Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
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CARMEN COSTINA
LIMBA ENGLEZ
Modulul 2
Producerea de mesaje orale
i scrise
Ghidul elevului
Ghidul este realizat n conformitate cu programa colar pentru disciplina Limba englez
din cadrul programului A doua ans nvmnt secundar inferior, aprobat de
Ministerul Educaiei i Cercetrii prin Ordinul nr. 5375/29.12.2005,
i este distribuit gratuit cursanilor nscrii n acest program educaional.
Toate materialele din cadrul programului educaional A doua ans vor fi modificate, conform sugestiilor de
mbuntire formulate n urma utilizrii lor n coal.
n acest sens, trimitei comentariile i sugestiile dumneavoastr pe adresa
secondchance@wyginternational.ro
Acest material este publicat n scopuri educaionale, non-profit, pentru a fi folosit n primul an de aplicare
experimental a programului educaional A doua ans nvmnt secundar inferior.
Autorii s-au strduit s intre n legtur cu proprietarii imaginilor pentru a obine permisiunea de a le folosi n
aceast ediie. i rugm pe aceia pe care nu i-am putut contacta s ia legtura cu noi la
secondchance@wyginternational.ro.
371.3:811.111
Aceast publicaie face parte din Programul Phare 2003 Acces la educaie pentru grupuri dezavantajate,
componenta A doua ans.
Editorul materialului: Ministerul Educaiei i Cercetrii
Data publicrii: august 2006
Coninutul acestui material nu reprezint n mod necesar poziia oficial a Uniunii Europene.
Scripts 48
Vocabulary 54
Get ready! 58
This course is designed in such a way as to help you learn English through
meaningful communicative activities and exercises, based on your previous
knowledge of English and your life experience. If the course may seem hard at
times, dont panick. Your teacher is there to help you make the most of it. Also,
you might find it helpful to use the learning strategy tips presented in the
introductory lesson Do you need a Learning Diary?.
The course is structured in four units, each unit consisting of three lessons and a
self-assessment section at the end. The structure of each lesson is consistent
throughout the textbook and is similar to the lessons in the other subjects that you
study in the Second Chance programme (Romanian, Mathematics, Science etc.)
The self-assessment pages at the end of each unit will help you get the best
results in the final assessment at the end of the module. By doing this self-
assessment activities, you will be able to identify some of the areas where you
still experience difficulties and need more practice. Hopefully, they will also be a
way for you to celebrate small successes step by step.
At the end of the book, there are some Vocabulary pages. They contain about 200
words that have been used in the lessons. Use these pages as best suits your
needs: while studying each lesson, while revising, before or after self-assessment
these are all good opportunities to have a look at the vocabulary pages.
Finally, in the Get Ready! section, you will be reading some useful advice on
how to prepare for the final assessment at the end of the module.
We really hope you will enjoy studying this textbook and look forward to hearing
about your success!
Good luck!
When we learn, we all use different strategies. Look at the Strategies are planned series
definition of the word strategies on the right. What of actions to achieve
learning strategies do you use? How about some of your something.
colleagues? Discuss in pairs, then as a whole class.
Catch on to it!
Read about some of Pauls learning strategies, then talk to your deskmate about which
strategies you find useful.
Paul has decided to learn more English as he wants to apply for a better job. He is a
well-organised student, so he keeps a Learning Diary. These are some of the learning
strategies that he uses:
1. To learn VOCABULARY:
I write sentences with the new words and phrases I have learned in class.
e.g. My brother is a mechanic.
I make notes about how to use the new words or phrases.
e.g. Where is my money? (always singular)
I group words in topic groups.
This is an example for JOBS.
Can you add three more jobs?
I look for words with similar
meanings.
e.g. to close = to shut
diary = journal
I find opposites.
e.g. near far
good bad
I make pictures and diagrams. chimney
I write lists of words with their translation. house
e.g. milk = lapte
cabbage = varz
I look up words in a dictionary and write the
dictionary definitions.
e.g. naked = not wearing any clothes
2. To learn GRAMMAR:
I write down examples of grammar structures.
e.g. I have lived here all my life.
I look at grammar explanations.
a, an
If the word that follows starts with a consonant sound, use a: a car, a red apple.
If the word that follows starts with a vowel sound, use an: an apple; an orange cup.
Wrong Right
Listen me! Listen to me!
I have 26. I am 26.
3. To ORGANIZE my study:
I keep a planner at the end of my learning diary. Heres an example:
Plan / Strategy Result Next Step
Find words for I can name 25 Ask the teacher to suggest books about
nationalities nationalities lifestyles in different countries
Work on it!
These are some pages in Pauls diary: In which section does each of them go?
Write VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR or PLANNER in the suitable boxes:
12 february
Today I learned about how to write an official letter. I found this very useful, because I will need to
write an application letter in English for my job.
For next class: I need to ask my teacher more about writing the date in English.
Go for it!
Find partners in your class who use similar learning strategies to yours. Work in groups of
four to draw up a structure for your learning diary.
Unit I
Famous Cities 1
Think about it!
Can you name some famous cities around the world? What
are they famous for?
Useful language
country capital city
town population
inhabitants area
km2 square kilometres
economy industry
consumer goods
Catch on to it!
Read the following texts about some famous cities, then fill in the name of the correct city
in each table:
Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the oldest
cities in
Los Angeles, California, is one of the the world. It was already a large city during the
Roman
most populated areas in the United States Empire. Today, with a population of about 2,553
,873
of America: 3,845,542 inhabitants. The people, Rome is also a major centre of European
city is a very important industrial and culture. There is no heavy industry in Rome, but
financial centre. Some of the most commercial activities, especially banking and touris
m,
important activities include petroleum are extremely important to the economy of Rome
.
and film industries. The city also has a Universities, national radio and television and
the
diversified economy: over 60% of the movie industry also play an important part in
the
largest companies in California have their economy of Rome.
head offices there.
City or Countryside? 2
Useful language
Think about it!
city country farm
Do you prefer living in the city or country? Why? lifestyle medical care
neighbour office
peaceful quiet services
shops transportation
village
Catch on to it!
Read the story below. What does the story mean?
You shouldnt eat fast.
It is better to live in the country.
It is polite to invite your friends over for a meal.
The Town and the Country Mouse country I have only simple bread and cheese
by John Russell in my quiet peaceful home.
Suddenly, there was a loud noise at the
Once upon a time, there were two mice door. Dont worry, said the town mouse,
they were cousins. One lived in the town thats just my neighbour the dog, he wants
and the other in the country. The town to join us for dinner. The country mouse ate
mouse was a very superior mouse. He a little faster. Another noise was heard out-
thought that living in the town was much side, even louder this time. Oh dear, said the
better than living the country. So one day, town mouse, the cat wants to join us too.
he invited his country cousin to stay with Quickly finishing his meal, the country
him in his town house and experience the mouse said, thank you, but I think I will re-
civilized lifestyle of the town. They sat turn to my quiet peaceful house in the coun-
down to a meal, which to the country mouse try, and he ran back home as fast as his legs
was a feast. Delicious, he said. In the could carry him.
2. Write the comparatives of the following adjectives. Then, place them in the correct
column, according to the way they are formed:
easy comfortable fast peaceful good quiet civilized bad healthy noisy
loud many
Go for it!
1. Write 3-4 sentences to compare living in the city to living
in the country.
2. Use your ideas in a debate with your colleagues: would Do you know?
you rather be a country mouse or a city mouse?
Around 30 million people
in the European Union live
Did you get it? in housing without a
bathroom or shower.
Can you use comparatives to speak about some of the
things in your classroom?
Cultural Profiles 3
Useful language
family extended family
Think about it! household a few / several
difference similarity
How many children are there in your family? What about birth rate value
most of the families that you know? How many children responsibility
would you like to have?
Catch on to it!
Read these cultural profiles for Romanians, Italians and Romani people. Write down some
important aspects of family life in each culture.
Family plays an important role in the day- children in social events. Children go out
to-day lives of Romanians. Children are con- with their parents to restaurants. They also
sidered important in a marriage. Most fami- stay up late at night to play in the piazza
lies have one or two children. while the parents and grandparents enjoy a
Children start their formal education at drink at a nearby cafe.
the age of 6-7, when they go to school. The father was once the head of the fam-
Men and women are considered equal, ily and the familys link to the rest of the
but this is true more in urban than in rural world. But this situation is changing today
settings. Most women who live in cities have as more women enter the paid workforce.
a full time job outside the home. Decisions
within the family are generally made togeth- Family is highly valued by the Roma people.
er and doing the house chores has become Everything takes place in the family, so Ro-
more and more a shared responsibility. mani are dependent on their family groups.
Most families have several children: the
In Italy, large families were once the ideal. more children, the greater the family fortunes.
Today, the birth rate has dropped to about 1.2 In recent years, Romani people have
births for every woman, but the extended started to place more value on formal educa-
family remains important. Extended family tion and send their children to school, hop-
members usually live near each other or in ing for a better life.
the same household. Grandparents, aunts, Romani wives look after the house, raise
uncles and cousins often get together to share the children, and obey their husbands. Men
family celebrations and Sunday dinner. are the protectors of the familys prestige in
Children have a special place in Italian the community, making decisions and tak-
society. Italians make an effort to include ing responsibility for their families.
2. Now write the underlined words in the table below, grouping them according to the way
they form the plural: There is one example for each category.
Go for it!
Write 5 sentences about your own views on family life. Be
sure to use plurals in each sentence.
c. They have been married for six years and have three .
a. childrens b. child c. children
3. Write a few sentences to describe the place where you live (town / village / city):
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Take some time to reflect upon the unit you have just finished. Answer the questions
below. Bear in mind that at final assessment you will be asked to make similar
reflections on your learning and skills.
What do you think about the lessons and activities in this unit?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Write down a few situations in which you could use what you have learned in this unit.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Unit II
accommodation
additional cost allow
certificate immigration
office passport qualify
require visa weekly
allowance work permit
Catch on to it!
Read the following text:
Entering the UK
Everyone visiting Europe needs a valid
passport and some European countries may
also require visas. Your passport must not
expire within six months of entering Europe
or you will not be allowed in. You should al-
low plenty of time to apply for a new pass-
port. You can obtain your passport faster for
an additional cost. A visa is a certificate that
is put into your passport or travel document
which gives you permission to enter the UK.
When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration
Officer may ask you questions, so you
should take all relevant documents in your
hand luggage.
Working in the UK
There are several programmes that allow to five hours day in exchange for accommo-
travellers to legally work in the UK. One of dation in your own room and a recommend-
them is the Au Pair programme. Under this ed weekly allowance of -55. To qualify for
programme you can come to the UK to study this scheme you must show that you: are not
English if you are aged between 17 and 27 married; have no dependents; will leave the
and a national of certain countries, includ- UK within two years; will not need help
ing Romania. Under the au pair scheme you from public funds; plan to leave the United
can live for up to two years with an English- Kingdom when you complete your stay as
speaking family working in the home for up an au pair.
a. ________________________ you hold your breath for more than a minute? No, I cant.
c. As a Romanian citizen, you _____________________ get a visa before entering the UK.
d. Shes really upset now, you ________________________ talk to her like that!
Go for it!
What could you say to these people? Write down one sentence for each situation, then
compare them with those of your pair:
a. Your friend wants to lose weight.
b. Your teacher wants to know more about your learning needs.
c. Your colleague wants to get a qualification as a hairdresser.
d. Your sister would like to work as an au pair in the UK.
e. Your father would like to get a better job.
Do you know?
Did you get it?
The UK may have over
Work in groups of four. On a big sheet of paper write down 500,000 East European
some of the rules in your classroom. Make sure you use the immigrants following the
verbs can / must / should appropriately. inclusion of ten new
member states to the EU.
Need a Visa? 2
Think about it!
This is a visa application form. Supposing you want to help
a friend fill it in, what questions would you have to ask?
Catch on to it!
Read the following text. Where do you think it is taken from?
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/
ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977149989
How do I apply?
You will need to fill in an application form and give this to the visa sec-
tion at a UK mission overseas with:
your valid passport or travel document
a passport-sized (45mm 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. The
photograph should be:
taken against a light coloured (white, off-white etc.) background
unmounted, clear and of good quality
printed on normal photographic paper
full face without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless for
ethnic or religious reasons
the visa fee (usually payable in local currency)
any supporting documents requested in the guidance note
Useful language
Work on it!
background fee host
1. Read the How do I apply? section of the text again. Find light/dark colour local
all the definite and indefinite articles and discuss their use currency overseas
with your teacher. passport-sized qualify for
sunglasses unless valid
3. Decide whether you should use the definite or indefinite article in the following
sentences:
You have a visitor from another country and they keep Having a visa does not
asking questions about everything. Can you answer them? guarantee entry to the host
country. The border
crossing authorities can
Did you get it? make the final decision
whether to allow entry or
Is the use of articles in English similar to the use of articles not. They may even cancel a
in your mother tongue? Compare some examples and visa at the border if the
discuss them with your pair. alien cannot demonstrate
that they will abide by the
status their visa grants
them.
Ready to Go 3
Think about it! Useful language
Imagine you are going on a long journey. Make a list of the ambitious both and
five most important things you would like to take with by the way count on
you. Argue your choices in a discussion with your partner. somebody determined
doll in exchange keep
ones promises
Catch on to it! opportunity pack
present scared search
Listen to the following conversation, then answer these search engine toy type
questions:
Who is packing? Where is Rita going?
What will she do there? When is she coming back?
__________ jeans.
__________ bag.
2. Rewrite the following sentences, changing the subjects and verbs from the singular to the
plural. Make any other necessary changes. Example:
This exercise is very easy, I already finished it.
These exercises are very easy, I already finished them.
a. This umbrella is mine.
b. That toy train is made of wood.
c. That window is closed, can you open it, please?
d. This is your new colleague, please welcome him.
e. That computer isnt working.
f. This letter is for you, it arrived this morning. Do you know?
Internet search engines are
Go for it! special sites on the Web that
are designed to help people
Write some sentences about things in your classroom using find information stored on
this, that, these, those. Then check each others work with hundreds of millions of
your partner. pages available on the
Internet. Google, which was
launched in 1998, has
Did you get it? become one of the most
popular search engines in
Can you explain in simple words when to use this or that / the world.
these ot those?
2. Choose the right words from the list below to complete each of the following sentences.
apply citizen signature valid passport visa
b. Make sure you have a _____________________ passport before you leave the country.
___________________________________________________________________________________
A child has just finished his chocolate and is preparing to throw the paper in the street.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Your friend has drunk three beers and is preparing to drive the car.
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Take some time to reflect upon the unit you have just finished. Answer the questions
below. Bear in mind that at final assessment you will be asked to make similar
reflections on your learning and skills.
What do you think about the lessons and activities in this unit?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Write down a few situations in which you could use what you have learned in this unit.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Unit III
A Job Description 1
Think about it!
A friend of yours is taking on a new job. What advice
would you give them for their first day of work? Useful language
2. Choose a suitable verb from the following list to finish these sentences. Put the verb in
the affirmative or negative to make sensible sentences.
say stretch leave ask take speak
Do you know?
Go for it!
The period of weekly
Imagine a friend of yours is helping you with the spring working time is limited by
cleaning. What instructions would you give them? (Use means of law in many
both affirmative and negative sentences.) countries. The European
Working Time Directive sets
the maximum weekly
Did you get it? working time to no more
than 48 hours for each
Think of a new exercise to check your pairs understanding seven-day period.
of Imperatives. Then solve each others exercises.
Catch on to it!
Read the following interview, then answer these questions:
a. How old is Veronika?
b. Where is she from?
c. What is her job?
d. How did she find her job?
e. Does she like it? Why?
Name: Veronika Santl
Hi Veronika! Why did you decide to become an au pair? Age: 20
After I finished school I was unsure whether to start work or Occupation: Au pair in
go on to further study, so I made the decision to take a gap Ipswich, UK
Home town: Straubing,
year, to give myself more time for making the best decision. Germany
Go for it!
Write a few sentences about your education. When did you Do you know?
start school for the first time? Why did you stop going to
school? How did you find out about the Second Chance Only nationals from the
programme? How did you make the decision to start this following countries are
programme? included in the official au
pair scheme: Andorra,
Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Did you get it? Croatia, Faroe Islands,
Greenland, Macedonia,
Check some English grammar books or dictionaries and Monaco, Romania, San
make a list of irregular verbs. Keep this list at hand and try Marino, Turkey.
to memorize as many as you can.
A Letter Home 3
Think about it!
Have you ever received a letter from a friend? Why / when
do people send letters to each other?
Catch on to it!
Look at the following letter. Before reading it, try to answer these questions:
a. Who is the letter for?
b. Who is the letter from? Where is the letter sent from?
c. When was it written?
Useful language
Work on it!
confident friendly
1. Read Ritas letter again, then answer these questions about impressed independent
her: reason successful
a. How long has she been in England? supportive way of life
b. What has she learned there? look forward to make
c. In what ways does she feel she has changed? progress run a business
set up a business thanks to
3. Use Present Perfect if the exact time when the action happened is not important. With
time expressions such as yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child,
you should use Simple Past.
Put the verb in brackets into the Simple Past or Present Perfect:
c. Ive been waiting for half an hour. Where _______________ you _______________? (be)
e. Do you like the present she _______________ for your birthday? (buy)
Go for it!
Write a letter to a friend in which to describe your
experience as a Second Chance student. Speak about how
you started the course, what you have learned, what you
have liked. Add a few lines in the end about your plans for Do you know?
the future. Have you made any decisions?
The European Commission
launched the Second
Did you get it? Chance Schools pilot
projects in 1997.
To use Present Perfect correctly, you need to brush up on The main aim of these pilot
your list of Irregular verbs. Work with your partner to make projects was to help young
sure you have both learned them correctly. See if you can people get the necessary
make 10 sentences with different verbs in the Present education and training to
Perfect to speak about your life experience. Check your find a job.
sentences with your pair.
1. Alex and Irina keep arguing about everything. If Alex tells the children Do this or
that, Irina will say Dont do this or that! and the other way round.
Here is a list of Alexs instructions for the children. What would Irina say?
Alex Irina
e.g. Dont wash the dishes! Wash the dishes!
Do your homework now!
2. Use the past tense of the verbs between brackets to finish these sentences:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Dear Alex,
I finally arrived in Italy after a very long journey. The train was quite slow but at least I
got here safe and sound (you know how scared I am of flying!)
How are things at home? Did you get an answer about the job you applied for? I really
hope you will get this job, I know how important it is to you!
How are your parents? Please give them my regards and tell your mum I miss her apple pies.
Well, thats all for now. Please write soon, you will find my address on the back of the
envelope.
Love,
Mark
5. Take some time to reflect upon the unit you have just finished. Answer the questions
below. Bear in mind that at final assessment you will be asked to make similar
reflections on your learning and skills.
What do you think about the lessons and activities in this unit?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Write down a few situations in which you could use what you have learned in this unit.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Unit IV
Catch on to it!
Rita has come back to Romania. Eager to fulfil her dream and become her own employer,
Rita has drawn up the following business plan. Answer these questions after you read it:
a. What kind of services will her company offer?
b. What clients does she have in mind?
c. What operating profit does she expect for 2008?
1. Classify the following words into adjectives and nouns: complaint eager
ability friendly able possibility willing curious employer forecast fulfill
friendliness possible curiosity polite probable gross margin growth
soft politeness softness probability willingness market objective profit
reliability sales set up
Adjectives Nouns summary
friendly, friendliness,
2. Choose one of the words on the right to fill in each of these sentences:
c. __________________ rates seem to be high for this business. This business seems to
Work in groups of four to draw up a mini business plan Over the years, development
based on your ideas. Use nouns and adjectives appropriately. experts learned that when
they help girls and women,
they end up helping the
Did you get it? whole society. This lesson
led them to create special
Look up in a dictionary for more pairs of nouns and programmes that help
adjectives similar to the ones in exercises 1 and 2. How women get the tools, skills,
many correct sentences can you make? Ask your teacher and money they need to
for help. improve their lives.
95 Rosetti Street
Cluj-Napoca, 400 450
October 1, 2006
International Finance Corporation
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20433 USA
Dear Sirs or Madams,
I am writing to request more information about the small business microfinance
programme offered by your organization.
During the past year I have lived in Great Britain, working as an au pair in a family that
ran a cleaning service company. While there, I have had several opportunities to help
them along with their business and learn more about it.
At present my intention is to set up my own business in the city of Cluj-Napoca.
Please find enclosed my curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from my
previous employers and a business plan. I would be very pleased to find out more
about the terms and conditions of your loan programme for small businesses.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Rita Moraru
A. Dear Ms Moraru,
B. International Finance Corporation
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20433 USA Remember!
C. Beatrice Peters
D. With reference to your letter of October 1st 2006, we are Parts of a formal letter
pleased to inform you that our representative in Cluj- return address
Napoca will contact you during the next two weeks. (the senders address)
He will be able to offer you more information about how inside address
the microfinance programme works and advise you on (the recipients address)
the best course of action with regard to your plans. salutation
Please feel free to contact us for any further inquiries. body
E. October 10th, 2006 closing
F. Sincerely yours, signature
G. Rosetti Street
Cluj-Napoca, 400 450
2. Fill in the blanks with only one suitable word from the following list:
bought future hopes loan months old profit start unemployed
Miorita Andrei is 36 years She works as a cleaning lady at the Negresti public library.
Her husband is and they have three children.
Last year she received a of approximately US $ 275 through a microfinance
programme. The money will be repaid in nine with a six-month grace period. With the
credit money she five pigs, animal feed and a cow. Later on she to sell some of the
piglets and a calf to service her debt. She has also made arrangements to sell milk.
She hopes that in the near she will be able to increase the number of animals she owns
and that she will also developing a food processing activity (milk and meat
processing). She hopes to achieve this goal by reinvesting the obtained and with
additional microcredit.
Do you know?
Go for it!
The number of poor people
Write a formal letter to a local organization to inquire about with access to microcredit
any information that may be interesting to you. programmes rose from 7.6
million in 1997 to 26.8 million
in 2001. Microfinancing
Did you get it? enables low-income people to
control assets, make economic
Use the Internet as a resource for more information on decisions and assume control
microfinance programmes that function in your local area of their lives. According to
by typing in some of the key words in this lesson. some estimates, 5% of
microfinance programme
participants could lift their
families out of poverty each
year. (UNDP, Human
Development Report)
Catch on to it!
The following message was received by Rita from her friend, Daniela.
Some lines in the message were introduced by A woman should have, others by
A woman should know. Can you re-create the original message by writing the lines
under the right heading?
Work on it!
Choose the right word
1. Nouns and verbs
make do have take
a bath (British) (American) Study tip
lessons
homework
When you learn new words,
an exam
make notes of the words
a photograph
that go with them
a baby
a suggestion
Make a table like this one in your notebooks and tick the right word combination for the
following nouns: preparations damage research a decision a discovery a phone call a
look a party a noise a promise a test a complaint breakfast progress fun an effort harm a
comment a break a mistake
Informal emails
2. Adjectives and nouns You can start the email with:
Hi / Hi + first name / Dear
big serious great strong huge
+ first name (more formal) /
problem First name only / No name
fun and no greeting
possibility You can end the email with:
All the best / Best wishes /
Use a dictionary to find adjectives that go with the Regards (more formal) /
following nouns: importance difficulty mistake difference Love (close friends and
surprise interest family) / Your first name
3. Intensifying adverbs
very completely / totally absolutely seriously terribly really
important
ill
impossible
sure / certain
Add six rows to the table above and find some more
adjectives to write in the first column. Tick the adverbs
that you can use to make them stronger. Do you know?
1. Circle the correct words from the underlined options that best finish each of the
following sentences:
d. I dont understand your question, you can / can you repeat it please?
2. Use the correct tense of the verbs in the brackets to finish these sentences:
(Use Simple Future / Simple Past / Present Perfect)
b. She (never be) to France, but she would really like to go. _________________________
e. Maria (get) married next year, Im really happy for her! ___________________________
3. You have received the following letter from Mr John Smart, the public relations officer
at a microfinace company. Reply to the letter, making sure you answer all the questions.
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I need more
I can do this! I cant do this yet!
practice with this!
Describe things/people
using adjectives
Write a formal letter
write an email
5. Take some time to reflect upon the unit you have just finished. Answer the questions
below. Bear in mind that at final assessment you will be asked to make similar
reflections on your learning and skills.
What do you think about the lessons and activities in this unit?
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Write down a few situations in which you could use what you have learned in this unit.
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Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was already a large
city during the Roman Empire. Today, with a population of about 2,553,873 people, Rome
is also a major centre of European culture. There is no heavy industry in Rome, but
commercial activities, especially banking and tourism, are extremely important to the
economy of Rome. Universities, national radio and television and the movie industry also
play an important part in the economy of Rome.
Los Angeles, California, is one of the most populated areas in the United States of
America: 3,845,542 inhabitants. The city is a very important industrial and financial
centre. Some of the most important activities include petroleum and film industries. The
city also has a diversified economy: over 60% of the largest companies in California have
their head offices there.
Sydney, Australia, is the largest city in Australia, covering an area of about 12,145 km2.
The city plays a large financial and commercial role. The main industries are in consumer
goods production. Other industries include engineering, railway and transportation
equipment, electronics, chemicals, plastics and refined petroleum products. Major
exports include coal, meat, wheat and wool.
Unit I Around the world, Lesson 2 Living in the country or in the city?
Family plays an important role in the day- children in social events. Children go out
to-day lives of Romanians. Children are con- with their parents to restaurants. They also
sidered important in a marriage. Most fami- stay up late at night to play in the piazza
lies have one or two children. while the parents and grandparents enjoy a
Children start their formal education at drink at a nearby cafe.
the age of 6-7, when they go to school. The father was once the head of the fam-
Men and women are considered equal, ily and the familys link to the rest of the
but this is true more in urban than in rural world. But this situation is changing today
settings. Most women who live in cities have as more women enter the paid workforce.
a full time job outside the home. Decisions
within the family are generally made togeth- Family is highly valued by the Roma people.
er and doing the house chores has become Everything takes place in the family, so Ro-
more and more a shared responsibility. mani are dependent on their family groups.
Most families have several children: the
In Italy, large families were once the ideal. more children, the greater the family fortunes.
Today, the birth rate has dropped to about 1.2 In recent years, Romani people have
births for every woman, but the extended started to place more value on formal educa-
family remains important. Extended family tion and send their children to school, hop-
members usually live near each other or in ing for a better life.
the same household. Grandparents, aunts, Romani wives look after the house, raise
uncles and cousins often get together to share the children, and obey their husbands. Men
family celebrations and Sunday dinner. are the protectors of the familys prestige in
Children have a special place in Italian the community, making decisions and tak-
society. Italians make an effort to include ing responsibility for their families.
Hi Veronika! Why did you decide to become Are you enjoying your job?
an au pair? When I started work I sometimes found it
After I finished school I was unsure whether hard to get along with the kids and to keep
to start work or go on to further study, so I calm. But after a few weeks we got used to
made the decision to take a gap year, to give each other and it was easier for us all. Of
myself more time for making the best decision. course there are still some of these mo-
ments; the difference is, now I know what to
How did you find your job as an au pair? do. Apart from that its really a good job
I found a lot of au pair agencies on the Inter- which I enjoy. Every day is different and its
net. I applied to one or two, I told them some a good feeling when a child gives you a hug
things about myself (age, interests, experi- to say I like you.
ence in childcare), then the agencies sent me
some matching families. This is how I did it, How much do you get paid?
but you can also contact families yourself. The payment is weekly and I get 60. As I
The agency I used didnt charge me anything dont have to pay for food or accommoda-
and they found a good placement for me, so tion, I can use the money to go out or visit
I was very happy about it. some nearby towns. The family didnt pay
for my flights, but they did pay for me to do
Did you have much experience of working a language course.
with children?
I used to look after three little girls in the
neighbourhood and Ive always enjoyed
having children around.
95 Rosetti Street
Cluj-Napoca, 400 450
October 1, 2006
International Finance Corporation
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20433 USA
Dear Sirs or Madams,
I am writing to request more information about the small business microfinance
programme offered by your organization.
During the past year I have lived in Great Britain, working as an au pair in a family that
ran a cleaning service company. While there, I have had several opportunities to help
them along with their business and learn more about it.
At present my intention is to set up my own business in the city of Cluj-Napoca.
Please find enclosed my curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from my
previous employers and a business plan. I would be very pleased to find out more
about the terms and conditions of your loan programme for small businesses.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Rita Moraru
A woman should have enough money within her control to move out and rent a
place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to
A woman should have a youth shes content to leave behind
A woman should have a past juicy enough that shes looking forward to retelling it
in her old age
A woman should have one old love she can imagine going back to and one who
reminds her how far she has come
A woman should have something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour
Every woman should know how to fall in love without losing herself
A woman should have a set of screwdrivers, cordless drill, and a black lace bra
A woman should have one friend who always makes her laugh and one who lets
her cry
Every woman should know how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a
friend without ruining the friendship and how to change a tire!!!
A woman should have a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
else in her family
A woman should have eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe
for a meal that will make her guests feel honored
A woman should have a feeling of control over her destiny
Every woman should know when to try harder and when to walk away
Every woman should know that her childhood may not have been perfect but its
over
Every woman should know what she would and wouldnt do for love or more
Every woman should know whom she can trust, whom she cant, and why she
shouldnt take it personally
A woman should have a place where to go be it to her best friends kitchen table
or a charming inn in the woods when her soul needs soothing
Every woman should know what she can and cant accomplish in a day
a month a year
A
accommodation = cazare ambitious = ambiios
accomplish = a ndeplini, a realiza apply = a aplica
according to = n conformitate cu appropriate = adecvat
achieve = a obine, a realiza area = suprafa
additional = suplimentar assist = a asista, a ajuta
afford = a-i permite attach = a ataa
agency = agenie au pair = bon
allow = a permite, a aloca
B
background = fundal break up = a se despri
bathe = a mbia brush up on = a-i mprospta
birth = natere busy = ocupat
boss = ef by the way = apropo
both and = att ct i
C
calf = viel compare = a compara
capital = (ora) capital complaint = plngere
certificate = certificat confident = ncreztor
charge = tax, a taxa consumer goods = bunuri de consum
cheap = ieftin content = satisfcut, mulumit
childcare = ngrijirea copilului count on somebody = a conta pe cineva
citizen = cetean craft = meteug
closing = ncheiere currency = moned (a unei ri)
coal = crbune curriculum vitae = curriculum vitae
D
damage = daun, a strica determined = hotrt, decis
dark = ntunecat, nchis difference = diferen
day off = zi liber discovery = descoperire
debt = datorie doll = ppu
decision = decizie driving licence = permis de conducere
dependant = dependent
E
eager = doritor, nerbdtor enable = a face capabil / posibil
economy = economie enclosed = ataat
either or = ori ori enjoy = a se bucura (de)
employee = angajat enough = suficient, destul
employer = angajator expensive = scump
G
get along with = a se nelege bine cu grace period = perioad de graie
get used to = a se obinui cu gross margin = profit brut
goal = obiectiv growth = cretere
H
harm = a face ru, daun host = gazd
healthy = sntos hug = mbriare, a mbria
heavy = greu
I
immigration office = birou de imigrri independent = independent
important = important industry = industrie
impressed = impresionat informal = familiar, neoficial
in advance = n avans inhabitant = locuitor
in exchange = n schimb inquire = a se interesa despre
income = venit interesting = interesant
K
keep ones promises = a-i ine
promisiunile
L
large = mare loan = mprumut
laugh = a rde look after somebody = a ngriji pe cineva
launch = a lansa look forward to = a atepta cu
lifestyle = stil de via plcere/nerbdare
lift = a ridica loud = tare, zgomotos
light = uor luggage = bagaje
M
make a decision = a lua o decizie marriage = csnicie
make progress = a progresa meat = carne
male = masculin medical care = ngrijire medical
market = pia microfinance = microfinanare
P
pack = a mpacheta possible = posibil
party = petrecere poverty = srcie
peaceful = panic, linitit preparations = pregtiri
photo = fotografie present = cadou; prezent
polite = politicos previous = anterior
poor = srac, srman profit = profit
population = populaie purpose = scop
Q
qualify = a se califica rent = a nchiria
quiet = linitit, tcut representative = reprezentant
quit = a prsi, a se lsa de request = a solicita
railway = cale ferat requirement = cerin
raise = a crete research = cercetare
reason = motiv, raiune responsibility = responsabilitate
recipe = reet return address = adresa expeditorului
recipient = destinatar rich = bogat
recommendation = recomandare run a business = a conduce o afacere
reliable = de ncredere
S
sales = vnzri skill = abilitate
scared = speriat snack = gustare
screwdriver = urubelni soft = moale, blnd
search engine = motor de cutare status = statut
send = a trimite successful = de succes
sender = expeditor suddenly = deodat
services = servicii suit = a se potrivi
set up = a nfiina summary = rezumat
several = mai multe sunglasses = ochelari de soare
signature = semntur support = a sprijini
T
terms and conditions = termeni i condiii toy = jucrie
thanks to = datorit trade = meserie; comer
through = prin trust = ncredere
town = ora type = tip, a scrie la main
V
valid = valabil village = sat
value = valoare visa = viz
W
way of life = mod de via wool = ln
weekly allowance = alocaie sptmnal work permit = permis de munc
wheat = gru worry = a se ngrijora
whole = ntreg
Y
youth = tineree, tnr
Its time to use your learning diary again. You are already
familiar with the four basic skills that you need in order to
communicate well in a foreign language: listening, reading,
speaking and writing. During the first module of this
course you have made a lot of progress in listening and
reading and some progress in speaking and writing. This
module was aimed to help you reinforce your receptive
skills (reading and listening) and acquire more strength in
your productive skills (speaking and writing). Can you
think back to some of the activities that helped you do
that? How can you measure the progress you have made
during this module?
Now you are ready for the final assessment. More than
anything, be positive about it: it is not meant to sanction
insuccess, but to support your learning. Good luck!
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