unit 6 meet the challenge -...

UNIT 6: Meet the Challenge 1

UNIT 6 MEET THE CHALLENGE

University or University of Life?

People sometimes say that if you don’t get a good degree, you’ll never get a

good job. I don’t agree with that because I have friends who went straight from

school into interesting jobs in journalism and advertising. But me, I chose

university. I’m about to start my second year there and I love it. Here are some

reasons why.

Firstly, university is giving me the time and opportunity to decide what

career I want when I finish. If I’d gone straight into a job, I know I would have

made a bad choice. It’s true that if I’d taken a job straight away I would have

started to earn a wage bay now. Sure, I wish I had more money, but I think that

not having much now will make me appreciate it more later.

University has also allowed me to live away from home, and that has

taught me to stand on my own two feet and not depend on others. If I’d

wanted, I would have studied at the uni in my own city, but my parents

encouraged me to choose the best one for my course, and I’m glad I listened to

them. Also, I think that if I was working now, I’d probably have a couple of

good work mates, but living away makes it easy to meet thousands of people of

your own age.

One thing about being a student does get me down. I wish people

wouldn’t complain about us all the time! People act as if students never do

anything and spend all our grants on going out. We work much harder than

they think. All in all, I suppose that, whether you choose university or the

university of life, the important thing is to do what you want, not what others

expect you to do. In my case, I know that after years of work I’ll never have to

say, “If only I’d gone to university!”


1. Work in pairs. Make a list of words you associate with university. Compare you

list with another pair. Give reasons for your words if necessary.

2. Work in pairs. Discuss these questions.

a) What do you think are the good things about going to university?

b) What do you think may be bad things?

c) what are you planning to do when you leave school?

3. Read the text quickly. You only have five minutes. Choose the best description of

the writer’s opinion.

The writer thinks everyone should:

a) Go straight into the world of work after school.

b) Go to university after school.

c) Make their own choice whether to work or study at university.

4. Choose the correct alternative in each sentence. Give evidence from the text to

support your answers.

a) The writer thinks/doesn’t think you have to go to university to get a good job.

b) The writer has/hasn’t always had a clear idea of his/her future profession.

c) The writer is/isn’t worried about the fact that he/she hasn’t got much money

now.

d) It was possible/impossible for the writer to study in his/her hometown.

e) The writer thinks you make fewer/more friends at the university than at work.

f) The writer thinks people value/don’t value what students do.

5. Find these words in the text. What does each word refer to?

6. Find these words in the text. For each one, write a synonym, definition or

explanation in English.

that (line 2) much (line 10) it (line 11)

that (line 12) one (line 15) them (line 16)

they (line 22)

degree (line 1) straight (line 3)

journalism (line 4) straight away (line 8-9)

wage (line 9) grants (line 21)


Word Work.

7. Choose the correct ending for each sentence.

8. Verb + Preposition noughts and crosses.

To With For

For On About

In From On

Make two teams. Each team takes turns to choose a preposition from the

squares, then think of a verb that usually goes with that preposition and write a

sentence using the combination. If the sentence is correct, the team wins the

square. The first team to get three squares in a line wins.

Play the game again, this time with verbs in the squares.

a) After university she’s going to apply…

b) Nowadays people don’t believe…

c) When you drive you must concentrate…

d) I know that I can rely…

e) His alarm clock didn’t work so he had to apologize…

f) We always leave early because my sister worries…

g) My father has always suffered…

h) I think that dog belongs…

1. to the teacher for arriving late.

2. for a job in a laboratory.

3. on watching the road all the time.

4. from terrible pains in his back.

5. in ghosts or witches.

6. about missing the bus.

7. to the people who live over the road.

8. on my brother to help me.


Homework.

9. Complete each sentence with the correct preposition.

a) Sometimes I think I spend too much money _______ clothes.

b) My brother suffers ______ a food allergy.

c) Are you worried _____ not having enough money?

d) Have you apologized ______ breaking the plate?

e) That book belongs ______ me.

f) My neighbour is always complaining ________ the noise.

g) Most people believe _______ Father Christmas when they’re small.

h) When I’ve got problems I can always rely ______ my parents.

i) He applied _______ the job but he didn’t get it.

j) Just concentrate ________ what you’re doing.

Exercise 1 Choose the correct alternative in each sentence:

a I’d be so happy if I win/won the lottery

b If you start jogging you will/would feel much fitter

c If the weather is/was bad this weekend, we wouldn’t go out

d We’ll put the heating on if it gets/got cold this weekend

e If you see my brother, will/would you tell him to come home quickly?

f I’ll go mad if he doesn’t/didn’t turn that music down

g You won’t/wouldn’t like it if I did the same thing to you

h If they listen/listened more carefully they’d learn more

Exercise 2 Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of these verbs

a If you had broken, I__________ it for you

b If Patricia__________ every day, she would have been a great pianist

c They__________ on time if they hadn’t missed the bus

d I__________ a motorbike when was younger if I’d had more money

e I’d have made a special meal if I__________ you were coming

f If just a few more people had voted for her, she __________the elections

g If she had written me a letter, I__________ it

h Helen would have gone to the party if they__________ her an invitation

Exercise 3 and 4

practice win buy answer

fix gave arrive know


3. Is the second statement true or false?

a If I’d taken my umbrella we wouldn’t have got wet. I took my umbrella

b If they hadn’t gone to the concert, they would have been very sad. They were very sad

c John will come to the park if he finishes his homework soon. John will definitely

finish his homework soon.

d Jenny would have given him the keys if she had found them. Jenny didn’t find the eys

e Peter would drive to the beach if he had a car. Peter hasn’t got a car

f We wouldn’t have had an accident if the driver had been more careful. The driver was

careful

g If George knew the answer he would tell you. George can’t tell you the answer.

4. Complete each question with the correct form of the verb.

a What will you do if you __________(pass) all your exams this year?

b What__________ you__________(do) if you failed more than five exams?

c What would you have done if you__________ (leave) school at 16?

d What would you do if a foreign university __________(offer) you a place to study

there?

e What __________you__________(do) if someone gave you a job when you finished

school?

f Where__________ you__________(go) on your last holidays if you had won the

lottery?

g __________ you__________ (go) if there is an end-of-year school excursion?

Exercise 5 (word and phonetic work)

1. Look at these words. Look them up if necessary. In each word with more than one

syllable, mark the stress

2. Complete each sentence with the correct word from 1

a I didn’t live at home when I was at university, I lived in a __________

b The first __________ usually finishes just before Christmas

c If you don’t pass your exams the first time you can often __________ them

d Most people need a __________ to be able to study at university. They have to pay

this money back when they start working

e There were about fifty people listening to the __________ but in the __________

there were only tow other students

f He took a __________ in Modern languages al Oxford University

g She couldn’t go out last night because she had to finish writing her__________

h She hasn’t passed her final exams yet. She’s still an __________

Resit essay undergraduate hall of residence

Tutorial term student loan degree lecture


3. Definition game

Work in pairs. Take it in turns to define or explain the words in 1. your partner tries to

guess the word correctly.

A: It’s when you do an exam again

B : resit

Grammar Presentation:

Exercise 1

Choose the correct alternative in each sentence.

a You are always shouting. I wish you would be/had been quiet!

b It’s raining. If only I brought/had brought an umbrella.

c I wish I would be/ were taller.

d I wish you came/had come on our holiday.

e You never tell the truth. I wish you don’t lie/wouldn’t lie.

f I wish Sam doesn’t smoke/didn’t smoke.

g Sometimes I’m lonely. I wish I would have/had a brother or sister.

“I wish” and “If only”

Look at these sentences:

1. I wish/If only I had more money.

2. I wish/If only I’d gone to university!

3. I wish/If only people wouldn’t complain about us!

Which sentence describes:

a. a wish for a different present situation?

b. a regret, or a wish for a different past situation?

c. a criticism of somebody else’s present behaviour?

Which sentence is formed with:

d. I wish/If only + would?

e. I wish/If only + past simple?

f. I wish/If only + past perfect?


h I don’t like studying this subject. If only I chose/had chosen a different subject.

i I wish I can/could speak at least 3 languages.

j I’m so tired. I wish I went/had gone to bed earlier last night.

Exercise 2

Write true sentences about yourself. Work in pairs. Compare your sentences.

a I wish I was _____________.

b I wish I had _____________ last year.

c If only I could _____________.

d I wish my parents would _____________.

e I wish my best friend wouldn’t _____________.

f I wish I knew _____________.

g I wish I hadn’t _____________ when I was younger.

Word Work

Exercise 3: prepositional phrases with verbs.

Complete each sentence with the correct preposition.

a Sometimes I think I spend too much money _____________clothes.

b My brother suffers _____________ a food allergy.

c Are you worried _____________ not having enough money?

d Have you apologized _____________ breaking the plate?

e That book belongs _____________ me.

f My neighbour is always complaining _____________ the noise.

g Most people believe _____________ Father Christmas when they’re small.

h When I’ve got problems I can always relay _____________ my parents.

i He applied _____________ the job but he didn’t get it.

j Just concentrate _____________ what you are doing.

Exercise 5: studying and university.

Choose the correct ending for each sentence to make definitions of the word in the

box. There are two extra words. Write their definitions.

resit essay undergraduate tutorial terms

lecture student loan degree hall of residence


a A place where...

b Money that they lend you...

c The qualification that you get...

d A type of class where...

e When you take an exam...

f A student who is studying...

g Universities and schools divide the year...

1 for a second time.

2 many universities students live together.

3 for his or her first university qualification.

4 into these periods of time.

5 one or a small number of students have a lesson with a tutor.

6 to study at university.

7 if you successfully finish a course at university.

8

9 Homework

Exercise 6: first, second and third conditionals.

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verbs in brackets

a Last year, if I _____________ (pass) all my exams with 100% I

_____________ (ask) my parents for a new car!

b If I _____________ (be) a member of the Royal Family, I _____________

(spend) all my time travelling.

c If I’m free this weekend, I _____________ (call) you

d If there _____________ (be) no music, the world _____________ (be) a sad

place.

e I think Wayne will be here soon. If you _____________ (see) him, you

_____________ (give) him this?

f If Finland _____________ declare war on Poland, it _____________ (be)

ridiculous.

Exercise 7: I wish and If only.

Choose the correct ending for each sentence.

a I studied chemistry at university but I wish I...

b I’m studying chemistry at university but I wish I...

c I’m not very strong. If only I...

d I’m exhausted this morning. If only I...


e He’s always late. I wish he...

f I can’t do this English exercise. I wish I...

g What a surprise! If only I...

1 studied medicine.

2 would arrive on time.

3 were stronger.

4 had known you were coming.

5 had slept more last night.

6 had studied medicine.

7 knew how to do it.

1. Look at these statements. Are there any reasons to live and study at home or

away from home? Are they positive reasons or not?

a) You learn to be independent.

b) It’s cheaper.

c) You have more privacy.

d) You make new friends more easily.

e) You have more freedom.

f) You don’t have to cook, shop or do the washing.

g) It’s a quieter place to study, with fewer interruptions.

h) It’s a new experience.

2. Work in pairs. Compare your ideas. Can you think of any other reasons to study

at home or away from home? Which would you prefer?

3. Work in pairs. Is student life in Britain similar or different from student life in

your country? Why?

See Advanced Real English Pg. 48 Smart Art


1. Below is an informal letter. It is not well-written and contains 10 common errors

often made in writing. Identify the errors and correct them.

274 Monroe Street Washington DC 15 April 1995

Hi Elena, Everything in America is so different from Spain that I don’t

know how people ever get used to living here. I´m so glad Dad´s job at

the Spanish Embassy only lasts until June. When we will come home,

you and I can spend the summer together

I´ve already made some very friends nice. Don´t to worry - you are

still my best friend! After school, I sometimes go to my friend

Susan´s house. Guess what - we´ve got the same taste in music -

just like you and me. In fact, Susan and I have tickets for a concert

next month. I wish you were coming with us! She said she will like to

meet you one day.

You know something, school here is easier I only have six lessons a

day plus twice a week gym. Would you believe that we have to wear a

special uniform for our gym class - but not for our regular classes!

That reminds me – I must to start my homework for English class

tomorrow.

I often wonder what you are doing now.

Please write soon and tell me all the news.

Love, Cristina.


Alberto Ballesteros

Write a formal letter to someone who has won a fortune in the

lottery asking them to make a donation to your Charity (120-150

words).

2.

Learning to write.

24 Flood Road London

Tel: 0171 333 6789 e-mail: [email protected].

1/10/2002 Charles Davidson 24 Millionaire Street London

Dear Mr Davidson,

I am the president of Help the Children. Help the Children is a

small charity for children who have problems, perhaps because their

parents are very poor, or because they do not have any parents, or

because they have a physical or mental problem.

Help the children urgently needs more money. We are buying a

house in London where several children will be able to live. We already

have 115,000 pounds and we need 15,000 pounds more. I am writing to

you, therefore, to ask if you could help us. If you gave us some money,

we would be happy to call the house “The Charles Davidson Help the

Children House”.

Please write to me, telephone me or send me an e-mail. Mr

Davidson, we need your help!

Yours faithfully,

Alberto Ballesteros President, Help the Children

Correct format for a

formal letter, the

right information in

the right order,

varied grammatical

structures, excellent

final paragraph. ++

mailto:[email protected]


a) Read the letter. Which four of these questions does it answer?

- How much money the charity needs.

- Why the charity needs the money.

- What the charity does.

- The name of the charity.

- How the charity normally collects money.

b) Where does Alberto put:

- His address?

- The date?

- The address of the person he is writing to?

What expression does he use to close the letter?

c) Find examples of these structures and grammar points:

- An adverb of manner.

- An indirect question.

- Type II conditional.

- A verb in the present continuous form.

- A defining relative clause with where.

- A defining relative clause with who.

3. Write an informal and a formal letter. Choose two of the following topics:

INFORMAL LETTER:

- You are on holiday. Write a letter to a friend about the place, food, etc.

FORMAL LETTER:

- Write a letter to your city council complaining about the fast-food

restaurant near you.

- Write a letter to an English school asking for details of courses,

accommodation, etc.

- Write a letter to a famous person asking him/her to give a talk at your

school.

Decide the order in

which to present the

information. Use

Alberto’s composition

as a model


IF I COULD - Simon & Garfunkel

I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail

Yes I would, if I could, I surely would

I’d rather be a hammer than a nail

Yes I would, if I only, I surely would

Away, I’d rather sail away

Like a swan that’s her and gone

A man gets tied up to the ground

He gives the world its saddest sound

Its saddest sound

I’d rather be a forest than a street


I’d rather feel the earth beneath my feet

Yes I would, if I only could, I surely would


IF I COULD - Simon & Garfunkel

I’d rather be a ________ than a _________


I’d rather be a _________ than a nail

Yes I would, if I only, I surely would

Away, I’d rather sail away

Like a __________ that’s her and gone

A man gets tied up to the ________

He gives the world its saddest sound

Its saddest sound

I’d rather be a forest than a street


I’d rather feel the earth beneath my _______

Yes I would, if I only could, I surely would.


The University of Leeds is acclaimed world-wide for the quality of its

teaching and research. One of the largest universities in the UK, Leeds is also the

most popular among students applying for undergraduate courses. An emphasis

on innovative research and investment in high-quality facilities and first-rate

infrastructure means that no fewer than 35 departments are rated internationally

or nationally 'excellent'.

In almost a century of teaching, the

University has played a leading part in the

development of modern higher education in

this country. As well as continually

strengthening core academic disciplines

(Leeds has more undergraduates studying

languages and physical sciences than any

other UK institution), the University has

also developed distinctive areas of specialist

expertise in rarer subjects such as Colour

Chemistry and Fire Science.

Leeds is now among the top ten universities for research in the UK and is

internationally acknowledged as a centre of excellence in a wide range of

academic and professional disciplines. Its broad research and skills base and

superb facilities attract interest from major multinationals and small local

businesses alike. Many of its research initiatives cross traditional subject

boundaries and Leeds currently promotes projects through 58 inter-disciplinary

centres and seven research schools. As a result, the University attracts more

industrial funding than any other in the UK. It also invests its own resources in

helping organisations turn university research into world-class products and

services.

The University places a high value

on providing its students with a fulfilling

education in their chosen discipline. But, in

addition to giving all undergraduates a

solid academic foundation, the university

also offers practical career advice and

support so that graduates can use the

knowledge and skills they acquire at Leeds

to make the most of opportunities that life

presents...


1. Are the following statements true or false? Write down the evidence from

the text. No points are given for only true or false.. (2 marks)

1. The University of Leeds has more students than any other British university.

2. The University spends its own money on practical applications of university

research projects.

2. In your own words and based on the ideas from the text, answer the

following questions. (2 marks)

1. What type of subjects can you study at the University of Leeds?

2. Why do so many different businesses provide money for research at the

University of Leeds?

3. Find the words in the text that mean the same as the following. (1 mark)

1. New and original (paragraph 1).

2. Special skill or knowledge (paragraph 2).

3. limits (paragraph 3).

4. Offering, giving (Paragraph 4).

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the words

in brackets, when given. (2 marks)

1. It’s ……………. (logical) for companies not to spend money …………….

2. I don’t have much money, but if I …………… (have) more, I …………….

(go) to study in the States.

3. That material ……………… (invent) last year ………….. a team of

scientists at the university.

Rewrite this sentence without changing the meaning.

4. It is not obligatory to be English to study here.

…………………………………………………………

Writing

5. Write 100-150 words on one of the following topics. (3 marks)

1. Write a letter to a friend saying what you are planning to do when you leave

school.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to study in a foreign

country?

Total: 10 marks.

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