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UNIT 8
NATURAL WORLD
A. VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR
Exercise 1. Put the words in the correct categories to complete the table.

bear shark butterfly eagle snake crocodile whale

penguin salmon bee seahorse rabbit frog lizard
parrot ant
bò sát
Mammals Reptiles (animal that lay eggs Amphibians (animals that
đv có vú and use the sun to keep their live both land and in water)
blood warm) lưỡng cư
bear dolphin lizard frog
rabbit snake
whale crocodile

Fish Birds Insects côn trùng

shark penguin bee
salmon eagle butterfly
seahorse parrot ant

Exercise 2. Look at the plant and animal characteristics. Which are the odd ones out? Choose
the incorrect answers.
1. Tree have ○ branches ○claws ○leaves.
2. Bears have ○antlers ○fur ○teeth.
3. Eagles have ○beaks ○numps ○wings.
4. Elephants have ○leathers ○thick skins ○trunks.
5. Salmon have ○scales ○tails ○trunks.
6. Crocodiles have ○fins ○scales ○teeth.
7. Rhinos have ○bone ○fur ○horns.

Exercise 3. Complete the text. Use the words and phrases in the box.

common conservation endangered species habitat population

rare risk wildlife

wildlife
I believe that people have a responsibility to take care of ______________. The best way to do this is
to protect the places where they live – their natural ______________.
habitat That’s why I decided to take
part in a local ______________
conservation project to protect the plants and animals in a forest near my town.
endangered species
The forest is home to several ______________– types of animals and plants which may soon not
rare
exist because there are so few of them. For example, there are some very ______________ birds,
which are only found in a few small areas now – there are probably fewer than 500 of them left in

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the wild. Fifty years ago, there were lots of them everywhere – they were a lot more
common
______________. Anyway, thanks to our conservation project, the bird population is slowly going
risk
up again. The birds are still at ______________, but hopefully we’ll be able to save them.
Exercise 4. Match the words and phrases with the definitions.
Climate change global warming green issues greenhouse gases
pollution the environment the greenhouse effect the ozone layer

1. The general name for the natural world: the air, water and land in or on which people,
animals and plants live: ______________
the environment
2. Connected to the protection of the environment: ______________
green issues

3. The increase in world temperatures: ______________

global warming
ozone layer
4. The layer of air high above the Earth that protects it from the sun’s rays: ______________
5. Changes in the world’s weather due to air pollution: ______________
climate change
6. Damage to water, air or land due to human behavior: ______________
pollution
7. When heat from the Earth can’t escape into space, and so the Earth gets hotter and hotter:
______________
greenhouse effect
8. Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) which stop heat from the Earth escaping into space:
greenhouse gases
______________
HW Exercise 5. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.
1. Is it too late to cause/ produce/ save our planet? I don’t think so. save the planet
2. I think we should do more to damage/ destroy/ protect the environment. protect the environment
3. Power stations don’t just damage/ produce/ survive electricity; they also cause pollution. cause pollution
4. A lot of people believe that pollution causes/ goes/ saves global warming, but some people think
the Earth is getting hotter by itself. pollution cause global warming
5. The population fell to below 100 animals, but a group of conservationists worked very hard and
the number is now declining/ dying/ increasing – it’s going up again.
destroy animals'
6. I think it’s wrong to cut down rainforests and destroy/ go/ recover animals’ natural habitats. natural habitats
7. When we cut down rainforests, etc., we make it impossible for the animals and plants that live
there to protect/ save/ survive. cut down rainforests
8. Don’t break the branches on that tree! It’s alive and you’re causing/ damaging/ recovering it!
hw Exercise 6. Read the sentences. How is the speaker using the modal verbs in bold? Match the
correct descriptions with the sentences. Use the descriptions in the box.
To talk about a feature possibility
To talk about a lack of ability to do something in the present and past
To talk about a possibility in the present
To talk about an ability to do something in the present and past
1. Crocodile can swim fast over short distance.
feature possibily

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lack of ability to exist
2. Some species of crocodile might not exist in a few years’ time.
3. Crocodile can’t breathe underwater. lack of ability

4. Crocodile may survive in other habitats, not just freshwater areas. ability

5. The number of endangered crocodiles could increase as a result of conservation efforts. ability / possibily

6. If people understood crocodiles better and were less afraid of them, this could help their survival.ability
80 60 50 30
HW Exercise 7. Complete the conversation using can, could, may or might
Student 1: Our teacher’s asked us to write an essay on natural world for homework. I’m not sure
what to write about. I ___________
can write so many things.
can
Student 2: You ___________ ask the teacher for help, you know.
Student 1: No, it’s alright. If I ask her, she ___________
may think that I’m asking her for the answer. I
think I might write about the destruction of rainforests. What about you?
Student 2: Oh, I’m going to write about what we ___________
can do to slow down global warming.
I’m going to write about how we ___________
can be more ‘green’. People ___________
may not realize
that even small changes might make a big difference.
Student 1: Good idea. You ___________talk
can about people recycling their rubbish.
Student 2: Yes, I ___________
can do that. I’m not sure yet. I need to write a plan first.
Student 1: Me too!
HW Exercise 8. Match the examples in the box with the correct reasons for using the present
perfect.
từ khi just/ already
I’ve felt very strongly about green issues since I was a child. past-> present

I’ve just bought a pet snake. Do you want to see it? recent

I’ve never seen a bear in the wild, but I’ve seen them in zoos. past->present / past - unknown time

That poor sparrow can’t fly because it’s broken it’s wing. recent

The squirrel population has now reached 500, so I hope it’ll reach our target of 750 soon. recent
We’ve already done the report for the conservation project. recent

1. We use the present perfect to talk about our progress through a list of jobs. I’ve already done it
often means ‘I don’t need to do it again’. I haven’t done it yet often means ‘I still need to do it’.
_________________________________________________________________
2. We use the present perfect to talk about news – things that the listener probably doesn’t already
know.
I’ve just done it means ‘ I did it very recently’.
_________________________________________________________________

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3. We use the present perfect to show the past reason for a present situation (often with can/ can’t).
We often use because to show this relationship.
_________________________________________________________________
4. We use the present to talk about the present results of a process that is continuing now. We often
use numbers to present these results, and phrases like so far or up to now.
_________________________________________________________________
5. We use the present perfect to talk about our experiences – things that have happened in our
lifetime.
We usually ask questions with Have you ever …? and we use never in negative sentences about
experiences.
_________________________________________________________________
6. We use the present perfect to measure a period of time from a point in the past (e.g. yesterday) to
the present moment. We usually ask questions with How long ..? and use for (e.g. for a week) or
since (e.g. since yesterday) to describe the period of time.
_________________________________________________________________
HW Exercise 9. Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box.

already always ever just long never since so far yet

1. I’ve never been to a zoo and I don’t want to go. I think animals should be free.
2. The hole in the ozone layer has already grown very big.
3. Have you ever seen a shark?
4. Average temperatures around the world have been risen by 2◦C so far as a result of global
warming, and they’ll probably continue to rise.
5. Green issues have become a lot more popular since the 1980s and 1990s.
6. I’ve just seen an eagle! It flew over that field a few minutes ago . not yet
7. Politicians keep saying they want to stop global warming, but they haven’t done much about it yet.
8. How long have scientists known about the hole in the ozone layer?
9. I’ve always loved plants and animals, ever since I can remember.

HW Exercise 10. Choose the correct verb forms to complete the interview.
A: How long are you being/ have you been/ were you a wildlife photographer?
B: Well, I’ve loved taking photos of animals since I’m/ I’ve been/ I was a child. I think I take/ I took/
I’ve taken my first animal photo when I was about five years old. But I’m/ I’ve been/ I was a
professional photographer for about 20 years now.

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A: In your career, you’ve won/ you win/ you won a lot of awards for your photos. What’s the best
award that you’ve won/ you win/ you won so far?
B: Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I’ve won/ I win/ I won that five years ago, and then again last
year.
A: So you’re winning/ you’ve won/ you win that award twice, then?
B: Yes, that’s right, and I just hear/ I just heard/ I’ve just heard I might win it again this year.
B. READING

hw Exercise 1. In this unit, you will look at IELTS Reading four-option multiple choice questions
and a diagram label completion task. You will read a text on the topic of survival techniques.
What vocabulary do you already know on the topic of survival techniques? Choose the correct
words to complete the definitions.
1. When levels of water in your body become lower than normal: container/ evaporation/
dehydration
2. To become smaller in size, amount, degree, importance, etc.: consume/ trap/ reduce
3. To eat, drink or use something, especially in large amounts: consume/ trap/ reduce
4. When a liquid changes into a gas (e.g. water turning into steam): container/ evaporation/
dehydration
5. An object, such as a box or a bottle, that can be used for holding something: container/
evaporation/ dehydration
6. Successful or achieving the results that you want: effective/ consume/ container
7. To keep something such as heat or water in one place, especially because it is useful (verb):
reduce/ dehydrate/ trap
hw Exercise 2. Read the information. Then read the first paragraph. Choose the correct option to
answer the question.

Dealing with survival situations in the wild

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of television program that show
experts explaining how to survive in the wild. They use their experience to create fires, build
shelters, find water and decide which plants are safe to eat and which might kill you. While these

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programs are no doubt highly entertaining, what is less certain is how successful they are at really
educating viewers at home. Last year, over 2,300 hikers were reported lost in the wild in the USA.
While most of them were eventually rescued, not all were so lucky. Some of the survivors told their
rescuers that they had been these kinds of television program, and had believed they had learnt some
useful skills. It turned out, however, that building a fire from wet wood and finding a source of clean
water was a lot harder than they had imagined.
1. What does the writer say about television programs on the subject of surviving in the wild?

○A. The people who make the programs know little about of surviving in the wild?
○B. The people who appear on the programs are never in real danger themselves.
○C. The programs fail to make ordinary people aware of how difficult it is to survive.
hard

○D. The programs should not discuss the stories of people who have not survived.
Exercise 3. Read the second and third paragraphs of the text. Then choose the correct options
to answer the questions.
The human body is approximately 75% water – and this water has several important functions,
including keeping the body at the right temperature. If a peron doesn’t drink water, it will take only
two or three days for them to become dehydrated, and their body temperature may either drop or rise
to dangerous levels. Often it is the case that hikers or campers who are lost in the wild don’t start
thinking about how they can find a new source of water untill they run out of it, by which time it may
be too late. They haven’t thought about the consequences of dehydration, and neither do they
recognise the warning signs. An ache in the kidneys, a headache, general confusion – all of these can
tell someone that they are in need of water.
The average person loses 2 -3 litres of water every day just through normal activities such as
breathing. It’s impossible to avoid losing water form body, but there are ways to slow it down. For
example, when it may be necessary to build a shelter in the wild to sleep in, this should be carried out
in the shade rather than in full sun. This reduces the amount of sweat which is produced when body
temperature rises, which is, of course, water leaving the body. Some people may find it surprising
that eating may increase chances of dehydration, but digestion does require water, so eating should
be avoided if water is short. Hiking at night when the temperature drops is also option, but only if
hikers have a good torch or there is a full moon.
1. In the second paragraph, the writer makes the point that

○A. The speed at which dehydration occurs in people depends on the enviroment.
○B. People use all the water they have and only then start thinking how to get more.
○C. Most people know when they are beginning to suffer from dehydration.
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○D. Peple should find out where water is located before they go hiking?

2. What recommendation does the writer make for reducing water loss?

○A. It’s never a good idea to travel fater

after
the sun has gone down.

○B. It’s best to consume food in small amounts and regularly.

○C. Hiker shoulf not waste their time making a basic place to stay in.
○D. It’s a good idea to keep cool while dong any activity.
Exercise 4. Read the information. Then look at the diagram of the process involved in a solar
HW
still. Put the sentences in the correct order to complete the description of the process.

So how does a solar still work?

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Even though the salt content in this kind of water is great, the processes of evaporation and
condensation will remote it, and then the water can be drunk.
The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap rising water as it
evaporates.
Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the container below.
If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second, larger container, and
placed beneath the narrow one.
A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed at the bottom of it.
To ensure that the maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object such as a
small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water drops can
fall directly into it.

Exercise 5. Read the text and look carefully at the diagram. Then label the diagram with the
bold words from the text.

So how does a solar still work? A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed
at the bottom of it. The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap
rising water as it evaporates. Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the
container below. To ensure that he maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object
such as a small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water
drops can fall directly into it. If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second,
larger container, and placed beneath the narrow one. Even though the salt content in this kind of
water is great, the processes of evaporation and condensation will remote it, and then the water can
be drunk.

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Exercise 6. Read the complete description of a solar still and label the diagram. Write NO
MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each question.

A solar still
In situations when people are unable to locate a stream or river, there are certain ways they can get
water which are less difficult than others. Building a simple structure called a solar still is one of
these methods, but it will be most effective in regions which have dramatic temperature change. This
is because, in very hot environments, lots of water is taken up into the air and turns into gas, a
process called evaporation. At night time, however, when it is far cooler, the air releases the water
again – the process of condensation.
So how does a solar still work? A deep hole is dug into the ground and a narrow container is placed
at the bottom of it. The hole is then covered with a plastic sheet, as this kind of material will trap
rising water as it evaporates. Once the gas cools and turns back into water, it can fall into the
container below. To ensure that the maximum amount of water possible is collected, a heavy object
such as a small rock should be placed in a central position above the container so that the water drops
can fall directly into it. If people are near an ocean, water from here can be added to a second, larger
container, and placed beneath the narrow one. Even though the salt content in this kind of water is
great, the processes of evaporation and condensation will remove it, and then the water can be drunk.

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Using the solar-still method will not produce enough water for people to collect and travel with, but
it can ensure survival while people are waiting for rescue.

C. LISTENING
Exercise 1. In this unit, you will practise the skills you need to complete an IELTS Listening
note completion task. You will also hear a talk connected with the topic of transport. This is a
common topic in IELTS, so it is a good idea to think about some vocabulary you might hear.
Match the words in the box with the correct definitions.
Destination elevator fare hire lane route sign
traffic underground vehicle

1. a railway system in which trains travel through tunnels below a city: ______________
2. something that gives travel information to drivers and other road users:
______________
3. a particular way or direction from one place to another: ______________
4. a special part of a road that can only be used by certain kinds of transport (e.g. buses or taxis):

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______________
5. car, buses and other kinds of transport moving along a road: ______________
6. a machine, usually with wheels and an engine, used for transporting people or things, especially on
roads: ______________
7. to pay use something for a short period of time (e.g. a car): ______________
8. The money that you pay for a journey (e.g. on a bus or a train): ______________
9. the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken: ______________
10. something that moves up and down, carrying people or things to different floors of a building:
______________
Exercise 2. Read the information. Then listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Choose the correct answers. (Track 8.1)

1. Where is the speaker talking?

○at a university
○at a community centre
○at a train station
2. who is the speaker talking to?

○some people who have lived in the area for a long time
○some peope from another country
○some people who have recently moved to the area
3. what is the purpose of the speaker’s talk?

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○to give advice for travelling in a city

○to describe plans for the future of transport in the city
○to offer free travel around a city.
Exercise 3. Before you listen, it is a good idea to guess what kind of words you need to listen for
(e.g. nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) and what kind of information is missing. Read the
information. Then read the descriptions and the notes. Write the correct description (A–H) for
the missing words (1–10) in the notes. One letter is used three times.

Descriptions
A a plural noun or an uncountable noun for an area where people can ride a bikes
B a plural noun for something you find in a train station
C a singular or plural noun for part of a city (e.g. a building)
D an adjective for describing a group of people
E a plural noun for describing a group of people
F a singular noun for something you can collect when you buy a ticket
G a singular noun for
H an adjective for describing a kind of ticket
NOTES

NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS City- centre travel

Cycling ▪ (1) ______
adj lanes in centre are only for cycling – use these.
▪ A new (2) N ít
______ makes cycling over busiest roads very safe.
▪ Buying a bike that is good for riding in an area that has (3) ______
N is
has/have : sở hữu + N
recommended.
a/an/the adj N
▪ You can hire bikes from a place near the (4) ______

1. xác định từ loại

2. xác định số lượng từ
3. xác định nghĩa liên quan UNIT 8 12
FOUNDATION 2 city's = sở hữu cách N's = adj: sở hữu cách
a/an/the adj N Mr.Nghi's car
Buses ▪ Buy a (5) ______travel card if travelling by bus every day.
adj adj N
▪ Take a ‘D’ bus to get to the city’s central (6) ______. => adj adj N
▪ N
Discount for elderly people and some (7) ______.
V-ing lượng từ
Underground ▪ Trains best for visiting (8) ______
N
lượng từ N
▪ Check if station has any (9) ______or not before you take trains.
▪ A (10) ______can be picked up from ticket offices.
N ít
some,
any : lượng từ

Exercise 4. Read the notes on city-centre travel. Then listen to the next part of the recording.
Write one word in each gap (1–4) to complete the notes (Track 8.2)
NOTES
City-centre travel
Cycling ▪ (1) Green lanes in center are only for cycling – use these.
▪ A new (2) bridge makes cycling over busiest roads very safe.
▪ N
Buying a bike that is good for riding in an area that has (3) ______ is
recommended. có/ sở hữu + danh từ
▪ You can hire bikes from a place near the (4) ______ N

Exercise 5. Listen to the next part of the talk about transport in the city centre. Complete the
section about buses in the notes below. Remember that the underlined words are key words
that can help you find the answers. Write one word in each gap. (Track 8.3)
NOTES
City-centre travel
Buses Buy a (5) ______ travel card if travelling by bus every day.
Take a ‘D’ bus to get to the city’s central (6) ______.
Discounts for elderly people and some (7) ______.

Exercise 6. Match the words and phrases on the left to the correct synonyms and paraphrases
on the right.

1. ask for one helpful

● ●
2. best for come out of
● ●
3. check recommend
● ●
4. exit (verb) go and see
● ●

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5. planning to perfect method

● ●
6. suggest make sure
● ●
7. useful thinking about
● ●
8. visit pick one up
● ●
Exercise 7. Listen to the last part of the recording. Write the correct words in the gaps 8–10.
Write one word in each gap. (Track 8.4)
NOTES
City-centre travel
Underground ▪ Trains best for visiting (8) ________.
▪ Check if station has any (9) ________ or not before you take trains.
▪ A (10) ________ can be picked up from ticket offices.

D. SPEAKING
Exercise 1. Before the IELTS Speaking test begins the examiner will ask you some questions.
Complete the questions, using the words in the box. Then watch the video to check.
(Unit 8_Video 1)
call full identification

1. Good afternoon. My name is Maggie Scott. Can you tell me your _________ name please?
2. And what shall I _________ you?
3. Can I see your _________ please?

Exercise 2. In the IELTS Speaking test the examiner is checking your lexical resource. This
means you should use a range of vocabulary related to the topic. Read the IELTS Speaking
Part 2 task card. Then match the the words you might use to talk about this topic with the
definitions.

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atmosphere clean condition countryside factories fresh (air)

green industry peaceful pollution

1. Not dirty _____________

2. Covered with grass or other plants _____________
3. The state that something or someone is in _____________
4. The air you breathe in a place _____________
5. The companies and activities necessary to produce goods for sale, especially in factories
_____________
6. Clean and cool _____________
7. Quiet and calm _____________
8. Damage caused to water, air etc. By harmful substances or waste _____________
9. Land not in towns or cites that is used for farming or is left for forest etc. _____________
10. A buildings or groups of building where large amounts of products are made using machines
_____________

Exercise 3. Look at the pictures. Then put the letters in the correct order to make words
relating to the topic of nature and the environment. You could use these words to show the
examiner lexical resource.
1.

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a i a e n n a t n
o g r m u (two words)

2.

a r t e d e s
3.

a n s f a o i r e t r

4.

p o n t l l u i o

The r n y u e o c s i t d

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6.

a f i r e o s t c

7.

l e l f I I d w

8.

a l o f d o
9.

a l v e a r y r e v l i ( two words)

10.

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the E h t a r

Exercise 4. For the IELTS Speaking Part 2 task card below, you need to speak in the past
simple. Watch the student doing the task and notice the grammatical errors she makes. Then
correct the seven errors. (Unit 8_Video 2)

1. I have been there in February last year.

2. There is a lot of clouds and a lot of mountains.
3. Some people who guide us can speak Korean and Japanese. (2 mistakes)
4. It is a very safe area, so we can have a walk alone at night. (2 mistakes)
5. When I go to Cusco I was with my friends.

Exercise 5. Choose the correct articles to complete the conversation from IELTS Speaking
Part 3
Examiner: Now we’ve been talking about a/the environment and I’d like to discuss with you one or
two general questions related to this. Let’s talk about living in a/the countryside. What are a/the
disadvantages of living in a/the countryside?
Student: In general, living in a/the countryside might be inconvenient because a/the public transport
there is not very good. For example, people need to use taxis or take the bus, because there’s no
special transportation such as the underground. I think that is a/the disadvantage for living in a/the
countryside. Other possible disadvantages are…
Exercise 6. Watch the student doing IELTS Speaking Part 3. Then put the questions that the
examiner asks in the correct order. (Unit 8_Video 3)

Examiner: Now, we’re been talking about the environment and I’d like to discuss with you one or
two general questions related to this. Let’s talk about living in the countryside.

What are the disadvantages of living in the countryside?

Is it possible for people to have a high standard of living without seriously damaging the
environment?
Do you think humans can live in a completely unnatural or artificial environment?
What are some ways people change or affect the environment when they live in countryside?

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Do you think people damage the environment more when they live in a town or when they live
in the countryside?

Exercise 7. Match the examiner’s questions with the student’s responses.

Examiner: Do you think humans can live in a completely unnatural or artificial environment?
Examiner: Do you think people damage the environment more when they live in a town or
when they live in the countryside?
Examiner: Is it possible for people to have a high standard of living without seriously damaging
the environment?
Examiner: What are the disadvantages of living in the countryside?
Examiner: What are some ways people change or affect the environment when they live in
countryside?

1. _________________________________________________________________________
Student: One main disadvantage of living in the countryside might be that it’s inconvenient
because public transport isn’t very good.
2. _________________________________________________________________________
Student: In my opinion, people affect the environment if, for example, they buy themselves a
car.
3. _________________________________________________________________________
Student: I think, in general, people who live in a town have more of an effect on the
environment. This is because a lot of people live in towns and, as a result, there is a lot of
traffic and rubbish on the streets.
4. _________________________________________________________________________
Student: I think it’s possible, although it depend on where you live. For example, you might
be able to afford a car, but you might choose to cycle to work or to school instead.
5. _________________________________________________________________________
Student: I think in some areas people already live in these kinds of conditions. However, I
don’t think it’s a good idea to live without any nature.

Exercise 8. You are going to practise the full IELTS Speaking test. You will need some paper
and a pencil.

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E. WRITING
Exercise 1. Read the sentences about IELTS Writing Task 2. Are they True or False?
1. You should spend about 20 minutes on IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
2. You should write at least 250 words in IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
3. You get a higher score if you can write a lot more than 250 words in ILETS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
4. You shoud discuss different opinions about the question and give your own opinion.
○True ○False
5. You should not write about your own knowledge or experience of the topic.
○True ○False
6. It is a good idea to be funny and informal in your answer for IELTS Writing task 2.
○True ○False
Exercise 2. Read the information. Then decide whether the underlined words and phrases
are the subject or the special idea about the subject.

1 There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and
what can be done about it? 🡪 the subject/ the special idea about the subject
2 Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters while other people think they are
less healthy. Compare the two views. 🡪 the subject/ the special idea about the subject

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3 Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking. 🡪 the subject/ the special idea about the
subject
4 Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion?
🡪 the subject/ the special idea about the subject
Exercise 3. After you have found the subject and the special idea about the subject, you should
decide what the essay question is asking you to do. Match each essay question with what it is
asking you to do.
Agree or disagree Compare advantages and disadvantages
Compare two different opinions Discuss problem and solutions

1. There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and
what can be done about it? ___________________________
2. Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat – eaters while other people think they
are less healthy. Compare the two views. ___________________________
3. Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking.___________________________
4. Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion?
___________________________
Exercise 4. Before you write the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay you should make a plan.
Complete the plan with the correct words or phrases in the box.
I think they should plan enjoy important my opinion
sugar has bad effect on health sugar in coffee too much cola
Essay. _________________________
Introduction: a lot of people are unhealthy because of sugar
_________________________= people should eat less sugar but enjoy it sometimes
Main Paragraph 1, Fact: true = _________________________
Reasons or examples: people drink _________________________/ this could make them ill
Result or opinion _________________________drink less cola
Main Paragraph 2, Fact: traditional food is _________________________
Reasons or example: like traditional food and coffee in my country
Result or opinion: I think it’s okay to have cakes at parties or _________________________
Conclusion: people should eat less sugar but still _________________________ it sometimes
Exercise 5. Put the paragraphs in the correct order to complete the IELTS Writing Task 2
essay.
Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world.
What is your opinion?

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FOUNDATION 2

On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that is has a bad effect on their
health. For example, in my country a lot of people drink cola with their meals instead of water.
Cola has a large amount of sugar in it so they are drinking a lot more calories. More calories means
that people get fat and have problems with their heart other illnesses. In my view, they should
reduce the amount of cola that they drink.

In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem, I think people should reduce the amount
of sugar they have by drinking water instead of cola but I also think they should still enjoy sugar on
special occasions or in coffee sometimes.

On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food. For example, in my country
we have traditional sweet cakes with cherries and nuts, which we eat at parties. Also, where I live it
is normal to have sugar with coffee. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special
occasions and I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.

Nowadays, a lot of people around the world are unhealthy because they eat too much sugar. In my
opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also enjoy sweet things sometimes.
In this essay, I am going to explain why I partly agree and disagree that sugar is a big health
problem.

Exercise 6. Read the sentences and underline the phrases for giving opinions.
1. In my opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also enjoy sweet things
sometimes.
2. On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that it has a bad effect on
their health.
3. More calories means that people get fat and have problems with their heart or other illnesses.
4. In my view, they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.
5. On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food.
6. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions.
7. I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.
8. In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem.

Exercise 7. Complete the table with the advantages and disadvantages

sometimes tastes disgusting often cheaper than eating in a restaurant

can cause heart problems can be delicious often high in fat and sugar
can make you overweight quick and easy
if you buy fast food you do not have to cook at home.

advantages of fast food disadvantages of fast food

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FOUNDATION 2

Exercise 8.

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FOUNDATION 2

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FOUNDATION 2

LISTENING SCRIPT

Exercise 2.

Announcer: You will hear a man talking about different kinds of transport people can use in a city.
Simon Clark: Good morning. It’s nice to see so many people here today. My name’s Simon Clark and
I’m in charge here at the community centre. I’ve met some of you before, and I think that most
people here today have only been living in this area for a couple of months – or even just a few
weeks. Well, I hope I can help you to get to know the place where we live a little better today. And,
er, specifically, I’m going to talk about some ways that you can travel around the city – so, for
example, getting about by bicycle, using the bus or taking the underground train. Please feel free to
ask any questions as we go.

Exercise 4.

Simon Clark: Let’s start with cycling. Now, the mayor of the city’s really trying to get more people to
use bicycles – for getting to work or just for pleasure – so we have lots of things just for cyclists. For
instance, you’ve probably noticed some purple and yellow arrows in the parks. These signs show
you some really nice cycle routes.
For people cycling to work in the city centre, there’s lots of other traffic on the road, so you need to
be careful. The city has created some special lanes that are only for cyclists. They’ve been painted
green and they’re right next to the orange taxi lanes. So just cycle on those and you should be OK.
Speaking of safety, the council have finally done something to improve cycling on the most
dangerous roads – you know, the ones with the most traffic. A lot of cyclists had complained that it
was quite frightening to ride next to buses and big trucks, so there’s now also a new bridge that
goes over some of the roads with the heaviest traffic. It’s a good way to avoid some of the more
dangerous vehicles that you sometimes get in the city centre.
Now, if you don’t have a bicycle yet and you’re thinking of buying one, you need to think about the
most suitable type to get. If you’re planning to go riding around in the city, you need to remember
that there are lots of hills, so I’d advise you to get a bike of a type that can help you get up those
nice and easily.

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FOUNDATION 2

Of course, you could just hire a bike instead. So if you want to do that for a couple of hours – or
even for a whole day – you can go to the university and the bikes for hire are right outside. I think it
costs about $10 an hour or $45 for the whole day.

Exercise 5.
Simon Clark: OK, what about using the buses? Of course, you can still use money – well, coins – to
pay for your bus fare, but it’s sometimes easier to use a travel card, and of course, there are
different types of card. If you use the bus every day, whether it’s for a long trip or a short trip, I
suggest you get the one called a ‘Monthly’. That’s actually cheaper than getting a new card every
week.

You’ll notice that all the buses here begin with a letter – A, B, C and D – and these tell you the
direction the buses travel in. So for instance, all the ‘A’ buses go north to south and all the ‘B’ buses
south to north. It’s the same for the ‘C’ and ‘D’ buses, but they go east and west.

So from here, the community centre, you need a ‘D’ bus to go into the centre – you’ll usually be
able to catch one about every ten minutes and in fact, although they all have different final
destinations – for example, one stops at the park, another in front of the theatre – they all stop
outside the library (that’s the big one in the city centre). I would recommend you pay it a visit if you
haven’t already been there.

It’s also possible to get a discount travel card, but this isn’t for everyone. You have to be over 70
years old to get the lower fare – so this might be useful for some pensioners. The other group that
can usually get a cheaper card are students, as long as they are under the age of 26 and have some
kind of identification that proves they’re taking an academic course.
Exercise 7.
Simon Clark: We also have a good underground train system in the city centre. Of course, some
people use it to go to work, but in my opinion, it’s also the perfect method of transport if you want
to go and see lots of different museums that are located in the city centre. Many of these are only
five minutes’ walk when you come out of the train station. Now, you do need to be a bit careful

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FOUNDATION 2

about some of the underground train stations in and around the city. I’d recommend that you do a
little bit of research before you set out, and make sure that the station where you’re travelling to
has some elevators – because not all of them do. It can be very difficult to walk up a lot of stairs if
you have very small children, for instance, or a lot of shopping. During the week, the ticket offices at
the stations are, in general, open from 6 am to 11 pm. And if you’re planning to use the trains a lot,
one thing that will be really helpful is a map of the underground. You can ask for one at any ticket
office and as far as I know, they’re free. So, does anyone have any questions?

UNIT 8 27