Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SPEAKING
DO YOU THINK THERE IS AN UPPER OR LOWER AGE LIMIT FOR THESE ACTIVITIES?
Getting married
Having kids
Learning a new language
Travelling around the world
Worrying about how you look
Leaving home
Starting a new career
Dancing to pop music in public
Learning to ski
Riding a motorbike
Wearing jeans
Playing in a rock band
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES YOU THINK HAVE AGE LIMITS?
READING AND USE OF ENGLISH
ACTIVITY 1) READ THE TEXT BELOW AND THINK OF THE WORD WHICH BEST FITS EACH
GAP. USE ONLY ONE WORD IN EACH GAP.
For (1)_____of my life, age has seemed unimportant. My friends of (2)______sexes have been
younger, older or the same age. When I was in my early thirties I went out with a man of twentythree. One of the most attractive men I know is (3)_____ his mid-fifties.
The first time I experienced a problem with age was on my fortieth birthday. Much to my
surprise, it was a deeply traumatic (4)______. Forty seemed to be so much (5)_______than thirtynine. Anyway, I slowly got over the shock and tried to convince myself that life begins at forty
I met him (6)________badminton. Hes thirty-one and looks about nineteen he has
(7)______ idea how old I am.
All my life Ive been totally honest. I return extra change to astonished shopkeepers, Ive never
travelled (8)________a ticket and in job interviews I tell them all the (9)_________why they
shouldnt employ me!
So, early on in the relationship I told him the truth about my rocky past my divorce, my
financial difficulties. I even admitted that I dye my hair. I told him Im older than he is, but
something stopped me from (10)________him the whole truth about my age.
And now Im in trouble serious trouble. Silence has made the problem (11)_______greater.
If I had told him before, it wouldnt have become such a big issue. If I had been brave enough to
admit that I was eleven years older than him, I wouldnt be so worried about him finding
(12)_______the truth. The other day, I even hid my passport under a pile of papers.
I know that if I was a man, I would never have got into this mess. (13)_______eleven years
older is nothing for a man. But in my case, its the other way round, the world judges older women
harshly. Im afraid he would do the (14)_________
I have become an ageist and a liar and I have no one to blame but myself.
ACTIVITY 2) WHICH STATEMENTS ARE TRUE FOR THE WRITER?
A) I wish Id never met him.
MIXED CONDITIONALS
When we talk about the present result of a past event, we can use a mixed conditional. For
example:
If I hadnt been invited, I wouldnt be here.
I wouldnt be surprised if he had been delayed.
If my parents had never met, I wouldnt be here now.
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1) PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE CORRECT FORM TO MAKE
SECOND CONDITONAL SENTENCES.
A. Your uncle would really appreciate it if you (go) to see him.
B. If she (make) more effort to help herself, I (have) more sympathy with her.
C. Chris (not/take) a day off work unless he (be) really ill.
D. If you (know) her as well as I do, you (not/rely) on her at all.
E. We (must) reduce the price if we (want) to sell our house quickly.
F. If electric cars (not/have) such large batteries, they (be) faster to drive.
G. If you (call) the Fire Brigade, how long (it/take) them to arrive?
H. I (not/carry) your wallet around in your pocket if I (be) you?
EXERCISE 2) COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SECOND CONDITIONAL SENTENCES:
1. You know Id never forgive you if you______________________________________
2. What on earth would you do if you_________________________________________
3. Id sleep better at night if the neighbours_____________________________________
4. Id lend you the money if__________________________________________________
5. Id have no hesitation in accepting if________________________________________
6. If I were a politician, I____________________________________________________
EXERCISE 3) THE PICTURE BELOW SHOWS MARTIN READY FOR AN INTERVIEW FOR A
JOB AS A BANK CLERK. ALTHOUGH HES BOUGHT A NEW SUIT FOR THE OCCASION,
HES NOT LIKELY TO MAKE A VERY GOOD IMPRESSION! MAKE SENTENCES TO EXPLAIN
WHAT HE COULD DO TO IMPROVE HIS CHANCES AT THE INTERVIEW (USE THE SECOND
CONDITIONAL!!!!!) FOR EXAMPLE:
If he had his hair cut, he would/might make a better impression.