1 READING &

LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 1 5 Match the words and phrases in bold in the article
with their synonyms 1–8.
1 Work in pairs and discuss. What makes you happy?
1 being covered in water
2 Read the title of the article below. What things do 2 looking at what other people are doing
you think make most people happy? 3 friends and family
4 late
3 Read the article and check your ideas from Exercise 2. 5 feeling unhappy or angry
6 the best
4 Read the article again. Who talks about the
7 lots of wind and rain
following: Ben (B), Hannah (H) or Laura (L)?
8 relaxing
1 Being at home.
2 Something that helps them relax. 6 1.1 Listen to Peter and Kate being
3 Being outside. interviewed for the same magazine article. Number
4 Other people’s happiness. the things that make them happy in the order you
5 Listening to something. hear them (1–7).
6 Enjoying bad weather. working
7 People going on holiday. spending time with family and friends
8 Something the author agrees with. helping other people
going on holiday
lazy weekends
playing with a dog
What makes us happy? skiing

7 Listen again. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?

L ast month, I stopped
100 people in the street and
asked them what made them
Correct the false sentences.
1 Peter doesn’t like spending time with his family
happy. Most people told me what and friends.
I expected – falling in love, spending 2 Peter prefers to be active at weekends.
time with family and friends, money 3 Peter got married at the top of a mountain.
– but a few people had some really
4 Kate works as a doctor in a children’s hospital.
interesting answers. My favourites,
and their reasons, are below. 5 Kate doesn’t love everything about her job.
6 Kate only works Monday to Friday.
Ben told me that what really makes him happy is people
watching, especially in airports. ‘You see a lot of happiness
in airports, especially in the Arrivals area. I love seeing
8 Complete the extracts with the correct words.
Listen to check your answers.
people’s faces as they see their loved ones return from
holiday, or the faces of the travellers when they see who is 1 … the usual things I suppose … spending
there waiting for them.’ Ben then said, ‘Don’t look for the with my family and friends …
same happy faces in Departures, though – people there are 2 And the exciting feeling you get as you
often stressed or angry because their flights are delayed, or down the side of the mountain …
sad because they’re saying goodbye to someone!’ 3 I don’t a lot of money …
Hannah told me that what makes her really happy is the 4 I have to long hours and at
sound of the rain. ‘I love it!’ she said. ‘I love hearing the weekends.
rain falling against my bedroom window when I’m in bed. 5 But it’s it for the feeling of joy and
Firstly, it makes me happy that I’m not outside getting
satisfaction I get …
wet, and secondly, I think the sound of rain falling is very
calming and it helps me get to sleep at night.’ 6 … even though they’re , the
children are really funny …
Finally, on a similar note, Laura told me that she actually
loves walking in the rain – the heavier the better! ‘Wild
weather, and particularly rain and wind, makes me so
9 Work in pairs and discuss. Use language from
Exercise 8 to help you.
happy, and I love being outside in it,’ she said. ‘There’s
nothing better than walking along the beach on a stormy 1 What kind of holidays make you happy? Why?
day, especially if I’m tired or in a bad mood – it always 2 Does your job or what you study make you happy?
makes me feel better.’ Why/Why not?
I’m not sure I agree with Laura, but it’s a very good answer.
I think my favourite answer is Hannah’s, because that’s
what makes me happy, too!

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

2 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 2 3 Read the personal profiles again. Who talks
about the following: Tom (T), Jack (J), Sophie (S) or
1 Work in pairs and discuss. Which of the jobs in the
Lizzie (L)?
box are the best/worst? Put them in order.
1 earning a lot of money
accountant chef personal trainer 2 working with people ,
foreign correspondent 3 travelling for work
4 a dangerous job
2 Read the personal profiles and match a job from 5 doing something active
Exercise 1 with each person. 6 being creative
1 Tom            3 Sophie            7 being happy to work in an office
2 Jack            4 Lizzie            8 changing people’s lives

Tom 4 Find words in the texts that match the

definitions 1–8.
My dream job is one that pays me a
good salary! I don’t mind working under 1 the time you have to finish something by (Tom)
pressure. In fact, I’m motivated by
deadlines and I like being busy all the 2 working hard with lots of things to do (Tom)
time. I don’t mind sitting at a desk all
day. I like working alone and I prefer
dealing with numbers than dealing with 3 very tasty (Jack)
people. I’m happy to work long hours as 4 plates of food (Jack)
long as I get long holidays, too!
5 being the boss (Jack)
6 lots of different things (Sophie)
Jack 7 important or useful (Sophie)
My dream job is one where I can use my
8 aims, something you want to achieve in the
imagination and get my hands dirty. future (Lizzie)
I absolutely love making delicious dishes
that look beautiful and that people 5 What do you think are the good things and bad
enjoy eating. I can’t stand the idea of things about working as a chef? Work in pairs and
sitting in an office all day. It’s so boring! discuss.
I love working in a team but I prefer
being in charge. I absolutely love working
under pressure and seeing fast results.
6 2.1 Listen to Marc talking about his job and
tick the things he talks about. Does he mention any
of your ideas from Exercise 5?
Sophie working weekends
working in a team
My dream job is one where I get to go
to lots of interesting places, especially working under pressure
places you don’t normally visit on eating delicious food
holiday. I’m not keen on doing the working flexible hours
same things every day so I want a job earning a lot of money
with lots of variety and I don’t mind if working in an office
it’s not 9–5. I don’t mind taking risks
or even risking my life as long as I’m
doing something worthwhile.
7 Listen again and underline the correct alternative.
1 Marcus decided to leave school when he was
sixteen/eighteen.
Lizzie 2 He thought being a chef would be creative/exciting.
My dream job is one that pays me to 3 His feet and legs/arms and legs get tired.
do something I absolutely love – 4 The kitchen is usually hot/cold.
exercise! I’m not keen on a 9 –5 job in 5 You have to/don’t have to work closely with the
an office – I prefer the idea of working other chefs.
flexible hours. I can’t stand sitting
around all day and I prefer the idea of 6 He works/doesn’t work long hours.
working in different places – inside 7 He thinks cooking well is satisfying/boring.
and outside. I’m motivated by 8 He wants/doesn’t want to be his own boss one day.
helping other people achieve their
goals and I love seeing the difference
I can make.
8 Work in pairs and discuss. What are the best and
worst jobs you can think of? Give reasons for your
answer.

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

3 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 3 4 Find words or phrases in the extracts that have a
similar meaning to the definitions below.
1 Work in pairs and discuss. How do you usually
1 very famous and popular places (extract 1)
spend your free time?
2 useful information or advice from a person who
2 Read the extracts from the Exciting Experiences knows a lot about the subject (extract 1)
website and put the experiences in your order of 3 at night (extract 1)
preference (1 = best, 4 = worst). Compare your ideas 4 lots of chances (extract 2)
with a partner. 5 make something from the beginning (extract 3)
6 absolutely delicious (extract 3)
1 Photography tour of London at night 7 bored or unhappy (extract 4)
This tour is perfect for anyone 8 find an answer (extract 4)
keen on photography – beginners
and experienced photographers
alike. Spend an evening visiting
5 3.1 Listen to James talking to Alison, a
some of London’s most iconic salesperson for the Exciting Experiences website.
sights like Big Ben and Piccadilly Which experience day is he asking about?
Circus, and receive expert tips on
creating beautiful images after dark. 6 Listen again and choose the correct answer.
All our guides are local professional photographers who love
helping people improve their skills. 1 The course is
a) all day. b) only in the morning.
2 Zookeeper for a day 2 The trainer
This experience is an animal-lover’s dream! You learn all about a) is a secret agent. b) was a secret agent.
the daily routines of lots of different animals from an expert and 3 You can do the course
have plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty! You work
with a zookeeper at a local zoo for a whole day, doing everything a) every day. b) on some days.
from feeding baby penguins and lions to washing African 4 The course is   London.
elephants. Your day begins when the animals wake up, so be
prepared for an early start! a) near to b) in
5 You take lunch with you.
3 Sushi-making class a) have to b) don’t have to
This class teaches you everything 6 You need to wear
you need to know about making
sushi from scratch. Learn all about a) sports shoes. b) smart shoes.
the ingredients and different types
of sushi, then prepare four different 7 The extracts below are from the recording. Match the
dishes by yourself. You don’t need words and phrases in bold with their meanings a)–f).
to be good at cooking because our
teachers are top Japanese chefs who will teach you how to cut 1 … it’s very hands-on, you actually get to use spy
the fish and prepare the rice and vegetables to make a delicious, gadgets like hidden cameras and microphones.
healthy meal. After class, share your mouth-watering creations 2 You’ll also drive an off-road car, which is the
with your classmates and receive your very own sushi-making kit
to take home with you! highlight for a lot of people.
3 You use maps and clues and gadgets …
4 Secret Agent School 4 … to sneak into a building …
Are you fed up with doing the same things every weekend? 5 I don’t work on Fridays so that suits me.
Do something different and spend a day learning all about how
to be a spy from real ex-secret agents! They teach you all you
6 Just wear something comfortable that you won’t
need to know, from where to hide cameras to how to crack mind getting messy.
codes. You get to play with lots of spy gadgets and learn how to
defend yourself against evil villains*! a) practical
*evil villains = the bad characters in a book or film b) dirty
c) is convenient
3 Read the extracts again. Are the sentences true (T) d) go somewhere quietly so nobody sees or
hears you
or false (F)? Correct the false sentences.
1 You have to be an experienced photographer to go e) a piece of information that helps solve a mystery
on the London at night tour. f ) the most interesting or enjoyable thing
2 The photography tour guides are all experts.
3 The zookeeper experience is only in the morning.
8 Work in pairs. Choose one of the experience days in
Exercise 2 and have a conversation like James and
4 The main ingredients of sushi are meat and rice. Alison’s. Find out as much information as you can
5 On the spy course, you learn how to use a camera. about the experience.
6 On the spy course, you learn how to protect
yourself from bad people.
© Pearson Education Limited 2016
4 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 4 4 Match the words/phrases in bold in the article with
their meanings 1–10.
1 Work in pairs and discuss.
1 changes to a system or organisation in order to
1 What was your favourite lesson at school? Why did
improve it
you like it so much?
2 copy what Finland is doing
2 Do you prefer academic subjects like maths and
3 changes or discoveries in science or technology
science or vocational subjects like IT and cooking?
that bring progress
Why?
4 cancelled or stopped
2 Read the article about the education system in 5 dramatic or important
Finland. What changes is the Finnish government 6 including many different kinds of things
making? Compare your answers in pairs.
7 liked and respected
Finnish schools to 8 working together with another person or group
to achieve something
teach topics rather 9 relating to the skills you need to do a particular
than subjects job
10 strong disagreement
F or many years, the
education system in
Finland has been admired 5 Work in pairs and discuss. Do you think the reforms
as one of the best in the to the Finnish education system are a good idea?
world. Finland is usually Why/Why not?
at the top of international
league tables for literacy and numeracy. Despite this success,
the Finnish government is planning major reforms to the
6 4.1 Listen to Tom and Rachel talking about
way children and young people are taught. the article. Do they think the reforms are a good
The planned changes are radical: for certain periods of the idea or a bad idea?
year, traditional learning by subject will be scrapped and
replaced with learning by topic instead. Students will no 7 Listen again. Who says the following: Tom (T) or
longer have subject-specific lessons, for example an hour of Rachel (R)?
maths followed by an hour of biology. Instead they will be
taught broad topics which include lots of different subjects. 1 It’s important to study subjects in detail.
For example, pupils might have lessons on the European 2 It’s easier to learn facts in a traditional class.
Union which would include history, geography, foreign 3 The reforms will take time to be successful.
languages and economics. They might also study vocational
topics, for example based around working in a shop, which 4 The reforms will help students learn things at
would include the subjects necessary for that job, such as school that will be useful in their everyday lives.
English for talking to customers. 5 University is for learning about real life.
The format of lessons will also change, with pupils sitting in 6 The reforms will make the teacher less
small groups and working in collaboration to solve problems
important.
instead of just sitting listening to their teacher.
The reason for the planned changes is to better prepare
young people for work. In recent years, jobs have changed
8 The words/phrases in the box are from the recording.
due to technological advances, and the Finnish government Match the words/phrases with their synonyms 1–8.
believes that the education system needs to change to
reflect that. What a load of rubbish! in depth here and there
Despite some opposition from teachers, the changes have
eventually overnight in context
already taken place in several schools. It will be interesting to everyday situations what’s the point
see if other countries, including the UK, decide to follow in
Finland’s footsteps. 1 in a disorganised way
2 immediately
3 Read the text again and answer the questions. 3 normal things that happen all the time
4 aer a long period of time
1 Is the current Finnish education system successful?
5 I completely disagree!
2 What are Finnish schools best at in the world?
6 what is the reason for
3 What subjects will pupils learn in a European
Union class? 7 in a practical way
4 What will change about the way pupils sit in the 8 in a lot of detail
classroom?
5 Why is the Finnish government changing the
9 Work in pairs and discuss. Do you think the education
system in your country is good? How could it be
education system? improved? Use language from Exercise 8 to help you.
6 When will the changes happen?

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

5 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 5 3 Read the article again. Who talks about the following:
Sally (S), Derek (D) or Gabriella (G)?
1 Work in pairs and discuss.
1 He/She had difficulties with a foreign language.
1 Have you ever been on a bad holiday? What
2 He/She had problems because of bad weather.
happened?
3 He/She hoped to spend his/her holiday doing
2 What other bad things do you think could
very little.
happen on holiday?
4 He/She got attacked by an animal.
2 Read the article about holiday nightmares. Does 5 He/She saw lots of animals.
it contain any of your ideas from Exercise 1? 6 He/She booked his/her holiday on the internet.

4
Holiday
Find words/phrases in the article that match the
Going on holiday is synonyms 1–6.
supposed to be a fun and
relaxing break from 1 things not happening the way you think they will

Nightmares
everyday life, but things 2 very bad situation(s)
don’t always go to plan. 3 not perfect but not terrible
We asked readers to tell
us about their holiday 4 a very long time
nightmares. 5 full of
6 an illness you get from eating something bad
Sally, Glasgow
‘We booked a 5 5.1 Listen to a radio interview with Gabriella
cheap and cheerful from the article. Does she sound angry or amused
package holiday about her holiday nightmare?
with a well-known
travel company.
We expected to
6 Listen again. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
spend a week 1 The holiday lasted one month.
relaxing by the pool, 2 The bus had to wait on the Colombia-Brazil border.
but the holiday started
badly and didn’t improve!
3 The police looked in everyone’s bag.
First, the flight was delayed for five hours. Then, when 4 Gabriella’s friend spoke Spanish.
we got there, we had to wait ages at the airport for the 5 The police didn’t find anything in Gabriella’s bag.
bus to come and take us to the hotel. Finally, just when
we thought things couldn’t get any worse, we arrived at
6 The police wanted to remember what happened.
the hotel and saw that part of it was still a building site!’
7 Look at the extracts from the recording. Choose the
correct meaning, a) or b), for the words and phrases
Derek, Manchester
in bold.
‘We rented a holiday cottage through
a home-sharing website. First, we 1 I was backpacking around South America with some
forgot the address so it took ages to mates from uni …
find the place. Then, when we finally a) friends (from) university b) teachers (from) school
got there, the owner wasn’t there to
2 The police asked everyone to get off the bus so they
give us the keys; she was shopping
in the next town! We called her, but could do a random baggage check.
she didn’t speak any English, and didn’t a) planned look into everyone’s bags
understand the French we were trying to speak. She b) unplanned look into some people’s bags
eventually arrived, but when she opened the door of the
cottage, we saw that the cottage was infested with frogs!’ 3 The police all looked very angry and started shouting
at me in Spanish!
Gabriella, Cardiff a) talking loudly b) talking quietly
4 They found some small, ‘suspicious’ bags and they
‘When I was backpacking
around South America, wanted to know what was inside them!
I took a ten-hour bus trip. a) normal, everyday bags which lots of people carry
I was having a great time, b) strange, unusual bags which not many people carry
until they served lunch.
About an hour later, 5 So the police saw the funny side of it, too?
everyone got food poisoning a) didn’t think it was funny b) thought it was funny
and the toilet on the bus didn’t work! 6 That’s hilarious!
Then it started to rain really heavily and the bus broke
down in a flood – we had to wait for four hours for a a) very, very funny b) very, very scary
replacement bus! While we were waiting, I got bitten by
a spider. Luckily there was a first aid kit on the bus!’ 8 Work in pairs and discuss. Do you prefer going on
holiday with your friends or your family? Why?

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

6 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 6 3 Read the rest of the article. Which exercise class
1 Work in pairs and discuss. What sport or exercise 1 was created to improve fitness for a particular sport?
do you usually do? Do you do it because you enjoy 2 will make you feel like a child again?
it or because you want to stay healthy? 3 plays songs from lots of different years?
4 might take a long time to be good at?
2 Read the title of the article. What do you think it 5 doesn’t happen in a gym or a swimming pool?
is about? 6 is good for people who need more energy?

4 Find words or phrases in the text to match the

Now trending in health and fitness definitions 1–6.
1 becoming interested in
2 people who love doing exercise

3 make it difficult for your heart and lungs

4 begin something quickly

5 fast and difficult
6 learn how to do something

5 Work in pairs and discuss. Which exercise class

would you most like to try? Why?
More people are getting into exercising than ever before.
With the number of fitness freaks growing, so is the 6 6.1 Listen to somebody talking about
choice of keep-fit classes. Forget about boring running Surfercise. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
and weights machines at the gym, and try something
new, fun and different. Here are four of the latest 1 Surfers do Surfercise when there are big waves.
exercise classes taking the fitness world by storm. 2 You do Surfercise on top of the water.
3 Surfers do Surfercise for fun.
BOOGIECISE
4 The presenter doesn’t want to surf big waves.
For anyone who loves dancing, this class is a must-try. The
class takes place in a nightclub on a dancefloor which not 5 Surfercise is a low-resistance, high-impact workout.
only lights up, but also changes colour! Copy the instructor’s 6 Only fitness freaks can do Surfercise.
choreographed dance routines while the DJ pumps out classic
disco, electro, pop and house music from the 70s, 80s, 90s
and 00s.
7 Read the extracts from the recording below. Match the
words and phrases in bold with their synonyms, a)–h).
SURFERCISE 1 … a friend of mine convinced me to join her …
This class was invented by surfers in Hawaii to help them be 2 … the website’s pictures almost put me off going …
fitter in the water. It’s basically weight training under water. 3 … what appealed to me about Surfercise was the
Using a variety of exercises, you will carry, push and pull
weights around a swimming pool. The water makes the fact that it’s a high-resistance but low-impact
workout gentle, but the weights challenge your workout.
cardiovascular system. 4 … people like me who suffer from bad joints …
5 … could give me long-term health problems as
TRAMPO-LEAN
I get older.
Twice as effective as running, and twice as much fun as
karaoke, Trampo-lean involves bouncing around on a trampoline 6 … it wasn’t just for hardcore fitness freaks …
for an hour, doing different exercises the whole time. If you
want something to wake you up after a long day at work, or a) difficult/heavy for the body
to kick start your weekend, this might be the class for you! b) very serious
c) made me decide
SCHOOL FIT
This class will take you
d) made me like
back to the school e) made me not want to
playground, but also give f ) continuing for a long period of time into the future
you a high-intensity,
full-body workout. The main g) be in pain because of
equipment for this class is a h) gentle for the body
hula hoop and a skipping rope.
It may take you a while to get
the hang of it, but you can look forward to superhuman
8 Work in pairs and discuss. Do you prefer the idea of
gentle or hardcore exercise? Why?
coordination and core strength if you do!

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

7 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 7 3 Read the article again and answer the questions.
1 A Work in pairs and discuss. Why do you think people 1 What type of restaurants did Anthony use to eat at?
decide to make big life changes? Think about the 2 How oen did he use to go on holiday?
following ideas. 3 How long has he been a farmer?
• where they work/study 4 What did he buy in the countryside?
• where they live 5 What did he exchange his suits for?
• what they look like 6 What does he like about the countryside?
• what they do
4 Match the words and phrases in bold in the text with
B What do you think is the most important reason to the words and phrases with a similar meaning 1–6.
change your life? Why? 1 the way you live – your activities, habits, job, etc.
2 exchanged
2 Read the article about a man who changed his job. 3 told his employer he was leaving his job
What job did Anthony use to do? What does he 4 in or to a foreign country
do now?
5 felt happy and comfortable somewhere
6 pay no attention to something

Time for 5 7.1 Listen to Phoebe talking about changes

a change
she made to her life. Are the sentences true (T) or
false (F)?
1 Phoebe used to work at a small school.
2 Phoebe enjoyed living in London.
3 She used to read on the train on the way to work.
4 She shared a flat with two other teachers.
5 She didn’t use to do very much exercise when she
lived in London.

I
t’s often said that money doesn’t buy you happiness.
6 Now Phoebe walks to work every day.
Somebody who would definitely agree is thirty-eight-year-old
Anthony, an ex-corporate lawyer who swapped his high-flying 7 She goes to the cinema most evenings.
city lifestyle for a much more relaxed way of life in the beautiful 8 She thinks she is healthier than before.
Welsh countryside. Here, Anthony tells us his story.
I used to work for a big international law firm in London, dealing 6 A Listen again and complete the sentences.
in corporate law. I worked really long hours but I didn’t mind
because everyone else I knew worked long hours, too, and we
1 I used to spend over an hour on
made up for it at the weekend! I had a pretty good life; I owned a commuting to work each day …
great flat in a nice neighbourhood, ate out at the most 2 … the carriages were always so …
fashionable (and expensive) restaurants and went abroad on
3 I really wanted my own !
holiday at least four times a year. But deep down I had a feeling
that something was wrong, that I wasn’t satisfied with 4 I didn’t use to do much exercise because I was
something in my life. always !
Then about five years ago, I was visiting friends in the 5 Instead of onto a crowded train …
countryside and we walked past a farm advertised for sale. 6 Since I moved here I’ve running and
I can’t really explain it, but as I stood there looking at it, I just
knew that was where I belonged and needed to be. It sounds yoga …
silly, but it was such a strong feeling I couldn’t ignore it. So, I went 7 I’m even going on a two-week yoga
back to London, handed in my notice, sold my flat, bought the in Bali …
farm and swapped my expensive suits for wellies!* It’s not been
an easy five years – I didn’t know anything about farming so I’ve B Match the answers above with words and phrases
had to learn very quickly! I still work very long hours like I used to,
but I find my work so satisfying. And I love the peace
with similar meanings below.
and quiet of the countryside. 1 spending time with friends
2 started doing
3 time spent practising an activity in a quiet place
4 trying to fit into a small space
5 the underground trains in London
6 room to do what you want
7 full of people
*Wellingtons = waterproof, rubber boots 7 Work in pairs and discuss. What’s your idea of a
perfect lifestyle?

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

8 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 8 5 Do you agree with your results? Discuss your
results in pairs.
1 Work in pairs and discuss.
1 How important is money to you? 6 Match the words and phrases in bold in the
2 Are you good with money? quiz with their meanings 1–6.
1 money added to your salary, usually a
2 Read the quiz below and choose the best answer
reward for good work
for you, A, B or C.
2 sometimes, but not oen
3 money in coins that you don’t need
Are you good with money? 4 something special that you know you’ll enjoy
1 You receive an unexpected bonus from work. What do 5 a container (usually in the shape of a pig)
you do? where you save coins
A Spend it all – you weren’t expecting it, so you don’t need 6 spend a lot of money on something
to save it. You deserve a treat!
B Save it all – it will really boost your savings account and 7 8.1 Listen to two friends, Ben and
you never know when you might need a bit of extra cash. Donna, doing the quiz. Make a note of Ben’s
C Splash out on a couple of things, then save the rest. answers. Does he mostly answer A, B or C?
You’d feel bad if you spent it all.
2 You’re out window-shopping and you see something you 8 Listen again and answer the questions.
really want. What do you do?
1 Ben thinks Donna is
A Buy it there and then – that’s what credit cards are for!
a) good with money. b) bad with money.
B Leave it – you have enough possessions anyway.
C Decide to wait until payday – it’ll still be there in 2 Donna is
a few weeks. a) pleased with her result.
3 What do you do with your spare change? b) upset about her result.
A Leave it lying around wherever you 3 Ben says he saves extra money for
empty your pockets – in the car, at a) Christmas. b) going on holiday.
work, all over the house – and forget
about it. 4 Ben feels
B Put it in your piggy bank and pay it a) worried about paying off his credit card.
into your bank account every few months. b) relaxed about paying off his credit card.
C Put it in the charity collection box at the supermarket. 5 Ben puts his change into a charity box or
4 You have a credit card which you regularly use. What do a) a piggy bank. b) a tips jar.
you do?
6 Ben uses his credit card more than usual
A Pay the minimum payment each month – you’ll pay it off
next year. a) in an emergency.
B Pay everything off each month – you hate being in debt. b) when he goes on holiday.
C Pay everything off most months, but occasionally
you spend too much to be able to pay it all off. 9 Look at the extracts from the recording.
Choose the correct meaning, a) or b), for the
words and phrases in bold.
3 Compare your answers in pairs. Did you choose mostly A, B 1 It said I need to be more thriy …
or C? What do you think this says about you? a) boring b) careful with money
4 Read the results of the quiz. Match 1–3 with a)–c)
2 What would you do if you saw something
you really wanted but you couldn’t afford it?
1 Mostly As 2 Mostly Bs 3 Mostly Cs
a) have enough money to pay for something
a) You have a pretty good attitude towards money – you’re b) have enough room to store something
saving for the future but you’re happy to spend some of 3 I love my bargains!
your money on yourself and others. Keep up the good a) treasure
work! b) something you buy for less than its worth
b) You’re terrible with money, you spend every penny you 4 … it makes me feel anxious …
have and don’t save anything! You need to stop spending a) worried b) excited
and open a savings account soon, or at least buy a piggy
bank! 10A Write another question for the quiz, with
c) You’re great with your money! You don’t spend more than answers a), b) and c).
you have and you make sure that you save everything
you can for a rainy day. But make sure you treat yourself B Work in pairs and take turns to ask and
every now and then – you don’t want to become a miser! answer each other’s questions.

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

9 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 9 3 Read the rest of the article and answer the questions.
1 Work in pairs and discuss. What’s the most 1 How many readers thought Torridon was the
world’s most beautiful place?
beautiful place you’ve ever visited? Why?
2 Were all Torridon’s votes from people who lived in
2 Read the first paragraph of an article about the Scotland?
most beautiful places in the world. Is the article 3 What is the only way to reach Formentera?
about natural or man-made places? 4 Where does the writer compare Formentera to?
5 How can you see the full size of Perito Moreno?
The world’s most beautiful places 6 What does the writer recommend you take with
Last month we asked our readers to tell us what, in their you if you visit Perito Moreno?
opinion, were the most beautiful places in the world.
Unsurprisingly, most people’s answers were rural, rather 4 Match the words/phrases in bold in the text with
than urban places. Here are three of our favourites. their meanings 1–6.
1 extremely beautiful
2 in a town or city, not rural
3 extremely big
4 somewhere very special that not many people
know about
5 understand the very big size
6 very impressed or pleasantly surprised

5 Work in pairs and discuss. Which of the three places

in the text would you most like to visit? Why?
Torridon, Scotland
This breathtaking place had over a hundred votes, and not only 6 9.1 Listen to Sue and Greg talking about the
from Scottish people. It seems everyone who visits this area in places they think are the most beautiful in the
the northwest Highlands of Scotland is blown away by the world. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
beauty of its mountains and lochs (the Scottish word for a lake).
If you’re ever lucky enough to travel to Scotland, this is 1 Greg changes his mind about the place he thinks
one place not to be missed! is the most beautiful.
2 Greg thinks that there are lots of wonderful things
Formentera, Spain/Mediterranean
to see in Venice.
The tiny island of Formentera is a 3 Greg thinks it’s too cold to visit Venice in the winter.
hidden gem in the popular Balearic
archipelago. Only accessible by boat, 4 Sue has visited Venice before.
Formentera is only 19km long, but 5 Sue went to Bagan when she was travelling
has some of the most incredible around Asia.
beaches you will find anywhere on the 6 Sue saw Bagan at sunrise from a hot air balloon.
planet. With their brilliant white sand
and crystal-clear waters of the most
beautiful bluey-green colour, you could 7 Look at the extracts from the recording. Choose the
easily think you were in the Caribbean, correct meaning, a) or b), for the words and phrases
instead of a few miles off the Spanish in bold.
coastline! 1 … it’s cold and misty and romantic.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina a) foggy b) rainy
Definitely one of the coldest 2 … Buddhist temples which are over 800 years old
places you voted for, the a) religious buildings b) statues
stunning Perito Moreno glacier 3 They’re scattered across the countryside …
in Argentina is an enormous
piece of ice which is constantly
a) all in one place b) in lots of different places
moving towards the freezing cold 4 … the golden roofs sparkling beneath me.
waters of the Argentino Lake. a) shining in the sunlight b) seeming very small
The glacier can be viewed from
5 Definitely one for my bucket list!
many angles, but perhaps the
best views are either from an a) a list of things you want to do before you die
aeroplane or helicopter – only b) a list of things you would never do
then can you appreciate the
sheer scale of it – or from the water, where you may be lucky
enough to see inside its amazing ice caves. If you’re planning a
8 Work in pairs and discuss. What places would you
put on your bucket list? Why?
visit, don’t forget your camera!

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

10 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 10 4 Match the words and phrases in bold in the text
with their meanings 1–8.
1 Work in pairs and discuss. What do you think are the
1 in general/on the whole
advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?
2 so worried and tired that you can’t relax
2 Read the article about living in London. Does 3 difficult
Claudia mention more advantages or disadvantages? 4 an exciting atmosphere
5 a feeling that something is too much
MY LIFE IN LONDON 6 show off the good qualities of something
7 however/on the contrary
8 be more important than something else

5 10.1 Listen to two people who live in London

talking about issues that concern them. What issues
do they mention?

6 Listen to again. Who talks about the following:

Florence (F), Will (W) or both (B)?
London is widely regarded as one of the greatest 1 the cost of public transport
cities in the world, but what is it like to actually 2 different things you can do in London
live there? Claudia Clark moved there as a student
20 years ago and never left. So what made her stay?
3 having to stand for a long period of time
4 compares his/her situation with that of his/her
What I really love about living in London is the fact that it is so friends
cosmopolitan. It’s sometimes described as the ‘capital of the world’
and I think that it’s true; you see people from lots of different
5 something that keeps increasing
countries and you can eat at amazing restaurants of any global 6 work
cuisine. I think that this mix of people gives London a real buzz 7 waiting somewhere for a long time
unlike anywhere else in Europe. I also really love that there are so 8 people acting in a rude way
many parks in London; it’s an enormous city but you never feel too
overwhelmed or stressed out because you can easily escape and
lose yourself amongst the trees. Another thing that I like about
7 A Complete the extracts with the words in the box.
London is that there’s so much to see and do here; there are loads winds bothers stand mad nerves fed up
of museums, galleries and theatres which showcase some the finest
art and culture in the world. 1 What I really can’t is transport in
On the other hand, London can be a tough city to live in, especially London.
if you don’t have much money. The cost of housing here is incredibly 2 … it just drives me when I pay so
high and you often end up living miles away from where you work
much …
or study so you have a really long commute. Public transport is also
really expensive in London, and it’s really crowded on the buses 3 … really gets on my is when I’m
and the underground, especially at rush hour. And I suppose there’s waiting for ages at the bus stop …
probably more crime and pollution than you get in smaller towns, 4 … it really me!
but I think that’s the same in all big cities.
5 I get really with the cost of living in
Overall, I think the positives outweigh the negatives, and I London.
recommend living in London to anyone.
6 … it really me up.

3 Read the article again. Are the sentences true (T) B Listen and check.
or false (F)?
1 Claudia likes the fact that London is multicultural. 8 When do we use the expressions in Exercise 7?
2 She says you can eat lots of different types of 1 to talk about things that annoy us
food in London. 2 to talk about things we enjoy
3 There aren’t many green spaces in London.
4 She says she finds living in London very stressful. 9 Complete the sentences so that they are true for
you. Compare your sentences with a partner.
5 She says that housing is inexpensive.
6 She says that people in London usually live close 1 It gets on my when …
to where they work. 2 I can’t it when …
7 She says public transport is busier at certain times 3 It drives me when …
of the day. 4 I get with …
8 She thinks there’s more crime in London than in 5 It me when …
other big cities. 6 It me up when …

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

11 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 11 3 Read the essay again. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1 Connecting on social media is now more common than
by telephone.
2 Social media helps raise awareness of social issues.
3 Social media can help people get money to start new
companies.
4 Some users of social media spend too much time online.
5 People only look at pictures posted by people they
know well.
6 Social media is only used for meeting people online.

4 Match the words and phrases in bold in the essay with

their meanings 1–6.
1 get worse
2 knowing and caring about problems in society
3 keep going
4 a letter from lots of people asking for something,
1 Work in pairs and discuss. What are three usually political, to change
5 thinking the same as you
advantages and three disadvantages of using
social media? 6 not afraid to tell people your opinions

2 Read the essay about social media. Does it 5 Work in pairs and discuss. Do you agree with the author
mention any of your ideas from Exercise 1? of the essay? Why/Why not?

6 11.1 Listen to two people talking about social media

ia? and circle the correct answer.
To be or not to be on social med
nowadays
1 Rachel
It seems impossible to go anywhere
of som e form of social a) knows people living far away.
without feeling the presence
or at play, whe n you mee t someone b) only knows people close by.
media. At work
you to ‘look them up’
new, the chances are they’ll tell 2 When Rachel moved to a small town she
l netw ork befo re off ering their
on their chosen socia a) knew lots of people there.
hone num ber. But wha t are the positives and
telep
negatives of social media? b) didn’t know anyone there.
media has the 3 Rachel bought
Let’s start with the positives. Social on a social networking site.
more peop le more quickly than any
ability to connect a) new things for her home b) a second-hand car
histo ry. But what’s
other means of communication in 4 Gordon
Well , for thos e peop le who have
so good about that?
a stron g soci al cons cien ce and wan t to be a) uses social media a lot.
h a large audience
outspoken about it, they can reac b) uses social media less than he used to.
fully gain supp ort for their cause, for
and hope 5 Gordon to keep up with all his social networks.
tion for people to sign.
example through sharing a peti
it to raise mon ey for charitable causes a) didn’t have enough time b) had plenty of time
People also use
also a great way to
or to fund new business ideas. It’s 6 Gordon in the evening.
ion abou t wha t’s goin g on in your
find out informat a) goes online. b) doesn’t go online.
l area , for exam ple, grou ps to join or new fitness
loca
ing like-minded
classes to try. Again, it’s all about bring
people toge ther , not only virtu ally, but physically. 7 A Complete the extracts with the correct words/phrases.
ia sites can be 1 I found out loads of really useful information about
Now onto the negatives. Social med
mely addi ctive , and peop le wast e a lot of time what was on …
extre
look ing at phot os of people they
online, for example, 2 … people trying to get of you …
even know . Whil e it can be a grea t way of
hardly 3 I was spending so much time
real worl d, a lot of people
arranging meet-ups in the
d so muc h time talki ng to their online friends checking messages …
also spen
suffer. It is also
that their face-to-face relationships 4 I feel so much better having had a bit of a digital
using socia l med ia incre ases anxiety in .
thought that
unde r so much
young people because they feel
onlin e pres ence .
pressure to main tain their B Listen and check.
is for sure : socia l media is
Love it or hate it, one thing
here to stay … 8 Work in pairs and discuss. Would you like to have a
digital detox? Why/Why not?

© Pearson Education Limited 2016

12 READING &
LISTENING EXTRA
PRE-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 12 4 Match the words and phrases in bold in the text
with their meanings 1–6.
1 Work in pairs and discuss. Why do you think people
1 followed around all the time in an aggressive way
might want to be famous? Do you think fame is
always a positive thing? 2 telling lots of people things that are not true
3 advertising
2 Read the article about fame. Does it mention any 4 deal with a difficult situation
of your ideas? 5 becoming very successful and famous
6 always being looked at by the press

Who wants to be famous? 5 Work in pairs and discuss. Which of the disadvantages
in the text do you think is the worst? Why?
Looking at the number of people who auditioned for TV
talent shows in the UK last year, it seems that almost 6 12.1 Listen to someone being interviewed
everyone wants to be famous. Of course, fame has lots of about fame. Would he/she like to be famous or not?
benefits: you can make a fortune, travel the world, wear
nice clothes, and people admire you. But fame also comes 7 Listen again and circle the correct answer.
at a cost. There are a lot of downsides, which some people 1 The woman very famous already.
don’t think about until it’s too late. a) is b) isn’t
Once you become a star, you never have a moment’s peace. 2 The woman performs
You are hounded by the paparazzi from the moment you a) at lots of different events.
leave your house in the morning until you get home at night. b) at just one type of event.
You are always under the media spotlight, which puts you
3 The woman to go on a TV talent show.
under pressure to look and act your best, even when you
don’t feel like it. a) would love b) would hate
4 The woman has got
Sometimes you get more attention for the things you do in
your private life than you do for acting in a blockbuster film a) no fans. b) lots of fans.
or recording a hit record. Even if you don’t do anything 5 The people who watch the woman perform are
scandalous, some journalists will still write about you. a) always different. b) always the same.
Spreading rumours about celebrities is a great way to sell 6 The woman is in a
more newspapers and magazines! And people love reading a) rock band. b) pop group.
them – just look at the number of gossip magazines on
sale in your local newsagent’s. 8 The words and phrases in the box are from the
Overnight success can be difficult to cope with alone and recording. Complete the sentences with the correct
you’re so busy travelling the world, promoting your latest words/phrases.
film or record, that you have no time to spend with your
loved ones. Even though you make lots of new friends, you take this the wrong way off chance
don’t know which ones are real friends, and which ones are what a coincidence draw the line sell out
only interested in your money and fame; it’s difficult to build up quite a big fan base
know who you can trust. 1 Please don’t , but I think you
So, almost everyone wants to be famous, but fame isn’t for looked better with long hair.
everyone. If you’re not careful, hitting the big time could be 2 Thanks to social media, we’ve managed to
the worst thing you ever do. . Some of them come to
every concert we play!
3 Read the text again. Are the sentences below 3 I didn’t make a reservation at the restaurant, but
true (T) or false (F)? I went there on the they
1 A lot of people wanted to be on TV talent shows had a free table.
last year. 4 So you studied English in Dublin, too?
2 You still have time to relax when you’re famous. – so did I!
3 If you are famous, people will be more interested 5 Some musicians are prepared to
in your private life than in what you do and completely change
professionally. their image to become famous.
4 Not everything written about celebrities is true. 6 I’ll sing at almost any event, but I
5 You still have lots of time with your family when   at children’s birthday parties!
you are famous.
6 It can be difficult to make real friends when you
9 If you had to go on a TV talent show, what would
you do and why? Compare your answers with other
are famous. students.

© Pearson Education Limited 2016