3A Relating to people

A Match situations 1−9 with the verbal interaction verbs below.

bicker   boast   confide   flirt   nag   praise   tease   tell off   warn

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

B Write sentences to describe what’s happening in each of the pictures in A. Make sure you use the correct prepositions!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

C Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions. Then tell your partner if the sentences are true for you.
1 I have nothing common my siblings.
2 I’m a bit wary people who often flatter others.
3 My parents are always lecturing me my future.
4 We don’t really see eye eye our neighbours.
5 I’m very close my grandparents.
6 I feel sorry teenagers with pushy parents.
7 I sometimes think that my parents aren’t really the same wavelength.
8 I look down people who take pleasure in insulting others.

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press • Photocopiable

 3A Relating to people

Aims  To review and practise vocabulary connected to verbal

interaction and relating to people
Time  10−15 minutes
Materials  1 handout for each student
• Give each student a handout and tell them to complete task
A. Check answers as a class.
Answer Key
1 tell off 4 boast 7 confide
2 warn 5 bicker 8 nag
3 praise 6 tease 9 flirt
• Elicit from the class an example sentence to describe the
situation in picture 1 and write it on the board as a model.
Draw attention to the fact that students should be using the
present continuous to describe the scenes and that they
should take care with prepositions. Give students time to
complete the other sentences. Check answers as a class.
suggested Answers
1 The chef’s telling the waiter off for dropping the dishes.
2 The woman’s warning the couple about the wet paint.
3 The police officer is praising the old lady for catching
the burglar.
4 The man is boasting to his colleagues about his salary.
5 She’s bickering with her husband about which programme
to watch.
6 He’s teasing his friend about standing in dog mess.
7 She’s confiding in her friend about splitting up with
her boyfriend.
8 The parents are nagging their kids about their table manners.
9 The lifeguard is flirting with the women on the beach.
• As an extension task, students tell a partner about the last
time they or someone they know did the things in A, e.g. My
mum told me off today because I forgot to feed the cat.
• Tell students to complete task C. Check answers as a class.
Answer Key
1 in / with 4 to / with 7 on
2 of 5 to 8 on
3 about 6 for

Solutions 2nd edition  Upper-Intermediate © Oxford University Press