you once had.

REFERAT II - READING: IN THE NEWS

1. Read this story from the National Examiner newspaper and then
answer these questions.
Why did aliens bring Bigfoot to Earth?
Where have many Bigfoot sightings taken place?
What does Bigfoot look like?
What were Mr. Sherry and Mr. Bosak doing when they saw
Bigfoot?
ALIENS BROUGHT BIGFOOT TO EARTH CLAIM UFO
EXPERTS
By Edward Reynolds
BIGFOOT creatures could be experimental animals that UFO
aliens brought to Earth in order to test the environment before
colliding. Thats the incredible explanation given by Walt H.
Andrus Jr., international director of the Mutual UFO Network based
in Seguin, Texas. More than 600 people in Pennsylvania alone
reported seeing UFOs or strange creatures like Bigfoot in 1988,
according to a report published in The Pittsburgh Press.
A 67-year-old disabled army veteran from Wilpen,
Pennsylvania, tells of a chilling encounter he had with a Bigfoot
while on a fishing trip at Loyalhanna Creek, the site of numerous
UFO sightings. Sam Sherry says he stood within 20 feet of the
beast, which he estimates weighed 700 pounds and stood six and a
half feet tall with arms nearly down to its ankles. Sherry claims the
creature put one of his arms on his Shoulder and another on his back
as he turned to get in his car. Fortunately, he was able to drive away.
Beckley says one of the most sensational Bigfoot sightings of
recent times places the creature inside a UFO, and is verified by an
area investigator for National Investigations Committee on Aerial
Phenomena.
According to Beckley, University of Wisconsin professor J.
M. Bostrack says that after a number of inter-views with farmer
Frederick Bosak he is convinced of the elderly mans sincerity.
Bosak claims he encountered a transparent UFO on the side
of a road while driving toward his farm. He pulled alongside the
craft and peered inside. The Wisconsin farmer was quoted as
22

saying: All I know for sure is that he had thick reddish brown hair
covering his face and arms. The heavy layer appeared to extend
downward to the region of his chest
He added the eyes I doubt frankly if Ill ever be able to
erase them from my memory. They were big and round, really
protruding.
Aliens: creatures from another planets
Bigfoot: a half man, half animal creature from prehistoric times that
some people believe still lives in remote parts of Northern
America.
UFO: unidentified flying object.
GRAMMAR: Past simple tense and past continuous
Past simple tense
I drove in the country.
I stood there.
It came nearer.
Past continuous
I was driving in the country when I saw a UFO.
While I was standing there, this strange creature came out.
As it was coming nearer, it put out its hand.
The past simple tense: the verb to be, statements
I
He
She
It
We
You
They

was
was
was
was
were
were
were

at school
yesterday.
ill

The past simple tense: the verb to be questions and answers

To make questions we put was or were in front of the
subject.
Examples
Was she at school yesterday? Yes, she was.
23

Were they here last week? No, they werent.

The past simple tense: regular verbs
To make the past simple tense we add ed to the stem form of the
verb. The past simple tense is the same for all persons.
Examples
Watch
She watched television last night.
Happen
It happened yesterday.
Spelling exceptions
When the verb ends in e, we add d.
When the verb ends in a consonant +y, we remove the y and
add ied.
When the verb ends in a short vowel and a single consonant, we
normally
double
the
consonant
and add ed.
Examples
live-lived

carry-carried

stop-stopped

The past simple tense: irregular verbs

Many common verbs have an irregular past form and this form
is the same for all persons. See the list on page 72.
Examples
give
I gave him the coat.
throw He threw it into the lake.
The past simple tense: negatives, questions and answers
To
make
negatives
Subject + did not (didnt) + infinitive.

we

use:

we

use:

Example
She did not (didnt) go to London.
To
make
did + subject + infinitive.

questions

Example
Did you like the film? Yes, I did.
24

Note: In negatives and questions we use the stem form of the

verb.
Example
She didnt like the film.
NOT
She didnt liked the film.
The past continuous tense: positive and negative statements
I
He
She
It
We
You
They

was
was not
wasnt

going to the shops.

going to the shops.
going to the shops.

were
were not
werent

waiting for a bus.

waiting for a bus.
waiting for a bus.

Note: there is no short form of the positive, only of the negative.

The past continuos tense: questions and answers
To make questions in the past continuous tense we put was or
were in front of the subject.
Examples
Was she wearing a jacket? Yes, she was.
Were they going out tonight? No, they were not.
The past continuous tense: use
The past continuous tense describes a continuous or incomplete
activity in the past.
We often use it with the simple past tense. The past continuous sets
the scene. The past tense simple says what happened. The clauses
are usually joined by while, as, or when.
Examples
While I was having lunch, the telephone rang.
As she was going downstairs, she fell.
Compare these two sentences.
While I was having lunch, the telephone rang.
When I heard the phone, I went to answer it.

25

The first sentence has a past continuous tense to set the scene and a
past simple tense to say what happened. The second sentence has
two past simple tenses. One action happened after the other.
REFERAT II
1. Put one verb in the past tense and one verb in the past
continuous. Then practice the sentences.
a) I____________(have) dinner at a restaurant downtown last
night when the actor Eddie Murphy________(come) in and sat
at the next table.
b) I____________(find) this ring as I___________(walk) through
the park today.
c) While I_________(get) my hair cut, I_________(fall) asleep.
d) The workers_______(uncover) some old coins while they
__________(work) on the building site.
e) We___________(see) the Prime Minister drive by while
we_________(wait) for the bus this morning.
PRONUNCIATION: Reduced and blended forms in Whquestions.
Where was the woman arrested?
Where was she angry?
Where were the police?
Why did the plane land?
How did they find them?
Where did they find the woman?

26

UNIT 5 PLACES
Topics:Recording new vocabulary.
Word power: Adjectives and adverbs.
Listening: Moving day.
Reading: Hartfield.
Grammar/Pronunciation: Requests with modals and if-clauses.
Weak vowels /i/; /i:/.
Listen and follow in your book.
T: Hi. What are you doing?
S: Were mending Caseys bike. Youre up early, arent you?
T: Why arent you playing football today, Casey?
C: Im not playing this week; Ive hurt my knee.
S: Oh, look. I think were getting new neighbours. Some people are
looking at old Mrs. Boswells house.
J: Oh, why are we moving to this place? I want to stay in
Manchester. All my friends are there.
Mrs. W.: You can make some new friends here, dear. Go and talk to
those young people over there.
S: Oh, that girl isnt going into the house. Shes crossing the road. I
think shes coming over there.
J: Hi, Im Jackie Jackie Wright.
T: (thinks) Mmmmm. Shes gorgeous.
S: Oh, hello. My name is Sue.
T: Hi, Im Terry. Are you moving into number 23?
J: Well, we arent moving in today, but my parents want to buy the
house. Is there much to do round here?
V: Well, Terry doesnt like
T: Its a great place. Theres cinema in town. And there are two
good cafs and a park round the corner. And theres a really great
leisure centre. I go there a lot.
J: Are you doing anything at the moment?
S: Terry never does anything.
T: Well, er, actually Im going to the shop. Do you want to come? I
can show you around.
C: I dont believe it!
V: I think Terrys in love.
S: Hmph.

27

Right, Wrong or Dont know?

A Its Saturday.
B Jackie is from Manchester.
C She wants to move to Victoria Road.
D Jackie and her family are moving in today.
E Vince doesnt like Jackie.
F Terry says he doesnt like the place.
WORD POWER: Adjectives and adverbs
Complete this chart.
Adjective
angry
brave
..
drunken
.
loud

Adverb
angrily

desperately

excitedly

Adjective
..
quick
.
romantic
..
soft

Adverb
nervously
..
Quietly

slowly
..

REFERAT II
1. Look at the picture.
A What is happening today?
B Have you ever moved house? What was it like?
C What do people have to do when they move house? Write down
some sentences related to this topic using some useful words.
Examples: pack, box.

28

2. Listen. You will hear some dialogues from the moving day.
What is happening in each one?
Example
1. Jackie is getting up.
2. Answer these questions.
1. What time did Jackie get up?
2. What did Jackie put in the box?
3. What did the men drop?
4. Who cried?
5. What did Mr. Wright ask Jackie for?
6. What is Mrs. Moores first name?
7. What did Jackie say about the leisure centre?

29

A Hartfield lies in a valley between two hills. The town gets its
name from the river Hart. The name means a field on the river Hart.
Today there are two bridges over the river. There is also a railway
tunnel under the river.
B Many people from Hartfield work in offices in London. Sues
father travels up to London every day by train. But a lot of people
work in Hartfield itself. There are two factories near the station and
the town has a modern shopping centre.
C All the young people from Victoria Road go to Hartfield
Secondary School. Terry and his friends go to school by bus. The
bus stop is in King George Avenue in front of the library.
D Theres a park near Victoria Road. Theres a lake in the middle of
the park. Next to the park theres a leisure centre with a football
pitch. Casey plays football here every Sunday. The centre is behind
the church near the entrance to the park.

30

E There are some shops in King George Avenue. On one side of the
street there is a newsagents, a caf and a library. The caf is called
the Fat Cat. On the opposite side of the street there is a petrol
station, a supermarket and a hairdressers.
F At the end of Victoria Road there is a small parade of shops.
Kamalas parents own the newsagents. They sell newspapers and
magazines, sweets and cigarettes. Kamala and her family live in a
flat above the shop. On the corner of Victoria Road there is a pub
called the Red Lion.
2. Which of these are not on the map?
A bridge
A hospital
A railway line
A forest
A bus station

a river
a castle
a lake
an island
a canal

a park
a swimming pool
the sea
a hill
a marsh

GRAMMAR: Requests with modals and if-clauses

Less formal,

Can you please lend me $100?

Could you let me use your car?
Would you be able to mail this letter?
Would you mind letting me use your car?
Would it be OK if I borrowed your car?
Would you mind if I used it?

Most formal

I wonder if youd mind lending me

your cassette player.

REFERAT II
1. Make requests with modals or if-clauses using the cues below.
a) You want to borrow someones typewriter.
A: Would you mind..
B: Sorry. Its not working right.
b) You want someone to drive you to the airport.
A:..
B: OK. What time?
31

c) You want someone to help you move on Saturday.

A:.
B: Sure, thatll be fine, but Im only free in the afternoon.
d) You want someone to lend you a camera.
A:.
B: Gee, Im sorry. Im going to use it later.
e) You want to use someones phone.
A:.
B: All right. Go ahead!
Conditionals
Intentions and rules
rule : If you call me, I come
intention : If you call me, I will come.
Exercise. Complete the following sentences.
If I give someone my word .
If I flunk my exams,
If Belgium wins the World Cup,
I will thank God on my knees if
Suppositions
If you called me, I would come.
Exercise. Example
Suppose Brugge lost the championship. What would be the result ? (
Anderlecht supporters/ be very pleased)
If Brugge lost the
championship, Anderlecht supporters would be very pleased.
1. Suppose that there was a vacancy for you in Brussels.
What would be the result? (I/move to Brussels)
2. Suppose that guns were abolished. What would be the result?
(People/ feel much safer)
3. Suppose that you won the lottery. What would happen ?
(I/ buy a flat in Barcelona)
4. Suppose the Stock Exchange crashed. What would happen?
(Many ordinary people/ lose their money)
5. Suppose more mad cows were found? What would be the
result for butchers?
6. Suppose there were life in space?

32

Comments
If you had called me, I would have come.
Exercise Same as above.
1. Suppose Kofi Annan had not negotiated a deal with Iraq.
What then? (war/ broken out)
2. Suppose
computers
existed
2000
years
ago.
What would have been the result? (we/have Caesars files)
3. Suppose I had invested all my money in shares.
What would have been the result?
PRONUNCIATION: /I/, /I:/
1. Look at these pairs of words.
A hill
B chip
C this
D bit
E will
F fill

hell
cheap
these
beat
wheel
feel

G slip
H sit
I it
J fit
K live
L bin

sleep
seat
eat
feet
leave
been

33

UNIT 6 Letter Writing

Topics: Letters, correspondence, written communication.
Word power: Business correspondence.
Listening: Connect names with things.
Reading: Letter
Grammar/Pronunciation: Expressing preference. Silent letters.
Topic LETTER
029-2044 5656
2nd August 2000
Marilyn Morse Ltd
Interior Design
19 Churchill Place
Cardiff CF4 8MP
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in the hope that you might be able to offer me a
position in you firm as an interior designer.As you will see f om my
enclosed CV, I have a BA in interior design and plenty of
experience.I have just returned f om Paris where I have lived for 5
years,and I am keen to join a small team here in Cardiff.
I would be happy to take on a part-time position until something
more permanent became available. I hope you will be able to make
use of my services, and should be glad to bring round a folio of my
work.
Yours faithfully,
K J Dixon (Mrs)
Encls.

34

REFERAT II - WORD POWER: Business correspondence

booking a hotel room
1. Correspondence complete with an appropriate word, a clue is
given between brackets.
1. I look forward to your reply. (receive)
2. If I can help any of the above please just call. (make clear)
3. We will be happy to accept a This will guarantee your
booking. (first payment)
4. I will be your contact the rooms you reserved. (for
everything that has got to do with)
5. Our cancellation policy comes into upon signing the
contract. (starts)
6. We are writing a client. (for)
7. Please send us your catalogue and price list. (present)
8. We are looking for a manufacturer who can us with a
range of fashionable trench coats. (deliver)
9. Johnnie Walker is a leading name in Scotch whisky. (trade
mark)
10. Could you send us some of the sort of paper ware you
distribute? (examples)
11. We would a prompt reply. (like)
12. We will do our outmost to that all goes well on the day of
the event. (make certain)
2. Staying at a hotel cross out what doesnt fit and complete with
the words listed below.
Begin your day in the good/well equipped/equipped .. club.
after a long day, its a great place to relax. There is a
big/large pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room, fitness room and
solarium. If you want to take in the activity without spending
some/any energy, settle back in the .. chairs with a
magazine and perhaps a light snack. Alternatively, .
yourself to health and beauty treatments at the ..
winning salon or visit our hairdresser but be sure to book in
as the salons are always popular.
advance equally award comfy treat - leisure

35

LISTENING
1.a. Listen to the tape. Who are the people speaking?
b. Connect the names with the things.
Jane Asquith
Shane Lyons
Johanne Palmer

teddy bear
autograph
holiday

2. a. What can you remember about each fan?

b. Which of these were mentioned?
plate
poster
book
bag

statue
pen
mirror
pencil

album
radio
sweatshirt
picture

clock
T-shirt
teddy-bear
video

READING
Letters remain hugely important in our everyday lives. People still
feel the need to have something confirmed in writing and a letter
can add the all-important personal touch.
Nevertheless, there are pitfalls to letter writing. Below are our top
tips for getting your letter right.
1. Define your purpose
Before you begin writing a business letter ask yourself:
Why am I writing this letter what had led up to it?
What do I hope to get out of it (my maximum aims)?
What do you expect to get out of it (my realistic aims)?
What information do I need to provide? For example, dates of
previous letters, dates you saw advertisement, dates of
appointments, addresses of shops and people, names of
people involved, reference or account numbers.
What arguments do I need to use?
2. The first paragraph
The first paragraph of the letter should introduce the subject matter
and either state or imply your purpose in writing.
3. The body of the letter
36

The body of the letter should consist of one or more paragraphs. It

should develop clearly and logically the argument and facts of the
case. If there is more than one paragraph, each paragraph should
focus on a separate aspect of the subject matter and there should be
clear links between paragraphs.
4. The final paragraph
The final paragraph should leave the reader in no doubt about your
attitude towards the subject of the letter. It may, for example, spell
out what you would like to see happen. It should be positive and
unambiguous.
5. Achieve the right tone
Although the reader of your letter may be unknown to you, it is
important to achieve a suitable tone in your writing and not to be too
casual or too formal. So, as far as possible:
Avoid Jargon whenever possible.
Use shorter sentences rather than longer ones.
Avoid using the passive. For example, write, We sent you
that letter by mistake, rather than the more pompous, Our
letter was sent in error.
Dont let your feelings get the better of you.
Dont try to be too clever.
Be clear and to the point, but do not be too blunt.
6. Adopt a clear layout
Adopt a letter layout that is clear and consistent. For example, if you
put a comma after the persons name in the greeting, include one
after Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely; either indent the paragraphs
or leave a space between them, without indentation.
7. Sincerely or Faithfully?
If you are writing to someone whose name and title you do not
know, use the greeting Dear Sir or Madam, and the ending Yours
faithfully. If you are writing to a named person, address them as
Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss./Ms., and end Yours sincerely, followed by
your first name and surname. If you have met them or spoke to them
by phone, or otherwise feel that you have some acquaintance with
them, address them by their first name and sign yourself Yours
sincerely, using your first name.
37

Phrases for Business Letters

Openings:
The standard opening for formal correspondence is Dear
Dear Sir
Dear Mr.
Dear Madam
Dear Mrs.
Dear Sir or Madam
Dear Ms.
Dear Sirs
Useful phrases:
Thank you for your letter of [date] concerning
Thank you for sending me a [catalogue, quotation]
Thank you for your enquiry of [date]
I refer to your letter of [date] concerning
Further to our telephone conversation of [date]
I am writing to confirm our telephone conversation of [date]
I would be grateful if you could forward me a [price list, catalogue]
I am contacting you regarding
I am writing to complain
I apologise for the delay in replying
As stated in your letter/fax of [date]
I wish to draw your attention to the
I wish to inform you that
I am writing to inform you that
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with
Please note that
Please find enclosed
Closures:
I look forward to hearing from you
I look forward to hearing your response
I would be most grateful if you would look into this matter as soon
as possible
Please let me know as soon as possible what action you propose to
take
I trust that you will give this matter your urgent attention
I hope you can settle this matter to my satisfaction
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further
information
Please contact me if you require further details
If you know the persons name use: Yours sincerely
If you dont know the persons name use: Yours faithfully
38