8.8 Recent developments Free practice

Work in groups. Talk about:

1. what kind of things have been going on

2. what particular things have happened

in 1. your area

2. your country

3. the world

8.9 Summer jobs Listening

You will hear an interview with some students who are doing holiday jobs in

Brighton. Listen to the interview and answer the questions.

1. Where have the following people been working?

a) Christine b) Kevin c) Kevin’s brother

2. Christine has been working mostly in which part of the day ?

   1. the morning

   2. the afternoon

   3. the evening

3. Which of these statements about Christine are true and which are false ?

   1. The most enjoyable part of being in Brighton for her has been the job.

   2. She has had free meals and accommodation.

   3. She has made a fortune in Brighton.

   4. She hasn’t spent much money.

   5. She has been working as a waitress some of the time.

   6. She finds Brighton an interesting place.

4. Kevin’s been doing two different kinds of work. What are they ?

5. What was Kevin’s main reason for coming to Brighton ?

6. Why is Kevin’s brother particularly lucky ?

7. Write in the missing words.

Christine: No, it hasn’t been too bad. I

in fact. Not so much , but the people

and the friends , and I’ve managed to do lots of things

It’s a seaside town,

in the evenings - you know,

and so on. And on my afternoons

off .

Unit 8 Summary of language In this unit you have learnt how to: talk about recent past actions and their present results talk about recent activities and achievements KEY POINTS 1. Present Perfect Simple and Past Simple tenses I’ve booked some seats for the theatre. I booked some seats for the theatre yesterday. Have you packed the picnic ? Yes, I have – I packed it before breakfast. 2. Present Perfect and Present tenses I’ve turned off the electricity. The electricity is turned off. She’s put some milk in the fridge. There is some milk in the fridge. 3. Present Perfect Continuous and Simple I’ve been looking for a flat. I’ve looked at five flats so far, but I haven’t found one I like yet.

Activities

FAVOURS

You are going away for a skiing holiday for ten days during the next month. You want someone to do five of the things below some time during that month. Choose the things you want people to do, and write them in the table below. For each one write the exact date(s) and a reason.

lend you their car look after your cat while you’re away

give you a lift to the airport water your flowers while you’re away

lend you their ski-boots lend you £100

lend you a top hat look after your children for a day

lend you their house for a week help you decorate your living room for four days

I’m going to be on holiday from		to	(inclusive)
1	I want someone to:	Exact date(s)	Reason
2
3
4
5

Ask other people to help you with the five things, and explain why you want them to help. They will ask you to do things too: when you agree to do something, write it in the table below.

1 have agreed to:	Who for?	Exact date(s)

COMPOSITION

Write 100-150 words on one of the following topics.

1. Write a letter to a friend describing a difficult situation you are going through at the moment.

2. A friend has written asking if he/she can come and stay with you. Reply explaining that this would not be a good time.

3. Write a letter to a friend telling him/her what your plans are for the next 12 months.

SITUATIONS

1. You get on a crowded train and see one empty seat. What do you say to the person sitting in the next seat?

2. You’re walking down the street with a friend when you meet another friend. They don’t know each other. Introduce them to each other, giving some information about each of them, and how you first met.

3. Your grandmother is flying in from the United States this afternoon, and you want to leave work early to go and meet her. What do you say to your boss?

4. A friend says to you, ‘You look worn out’. Tell him/her why.

5. Some people in front of you in the theatre are talking, and spoiling the play for you. What do you say to them ?

6. A foreign friend asks you about the current fashions in clothes in your country. What do you say ?

7. Your brother’s about to leave for the airport. Check that he’s made all necessary preparations.

Unit 9 Comparison