Spiazzi, Tavella, Layton - Performer B2

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I’m unique

VIDEO Identity

VOCABULARY ACTIVATOR 1

Social roles

Personality traits

IN PAIRS. Look at the vocabulary wheel and the pictures. You have three minutes to write down as many words as you can remember connected with the various elements that make up our identity. See which pair has found the most words.

Personal experiences

Framing vocabulary Identity

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3 4 5 6

ethnicity A a person’s name signed on a document citizenship B an impression of the fingers made with ink for purposes of identification fingerprint C people related to you through blood or marriage beliefs D something believed as part of a faith relations E individual characteristics signature F the state of being a member of a state

name? Do you know why your parents chose it? Would you like a different name? If so, which?

Family Who am I?

Relationships

2 MATCH the words to their meaning.

3 DISCUSS. Do you like your

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X.X IN PAIRS. LISTEN to a girl talking about her name and identity. Student A listens and writes answers to questions 1, 3 and 5, while student B listens and writes answers to questions 2, 4 and 6. Then take turns in asking and answering the questions.

1 What was the girl named after?

2 What does the girl’s name mean?

3 What is her family background and ethnicity?

4 Who does she and her greatgrandmother have in common?

5 What kind of life did her greatgrandmother have?

6 What are the girl’s personality traits?

Identity belong be named after be connected with

Up to you

5 DRAW an identity chart with

your name in the centre and fill in words and phrases you would use to describe yourself.

Think of the headings in the vocabulary wheel in exercise 1 and also suitable adjectives to describe your personality.

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READING 1

CHOOSE the opposite from the box below for each of the adjective. Which adjectives would you match to Italian people? amusing • anxious • boring • selfish • shy • easy-going • confident • optimistic • insecure • pessimistic • generous • sociable

2 READ and listen to the article and say what

your views on other cultures may reveal about yourself and your society.

B2 FIRST TRAINING VIDEO Reading and Use of English Part 5

(Exam general introduction p. X)

3

READ the exam task in exercise 4. What kind of text are you going to read? What types of questions are there? How many options are you given? How many are right and how many are wrong?

STRATEGIES 1 Read the whole text quickly to understand the general meaning.

2 Read the questions carefully and look for the answers in the text.

3 Choose the option that most closely matches what the text says.

Reading and Use of English – Part 5

4 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS. Read the article again. For

questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

1 What do we learn about nationalities and personalities in this article?

A There are caricatures of peoples living in different countries.

B Researchers have studied the personality of the English and the Americans.

C Psychologists have managed to distinguish four basic personality traits.

D All the countries have their own distinct personalities.

2 What did psychologists find out some years ago?

A Moroccans and Indonesians reached the highest score for neuroticism.

B Nigerians and Moroccans distinguished themselves for openness to experience.

C Some personality traits were more prevalent in some cultures, like extraversion in Brazil.

D People living in Africa reached the highest score for consciousness.

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Do different nationalities really have different personalities?

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International studies of personality have shown that while average personality trait levels vary between cultures, the basic structure of personality, organised into five main traits – extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness – seems to be universal.

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Some years ago, psychologists gave the same personality test to thousands of people from different 25

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nations and found that Brazilians, French, Swiss and the Maltese marked the highest score for extraversion, while the lowest scoring were Nigerians, Moroccans and Indonesians. This study also looked at similarities in average personality across supra-national regions, finding for example, that people in Africa tended to score higher on conscientiousness than people from all other world regions.

But while differences in personality do exist between cultures and nations, they don’t often match up with the widely held stereotypes of national character. You have probably always thought that the English were reserved, the insensitive Americans or Japanese active and Italians fun-loving and passionate. What could explain these national differences in average personality?

The reasons are partly genetic, perhaps they have come out of historic migration patterns. For example, people strong on traits related to being adventurous and openminded might be more likely to migrate, so researchers have found these traits in regions that were historically on the frontier of exploration. A recent series of studies has also noted that islanders are less talkative and openminded, but more conscientious and emotionally stable, than their mainland neighbours. This is likely because, over time, bolder more open-minded individuals have chosen to emigrate away from the islands.

Undoubtedly environmental factors also play a part:

3 How did psychologists explain national differences in average personality?

A They recognised the existence of genetic differences.

B They stated it was only the environment which caused national differences.

C National differences were only linked to islanders according to them.

D They focused on migration as the only possible cause for national differences.

4 What does ‘their’ in line 21 refer to?

A Psychologists’.

B Islanders’.

C Explorers’.

D Migrants’.

Framing vocabulary Personality traits

6 COMPLETE the map with the adjectives below linked to

what the psychologists call the ‘big five personality traits’.

Which are positive and which are negative?

careless • reserved • thoughtful • suspicious • insensitive • open-minded • moody • careful • talkative • kind • emotional instable • arrogant • narrow-minded • creative calm Conscientiousness

Neuroticism The big five

5 What else can determine personality differences in people living in different countries?

A Their culture.

B Living on islands.

C Living in a crowded environment.

D The colour of their skin.

Agreeableness

6 A recent research has found out that democratic institutions are linked to countries with A a self-disciplined personality trait.

B an increase in the citizens’ wellbeing.

C a developed economy.

D a higher trait of openness.

WORD FORMATION: nouns (1)

Opennes Extraversion

Framing vocabulary Nouns can be formed from adjectives, verbs or nouns using the suffixes -ness, -ance/-ence, -sion/-tion/-ation, -er/-or.

7 FIND the nouns in the text that are formed with the

suffixes above and write down from which words they derive.

experts have also theorised that differences in climate could influence regional differences in personality, such as cold regions with a lack of sunlight contribute to being sad, moody and emotionally instable.

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Even population density could play a part. Recent evidence has suggested that living in a crowded environment leads us to adopt a more future-oriented mindset with higher-trait conscientiousness.

Given the importance personality traits have to life outcomes at the individual level – from wellbeing to career success – this issue of national differences in personality is more than a lively conversation topic for a dinner party. Any cross-cultural differences in personality levels might contribute to international differences in such things as wealth, happiness, corruption, innovation, and health. It stands to reason that in countries where average trait neuroticism is higher, citizens will be more vulnerable to physical and mental ill health.

Personality differences around the world might even have contributed to the emergence of different political systems. Last year, an expert from Washington University in St Louis, compared countries’ average personality traits with their political systems and found this connection: countries with higher openness tended to have more democratic institutions, an association that

8 FORM nouns from the words below.

different • sad • divide • educate • stubborn • explore • soft • interrupt • adolescent • bright • discuss • write • communicate

9 MAKE nouns from the words given to complete the

sentences. of English people?

1 What is your (IMPRESS) is very important in any relationships.

2 (OPEN) is one aspect of creative people.

3 (IMAGINE) for chocolate! (WEAK) 4 I have such a 5 To make public speeches you need to have a lot of (CONFIDENT) 6 This study shows that people living in Africa score higher (CONSCIENTIOUS) on the trait of that living in crowded 7 There is the places lead people to adopt a more future-oriented mindset. (AWARE) (RESEARCH) suggest that both 8 biological and environmental influences shape our personality.

Up to you

10 IN PAIRS. WRITE a paragraph about the personality traits people of your nationality have. Try to use as many nouns made with the suffixes above as you can.

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GRAMMAR 1 VIDEO Grammar videomap

Framing grammar

Present perfect vs past simple

Present perfect simple

have/has + past participle Different nationalities have shown different personality traits.

Past simple

Regular verbs base form + -ed He reached his hotel last night.

Irregular verbs their past tense form, see p.

XXX Those English people were reserved.

Grammar reference 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 pp. XX

1 WATCH the interactive grammar map. Then

complete the sentences about the use of the present perfect simple and the past simple. to talk about 1 We use the actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past. to talk about 2 We use the actions that took place at a specific time in the past.

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CHOOSE the correct alternative.

My grandmother has given / gave my sibling a new backpack.

Last year’s research found / has found a connection between the personality traits and the political systems.

The Prime Minister visited / has visited our country twice in the last three years.

When has Michael started / did Michael start the new job?

The openness of that country has attracted / attracted a lot of interest among researchers.

Long time ago those islanders have migrated / migrated to their mainland.

3 COMPLETE the sentences with the past simple or the present perfect

of the verbs in brackets. (work) a lot and she 1 Last week she (not have) the time to hang out with my friends. (you / speak) to your coach lately?

2 (recently / claim) that closeness to animals 3 Scientists could help us improve the quality of life. (read) that article about 4 This is the first time I personality traits. (you / try) to pass the driving test?

5 How many times (never / think) Japanese were reserved people.

6 I 7 Animal alliances can help us understand how species (communicate) long ago. (not have) negative feedbacks about that research 8 We so far.

4 WRITE sentences with the present perfect or the past simple using the

prompts below.

Disappointments / always / weaken / his faith. he / ever / abandon / the island / where / he / be born?

In my first job / I / be / responsible / for marketing.

How many / books you / read up to now?

They / always / enjoy / each other’s company.

He / not / demonstrate / an openness / to change his behaviour / during yesterday’s meeting.

7 When / be / the last time / a friend / ask / you / for advice ?

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5 COMPLETE the text using the present perfect tense or the past.

Six degrees of separation (you / ever / hear) of the theory that we are all connected and that even two complete strangers have, through their network of friends or acquaintances, just six degrees of separation? This theory sounds new but decades ago scientists 2 (start) to study how the world is made up of social networks that are in some way interconnected.

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The original idea 3 (come) from Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy in 1929. He 4 (write) a short story that 5 (investigate) many of the problems that 6 (always / fascinate) generations of physicists and sociologists within the field of network theory.

Karinthy 7 (think) that the modern world was ‘shrinking’ because of this ever-increasing connectedness of human beings. His idea 8 (be) that the rapid growth of networks around the world 9 (succeed) in overcoming the enormous geographical distances, making the actual social distances smaller. As a result, any two individuals 10 (can) be connected through at most five acquaintances.

Up to you

6 IN PAIRS. Make a list of 5 things that happened last year in the world and 5 things you have achieved so far in your life.

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LISTENING 1 DISCUSS. Who do you turn to in times of trouble? We all need ‘a shoulder to cry on’ occasionally – whose is your favourite shoulder?

Framing vocabulary Relationships

2 MATCH the sayings to the pictures. Then discuss their

meaning. Are friends always on the same palge? be as thick as thieves 1 be on the same page 2 stick through thick and thin 3

A

2 You hear a young man talking about school.

When did he learn to accept relationships with those he didn’t get along with?

A While learning to go on with his teachers.

B While sharing jokes with his favourite teachers.

C While learning different subjects.

3 You hear two friends talking about a wedding.

Why did Mary marry Tom? A Because he was supportive and made her feel safe and secure.

B Because he was good-looking, intelligent and touching.

C Because he didn’t want to be her best friend.

4 You hear a young lady talking about friendship.

How can friends make you miserable?

A Because they teach you to share and to lose at sports.

B Because they don’t always support you.

C Because they often fade away in time.

5 You hear two friends discussing homework.

Why does Sue need Simon’s help with her homework?

A Because she has never owned a pet.

B Because Simon is her best four-legged friend.

C Because she has never had such a good friend.

B

C

B2 FIRST TRAINING VIDEO Listening Part 1

6 You hear a teacher asking a student about important relationships.

Who is the relative that has had the most influence in the girl’s life?

A Her grandmother because she died when she was a child.

B Her primary school teacher because she taught her how to be a good student.

C Her grandfather who gave her advice and helped him her schoolwork.

(Exam general introduction p. X)

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LOOK AT the task in exercise 4 and say: how many situations you will hear; how many options you are given; how many options are correct.

STRATEGIES 1 Read each situation quickly and underline the key words.

2 Read each question and ask yourself what it is asking.

3 Choose your answer on the first listening and check it on the second.

Listening – Part 1

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123 EXTRACTS WITH MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS. You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1 You hear part of an interview with a psychologist about family relationships.

What kind of training does a family relationship give?

A How to build a secure environment.

B How to deal with different kinds of relationship later in life.

C How to compromise and fight prejudice

Framing vocabulary Collocations with friend

5 COMPLETE the sentences with the collocations below. fair-weather friend • circle of friends • best friend • four-legged friend • long-lost friend

1 Making friends is not easy but we all need a for comfort and support. up until last 2 That boy over there was my month but he wasn’t there for me when I had a problem with my dad and I realised he was just a 3 Bobby is my favourite and has been so since he was a puppy.

4 My mum is so excited, she has just bumped into a she hasn’t seen since they were at college together.

6 WRITE sentences of your own with the collocations in exercise 5.

Up to you

7 WRITE a paragraph under the heading ‘My fair-weather

friend / circle of friends / best friend / four-legged friend’.

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GRAMMAR 2 VIDEO Grammar videomap

Framing grammar

Present perfect continuous and duration form

Present perfect continuous

FORM have/has + been + -ing form How long …? to ask about the duration of an action How long have they been living together? They have been living together for nearly five years.

Alternative form for duration They haven’t been going out since my Gran’s fall.

It’s two weeks since I saw Tom. How long is it since you saw Tom?

Grammar reference X.X pp. XX

1 WATCH the sentences to the uses.

1 I have been studying all day.

2 We have been laughing, crying and hanging out together for years now.

3 What a delicious smell! Susan has been baking cakes.

The present perfect continuous is used for: A actions that started in the past and are still continuing at the time of speaking.

B actions that have just finished and whose results can be seen in the present.

FREQUENT MISTAKES For and since

2 READ the sentences and decide if there is any

difference in meaning. What information is being highlighted in each sentence?

1 I have been studying English for ten years now.

2 I have been studying English since I started school.

Grammar reference X.X p. XXX

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COMPLETE the sentences with the present perfect simple or continuous of the verbs in the brackets. (chat) on the phone for hours and they They (not do) their homework yet. (be) my best friend for years. We James (hang out) together for years now. (sit) down all day.

I need to stretch my legs. I Let’s have a walk! I (just / finish) to read this book. (you / be)?’ ‘In Manchester. I ‘Where (work) there for a week. (she / break) up with her boyfriend?’ ‘I don’t ‘ know, but I think they just (quarrel).’

4 COMPLETE the sentences with the present perfect simple or continuous of the verbs below.

browse • be • keep • develop • receive • cry • lose • bring down • own • not see into a new form of 1 Online relationships socialising.

2 I spent last summer with my Japanese friend and we in touch ever since. (you) your four-legged friend?’

3 ‘How long ‘For a month’. !

4 You look very sad. Obviously you (me) recently. I’ve realised 5 My best friend he is just a fair-weather friend. (always) by me in times of 6 My brother trouble. the Net ever since 7 Most young people they were children. the film 8 Sam

6 COMPLETE the text with the past simple, the present

perfect simple or the present perfect simple continuous of the verbs in brackets.

WHAT YOUR PROFILE PIC SAYS ABOUT YOU A team of researchers 1 (analyse) the profile pic features of thousands of people for a long time and 2 (discover) that each personality trait has a specific type of profile picture.

According to this study, those lucky people who 3 (fall) into the category of openness 4 (post) the best pictures. Their profile pictures had more contrast and were generally more artistic or unusual. If the face 5 (take up) more of the frame than usual, that was also a good sign of openness.

‘More conscientious people used more natural, colourful and bright pictures. Friends often feel attracted to agreeable personalities’ a psychologist 6 (recently / explain).

A simple photo with little colour is a sign of high neuroticism. ‘People higher in neuroticism showed a blank expression or even 7 (hide) their face,’ the expert added.

The research also 8 (show) that nice people aren’t the best photographers.

Their pictures 9 (turn out) to be relatively poor in quality but bright and lively.

USE OF ENGLISH Framing vocabulary Phrasal verbs with take

1 MATCH the phrasal verbs to their definitions.

ARE YOU

Reading and Use of English – Part 1

5 MULTIPLE-CHOICE CLOZE. For questions 1-8,

read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning.

take after take away take on

LEFT-HANDED? Join the club!

take to take up 1 remove something 2 have similar characteristics in appearance or character to someone 3 instinctively like 4 begin a new activity, study or hobby

What is it (0) to be left-handed in a right-handed world? This 10% of the population have a different experience. Left-handedness can run in (1) though identical twins who take (2) their parents in many things can have different dominant hands. In the past society have often associated the left side with negativity.

People say ‘two left feet’ for someone who is uncoordinated and ‘my right-hand man’ for the person who has become your (3) friend.

5 accept a new responsibility or role

2 COMPLETE the sentences with the correct

Simple things like the position of a pen, scissors, the computer mouse and desks attached to chairs are all a challenge for left-handed people. It can take (4) their confidence. But they can have an advantage if they take (5) individual sports like tennis or boxing. They are connected with (6) and famous artists and musicians from Leonardo da Vinci and Mozart to Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix are part of the left-handed band. Countless actors, writers and computer geniuses like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are on this same (7) and numerous world leaders. So if you’re left-handed, be proud, you have (8) an exclusive club with Napoleon, Albert Einstein, Barack Obama as well as the future kings of Britain, because Prince William and Prince George are both left-handed.

form of the phrasal verbs from exercise 1.

When I met my new flatmate, I her straight away, she was so optimistic!

Yesterday my tutor asked me to the new challenge of coaching the volleyball team and I accepted.

Unfortunately, someone has the class register and our teacher is furious. a Recently my father has new sport because he says he spends too much time in the car. my My favourite sibling Ted gran, he is a terrific cook and loves making cakes.

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3 WRITE sentences of your own with the phrasal verbs from exercise 1.

B2 FIRST TRAINING VIDEO Reading and Use of English Part 1

(Exam general introduction p. X)

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READ the exam task in exercise 5 and say: how many gaps there are; how many options you have for each gap; if the words given are the same kind (adjectives, prepositions, verbs, etc.); how many options are correct.

STRATEGIES 1 Read the heading and quickly the whole text before filling in the gaps. 2 For each gap, think about the kind of word necessary (i.e. an adjective, a preposition). 3 Look at the words immediately before and after the gap.

4 Choose your option and try it out in the context of the sentence to make sure it fits grammatically and as meaning.

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A in B like C as D after A relations B parents C families D relationships A after B to C on D up A fair-weather B thick and thin C long-lost D thick as thieves A up B away C from D to A after B in C to D up A creativity B creative C creation D creating A book B wave C page D club A join B joined C joining D been joined VIDEO Reading and Use of English Part 2

(Exam general introduction p. X)

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READ the exam task in exercise 7 and say

•• how many gaps there are •• how many words you can write in each gap •• whether you are given any options.

STRATEGIES

1 Read the heading and quickly the whole text before filling in the gaps.

2 For each gap, think about the kind of word necessary (i.e. an adjective, a preposition). 3 Look at the words immediately before and after the gap. 4 Fill in the gap and read the sentence to make sure your word fits grammatically and as meaning.

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SPEAKING 1 1 2 3 4 5

COMPLETE the sentences with the appropriate word(s). Then for each sentence add one which is true for you.

I live on the fifth floor of a block of . the third year of high I school and my favourite is History. with my friends In the afternoon I or at the gym. the guitar but I dislike I like for a walk in my free time. and I hope I will become a represent clients in a court of law.

B2 FIRST TRAINING VIDEO Speaking Part 1

(Exam general introduction p. X)

In this part of the speaking exam you and another candidate will be interviewed by an examiner. The interview lasts for two minutes. You will be asked simple questions on everyday topics.

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1 Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions.

You can ask for clarification if you do not understand a question. 2 Don’t just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but give full answers with examples and reasons. 3 Speak loudly and clearly. 4 Try to use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar.

Speaking – Part 1

3 INTERVIEW. Roleplay in groups of three. Take

turns being the interlocutor, the assessor and the candidate. Ask and answer questions about the topics in exercise 2. Remember to ask both wh- and plain questions.

Framing language Rephrasing in cleft sentences Cleft sentences are used to emphasise what we want to say.

What do you enjoy most in your spare time? Well, what I most enjoy doing is playing volleyball.

What-clause My parents have given me love and support. What my parents have given me is love and support.

His charismatic personality makes my uncle my favourite relative. It is his charismatic personality that makes my uncle my favourite relative.

It-clause

X.X LISTEN to a student doing Part 1 of the Speaking exam and tick the questions which correspond to each answer given by the speaker.

The place where you live •• Where are you from?

•• How long have you lived in your town?

•• What do you like about your town?

Your home •• Do you live in a house or a flat?

•• What do you like about your house?

Your family •• Do you have a large family?

•• What’s your father’s / mother’s job?

•• Do you spend much time with your family?

Hobbies / Interests •• What do you do in your spare time?

•• What do you like doing with friends?

•• Do you practise any sports?

Study / Work •• How long have you been learning English?

•• Do you like studying languages?

•• What do you find difficult about studying English?

Future plans / Ambitions •• Have you decided what to do when you finish school?

•• What job would you like to do?

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STRATEGIES

Framing vocabulary Phrasal verbs for relationships 4 MATCH the phrasal verbs to their meaning.

1 get along with A take care of 2 rely on B admire, have great respect for 3 look after C criticise, blame 4 look up to D have a good relationship with 5 pick on sb E trust or need for support

5 ROLEPLAY in groups of three again to practise

•• •• •• •• ••

the following part of the interview. Try to use cleft sentences in your answers.

How many people are there in your family?

Who are the relatives you get along with, pick on or rely on? Why? Does your family have regular get-togethers? On what occasions?

Do you look after any pet, younger sibling or other member of the family?

Who do you take after in your family? Who do you look up to?

Picture description

6 DESCRIBE and compare the pictures. How do you think the people are related? What kind of relationship do you think they have?

10 ANSWER the following questions about the family. Then 1 2 3 4

write a short paragraph.

What does the word ‘family’ mean to you?

How has your family shaped your identity so far?

When do you think we need our families the most?

What changes do you think modern-day life has had on family structures?

DEBATE TRAINING

Framing debate Defining the motion Whoever speaks first in a debate has to define the motion, that is, to set the terms and decide what you will be debating about. For motions of value, like the one below, debaters need to define how they understand the meaning of the terms.

11 READ the motion and work in groups of three to define its terms. Carry out some research if necessary.

‘This house believes that tiger parenting does more harm than good’.

Topic discussion VIDEO Teenagers and families

7 WATCH the video and answer the questions.

Tiger parenting =

1 Do all the teens have a good relationship with their parents?

2 Do they feel like sharing their problems with them?

8 WATCH the video again and say whether the following

statements are true or false . Correct the false ones.

1 Kayla feels like talking to her brother when she has something on her mind.

2 Lydia doesn’t like having to look after her little brother.

3 Sam always goes to the cinema with his family at weekends.

4 James thinks that the parents of an only child can never become his friends.

5 Will says that his sister fills the house with dancing and songs.

6 Kayla feels uneasy about her brother calling her a loser.

9 DISCUSS. Which of the teenagers do you identify with?

How would you define your parents’ parenting style: authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, authoritative…?

Do good =

Do harm =

12 IN GROUPS of six debate the motion. Each group will identify two teams: one for and the other against the motion.

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WRITING 1 LOOK at the pictures and say which occasions are being celebrated.

Framing language Coordinating conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions are used to join items which are the of same grammatical type. The most common are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

The restaurant is run by two brothers from Naples who have been running this restaurant for nearly twenty years. They really know how to cook. They are wonderful chefs. One of them has also had a successful career as a singer. In fact, he sang some beautiful love songs in Italian. They made my Gran cry! = The restaurant is run by two brothers from Naples who have been running this restaurant for nearly twenty years and so really know how to cook. They are wonderful chefs yet one of them has also had a successful career as a singer. In fact, he sang some beautiful love songs in Italian and they made my Gran cry!

5 READ the essay about surprise parties and

complete the gaps with a suitable coordinating conjunction.

ARE SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTIES A GOOD IDEA? In theory, the idea of surprise parties sounds wonderful, 1 I think there are several points to consider before arranging one.

First of all, not all people enjoy surprises do they want them. Studies show that there are some people who don’t like anything unexpected 3 it embarrasses them. Also, you need to really think about who you are inviting and whether this person gets on with that person. Another thing to think about is: who do you include 4 who do you leave out?

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2 DISCUSS in pairs. Which are the occasions when your family, relatives and close circle of friends get together? Make a list of some of these family moments and discuss how you usually mark the occasion.

3 IN PAIRS choose one of the occasions listed in exercise 2 and in turn describe it in detail to your classmate. While listening, take notes and use them to write a brief paragraph about your classmate’s occasion.

Then share it with the class.

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X.X LISTEN to a boy talking about a family party. Make notes about the following.

The reason for the party.

The people invited.

The arrangements: time and place.

The food.

Decorations and events at the party.

On the other hand, surprise parties are a wonderful sign of affection. Arranging one shows your friend 5 family member that you have spent a lot of time and have taken a lot of trouble – just for them. This is particularly true when you are organising it in a place they really like.

In conclusion, I believe that although some people are embarrassed by extra attention, most people are thrilled by a surprise party. They see it as proof of their friends’ 6 family’s affection 7 enjoy it.

6 READ the essay again and

answer the questions.

1 Is the title referred to in the first paragraph?

2 How do the second and third paragraphs link?

3 How does the essay end?

4 What is the general tone of the essay?

7 IN PAIRS decide if the

1 2 3

4

following statements about essay writing are true or false .

An essay is always written for a teacher and should have a formal style.

Grammar and spelling accuracy are less important than vocabulary.

A good essay is well organised with a clear introduction, development and conclusion.

You should not include personal opinions in an essay.

8 PUT the following parts of an A B C D

opinion essay into the logical order. developing points on one side introduction – presenting the situation conclusion developing the points on the opposing or different side

B2 FIRST TRAINING VIDEO Writing Part 1

(Exam general introduction p. X)

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READ the task in exercise 11 and answer the questions.

1 What are you required to write in this 3 How many words should you write? part?

4 How many prompts are you given?

2 Do you have a choice of questions?

5 Can you add an idea of your own?

STRATEGIES 1 Read the input and the prompts carefully underlining key words. 2 Make notes or a brainstorm to generate ideas. 3 Choose your best ideas and write at least two sentences for each point, giving reasons and examples. 4 Give your opinion and summarise your main pints in a concluding paragraph. 5 Use a fairly formal style and grammatically correct English.

Writing reference p. XXX

Framing language Introducing the topic: First of all… / It is often said that… / Many people believe…

Providing examples/evidence: According to… / Research/studies show…

Introducing and developing your positive ideas: In my opinion… / I think that…

Introducing and developing your contrasting ideas: However… / On the other hand…

Adding ideas: Furthermore… / In addition…

Concluding: In conclusion… / All in all… / Finally…

Writing – Part 1

11 AN ESSAY. In your English class you have been discussing family occasions. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view in 140-190 words.

9 SAY which paragraphs in the

essay in exercise 5 correspond to the points in exercise 8.

Some people love family get-togethers while others see them as a duty they have to perform but don’t enjoy.

Why do you think family occasions give rise to such diverse feelings?

Notes Writes about: 1 the importance of family connections 2 family members who don’t get on (your own idea) 3

CHECKLIST

Have you used the correct number of words? included all the points given and added one of your own? organised your essay into introduction, development, conclusion? checked for grammar or spelling mistakes?

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I’m unique

INVALSI READING

1 READ the article and choose

A B C D E F G H

the correct question (A-H) for each paragraph (1-5).

There are two extra questions that you should not use.

The first one (0) has been done for you.

Are true friends, friends for life?

Can friends replace family?

Is there a downside to friendship?

Are online friendships replacing traditional friendships?

Is it better to have one best friend or a big group of friends?

How is friendship changing?

What is real friendship?

What makes a good friend?

Friends

can shape

your life

X.X

5

10

An important but little known area of psychology is that of the influence of friendship on our lives. The influence of parents and brothers or sisters on our development as people always receives a lot of attention, but what about friends? Friends have a huge influence on our lives.

They can provide comfort and joy, reduce stress, prevent loneliness and isolation, and even strengthen our health.

However, friendship is now changing, the network of possible contacts is growing all the time thanks to the abundance of social networks on the Internet. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Let’s see what an expert says.

(0)

15

20

212

35

40

F

The word ‘friendship’ now covers a vast area of contacts. A lot of people, teenagers as well as adults, usually chat with online friends, but friends on social network sites don’t necessarily know each other at all.

Sometimes they have never physically met, but are friends of friends. This kind of contact is not what we generally think of as friendship.

(Q1)

25

30

I am not saying that online social contact is not real friendship, I am just saying that it is different. Friendship is a mutually supporting relationship normally based on common interests. Chatrooms where people discuss interests or let off steam about social problems can be supportive as well.

45

(Q2) No, they are not replacing any other kind of relationship, they are adding a new form of contact. In many cases online friends are traditional friends too.

Our mates, that we hang out with, go out with, have fun with and cry with – when we need comforting – are often also the people we chat to online or text, or WhatsApp. We have rows and make up with them online or face-to-face, but not in the same way.

(Q3) In any form of friendship, genuine interest and care are key words. Listening is an essential quality. Are we prepared to stop what we are doing and listen to someone who needs help? Friends do not always get on with each other, but need to have time to listen to each other in moments of difficulty.

(Q4)

50

55

We often have different friends in different phases of our lives. Early friendships in our childhood play a vital role because they are happening while important developmental changes are taking place. Teen friendships shape our romantic feelings. They are a training ground for the later long-term relationships that will evolve through adulthood.

LISTENING

2

X.X LISTEN to people talking about relationships.

While listening, match the opinions with the correct speaker.

You can choose each speaker more than once.

The first one (0) has been done for you.

SPEAKERS A Barbara B Josh

C Sophie D Stephen

E Sharon

SUMMARIES 0 In our childhood the family is the most important relationship in our lives. A 1 Sometimes the strongest friendships are within the family.

2 There are different kinds of friendship – those that last a long time and those that last as long as you are doing the same thing.

3 School also teaches us to cope with those who we see as negative.

4 Your brothers and/or sisters are not necessarily your best friends.

5 Within the family there can sometimes be tensions caused by rivalry among brothers or sisters.

6 Relationships within the family are an important base for later relationships.

7 Our time at school is an opportunity to learn about getting on with others.

(Q5) 60

Close friends support you through thick and thin but friends can also make you miserable. Those who know you best know how to hurt you best. Being a friend is a great honour and responsibility so treasure your friends, be there when they need you, spend time doing things together. Are you devoting time and energy to developing your relationships? Remember friendships can give you important life skills. Our friends, online or in-person, help shape who we are.

213

LIFE COMP

1 READ the quotes and discuss in pairs what a ‘sense of self’ is.

I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self-love and self-respect.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

Maya Angelou, American poet

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple Computer

Framing vocabulary Compound words with ‘self’

2 MATCH the words to their meaning. Then use them

to complete the sentences. self-confidence B confidence in your worth self-regulation C trust in your abilities and judgement self-esteem D controlling your behaviour 3 and emotions self-awareness E good knowledge and 4 judgment about yourself 1 2

1 Getting bad marks can cause feelings of inadequacy . and low 2 Peers are drawn to him because of the constant air in everything he takes up. of help to 3 Different patterns of explain differences in character.

4 Language is an indispensable part for individual .

VIDEO Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

3 WATCH the Vlog and work in groups to answer the

questions about what Chase says.

1 What does being self-confident mean?

2 Why is admitting you have made a mistake a good thing?

3 What does the boy’s friend say about selfassurance?

4 Are self-confidence and self-regulation inborn?

5 What should you do when you have disruptive thoughts?

6 What has the boy started to do recently? Why? 7 What does he advise other teens to do?

4 DISCUSS in groups. Do you know what ‘soft skills’ are? How can they improve your performance in your studies?

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I’m unique

Sense of self and self regulation

5 READ and complete the self-evaluation questionnaire about your

skills. The assessment score ranges from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Discuss what you have achieved in the course of your studies up to now as regards each area of the test.

How well do I know myself?

Social skills I start interaction with peers.

Academic soft skills SCORE

I always complete assigned SCORE tasks on time.

I offer help or assistance SCORE to peers.

I ask for assistance SCORE if I need it.

I join in discussions SCORE with peers.

I can work independently.

I provide peers with positive feedback. SCORE

I use study skills suitable SCORE to the situation.

Self-management I accept rules.

SCORE

I try to avoid conflict through compromise.

SCORE

I can bear criticism from others and respond SCORE appropriately.

I can stay focused on tasks.

SCORE

Approaches to learning I am often anxious.

SCORE

I work hard.

SCORE

I like challenges.

SCORE

I have confidence in my abilities.

SCORE

SCORE

LEARN BY DOING

6 WRITE a biopoem about yourself using the prompts below.

•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Line 1: First name Line 2: Three or four adjectives to describe yourself Line 3: Meaningful relationships Line 4: Two or three people, things or ideas you care about Line 5: Three feelings you have experienced Line 6: Three fears you have had Line 7: Achievements Line 8: Two or three things you wanted to see happen or wanted to experience Line 9: Your residence Line 10: Surname