I use this game as a revision/warmer after we’ve already studied advanced relative clause phrases with which and whom.
Draw two columns on the board with the titles which (objects/things) and whom (people) and have students recall as many relative clause phrases as they can:
Which (objects/things)
Whom (people)
In which (where)
All of which
Some of which
None of which
Both of which
Neither of which
(1,2,3) of which
All of whom
Some of whom
None of whom
Both of whom
Neither of whom
(1,2,3) of whom
Students may struggle with the difference between neither of whom/which and none of whom/which.
Neither refers to just two people/things where as none refers to a group of at least three:
Two students came to class, neither of whom had done their homework.
Ten students came to class, none of whom had done their homework.
There were two buses waiting to take people to the city centre, neither of which had enough space for us.
There were three buses waiting to take people to the city centre, none of which had enough space for us.
Cut out the hand out and divide the class into teams, one volunteer must attempt to draw the situation described in the picture, the team that calls out the corresponding sentence gets 1 point. Continue until all the situations have been used.
Draw the following sentences:
A group of children, some of whom are wearing hats, are waiting for the bus.
Four houses, two of which are on fire.
A group of men, all of whom are wearing glasses, are watching TV.
Two dogs, both of which are eating bones, are at the beach.
Two men, neither of whom has hair, are playing tennis.
Two pizzas, both of which have mushrooms, are on the table.
Two snakes, both of which are green, are sleeping on the carpet.
Ten bottles, all of which are full, are sitting on the wall.
Five babies, two of whom are sleeping, are lying on the bed.
Five cats, some of which are black, are playing with a ball.
Ask students the following: What do you do when you get hiccups?
Show them the following video and tell them to write down as many causes and cures for hiccups as they can.
Mine the video for vocabulary:
Spasm, stuck, breathe, gasp, exhale/inhale, hold your breath, difference between breathe (verb, long vowel sound) and breath (noun, short vowel sound), chug, pull, tongue, drink from, wrong side, take a sip, swallow, tip your head back, plug your nose, a teaspoon of, sprinkle, squeeze your pinky, pressure point, pinch, recite, backwards, think of, bald, cure/get rid of hiccups.
Ask them which methods from the video they use.
Model a few sentences on the board:
When/whenever I get hiccups, I ask a friend to scare me.
Tell students that this is called the zero conditional. Give out the first page of the handout and go over it quickly.
We use the zero conditional to talk about general or scientific truths and habits.
If you heat ice, it melts. (General truth)
If I drink coffee after 6pm, I can’t sleep. (Habit)
We also use it to talk about what people should do in certain situations.
Match numbers 1-5 with letters a-e to make zero conditional sentences.
1. If it rains,
a. The roads are dangerous.
2. If it snows,
b. I try a new flavour of ice-cream
3. Whenever I visit Rome,
c. Tell a security guard.
4. If you see someone stealing
d. It boils.
5. When water reaches 100º C,
e. We play basketball inside.
Matching Key
1-e, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c, 5-d
Conversation exercise
Cut the following cards up. Students take them one at a time and discuss them in conversation. Encourage the use of: “Me too/neither” or “So/neither do I”
Here’s a sentence completion worksheet with lots of common expressions and structures that come up in the CAE use of English paper. Use of English Revision Complete the sentences with 1 word:
I think of him _____ a father figure.
He’s my favourite uncle; I really look ____ to him.
Everyone thought it would be a complete disaster but it turned _____ fine.
Haha! Look at Tina, she has her jumper on back ___ _____.
There were _____ over 100 people there (much more than)
The company has run ______ trouble.
The project is 4 weeks _______schedule, the boss is not happy.
Everything is going according ____ plan.
He’s making quite a ______for himself in the acting world.
The police tried to prevent the protestors _____ entering the building.
I think James would _______ an excellent Dad.
There will be a show after dinner = Dinner will be ________ _____ a show.
____its height, this bar had 1000s of customers every night.
He has promised to ______ us _____ a tour of the old town in the morning.
The vandals _____ fire to the carpet and the curtains.
Less people are visiting the park = there has been a _______ in the number of people visiting the park.
He made a great _______ of money selling old cars.
We had to stop because a _______ of cows was crossing the road.
We had to walk a mile or _____ (approx.) before we found a house.
I was ____ the point ____ giving up when I found it.
As _____ as you eat all your vegetables you can have some ice-cream.
As _____ as we know there’s no life on Mars.
As _____ as you get the results, call me.
As _____ as computers are concerned, I’m no expert.
We are currently ____ the process of having our house done ____. (renovated)
Only when I got home ___ I realise she had been flirting with me.
I’d _______ not walk home alone if that’s ok.
I’d _______ not to walk home alone if that’s ok.
I’ve put a lot of time and effort ____ the project.
My dentist has told me to cut _____ ____ fruit juice.
I need a new TV, the old one takes ____ too much space.
A high sugar diet can _____ to diabetes.
A high fat diet can g_____ r______ t_____ obesity.
This report is based ____ a survey carried ____ by members of the school council.
My bicycle tires are completely worn ____, I need to get new ones.
I definitely take ______ my Mum, we’re almost identical.
Key:
as
up
out
to front
well
into
behind
to
name
from
make
followed by
at
take on
set
fall/drop
deal
herd
so
on of
long
far
soon
far
in up
did
rather
prefer
into
down on
up
lead
give rise to
on out
out
after
Here’s another version which includes some relative clauses:
My CAE students have a progress test next week so here’s their test on some of the grammar and vocab we’ve covered this year so far. Download the hand out and key here:
This is a lesson plan for higher levels (B2+) to teach verb patterns with reporting verbs using video and scripted roleplays. It will be especially useful for CAE students as these structures tend to come up in key word transformations quite often.
Write the verbs “accuse” and “deny” on the board. Then play the first minute of the following video:
Elicit the following sentences from students:
The Dad asked the boys who had got the paint out.
The older brother accused the younger brother of gettting/having got the paint out.
The younger brother denied getting/having got the paint out.
The older brother accused the younger brother of building stairs out of blocks.
Analyse the sentences and come up with the formula for the verbs accuse and deny:
accuse somebody of doing/having done something
deny doing/having done something
Ask students if they have ever been in a similar situation with a sibling or friend.
Have you ever been wrongfully accused of doing something?
Stage 2: 4 groups of reporting verbs
For this part you can either give out the handout on the 4 groups of reporting verb patterns. Or model the sentences on the board and have students dedicate a page in their vocab books for each group of verbs.
You’re going to need a lot of space on the board for this part. Divide the board into 4 quarters.
Write the following sentence, one at the top of each quarter:
I’ll come to the party. (say)
I’ll come to the party. (tell)
I will definitely help with the cleaning. (promise)
I didn’t steal the money. (deny)
Tell students to change the sentences to reported speech using the verb in brackets:
He said that he would come to the party.
He told me that he would come to the party.
He promised to help with the cleaning.
He denied stealing the money.
Tell students that these are the 4 groups of reporting verbs.
Group 3: Reporting actions: Promises requests etc.
He promisedto help with the cleaning.
Subject + reporting verb + infinitive with to
Common verbs of this type:
agree
ask
claim
demand
offer
promise
propose
refuse
threatentell (imperative)
He encouraged meto take maths instead of history.
Subject + reporting verb + DO + infinitive with to
Common verbs of this type
advise
ask
beg
convince
encourage
forbid
instruct
invite
order
persuade
remind
tell
urge
warn (not to)
Group 4: Reporting verbs with gerund.
He deniedstealing the money.
Subject + reporting verb + gerund
Common verbs of this type:
admit
deny
mention
propose
report
suggest
Verbs with prepositions and gerund:
Accuse sb of doing st
Confess to doing something
Apologise to sb about/for doing st
Blame sb for st
Complain to sb about st
Insist on doing st
Object to st/doing st
Advise ab against doing st
Stage 3: Controlled Practice
Have students complete the 10 sentences on the back of the handout.
Report the sentence using the verb in brackets
I want to see the manager! (demanded)
_________________________________________
Don’t leave the path, there are dangerous snakes. (warned)
_________________________________________
I will help you clean up after the party (promised)
_________________________________________
Don’t forget to feed the fish. (Reminded)
_________________________________________
No no no! I’m paying for dinner. (Insisted)
_________________________________________
Listen everyone! I’m moving to New York next week. (announced)
_________________________________________
You are not allowed to chew gum in class. (forbid)
_________________________________________
I will punch you if you call me that again. (threatened)
_________________________________________
I’m really sorry that I broke your favourite cup. (apologised)
_________________________________________
Stand up and put your hands on your head. (ordered)
________________________________________
Key
He demanded to see the manager. He demanded that he saw the manager.
She warned us not to leave the path. She warned (us) that there were dangerous snakes.
She promised to help clean up after the party. She promised (me) that she would help clean up.
He reminded me to feed the fish.
She insisted on paying for dinner. She insisted that she paid for dinner.
He announced that he was moving to New York the following week.
She forbid me to chew gum in class.
He threatened to punch me in the face if I called him that again.
She apologised for breaking my favourite cup.
He ordered me to stand up and put my hands on my head.
Stage 4: Scripted role-play
Split the class into groups of 2-3 and give out the role-play scenarios, give them a couple of minutes to read and rehearse and then have students come to the front of the class and act out the scenarios. Then the other groups have to write sentences using as many reporting verb patterns as they can based on what happened in the scenarios. Guide students and model sentences, encourage them to place them in the correct group.
Reported speech – Scripts
Scenario 1
A: Hi son, How’s it going?
B: Hi Dad. I’m going out.
A: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Have you done your homework?
B: Ahhh come on Dad, it’s Friday night.
A: I don’t care, have you done it or not?
B: No. But I promise I’ll do it tomorrow.
A: Ok, but if you don’t you’ll be grounded for a week.
B: Ok it’s a deal.
They shake hands.
Scenario 2
Sarah: Hi Fiona, how’s it going? Are you coming to the party tonight?
Fiona: No I don’t think so; I’m not in the mood and I have to work tomorrow.
Sarah: No you don’t! Tomorrow is a holiday, the shop is closed.
Fiona: Oh yeah! I’d completely forgotten. I’m still not sure.
Sarah: Oh come on, you’ve got to come! Tommy’s going to be there.
Fiona: Really? Hhhhmmmm well, ok go on then, I’ll come.
Scenario 3
Teacher: (to John) You stole €5 from the charity collection box!
John: Me??? It wasn’t me! How dare you accuse me! It was Sandra who stole the money. I saw her do it!
Sarah: Me? No way! He’s lying!
Teacher: I want to see what’s in your pockets right now!
They turn out their pockets. John’s pockets are full of money.
Teacher: Aha! What’s all this?
John: Ok, it was me. I admit it.
Sarah: I think it’s unfair that I was accused of this crime. I’m going to tell my parents.
Teacher: I’m terribly sorry Sarah, it was a misunderstanding.
Scenario 4
Anna and Natalie are having a party. The music is very loud. There is a knock at the door.
Anna: (opening the door) Yes? Who is it? What do you want?
Little old lady: It’s 3am, I can’t sleep please turn the music down.
Natalie: Turn it down? No way! We just graduated!
Little old lady: Oh please please please turn it down, I’m so tired.
Anna: Nope sorry, we’re not going to turn it down.
Little old lady: (angry) Well, if you don’t turn it down I’m going to call the police.
Natalie: Go ahead! You can come in and use my phone if you want.
Little old lady: oooo the cheek of it! That’s it! I’m going to call the police!
Reported Speech Script Key
Scenario 1
The Dad asked the son if he had done his homework.
The son admitted that he hadn’t done his homework.
The son admitted to not doing/having done his homework.
The son promised to do his homework the day after.
The Dad warned the son that if he didn’t do his homework he would be grounded for a week.
Scenario 2
Sarah asked Fiona if she was going to the party tonight.
Fiona replied that she didn’t think so. She said that she wasn’t in the mood and that she had to work the day after.
Sarah reminded Fiona that the day after was a holiday.
Sarah persuaded/convinced Fiona to come to the party by telling her Tommy would be there.
Scenario 3
The teacher accused John of stealing/having stolen the money.
John denied stealing the money and accused Sarah of stealing the money.
The teacher ordered them to turn out their pockets/demanded that they turned out their pockets.
John admitted to/confessed to stealing the money.
Sarah objected to being accused of stealing the money.
The teacher apologised for accusing Sarah of stealing the money.
Scenario 4
Anna asked who it was and what they wanted.
The old lady asked/urged them to turn the music down.
Natalie refused to turn the music down.
The old lady begged them to turn the music down.
Anna refused to turn the music down.
The little old lady threatened to call the police if they didn’t turn the music down.
Anna invited the old lady to use her phone.
The old lady announced that she was going to call the police.
Stage 4: Follow up activity, students write their own scripts.
Students come up with their own scenarios trying to use as many of the different verb patterns as possible. Other groups have to correctly guess the verb they were trying to express.
Before you use these materials… We’ve created a new podcast aimed at B2+ level English students and teachers alike. You can listen for free at our SoundCloud page below. You can download teacher’s notes to accompany them from our Facebook page or from this blog. All comments and feedback welcome! Give us a like and a share 😉 https://www.facebook.com/2tspodcast/
CAE Speaking Phrases
Here’s a phrase list for the CAE speaking exam. There are also some speech bubble powerpoints to drill the language in class, click on each phrase to make it disappear. Drill all the phrases repeatedly taking one out each time until the class can repeat all 5 expressions by heart.
This is another TED Talk lesson, this time based around Sir Ken Robinson’s fascinating talk on creativity in the education system. Please find an annotated transcript below. All I’ve done is underlined some interesting points he makes and vocabulary he uses, you can use them as a jumping off point for class discussion or simply mine them for useful vocabulary.
