1 Ask and answer the questions with a partner. • Have you ever done any voluntary work? What sort of volunteering appeals to you? • Are there groups of people in your area who you think don’t receive enough support? • Are you a member of any local organisations for young people? • Do you think there are enough things for young people to do in your area? 2 Fill in the gaps to complete what you might say if you don’t hear (1 and 2) or don’t understand (3 and 4) what someone says. 1 I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Could you that, please? 2 Could you that again? 3 Can you why you said that, because I don’t quite understand. 4 Sorry, but I’m not sure what you by that. 3 Work with a partner. The local council is threatening to close the youth centre because not enough young people attend. You think your area needs a youth centre, so you want to prevent its closure. Here are some ideas that might help to keep it open. First, talk to each other about how effective you think each idea would be. Then decide which two ideas you would put into practice. Use the Language Bank to help you. How can we keep the youth centre open? encourage your friends to join write a letter to the council suggest new activities to attract members make an announcement at local schools start a Facebook page for the youth centre 4 Work in pairs to discuss these questions. • What can be done to help young people who are unemployed? • Do you think it’s more important for councils to spend money on services for young people than for elderly people or pre-school children? • Do you believe young people sometimes turn to crime because there isn’t enough for them to do? • What can be done to help young people feel more included in society? Speaking It’s important that you interact with your partner in this type of task. Therefore, if you don’t hear or understand something your partner says, ask him or her politely to repeat, rephrase or explain it. Asking for clarification Sorry, could you repeat that please? Could you say that again? I didn’t quite understand what you said. I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you mean. What did you mean by ...? Can you explain why you said ...? UNIT 12 155
Letter: Communicating effectively When you write to someone in authority about a problem, you are hoping that they will take action on suggestions you make in your letter. If you want the reader to react positively, you should write in a personal and polite way, saying how you feel about the problem, suggesting measures that should be taken and showing how they would help. 1 Read these extracts from letters to a town’s chief of police. Which one is written in the right tone and is most likely to get a good reaction? 2 Read this extract from a letter to the local mayor. What solution could you suggest? How would it help? It’s dangerous outside the school at home time. Children run across the street, cars drive past too fast and no one is in charge of what’s happening. 3 Read this writing task and discuss in class what could be done and why it would help. The City Times The city council recently published a report which reveals that many elderly people in the local nursing home are suffering from depression caused by boredom and loneliness. The council says it would welcome ideas on what could be done by council officials and local people to help the situation. Letter: Write a letter to the mayor explaining what could be done to help the elderly in the nursing home. Begin your letter, “Dear Mayor.” 4 Read the letter that was written in answer to the task in 3 and answer the questions below it. Dear Mayor, I have just read in the local newspaper that many of our vulnerable, elderly citizens in the city’s nursing home are depressed. I think this is a very sad situation and I am writing to ask that you urgently consider taking the following measures. First of all, the city council should employ an entertainment organiser at the home. Small music concerts, bookreadings and other events could be organised in order to stimulate the old people and, hopefully, make them smile. I am sure you agree that laughter is often the best therapy. Furthermore, the council could organise outings. If coach excursions to famous landmarks or trips to the countryside were arranged, it would enable the elderly to experience the outside world again instead of sitting inside all day. Finally, with your agreement, my friends and I intend to arrange for volunteers to visit the home perhaps once a week so that the elderly have regular contact with other people. I look forward to seeing you put some ideas into action soon. Yours faithfully, Mary Clark 1 Is the writer’s tone of voice polite? 2 What words does the writer use to sum up her opinion of the situation? 3 The writer talks directly to the mayor in the letter. Underline four examples of this. 4 The writer suggests three solutions to the problem. Circle the results of these solutions. Writing a Last week’s street demonstrations were policed really badly. Why didn’t you have enough policemen to control what was happening? People were terrified! Make sure there are more of them there next time! b Last week’s street demonstrations made life in the town centre very frightening for many of us. I think that we should have more of your officers on duty next time, if possible, in order to make life safer for ordinary citizens. 156
5 When you write, try to use a broad range of vocabulary. Match these words to their meaning and use them to complete the texts below. 1 incident 2 vulnerable 3 prevent 4 deter 5 inadequate a verb: to stop something happening b adjective: not enough c adjective: unprotected d verb: to discourage people from doing something e noun: an event that happens 6 Read this writing task and use the plan and the Language Bank to help you write your letter. Try to use some of the words you practised in 5. When you have finished your letter, check your work carefully. The City Times Fear on the streets A woman was slightly injured last night when a thief knocked her down and stole her purse as she walked home. Bystanders said they would not be able to recognise the mugger again because the street was very dark. Many citizens have previously complained that there are not enough late night buses operating in the city. Letter: Write a letter to the mayor explaining what could be done to make the city safer at night for pedestrians. Begin your letter, “Dear Mayor.” Plan Paragraph 1: Say you have read about the mugging. Give your opinion and say why you are writing. Paragraphs 2-4: Make suggestions to help solve the problem, using examples if appropriate, and showing what the results would be. Paragraph 5: Show you expect the reader to take action. Situation serious incident shocking frightening dangerous inadequate unprotected vulnerable Useful verbs protect deter prevent organise/arrange authorise enable supply install Solutions urgent(ly) suitable/adequate if possible I am sure you agree that ... take measures/action put ideas into action Think about your reader’s reaction when you write your letter. You want them to agree with your ideas, so talk to them directly and be polite. Showing the results of your suggestions will help convince them that you are right. When you learn new words, practise using them in your writing. Boy falls from hotel balcony After the , police said that the protective railings around the balcony were . The hotel manager has now promised to improve them in order to any more accidents. Hotel burglary Thieves broke into the Grand Hotel yesterday and stole valuables from a room at the back of the hotel. A hotel spokesman said: “The room was because it is dark at the back of the building. We are now installing powerful lighting in the garden area to thieves from trying again.” A B UNIT 12 157
12 Reload Vocabulary Choose the correct answers. 1 How can anyone be of important social issues? a inspired b combined c disabled d unaware 2 Could you speak , please? We can’t hear you. a up b out c on d in 3 The volunteers spent their weekend helping out at the shelter. They deserve a pat on the . a back b shoulders c heart d heels 4 One role of the is to get medical help to people with serious injuries. a ambulance service b fire brigade c job centre d coastguard 5 My aunt was over ninety and couldn’t walk, so we had to put her in a . a food bank b youth hostel c nursing home d halfway house 6 My job at the charity is to anyone who needs help. a assist b inspire c represent d disable 7 If the children while I’m out, call me on my mobile phone. a act out b point out c point to d act up 8 If I were a victim of at school, I would tell my parents or a teacher. a bullying b homelessness c unemployment d addiction 9 Look at those poor homeless children; my goes out to them. a back b heart c feet d ears Grammar Choose the correct answers. 1 is known about this mental illness, I’m afraid. a Such b Less c Some d Little 2 It’s high time your brother a job! a finds b to find c is finding d found 3 ‘Did Mr Smith take a retraining course?’ ‘No, he to repair machines.’ a taught by himself b by himself taught c taught himself d himself taught 4 Let’s help out at the halfway house, ? a shall we b will we c won’t we d should we 5 ‘Can here take on extra work at the food bank?’ ‘Yes, I could do a few more hours a week.’ a anyone b somewhere c everybody d nothing 6 ‘I feel terrible about poverty!’ ‘Well, you can’t solve the world’s problems .’ a by itself b by themselves c by yourself d by myself 7 ‘Is the shelter only for addicts?’ ‘No. needs a place to stay is welcome.’ a Whoever b Whatever c Whenever d Wherever 8 ‘Peter is a kind man.’ ‘I agree. the disabled, but he also works with the homeless.’ a Only not does he help b Not only does he help c Does he not only help d He does help not only 9 You had better now, or your parents will worry. a to leave b leaving c leave d to leaving 158
6 Progress Review Vocabulary 1 Circle the correct words. 1 The coastguard called off / cut off the search for the missing boat after two days had passed. 2 This information is secret, so we do not have access / process to it. 3 The charity promised to build a shelter, but so far it has dug in its heels / dragged its feet. 4 The 90-year-old actor spent his final years in a youth hostel / nursing home. 5 This hybrid car that parks itself is an example of built-in / cutting-edge technology. 6 Bullying / Addiction by his classmates made the boy unhappy at school. 7 The remote control / wireless network needs new batteries. 8 This group objects to the introduction of GM food / food banks into our kitchens. 2 Complete the second sentence so it has the same meaning as the first sentence, using the word in bold. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. 1 They won’t buy their son an expensive mobile phone because he often loses things. habit They won’t buy their son an expensive mobile phone because he things. 2 John spends a lot on technology because he loves the latest gadgets. fondness Because he the latest gadgets, John spends a lot on technology. 3 The animal charity needs people to give homeless dogs a home. take The animal charity needs people to homeless dogs. 4 My printer isn’t working properly, so I must get it repaired. playing My printer , so I must get it repaired. 5 The mayor said he felt sympathy for residents who were homeless after the storm. heart The mayor said residents who were homeless after the storm. 6 The charity congratulated the class which had donated the most money. pat The charity gave to the class which had donated the most money. 3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words given. 1 is a big problem in many capital cities. HOME 2 The laptop that I bought ten years ago is now . DATE 3 This popular smartphone user-friendly technology with a low price. COMBINATION 4 The teenager gave a(n) speech about how he had raised the money. INSPIRE 5 Women half the world, so why don’t they share half the power? REPRESENTATIVE 6 You can’t park here; this space is only for drivers! DISABILITY 7 Buying a lot of unnecessary things may be an example of behaviour. ADDICT 4 Complete the text with these words. access assistance dedication disability inspiration knowledge programs representative social welfare touch pad unemployment weight Service with a smile Yesterday, when I was looking at a laptop in a shop, I needed 1 . A friendly shop assistant with excellent 2 of the product showed me how to use the 3 with my finger and pointed out the built-in microphone that lets you use voice-activated 4 . He was very helpful and his 5 to his work was clear. It wasn’t until he nearly walked into a desk that I noticed he had a(n) 6 . The badge on his shirt said, ‘Gary – visually challenged, please be patient!’ He said that he was almost blind and getting a job had been a 7 off his shoulders after a period of 8 . He was glad he had been given 9 to a job because he didn’t want to accept 10 . As a(n) 11 of a group with few advantages, he was a(n) 12 to both customers and colleagues. Progress Review 6 159
6 Progress Review Grammar 1 Complete the second sentence so it has the same meaning as the first sentence, using the word in bold. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. 1 The old lady should go into a nursing home. time It’s into a nursing home. 2 Lee’s printer couldn’t be repaired, so he bought a new one. get Lee couldn’t , so he bought a new one. 3 I’m annoyed because my computer is really slow! faster I wish ! 4 Sam doesn’t like his children texting their friends during meals. not Sam wishes their friends during meals. 5 I regret not calling the fire brigade earlier. only If the fire brigade earlier! 6 You ought to turn off your mobile phone before the film starts. had You your mobile before the film starts. 7 Not everyone prefers using a tablet to a laptop. rather Some people a laptop than a tablet. 2 Circle the correct words. 1 You’ve had a satellite dish installed, haven’t / didn’t you? 2 That text message didn’t get sent, so I’ll send another / whatever. 3 Dennis must stop playing up and learn to behave him / himself. 4 The teacher had the pupils stay / stayed after school. 5 The family couldn’t get Grandpa try out / to try out the smartphone. 6 Some / Everyone say that we could end poverty in the world. 7 She didn’t leave her mobile phone in the taxi, didn’t / did she? 8 Our hybrid vehicle has broken down and we must have fixed it / have it fixed. 3 Read the text and complete each gap with one word. Life won’t be great for Grandma, will it? There are more old people in Europe than there used to be. Not only 1 people living longer, but also fewer babies are being born. This is a problem because, as 2 knows, when people retire and expect to 3 their pensions paid every month, it is the working people who pay for this. Many European countries are facing this problem and 4 have already found solutions. People will 5 only have their pensions cut, but they will 6 retire at an older age. But what happens when people are very old and can no longer look after 7 ? It is true that most old people 8 rather stay in their own homes and 9 someone take care of them 10 go into a nursing home. 11 they live, it is going to be very expensive, so everyone had 12 start planning for the future now! 4 Complete the sentences with these words. anyone herself himself ourselves some time whatever wherever 1 Did send you a message today? 2 you do, don’t let little Jimmy play with the laptop! 3 the homeless man went, people avoided him. 4 The father blamed for his son’s accident. 5 They bought a lot of groceries and gave to the food bank. 6 The student knows enough to fix her computer . 7 It’s high the ambulance arrived! 8 Is it possible for us to set up our webpage by ? 160