Vocabulary Writing a review

1. Complete the sentences with a preposition.

1. Tom Hanks is perfect in the role ________ the professor.

2. Audrey Tautou is extremely convincing ________ a code-breaker.

3. She gives a performance that is worthy ________ an Oscar.

4. The film is set ________ Paris.

5. The film tells the story ________ an attempt to solve a mysterious murder.

6. It's an adaptation ________ a book by Dan Brown.

2. Think of a film or tv programme that you liked. Replace the words in italics with information about that film or programme.

1. Lost in Translation was directed by Sofia Coppola. It was made in 2003.

2. The film stars Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray.

3. It is set in Tokyo and tells the story of an aging film star and a young woman who find themselves together.

4. Scarlett Johansson is excellent in the role of the young wife who is looking for her role in life.

5. Most of the action takes place in the hotel bar.

6. What is most memorable about Lost in Translation is the performance of Bill Murray.

7. The film appeals to people who want more than Hollywood entertainment.

3. Which tense is used in reviews to give details of the plot?

Griet gets to know the artist while sitting for the picture.

Vermeer's patron, Van Ruijven wants to buy Griet.

4. Expand the notes. Use present simple and any other words that you need.

Lost in Translation: plot summary

Charlotte / meet / Bob / Tokyo hotel. They / both bored. They / spend / few days together / he / talk / about / his wife / children. She / talk / her husband / photographer. They / become / good friends / important experience / their lives.

/From Straightforward, Upper-Intermediate, Student’s Book, Jim Scrivener, Celia Bingham/

Grammar Language of politeness

Can and Could – permission and requests

1. Study these examples – they are all polite and tentative.

Could I possibly interrupt you?

Do you think I could speak to you for a few minutes?

I was wondering if I could ask you for a favour.

I couldn’t possibly have another day to finish that work, couldn’t I?

Could you possibly do me a favour?

Do you think you could help me with a problem I’ve got?

I was wondering if you could lend me some money for a few days.

You couldn’t possibly lend me $20, could you?

2. Use each form once in the following situations. Use a more direct form in two of them.

1. Mr Wilson asks his boss if he can leave the office an hour earlier than usual.

Could I possibly leave the office an hour earlier than usual?

2. Stephen asks his guitar teacher to lend him his guitar for the evening.

______________________________________________________

3. Mr Wilson wants his neighbour to help him carry a cupboard upstairs.

______________________________________________________

4. You ask someone to move his car, as it’s blocking the entrance to your garage.

______________________________________________________

5. Julie and two of her friends ask their typing teacher for permission to leave early.

______________________________________________________

6. Mrs Wilson would like Julie to do some shopping for her, if she has time.

______________________________________________________

7. You ask a stranger next to you in a train if you can look at his newspaper.

______________________________________________________

8. You ask your host for permission to use his phone.

______________________________________________________

9. You ask someone you hardly know for a lift into town.

______________________________________________________

10. You are checking out of a hotel, and want to pay your bill.

______________________________________________________

Modals of social interaction
Uses	Explanations	Examples	Meaning
Making Requests	Would is a softer request than will, and could is softer than can. In general, formality is shown by using would and could rather than can and will.	Would you mind helping me? Would you help me? Could you help me? Can you help me? Will you help me?	more formal less formal
Asking for Permission	May and might are more formal than can and could.	Might I speak with Bruce? May I speak with Bruce? Could I speak with Bruce? Can I speak with Bruce?	more formal less formal
Giving Advice and Making Suggestions	While must has the feeling of a requirement or very strong advice, might and could make the advice seem more like a suggestion than a required action.	You must arrive on time. You should arrive on time. You ought to arrive on time. You might arrive on time. You could arrive on time.	stronger weaker

/From Mosaic 2 Grammar, Patricia K. Werner, John P. Nelson/