 Speaking

How do you think your life in your city will be different in ten years? Will you be swimming in a pool on the roof of the skyscraper you live in? Will the entrance to all museums be free? With the partner talk about things you think you’ll be doing in ten years. Each student should mention five things. Then tell the class what your partner will be doing in ten years.

Example: Alexander will be driving his own car in the air as in ten years there will be air roads, and cars will be able to fly. He will also have a video telephone in his flat.

Exercise 11

TOWNS AND VILLAGES. Crossword.

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		5
6

1. place where your family lives (4)

2. opposite of city (7)

3. area near to or round a place (12)

4. hills, trees, fields, etc. considered as things to look at (7)

5. the world of animals, insects and plants (6)

6. hills, trees, fields, etc. make this environment (11)

Exercise 12

No cities or towns are perfect. Think of your home city or town where you are from.

a. Draw a detailed map of your native town or city (district), and explain the rationale for its organization.

b. Write 5 things you like about it and 5 things you dislike. Explain your decision.

c. Imagine that you are elected the government of a town. What would you do to make life better for its citizens?

 Reading

1. Would you like to live on a small island? Why/Why not?

You are going to read an article about a family who moved to a remote island. Why do you think they wanted to move?

Listening

2. First read the false summary and spot the mistakes by guessing. Then listen to the text of and find out if your guesses were correct. Can you think of a title for the text?

The Sirrs sold their farm in Yorkshire to move to the Welsh island of Graemsay. The family viewed the property in September. The deal was astonishing – the “estate” comprised a post office, six villas and a private sandy beach. On the first trip, the Sirrs met many of the island’s tourists and were given a warm meal. The move has brought new challenges to the family. Rob and Jill have started a cattle farm. The only thing they miss is going to the zoo. The children are the only pupils at the school and take advantage of the school’s free facilities. The family consider themselves lucky.

3. This article is about a family who moved to an island. For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Many people long to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. But few people would actually give up a warm comfortable home to move to a remote island in the middle of the North Sea. The Sirrs family, however, decided to do exactly that. Unhappy with their busy lifestyles they sold their 400 year-old cottage in Yorkshire to move to the tiny Scottish island of Graemsay.

Incredibly, for less than the price of a modest semi-detached house, it was possible to buy half of the island. Attracted initially by the low price, Rob and Jill contacted the agent concerned and discovered that “the estate” advertised actually comprised a post office, six houses and a private sandy beach – all for $ 60,000.

Interested, the young couple and their three children decided to go and have a look. Knowing that the island would look its best in the summer, they chose to view the property in December. They didn’t want to be under any illusions. Despite a seasonal chill, the weather was clear and the sea calm. The island looked more beautiful than they could ever have imagined. While they left their children playing on the beach, the Sirrs looked around and realized that the deal was even more astonishing than they had first thought. The six-bedroom house came with a farm and 300 acres of land.

Once on the island the Sirrs tried to imagine what life could be like for them. They were anxious to meet their neighbours as soon as possible. However, they had no need to worry. On that first trip they met up to half of the sixty or so island inhabitants and were given a warm welcome! The couple were thrilled that the people of Graemsay were so friendly. Many of them urged the couple to complete the transaction as soon as possible. Within two weeks of their visit, the Sirrs’ bid of $55,000 was accepted.

The move has brought new challenges to the family. Rob and Jill have started a sheep farm and renovated the cottages to rent out as holiday homes. They insist that the only thing they miss about their previous life is going to the cinema. If anything, moving to the remote island has brought the family closer together.

Before they moved, the Sirrs thought long and hard about bringing their children up in such a remote place. But the children are young enough to adjust and seem happier in the new environment.

They are content with their own company and make their own entertainment. Although they are the only pupils at the local school, they receive lots of attention and are able to take advantages of the school’s modern facilities.

Since the move, the family have been visited by many friends who are envious of their beautiful surroundings. The family consider themselves lucky. For very little cost, they have all the benefits of a beautiful place to live. They also hope that by improving their property they can, in future, give something back to the island.

1. Why did the Sirrs family move to the island?

A. They had always wanted to live on an island.

B. It was a chance to escape.

C. They hated Yorkshire.

D. Their children were unhappy at school.

2. They decided to visit the property in December because

A. it was the only time of year they could travel.

B. the weather was unusually good.

C. they wanted to spend Christmas in Scotland.

D. they wanted to see what the place was like at the worst time of the year.

3. When they first visited the island, the Sirrs

A. were a little shy and felt isolated.

B. could not imagine what their neighbours would be like.

C. wanted to get to know the island people.

D. were anxious about meeting the island people.

4. Which best describes the Sirrs’ feeling before the move?

A. Excited but apprehensive.

B. Nervous and worried.

C. Happy and calm.

D. Sad but register.

5. Their neighbours

A. told them to buy the property before someone else got it.

B. urged them to bid a higher price.

C. told them that $ 55,000 was accepted.

D. urged them to complete the sale of their house in Yorkshire.

6. One advantage mentioned of being the only students is

A. peace and quiet.

B. little financial cost.

C. greater use of school resources.

4. fewer discipline problems.

Exercise 1

1. Look at the following words in bold in the text and try to explain them:

hustle and bustle, modest, initially, estate, to view, illusions, thrilled, adjust, company, envious, benefits.

2.Fill in the correct words from the list below:

concerned, remote, comprises, bid, deal, resources, renovate, content, prompted, inhabitant

1. He has been a (n) … of the village for over sixty years. (resident)

2. Bill’s … was the highest at the auction so he got the painting. (offer)

3. He only spoke to two or three people a week because his house was so … (isolated)

4. He is not … with his salary and is trying to find a better job. (satisfied)

5. The … fell through when they couldn’t agree on a price. (business agreement)

6. Their house looks so run down that they have decided to … it this summer. (redecorate)

7. Oil … are in danger of running out over the next century. (supplies)

8. Being offered a job in Chicago was what … Alan to move to America. (caused)

9. A football team … eleven players. (is composed of)

10. People are becoming more and more … about the state of the environment. (worried)

Exercise 2

Fill in the appropriate word(s) from the list. Use the word(s) only once.

to start, warm, modern, to have, best, busy, to bring, to think, to receive, hustle, illusions, seasonal, to consider

the … and bustle to look its … … new challenges … lifestyles … facilities to be under … … a look

… lots of attention to give a(n) … welcome … chill … a sheep farm … long and hard … myself lucky

Exercise 3

Find the odd word out.

1. farmhouse, barn, valley, stable

2. field, acre, land, grounds

3. cowshed, cottage, hen-house, pigpen

4. fence, hedge, gate, wall

5. calm, quiet, bustle, tranquil.