-a

T
I

T
read extracts from literature and newspaper
articles; use reading strategies for answering
multi ple-choice questions.
a talk about humour and te[[jokes and anecdotes i,.' t. , 1.i ,,4 :.)
:.: i, i,,' ! i; t '

o listen to a TV programme, jokes, funny stories : :.;:.i i,t,t t, ,,r :i i.t !.,i.|,,t ,,:

and a sketch; use listening strategies for

l" t;; i,..' i'
'l'.,'l'
;i ,. .r,
answering multiple-choice questions. '
revise past tenses and learn about the Past
Perfect Continuous.
write a book review.

Wurm-up
iffi*
L took at the photos (A-D) and quotes
(1-3). Which is the funniest? Telt the class. I ,*t
o the
2 took at the Key Words. Listen and identify
types of laughter.Say in what situation
't ,:.,ts'l
you might hear each one. ','J
t\ tt
,,1? )
KEY WORDS:
burst out [aughing. cackle, chuckle.
fa[[ about Laughing, giggte

Exampte 1 Someone might burst out loughing

when they understand a joke.

f) 3 Ctrect you understand the words and

expressions (a-d). Then listen to four
extracts. In which is someone:
a te[[ing a joke?
b pul.ting someone's [eg?
c being sarcastic? ,,,1
/
d describing an ironic situation?
f
4 Worl in pairs. Ask and answer the
questions betow.
fxampte 1" I remember giggling in a maths
exom. I was thinking about ...

Have you ever giggted when everybody etse :

was serious? When? i,:

Do any of your friends make you laugh a [ot?
whv?
Has anyone ever pu[[ed your leg? What
happened? How did you feet?
Do you know anyone who is often sarcastic?

l-,'::;,ii**, *t;gt 3 51 "

 Before you start

1 Wtti.tr of the Key Words are related to Rob is 35 years old, He used to work as a DJ; nou be
these things? otans a record sbop. But business is bad and his long-fime
partneli Laura, bas just tualked out on bim.
having probtems, being comforted,
feeting disappointed All my life I've hated Sundays ... but this Sunday is a corker. I get
back to the flat at one; by two, things have got so bad that I decide
KEY WORDS
to go home - bome home, Mum and Dad home. It was waking up
to be prone to something, in the middle of the night and wondering where I belonged that
to buck someone up, to do someone good. did it: I don't belong at home , and I don't want to belong at home,
to feel bad about something, but at least home is a somewhere I know.
to give someone a hard time,
(someone's) heart sinks, to tatk sense,
My parents are OK, if you like that sort of thing, which I clon't'
My dad is a bit dim but something of a know-all, which is a pretty
to take someone's mind off things,
fatal combination; you can tell from his silly, fussy beard that he's
to watk out on someone
going to be the sort who doesn't talk much sense and won't listen
setf-pity, si Lent misery,
to any reason. My mum is just a mum, which is an unf<rrgivable
terrible irony
thing to say in any circumstances except this one. She worries, she
gives me a hard time about the shop, she gives me a hard time
2 Work in pairs. Use the Key Words to tatk about my childlessness. I wish I wanted to see them more but I
about the young man in the photos. What don't, and when I've got nothing else to feel bad about, I feel bad
sort of person do you think he is? How do about that.They'll be pleased to see me this afternoon, although my
you think he's feeling? What do you think heart sinks when I see that Geneuieue is on TV this afternoon.
has happened?
....'When I get there, the joke's on me: they're not in. I've come a
million stops on the Metropolitan Line on a Sunday afternoon, I've
Reuding ond listening waited eight years for a bus, Geneuieue is on the television and
they're not here.They didn't even call to let me know they
o Fidelity
3 Reaa and listen to the extract from High
by Nick Hornby. Check your guesses
wouldn't be here, not tht I called to let them know I was coming.
If I was at all prone to setf-pity, which I am, I would feel bad about
from Exercise 2. the terrible irony of fincling your parents out when, finally, you
need them.
4 Reaa the strategies.
But just as I'm about to head back to the bus stop, my mum opens
the window of the house opposite and yells at me.
Reading Strategies: 'Rob! Rotlert! Come in!'
Answering multiple-choice questions I've never met the people over the road, but it soon becomes
obvious that I'm in a minority of one: the house is packed.
o Read the text to get the general idea. 'W'hat's the occasion?'
Then read the questions and options.
o Find parts of the text that are retevant to
the questions and read them carefulty.
Look for synonyms of words in the
questions.
. Be carefu[ -
the answer may not be
stated explicitty in the text.
o Choose an option and make sure you can
eliminate the others.
 ,;i n{ 5 Use the Strategies to choose the best ansqr
a,b,cord.
1 Rob decides to visjt his parents beca-.=
a he enjoys spending Sundays there.
b he hasn't got anything else to do.
c he wants to go back and Live wjth ther.
d everything is famj[iar in their home.
2 Which sentence about Rob's parents rs NOl :"-.:
a Something about his father's looks sugges:s
'Not Dad's home-made . what kind of person he is.
'No. Proper wine.This afternoon it's Australian.We all chip in b His mother js rather ordinary.
and a man comes and explains it all.' c He worries because his parents miss hjm.
'I didn't know yon were interested in wine.' d His parents tike to watch their favourite fiLms on 1,.
'Oh, yes. And your dad loves it.' 3 How does Rob feel when he finds out his parents
....The room is full of people I don't recognise. are not at home?
I wasn't expecting this. I came for an afternoon of silent a furious b amused c let down d very sad
misery not wild partying; the one thing I wanted from the 4 in coming to his parents' was
Rob's reaI intention
afternoon was incontrovertible proof that my life may be grim to make sure that
and empty, but not as grim and empty as life in Watford.Wrong a he was more miserabte than them.
again!... Life in Watford is grim, yes; but grim and full. What b their social life was notas witd as his.
right do parents have to go to parties on Sunday afternoons for c they were as sociable as before.
no reason at all? d their life was even worse than his.
'Geneuieue is on the telly this afternoon, Mum.' 5 Which of these statements about Rob's parents is
'l know.\We're taping it. N0T true?
'.When clid you get a video?' a They enjoy themselves on Sunday afternoons.
'Months ago.' b They no longer care about their favourite fi[ms.
'You never told me.' c They have bought a vjdeo ptayer.
'You never asked.' d They have changed their opinion about going to
'Is that what I'm supposed to clo every week? Ask you whether the cinema.
you've bought ny consumer durables?'
....W'e go home and watch the rest of Geneuieue. Vocobulory: Collocotions
My dad comes back maybe an hour later.
''We're all going to the pictures,'he says.
This is too much. l"l)
H, Lexicon, pages 160-161.

'You don't approve of the pictures, Dad.'

'I don't approve of the rubbish you go to watch. I approve of
nice well-made films. British films.'
'W-hat's on?'my mum asks him.
'Howard's End.It's the follow-up toA Room with aVieu;
'Oh, lovely, my mum says.'Is anyone else going from across the
road?'
'OnlyYvonne and Brian. But get a move on. It starts in half an
hour.'
'I'd better be going back,'I say. I have exchanged hardly a word
with either of them all afternoon.
'You're going nowhere,'my dad says.'You're coming with us.
My tfeat.'
'It's not the money, Dad. It's the time. I'm working tomorrow.'
'Don't be so feeble, man.You'll still be in bed by eleven. It'll do
you good. Buck you up. Take your mind off things.'
This is the first reference to the fact that I have things off
which my mind needs taking.
And an1.way, he 's wrong. Going to the pictures aged thirty-flve
with your mum and dad and their insane friends does not take
your mind off things, I discover. It very much puts your mind
on things...
adapted from Higb Fidelity by Nick Hornby
6 m"t.tt the words from the text that go together.
1 tal.k 2 head 3 empty 4 hard 5 feel
a time b sense c back d l"ife e bad
Ctassify the coltocations above into the following
categories:
a verb + adverb c verb + adjective
b adjective + noun d verb + noun
7 Write six sentences using these collocations.
get back, hit back, move in, clean out, throw out,
express thanks, express an opinion, express horror,
rain heavily, sleep heavity, empty space,
empty streets, empty gesture, hard tjme
Speoking
I Work in pairs. Ask and answer these questions.
. Have you ever been in a situation -:k: ?::
',-=-
you expected one thing lo hapner. :-: '-.:=,:
something compLeteLy differen: "::::-=:-
r What happened and hor', c jl _":- '::.:
;
Y..-
 6 Crozy Bul True!
o
{r',

Before you sort

1 t{"tctt the headtines with

the pictures (1-3) and the
newspaper extracts (A-c).

P"i-:
Eatin$ Ilrrurble '"- :.

Out to Grass

A T-l rica Glendale, at 20 years old, is one of the oldest cows in

ff nrituin. Erica has delivered 238,000 pints of milk in her
I-l life and used to be a champion dairy cow. 'She won prizes
every year when she was in her prime and we would always
of Wrexham' had
celebrate together,' said farmer Bob Maxwell. Erica has retired Mrs Janet Williams'
weekend' She was
from competitions but last week, after he had finished work, tru th"ck last chester' she
Bob took Erica for a birthday treat to the Red Lion Inn for a slice illinf, r,", "ut in wavingwhen
at her as
of cake and a drink. 'If you work with an animal for 20 years, ;;.; peoPle werestarted to get the
you get pretty attached to it,' said Bob. 'All the regulars love it" ty' she rt
Erica,' said one customer. 'But I think the Red Lion ought to ""tJ"a somettring was wrong'
;""ttil turn and
think about getting a new carpet.' *"iiin" n"d taken a wrong canal! she
it'iJt"t on a frozenof the car just
;;;;;; tJ get out the ice'
;;;;;" ,"'ik th'o"gh
2 Headtines in British newspapers often 'play'with
words. Match the headlines with these references
(a-c). c
a an expression meaning to be in a dangerous position Mrs Merrick, 70, had just come back from Bodmin,
b saying you are sorry or wrong where she had been shopping, when she was
c an expression meaning to be retired attacked by Billy, a runarvay bull. When Mrs
Merrick bravely tried to defend herself, Billy
Which of the stories did you Like most? Why? lmocked her over and started eating the contents of
her shopping bag. The pensioner was finally
rescued by a man who had been working in a
Revision: Post Tenses
nearby garage. 'The farmer sent her a lovely steak
3 ReaA sentences 1-5 from extracts A and B.
and kidney pie,' said one neighbour. ,But he didn't
Match the tenses and verb forms with their uses (a-e). say whether Billy was in it.'

1 We would always celebrate together.

2 She used to be a champion. 4 p*these
events from extract B in the order in
3 He took Erica for a birthday treat. which they actualty happened. Some events may have
4 People were waving at her. happened at the same time.
5 She had taken a wrong turn.
a Janet got out of the car.
a a situation that continued for some time in the past b Peopte waved at Janet.
but is no longer true c Janet took a wrong turn.
b a regularly repeated action in the past d Janet noticed the people.
c an event that occurred before other past events e The car sank.
d a singte event in the past f Janet drove on a frozen canal.
e a longer activity around an event in the past g Janet fett something was wrong.
 l-u,#rg,

Presentolion: PosT Perfec Continuous 9 put the verbs in brackets in the Past Perfect or the Past
Perfect Continuous.
5 Read the sentence below from extract C.
1 We coutdn't open the door because it _ (snow)
Mn Menick, 70, had just come from Bodmin,
back heavity aLt night.
where she had been shopping. when she wos attacked 2 She [ooked shocked and she said she _ (see) a UFO.
by Billy. 3 BitLy had a black eye and Joe's lip was cut - they
(fisht).
Does the underlined verb form describe: 4Johndecidedtocomp[ainashisneighbours-(havej
a an event before other events in the past? parties every day for two weeks.
b a longer activity that happened before the great - she
Jil.L l.ooked _ (tose) a few pounds and
main event? (put on) a smart evening dress.
Shei[a,seyesWereredandswo[[enasifshe-(crv)
aLL niqht.
6 U.t.h the sentences (1-2) with the timelines
(A-B).
10 Comptete the text with appropriate
Past past tenses of the verbs in brackets.

B Past

Ken Coates 7 was enjoying (enjoy) his 52nd birthday at the

After he had finished work, Bob took Erica
King's Arms in Aston. He 2 (ptay) in a [oca[ pool
for a birthday treat.
championship in a room at the back of the pub. Ken
The pensioner was rescued by a man who 3 (pl,ay) weLL for haLf an hour and 4
had been working in a nearby garage.
(win) three of the first five games. He 5 (put) down
the gtass he 6 -
(drink) from and 7 (set)
E* Grammor Summary 2, page 146.
ready to pot the black to win the fina[ game when his fatse

Proctice
- 8
teeth (drop out). Unfortunately, instead of
potting the baLL, he 9 -
(pot) his own fatse teeth!
Ken's wife, Alice, who 10
- 11 (watch) the game at[
7 Use the cues in brackets and the Past Perfect night, immediateLy (rush) to hel.p her husband.
Continuous to exptain the situations. She 12 (put) her hand in the pocket to fish out the
Example 7
His orms were sunburnt because fa[seteethwhendisaster13-(strike).A[ice,shand
-
he had been sitting in the sun oLL doy. gotstuckinthepocketandshet4-(cannot)qetit
-
out again. FinaLLy, after Ken 15 (make) an
7 His arms were sunburnt. (sit in the sun al.L day) emergency phone cat[, the fire officers 16 (arrive)
2 She was very tired. (work for hours without a on the scene. With the hel"p of a power saw and some washing-
break) up Liquid, they 17 (free) ALice's hand.'Poor Ken, he
3 Their clothes were muddy. (pLay footbatL) 18-(try)towinthechampionshipforyearsjsaida
4 She was fired. (not come to work on time) friend.,Intherep[ay,Ken19-(ptay)tenibl'y.Ithink
She was very angry. (wait for her boyfriend for
-
5 he 20 (worry) about his teeth againl
half an hour)
lt ; '
6 His ear ached. (taLk on the phone for hours)
7 He was covered in oi[. (repair his car aLL day) 1 1 Work in pairs. Use the cues and the past tenses to write
8 She was scared stiff. (watch a thriller on TV) about a-disastrous day trip.
o Mr and Mrs Smith never (be) abroad so (decide) to go on a'no
8 Write two explanations for each situation passport'day trip to France
(1-5), one in the Past Perfect, and one in the r theV (go) through the Channel Tunnel and (arrive) in Boutogne -
Past Perfect Continuous. first (go) shopping then sightseeing - in the afternoon they
Example 1. She had been eating too many sweets. (decide) to visit some friends in LiLte - they (qo) to the station
She had dropped her keep-fit classes.
o (not learn) French at school so (not understand) the
announcements at the station - (get) on the wrong train
1 Sharon put on five pounds. . white they (have) a nap on the train, it (cross) the border with
2 Steve was feeling down. Germany
3 Jack's shirt was torn. . German potice (ask) for their passports - they (say) they (Leare
4 Ann failed her final exam. them at home - the potice (put) them on a train back to
5 EmiLy and Tessa were very excited. Boutogne

,t3
 7 Whott So Funny?
aij

{
Fre{ore you start
{-f , f
Vocobulory:
)
(

Multi'port Verbs
1e i !::r,Li,{ '
,1,-, {L
n Lexicon, Pages 170-176. Can you thi,nk of a{comed,ian who

1 took at the quiz. Try to

"st goes in for imitating famous people?
work out the meaning of *,q1|, Puts on different voices?
the underlined verbs. Then '.eJ, gets into trouble and then gets out of it?
answer the quiz.
,$ makes out that he/she is not very bright?
Work in pairs and compare
your answers. l . dresses up as different people?
iffi makes up good original sketches
and jokes?
\ql ''W, has got on because he/she is so witty?
hi
rl&td'
',.&
,ilSq',od
n \ W' reallY cracks You qP?
illffiMlfr r,'r,r ,W really turns you qff?
:Sf you used to tike but you've gone off him/her?

O E Listen to a TV programme. Use the Strategies to choose

Lislening
the correct answers according to the presenter: a, b or c.
2 ReaO the Strategies. 1 How do many foreigners see British people?
a loud b quiet c badly behaved
Listening Strategies: 2 Foreigners might find it strange that Britjsh peopte
Answering muttip[e-clroice questions use humour
a in silty situations. b in work sjtuations.
r Before you listen, read the questions and c in informaI situations.
options.
. Use your own knowtedge to predict the most
3 Many jokes in EngLish are hard to understand because
a they contain cuttura[ references.
[ikety answers.
. b they are potitical. c they are about history.
Look at the options and think of possible
synonyms, e.g. loud = noisy; in work 4 Jokes in Engtish often dePend on
:
situations at work / when working. a knowtedge of grammar. b being difficutt for foreigners.
r The first time you listen, try to get the general c words with double meanings.
idea and circte possib[e oPtions.
. The second time you listen, try to answer a[t
5 Peopte iike CharLje Chapl"in and Mr Bean have been
successfuI i nternationa[[y because
the questions.
o Even if you don't know an answer, atways guess! a they have funny exPressions.
b their humour is visual. c they are famous.
 \

4 Work in pairs. Look at the drawings above and Pronunciotion

decide what the joke is about. Te[[ another pair.

Example
O I Listen to the sentences. Write down the words
which are emphasised to make the story more
We think the parents go away for the weekend ond ...
interesting. Then listen again and repeat the
sentences.
J 5 lirt"n to the joke and compare it with your version. Examptel promise/not

J 6 litt"n to the joke again and complete the Function Speuking

Fite with these words.
! And then, guess what, there are, just can't, 8 Wort in pairs. Student A turns to page 134 and
u
just before, Have you heard the one about, Luckiiy, Student B to page 136. Practise tetting the joke to
right, or somewhere Like that, So, eventua[ty, WeLt yourself. Add words (e.9. articles and pronouns) and
expressions from the Function File. You can add

more information to make it more interesting.
IJJ
Tetting Jokes
l! 7 the two brothers and their dad's car? 9 t"ke turns to te[[ your joke to your partner. Listen
o Wel"l., 2
z. these two brothers. to your partner/s joke activety.
# F
z)
just
0ne's passed his driving test and the other's a
bit younger, 3 Example
A This old couple go into a cafe, right? They sit down
And one weekend, their parents decide to qo away
lJ- neor the window and guess who waLls in.
to London, 4
5 the parents go off to the airport ... B Who?
6 they meet some frjends and go out
to a c[ub.
When they get back home its about five in the
morning. 7 ...

8
-, they get up, they go to the garage, nd
When
tonpairy tn(tnre
one of their friends works in a
Work in pairs. Discuss these questions.
garage. - 1 Do jokes in your [anguage sometimes 'ptay with
He 1o comes and does the car.
t1 their parents come back home. words'? Can you think of an exampte?
rt2 betieve it! 2 In what situations do people use humour in your
country? Are they the same as in Britain?
3 Do you have similar expressions for te[[ing jokes
What tenses do we use to tell jokes? What is the in your [anguage?
difference between the meaning of just in numbers 11 4 What do peop[e te[[ jokes about in your country?
and 12? 5 Do people where you live te[[jokes about other
natjonalities or regions? Why? Is it fair?
 I [ommunicqtion Workshops -

Writing
Before you slorl Reuieu
1 nead the text and match the
headings (1-8) with the fl witftin the genre of rhe 1 the
paragraphs (A-D). There are two storyline often 2 a young person in
headings for each paragraph. search of his or her identity and place in
the adult world. One of the best-, examples
1 summary of the plot of this is the novel Billy Liar by Keith
2 recommendation of the book
Waterhouse. Having been first 3 -=-'- itt
3 reason why the review is written
1959, the book has been recently 4
4 presentation of the main This raises the question if a text written
cha racter(s)
almost half a century ago still has
5 answer to the reason why the something to 5 today's reader.
review is written -'-
6 presentation of the book's El. ffre I -- of the book, Billy Fisher, is also the 7 _- of rhe story.
disadvantages I{e's a rebellious youth who lives with his parents in Stradhoughton, a small
7 basic information about the town in Yorkshire, and works in a funeral parlour. llowever, niuy tiues much of
book his lif'e through his imagination: he invenxs identities and experinces for
8 discussion of the book's himself in order to make up I'or the monotony of his real lite. Billy is engaged to
two girls at the same time and wants to escape. After meeting another
strong points
called Liz, he decides to go to London with hr and become a'scriptwriter.
lirl
However, having got on the London train, he changes his mind anrl gets off
again. Ile slowly walks back home * he is happier in his dreams.
p fne blql'l greatest 8 are its humour and xhe personality of its
narrator. Billy's adventures and mishaps are hilarious. An although he rebels
against the England ofthe late 1950s, the rcasons for his rebellion-are relevant
- 9
today. The book has a strong message : Billy lies and misleads people
but his lies are exposed and in the end, he learns to respect the values of his
community. To a contemporary reader, this might be the book,s
tO -
---^, as nowadays many readers clon't enjoy novels with such strong
moral'lessons'.

E arr in all, Bitty Liar is certainly still 11

I believe Billy F-isher gains
today's readers' sympathy and understanding, and the book's 12 makes
it one of my favourite comic novels.

2 Complete the text with the words below. 4 ReaU the sentences (1-2). Then find examples in
the text with these structures.
narrator, strengths, comic novet, worth reading, humour.
publ"ished, mora[, re-issued. offer, features, hero, weakness
1 After getting off the train I bought a
3 finA words and expressions in the text which mean
2 Having got off the train, newspaper.
the same as the words below.
Paragraph A: looking for, an understanding of who you are
Use the structures to link these sentences. (
Paragraph B: makes up, so that it's possible to,
1 finjsh my Engtish homework - wa[k to the post office
compensate for
to post a letter
Paragraph C: untucky events, modern
2 post the letter - meet a friend in the street and go for
Paragraph D: definitety, gets
a coffee
3 have coffee - go to the cinema together
4 watch a really bad fitm - go to our club to ptay tabl.e
te n nis
5 lose three games - I go back home again
 A Book Review Iislening
rrite a book review. Fottow the stages.
Before you stffl
E lriting heLp Z, page tll
1 Match the words (1-6) with their meanings (a-f).
Stoge I
Decide what book you are going to
1 sheLt a a book of instructions
,,irite about. Here are some suggestions. 2 tick b a bomb or explosive
3 manual c a tool used to put in or take out screws
1 a book origina[ty written in your 4 screwdriver d metaI cabte used for electricaI connections
l.anguage that you woutd like to
5 coin e to make a noise like a watch or ctock
recommend to an Engtish reader 6 wire f a piece of money made of metal
2 a book that young people should
read
3 a book that has inftuenced your life
2 wnicn word can arso mean 'the hard covering of a sea animat, - the
4 a book that can teach the reader
sort of thing you find on the beach?
important information
An American Comedion
Think about the book's strong and weak
points. Is it educationa[, entertaining, Listen to a comedy sketch and answer the questions.
motivating? Is it sometimes slow or
difficutt to understand? Q llsten and choose the best answer for the questions, a, b or c.

1 when police officer wittard tetephones to say that he has found

a bomb,
Stage 2 the lieutenant
Use the headings in Exercise 1 on a is frightened. b misunderstands him. c ignores him.
page 22 to make notes about the book.
2 When the lieutenant teil.s Wittard the bomb is ,tive,, Wittard
Stage 3 a hangs up. b panics. c [aughs.
Write your review in four paragraphs, 3 when wittard asks the lieutenant to come down, the lieutenant
like the text about Billy Lar. a makes an excuse not to leave the office.
b offers to bring the manuaI down. r=1
Stage 4 c asks Wittard to bring the bomb to the office.
FI
Wittard opens the bomb with
Check your review for mistakes.
a a screwdriver. b a plate. c a coin.

Talkhock When Wittard turns the wheel, the bomb

In groups, read each others'reviews. a ticks more stowty. b stops ticking.
Choose the most interesting one and c ticks faster.
tell the class. The lieutenant can't speak to the sma[[
boy because
a the bomb explodes. b the boy runs away.
c it's too noisy.
z.
The Ueutenant is relieved in the end
.a'
because the bomb
a was onty a toy.
b exploded without causing damage.
c is the coastguard's responsibitity.
 Communicqtion Workshops .-
Speoking A

Before you stort

1 Wort in pairs and tatk about the A Tapk Presentaton

photos A, B and C.
What do you know about the actors/ Give a presentation about your
characters/ fitms? favourite comedy actor or actress.
Follow the stages.

f) 2 ltrt"n to the presentation about comedy films

and choose the right answer, a, b or c. Stoge I
Read the Strategies.
Do you agree with the speaker's opinions?
The speaker thinks analysing what makes a fitm funny is risky because
Speaking Strategies: Preparation
a peopte think it is very boring. b each comedy is different.
c it may no longer be funny. Before speaking activities, think
The speaker betieves that about what you are going to say.
a audiences these days don't enjoy slapstick comedy. Write notes but do not write out
b stapstick comedy has never been poputar. what you are going to say in fut[.
c stapstick comedy is funnier than situational comedy. Use the Key Words from the
According to the speaker, what makes Ioofsre different from a stapstick modute and the Lexicon to hetp
comedy? you.
a the type of humour b a logical ptot c a happy ending Look at the Function File and
Which feature of comedy film characters is NOT mentioned by the speaker? Chatroom sections from the module
a having a complicated love life
b showing human weakness for usefuI expressions.
c having unexpected adventures Practjse saying usefuI expressions
on your own.

mffi ftaft'oon Stage 2

Making a formal presentation and giving opinions Decide on your favourite comedy
actor or actress. Think of 3-4 reasons
3 Comptete the sentences below with these expressions from the
why you like him/her.
listening.
Example
the same is true for, based on, the first is, on the one hand,
Robin Wiltiams
personatly, to my mind, depends on, both in ... and in,
r appeared in many different fitms, not
the second, on the other hand, as in, I wonder
on[y comedies
1 TV soaps are the experiences of typical famil.y Life but I
. usualty plays warm, sensitive people
don't find them interesting to watch.
. is handsome
Let's first consider this paradox. viewers complain about
- television programmes; _,
the lack of quality viewing figures
for 'reality shows' tike Brg Brother are the highest on TV! Stoge 3
Slapstick comedy has a lot of fans, and _ situationa[ comedy; Prepare your presentation. Decide
but _ funny in a simple way, and has a more how you're going to begin and end it.
sophisticated structure. Use the expressions from the
Do you reatly think that a sense of humour is inborn? I'm sure it Chatroom.
develops in our lifetime because it _ the abitity to laugh at
yoursetf.
Stoge 4
_,
Dustin Hoffman is, a great comic actor. He is fantastic
Work in pairs. Give your presentations
Tootsie The Grduate.
to each other.
if critics believe Dustin Hoffman's performances these days
are as impressive fitms Like Tootsie.
lalkhock
Which presentation did you find most
- convincing? Tett the class and give
your reasons.

1 ReaU the story and answer
these questions.
1 What kind of prob[ems
had the man been having?
2 How had he been
fee[ing?
What physical probtems
did the man have?
Why was the
doctor's
suggestion not
very hetpful?
i-
f,
\ The doctor thought for a while. 'I think what you need is a good
Continuous ond Simple Tenses
Grammar Summary, page 149.
2 rinU att the examples of continuous tenses
in the text. Identify the tenses.
3 wtri.ttsentence in each pair below
describes a finished action and which
describes an unfinished action?
a The doctor was writing a note at her desk.
b The doctor wrote a note at her desk.
a I've been having a bit of a crisis.
b I've had a bit of a crisis.
4 wtti.tt sentence in each pair betow
suggests something permanent and which
suggests something temPorary?
a You are breathing quite heavily.
b You breathe quite heavi[y.
a A circus is performing in town.
b A circus performs in town.
g
W8
This story is about a middle-aged man who was feeling very dorvn. Er-er1':--::,;
had been going wrong for him. He had had problems at work and his u'i;e h.. j
left him to go off with a lion tamer. So, when he had been feeling depre=s.c -' :
over a month, he decided to go to the doctor.
He had to wait for what seemed ages in the doctor's surgery. The rnan flg\t ii.r
him was looking at his watch nervously, a woman was coughing badly and a ba:''
was screaming. Finally, after he had been waiting for about half an hour, he rvas
called in.
The doctor was writing a note at her desk when he came in. Just a moment. I'n.l
just finishing something. I'm afraid we've been very busy this morning.'
She then turned to the man. 'So what's the problem?' asked the doctor'
Well, I've been having a bit of a crisis. You know, lots of problems,' replied the
man. 'The manager hasn't been paying me.'
'Mmm, you're looking very pale.'The doctor started to examine him. Well.
everything is working OK,'she announced afterwards. 'You have slightly
high blood pressure and you are breathing quite heavily, but otherwise
everlthing's fine.'
'So what can I do?' asked the man. 'I am going on a trip soon. I am
working in the States for three months. This time next week, I'll be
arriving in New York.'
laugh. That would do you a lot of good. A circus is performing
,, in town. Srhy don't you go along to it? I hear there's an amazing
clown in town, who'll make you really laugh. His name's
- (I
am Grock,'replied the man sadly.
5 Wtrict sentence in each pair below describes a prolonged or
repeated activity and which describes a singte event?
a The man next to him was looking at his watch nervously.
b The man next to him looked at his watch nervousty.
a The manager hasn't been paying me.
b The manager hasn't paid me.
6 m.t.h the activities (a-f) with the correct tense type:
continuous or simple.
a temporary activity d unfinished activity
b permanent activity e sing[e event
c finished activity f repeated or prolonged event
7 ReaA the two sentences. Can you change the verbs in bold
into continuous forms?
i think what you need is a good laugh.
I hear there's an amazing clown in town.
8 wt i.t of the verbs below cannot be used in continuous
tenses and which can but with a different meaning?
know, look, [ike, have, see, understand, thjnk, betong, resemble,
realise, taste, feel
* More practice, Language Powerbook, page 26.
ts
.-44,'
7

Review
Grommor
1 Comptete the profite of Rowan
t
Atkinson with the verbs in brackets in the ROWan t u.r,to be,(be) shy with a
correct past tense. rubbery face, just like the one he has now,' says his former
headmaster.'The other boyr 2 (make) him pull
funny faces. I'm sure they 3 (be) imitations of me
--*--
and my colleagues,' adds headmaster Grove.

Rowan was born in 1955, the youngest of three sons. By the time
he was thirteen, h" 4 - (win) a scholarship to a
private school. After he 5 (study) there for a while,
he got involved in acting. By the time he was seventeen, he
6-(a1readyact)inaplayattheEdinburghFestivaI.
H1steachers7-(predict)afutureinacting,but
-
despitethis,Rowanstill8-(notpIan)acareerin
-
entertainment.

He eventually 9 (go) to oxford to do a sclence

degree. He 10 (previt-,usly study) electronic
engineering at Newcastle University and 11
(believe) that that was where his future lay. But while he
72
-(study) at oxford, he met a group of friends
-
who are his partners to this day.
1
h
A happy accident finally unlocked Rowan's talents while he *
fi.
13 (nrat tise) a scriot in 1976. He 14 P"r

il
- around
(play) pulling faces for ten minutes in front of a mirror F;

when he realised what he 15 (do).'I discovered my ffi

face,' he said later. John Lloyd,--a BBC producer, says,'It was one of &
those things which happen very rarely in your life, when you
realise you are in the presence of genius. I 16 __-
ei
(convince) he would be more famous than Chapiin.'
,"f {|r|,fliif ffi
F,

2 Choose the correct form of the verbs: simple or 3 Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.
continuous. 1 I l"eft the ofice, and then bought a newspaper. (after)
I have read/have been reading a lot recently. I hove
read/been reading ten books in the last week.
A Lorry went past/was going post and sptashed me 2 Jan started writing a diary in 2000, and she stitl writes
when I stood/was standing on the side of the road.
it. (since)
I hove/om having a lot of problems with my computer
3 it the time.

t
We enjoyed our holiday although rained aL[
because of a programme I instatted recentty. I thjnk it
(despite)
hos/is havinq some kind of computer virus.

#
His cLothes got/were getting very dirty because he had
worked/hod been working in the garden.
4 My best friend Jan and I atways went to the cinema
together to celebrate our birthdays. (wouLd)
The birds sang/were singing and the sun shone/was
shining. It was a lovely day. I

I hod worked/hod been working for a few minutes when 5 We had a cup of coffee and went to the theatre.
(having)
7 Looked/wos looking out of the window and saw the
two men. Ihey broke/were breoking into my car!
I stoy/on staying with my brother because my flat 6 He was running so he was out of breath. (because)
is painted/is being painted.
 "ih^
,++
rt.
a
hnt'si,

iocobulory t 6 Comptete the sentences with mutti-part verbs using the

verbs in brackets in the correct form.
- Comptete the story with a suitable word in
1 I don't (get) one of the people in
,:ach gap. my
ctass. She's atways being sarcastic and ige: -=
:, j-li 1 nasty / terible 2 I am really -- --
(l"ook) the end of term party.
Ifs going to be great and I just love (dres. ;
my best clothes. ----
3 She (take) her mother. Not onty do they both
look very similar but they both (go) the same
kind of ctothes.
4 He _ ---
(make) that he didn't understand what
-\to. they were saying to him, but I know he speaks French weLL.
5 A bomb (go) in the shopping centre but luckity
11
no one was hurt.
4
*!
',*,1'l
6 I don't know how you can (put) it. I couldn.t
stand living on such a busy road.

Pronunciolion
7 Say the words below to yourself. Then classify them
according to the word stress.

1st syltable 2nd syttabte 3rd syttabte penuttimate

I had a shock the other day. I was from the end syllabte
riding my 2 new motorbike and I was aaaa
in a very 3 mood. The night before scientist pedestrian responsibitity sentimental
there had been 4 rain, so the roads
were slippery and I was rather 5
practice.Itooka6 nstitution, tem perature, i ma gi native, i nformatio n, co nservative,
- turn and went i

practicat, scientific, abitity, spectato nationatistic.

-
down a very steep road.
Ivery nearty 7 into a parked car and co m m unicative. em barrass ment, deliberate, articte, enthusiastic,
8 a tree. Luckity, I was 9 comfortable, democracy, i nteresti n g, organisatio n, natio na [,
but my bike was badty 10 affectionate, business, restaurant, nationatity, democratic,
Unfortunatety. I left my bike in the middte of the electricity
road. A van came down the road, tried to avoid
In which four words are some letters 'silent'?
the bike and nearty went 11 of
controt. The van driver, who was fortyish or Exampte vegetable
72 was very angry. I 13
terrib[e. In the end, the driver 14 f) tisten and check your answers.
sorry for me and took me and my bike back home.
I Can you say this proverb? Use the phonetic chart on the
-. inside back cover to help you.
5 llake adjectives from these words. /hir hul lolfs lorst lofs loqest/
xampte offectionote
affection, sympathy, sense, setf, fun, nerve, 9 Lunguug* Awareness Rewrite the sentences. Use the word
reserve, convention, practice, decision, sentiment, in brackets without changing it.
chitd, ambition
1 I started writing this essay three hours ago. (for)
I
Now use the words to write sentences about
somebody you know.
2 We didn't need many tables and chairs for the meeting.
(furniture)
Exarnple We
lvly cousin is very affectionate - she's got 0 warm 3 They watched the news and then decided to run away. (had)
personality. when
4 Mike is very simitar to his otder brother. (resembles)
Mike
5 He wanted no money for this work. (didn't)
He
-
...

hF'
n!^
 &prx*sr {
The Hist*ry *f ffffi#lis*:

Caxto n
introd uce
the pr inti
press

'.'}.t
."
1:UJ
!i,
l r, T.r
.1.
':!f"

I fry to put these events in order.
a Caxton introduces the printing press.
b Norman invasion of EngLand.
c Samuel Johnson's dictionary.
d Germanic invasions of Roman Britain.
e Viking raids and Danish invasions.
f EngLish is used at court again.
g St Augustine introduces Christianity.
h O 2 Urt"n to the lecture and check your answers.
.
Write down the dates.
Exampte Germanic invasions - around 449 AD
F. O 3 lirt"n again and choose the best answer.
1 Why are there so few Cettjc words in Engtish?
a the Saxon jnvasion took a long time
b the Celts and Saxons did not mix
F c the two languages were too sjmitar
2 What impact djd Christjanity have on Engtish?
a it changed the grammar
b it introduced new words
c it influenced pronunciation
3 Why is it djfficutt to understand o[d Angto-Saxon?
a most of the words were different
b the spelting was different
c the grammar was unusuaL
Why did Engl"ish become the officiat [anguage again
in the 15th century?
a because of great wrjters Uke Chaucer
b because of the printing press
c because it was used by the ruting ctasses
7 What changed in the 16th and 17th centurjes?
a Engtish pronunciation
b Engtish grammar
8
c English vocabutary
In which way is Engtish different from other
European [anguages?
a it was standardised a lot later
b it has a lot of scientific words
c jt does not have an official academy
9 What has been the most important jnftuence on
English jn the last few years?
a the oLd empire (e.9. India/Australia)
b the United States
c Europe (e.9. France)
O 4 Lirt"n to eight people tatking. Try to identify
their accents. Use the ctues in the text to help you.
Accents: Standard Engtish, Scottish, Welsh, irish,
London (cockney), Manchester, Birmingham,
West Country (SW Enqtand)

4 Why did the Danish invasions inftuence EngLish grammar?
a Danish grammar was different from Anglo-Saxon
b the two [anguages were sjmitar so they mixed and
simplified
c new Danish endings appeared on some words
5 What happened after the Norman Conquest?
a Engtish disappeared for a [ong time
b French became the most important language
c Eng[ish was the [anguage of cutture
5 Wort in pairs. Answer these questions.
1 How has your language changed in the last
few years?
2 What differences are there between the
dialects of different cities and regions?
3 How do you think your language wi[[ change in the
future?
Discuss your answers with the class.