1 Reading
a Read the text and tick (✓) the best ending for the sentence.
If you want to be a good photographer, …
a you shouldn’t take lots of photos.
b you shouldn’t use your smartphone.
c you don’t need to study the manual.
d you should always take your camera with you when you go out.
How to take better photos
These days it is much easier to become a good photographer because of the big improvements in camera technology over the past 20 years. In order to take good photos you need to have a good digital camera or a smartphone with a good camera.
Make sure you read the manual carefully before you start using your camera. This will help you to understand the most important functions, such as how to use the flash and the zoom. Putting the camera in automatic mode is a good way to make sure you don’t make too many mistakes while you are still unfamiliar with how your camera works.
It is a good idea to take your camera with you at all times so that you are always ready to take a photo whenever you see something interesting. Try to take as many photos as possible. This will help you to get better at using your camera and will result in better photos. Remember the saying ‘Practice makes perfect’. The more you practise taking photos, the better you will become.
If you take lots of photos of your family and friends, in the end they will forget about the camera and feel more relaxed when you take photos of them. This will help you to take photos that look more natural and less posed.
To get the best photos of people you need to be outdoors, as the light outside is much better. It is extremely difficult to take attractive photos of people indoors using flash, so it is always better to be outside when you photograph people.
b Read the text again. Are the sentences true or false?
1 With a digital camera or smartphone it is easier to take good photos than 20 years ago.
2 You shouldn’t use automatic mode when you start using a new camera.
3 It is better not to take many photos when you are learning how to use a camera.
4 Your family and friends will be more relaxed it you take lots of photos.
5 It is easy to take good photos of people using the flash on your camera.
Answer
a d
b True: 1, 4; False: 2, 3, 5
2 Writing Skills – Introducing a purpose; Referring pronouns
Underline the correct words to complete the sentences.
1 For improving / Improving / To improve your listening skills, it’s a good idea to watch films in English.
2 You should write a sentence that includes the new word in order / to / so that you can remember it more easily.
3 It’s better to use a monolingual dictionary. These / This / Those will help you to start thinking in English.
4 Some people prefer to write the new words on cards with the translation. That / These / This technique will help you to remember what the word means and how it is spelt.
5 There are lots of things you can do in order / so / that to become a better language learner.
6 Why don’t you practise repeating the questions that you hear on the DVD-ROM so / that / to you learn the correct intonation?
Answer
2 so that 3 This 4 This 5 in order 6 so
3 Writing
Read the notes. Write a guide on how to be a better cook.
Notes for ‘How to improve your cookery skills’
1) Introduction: How to become a good cook
– Try new dishes. Practise.
– Don’t repeat same dishes all the time.
2) Learn new dishes
– Buy recipe books.
– Test on family/close friends first. Larger groups later.
– Try new recipes 2-3 times a week.
– Ask family/friends for honest opinions. Make improvements.
3) Watch TV cookery programmes
– Easy way to follow recipe. Watch & download recipes from website.
4) Share recipes
– Enjoyed a good meal? Ask for recipe. Will discover new dishes & improve.
Answer
Suggested answer
How to improve your cookery skills
In order to become a good cook, the most important thing is to try new dishes and practise often. Most people usually cook the same dishes all the time. This means that they don’t have the opportunity to improve their cookery skills by learning to cook new things.
It’s a good idea to buy a few good recipe books so that you can learn how to cook some new dishes for the first time. At first, it’s best to try cooking these new dishes for your family or one or two close friends only. This will make sure that you can cook them successfully before you cook them for a larger group of people at a dinner party. To become a confident cook, you should try cooking new recipes two or three times a week. Why not ask your family or friends to tell you what they really think of your food so that you can make it better the next time?
Another good way to improve your cookery skills is to watch cookery programmes on TV. It’s usually easier to follow a recipe when someone shows you what to do. First you can watch the TV chef and then you can download the recipe from the TV channel’s website.
Finally, each time you enjoy a good dish at a friend’s house or at a restaurant, don’t be afraid to ask for the recipe. This is the best way to discover new dishes and to become a better cook.
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