READING

ETON COLLEGE
When the British talk about public schools they dont mean public schools at
all they mean private schools. And there is no public school more private, more elitist
than Eton College. Eton, near London, is for boys aged 13-18. The school dates from
1440 and has many traditions, including its own distinctive uniform. Its a boarding
school the boys live at Eton and only go home during the holidays. Their parents pay
about 11,000 pounds (thats approximately 19,000 euros a year).
At present, about 700 boys are studying at Eton. Each boy has his own bedroomstudy, the classes are small and the standard of education in both humanities and
sciences is exceptionally high. The languages that the boys can study, for example,
include not only French, Latin, Ancient Greek, German and Spanish, but also Russian,
Chinese, Italian and Arabic. Religion, music and sport form an important part of school
life. The majority of boys who leave Eton go on to university, many to Oxford and
Cambridge. Old Etonians as former students are called- often have important jobs and
hold influential positions. In 1983, for example, the governor of the Bank of England,
the editor of the Times and the head of the Diplomatic Service were all Old Etonians.
Indeed, almost half of all of Britains prime ministers were to Eton.
ROEDEAN COLLEGE
Roedean College is one of Britains most elite public schools. The headmistress
takes prides in showing parents around her school to see the chapel, the quiet cloisters,
the garden and the laboratories the science laboratory and the language laboratory- and
not just one library, but a whole network of libraries with 20,000 books, and a large
collection of CDs, videos and computers linked to the Internet. There is also a theatre, a
dance studio, an art studio and a design studio. As for sports, we find netball courts,
indoor cricket facilities, an indoor hockey pitch, a gymnasium and, of course, an
Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool.
It wont surprise you to learn that Roedean achieves excellent examination
results, occupying a high position in the first division of British schools. Naturally, all
this comes at a high price: the parents of a Roedean day girl pay over 10,000 pounds a
year and boarders, of course, pay more!

STARTING OUT
1. Sometimes different schools vary in the subjects, extra-curricular activities
and facilities the offer their students. Put these elements in order, beginning
with the one you think might the most important aspect that a school should
offer to achieve good levels of education.

Many different subjects

Good teachers
Sport facilities (football, rugby, basketball, tennis pitches; gymnasium,
)
Music studios and musical activities
Good preparation for official exams
Libraries, computers and science
and language laboratories

2. Read the text quickly and answer the

questions.
1. Which of the elements from
exercise 1 are mentioned in the text?
2. How many boys are studying at
Eton at present?
3. Are Eton and Roedean cheap schools?
3. Read the text again. Answer the questions in your own words (25-30 words).
1.
2.
3.
4.

What kind of people can you find among old Etonians?

Why do you think the headmistress of Roedean is so proud of her school?
What kind of facilities can you find in both schools?
How are the results students get at Roedean?
4. Explain the meaning of the words or
phrases from the text.
1. Boarding school (line 4)
2. Takes pride (line 19)
3. Indoor facilities (line 23)
a. Achieves excellent results (line 26)

5. Discuss the questions in pairs.

1. Do you think that the school to have attended to is important when you
want to get a job?
2. Describe your ideal school.
3. Do you think that there are many different between public and private
schools? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of
schools?

GRAMMAR: PRESENT
CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE

AND

PRESENT

PRESENT SIMPLE: USES

a. Regular habits and routines
b. Permanent situations
c. Scientific or general facts
PRESENT CONTINUOUS: USES
d. Something that is happening now or around now
e. Temporary situations
f. Future arrangements
1. Match the examples and the uses of the present simple and the present
continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

There is no private school more private, more elitist than Eton College.
The school dates from 1440.
The headmistress is showing my parents around the school at the moment.
My brother is going to Oxford when he finishes at Eton.
Roedean girls study for six hours from Monday to Saturday.
I am studying at Eton just for this year.

2. Complete each sentence with the correct form of the present simple.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

They _____(be) always late for school

She never _____ (worry) about her exam results.
This lesson _____ (finish) at half past eleven.
_____ the teacher ______ (give) you much homework.
I _____ (not have) music lessons today.

3. Complete each sentence with the correct form of the present continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I _____ (read) a book about the French revolution.

What _____(do) next weekend?
She _____(learn) to drive.
I cant go out. I _____(help) my mother with the dinner.
They _____(build) a new gym at the moment.

4. Compare what this people do everyday with what they are doing today.
EVERYDAY

TODAY

Everyday she plays golf, but today she is fishing

5. Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the present simple or
present continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Oh, no, it_____ (rain)! Wheres my umbrella?

_____ (you / believe) there is life in other planets?
_____ (you / go) to London this weekend?
I _____ (not enjoy) this book very much.
I _____ (not think) she is a good teacher.
What _____ (do) the moment?
This school ______ (have) more than 20,000 books.
My mother _____ (meet) Mr Robinson tomorrow.

6. Complete the text with the suitable verbs.

TOM: Bye, Mum! See you later!
MUM: What? (you / go) out again?
TOM: Yes, why not? Its Friday. I always (go) out on Fridays.
MUM: Where (you / go) tonight?

TOM: I (meet) some friends at the cinema. And I (take) your car too!
MUM: Oh, no. Youre not. I (use) it tonight. Your dad (take) me to a French
restaurant.
TOM: What about Dads car?
MIUM: Your sister (use) it. You know she (have) football training every Friday.
TOM: Oh, no. And look, it (rain)! I cant walk in this weather.
MUM: Well, stay at home then. They (show) a good documentary on TV
tonight.
TOM: Oh, mum!
7. Read the grammar rule and put the adverbs into the correct form.
Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, never, etc) are often used
with the present simple.
They normally come:
a) after the verb TO BE
b) after the auxiliary verbs, including modal auxiliaries like MUST, CAN If
the verb has more than one auxiliary, after the first one.
c) Before all other verbs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

I argue with my parents. (sometimes)

He is tired. (often)
My sister stays out until 3 a.m. (never)
He is telling me what I have to do (always)
When I visit him, he is studying (seldom)
I can go out because I have many things to do (never)
Do you surf the net? (often)

8. Put the adverb of frequency in order. If you think different adverbs are
similar, write them next to each other.
VERY FREQUENT
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
NOT VERY FREQUENT

Occasionally
Often
Rarely
Never
Hardly ever
Always
Frequently
Sometimes
Usually

GRAMMAR REINFORCEMENT
1. Write the third person singular and the ing form of the following verbs.
Have
Sleep
Catch
Stay
Hurry
Eat
Pass
Travel
Refer
Go
Apply

Has

Having

Have
Say
Wash
Dry
Stand
Mix
Study
Swim
Buzz
Rob
Play

has

Having

2. Circle the right verb form from the two alternatives.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

My parents lives / live in a big village.

I study / studies at Eton College
Luisa and her friends understand / understands more than one language
There is / are many libraries at Roedean School
When my sister leaves / leave school, she want / wants to be a doctor

3. Write questions with the words below. Dont forget to use do or does.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Where / your grandparents / live

What time / you / get up
What / you / do / on Sundays
You / pass / all your exams
Your sister / go / to the same school

4. Choose the correct form of the verb in each sentence.

1. Put a warm coat on. It snows / is snowing
2. In Spain we usually have / are having a big lunch on Christmas day
3. He is not here at the moment. He stays / is staying in France for three days on
business.
4. Joe plays / is playing the guitar when he wants to relax
5. What time do schools finish / are schools finishing in your country?
5. Complete each sentence with the correct form of the present simple or
present continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I _____ you are right (think)

He _____ a computer in his bedroom (have)
They _____lunch early today (have)
_____you _____ a cup of tea? (want) I _____ some (make)
He _____ very well tonight (sing)

VOCABULARY
1. Do you think the following things are common at your school? Put them in
order, from the most to the less common one.

To cheat in an exam
To pass an exam with flying
colours.
To repeat a grade
To fail an exam
To drop out of school

2. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the expressions from
exercise 1.
1. Many people have to _____________ because the fail too many subjects.
2. My sister __________________next year. She doesnt like studying.
3. I always _______________. I am a hard-working person, and get very
good results.
4. Dont __________. If the teacher sees you, you will be expelled.
5. Many people ____________ because they have not studied enough.

3. What do you want to do when you finish at school? Fill in the blanks with
the name of some professions or occupations.

CONDUCTOR CONSTRUCTION WORKER- DRESS MAKER BEE

KEEPER- CAMERA MAN CHIMNEY SWEEPER BRICKLAYER
DELIVERY MAN - LIFEGUARD

VOCABULARY II: ON THE COMPUTER

WWW.LEARNENGLISH.DE/ VOCABULARY/EDUCATION.HTM

Education
Education crossword - Subjects studied in a British school.
Click on a number to get the clue.
Type the answer in the box - all from the Vocabulary - Education page and
press [Enter].
Ask for a hint to get a letter - be warned you will lose points.
When you think you have finished press [Check].
1

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

19

20

18

Check

Clues accross >

Clues down v

3. The study of past events.

6. The study of the language that is
spoken in the UK.
7. The study of the weather,
mountains, seas, lakes, etc.
9. The study and activity of using
computers = 9 across + 5 down
11. The study of numbers, shapes and
space (UK short form)
12. The study of communication used
by the people of a particular
country.
15. Study relating to plays and acting.
16. The study of the structure and
behaviour of the physical world.
18. The playing of games at school.
19. The activity of painting, drawing
and making sculptures.
20. The study of natural forces, such
as energy, heat, light, etc..

1. The study of living things.

2. Preparing food for eating.
4. The study of the buying and selling
of goods or services = 4 down and
10 down.
5. The study and activity of using
computers = 9 across + 5 down
8. The ability to read and write.
10. The study of the buying and selling
of goods or services = 4 down and
10 down.
13. The study of arithmetic that deals
with points, lines, angles and
shapes
14. The study of substances and how
they change when they combine.
17. The study of of sounds that are
made by playing instruments or
singing.

Match It - Education
Things you may find in a classroom
Match the pictures on the left, with the words on the right.
For more pictures and words play the game again.
Check

Check

LISTENING
1. Look at the photographs. Which person do you think would have more
problems to find a job?

2. Listen to an interview with the responsible of Human Resources of a

Multinational company talking about the characteristics they look for when
recruiting people for the company. Choose the correct answer.
The most important feature he takes into account when selecting a person is
a. His / her physical appearance
b. His / her personality
c. His / her curriculum
3. Listen to the interview again. Are the following sentences true or false?
1. Many people with a brilliant curriculum have problems to get a job because of
their external appearance.
2. Most companies look for people who can speak at least three languages and
have knowledge about computers.
3. Some people are successful in the personal interview because they know what
the interviewer is going to ask them.
4. In order to recruit people many companies design a difficult exam for
candidates.
5. Companies prefer reliable, self-confident, hard-working people.

SPEAKING
1. You are the headmaster of a school and want to recruit new teachers for the
next course. Write a list of questions you are going to ask. You can use the
following tips:

First name and surname

Age
Hobbies
Languages you can speak

Previous jobs
Personal opinions (about controversial issues
(e.g. education, abortion, death penalty)
Salary the candidate wants to earn
Personal abilities and faults

2. Ask your questions to two different people, and decide which one is the best
candidate for your job according to his or her answers. Justify your
decision.

PRONUNCIATION
In English we have to differentiate between the sound / s / (takes) and the sound /z/
(finds).
1. Listen and repeat these pairs of words.
/s/
Rice
Ice
Close (adj)
Place
peace

/z/
Rise
Eyes
Close (verb)
Plays
Peas

/s/
Use
Loose
Niece
Once
Race

/z/
Use
Lose
Knees
Ones
Raise

3. Put these words into the correct column according to the pronunciation of
the final s.
/s/
books

/z/
schools

/ iz /
classes

Books parents finishes boxes brushes schools holidays maps continues

classes languages boys universities traditions students Etonians cassettes.

WRITING: A FORMAL LETTER APPLYING FOR A

JOB

Begin your letter Dear Sir, Dear Madam, Dear Mr / Mrs / Ms

Do not use contractions in a formal letter
Divide your letter into clear paragraphs
Finish with Yours faithfully / sincerelly
1.

Nuria is looking for a summer job. Read the advertisement she sees
in The Times newspaper.

CLASSIFIED
CLASSIFIEDADVERTISEMENTS
ADVERTISEMENTS
TEMPORARY
TEMPORARYJOBS
JOBSSECTION
SECTION

Hostess
Hostessininour
ourairline
airlineUK
UKAirline!
Airline!
See
the
world
and
make
See the world and makemoney!
money!
For
Forour
ourholiday
holidayseason
seasonflights
flightswe
weneed:
need:
Air
Airhostesses:
hostesses:
Requirements:
Requirements:
Smart
Smartappearance
appearance
Fluent
in
Fluent inthree
threelanguages
languages
No
Noexperience
experiencenecessary.
necessary.Full
Fulltraining
traininggiven.
given.
Competitive
Competitivesalary
salary
Write
Writeto:
to:

UK
UKAirlines
Airlines
Regent
Street
Regent Street124
124
W1Y
W1Y8DT
8DT
Regent
RegentRoad
Road2626
W1Y
W1Y8DT
8DT

2.

Nuria decides to apply for the job. This is her letter. Some important
parts are missing. What are they? Choose from the following.

Dear Sir or Madam

25th May 2006
Yours faithfully

Nuria Jimnez
The Manager
UK Airlines
Regent Street 124
W1Y 8DT
Avda. de Espaa 7, 4B
10002 Cceres

( (AA) )____________
____________
( (BB) )____________
____________
( (CC) )______
______
( (DD) )______
______
InInanswer
answertotoyour
youradvertisement
advertisementininThe
Thetimes
timesfor
for
hostesses
on
your
Airline,
I
would
like
to
apply
for
one
of
hostesses on your Airline, I would like to apply for one of
the
thevacant
vacantposts.
posts.I Iam
aminterested
interestedininworking
workingininsummer
summer
from
June
to
September.
from June to September.
I I am
am sixteen
sixteen years
years old
old and
and speak
speak Spanish
Spanish and
and
English.
I
have
a
smart
appearance,
as
you
can
see
from
English. I have a smart appearance, as you can see from
the
thephotographs
photographsI Ienclose.
enclose.I Ihave
havesome
someexperience
experienceasasaa
waitress.
Last
summer,
I
worked
in
a
waitress. Last summer, I worked in a restaurant
restaurant inin
Mallorca.
Mallorca.I Iam
amavailable
availablefor
foran
aninterview
interviewatatany
anytime
timeinin
May.
May.
I Ilook
lookforward
forwardtotohearing
hearingfrom
fromyou.
you.
( (EE) )______
______
( (FF) )______
______

3.

Write your own letter applying for the job in the advert in exercise 1
(80-100 words). Divide the letter into the three paragraphs shown below:

Introduction (useful phrases: In answer to / I see from your

advertisement / I would like to apply)
Some personal information
Ending (useful phrases: I look forward to your reply / to
hearing from you)

CHECK-UP
1. Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous form
of these verbs,

Sell interview stay have fix come talk eat run - blow

1. He _____ at the hotel for two nights only.

2. I _____ five kilometres every day.
3. Steve _____swimming classes on Saturdays.
4. Close the window! The rain _____in.
5. They cant rescue the ship because the wind _____ too strongly.
6. James is busy at the moment. He _____ his bike.
7. They _____ lots of interesting things in that shop.
8. Dolphins _____ sardines.
9. Can you ring later? The director _____ somebody right now.
10. Listen to me. I _____ to you.
2. Put the verbs in the present simple or present continuous.
Everyday Toms father (work) ______ hard to save money for the summer holidays.
Usually, they (take) ______ their holidays in England, but this year they (go) ______
abroad. Toms schools holidays (begin) ______ next week. The day after, Tom and his
parents (go) ______ to Greece. The plane (leave) ______ at 9.30 on Saturday morning.
None of them (speak) ______ Greek, so now Tom (try) ______ to learn a little of the
language. He (study) ______ a Greek phrase book, but he (think) ______ it is quite
difficult.
3. Write a sentence containing the following words and expressions.
Cheat in an exam bricklayer chimney sweeper pass an exam with flying colours
drop out of school bee keeper.
4. 4. Write a short letter to the school next to your house applying for a job as
an English teacher.
NOW I KNOW!!

FAST-FINISHERS: EXAM STRATEGIES

REVISING FOR THE EXAM
1. Match the revision tips and reasons
1. Work out a revision timetable.
2. Read through your notes and highlight the most important information.
3. Prepare for the questions you find difficult. Use the Exam strategies sections in
the book.
4. Make a list of your most common grammar mistakes and learn the rules.
a.
b.
c.
d.

This will help you to make fewer mistakes.

This will help you to organize your time and revise systematically.
This will make your work clearer and easier to use when youre revising.
This will help you to feel more confident about questions that you are worried
about.

TAKING THE EXAM

2. When you take the exam, which things should you do? Which things
shouldnt you do? Write YES or NO.
1. Make sure how many marks each question is worth. Decide how long to spend
on each question.
2. Spend a long time on the first question.
3. Start with the question that you feel confident about. If you arent sure of an
answer, go onto another question and come back to it later.
4. Check that you have answered all the questions.
5. Look at the context to guess the meaning of any important words that you dont
know.
6. Try to translate every word in the reading text.
7. Spend a few minutes planning your essay.
8. Write an essay longer than the number of words given in the essay question.
9. Leave time at the end to check your answers and do any questions that you left
out.
.