2nd Intermediate - Travelling

Watch this video and choose the correct option:

1. The Chinese government wants to
a. eliminate congestion
b. improve the economy
c. reduce pollution

2. The use of the bicycle will
a. increase in the up to 23% by 2015
b. benefit manufacturers
c. create 1500km of bicycle paths

3. Tourists
a. fear using the bicycle in Shanghai
b. increase congestion
c. enjoy bike tours

4. Bikes are especially used
a. because they are cheap
b. in short distances
c. to keep fit

Answers written in white (select the text to see them): 1c, 2a, 3c, 4b

Car trouble

Read the article and match 5 headings to each paragraph. There are 2 extra headings.

1. An economical option
2. Bad luck
3. Cheated by the mechanic
4. It seemed cheaper
5. Money is not a problem
6. Precautions
7. We need a change

Answers written in white. Select the following text to see them: paragraph 1 heading 2, p2 h6, p3 h4, p4 h7, p5 h1

READ and learn more vocabulary

• What to do if your car breaks down
• More car problems

Video: Mr Bean's car trouble

How to reduce your carbon footprint

Watch the video and note down the 10 steps. The answers are written in white
Step 1. Turn the thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter. Close doors and insulate windows
Step 2. Turn off and unplug electronics
Step 3. Change to compact fluorescent bulbs
Step 4. Do your laundry or run a dishwasher only with a full load
Step 5. Eat local and take a canvas tote
Step 6. Bring your own cup or mug when you buy coffee
Step 7. Cut back on bottled water, making and transporting them pollutes a lot
Step 8. Plant a tree, it produces green house gases
Step 9. Use your car less
Step 10. Car pool, use public transport, walk or bike

Health - American and French Health Systems

Listen to this woman comparing the two health systems and say whether the following statements are true or false.

1. In France everyone is covered by an insurance company
2. In the US you need insurance to have medical assistance
3. American companies cover everything if you pay
   
4. She has to pay a lot for her medication in the US
   
5. Some hospitals reject patients without insurance in America
   
6. In France she had many health problems too
7. In France when she went to the hospital she was seen very quickly
   
8. She had to pay with several credit cards

Answers: 1F, 2F, 3F, 4T, 5T, 6F, 7T, 8F

2nd Intermediate - 3rd conditional

GRAMMAR THROUGH FILMS

• Watch a video and do the exercises. You'll find the answers at the bottom of the page.
• Watch a video and do the exercises. You'll find the answers in the worksheet.
  

Advanced - How to complain

Watch the following video and answer the questions:


1. What was Kelly's problem? She was convinced (talked off) to buy another mobile phone instead of a blackberry and the alarm wouldn't stop. She got another one with the same problem.
2. What was Bruce's problem? The airconditioning system form Sears had a lot of problems (the compressor, the fan, the thermostat) and he has a 10-year contract with them.
3. What was Ben's problem? He bought a Play Station that didn't work and when he went to the shop again they said the serial number didn't match. That it was stolen.
4. What was Mike's problem? He and his wife paid $4,000 for a cruise in the Caribbean and the stops it made at the ports were shorter than scheduled. The company said they could change the itinerary whenever they wanted without warning.
5. What was Mary's problem? She bought an adjustable bed whose back didn't stay up.
6. What's the secret of complaining? Write a letter to the boss of the company because companies care about the customers. Silverman says he always succeeds.
7. What advice does Silverman give to people who want to complain? Don't call the customer service, don't go to their website, write a letter. Start the letter with praise: "I like your company and you've let me down", explain what you want them to do, what kind of compensation, write brief letters.
8. What did Kelly get? A discount for a new blackberry and kept the other mobile too, now she has 2 mobiles.
9. What did Ben get? A new Playstation
10. What did Mike get? Nothing, the company won't give him a refund.
11. What did Mary get? A new bed.
12. What did Bruce get? A new airconditioning system, in winter.

As always the answers are written in white. Select the area after the questions to see them.

2nd Intermediate - Reported speech

Here you have an explanation about REPORTED SPEECH.