I WISH

FIRST CONDITIONAL

1. What will you do if you pass all your exams next year?
2. What will you do if you happen to meet an old boyfriend / girlfriend of yours at Christmas?
3. What will you do if you happen to oversleep tomorrow?
4. What will you do if you happen to be caught in a traffic jam and not be able to come to class on Monday / Tuesday?

SECOND CONDITIONAL

1. What would happen if scientists were to find a cure for AIDS and cancer?
2. Should Bin Laden be captured, what would happen?
3. Were you to find out your boyfriend / girlfriend / husband / wife is cheating on you, what would you do?
4. Were you to get an awful Christmas present from your mother-in-law, would you tell her how you felt about it?
5. Were you to be called names in front of a large number of people, what would you do?

THIRD CONDITIONAL

1. What would you have done if…

• you hadn’t come here today?
• You hadn’t decided to learn English?
• You had had time this week?
• You had been born a member of the opposite sex?
• You had followed your parents’ advice?
• You had won the lottery recently?
• You had found 500 Euros on your way here today?
• You had met an alien from outer space on your way here?
• You had met your great-great-grandparents?
• You had lived in the 19th Century

2. What would you have worn if you had been to a party yesterday evening?
3. What would your parents have done if you had been born a member of the opposite sex?
4. What would have happened if America had not been discovered yet?

In pairs, work out who might have expressed the following wishes:

• I wish I hadn’t cut my ear off.
• We wish we had not kidnapped Ingrid Betancourt six years ago.
• I wish I had not cheated on my wife at the White House.
• I wish I had married Camilla instead.
• I wish I hadn’t invaded Russia.
• If only I hadn’t eaten that apple.
• I wish I hadn’t trusted Brutus.
• If only I hadn’t gone to Dallas.
• I wish I had not spent 27 years in a South-African prison.
• I wish I had seen that iceberg.
• I wish I had not married Prince Charles.
• I wish I hadn’t abdicated.
• I wish I hadn’t flown so close to the sun.
• I wish I hadn’t held the Spanish Parliament at gunpoint on 23 February 1981.
• I wish I hadn’t discovered radium.
• I wish I hadn’t gone down with Aids.
• I wish I hadn’t given the order to drop the Atom bomb over Hiroshima.
• I wish I hadn’t gone to that theatre that night.
• I wish I had not sent the Armada to Britain.
• I wish I hadn’t taken that drug overdose.
• I wish I had not invented dynamite

Talk about:

• A famous singer you wish you had seen in concert.
• Something you wish the Town Council did to improve your town.
• A foreign language you wish you could speak apart from English?
• Something you wish a member of your family wouldn’t do?
• Something you wish had never been discovered or invented.
• A very expensive possession you wish you had.
• A quality you wish you had.
• A famous person you wish you could meet.
• A sport you wish you were very good at.
• An aspect of your personality you wish you could change.
• Something you wish people in Spain wouldn’t do?
• Something you wish you had learnt to do but still can’t do.
• Something you wish you hadn’t bought.
• Something you wish you hadn’t done this month.
• The number of brothers or sisters you wish you had had.
• When you wish you had been born.
• A country you wish you had been born with.
• What you wish Spanish television programmes were like?
• Something you could say to an important person in politics.
• The mistakes you made when you were young that you wish you hadn’t made.

SMART SHOES DECIDE ON TELEVISION TIME

 

To work out: to do a calculation to get an answer to a mathematical question.

To warrant: to make a particular activity necessary.

To devise: to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually cleverly or imaginatively.

To dub: to give something or someone a particular name, especially describing what you think of them.

Tiny: extremely small.

To record: to keep information for the future, by writing it down or storing it on a computer.

Wireless: a radio.

To deserve: to have earned or to be given something because of the way you have behaved or the qualities you have.

Exertion: effort.

To balloon: to get bigger and rounder.

Waistline: an imaginary line going round the narrowest part of your waist.

Current: of the present time.

Issues: a subject or problem which people are thinking and talking about.

To stand out: to be very noticeable.

To tackle: to try to deal with something or someone.

Allowance: an amount of something that you are allowed.

Further: more, additional.

Pedometer: a device which measures how far someone has walked by counting the number of times the feet are raised and put down again.

To clip: to fasten something with a clip. A clip: a small usually metal or plastic object used for fastening things together or holding them in position.

To keep count: to record how many of something there is, or how many time something has happened.

To be tricked into: to be deceived.

 

EXTRACT FROM A NEWSPAPER COLUMN

 

Regular: usual or ordinary.

Subtle: not loud, bright, noticeable or obvious in any way.

To go out of one’s way: to try very hard to do something, especially for someone else.

Market research: the collection and examination of information about things that people buy or might buy and their feelings about things that they have bought.

To CONDUCT a survey

On behalf of: representing; instead of.

Settlement: an arrangement to end a disagreement involving a law having been broken, without taking it to a court of law, or an amount of money paid as part of such an arrangement.

Claimant: a person who asks for something which they believe belongs to them or which they have a right to.

To pop: to move quickly and suddenly, especially from an enclosed space.

Claim: a statement that something is true or is a fact, although other people might not believe it.

 

 

JUNK

 

 

Unwittingly: without being aware of what you are doing or the situation that you are involved in. Sin ser consciente (de ello), sin darse cuenta.

Mockery: comments or actions that are intended to make sby/sthg seem ridiculous.

Endeavour: an attempt to do sthg, especially sthg new or difficult. Esfuerzo, empeño, intento.

Countless: very many; too many to be counted or mentioned.

Casual: not showing much care or thought; seeming not to be worried; not wanting to show that sthg is important to you.

To trample: to ignore sby’s feelings or rights and treat them as if they are not important.

Awesome: very impressive or very difficult and perhaps rather frightening.

To hurl: to throw sthg/sby violently in a particular direction.

To tear up: to destroy a document, etc. by tearing it into pieces.

Fir tree: an evergreen forest tree with leaves like needles, that grows in cool northern countries. Abeto.

Mill: a factory that produces a particular type of material.

To pulp: to crush or beat sthg so that it becomes soft and wet.

To weep-wept-wept: to cry.

To dismiss: to decide that sby/sthg is not important and not worth thinking or talking about.

To peruse: to read sthg, especially in a careful way. Perusal: noun. Examen.

Pointless: having no purpose; not worth doing.

Moorland: land that consists of moors. Moor: a high open area of land that is not used for farming, especially an area covered with rough grass and heather. Páramo.

To turn over to: to change the use or function of sthg.

Crop: a plant that is grown in large quantities, especially as food. the amount of grain, fruit, etc. that is grown in one season.

To wipe out: to destroy or remove sby/sthg completely.

To pray: to speak to God, especially to give thanks or ask for help.

Consumption: the act of using energy, food or materials; the amount used. Consumo.

Contemptuous: feeling or showing that you have no respect for sby/sthg.

Spindly: (informal, often disapproving) very long and thin and not strong. Largo y flaco;  larguirucho.

Leggy: (informal) (especially of girls and women) having long legs. De piernas largas, zanquilargo.

 

 

 

INFORMATION

1. How can we gather information? What different ways do we have to get information? Where can we get information from?

2. How many times in a typical week do you access the World Wide Web? What kind of information do you want to access?

3. What are the different sections a library is divided into? How is the information stored?

4. Do you know of anyone who has ever tried to withhold information from you? Why? Do you agree with the following statement: “Information is power”?

5. In what ways can information be manipulated? Can you think of any instances of this?

6. Do we, Spaniards, enjoy total freedom of information?

7. What kind of information can you get just by watching somebody? What does their posture / gestures / clothes / movement of the eyes, etc tell you about them? Is this kind of information accurate? How often have you been proved wrong?

 

If you need to know which verbs are considered stative, click on the following link:

STATIVE VERBS

CHANGES

Complete each of the gaps with a word from the box. The verb you must choose must be appropriate for the gap in both sentences.

Adapted, altered, shifted, changed, transferred

1.

1. I’ve _______________ my mind. I’ll have soup instead of the prawn cocktail.
2. He _______________ places with Jean so that he could sit nearer the    blackboard.

2.

1. Football star David Beckham was _______________ from Manchester United to Real Madrid for a fee of 25 million pounds.
2. I’ve just _______________ 3,000 pounds from my current account to my savings account.

3.

1. When asked why he hadn’t done his homework, James _______________ uncomfortably in his seat.
2. The publishing company has _______________ its attention away from children’s literature towards school text books.

4.

1. The snow leopard has ­­­_______________ to life at altitudes of up to 6,000 metres.
2. Several of her books have been ______________ for television.

5.

1. The jacket was a perfect fit, but I had the trousers ­_______________ because they were a little too tight.
2. The new tower block has dramatically _______________the appearance of the town.

Choose the answer which best fits each space.

1. He’s _______________ changed at all since I last saw him – just as lively and outgoing as he always was.

a. slightly      b. hardly      c. subtly      d. nearly

2. The seat is _______________ adjusted by pulling on this lever here.

a. highly        b. fully         c. openly      d. easily

3. Prices vary _______________, so do shop around before you buy your barbecue.

a. widely        b. instantly  c. closely      d. completely

4. In response to growing criticism, the government modified its plans for education cuts, though only very _______________.

a. barely        b. slightly    c. faintly      d. fundamentally

5. To her credit, she _______________ transformed the business from a string of small shops into a major international chain of department stores.

a. radically                        b. revoltingly

c. enormously                    d. increasingly

Complete each of the gaps with one of the words from the box.

Fortunes, heart, scene, pace, condition, attitudes, direction, law

1. You should go away somewhere for the weekend. A change of _______________ will do you good.

2.At first my parents refused to let me go off travelling on my own, but then they had a change of _______________.

3.After a very slow start, the car chase gives the film a much needed change of _______________.

4.In a complete change of _______________ he gave up his job in teaching and became a farmer.

5. The win marked a change in the _______________ of the team, which had lost its previous six games.

6.Despite the operation on his eye, there has been no significant change in the patient’s _______________ .

7. Anti-smoking campaigners yesterday called for a change in the __________ to make it illegal for people to smoke in bars and cafés.

8. The legalisation of divorce reflected a change in __________ towards marriage.

 

KEY

1. A  and B: CHANGED.

2. A AND B: TRANSFERRED

3. A AND B: SHIFTED

4. A AND B: ADAPTED

5. A AND B: ALTERED

SECOND EXERCISE

1. HARDLY

2. EASILY

3. WIDELY

4. SLIGHTLY

5. RADICALLY

THIRD EXERCISE

1. SCENE

2. HEART

3. PACE

4. DIRECTION

5. FORTUNES

6. CONDITION

7. LAW

8. ATTITUDES

IMMIGRATION

1. Have any of your acquaintances gone to live in a foreign country? Why?

2. Do you know anyone who has come to live in Spain from another country? Why have they? Do these people have any problems about living away from home?

3. What would you miss about Spain if you went to live abroad?

4. What would be your expectations about living in a different country?

5. What would be your worst fear or the greatest problem you might be faced with?

6. What are some things you could do to make your move easier?

7. Would you be concerned that you might be discriminated against?

8. Do immigrants assimilate easily?

9. Why do you think discrimination exists?

10. Have you experienced discrimination on a personal level?

 

LANGUAGE FOCUS: TALKING ABOUT THE PAST

1. Have you ever been abroad? If so, what special difficulties did you experience?

2. What ambitions do you harbour? Do you think they will be too great to fulfil? Have you ever given up any ambitions you had? What were the reasons?

3. Who usually takes you out to dinner or lunch? How often do they?

4. Did your parents use to read you a story at bedtime? If so, what stories do you remember them telling you? Do you think this is something positive? Do bedtime stories encourage people to read later in life?

5. When you were a little child, did your parents let you watch everything on TV? What kind of programs or films were you NOT allowed to watch? Do you remember any films in particular?

CLOZE TEST

SECOND CHANCES

Second Chances represents opportunity…

• to provide homeless and lower income people __________ the clothing that will not only build their self-esteem, but could open the doors __________ a brighter future.

• for a second life for your gently used and new clothing, shoes and accessories, and a chance to conserve valuable natural resources instead of filling our area’s __________ overflowing landfills.

• for all of us to feel the satisfaction that comes __________ helping our neighbours, connecting with local organizations, and preserving the environment.

Second Chances’ mission is to provide clothing to people __________ need, inform supporters __________ issues affecting our community and help people connect with local organizations or issues that resonate with their values, skills and personal experiences.

KEY TO THE CLOZE TEST

Second Chances represents opportunity

• to provide homeless and lower income people with the clothing that will not only build their self-esteem, but could open the doors to a brighter future.

• for a second life for your gently used and new clothing, shoes and accessories, and a chance to conserve valuable natural resources instead of filling our area’s already overflowing landfills.

• for all of us to feel the satisfaction that comes from helping our neighbors, connecting with local organizations, and preserving the environment.

Second Chances’ mission is to provide clothing to people in need, inform supporters about issues affecting our community and help people connect with local organizations or issues that resonate with their values, skills and personal experiences.

HADRIAN’S WALL

1. What did Hadrian think that the Empire would not be able to maintain?
2. What were the two main problems facing the Roman soldiers in the northern half of Britannia?

3. What did their leaders think the Roman soldiers would do if they were not disciplined?

4. Hadrian’s Wall was intended to be a towering ________________ ________________ wall across the entire country.

5. What was the vellum?

6. Why were the difficulties enormous?

7. Moving stone blocks to make the wall is described as being a ________________ task.

8. What did the sebtries do in the watchtowers?

9. What did each super fort include?

10. How long did it take to finish the wall?

GLOSSARY

To fritter away: to waste money, time or an opportunity.Malgastar, derrochar, dilapidar.

To pilfer: to steal things of small value. Robar, hurtar.

Ditch: a long narrow open channel dug into the ground usually at the side of a road or field, which is used especially for supplying or removing water, or for dividing land. Zanja, cuneta.

Towering: very high and impressive.Imponente.

Rugged: (of land) uneven and wild; not easy to travel over.Escarpado, accidentado, escabroso.

Terrain: an area of land, when considering its natural features.Terreno, territorio.

Fort: a military building consisting of an area enclosed by a strong wall, in which soldiers live and which is designed to be defended from attack. Fuerte.

KEY

1. ITS EXPANDED BORDERS.

2. FREEZING WINTERS AND BARBARIAN INCURSIONS.

3. FRITTER AWAY THEIR TIME AND GAMBLE.

4. 73-MILE DEFENSIVE

5. A 40 METRE -WIDE DITCH (THAT RAN BEHIND THE WALL FROM COAST TO COAST)

6. BECAUSE OF THE RUGGED TERRAIN. bESIDES, THE GROUND WAS EXTREMELY UNEVEN AND THERE WERE CLIFFS, VALLEYS AND ROCK WALLS.

7. BACKBREAKING

8. THEY KEPT A CONSTANT EYE ON THE BORDERLAND.

9. AN ASSEMBLY HALL, BARRACKS, A BATH-HOUSE, A TEMPLE, A HOSPITAL.

10. 5 YEARS.

 

PAST TENSES

1. Correct the following sentences by changing the underlined word or words. You may need to write more than one word.

1. I know him since we were at school together.
2. We would have a parrot, but he flew away one day when I was cleaning his cage.
3. The service was terrible; when our dessert arrived, Paul still ate his supper.
4. I have met some very interesting people on my holiday last year.
5. This must be about the tenth time I eat in this restaurant.
6. It’s a long time since we don’t see each other.
7. It wasn’t the first time she was catching him taking money from her purse.
8. I’d like to stay in London longer, but we had to get back for Sandra’s wedding.
9. I’d rather you didn’t give him my phone number – he phoned me three times yesterday!
10. You did nothing but complain since we’ve been here.
11. She was about sitting down when she noticed the chair was broken.

 

KEY

 

1. HAVE KNOWN

2. USED TO / HAD

3. WAS STILL EATING

4. MET

5. HAVE EATEN

6. HAVE SEEN / SAW

7. CAUGHT

8. HAVE STAYED

9. HADN’T GIVEN

10. HAVE BEEN DOING / HAVE DONE

11. TO SIT