Compiti Di Inglese Per Le Vacanze

COMPITI DI INGLESE PER LE VACANZE

Per chi ha avuto la suﬃcienza piena (voto in pagella 6 e superiore)

A. Leggere tutte le letture e svolgere tutti gli esercizi delle pagine seguenti. ATTENZIONE: alcune pagine riportano gli esercizi del libro “Grammar For You” che già avete. Ripasso di tutti gli argomenti che trovate nei Keynote e documenti caricati su iTunesU e/o Materiale Didattico.

Per chi ha avuto il rinforzo (voto in pagella 5)

B. File pdf “Rinforzo_Inglese_2ACEF_Venturin_Grammar4You” Svolgere gli esercizi delle seguenti unità (la parte di teoria la trovate sul libro “Grammar 4 You” - che usiamo in classe - e sui keynote / documenti vari caricati su iTunes U e/o Materiale Didattico).

13 - L’aggettivo e il comparativo di maggioranza. Il superlativo. 14 - Preposizioni di luogo 15 - Preposizioni di tempo 16 - Past Simple - Verbo Essere 17 - Past Simple 19 - Past Progressive (anche detto Past Continuous)

*Questo ﬁle è stato caricato sia su iTunesU sia su Materiale Didattico in formato pdf.

NOTA BENE PER TUTTI Gli esercizi e le letture sono un modo per tenere attivo il vostro inglese, quindi - se trovate una parola che non conoscete, cercatene il signiﬁcato, provate a riusarla in un’altra frase; - se una frase non vi torna (non un testo intero), evidenziatela, ne discuteremo insieme al rientro; - provate sempre a fare un esercizio, il “non capisco” non lo accetto.

Vi consiglio di stampare il seguente documento: sarà più facile la correzione a settembre e soprattutto nel caso perdiate il ﬁle / si rompe l’pad / etc avete un’altra copia del vostro lavoro.

Buona estate!

Easy reading: LA Skaters: An interview (level 1) – text

Read an interview with two skateboarders from Los Angeles.

Monica and Carl are teenagers from Los Angeles in the United States. They both love skateboarding. Read this interview with them and find out more about their favourite sport.

Who invented skateboarding? Monica: Skateboarding began in California in the 1950s, but we don’t know who the first person to go on a skateboard was.

Carl: In the beginning, skateboarding was popular with surfers. They wanted to practise surfing on land when the ocean was calm or the weather was bad.

Where can you go skateboarding? Monica: There are skate parks in lots of towns and cities. They are special places for skateboarding. You can practise jumps at skate parks and meet other skateboarders.

Carl: You can skateboard in the street too, but you have to look out for the traffic, people, bicycles and dogs.

When did you start skateboarding? Monica: When I was a child, I liked going rollerskating with my friends. When I was thirteen, one of my friends got a skateboard and I tried it. I fell several times but I loved it. Two weeks later, I got my first skateboard. I haven’t stopped rollerskating. I like both sports now.

Carl: I live in the city and there’s a skate park near my house. When I was eleven, my dad gave me a skateboard for my birthday and I spent the summer skateboarding at the skate park. I love the freedom and speed. When I was a child, I rode my bike every day, but I never ride it now.

Is skateboarding dangerous? Carl: All skateboarders fall off their boards but fortunately most injuries are minor. It’s a good idea to wear a helmet to protect your head.

Are there skateboarding competitions? Monica: Yes, there are. They usually take place in skate parks. Skateboarders do jumps or tricks. The skateboarders who do the most difficult jumps or tricks win.

Carl: There was a campaign to get skateboarding included in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro but unfortunately it wasn’t successful. But who knows? Maybe, skateboarding will be in the 2020 games!

Tell me about “Go Skateboarding Day”. Monica: “Go Skateboarding Day” is on the 21st of June every year. In the United States, Europe and Australia, there are competitions, parties and barbecues for skateboarders.

What about fashion? Is there a skater look? Carl: At the moment, the fashion is for skateboarders to wear tight jeans or black trousers and a T-shirt or check shirt. Baseball caps and hats are popular too.

Monica: A lot of skateboarders have long hair too. But fashion doesn’t matter. For me, enjoying the sport is more important than clothes.

What’s a long board? Monica: A long board is skateboard that’s longer and has got bigger wheels. Skateboards are usually 70 to 80 centimetres long, but long boards are 90 to 120 centimetres long. It’s difficult to do jumps on a long board, but you can go fast.

Carl: Listen to this! In 2006, a skateboarder went across Australia on a long board. That’s 5,850 kilometres!

Robin Newton

Easy reading: LA Skaters: An interview (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation: matching Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–f next to the numbers 1–6.

1…….. a trick a. a kind of sport, riding on a board with four wheels

2…….. skateboarding b. a kind of sport, riding on ocean waves on a board

3…….. a look c. a kind of sport, using boots with four wheels on the bottom

4…….. rollerskating d. a difficult jump or move

5…….. surfing e. physical damage to your body

6…….. an injury f. a style, or appearance

1. Check your understanding: grouping Write the phrases into the correct group.

says that baseball caps and hats are popular with goes rollerskating and skateboarding skateboarders

says it’s a good idea to wear a helmet got a skateboard for a birthday present

loves the freedom and speed of skateboarding started skateboarding with a friend

thinks skateboarding is more important than says that skateboarding began in California in the fashion 1950s

Monica Carl

2. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Surfers wanted something to do when the sea was calm. True False

2. When she was a child, Monica rode her bike every day. True False

3. Monica started skateboarding when she was eleven. True False

4. Skateboarding isn’t going to be in the 2016 Olympic Games. True False

5. ‘Go Skateboarding Day’ is on 21st July every year. True False

6. It’s fashionable for skateboarders to wear tight jeans. True False

7. All skateboarders have long hair. True False

8. It’s difficult to do jumps on long boards. True False

Discussion

Do you like skateboarding?

Graded reading: Bad secrets (level 1) – text Bad secrets are only bad until you tell someone. What is Maria’s secret and who will help her?

Peter kicked his desk and walked out of the classroom.

'Hey!' shouted Mr Clark, the maths teacher, to Peter's back. 'Detention!' he called, but Peter didn't stop. Peter often walked out of class.

*** Maria didn't have her sports kit for class again. It was the second time this term. 'I forgot it,' she told the teacher. But it wasn't true.

'What's wrong, Maria?' asked her mother when the school called her. 'I put your clean sports kit on your bed this morning.'

'Nothing, Mum,' said Maria very quietly.

'Look at me and speak clearly,' said her mother, angry. 'I can't understand you.'

Maria didn't look up. She didn't want to answer any questions. She didn't want her mum to find the dress or the trainers either. Maria didn't want to explain where they came from. If her mum saw them there would be a lot more questions. Questions that Maria didn't want to answer.

'Fine. But if you don't tell me, I can't help you.'

***

A week later, Peter and Maria were outside the school principal's office. Peter was looking at the wall angrily. She knew why he was here because she was in his class. She saw him kick his desk so hard that it broke.

She imagined the conversation between Peter and the principal.

Principal Hughes: 'Why did you do that? Desks are expensive!'

Peter: 'Sorry. I get angry sometimes.'

Principal Hughes: 'You should say sorry to your teacher, not to me. And you can pay for the desk. Don't do it again, OK?'

Easy.

Money and 'I'm sorry' won't work for me,' Maria thought. Her mother was coming to school because the PE teacher wasn't happy. They were going to ask questions. Questions that might bring more questions.

Peter went in to the principal's office. She couldn't hear any of their conversation so they weren't shouting. Peter was probably saying sorry now. After a few minutes, Peter left. He didn't look at her. He was still angry.

***

Graded reading: Bad secrets (level 1) – text Maria didn't speak for eighteen minutes. When her mother or Principal Hughes asked a question, she stayed silent. They stopped asking after a while. But that wasn't the real problem. She could feel her phone vibrating inside her bag. She knew exactly who it was. Later she would have to answer his questions. Where had she been? Was she wearing her new dress? And detention didn't really help her – he could wait outside school all night.

***

Peter and Maria were the only two people in detention on Monday. They were the only two on Tuesday too. They didn't look at each other on Monday, but they did on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Peter said, 'Hello again' when they arrived and Maria said, 'See you tomorrow', when they left. They both smiled at that.

On Thursday, Maria saw bruises on Peter's stomach when he pulled his school bag over his head. They looked old. He saw her looking. She looked away. He pulled his shirt back down and his face went pink. They didn't speak that day, but Maria felt it was like a conversation.

Does Peter have someone he's afraid of? Maria asked herself. Do they tell him to keep secrets? She knew how it felt. She knew the horrible feeling. Someone could be nice and then change. They could make you do things that you didn't really want to do.

On Friday, she decided not to put her phone on silent. She wanted the detention teacher to see the messages now. Maybe that would make it all stop. But the phone didn't make a sound. She pushed her jumper higher on her arms. For the first time in two months, you could see the bruises. She remembered the conversation with her mother: 'If you don't tell me, I can't help you.' It was time to start talking. It was time to answer questions. It was time to get help.

She didn't say anything, but she hoped Peter would see her arms and hear the silent question. 'You too?'

***

Maria didn't know what Peter thought when he saw her arms because he left detention without a word. That night she went to talk to her mother in the kitchen.

She didn't know how to start. 'Mum?' she said finally.

Her mother continued with the vegetables she was preparing. 'Mmmm?'

'There's a boy at school and ...' Maria stopped. 'I saw something.'

'Saw what?' She had her mother's attention now.

'Something he didn't want me to see. A secret.'

'What kind of secret?' her mother said carefully.

'A bad secret – like I think someone is hurting him,' Maria said. 'But what if you tell someone and everyone thinks it's your fault? And what if the person is angry that you told someone?'

'Bad secrets are only bad until you tell someone,' her mother said. 'This boy needs to tell someone. But he has to choose the right person. A person who isn't going to say it's his fault, who's going to help.'

Graded reading: Bad secrets (level 1) – text 'Who is the right person?' asked Maria. 'An adult,' said her mother. 'One he trusts.'

Maria took a deep breath. She took her phone out of her bag and opened up the messages. The first word still wouldn't come. 'Mum?' she said finally, 'I have to tell you something …'

Nicola Prentis

Graded reading: Bad secrets (level 1) – exercises Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

1…….. a desk a. to hit something with the foot

2…….. to trust someone b. a type of table for working or studying

a punishment in which a student has to stay at school for 3…….. to vibrate c. longer after the other students have gone

4…….. to hurt someone d. to move from side to side very quickly

5…….. a bruise e. an injury where your skin is purple

6…….. a detention f. to cause physical or emotional pain to someone

to believe that someone is good and honest and won't hurt 7…….. your fault g. you

8…….. to kick h. your responsibility for a mistake or doing something wrong

1. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Maria forgot her sports kit. True False

2. Maria's mother is angry when the school phone her. True False

3. At first, Maria thinks Peter's problem is easier than hers. True False

4. Principal Hughes understands Maria's problem. True False

5. Maria notices something about Peter in detention. True False

6. Maria thinks Peter has a secret like hers. True False

7. We don't know who Maria is afraid of. True False

8. Maria decides to tell her mum about her problems. True False

Graded reading: Bad secrets (level 1) – exercises

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice Circle the best answer to these questions.

1. Peter … a. often walks out of class. b. walks out of class for the first time.

c. never walks out of class.

2. When Maria forgets her sports kit, her mother is angry because … a. she wants Maria to do PE. b. she thinks Maria has lost her sports kit.

c. Maria won't tell her the problem.

3. When Peter and Principal Hughes are talking in the principal's office, … a. Peter offers to say sorry. b. Peter offers to pay for the desk.

c. they talk but we don't know what they say.

4. In detention … a. Peter tells Maria a secret. b. Maria decides to do PE.

c. Maria thinks Peter has a secret.

5. Maria thinks she has something in common with ... a. Peter. b. Mr Hughes.

c. her mother.

6. Maria decides to … a. keep her secret. b. tell someone her secret and get help. c. talk to Peter.

Discussion

Do you agree that bad secrets are only bad until you tell someone?

Easy reading: Bully (level 1) – text

More messages ... Who is sending them? And what can Kay do?

Kay got another message as she was leaving for school. unknown number: You’re so ugly.

She put her phone in her pocket and walked to the bus stop. There were messages every day now. Who was it? Why were they doing it? The phone beeped. candybear76: freak!

Now even her friends weren’t talking to her. Becky was the only one who was still friendly. She was Kay’s oldest friend. The phone beeped again. It was a comment on her Facebook photo. princesspusheen: No one wants to look at you. Loser!

Kay felt really upset. She was trying to delete the messages and block the users. But more messages came from different names. Becky thought it was a hacker. Kay contacted the sites telling them what was happening but they didn’t answer.

Becky was waiting at the bus stop. 'Hi, Kay, are you all right?' 'No. There were more messages this morning. Do you think I should go to the police?' 'Maybe,' said Becky. 'But I don’t think they can help. I think he’s using anon.com. Hackers use that website to hide their identity so the police can’t find them. Anyway, I think I know who it is ...' Just then the bus came and they got on.

There were lots of kids from school on the bus. Kay thought they were all looking at her. Julie McGann was talking quietly to her friend. They both started laughing. Kay and Becky sat down. 'Who is it?' asked Kay. 'Shh! He’s sitting at the back. Don’t look!' Kay looked around. Ollie Jones was on the back seat, looking at his phone. 'But why?' asked Kay. 'You finished with him, didn’t you?' said Becky. 'What? We weren’t going out,' said Kay. 'And I don’t even like him.' 'Yeah, well I heard he really liked you.'

That day at school was really bad. When she didn’t have classes with Becky no one sat next to her or talked to her. There were more messages. anookins2014: What happened to your face? pixiestar: You make me sick. bellatricks17: Everyone hates you!

By lunchtime Kay was really upset. Mrs Gibson her music teacher saw her crying and Kay told her everything. She offered to go to the police with Kay. She said they were better at finding cyberbullies now. The bell rang. It was time for class.

Kay had ICT next. Her class was in the computer room, but the teacher wasn’t there yet. Becky was in a different group for ICT. Everyone went quiet when Kay came in. There was only one computer left. She moved the mouse and saw the website. It was called hatekay.com. There were photos of Kay but they were changed to make them look horrible. There was one of Kay that looked like a zombie. There was a message at the top of the page: Easy reading: Bully (level 1) – text

Like this page if you hate Kay Granger.

There were more than 100 likes. Her phone beeped. unknown number: I’m watching you.

Kay ran from the room and didn’t stop until she got home. She didn’t go back to school that week. She didn’t switch on her computer or mobile phone. On Monday, Mrs Gibson called. The police thought they knew who the bully was. Kay decided to go and tell Becky.

Becky was in her bedroom working on her computer. They started to talk, but then Becky’s mum opened the door. She looked worried. 'Becky, can you come downstairs?' Kay stood up too. 'Could you wait here please, Kay?'

Kay waited, but Becky didn’t come back. Then the computer started beeping. It was a message. Kay looked at the screen. She couldn’t believe what she saw. There were photos of Ollie Jones. Some of them had kisses around them. There was one of Becky and Ollie together. There was a message at the bottom of the screen. Kay clicked on it and a website opened up. It was anon.com. It was Becky’s home page. Just then the door opened. It was Becky’s mum. She was very upset. There was someone standing behind her. 'Kay, this policewoman wants to talk to you.'

By Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: Bully (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

1…….. to beep a. someone who is very strange and not normal

2…….. a bully b. to make en electronic sound

3…….. a cyberbully c. someone who is aggressive or frightening to another person

someone who uses modern technology to send aggressive or 4…….. a screen d. frightening messages

a personal who uses a computer illegally to get access to private 5…….. a freak e. information

6…….. ICT f. sad and worried

7…….. a hacker g. a school subject (Information and Communication Technology)

8…….. upset h. the flat part of a computer where you see the images or text

1. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Kay was getting a lot of horrible messages. True False

2. Kay thought she only had one friend. True False

3. Becky said she thought the bully was Ollie Jones. True False

4. Kay talked to lots of students about the problem. True False

5. Mrs Gibson was nice and helpful to Kay. True False

6. Kay saw the hatekay.com website on her phone. True False

7. Kay ran home after she saw the website. True False

8. The bully was Becky. True False

Easy reading: Bully (level 1) – exercises

2. Check your vocabulary: gap fill Complete the sentences with a word from the box.

mouse website messages ICT

hacker cyberbullies screen zombie

1. Kay tried to delete the ______but more came from different names.

2. Becky said the bully was probably a ______.

3. Hackers can hide their identity on a ______called anon.com.

4. Mrs Gibson said the police were better at finding ______now.

5. Kay’s class was in the computer room because they had______next.

6. There was one computer left. Kay moved the ______and saw the website.

The photos were changed to make them look horrible. In one photo Kay looked like a 7. ______.

8. Kay looked at Becky’s computer. There was a message at the bottom of the ______.

Discussion

Is bullying a problem in your school? What can people do to stop it?

Vocabulary Box Write any new words you have learnt in this lesson.

Easy reading: Cheat! (level 1) – text

Friends or exams? Which are more important?

Mo was waiting outside her class. She was feeling sick. She always felt sick in exam week. She had two exams that day. Physics was first and she hated physics, it was her worst subject. But this was the last day of exams! Terry looked back at her from the front of the line, then looked away quickly. Mo thought she looked guilty. She didn’t have a problem with physics. She didn’t have a problem with anything!

‘Hi, Mo, it’s your favourite exam today,’ said Nima as she arrived. Terry looked back again. ‘What’s wrong with her?’ said Nima. ‘I thought you were friends.’ ‘Yes, so did I,’ said Mo, ‘but she hasn’t spoken to me for two weeks. She promised to help me revise for the physics exam, but then she ignored all my calls and texts. And when I rang her house, her mum told me she was busy. She doesn’t remember who her friends are!’ said Mo angrily. ‘Are you listening, Maureen Quinn?’ Mr Reed was talking to the class and the other students were going into the exam room. Mo gave Nima a worried look and followed them.

Mo couldn’t answer question number five, it was too difficult. She looked up and saw Terry sitting in the next row. Mo was surprised. Terry was holding her phone under the table and she was reading from it. Mo didn’t know what to think. Is that how Terry always got good grades? She felt really angry at Terry but didn’t know what to do. She thought about telling the teacher, but what would everyone else think of her? It wasn’t fair! Mo never cheated and she failed lots of exams. Terry had already put her phone away when Mo looked up again. She looked back at Mo and smiled sadly. ‘Stop writing and put your pens down,’ said Mr Reed as he started to collect the exam papers. Oh no, Mo hadn’t answered two of the questions. She was going to fail again!

Mo wanted to talk to Terry at lunchtime, but she couldn’t find her in the dining hall. The next exam was history. That was Mo’s favourite subject but she didn’t feel good. She was angry with Terry. Nima went home for lunch every day, so she couldn’t talk to her either. Mo went to the library to study. She didn’t know what to do about Terry. She thought about telling a teacher, but everyone would hate her if she did that. ‘It wasn’t fair!’ she thought. ‘Terry was getting good grades by cheating all that time. And I thought we were friends!’ Just then, Mr Reed walked past her table. ‘Mr Reed ...’

Mo was sitting behind Terry again in the history exam that afternoon, but Terry didn’t take her phone out. Maybe she didn’t need to cheat at history. Mo was feeling bad again, but she had no problems with the exam. Why did she tell Mr Reed? But it was too late now. He wanted her to look at him and nod if she saw that Terry had her phone in the exam. She was on the last question, when she saw that Terry had her phone under the table. Without thinking, Mo looked up and nodded to Mr Reed. Terry was looking at her phone and didn’t hear him as he walked silently up to her table. He didn’t say anything. Terry looked, surprised. He picked up her exam paper and pointed to the door, to tell Terry to go outside. Terry started crying as she walked to the door. Everyone was staring at her and Mo felt really sorry now.

She was leaving school, when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Terry. ‘Mo, wait!’ she called. ‘I want to talk to you.’ Mo could see Terry had been crying; her face was pale and her eyes were red. Mo couldn’t speak. ‘Listen, I’m really sorry I didn’t answer your calls, but we’re having a terrible time. My dad had a heart attack and he’s in hospital. He had a big operation today and I was very worried. I know it was stupid, but I was reading texts from my mum to see how it was going, but Mr Reed caught me. He thought I was cheating. But he believes me now. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was happening. I know you’re a good friend. Will you forgive me?’

Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: Cheat! (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation: matching Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the number 1–8.

do something dishonest in an exam, like use your mobile to get 1…….. feel sick a. the answers

2…….. row b. have the feeling you are going to vomit

3…….. ignore someone c. not pass an exam

4…….. line d. excuse someone for something bad they did

5…….. grades e. a series of objects, often chairs, put next to each other

6…….. fail f. people waiting next to each other

7…….. cheat g. not speak or respond to someone

After doing exams, students receive these (A is the best, then B, 8…….. forgive h. etc.).

1. Check your understanding: ordering Write a number (1–8) to put these sentences in order.

…………. Mo goes to the dining hall to look for Terry.

…………. Mr Reed tells Terry to leave the history exam.

…………. Terry explains her situation to Mo.

…………. Terry’s dad has a heart attack.

…………. Mr Reed believes Terry.

…………. Mo first sees Terry with her phone.

…………. Mo talks to Nima about Terry.

…………. Mo can’t answer question number five.

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice Circle the best answer for these questions.

sick 1. Mo always felt ______in exam week tired

physics 2. Mo didn’t have a problem with ______. history

two 3. Terry didn’t speak to Mo for ______weeks. three

good 4. Terry always got ______grades. bad

two 5. Mo didn’t answer ______questions in the physics exam. four

history 6. Mo’s favourite subject was ______. English

behind 7. Mo was sitting ______Terry in the exam. beside

didn’t believe 8. Mr Reed ______Terry. believed

Discussion

Do you feel stressed when you have exams?

Easy reading: Guess what? (level 1) – text

It's a big day at school for Tom and he's nervous and excited at the same time.

22/09/2015 22:21

… I’m afraid of the letter 'W'.

… Yes, I stutter. So what?

01/03/2016 19:35

… A new boy started at school yesterday. His name’s Luke Williams. He’s Welsh. I can’t stop thinking about him.

07/04/2016 22:51

What a day! There’s so much to write about and I’m probably not going to post some of this.

It started badly. The phone rang while I was having breakfast. Dad was in the shower. I was feeling good but nervous – an important day for me!!! So I answered it without thinking. Bad idea! It was Luke Williams. I thought, 'How has he got my number?'

When I saw him yesterday he probably only wanted to ask me what I was doing in the science fair, but I couldn’t speak. He makes me so nervous, so I just walked away. He probably thought I was an idiot. I feel terrible when I remember it. So I thought, 'Why is he ringing me now?' He said, 'Hello … hello? Is that Tom?'

Did I tell you ‘H’ is a problem for me too? So, trying to say 'hello' was my second bad idea. My throat just closed up and all that came out was that strange sound I talked about in last week’s blog. I wanted to die. And then I heard someone laughing. It sounded like Ryan Colby. I put the phone down. OK, so they were ringing to laugh at me. Nice!

08/11/2015 20:22

Some people are only happy if they’re hurting someone else. Ryan Colby hates me and he knows about me and the letter ‘W’.

22/03/2016 21:30

There are good days and bad days. This blog is helping. Music really helps too! Today was a good day. I had a talk with Dad. He told me there’s a new drug that can stop you stuttering. But guess what? I like my stutter! So does Dad. He told me it’s made me a better person because I think carefully before I speak. He doesn’t know I’m just trying to find words without ‘W’ or ‘H’ in them. We decided I don’t need drugs.

07/04/2016 22:51

Today was a really big day for me. The last time I spoke in class was three years ago and it was terrible. I tried to say a 'W' and made that strange sound. Everyone laughed and I haven’t spoken in class since.

But it’s been going really well lately. I’ve got a great speech therapist and I can use my laptop in class all the time.

And guess what? This is really big news! When I listen to music on my headphones I can speak without stuttering!!! That’s why I said yes to talking at the science fair today.

Easy reading: Guess what? (level 1) – text

So I arrived at school early this morning to practise with my group. Our project is about using bacteria to eat plastic. Luke Williams was waiting by the entrance. He was smiling. Ryan Colby was there too. He said, 'Hey, Tom, guess what?' I didn’t think. I tried to say, 'What?' and got stuck on the ‘W’ and you can guess what happened then. Ryan Colby and his friends started laughing. So yes, I turned and ran.

I wasn’t going to do the science fair after that but I got a text from Dad saying good luck. And I thought OK, I’m not going to let people like Ryan Colby make me feel bad any more.

Unfortunately, when it was my turn to speak I looked up and saw Luke Williams. He looked away. And then I was so nervous that I chose the wrong music on my MP3 player. So instead of Mozart I was listening to dance music. The problem is that when I have dance music on the headphones I can’t stop myself talking in the same rhythm as the music. So it just sounds like I’m rapping!

Most people in school never hear me speak. They were really surprised when I started doing a rap about bacteria that eat plastic. I could see they were laughing at me. But when I finished they all stood up and cheered.

After we finished, everyone wanted to be my friend. They didn’t know about the music on my headphones, so they just thought I was a brilliant rapper, ha ha! I checked my phone at lunchtime and I’ve got 187 new friend requests!!! I didn’t see Ryan Colby or Luke after the science fair.

OK, I’m not going to post this next bit. Luke came here this afternoon. I can’t believe it! I was wrong. He wasn’t laughing at me this morning. He was ringing to say 'good luck in the science fair'. And that wasn’t Ryan Colby laughing on the phone, it was Luke’s dog barking! We thought that was really funny! He thinks Ryan Colby is an idiot and no, they’re not friends! They had a fight after Ryan laughed at me today. We talked for three hours! And … he told me he really likes me!!!! I love his Welsh accent. I didn’t want him to stop talking. Anyway, Dad invited him to stay for dinner. They talked a lot and I could see Dad thinks he’s really clever. Then when I said goodbye to him at the door he turned around and said, 'Guess what?' And I said, 'What?'

Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: Guess what? (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

to speak with difficulty because you repeat the first sound of some 1…….. to post a. words

2…….. nervous b. to put something like a text or a picture on the internet

3…….. to cheer c. worried or afraid about what is going to happen

the tube that goes from the back of your mouth into the inside of 4…….. to rap d. your neck

a person who works with people who have difficulties with 5…….. to stutter e. speaking

6…….. a speech therapist f. to speak words rhythmically to music

7…….. your throat g. to shout in encouragement or praise

8…….. to bark h. (of a dog) to make a short loud noise

1. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Tom has difficulty saying the letter 'W'. True False

2. Tom likes Luke Williams. True False

3. Tom wants to take a new drug to stop his stutter. True False

4. Ryan Colby is Tom's friend. True False

5. The science fair goes really badly. True False

6. Tom is very popular after the science fair. True False

7. Luke likes Tom. True False

8. After dinner with his dad and Luke, Tom's stutter gets worse. True False

Easy reading: Guess what? (level 1) – exercises

2. Check your understanding: gap fill Write the word to fill the gaps.

1. I'm afraid ______the letter 'W'.

2. His name's Luke Williams. I can't stop thinking ______him.

3. The phone rang while I was having breakfast. Dad was ______the shower.

4. I heard someone laughing. It sounded ______Ryan Colby.

5. There are good days and bad days. This blog ______helping.

6. After we finished, everyone wanted ______be my friend.

Luke wasn't laughing ______me this morning. He was ringing to say 'good luck in the 7. science fair'.

8. We talked ______three hours!!!

Discussion

Did you like the story?

Vocabulary Box Write any new words you have learnt in this lesson.

Easy reading: Love is Blind (level 1) – text

Deshi likes the girl, but does she like Deshi?

Hi Lang

I’m writing in English to practise. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your email. I started school the day after we arrived in Boston and I’ve got too much work to do. I hate it here. I can’t understand what people are saying. The accent is very strange.

I miss Shanghai and I miss playing in the band with you. I try to practise the guitar, but the neighbour who lives opposite is angry because his daughter plays the violin and he said the noise disturbs her. I saw her staring out of the window at me. I think she hates me too. She’s really beautiful ...

Hey, I’ve got to stop. My mum just came back from work and I haven’t finished my homework.

Please write back soon. I want to hear about what you’re doing in London. Can you understand the accent?

Deshi

PS: I think I’m in love!

Deshi turned off the computer and opened his English book, but it was difficult to concentrate on irregular verbs. He couldn’t stop thinking about the girl in the building opposite. She had beautiful eyes. He opened his bedroom window and looked across the street. Her window was open too and he could hear her practising classical music on her violin. She was very good. ‘She probably hates rock music!’ thought Deshi. ‘Have you finished your homework?’ Deshi’s mum opened the door. ‘Quick! Dinner is in half an hour!’ He wasn’t hungry.

Deshi couldn’t sleep that night and he was late for school the next morning. He ran out of the house and there she was! She was sitting in her dad’s car with the window open. Deshi dropped his schoolbag and she turned to look at him. He couldn’t move. Her eyes were green. He’d never seen anyone with green eyes before. He smiled at her but she just stared at him like he didn’t exist. Deshi could feel his face turning red. He picked up his bag and ran for the bus.

School didn’t go well that day. He failed a maths test and the English teacher shouted at him for not concentrating. At lunchtime, he wasn’t hungry. The food in the cafeteria just made him feel sick. And then he had to stay late after school for extra English and missed the bus. He decided to walk home. He was crossing the park near his street, thinking about his school back in Shanghai and how he missed it. Then, he saw her. She was sitting on a bench with her dog. ‘Oh no, she’s seen me,’ he thought. He waved at her but she just ignored him again. ‘Idiot!’ he said to himself. ‘Why did I wave? Now she really hates me.’

Later that evening, Deshi was practising his guitar with the headphones on. His friends in Shanghai thought he was very good but now he didn’t want anyone to hear him playing. He was thinking about getting a classical guitar when his mum came into the room. She had a letter in her hand. ‘The postman made a mistake,’ she said. ‘This is for the building across the street. Can you take it over while I’m making dinner?’ ‘OK, Mum!’ said Deshi.

Deshi thought about how unhappy he was as he went down the stairs. His mum had no time for him, she was always working. School was really difficult and he had no friends in Boston. He was outside the building opposite when the door opened. ‘Oh no, it’s her!’ he thought. The girl was about to come down the steps when she dropped something. Without thinking, Deshi picked it up. ‘Hello?’ she said, frightened. ‘Who’s there?’ Deshi was confused. ‘Er, I live across the street.’ ‘Are you the boy who plays the guitar?’ she said. ‘Hi, I’m Helen. I really like your music and I’m sorry my dad complained.’ Deshi looked at what he was holding. It was a white stick. She was blind.

Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: Love is Blind (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation Write the correct word in the box below the picture.

letter guitar bench violin

to wave white stick building

1. Check your understanding: ordering Write a number (1–10) to put these sentences in order.

……………. He tries to do his English homework.

……………. He can’t sleep.

……………. He sees Helen in the park.

……………. He practises the guitar.

……………. He drops his schoolbag.

……………. He writes an email to his friend.

……………. He takes the letter across the street.

……………. He doesn’t want lunch in the school cafeteria.

……………. He picks up Helen’s stick.

……………. He hears Helen practising the violin.

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice Circle the best word to complete these sentences.

1. Helen plays the piano / violin .

2. Deshi goes to school by bus / car .

3. Helen’s dad likes / doesn’t like Deshi’s music.

4. Deshi’s brother / friend is called Lang.

5. Helen has got a dog / cat .

6. Deshi’s English / maths teacher shouted at him.

7. Deshi is from Hong Kong / Shanghai .

8. Helen likes / doesn’t like Deshi’s music.

Discussion

What's the best way to make friends in a new place?

Easy reading: The Text (level 1) – text

Is the text message a joke, or a real emergency?

Amy normally hated Monday mornings, but this year was different. Kamal was in her art class and she liked Kamal. She was waiting outside the classroom when her friend Tara arrived.

“Hi Amy! Your mum sent me a text. You forgot your inhaler. Why don’t you turn your phone on?” Amy didn’t like technology. She never sent text messages and she hated Facebook too.

“Did Kamal ask you to the disco?” Tara was Amy’s best friend, and she wanted to know everything that was happening in Amy’s life. “I don’t think he likes me,” said Amy. “And I never see him alone. He’s always with Grant.” Amy and Tara didn’t like Grant.

“Do you know about their art project?” asked Amy. “It’s about graffiti, I think,” said Tara. “They’re working on it at the old house behind the factory.” “But that building is dangerous,” said Amy. “Aah, are you worried he’s going to get hurt?" Tara teased. “Shut up, Tara! Hey look, here they come!”

Kamal and Grant arrived. “Hi Kamal!” said Tara. “Are you going to the Halloween disco tomorrow?” “Yes. Hi Amy,” Kamal said, smiling. “Do you want to come and see our paintings after school?” “I’m coming too!” Tara insisted.

After school, Kamal took the girls to the old house. It was very old and very dirty too. There was rubbish everywhere. The windows were broken and the walls were damp. It was scary. Amy didn’t like it. There were paintings of zombies and skeletons on the walls. “We’re going to take photos for the school art competition,” said Kamal. Amy didn’t like it but she didn’t say anything. “Where’s Grant?” asked Tara. “Er, he’s buying more paint.” Kamal looked away quickly. Tara thought he looked suspicious. “It’s getting dark, can we go now?” said Amy. She didn’t like zombies.

Then, they heard a loud noise coming from a cupboard in the corner of the room. “What’s that?” Amy was frightened. “I didn’t hear anything,” said Kamal. Something was making strange noises. There was something inside the cupboard. “Oh no! What is it?” Amy was very frightened now. “What do you mean? There’s nothing there!” Kamal was trying not to smile. Suddenly the door opened with a bang and a zombie appeared, shouting and moving its arms. Amy screamed and covered her eyes. “Oh very funny, Grant!” said Tara looking bored. Kamal and Grant started laughing. “Ha ha, you were frightened!” said Grant. "Do you like my zombie costume?” Amy took Tara’s arm. “I can’t breathe,” she said. Kamal looked worried now. “Is she OK? It was only a joke.” “No she’s not OK, you idiot. She’s having an asthma attack and she forgot her inhaler.” Tara took out her phone. “I’m calling her dad.”

Next evening was Halloween. The girls were at the school disco. “Are you better now?” asked Tara. “I’m fine,” said Amy. “I think it was the smell of paint that started the attack.” Tara looked around. “So, where are the zombies?” “I don’t know, I don’t want to see Kamal again,” said Amy. “Come on, let’s dance!”

Amy and Tara were dancing when Grant arrived, looking worried. “Hi, someone stole my phone. Have you seen Kamal? He said he was coming here at eight o’clock. Can you phone him?” “Go away, idiot!” Tara didn’t stop dancing. Grant looked upset. “Tell him I’m looking for him,” he called as he left the disco. Tara really didn’t like Grant.

Just then, Tara’s phone rang. She looked at it. “Ha!” she said, “I don’t believe it!” “What is it?” asked Amy. “Kamal just sent a text to everyone. Listen!” Tara read out Kamal’s message.

“I’m at the house. I can’t move. Please call an ambulance. My battery is running out.”

The girls didn’t stop dancing. Lots of their friends saw Kamal’s message too, but Tara told everyone it was just a joke. They all ignored it.

The next morning, Amy’s mum and dad were listening to the radio. “Is Amy up yet?” Dad asked. “No, she’s tired,” said mum, turning the volume up on the radio.

“This morning, police are investigating the death of a sixteen-year-old boy. He died last night in a disused house on Moortown Road...”

Dad put down his newspaper. “But that’s where Amy went with her friends.”

“...They found the body early this morning. His name was Kamal Naseer...”

Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: The Text (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation: picture matching Write the correct word in the boxes below the picture.

an inhaler a zombie an asthma attack a skeleton

a text message a cupboard rubbish graffiti

1. Check your understanding: ordering Write a number (1-10) on the left to put these sentences in order.

……………. Grant is looking for Kamal.

……………. Tara gets a text message from Amy’s mum.

……………. Tara tells Grant to go away.

……………. Amy’s mum and dad listen to the radio.

……………. Something is making a noise inside the cupboard.

……………. Kamal invites Amy to the old house.

……………. Amy doesn’t like the paintings.

……………. Amy has an asthma attack.

……………. Tara reads Kamal’s message.

……………. Grant’s phone is stolen.

2. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Amy and Kamal are working on an art project together. True False

2. Amy’s mum sends her a text message. True False

3. Tara doesn’t like Grant. True False

4. Kamal is sixteen years old. True False

5. The Halloween disco is on Saturday. True False

6. The old house is in front of the factory. True False

7. The boys are going to take photos of the art project. True False

8. Kamal pretends to be a zombie. True False

9. Someone steals Grant’s phone. True False

10. Grant wants to dance with Tara at the disco. True False

Discussion

Are friends more important than your boyfriend or girlfriend?

Easy reading: Why is Charlie so cool … like? (level 1) – text

Read all about YouTube star Charlie McDonnell.

In April 2007, a 16-year-old boy named Charlie McDonnell was studying for his exams. But he was bored, so he turned on his laptop computer. He found a website called YouTube and watched a video of another teenager like him. The teenager was sitting in his bedroom and talking about how bored he was. ‘I can do better than that!’ thought Charlie. So he used his laptop and webcam to make his first video, and posted it on YouTube under the name Charlieissocoollike.

YouTube started in 2005 and is now the world’s largest video website. More than 3 billion videos are watched every day on YouTube and a large number of those are video blogs. These are simply videos of people talking to a camera about their lives or things that interest them.

Two days after Charlie posted his first video, he had 150 subscribers, so he decided to make more videos. He soon became quite popular. A few months later, Oprah Winfrey, the famous American TV host, showed one of his videos called How to be English on her programme. In this video, Charlie wears a suit and tie and talks in a funny accent. He shows viewers how to make a cup of tea. Charlie suddenly became very famous in the United States too.

To say thank you to all his fans he made a video called Challenge Charlie, asking people to suggest funny or difficult things for him to do in his videos. Challenges included drinking tomato ketchup, wearing all of his clothes at once and painting himself purple!

Charlie is also a singer and songwriter. His most popular videos are of him singing and playing the ukulele. In Duet with Myself, he uses special effects to sing a duet with himself about what a boring person he is. This has now been watched over 7 million times!

Charlie’s best friend, Alex Day, is also a musician and video blogger. They met through YouTube and started a band together. The band is called Chameleon Circuit, and they have made two CDs and performed several concerts.

With more than one and a half million subscribers, Charlie is the most popular video blogger in the UK. He has now made enough money to buy a house with his friend Alex. But what is the secret of his success? ‘I make the kind of videos that I want to watch,’ he says. And when asked how fame has affected him, Charlie says, ‘I still sit in my bedroom talking to my camera, and that's what I want to do.’

Oh, and how did Charlie do in his exams back in 2007? Well, he passed with nine A grades and one B! He says that he wants to go to university in the future but decided to try and make a career on YouTube before that. So, far, it’s going very well!

Brendan Dunne

Easy reading: Why is Charlie so cool … like? (level 1) – exercises

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation Write the correct word in the box below the picture.

a webcam tomato ketchup a laptop a suit and tie

a TV host a band a ukulele

1. Check your understanding: multiple choice Circle the best answer for these sentences.

1. YouTube started in 2005 / 2007 .

2. Charlie made his first video when he was studying for his exams / working .

3. In How to be English, Charlie talks about cooking / making tea .

4. Duet with Myself has now been watched 7 million times / 7 billion times .

5. Charlieissocoollike is now the most popular YouTube video blogger in the USA / the UK .

6. Charlie and Alex have now made enough money to start their own website / buy a house together .

2. Check your understanding: true or false Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Charlie made his first video in 2005. True False

2. More than 3 billion videos are watched on YouTube every day. True False

3. Oprah Winfrey showed one of Charlie’s videos on her programme. True False

4. Charlie plays the piano. True False

5. Charlie and Alex’s band is called Charlieissocoollike. True False

6. Charlie got good exam results. True False

Discussion

What's your favourite Charlie McDonnell video? Why do you like it? How often do you watch YouTube? Can you remember any good videos you have seen on YouTube?

Grammar videos: Comparative and superlative adjectives – exercises

Watch the video and read the conversation between

Sophie and Giovanni. Then do these exercises to

check your understanding of comparative and

superlative adjectives.

1. Check your grammar: true or false – comparatives and superlatives Are these sentences True or False?

1. To compare two things, we add -er to many adjectives. True False

2. We add -est to make the superlative form of many adjectives. True False

3. We never change the spelling of the adjective before adding -er / -est. True False

4. We often use "than" after a comparative. True False

5. We often use "the" before a superlative. True False

6. With longer adjectives, we use "more" + adjective or "most" + adjective. True False

7. There are a lot of irregular comparatives and superlatives. True False

2. Check your grammar: gap fill writing – comparatives and superlatives Write the words to fill the gaps. Use comparatives and superlatives.

1. The clothes here are ______(good) than in my town.

2. That’s my ______(bad) mark ever!

3. It’s ______(far) than I thought – I think we’re lost.

4. That’s the ______(disgusting) meal I’ve ever had!

5. I hope your team’s ______(lucky) today than last week.

6. They’re ______(happy) in their new school than in their old one.

7. It’s the ______(good) song on the album.

8. Your spaghetti sauce is ______(tasty) than my mum’s.

3. Check your grammar: multiple choice – comparatives and superlatives Circle the correct sentence.

1. a. The more amazing thing just happened to me! b. The most amazing thing just happened to me! c. The amazingest thing just happened to me!

2. a. He’s a lot taller than you. b. He’s a lot taller you. c. He's a lot taller from you.

3. a. She’s worst than me at maths. b. She’s worse than me at maths. c. She’s more bad than me at maths.

4. a. He’s the most good in the team at goal scoring. b. He’s the best in the team at goal scoring. c. He’s best in the team at goal scoring.

5. a. This pizza isn’t as good as Alfie’s. b. This pizza isn’t as good Alfie’s. c. This pizza isn’t as best Alfie’s.

6. a. It’s frighteninger if you look down. b. It’s more frightening if you look down. c. It’s the frightening if you look down.

7. a. Where’s the most cheap place to eat? b. Where’s the more cheap place to eat? c. Where’s the cheapest place to eat?

8. a. I’ve been running a lot. I think I’m faster now. b. I’ve been running a lot. I think I’m more fast now. c. I’ve been running a lot. I think I’m more faster now.

Discussion

Which meal do you think is tastier, fish and chips or pizza? Where do you get the best pizza where you live?

Grammar videos: The past simple – irregular verbs – exercises

Watch the video on our website and read the

conversation between Sophie and Lucia. Then do

these exercises to check your understanding of past

simple irregular verbs.

1. Check your grammar: true or false – past simple irregular verbs Are these sentences True or False?

1. To form the past simple, we add -ed to the end of regular verbs. True False

2. There are many different types of endings of irregular verbs in the past simple. True False

3. We use did + not + infinitive to form past simple negatives with all types of verbs. True False

We use did + subject + infinitive to form past simple questions with all types of 4. True False verbs.

5. There are clear rules about the endings of past simple irregular verbs. True False

6. You have to learn all the different irregular verb forms of the past simple. True False

2. Check your grammar: multiple choice – past simple irregular verbs Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

1. hear We ______about the storm on the news. heard

2. find out They ______that it was my birthday. found out

3. bring The waiter ______us the menu to look at. brought

4. sleep I didn’t ______very well last night. slept

5. leave Did you ______your coat in the cafe? left

6. freeze It was so cold that the pipes ______. froze

7. tell She didn’t ______us what to do for homework. told

8. feel He ______bad about failing the test. felt

3. Check your grammar: gap fill – past simple irregular verbs Put the irregular verb in the past simple tense to fill the gaps.

1. I ______(buy) some food for lunch.

2. Who ______(meet) you at the airport?

3. We all ______(have) the same idea.

4. ______(do) you speak to Sophie?

5. I ______(see) the weather forecast earlier.

6. He ______(give) us a lift into town.

7. She ______(read) three books in one week!

8. They ______(take) a taxi to the hotel.

Grammar videos: The past simple – regular verbs – exercises

Watch the video on our website and read the

conversation between Sophie and Yu Quan. Then do

these exercises to check your understanding of past

simple regular verbs.

1. Check your grammar: true or false – past simple regular verbs Are these sentences True or False?

1. We use it for things in the past which have finished. True False

2. We use it for things in the past with a connection to the present. True False

3. We use it for single events or situations in the past. True False

4. We use it for repeated events in the past. True False

5. We use it for things a long way back in the past and in the recent past. True False

6. We only use it for things a long way back in the past. True False

7. We use the auxiliary ‘do’ to form questions and negatives. True False

8. We use the auxiliary ‘have’ to form questions and negatives. True False

2. Check your grammar: gap fill – past simple regular verbs Put the verb in the past simple tense to fill the gaps.

1. The cat ______(escape) from the garden.

2. They ______(agree) with me about the album.

3. He ______(try) to start the car.

4. We ______(enjoy) the funfair a lot.

5. Tell me, what ______(happen)?

6. She ______(stop) at a zebra crossing.

7. I ______(carry on) working until late.

8. Alfie ______(fail) his driving test again.

3. Check your grammar: multiple choice – past simple regular verbs Circle the correct sentence, a or b.

1. a. Did he talked to you? b. Did he talk to you?

2. a. They no liked the film. b. They didn’t like the film.

3. a. We planed to go on a trip round the US. b. We planned to go on a trip round the US.

4. a. I tryed to help her. b. I tried to help her.

5. a. The door opened and we went in. b. The door openned and we went in.

6. a. Played you tennis last year? b. Did you play tennis last year?

7. a. We decideed to go home. b. We decided to go home.

8. a. They stopped working and went for lunch. b. They stoped working and went for lunch.

Discussion

Did you like this grammar snack? What did you do yesterday?

Grammar videos: Prepositions of time – exercises

Watch the video and read the conversation

between Sophie and Pachi. Then do these

exercises to check your understanding of the

different prepositions of time.

1. Check your grammar: grouping – prepositions of time Write the words under the correct preposition.

Monday morning 9 o’clock lunchtime Tuesday August

Easter New Year’s Eve 1997 the weekend Christmas

the afternoon my birthday 17th March the past the 60s

in on at

2. Check your grammar: gap fill – prepositions of time Write the preposition to fill the gaps.

1. I finish school early ______Wednesdays.

2. Are you going to work ______the summer holidays?

3. I only ever see my cousins ______Christmas.

4. ______the past, you couldn’t buy such a variety of different foods.

5. What shall we do ______the weekend?

6. Mobile phones were invented ______the 80s.

7. My exam is ______7th June.

8. I’m having my first guitar lesson ______Friday afternoon.

3. Check your grammar: multiple choice – prepositions of time Circle the correct sentence.

1. a. We were waiting during five hours. b. We were waiting for five hours. c. We were waiting at five hours.

2. a. What are you doing at the weekend? b. What are you doing in the weekend? c. What are you doing the weekend?

3. a. It’s so beautiful in the park on summer! b. It’s so beautiful in the park at summer! c. It’s so beautiful in the park in summer!

4. a. We woke up on dawn because of all the mosquitoes! b. We woke up in dawn because of all the mosquitoes! c. We woke up at dawn because of all the mosquitoes!

5. a. I’m going on holiday tomorrow! I’m going in two weeks. b. I’m going on holiday tomorrow! I’m going for two weeks. c. I’m going on holiday tomorrow! I’m going at two weeks.

6. a. I always go out at Friday nights. b. I always go out on Friday nights. c. I always go out in Friday nights.

7. a. It’s very noisy at night in this street. b. It’s very noisy in night in this street. c. It’s very noisy on night in this street.

8. a. I’ll see you on next Friday. b. I’ll see you next Friday. c. I’ll see you on at next Friday.

Discussion

Think of your favourite day of the week. What time do you get up? What do you do, and when? What is the best part of the day for you?