2

Travelling around

Curso de Ingls
Avanzado

1. Listening: Planning the holidays

Warm-up.
How would you rate (1 to 4) the importance of the following aspects of a
destination when making a decision about the choice of your holidays? Why?
a)

Sport Activities

b)

Landscapes and nature

c)

Quality Services

d)

Accommodation services

e)

Night Life entertainment

f)

Theme Parks

g)

Sound urban environment

h)

Good weather

i)

Silence and tranquillity

j)

Personal security

k)

Convenient price

l)

Shopping

1.1. Listening transcript: Planning the holidays

Listen to a group of friends trying to decide where to go on summer holidays.
Jane: So, I think that the best idea for our holiday is to go to the seaside, to spend
time at the sea or some pool, read a good book, get tannedand we could also go
out at night. Of course, if somebody fancies practising some sports, he can go
swimming, surfing or snorkelling. There are many destinations in warm and sunny
countries and it wont be too expensive if we book in advance.
Tom: Oh no please! I really cant stand all those people on the beach just sitting
around or laying on the sand doing nothingcamping is a better choiceand the
best thing is that we could also go in the mountains, go hiking or climbing and
camp at night surrounded by nature. Thats much more relaxing than the beach
and a lot cheaper!
Eve: Well, you know I dont really like sports or bugsand Im not sleeping on
the floor either. Why dont we just book a nice hotel in a European city? We could
go sightseeing, visit museums and try traditional food and taste good winesor at
least we could take our backpacks and stay in a youth hostel. Im sure we will meet
a lot of new people and enjoy the atmosphere of these historical cities.
Laura: It looks like it will be difficult to agree about the destinationwhat about a
cruise? That would put together the sea and the cities and Tom, you cant say
theres nothing to do in a cruise! Well be able to choose among plenty of activities,
nightlife, visiting interesting places or just sunbathing while drinking a cocktail on
the deck.

Exercise 1: Comprehension questions. Choose the most suitable option

according to the text.
1.

2.

3.

4.

The four people talking

a)

have a totally different opinion about the ideal holiday

b)

are not likely to go on holiday together

c)

have similar ideas about their holiday choices

Eve wants to
a)

relax at the seashore and read a get tanned

b)

sleep on the floor because thats really good for your back

c)

do some city sightseeing and meet new people

Tom thinks that the best idea is

a)

to chill under the sun

b)

to take a city tour

c)

to go camping and do activities

Jane would like to

a)

avoid to go to a warm and sunny place

b)

go practising adventure sports

c)

spend her holiday at the seaside

5.

Laura suggests that the best solution for all

a)

is to go on a cruise, so they get a bit of everything

b)

is to go find new friends

c)

is to realise theyve got nothing in common

KEY: 1.a 2.c 3.c 4.c 5.a

Exercise 2: Vocabulary. Choose the right option to substitute the word in

bold.
1.

If somebody fancies practising some sports, he can go swimming or

snorkelling.
a) feels like
b) hates to bits
c) loves

2. Thats much more relaxing than going to the beach.

a) easy
b) unwinding
c) pacify

3. We can just sunbathe while drinking a cocktail.

a) lie in the grass
b) lie in sunlight
c) relax

4. Enjoy the atmosphere of these historical cities

a) sky
b) climate
c) ambience

5. It will be difficult to agree about the destination

a) place
b) destiny
c) fate

KEY: 1.a 2.b. 3.b 4.c 5.a

Exercise 3: Match the different kind of destinations with the activities

1. Ski

a) A holiday spent in a tent

2. Cruise

b) A holiday spent in the mountains moving across the snow

3. Adventure

c) A holiday in which people do new and exciting things, for

example a trek or a safari

4. City break

d) A holiday spent on a ship

5.

e) A holiday in which you travel or hike carrying your belongings

Art

and

culture

in a rucksack

6. Green travel

f) You do this when you want to see interesting buildings and

places

7. Camping

g) A holiday in which you stay in environmentally friendly places

8. Theme park

h) A holiday in which you visit museums and galleries

9. Backpacking

i) You spend this holidays in rides and attractions

KEY: 1.b 2.d 3.c 4. 5.h 6.h 7.a 8.i 9.e

1.2 So and such

So and such (a/an) mean very, extremely:

Ex: This place is so amazing!
You have such a beautiful girlfriend!

So and such (a/an) are used to talk about cause and effect:
EX: He was so angry that he didnt want to come to her birthday party
We had such a good time that we didnt want to come back home

They are used with different structures. Lets have a look at so:

So + adjective (that): The food there was so good (that) Im sure Ill be back.

So + adverb (that): She sings so well (that) they admitted her in the chorus.

So + many/ few + plural noun (that):

She has so many dresses that she doesnt know where to keep them.

So + much/ little + uncountable nouns (that):

Theres so little food in the fridge!

So + often/ rarely (that): My car breaks down so often that Ive decide to buy a
new one.

Now, what about such?

Such + adjective + uncountable/plural noun (that):

They have such beautiful children!

Such a/ an + adjective + singular countable noun (that):

Why did you choose such an awful tie?

Such + a lot of: Jim has such a lot of cats!

Such + noun (meaning this type of): I never expected such attitude from her.

Exercise 1: Choose the right option:

1. They make ___ good cakes that the shop is always full.
a) such
b) so
c) such a

2. Shes ___ blind that she doesnt realize who he really is.
a) such
b) so
c) such a

3. Ive had ___ good rest that I feel a lot better.

a) such
b) so
c) such a

4. When I arrived it was ___ late that you were already asleep
a) such
b) so
c) such a

5. There were ___ many shoes I didnt know which to buy!

a) such
b) so
c) such a

KEY: 1.a 2.b 3.c 4.b 5.

Exercise 2: Fill the gaps with so, such, such a o such an:
1. My children love visiting grandma because she makes ___ delicious muffins.
2. There are ___ many interesting museums in this city!
3. Travelling to Europe is ___ great idea, Im in!
4. I have ___ little money left Ill have to borrow from my parents.
5. The view from our room in the hotel is ___ amazing!

KEY: 1.such 2.so 3.such a 4.so 5.so

Exercise 3: Fill the gaps

1. ___ + adjective/ adverb (that)
2. ___ + many/ few + plural noun (that)
3. ___ + much/ little + (that)
4. ___ + adjective + uncountable/plural noun (that)
5. ___ a/ an + adjective + singular countable noun (that)

KEY:

1.so 2.so 3.so 4.such 5.such

2. Reading: Going on holidays

Warm up
Think about you last holiday and answer the following questions:
a) Where did you go?
b) How did you get there?
c) How long did you stay?
d) What did you do there?
e) Who did you go with?
f) What was the accommodation like?
g) What was the food like?
h) What were the people like?
i)

Were you able to speak English?

j)

What was the weather like?

2.1 Reading: Going on holidays

Read the following text:
In May 1990, my mother told me that if I passed all my exams, I would get
a present from her. To tell you the truth, I didnt know what that prize would be,
although I could imagine that it would have to do with any kind of holiday as
summer was getting closer. Later on I discovered that I wasnt wrong at all.
In the middle of June I got my marks and I showed them to my mother as
soon as I could. I had passed all the subjects, and I knew that meant I was going
to get my prize. My mother was very happy when she saw that I had got great
marks. Even my teacher had written a comment that read that my behaviour and

attitude throughout the school year had been perfect. Right away, I started to ask
my mother what the present she had promised me was about, but she didnt tell
me anything that day.
The next morning, I woke up very early because there was a row in my
home and I didnt know what was happening, so when I went downstairs I found a
lot of suitcases and bags spread all over the hall. I was very happy to see that
because that meant that we were going on a holiday trip. But where were we
going?
I started to ask my mother about that again and again, but the only answer
I got from her was that I would find out once we got there. I stopped asking her
about that surprise; from that point on, I just tried to enjoy the situation. I opened
a drawer and took a towel just in case we were going to the beach, but I also
grabbed my sleeping bag in case we were travelling to the mountains. After that, I
kept grabbing stuff I thought that could be useful wherever we were going.
However, when my mother realized what I was doing, she told me to put
everything back in its place; apparently she was already carrying in her bags
everything we needed.
Finally we got in the car and we started our journey. When I think about it
now, I still feel surprised that my mother had everything so carefully planned in
advance, she even picked up the music for the trip; the first song was her
favourite, and the second one was mine. We were singing for the entire journey so
it seemed quite short to me.
When we were getting there, I realised that we were going to the
countryside, to my grandparents house. That was the best surprise I could possibly
receive.
As soon as we got there, I kissed my grandparents; I put on my bathing suit
and jumped into the lake right away. I used to love swimming in that lake until
sunset and going back to the house just when I smelled that dinner was ready.
Honestly, I remember that years holiday as one of the best in my life. Good
thing I passed all my exams in June!

Exercise 1: Comprehension questions. Say if these statements are true or

false.
1. The speaker got a surprise even though he didnt pass all his exams.
a) True
b) False

2. The speaker felt that the journey was taking too long and it was tiring.
a) True
b) False

3. The speaker went to his grandparents house on holiday.

a) True
b) False

4. The speaker used to like to go to the beach near his grandparents house.
a) True
b) False

5. The speaker regrets having succeeded at school

a) True
b) False

KEY: 1b; 2a; 3a; 4b; 5b.

Exercise 2: Vocabulary. Choose the right synonym according to the text.

1. There was a row in my home
a) line
b) commotion
c) oar

2. Later on I discovered that I wasnt wrong at all

a) found out
b) found up
c) found on

3. When my mother realized what I was doing

a) understood
b) discovered
c) finished

4. I put on my bathing suit

a) slipped on
b) went in
c) went into

5. I remember that years holiday as one of the best in my life

a) memorize
b) think
c) recall

KEY: 1.b 2.a 3.a 4.a 5.c

Exercise 3: Write a suitable preposition

1. ___ May 1990, my mother told me that I would get a present from her.
2. It would have to do ___ any kind of holiday as summer was getting closer.
3. Later ___ I discovered that I wasnt wrong at all.
4. We were going ___ a holiday trip.
5. I would find ___ once we got there.
6. When I think ___ it now, I still feel surprised.
7. My mother had everything so carefully planned ___ advance.
8. I used to love swimming ___ that lake
9. I was lucky to pass my exams ___ June.
10. I couldnt get an answer ___ her.

KEY: 1.in 2.with 3.on 4.on 5.out 6.about 7.in 8.in 9.in 10.from

2.2 Too and enough

We use too to express that something is more than it is needed or wanted:
Ex: Hes too young to go on holiday alone

Too + adjective (+ infinitive/ for somebody): He is too tired to come.

Too + adverb (+ infinitive/ for somebody): He speaks too fast for me to

understand.

Too much/ many + noun (+ infinitive/ for somebody):

She ate too many cookies.
He has drunk too much beer.

Note: to make a negative sentence, not is used before too

Ex: This soup is not too hot!

We use enough to express that something is as much as is necessary or needed:

Ex: Do we have enough milk to make the ice cream?

Adjective + enough (+ infinitive/ for somebody): He is not tall enough to

become a policeman

Adverb + enough (+ infinitive/ for somebody): She didnt run fast enough to
arrive first.

Enough + noun (+ infinitive/ for somebody): Are there enough flowers to make
a bouquet?

Note: to make a negative sentence, not is used before the adjective or the adverbs
Ex: This soup is not hot enough

Exercise 1: Fill the gaps with too or enough

1. I don't feel very well. I've eaten ___ much.
2. Don't worry. We still have ___ time to get there before it closes.
3. She's ___ young to drink.

4. That's it. I've had ___ Leave the room immediately!

5. She's far ___ talkative. After 5 minutes I've got a headache.
6. Everyone got great marks in the exam. It wasn't difficult ___ .
7. This world isn't big ___ for the two of us.
8. The school is ___ far to walk.
9. If I dont get ___ sleep, Ill have a headache.
10. This car is ___ small for five people.

KEY: 1.too 2.enough 3.too 4.enough 5.too 6.enough 7.enough 8.too 9.enough
10.too

Exercise 2: Fill the gaps with the adjective/noun given and too or enough

1. Im not ___ to buy a Ferrari. (rich)

2. This shoes are ___, my feet hurt. (small)
3. This coffee is ___, I cant drink it. (hot)
4. Do you have ___ to cook? (rice)
5. She didnt have ___ to pay the bills. (money)

KEY: 1.rich enough 2.too small 3.too hot 4.enough rice 5.enough money

Exercise 3: Fill the gaps with the right word(s)

1. There are ___ students in the classroom, the teacher cant handle them
2. The room is big ___ to fit the piano.
3. Are there ___ glasses for everyone?
4. Lisa is old ___ to make her decisions.
5. Im quite stressed, theres ___ work to do!

KEY: 1. too many 2. enough 3. enough 4. enough 5. too much

3. Grammar: Past tenses

3.1 Past simple tenses
1) The past simple is used for:

Actions or events in the past: I travelled to China last summer

Actions or events which happened one after another:

I went to the British Museum, then I visited Hyde Park and later I went to
Greenwich.

Things which happened for a long time in the past: She worked in the theatre
for nine years.

2) The past continuous is used for:

An activity which started before and continued until an event in the past:

I was leaving the house when the phone rang (the activity of leaving the house was
interrupted by the phone ringing).

An activity which started before and continued after an event in the past:

I was listening to music when they all arrived. (and I continued to listen to music
afterwards)

For two things happening at the same time:

While she was doing the washing up I was hovering the carpet.

For repeated actions, with always to express criticism:

He was always making up excuses.

With verbs like hope, plan, to express unfulfilled plans: I was planning to travel
to Spain.

3) Used to is used for:

Situations or states in the past which are not true now:

She used to be a cabaret singer, but now shes a hairdresser

Repeated activities or habits in the past which do not happen now:
She used to get up at 7 until she retired.
Note: Used to is a verb which is only used in the past:
She used to run her own Business.
Did she use to run her own Business?
She didnt use to run her own Business.

To talk about habits in the present, we use the present simple with an adverb
like usually, everyday, etc.

I usually go to work by bus.

I run in the park for half an hour everyday.

3.2 Past perfect tenses

1) The past perfect simple is used:

To indicate that we are talking about something which happened before

something which is described in the past simple:

When we arrived to the concert, everybody had already left.

Compare this with:
When we arrived to the concert, everybody left.

Typically with time expressions like: when, as soon as, after, before, etc.

They started eating before I had arrived

Often with these adverbs: already, just, never:

I had never seen a cockroach until I left my hometown.

We dont use the past perfect

If an action happens at the same time than another:

When I saw him I was really surprised.

If an action comes right after the first and they are connected:

I heard a scream and run down the staircase as fast as I could.

2) The past perfect continuous is used

To indicate that we are talking about an action which happened before something
which is described in the past simple, but it:

Focuses on the length of time:

Tom needed a rest, because he had been walking around the city all day.

Focuses on the activity carried out earlier:

I had been walking all day so I felt very tired.

Says how long something happened up to a point in the past:

It was a year before I realized that the employees hadnt been following the rules.
Shed been part of the team for only two months when she presented her project.

Exercise 1: Choose the right option.

1. Suddenly, I remembered that I ___ the door.
a) didnt lock
b) hadnt locked
c) locked

2. While I ___ home, I witnessed an accident

a) drove
b) had driven
c) was driving

3. She didnt know about the meeting because no one ___ her
a) told
b) didnt tell
c) had told

4. By the time we arrived, they ___

a) left
b) had left
b) had been leaving

5. When I was a child I ___ in that park

a) played
b) was playing
c) used to play

KEY: 1.b 2.c 3.c 4.b 5.c

Exercise 2: Write the verbs given into past simple or past perfect.
1. I was feeling hungry although I ___ just one hour ago. (eat)
2. I ___ (never see) something like that.
3. She wasnt allowed in the plane because she ___ her boarding pass. (lose)
4. I ___ (not recognize) him at first.
5. I ___ (know) that was going to happen.

KEY: 1.had eaten 2.had never seen 3.had lost 4.didnt recognize 5.knew

Exercise 3: Write the verbs given into past simple, past perfect simple or
past perfect continuous
1. We ___ (look) for the keys for an hour when suddenly she ___ (remember)
where they were.
2. He ___ (already finish) painting when they___ (arrive).
3. I ___ (only sleep) for a few minutes when that alarm __ (go off).
4. She ___ (hang) the clothes when it ___(start) to rain.
5. I ___(cook) all afternoon so I was dead tired.

KEY: 1. had been looking/ remembered 2. had already finished/ arrived 3. had only
been sleeping/ went off 4. had just hanged/ started 5.had been cooking

Exercise 4: Write the verbs given into a suitable past tense.

1. While I ___ (do) the shopping, I ___ (see) Carol and her son.
2. When I ___ (hear) the news I ___ (phone) Jim immediately.
3. What ___ (you do) last night? I ___ (hear) a lot of noise downstairs.
4. The kids ___ (play) outside so they were covered in mud.
5. I ___ (finish) my homework so I decide to go out with my friends.

KEY: 1. was doing/ saw 2.heard/ phoned 3.were you doing/heard 4. had
been playing 5.had finished

Exercise 5: Fill the gaps with the verbs in brackets

I ___ (always want) to live in the country, so last month I ___ (decide) to
look for a nice house. I ___ (seen) a cottage for rent near the village were I ___
(born) which looked perfect for me, so I ___ (phone) the owner and ___ (agree) to
meet him. When I ___ (visit) the house I ___ (think) that it would be a lovely place
to live, but just while I ___ (read) the contract I ___ (realize) that water ___ (drip)
from the ceiling. Luckily, the owner offered to repair it in a week so Ill be able to
move soon.

KEY: 1.have always wanted 2.decided 3.had seen 4.was born 5.phoned 6.agreed
7.visited 8.thought 9.was reading 10.realized 11.was dripping

RECUERDA

So and such (a/an) mean very, extremely and they are used to talk about
cause and effect.

We use too to express that something is more than it is needed or wanted

We use enough to express that something is as much as is necessary or

needed

The past simple is used for actions or events in the past, actions or events
which happened one after another or things which happened for a long time in
the past: She worked in the theatre for nine years.

The past continuous is used for activities which started before and continued
until an event in the past, activities which started before and continued after
an event in the past, two things happening at the same time, repeated actions
or with verbs like hope, plan, etc

Used to is used for situations or states in the past which are not true now or
repeated activities or habits in the past which do not happen now.

The past perfect simple is used to talk about something which happened
before something which is described in the past simple, with time expressions
like: when, as soon as, after, before, etc. and often with these adverbs:
already, just, never

The past perfect continuous is used to indicate that we are talking about an
action which happened before something which is described in the past
simple, but focusing on the length of time, the activity carried out earlier or
saying how long something happened up to a point in the past.