3c: A friend in need

Warm-up

Discuss.

What are some problems that people your age are concerned about?

Homework, school performance and the occasional friend problems.

Who do you talk to when you have a problem?

I talk to my parents and my friends.

2 Read

A. Read the title and try to guess what the blog is going to be about. Then listen and check your answers.

It's about problems young people may have.

B. Read again and write T for True or F for False.

1. Sweaty Speaker doesn’t prepare at all before the school projects. F

2. Sweaty Speaker finds it hard to talk in front of the whole class. T

3. Jack thinks that other people haven’t got this kind of problem. F

4. Jack thinks that you need more than one day to prepare yourself before a presentation. T

5. Jack thinks that most of the time classmates laugh at people who are presenting a project. F

Comprehension questions:

1. What happens every time Sweaty Speaker has to speak in public?

He/she panics.

2. If Sweaty Speaker has a school project, what does he/she do?

He/She does some online research and takes some notes.

3. Does he/she remember his/her words when the time comes?

No, he/she doesn't.

4. What does he/she do?

He/She makes up an excuse and leaves the classroom.

5. What does Jack say about Sweaty Speaker's BF?

That he/she could help him/her out.

6. How?

Sweaty Speaker can practise his/her presentation with his/her BF.

7. Does Jack think one day's presentation is enough?

No, he doesn't.

Post-reading

1. Do you agree with the advice Jack gave to Sweaty Speaker? why/why not?

I agree with Jack's advice. I think that practice will help Sweaty Speaker get over his/her stress.

2. If you could answer Sweaty Speaker, what advice would give him/her?

I would add that he/she should talk to his/her teacher about this problem. Maybe the teacher can help him/her out.

3. Have you ever given advice to your friends about a problem they had? What about? Was it helpful?

Yes, I have. My friend had lots of hobbies and didn't have enough time to finish his homework. I suggested that she should do some of her hobbies at the weekend so she has time to study during the week. I think it helped her a lot.

3 Grammar

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets to form Conditional Sentences Type 2.

1. If my best friend shouted (shout) at me, I would feel (feel) really bad.

2. If I were (be) you, I wouldn't go (not go) to school today. You look ill.

3. I could try(try) to save money if I wanted (want) to go on holiday in the summer.

4. My sister would scream (scream) if she saw (see) an insect in her bed.

4 Listen

A. Listen to two friends talking. What is Larry’s problem?

Larry dirtied a shirt that he had borrowed from a friend and now he doesn't know what to do.

B. Listen again and tick the things Larry decides to do.

1. search for advice online
2. take the shirt to the cleaner’s
3. tell Jim what really happened T
4. give Jim one of his shirts
5. buy a new shirt T
6. treat Jim to dinner T

6 Write

A. Read the plans. Can you think of some more phrases for each part of the letters?

Asking for advice

Opening paragraph:

I'm writing to ask you for advice.

I've been having problems with...

Main part:

What do you think of the problem/ situation? I feel terrible. Should I?

Closing paragraph:

Please write back soon.

I really need to know how you feel about the situation.

Giving advice

Opening paragraph:

The reason I'm writing back is to give you some advice. In your letter you asked for some advice. Well, here it is.

Main part:

Why don't you...?

What I always find helpful is ...

Closing paragraph:

Well, that's what I think you should do.

Don't forget to keep in touch.

B. Write a letter to a friend asking for advice on a problem you’ve got. Then swap letters with your partner and write a letter giving him/her advice.
Follow the plans above.

Dear Mai,

I've got a problem and I'd like your advice.

I have a project and I will present it to my class but every time I have to speak in public, I confuse and don't say anything.

I usually prepare myself and practice many times before.

I don't know what to do to solve my problem, How should I deal with this situation?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Heba