1 Reading
a Read Anthony’s email to Sue and Sue’s reply. Tick (✓) the correct answer.
a Anthony is looking for a new job.
b Anthony doesn’t want Jim to leave his job.
c Sue gives Anthony some ideas to help him.
d Sue works as a manager in a bank in London.
Dear Sue
The problem is that I’m feeling very stressed about my job at the moment. You see, Jim, one of the people in my team, has just left. They haven’t replaced Jim yet and so my boss has given all of his work to the other people in the team, including me. Do you have any advice for me?
Regards
Anthony
Dear Anthony
Thank you for your email. I’m very pleased that you have written to me for advice.
This kind of situation is very common in companies when somebody leaves. I remember this happened when I was working in a bank in London. One summer, two of the people in my team left the bank at the same time. We had to do all of their work and it took three months to replace them! Anyway, here are some ideas that might help you.
First of all, try not to get too stressed about the situation. I think you should discuss the problem with your colleagues. Maybe they will have some ideas about how to make the situation a bit easier? Secondly, when you’ve got too much work to do, I think it’s a good idea to try to prioritise your work carefully. For example, are there some less urgent jobs that you could do later?
Next, I think you should speak to your boss about this problem. He might not realise how much work he has given you and maybe he can find some other people to help you with it. Finally, I’d try to do something relaxing after work, such as going to the gym or swimming. It’s important to relax when you aren’t at work and to get plenty of sleep.
I hope this helps you and please feel free to come and talk to me in my office.
Best wishes
Sue Smith
HR Manager
b Read the emails again. Are the sentences true or false?
1 Anthony is doing all of Jim’s work.
2 Sue was the manager of a team of two people at the bank.
3 Sue thinks that Anthony should talk to his colleagues about the problem.
4 Sue doesn’t think Anthony should discuss the problem with his manager.
5 Sue thinks it’s a good idea for Anthony to relax after work.
Answer
a c
b True: 3, 5; False: 1, 2, 4
2 Writing Skills – Linking: ordering ideas and giving examples
Put for example or such as in the correct place in each sentence. Add capital letters and punctuation (. , ’) and make any other necessary changes.
1 There are lots of ways to make new friends joining a sports club.
……There are lots of ways to make new friends, such as joining a sports club. ……
2 It’s a good idea to read something in English every day. You can read the BBC news pages on the Internet.
3 Why don’t you do something relaxing this evening going for a swim after work?
4 There are more enjoyable ways of preparing for an exam. You could revise with a friend on the same course.
5 You could start a new hobby to help you relax dancing or swimming.
Answer
2 It’s a good idea to read something in English every day. For example, you can read the BBC news pages on the Internet.
3 Why don’t you do something relaxing this evening, such as going for a swim after work?
4 There are more enjoyable ways of preparing for an exam. For example, you could revise with a friend on the same course.
5 You could start a new hobby to help you relax, such as dancing or swimming.
3 Writing
Read Kento’s message to his English teacher, Tina. Use the notes below to write Tina’s reply.
Dear Tina
I think I’m quite good at reading and writing in English, but listening is very hard for me. I really want to improve my listening. Do you have any ideas?
Thank you
Kento
Notes for message to Kento:
Paragraph 1: say thanks
Paragraph 2: me: learning Japanese – listening v. difficult – explain why – ideas to help …
Paragraph 3:
1) impossible to understand every word – concentrate on most important words
2) extra practice – study centre – CDs, e.g. CDs from Student’s Book
3) radio / TV in English, films (+ subtitles)
4) podcasts – short stories?
5) pop songs + read words – find internet sites
Paragraph 4: hope this helps – talk to me after class?
Answer
Suggested answer
Dear Kento
Thanks for your message and I’m glad that you’ve written to me to ask for some ideas.
I remember when I was learning Japanese, listening was the most difficult thing for me, too. I could understand when my teacher was talking to me, but it was very hard to understand when other people were speaking. Here are some ideas to help you improve your listening in English.
First of all, don’t worry if you don’t understand every word you hear. That’s impossible! You should concentrate only on the most important words. Secondly, try to get extra listening practice outside the classroom. For instance, you can go to the study centre and practise listening with their CDs, such as the CDs from your Student’s Book. You should also listen to the radio in English and watch English or American TV. It’s a good idea to watch films with the subtitles.
Next, you can also practise listening to podcasts from the Internet. It’s easy to download short stories onto your computer or tablet. Finally, it’s a good idea to listen to pop songs while you read the words at the same time. There are lots of internet sites that give you the words of the most popular pop songs.
I hope this helps and please feel free to talk to me after class next week.
Best wishes
Tina
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