3. After- reading tasks

ADid the author write the text? (To amuse / complain /justify / criticize / inform?For sympathy?) What message does the writer want to deliver? (Are mobiles terrible? Are mobile users inconsiderate?) Who is the target audience? (Mobile users?Friends?Sympathizers?) Think about these points.

B Read again and underline the points of view you agree with and underline with a wiggle the points you disagree with.

C In small groups compare – have they underlined the same bits in the same way? Why do you agree / disagree?. Explain your choice.

Speaking

1. Work in pairs. Look at the pictures and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each form of communication.

n

Individual activity

1. 2. Compare and contrast the pictures.

2. How do you chat with your friends and family?

3. 3. Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of both ways of talking to people.

Paired activity

4. Your university / institute is trying to find out how students can stay in touch, communicate and be kept informed. They want to know which of the following tools are the most useful and why: Decide which are most useful. Agree on three.

- email -online discussion

1. - Skype -groups social media sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc)

2. - blogs -texting

Decide which are most useful. Agree on three.

Writing Task : Essay – You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

Modern means of communication have introduced relevant changes in our lives; some believe benefits outweigh disadvantages, others the opposite. Discuss your view and state your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

Essay topic: 

Modern forms of communication such as email and messaging have reduced the amount of time people send seeing their friends. This has had a negative effect on their social lives.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Functions of media in contemporary life

• What is happening in this photograph?

• Do you ever learn anything from TV programmes in English?

Used to + infinitive and be/get used to + ‘ing’ form

People often get confused about the use of used to + infinitive and be/get used to + ‘ing’ form because they look similar. They are, however, completely different. ‘used to + infinitive’ We use ‘used to’ to talk about things that happened in the past – actions or states – that no longer happen now.

• She used to be a long distance runner when she was younger.

• I used to eat meat but I became a vegetarian 5 years ago.

The negative is ‘didn’t use to’ and questions are formed with ‘Did you use to …?’ There is no present tense equivalent of ‘used to’. To talk about present habits we use the present simple and an adverb of frequency (usually, always, often, never, etc.) e.g. I often eat at the Japanese restaurant in the city centre. ‘be/get used to’ If you are used to something, you are accustomed to it – you don’t find it unusual. If you get used to something or you are getting used to something you are becoming accustomed to it – it was strange, now it’s not so strange.

• I found Slovak food very strange at first but I’m used to it now.

• I’m getting used to driving on the right.

Both ‘be used to’ and ‘get used to’ are followed by a noun (or pronoun) or the gerund – the ‘ing’ form of a verb.

• I can’t get used to getting up so early. I’m tired all the time.

• He’s not used to the weather here yet. He’s finding it very cold.

‘Be/get used to’ can be used with past, present and future tenses.

• You might find it strange at first but you’ll soon get used to it.

• He wasn’t used to the heat and he caught sunstroke.