B1 (File 4B) : Listening activities + vocabulary bank : houses

6 minutes English BBC- house swapping

A. Before listening- Guess the following questions without listening to the programme.
1. What does house swapping mean?
2. What are the benefits of house swapping? 
3. If you didn't have enough money for a holiday, would you consider the option of house swapping?
4. What kind of houses are mentioned in the programme?
B. While listening- answer this question:
1  According to a recent survey which is the most popular destination for UK home swaps?

a) Australia
b) UK
c) USA

Listen out for the correct answer at the end of the programme! 

• audio
• transcript download
• Vocabulary from the programme ( click here and scroll down)

C. Optional activity -After listening: ( Basics of home exchange in 8 minutes)  

1. Name the advantages of house swapping. Now think about the disadvantages.
2. What kind of houses do you see in the video?

Watch this video and find out! 

3. Movie about home exchange

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" about home exchange? Click here to read more...

Watch the trailer here. ( and click on media ( trailer)

FYI ( For your interest) : The Holiday Speak up DVD is at the library.

KEYS- FILE 4B - Vocabulary

p. 151-Vocabulary Bank: houses.
1 Types of houses
1 terraced house
2 block of flats
3 cottage
4 detached house

2 Where people live
1g   2 d    3e   4b    5a    6c   7f

3 Parts of a house

1 chimney    2 roof    3 balcony   4 garage    5 wall    6 gate    7 garden   8 steps   9 terrace   10 path

4 Furniture 

bathroom-washbasin, shower
kitchen-sink, dishwasher
living room-coffee table, armchair
bedroom-bedside table, chest of drawers

B1 ( song) : Gotye - Somebody that I used to know

1. Read Gotye's ( biography).
Gotye " Somebody that I used to know" wins best record of the year at
Grammys.

1. Watch the video and answer these questions:


1. Here's a link to extra activities

After listening activities

2. Grammar questions
a.  What does the title of the song " somebody that I used to know" refer to?
 The expression " I used to":
a- A relationship that was going on in the past.
c- A relationship that's going on in the present.

B1 (THE FLATMATES BBC- Language point) : Giving advice

In file 3A we learnt that the modal verb " should " is used to give advice or opinion on a topic. In addition, there are other ways of giving advice. Please visit the links below and do the activities.
Giving advice-
Instructions for self- learning:
There are 3 links below with the activities. Follow the 3 steps and answer the question at the end of this post.

1  Listen to the first video and try to note down as many expressions as you can  used to give advice.
2. Click on number 2 below, listen and check your answers with the trascription. 
3. Finally, read the explanation and do the quizz below.
 
- 1. video ( hidden text)
- 2. video ( with transcription)
- 3. quizz.

QUESTION: What other new verbs do John and Helen use to give advice? ( You can submit your answers on the blog)

B1- 1st term revision materials

Below there's a useful document which includes language grammar points for you to read and learn.
I'm sure it'll clarify all your doubts about language use.
Download here.

B1- Revision materials for writing

I strongly recommend you to visit this post with a link to a document compiling some of the most frequently used language points in writing.

Also, please have a look at the BBC writing section.
Building up paragraphs

B1 (FYI): Revision material- Agreement with Quantifiers

Quantifiers and agreement usually raise doubts in English. This link is perfect to clarify this point. QUANTITY PHRASES:   QUANTIFIER + SINGULAR AGREEMENT;  QUANTIFIER + PLURAL AGREEMENT.
I'm sure it'll help you to use them more confidently.

B1 Intermediate: Welcome!

Dear students,

Welcome to my blog!

The first post this year is related to level B1 Intermediate which you'll be reaching in June.

Please complete the B1 self-assessment checklist for all the skills:  listening, speaking, reading and writing. (Scroll down to page 6 and 7).

You can also self-evaluate your language skills  here.

I hope you enjoy and learn.

See you in class!

Elena