C1.1A Class Google Site:
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C1.1C Class Google Site:
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Class Blog:
EF p 190. Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday? Writing an Article. Verb Form Gap Fill
Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0).
Verbs: picture, stumble across, work, always/fascinate, kowtow, give, curb, find, nod, tell, swap, finally/allow, clearly/wait, dig.
Task instructions: You have been asked to write an article describing your experience of an unusual type of holiday for a students’ magazine.
Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday?
Are you tired of doing the same thing every summer? (0) Picture this: you're sprawled on a beach towel, bored out of your mind, watching other tourists do exactly what you're doing – absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? If you (1) your head right now, it might be time to trade that sun lounger for something more memorable.
I (2) by history, but let's be honest – reading about ancient civilisations in dusty textbooks isn't exactly thrilling. So when I (3) an advertisement for an archaeology training holiday, I was intrigued. A week of hands-on historical detective work? Sign me up! My friends thought I'd lost my mind. "You're paying to dig holes in the dirt?" one asked. "You could do that in your garden for free!"
Our group was wonderfully eclectic. Eight of us gathered that first morning: a retired school teacher who (4) for years for this adventure, two enthusiastic American college students armed with expensive cameras (naturally), an out-of-work actor who (5) us dramatic readings of historical texts at every opportunity – including at breakfast – and a few others who, like me, were simply curious. We stayed in a converted farmhouse where the accommodation was refreshingly simple but comfortable, and the home-cooked meals were absolutely delicious. Proper food, not the usual holiday fare that makes you wonder which century it's from (though given our location, that might have been appropriate).
After some basic training in archaeological techniques – learning the difference between a significant find and a rock was harder than you'd think, and I'm still not entirely convinced about some of my "discoveries" – we (6) to join a real dig at a nearby archaeological site. Imagine carefully brushing away centuries of soil with what looks like a toothbrush, never quite knowing what might emerge. The tension, the concentration, the sheer excitement of it all! Also, the backache. Nobody mentions the backache.
Then it happened. As I (7) methodically through my assigned section, convinced I (8) nothing but more dirt, my trowel struck something hard. My heart raced as I gently uncovered a tiny fragment of pottery, its surface surprisingly smooth despite the passage of time. When our instructor examined it later that day, she confirmed it was Roman. "Beginner's luck!" she announced with a grin. Meanwhile, the retired teacher who (9) for three days had found precisely one modern bottle cap. I tried not to look too smug.
Would I recommend an educational holiday? Absolutely. In fact, I'm already planning my next one – mediaeval castle restoration, anyone? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with traditional beach holidays if that's your thing. But personally, I can't think of anything more rewarding than learning a new skill, meeting fascinating people, and coming home with stories that are actually worth (10) at dinner parties.
Oh, and I still got a sun tan – just with considerably more dirt under my fingernails and a newfound appreciation for professional archaeologists who do this every day without complaining. So, what would your life be like if you (11) predictable for unforgettable this summer?
KEY
1. 're nodding
2. 've always been fascinated
3. stumbled across
4. 'd clearly been waiting
5. gave
6. were finally allowed
7. was working
8. 'd find
9. 'd been digging
10. telling
11. swapped
Extra verbs:
To Curb: To check or keep in check; to restrain. Sp. frenar, restringir.
"The government introduced new laws to curb inflation."
To Kowtow: To act in an excessively subservient manner.
“I refuse to kowtow to the demands of a bully.”
EF p 194. PROPOSAL FOR A MONTHLY INTERCULTURAL STREET FOOD MARKET. Writing. Verb Form Gap Fill
Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0).
Verbs:
conclude, foster, outline, exacerbate, propose, feature, belong, ensure, adopt, acquiesce, request, launch, encourage, dine, establish, encompass, require, outline, promote, engage, fail, submit, lower.You have been asked by your local city council to suggest one cultural initiative intended to strengthen community life in urban areas, where many people report feeling increasingly isolated.
PROPOSAL FOR A MONTHLY INTERCULTURAL STREET FOOD MARKET
Submitted to: Hartfield City Council
Date: 16th January 2026
Introduction
As (0) requested, I (1) the following proposal in order to address the council's recent findings regarding social isolation amongst urban residents. The main purpose of this proposal is (2) a cultural initiative that would transform our underutilised Market Square into a vibrant community hub (3) cultural exchange and meaningful interaction.
Current Situation
It is clear from residents' feedback that opportunities (4) with one another across cultural boundaries remain severely limited. It is a fact that many adults report feeling disconnected from their neighbours, which means that our public spaces, whilst plentiful, (5) to function as genuine gathering points. In light of this year's community survey, a more dynamic approach is vital if we are (6) the sense of belonging our community desperately requires.
The Proposed Initiative
I strongly recommend (7) a monthly Intercultural Street Food Market operating on the last Saturday of each month. We propose that the market (8) food stalls run by local residents representing various cultural backgrounds. Crucially, this would not simply be a commercial venture. I therefore recommend that participants (9) to share the stories and traditions behind their dishes, with designated "cultural exchange zones" where cooking demonstrations and informal language practice sessions could take place.
(10) active participation rather than passive consumption, it would be advisable to incorporate communal seating areas designed to encourage strangers (11) together, alongside interactive activities such as collaborative cooking workshops and traditional music performances. We suggest (12) stall holders to work in pairs from different cultural backgrounds, ensuring that cross-cultural collaboration lies at the heart of the project.
Expected Benefits
The advantages of the approach proposed would be considerable. Food provides a universally accessible entry point for cultural dialogue, whilst the informal market atmosphere (13) barriers that might prevent engagement in more structured community events. If we were to celebrate our diversity as an asset, we could potentially reduce prejudice through positive personal encounters.
Furthermore, this course of action would be beneficial since it would increase footfall for local businesses and generate renewed civic pride. The short-term benefits include immediate opportunities for meaningful social connection, whilst the long-term advantages (14) enhanced community cohesion and a transformed town centre.
Conclusion
(15), the evidence points towards this initiative as an effective solution to urban isolation. In light of the above, I believe this proposal (16) with immediate approval of funding and commitment to (17) a pilot programme this spring. Our residents deserve genuine opportunities to connect and value one another.
I trust that the recommendations (18) in this proposal will receive your serious consideration. I feel certain that the course of action (19) above will answer the needs of our community and transform our town from a place where people merely coexist into one where they genuinely (20).
KEY
1. am submitting
2. to outline
3. promoting
4. to engage
5. have failed
6. to foster
7. establishing
8. (should) feature
9. (should) be encouraged
10. To ensure
11. to dine
12. requiring
13. would lower
14. would encompass
15. To conclude
16. should be adopted
17. to launching/ to launch
18. outlined
19. proposed
20. belong
Extra verbs:
To Acquiesce: to accept something reluctantly but without protest. Consent.
“Despite her initial reservations, she finally acquiesced to the board's demands.”
To Exacerbate: To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. Worsen.
“Adding more tasks to his plate will only exacerbate his current stress levels.
Ready for C1 p 20 . Past and Perfect Tenses. Speaking. Monologue Sample Answer. Cloze
A. Interaction
1.Have you ever been abroad? If so, what special difficulties did you experience?
2. What ambitions have you harboured? Have you ever thought they would be too great to fulfil? Have you ever given up any ambitions you had? What were the reasons?
3. Do you usually go out for dinner or lunch? How often do you do it?
4. Did your parents use to read you a story at bedtime? If so, what stories do you remember them telling you? Do you think this is something positive? Do bedtime stories encourage people to read later in life?
5. When you were a little child, did your parents let you watch everything on TV? What kind of programmes or films were you NOT allowed to watch? Do you remember any films in particular?
B. Monologue
Partner A
1. Have you been learning new vocabulary this week? What new words have you learnt so far?
2. Is this the first time you have attended an Advanced English course?
3. Where have you been eating during the summer? What healthy meals have you been cooking at home?
Partner B
1. Would you rather the English grammar was easier than it is?
2. Would you sooner study online than face-to-face?
3. Would you rather have worked than come to class?
Monologue sample answer:
1. Would society sooner adopt fully remote schooling or maintain a blended, flexible approach to education?
2. This is probably the first time in history that multiple generations have had to adapt to such rapid technological change simultaneously. What challenges has this created?
3. By the time young people finish university today, what skills will they have been developing that previous generations had largely ignored?
Introduction
When considering the future of education, it's clear that we're at a real crossroads. The experiences of the past few years have fundamentally challenged our assumptions (1)______________ how learning should take place, and it's necessary to consider not just what's technologically possible, but what's actually beneficial for students and society as a (2)___________.
Question 1
From an educational perspective, most people would prefer to keep some form of face-to-face interaction in schools and universities rather than moving everything online permanently. You see, whilst the pandemic forced us into remote learning almost overnight, it's become increasingly clear that this wasn't the educational revolution some (3)_____________ been predicting. In fact, what became apparent was that students were constantly complaining about feeling isolated and disconnected from their peers. Teachers, too, had been struggling to maintain engagement when they couldn't gauge students' understanding and reactions in the way they (4)_____________ to.
For many educators, this was the first time they (5)____________ ever taught an entire course online, and the learning curve was extremely steep. Some schools had been investing in digital infrastructure for years, but even so, nothing could have fully prepared them for such an abrupt transition. (6)_______________ said that, there's unlikely to be a complete return to pre-pandemic practices. It's now several years (7)____________ distance learning became commonplace, and valuable lessons about flexibility have been learnt. For instance, students who used to spend hours commuting can now attend some sessions from home, (8)____________ has actually improved attendance rates in many institutions.
Question 2
This leads to another important consideration. (9)____________ makes this period in history particularly remarkable is that we're witnessing something quite unprecedented – people of all ages, from schoolchildren to their grandparents, have been forced to embrace new digital tools at the same time. This simultaneous transformation across age groups has certainly created some unique obstacles.
On the one hand, younger people have generally been finding it easier to adapt – after (10)_____________, they've been using tablets and smartphones since they were toddlers. On the other hand, older generations have had to completely rethink the way they'd been doing things for decades. Research suggests that many experienced teachers would have preferred their schools to have provided more comprehensive training before expecting staff to conduct lessons on Zoom. It was a long time since many educators (11)___________ last felt so professionally challenged by technological change. Many had been planning to finish their careers using traditional methods they'd always relied on, and suddenly everything changed. Several training programmes (12)____________ to have taken place in March 2020, but they were cancelled when the first lockdown began, which left many teachers feeling inadequately prepared.
What's (13)_____________, this rapid transformation has exposed a significant digital divide. Not everyone has had access to reliable internet or appropriate devices, which means that some students have been falling behind through no fault of their own. Before the pandemic, these inequalities had been less visible because everyone was physically present in the classroom. Research indicates that many families would (14)_______________ have kept their children in traditional classrooms where at least the playing field was more level.
Question 3
Looking ahead, it's fascinating to consider the capabilities that today's university leavers are acquiring. The competencies they've been gaining throughout their studies are remarkably different from what earlier cohorts concentrated on. (15)________________ previous generations had focused primarily on memorising information and following established procedures, modern students have been learning to think critically, collaborate remotely, and adapt to constant change.
For example, digital literacy has become absolutely fundamental. Students have been using online research tools, managing their digital presence, and communicating across various platforms in ways that (16)_____________ have been unimaginable just twenty years ago. Similarly, soft skills like resilience and flexibility have become increasingly important. The fact of the matter is, these young people have been navigating unprecedented disruption throughout their education, which has actually taught them to cope with uncertainty far better than previous generations (17)_______________ to.
Moreover, they've been developing what's often referred to as 'learning agility' – the ability to teach themselves new skills quickly. This is crucial because, it's clear that many of the jobs they'll be doing in ten years' time probably don't even exist (18)________________. By the time they graduate, they will have been adapting to new technologies and working methods for their entire educational journey, which is something no previous generation experienced to the same extent.
Conclusion
To summarise, evidence suggests we're heading towards a hybrid educational model that combines the best of both traditional and digital approaches. Whilst the rapid technological transformation has undoubtedly created obstacles, particularly for older age groups, it has also equipped young people (19)___________ a unique set of capabilities that will serve them well in an increasingly unpredictable world. The key consideration is ensuring that no one is left (20)_____________ in this transition and that human connection continues to be valued alongside technological innovation.
KEY
1. about
2. whole
3. had
4. used
5. had
6. Having
7. since
8. which
9. What
10. all
11. had
12. were
13. more
14. sooner/rather/
15. Whilst/ While
16. would
17. used
18. yet
19. with
20. behind
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