Tag: use of English part 4

Posted in Conversation Classes, Exam Preparation Class, Proficiency, Vocabulary Classes

C2: Proficiency Training – The Heist

Posted on by Tim Warre
Cartoon Safe Heist ⬇ Vector Image by © ronleishman | Vector Stock 13979890

In this lesson C2 students will develop their understanding of idiomatic expressions that often come up in the Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam. They will encounter the expressions in a text about a bank heist gone wrong. Download the student handout below:

the-heistDownload

Credit to: http://www.waze.net/oea/activities/24 for the planning a bank robbery activity.

You may also wish to use this quizizz game for spaced repetition of the target language.

Procedure

Students start by discussing common tropes of heist movies. They then skim the text to find out what went wrong in this case. (they were set up, someone ratted them out the police)

Students then answer the detail questions:

  1. How had they planned for the robbery? In great detail, taking note of intricacies while the narrator was working in the bank
  2. What was the first problem they encountered? The getaway driver was late
  3. How did the staff in the bank react? Only the bank manager put up any resistance
  4. What are the pros and cons of the way Tony behaves? he’s unpredictable but intimidating
  5. What happens to Tony and Barry? they are killed in the gunfight
  6. Where is the narrator at the end of the story? in prison

Language Focus

Students now focus on the expressions in bold. They discuss their meaning with their partner and try to paraphrase them, they then make a note of how familiar the expressions are to them.

Students now flip the paper over and look at version 2 of the same text. Now the expressions have been replaced with simpler language. Using the key words, they must recall the expressions. They then flip over their paper to check their answers.

Set the key word transformations testing the expressions for homework.

Plan a heist

Put students in small groups and have them plan a bank heist using the prompts on pages 2 and 3, which are adapted from http://www.waze.net/oea/activities/24

Students then present their different plans to the class.

Text Version 1

The Heist

  1. What heist/bank robbery films have you seen?
  2. Do you enjoy this type of movie? Why? Why not?
  3. How do people typically rob banks in films? What strategies do they use?
  4. How can heists go wrong?

Read the text about a bank heist, what went wrong?

The plan had been simple. I had been instrumental in drawing it up, I’d worked in that branch for over 5 years and had taken note of all the little intricacies and predicted all the problems we might have to contend with down to the last detail; I was nothing if not meticulous. I had done everything in my power to make sure everything went like clockwork. In the lead-up to the big day some doubts had been preying on my mind to such an extent that I hadn’t got a wink of sleep, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. 

We’d stuck to the plan to the letter. Aside from a rocky start, when the getaway driver had kept us waiting for the best part of an hour, everything had gone smoothly, almost too smoothly. The bank clerk had offered no resistance, the security guard had admitted defeat pretty quickly, clearly realising that facing off against armed robbers was above his pay grade. The manager made a bit of a fuss about handing over the combination to the vault but Tony soon made him see sense. A gun barrel pressed to your forehead can be very persuasive. I’m not 100% on board with how Tony conducts himself but you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. He had risen to fame as useful muscle for a tight spot but he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box.

Barry got to work on the vault without interference and before long we were stuffing the duffle bags with wads of cold, hard cash, it was a beautiful sight, which did wonders for everyone’s confidence. Maybe that was it, we got too cocky, little did we know what lay in store for us outside. Tony was the first to catch sight of the blue lights, I was loath to start shooting but, as always, there was no stopping Tony, they didn’t call him the loose cannon for nothing. All of a sudden it was like a warzone, Tony didn’t stand a chance, neither did Barry. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I got out alive. It was obvious that the game was up, it must have been a set-up but who had ratted us out? I guess that’s something I’ll be pondering for the next 25 years. It ain’t so bad, running water, 3 square meals a day and a roof over my head. I guess I should spare a thought for those who were not so lucky.

  1. How had they planned for the robbery?
  2. What was the first problem they encountered?
  3. How did the staff in the bank react?
  4. What are the pros and cons of the way Tony behaves?
  5. What happens to Tony and Barry?
  6. Where is the narrator at the end of the story?
Posted in Exam Preparation Class, Vocabulary Classes

78 CAE Key Word Transformation Expressions

Posted on by Tim Warre

Resultat d'imatges de cae

Image credit: Cambridge English

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Before you use these materials why not check out or podcast for learners and teachers alike, it’s called 2Ts in a Pod, follow the link below to listen:

This is a list of 78 expressions from key word transformations in the CAE exam. The expressions are taken from the fantastic quizlet set that someone made. Have students study 10-15 of the expressions for homework and the use the quizlet set to test them in class; great for intensive preparation courses when you’re pressed for time. Download the handout below:

cae-key-word-transformation-expressions

Quizlet set – 82 key word transformations

Expressions

Study the expressions carefully, focus on the prepositions and patterns (gerund/infinitive etc.)

  1. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU undo your seatbelt during take-off.
  2. A new manager HAS TAKEN OVER THE running of the finance department.
  3. THERE IS NO KNOWING what’s going to happen in the next few days.
  4. The burglar must HAVE GAINED ENTRY/ACCESS through the bathroom window.
  5. An ant IS CAPABLE OF carrying ten times its own body weight.
  6. The news that my favourite teacher was leaving CAME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME.
  7. Sometime I feel as if my children TAKE ME FOR GRANTED.
  8. I need TO GET MY PASSPORT RENEWED before our trip to Greece.
  9. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WERE willing to donate some money to our cause.
  10. I SEE NO POINT IN asking Tina for help, she always refuses.
  11. Playing video games is JUST AS MUCH FUN AS playing sports.
  12. The defendant DENIED HAVING SEEN the woman before.
  13. Everyone’s opinions must BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT before a decision is made.
  14. It’s IN YOUR INTEREST to take good notes during class, you’ll need them for the final exam.
  15. I really need to GET that broken window REPAIRED.
  16. MUCH TO THEIR DELIGHT, Jon and Ana didn’t have to pay to get in.
  17. The cat REFUSED TO COME down from the tree.
  18. Georgina SAID SHE WOULD NOT WEAR the yellow dress her mother had chosen for her.
  19. Don’t FORGET TO KEEP IN TOUCH while you’re travelling.
  20. You need to be ON THE LOOKOUT FOR pickpockets in this area.
  21. Plans ARE BEING DRAWN UP for a new shopping centre on the outskirts of the city.
  22. MUCH TO OUR HORROR, when we got back to the hotel all our stuff had been stolen.
  23. Would YOU RATHER I HAD NOT told them about the party?
  24. LET ME KNOW if you can come to the party, I need to buy the food tonight.
  25. Andrés WAS AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN why he was late for class again.
  26. Failure to show a valid ticket is LIKELY TO RESULT IN you having to pay a fine.
  27. It is HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE FILM WILL win several awards.
  28. Quick ACTION ON THE PART OF the ambulance crew saved the little girl’s life.
  29. How can I GET IT ACROSS TO HIM that I’m just not that into him.
  30. Don’t be silly, there IS NO SUCH THING as vampires.
  31. I’m so sorry I’m late, I(COMPLETELY) LOST TRACK OF TIME!
  32. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT that the plane lands on water, lifejackets are stored under your seats.
  33. Katy HAS BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR the sales department, she’s a bit nervous but very excited.
  34. Gerald has been PUT IN CHARGE OF finding a catering company for the Christmas party.
  35. I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE/ WAS TAKEN ABACK when they asked me to take over from Jon as finance manager.
  36. Bob is IN DANGER OF GETTING SACKED/FIRED if his bad behaviour continues.
  37. In the end they PLACED THE BLAME ON a group of local teenagers for the vandalism to the church.
  38. Sorry but I HAD THE IMPRESSION/WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION that this was a permanent contract.
  39. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE that the salary would be €2000 a month.
  40. The runner who finished second told the press that she had NO INTENTION OF RETIRING and that she’d be back to compete next year.
  41. It’s really difficult TO COME UP WITH GOOD IDEAS in such a short space of time.
  42. The young actress STANDS EVERY CHANCE OF BEING offered a big role soon.
  43. Dinner WILL BE FOLLOWED BY a performance by the school orchestra.
  44. No FEWER THAN THREE PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED to operate this machine.
  45. Please don’t HESITATE TO CALL (US)/ HESITATE TO GIVE US A CALL if you have any questions or doubts.
  46. John’s failure to answer all the interview questions COST HIM THE JOB.
  47. We SPENT HALF AN HOUR LOOKING for a parking space in the city centre.
  48. The pay rise CAME AS A SURPRISE TO me.
  49. THERE’S NO DENYING MY disappointment at not being given the job.
  50. Looks as IF TONY HASN’T BEEN sleeping well
  51. I’m not going TO PUT UP WITH your behaviour anymore.
  52. I’m really not SURE HOW I WOULD HAVE REACTED in that situation.
  53. Novak Djokovic BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AS he was given the trophy.
  54. Would you HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO ME taking the rest of the day off?
  55. Her LACK OF EXPERIENCE might AFFECT her ability to do the job.
  56. It (HAD) NEVER OCCURED TO ME to ask my grandfather for help with my history project.
  57. Oh dear, I think we might HAVE TAKEN THE WRONG TURNING/TURN a few miles back.
  58. We WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CARRIED / WOULD HAVE LIKED TO CARRY ON playing for a few more hours but it started raining.
  59. The project will GO AHEAD ACCORDING TO PLAN.
  60. You really need to MAKE UP YOUR MIND about which uni you want to go to.
  61. IT’S HIGH/ABOUT TIME YOU GOT your hair cut.
  62. The school IS HIGHLY SPOKEN of in the local area.
  63. He was ON THE POINT OF LEAVING the restaurant when she finally turned up.
  64. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF they didn’t win this match, they’re far better than the other team.
  65. I am IN NO DOUBT that event will be a resounding success.
  66. I’m sorry but I don’t HAVE ANY RECOLLECTION OF meeting you before.
  67. We had TO PUT IN a claim with our car insurance company.
  68. They have NO CHANCE OF WINNING after that red card.
  69. The students TOOK NO NOTICE OF what the teacher was saying.
  70. The police have almost GIVEN UP HOPE OF FINDING any more survivors.
  71. It’s just A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE that car breaks down, it’s so old.
  72. I really can’t SEE THE POINT IN/OF LEARNING Latin anymore.
  73. The cat MADE A FAST RECOVERY after its operation.
  74. I DIDN’T USE TO LIKE olives when I was a kid but I love them now.
  75. He’s really MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF in the fashion world.
  76. We CAN AFFORD THIS HOLIDAY AS LONG AS we save up €100 a month.
  77. I HANDED IN MY NOTICE at work last week, 4 more weeks until I become my own boss!
  78. I haven’t got 10 cents, LET ALONE 1 euro.