Mini topics
Friends and relations
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
acquaintance |
admire |
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adore |
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amiable |
(steady) boyfriend |
be on good terms |
best friend |
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bond |
boss |
bring up |
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brother |
buddy |
chemistry |
classmate |
be close to |
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cousin |
coworker |
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crony |
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discipline |
dysfunctional |
empathize |
empathy |
encourage |
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encouragement |
enemy |
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extended family |
fall out with |
family ties |
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fiancé / fiancée |
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be fond of friendship |
generous |
get on with |
(steady) girlfriend |
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grandparents |
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have a lot in common |
husband |
influence |
in-laws |
inseparable |
inspire inspiration |
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intimate |
kind |
kinship |
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love |
nuclear family |
nurture |
parents |
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partner |
raise |
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related |
relative / relation |
relationship |
respect |
room mate |
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see eye to eye |
shared interests |
siblings |
sister |
soul mate |
spouse |
supervisor |
support |
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supportive |
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sympathize |
sympathy |
teacher |
wife |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
Different people influence our lives in different ways. How? Illustrate your answer with specific examples.
Topics
Global problems, social tensions, and solutions
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
alien |
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charity |
civil rights |
cultural exchange program |
culture |
culture shock |
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differences |
discriminate |
discrimination |
displaced people |
emigrants |
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emigration |
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environment |
equality |
ethnic cleansing |
exploit |
exploitation |
extremism |
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extremist |
genocide |
global village |
homeless |
homelessness |
human rights |
hunger |
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ignorance |
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illegal alien |
immigrants |
immigration |
inequality |
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institutional racism |
internally displaced |
intolerance |
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language |
migrants |
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nationalism |
pollution |
poverty |
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prejudice |
racism |
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refugee |
religion |
religious |
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stateless people |
study visit |
terrorism |
terrorist |
tolerate |
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tolerance |
UNESCO |
UNHCR |
UNICEF |
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xenophobia |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
The world today faces a lot of problems. Outline a few of these problems and suggest some things that ordinary people could do to make the world a better place.
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Topics
Government and politics
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
authoritarian |
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a bill |
a candidate |
to canvass |
the Capitol |
Capitol Hill |
a committee |
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Congress |
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a congressman / congresswoman |
a constituent assembly |
a constitution |
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democratic |
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a democracy |
a Democrat |
to elect |
an election |
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federal (law, tax, etc.) |
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freedom |
a governor |
the House of Representatives |
ideology |
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independence |
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legislation |
legislature |
a monarchy |
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opposition |
parliament |
a politician |
a president |
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a prime minister |
to ratify |
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a referendum |
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represent |
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a republic |
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a Republican |
sanctions |
security |
the Senate |
a senator |
a state |
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a statesman / stateswoman |
a technocrat |
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totalitarian |
to vote |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
What, in your opinion, are most important things a government should do for its people? Support your answer with examples.
Health and exercise
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
active |
aerobics |
balanced diet |
cholesterol |
cut down on (e.g., fatty foods, sugar) |
disease |
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eating disorder |
fall ill |
fast food / junk food |
fat |
fibre |
get fit |
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give up (e.g., smoking) |
health club |
heart attack |
heart disease |
in good shape |
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in poor shape |
jogging |
keep fit |
lifestyle |
look after (e.g., yourself, your health) |
muscles |
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obese |
obesity |
on a diet |
overweight |
sedentary |
skin problems |
slim |
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sports center |
swimming |
take exercise |
take up (e.g., a sport) |
underweight |
unhealthy |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
Too many young people these days are unhealthy and / or overweight. What advice would you give somebody who wanted to become fit and healthy?
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Topics
Learning languages
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
accent |
bilingual |
challenging |
communicate |
competent |
culture |
dictionary |
fluent |
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get by (in a language) |
grammar |
learn something parrot fashion |
lingua franca |
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look up (in a dictionary) |
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monolingual |
mother tongue |
multilingual |
native |
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pick up (a language) |
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practice |
progress |
pronunciation |
rewarding |
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second language |
self-access centre |
vocabulary |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
What are the most effective ways of learning a foreign language? Illustrate your answer with specific examples.
Movies and the theater
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
acting |
action |
actor / actress |
animation |
atmosphere |
audience |
believable |
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big budget |
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box office |
cartoon |
cast |
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climax |
comedy |
director |
documentary |
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drama |
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entertaining |
exciting |
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feel-good |
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funny |
gritty |
horror |
location |
movie |
musical |
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performance |
plot |
romance |
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scenery |
science fiction |
screen |
setting |
soundtrack |
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special effects |
stars |
story |
thriller |
video |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
What kinds of movies do you enjoy watching, and why do you enjoy watching them? Use specific examples to explain your answer.
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Topics
Music
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
aggressive |
an album |
an artist(e) |
beat |
blues (music) |
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a classic |
classical music |
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a compilation |
to compose |
a composer |
a concert |
to conduct |
a conductor |
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contemporary |
dance music |
download |
easy listening |
heavy metal |
a hit |
improvise |
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improvisation |
innovative |
jazz |
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live (adjective) |
lively |
lyrics |
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mellow |
memorable |
mood |
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opera |
orchestra |
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percussion |
pop |
popular |
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rap |
to record |
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recorded |
reggae |
relaxing |
rock music |
sentimental |
a singer-songwriter |
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a soloist |
strings |
vocalist |
vocals |
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wind instrument |
world music |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
The music you listen to says a lot about the kind of person you are. How far do you agree with this? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sports
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
arena |
athlete |
athletics |
beat |
coach |
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competitive |
competitor |
course |
court |
draw |
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equalize |
exercise |
go (swimming, jogging, climbing, etc.) |
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hooligan |
hooliganism |
lose |
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match |
opponent |
opposition |
pitch |
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play (baseball, tennis, basketball, etc.) |
prize |
referee |
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score |
spectator |
spectator sports |
sponsor |
sponsorship |
sportsman / sportswoman |
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stadium |
support |
supporter |
take up (a sport) |
team |
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team spirit |
team sports |
train |
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trainer |
umpire |
unite |
violence |
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win |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sports play an important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
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Your hometown
1. Use a dictionary to check the meanings of the words in the box. Can you think of any other words and expressions to add to the list?
amenities |
busy |
character |
college |
community |
community spirit |
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congestion |
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crime |
demolish (old buildings) |
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eating out |
environment |
healthcare |
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historic |
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homeless |
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homelessness |
hospital |
housing |
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housing project |
improve |
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improvement |
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increase |
industry |
job opportunities |
library |
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livelihood |
lively |
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local customs |
mall |
modern |
monument |
museum |
neighbor |
neighborhood |
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nightlife |
noise control |
park |
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peaceful |
pedestrianize |
pollution |
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population |
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preserve (old buildings) |
reduce |
rejuvenate |
renovate |
restaurants |
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rural |
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safe |
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shopping |
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sports center |
sports facilities |
statue |
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street |
crime |
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theater |
traditional |
traffic |
traffic calming |
traffic-free |
urban |
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zoo |
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2. Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.
You have been asked for some suggestions to make your hometown a better place. What suggestions would you make, and why?
Topics
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