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UNIT 1. HELLO! MEETING PEOPLE
DISCUSSION POINTS
Introduce yourself by answering the following questions.
What is your first name? What is your second name? Have you
got a middle name, a nickname, or a name day? What are you?
What’s your occupation? What are your parents’ names? What
is your marital status - are you married, single, divorced?
Have you got siblings? What are their names? What are they?
Let’s talk about age! How old are you? How old are your
parents? How old is your girl/boy friend?
Let’s talk about where someone is from. What city are
you from? What is the name of your country? Is Romania a
foreign country for you? What is the capital of your country?
What is your mother tongue? How many inhabitants are there
in your country?
Talking about friends. Have you got a
girlfriend/boyfriend? How old is she/he? What is her/his
name? Have you got friends abroad?
Greeting someone. What do you say when you meet
someone for the first time? How do you greet your friends?
What are the greetings in English?
Spelling. Can you spell in English? Are you familiar with
the English alphabet?
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READING
- Good morning! Let me introduce myself to you. My name
is Mrs. Black and I am a teacher. I am your teacher of English.
You are students. You are all my students. You are all
freshmen. You are not teachers. You are all present for our
first class. I’m happy to see that nobody is absent. She is a girl
and he is a boy. She is not a woman and he is not a man. We
are all in the classroom. It is our classroom. It is not their
classroom.
Let‟s have a talk in English, to know one another better.
Please answer my questions, will you?
- What are you?
- We are students.
- What is my name and what am I?
- Your name is Mrs. Black and you are our English teacher.
- What are they?
- They are students, too. They are our colleagues.
- What is your name?
- My name is David.
- What is her name?
- Her name is Marianne.
- What is his name?
- His name is Dan.
- What are their names?
- Their names are David, Marianne and Dan.
- Who are you?
- I am Martin.
- How old are you, Marianne?
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- I am twenty years old. I’m young. I’m a young woman,
you know. We are all young people.
- Who is he?
- He is Dan. He is my colleague and friend, too.
- How old is Dan? Is he twenty, too?
- No, he is not. He is not twenty. He is nineteen years
old.
- How are you today?
- I’m fine, thanks. We are all very well.
- How is your girl friend, today, David?
- She is not so well, I’m afraid. She is not in the pink. She
is rather ill, right now.
- I’m sorry to hear that. How are your colleagues? How
are they?
- Oh, they are all right.
- Where is the teacher, Jane?
- The teacher is in the classroom, and so are we all.
- What country are you from, Benjamin and what is your
native language?
- I’m from England and English is my native language,
of course.
- Where is Martin from and what is his mother tongue?
- He is from Romania and Romanian is his language.
English is a foreign language for him. Martin is from
Bucharest. I know Bucharest is the capital of Romania, as
London is the capital of England and Paris is the capital of
France.
On greeting a person in the morning we say Good
morning; in the afternoon, we say Good afternoon; after
dark, we say Good evening when meeting a person and
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Good night when parting with him or her. Besides, there are
some familiar forms of greeting such as : Hello! Hi! And
farewells: Bye-bye! See you later!
Always add the word please when asking somebody to
do something for you; and never forget to thank him or her
even if he or she failed to give satisfaction.
Say I beg your pardon? Or just Pardon? When you do
not hear very well or understand what you have been told.
In other words, the equivalent would be: Please repeat! Or
Say that again, please!
If you are in want for some information or other,
address your interlocutor with the introductory words:
Could you tell me where is.../ please. Or else: Would you be
so kind as/to show me the way to.../please.
Dialogue:
- Spell your name, please.
- Shall I spell my first name or my family name
(surname)?
- Spell both your first name and your family name.
- My spelling in English is not very good but nevertheless,
let me try to remember. As my name is Mary Brown the
spelling of my name is: [em, ei, a:, wai, bi:, a:, ou, dΛbl ju:,
en].
- Your first name is Mary so, you have a name day besides
a birthday.
- Yes, I celebrate my name day twice a year, in August and
in September.
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- Have you a nickname too?
- No, I haven‟t, but many people have. Some writers have
pen names. Mark Twain for example. His real name was
Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
- You are right. And some persons are called with a short
form of their names, which is also called a nickname. Dick, for
example, comes from Richard and Will from William.
On the other hand, we know that many family names in
English, as in any other language, represent occupations,
colours, things, places, characteristics, such as: Bush (tufiş),
Brown (maro), Carpenter (tâmplar), Cook (bucătar), Copper
(aramă, cupru), Cooper (dogar), Franklin (răzeş), Ford (vad),
Green (verde), Goldsmith (aurar), Hood (glugă), Hill (deal),
Irons (fier), Miller (morar), Millet (mei), Turner (strungar),
Smith (fierar), Shepherd (oier), Scot (taxă, impozit) and so on.
- Good, it‟s enough for today. Our lesson is over. See you
next week.
Greetings:
Hello! – Salut!
Good morning! – Bună dimineaţa!
Good afternoon! – Bună ziua!
Good evening! – Bună seara!
Good night! – Noapte bună!
Good bye! – La revedere!
So long! – Cu bine!
See you later! – Ne vedem mai tarziu!
See you soon! – Ne vedem în curand!
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Greetings in every day life
Ten minutes to 8. I am going to the office. In front of the
elevator door, my neighbour greets me: “Morning”.
“Morning”, I reply absent-minded.
After 9 hours I meet his uncle in the very place I‟ve met
him this morning. “Afternoon”, I say. “Afternoon”, he answers.
7 o‟clock p.m. I‟d like to watch the news. But grandpa
has a terrible headache.
“Have to go to the chemist‟s to buy some pills for him”, I
say to myself.
“Good evening”, I say. The chemist asks me smilingly:
“Good evening. What can I do for you?”
“I need something against a terrible headache”, I answer.
She gives me a plastic bottle with some
pills.
“Twenty lei”, she adds.
“Here you are. Thank you. Good night”.
“Good night”, she says.
Our entire social life is marked by greetings. People‟s
greetings are connected with either certain moments of the day
or with certain events.
The greetings we utter in our everyday life are:
- 6-12 a.m. : “Good morning” to which we reply “Good
morning”. In the informal speech we use the short form
“Morning”.
- 12-6 p.m. : “Good afternoon”, which will be answered
the same way.
- After 6 p.m. : “Good evening” and “Good night”.
- No matter the hour we can say “Hello” when we meet
somebody and “Goodbye” when we leave a place or, more
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informally, “Hi” and “Bye”
What do you say if you meet someone you‟ve never met
before? You‟ll have to introduce yourself to the person whom
is sitting next to you at a workshop/symposium or conference.
You will say your name and surname “My name is
Elizabeth Parker”.
You may be introduced to an unknown person by one of
your acquaintances: “Robert, this is Elizabeth Parker.” Robert
will say “Hello, Elizabeth”. You can answer: “Hello, Robert”.
The interest shown by the speaker is obvious in the question
“How are you?”, which is generally answered “Very well,
thank you”, “Fine”, “Not bad”.
A polite person says: “Nice to meet you” if you see that
person for the first time or “Nice to see you”, if you know the
speaker well.
If you arrive at a company for an appointment, your
introduction will be more official. You‟ll be expected to say
not only your full name, i.e. name and surname - Sebastian
Chirimbu - but also the reason why you are there.
“My name‟s Sebastian Chirimbu. I have an appointment
with Mr. Smith at 8.30 a.m.”, or “Can I introduce myself?”
“I‟m Sebastian Chirimbu from the Spiru Haret University,
Department of Foreign Languages”.
If a person who knows both speakers is there he will say:
“I don‟t think you know each other, do you? Sebastian, this is
Robert White, our new marketing assistant manager. Robert,
this is Sebastian Chirimbu, the English trainer I‟ve told you
about”.
If you introduce a person who is visiting your
organisation, be it school, college or office, to your colleagues,
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you‟ll say: “Mr. White, may I introduce my colleague, Daniel
Green to you. Daniel, this is Ms. Samantha”.
After saying your name clearly, you add: “How do you
do?”, sentence which has no particular meaning, it‟s simply a
greeting.
If you are welcoming a visitor, you‟ll be more polite than
when welcoming an old friend:
“Mr. Green? How do you do?”
“How do you do, Miss Parker?”
“Do come into my office. I‟m very pleased to meet you
again”
Compare the above conversation, which is polite, formal
with the following quite informal one:
“Hi, you must be Laura”.
“Oh, no, Liz, I haven‟t seen you for ages! ”
“Since we graduated. In the 1996. Makes 17 years ago.”
“How are things going?”
Reading comprehension:
a. According to the text, what are the greetings we utter
every day?
b. What can we say when we meet somebody for the first
time?
1. Practise introductions after the following models:
I‟m Martin Gruber from Bonn, Germany. I‟m a German
citizen although my mother comes from Romania. I live at
Number 10 Weisstrasse Street. My parents and I live in a large
house. I‟m the only child. My family is rather small. My uncle
and aunt are both clerks. My cousin is a football player. I work
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as a consultant in a large software company. I like playing
sports, climbing mountains, reading novels and poetry and
speaking English. I also like travelling both inside Germany
and abroad. So far, I‟ve visited some Eastern and Western
European countries. I also visited Romania, the USA, Canada,
Japan, China and Thailand. I‟d like to travel all over the world.
I consider that all countries are very interesting from many
points of view. They really deserve to be visited.
I‟m Ioana Pavelescu from Ploieşti, Romania. I‟m 23
years old. I‟m a Romanian. I live at Number 12, Iancului Street
in a block of flats at the 3rd
floor, apartment no 22. My
telephone number is 021. 2506421. I have a large family. My
dad is a businessman and my mum is a teacher. I also have two
younger sisters who are pupils at an elementary school in
Bucharest. My uncle is an economist, my aunt is an accountant
and my cousins are both doctors. I‟m a student. I love speaking
English and listening to English pop music, which is a great
way of learning new words and every day expressions. I also
like listening to music and travelling a lot both inside Romania
and abroad. I visited some Western European countries. In
future, I‟d like to visit some countries from other continents,
such as Canada or the USA. I know they are very interesting.
Now, I‟d like to give you some more details about my family.
My father speaks English and Russian very fluently. He wants
me to speak it well enough so that I can join his company after
graduating university. But I‟d rather work in public relations in
the near future.
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GRAMMAR FOCUS
PHONETIC SYMBOLS
i : i foarte lung feet [f i: t]
i i scurt
fit [f i t]
e e deschis ca în românescul „set“
set [set]
æ e foarte deschis, aproape a ca în
românescul „seamă“
bad [bæd]
ε∂ e foarte deschis urmat de ă scurt Mary
['mε∂ri]
a: a foarte deschis, format în cerul gurii bar [b a:]
כo scurt, deschis, pronunţat spre „a“
cod [kכd]
:כo lung deschis
door [dכ:]
u u foarte scurt cook [k uk]
u: u foarte lung
boon [bu:n]
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Λ a foarte scurt şi închis ca în
românescul „sapă“
supper
[sΛp∂]
∂ simbol fonetic similar cu „ă“
sitter [sit∂]
∂ : simbol fonetic similar cu „ă“ foarte
lung
sir [s∂:]
k simbol fonetic similar consoanei
româneşti „c“
cut [kΛt]
η n velar ca în românescul „lângă“
bunker
[bΛηk∂]
З simbol fonetic similar cu „j“
românesc foarte sonor
rouge [ru:З]
dЗ d îmbinat cu j ca în românescul „gi“
jam [dЗæm]
θ
consoană surdă, pronunţată ca un „s“
cu limba ţinută între dinţi
bath [ba:θ]
ð consoană sonoră pronunţată ca un „z“
cu limba ţinută între dinţi
with [wið]
∫ simbol fonetic similar cu “ş“
românesc
shut [∫Λ t]
t∫ t îmbinat cu ş ca în românescul “ci“ touch [tΛt∫]
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RULES OF CORRECT READING
a [ei] în silabe deschise plate, lake, name
a [æ] în silabe închise has, man
a [∂] în forme slabe a, at
ai [ei] nail, tail
al [o:l] ball, all, call, talk
an [∂n] înaintea
consoanelor
answer, can‟t
ar [a:] are, car, far
ath [a: θ] bath
ay [ei] day, may (fac excepţie zilele
săptămânii)
e [i], [i:] în silabe
deschise
he, she
e [e] în silabe închise,
accentuate
men, red, end
ea [i:] tea, sea
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ee [i:] see, feet, bee
ee [i] coffee
er [∂] la sfârşitul
cuvintelor
father, sister, brother, teacher
i [i] în silabe închise six, it, his
i [ai] în silabe deschise fine, time, nine
igh [ai] night, bright, fight
ir [∂:] în silabe
accentuate
girl, first
ng [η] sing, England
nk [ηk] drink
o [ou] în silabe deschise rose, nose
oo [u] înainte de k şi d book, good
oo [o:] door, floor
oo [Λ] blood, flood
u [Λ] în silabe închise nut, up, sun (dar put [put])
c [k] can, clean, music
c [s] înainte de e şi i cetrain, city, ice
c [∫] ocean, ancient, special
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ch [t∫] child, each
ch [∫] machine, moustache
ch [k] character, stomach, echo
gh [f] laugh, draught
gh mut right, might, night
ph [f] philosophy, nephew
s[s] house, sand, basis
s [z] his, is, music, please
s [∫] sugar, sure
s[З] measure
ss [s] lesson, glass
ss [z] dissolve, possess, dessert
ss[ ∫ ] mission, passion
sch [sk] school, scheme
sh [ ∫ ] sheep, ship, fashion
th [θ] thing, month, mouth, method
th [ð ] they, father, with
w [w] well, twelve
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THE ENGLISH ALPHABET
A [ei] F [ ef ] K [kei] P [pi:] V [vi:]
B [bi:] G [dзi:] L [el ] Q [kju:] W [dΛblju:]
C [si:] H [eit∫] M [em] R [a:] X [eks]
D
[di:]
I [ ai] N [en] S [es] Y [wai]
E [ i:] J [dзei] O [ou] T [ti:] Z [zed]
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UNIT 2. BEING A STUDENT
DISCUSSION POINTS
Before reading the text of this learning unit let’s answer
a few questions connected to the topic:
Do you remember which your favorite subject in school
was? What about the subject you liked the least?
What would you appreciate at a teacher? What attitudes/
behavior of the teacher might prevent you from learning?
Why did you apply for the faculty where you are now a
student? What do you know about Spiru Haret University?
What useful things do you expect to learn in the next
three years?
Why is it important for you to learn English / a foreign
language in general?
READING
Studying in the UK
When we think about studying in the UK, the names of
two famous universities, Cambridge and Oxford, definitely
come to our mind. However, these two, although among the
best known in the world, are not the only ones which make the
pride of an old, tradition based educational system.
Speaking about the British education in general, one of
the first things to be noticed is that there is no unitary system of
education, but two systems: one covering England, Wales and
Northern Ireland and one covering Scotland, but the core
organizational principles and the main examinations are the
same all over the country.
If you decide to study in the UK you have to know that
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higher education is divided into two sectors: further education
and higher education proper. Further education is offered by
schools or colleges to both young people between the ages of
sixteen and eighteen and adults; it teaches skills valuable in the
work market such as Communication and Technological skills
or sometimes they prepare people for University admittance.
Students who choose this type of education receive a
Vocational Diploma and Universities such as London
Metropolitan University cooperate with employers from all the
spectrum of the marketplace in order to teach useful skills.
Higher Education is offered by Universities. There are
about ninety universities in England, the most notable being
Oxford and Cambridge known collectively as Oxbridge. These
two institutions were established in the thirteenth century, and
have a rich and distinguished history. They are currently
ranked in the top ten best universities according to Times
Magazine and they receive the best students from all over the
world. Anyone may apply for a place at these universities and
should they be considered suitable by the admissions
committee they will receive both a place and in some cases
financial help. The tuition fees of students from
underprivileged backgrounds are paid entirely by the state.
Higher education includes both the teaching and the
research activities of universities, and as far as teaching is
concerned, it includes both the undergraduate level and the
graduate levels.
Undergraduate degrees take three years to complete in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while at Scottish
universities they last four years. At the graduate level, a
master's degree is normally obtained in a single year, a research
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master's degree takes two years and a doctoral degree is often
completed in three years.
Professional courses, such as medicine, veterinary
medicine, law and teaching, usually are undertaken as five-year
undergraduate degrees.
UK universities are popular all over the world and about
270,000 foreign students come to study in England every year.
One of the features which makes UK Universities so popular
with people from all countries, backgrounds and cultures it‟s
the fact that high diversity and cultural exchanges are
traditionally encouraged among the student body.
Degrees and Graduation
There is a three-level hierarchy of degrees (Bachelor,
Master, Doctor ) currently used in the United Kingdom. A
graduate student is an individual who has completed a
bachelor's degree (B.A.
B.S./B.Sc., or another similar programme) and is pursuing
further higher education, with the goal of achieving a master's
degree (M.A., M.S./M.Sc., M.Ed., etc.) or doctorate (Ph.D.,
Ed.D., D.A., D.Sc., D M A . , Th.D., etc.)
Reading Comprehension
1. What are the two types of higher education you can
attend in the UK?
2. What degrees can you get at the end of each higher
education cycle in the UK?
3. Why are foreign students attracted by British
universites?
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Translation Practice (English^Romanian)
A. Education is an important part of British life. There
are hundreds of schools, colleges and universities, including
some of the most famous in the world.
Education is free and compulsory for all children
between the ages of 5 - 16. Some children are educated at
home rather than in school.
Children's education in England is normally divided into
two separate stages. They begin with primary education at the
age of five and this usually lasts until they are eleven. Then
they move to secondary school, there they stay until they reach
sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years of age. Find out what year
(grade) you would be in England.
Teachers in primary schools (4-11 year olds) are always
addressed by their surname by parents and pupils alike, always
Mr, Mrs. or Miss Smith... In secondary schools (11-16 years),
teachers are usually addressed as Miss or Sir.
Education is important in England, as it is Wales and
Scotland too. British children are required by law to have an
education until they are 16 years old. Education is compulsory,
but school is not, children are not required to attend school.
They could be educated at home.
1996 Education Act of the UK . Section 7 of the 1996
Education Act states: "The parent of every child of compulsory
school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time
education suitable-
fa) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have, either
by regular attendance at school or otherwise."
British children are required to attend school until they
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are 16 years old. In England, compulsory schooling currently
ends on the last Friday in June during the academic year in
which a pupil attains the age of 16. Current government
proposals are to raise the age until which students must
continue to receive some form of education or training to 18.
This is expected to be phased in by 2015.
At the age of 16, students in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland take an examination called the GCSE
(General Certificate of Secondary Education). Study of GSCE
subjects begins at the start of Year 10 (age 14-15), and final
examinations are then taken at the end of Year 11 (age 15-16).
In state schools English, Mathematics, Science, Religious
Education and Physical Education are studied during Key
Stage 4 (the GCSE years of school); in England, some form of
ICT and citizenship must be studied and, in Wales, Welsh must
be studied. Other subjects, chosen by the individual pupil, are
also studied.
In Scotland, the equivalent of the GCSE is the Standard
Grade.
After completing the GCSE, some students leave school,
others go onto technical college, whilst others continue at high
school for two more years and take a further set of standardized
exams, known as A levels, in three or four subjects. These
exams determine whether a student is eligible for university.
B. “Spiru Haret” University-21st Century University-
Established in 1991, today “Spiru Haret” University comprises
23 accredited faculties with over 43 specializations.
“Spiru Haret” University has a complex structure which
reflects a diversity of specializations- from law, public
administration and economic studies to architecture and
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veterinary medicine, from philosophy, journalism, sociology
and psychology to history and international relations, from
mathematics and informatics to drama, music and physical
education. But the most important aspect is the fact that in
terms of the content of studies, teaching methodology, the
Faculties of “Spiru Haret” University have reached European
standards .Students working for their first degree at our
university are called undergraduates. When they take their
degree we say that they graduate and then they are called
graduates. If they continue studying at “Spiru Haret”
University, after they have graduated, they are called Post-
graduates.
“Spiru Haret” has a highly-educated staff - the teaching
quality at “Spiru Haret” relies, first of all, on the activity of highly
dedicated professors with excellent methodological skills.
Moreover, many of them are personalities well known nationally
and internationally. Another aspect, just as important as the one
mentioned above, is the fact that “Spiru Haret” has a permanent
staff of professors, which ensures the continuity of teaching.
A national, cultural and academic television station that
broadcasts live and recorded lectures, debates, syntheses and
seminars, TH2O represents a major advantage that “Spiru Haret”
University has in promoting distance learning, a form of
attendance that has come up to a standard of EU countries... .To
the young people who choose to attend one of our faculties and
specializations we only wish them good luck with the exams, as
“Spiru Haret” University is a guarantee for their success in life.
The long, medium and short term objectives set by “Spiru Haret”
University and Romania‟s Tomorrow Foundations are meant to
add new dimensions to our academic community. They regard the
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fulfillment of high quality cultural tasks and the improvement of a
kind of educational system whose essential attributes should be
modernity and competitiveness, dynamism and flexibility, so as to
adequately and efficiently meet the requirements raised by the
integration of Romanian higher education into the European
higher education and research area.
(Adapted from „Monitorul Oficial” - Official Bulletin, July
2002)
C. There are forty-seven universities in Britain and thirty
polytechnics, plus 350 colleges and institutes of higher education.
Undergraduate courses normally take three years of full-time
study, although a number of subjects take longer, including
medicine, architecture and foreign languages (where courses
include a year abroad). They lead in most cases to a Bachelor‟s
degree in Arts or Science (BA or BSc). Students of law,
architecture and some other professions can take qualifications
that are awarded by their own professional bodies instead of
degrees. There are various postgraduate degrees, including Master
of Arts or Philosophy (MA or MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD). Universities accept students mainly on the basis of their
“A” levels, although they may interview them as well. At present,
students who have been accepted by Universities or other
institutions of higher education receive a grant from their local
authority, which covers the cost of the course, and may cover
living expenses, books travel, although parents with higher
incomes are expected to make a contribution. Before 1990 the
grant was paid back, but since then a system of loans has been
introduced.
(Adapted from Britain Explored, Longman, 1998)
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UNIT 3. COMMUNICATION
DISCUSSION POINTS
1. How is communication different now from what it was
a) 20 years ago; b) 50 years ago; c) 150 years ago; d) 1000
years ago?
2. What new communication devices do you think will be
invented in the next 25 years?
3. The Internet is among the most important inventions of
the 20th
century. What are its main uses? What do you, as a
student, use it for?
4. Are you a member of social networ sites? How have
they changed the way we conceive communication? What do
you use them for mainly? What are their other possible uses?
READING
Social Network Sites
Since their introduction, social network (or networking)
sites have attracted millions of users, who have integrated them
into their daily routines. As statistics say, most of SNS-s users
are young and very young people who become members of
such sites for socializing, keeping in touch with friends and
making new friends. But private issues are not the only ones
discussed on SNS-s. Public ones (such as politics, social
problems) are of interest for SNS-s members.
Regarding a possible definition of a social networking
service, it is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on
building and reflecting of social networks or social relations
among people, who, for example, share interests and/or
activities. A social network service essentially consists of a
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representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social
links, and a variety of additional services. Social networking
sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests
within their individual networks.
The main types of social networking services are those
which contain category places (such as former school year or
classmates), means to connect with friends (usually with self-
description pages) and a recommendation system linked to
trust. Popular methods now combine many of these, with
Facebook and Twitter widely used worldwide, Nexopia
(mostly in Canada); Bebo, VKontakte, Hi5, Hyves (mostly in
The Netherlands), Draugiem.lv (mostly in Latvia), StudiVZ
(mostly in Germany), iWiW (mostly in Hungary), Tuenti
(mostly in Spain), Nasza-Klasa (mostly in Poland), Nyx.cz
(mostly in Czech Republic), Decayenne, Tagged, XING,
Badoo and Skyrock in parts of Europe;] Orkut and Hi5 in South
America and Central America; and Friendster, Mixi, Multiply,
Orkut, Wretch, renren and Cyworld in Asia and the Pacific
Islands and Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Orkut are very
popular in India.
Social networks or social communities such as Facebook,
Hi5.com, YouTube, MySpace, Xing or Friendster are currently
the most popular ways of meeting people. These networks meet
the young people‟s needs of communication, help them
develop / find their identity, (re) present themselves, practice
peer-group experiences, offer them spaces of freedom,
experimentation and crossing any boundaries. The popularity
of these communities could be explained by children and
young people‟s needs to be noticed, recognized and to become
popular. They want to be seen and, in the same time, to see
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how appreciated and sympathized they are - or how they seem
to be.
Reading comprehension:
1. How would you define a social network site?
2. What are its main functions?
3. What needs ane expectations of young people (and not
only) do they satisfy?
Language in use
Telephoning. Making and changing arrangements.
1. Complete the following conversations with phrases
from the list below:
Dialogue 1:
A:____________________
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B: Good morning! Could I speak to Ms. Reynolds, please?
Dialogue 2:
A: I need Mr. Stevens‟ number, please.
B: __________________________
Dialogue 3:
A: __________________________
B: Yes, hold the line one moment and I‟ll put you through.
Dialogue 4:
A: I‟m afraid he‟s in a meeting at the moment.
B: __________________________
Dialogue 5:
A: ________________________
B: Mihai Ionescu from Flamingo electronics.
Phrases:
a) OK. I‟ll call back later. Thank you.
b) Hello, RB Advertising. Can I help you?
c) Just a moment, sir. I‟ll look it up for you.
d) Hello. Extension 4521, please.
e) Who‟s calling, please?
2. Unscramble the sentences below so as to obtain three coherent telephone conversations:
Dialogue 1:
___ A: Oh, good morning, Miss Smith!
___ B: Mr. Hartley? Good morning!
___ A: Good. See you the. Good bye.
___ B: I‟m ringing to remind you about the meeting tomorrow. 10 a.m., at your office as
arranged?
A: 10a.m., that‟s right.
DIALOGUE 2:
___ A: Right. I‟m looking forward to seeing you. goodbye.
___ B: Oh, hello, Mr. Williams, nice to hear from you!
___ B: I‟m afraid I can‟t today. What about tomorrow?
___ A: Hello! Ms. Lester? This is Tom Williams speaking, from RB Advertising.
___ A: I called to see if we can discuss a business proposition that our company wishes to
make.
___ B: Yes, 1 p..m. is OK. See you tomorrow.
___ A: Actually I hoped we could meet and talk about it. How about me coming to your
office
later today?
___ B: I see. Could you be more specific?
___ A: Tomorrow will be fine. Let‟s say 1 p.m., if it‟s suitable for you, too.
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Dialogue 3:
___ A: Would it be possible for you to meet us on Tuesday afternoon instead?
___ B: Hello, John Andrews speaking, from Durham Building.
___ A: Hello, Mr. Andrews.
___ A: I‟m calling on behalf of my boss. He is very sorry he won‟t be able to meet you this
afternoon.
___ B: OK, I‟ll be waiting for your call. Good bye, then.
___ B: Let me check my diary... I‟m afraid I can‟t. What about Wednesday morning?
B: Oh, I see.
___ A: Wednesday morning is all right. However I‟ll call you back later on to confirm.
___ A: Thank you. Goodbye.
Together with your desk mate imagine a few short telephone conversations in which: a)
you ask for an extension; b) you want to speak to someone but the line is busy / the person is not
in the office; c) you make an arrangement to meet someone tomorrow at 4 p.m.; d) you try to
change an arrangement already made.
Translation practice (English ^Romanian)
Who can turn around your day with a kind word or a smile?
At my local coffee shop, there is a barista who always makes my day. She greets me with a
big smile, always has a compliment at the ready and is sincerely interested in my life. I love
getting coffee from her. If I am having a crap time, she makes it a bit brighter. She does this for
all of her customers. She knows their names, their orders, and their lives. My barista is a shiny
beacon of positivity and joy.
There is push-pull effect in all communication. The way you communicate can pull people
toward you like a magnet or repel people away like a deadly scorpion hiding in the rug. Every
time you open your mouth, the question needs to be asked: “is what I am about to say going to
pull people in or push them out of my life?”
Luckily, there are 11 inspired minds (and one fictional rabbit) who can guide us to have
improved communication and better relationships in these 12 brilliant quotes:
1. “You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a
life” ~ Zig Ziglar
A well-timed positive word or compliment can change the course of someone‟s day.
2. “Who you are is speaking so loudly that I can‟t hear what you‟re saying” ~ Ralph Waldo
Emerson
Being authentic to who you are speaks volumes. People are drawn to authenticity and
vulnerability. Coming off like a slimy, fake used-car dealer (or Kardashian) pushes people away.
3. “If you don‟t have something nice to say, don‟t say anything at all” ~ Thumper from
Bambi
Negative words traumatize and leave an impression that can last for days. If the
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communication
is going to do harm, take Thumper‟s advice.
4. “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than
you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you” ~ Dale Carnegie
“You” is the most important word in any conversation. Minimize the “I” and the “Me” and
focus on the “you.”
5. “What will they think of me? Must be put aside for bliss” ~ Joseph Campbell
Put aside your worries about what other‟s will think of you and just serve others with your
message.
6. “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of
the university” ~ Albert Einstein
Treat everyone with respect no matter their status.
7. “Don‟t be embarrassed by your failures. Learn from them and start again” ~ Sir Richard
Branson
Miscommunications and misunderstandings happen! You learn much about how you
communicate through your mistakes and you learn a lot about the person you are talking to as
well!
8. “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn‟t said” ~ Peter
Drucker
The ability to read the emotions and nonverbal communication of another person increases
understanding and elevates relationships.
9. “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say
something” ~ Plato
Speak with a purpose, not just to fill-up a silence. Remember: silence is a gift that allows
selfreflection.
10. “Be sincere; be brief; be seated” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
Amen!
11. “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference
between lightning and a lightning bug” ~ Mark Twain
Words are powerful! When you chose just the right word, you increase understanding ten-
fold.
12. “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the
quality of our lives” ~ Anthony Robbins
If you are positive and communicate positivity, you will attract more of that into your life.
Here‟s your challenge: go out today and make a positive impact on someone‟s day. Listen. Be
sincere. Smile generously. Be generous in praise and compliments. Communication has power to
make a difference and change lives, or at the very least make someone‟s day more luminous.
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UNIT 4. EDUCATION. CAREER
DISCUSSION POINTS
How do you feel about working and being a student at the same time?
What kind of job would you like to have as a student?
Have you ever been to an interview? Why do you think you were / were not successful?
When applying for a job, the first step is usually to send an Application Letter (or Covering
Letter) and a Curriculum Vitae. What are the role and function of each?
READING
When you have decided to find a job, the first step is to read the ads for vacancies in
different newspapers, magazines, on specialised internet sites or to contact a recruitment agency.
Then, after you have selected some position that might suit your wishes and experience you need
to write an Application Letter and a Curriculum Vitae.
Read the following model of application letter and decide what its main communicative
functions are. The letter is written by a student of marketing who graduated an economic college
and also worked for eight months as a market research trainee for a company in Bucharest.
Advertisement: BEST FASHION Ltd, a multinational company providing expertise, human
resources and equipment for the clothing industry requires Assistant Manager (Ref. 095MK) for
its Marketing Department. Applications are accepted from students and recent graduates of
marketing and / or related fields. Applicants should be reliable and enthusiastic, willing to work
in teams and able to meet deadlines. Fluent English is a must while knowledge of French or
German would be a plus. E-mail or fax your covering letter and CV to Mr. Paul Densfield,
Human Resources Manager, tel./fax 021 3113030, e-mail [email protected]. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted
APPLICATION LETTER
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Attn. of: Mr. Paul Densfield
Dear Mr. Densfield,
Ref.: 095MK (Assistant Manager Vacancy)
I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Manager that you advertised in “Romania
Libera” newspaper on 15 June 2006 as I believe it offers the career challenge which I am seeking
As you will see from my Curriculum Vitae, I currently study Psychology and Marketing at
“Spiru Haret” University and last year I graduated from a theoretic college (humanities
specialization), which offered me a strong background in the field.
I would like to highlight the following skills which I believe would add value to your
organisation:
- basic practical marketing skills and team work abilities developed by working for a market
research company as well as theoretical marketing knowledge acquired as a student of
marketing;
- ability to meet deadlines and to work under pressure developed as a market research trainee;
- fluency in English acquired by attending an intensive Business English Course and working in
an English speaking environment for almost a year.
I have a genuine interest in marketing and I would appreciate the opportunity of an interview to
discuss why I believe I am an eligible and suitable candidate for the vacancy you advertised.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Andrei Popescu
Tel. 021 222 2020, 0720304050 E-mail: andrei [email protected]
In Romania, there are different sources of job information (just use them to get the proper
job):
- newspaper advertisements: the classified section of newspapers is a major source of job
openings. Two kinds of classified advertisements are listed in newspapers: signed and blind. A
signed advertisement includes the name of the firm placing the advertisement. A blind
advertisement does not show the firm‟s name. In many cases only a telephone number or a post
office box number is given in a blind advertisement. Private employment agencies must place
signed advertisements;
- employment agencies;
- placement offices and instructors: most schools and colleges have placement counsellors
that aid students in career planning;
- friends and relatives.
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Identify the steps for a job apllication process. Then translate the text ointo Romanian:
The job application process
Before you apply for a job with a particular company, find out all you can about the
company. This information is needed for two major reasons. First, you need to know if you meet
your career goals by working for this company. Secondly, you need to know as much about the
company as possible in order to be prepared for the interview. One question often asked in the
interview is “Why do you want to work for this company” Unless you know something about the
company, you cannot satisfactorily answer this question.
When a company needs to employ new people, it may decide to advertise the job or position in a
newspaper. People who are interested can then apply for the job by sending in a letter of
application or covering letter (US cover letter) and a curriculum vitae or CV (US resume)
containing details of their education and experience. In some cases a company may prefer to do
this initial selection after asking candidates to complete a standard application form. The
company‟s human resource department will then select the applications that it considers the
most suitable and prepare a shortlist of candidates or applicants who are invited to attend an
interview.
UNIT 5. GOING SHOPPING
DISCUSSION POINTS
What do you like to buy: food, clothes, footwear, cosmetics, things for the house, books and
magazines?
Can you name the departments where you can buy different things?
Do shop-windows influence you in choice?
Are the periods before holidays a good or a bad time for shopping?
How can customers pay for the goods they buy?
Which is the most extravagant thing you have ever bought?
Which is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
How important is it for you to buy branded products? Which are your reasons for (not)
buying no name products?
Can you define FMCG, durables, white goods, brown goods?
How much does advertising influence your buying choice?
READING.
A baker sells loaves of white or brown bread, rolls, buns, crescents, pies, cakes. A butcher sells
beef, pork, mutton, lamb, duck, goose, turkey, chicken. A milkman sells dairy products: milk,
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yogurt, cream, butter, cheese. A grocer sells groceries (flour, rice, sugar, slat). A greengrocer
sells fruit and vegetables: apples, pears, apricots, peaches, nuts, melons, water melons, grapes,
oranges, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, cabbages, beans, eggplants, onions, garlic.
The goods are laid out on the counters. These goods are for sale. The people selling the
goods are the shop assistanta. Regular buyers are called customers. A large shop selling all kinds
of goods is a department store. The departments are on different floors. They sell ready-to-wear
clothes. Supermarkets are big food stores. The price is stmaped on the things you buy. On the
label of the product you generally find the weight or size. When you have bought something you
get a bill. You can pay at the cash-desk.
(adapted after ”English Conversation Topics”)
One of the most successful brands exported by Britain, known all over the world, is the
famous Marks & Spencer. There are a few M&S stores in Romania as well, selling clothes;
However clothes are just one of the company‟s product lines, as it also sells food.
Marks and Spencer plc (also known as M&S) is a British retailer headquartered in the City
of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread
across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products.
M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.
In 1998, it became the first British retailer to make a pre-tax profit of over £1 billion,
though a few years later it plunged into a crisis which lasted for several years.
The company was founded by a partnership between Michael Marks, a Litvak Jew from
Slonim, Poland (now in Belarus), and Thomas Spencer, a cashier from Yorkshire. The next few
years saw Michael Marks open market stalls in many locations around the North West of
England. In 1894, Thomas Spencer invested in Marks' activities and they opened their first store,
in partnership, in Manchester.
Marks and Spencer, known colloquially as "Marks and Sparks", "Markies", or "M&S",
made its reputation in the early 20th century on a policy of only selling British-made goods (a
policy eventually discontinued in 2002). It also accepted the return of unwanted items, giving a
full cash refund if the receipt was shown, no matter how long ago the product was purchased,
which was unusual for the time. It adopted a 90-day returns policy in 2005 but on 12 April 2009
the refund policy changed once again to 35 days.
The company put its main emphasis on quality, for most of its history having a reputation
for offering fair value for money. M&S has historically been an iconic retailer of 'British Quality
Goods‟.
Reading comprehension:
1. How old is the M&S brand?
2. Who created it?
3. What does M&S sell?
4. Which have been its refund policies which changed in time?
33
Translation Practice (English ^Romanian)
Oxford Street is undeniably the West End's main shopping attraction. Start at Marble Arch
-- the westernmost end -- for an enormous branch of budget clothes chain Primark and designer
department store Selfridges. As you walk the length of the famous street toward Tottenham
Court Road, you'll notice that the quality of shops goes downhill, especially east of Oxford
Circus. Think bargain basement tat and cheap souvenirs, and you have the idea. Topshop
remains an Oxford Street must-visit (the branch here is the largest clothes shop in Europe), and a
giant New Look close to Marble Arch offers yet more great value clothes. You're certainly very
brave to attempt Oxford Street at the weekend; weekday mornings are best for your sanity.
Oxford Street is also a great starting point for hitting the more interesting shopping areas, such as
affluent Marylebone. If you're looking for some extreme shopping adventures, this is where
London's top plastic surgeons are based -- and it's impossible not to fall in love with the
quaintness of Marylebone's main street. The street's chocolate shops and interiors brands ooze
luxury; make sure you pop into Rococo, 45 Marylebone High St. (tel. 020/7935-7780;
www.rococochocolates.com), for some chocolate samples -- they're sometimes free.
Regent Street -- home to an Apple Store -- crosses Oxford Street at Oxford Circus. Regent
Street shopping is more toward the high end of "high street," typified by the affordable luxury of
chain shops such as Mango and French Connection. Boutique lifestyle shop Anthropologie is a
relatively new addition, but is expensive in comparison to its U.S. equivalent. Head south from
Oxford Circus for the world-famous Liberty department store. Inside a mock-Tudor building,
Liberty is a London landmark. You're now at the top of Carnaby Street, and although it's not
quite the Sixties' style mecca it once was, it's worth a stroll -- especially if you veer off into the
Newburgh Quarter. The area is also home to Kingly Court, a gorgeous little piazza of
independent shops and vintage boutiques -- the cafes are generally overpriced, but do provide a
great perch to sit and people-watch.
Parallel to Regent Street, the Bond Street area connects Piccadilly with Oxford Street, and
is synonymous with the luxury rag trade. It's not just one street, but a whole area, mainly
comprising New Bond Street and Old Bond Street. It's the hot address for international designers
-- Donna Karan has two shops here, and Tiffany is quite at home nestled among designer jewelry
shops. A slew of international hotshots, from Chanel to Versace, have digs nearby. Make sure
you stop off at Dover Street Market -- not a market at all, but actually a designer shop housing all
sorts of fashionable folk under one roof.
Burlington Arcade (Tube: Piccadilly Circus), a glass-roofed Regency passage leading off
Piccadilly, looks like a period exhibition, and is lined with 35 mahogany-fronted intriguing shops
and boutiques. Lit by wrought-iron lamps and decorated with clusters of ferns and flowers, its
small, upscale stores specialize in fashion, gold jewelry, Irish linen, and cashmere. If you linger
there until 5:30pm, you can watch the beadles (the last London representatives of Britain's oldest
police force), in their black-and-yellow livery and top hats, ceremoniously place the iron grills
that block off the arcade until 9am, at which time they remove them to start a new business day.
Also at 5:30pm, the Burlington Bell is sounded, signaling the end of trading. Make sure to catch
34
the clock at Fortnum and Mason -- it moves on the hour in a rather lovely display.
Nearby Jermyn Street (Tube: Piccadilly Circus), on the south side of Piccadilly, is a tiny
two- block street devoted to high-end men's haberdashers and toiletries shops; many have been
doing business for centuries. Several hold Royal warrants, including Turnbull & Asser, 71-72
Jermyn St. (tel. 020/7808-3000), where HRH Prince Charles has his PJs made. A bit to the
northwest, Savile Row is where you'll find London's finest men's tailors.
The West End theatre district borders two more shopping areas: the still-not-ready-for-
prime- time Soho (Tube: Tottenham Court Rd. or Leicester Sq.), where the sex shops are slowly
morphing into cutting-edge designer boutiques -- check out clothing exchange Bang Bang, 9
Berwick St. (tel. 020/7494-2042), for designer bargains -- and Covent Garden, a shopping
masterpiece stocked with fashion, food, books, and everything else. The original Covent Garden
marketplace has overflowed its boundaries and eaten up the surrounding neighborhood; it's fun
to shop the narrow streets. Just off trendy Neal Street and Seven Dials, Neal's Yard is a stunning
splash of color on rainy days if you're looking to buy foodstuffs from Neal's Yard Dairy.
Monmouth Street is somewhat of a local secret. Many shops here serve as outlets for British
designers, selling both used and new clothing. In addition, stores specialize in everything from
musical instruments from the Far East to palm readings. Make sure, too, to take in Charing Cross
Road and get your nose into one of the many secondhand bookshops. You can't avoid Foyles
(and nor should you), but the smaller shops have some great options and well-priced first
editions if you're particular about your Pulitzers.
Dialogue:
-6-4-5-6-7-4?
- The Continental Restaurant. Good afternoon!
- Good afternoon! Can I reserve a table for two, please?
- Yes, sir. When for?
- For tomorrow evening.
- And what time, please?
- Eight o‟clock.
- Can I have your name, please?
- Smith.
- Thank you. Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
-Good evening, sir. A table for two?
- Yes, I phoned yesterday.
- What was the name, please?
35
- Smith.
- Ah, yes, sir. Over here, please.
- Waiter, can we have the menu, please?
- Yes, sir. I‟ll bring it right away.
-Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?
- Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please?
- Certainly, here you are.
- Thank you. What‟s today‟s special?
- Grilled tuna and chees on rye.
- That sounds good. I‟ll have that.
- Would you like something to drink?
- Yes, I‟d like a coke.
- Thank you. (returning with the food Here you are. Enjoy your meal.
- Thank you.
- Can I get you anything else?
- No, thanks. I‟d like the check, please.
- That‟ll be 4.75 euros.
- Here you are. Keep the change!
- Thank you! Have a good day!
-Bye!
MODAL VERBS
Can, may, must, shall, should, will, would, ought - the modal auxiliaries - have the following
characteristics:
they have no infinitives or participles and therefore cannot be used in the continuous
tenses;
they all, except ought, are followed by bare infinitive:
I can play the piano. I may leave whenever I want. I must attend a conference
tomorrow. He should study more.
BUT: He ought to study more.
COMPARE WITH!
I want to play the piano. I want to leave. I want to be there.
they have no final ’s’ in the IIIrd
person singular;
He can swim like a fish. He may come in. He must study harder.
they do not form their interrogative and negative forms with auxiliary ’do’ but by
inversion and by adding not to the affirmative:
- Can he swim?
36
- No, he cannot / can’t.
- May I take this?
- You may not/ mayn’t.
- Must we go there?
- No, we must not/mustn’t.
REMEMBER! The negative form of can is spelt cannot.
they have no proper past tenses; four past forms exist could, might, should, would but
they have only a restricted use. For all the other tenses some equivalents are used:
Can - to be able to
May - to be allowed to, to be permitted to
Must - to have to, to be obliged to.
REMEMBER! Both may and can are used to ask for permission.
May I leave?
Can I leave?
May in the negative shows lack of permission, must expresses interdiction.
37
38
UNIT 6. TRAVELLING
DISCUSSION POINTS
Discussing travelling issues. How can people travel from one place to another? What do you
understand by ’means of transport’? What are the ’means of transport’ people use in our
century? Which is the fastest means of transport? Have you ever flown by plane? Do you travel a
lot? Do you allow delays due to weather or vehicle maintenance make you angry or upset?
A person who travels a lot says she has learned the following things during her journeys: « don’t
take more than you need and you probably don’t need as much as you think you do; remember
you have to carry everything you take; check the weather where you are going; allow time for
making errors; carry your family with you (in pictures and prayers); seek to be faithful not
successful; pray and ask others to pray for your safe travel and faithful service; remember to
breathe ».Comment on these.
What is the Romanian for ’customs’? But for ’custom’? Have you ever gone through customs?
What happened there, or what do you know it usually happens?
READING
Travelling by air is one of the fastest means of transport but it also has the reputation of
being dangerous or unpleasant if you happen to have airsick.
It is also the most expensive form of transport.
Last January when we had the chance to visit London, we travelled back home by plane.
Heathrow, London‟s main airport, handles more international flights than any other
airport in the world so, when we arrived there, crowds of people were teeming to and fro,
coming from different places or leaving in all directions inside the country or abroad.
There were hundreds of passengers who were waiting for their passports to be checked by
the customs officers; other inspectors were checking, weighing and putting labels on the
passengers‟ luggage. Labels are pasted on suitcases so that they could be found easier, you know.
The customs officers were especially looking for prohibited items on large quantities, or for
commercial goods, which fall under customs restriction. We saw an old lady who was arguing
with an inspector over some valuable things. She hadn‟t known that she had to pay duty on them,
39
so she was rather puzzled as she was short of money. It seemed she had spent all she had had and
there wasn‟t enough money left.
Some young people were standing at the inquiry office, speaking to a woman who was
giving them information about a plane‟s departure time, which seemed to be much delayed
because of the foggy and rainy weather. Their conversation was rather difficult as the travellers‟
knowledge of English was poor.
There were also porters inside the airport who were carrying suitcases and boxes but
some young men were managing their luggage by themselves using some trolleys. It was such a
crowd as there were many English people who were seeing their friends off or others who were
waiting and welcoming friends or relatives.
In the waiting hall the passengers were sitting on chairs or armchairs, reading, talking or
merrily watching the airfields through the windows. We could see planes that were landing or
taking off and we even could watch the pilots and stewardesses who were getting on or off the
aircrafts.
When the customs formalities were over we kissed our friends good bye and promised to
write and then a special bus took us to the jet. We got on, made ourselves comfortable, fastened
our seatbelts and, at the exact time we took off. We had a lovely flight home.
Dialogue:
Questions about flying
- Is there a flight to London, please?
- Is it a direct flight, or do I have to change planes?
- Do they serve food?
- What terminal does it leave from?
- Is there an airport bus?
- Can I have a window/aisle seat?
- What time do I have to check in?
- What time does it take off?
- What time does it land?
- How long is the flight?
Checking in at the airport
Clerk: Good Morning.
Traveller: Is this the right desk? My flight is BA123.
Clerk: Yes, that's right. I need your passport and your ticket, please.
Traveller: There you go.
40
Clerk: Thank you. Do you have any luggage to check in Mr Smith?
Traveller: Yes, these two suitcases.
Clerk: Could you put them on the conveyor belt, please.
Traveller: Sure. I don't think they are over.
Clerk: No. That's fine. Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
Traveller: A window seat, please.
Clerk: ... Here are your luggage tags and your boarding card. Your seat is 36B.
Traveller: Thank you. What is the boarding time?
Clerk: The plane is boarding in 30 minutes. You leave from Gate 15. Have a good flight.
Traveller: Thank you. Goodbye.
Customs officer: „What was the purpose of your coming to England, sir‟?
Passenger: „Business‟.
Customs officer: „Have you any prohibited items in your luggage, if you please?‟
Passenger: „No, No prohibited items. You may check. Here‟s my only suitcase. I have got
only some personal effects, some cigarettes, two bottles of genuine Scotch whisky and a few
presents or my relatives. Just trifles, as you can see.‟
Customs officer: „These are all duty free if they are in small quantities and you don‟t have to
pay any duty for them. Thank you sir. Have a good day‟.
GRAMMAR REVIEW
THE PAST TENSE CONTINUOUS
AFFIRMA
TIVE
NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE
(NEGATIVE)
I, he, she, it
was
writing
I, he, she, it was
not /wasn’t writing
Was I, he, she, it (not)
writing?
Was I, he, she, it (not)/
wasn’t I, he, she, it
writing?
You, we, You, we, they, Were you, we, they (not)
41
they were
writing
were not/weren’t
writing
writing?/ Weren’t you,
we, they writing?
Paste Tense Continuous, that renders the Romanian Imperfect, is formed according to the
pattern:
Affirmative: subject + to be (in the past) + verb + ing
Negative: subject + to be (in the past) + not + verb + ing
Interrogative: to be (in the past) + subject + verb + ing
It is used to express:
an ongoing action at some point in the past that can be indicated by:
- one of the adverb phrases: at ...o’clock, at that time, this time yesterday,/ last
week,/ last month, etc.
This time last week we were travelling abroad.
- another action:
We were still arguing when the manager arrived.
gradual development (when used without a time expression ):
It was getting colder.
parallel past actions:
He was talking to his wife while she was cooking.
Paste Tense Continuous is also used in descriptions:
"The detective was driving through town. It was raining. The wind was blowing
hard. Nobody was walking in the streets. Suddenly, he saw the killer in a telephone
box..."
1. One of these things must have happened to you once. Say what you were doing at the time:
Model: You suddenly fell down.
I was climbing a tree when I suddenly fell down.
1. It started to rain cats and dogs.
2. The waitress said: ‟May I have your order now‟?
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3. The alarm went on.
4. The lights went off.
5. A dog began to bark at you.
6. You ran into a friend.
7. Your boss came in and shouted: ‟What‟s going on here‟?
8. You began to feel very cold.
9. Your friend burst into tears.
10. You heard a terrible knock at the front door.
2. Combine these pairs using while:
a) Model: It was raining. I went out.
I went out while it was raining.
1. The young man was skiing. He had an accident.
2. He was lying in the snow. He felt a pain in the ankle.
3. He was crying loudly. A group of tourist came.
4. He was lying there. He saw them.
5. Porters were carrying luggage. The customs officers checked the passports.
6. I was looking the other way. Someone hit my shoulder.
7. They were passing through the customs. The aeroplane exploded.
8. They were waiting in the waiting room. They announced the news.
b) Model: Robert heard Julia. She was laughing.
rt heard Julia laughing.
1. The man saw the mistress of the house. She was standing on the terrace.
2. He heard her. She was talking feebly.
3. He smelt something. The stable was burning.
4. We heard the woman. She was shouting.
5. We noticed the burglar. He was stealing her purse.
6. I watched a couple. They were dancing.
7. My husband watched another couple. They were arguing.
8. They noticed the thief. He was climbing the ladder.
c) Model: She left. She did not pay.
She left without paying.
1. She came in. She did not knock.
2. She left the office. She did not apologise.
3. She sat down. She did not ask for permission.
4. He walked several miles. He did not stop.
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5. He spoke for ten minutes. He did not pause.
6. I lay in bed for two hours. I did not fall asleep.
7. He crossed the road. He did not watch the traffic light.
8. They stayed on the beach. They did not swim.
9. They listened to the lecturer. They did not take notes.
10. We climbed the mountain. We did not see the top.
3. Imagine you are telling a friend the story of The Titanic. Look at the model and do the same:
Model: The Titanic was going very fast. It was dangerous.
The Titanic was going very fast which was very dangerous.
1. It was very big. It seemed very safe.
2. It was well provided. It seemed to be unsinkable.
3. It was not carrying enough lifeboats. This was very foolish.
4. The other ship did not stop. This surprised everybody.
5. The other ship didn‟t help the shipwrecked. It astonished the crew.
6. The other ship just sailed away. It terrified the passengers.
7. Everybody was having a good time on the ship. This was normal.
8. Some people gave their places in the lifeboats to other people. This was brave.
9. A lot of other people fought wildly to get into the boats. This was understandable.
10. The Titanic went down and over a thousand lives were lost. This shocked the world.
4. Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple or Continuous Past):
1. The two of them (go out) and (join) the wounded man who (sit) at
one end of the porch by himself.
2. The poor widow (walk) through the blowing snow. Suddenly a man with his hat
pulled over his eyes (bump) into her.
3. I was told that an acquaintance of mine (sit) at the bar one evening when a man
with a scar on his cheek (hit) him plump in his head.
4. At about 4 a.m. I (awake and see) that it (be) still night and the stars and
the moon (shine) brightly in the sky.
5. He (take) his breakfast earlier than usual but (linger) in the parlour till his
relatives finished their meal and (left).
6. When we (hear) the deafening noise we (wake up) and (jump) out of
bed.
7. Pleased as she (be), when she (find) her purse, the poor woman (burst) into
tears and (hug) the first person who (pass) near by.
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8. The commuters (shelter) themselves under the eaves of the houses while they
(wait) for the bus to come.
9. The old man (doze) in the darkest corner of the room, when the doorbell
(ring).
10. The electric power (go off), while they (enter) the concert hall.
11. While he (drive) the van, a tyre (burst).
12. While he (change) the flat tyre a man (appear) from nowhere and
(ask) the way to the police station.
13. The fire (burn) brightly in the fireplace and a pleasant smell of cooked food
(float) in the air when the hikers (reach) the remote chalet.
14. The employees (go) on strike on Monday.
15. When the employer (look) out of the window the strikers (wear)
placards and (shout) angrily.
16. They (wait) for the negotiations that were to take place during the latter part of
the day.
17. When we (come out) his dad (wait) to pick us up in his car.
4. Rephrase the following sentences about the weather expressed by IT WAS + ADJECTIVE by
THERE WAS/WERE + A NOUN:
Model: It was terribly cold last winter.
cold last winter.
1. It was rainy last autumn. (use a lot of)
2. It was awfully muddy last autumn.
3. It was cloudy last autumn.
4. It was awfully snowy last winter.
5. It was awfully frosty last year.
6. It was awfully windy yesterday.
7. It was awfully stormy yesterday.
8. It was awfully hot these three last summers (use heat).
9. It was awfully foggy yesterday morning.
10. It was terribly dusty in the park.
11. It was terribly sleety two days ago.
12. It was terribly droughty these four last years.
13. It was stormy last spring
ACTIVITIES
1. Make sentences with either in spite of or because of:
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Model: They went out. The weather was bad.
In spite of the bad weather they went out.
They didn‟t go out. The weather was bad.
They didn’t go out because of the bad weather.
1. His work was good. He didn‟t get a promotion.
2. His work was good. He got a promotion.
3. Everybody admires him. He has talent.
4. Nobody admires him. He has talent.
5. The weather was wonderful. She stayed inside.
6. She went for a long walk. There was a terrible storm.
7. The price was low. Everybody bought it.
8. The price was low. Nobody bought it.
TRAVELING BY LAND
DISCUSSION POINTS
Do you often travel by train? Do you travel by train because you like it or because you have no
other means of transport available? Where in the world have they the most efficient rail
transport? What do you think about rail transport in Romania? Compare it to that of Japan or
France.
READING
People who choose to use slow, fast or express trains from the various means of transport
they have at their disposal must go to the railway station.
A railway station is a full of life place with platforms where passengers and goods trains come in
or leave from. Look! A train has just arrived on platform 1. Many people have got off the train
and many others are getting on it at the moment. Some porters have already taken the new
comers‟ luggage and have carried them out of the station to the bus, trolley or taxi stations.
Those people who have already got on the trains have taken their seats in smoker or non-smoker
compartments, but there are also some latecomers who hurry to catch their trains. Have they
found vacant seats? Some have but some have not.
This is a through train with a Diesel locomotive, several first class or second class
passenger carriages, a luggage van, a restaurant car (dining-car) and even some sleeping cars as
this is a long distance train not a local train. The guard has waved his flag and has already blown
his whistle.
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The train is off. The persons standing on the platform near the carriages are friends or relatives
who have come to see someone dear off. They have kissed one another good-bye and now, as
the engine has started and the train is moving away, they are waving good-bye.
Now, as our train has disappeared in the distance, let‟s look round the railway station.
We can see a left luggage office there, on the left side of the platform, where passengers have
deposited their suitcases, bags, rucksacks. At the moment some are waiting to withdraw their
luggage.
The booking office is a little further and many travellers are standing in queues to buy single or
return tickets for their journeys. Those who have bought their tickets beforehand, and who travel
light are now comfortably sitting in armchairs in the waiting room over there, on the right. Their
train is due out later and they while their time away reading the magazines or newspapers they
have bought at the bookstall, or booklets about various resorts of the country they have found at
hand on the little tables. Others are in the refreshment room eating their meal.
Oh, dear! Look at that man who is running along the platform 2. He is desperate. Unfortunately
he has missed his train. Now he is looking at the time table. Poor him!
Dialogue:
Questions about trains / buses
- Could you tell me the time of the next train / bus to Cardiff, please?
- Is it an express train / bus, or do I have to change trains / buses?
- Is there a buffet car?
- What platform / stop does it leave from?
- What time does it depart?
- What time does it arrive?
- How long is the journey?
AT A HOTEL
The reception desk at a hotel
Receptionist: Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?
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Visitor: I‟m going to stay in this city for a fortnight and I‟d like a room. Have you any
available.
Receptionist: Haven‟t you booked one in advance, sir?
Visitor: No, I‟m afraid I haven‟t. I had to come in town unexpectedly and I had no time to
make a reservation with your hotel.
Receptionist: Do you want a single or a double room?
Visitor: I‟d like a double with a private bathroom on a lower floor and not very noisy, if
possible.
Receptionist: Let me see what I can do something for you, sir. We are quite full at present as
many people are attending an important conference here, in Cluj. Yes, I can offer you a single
room with a private bathroom on the sixth floor. It is not a low floor but it is very quiet because it
overlooks a small back yard. Besides, it has all the modern conveniences.
Visitor: I‟ll take it, than.
Receptionist: Will you fill in this form and sign the register please, sir? You‟ll be in room
605. The lift is this way and the liftboy will show you to your room. As to the luggage, the porter
will take it for you to your room.
Visitor: Thank you. One more problem, please. I‟d like to be called every morning at a
quarter past seven. Is it possible?
Receptionist: Very well, sir. Enjoy your stay.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TRAIN TICKET?
Albert Einstein was on a train. He couldn‟t find his ticket after searching through his all
his pockets and bags. The conductor approached him and said “Dr. Einstein, everyone knows
who you are; I‟m sure that Princeton can afford to buy you another ticket.”
To which Einstein replied “I‟m not worried about the money, I need to find the ticket to
figure out where I am going!”
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GRAMMAR REVIEW
PAST PARTICIPLE
The past participle of regular verbs has exactly the same forms as the simple past, it is
formed by adding -ed to the infinitive.
Changes in spelling after -ed is added:
Verbs ending in e drop it:
dictate dictated
One-syllable verbs ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel, double the final consonant:
drop dropped
Two or three syllable verbs ending in consonant preceded by a vowel double the final
consonant if the stress falls on the last syllable:
prefer preferred
Verbs ending in -l double it, irrespective of the stress:
travel travelled
In verbs ending in -y preceded by a vowel , -y stays unchanged:
play played
Verbs ending in -y preceded by a consonant change it in -i before adding -ed.
In irregular verbs the past participle varies:
be been
have had
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have had
go gone
THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE
(NEGATIVE)
I, you, we, they
have written
I, you, we,
they have not
written
Have I, you, we, they
(not) written? /Haven’t
I, you, we, they written?
he, she, it
has written
he, she, it has
not written
Has he, she, it (not)
written?/Hasn’t he, she,
it written?
The Present Perfect is formed with the present tense of have + past participle according to
the pattern:
Affirmative: subject + have (present) + past participle
Negative: subject + have (present) + not + past participle
Interrogative: have ( present) + subject + past participle
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now.
The exact time is not important. One cannot use the Present Perfect with specific time
expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived abroad,
at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We can use the Present Perfect with unspecific
expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
The Present Perfect is used to:
describe our experience. We can also use this tense to say that we have never had a
certain experience. The Present Perfect is not used to describe a specific event.
My daughter has studied two foreign languages.
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I have never been to France.
talk about changes that have happened over a period of time.
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in education.
My English has really improved since I moved to England.
list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific
time.
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect
suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times.
Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why
she is sick.
talk about actions recently completed:
The boss has just gone out.
The meeting has just finished.
talk about recent actions when the time is not mentioned:
They have met several times.
I have attended all the courses.
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talk about recent actions that have results in the present:
We have visited Paris.
talk about actions which occur further back in the past, provided the connexion with the
present is still maintained:
She has typed most of this author’s works.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in
our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this
with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, today, this
morning/afternoon/evening/week/month/year, so far, up to now, etc.
Have you been abroad in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three
different companies so far.
My car has broken down three times this week.
REMEMBER!
Last year and in the last year are very different in meaning. Last year means the year before
now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. In the last year means from
365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
NOTE! The present perfect can be used with this morning only up to one o‟clock, because after
that the period defined by this morning becomes a completed period and past tense must be used.
Similarly, the period of time defined by this afternoon ends at five o‟clock.
To render a past action in interrogatives introduced by when or in sentenced where just
now occurs, we use Past Tense Simple.
Has the manager arrived?
When did he arrive?
He arrived just now.
EXERCISES
l. Read the following sentences in the: Present Perfect Simple. Make all the necessary changes:
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1. He keeps a very large house.
2. He has a cat and a dog as pets.
3. The cat‟s feet are always dirty.
4. It comes in and jumps on the table.
5. He feeds his pets daily.
6. The dog constantly steals the cat‟s food.
7. He kicks the dog and the dog barks.
8. It bites his master‟s leg.
9. The master shouts but his girl friend laughs.
10. The grocer owns a small shop.
11. We buy groceries at the grocer‟s and meat at the butcher‟s.
12. The baker cuts a loaf in thin slices.
13. He gives the slices to some poor children.
14. He cuts himself. It hurts.
15. Commerce is a human activity.
16. Endless delays and hindrances occur in all stages of commerce.
17. Goods move from the seller to the buyer.
18. Goods are usually produced far from the place of consumption.
19. Manufacturers produce merchandise in large quantities.
20. Transport concerns the moving of goods by land, by sea or by air.
21. Each producer is provided with warehouses.
22. The company can pay by cheques or by letters of credit.
23. These facilitate commerce.
24. It requires much capital.
25. Insurance enables businesspeople to survive losses caused by damage, fire and
shipwreck.
2. Complete the sentences with for or since:
1. The Chief Executive Officer has waited two hours to see you.
2. He has been here 9 o‟clock.
3. The cash flow statement hasn‟t changed several months.
4. The budget hasn‟t been valued last year.
5. The bank office has been staffed it came into being.
6. They have cancelled the bond issue the day before yesterday.
7. The founders of this body of principles have settled it the enterprise was founded,
8. They have finished several hours.
9. The clerks have worked in this office 20 years.
10. Many things have changed we were children.
11. The central heating has been on October.
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12. Her husband has been very patient with her she got ill.
13. The workers‟ strike has lasted three weeks.
14. The police have looked for the thieves they stole the jewels.
15. She has lost weight that tragic accident in which her baby died.
16. I haven‟t eaten anything twenty – four hours.
3. Complete the following sentences with the negative form of the Present Perfect Simple of the
verbs in brackets:
1. We (to finish) our work.
2. It is very late and they (to renew) their driving licence.
3. The tourist (to change) the money at the Bank.
4. My neighbours (to move) in their new house.
5. These workers (to be) late for work.
6. The accountant (to dictate) the telegram.
7. The secretary (to type) the report.
8. The masons and the carpenters (to start) building the house.
9. My grandchild is eighteen years old, but he (to leave) school yet.
10. They have lost their customers and they (to find) others yet.
11. Although it is still early the sun (to rise) yet.
12. My daughter (to buy) bread yet and she (to make) the beds either.
4. Finish the following sentences. Use a little or a few.
Model: Lucy wanted some hot coffee. I gave her a little.
Lucy wanted to see some pictures. We showed her a few.
1. The girl wants some ink. Giver her...
2. The manager wanted some paper. I gave him...
3. My cousin asked for English dictionaries. I sent her...
4. Do you want any milk? ..., please.
5. The investors wanted to see some factories. We showed them...
6. My friends wanted to see some interesting places. I showed them ...
7. The child wants some tea. Give him ...
8. Mother wanted some new toys for the baby. We bought ...
9. I wanted some more soup. Mother gave me ...
10. Father wanted some more sugar in the tea. She gave him...
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ACTIVITY
You are spending a wonderful holidays in the mountains as you do every winter, but this time
you are not staying at the same hotel. Everything seems much better so write a letter to a friend
recommending this hotel, telling him what you find better and what was not so good during the
previous years. (size of the rooms, service, meals, prices, view, location, neighbourhood, people
etc.)
UNIT 7. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
DISCUSSION POINTS
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Discussing about leisure time. What do you prefer to do in your leisure hours? Are you fond of
indoors or outdoors activities? Name some of them.
How would you define a hobby? Do you have one? Henry David Thoreau said: "It's not enough
to be busy. The question is: What are we busy about?” Comment on this.
Are there organisations for children, youths and adults in your city such as: Sports Clubs and
Associations, Cultural Youth Organisations, Nature and Environmental Organisations?
READING
All the week round we are busy working or studding but on weekends we relax and enjoy
ourselves and we choose to spend our spare time in different ways.
If the weather is fine we drive our car out of town to the woods, near a lake where we can
go boating, swim, fish, sunbathe and have a picnic. Shady places under the trees invite you to
long appeasing strolls and I enjoy walking about the woods, picking flowers, berries and
mushrooms, and listening to little birds twitter.
Children love playing games like hide-and seek, leap frog, blind man’s hood, tennis
and football, and running about to gather wood for the bonfire. When in the open air, they cry
and laugh so loudly that they split our ears. This wouldn‟t be pleasant at all if you had a splitting
headache. If the branches or logs the children find are too thick, my husband takes a little axe, he
always keeps in the car‟s truck in his toolbox, and chops and splits them.
If we choose to spend the weekend at home I love gardening, digging, planting and
watering the flowers in the little garden we have in front of the house. I have to tell you that we
even have a small greenhouse (hothouse) where we grow flowers and vegetables in winter. I’m
fond of looking after plants and vegetables and, by keeping them in the greenhouse in winter,
we save them from dying.
My husband loves reading books, listening to music, going to a football match or
working on computer. If he is very much interested in the book or magazine he reads, he
peruses it or, otherwise, he only browses its pages or only skims the publications‟ table of
contents.
During the summer holiday we enjoy hiking so we go to the mountains, as climbing
mountains is our favourite pastime and in winter we love skiing or skating, or simply playing
with snowballs and making snowmen together with our children. Oh! It‟s lovely to see the
rows of snow-covered fir trees rising themselves towards the sky, like endless straight columns.
If the weather is bad we choose to go to a concert, to a theatre play, or to the cinema.
It depends on what play or movie is on. If it is a first night on at the National Theatre we never
miss the opportunity to see it. When we feel like dancing, you know we love tangoing and
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waltzing, we invite some friends to a restaurant and spend the evening dancing, chatting and
watching people.
Dialogue:
- Which do you prefer: driving a car yourself or being a passenger?
- Well, that depends. I enjoy driving, especially on long empty roads where I can go nice and
fast. But I’m not very fond of sitting in traffic jams waiting for light to change and things
like that. I suppose I don‟t mind being a passenger but only if the other person can drive
properly.
- So you don‟t really like being in other people‟s cars?
- Well, as I say, it‟s all right with a good driver. Then I can relax sitting on the back seat and
enjoying the scenery. But yes, you are right; on the whole, I certainly prefer driving to
being a passenger.
- Tell me what are you good at?
- I am very good at sports. I’m a brilliant footballer, you know in fact I’m very good at
ball games in general. I’m not bad at skiing, either. The funny thing is that my brother is
completely different. He is a hopeless footballer and skier but he is terrific at chess. Very
good at using his brains.
GRAMMAR FOCUS
PAST TENSE OF THE VERB TO BE
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
INTERROGATIVE
(NEGATIVE)
I, he, she, it WAS I, he, she, it
WAS NOT/
WASN’T
WAS I, he, she, it
(NOT)? /
WASN’T I, he, she, it?
You, we, you, they
WERE
You, we, you,
they WERE
NOT/WEREN
’T
WERE you, we, you,
they
(NOT)?/WEREN’T
you, we, you, they?
PAST TENSE OF THE VERB TO HAVE
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AFFIRMATI
VE
NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE
(NEGATIVE)
I, you, he, she,
it, we, you,
they HAD
I you, he, she, it,
we, you, they
HAD
NOT/HADN’T
HAD I, you, he, she, it,
we, you, they
(NOT)?/HADN’T I,
you, he, she, it, we, you,
they?
PAST TENSE OF THE VERB CAN
AFFIRMATI
VE
NEGATIVE INRROGATIVE
(NEGATIVE)
I, you, he, she,
it, we, you,
they COULD
I, you, he, she,
it, we, you,
they COULD
NOT/
COULDN’T
COULD I, you, he, she,
it, we, you, they
(NOT)?/COULDN’T I,
you, he, she, it, we, you,
they ?