PET - WRITING PART 1

The following exercise is not writing part 1 itself, but a practice exercise that will help acquire the technique. Good luck!!!

For each question, finish the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

Example: Musical instruments are very expensive.
             Musical instruments cost a lot of money.

1. There are many different kinds of colleges in Britain.
Britain …………………………………………………

2. Music is taught in just a few colleges.
Just a few colleges …………………………………….

3. You must be able to play at least two instruments.
It is ……………………………………………………

4. Some students are frightened of playing in public.
Playing ……………………………………………….

5. Teaching music is preferable for these students.
These students ……………………………………….

6. Writing letters to pen friends is very common.
Many …………………………………………………

7. Some pen friends develop very close relationships.
Close relationships ………………………………….

8. Presents and photographs may be exchanged.
Some people ……………………………………….

9. The relationship may last for years.
The relationship may go …………………………..

10. People can sometimes be disappointed when they meet.
It …………………………………………………..

FCE - Word Formation

Complete each sentence with the correct word derived from the word in capitals following the sentence.


1. A strong painkiller is the most ….. way of getting rid of a headache.
EFFECT

2. you should consider your options…before making a decision.
CARE

3. Many youth … offer summer enrichment programs.
ORGANISE

4. The mayor won by an overwhelming … in last week’s elections.
MAJOR

5. The two countries have overcome many of their … differences.
CULTURE

6. Everyone should have basic … of first aid procedures.
KNOW

7. The … winner will spend two weeks in France.
COMPETE

8. Our … over the years has helped us build a good friendship.
CORRESPOND

9. It is our… to protect the environment.
OBLIGE

10. The … committee is organizing a spring carnival.
ENTERTAIN

11. Education can help … your horizons.
BROAD

12. The sudden … of the travel agency left many people stranded abroad.
CLOSE

13. Recent statistics show that … is unfortunately to rise again.
EMPLOY

14. A grant was given for the … of a new sports facility.
CONSTRUCT

15. He will be leaving … for a business trip overseas.
SHORT

PET Reading Part 2

Instructions
These people  all want to go on a day trip.
Below you can see details of places to visit.
Decide which place would be the most suitable for each person.

1

Marco studies physics and is interested in anything to do with science. He'd like to visit somewhere to see some examples of early mechanical engines.

2

Gemma wants to take her 5-year-old to see some animals. She'd also like to look around some shops to buy something for her mother's birthday.

3

Ingrid's eldest daughter is learning about English history and would like to go somewhere to bring this subject to life. Ingrid is really interested in flowers.

4

Trevor is an artist and enjoys drawing wildlife. He recently visited a zoo and drew large animals and would like to try sketching something smaller.

5

Sarah and her husband would like to spend the day outdoors. They don't like going on rides but are both interested in history and how people used to live.

Places to go this summer

See what's on in the West Midlands this summer:

A: Stratford Butterfly Farm
The biggest butterfly farm in Europe. Whatever the weather come and see these beautiful creatures as they would live in their natural environment. Walk around a tropical rainforest as butterflies fly freely around you. See them as they come into the world in the Caterpillar Room. And don't miss Insect City where you can view huge spiders and our very own scorpion colony!
B: National Sea-Life Centre
You wouldn't expect to bump into a hammerhead shark whilst visiting Brum city centre. But yes, it's true, The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham is the only aquarium in the UK where you can see this creature along with our Sea Dragons from Australia and baby stingrays from the Amazon. We guarantee an experience you'll never forget.
C: Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry Transport Museum hosts the world's largest transport collection. A day out here will give you the chance to see some of the earliest motor cars as well as more modern vehicles like the De Lorean 'back from the future' car. You can also design your own car and experience what breaking the sound barrier at 763 miles an hour feels like.
D: Warwick Castle
Regarded by many as Britain's greatest Medieval Castle. Visit exhibitions, climb the castle towers, relax as you walk around the gardens, designed and created in 1753 by Capability Brown.Experience the preparations for battle in the Kingmaker exhibition or witness a Victorian Royal Weekend. And if your interest is more in the darker side of the Castle's history visit The Castle Dungeon.
E: ThinkTank
At Thinktank you will find four floors of hands-on exhibits and historical collections that will amaze and inspire you, showing you the science of the world all around us from the past, the present and the future. From galleries and exhibitions to an exciting programme of events and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether your interest is steam engines, looking into deepest space or seeing how doctors perform life-saving surgery.
F: Drayton Manner 
One of the UK's most popular attractions. The park is home to some of the scariest rides you'll find like Stormforce 10 and Apocalypse, which has been voted the UK's most frightening ride. You'll also find an indoor and outdoor play area and of course, Drayton Manor Zoo with over one hundred different species, including twelve rare breeds from across the world. .
G: Hatton Country WorldIf you're keen on seeing unique crafts and craft work side-by-side with antique shops and a traditional butchers shop, Hatton Country World is the place for you. As well as these wonderful shops you'll be able to enjoy the Farm Park with many farm animals to help keep the kids entertained. 
H: Black Country Museum
It's been called Britain's friendliest open-air museum. Come to Black Country Museum and discover an old-fashioned village by the canal. Look around original old-fashioned shops and houses, see what it's like down a mine and take a ride on a tramcar.


To my PET Students: record your answers and submit them by mail or take them to class.

FCE: Reading Part 2 (Gapped text)

Instructions
You are going to read a magazine article about John Prince, a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. Seven sentences have been removed from the article on the left. Choose the most suitable sentence from the list A-H on the right for each part (1-7) of the article. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Career success in the arts
John Prince, famous dancer and choreographer, gives advice on how to succeed in a career in the arts.

I asked John how he got started and what requirements there are. "Well, to be a professional dancer it's useful to have had acting lessons or some background in drama. If you want to succeed in musical theatre you have to have a good singing voice as well. When you approach an agent you should take a portfolio with your CV, your statistics sheet and some good photos and reviews of past performances. You'll need dance clothes, ballet shoes, tap shoes, and even roller skates depending on what kind of show you are going to go for." 


1. _______
"Of course, you need to be extremely fit if you want to be a professional dancer. I dance or move about for about six hours a day. There are great health benefits to being a dancer. I can eat a lot of pasta without gaining weight because dancing increases your metabolism so much." 

2. _______
John has a very busy schedule in the next few months. He took time out to speak to me today from the making of a pop video to promote N-ergy's latest record. "I choreographed the dance routine for the boys and they only had 2 days in which to learn it! I am going to be working on a video for another well known band - but that's top secret. Next month I'll be touring Spain in a production of a musical that was written by a friend of mine, Michaela Evans. 

3. _______
As for the future, I've come to realise that I would never be content to be just a chorus dancer - I'm too much of an individual for that. Like all artists I'd love to become a household name by writing and choreographing my own musicals."
John was born in Jamaica to a Jamaican father and a Scottish mother but the family emigrated to England 20 years ago. "I have a little sister I adore, who is also training to be a dancer." How does it feel to have someone else following in your footsteps?


4. _______
Has he much more to learn, I wondered. "I've spent an incredible amount of my life training to get where I am. I went to college for two years in England, I trained for six months in Paris and about eight months in America. But you never really stop training or learning your art."

5. _______
So, would you say it's been plain sailing? "I feel I've been lucky to a degree; many people hit problems breaking into the arts. It can be a vicious circle really. You can't become a member of Equity, which is the actors' and dancers' union, without good contracts. and you can't get good contracts without being a member of Equity. My advice to people who want to get into the arts would be to go out into the world, and try everything else first. 

6. _______
What has a dance career done for you as a person? "Thanks to dancing, I've visited and performed in 23 countries so far. This has opened my eyes to the world, and I've been able to understand issues like racism and inequality from a wider perspective.

7. _______
"So all in all I'm really happy to be a dancer!"


A It's fine, but I try not to give out too much advice as it gets irritating!

B And if nothing you like comes out of it, then come back and be an actor or dancer.

C Without a strict daily timetable like this you find yourself wasting too much time.

D After that it's back to England to start a new term of dance classes.

E Hopefully this has enabled me to become a better and more tolerant person as a result.

F When it comes to coping with stress, I find that exercise helps me to cope with my problems, so I stay in good shape mentally as well.

G Like any profession where you're always travelling, you tend to acquire something new almost every day.

H Being fully equipped with all this stuff beforehand makes it easier when you go for auditions.


To my Senior1 students: Record your answers and submit them by mail or take them to class.

Welcome!!!

I truly believe that teens need to devote some more time to reading. My humble intention with this blog is to help you with this and some other things that will come along. Good luck!!!