Part 1 Conversation: Rumors

Warm-up

What do you like to do with your friends?

I like to_____with my friends.

Talk about your best friend.

My best friend(s) is/are_____

My best friend is Samantha.

My best friends are Maria and Lynn.

We’ve been friends for _____(__years,__months)

We’ve been friends for 8 years.

VocabularyU4-V-L1

Vocabulary Exercises

I. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word, pluralizing the word or changing the verb tense if necessary.

actually　upset　rumor　jealous　selfish　succeed　supportive　cheat　real

administration　suspend　obviously　terrible　serious　repercussions

1. There was a_____accident on the highway this morning.

2. If you want to_____, you need to work hard and never give up.

3. The school_____said that students cannot use cell phones in class anymore.

4. Alex is very_____with his parents, and hasn’t talked to them for days.

5. The student who_____on his test got a score of zero.

6. I heard a_____that the CEO of the company will retire soon.

7. The little girl is_____and will not share her toys with the other children.

8. How can you afford such a nice car? I’m so_____!

9. I_____really love taking tests.

10. We are still not sure if his disease is_____or not.

II. Match the word to its definition or synonym.

Conversation

I. Listen to the parts of a conversation and fill in the blanks.U4-C-P1

1. I think that he’s jealous that_____I made the team and he didn’t. He was really angry when he found out. He hasn’t spoken to me_____then.

2. You’re_____. He should have been supportive. But he’s telling people that I cheated on my_____. If the school administration believes him, I could be suspended from_____. And kicked off the basketball team, obviously.

3. To be honest, I_____liked Travis. I didn’t want to tell you though, because you guys were_____friends.

II. Listen to the conversation, then select the correct answer from the choices.U4-C-P2

1. What problem does Tom have?

a) The school found him cheating on his exams.

b) He was kicked off the basketball team.

c) He was suspended from school.

d) His friend is spreading rumors about him.

2. What is the reason for his friend’s actions?

a) Tom had an argument with his friend .

b) Tom did cheat at school.

c) His friend is jealous.

d) Tom’s friend wants him to be suspended.

3. According to the conversation, what could happen to Tom? Select 2 answers.

a) He could have to take the exams again.

b) He could be suspended from the basketball team.

c) He could be suspended from school.

d) He could be kicked off the basketball team.

4. What does Steph imply when she says this?

[To be honest, I never liked Travis.]

a) She never liked Travis before, so she isn’t surprised by what he did.

b) She had lied to Tom about liking Travis.

c) She liked Travis, so she is surprised by what he did.

d) She wants Tom to listen to her.

5. What will Tom do next?

a) stop talking to Travis

b) try to talk with Travis

c) talk to a teacher at the school

d) talk to someone on the basketball team

Speaking practice

Practice the dialogue below with a partner.

Rumors

Steph: Hey Tom! How are you?

Tom: Hey Steph. Actually, things aren’t great. I’m really upset.

Steph: Oh no! What happened?

Tom: Well, you know my friend Travis, right?

Steph: Yeah, he’s your best friend, isn’t he?

Tom: He was... I just learned that he’s been spreading rumors about me at school.

Steph:: What? Why would he do that?

Tom: I think that he’s jealous that I made the basketball team and he didn’t. He was really angry when he found out. He hasn’t spoken to me since then.

Steph: How selfish! A good friend would be happy for you, even if he didn’t succeed.

Tom: You’re right. He should have been supportive. But he’s telling people that I cheated on my exams. If the school administration believes him, I could be suspended from school. And kicked off the basketball team, obviously.

Steph: That’s terrible! Doesn’t he know how serious that is? This could have real repercussions for you.

Tom: I know. I can’t believe he did this.

Steph: To be honest, I never liked Travis. I didn’t want to tell you though, because you guys were good friends.

Tom: I can understand why you felt that way. Well…I guess I should try to talk to him about this.

Steph: Good idea.

Tom: At least I’ve learned who my real friends are. Thanks a lot Steph.

Steph: No problem. Good luck.

Functional Vocabulary

Pronunciation Point & Exercises

Consonant sounds — “-s” endings

I. In Unit 3, we learned two ways to pronounce the final “-s”. There is one more way to say it:U4-P-P1

/iz/

uses

races

washes

II. Listen to the recording. Circle the “-s” sound that you hear.U4-P-P2

1. /s/ /z/ /iz/

2. /s/ /z/ /iz/

3. /s/ /z/ /iz/

4. /s/ /z/ /iz/

5. /s/ /z/ /iz/

6. /s/ /z/ /iz/

7. /s/ /z/ /iz/

8. /s/ /z/ /iz/

III. Sort the following words according to the “-s” ending that they have.

cats　goes　oranges　calls　pushes　this　closes　flies　likes　ties 　misses

cups　previous　pages　sends

Linking

IV. When a word ending in a consonant is followed by a word starting with a vowel, the words will often link together. Listen to the following sentences, and notice how the words with dashes (-) are linked:U4-P-P4

The hospital-opens at 7-o’clock.

I get-off work at 5-o’clock.

She is writing-on the whiteboard.

He is sitting-in that-office.

V. Listen to the following sentences and draw lines to connect the linked words.U4-P-P5

1. I am waiting in the cafe.

2. The shop is on Main Street.

3. She bought this at the mall.

4. The students all passed the test.

5. He finishes class at 3 o’clock.

VI. Practice reading the sentences above with a partner.