Communication
simple present and present continuous; action and state verbs ■ communication
1A Connected
How do you keep in touch with people? Order the communication phrases from 1 (I do this less often) to
6 (I do this most often). Compare your answers in pairs.
get a text share a photo give someone a reply to an e-mail check your comment on a
message call phone post
Go to Vocabulary practice: communication, page 136
Think of three people in your life. Tell your partner how you keep in touch with these people.
Are sentences 1–6 true (T) or false (F)? Discuss your answers in pairs.
1 We speak to each other face-to-face more often nowadays.
2 Our phone calls are longer today compared to ten years ago.
3 These days, it seems we prefer text messages to phone calls.
4 People in the U.S. send more letters and packages nowadays.
5 We are sending a million e-mails per second, now.
6 More than half of the Internet pages we visit are social media sites.
Read the text and check your answers in 3A. Correct the false sentences.
Ten years ago, 80% of our communication was face-to-face. Now, it’s
only 60%. Even our phone calls are shorter – on average, each call
now lasts one minute, compared to three minutes ten years ago. It
seems that people prefer texting to calling.
In the U.S., over 200 billion letters and packages were sent in 2008,
compared to 150 billion last year. These days, we usually write to
people by text, messaging app, or e-mail. In fact, right now, people
are sending two million e-mails per second!
Sixty percent of the pages we view on the Internet are social media
pages, and we share nearly two billion photos on them every day.
The average person has ve social media accounts and spends
about two hours a day looking at them.
THE CHANGING FACE OF
Comments
Tina
COMMUNICATION
The way we communicate has never changed so
much in such a short period of time. We look at Rob
the results of recent surveys that tell us about
the changing face of communication.
20 EXTRA PRACTICE: Workbook page 2; photocopiable activity 1A Vocabulary
simple present and present continuous; action and state verbs ■ communication 1A
Which piece of information in the text did you find most surprising? Do you agree with Tina and Rob?
Look at the highlighted verbs in Tina’s comment and answer the questions.
1 Which four verbs are in the simple present? Which verb is in the present continuous?
2 Which two verbs describe actions? Which three verbs describe states?
Choose the correct options to complete the rules.
1 We use the simple present / present continuous to talk about things that happen regularly or things that
are always true.
2 We use the simple present / present continuous to talk about actions that are happening now or actions
that are temporary.
3 We can’t use the present continuous for action / state verbs.
Read the Grammar box. Then look at the sentences in exercise 3A again. Do they contain action or
state verbs? What tense are they?
Grammar simple present and present continuous; action and state verbs
Simple present with action and state verbs:
I call my brother at least once a week. I’m so thirsty right now. I need some water. NOT I’m needing some water.
Present continuous with action verbs:
I’m calling you from New York! We’re studying French this year.
Go to Grammar practice: simple present and present continuous; action and state verbs, page 112
1.3 Pronunciation: sentence stress Listen to the sentences. Do we stress the auxiliary
verbs be and do?
1 Are you trying to access the Internet? 3 The Internet doesn’t seem slow right now.
2 Do you need a new laptop? 4 Why are you using my tablet?
1.3 Listen, check, and repeat.
Complete the sentences with the correct tense of the verbs in parentheses.
1 I (not check) my text messages when I’m having co ee with friends.
2 The price of desktop computers (go) down at the moment.
3 I (like) looking at the selfie photos that my friends post on social media.
4 I’m studying English online, right now, so I (need) the Internet on my phone.
5 I (look) for a new phone because my phone is very old.
6 Most people (have) friends on Facebook that they never talk to face-to-face.
In pairs, discuss the sentences in 8A. Which sentences do you agree with or are true for you?
Go to Communication practice: Student A page 156, Student B page 166
Complete the questionnaire and discuss your answers in pairs.
How do you communicate?
1 When I want to get together with friends, I normally … 4 On my best friend’s birthday, I usually send …
message them on Facebook. text them. a message on social media. a text. a card.
call them.
5 I usually share important photos …
2 When I’m feeling happy and I want to share good news using a messaging app. by e-mail.
with people that live far away, I … on social media.
send a text message. send a letter.
6 When I want to keep in touch with old friends, I usually …
make plans to get together.
contact them on social media. e-mail them.
3 When I’m feeling sad, I prefer to speak to people … give them a call.
on the phone. on Skype. face-to-face.
Personal Best Write four sentences with state verbs in the simple present. 5
22 EXTRA PRACTICE: Workbook page 2;
00;photocopiable
photocopiableactivity
activity1A1AGrammar
Grammar
1 READING skimming a text ■ actually, in fact
1B Smart living?
What do you use your smartphone for? What do you think of
people who constantly check their phones?
Skill skimming a text
Before you read a text in detail, get a general idea of the topic of the
text and of each paragraph.
• Read the title of the text and look at any images. Can you predict
what the text is about?
• Quickly read the first paragraph. This will confirm the topic and can
give you an idea of the text content and organization.
• Read the first sentence of each paragraph. This can give you
information about the main idea of each paragraph.
Read the Skill box. Then look at the title of the text, the picture, and the first paragraph on page 7.
Do you think the writer had a positive or negative experience without his smartphone?
Read the first sentences of paragraphs 2–6. What is the main idea of each paragraph? Match the
paragraphs with ideas a–e.
a With no smartphone, he felt less tired. d There were more advantages than disadvantages.
b He worked better. e He found things to do to entertain himself.
c He communicated more often face-to-face.
Read the complete text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)? Correct the false sentences.
1 The writer stopped using his smartphone because of an article he read.
2 Normally his smartphone distracts him when he’s working.
3 He has become a better listener when he’s with friends.
4 He doesn’t enjoy reading books and newspapers any more.
5 The light from smartphone screens helps us sleep.
6 The writer now uses his smartphone di erently than before.
Read this sentence from the text. Which word is used to express surprise that something
unexpected happened?
“I actually talked to people more and felt more connected to them, although we weren’t in constant
contact online.“
Text builder actually, in fact
To say that something is surprising or unexpected, we can use actually or in fact:
I was worried that I would be bored without my phone as entertainment, but, actually, I enjoyed it.
I thought living without a smartphone would be hard, but, in fact, it was pretty easy.
Look! We can use actually at the start of a phrase, before a main verb, or after be.
We usually use in fact at the start of a phrase.
Read the Text builder. Match 1–4 with a–d.
1 My friends say I’m addicted to my new smartphone. a but it was actually on yesterday, not today.
2 My teacher’s surprised because b Actually, I don’t use it as much as my old one.
3 Tim thought the movie was on at 8:30 this evening, c but, in fact, I’m staying at home.
4 I thought I was going away this weekend, d I actually passed the exam!
Could you live without your smartphone for a week? In pairs, discuss what you think the experience
would be like.
24 EXTRA PRACTICE: Workbook page 3; photocopiable activity 1B Skills
skimming a text ■ actually, in fact READING 1B
A WEEK WITHOUT MY
by David Sharpe
1 When I read that we spend three hours every day 4 I was worried that I would be bored without
checking our smartphones, I was surprised. What my phone as entertainment, but, actually, I
was I missing in the real world when walking down enjoyed it – I’d forgotten how much I love
the street, lost in a virtual world of social media books and newspapers. I’d also forgotten how
updates and videos of dogs on bicycles? I promised much I enjoyed doing Sudoku puzzles. I had
myself I would use my smartphone less … but it an app for that on my smartphone, but never
didn’t happen. But then my phone died, and I had used it. Doing one every day in the newspaper
to wait a week for a new one. Would I survive? I felt a lot more special, and it became part of
thought it would be hard, but, in fact, it was pretty my morning routine. My brain felt a lot
easy – and surprising, in a good way, for a number sharper and much more ready for the day
of reasons! ahead as a result.
2 The rst result was pretty amazing – on the rst day 5 One completely unexpected result of not
in the of ce without my phone, I was thinking more having a smartphone was that I slept so much
deeply and concentrating more. I had rediscovered better and felt more awake in the morning. At
my brain! Not having access to my favorite apps night, I relaxed with a book before going to
meant that I wasn’t interrupted every ve minutes sleep, instead of watching Net ix or reading
by social media alerts, soccer scores, and WhatsApp the news on my phone. Apparently, the blue
group messages. Without these distractions, I was light from smartphone screens makes our brain
more productive and felt satis ed that I’d done a think it’s morning, so it’s releasing chemicals
better job. to wake us up, just when we’re trying to get to
sleep. That’s not very smart!
3 Another result was that I actually talked to people
more and felt more connected to them, although 6 Of course, at times, it was extremely
we weren’t in constant contact online. At lunch inconvenient to have no cell-phone Internet
with friends one day, I realized I was being more connection, but, all in all, there were a lot
responsive to their news and sympathetic to their of bene ts to not being connected 24/7.
problems because I wasn’t constantly checking my Although I was jumping for joy when my new
phone. Another day I was in a new city and I asked smartphone arrived, I’m a lot more careful
people for directions instead of using an app. Their about how much I use it now. So, if you think
kindness made me feel welcome, and I discovered you use your smartphone too much, put it
my brain has a very good GPS! away for a few days and see what happens.
You never know, you may become smarter!
Personal Best Have you ever lived without something for a period of time? Write two or three sentences about the experience. 7
26 EXTRA PRACTICE: Workbook page 3
1A Communication
1 1.1 Match phrases 1–10 with definitions a–j. Listen and check.
1 get a text message/an e-mail a send a text message/an e-mail to a person who has sent one to you
2 check your phone b call someone
3 reply to a text message/an e-mail c receive a text message/an e-mail
4 give someone a call d look at your phone to see messages, alerts, etc.
5 share something on social media e give your opinion on something on social media
6 comment on a post f look at a social media/e-mail account to see messages, alerts, etc.
7 check Facebook/your messages g put something on social media, e.g., a photo or video
8 go online/access the Internet h stay in contact with someone
9 keep in touch with someone i have a conversation with someone in person
10 speak to someone face-to-face j connect to the Internet
2 Complete the sentences 1–9 with the words in the box.
get speak share check reply give keep comment access
1 Sorry, I can’t talk now. Can I you a call when I get home? 6 It’s easy to in touch with your family when you’re abroad.
2 Can I borrow your laptop so I can my messages? 7 I usually my vacation photos on Facebook.
3 I can’t the Internet because there’s no WiFi here. 8 It’s much better to to someone face-to-face when you
4 I had no signal on my phone, so I didn’t your text message. have a problem.
5 My friends often on my blog posts. Sometimes we have 9 I didn’t to your message because I was in a meeting. Sorry.
long discussions online.
Go back to page 4
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1C say, tell, speak, and talk
1 1.4 Complete the chart with say, tell, speak, or talk. Listen and check.
1 a language
(to someone) about something
speak / 2
quickly/slowly/loudly
someone (something)
3 (someone) a lie/the truth/a story/a joke
someone a secret
hello/goodbye
4 something (to someone)
sorry/thanks/congratulations
2 Choose the correct verbs to complete the sentences. 3 Complete the sentences with a form of say, tell, speak, or talk and a
1 Can I say / talk to Pedro, please? word or phrase from the box.
2 You need to say / tell sorry to Carl for arriving late.
3 I told / said her the good news. German thanks a secret sorry a great joke to my boss
4 Mary can speak / talk two languages.
5 Can I say / tell you a secret? 1 I’m calling to for helping me with my work yesterday.
6 Sara said / told something really interesting. 2 I Jan yesterday. That was a mistake – now
7 Why are you saying / speaking so loudly? everyone knows it!
8 Can you tell / say me your address, please? 3 I’m having some problems at work, so I need to .
4 Simon me this morning – it was so funny!
5 I want to learn to , so I’m going to take a course at a
language school.
6 You were so rude to your brother. I think you should him you’re
.
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284
1A Simple present and present continuous;
action and state verbs 1 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.
1 They don’t want / aren’t wanting to go swimming
1.2
today because it’s too cold.
I check my e-mails every morning. I’m replying to your message right now. 2 I prefer / ’m preferring this co ee – it tastes / ’s tasting
I need to access the Internet. Are you enjoying your vacation? much better than that co ee.
My sister has a new job. My parents are having breakfast. 3 I can’t talk to you right now. We have / ’re having
lunch.
Simple present 4 Why do you wait / are you waiting for the bus? There
aren’t any buses after midnight!
We use the simple present to talk about things that are always true.
5 I don’t understand / ’m not understanding this movie
They speak Portuguese in Brazil. The sun sets in the west. because they’re speaking too fast.
We also use the simple present to talk about regular routines. 6 We think / ’re thinking all museums should be free.
I start work at 8:45. My brother gets up at 6:30 every day. 7 He works / ’s working in the library this morning.
8 That suitcase belongs / is belonging to me.
We often use the simple present with frequency adverbs and expressions.
We never go shopping on Saturdays. They often go to the beach on the weekend. 2 Complete the sentences with the simple present or
present continuous form of the verbs in parentheses.
Present continuous 1 I (talk) to my boss at the moment. Can I
We use the present continuous to talk about actions that are happening now. call you back in five minutes?
He’s speaking to his sister on Skype right now. I’m waiting for you at the bus stop. 2 They (send) me a birthday card every year.
3 I (leave) the o ce now. I’ll call you later.
We also use the present continuous to talk about actions that are temporary.
4 You look really tired. I (think) you
She’s living with her parents at the moment. I’m studying economics this year. (need) to go to bed now.
5 I’m so hungry! I (think) about dinner.
Action and state verbs 6 I can’t talk now. I (study) in the library.
We can use the simple present and present continuous with verbs that describe an 7 I (stay) at my best friend’s house at
action. the moment.
I play soccer on Wednesday evenings. 8 My Internet connection (not work) today.
I’m playing a soccer game on my computer right now. 3 Complete the text with the correct form of the verbs in
We usually use the simple present, not the present continuous, with verbs which parentheses.
describe a state.
She doesn’t like her new haircut. NOT She isn’t liking her new haircut.
I don’t understand. What do you mean? NOT I’m not understanding. What are you
meaning?
I own a car. NOT I’m owning a car.
state verbs
feelings like, love, hate, want, prefer, need
Enjoy is used in the continuous tense: I’m enjoying the party.
thoughts and know, believe, remember, forget, understand, think, feel,
opinions consider, realize, expect, agree, suppose, doubt, mean I1 (not understand) why some people
2 (believe) that we 3 (talk) to
states be, have (possess), exist, seem, appear, belong, own, matter
each other much less than in the past. I 4
senses taste, sound, look, feel, hear, smell
(own) a smartphone, and I 5 (use) it all
the time. I 6 (send) messages to my
Look! Some verbs can be both action and state verbs, with di erent meanings.
friends several times a day, and I often 7
I’m thinking about my vacation. (the action of thinking = action verb)
(call) them to talk. It’s true that we 8
I think this website is the best. (an opinion = state verb)
(have) very busy lives nowadays and that we
He’s having steak and French fries. (the action of eating = action verb) 9 always (not speak)
He has a white sports car. (a possession = state verb)
face-to-face. It 10 (seem) to me that
I’m feeling happy. (the action of having an emotion = action verb)
electronic devices 11 (make) our lives
It feels soft. (the sense = state verb)
much easier. For example, I 12 (write)
this blog now while I 13 (sit) on the train.
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