FILE 2A

PACK AND GO

HOW TO AGREE / DISAGREE IN ENGLISH

Sooner or later you will get the need to agree or disagree with someone or something that is being said in English, and this is definitely something that you will also have to do in your oral exam when talking to your partner. 

Offering an opinion can be difficult when it is not in your first language, because you may be unsure of what to say or how to say it. 

The best way to do it is to learn and practise some useful expressions that are commonly used in discussions. For example, there is a difference between agreeing strongly or only slightly. Study the expressions and practise saying them in class.

HOW TO PACK YOUR BAGS

After the terrible experience we had with this video in class, please don´t  miss the opportunity to watch it over and over again.

Click here for the video listening, watch it up to 3.13m. and fill in the gaps below with 1-3 words:

The first thing you need is a strong suitcase with an (1) _______________. Then, you’ll have to write a kind of holiday calendar with three (2) ________________ in it. After that, you’ll have to (3) ______________ your clothes list to your holiday diary and bear in mind that you will need one (4) _________________ a day if you are travelling for a week or a long weekend. To prepare all the items you need, they recommend you to (5) ______________ your bed and check if it will (6) _____________ into your case.When packing, (7) ______________ can be rolled to lessen their creasing and no matter how hot your holiday destination might be, never forget to take a light sweater in case of (8) ______________ evenings and a light jacket, too.Both (9) __________________ and (10) _____________________ must be packed into plastic bags. Lastly, remember to take a (11) __________________ with you with plasters, band aids and other staff like that.

STATIVE VS. DYNAMIC VERBS

There are certain groups of verbs that are usually only used in the Present simple. This is because their meanings are related to states or conditions which are facts and not activities. The groups of verbs are:

VERBS OF THINKING / OPINIONS: Believe, think, agree, mean, doubt, imagine, understand, know, realise, suppose, remember, deserve, expect, forget, prefer.

VERBS OF EMOTIONS AND FEELING: like, love, hate, care, hope, wish, want, admit.

VERBS OF HAVING AND BEING: belong, need, own, have, possess, depend on, weigh, come from, cost, seem, appear, resemble.

VERBS OF THE SENSES: look, hear, taste, smell.

Some of these verbs can be used in the Present Continuous, but with a change of meaning:

I think you are right (=opinion/believe)
We’re thinking of going to the cinema  (=have in mind/consider)

He has a lot of money (=possession)

She’s having a bath. (=activity)

I see what you mean.(=understand)

Are you seeing Nigel tomorrow? (=activity/meeting)

The soup tastes awful. (=state)

I’m tasting the soup to see if it needs salt (=activity)

Why don´t you try and practise the difference with these activities?

PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Here is a very useful website to practise the difference between these two verb forms. Enjoy the exercises!!

WELCOME TO IRELAND

In this unit we are going to learn about a lot of different holiday destinations in the world. It is time for Ireland now. You can watch the video we saw in class before trying the activity below. 

You are going to watch a documentary giving some information about Ireland. Listen carefully and fill in the blanks with one or two words so that the statements are true according to what you hear.

Welcome to Ireland, which is a place of beauty, full of legend. Surprisingly enough, Irish people are perpetually (1) .................................., whereas the weather is consistently (2) ..................................

In spite of the hundreds of years of (3) .................................., famine, internal fight and (4) .................................., the island’s reputation still remains as one of the most attractive holiday destinations in the world.

Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, has (5) .................................. a quarter of the Republic’s inhabitants. It is a young and modern city, which most people consider a joy (6) .................................. . However, Cork is the (7) .................................. of Ireland, as locals will tell you.

If you feel like a (8) .................................., don’t worry about the weather, because there is no better way to take in Ireland’s (9) .................................. . Besides, if you fancy a drink, you can enjoy a pint of the (10) .................................. in any traditional Irish pub.

Don’t forget! If you want to visit somewhere very special and a little magical too, Ireland is the place for  you!!

JAMAICA

Jamaica is a wonderful holiday destination. Just in case you might be planning your next holiday, click on the image and have a look at their official website!! Open the different labels and learn a lot of new holiday vocabulary!!! This is the right website to do so!!

EDINBURGH

The city of Edinburgh sits in the heart of Scotland and it is the starting point of our journey around means of transport and travel phrasal verbs in English. Hope you are enjoying your trip in this unit!! Enjoy the video about the city and do not forget to complete this quiz when you finish studying your phrasal verbs!!

FILE 2A_WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Here is the writing assignment for this unit. Your deadline is next week, but you can also send it to me by email if you think you won´t be able to attend. Have a look here first to learn to write nice informal emails in English!! Don´t forget that previous preparation is important before writing.