2ND BACHILLERATO APRIL 2011

SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES

1. Although the exam was difficult, he got a very high mark.

In spite of…
2. The engineer has repaired my television.
I’ve…
3. People know that Inspector Morris is an excellent detective.
Inspector….
4. Passengers shouldn’t leave luggage unattended.
Luggage…
5. I didn’t send her any postcards yesterday.
She…
6. They said that my neighbour has been in prison.
It…
7. This is the man. His job is very dangerous.
This….
8. Scientist are doing a lot of research. This is providing many benefits.
Scientists…
9. The spectator was a fan of Steffi Graf. He stabbed Monica Seles.
The spectator…
10. I regretted having hit the dog on the head.
I wish…
11. Columbus arrived at the new continent because he made mistakes in his navigation.
If…
12. I can’t go to class because I haven’t got time.
If…
13. “The television isn’t showing any good programmes these days”, she said.
She complained ...
14. “Why don’t you finish the work tomorrow?” she said to him.
She suggested…
15. “Don’t put your things on my table” she said to him
She ...
16. “How far is your house, Susan?”, Mike asked.
Mike asked …
17. “Have you put sunscreen?”
Jim asked me…
18. I’m sure that Peter went to the lecture because someone saw him.
Peter…
19. It’s possible that Jake is a secret spy.
Jake…
20. Special qualifications are not necessary.
You…
21. It is not possible that he heard us.
He…
22. You have my permission to go home early.
You…
23. He speaks too badly for me to understand him.
He…
24. I’m not as good at English as you are.
You…
25. . The last time I saw John was three months ago.
I…
26. The film was so exciting that I bit my nails.
It was…

I.E.S. ALONSO QUIJANO

 2ND BACHILLERATO APRIL 2011
Professional squatters

While everyone has heard of abandoned houses being occupied by squatters, fewer people are aware
of a new growing problem: professional squatters.
Last August Amrit Dillon received an e-mail from her housing agent. The tenant in her flat had
stopped paying rent and was refusing to leave. When the agent went to change the locks, he was not
allowed in. The police were not interested. Three months later the courts approved an eviction order, but
when officials finally went round, they discovered the flat had been vandalised and that the tenant had
removed all the valuables. The final bill: over £10,000 to make the flat habitable again, £7,500 in unpaid
rent and £1,800 in legal costs.
Dillon’s is not an isolated case. In fact, these cases are becoming increasingly common, according to
Paul Shampira. He runs Landlord Action, a company that specialises in helping remove problem
tenants. Property prices are now so high that many people are attracted to the idea of living somewhere
for free. ‘There are more amateur landlords who aren’t so strict about getting references and are
desperate for tenants. Then, two or three months later, the rent isn’t being paid.’ The worst cases are
what he calls ‘professional bad tenants’ who have become expert at using the legal system. They know
their rights and although they will eventually have to leave the property, they live rent-free for months.
Removing an unwanted tenant can be time-consuming and expensive. It takes longer and is more
complicated than simply evicting squatters because, in legal terms, these tenants have had an interest in the
property. You cannot try to threaten a problem tenant because you could be charged with assault, instead
you have to go to court, which can take up to six months.

Adapted from The Sunday Times [www.timesonline.co.uk; 18/04/04]

Answer True or False and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

1. Dillon was contacted by a tenant who rented her flat.

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2. The police removed the tenant from Dillon’s flat when they stopped paying.
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3. There didn’t use to be so many professional squatters.
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4. It is more difficult to get bad tenants out of a property than squatters.
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Find synonyms for the following words: Phonetics
1. Illegal occupier
2. Rejecting Find two words in the text that contain the sound /i:/
3. exceptional
Find two words in the text that contain the sound /ʌ/
4. finallly

Write a composition of 100–120 words on the following topic.

1. Should young people have to leave home by the age of 21? Discuss and support your
arguments.

I.E.S. ALONSO QUIJANO