Reading Activity for Pre-Intermediate Students

Police Officer

 

 

 

Questions:

1. What is the policeman doing?
_____________________________________________

2. What do you think happened and what could possibly be the violation of the driver?

_____________________________________________
3. Do you think your parents drive well? Do they obey all the traffic rules?

_____________________________________________
4. What traffic rules do you think drivers break most frequently?

_____________________________________________
5. How can we make all drivers observe the traffic rules?

_____________________________________________

Opinion Reading:

1. I think most drivers go too fast and do not stop at all traffic lights. They often ignore even stopping at a crosswalk. The most dangerous thing is when they are at the wheel when they are drunk. Drunk drivers should be taken off the road.

2. Drivers need to be taught better and punished more harshly if they break the law. The laws are intended to protect people’s lives.

Homework: Write a story about the police officer / traffic condition that you have experienced in the Philippines or in other countries.



At the Hospital



Questions:

1. Who is the man? What are the responsibilities of the man?

_____________________________________________

2. What is he doing?

_____________________________________________
3. Are you afraid to go to the hospital? Why or why not?

_____________________________________________

4. Is it hard for you to take medicine? Why or why not?

_____________________________________________

5. Do you think Japanese doctors are kind or not?

_____________________________________________

Opinion Reading:

1. I’m never afraid of going to the hospital, because when I leave I feel better. Furthermore, doctors and nurses are kind. So I have no reason to be scared of going to the hospital. But going to the dentist is different. I even feel horrible hearing my decayed tooth being ground.


2. I hate to take medicine! Taking the medicine itself is easy, but I’m afraid of suffering from side effects such as headaches, stomachaches, and feeling dizzy or drowsy.



Homework: Write a story about the hospital that you have experienced in the Philippines.

Dialogue -Knock it Off

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.


fool
software
webcam
mess with
knock it off
hang up
without fail
mystery
tutorial
get over someone

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

If you have a little brother or sister, you know how difficult they can be. When you were younger, your little brother probably wanted to play with all your best toys. Or maybe your little sister wanted to wear your clothes, or hang out with you and your friends. And because your brother or sister was smaller than you, your parents expected you to be understanding.

Now that you’re older, of course, you can say exactly what you want to say. You don’t have to use kind words or speak softly. You don’t have to pay attention to where your parents are and if they can hear you. If your little brother or sister is bothering you now, you can make them stop with a few words. You can tell them to knock it off!

Gary just learned something about Brian and thinks that Brian should knock it off. Learn more in today’s English lesson.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.


2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Brian:  No, you hang up first! No. OK, no. No, no… OK. Love you! Bye.

Gary:  Who was that?

Brian:  No one. Just my mom.

Gary:  Your mom?

Brian:  Yes. My mom and I Skype every Tuesday.

Gary:  You and your mom Skype every Tuesday?

Brian:  Yes, without fail.

Gary:  Come on. Knock it off, Brian. Who is the mystery girl?

Brian:  Fine, fine… It was Lily.

Gary:  What? Dude. How long has this been going on?

Brian:  Since she moved away.

Gary:  You’re never going to get over her if you keep talking to her. And what’s going on with the laptop? Are you trying to fool me?

Brian:  You need a laptop to Skype or Facetime, or any software for video chatting.

Gary:  Yeah, but you don’t have a webcam.

Brian:  Knock it off. You’re obviously just messing with me!

Gary:  Messing with you about what?

Brian:  You’ve never talked to someone on the internet, have you?

Gary:  Not unless you include email.

Brian:  Would you like a Skype tutorial? We can use mine.

Gary:  Yeah! That’d be great.

Brian:  First you go to the start menu.

Gary:  There’s a start menu?


Discussion:

Gary discovered that Brian is still talking to Lily in France. He tells Brian to knock it off because Brian will never get over his relationship with Lily if they continue this way.

While the friends chat, Brian begins to understand that Gary doesn’t know how to talk with someone using a computer. Brian offers to teach Gary how to use Skype, and they get started right away.

Do you agree with Gary? Should Brian stop talking to Lily? When was the last time you told someone to knock it off?

Small Talk

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• cliche
• meaningful
• secret admirer
• hear what one is saying

• small talk
• get to know
• universal
• shy

• prepared
• 101

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

A stranger stands next to you at a bus stop. You wait in line at the bank. Your teacher is late for class. What can you do with this time? You can make small talk. When you meet a new person, you can have a short, simple conversation. This is small talk. It’s a way to get to know someone. Some of the most popular small talk topics include the weather, sports, family, and work. These are all universal topics that anyone can talk about.

Some people think that small talk is difficult. They feel shy, or they don’t feel prepared to talk to strangers. Other people even think that small talk is cliche. They prefer to have more meaningful conversations, and they don’t want to talk about simple things like the weather. But small talk is a great way to meet new friends and learn new things. Sometimes, all you need is a smile to begin a conversation.

Jessica is going to go on a date with her secret admirer, but she is nervous. Watch today’s English lesson to hear Sara’s small talk ideas.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jessica

Sara_R

Sara_R:  Marni said you have a secret admirer. 

Jessica:  Someone has been leaving me gifts. I’m thinking about meeting him for coffee this Friday. 

Sara_R:  You’re not sure? 

Jessica:  I am so bad at small talk. 

Sara_R:  It’s normal to feel shy on a first date. 

Jessica:  Not just on first dates. I am always bad at small talk. I never know what to say to someone who I’ve just met. 

Sara_R:  You can ask him about the weather. 

Jessica:  But that’s so cliche. I want to talk about more meaningful things. 

Sara_R:  I hear what you’re saying. Hey, I have an idea! Make a list before you go of things to ask him about. 

Jessica:  Like what? 

Sara_R:  Ask him about his family. Ask him which countries he’s visited, or if he hasn’t traveled, where he wants to go. Ask about his job. 

Jessica:  But isn’t that kind of boring? 

Sara_R:  Not at all. Family, travel, work… those are all universal topics that everyone can talk about. It’s how people get to know each other, whether you’re on a date, or taking a class together, or waiting for the bus… 

Jessica:  OK. But will you help me? I want to feel prepared. 

Sara_R:  Of course! Small Talk 101. Tomorrow afternoon? 

Jessica:  Great. Thank you, Sara.

Sara_R:  I’m happy to do it.

English Listening and Conversation Practice #3

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• have each other's backs
• ghost
• attic
• scare the pants off of

• emergency
• assure
• the supernatural
• slam

• cruel
• spooky

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

There’s a game people play to show that they trust each other. One person stands with her arms crossed in front of her, and two or more people stand behind her, ready to catch her when she falls back towards the ground. It’s called a “trust fall.” Trust falls are used to show people that their friends are going to take care of them if they fall. People who participate in trust falls definitely have each other’s backs.

It’s not only when we can fall and get hurt that it’s important to have friends nearby that will have our backs. Sometimes the support we give each other is emotional. If someone loses a job, gets divorced, or a friend or family member dies, it’s incredibly important to have people around who will have his or her back. Even people who say they don’t need anyone usually feel better knowing a friend is available during an emergency.

Gary and Marni assure each other that they have each other’s backs. But why would they need to do that? Learn more by reading today’s English lesson about the supernatural.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

 

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Gary

Marni

Marni:  Gee, Gary. You didn’t have to slam the door so hard.

Gary:  I didn’t. It must have been the wind.

Marni:  The wind? But it’s not even windy out. Plus all the windows are closed.

Gary:  That’s weird.

Marni:  Spooky.

Gary:  Super spooky. Don’t worry. I have your back, Marni.

Marni:  Thank goodness. OK. That was weird. Why don’t you work here next to me?

Gary:  Yeah, I think so.

Marni:  OK. Do you believe in the supernatural?

Gary:  I think it’s a nice idea, and it’s fun, but I’ve never had a supernatural experience myself. How about yourself?

Marni:  You know, my grandmother totally believed in ghosts. When we were little, she would tell me and my brother about this ghost that lived in her attic. It always scared the pants off ofus.

Gary:  That’s just cruel.

Marni:  I know. But I actually think she really believed in the stuff herself.

Gary:  Is it time to go home now?

Marni:  Yes. Can we leave together?

Gary:  I’m not leaving alone.

Marni:  OK. Gary, I just want you to know… I have your back.

Gary:  OK.

Marni:  Let’s take the stairs. It’ll be faster.

Gary:  Yes. Yes, agreed. Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!

S 

Listening and Conversation Practice #1

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

put thought into
client
take a chance
fault
tempting
gut
mystery
play it safe
romantic
take responsibility
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

Think about this. A good-looking stranger asks you to go on a date with him. He says that he will take you to a wonderful restaurant, and then he will take you to watch a performance. This is very tempting, but what does your gut tell you? Do you trust this mystery man, or is he too good to be true? If you like taking chances, you might accept his offer. On the other hand, it may be better to play it safe and say no.

When you play it safe, you make the choice that will protect you the most. You avoid danger and don’t take any risks. It could be romantic to go on a date with a handsome stranger, but it could also be very dangerous. It is best to put some thought into your choice. If you don’t know this person, then you should probably play it safe and go out with friends instead.

Jessica is deciding if she should go on a date with her secret admirer. Find out if she will play it safe in today’s English lesson.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.



1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.



2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Characters:
Romeo
Jessica

Dialog:
Romeo:  Hey Jessica. How’s it going?

Jessica:  Hi Romeo. Brian’s taking a client out for dinner.

Romeo:  I didn’t come here to see Brian. I came here to see you.

Jessica:  Why me?

Romeo:  Brian tells me that someone’s been leaving mystery items. I just wanted to stop by and make sure everything was OK.

Jessica:  That’s kind of you, but I’m fine. They’re kind of romantic, actually.

Romeo:  Who is it? Are you going to go out with him?

Jessica:  Maybe. My gut tells me to play it safe and not meet him.

Romeo:  Why not? Have you had your heart broken?

Jessica:  Who hasn’t? Look, I don’t know. It is tempting. He’s put some thought into his gifts.

Romeo:  I think you should go for it. He could be perfect for you!

Jessica:  You don’t think I should play it safe?

Romeo:  No, I don’t. If you don’t take chances, how will you ever find love again?

Jessica:  This is true. OK, I’ll do it. But if the date is terrible, it will be your fault!

Romeo:  I will take full responsibility. I promise.

Jessica:  OK. Have a good night, Romeo!