Hollywood Stars

VI TRIMESTRE
Hollywood Stars
Do Hollywood stars guarantee a film’s success?
Big stars. Big money. Big films? What’s the formula
for success when it comes to films? No one is sure. Is it the
stars? Maybe. Or maybe not. There are certainly benefits to
using a star in a film. It makes the film easier to market.
Stars also help sell more tickets and drive DVD sales, which
are a big part of studio revenue. For example, the
announcement in 2002 that Tom Cruise wasn’t going to star
in the film Cold Mountain reduced the movie’s expected
revenue by $10 million. Then, later, the announcement that
he was in talks to play a leading role in the film The Last
Samurai increased the film’s expected revenue by $28
million. However, a star does not guarantee success.
Bewitched (starring Nicole Kidman) cost an estimated $85
million but only made about $62 million at the American
box office. Waterworld (1995) had Kevin Costner in it and
cost $175 million to make but only grossed $88 million at
the US box office. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
starred Eddie Murphy and cost $100 million to make, but
only earned about $8.9 million worldwide. The Island
(2005) had a production budget of $126 million and had
stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson in it, but only
made about $35 million. And Jim Carrey’s A Christmas
Carol took just $30 million after costs of more than $170
million.
And there are plenty of examples of films without
stars that have made a lot of money. ET: The ExtraTerrestrial and the original Star Wars series didn’t need
stars to make them successful. Many low-budget films with
unknown actors also make a lot of money. The Blair Witch
Project had a budget of about $500,000, but made more
than $248,639,099 worldwide. The comedy The Hangover
had a little-known cast but made $459 million at global box
office. The adolescent vampire romance Twilight took $186
million in the US despite starring unknown English actor
Robert Pattinson. Then there was Slumdog Millionaire
which has no stars in it at all but which made a lot of money
and won a few Oscars as well.
In the end, if it’s a bad film with a good star, it
won’t make much difference. “Movies with stars are
successful not because of the star, but because the star
chooses projects that people tend to like,” said Arthur S. De
Vany, a professor of economics at the University of
California. And as Sidney Sheinberg, the former president
of MCA Universal, has said, “The simple fact is that if you
pay a star a great deal of money for a film that people don’t
want to see, then it won’t work.”
 Read the article again and choose the
correct answers.
1. Tom Cruise announced that he wasn’t
starring in Cold Mountain in 2001 / 2002.
2. Bewitched only made about $62 / $85
million.
3. The Adventures of Pluto Nash cost $100 /
$8.9 million to make.
4. The Island had a budget of $35 / $126
million.
5. The Blair Witch Project made more than
$500,000 / $248,639,099.
6. A Christmas Carol cost more than $30 / $170
million.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...but only made about $62 million at
the American box office.”
The writer has used a Past Tense verb
(“made”). Transform these Present Simple
sentences into the Past Simple.
1. They film the scenes in a studio.
2. She acts in a lot of films.
3. They release the film.
4. They make films about the Russian
Revolution.
5. We take pictures of the actors.
 Discussion
1. Have you seen any of the films mentioned?
What did you think of them?
2. What’s the best low-budget film you’ve ever
seen? Why did you like it?
GLOSSARY
to drive vb if something "drives" sales, it causes sales to increase
revenue n money that is produced
an announcement n something that is said in public or to the
media
to reduce vb to decrease
in talks exp if someone is “in talks”, they are discussing
something
a leading role n the main part in a film
the box office n the money made at “the box office” represents all
the money made from people going to the cinema
to gross vb to make an amount of money before tax
to earn vb to make an amount of money
successful adj if something is “successful”, everyone likes it and
it makes a lot of money
a low-budget film n a film that is produced with very little money
a budget n the amount of money you have to do/produce
something
won’t make much difference exp won’t affect anything
tend to exp if something “tends to” happen, it usually happens
1
Slogan Trouble
Mauritius in trouble as it tries to rebrand.
Does your country’s tourist board have a
slogan? Mauritius does, but it recently got a new one
that’s causing a bit of controversy. Slogans are
important for every brand. They help explain what the
product is all about, and, more importantly, what it can
do for you. Some slogans have an attitude, such as
Nike’s “Just do it”. Others explain what the product
can do, such as Nokia’s “Connecting people”. And
others describe a company objective, such as Avis’s
“We try harder”.
A good slogan must be concise. Three-word
slogans are much more effective than whole sentences.
The less words, the easier it is for the consumer to
remember the slogan. Slogans that leave the
consumers confused will make it much harder for
consumers to understand the brand or message. Just
recently, the Mauritian tourist board decided to change
its slogan. The original strapline was, “Mauritius –
Unforgettable experience”. But the new one is in
French, “Mauritius – C’est un plaisir” (Mauritius – It’s
a pleasure), which was designed to reflect the island’s
French cultural influence. But many are not happy
with it. “It’s weak and bland and... too ambiguous to
be effective,” said Sean Carey, an anthropologist who
writes extensively about Mauritius.
And many are also shocked at the cost. The
slogan was created by Londonbased marketing agency
Acanchi for a reported 31 million Mauritian rupees
(£625,000), which is almost £50,000 per letter. Fiona
Gilmore, a director at Acanchi, appeared on Mauritian
TV to defend the branding. She said that the actual
slogan was just 5% of the entire marketing campaign
for Mauritius, which presumably makes it all right
then.
So, how does the Mauritius tagline compare
with other countries? There seem to be two types.
Most use a two-word structure: Amazing Thailand;
Enjoy England; Incredible India; Magical Kenya.
Others are based around a phrase: Seychelles –
Another world; Germany - Simply inspiring; The
Kingdom of Swaziland - A royal experience; Hawaii –
The islands of Aloha; Colombia – The only risk is
wanting to stay.
Now hearing some of those, Mauritius’s
French slogan doesn’t seem so bad after all, does it?
 Read the article again and complete the
sentences.
1. Some slogans explain what a product can
……………………………………
2. A good slogan must be ………………………
3. The Mauritian tourist board decided to
……………………………………… its slogan.
4. The original slogan was “Mauritius –
Unforgettable …………………………… ”.
5.
Many
were
shocked
at
the
………………………………….. of the slogan.
6. Each letter of the slogan cost about £
………………………………...
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...said Sean Carey, an anthropologist
who
writes
extensively
about
Mauritius.” The writer has used the
relative pronoun “who”. We often use
“who” or "that" for people, and “that”
for things. Complete the sentences with
“who” or “that”.
1. He is the man ………………………….. sold
us his house.
2. This is the dog …………………………..
lives near us.
3. That is the cat …………………………
scratched me.
4. She is the woman ………………………..
gave us the money.
 Discussion
1. What’s your favorite slogan from the ones on
this page? Why do you like it?
2. What’s your country’s slogan? What do you
think of it?
3. What’s the worst slogan you’ve ever heard?
Why is it so bad?
GLOSSARY
a slogan n a short phrase that is easy to remember
a brand n a product that is made by one particular company
concise adj short and to the point
a strapline n a slogan
bland adj not interesting; boring
ambiguous adj that is difficult to understand; that can be
understood in a number of different ways
a tagline n a slogan (often for a film)
2
Cooking with Cramer
Are celebrity chefs as bad as they seem?
“Where are my knives?” screams an angry voice
which will be immediately recognizable to TV viewers
all over Britain. It’s Johnny Cramer, star of The Cream
of Cramer, TV’s most popular cookery show. Some
people think he’s more famous for his rudeness than his
cooking. So, in an effort to show the world that he's a
nice guy as well as a master chef, Johnny has invited me
to his kitchen where he is going to give me a cookery
lesson. Today’s recipe: soufflé.
“Where ARE my knives?” the voice shouts
again as the kitchen doors open. Johnny enters,
laughing, and tells me that he’s only joking. He knows
exactly where his knives are. In fact, he immediately
picks one up and throws it at the wall where it sticks
firmly into a photograph of restaurant critic Miles
Haddock. I’m already terrified and we haven’t even
broken an egg yet.
“Right, so what are we making?” Johnny
demands enthusiastically. “Cheese soufflé,” I answer
timidly. “Excellent! Right, let’s get started. Have you
washed your hands?” Johnny shouts. “Er, not yet. No.”
“WHAT!” he explodes before laughing once again. I
have a feeling Johnny’s going to enjoy his afternoon of
making me nervous. Two minutes later, clean and
wearing a chef’s apron and hat, I’m ready for action.
“So what do I do first?” I ask. “Measure out all your
ingredients. You’ll need some butter, about 40g, 25g of
flour, 200g of Emmental cheese, 150ml of milk, 5 eggs
and some salt and pepper. Oh, and a soufflé dish and
saucepan too, of course.” “So, what do I do?” I ask
timidly. “Melt some of the butter in that pan.” I manage
to turn on the gas ring and put the butter in the pan.
“That’s too hot. It’ll burn. Turn it down.” I do so.
“That’s better. Now add some flour. SLOWLY.”
As we proceed I’m amazed to find that
everything goes well. My white sauce is perfect and the
cheese melts into the sauce without any problems. I add
the egg yolks and they mix in exactly as Johnny says
they will. I realize that now we’re cooking, Johnny is
being friendly and encouraging. I’m doing all the work
but he’s giving me confidence. I put the soufflé in the
oven and we chat for twenty minutes while we wait to
see the results of my lesson. Johnny is kind and polite to
me and to all his staff. “The shouting and screaming is
just for TV,” he explains. “I’m a nice bloke really but
that would be boring on television. So I act a bit.” My
soufflé is perfect and Johnny is very pleased. Incredibly,
I cook it myself at home the next day and it’s perfect
again. It seems that the truth about Johnny Cramer is
simple. He’s a nice man, a great chef, and a very good
teacher. Thanks for the lesson, Johnny.
 Read the article again and choose the
correct answers.
1. What is Johnny Cramer the star of?
a) a cookery show
b) a talent contest
2. Why has Johnny invited the journalist onto
his show?
a) To teach him how to cook.
b) To show the world what a nice person he
is really.
3. What are they going to make?
a) an omelet
b) soufflé
4. How would you describe the journalist’s
state at the start of the show?
a) He’s relaxed
b) He’s a bit nervous.
5. How would you describe the journalist’s
state at the end of the show?
a) He’s really pleased with things.
b) He’s even more nervous.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“You’ll need some butter,...” The
writer has used a quantifier (“some”).
Remember, we use “some” for
uncountable and plural countable
nouns. Complete the sentences with
“some” or “a/an”.
1. We need ……………….. more wine.
2. Have you got …………………….. apple?
3. There’s ………….. sugar in the cupboard.
4. We’ve got …………….. beer in the fridge.
5. There’s ……………... banana on the table.
 Discussion
1. Do you like cooking? Why? Why not?
2. What can you cook?
3. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked?
3
The Telephone
 Asking to speak with someone
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Is Mrs. Smith there, please?
Can I talk to Mrs. Jones, please?
May I speak with Mr. Green, please?
I’d like to speak to Mrs. Smith, please.
Is John around? (informal)
Is Bob in? (informal)
 Enquiries regarding the caller
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Which company are you calling from?
Who’s calling, please?
Who would you like to speak to?
Can I have your name, please?
Which department did you want to connect to?
Can I ask who’s calling?
 Getting some details
1.
2.
3.
4.
May I ask what it’s about?
What’s it in connection with?
Where are you calling from?
Can I ask what it’s regarding, please?
 Dialogue
In this dialogue, Pauline is phoning up about an appointment
she has later.
Receptionist: Graves Office Supplies, how may I
help you?
Pauline: Oh, hi. Could I speak to Ms. Hargreaves,
please?
Receptionist: May I ask who’s calling, please?
Pauline: Oh, yes, it’s Pauline Spane.
Receptionist: OK. And which company are you calling
from?
Pauline: Summers International.
Receptionist: Ms Hargreaves is out at lunch at the
moment. What was it regarding?
Pauline: Well, I’ve got a 3pm appointment with her,
but I won’t be able to make it.
Receptionist: OK. I’ll see that she gets the message. Thank
you for calling Graves Office Supplies. Have a nice day.
Pauline: You too. Bye.
Receptionist: Bye.
Paranormal Activity
It cost about €7,000 to make. It took
only seven days to shoot. And the director is
just 26 years old. Paranormal Activity is the
surprise hit of the decade. And it’s been
described as the most frightening movie ever.
The film is directed by a 26-year-old, Oren
Peli. The film is about a young couple: Micah
(Micah Sloat) and his girlfriend Katie (Katie
Featherston). They decide to move in together.
Soon after, they begin to experience strange
things: there are unusual noises, lights go on
and off and doors slam in the middle of the
night. What’s going on? Katie soon reveals
that this isn’t the first time she’s been haunted
by ghosts. When she was 8, a figure appeared
at her family’s home. Later, that house
mysteriously burned to the ground.
The young couple decides to
investigate. Micah buys a video-camera and
some sound recording equipment. They also
consult a psychic. The psychic tells them that
they’re dealing with a malevolent demon who
wants Katie’s soul. He also tells Katie and
Micah that they need to bring in a
“demonologist”. What’s going to happen?
Reactions to the movie have been mixed.
Some say it’s the most frightening film
they’ve ever seen. And there have been reports
of people screaming in cinemas, running out
and not being able to sleep at night afterwards.
Others weren’t so enthusiastic. “Nothing
happens,” said one disappointed cinema goer.
“The only scary bit was the last 30 seconds,”
said another. Our advice: if you live alone in a
big, creaky house and you're easily
frightened... avoid this film at all costs!
GLOSSARY
a hit n a successful film/song
to move in together exp if two people "move in together,
they start living in the same house
to go on and off exp if a light "goes on and off", it switches on
and off automatically
to slam vb if you “slam” a door, you close it with a lot of force
to go on exp to happen
to reveal vb to explain something that was previously a
secret/unknown
to haunt vb if a ghost “haunts” a house, it goes to that house
and does things there
to burn to the ground exp to completely destroy with fire
malevolent adj evil; bad
a demon n a bad, evil spirit
a soul n a person’s spirit
disappointed adj not happy with the results because they aren’t
what you expected
scary adj frightening
creaky adj if a house is “creaky”, it makes noises
4
Small Talk
Making conversation with strangers
 Read the instructions and make questions.
1. Ask someone how they are …………………………………………………………………………………
2. Ask someone if they want to come to a café ……………………………………………………………….
3. Ask someone if they would like a coffee …………………………………………………………………..
4. Ask someone if they are going to the next talk …………………………………………………………….
5. Ask someone if they would like to go on an excursion ……………………………………………………
 Read the sentences and choose the correct words.
1. I think we spoke by e-mail / telephone.
2. We’re going for lunch / a coffee.
3. Hey, do you know where the cloakroom / bathroom is?
4. I’ve been carrying this coat / jacket around all day.
5. I’m working in Vancouver / Seattle at the moment.
6. Are you going to the next conference / talk?
7. I did go to the museum of modern art / natural history...
8. I’m actually free on Friday / Saturday.
 In one of the conversations, a speaker says, “Good idea" in response to a suggestion. Match the
suggestions/questions (1 to 5) to the responses (a-e).
1. So, how are things going? ………
2. Do you want to come? ………
3. So, is this your first time at the conference? ………
4. Can I get you a coffee? ………
5. Are you Italian? ………
a. Yes, that would be great.
b. Great, thanks.
c. Not exactly, I’m half-Italian and half-German.
d. Yes, please. White, no sugar, please.
e. No, I was here last year.
 Read the sentences, find the errors and correct the sentences.
1. I haven’t got many money. I haven't got much/any money.
2. Do you have much chairs? ……………………………………………………………………………
3. There isn’t many sugar. ………………………………………………………………………………
4. How many pasta is there? …………………………………………………………………………….
5. How much bottles of beer are there in the fridge? ……………………………………………………
6. There isn’t many salt in this food. ……………………………………………………………………
 Discussion
1. Where would you suggest going for a coffee right now?
2. Where would you suggest going for lunch near where you work?
3. Which places would you suggest visiting in your city?
5
Neighbours from Hell
Home Sweet Home? Not with a noisy
neighbour!
The English newspaper The Daily Mail
estimates that half a million people in the UK moved
house last year because of their neighbours. The
survey also revealed some of the typical problems we
have with our neighbours. One in ten of those who
responded said that noise from next door had kept
them awake all night at least once. One neighbour
played Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you” at
top volume day after day. Another did naked exercises
in his back garden every day. And another repeatedly
flew a model airplane into neighbouring gardens.
A number of complaints involved pets.
Neighbours’ dogs and cats doing their business in
other people’s gardens is a big one. Barking dogs and
meowing cats is another typical complaint, as are
vicious, aggressive dogs. Rubbish is another area of
conflict. Leaving rubbish outside or near other
people’s properties is something that angers many, as
is leaving your rubbish in the corridor in apartment
blocks. Smelly rubbish is also a cause for concern,
with many complaining about rotting food, or finding
food strewn all over the street because a rubbish bag
wasn’t tied up properly. One couple in Leeds, England
was victims of a yearlong campaign of intimidation by
their neighbour. “She dumped oil on our lawn, she
directed a CCTV camera onto our front door, she put
nails and glass under the wheels of our car and
beamed headlights into our windows at all hours of the
night. The mastermind behind this? A 57 year-old,
retired businesswoman described by a judge as “an
expert in mental torture”.
Sadly, it’s often the victims who are punished
by being forced to move away. It’s still very difficult
to take legal action against inconsiderate neighbours
except in extreme circumstance. However, the
situation is beginning to change. Ex-Labour minister
Frank Field has called for noisy neighbours to be
evicted and housed in steel-container homes on the
outskirts of towns and cities. Sound crazy? Actually
he got the idea from a similar scheme in Holland. It
was introduced after a “reality-TV” program that
followed the Tokkies – a real-life “family from hell”.
People were so appalled at their behaviour that
there was a national outcry. The government used the
container proposal after the success of a trial in
Kampen in Eastern Holland. Now the “Tokkies” and
others like them have officially been “given the can”.
 Read the article again and answer the
questions.
1. How many people had to move house last year
because of their neighbours?
2. Which song was one neighbour playing at top
volume every day?
3. What complaints do neighbours have about
cats and dogs?
4. What complaints do neighbours have about
rubbish?
5. Why was the retired businesswoman described
as an “expert in mental torture”?
6. What happened to one family in Holland?
 Look at this extract from the article,
“Leaving rubbish outside or near other
people’s properties is something that
angers many,...” In this example, the
writer has created a noun from a verb
(“to leave” = “leaving”). Complete the
sentences with your own ideas.
1. Having to get up really early in the morning
is...
2. Leaving the house without your keys is...
3. Getting to work late is...
4. Having to deal with traffic when you’re late
is...
5. Eating too much for lunch is...
 Discussion
1. What is the worst thing your neighbours could
do to you?
2. If you had a really annoying neighbour, what
would you do about it?
3. Have you ever thought about doing something
nasty to a neighbour? What?
GLOSSARY
to move house exp to change house and to go to live in another
house
to keep someone awake exp to do something that prevents someone
from sleeping
naked adj with no clothes on
to do their business exp to go to the toilet
to bark vb when a dog “barks”, it makes a sound from its mouth
to meow vb when a cat “meows”, it makes a sound from its mouth
rotting food n food that is very old and starting to smell / go bad
strewn all over a place exp if things are “strewn all over the place”,
they are all over that area
to tie up exp if you "tie something up", you close it with a piece of
string
to dump vb if you "dump" something in a place, you put it there in
a casual manner and without care
a lawn n an area of grass that is very flat, neat and tidy
a nail n a thin piece of metal. Nails are often used to hold pieces of
wood together
6
Sick Jokes
Should there be limits on TV prank shows?
Have you watched any hidden camera comedy
TV shows? They’re popular all over the world. But
some of them seem to be out of control. This is the first
of a two-part series on TV prank shows. TV prank
shows started with Candid Camera back in 1948. The
idea was simple – hidden cameras filmed people’s
reactions to unusual situations. A man would sit at his
desk and discover that when he closed one drawer
another would open. The jokes were light-hearted and
would make the audience chuckle. And the idea was so
simple and appealing that hidden camera shows soon
started appearing all over the world... and still do. But
the days of light-hearted practical jokes are definitely
over. The Japanese “hidden-camera” show Panic Face
King is just one example of that. A recent prank
involved a horrifying sniper-attack. It started with the
unsuspecting victim chatting to friends in a room.
Suddenly, there’s the sound of gunfire and people start
falling to the ground, some with blood pouring from
them, apparently shot by the hidden sniper. Terrified,
the victim falls to the ground screaming, crying and
crawling desperately to the door, only to find it locked.
Seconds later, the “assassins” enter and start shooting
his “dying” friends. The victim begs for mercy... but he
doesn’t really have to worry because it’s all just a joke!
As you can imagine, there were a number of
complaints. As one critic said, “The producers of this
programme ought to be locked up if you ask me.” But
Panic Face King is just one of many. At one end of the
scale (the mild end), there are shows such as Punk’d,
where the victims are celebrities. Most of the jokes are
fairly light-hearted, but one prank reduced Justin
Timberlake to tears. As part of that joke, mock bailiffs
went to empty his house because of alleged unpaid tax
bills. Unaware that it was just a joke,
Timberlake burst into tears and rang his mum.
At the other end of the scale is Scare Tactics – a
programme which makes Panic Face King look like the
Teletubbies. Scare Tactics puts unsuspecting victims
into terrifying situations for the audience’s amusement.
The names of some of the pranks will give you an idea
of what they’re about: “Psycho Hitchhiker”, “The
Cannibal Family” and “Spa of Death” are just a few.
Things have come a long way since desks with opening
drawers.
 Read the sentences below. Which prank
TV show are they referring to. Then, read
the article again to check your answers.
1. The victims in this show are celebrities.
2. One of the pranks is called “The Cannibal
Family.”
3. It started in 1948.
4. The victim begged for mercy.
5. This show puts the victims into terrifying
situations.
6. It’s all quite light-hearted.
7. One prank involved bailiffs and a famous
singer.
8. One prank involved a sniper attack.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“The producers of this programme
ought to be locked up if you ask me.”...”
In this example, the writer has used the
modal verb “ought to”. This is very
similar to the modal verb “should”.
Complete the following sentences with
your own ideas.
1. I really think we ought to...
2. I think you ought to eat more...
3. I think you ought to eat less...
4. I think you ought to do more...
5. I think the government ought to...
 Discussion
1. What TV prank shows are there in your
country?
2. Which one is your favourite? Why?
GLOSSARY
a prank n a joke that involves playing a trick on someone
a drawer n a box in a desk in which you can put things lighthearted adj not serious
to chuckle vb to laugh quietly (often to yourself)
appealing adj attractive; nice
horrifying adj terrible; really frightening
a sniper-attack n if there is a "sniper-attack", a person with a rifle
shoots people. The sniper is hidden and no one can see him/her
to pour vb if liquid is “pouring”, it is coming out very quickly
to crawl vb to move along the ground on your hands and knees
to beg for mercy exp if A “begs for mercy”, A asks B not to hurt
him/her
to reduce to tears exp to make someone cry
mock adj not real; imitation
a bailiff n a law officer who makes sure that legal decisions are
obeyed. In some cases, they confiscate possessions when money is
owed
to burst into tears exp to start crying suddenly and a lot
7
Mobile Madness
The invention we love to hate
Mobile phones. We’ve all got one, but they can be
annoying at times. In fact, in a recent survey, 30% of
US citizens named the mobile phone as the most
annoying invention... even more than alarm clocks!
One of the main problems is that mobile phones have
a tendency to ring at the wrong moment. Important
meetings, romantic meals, trips to the cinema – no
matter where we are, we can be sure that a phone will
ring when we least expect it... and when we least want
it to. One spectator’s mobile started ringing during a
performance of the play A Steady Rain in New York’s
Broadway. To this man’s horror, actors Hugh
Jackman and Daniel Craig (who were acting in the
play) stopped their performance. “You wanna get
that?” Jackman asked the spectator, referring to the
call. “If you wanna get it, grab it. I don’t care. Grab it.
We can wait. Just grab it!” he added while the
mortified spectator tried to switch the phone off.
But this is quite a common occurrence. In
Missouri, a mobile phone interrupted a church wedding.
“The music had just started to play and my father began
walking me down the aisle,” said the bride, Karen
Emerson. “All of a sudden, the song ‘Girls Just Wanna
Have Fun’ goes off on my mobile phone (it’s my ringtone).
Everyone looks at me and I realize the one thing I’ve
forgotten to do is to turn my mobile off.” Overheard mobile
conversations are also top of the “annoying things about
mobile phones” list. Psychologists at the University of
York in England conducted an experiment: one group of
people got on a train and started having a loud
conversation; another group started talking at a normal
volume into their cell phones. Although some train
passengers said the loud conversations were annoying,
many more people thought the person talking into his
mobile phone was worse. “The problem seems to be that
people pay more attention when they only hear half a
conversation, and that can be really annoying,” said US
academic Jakob Nielson.
Some phone companies are trying to help
resolve these situations. Researchers at the Ideo
industrial design company have created the SoHo1
phone. It gives callers a small electric shock when
they speak too loudly. Graham Pullin of Ideo says
their SoHo phones will not be sold, but he hopes they
will get designers talking. “Much is made of ‘usercentric’ design,” he says, “but the people surrounding
the user need to be considered too.” Meanwhile, the
number of mobile phone users grows every day. In
Britain, there are already 121 phones for every
100 people, according to a recent survey; while in the
USA, 1 billion text messages are sent every day.
In 2005, there were about 2 billion cell phones in
the world; researchers say there could be 3.3
billion by 2010. Now that’s a lot of interrupted
theatre productions.
 Read the article again. Then, complete
the information with your own words.
1. Mobile phones have a tendency to…
2. When a spectator’s phone went off during a
recent play, Hugh Jackman…
3. In Missouri, a mobile phone interrupted…
4. Overheard mobile conversations are…
5. In one experiment…
6. Some phone companies are developing mobile
phones …
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...SoHo phones will not be sold...” In
this example, the writer has used a future
passive tense (“will be” + a past
participle). Transform these sentences to
the Future Passive.
1. They will finish it tonight.
2. She will send it later.
3. They will fix it tomorrow.
4. We will test it this afternoon.
5. They won't make the call later today.
 Discussion
1. Has your phone ever gone off at an
inopportune moment? What happened?
2. What are the best/worst things about mobile
phones?
3. Have you got any mobile phone anecdotes?
What are they?
GLOSSARY
have a tendency to exp if something “has a tendency to” happen, it
usually happens
a performance n if an actor/actress gives a “performance”, he/she
acts in front of an audience
to grab vb to take quickly and suddenly
I don’t care exp it isn’t important to me
mortified adj very embarrassed and ashamed
a bride n a woman who is going to get married in a wedding
a cell phone n US a mobile phone
a user n someone who uses something
a researcher n someone who investigates things (often scientific
things)
8
On Expenses
The UK Parliamentary Expenses Scandal –
corruption at home
How honest are the politicians in your
country? In the past, British politicians enjoyed an
international reputation for honesty, but that’s all
gone in the wake of the recent “UK Parliamentary
Expenses Scandal”. This is the second of a twopart series. The expense system for Britain’s MPs
is fairly straightforward. It exists for honest
politicians to claim legitimate expenses for items
such as travel, food and accommodation. But many
seem to use it as a way to make a fast buck. Does
an MP need a tidy garden in order to do his job?
David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, seems to
think so. He claimed expenses for gardening and
over £30,000 of work on his home. Jack Straw, the
Secretary of State for Justice, claimed 100% of his
council tax bill, although he only paid 50% of the
bill. Now where’s the justice in that?
Many of the claims are extraordinary.
Gerald Kauffman, a senior Labour MP, claimed
£8,865 for a Bang & Olufsen Beovision 40-inch
LCD television in June 2006. Does he really need
such luxury? Shahid Malik, a Justice Minister,
claimed £750 for a massage chair and a further
£1,050 for his plasma-screen TV. His claim for an
iPod was turned down. Conservative MPs Nick
Bourne and Alun Cairns got their iPods. Mr.
Bourse also got £120 for a trouser press. Oh, well,
politicians need to look smart. Other claims are just
ridiculous. Douglas Hogg claimed £2,115 for
someone to clean his moat. Yes, that’s it, a moat!
Who has a moat these days? Conservative
politicians, it seems. He also claimed for piano
tuning. Cheryl Gillan claimed £4.47 for dog food,
but later said it had been a mistake. David
Heathcote-Amery asked for £380 for horse manure
as fertilizer for his garden. James Arbuthnot put in
a claim for maintenance on his swimming pool,
later admitting it was an error of judgment. He
repaid the money. Oliver Letwyn supposedly
claimed £2,000 to fix a leaking pipe that was part
of the underground heating system for his tennis
court so his feet wouldn’t get cold (poor dear)
when he played the game. And Sir Michael Rifkind
claimed £3,066 for flights to Scotland, although he
is MP for Kensington and Chelsea (which is only
three tube stops away from the Houses of
Parliament). Perhaps the most famous allegation
was that of Sir Peter Viggers. He claimed £1,645
for a 1.5-metre duck house for his pet duck.
So, what’s been the outcome of the scandal? Some
MPs have said that they will not stand as candidates
at the next election. Over £500,000 has been paid
back by various MPs, and an Independent
Parliamentary Standards Authority has been set up
to monitor MPs expenses from now on. Meanwhile,
let’s hope the duck isn’t getting too cold without his
home.
 Look at this extract from the article, “Over
£500,000 has been paid back...” In this
example, the writer has used a Present
Perfect Passive construction (“have/has” +
“been” + a past participle). Transform the
following sentences to the Present Perfect
Passive.
1. They have spent all the money.
2. He has copied all the text.
3. She has signed the contract.
4. We have installed the program.
5. They haven’t ordered the furniture yet.
 Discussion
1. What should happen to MPs who abuse the
system like this?
2. Do you think this scandal is serious? Why? Why
not?
3. What would happen if politicians did something
similar in your country?
GLOSSARY
in the wake of exp if A happens “in the wake of” B, A happens after B
an expense n your "expenses" are the things you spend money on in
order to do your job
straightforward adj simple; basic; easy-to-understand
to claim vb if you "claim" for something, you ask for that thing
to make a fast buck exp to make money quickly and easily
council tax n money you pay to the local government for services:
rubbish collection, road maintenance, etc.
to turn down exp not to accept something
look smart exp if you “look smart”, you are wearing clothes that are
neat and clean
a moat n a river around a castle
piano tuning n adjusting the notes on the piano so they play the note
correctly
manure n excrement from cows/horses, etc. that is mixed with
chemicals and put on the ground so plants grow well
to leak vb if a pipe is "leaking", liquid is coming out of it
the tube n the underground train system in London
to stand vb if you “stand” as a candidate at an election, you are in that
election as a candidate
to set up phr vb to establish and create
9
The Cost of Gold
The real price of a new pair of earrings
What’s the connection between the Olympic
Games, the conquest of South America, Ancient
Egypt, modern banking and weddings. The answer...
gold. Olympic athletes want to win gold medals, the
“conquistadores” searched for the mythical golden
city of El Dorado, Egyptian pharaohs were buried in
gold, countries calculate their wealth in gold and
couples getting married give each other gold wedding
rings. So, what’s so special about gold? Gold has
always had a mysterious, magical, religious
significance. It’s regarded as one of the most valuable
substances on Earth. It’s the symbol of wealth.
Throughout history people have tried to find it, steal
it, even create it, using “magical” items like the
philosopher’s stone. Gold is special! But why is it so
valuable? There are a number of reasons. It’s very
beautiful. It’s almost indestructible. There isn’t that
much of it (only about 161,000 tonnes has ever been
mined). But probably the most important reason for
gold’s value is that it is very difficult and expensive
to produce. In ancient times, gold was relatively easy
to extract. However, since the beginning of the 20th
century mining companies have had to work harder
to find it. This means that the miners, the people who
actually dig for the metal, have had to work under
increasingly dangerous conditions.
Since the 1880s, South Africa has been the
largest producer of gold in the world. In fact, 50% of
all the world’s gold has come from South Africa. For
many years, the South African economy was almost
completely dependent on the metal, especially during
the years of political exile as a result of apartheid. It
is estimated that the industry employed over 1.5
million workers from 1950 onwards. The majority of
these workers were poor black Africans who had no
political rights. A recent study has suggested that as
many as one in four of these workers suffer from
silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in dust
while mining. Silicosis, in turn, often increases the
likelihood of lung cancer and TB.
Now, many gold mining companies are
facing legal difficulties. Eighteen former miners have
recently sued the mining company Anglo American
South Africa (AASA), claiming that they had to work
without facemasks or other protective equipment.
They also claim that they were encouraged to work
when ill and received no medical care. Black miners
were the worst affected because they were usually
given the dirtiest jobs.
White miners had showers and changing
rooms in the mine so they could get clean after
work, but black miners did not. Richard Meeran, a
London solicitor who is representing the miners
says, “Thousands of miners have effectively been
sacrificed in order to profit these mining
corporations. The scale of the disease affecting
South African miners is astronomical.”
Meanwhile, Anglo American South Africa
denies any negligence and will contest all the
allegations in a court case expected to take place
next year. And what has all this suffering been
for? Mining companies like AASA make large
amounts of money, of course. But gold itself is not
terribly useful. It is used in some electronic
equipment because it conducts electricity very
effectively. It is widely used in dentistry and has
some medical uses. However, its primary purpose
is decorative, and it is mainly used to make
jewelry. Some people wonder whether the health
of gold miners across the world is worth a
necklace or a pair of earrings. The mining
companies would probably disagree, though.
 Read the article again and answer the
questions.
1. About how much gold has been mined?
2. Since when has South Africa been the largest
producer of gold?
3. Why was gold so important to the South
African economy?
4. What medical problems are many workers from
the gold mines suffering from?
5. Why are so many miners ill? Give 3 reasons.
6. What uses does gold have apart from being
used to make jewelry?
 Look at this extract from the article,
“They also claim that they were
encouraged to work when ill...” The
writer has used a verb (“encouraged”)
followed by an infinitive (“to work”).
Complete the following infinitive
sentences with your own ideas.
1. They invited us to...
2. We wanted them to...
3. They urged us to...
4. She told us to...
5. They helped us to...
10
You Can’t Read That!
Why some people want to stop you
choosing what to read
What do Ernest Hemmingway, Roald Dahl
and JK Rowling have in common? They’re worldfamous writers for a start, but they’re also writers
who’ve had their books removed from libraries or
banned at one time or another. Read on and find out
about the books that some people just don’t want
you to read. This is the first of a two-part series. No
books are officially banned in the United States.
However, specific titles are frequently challenged in
school curriculums and public libraries. Many
would-be censors are parents concerned about what
their children are reading at school and in local
libraries. They are mostly members of religious
groups. The most common complaint is against
books with explicit sexual content or offensive
language.
However, Sarah Palin (Republican vicepresidential candidate during the 2009 US
elections) once tried to have the children’s book
Daddy’s Roommate removed from the town library
while she was mayor of the town of Wasilla,
Alaska. It’s a story about a boy whose divorced
father lives with his male partner. Many famous
books have been the target of citizen censors.
Favourites include 1984 (by George Orwell), The
Catcher in the Rye (by JD Salinger), James and the
Giant Peach (by Roald Dahl), The Color Purple (by
Alice Walker), For Whom the Bell Tolls (by Ernest
Hemmingway), The Grapes of Wrath (by John
Steinbeck), and, more recently, the Harry Potter
books (by JK Rowling) because of the use of magic
and witchcraft. The most banned book in the United
States is a children’s story by Justin Richardson and
Peter Parnell called And Tango Makes Three. It is
based on a true story about two male penguins who
raised a baby penguin in New York’s Central Park
Zoo. The book won several awards, but it also
attracted a lot of complaints from parents, religious
organizations and library users. They say the book
is not suitable for children. Philip Pullman is
another writer whose books have been challenged.
A successful novelist and children’s writer, Pullman
has a CBE, a Carnegie Medal and several honorary
professorships. However, just recently, he notched
up a new distinction: he is ranked second in the top
10 books that people have tried to ban across
America.
Pullman’s fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials,
consists of the books Northern Lights (also known
as The Golden Compass – 1995), The Subtle Knife
(1997) and The Amber Spyglass (2000).
Several schools across America have
received requests from parents to remove the
books. One challenge at a school in Winchester,
Kentucky was made on the grounds that the book’s
main character drinks wine with her meals. Another
school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin pulled the trilogy
because of its “anti-Christian message’’. Pullman
said that he was “very glad to be back in the top 10
banned books”. But he added, “Of course it’s a
worry when anybody takes it upon themselves to
dictate what people should or should not read.”
 Read the article again and answer the
questions.
1. Who are the majority of would-be censors?
2. What type of books often get targeted by these
censors?
3. What was wrong with the Harry Potter books?
4. What is the book about penguins based on?
5. What’s Philip Pullman’s latest distinction?
6. How has Pullman responded to this news?
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...once tried to have the children’s book
Daddy’s Roommate removed from the
town library...” In this example, the writer
has used the Causative “have”. We often
use this construction when we contract/pay
someone to do something for us. Complete
the sentences with your own ideas.
1. They had the flowers delivered to...
2. We had the car repaired by...
3. They had the packages sent to...
4. She had the food prepared by...
 Discussion
1. Have any books been banned in your country?
Which ones?
2. What sort of books should be banned?
3. What forms of censorship exist in the world?
11
Office Speak
Words and phrases that we just love to hate
Do people in your office use a lot of jargon? In
the UK, “business talk” (or “management speak” as it’s
also known) is full of industry-specific words and
expressions. And new terms are springing up all the
time. Here are a few of the latest. Many of the new
terms are complex ways of saying ordinary things. In
the past, businesses faced “problems”, but these days
they’re “challenges” or “opportunities”. Previously,
people used the word “detail”, but that’s been replaced
with the fancy word “granularity”. For example, on
being asked whether there was a relationship between
Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, a White House press
officer responded, "We just don’t have that kind of
granularity in terms of the relationship” – meaning that
he didn’t have that level of details. And what were once
easily-attainable targets are now considered to be “low
hanging fruit”. But it doesn’t end there. In the past,
employees were invited to attend “brainstorming
sessions", but these are now called “ideas showers”.
What was once “the end of the day”, is now the “close
of play”. Up until recently, people spoke about “plans”,
but now they’re “strategic staircases”. When the stock
market was doing badly, it was “down”, but now it’s “in
negative territory”. And what was previously a
responsibility to monitor every aspect of a product
through its entire life cycle is now known as a “cradleto-grave approach” Not so long ago, people would
suggest talking about things in person, rather than by
phone or e-mail, but these days, you’ll hear the
suggestion, “Let’s touch base about that offline”. And
the perfectly acceptable, “We need to discuss it”, has
become, “We need to syndicate this decision”. In the
past, managers might have asked for a bit of creative
thinking, but now it’s all about “thinking outside the
box”. What was previously a command to pass down
orders or directives to more lowly employees, now
involves “cascading down” information. And if
employees were previously asked to make a big effort
to get something done, they’re now asked to “give
110%” from mathematically-challenged bosses.
Some expressions lend the speaker an air of
importance. The suffix “age” is often added to mundane
words to create a more official tone. “I noticed some
breakage on that item.” Or, “We need some more
wordage on the poster”, which is a fancy way of saying,
“We need some more words/text on the poster”. “Vis a
vis” is often used as a way of saying “regarding”, for
example, “Vis a vis the situation at the office, I’d just
like to say...” And “Per” is often used as an abbreviation
of “pertaining to”.
For example, “As per our conversation, we think...”
And the list goes on, but we wouldn’t want to
encroach on your valuable time as you’re probably
supposed to be attending an “ideas shower”. So,
will you be using some management speak the next
time you speak to your colleagues?
 Read the article again. Then, complete the
sentences with your own ideas.
1. Many of the terms are complex ways of…
2. The word “detail” has been replaced with…
3. Brainstorming sessions are now known as…
4. “Plans” are now known as…
5. If someone suggests touching base about
something offline, they are saying…
6. The suffix "age" is often added to mundane
words to create…
 Look at this extract from the article, “...but
that’s been replaced with...” In this
example, the writer has used a Present
Perfect Passive construction (“have/has
been” + a past participle). Transform the
following sentences into the Present Perfect
Passive.
1. They have implemented the changes according
to your instructions.
2. She has carried out the orders to the letter.
3. They have informed us of the modifications to be
made.
4. She has included the ideas you told us about last
week.
5. They have delivered the bottles that were ordered
last month.
 Discussion
1. Which words or expressions from this article do
you like/dislike? Why?
2. Are there equivalent expressions in your
language? What are they?
3. Does the expression “management speak” exist
in your language? Can you give any examples?
GLOSSARY
to spring up phr vb to appear suddenly and unexpectedly
fancy adj special, unusual, elaborate
a staircase n a set of stairs inside a building
a cradle n a bed for a baby. A cradle has a curved base so it can rock
(move from side to side)
a grave n a place where a dead body is buried (placed in the ground)
a mundane word n a simple, basic word
to encroach on exp if you “encroach on” someone’s time,
you take/use some of their time
12
Plate Solution
Inventor solves eating and
environmental problem
When was the last time you used plastic
plates? Next time, why not try some edible ones?
You’ll help the environment and your guests won't
go hungry. “I used to work in school catering and
saw a lot of money being thrown away.
I thought that was criminal, so I decided to
do something about it,” said Italian school chef
Tiziano Vicentini. Now, Vicentini has an amazing
range of edible plates for schools.
The plates are made out of bread dough, so
you can eat them afterwards. “These dishes cost a
few pennies each and are either eaten by the kids, or
go into recycling bins for animal food,” explained
Vicentini, 50, of Milan.
But now other companies are developing
edible plates, too. The Edible Plate Company offers
edible plates, bowls, trays and cups. Their products
are environmentally-friendly, 100% biodegradable
and can be used for all types of catering and home
use. And they’re made from a natural plant. After
use, they can be fed to animals or left to degrade
naturally. They also have a range of cutlery made
from corn and potato starch.
These plates will also help reduce the amount
of plastic we create. Waste from plastic causes a lot
of damage to the environment, as well as costing
governments millions in waste management. Plastic
bags often end up in landfill sites or on the street.
And incineration of plastic waste causes toxic gases
that pollute the air.
In response to this, governments around the
world are introducing tough recycling regulations.
And many shops are offering biodegradable plastic
bags and eco-safe packaging on their products.
To help matters, the International
Organization for Standardization (the ISO) has also
developed a system to evaluate the biodegradability
of products, with a certification and logo scheme.
Meanwhile, how about a nice plate for
lunch?
 Read the article again and answer yes or no.
1. Is Tiziano from Germany?
2. Is he 40 years old?
3. Does the Edible Plate Company produce edible
bowls?
4. Will edible plates be good for the environment?
5. Are some shops offering biodegradable plastic
bags?
 Look at this extract from the article, “I used
to work in school catering...” We can use
“used to” to refer to things we did
often/regularly in the past but don't do now.
Complete the sentences with your own ideas.
1. Many years ago, I used to go to...
2. When I was younger, I used to play...
3. When I was a child, I used to...
4. A few years ago, I used to spend my weekends...
5. I used to... a lot, but now I don’t do it any longer...
 Discussion
1. Do you think edible plates, etc. are a good idea?
Why? Why not?
2. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
3. What’s your favourite food?
GLOSSARY
edible adj if something is “edible”, you can eat it
a guest n a person who is invited to a party
catering n the activity of providing food and drink for a
school/office/party, etc.
criminal adj terrible, horrible, bad
a chef n a person who cooks food in a restaurant kitchen
a range of exp a selection of
bread dough n the substance used to make bread
a recycling bin n a container for old bits of food/paper, etc. that can be
used again
biodegradable adj that breaks down and decomposes naturally and
without causing pollution
to degrade vb if a substance “degrades”, it changes chemically
cutlery n knives, forks, spoons, etc.
starch n a carbohydrate found in foods such as bread, potatoes, pasta and
rice
waste management n controlling/organising/managing the treatement of
waste (old food, paper, etc.)
to end up phr vb if something “ends up” in a place, it goes there
eventually
a landfill site n a large, deep hole in the ground por rubbish
incineration n burning things
tough adj strict
13
Music Festivals
Happy 40th birthday to one of the world’s
biggest music festivals
Music festivals are popular all over the world.
The UK’s most famous event is Glastonbury, which is
going to celebrate its 40th birthday. Glastonbury is the
largest outdoor music festival in the world. It’s best
known for music, but the festival also includes dance,
comedy, theatre, circus and cabaret acts. In fact, the
full title of the festival is The Glastonbury Festival of
Contemporary Performing Arts, but most people just
call it Glastonbury or Glasto. More than 170,000
people attended the festival in 2007, and watched over
700 acts perform on 80 different stages. 2010 is the
40th anniversary of the first festival and many people
believe that the event, which is going to be between
23rd and 27th June, is going to be the best yet. The
first Glastonbury festival was in 1970. Back then, it
was called the Pilton festival. It was started by a local
farmer, Michael Eavis. He had been to a blues festival
in nearby Bath to see Led Zeppelin play. Eavis liked
the festival so much he decided to start his own event
on his farm in Pilton, a small village in South-West
England about 6 miles east of the town of
Glastonbury. Glastonbury became really popular in the
1990s. Security was improved, so the event became
safer, and as a result more families began to attend. In
addition, the festival began to include many different
types of music and not only mainstream rock. The
festival’s dance music area became extremely popular
and attracted a large audience. Ticket prices to
Glastonbury have changed over the years. The first
festival cost £1 (about €1.12), plus free milk from the
farm. The second festival was free. But the 2010
festival costs £194.95 (about €218.35). That’s per
person! Incredibly, however, the festival usually has
no trouble selling the tickets. The tickets for the 2010
event sold out in less than 24 hours, although no one
knew who was going to play. Glastonbury is that
popular.
Of course, most people are certain that there
are going to be some big names playing at the festival.
Glastonbury always attracts the most popular acts. In
2009 Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Blur were
headliners. The year before saw Jay-Z and The Kings
of León playing on the famous Pyramid Stage. Others
who've played there include Paul McCartney, The
Killers, The Arctic Monkeys, Robbie Williams, REM,
Coldplay, Radiohead… the list is endless. Everyone
has "done" Glastonbury.
So, who’s going to play in 2010? The
biggest news is that U2 are going to headline on the
Friday night. They’ve never played at Glastonbury
before, so the organisers are very excited. Michael
Eavis has said, “The 26-year-old rumour has finally
come true. At last, the biggest band in the world are
going to play in the best festival in the world!
Nothing could be better for our 40th anniversary
party.” However, one thing the organizers can’t
control is the weather. The Glastonbury Festival is
famous for its bad weather. In 1997 and 1998, there
was heavy rain (and lots of mud), and again in 2004,
2005, and 2007 (there wasn’t a Glastonbury in 2006
when the weather was hot and sunny). It’s too early
to say what the weather is going to be like for
Glasto 2010. Let’s hope, however, that the
organisers get blue skies and sunshine for their 40th
birthday party!
 Read the article again and choose the
correct word.
1. Glastonbury is going to celebrate its 30th/40th
birthday.
2. More than 170,000 people attended the festival in
2006/2007.
3. The first Glastonbury festival was in 1960/1970.
4. Glastonbury became really popular in the
1980s/1990s.
5. The first festival cost £1/£2.
6. The tickets for the 2010 event sold out in less
than 24/48 hours.
7. Bruce Springsteen played at the festival in
2008/2009.
8. U2 are/aren’t going to play in 2010.
 Look at this extract from the article, “So,
who’s going to play in 2010?” The writer is
referring to the future with “going to”. We
can use “going to” for future plans.
Complete the sentences below with your
own ideas.
1. Next week, I’m going to...
2. I’m going to eat... tonight.
3. I’m going to play... this weekend.
4. I’m going to have lunch at... today.
 Discussion
1. Have you ever been to a music festival? Which
one? What was it like?
2. What important festivals are there in your
country?
3. What do you like/dislike about music festivals?
14
Body Language
Interesting information about the
language that never lies
Are you good at interpreting body language?
You’re probably better than you think, according to the
experts. There’s a popular series on US television (Lie
to Me) all about a body language expert. English actor
Tim Roth plays the part of Dr Cal Lightman – the
world’s leading “deception expert”. He solves crimes
by observing suspects during questioning. And if
someone lies, he knows it. The series is inspired by a
real-life expert who helps with criminal cases and
investigations.
He does this by “reading” the human face, body
and voice. So what is body language exactly? Basically,
it’s a series of signals (usually sent unconsciously) in
the form of body movement, gesture, eye movement
and voice. Body language can actually transmit an
enormous amount, and it can help us understand a
person’s attitude or state of mind. In fact, studies have
suggested that only 7% of communication involves
actual words, while 55% is visual (body language, eye
contact) and 38% is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of
voice).
Many examples of body language are easy to
identify. In most cultures, smiling shows happiness and
a friendly attitude. So, when someone smiles at you,
they’re telling you that they’re open, interested and
happy to communicate. But if someone puts their arms
across their chest, they’re putting a barrier between
themselves and you. And if this is combined with a
harsh facial expression, watch out as this can indicate
hostility. Other examples are more complex.
Experts say that if the person you’re speaking
to looks from one eye to the other and then at your
forehead, they think they have authority over you. If it’s
your eyes and then your nose that they look at, then
they consider you an equal. And if it’s your eyes and
then your mouth that they look at, they might be
attracted to you.
It’s very difficult to lie with your body
language. For example, people who fake a smile only
use the muscles around the mouth – and the top half of
their face remains unchanged. However, a genuine
smile involves the whole face, including the eyes.
Research shows that most people unconsciously
recognize the sincerity of a smile by looking at the top
half of the face. One of the great advantages with body
language is that you don’t have to learn it – you already
know it, even if you don’t know you do... if you know
what I mean!
 Read the article again and complete the
sentences.
1. Lie to Me is a popular television ………………..
2. Body language is a series of …………………..
in the form of body movement.
3. Body language can help us understand a person’s
…………………………….
4. Studies have shown that actual words only
represent about ……………… of communication.
5. In most cultures, smiling shows ………………..
6. Experts say that if someone looks at your eyes
and then your nose, they consider you an
…………………………….
7. People who smile genuinely, smile with all their
…………………………….
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...studies have suggested that only 7% of
communication involves actual words,
while 55% is visual...” The writer has used
the conjunction “while” as a way of
contrasting things. Complete the following
sentences with your own ideas.
1. The people in the first room were hot, while the
people in the second room...
2. I wanted the green one, while my sister wanted...
3. The first two groups wanted to go to the cinema,
while the other groups wanted...
4. Jenny wanted to buy a house, while I was more
interested in...
 Discussion
1. Can you think of any more examples of body
language? What?
2. Do you think body language is important in
communication? Why? Why not?
3. Are there any gestures that are typical in your
country? What is the equivalent in other societies?
GLOSSARY
a suspect n someone who the police believe is responsible for a crime
questioning n during “questioning”, the police ask someone questions
or interrogate that person
gesture n a movement that you make with a part of your body
an attitude n your “attitude” to something is the way you think and
feel about that thing
a state of mind n your “state of mind” at a specific time is the way
you feel at that time
to involve vb if a situation “involves” something, that thing is a part of
that situation
pitch n the “pitch” of a sound is how high or low it is
put a barrier between exp if someone “puts a barrier between” him/
herself and others, that person prevents others from getting close to
him/her
harsh adj unkind, unpleasant, not nice
15
The Kill Switch
Company fights against rumours of a kill
switch
Have you ever had an electronic device that
broke just after the warranty expired? Could it be a
coincidence? Or is something more sinister involved?
Many people believe in the existence of a “kill switch” –
an internal mechanism in electronic devices that stops
products working after a certain time. They are
convinced that the products are programmed to break as
soon as the warranty expires. This is the myth of the
“kill switch” or the “product timer”. Rumours have even
emerged that the timers are controlled remotely, and set
off just when a new product is ready to come out on the
market. One company in particular is at the centre of
this debate: Sony. Sony is renowned for its top-quality
electronic goods. They produce everything from videocameras to DVD players to games consoles. But many
people believe in the myth of the “Sony Timer”. The
rumour has been around since the 1980s. But recent
incidents seem to have confirmed it. In 2006, about 4
million Dell laptops were recalled because of faulty
Sony batteries. It was a disaster for Dell, but also for
Sony as the incident put the myth into the public arena.
But there were other cases. Many customers complained
about their Sony VAIO laptops, claiming that they broke
after about a year of use. This was followed by another
incident involving E-Series Bravia TVs. A bug in the
TV’s internal system meant that they would only last
1,200 hours before refusing to power on or off. This
adds up to about 3 hours watching per day for one year,
the exact period of the television’s warranty. Sony was
forced to issue a software patch to fix the problem.
Of course, Sony insists that the myth of the
timers is totally absurd. There’s no evidence to back up
the claims. And, of course, millions of users are
extremely happy with their Sony products. “I’ve had a
Sony MP3 player for five years and it still works
perfectly,” said Elsie Barrows, a market researcher.
“And I’ve got a Sony Walkman from 15 years ago and
that still plays cassettes!” she added. Meanwhile, will
you be renewing your warranty?
 Discussion
1. Do you believe in the myth of the kill switch? Why?
Why not?
2. Have you had any problems with electronic devices
recently? What happened?
3. When was the last time you got an electronic device
repaired? Was it covered by the guarantee?
 Add letters to complete the words.
1. A kill switch is an internal mech_ _ _ _ _ that
stops products working.
2. Some people believe products are programmed
to stop working when the war_ _ _ _ _ expires.
3. There are rumours that the timers are controlled
remo_ _ _ _.
4. In 2006, about 4 million la_ _ _ _ _ were
recalled because of faulty batteries.
5. Some customers claimed that their laptops
broke after about a y_ _ _ of use.
6. The bug in the TV’s internal system meant that
it would only last for 1,200 h_ _ _ _.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...I’ve got a Sony Walkman from 15
years ago and that still plays cassettes!”
The speaker has used the adverb “still”.
We can use “still” before a verb (the main
verb) in the Present Simple or Present
Continuous to say that something
continues to be true. Re-write the
following sentences with “still”.
1. She lives in New York City.
2. He works in the bank.
3. They play in a band.
4. She is working from home.
5. We are making the food.
6. The cat is playing in the garden.
GLOSSARY
a warranty n a written promise by a company that they will repair a
product or replace it if there is a problem
to expire vb if a warranty “expires”, it stops being valid
sinister adj something that appears to be very bad, evil or harmful
a mechanism n a part of a machine that often consists of a set of
smaller parts that perform a function
remotely adv if something is activated “remotely”, it is activated
from a distance
to set off phr vb if a mechanism in a machine is “set off”, it is
activated
to come out phr vb if a product “comes out”, a company places the
product in shops / on the internet and people can buy it
a games console n an electronic device for playing videogames
to recall vb if a company “recalls” a product, it tells people to bring it
back to the factory, often so they can fix it
faulty adj if something is “faulty”, it doesn’t work properly or it has
something wrong with it
a battery n a small device that you put in products to power them and
make them work
to complain vb to say that you aren’t satisfied with a product or
service
a laptop n a portable computer (one that you can carry)
a bug n an error in an electronic device or computer
to refuse vb if a machine “refuses” to work, it won’t work
a patch n a computer program that is designed to fix a problem
16
What a Story!
Some famous untrue stories
There are fairies at the bottom of our garden!
In 1917, two young British girls were playing
in their garden in Cottingley, England, when they met
some fairies. The girls, Elsie Wright (16), and Frances
Griffith (10), took photographs of the fairies and
many, many people believed that the photos were real,
including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of
Sherlock Holmes. Conan Doyle even wrote a book,
called The Coming of the Fairies, in which he told the
world that he was certain the photos were genuine.
The photos remained a mystery for over 60 years until
1981 when the girls admitted that some of the photos
were fakes – the fairies were cardboard cutouts.
However, Elsie continued to claim that one of the
photos was genuine and that she and Frances had seen
fairies.
Do you want to buy the Eiffel Tower?
In 1925, the Eiffel Tower was rusting and it
was beginning to look old. This gave Czech conman
Victor Lustig an idea of a way to make a bit of money.
He pretended to be a French government official and
offered the tower for sale to businessmen. Lustig
arranged a secret meeting for six metal dealers at the
famous Hotel de Crillon in Paris. He told them that the
government would sell the tower to the highest bidder.
After the meeting, he took the businessmen in a
limousine to visit the tower. Finally, he told them that
the plan to sell the tower was a state secret, and that
they must not tell anyone about the meeting. One of
the dealers, Andre Poisson, believed Lustig and
actually paid him for the tower. When the hoax was
revealed, Poisson was so embarrassed that he refused
to report Lustig to the police. Lustig escaped to
Vienna with Poisson’s money. A month later he
returned to Paris and tried to sell the tower a second
time. This time he was unsuccessful.
What are these crop circles doing here?
In the late 1970s, lots of people in Britain
were talking about some strange circles that were
appearing in wheat fields around the country. The
circles, known as crop circles, appeared suddenly
overnight and no one could explain how they were
made. Some people thought that the circles were made
by UFOs landing in the fields.
At first the circles were very simple, but
soon they began to become more and more
complicated. Years passed, but still no explanation
was found. Finally, in 1991 two men from
Southampton, England, claimed that they had made
the crop circles. Doug Bower and Dave Chorley
used pieces of wood, wire and rope to make the
circles. To prove their claim, they created a twelve
metre crop circle in only fifteen minutes. The whole
thing had been an elaborate hoax.
 Read the article again. Then, read the
sentences and choose the correct words.
1. The two girls were playing in their garden / the
park.
2. They took photographs of the gnomes / fairies.
3. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed the story and
wrote a book / an article about it.
4. In 1981 / 1918, the girls admitted that some of
the photos were fakes.
5. Victor Lustig tried to buy / sell the Eiffel Tower.
6. Andre Poisson reported / didn’t report Lustig to
the police.
7. Some people thought that the circles were made
by aliens / monsters.
8. Two / Three men from Southampton, England,
claimed that they had made the crop circles.
 Look at this extract from the article, “In
1917, two young British girls were playing
in their garden...” The writer has used a
Past Continuous tense. Transform the
following sentences from the Past Simple to
the Past Continuous.
1. They ate the food.
2. She ran to work.
3. They took a photo.
4. They played football in the park.
5. She wrote the e-mail.
 Discussion
1. Are there any famous hoaxes from your country?
What are they about?
2. What other famous hoaxes have you read about?
3. Can you think of a hoax to play on people in your
country? What would it consist of?
17
Pampered Pets
The perfect toys for beloved pets
Have you got a pet? Are you thinking of
buying one? You might consider getting one or two of
these pet accessories. Many pet owners like to speak to
their pets. And many think their pets actually
understand them. But do pet owners understand what
their pets are saying? Well, now they can with the
“Bow-Lingual Dog Translator”. As the product blurb
says, “It’s a gadget that translates doggy talk into
human words.” Developed by linguistics experts
(apparently), it can translate a dog’s bark into one of
six emotions: happy, sad, frustrated, on guard, assertive
and needy. It then provides a phrase to represent what
your dog might say if it could speak. But that’s not all.
For doggy music fans there’s the “I-paw”. This is a sort
of iPod for dogs that plays songs when buttons are
pressed. And for dogs of a materialistic nature, there’s
the “Arfmerican Barxpress Card”. As the advertising
text says, “Give your pooch the power of unlimited
spending.” That’s not quite true though (which is
probably a good thing) as it’s actually just a squeaky
toy credit card.
However, from material things to “material
thongs”. After all, if people look good in thongs, why
shouldn’t dogs? So, there’s the “Doggone Doggy
Thong” for those owners who want their four-legged
friends to look their best on the beach. And for those
who want their dogs to really stand out, the latest musthave is “Petattoos”. Yes, you’ve guessed it – tattoos for
pets. They’re not permanent like real tattoos, but they
do last long enough for your pet to make a complete
fool of itself... although it doesn’t say that in the blurb.
Feeling thirsty? These days you can share a
beer with your pet. That’s right, man’s best friend can
now also be his drinking buddy. “Happy Tail Ale” is a
beef-flavoured beer for dogs. It’s non-alcoholic
(apparently) so your dog can enjoy a cold one without
developing a habit... or a hangover. Who doesn’t want
their pet to be clean and smell good? The “Bubble
Buddy” will help with that. It’s similar to the popular
children’s toy the water pistol, but this gun fires soap
bubbles that are chicken or bacon flavoured. Of course,
the animals will quickly figure out that they can’t
actually eat them. As one owner wrote on an
Amazon.com review, “My dogs looked at me like I
was stupid when I tried to play with this.” Ah, the
simple wisdom of animals. So there you have it, just a
few of the wackiest pet accessories out there. I haven’t
even mentioned the $3,000 crystal-studded Swarovski
dog dress. But wait a minute! $3000 for canine
clothing? I think I need a swig of “Tail Ale”!
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...that plays songs when buttons are
pressed.” The writer has used a Present
Simple Passive
construction (“are
pressed”). Transform the following
sentences into the Present Simple Passive.
Do not include the agent (the person who
does the action).
1. They send the e-mails.
2. They clean the rooms.
3. They cut the paper.
4. They make cars.
 Discussion
1. What do you think of these pet accessories?
2. Why do people love their pets so much?
3. Are people in your country so obsessed with
pets? In what ways?
GLOSSARY
a pet n an animal you keep at your home
an accessory n extra things that are not really important, but can make
an activity easier / more enjoyable, etc.
an owner n the person who has/possesses something
the blurb n the advertising text that is often printed on the packaging
for a product
on guard exp if an animal is “on guard”, it is ready to defend itself or
attack someone
needy adj if someone is “needy”, they need emotional support / love
a pooch / a four-legged friend exp inform a dog
to look your best exp if you “look your best”, you look attractive /
neat / nice / smart, etc.
to stand out phr vb if someone “stands out”, everyone notices them
because they are different
to develop a habit exp if you “develop a habit” for something, you
start to do that thing a lot
a hangover n a feeling of sickness and/or a pain in the head after
drinking too much alcohol
to figure out phr vb if you “figure something out”, you start to
understand it
wisdom n if someone has “wisdom”, they have a lot of knowledge
that they have accumulated over the years
wacky adj strange and unusual
a swig of n if you have a “swig of” a liquid, you drink a small amount
of that liquid
18
All the Rage
Forms of anger while travelling
Is road rage a big problem in your country?
These days, it exists all over the world. But now there
are other forms of transport rage. The term “road rage”
was invented in the USA during the 1980s. It can be
defined as aggressive or rude behaviour by the driver of
an automobile. The most common examples are beeping
horns, abusive gestures, tailgating or cutting people off.
However, there have been many more serious incidents
including punch-ups and ramming. One recent survey
revealed that 50% of all drivers would retaliate if they
were the victim of aggressive or bad driving. Air rage is
another form of transport anger. Again, it can take many
different forms, from the person who starts throwing ice
cubes around the cabin when they’re refused their fourth
cocktail, to the passenger who tries to open the
emergency doors mid-flight. There are also stories of
crew members losing their tempers and pilots bursting
into tears at 10,000 metres. Celebrities are susceptible to
air rage too. Naomi Campbell ended up in court after
assaulting police officers when British Airways lost one
of her bags. And Gillian Anderson (X-Files), Anna
Kournikova and Courtney Love have all been in the
news after their mid-air tantrums. These days, new
forms of transport rage are starting to emerge. “Metro
rage” (or “Tube Rage” as it’s called in England) is also
increasing, as is “train rage”. In a recent report,
London’s train commuters were described as “utterly
ruthless” and “dog-eat-dog”. There have even been
instances of “bus rage”. The most serious case so far
involved a bus driver who was prosecuted for ramming
a cyclist off the road.
So, why do people get so angry when they’re travelling?
There are several theories. According to a recent article,
road rage is caused by “intermittent explosive disorder”,
a condition that causes occasional outbursts of anger.
Others blame crowded roads, traffic jams, bad driving
and being stuck in a confined space for long periods of
time. On planes, changes in air pressure can trigger
psychological changes. Other people blame the lack of
oxygen, as well as cramped seating, claustrophobia and
long queues at check-in. Alcohol is also a factor. In fact
63% of all “air rage” incidents involve drunken
passengers. Many organizations are trying to deal with the
phenomenon of transport rage. Airlines teach cabin crew selfdefense. Railway staff in England are given courses in
“conflict avoidance”, and have 24-hour telephone help-lines
so they can cope with the stress of dealing with “rail rage”.
And in the London Underground there are constant warnings
against assaulting members of staff. So, it seems that even
though we can travel wherever we want these days, we
get much more irritated doing so.
Perhaps we should all remember the old saying,
“Getting there is half the fun.” So, just sit back and
try to enjoy the ride... if you can. It seems that these
days, however we get from A to B, more and more
of us are getting mad doing it.
 Read the article again. Then, answer the
questions.
1. What examples of unusual behaviour in the air
does the writer give?
2. What possible causes of transport rage does the
writer offer?
3. What are some companies/ organizations doing to
deal with transport rage?
 Look at this extract from the article, “...50%
of all drivers would retaliate if they were
the victim of aggressive or bad driving.” In
this example, the speaker has used a Second
Conditional construction: “If” + a past tense
verb / “would” + an infinitive. Complete the
following sentences with your own ideas.
1. If someone beeped their horn at me, I would...
2. If someone tried to ram me off the road, I
would...
3. If someone were tailgating me, I would...
4. If someone cut me off while I was driving, I
would...
5. If someone took my seat as I was about to sit
down on the metro, I would...
 Discussion
1. Have you ever witnessed any instances of
transport rage? What happened?
2. Why do you think people get so angry when
travelling?
3. What can be done to reduce transport rage?
GLOSSARY
beeping horns n a horn is an object in a car that “beeps” (makes a
noise) when you press it.
a gesture n a movement you make with your hands or another part of
your body
to tailgate vb if someone is "tailgating" you, they are driving very close
behind you
to cut someone off exp if a driver “cuts you off”, they drive in front of
your car suddenly
a punch-up n a physical fight often involving punching (hitting with a
closed fist)
to ram vb if A tries to “ram” B off the road, A uses their car to push B
off the road
to refuse vb to say that you won’t do something
crew members n people who work on a plane/ship (stewards,
stewardesses, etc.)
19
To the Manner Born
When it comes to being polite, the
English are the champions
The English are famous for their manners.
The phrase, “Manners maketh the man” was coined
by Englishman William of Wykeham back in 1324.
But they’re just as important today. Books are written
on the subject, advice columns in magazines tell
people how to behave, and “finishing schools” still
exist to ensure that young girls become young
“ladies”. The best example of English manners is in
their mastery of the art of forming a queue. It is a
popular joke in England (the land of sporting failures)
to say, “If only queuing was an Olympic sport, we’d
win hands down.” No one knows exactly how and
when it started, but queuing plays an integral role in
the English social make-up. School children are
taught to queue for roll-call, assembly and lunch, and
English people across the land form orderly queues at
shops, banks, cinemas and bus-stops every day. The
English obviously aren’t the only people who queue,
but they seem to do it better than anyone else. As one
visitor said, “I have travelled across Europe, the
Middle and Far East and nowhere have I seen the
single-file queues which are formed in England.”
Perhaps it is best summed up by the humorist George
Mikes who said, “An Englishman, even if he is alone,
forms an orderly queue of one.”
The English are also famously polite when it
comes to language. Whereas many other nations are
more direct in their communication, the English
prefer a more indirect form of asking for things. For
example, an American who wants to talk to a
colleague might say, “Got a minute?”; however an
English person will often use a more indirect means
of requesting the chat, “Sorry to bother you, but
would you possibly have a minute or so to have a
quick chat if you don’t mind, please?” And in a
restaurant, an American might say, “Waiter! Could I
have another fork, please?”; whereas an English
person would say, “Excuse me! I hate to be a bother,
but would you mind awfully changing this fork,
please?” Anyone who has seen a Hugh Grant film
will recognize his portrayal of the bumbling
Englishman and his fondness for indirect speech.
The English also love to apologize for things.
When squeezing past someone, people say “sorry”.
And they’ll apologize if you bump into them,
“Whoops! Sorry! My fault.” In fact, no one seems to
say “sorry” as much as the English: “Sorry I’m late. /
Sorry about the mess. / Sorry I forgot to call you last
night. / I’m sorry you didn’t get the e-mail.”
And so on. They also like to use “please”
and “thank you” a lot. In a shop, they will say, “I’d
like a packet of crisps, please. Thanks.” When
getting off a bus, English passengers say “thank
you”, British students thank their lecturers, and
bosses often thank their employees for doing their
jobs. Anyway, thanks for listening, and sorry if
we’ve taken up too much of your time!
 Look at this extract from the article, “Could
I have another fork, please?” In this
example, the speaker has used “could” to
make a request. Complete the following
requests with your own ideas.
1. Could you help me with...?
2. Would you mind lending me...?
3. Could you tell me where...?
4. Excuse me, do you know what time...?
5. Would you mind not...?
 Discussion
1. Are people good at queuing in your country?
What queuing etiquette is there?
2. Do people use “please” and “thank you” a lot in
your language? Why is that?
3. What's your definition of the word polite?
GLOSSARY
to coin a phrase exp if you “coin a phrase”, you are the first person to
use that phrase
a finishing school exp a private girls' school that teaches girls how to
"behave" in society
a queue n a line of people waiting to be served in a shop, etc.
to win hands down exp to win completely and easily
a roll-call n if someone takes a “roll-call”, they read out names from a
list to check who is there
a portrayal of exp an actor’s “portrayal of” a character is the way the
actor acts and plays the character
bumbling adj a “bumbling” person is often confused and disorganized
and makes mistakes
a fondness for exp if you have a “fondness for” something, you like
that thing
to squeeze past exp if you “squeeze past” someone, you have to push
them a bit in order to pass
to bump into exp if you “bump into” someone, you crash into them or
hit them accidentally
a lecturer n a teacher at a university or college
20
Hotel Horror
Can you turn off the rain? And other
such strange requests
You probably think that when there are
problems in a hotel, it’s the guests who are suffering.
However, in many cases it’s the guests who are
causing the problems, and it’s the hotel staff who are
suffering as they valiantly try to deal with their
clients’ extraordinary requests. Recent surveys
among hotel staff have revealed just how
extraordinary some hotel guests’ demands can be.
Predictably, many of the strangest requests involve
changes to the room itself. For example, an
American guest of the Hotel Puente Romano in
Spain thought that the bed in his room was “too
high”, so he asked reception to send up someone
from maintenance to cut the legs off. Another visitor
to Spain found the weather too hot for his liking and
asked staff at the Villa Padierna Thermas de
Carratraca in Malaga to lower the temperature of his
room to sub-zero temperatures so he could cool off.
One visitor to The Ramsay Inn in Australia didn’t
want any sunlight in his room, so staff had to cover
up all the windows with thick black cardboard in
order to stop the light shining through. Guests also
seem to think that hotel staff can control nature. A
guest staying at Honeymoon Petra Villas in Greece
requested a room where the sun would set at an
angle of precisely 45 degrees to the right of the
bedroom’s window. Meanwhile, an unhappy guest at
a Spanish spa hotel asked the hotel to stop the noise
of the sea because he found it irritating. Back in
Australia another guest refused to pay the extra
charge for her ocean view room at the Novotel
Manly Pacific because it had rained all week.
Indeed, the surveys showed that surprising numbers
of hotel guests had threatened to not pay the bill
unless hotel staff managed to “stop the rain”.
Other requests are refused outright. An
English guest of The Setai Hotel, Miami, asked
reception staff to find out how his girlfriend could
transport her pet tiger to London. A man staying at
the Canberra Novotel wanted his bath filled up with
red wine. And another man in the Ukraine wanted
his bath filled with bottled milk (it had to be bottled).
Meanwhile, a Las Vegas guest specified goat’s milk.
One guest asked a Beverly Hills hotel to find him
replacement parts for his AK47 automatic rifle. A
particularly eccentric man staying at The Parrot Cay
in the Turks and Caicos wanted the hotel to play a
trick on his wife to celebrate her 40th birthday.
He requested the hotel to arrange for “fake
sharks” to appear in the sea while he and his wife
were snorkeling. The hotel couldn’t help him.
However, the award for the most bizarre request
must go to the man who asked Canberra hotel staff
to find him an Aboriginal witch doctor who could
help him grow back an arm he had lost in a
motorbike accident.
 Read the article again. Then, write the name
of a hotel from the article next to each
request.
1. Please cover up the windows with thick black
cardboard.
2. Please arrange for some fake sharks to appear in
the water.
3. Please find out how my girlfriend can transport
her pet tiger to London.
4. Please cut the legs off the hotel bed.
5. Please fill up my bath with red wine.
6. Please get me a room where the sun sets at an
angle of precisely 45 degrees to the right of the
window.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...threatened to not pay the bill unless
hotel staff managed to ‘stop the rain’.”
The writer has used a conjunction
(“unless”). “Unless” can be used to mean
“except if…” Complete the following
sentences with your own ideas.
1. I won’t have time to finish this unless…
2. They won’t accept this work unless…
3. There won’t be enough time to get there unless…
4. She won’t want to stay at the party unless…
5. I can’t see how you’re going to buy this unless…
 Discussion
1. What’s the most unusual request you’ve ever
heard in your life?
2. What’s the strangest request you’ve ever made?
3. What was the last request you made at work?
What was the last request someone made to you at
work?
21
Ridiculous Requests
Work becoming more demanding with
ridiculous demands
Have you ever been told to do something
ridiculous at work? Here are a few examples of absurd
work-related demands. Every day, hundreds of postal
workers brave the cold, rain, heat and snow in order to
deliver letters across the country. They have to put up
with angry customers, vicious dogs and sore feet from
all the walking. But that isn’t enough for bosses at the
Royal Mail. They don’t seem to be happy with the
speed of delivery. So, in a recent ruling, postal workers
were informed that they had to walk faster. “Postmen
and women have been told to walk at 7km/h when they
deliver mail. Previously staff had a target to walk at 3
km/h,” explained a spokesperson for the
Communication Workers Union. “This means workers
have larger rounds, work longer hours and on top of all
that, they aren’t even paid overtime.” But there are lots
more companies with ridiculous ideas.
In another company managers wanted to
control how fast office supplies were being used up.
So, all the cupboards and drawers containing supplies
were locked up. In order to get a new pen, employees
had to prove that the old pen was entirely out of ink.
The receptionist who was in charge of the key to the
supply cupboards had to test the pen that she was given
before she could give out a new one.
At another company, employees had to
document everything they did during the day,
accounting for every minute. And every time they
wanted to go to the toilet, they were required to sign
the “in” and “out” attendance books. In another
company, staff in the customer services department
were ordered to smile while talking on the phone so
they would “sound more friendly”. At times, the
conversations were recorded. Later, managers would
review the sound files to make sure that their
employees sounded sufficiently “happy”.
In another company, employees weren’t
allowed to speak directly to the owners or anyone
above their direct boss unless they were talked to. This
often made the simplest tasks extremely time
consuming. And in a paper-manufacturing company,
employees were ordered to park exactly in the centre of
the parking space.
And at a clothes shop, all employees were told
to say “hi” to absolutely everyone who walked into the
shop. They were also forbidden to wear any clothing
with a logo of a clothes manufacturer that wasn’t sold
in the shop. You couldn’t make it up!
 Read the article again. Then, match the
sentence beginnings (1 to 5) with the
endings (a-e).
1. Postal workers have been told to…
2. In one company, all office supplies were…
3. A receptionist had to test pens to see that…
4. At one company, employees had to sign a
book…
5. Employees at a clothes shop had to…
a. …they were really out of ink.
b. …say “hi” to everyone who walked in.
c. …every time they went to the toilet.
d. …locked up.
e. …walk faster.
 Look at this extract from the article,
“...managers wanted to control how fast
office supplies were being used up.” We
can use “how” + an adjective when we
want to know about the extent of
something. Complete the sentences with
the adjectives below.
clever/long/fast/cold
1. We want to see how he can run.
2. We want to know how the piece of string is.
3. I’d like to know how she really is.
4. I can’t believe how the room is.
 Discussion
1.
Which
request
is
the
most
ridiculous/reasonable? Why?
2. What's the most ridiculous request you've ever
heard?
3. Have you ever had to ask someone to do
something ridiculous? What? Why?
GLOSSARY
to brave vb if you “brave” the cold, you go out even though it is very
cold
to deliver vb to take/transport goods/letters, etc. to someone’s
house/office, etc.
to put up with exp if you have to “put up with” something bad, you
have to tolerate and accept it
sore feet n if you have "sore feet", your feet hurt – often because you
have been walking too much
a ruling n a formal decision; a regulation
a target n an objective
a round n a postal worker’s “round” is the route he/she takes when
delivering letters
overtime n extra time that you work after your normal hours
office supplies n pens / pencils / paper, etc. that you use in an office
job
to lock up phr vb to close with a key
to prove vb to demonstrate
out of ink exp with no more ink
22
You Cheat!
The increase of cheating around the
world
Cheating is nothing new. But it’s becoming a
lot more sophisticated. Republican vice-presidential
candidate Sarah Palin was caught out just recently. A
photo taken after the speech she’d given on a “return to
conservative principles” showed her left hand covered
with crib notes. These included the words “energy,
budget cuts, tax” and “lift Americans’ spirits”. The
word “budget” had been crossed out. Video footage
also showed her reading from her hand when asked
what top three things a conservative-led congress
should do. Writing notes on your hand is one way to
cheat in an exam. But these days, it’s a lot easier...
especially with the internet. Anyone who wants to
cheat in an exam can probably find the answers online.
There are hundreds of sites offering solutions to all
sorts of tests. And it’s a lucrative business. One
operator in Oregon made $700,000 in about nine
months before his arrest. The owner of a website in
Ohio pocketed more than $300,000. And a famous
overseas site is estimated to sell about 146,000 sets of
answers and take in about $10 million per year.
Actually getting hold of the exam answers isn’t that
hard. Some do the exam themselves and use button
cameras or document-scanning pens to copy the tests.
Others organize for a group to take tests repeatedly
until they can memorize the entire exam between them.
Others simply bribe exam administrators.
At the moment, business is booming. More and
more companies now require their employees to take
professional exams. And hundreds of businesses and
trade organizations
have introduced formal
certification programs to measure and verify employee
skills. In the US alone, at least 2 million exams are
taken every year for information technology
certification. But employees also have to take exams
for all sorts of professions from crane operators to
court reporters to school bus drivers and financial
planners. But more testing has led to more cheating.
Test officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of
test-takers have used the internet to buy answers for
professional tests. And a recent survey found that 28
percent of test centres had at least one cheating
incident over the last five years. In one incident, tens of
thousands of soldiers obtained answers to tests in a
range of military skills.
Many see this as a cause for concern. For a
start, there are the financial consequences. Writing
a scientifically-rigorous test can cost up to $1,000
per question. But more importantly, many tests are
for work in sensitive areas such as defense
installations and hospitals. Now, how would you
feel if you knew that the people in charge of the
computers controlling nuclear weapons might
have cheated in their tests, and may not really
know what they’re doing? That is worrying.
 Look at this extract from the article, “And
a famous overseas site is estimated to sell
about 146,000 sets of answers...” In this
example, the writer has used a passive
construction: “is/are” + a past participle +
an infinitive (“is expected to sell”).
Complete
the
following
sentence
beginnings with your own ideas.
1. He is known to have…
2. She is rumoured to spend…
3. They are thought to own…
4. He is believed to be…
5. She is thought to have…
 Discussion
1. Do you know anyone who has cheated in an
exam? How did they do it?
2. What do you think of cheating? Is it a big
problem?
3. What can be done to prevent cheating?
GLOSSARY
to cheat vb to do something illegal/dishonest in a test/exam
to catch out phr vb if someone is “caught out”, they are discovered
doing something bad
crib notes n notes (often on a small piece of paper) that are used to
cheat
to lift someone’s spirits exp to do something that makes another
person feel happier
lucrative n that makes a lot of money
to pocket vb if you “pocket” money, you take it (often dishonestly)
to get hold of exp if you “get hold of something”, you
obtain/get/receive/have it
to bribe vb if A “bribes” B (often a person in an official position), A
offers B money so A can do something illegal/dishonest
to be booming exp if business is “booming”, things are going really
well
a crane operator n a person who controls/operates a “crane” (a
machine for lifting, moving very heavy objects)
a court reporter n a person whose job is to record what is said in a
court of law
a test centre n a place where official exams/tests are held
a sensitive area n related to an area of national security or one of life
and death
23
Party Fun
Parties that go a bit too far
How do people in your country celebrate before
they get married? In the UK, stag and hen parties are
popular. But they can get a bit out of hand. Stag dos are
popular across the world but each country has its own
version – and more often than not its own particular
name. In the US it’s a “bachelor party”, in South Africa
it’s a “bull’s party” and in Australia it’s a “buck’s
night”. And for the girls, it’s a “bachelorette party” (in
the US), and “hen party”, “hen do” or “hen night” (in the
UK, Ireland and Australia). Some versions of these
parties are a little more civilized than others. In
Denmark, “Polterabend” usually involves breakfast, fun
activities during the day (such as paintballing or gokarting), dinner at a restaurant and then a night out.
However, in some other countries things can get a little
more raucous.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Brits also take
their stag-dos to the wildest extremes. For a start, they
are generally now stag weekends rather than mere stag
nights – one night of madness, it seems, just isn’t
enough. Stag weekends can involve trips abroad.
Amsterdam and Barcelona are popular destinations.
Eastern Europe was, but revelers quickly became so
notorious that in many places the parties were banned.
These days many more stag weekends take place in
Britain, with Brighton, Blackpool and London amongst
the most popular destinations. The idea behind the stag
do is that the groom gets a chance to let his hair down
one last time before taking on the responsibilities of
marriage. They are also fair game for any practical joke
that their friends might want to play on them. Take the
example of the Scottish man who was put on a train to
Land’s End (in the Southwest corner of England!) to
sleep off his hangover. That was supposed to be funny
(well, his friends thought it was)... especially as his
wedding was back in Scotland, and was taking place the
next day. As a result, he missed his wedding.
To make matters worse, his wife-to-be was so
angry that she refused to marry him, full-stop. Then
there’s the story of the groom-to-be who was thrown
into a bath full of water and handcuffed to the taps. The
culprits? His own brothers. They promptly fell asleep
(drunk) and left the poor man in the bath for 5 hours. He
was eventually found unconscious and taken to hospital
suffering from hypothermia. So much for brotherly love.
Last but not least, there’s the story of the bridegroom
who went out and got extremely drunk. Knowing that he
was going skiing for his honeymoon, his friends
arranged for his leg to be put in a plaster cast while he
was sleeping. A few hours later, the groom woke up,
unable to remember anything.
On discovering his plaster, he assumed
that he must have had an accident while he was
partying. Everyone thought it was so funny that
they decided not to tell him the truth until he
figured it out for himself. Unfortunately, this
wasn’t until half way through his skiing holiday.
 Read the article again and answer the
questions.
1. What happened to the Scottish man?
2. What happened to the man in the bath?
3. What happened to the bridegroom who was
going skiing for his honeymoon?
 Look at this extract from the article, “....
he assumed that he must have had an
accident...” In this example, the writer
has used a Perfect Modal construction:
“must have” + a past participle (“must
have had”). Complete the following
sentences with your own ideas.
1. She must have seen…
2. They must have taken…
3. He must have spoken to…
4. We must have heard…
 Discussion
1. What do people do on stag/hen nights in your
country?
2. What’s the best/worst party you’ve ever been
to?
3. What’s the worst/funniest thing that’s ever
happened to you in a party?
GLOSSARY
a stag party n a party for a man who is going to get married. Usually
just men go
a hen party n a party for a woman who is going to
get married. Usually just women go
a do n a party
a buck n an adult male deer/rabbit, etc.
a night out n if you have a "night out", you go to bars/clubs/discos
raucous adj wild, loud and uncontrollable
a reveller n a person who is enjoying a party or a fun night
notorious adj famous for something bad
to ban vb to prohibit; to say that something cannot happen
to let your hair down exp to relax completely, have fun, enjoy
yourself and not worry about the consequences
fair game exp if someone is “fair game” for a joke, it is considered
acceptable that this person is the victim of the joke
a practical joke n a joke that is designed to make someone look silly
to sleep off phr vb if you “sleep off” a hangover, you continue
sleeping until you feel well again
a hangover n a terrible feeling after drinking a lot of alcohol
a wife-to-be n a woman who is going to be someone’s wife
full-stop exp this expression is often used to emphasize something
a plaster cast n a thick, hard covering that goes over a broken arm or
leg to protect it
24
Poor Pirates
Piracy is back in fashion. But why?
Pirates are a thing of the past, right? Wrong!
They’re back. Only this time it isn’t cutlasses that they’re
using – they’re carrying rocket launchers and
Kalashnikovs. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been
growing steadily since the early 1990s... and it’s showing
no signs of stopping. In 2008, there were 111 attacks,
including 42 successful hijackings. Those are alarming
statistics. But the rate of attacks in January and February
of 2009 was about 10 times higher than during the year
before. Piracy is once again a very real problem and its
effects are felt across the globe. The whole world’s
shipping industry has been affected and the problem is so
serious that in 2008, the United Nations Security Council
passed a resolution calling on all nations with vessels in
the area to fight piracy with military force. So, what are
the causes of piracy? The answer is simple.
Since the beginning of the Somali Civil War
nearly twenty years ago, the country has had no central
government with any real power and is ruled by warlords.
As a result, millions of Somalis depend on food aid and
in 2008, according to the World Bank, up to 73% of the
population survived on less than $2 per day. In these
circumstances, and with no other option to make a living,
it isn’t surprising that many people are drawn to a life
that brings money and power. However, it isn’t only the
war that has created problems.
Before the civil war, one of the country’s main
industries was fishing. Now there’s no coastguard, and
fishing trawlers from other countries have been entering
Somali waters to fish illegally. In fact, it’s estimated that
foreign ships take $300 million per year of tuna, shrimp,
lobster and other luxury seafood items. Perhaps it’s no
surprise that many of the pirates are fishermen who can
no longer earn enough to survive. But it isn’t only what
western countries take that’s the problem – it’s what they
leave too.
Dumping of hazardous waste started off the
Somali coast in the early 1990s and has depleted fish
stocks and affected the health of people living in those
areas. As Somali pirate leader Sugule Ali said, “We don’t
consider ourselves sea bandits. We consider sea bandits
those who illegally fish… and dump waste in our seas.”
There are two sides to every story and many genuine
reasons why people in Somalia have been drawn to
piracy. Perhaps focusing more attention on helping
Somalia, instead of chasing pirates might be the solution.
As Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN said,
“Piracy is a symptom of anarchy on the ground. More
security on the ground will make less piracy on the seas.”
 Look at this extract from the article,
“Since the beginning of the Somali Civil
War nearly twenty years ago, the country
has had no central government...” In this
extract, the writer has used an opening
clause with “since” followed by a Present
Perfect tense (“has had”). Complete these
sentence beginnings with your own ideas.
Remember to use a Present Perfect
(Continuous) verbal construction.
1. Since leaving university, I…
2. Since the end of the cold weather, I…
3. Since leaving home this morning, I…
4. Since moving house, I…
 Discussion
1. What do you think should be done about
piracy?
2. What more could be done to help poor
countries?
3. What do you think it’s like being a modern-day
pirate? What about a pirate from the 17th century?
GLOSSARY
a cutlass n a short, heavy sword
a rocket launcher n a weapon that can fire a rocket (a powerful
explosive device)
steadily adv slowly but surely
a hijacking n if there is a “hijacking”, criminals take control of a
ship/plane, etc. and take the people prisoner
to call on phr vb if you “call on” someone to do something, you ask
them publicly to do it
a warlord n a military commander who has power in a region
food aid n food that is donated to a poor country with hungry people
to make a living exp the things you do to “make a living” are the
things you do to make money to buy food, etc.
drawn to exp attracted to
hazardous waste n this consists of chemical substances that are
poisonous and dangerous
depleted adj if a quantity of something has been “depleted”, it has
been reduced a lot
fish stocks n the total population of fish in the sea
25
VI TRIMESTRE
EXERCICE : TÉLEPHONER 1
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et associez les phrases de même sens.
1. Je voudrais parler à...
2. Elle est en ligne.
3. Il a vos coordonnées?
4. Je peux prendre un message ?
5. Ne quittez pas !
II.
a. La ligne est occupée.
b. Un instant, s'il vous plaît !
c. Vous pouvez me passer... ?
d. Il a votre numéro?
e. Vous voulez laisser un message?
Choisissez la bonne réponse.
1. Est-ce que vous pouvez me passer Paul Dufour, s’il vous plaît?
a. Ne quittez pas !
b. Ne me quittez pas!
2. Vous pouvez épeler, s'il vous plaît ?
a. Il s'appelle Kostrzewa.
b. k-o-s-t-r-z-e-w-a.
3. Elle a vos coordonnées ?
a. Oui, elle peut m'appeler. b. Oui, elle a mon numéro de portable.
4. C'est de la part de qui ?
a. Claire Miquel.
b. M-i-q-u-e-l.
5. Vous voulez laisser un message ?
a. Oui, je le rappellerai.
b. Non, merci, je le rappellerai.
III.
—
—
—
—
—
Complétez par une expression appropriée.
1. Allô, bonjour, ……………. parler à Peter Feuchtwanger, s'il vous plaît, de la part de Lise.
………………………………….. ?
M. Feuchtwanger.
……………………………………………………………………………………………. ?
Oui : f-e-u-c-h-t-w-a-n-g-e-r.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….. !
2. M. Feuchtwanger est en ligne, est-ce que ……………………………………………..…. ?
—
Oui, s'il vous plaît. Est-ce que ……………………………………………………………. ?
—
M. Feuchtwanger a vos...………………………………………………………………….. ?
—
Non, je vous les laisse : c'est le 01 45 44 87 00.
Vous téléphonez à une entreprise. Vous demandez à parler à Mme. Demeung. La standardiste vous
demande d’appeler le nom. Vous le faites. Elle vous demande d’attendre, puis vous dit que le poste
est occupé. Elle demande si vous voulez laisser un message. Vous acceptez, vous laissez un message
et donnez vos coordonnées. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
1
EXERCICE : TÉLÉPHONER 2
I.
Écoutez le dialogue et choisissez la bonne réponse.
Dialogue 1.
1. Tu peux me passer/parler Sophie ?
2. Je te la quitte/passe.
Dialogue 2.
1. Je lui donne/laisse un mot sur sa table.
Dialogue 3.
1. Le monsieur s’est trompé de numéro/d’adresse.
Dialogue 4.
1. Le numéro n’existe pas/n’est pas celui de Fabrice.
II.
Trouvez une réponse appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
Quelle(s) expression(s) utilisez-vous pour...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
C'est de la part de qui ?
— ………………………………………………………………………………………
Non, il n'y a pas d'Antonio à ce numéro.
— ………………………………………………………………………………………
Votre ami n'est pas là, je peux prendre un message?
— ………………………………………………………………………………………
Il a vos coordonnées?
— ………………………………………………………………………………………
Tu peux demander à Julia de me rappeler?
— ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Demander à parler à quelqu'un ?
Demander d'attendre?
Demander le nom de la personne qui appelle?
Bien comprendre ce nom ?
Vérifier le numéro?
Vous composez un numéro de téléphone et demandez à parler à David. On vous répond qu'il
n'y a pas de David à ce numéro. Vous vérifiez le numéro et vous comprenez que vous avez
fait une erreur. Vous vous excusez. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
2
EXERCICE : PRENDRE, MODIFIER, ANNULER UN RENDEZ-VOUS
I.
Écoutez le dialogue. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1.
2.
3.
VRAI FAUX
Pour voir le médecin, on est obligé de prendre un rendez-vous
Le patient n'est pas pressé.
C'est la première fois qu'il va chez le docteur Vannier.
Dialogue 2.
1.
2.
3.
II.
Remettez le dialogue dans un ordre logique.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
III.
……….. C'est parfait, merci.
……….. Mardi prochain à 9 heures, ça vous va ?
……….. Non, vendredi, je ne peux pas. La semaine prochaine, alors.
……….. Vous avez un dossier, chez nous ?
……….. Est-ce que ce serait possible jeudi ?
……1… Bonjour, monsieur. Je voudrais un rendez-vous avec le docteur Clerc, s'il
vous plaît.
………..Non, c'est la première fois que je viens.
……….. Oui, monsieur, quand voulez-vous venir ?
………. Ah non, je suis désolée, jeudi, il n'y a plus de place. Vendredi après-midi, si
vous voulez.
Trouvez une réponse appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
La patiente voudrait un rendez-vous pour une analyse de sang.
Elle n'a pas besoin d'un rendez-vous.
Elle doit venir sans avoir mangé ni bu.
Quand voulez-vous venir?
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
C'est urgent?
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
Je suis désolé, c'est complet jusqu'à la semaine prochaine.
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
Mercredi à 18 heures, ça vous convient?
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
Vous avez un dossier chez nous ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
Vous téléphonez pour prendre rendez-vous chez le médecin. Vous dites que c'est urgent. On
vous propose 15 heures. Vous ne pouvez pas. Vous demandez si c'est possible à 17 heures.
La secrétaire vous propose 17 h 30. Vous acceptez. La secrétaire demande si vous êtes déjà
venu(e). Vous répondez que oui. Imaginez le dialogue.
3
EXERCICE : PRENDRE, MODIFIER, ANNULER UN RENDEZ-VOUS 2
I.
Écoutez le dialogue. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1.
Isabelle a déjà vu le film que Julie lui propose.
2.
Isabelle et Julie se donnent rendez-vous au cinéma.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Bruno demande à Didier de venir le chercher.
2. Didier va monter dans l'appartement de Bruno.
3. Après le match, Didier accepte de ramener Bruno.
II.
Associez une question et une réponse.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
On se retrouve où?
Tu peux venir me chercher ?
Ça t'intéresse d'y aller ?
On se retrouve à quelle heure?
Est-ce qu'il vient aussi ?
a. Oui, beaucoup !
b. Oui, il nous rejoindra au restaurant.
c. Vers 20 heures.
d. Au restaurant.
e. D'accord, je passe te prendre
Parmi les phrases suivantes, laquelle ne permet pas de prendre rendez-vous?
«On se donne rendez-vous à quelle heure?»
« Tu nous rejoins au théâtre ? »
« On trouve une idée ? »
« On se retrouve devant le stade ? »
« Tu passes me prendre ? »
Trouvez une question.
1. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ?
—
D'accord, je viens te chercher.
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ?
—
On peut se donner rendez-vous à la sortie du métro.
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ?
—
Je ne sais pas, vers 7 heures et demie, à peu près.
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ?
—
Non, je préfère vous rejoindre directement au restaurant.
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ?
— Ah oui, je vais lui proposer de venir !
4
EXERCICE : PRENDRE, MODIFIER, ANNULER UN RENDEZ-VOUS 3
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et choisissez la bonne réponse.
Dialogue 1.
1. Le plombier prévient qu'il sera en avance / en retard
2. Le plombier vient en voiture / en train
Dialogue 2.
1. Mme. Colin voudrait changer le jour / l'heure de son rendez-vous.
Dialogue 3.
1. Paul Barrault voudrait annuler / remettre son rendez-vous.
2. Le médecin est pris jusqu'à la fin du mois / de la semaine
Dialogue 4.
1. La dame annule / reporte le rendez-vous.
2. Elle propose / ne propose pas un autre rendez-vous.
II.
Complétez par une expression appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6
III.
Vous téléphonez pour prendre, modifier ou annuler un rendez-vous.Faites une ou plusieurs
phrases selon le cas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
Je suis désolé, je ne peux pas venir, j'ai ……………………………………..……
Est-ce que je peux ……………………………………………. mon rendez-vous ?
Je vous rappellerai pour ……………………………………………..rendez-vous.
C'est ……………………………………………………….jusqu'à jeudi prochain.
Est-ce que je peux changer ………………………………... de mon rendez-vous ?
………………………………………………… M. Verdier que je serai en retard ?
RV avec des amis - samedi soir - devant la discothèque à 22h30.
RV avec le dentiste - urgent - demain si possible.
Avec le coiffeur - le RV est samedi - vous préférez mardi, n'importe quelle heure.
RV chez le médecin - vous êtes en retard, bloqué(e) sur la route.
Annuler le RV avec l'électricien - vous rappellerez.
Vous téléphonez au médecin ; votre rendez-vous était jeudi à 16 h mais vous avez un
empêchement. Vous demandez si vous pouvez remettre le rendez-vous à vendredi, à la
même heure. Ce n'est pas possible. La secrétaire propose lundi à 10 h. Vous ne pouvez pas.
Elle propose lundi à 18 h 30. Vous acceptez. Imaginez le dialogue.
5
EXERCICE : DEMANDER DE FAIRE QUELQUE CHOSE
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
VRAI
1. La dame ne connaît pas bien l'électricité.
2. Le couple est d’accord sur la couleur de la chambre du bébé.
3. Le monsieur préfère le papier peint.
II.
Choisissez la phrase la plus aimable.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
III.
Il faut faire la vaisselle. La femme demande à son mari :
a. Fais la vaisselle !
b. Ça ne t'embêterait pas de faire la vaisselle ?
Il faut préparer la salade. La maman demande à son fils de 15 ans:
a. Tu ne veux pas préparer la salade?
b. Je te dis de préparer la salade !
Vous êtes avec votre meilleur(e) ami(e) et vous préparez un dîner:
a. Quelle idée de préparer l'apéritif à l'avance !
b. Ce serait bien de préparer l'apéritif à l'avance.
Il faut aller à la poste. Le père demande à sa fille de 20 ans :
a. Tu pourrais aller à la poste, s'il te plaît?
b. Va à la poste, je te dis !
Il manque une bouteille d'eau sur la table. La mère dit à sa fille de 8 ans :
a. Tu peux apporter une bouteille d'eau, s'il te plaît ?
b. Tu dois apporter une bouteille d'eau !
Vous demandez à un(e) ami(e) :
a. Je te demande de porter ces valises !
b. Ça t'embêterait de m'aider à porter ces valises ?
Les situations suivantes se passent en famille. Trouvez une phrase appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
FAUX
Vous êtes en voiture, vous demandez au conducteur de fermer sa fenêtre :
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez de l'aide pour mettre la table :
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à un enfant d'aller acheter du pain :
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous proposez un changement dans le menu du dîner:
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à quelqu'un de réserver une table au restaurant:
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Voici la liste des choses à faire. Demandez à votre mari / femme de les faire :
Accompagner les enfants à l'école - laver la voiture - passer à la pharmacie - faire le
ménage - téléphoner à la banque
6
EXERCICE : DEMANDER DE FAIRE QUELQUE CHOSE 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. La dame a eu un accident de voiture.
2. Elle voudrait acheter un peu de carburant.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. La voiture de la dame n'est pas en panne.
2. La dame est désagréable avec le garagiste.
II.
Parmi les expressions suivantes, lesquelles permettent de demander à quelqu'un de faire
quelque chose ?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
III.
Imaginez qui pourrait dire les phrases suivantes, et dans quelle(s) situation(s).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
IV.
« Vous savez utiliser cet ordinateur ? »
«Tu peux m'aider à utiliser cet ordinateur?»
« Ça t'embêterait de me montrer comment marche cet ordinateur?»
« Est-ce que tu veux un ordinateur?»
« Est-ce que vous utilisez un ordinateur ? »
«Tu ne veux pas m'aider à utiliser cet ordinateur?»
« Est-ce que vous pourriez m'expliquer comment fonctionne cet ordinateur ? »
«Ça t'embêterait de faire le ménage?»
« Il faudrait faire les courses demain matin. »
« Est-ce que vous pourriez répéter lentement, s’il vous plaît ? »
« Est-ce que vous pouvez garder ma valise quelques instants ? »
« Ça vous ennuierait de baisser un peu le volume ? »
« Tu pourrais fermer la porte ? »
Trouvez une expression appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Vous demandez à votre mari/femme d'acheter du lait:
………………………………………………………………………………….…
Vous demandez à votre petit frère de vous apporter un stylo :
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à votre professeur de mathématiques d'expliquer quelque chose :
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à votre meilleur(e) ami(e) de vous aider à déménager :
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à votre mari/femme d'emmener votre mère à la gare :
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Vous demandez à une vendeuse de vous faire un paquet-cadeau :
…………………………………………………………………………………….
7
EXERCICE : DONNER DES INSTRUCTIONS
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1.
Le petit garçon ne trouve plus sa maman.
2.
Il ne connaît pas son nom de famille.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
3.
Le petit garçon n’est pas blond.
4.
La maman est paniquée.
Dialogue 3.
5.
Une petite fille voudrait jouer avec Léo.
6.
La maman ne veut pas que les vêtements de son fils soient sales.
II.
Votre enfant joue dans un jardin public. Vous lui parlez.Parmi les phrases suivantes,
lesquelles sont appropriées à la situation ?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
« Ne tape pas sur le petit garçon ! »
« Donnez-moi le nom de votre fille ! »
« Va jouer dans le bac à sable ! »
« Attention, tu vas te salir ! »
« Monsieur, ne vous affolez pas ! »
6. « Va chercher ton ballon ! »
7. « Retourne à ton bureau ! »
8. «Viens ! »
9. « Ne prends pas le ballon de la petite fille ! »
10. « Tu vas tomber, si tu continues ! »
Quels ordres la maman donne-t-elle? Associez un dessin et une phrase.
a.
Donne-moi la main !
c. Ne pleure pas !
b.
Ne tape pas sur le petit garçon !
d. Attention, tu vas tomber I
8
EXERCICE : DONNER DES INSTRUCTIONS 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et choisissez la bonne réponse.
Dialogue 1.
1. Pour envoyer un courrier électronique, on doit allumer/éteindre l'ordinateur.
2. Si ça ne marche pas, on doit essayer encore/arrêter.
3. La connexion avec Internet ne marche pas/fait du bruit.
Dialogue 2.
4. Le patron voudrait deux photocopies du rapport/des factures.
5. Les factures doivent être complétées/sont prêtes.
II.
Vous appelez la SNCF pour réserver des billets. Replacez les verbes manquants dans le
texte:
veuillez - tapez - tapez - appuyez – tapez
« Bonjour, vous êtes en communication avec le service de réservation de la SNCF …………….
sur la touche * de votre clavier téléphonique. Si vous voulez connaître des horaires de train,
…………………………..1. Si vous voulez réserver des billets, ……………………………… 2.
Si vous voulez parler à un employé, …………………………. 3. ………………………………...
patienter, nous allons répondre à votre appel. »
III.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
IV.
Voici le mode d'emploi d'une chaîne hi-fi. Choisissez, parmi les phrases suivantes, celles qui
correspondent aux dessins.
Appuyez sur le bouton «off ».
Sélectionnez la touche « CD ».
Refermez le boîtier en poussant délicatement.
Sélectionnez le numéro de la chanson que vous voulez écouter.
Insérez un disque compact.
Sélectionnez la touche «tape ».
Appuyez sur le bouton « on ».
Appuyez sur le bouton de droite, le boîtier s'ouvre.
Vous partez en vacances et vous laissez des instructions à la gardienne de votre immeuble.
Vous lui demandez de : garder votre courrier, arroser vos plantes, donner les clés de votre
appartement à votre ami René Lesage qui arrivera le 7 juillet, et vous appeler s'il y a un
problème. Faites les phrases en variant les structures.
9
EXERCICE : INSISTER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1.
La rue est barrée parce qu'il y a des travaux.
2.
La dame habite tout près.
3.
Le policier interdit finalement à la dame de passer.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
4.
« La Guerre totale » n'est pas un film pour les enfants.
5.
La maman propose à son fils d’aller voir un autre film.
6.
Le petit garçon accepte cette idée avec plaisir.
II.
Pour les phrases suivantes, dites qui parle: deux inconnus (a), deux amis (b) ou un adulte et
un enfant (c)?Imaginez ensuite dans quelle(s) situation(s) vous pourriez entendre ces
phrases.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
Choisissez la réponse la plus insistante.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
« Mais je t'assure que c'est bon ! »
…………………………………………………………………………………
« Mais monsieur, puisque je vous dis que c'est impossible ! »
…………………………………………………………………………………
« Je te dis que ce n'est pas ici ! »
…………………………………………………………………………………
« Non, c'est non ! »
…………………………………………………………………………………
« Mais non, je ne l'ai pas vu ! — Mais si, tu l'as vu ! »
…………………………………………………………………………………
« Monsieur, vous ne pouvez pas garer votre voiture ici ! »
□ a. Mais enfin j'habite à côté !
□ b. Ah bon ?
« Je ne pense pas que ce film soit bon ! »
□ a. Moi, je pense qu'il est bon.
□ b. Mais si, il est excellent, au contraire !
« Tu as encore fumé ? »
□ a. Non, je n'ai pas fumé !
□ b. Je t'assure que je n'ai pas fumé !
« Est-ce que je peux sortir avec mes copains, demain soir ? »
□ a. Oui, si tu veux !
□ b. Mais oui, bien sûr!
« Mais papa, pourquoi tu ne veux pas que je sorte ? »
□ a. Non, c'est non !
□ b. C'est hors de question, un point, c'est tout !
Votre fille de 12 ans voudrait partir en voyage avec des amis pour trois semaines.Vous dites
que vous avez déjà dit non. Elle insiste, et explique que le voyage n'est pas dangereux, que
les amis sont sérieux, etc. Vous répétez la même réponse.Elle insiste encore et vous finissez
la conversation par un non définitif. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
10
EXERCICE : INSISTER 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et choisissez la bonne réponse.
1.
2.
3.
4.
II.
Classez les phrases suivantes par ordre d'intensité.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
□ « Ce voyage en Grèce est fondamental pour moi ! »
□ « Il faut que je parte en Grèce. »
□ « Si je ne pars pas en Grèce, c'est une catastrophe ! »
□ « Ce voyage en Grèce est très important pour moi. »
□ « Il faut absolument que je parte en Grèce ! »
Quelle réponse pouvez-vous faire aux phrases suivantes, en insistant?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
IV.
Le monsieur voudrait demander un passeport/renouveler son passeport.
Le monsieur demande son passeport à la dernière minute/dix jours à l'avance.
Le monsieur voyage pour des raisons personnelles/professionnelles.
Le monsieur aura son passeport à temps dans/dix jours.
« Non, monsieur, la banque est fermée, vous devez repasser lundi ! »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
« Il est impossible d'envoyer de l'argent dans ce pays ! »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
« Vous ne pouvez pas visiter ce château, il est privé. »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
«Allez, maman, laisse-moi aller chez Bérénice ! »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
« Moi, je te dis que nous sommes déjà venus ici ! »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
« Je trouve que ce candidat n'a aucune personnalité ! »
— …………………………………………………………………………………..
Votre voiture est en panne. Le mécanicien dit qu'il ne peut pas la réparer avant demain.Vous
dites que vous en avez absolument besoin ce soir. Il dit qu'il ne peut vraiment pas la réparer
aujourd'hui. Vous insistez. Sa réponse ne change pas. Vous lui demandez quoi faire, car ce
retard est une catastrophe pour vous. Il finit par accepter de faire la réparation aujourd'hui.
Vous le remerciez. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
11
EXERCICE : CONTESTER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1.
La cliente a commandé des chaises blanches.
2.
Il n'y a pas d’erreur dans la référence.
3.
C'est la première fois que la cliente a un problème.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
4.
Le conducteur de la voiture a respecté le feu rouge.
II.
Que pouvez-vous dire dans les situations suivantes?
1. Il y a une erreur sur votre facture de téléphone; normalement, vous payez environ 50 € et
cette facture est de 250 €.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Vous avez commandé 7 mètres de moquette, et on vous en livre 5 mètres.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Au restaurant, vous avez commandé du poisson et vous recevez un steak.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Au magasin de photos: les photos développées que l'employé vous donne ne sont pas les
vôtres.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Vous avez acheté un livre, mais il manque dix pages à l'intérieur.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Vous avez réservé une chambre d'hôtel « avec vue sur la mer»; vous arrivez à l'hôtel, et la
chambre donne sur une grande route.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………………
III.
Faites le dialogue entre les personnages.
12
EXERCICE : SE PLAINDRE OU RÉPONDRE À UNE PLAINTE
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Le propriétaire n'est pas sûr qu'il y ait une fuite d'eau.
2. On doit prévenir l'assurance du propriétaire.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
3. Les fenêtres sont en mauvais état depuis au moins trois mois.
4. Le propriétaire a une bonne raison de ne pas avoir changé les fenêtres.
II.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
Classez les phrases suivantes de la plus aimable à la plus agressive.
□« C'est urgent, maintenant ! »
□« Je crois qu'il y a un petit problème d'eau chaude. »
□« Ça fait trois semaines que j'attends ! »
□ « C'est complètement fou ! »
□« Nous ne pouvons pas rester comme ça ! »
Vous êtes propriétaire. Imaginez une réponse aux plaintes de votre locataire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
«Je crois qu'il y a une fuite d'eau dans la cuisine. »
─ ……………………………………………………………………………………
« Je n'ai plus de chauffage depuis deux semaines ! »
─ ……………………………………………………………………………………
« Nous ne pouvons plus rester avec une porte qui ne ferme pas ! »
─ ……………………………………………………………………………………
«J'ai un problème d'électricité. »
─ ……………………………………………………………………………………
« C'est urgent, maintenant ! »
─ ……………………………………………………………………………………
IV.
Vous êtes locataire d'un appartement. Une prise électrique ne fonctionne pas.Vous appelez
votre propriétaire, vous lui expliquez la situation. Il dit qu'il n'a pas le temps de s'occuper de
vous. Vous insistez et finalement il promet d'envoyer quelqu'un. Imaginez le dialogue.
V.
Vous êtes locataire. Votre chauffe-eau ne marche plus. Vous téléphonez pour la deuxième
fois à votre propriétaire à ce sujet. Que pouvez-vous dire ?
13
EXERCICE : SE PLAINDRE OU RÉPONDRE À UNE PLAINTE 2
I.
Écoutez le dialogue et choisissez la bonne réponse.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
II.
Pour chacune des phrases suivantes, choisissez la situation la plus appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
III.
La cliente a acheté son ordinateur il y a longtemps/peu de temps.
La réparation va prendre une semaine/deux semaines.
La cliente est/n'est pas pressée.
L'employé trouve une solution/ne cherche pas de solution.
La cliente est furieuse/patiente.
La cliente voudrait voir le chef/un collègue de l'employé.
« C'est inadmissible ! »
□a. Vous avez payé votre billet d'avion; le vol est annulé à la dernière minute.
□b. Le serveur a fait une erreur dans l'addition : c'est 12 € et non 12,50 €.
«Vous plaisantez ! »
□ a. Vous voulez réserver une table au restaurant, mais il est complet.
□ b. Un employé d'administration vous demande de revenir pour la cinquième fois.
« On croit rêver ! »
□ a. La photocopieuse de votre bureau est en panne.
□ b. Un jeune garçon de 10 ans vous marche sur le pied et ne s'excuse pas.
«Comment ça ?! »
□ a. L'hôpital a perdu votre dossier médical.
□ b. Vous avez oublié votre parapluie.
«Je suis furieux ! »
□ a. Votre portable est encore tombé en panne.
□ b. Votre ami vous demande de l'aider à déménager.
«C'est scandaleux ! »
□a. C'est la troisième fois qu'une livraison est reportée et que vous attendez pour rien.
□ b. Vous avez reçu un magazine avec un jour de retard.
Quelle(s) expression(s) pourriez-vous utiliserà propos des situations suivantes?
14
EXERCICE : SE PLAINDRE OU RÉPONDRE À UNE PLAINTE 3
I.
Écoutez le dialogue. Vrai ou faux ?
VRAI
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
II.
Parmi les phrases suivantes, laquelle n'est pas une réponse à une plainte?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
« Je vais voir ce que je peux faire. »
« Je comprends votre bonne humeur. »
« Pour compenser, nous vous offrons quatre assiettes de plus. »
« Je suis désolé de ce retard. »
« Nous allons trouver une solution. »
Vous travaillez au «service clientèle» d'un grand magasin. Des clients se plaignent.
Choisissez la réponse la plus aimable.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
IV.
FAUX
L'ordinateur du client ne marche pas.
C'est la troisième fois que le client attend un technicien.
L'assistante répond agressivement au client.
Le technicien a quelques minutes de retard.
Le client ne devra pas payer la réparation.
« Ça fait une heure que j'attends ! »
□a. Monsieur, je fais mon possible pour vous aider !
□ b. Monsieur, je n'ai pas le temps de m'occuper de vous !
« Je suis furieux, je viens d'acheter un ventilateur et il est déjà en panne ! »
□ a. Ce n'est pas ma faute !
□ b. Vous pouvez le changer sans problème !
«J'ai acheté six verres mais trois d'entre eux étaient cassés dans la boîte ! »
□a. Pourquoi est-ce que vous n'avez pas ouvert la boîte avant de les acheter ?
□ b. Je suis désolé, madame, nous allons les changer tout de suite !
« Personne ne peut me renseigner?! »
□ a. Un instant, je vais voir ce que je peux faire pour vous.
□ b. Non, madame, ce n'est pas possible !
« C'est incroyable ! Ça fait deux fois que la livraison n'arrive pas ! »
□ a. Je n'y peux rien !
□ b. Oui, effectivement, il y a du retard, je suis désolé.
« On me dit que la livraison n'est pas possible le samedi ! On croit rêver ! »
□ a. C'est comme ça !
□ b. Attendez, je vais essayer de trouver une solution.
Vous avez acheté un sèche-cheveux, mais après une semaine d'utilisation, il ne marche plus.
Vous expliquez la situation à un employé du magasin. Il vous demande si vous avez bien
branché l'appareil. Vous répondez avec mauvaise humeur et vous demandez à l'employé
d'essayer lui-même. Il le fait, le sèche-cheveux ne marche toujours pas. Il s'excuse et vous
propose de choisir un autre appareil. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
15
EXERCICE : EXCUSER ET S’EXCUSER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 1.
1.
Le monsieur est furieux contre la dame.
Dialogue 2.
2.
Le vêtement du client doit être nettoyé au pressing.
3.
C'est le restaurant qui paiera le nettoyage.
Dialogue 3.
4.
Le verre qu'Aurélie a cassé est en cristal.
5.
Vincent se moque gentiment d'Aurélie.
II.
Imaginez les dialogues pour chacune des situations suivantes.
1. Chez des amis, Quentin renverse du vin sur la nappe.
Quentin : ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Les amis : …………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Christine a oublié d'acheter le journal que son mari voulait absolument lire.
Christine : ……………………………………………………………………………………
Son mari : …………………………………………………………………………………...
3. Caroline a cassé un pot de fleurs chez des amis.
Caroline : …………………………………………………………………………………….
Les amis : ……………………………………………………………………………………
1. Brigitte marche sur le pied d'une dame.
Brigitte : …………………………………………………………………………………….
La dame : ……………………………………………………………………………………
III.
Que disent-ils ?
16
EXERCICE : VÉRIFIER, CONTRÔLER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
VRAI
FAUX
1. La dame a oublié son passeport.
2. C’est elle qui a fermé la porte à clé.
3. Le monsieur a été obligé de brancher le répondeur.
4. Les deux personnes vont prendre l'avion.
5. Ils sont arrivés en retard à l'aéroport.
6. Le portable de la dame ne marche pas.
II.
Replacez les expressions suivantes dans le texte :
tu ne prends pas - c'est bien - tu as branché - tu as bien pris - tu as pensé
1. Dis, Bastien, ……………………………………………………. tes affaires de gym ?
— Oui, maman !
2. …………………………………………… aujourd’hui que tu as ton cours de violon ?
— Non, maman, c'est demain !
3. Élodie, …………………………………………… à mettre ton portable dans ton sac ?
— Ah, zut, c'est vrai, j’ai oublié !
4. Bastien, ……………………………………………………………………. ton anorak?
— Si, si !
5. Élodie, ……………..…………………………………………………….. le répondeur?
— J'y vais, j'y vais !
III.
Trouvez une expression appropriée dans les situations suivantes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Vous vérifiez que votre mari a réservé une table au restaurant.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Vous vérifiez que vous avez pris un dossier important.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Vous vérifiez que votre fils a mis ses chaussures de sport.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Vous vérifiez le jour de votre cours de tennis.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Vous vérifiez que votre fille a fait ses devoirs.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Vous vérifiez que votre voisine a vos clés.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
17
EXERCICE : AFFIRMER OU NIER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
VRAI
1.
2.
3.
4.
II.
M. Duvier dit des choses très intelligentes et originales.
M. Lebourg n’est pas très intéressé par la conversation.
M. Duvier rêve d’être très riche.
Il n’a probablement pas beaucoup d’amis.
Choisissez la bonne réponse.
1. Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat?
□ a. Mais oui !
2. Vous ne jouez pas au tennis ?
□ a. Mais oui !
3. Il connaît le nom de Victor Hugo ?
□ a. Si, si !
4. Tu as vraiment gagné le match ?
□ a. Oui, je t'assure !
5. Elle voudrait être heureuse?
□ a. Oui, bien sûr !
6. Ils n’ont pas trouvé de maison à louer ?
□ a. Bien sûr que si !
III.
□ b. Je t'assure !
□ b. Mais si!
□ b. Évidemment !
□ b. Si, je l'affirme !
□ b. Tout à fait !
□ b. Bien sûr que oui !
Un policier interroge le témoin d'un hold-up. Répondez par l'affirmative.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
FAUX
Alors, vous avez tout vu ?
— …………………………………………..………………………………………… !
Vous n'avez pas appelé la police ?
— …………………………………………..………………………………………… !
Est-ce que les malfaiteurs étaient armés ?
— …………………………………………..………………………………………… !
Vous avez crié pour attirer l'attention ?
— …………………………………………..………………………………………… !
Ils se sont enfuis tout de suite ?
— …………………………………………..………………………………………… !
Voici quelques «lieux communs». Commentez affirmativement, en variant les expressions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
« Le temps passe vite, n’est-ce pas ? »
« On doit être en bonne santé pour être sportif professionnel, non ? »
« Mieux vaut être riche et bien portant que pauvre et en mauvaise santé ! »
« La vie n'est pas toujours facile ! »
« On ne choisit pas sa famille ! »
« Paris est une belle ville, non ? »
18
EXERCICE : AFFIRMER OU NIER 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Quand le monsieur est sorti du magasin, le bip a sonné.
2. L'agent de sécurité ouvre finalement le sac du client.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Simon ne veut pas aider Angélique.
2. Angélique a mal au dos.
II.
Complétez les réponses en variant les expressions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
Est-ce que vous accepteriez un travail ennuyeux mais très bien payé ?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………..
Est-ce que vous accepteriez un travail de nuit?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………..
Est-ce que tu aimerais vivre au pôle Nord ?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………..
Est-ce que tu pourrais faire la traversée de l'Atlantique en solitaire ?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………..
Est-ce que tu vivrais seul(e) dans une grande forêt?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………..
À vous ! Répondez librement aux questions affirmativement ou négativement.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Vous aimez la bonne cuisine ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous ne faites pas de sport ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous aimeriez être riche ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous parlez plusieurs langues étrangères ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous prenez souvent l'avion ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous utilisez le courrier électronique ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous avez une voiture ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous buvez du vin, de temps en temps ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
19
EXERCICE : DIRE QU’ON EST CONTENT OU MÉCONTENT
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
VRAI
1. Tania est globalement satisfaite de son expérience.
2. Elle travaille dans une société internationale.
3. Elle a fait la connaissance de gens de diverses origines.
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Vincent est professeur dans une université.
2. Son travail lui plaît beaucoup.
II.
Choisissez la phrase la plus positive.
l. □ a. J'aime beaucoup le sport.
2. □ a. Ça m'intéresse beaucoup.
3. □a. Je suis ravi de cette proposition.
4. □a. C'est intéressant.
5. □a. Ce travail me plaît.
III.
Trouvez une réponse appropriée.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV.
□ b. J'aime bien le sport.
□ b. Ça me passionne.
□ b. Je suis très content de cette proposition.
□ b. C'est passionnant.
□ b. C'est exactement ce que je voulais faire.
Votre chambre à la Cité Universitaire vous plaît?
— Oui, ……………………………………………………………………………
Qu'est-ce qui vous plaît, dans cette chambre ?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Qu'est-ce qui est intéressant, à la Cité Universitaire?
— …………………………………………………………………………………
Vous avez des problèmes avec vos voisins ?
— Non, …………………………………………………………………………...
Donc vous êtes content(e) de vivre ici ?
— Ah oui, ………………………………………………………………………..
Voici quelques éléments positifs au sujet de la profession de médecin humanitaire. Faites des
phrases.
Il y a beaucoup de contacts humains; on aide les gens qui souffrent; on voit des pays
différents; on travaille dans une bonne équipe; on a l'impression d'être utile; on rencontre
des gens très divers; on fait le plus beau métier du monde.
« Ce qui me plaît, ...
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
20
EXERCICE : DIRE QU’ON EST CONTENT OU MÉCONTENT 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Jean-Luc n'aime pas habiter à Paris.
2. Le cinéma ne l'intéresse pas vraiment.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Hélène trouve que son travail n'est pas intéressant.
2. Hélène préférerait un travail plus administratif.
II.
Les phrases suivantes expriment-elles le contentement (a) ou le mécontentement (b) ?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
III.
« J'aime beaucoup cet appartement. » ……….
« Je ne suis pas très enthousiaste pour cet appartement. » ……….
« Cet appartement ne me plaît pas. » ……….
« Ce qui m'embête, dans cet appartement, c'est qu'il est trop petit. » ……….
« C'est exactement ce que je cherchais ! »
……….
« C'est tout ce que je n'aime pas ! » ……….
« L'inconvénient de cet appartement, c'est qu'il est bruyant ! »
……….
Voici les aspects positifs et les aspects négatifs d'une même situation. Faites des phrases.
Exemple : J'aime beaucoup vivre à la campagne, mais je n'aime pas être seul.
1.
Vivre à la campagne…
C'est calme,
J'ai de l'espace, une grande maison, un jardin,
J'ai la possibilité de faire du sport,
2.
il n'y a pas beaucoup d'activités.
je suis isolé.
peu d’amis viennent me voir.
(mais...)
il y a beaucoup de travail.
je n'ai pas beaucoup de sécurité.
Travailler dans une petite entreprise…
Le poste est intéressant,
J'ai beaucoup de liberté,
IV.
(mais...)
À vous ! Parlez d'une situation (travail, maison, sport...) qui comporte des aspects positifs et
des aspects négatifs. Dites ce qui vous plaît et ce qui vous déplaît.
21
EXERCICE : FAIRE DES COMPLIMENTS
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Clotilde ne veut pas parler.
2. Elle est fière de son chien.
3. Le chien est méchant.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Le chien d'Hélène est très gros.
2. Le chien est déjà adulte.
3. Le chien n'est pas méchant
II.
Parmi les phrases suivantes, lesquelles sont des compliments à un chien ?
1. « Il est magnifique ! »
2. « Il mord ! »
3. « Il est mignon ! »
4. « Il est énorme ! »
III.
Vous arrivez chez des amis qui ont deux petits chats. Choisissez les phrases appropriées.
1. « Ils sont adorables ! »
2. « Ils sont méchants ? »
3. « Ils sont énormes ! »
4. « Qu'est-ce qu'ils sont drôles ! »
IV.
5. « C'est un quoi ? »
6. « Il est adorable ! »
7. « Il est méchant ! »
8. « Comment il s'appelle ? »
5. « Ils sont mignons ! »
6. « Ils mordent ? »
7. « Ils sont impressionnants ! »
8. « Ils s'appellent comment ? »
À vous ! Quels compliments pouvez-vous faire à propos de ces animaux ?
22
EXERCICE : FAIRE DES COMPLIMENTS 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et choisissez la bonne réponse.
Dialogue 1.
1. Paul/Isabelle a une jolie cravate
Dialogue 2.
1. Chloé vient d'acheter la veste/a cette veste depuis longtemps.
Dialogue 3.
1. Émilie porte une robe/un tailleur.
2. Émilie a acheté ce vêtement il y a plus de deux ans/moins de deux ans.
3. Émilie porte souvent/rarement du bleu.
4. Émilie est contente/furieuse de recevoir des compliments.
II.
Parmi les phrases suivantes, lesquelles sont des compliments ?
1. « Ça te va très bien ! »
2. « Cette robe est démodée ! »
3. « Cette couleur vous va à merveille ! »
4. «Ça lui va très mal ! »
III.
5. «Tu ne devrais pas mettre cette couleur. »
6. « Quel beau manteau ! »
7. « Cette cravate est horrible ! »
8. « Cette couleur est splendide ! »
Replacez les mots suivants dans les dialogues:
bien - merveille - superbe - élégance - va -jolie - magnifique
1. Dis-moi, tu as une écharpe ……………………………………………. !
— Oui, elle est jolie, c'est mon ami qui me l'a offerte.
2. Elle
est
…………………………….……
!
Elle
…….………………………….vraiment très …………………………… !
3. Ma chérie, quelle ……………………………………………….. !
— Oh, tu sais, c'est juste un ensemble vert...
4. Oui, mais ça te va à …………………………………… ! Tu
..………………………….. comme un cœur !
IV.
te
es
Imaginez un dialogue entre vous-même et ces deux personnes. Vous leur faites des
compliments sur leur tenue et ils y répondent.
23
EXERCICE : FAIRE DES COMPLIMENTS 3
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Le tissu est européen.
2. Il a beaucoup de couleurs différentes.
3. Le tissu est vraiment beau.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. L'appartement est petit.
2. Il est joli.
3. L'atmosphère est agréable.
Dialogue 3.
1. La maison est ancienne.
2. C'est le couple qui a choisi la décoration.
3. C'est le couple qui a fait les travaux.
II.
Choisissez le compliment le plus approprié à la situation.
1. Vous entrez dans un tout petit appartement :
□a. C'est mignon !
□ b. C'est magnifique !
2. Vous regardez un diamant :
□ a. C'est une pure merveille !
□ b. C'est joli !
3. Vous arrivez dans une vieille maison, rénovée par des amis :
□ a. Elle est vraiment ancienne!
□ b. Vous l'avez drôlement bien arrangée !
4. On vous offre un énorme bouquet de fleurs :
□ a. C'est beau !
□ b. C'est magnifique !
5. Vous regardez un grand tapis traditionnel africain :
□ a. Il est mignon !
□ b. Qu'est-ce qu'il est beau !
III.
Quels compliments pouvez-vous faire à propos de cette maison de campagne? Voici
quelques qualificatifs. Choisissez les plus appropriés et faites des phrases.
énorme - joli - froid moderne - calme - bien
rénové - confortable minuscule - beau - bruyant accueillant - superbe mignon - joliment décoré
24
EXERCICE : FAIRE DES COMPLIMENTS 4
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
1. Le dîner est très bon.
2. La décoration est jolie.
VRAI
FAUX
Dialogue 3.
1. Octave est un cuisinier professionnel.
2. Anaïs aime beaucoup ce plat.
3. La grand-mère d'Octave était bonne cuisinière.
II.
Quel(s) compliment(s) pouvez-vous faire dans les situations suivantes?
1. Votre ami pose un plat sur la table :
« ………………………………………………………………………………………... ! »
2. Vous commencez à manger un plat un peu bizarre :
« ………………………………………………………………………………………... ! »
3. Vous parlez de la décoration du dîner :
« ………………………………………………………………………………………... ! »
4. Vous adorez le coq au vin :
« ………………………………………………………………………………………... ! »
5. Vous buvez un vin exceptionnel :
« ………………………………………………………………………………………... ! »
III.
Placez les expressions suivantes dans le tableau, selon l'objet du compliment (une même
expression peut s'appliquer à plusieurs thèmes).
1. Qu'il est beau !
2. C'est très bien arrangé !
3. C'est délicieux !
4. C'est superbe !
5. Ça te va très bien !
6. Qu'il est drôle !
un animal
IV.
une tenue vestimentaire
7. C'est exquis !
8. On se sent bien !
9. Il est magnifique !
10. C'est appétissant !
11. Qu'il est mignon !
12. Quelle élégance !
un logement
un plat
Vous êtes invité(e) à dîner chez de nouveaux amis. Leur appartement est très grand mais mal
arrangé, et de mauvais goût. La table est prête mais trop décorée. Le dîner est excellent, les
plats sont beaux et bons. Faites les compliments appropriés sur chacun de ces trois éléments
de la soirée.
25
EXERCICE : FÉLICITER, CONSOLER
I.
Écoutez les dialogues et choisissez la bonne réponse.
Dialogue 1.
1. Renaud a réussi/raté son baccalauréat.
2. Le père de Renaud est heureux/déçu.
Dialogue 2.
1. Arthur a été recruté/licencié.
II.
Choisissez la bonne réponse.
1. «Je viens d'obtenir un poste aux États-Unis. »
□ a. C'est génial !
□ b. Je t'en prie !
2. « Nous allons nous marier le mois prochain. »
□ a. Ce n'est pas la peine.
□ b. Toutes mes félicitations !
3. « Ma fille vient d'avoir son bac. »
□ a. C'est intéressant !
□ b. Ça s'arrose !
4. « Mon fils a obtenu le premier rôle dans la pièce de théâtre ».
□ a. Tu dois être fier de lui !
□ b. Ah bon?
5. « Je viens d'avoir une promotion ! »
□ a. C'est bien.
□ b. Tu l'as bien mérité !
6. « Je vais partir quatre semaines en vacances dans les îles grecques ! »
□ a. C'est super !
□b. Tu as réussi ?
III.
Quelle(s) phrase(s) de félicitations pouvez-vous utiliser dans les situations suivantes ?
1. Votre meilleur(e) ami(e) a gagné un match de tennis.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Il/Elle vient d'obtenir une bourse pour faire des études à l'étranger.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Le projet de votre ami(e) a été accepté avec enthousiasme.
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Le livre que votre ami(e) a publié est devenu un « best-seller ».
─ ………………………………………………………………………………………
IV.
Vous venez de passer votre permis de conduire. Vous annoncez la bonne nouvelle à vos
amis. Ils vous félicitent. Vous décidez de fêter votre réussite. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
26
EXERCICE : FÉLICITER, CONSOLER 2
I.
Écoutez les dialogues. Vrai ou faux ?
Dialogue 1.
VRAI
1. Maxime n'a pas réussi son permis de conduire.
2. Benjamin est furieux que Maxime ait raté son permis.
3. Benjamin est sûr que Maxime aura son examen la prochaine fois.
FRAUX
Dialogue 2.
1. Barbara ne pourra pas aller au Canada cette année.
2. Céline pense que Barbara n'a aucune chance d'obtenir la bourse.
Dialogue 3.
1. Mathieu a eu un accident de ski.
II.
Pour les phrases suivantes, dites si la situation est positive (a) ou négative (b).
1. « Je crois que je l'ai eu ! » ……….
2. « Je crois que je l'ai raté ! » ……….
3. « C'est fichu ! » ……….
III.
4. « Il a eu son permis de conduire ! » ……
5. « Elle a réussi son examen. » ……….
6. « Elle n'a pas eu de promotion. » ……….
Trouvez une réponse pour féliciter ou réconforter, selon le cas.
1. « Je me suis cassé le bras en tombant ! »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
2. « Mon idée a été acceptée ! »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
3. « J'ai raté mon examen. »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
4. « On m'a volé mon autoradio dans ma voiture. »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
5. « Nous venons d'avoir un bébé ! »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
6. « Ce n'est pas moi qu'on a choisi pour le travail ! J'en suis malade ! »
─ …………………………………………………………………………………………
IV.
Un(e) ami(e) vient de perdre un match important pour un championnat. Vous essayez de le/la
réconforter. Imaginez et jouez le dialogue.
27
III TRIMESTRE
LEZIONE 28
AGGETIVI INDEFINITI
Los adjetivos indefinidos (aggettivi indefiniti) son palabras que acompañan al sustantivo, indicando
de modo genérico –no preciso– alguna de sus cualidades, sin definir su identidad. Ejemplo:
Ho molti amici.
La palabra molti es un adjetivo indefinido ya que acompaña al sustantivo “amici” y no indica con
precisión el número de amigos que se tienen, es decir, ¿cuántos son muchos? ¿diez? ¿veinte?
En la siguiente tabla se enlistan los adjetivos indefinidos que expresan una cantidad no determinada.
Nótese que estos adjetivos presentan variaciones de acuerdo al género y número del sustantivo al
que acompañan:
La forma
SINGOLARE
maschile
femminile
PLURALE
maschile
femminile
poco
parecchio
tanto
altrettanto
molto
troppo
tutto
*diverso
pochi
parecchi
tanti
altrettanti
molti
troppi
tutti
diversi
poca
parecchia
tanta
altrettanta
molta
troppa
tutta
diversa
poche
parecchie
tante
altrettante
molte
troppe
tutte
diverse
L’uso
come aggettivo indefinito
Mangio poca carne.
C’era parecchia gente.
Oggi c’è tanto sole.
Ti auguro altrettanta fortuna.
Tu hai molti vestiti.
Ci sono troppi errori.
Tutti i miei amici sono simpatici.
Ho visto diverse persone.
* Cerco dei libri diversi da quelli che ho già. (adjetivo calificativo)
A continuación se presentan algunos adjetivos indefinidos que tienen la característica de
permanecer invariables sin importar el género o número del sustantivo al que acompañan:
 Ogni, siempre se coloca antes de un sustantivo singular.

Domani ogni studente debe portare €20 per la gita a Firenze.
 Qualche, siempre se coloca antes de un sustantivo singular.

Rimarremo a Napoli qualche giorno.
 Qualsiasi / Qualunque, son sinónimos y pueden ir antes o después del sustantivo.

Qualsiasi città tu visiti in Italia, trovi sempre qualche opera d’arte interessante.

Qualunque città tu visiti in Italia, trovi sempre qualche opera d’arte interessante.
 Ciascuno, varía únicamente en el género (siguiendo la regla del artículo indefinido
un/uno/una) ya que se usa solamente en singular. Se coloca antes del sustantivo al que
acompaña.

Ciascun lavoratore ha diritto a 5 settimane di ferie all’anno.
Variaciones según el género:ciascuno studente; ciascuna maestra; ciascun’ infermiera.
 Nessun, varía únicamente en el género (siguiendo la regla del artículo indefinido
un/uno/una) ya que se usa solamente en singular. Se coloca antes del sustantivo al que
acompaña.

Nessun essere umano ha mai messo piede su Marte.
Variaciones según el género: nessuno studente; nessuna maestra; nessun’ infermiera.
Nessun se puede colocar después del verbo, siempre expresando negación.

Non c’è stato nessun problema allo stadio questa domenica.
 Alcuni / Alcune, es variable y se coloca antes del sustantivo. Si expresa el significado
qualche entonces se utiliza su versión en plural.

Ieri sera ho rivisto alcuni miei compagni del liceo.
VOCABULARIO
i animali
il puledro
la pecora
il gatto
la capra
lo stallone
il cane
l'oca
il piccione
le bestiame da fattoria
il cavallo
il cucciolo
il pollo
la giumenta
il coniglio
la mucca
l'agnello
il gallo
l'asino
il mulo
la gallina
l'anatra
il maiale
il tacchino
LEZIONE 29
TEMPI PROGRESSIVI
Esta estructura de tiempo gramatical, conocida como una “forma perifrastica” en italiano, sirve
para expresar la idea de una acción en desarrollo, es decir, “en progresión”.
Se usa con el verbo stare conjugado casi exclusivamente en presente simple o en copretérito, rara
vez en futuro simple, y prácticamente nunca en tiempos perfectos como: passato prossimo,
trapassato, futuro anteriore, etc.
En italiano, los tiempos progresivos se construyen de acuerdo a la siguiente fórmula básica:
STARE (conjugado) + GERUNDIO
Ejemplos:
- Le vacanze stanno trascorrendo senza incidenti.
- Carlo stava mangiando quando bussarono alla porta.
El gerundio del italiano se construye en la mayor parte de los casos como se muestra en la tabla
siguiente:
INFINITIVO
GERUNDIO
cant – are
cant – ando
cred – ere
cred – endo
sent – ire
sent – endo
fin – ire
fin – endo
Sin embargo existen verbos irregulares como los siguientes:
INFINITIVO
bere
condurre
GERUNDIO
bev – endo
conduc – endo
dire
dic – endo
fare
fac – endo
porre
pon – endo
trarre
tra – endo
Otra “forma perifrastica” del italiano es la estructura:
STARE (conjugado) PER + INFINITO
Esta indica una acción todavía no iniciada pero inminente y, como en el caso de los progresivos, se
usa con el verbo stare conjugado casi exclusivamente en presente simple o en copretérito:
- Mia sorella sta per tornare dalla Gran Bretagna.
- Il bambino stava per uscire, quando sua mamma lo ha chiamato.
LEZIONE 30
PRONOMI INDEFINITI
Los pronombres indefinidos (pronomi indefiniti) sustituyen a una persona, animal o cosa sin definir
de manera precisa su identidad.
Ejemplo:
- Ho molti amichi
-Anchio ne ho tanti
La palabra tanti es un pronomi indefiniti que sustituye al sustantivo “amici”. Además no
indica con precisión el número de éstos: ¿cinco? ¿diez? ¿veinte?
En la siguiente tabla se enlistan los pronombres indefinidos que expresan una cantidad no
determinada. Note que estos pronombres presentan variaciones de acuerdo al género y número del
sustantivo al que acompañan:
La forma
SINGOLARE
PLURALE
maschile
femminile
maschile
femminile
tanto
tanta
tanti
tante
poco
poca
pochi
poche
parecchio
parecchia
parecchi
parecchie
altrettanto
altrettanta
altrettanti
altrettante
molto
molta
molti
molte
troppo
troppa
troppi
troppe
tutto
tutta
tutti
tutte
diverso
diversa
diversi
diverse
L’uso
come pronomi indefinito
-
Mi vuoi bene? Sì, tanto.
Mangio poca carne.
Ne mangio poca
C’era parecchia gente.
Erano parecchi.
Io ho molti libri e tu ne hai
altrettanti.
Tu hai molti vestiti.
Anche io ne ho molti.
Ci sono troppi errori.
Siete troppi!
Sono venuti tutti.
Ho visto diverse persone.
Ci sono dei bar? Sì, ce ne sono
diversi.
A continuación se presentan algunas palabras que, dependiendo de su función en la oración,
pueden ser pronombres o adjetivos indefinidos.
1. Ciascuno; varía únicamente en el género ya que se usa solamente en singular. Se coloca antes
del sustantivo al que acompaña.

Ciascuno pensi anche agli altri se vuole migliorare la società.
2. Nessuno, varía únicamente en el género ya que se usa solamente en singular. Se puede colocar
después del verbo, siempre expresando negación.

Ieri sono stato in casa tutto il giorno e non ho visto nessuno.
3. Alcuni / Alcune, es variable. Si expresa el significado qualche entonces se utiliza su versión
en plural.

Alcuni sono invecchiati moltissimo.
A continuación se presentan algunas palabras que deben ser utilizadas únicamente como
pronombres indefinidos.
1. Chiunque es invariable y se utiliza sólo en singular.

Chiunque può collegare il propio PC a internet.
2. Qualcosa es invariable y se utiliza sólo en singular.

C’è qualcosa nell’aria che mi dà fastidio.
3. Niente / Nulla son invariables y sinónimos.

Niente può far paura a quella donna.

Nulla può far paura a quella donna.
* Si se coloca después del verbo, adquiere un significado de negación.

Hanno rubato in casa dei vicini, ma non mi sono reso conto di niente / nulla.
4. Ognuno se utiliza sólo en singular pero es variable en género.

Ognuno deve sapere cosa fare in caso d’incendio.
5. Qualcuno se utiliza sólo en singular pero es variable en género.

Qualquno di voi ha perso questi occhiali?

Ho letto varie novelle di Saramago. Qualcuna mi piace, altre no.
6. Uno se utiliza sólo en singular pero es variable en género. Significa una persona.

Cosa pensi di uno che dice: “È giusto non pagare più tasse a lo stato.” ?
LEZIONE 31
CONDIZIONALE SEMPLICE
El condicional (condizionale) es un modo verbal que se utiliza para expresar que una acción sucede siempre
y cuando se cumpla una determinada condición:
 Scriverei a mia madre, ma non ho tempo
 Mangerei, se ci fosse qualcosa di buono.
 Se facesse meno freddo, mi laverei i capelli.
 Verrei volentieri a trovarti, se i miei genitori mi lasciassero.
El condicional simple (condizionale semplice) se utiliza para expresar que un evento podría suceder en el
presente, siempre y cuando se cumpla una determinada condición:
 Se studiassi di più, prenderei un bel voto.
He aquí la regla de conjugación del condizionale semplice para los verbos regulares:
io
tu
lui
lei
Lei
PARLARE
parlerei
parleresti
parlerebbe
parlerebbe
parlerebbe
CREDERE
crederei
crederesti
crederebbe
crederebbe
crederebbe
SENTIRE
sentirei
sentiresti
sentirebbe
sentirebbe
sentirebbe
noi
voi
loro
parleremmo
parlereste
parlerebbero
crederemmo
credereste
crederebbero
sentiremmo
sentireste
sentirebbero
A continuación se presentan algunas de las conjugaciones irregulares:
io
tu
lui,lei, Lei
noi
voi
loro
essere
avere
volere
fare
sarei
saresti
sarebbe
saremmo
sareste
sarebbero
avrei
avresti
avrebbe
avremmo
avreste
avrebbero
vorrei
vorresti
vorrebbe
vorremmo
vorreste
vorrebbero
farei
faresti
farebbe
faremmo
fareste
farebbero
* Se conjugan como avere: andare, dovere, potere, sapere, vedere, vivere.
* Se conjugan como volere: rimanere, tenere, venire y bere.
* Se conjugan como fare: dare, stare.

Los verbos terminados en care y gare añaden “h” a la terminación correspondiente:
cercare - cercherei
spiegare – spiegherei

Los verbos terminados en ciare y giare pierden la letra “i” previa a la terminación:
annunciare - annuncerei
mangiare - mangerei
Usos del condizionale semplice:
 Para expresar con gentileza alguna solicitud o petición:
 Mi daresti il biglietto per la partita, per favore?
 Vorrei un caffè.
 Para expresar deseos o anhelos:
 Vorrei tanto andare in vacanza!
 Para expresar dudas:
 Non so se Giovanni verrebbe a cena da noi domani sera.
 Para expresar una opinión personal:
 A mio parere il governo dovrebbe fare di più per combatiere la disoccupazione.
 Para reportar una noticia no confirmada:
 Il Primo Ministro inglese arriverebbe in Italia il mese prossimo.
 El modo condicional del verbo dovere suele ser utilizado para expresar de manera
cortés una orden, una exhortación o un consejo:
 Ragazzi, dovreste studiare di più!
 Sig. Santi, Lei dovrebbe smettere di fumare.
La combinación del modo condizionale semplice y del subjuntivo puede formar:
I.
El periodo hipotético de la posibilidad (periodo ipotetico della possibilità), es decir
“una condición improbable aunque en teoría existe la posibilidad de que ocurra en
el presente o en el futuro, y su respectiva consecuencia”


II.
Se avessi abbastanza soldi, andrei in vacanza alle Maldive.
Se venissi a teatro stasera, dopo lo spettacolo ti inviterei a bere qualcosa.
El periodo hipotético de la imposibilidad (periodo ipotetico della impossibilità), es
decir “una condición que no se cumplió en el pasado, y su respectiva consecuencia
hipotética en el presente”


Se avessi guadagnato abbastanza soldi, ora andrei in vacanza alle Maldive.
Se avessi preso qualche antibiotico, ora non avrei più febbre.
LEZIONE 32
COMPARATIVI E SUPERLATIVI
Los adjetivos calificativos pueden expresar, de manera general, cómo es una persona o cosa (adjetivo
positivo). Sin embargo también pueden precisar el grado (mayor, menor o incluso igual) en que esa
persona o cosa posee tal cualidad con respecto a otra persona o cosa. Cuando hay una comparación,
existen dos grados: el comparativo y el superlativo.
I.
El grado comparativo se utiliza precisamente para hacer una comparación entre dos elementos los
cuáles pueden ser sustantivos, pronombres, adjetivos o adverbios. Los elementos que se comparan
el uno con el otro reciben los nombres de: primer y segundo término de comparación (primo e
secondo termino di paragone).
En la lengua italiana existen tres tipos de comparativos: superioridad (maggioranza), inferioridad
(minoranza) e igualdad (uguaglianza).
A. Comparativo di maggioranza: Cuando el primer término de comparación posee cierta
cualidad en mayor grado con respecto al segundo término:

Questa casa è più grande della casa di Rosi.
B. Comparativo di minoranza: Cuando el primer término de comparación posee cierta cualidad
en menor grado con respecto al segundo término:

Questa casa è meno grande della casa di Rosi.
C. Comparativo di uguaglianza: Cuando tanto el primero como el segundo término de
comparación poseen de manera equitativa cierta cualidad.

Questa casa è grande come quella di Rosi.
En el idioma italiano existen dos palabras que se utilizan para crear el enlace entre los términos de
comparación:
“di”: La comparación es entre dos sustantivos o pronombres:


Emilia è più elegante di Adriana.
Io sono più paziente di te.
“che”: Se comparan dos verbos o adjetivos:


Prendere il sole è meno divertente che Nuotare.
Francesco è più simpatico che bello.
II.
El grado superlativo puede ser de dos tipos: relativo y absoluto (superlativo assoluto).
A. superlativo relativo: En este caso una persona o cosa posee una determinada cualidad al máximo
o menor grado en comparación con un grupo de personas o de cosas.


Oggi è il giorno più corto dell’anno.
Salvatore è il meno simpatico tra gli amici di mio figlio.
B. superlativo assoluto: Aplica cuando una persona o cosa posee una determinada cualidad al
máximo o menor grado sin hacer ningún tipo de comparación con nada ni nadie.
El superlativo absoluto puede construirse de dos maneras:
1. Sustituyendo la última vocal del adjetivo por la terminación -issimo del superlativo.
 caro
carissimo
 gentile
gentilissimo
2. Colocando antes del adjetivo alguna palabra como: inmensamente, estremamente,
incredibilmente, molto...
molto caro
 caro
 gentile
incredibilmente gentile
Ejemplos de adjetivos superlativos:


Oggi è una giornata freddissima.
Ugo era simpaticissimo.


Oggi è il giorno più corto dell’anno.
Salvatore è il meno simpatico tra gli amici di mio figlio.
COMPARATIVOS Y SUPERLATIVOS IRREGULARES
buono
cattivo
grande
piccolo
alto
basso
aggettivi
migliore
ottimo
peggiore
pessimo
maggiore
massimo
minore
minimo
superiore
supremo
inferiore
infimo
avverbi
bene
male
più
meno
meglio
peggio
LEZIONE 33
CONDIZIONALE COMPOSTO
El condicional pasado (condizionale passato o condizionale composto) es un modo verbal que se utiliza para
expresar que una acción habría sucedido en el pasado siempre y cuando se hubiera cumplido una determinada
condición:


Se avessi studiato di più, avrei preso un bel voto.
L'anno scorso mi sarebbe piaciuto andare alla Fiera di Francoforte.
El condizionale passato se forma con dos palabras, un verbo auxiliar (conjugado en condizionale semplice) y el
verbo principal en pasado participio. Además, por ser un tiempo compuesto cumple con las reglas generales de
los tiempos compuestos:


La elección del auxiliar.
Concordancia.
Recordemos las conjugaciones de los verbos auxiliares en condizionale semplice:
AVERE
avrei
avresti
avrebbe
ESSERE
sarei
saresti
sarebbe
avremmo
avreste
avrebbero
saremmo
sareste
sarebbero
Usos del condizionale passato:
 Para expresar –en el pasado– un deseo no realizado:
 Sarei andato volentieri al mare domenica scorsa, ma purtroppo pioveva.
 Para expresar –en el pasado– una noticia no confirmada:
 Secondo voci non ancora confermate, il terremoto avrebbe causato danni per oltre mille miliardi.
 El condizionale composto también se usa como futuro en el pasado:
 (venerdì) Giovanni *disse che **sarebbearrivato mercoledì.
*
**
lunedì;
mercoledì

Prima di arrivare in stazione non *sapevo che il treno per Londra delle 10:30
40 minuti di ritardo.
*
**
10:20;
11:10
**
sarebbe partito con
La combinación del modo condizionale passato y del congiuntivo trapassato forma:
El periodo hipotético de la imposibilidad, es decir “una condición que no se cumplió en el pasado y su respectiva
consecuencia hipotética en el presente”


Se fossi venuta a teatro ieri sera, dopo lo spettacolo ti avrei invitata a bere qualcosa.
Se avessi avuto abbastanza soldi, sarei andato in vacanza alle Maldive.
LEZIONE 34
PRONOMI RELATIVI
Los pronombres relativos (pronomi relativi) sustituyen a una persona, animal o cosa que ya se ha
mencionado en una oración, y al mismo tiempo establecen un enlace con otra oración.
Ejemplo:
 Non conosco quel ragazzo.
 Quel ragazzo lavora nel bar.

Non conosco quel ragazzo che lavora nel bar.
Existen cuatro pronombres relativos en el italiano:
1. “che” es el pronombre relativo más importante ya que permanece invariable, es decir que los
factores género y número del sustantivo que se sustituye no influyen de ninguna manera para
cambiarlo. Este pronombre tampoco va acompañado de ninguna preposición.




Non conosco quel ragazzo
Non conosco quella ragazza
lavora nel bar.
lavora nel bar.
che
Non conosco quelli ragazzi
Non conosco quelle ragazze
lavorano nel bar.
lavorano nel bar.
En todos los ejemplos anteriores el pronombre “che” sustituye al objeto directo; sin embargo
también puede sustituir al sujeto:

Il ragazzo che lavora nel bar è rumeno.
La combinación “il che” significa lo que / lo cual (e questo / e ciò ):

Ieri mi ha telefonato Carla; il che mi ha fatto molto piacere.
2. “cui” también es invariable pero va precedido de una preposición.


Il film di cui ti ho parlato è stato girato in Italia.
La ragazza con cui sono andato in vacanza è partita per Londra.
Cuando la preposición a va seguida del pronombre cui puede ser eliminada:


La ditta (a) cui ho scritto ha sede in Svizzera.
Il professore (a) cui hai parlato è molto disponibile.
Si cui se encuentra entre un artículo definido y un sustantivo, expresa posesión:


Il giovane, il cui padre lavora alla Fiat, sta facendo una ricerca sulla storia
dell’automobile.
Il pittore, sulla cui arte tanto si discute, è venezuelano.
3. Aunque “chi” puede significar le persone che, quelli che, etcétera, el verbo siempre se
conjugará en tercera persona del singular:



Chi non lavora non mangia.
Parlo solo con chi sa ascoltare.
Chi vuole frequentare il corso d’italiano deve iscriversi entro domani.
4. El pronombre “quale” va precedido de una preposición y de un artículo definido, por lo que
este pronombre en particular si tiene variaciones de acuerdo al género y número, generando
cuatro versiones de este pronombre:
singolare
plurale

maschile
femminile
il quale
i quali
la quale
le quali
Quelle sono le ragazze con le quali siamo andati al mare.
Cuando alguna de las preposiciones a, in, di o su antecede a cualquiera de las versiones del
pronombre “quale”, entonces se utilizan las preposiciones articuladas:

Ho visto nuovamente gli studenti ai quali ho dovuto dare un cattivo voto.
En ocasiones el pronombre “che” puede ofrecer información ambigua, para evitar este tipo de
problemas se recomienda el uso del pronombre “quale”.


Ieri ho visto Giovanni e sua nonna, che aveva appena comprato il pane.
Ieri ho visto Giovanni e sua nonna, la quale aveva appena comprato il pane.
Por lo general cuando alguna de las versiones del pronombre “del quale” tiene un significado
de posesión, es sustituida por la versión apropiada de “cui”:


Questo è il giovane, i genitori del quale lavorano con me.
Questo è il giovane, i cui genitori lavorano con me.
Ninguna de las cuatro versiones de “quale” puede ser usada como COD:


Il ragazzo il quale lavora nel bar è rumeno.
Il ragazzo che lavora nel bar è rumeno.
LEZIONE 35
IMPERATIVO
L'imperativo affermativo della seconda persona singolare e della prima e seconda plurale:
ARE: cantare
cant - a!
cant - iamo!
cant - ate
ERE: prendere
prend - i!
prend - iamo!
prend - ete
IRE: sentire
sent - i!
sent - iamo!
sent - ite!
IRE: finire
fin - isci!
fin - iamo!
fin - ite!
Verbi essere e avere:
AVERE
abbi!
abbiamo!
abbiate!
ESSERE
sii!
siamo!
siate!
Alcuni verbi irregolari:
Andare
Dare
va'!
andiamo!
andate!
da'!
diamo!
date!
Dire
Fare
di'!
diciamo!
dite!
fa'!
facciamo!
fate!
Sapere
Stare
sappi!
sappiamo!
sappiate!
sta'!
stiamo!
state!
L'imperativo affermativo della forma di cortesia (Lei / Loro) si forma utilizzando voci del congiuntivo
presente:
ARE: cantare
(Lei) cant-i!
(Loro) cant - ino!
ERE: prendere
(Lei) prend - a!
(Loro) prend - ano!
IRE: sentire
(Lei) sent - a!
(Loro) sent - ano!
IRE: finire
(Lei) fin - isca!
(Loro) fin - iscano!
- Prenda un caffè, Signora! Glielo offro con piacere.
La forma di cortesia Loro nell'italiano moderno si usa molto raramente.
L'imperativo negativo si forma mettendo non davanti alle voci dell'imperativo affermativo. La seconda
persona singolare si forma con non + infinito.
ARE: cantare
non cant - are!
non cant-i!
non cant - iamo!
non cant - ate
non cant - ino
ERE: prendere
non prend - ere
non prend - a!
non prend - iamo!
non prend - ete!
non prend - ano!
IRE: sentire
non sent - ire
non sent - a!
non sent - iamo!
non sent - ite!
non sent - ano!
IRE: finire
non fin - ire
non fin - isca!
non fin - iamo!
non fin - ite!
non fin - iscano!
LEZIONE 36
FORME ALTERATE DEI SOSTANTIVI, DEGLI AGGETTIVI E DEGLI AVVERBI
Il suffisso - ino/a serve a modificare il significato del sostantivo, i sostantivi così ottenuti si chiamano
diminutivi
Un gattino = un gatto piccolo
Una casina = una casa piccola
Il suffisso - one/a serve a modificare il significato del sostantivo, i sostantivi cosi ottenuti si chiamano
accrescitivi.
Un gattone = un gatto grande.
Una casona = una casa grande.
Il suffisso - accio/a serve a modificare il significato del sostantivo, i sostantivi cosi ottenuti si chiamano
peggiorativi.
Un gattaccio = un gatto brutto e cattivo.
Un ragazzaccio = un ragazzo cattivo.
Una serataccia = una brutta serata.
Osserva gli esempi:
Un bambino bellino = un bambino piuttosto bello.
Ho dormito benino = ho dormito piuttosto bene.
Anche per gli aggettivi e gli avverbi si usano gli stessi suffissi. Però gli aggettivi e gli avverbi alterati
sono piuttosto rari.
Vi sono numerosi altri modi di alterare il sostantivo, ma anche gli aggettivi e gli avverbi, attraverso
suffissi diversi. A volte non e facile capire se si tratta di un diminutivo o altro.
Alcuni altri esempli:
Un quadretto = un quadro piccolo.
Una finestrella = unafinestra piccola.
Un orsacchiotto = un piccolo orso.
Un passerotto = un passero piccolo.
Tutti questi suffissi possono avere una sfumatura vezzaggiativa, cioè esprimono simpatia, affetto.
Altri diminutivi invece hanno una sfumatura peggiorativa o spregiativa, esprimono cioè qualcosa di
negativo: Un vestituccio.
Nell'esempio seguente, però, il suffisso -uccio ha un valore vezzeggiativo, non spregiativo:
E una casuccia molto accogliente.
Alcuni sostantivi sembrano dei diminutivi, accrescitivi, ecc., ma non li sono:
Il postino
il lavandino il maglione
Anche i verbi possono avere delle forme alterate: ridacchiare, giocherellare, saltellare, ecc.
LEZIONE 37
IMPERATIVO PRONOMINALE
I pronomi atoni, ne e ci seguono la seconda persona singolare e la prima e seconda plurale.
Ricordiamoci di chiudere la finestra quando usciamo!
Passami l'acqua per favore!
Toglietevi le scarpe prima di entrare in casa!
Se vedi Giovanna, non parlarle della festa per il suo compleanno!
I pronomi atoni, ne e ci precedono le forme di cortesia Lei e Loro.
- Lo guardi bene e mi dica se lo riconosce!
Con la seconda persona singolare di alcuni verbi irregolari seguiti dai pronomi atoni, ne e ci è
necessario raddoppiare la consonante del pronome, come negli esempi:
Andaré
Vacci piano con quel vino!
Daré
Dalle una mano, non riesce a sollevare la valigia!
Dire
Dimmi come ti chiami!
Fare
Stare
Fammi un favore, spegni la luce!
Stacci attento, è uno sport pericoloso!
Attenzione!: con gli non si raddoppia la g.
Dagli il mio numero di telefono e digli di chiamarmi presto!
ESEMPI:
1. Fermati!
2. Deciditi!
3. Sbrigati!
4. Alzati!
5. Siediti!
6. Parlagliene
7. Vacci!
8. Dalle una mano
9. Fammi vedere!
10. Vergognati!
LEZIONE 38
FORME IMPERSONALI
FORMA IMPERSONALE A
verbo non riflessivo
FORMA IMPERSONALE B
verbo riflessivo
A.
B.
uno + verbo alla 3a pers. singolare
si + verbo alla 3a pers. singolare
uno + si + verbo alla 3a pers. singolare
ci + si + verbo alla 3a pers. singolare
In aereo uno viaggia comodamente. In aereo si viaggia comodamente.
In aereo uno non si stanca troppo. In aereo non ci si stanca troppo.
Abbiamo visto che la forma impersonale si costruisce premettendo uno o la particella “si” alla terza
persona singolare di un voto intransitivo o riflessivo:
La forma impersonale si costruisce, inoltre, premettendo la particella“si” anche ad un verbo transitivo,
se questo non è seguito dall’oggetto:
C.
In Italia si beve molto a tavola.
Nel caso C si tratta di un“si”impersonale; il verbo è transitivo (beve), ma il complemento oggetto non
è espresso.
Il “si”impersonale richiede il verbo sempre alla terza persona singolare:
In Spagna si mangia bene e non si spende molto.
Il “si”impersonale a volte sostituisce il soggetto noi :
Si è pensato di andare in montagna domani.
> (Noi) abbiamo pensato di andare in montagna domani.
Nei tempi composti 1'ausiliare è sempre essere, ma l'accordo con il participio passato si fa solamente
con i verbi che nella forma attiva hanno 1'ausiliare essere:
- Si è mangiato ( Noi abbiamo mangiato ) molto bene nella trattoria che ci hai consigliato.
- Si è partiti ( Noi siamo partiti ) tardi e si è perso (abbiamo perso) il traghetto per la Sardegna.
Oltre al si per la forma impersonale abbiamo spesso la terza persona plurale (loro). Il soggetto (loro)
spesso non è espresso : Hanno cambiato i1 nome della via in cui abito.
A volte la forma impersonale è espressa con il pronome tu. Il verbo è, quindi, alla seconda persona
singolare. Il soggetto (tu) spesso non è espresso:
-
Se vai a Perugia, trovi sempre tanti giovani di paesi lontani.
In montagna devi fare attenzione alle vipere.
LEZIONE 39
DISCORSO INDIRETTO
Esistono due modi per dire qualcosa a qualcuno. Direttamente: Ci vediamo a casa sua alle 8.
O con il discorso indiretto, riportando cioè quanto detto da un'altra persona: Anna dice che vi vedete a
casa tua alle 8.
Nel passaggio dal discorso diretto al discorso indiretto è necessario cambiare vari elementi della frase,
ad esempio soggetto, verbo (tempi e modi), pronomi personali, aggettivi possessivi, espressioni di
tempo e luogo, ecc.
Il cambiamento dei tempi a partire dal passato.
Se viene riportato qualcosa detto / pensato / creduto / ecc. nel passato, il verbo della principale è al
passato prossimo/remoto o imperfetto: disse, diceva, ha detto, ecc.
DISCORSO DIRETTO
Presente
Grazia disse: "Devo andaré a casa"
Passato prossimo
Grazia disse: "Sono arrivata a casa tardi."
Passato remoto
Grazia disse: "Da piccola volli imparare
a giocare a tennis".
Futuro
Quando aveva 10 anni Grazia disse:
"Da grande imparerò a giocare a tennis."
DISCORSO INDIRETTO
Imperfetto
Grazia disse che doveva andare a casa.
Trapassato prossimo
Grazia disse che era arrivata a casa tardi.
Trapassato prossimo
Grazia disse che da piccola aveva voluto
imparare a giocare a tennis.
Condizionale composto
Quando aveva 10 anni Grazia disse che da grande
avrebbe imparato a giocare a tennis.
Se l'azione che viene espressa nel discorso diretto non si è ancora compiuta, cioè è ancora futura, il
verbo si mantiene al futuro.
Se viene riportato qualcosa detto/pensato/creduto/ecc. nel presente o nel futuro, il verbo della
principale è al presente o al futuro: dice, dirà, ecc.
Nel passaggio da discorso diretto a indiretto i tempi non cambiano.
DISCORSO DIRETTO
Presente
Grazia dice: "Gli Stati Uniti sono lontani."
Passato prossimo
Quando la vedrò Grazia mi dirà: "Sono stata
in pizzeria ieri sera."
DISCORSO INDIRETTO
Presente
Grazia dice che gli Stati Uniti sono lontani.
Passato prossimo
Quando la vedrò Grazia mi dirà che è stata
in pizzeria ieri sera.
LEZIONE 40
IL PASSIVO
Por lo general las ideas suelen ser expresadas en la voz activa, es decir el sujeto es quien realiza una acción (que
puede o no afectar a algo o alguien de manera directa). Sin embargo existe la posibilidad de hacer uso de la voz
pasiva (il passivo), en la cual el sujeto es quien recibe la acción.
La voz pasiva se forma con la ayuda del auxiliar essere y de un verbo en pasado participio que cumplirá la
función de adjetivo calificativo por lo que éste deberá mantener concordancia en género y número con el sujeto
de la oración.
ATTIVO
Io ascolto
PASSIVO
Io sono ascoltato
Il passivo se puede expresar en diversos tiempos de los modos indicativo, subjuntivo y condicional:
Passato prossimo (indicativo)
Congiuntivo presente
Condizionale semplice

ATTIVO
io ho ascoltato
che io ascolti
io ascolterei
PASSIVO
io sono stato ascoltato
che io sia ascoltato
io sarei ascoltato
La transformación de la voz activa a la voz pasiva.
Solamente aquellas oraciones expresadas en voz activa que hacen uso de un verbo transitivo y que tienen un
complemento de objeto directo explícito pueden ser transformadas a la voz pasiva.
ATTIVO
PASSIVO
Molti lettori
“il nome della Rosa”
hanno apprezzato
è stato appresatto
“Il Nome della Rosa”
da molti lettori
Observa que el agente que realiza la acción es introducido por la preposición da.



Parma fu fondata dai Romani.
Il bimbo è stato morso da un cane randagio.
Questa mattina l'agenzia 7 della Cassa di Risparmio è stata rapinata da tre uomini armati e
mascherati.
Pero si el sujeto en la voz activa es indeterminado (loro, qualcuno, etc.), éste no se expresa en la voz pasiva
como agente (da loro, da qualcuno, etc.).

Hanno perso un mazzo di chiavi.
È stato perso un mazzo di chiavi.
El caso de las preguntas con chi ?

Chi ha scritto “Il Nome della Rosa” ?
Da chi è stato scritto “Il Nome della Rosa” ?
Il passivo también se puede expresar con el gerundio:
 La ricerca sul cancro sta facendo enormi progressi, essendo ora finanziata con nuovi fondi.
Il passivo también se puede expresar con el infinitivo:
 Non piace a nessuno essere deriso.
Il passivo también puede formarse con venire y andare, pero únicamente en tiempos simples.
Con venire tiene el mismo significado que con essere:


La squadra argentina di calcio veniva indicata come la favorita del torneo.
La squadra argentina di calcio era indicata come la favorita del torneo.


L'inglese viene oggi studiato nella maggior parte dei paesi.
L'inglese è oggi studiato nella maggior parte dei paesi.
Con andare: en la mayor parte de los casos toma el significado de “dovere”.


L'ultimofilm di Bertolucci va visto appena esce; dicono che sia un capolavoro.
L'ultimo film di Bertolucci deve essere visto appena esce; dicono che sia un capolavoro.


II divieto di fumare andrebbe esteso a tutti i locali pubblici.
II divieto di fumare dovrebbe essere esteso a tutti i locali pubblici.
Sin embargo en algunos casos andare no expresa el significado de “dovere”. En estos casos es posible
encontrarlo también en tiempos compuestos.


Nei roghi dell'Inquisizione andarono perduti libri di inestimabile valore.
Durante la notte alcune case sono andate parzialmente distrutte a causa di un'improvvisa tromba d'aria.
En adición a las formas de il passivo con los verbos essere, venire y andare, también es posible utilizar el si
pasivante + la forma activa del verbo principal. Esta fómula sólamente puede ser aplicada a las oraciones con
verbos transitivos con un complemento de objeto directo explícito.

A Firenze si insegna l'italiano a stranieri in molte scuole.
A Firenze l'italiano a stranieri è / viene insegnato in molte scuole.
El si passivante utilizará la conjugación del verbo en tercera persona singular si el sustantivo al cual se refiere es
singular; y usará la conjugación en tercera persona plural si el sustantivo es plural.


Fino a pochi decenni fa in Italia si parlava soprattutto il dialetto.
Fino a pochi decenni fa in Italia era parlato soprattutto il dialetto.


In Italia si spendono molti soldi per costruire nuove autostrade.
In Italia vengono spesi molti soldi per costruire nuove autostrade.
En los tiempos compuestos el auxiliar siempre será essere y el pasado participio concuerda en género y número
con el sustantivo al cuál se refiere:


L'anno scorso si sono registrati tassi d'interesse in leggero calo.
Si sono viste cose interessantissime durante l'ultimo Festival di Spoleto.
LEZIONE 28
ESERCIZI
I. Completa las frases utilizando los adjetivos indefinidos de la caja.
alcuni
troppo
altrettanta
parecchi
tutto tutta pochi
1. Per fare un caffè bastano ________________________ minuti.
2. Mio cugino lavora nell’informatica e guadagna ________________________ soldi.
3. In questo periodo mi va ________________________ male.
4. Non posso pulire ________________________ la casa in dieci minuti.
5. Qui c’è ________________________ rumore, andiamo via.
6. Abbiamo molta fame e voi ne avete ________________________ .
II. Completa las frases con ogni o qualche.
1. _____________ bambino deve andare a scuola a sei anni.
2. _____________ bambino italiano gioca a pallacanestro, molti giocano a calcio.
3. _____________ città italiana ha la metropolitana
4. _____________ studente studia cinque ore al giorno, la maggior parte due o tre.
5. _____________ essame è un rischio.
6. _____________ lavoro è molto interessante, ma altri sono molto noiosi.
III. Completa las frases con ogni, qualche, qualsiasi, qualunque y una palabra de la caja.
settimana
problema
film
volta studente
giorno
anno momento
1. Vado al cinema ________________________ .
(ogni)
2. ________________________ vado a ballare il sabato sera.
(qualche)
3. Mi piace ____________________ western.
(qualsiasi)
4. ________________________ lavoro dalle 8 alle 13.
(ogni)
5. ________________________ tu abbia, credo di potere aiutarti.
(qualsiasi)
6. Silvia cambia macchina ________________________ .
(ogni)
7. Questa mattina ____________ non ricordava la regola de grammatica.
(qualche)
8. Puoi telefonarmi in ________________________ .
(qualsiasi)
LEZIONE 29
ESERCIZI
I. Elige el verbo adecuado del recuadro y conjúgalo usando la forma stare + gerundio para
completar la frase
percorrere nevicare piovere girare guardare trascorrere studiare peggiorare mangiare fare
Guarda, ______sta nevicando______ !
Non mi disturbare, _____________________________
Non posso uscire adesso; _____________________________
In questi giorni Luigi _____________________________molto tempo con gli amici.
La situazione economica italiana_____________________________
Quando mi hai chiamato_____________________________ la doccia, per questo non ho
risposto.
7. _____________________________l'autostrada A15 quando un camion l’ha tamponato.
8. Luca adesso_____________________________; quando finirà, tornerà in ufficio.
9. _____________________________la televisione quando c'é stato il terremoto.
10. Il tuo attore preferito_____________________________ un nuovo film che uscirà a Natale.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
II. Lee la descripción de las situaciones y haz una previsión usando stare per + infinito.
1.
C’è una nuvola nera e densa sopra di te.
______Sta per piovere_________________________________________________
2.
Vedi due persone che stanno entrando in una chiesa, vestiti da sposi.
_______________________________________________________________________
3.
Vedi uno che ha rotto il finestrino di una macchina e sta aprendo la porta.
_______________________________________________________________________
4.
È un gran premio di Formula uno. Le auto sono ferme e aspettano il semaforo verde.
_______________________________________________________________________
5.
Sono le 7.30 di sera. II fruttivendolo sta spegnendo le luci.
_______________________________________________________________________
6.
Ci sono due persone al ristorante, hanno finito di mangiare e stanno chiamando il
cameriere.
_______________________________________________________________________
LEZIONE 30
ESERCIZI
I – Responde a las preguntas utilizando niente, qualcuno, qualcosa, uno.
1. Cosa hai fatto domenica scorsa?
________________________ di interessante. Mi sono molto annoiata.
2. Cosa vuoi mangiare?
________________________ di buono. Ho molta fame.
3. Ti ha visto qualcuno?
No, non mi ha visto ________________________.
4. Sei tutto sporco. Cosa è succeso?
Non ti preoccupare, non è succeso ________________________.
5. Chi è quel signore?
È ________________________ che conosco, ma non mi ricordo il nome.
6. Cosa fai questo fine settimana
Vorrei fare ________________________ di interessante, ma non so ancora cosa.
II – Escribe una frase con un significado opuesto.
7. Chiunque può permettersi una macchina.
_____________________________________________________________
8. Ieri sera al bar c’era uno che conoscevo.
_____________________________________________________________
III – Escribe una “A” si la palabra en negrita de las siguientes frases funciona como un aggettivo
indefinito o una “P” si es un pronome indefinito.
1. -
Hai dimenticato qualcosa per il viaggio?
No, ho preso tutto.
_________
2. -
Pagate molti soldi di affitto?
Sì, 600 euro.
_________
3. Tutti i miei cugini ormai lavorano, perché sono grandi.
_________
4. Oggi ho parecchio da fare, non venite a disturbarmi.
_________
5. Ci sono parecchie cose di cui vorrei discutere con te.
_________
6. C’è tantissimo da studiare.
_________
7. Abbiamo preso tantissimo sole.
_________
LEZIONE 31
ESERCIZI
I – Completa las siguientes oraciones con la conjugación adecuada del modo condicional del
verbo entre paréntesis:
1. Io ________________ mangiare la pizza.
(preferire)
2. Che cosa Le ________________ fare?
(piacere)
3. Noi ________________cercare subito un parcheggio.
(dovere)
4. Lui ________________ noleggiare una macchina.
(volere)
5. (Lei) ________________ darmi l'orario dei treni?
(potere)
6. Ti __________________________ alla stazione, ma non ho la macchina.
(portare)
7. I signori Gaidano __________________________ tornare a Torino, ma per ora continuano a
lavorare in Svizzera.
(volere)
8. Zia, ti __________________________ venire con noi al concerto?
(piacere)
9. Mi dispiace, io ti __________________________ volentieri dal medico, ma alle 9 devo essere
in ufficio.
(accompagnare)
10. Enrico e Fabiola _______________ ma non hanno ancora trovato casa.
II – Elige la opción que complete correctamente cada oración:
1. Le ragazze ________________, ma non ricordano le parole.
a) cantarebbero
b) canterebbero
c) cantarebbe
2. Teresa ________________ tedesco, ma non ricorda i verbi.
a) parlerebbe
b) parlarebbe
c) parlerebbero
3. Tu ________________ di non capire, ma sei impulsivo.
a) fingerei
b) fingeresti
c) fingeristi
4. Gli studenti ________________ i corsi, ma non è obbligatorio.
a) frequenterebbero
b) frecuentarebbero
c) frequentarebbero
5. Voi ________________ il segreto, ma non sapete come.
a) scopriste
b) scopriraste
III – Completa la siguiente tabla:
infinito
futuro
condizionale
infinito
c) scoprireste
futuro
essere
condizionale
berrei
avrò
sapere
potrei
vivrò
(sposarsi)
LEZIONE 32
ESERCIZI
I – Completa la siguiente tabla:
Grado
positivo
amaro
luminosa
antichi
buono
Grado
Grado
comparativo superlativo
Grado
positivo
piccolo
strane
pesanti
faticosa
Grado
Grado
comparativo superlativo
II – Escribe oraciones comparativas lógicas utilizando un elemento de cada una de las siguientes
columnas:
il gatto
l’Everest
il sole
l’erba
il ghiaccio
l’Africa
l’oro
l’uva
alto
luminoso
popolosa
prezioso
veloce
verde
dolce
freddo
la tartaruga
la banana
le foglie
l’acqua
l’Oceania
l’argento
la luna
il Cervino
1. ____________________________________________________________________.
2. ____________________________________________________________________.
3. ____________________________________________________________________.
4. ____________________________________________________________________.
5. ____________________________________________________________________.
6. ____________________________________________________________________.
7. ____________________________________________________________________.
8. ____________________________________________________________________.
II – Transforma las frases utilizando el superlativo absoluto:
1. Questo monumento è molto importante.
_________________________________________
2. La Russia è molto grande.
_________________________________________
3. Il vino francese è molto buono.
_________________________________________
4. L’Avana è molto bella.
_________________________________________
LEZIONE 33
ESERCIZI
I – Transforma las frases utilizando el condizionale composto como en el ejemplo:

Vorrei guardare un film domani.
Avrei voluto guardare un film ieri.
1. Ti piacerebbe andare al cinema domani sera?
_____________________________________________________ ieri sera?
2. Penso che sarebbe meglio andare in discoteca.
_____________________________________________________ ieri sera.
3. L'anno prossimo l’inflazione dovrebbe essere del 2%.
L'anno scorso _____________________________________________________.
4. Non sappiamo se Barbara capirebbe la mia scrittura.
Non sapevo ______________________________________________________ .
5. Credo che Roberto ci presterebbe un po' di soldi.
Credevo _________________________________________________________ .
6. Vorrei mangiare una buona pizza stasera.
leri sera _________________________________________________________ .
II – Elige la opción que complete correctamente cada oración:
1. Sempre la stessa storia, mi ________________ ma avevi molto da fare.
a) avresti telefonato
b) avresti telefonata
c) avresti telefonati
2. Ero sicuro che ________________ al Lotto, ma come al solito niente.
a) serei vinto
b) avrei vinto
c) seresti vinta
3. Io ________________ anche Laura, ma non l’ho incontrata.
a) avrei invitata
b) avrei invitate
c) avrei invitato
4. Luca ________________ volentieri il gelato, ma era raffreddato.
a) avrebbe mangiato
b) avrebero mangiato
c) sarebbe mangiato
5. Noi ________________ al concerto, ma non c’erano biglietti.
a) saremo andate
b) sareste andate
c) saremmo andate
6. Carlo e Anna ________________ con noi, ma avevano da fare.
a) sarebero venuti
b) sarebero venute
c) sarebbero venuti
LEZIONE 34
ESERCIZI
I – Encierra en un círculo los pronombres relativos que encuentres y subraya las palabras a las
que éstos sustituyen.
1. Il centralino mi ha dato un numero di interno che probabilmente era sbagliato.
2. La legge che è stata proposta da alcuni partiti sarà approvata.
3. Ti piace la canzone che ha vinto il festival?
II – Elabora una sola frase uniendo con un pronombre relativo cada par de oraciones.
1. Ho venduto il motorino. Il motorino era vecchio.
___________________________________________________________________
2. Ho messo le calze nel cassetto. Il cassetto è già pieno.
___________________________________________________________________
3. Luisa è andata da un’amica. L’amica è ucraina.
___________________________________________________________________
III – Completa las frases con el pronombre “cui” y la preposición necesaria.
1. Quello è il ragazzo _________________ vivo.
2. La casa _________________ abito ora è molto più grande di quella di prima.
3. Le cugine _________________ ti ho parlato arriveranno in Italia il prossimo mese.
4. La città _________________ vengo si trova nell’interno dell’Ecuador.
5. La persona _________________ scrivo mi è molto cara.
6. Il computer _________________ scrivo è nuovissimo.
IV – Identifica y corrige el error en cada oración.
1. Conosci la signora anziana alla quale ci ha parlato di te?
___________________________________________________________________
2. Come si chiama la ragazza del quale mi hai parlato?
___________________________________________________________________
3. Il quale vuole partecipare alla festa deve portare una bottiglia di vino.
___________________________________________________________________
4. Dovrei dimagrire, il cui mi risulta difficile.
___________________________________________________________________
LEZIONE 35
ESERCIZI
I. Escrivi le forme dell’imperativo.
TU
NOI
VOI
1.
Cantare
_______________
______________________________________
2.
Giocare
_______________________________________________________
3.
Prendere
_______________________________________________________
4.
Leggere
_______________________________________________________
5.
Ascoltare
_______________________________________________________
6.
Andare
_______________________________________________________
7.
Avere
_______________________________________________________
8.
Finire
_______________________________________________________
9.
Partire
_______________________________________________________
10.
Dare
_______________________________________________________
11.
Dire
_______________________________________________________
12.
Scrivere
_______________________________________________________
13.
Pulire
_______________________________________________________
14.
Venire
_______________________________________________________
II. Trasforma all'imperativo negativo o positivo.
1. Non parlare a voce alta!
__________________________________________
2. Telefona a Fausto!
__________________________________________
3. Apri la finestra!
__________________________________________
4. Non accendere la televisione!
__________________________________________
5. Bevi una birra!
__________________________________________
6. Non scendere le scale!
__________________________________________
7. Attraversa la strada lentamente! _________________________________________
8. Non cantare!
__________________________________________
9. Prendi una mela!
__________________________________________
10. Raccogli quel fiore!
__________________________________________
LEZIONE 36
ESERCIZI
I. Riscrivi le frasi, sostituendo alle parole sottolineate la corrispondente forma alterata del
sostantivo, dell’aggettivo o dell’avverbio:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Avete fatto un grosso affare a comprare quella casa.
________________________________________________________________________
Il prezzo di questi stivali mi sembra piuttosto alto.
________________________________________________________________________
Gianni parla abbastanza bene il tedesco.
________________________________________________________________________
I Rossi ci hanno invitato alla grande cena di fine anno.
________________________________________________________________________
Ti prego di non fare più questi brutti scherzi.
________________________________________________________________________
I1 vestito ti è rimasto un po' troppo corto.
________________________________________________________________________
Ieri Marco ha fatto una brutta figura con Luisa.
________________________________________________________________________
Da qui il centro è piuttosto lontano.
________________________________________________________________________
Per andare a Pisa ci vuole più o meno un ora.
________________________________________________________________________
Carla è così magra, perché mangia relativamente poco.
________________________________________________________________________
II. Scegli la forma del sostantivo, avverbio o aggettivo alterato.
1. Vedi una ragazza piuttosto carina, cosa dici al tuo amico?
Guarda come è bellina/bellona/bellaccia quella ragazza!
2. Vivi in un quartiere molto pericoloso e malfamato. Come Io descrivi?
È un quartierino/quartieretto/quartieraccio.
3. Stai passando un brutto momento, sei pieno di problemi. Cosa dici?
Sto passando un momentino/momentone/momentaccio.
4. Sei andato al mercato e hai trovato qualcosa che ti piace a un prezzo bassissimo. Cosa pensi?
Ho fatto un affarino/affarone/affaraccio.
5. Hai una stanza tutta perte cheti piace molto, ma è un po' piccola. Come la descrivi?
Ho una stanzetta/stanzona/stanzaccia tutta per me.
6. Devi fare un esame molto impegnativo e difficile. Cosa dici alla tua ragazza?
Questa settimana non ci vedremo molto perché devo preparare un esamino /esamone/ esamuccio.
7. Hai comprato un regalo alla tua ragazza, ma non avevi molti soldi. Cosa le dici?
Ti ho comprato un regalino/regalaccio/regalone.
8. Ti senti in forma, ma c'è qualcosa che non va, Cosa rispondi a chi ti chiede come stai?
Sto bene/benino/benone.
LEZIONE 37
ESERCIZI
1. Completa le frasi con l'imperativo. Usa uno dei verbi del riquadro.
vestirsi / ricordarsi / parlarne / pulirle / decidersi / andarci / mettersi / dirmi
1. Che scarpe sporche! ___________________ !
2. Stasera andiamo da Sandra. ___________________ di comprarle un mazzo di fiori.
3. Sta facendo molto freddo. ___________________ una sciarpa.
4. Hai ancora problemi con la tua collega? ___________________ con il tuo direttore!
5. ___________________ hai già pensato dove andare in vacanza per Natale?
6. Fulvio, o andiamo a mangiare una pizza o andiamo al cinema. _________________!
7. Dobbiamo andare al matrimonio di Teo. ___________________ più elegantemente!
8. Sono appena tornato da Cordoba. ________________ anche tu perché è bellissima!
2. Rispondi alle domande usando un imperativo.
1. Posso chiamarti più tardi? _______________________ quando vuoi!
2. Posso andare in discoteca stasera? _______________________, ma non tornare tardi!
3. Posso andare in vacanza a Roma con Patty? ____________________ ma fate attenzione!
4. Posso parlare a Stefano del tuo nuovo libro? No, ____________________; è un segreto!
5. Stasera Lucia ed io diremo ai miei genitori che ci vogliamo sposare!
No, _________________________; gli dará un infarto!
6. Possiamo prendere la tua macchina? No, _________________________; è senza benzina
e frena malissimo!
7. Mamma, possiamo iscriverci al corso di aerobica?
Si, _______________________ pure; ma quest'anno niente vacanze!
8. Posso dare a Giancarlo il tuo indirizzo? Si, _______________________ !
LEZIONE 38
ESERCIZI
I. Trasforma le frasi secondo la seguente struttura:
Se Giorgio arriva in ritardo, non può entrare. > Se uno arriva in ritardo, non può entrare.
1.
In treno Roberto viaggia più comodamente.
________________________________________________________________________
2.
Di mattina Carla lavora meglio che di sera.
________________________________________________________________________
3.
In questo ristorante Luigi mangia bene.
________________________________________________________________________
4.
Di questi tempi Stefano guadagna di più, ma spende anche di più.
________________________________________________________________________
5.
Quando sarà pronta la nuova strada, noi potremo risparmiare qualche chilometro.
________________________________________________________________________
II. Trasforma le seguenti frasi usando il soggeto loro.
1. La casa non è ancora stata pulita.
_______________________________________
2. Sono statí sospesi gli scioperi.
_______________________________________
3. Quando fu costruito i1 Duomo di Firenze?
_______________________________________
4. Come è stato concluso 1'affare?
_______________________________________
5. Un tempo si pensava che la terra fosse piatta. _______________________________________
III. Metti le frasi al passato prossimo.
1. Si mangia molto bene in quel ristorante. __________________________________________
2. Si va spesso al mare.
__________________________________________
3. Si nuota volentieri in quella piscina.
__________________________________________
4. Si sta bene in quel parco.
__________________________________________
5. Si chiacchiera volentieri con i tuoi amici. __________________________________________
6. Si parte alle 9.
__________________________________________
7. Ci si alza tardi per Natale.
__________________________________________
8. Si beve vino bianco in Toscana.
__________________________________________
LEZIONE 39
ESERCIZI
I. Trasforma le frasi in discorso indiretto.
1. "Ho fame!"
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
2 "Presto partirò per il Brasile."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
3. "Sto lavorando molto.”
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
4. "Non vedo mia madre da alcuni giorni."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
5. "Ti chiamerò non appena tornerò dalle vacanze."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
6. "Ho trovato subito un lavoro dopo aver finito di studiare."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
7. "Ho deciso all’ultimo momento di telefonare a Gigi."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
8. "Ho già fatto gli auguri di buon anno alla nonna."
Grazia disse che ______________________________________________________________
II. Completa la conversazione telefonica.
Anna:
Mamma:
Anna:
Mamma:
Anna:
Mamma:
Lia:
Mamma:
Anna:
Mamma:
Lia:
Mamma:
Anna:
Mamma:
Lia:
Mamma:
Anna:
Mamma:
Lia:
Mamma:
Pronto, sono Anna; c’è Lia?
Ciao Anna, Lia sta facendo la doccia.
Ho bisogno di chiederle alcune informazioni.
Dimmi, gliele chiedo io.
Domani c’è l’esame?
Lia, Anna chiede se domani (1) __________c’è l'esame_________
Sì.
Lia dice che (2) __________________________________
A che ora?
Anna chiede (3) __________________________________
Alle 9.
Lia dice che (4) __________________________________
Va all’università in autobus?
Anna chiede se (5) __________________________________
No, in macchina.
Dice che (6) __________________________________
Può passarmi a prendere?
Anna chiede se (7) __________________________________
Va bene. Non c'é nessun problema.
Lia dice che (8) __________________________________. Ascolta Anna non potresti
chiamare fra 5 minuti?!
LEZIONE 40
ESERCIZI
I – Transforma las siguientes frases a la voz pasiva:
1. Hanno invitato Giorgio alla festa?
_______________________________________________________________
2. La polizia ha arrestato i ladri.
_______________________________________________________________
3. Costruiranno due nuove case in Via Savani.
_______________________________________________________________
II – Completa las frases con la voz pasiva de alguno de los verbos del recuadro. Utiliza un tiempo
adecuado de acuerdo al contexto de cada oración:
decidere vendere
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
rubare
visitare
costruire
danneggiare
premere
firmare
Durante la riunione di oggi ______________________ la fusione delle due società.
Questa pagina Internet_________________ da 1200 persone negli ultimi 10 giorni.
L'edificio scolastico __________________________________ dal maltempo.
La mia casa __________________________________ 5 anni fa.
Un quadro di Leonardo________________________ all'asta la settimana prossima.
Questo tasto non deve mai_____________________________________________.
II trattato di pace___________________________ a Parigi il prossimo 20 gennaio.
Questo diamante potrebbe__________________________ due anni fa a Stoccolma.
III – Forma la voz pasiva con el verbo venire:
1. Alcuni anni fa l'italiano era insegnato solamente in pochi paesi.
_______________________________________________________________
2. L'ultimo modello della Fiat è prodotto in uno stabilimento del Sud Italia.
_______________________________________________________________
3. II cinema fu evacuato a causa di un incendio.
_______________________________________________________________
IV – Transforma las frases usando el si passivante:
1. Il Presidente della Repubblica Italiana viene eletto ogni sette anni.
_______________________________________________________________
2. Le partite di calcio vengono spesso seguite alla radio.
_______________________________________________________________
3. La poesia è spesso considerata difficile.
_______________________________________________________________
4. In questi anni sono stati fatti molti progressi nella ricerca sul cancro.
_______________________________________________________________