Grammar Spot

Giving opinions
Expressing likes and dislikes
Agreeing and disagreeing
When we want to say what we like and/or dislike about something, we have a number of expressions
that we can use:
Likes
I really enjoy (+ v-ing/ noun)...
One of the nicest things about ... is...
I love (+ v-ing/ noun)...
I'm very fond of (+ v-ing/ noun)...

Dislikes
I can't stand (+ v-ing/ noun)...
One of my least favorite things is...
I don't particularly like (+ v-ing/ noun)...
I'm not really fond of (+ v-ing/ noun)...

And when we give an opinion, we have to use certain expressions such as:
I think/believe/feel...
Personally, I think...
To me, X is...
I truly believe that...

Personally speaking, I think...

From my perspective, ...
It seems to me that...
I'm absolutely convinced that....

When we give our opinion about a topic, it is important to use clear ideas to support it and always
emphasize that this is an opinion and not a fact. Look at this example:
I'm not really fond of fashion because I think it's a little shallow and very expensive. Personally, I
believe that people who follow fashion trends care too much about the way people look and tend to
forget about what they feel or think. From my perspective, judging someone based on the way he or
she looks is shallow. Also, you need a lot of money to buy new clothes every season because fashion
changes all the time. To me, these are irrelevant things; I truly believe that we should care about
other subjects such as politics or changes in society that greatly affect people.
When we want to say that we agree or disagree with someone's opinion, we need to use certain
expressions and make sure our answer is polite enough:
Agree
I (completely) agree with the idea that...
I couldn't agree more with you...
Yes, I certainly think that...
I absolutely agree with you because...

Disagree
I'm not sure I agree with that because...
I'm afraid I think...
Well, I don't know for sure...
I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that because...

Example: I'm afraid I think differently because, to me, some people use fashion to make a statement
more than just as a way of looking good. Although it is true that it looks very shallow when someone
changes outfits depending on the fashion trends, it is also true that you can use a specific fashion trend
to make a statement and express what you feel. Take the case of punk or grunge. Even though fashion
changes, some people continue wearing those kinds of clothes because they believe it shows what they
feel. I think that making a statement by using the clothes you wear can be a way of engaging in politics
and social problems.
*Be careful: we say I agree and not I am agree; I disagree and not I'm disagree.

Grammar Spot
Review: Linking Words

Go back to the text and classify the underlined words according to their function in the text.
Addition
Contrast
Reason, result
Example
Sequencing

Linking words join ideas in a sentence or in two different sentences:

Adolescents change their minds when/as soon as they finish high school.
Adolescents continue thinking the same way until they finish high school. Then, their interests change.

They have a specific function so using the correct linking word is very important:
Peer groups are important for teenagers because they treat them as equals.
Peer groups are important for teenagers but they treat them as equals. nonsense!

These are common linking words:

Function

Between sentences

Within sentences

Comparing, contrasting,
concession

However, nevertheless, on the

one/other hand, though,
alternatively, instead, after all,
in any case, in contrast, by
constrast, otherwise, even so

Although, though, even though,

while, yet, whereas

Causes, reasons, purposes,

results

Therefore, consequently, hence, Because, since, as, so, in order

as a consequence, in
to, so that
consequence, thus, as a result, so

Adding ideas

In addition, furthermore, too, as

well, likewise, similarly,
moreover, what's more, also

And, as well as

Sequencing events

Meanwhile, then, afterwards,

after that, before that, soon, at
the same time

After, before, as soon as, since,

while, as, when, whenever

*Be careful: some linking words/ phrases have the same function but are used in a different way.

Although, though, and even though take a clause (subject + verb):

Although the weather was nice, we couldn't go to the beach.
(subject) (verb)
In spite of and despite take a noun or noun phrase:
We couldn't go to the beach in spite of the nice weather.
(noun phrase)
The same happens with because and because of/ due to:
We had to stay home because it was raining.
(clause)
We had to stay home because of/ due to the weather.
(noun phrase)
The only way in which you can use in spite of, despite, because of and due to with a clause is by using
the fact that:
We couldn't go to the beach in spite of the fact that the weather was nice.
(clause)
Exercises
Choose the correct ending for each sentence.
1. It was a fantastic evening despite
a) the horrible food.

b) we had a great time.

2. I hurt my knee quite badly so

a) I didn't have the right running shoes.

b) I had to go to hospital.

3. Humans like to form social groups. Likewise,

a) many other mammals live independently of each other.
b) many other mammals live together in small communities.

4. While many people use e-mails to communicate,

a) some still prefer to write letters.
b) some think it is the fastest way to communicate with others.

still be a nightmare to a man's self-esteem. Also, many men get too caught up in their jobs and do not allow
time for their families. This can negatively affect their relationship with their wives and children.
D.

There is a new equality in relationships between men and women. Women have changed and men

must adapt to these changes. The new equality can be seen in attitudes to higher education, for example. A
young married couple do not expect only one of them to go to grad school; now both can study and make
plans based on this. Men also have to deal with the fact that modern women are more likely to challenge
their opinions and attitudes, so they feel they should be more careful and expect a reaction to what they say
and do.
1. Matching: these are the main ideas for paragraphs A-D. Match the numbers (i-v) to the
paragraphs. Note that there are more main ideas than paragraphs.
i.

Identity equals job

ii. Adapting to the modern woman

iii. Emotional stereotypes
iv. Inadequate development of other skills
v. Required to make money
2. What is the best title for the text?
a) It's not so easy being male
b) Being male and female today
c) Changes in the modern woman
d) Changes in the modern couple

What changes are taking place in your society?

Are they mostly good or bad? Why?

Grammar Spot
Review: Present simple & present continuous
Keep this in mind:
Present simple

Examples:

They generally have a more positive self-concept.

They feel dependent on a woman for their domestic needs.

When do you use present simple?

Present continuous

Examples:

Society is changing fast and more and more women are working away from home.

When do you use present continuous?

* There are some verbs that we can't use in present continuous:

like love want know understand remember depend prefer hate need mean believe forget

Exercises
1. Complete the story with present simple or present continuous depending on the case.
Charlie Foster _______________ (work) at a bakery. He _______________ (always/get up) very early
because he _______________ (start) working at four o'clock every morning. He _______________ (have)
a wife and two children. His wife, Sheila, _______________ (not work) but she _______________ (look
for) a job right now. She _______________ (want) to work again because she _______________ (be) tired
of being at home all day.
However, Charlie _______________ (not want) her to leave home. He _______________ (say) women
should raise the children while men work. They _______________ (usually/argue) about this. Today they
_______________

(argue)

again.

Sheila

_______________

(get)

tired

of

this

and

says

she

_______________ (leaving) home if Charlie _______________ (not change) his mind.

2. Look at the pictures and write 4 sentences comparing the actions. Use adverbs such as usually,
always, etc.

i.

____________________________________________________________

ii.

____________________________________________________________

iii. ____________________________________________________________
iv. ____________________________________________________________

II) Choose the best ending to complete a one-sentence summary of the text.
The text Learning Gender Lessons at School describes
a) the many different ways that boys receive more attention than girls in schools.
b) the ways schools give messages to boys and girls about gender roles and some recent concerns
about boys.
c) the many different ways that schools these days give messages to boys and girls about gender
roles.
d) how the past structure of schools told children about the different status of men and women
in society.

How was your experience in school? Do you remember any case of segregation based on gender?

How do you think this situation has evolved in schools?

What about universities?

Grammar Spot
Review: Present perfect & past simple

We use present perfect for:

an action which happened at an unstated time in the past
Various studies have shown that from preschool through high school, teachers tend to pay less
attention to girls than to boys.
an action which started in the past and is still continuing in the present
However, some gender-role differences have not changed.
* Some time expressions that we use with this tense are: for, since, already, just, recently, ever, yet,
lately, so far, today, this morning/afternoon/evening/week/month/year/etc.

We use past simple for:

an action which happened at a stated time in the past
Fifty years ago, many schools in the United States still segregated courses on the basis of
gender.
an action which started and finished in the past
High school teachers were not likely to encourage girls to go on to college.

housework.
Many children's authors today are creating fairy stories in which the heroines are more aggressive
than the stereotypical fairy-tale heroine. For example, in Cinder Edna (1994) by Ellen B. Jackson,
Cinderella's practical neighbor wears comfortable shoes and takes the bus to the ball.

1. According to the text, what are some of the characteristics of good girls or women in
traditional fairy tales?

_________________________________________________________________________________
2. What types of roles (or occupations) do women have in children's stories? What are the roles that
men have?

_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do some people say that these traditional stereotypes are bad for little girls?

_________________________________________________________________________________
4. What types of heroines have appeared lately?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Do you believe that images like the stereotypes in fairy tales are harmful for young people?
Why/why not?

Grammar Spot
Narrative tenses:
Past simple
Past continuous
Past perfect

Read the beginning of this story and underline all tenses in it.
Once upon a time, there was a young woman who lived with her father, her step-mother and
two step-sisters. Her mother had died when she was a child and her father had married another woman
to raise her child. But the step-mother was evil and made Cinderella work very hard at home. One day,
when she was cooking, an invitation arrived...

When do you use past simple?

When do you use past continuous?

When do you use past perfect?

We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the
middle of something else. The action in past simple is more important than the one in past continuous:
One day, when she was cooking, an invitation arrived.
interrupted action
important action
We use past perfect when we talk about two actions that happened in the past, but not at the same
time. One of them started and finished much earlier than the other action:
Her mother had died when she was a child and her father had married another woman to raise her child.

first action

third action

second action

All these actions happened in the past (e.g. they started and finished in the past), so you can't use
present perfect.

Exercises
1. Match column A with column B to make correct sentences. Which is the first action in each pair?
Column A

Column B

1) By the time he reached the airport

a. his wife had forgotten his birthday.

2) John was angry because

b. after we had bought the tickets.

3) The bank robbers had escaped

c. the plane had already taken off.

4) We went to the theater

d. after she had won the award.

5) The actress gave an interview

e. before the police arrived.

2. Complete these sentences using past simple, past continuous, and past perfect.
i.

He _________________ (watch) TV when he _________________ (hear) a noise. Then he

_________________ (remember) his children _________________ (go) out earlier; they
_________________ (arrive) home.

ii. The fairy godmother _________________ (appear) when Cinderella _________________ (cry). She
_________________ (want) to go to the party but her step-mother _________________ (not
allow) her.
iii. I _________________ (finish, already) my homework when the match _________________ (begin)
so I could watch it.

Grammar Spot
Subject pronouns
Object pronouns
Subject pronouns identify who or what is the focus of the sentence.
Object pronouns identify who or what is affected by the action done by the subject.
They are:

Object pronouns are also used after a preposition (for/about/after/by):

This letter is not for me. It's for her.
I can't find my glasses. Please, help me look for them.

Grammar Spot
Reflexive pronouns

What does this sentence mean?

Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region.

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject does an action that goes back to it.
Example:
Peter looks at himself in the mirror.
Peter does the action he is the subject of the sentence
Peter is affected by the action he is the object of the sentence

She hurt herself with a knife.

We went on vacation by ouselves.
If you're hungry, feel free to help youself.
* Be careful: yourself yourselves

We also use reflexive pronouns when we want to emphasize that we did the action alone or without
help:
Who repaired your bicycle for you? Nobody. I did it myself.
I live by myself.
* Be careful:

we do not use reflexive pronouns after concentrate, feel, relax, and meet.
we normally use wash, shave, and dress without reflexive pronouns.

* Each other:
Paul points at himself.
Mary points at herself.

Paul and Mary point at each other.

Grammar Spot
One and ones
Some and any
A. One and ones
Read this sentence:
One can not mine for gold or cut trees on this land.
What does one refer to?
We can use one to refer to a person in neutral way:
One can not mine for gold on this land. One = any person, he/she
We can use one instead of repeating a singular countable noun when it is clear from the context what
we are talking about:
Can I get you a drink? It's OK, I've already got one. One = a drink
We can use ones instead of repeating a plural noun:
I think his best poems are his early ones. Ones = poems
We use one/ones after an adjective:
My laptop doesn't start. I'll need to buy a new one. One = laptop
We can leave out one/ones after superlatives and demonstrative pronouns:
This test is the most difficult (one) I've taken.
The last test I did was really easy but some parts of this (one) are really difficult.
* Be careful: we can't use one/ones instead of an uncountable noun.
B. Some and any
In general, we use some (also somebody, something, someone) in positive sentences, and any (also
anybody, anyone, anything) in negative sentences:
We bought some flowers.

We didn't buy any flowers

There's somebody at the door.

There isn't anybody at the door.

I'm hungry. I want something to eat.

I'm not hungry. I don't want anything to eat.

We also use any for questions except for offers/requests:

Do you have any chocolates?

Would you like some tea? / Can I have some coffe?

Grammar Spot
Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular subjects

I. When the following words are used as subjects, they are always singular. Some of these words are
plural in meaning, but they always require a singular verb.
everyone everybody everything someone somebody
no one nobody nothing each either neither
Example:

Everyone is here.
S
V

something

anyone

anybody

anything

Neither of these books is new.

S
V

II. When each or every comes before singular subjects joined by and, a singular verb is required.
Example: Each student and teacher has a locker.
S
S
V
III. Introductory it is singular and always followed by a singular verb.
Example: It is his grades that worry him.
SV

Plural subjects

I. Subjects joined by and or both... and... take a plural verb.

Example: The teacher and the students are attending the lecture.
S
S
V
II. Several, many, both, few are plural words and always take a plural verb.
Example: Only a few have passed the exam.
S
V
III. Some nouns are always plural in form and always take plural verbs.
Clothes: trousers, pants, jeans, sunglasses
Tools: scissors, pliers, tweezers
Abstract: thanks, means
However, some of them can take a singular verb when they are used in expressions such as a pair of..., a
word of...
His pants are still ar the cleaners.
S
V

That pair of pants is dirty.

S
V

Your thanks are enough for me.

S
V

A word of thanks is enough.

S
V

Alternatives

I. When subjects are joined by the following structures, the verb must agree with the closest subject.
Neither the students nor the teacher is allowed to smoke.
S
S
V
Either the teacher or students have your books.
S
S
V
Not only the students but also the teacher is coming soon.
S
S
V
II. Many words can be singular or plural depending on what they refer to: none, all, some, any, majority,
most, half, etc. When these words are used with a singular noun, then the verb is singular; when they
are used with a plural noun, then the verb is plural.
Examples: All of the book has been destroyed.
S
V

All of the books have been destroyed.

S
V

III. The expression a number of is plural, and the expression the number of is singular.
A number of students were missing from class.
S
V
The number of students in class is small.
S
V
Exercises
Complete these sentences with is or are depending on the subject.
1. Either his children or his wife _______ arriving today.
2. Both the chair and the sofa _______ on sale.
3. It _______ the bicyclists who endanger the joggers.
4. Everyone in the class _______ working hard.
5. All of the water _______ contaminated.
6. Every dog and cat _______ vaccinated against rabies.
7. A number of doctors _______ working in this hospital.
8. All of the rooms _______ clean.
9. The number of female doctors _______ growing.
10. Not only men but also women _______ eligible to vote.
11. It _______ the exam that worries me.
12. Each boy and girl _______ doing the test.

Grammar Spot
Referents
Referents are words in a passage that other words refer to. Usually, they are mentioned before
the pronoun in the passageoften immediately before it; this is called anaphora. However, sometimes
the referent appears after the pronoun (cataphora). The referent may be in the same sentence as the
pronoun or it may be in another sentence.
The meaning of the sentence (context) can help you identify the referents. The function of the
pronoun or referring wordfor example, whether it is a subject or objectcan help you find the correct
referent. Grammatical structures are often clues that point to the identity of referents. Sentence
structure, logic, and common sense can help you locate referents.
Some words and pronouns that have referents are:
Subject Pronouns

he

she

it

they

Object Pronouns

him

her

it

them

Possessive Adjectives

his

her

its

their

Demonstrative Pronouns

this

that

these those

Relative Pronoun

who

which

Other Pronouns

all

another

any

one

others

several

both

each
some

a few many most

the first

none
the last

the other

Exercises
Read an extract and underline the referents and the words/phrases that refer to them.
When a people disappears, in a way its culture stops to live. Do we have to keep the diversity?
How can we do it? To what extent the influence of globalization can change the way people live their
culture?
Nowadays, globalization has two outcomes on the evolution of culture. Firstly, we can consider that
globalization decreases the diversity of culture. In fact, what can we think when we see Mc Donalds
restaurants, and Coca-cola adds all around the world? I wonder if its possible for a government, which
doesnt have money, to preserve the culture of its countrie, of its peoples.
Secondly, another point of view considers that globalization could allow us to preserve cultural
diversity. In developed countries we can find examples of governments trying to preserve ancient cultures
of developing countries. In France, during J. Chirac's government it was built the Primitive Art Museum
which presents in Paris the diversity of African, Oceanian, Asian, and American cultures. Is this the best
way to preserve diversity? Can we think that a culture living behind panes in a museum is still alive?
http://endangeredpeoples.wordpress.com/page/2/

Grammar Spot
The Passive Voice (present simple)
Read at the following sentences.
i. Journalists must decide what responsibility they have to society.
ii. Famous people of various kinds are often closely followed by the press.
In which sentence is the subject the one that does the action?
In which sentence is the subject affected by the action?
How many verbs do the sentences use? Are there any auxilaries? If so, which one(s)?
We use active voice to say what the subject does:
Journalists investigate matters that are controversial.
S
V
We use a passive voice to say what happens to the subject:
Controversial matters are investigated by journalists.
S
V
When we use the passive voice, who or what causes the action is often unknown or unimportant:
These photographers are called paparazzi. Someone gave them that name but we don't know his/her
identity.
Magazines about famous people are printed everyday. Someone prints them but his/her identity is not
relevant.
If we want to say who does or what causes the action, we use by:
These pictures are taken by paparazzi.
Exercises
Rewrite these sentences using passive voice.
1. Somebody cleans the room every day.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. People don't use this road very often.
_____________________________________________________________________
3. How do people learn languages?
_____________________________________________________________________
4. The doctors operate 50 patients in this hospital every day.
_____________________________________________________________________
5. The media usually show false stories.
_____________________________________________________________________

Grammar Spot
The Passive Voice (past simple)
The passive voice can be used with all tenses in English. The rules for the use of past simple are the
same as the ones for present simple. The only change is the auxiliary verb be: now you need to use
was or were instead of am/are/is.
Example:
In the past, letters and postcards were used to communicate. Now the Internet is used by many people
in the world to communicate.
Exercises
I. Complete the sentences below with a suitable verb in past simple using passive voice or active
voice
sell

follow

arrest

destroy

wear

develop

prevent

decrease

1. A number of priceless works of art ________________ in the earthquake last year.

2. Kathy left the room and everyone ________________ her.
3. A new drug to combat asthma in small children ________________ last month.
4. There's an exhibition of the clothes that Queen Victoria ________________.
5. The economic situation in the region ________________ quite sharply during the last year.
6. People who didn't have a valid visa ________________ from entering the country.
7. More than 100,000 smartphones ________________ last month.
8. A man ________________ for smuggling stolen goods into the country.

II. Rewrite the following active voice sentences using passive voice. Note that not all of them can
be used in this way.
1. The students finished the tests on time.
____________________________________________________________________
2. We walk to work every morning.
____________________________________________________________________
3. The staff arranged the seats so that everyone could have a place to sit.
____________________________________________________________________
4. The storm killed four people and left 50 others without a home.
____________________________________________________________________
5. The chapter about color was very difficult.
____________________________________________________________________

III. Go back to paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, and classify the underlined words and phrases according to
their function in the text.
Function

Linking word/phrase

Name some examples of nonverbal communication that are used in Chile.

Is there any difference among them? (register, age, etc)

Grammar Spot
Passive voice: Progressive and perfect tenses

Grammar Spot
Passive Voice: Summary
To turn a sentence from the active into the passive voice:
a) The object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
b) The active verb changes into a passive form.
c) The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent.
Active voice: Kim showed no surprise.
S
V
O

Passive voice: No surprise was shown by Kim.

S
V
A
Active

Passive

Present Simple

She says hurtful words.

Hurtful words are said by her.

Present Continuous

She is saying hurtful words.

Hurtful words are being said by

her.

Past Simple

She said hurtful words.

Hurtful words were said by her.

Past Continuous

She was saying hurtful words.

Hurtful words were beings said by

her.

Present Perfect Simple

She has said hurtful words.

Hurtful words have been said by

her.

Past Perfect Simple

She had said hurtful words.

Hurtful words had been said by

her.

Future Simple

She will say hurtful words.

Hurtful words will be said by her.

Modals (will, should, must, etc.)

She may say hurtful words.

Hurtful words may be said by her.

Only the verbs that take object (transitive verbs) can be turned into the passive.
Example: The ball hit the wall.

The wall was hit by the ball.

When the subject of the active sentence is one of the following: people, one,
someone/somebody, they, he, etc., the agent is often omitted in the passive sentence.
Example: People watch TV all over the world.

TV is watched all over the world.

Object pronouns become subject pronouns in passive sentences.
Example: He gave these books to me.

I was given these books.

When the verb of the active sentence is followed by a preposition, the preposition is kept in the
passive sentence as well.
Example: Burglars broke into our house last night.
Our house was broken into last
night.
Exercises
Rewrite the following sentence using passive voice.
They won't take him home after the party.

__________________________________________

Someone left the front door open.

__________________________________________

I.

Organize these behaviors according to the step in which they should occur. Number them 1-6.

A. _____ You smile a lot and try to be charming.

B. _____ You try to keep the conversation about the other person.
C. _____ You look to see if the other person is waiting for someone else.
D. _____ You take a closer look at the other person's clothes and style.
E. _____ You turn the conversation to talk about the future.
F. _____ You listen to see if the other person answers you at length.
II. Choose the correct letter a), b), or c)
1. The word pursue in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
a) engage in
b) flee
c) shun
2. The word protracted in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
a) short
b) extended
c) fast
3. The word remark in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to
a) comment
b) offer
c) compliment

Grammar Spot
Relative clauses
Read the following sentences:
Display a part of you that will make the other person want to continue the encounter.
I prefer meeting people who are friends of my friends than meeting strangers.
I think meeting people for the first time is challenging, which is why I keep doing it.
I know a person whose best friend is someone she met at a museum.
What do the words in bold refer to?
Relative pronouns (who, which, whose, that) introduce relative clauses. We use relative clauses to
identify the noun in the main clause.
Example: I prefer meeting people who are friends of my friends.
We use who or that instead of subject pronouns to refer to people.
We use which or that instead of subject pronouns to refer to objects or animals.
We use whose instead of possessive adjectives (my, your, his, etc) with people, objects and animals in
order to show possession.

Grammar Spot
Relative Clauses
When, Where, Why
Read the following sentences:
1999 was the year when they met.
Joe's bar is the place where they usually hang out.
They have the same sense of humor, that's why they have remained friends for so long.
Which ones do you use to:
refer to a place

____________

give a reason

____________

refer to time

____________

Exercises
Fill in the gaps with who, why, where, when, which or whose.

Dear Aunt Joan,

How are you? My new address, (1) __________ I was supposed to give you a long time ago, is at
the top of this page. Sorry!
The village (2) __________ I live now is very quiet and peaceful. In fact, that is the reason (3)
__________ I decided to rent a house here. The people (4) __________ live next door to me are very
friendly. The day (5) __________ I moved in, they invited me for tea. The woman (6) __________ house
I've rented lives in the same street as you. Her name is Mrs. Fitzgerald. Do you know her? I must go
now, the telephone is ringing.
Write to me soon.
Love,
Rachel.

Grammar Spot
Prepositions of time
1) IN

ON

2) FROM TO

AT

UNTIL

SINCE

FOR

3) BEFORE

AFTER

DURING

WHILE

3) BEFORE

AFTER

DURING

WHILE

Grammar Spot
Prepositions of place
IN

ON

AT

NEXT TO

BETWEEN
IN FRONT OF
BY
UNDER
ABOVE

BEHIND
BELOW

OPPOSITE

Exercises
A. Look at the pictures and answer the questions below using in/on/at.

Now read the statements below and write T if they are true; F if they are false; or NG (not given) if you
need more information to know if the statement is true or false.
1. _____ We do not know how much of language is determined by culture and how much of culture
is determined by language.
________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____ Verne Ray's study proved that languages work independently from their cultures.
________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____ Different languages have different characteristics depending on what speakers have in
their cultural contexts.
________________________________________________________________________________
4. _____ There are languages that have several words for the same color, as in the case of Yiddish.
________________________________________________________________________________
5. _____ Migrations force people to keep their mother tongue, which explains why it is difficult for
them to learn a new language.
________________________________________________________________________________
6. _____ Canadians face many problems because of linguistic divisions.
________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Spot
Articles

Exercises
Write a/an or the
1. You look very tired. You need ________ holiday.
2. Where's Tom? He's in ________ bathroom.
3. Jane is ________ honest person.
4. A: Excuse me, can you tell how to get to ________ city center?
B: Yes, go straight on and then take ________ next turning left.
5. A: Would you like to go out for ________ meal this evening?
B: Yes, that's ________ a good idea.
6. It's ________ nice morning. Let's go for ________ walk.
7. Peter and Mary have two children, ________ boy and ________ girl. ________ boy is seven years
old and ________ girl is three. Peter works in ________ factory. Mary doesn't have ________ job
at the moment but she's looking for one.
Read the sentences and decide if they are correct or need the. Write the article in the case they need it.
1. I'm going out after dinner.
2. What's biggest city in the world?
3. My dictionary is on top shelf on right.
4. We live in country about five miles from nearest village.
5. I visited my parents the last month.

to eat. I didn't like the look of them at all. The insides were green, but my friends said the color was
normal. The Chinese put chemicals on fresh eggs. Then they bury them in the earth for three months.
So the eggs weren't really old. Even so, I absolutely refused to touch them.
Life in a new country can be scary, but it can also be fun. Would you sample a 100-year-old
egg? Would you order shark in a restaurant?

Complete the sentences with the correct information from the text.

1. Some foods of other countries might be _______________ to you.

2. The Hindu religion forbids _______________.
3. Cattle are sacred to _______________.
4. Hundred-year-old eggs are really only _______________ old.
5. In Autralia, flake is another word for _______________.
6. Ice cream is made from _______________.
7. The insides of 100-yea-old eggs are _______________.
8. There are _______________ different countries mentioned in the text.
9. Cows are _______________ for the Hindu religion.
10. Chinese put _______________ to preserve the eggs.
11. What is the main idea of the text?
a) A vacation is a good way to learn about new foods.
b) Foods that might be familiar to you are unknown to people from other countries.
c) Many people dislike eating new foods because their religion forbids it.

Post-reading activity
Would you be willing to try new foods that nobody has eaten in your country? Why?
Is having a national dish a sign of patriotism? Why?

Grammar Spot
Countable and uncountable nouns
Look at the examples below pay attention to the words in bold:
Foods that are well known to you may not be familiar to people from other countries.
I love ice cream, though, and that's made from milk.
Why are they in bold? What is the main difference between them?

Post-reading activity
What do you prefer: eating familiar foods or trying new food? Why?
What do you think of people in Chile? Do they experiment or prefer familiar foods?
Some people say that you are what you eat. Do you agree with this? Why/why not?

Grammar Spot
Countable and uncountable nouns: a lot, much, many, a little, (a) few

We use much in in questions and negative sentences, but not usually in positive sentences.
Examples:
Do you drink much/a lot of coffee?
No, I don't drink much/a lot of coffee.
Yes, I drink a lot of coffee.
NOT I drink much coffee.

We use many and a lot of in all types of sentences.

Examples:
Do you have many/a lot of friends?
Yes, I have many/a lot of friends.
No, I don't have many/a lot of friends?

Adjectives with two syllables or more: the + most/least + adjective.

expensive the most/least expensive
interesting the most/least interesting
Irregular adjectives:

good the best

bad the worst

Exercises
I.

Look at the table below. Write 3 sentences using the comparative form of the adjectives, and 3
sentences using the superlative form of the adjectives.
Population

Area

Weather (summer)

Founded

Santiago

6 million

641 km2

29C

1541

Warsaw

1.7 million

517 km2

21C

1200

Portland

603,106

375.8 km2

28C

1851

i.

Santiago/populated

__________________________________________________

ii. Warsaw/large

__________________________________________________

iii. Portland/cold

__________________________________________________

iv. Santiago/warm

__________________________________________________

v. Portland/young

__________________________________________________

vi. Santiago/new

__________________________________________________

II. Look at the details of these four cars.

Read the statements and write true (T) or false (F).

1. Car A isn't as powerful as car B.

_______

2. Car D is the least powerful car.

_______

3. Car B has the same top speed as car A.

4. Car C isn't as fast as car B.

_______

_______

5. The equipment in car D is the same equipment as the equipment in car A. _______
6. Car C isn't as well-equipped as car A. _______
7. Car D is the most economical.

_______

5. Who spoke Old English and who spoke French?

6. What are the differences between a hearty welcome and a cordial reception?
7. What do you think of the expression Our history lives in the words we speak and hear
Grammar Spot
Word Order

Grammar Spot
Expressions with get

Get + noun
get an e-mail/ get a job/ get a book... = receive/buy/find/fetch

Examples:

Did you get my e-mail? Yes, I got it yesterday (get = receive)

I like your laptop. Where did you get it? (get = buy)
Hello, can I speak to Ann, please? Sure. I'll get her (get = fetch)
It's difficult to get a job at the moment (get = find)
Also: get a train/taxi/bus...

Get + adjective
get hungry/ get cold/ get tired... = become

Examples:

If you don't eat now, you'll get hungry later

My coffee got cold. Can I have another one, please?
Also: get married, get dressed (= put your clothes on), get lost (= lose your way)

Get to a place = arrive

Examples:

I usually get to work before 10 am (= arrive at work)

How did you get here? By bus
We left the city at 8.30 and we got to the beach two hours later
Also: get home (without preposition)

Get + means of transport: get in/out/on/off

in/out car

on/off bus/plane/train/ship...

Get = understand (informal)

So, are you clear with what we have to do? Yeah, got it

Spaghetti Western: A Fistful of Dollars

Novo Cinema: Os Verdes Anos
Dogme 95: Festen
New french Extremity: A L'interieur
Romanian New Wave: The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
Berlin School: The Robber

Grammar Spot
Linking word and phrases
We can use different linking words and phrases to connect ideas. The most common functions
that these words and phrases have are: addition, contrast, illustration, clarifying, giving an alternative,
and sequencing. Some of these words and phrases can link two ideas in the same sentence, while others
can link two ideas in two different sentences.
Example: A great number of films that are part of the Romanian New Wave are set in the late 1980s,
towards the end of Nicolae Ceauescu's totalitarian regime, and explore themes of liberty and
resilience under the communist dictatorship. However, films such as The Death of Mr. Lzrescu,
California Dreamin' and Tuesday, After Christmas are set in modern-day Romania and delve into the
ways the transition to free-market capitalism and democracy shaped Romanian society after 1989.
Linking words/phrases used within a sentence:
although
whereas

even though
despite even if
while
such as
in spite of

also

so

but

while

because

as well as

unlike

Linking words/phrases used to link two sentences:

On the one hand... On the other...
In addition
For instance
Lastly
Then
However
For example
By contrast
Moreover
Furthermore
Nonetheless
Alternatively

Consequently
In other words

First of all
Nevertheless

Exercises
Read the sentences below and pay attention to their linking word/phrase. Then, complete them with a
suitable ending.
1. I think German movies are boring/fun because
2. The first time I watched a French movie, I didn't like it. However,
3. Danish movies are the ones I like the most. By contrast,
4. Even though I have never seen a Portuguese movie,
5. I'm interested in horror movies, such as