AVALON Direct English
Book 4
Unit 1
4 Unit 1
v. to matter
If something matters, it is important to you because you care about it.
Q: Who are the people that really matter to you?
A: My family really matters to me.
Q: Do you think people matter more than animals?
A: Yes, I do think people matter more than animals.
Q: Are most of the teachers here men or women ?
A: Most of the teachers here are men.
Q: Do you think it matters ?
A: No, I don't think it matters.
… whales become extinct ?
Yes, I do think it matters if whales become extinct.
… people smoke in public places ?
Yes, I do think it matters if people smoke in public places.
… people wear smart clothes to work ?
Yes, I think it matters if people wear smart clothes to work.
… you make a few mistakes when you speak English ?
No, I don't think it matters if you make a few mistakes when you speak English.
adj. basic adv. basically
If something is basic it is low-level or simple.eg. I speak Spanish fluently but only basic French.We also use the words basic and basically to give a quick, simple, explanation that can be easily understood.eg. Basically, the problem with this machine is that it’s old.
Q: Do you still make basic mistakes in English ?
A: Yes, I still make basic mistakes in English.
Q: Do you think you always will ?
A: I hope not./No, I don't think I will always make basic mistakes in English.
Q: Give me an example of someone you have a difficult relationship with.
A: I have a difficult relationship with my brother.
Q: What’s the basic problem ?
A: We're always arguing and fighting.
Q: Give me some basic information about these subjects.
(Begin with ‘Basically, …’)
· the difference between a sea and an ocean.
Basically, an ocean's bigger than a sea.
· the reason why you’re studying English.
Basically, I want to live in the UK and have a job here.
· how you spend your free time.
Basically, I go fishing and sailing in my free time.
· your ambitions for the future.
Basically, I'd like to speak English fluently.
v. to socialise adj. un/sociable
To socialise means to spend time going out and meeting new people or friends.
Q: Are you basically a sociable person ?
A: Yes, basically I'm a sociable person.
Q: Are you sometimes in an unsociable mood ?
A: Yes, sometimes but not often./Yes, I'm sometimes in an unsociable mood.
5 Unit 1
Q: What kind of people are forced to be sociable at work ?
A: Sales people are forced to be sociable at work.
Q: Do you get nervous when you socialise with new people ?
A: Yes, I get really nervous when I socialise with new people.
Q: Do you socialise with English-speaking people ?
A: Yes, I socialize with them at the pub.
Q: Does/Would it help your English ?
A: Yes, a lot./Yes, it helps my English a lot.
n. staff n. manager n. management n. colleague
Q: How many staff are there at the place you work ?
A: About 30./There are about 30 staff at the place where I work.
Q: What kind of businesses employ a lot of part-time staff ?
A: Pubs and restaurants employ a lot of part-time staff.
Q: What is your manager like ?
A: He's OK./He's demanding but also understanding and tolerant.
Q: How does he/she treat the staff ?
A: He treats us well.
Q: Who is usually given the horrible and boring tasks ?
A: I'm usually given those jobs.
Q: Do you get on well with your colleagues ?
A: Yes, I really get on well with my colleagues.
Q: Do you socialise outside work ?
A: Yes, all the time./Yes, we socialise outside work.
Q: Do you think the staff sometimes know more about the business than the management?
A: Yes, I do./Yes, I think the staff sometimes know more about the business than the management.
Q: Why do you think that is ?
A: Because the staff have to do with all the problems.
Q: Would you prefer a male or female manager ?
A: I think I'd prefer a male manager.
Q: Do you think it matters to some people ?
A: I think it matters to some people but not everybody.
v/n. charge
Shops charge people money for goods and services. eg. Harrods charges its customers £10 for plastic bags.
Q: Do hotels usually charge for:
a. room service ?
Yes, they do./Yes, hotels usually charge for room service.
b. cleaning the room ?
No, they don't./No, hotels don't charge for cleaning the room.
Q: What public services are provided free of charge ?
A: The national health service is provided free of charge.
Q: In what kind of places are students charged less ?
A: Students are charged less at the cinema and theatre.
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6 Unit 1
v. to be in charge of phr. v. take over
Q: Have you ever been a manager ?
A: Yes, I have been a manager.
Q: How many people were you in charge of ?
A: About 20./I was in charge of about 20 people.
Q: Would you like the responsibility of being in charge of:
a. a small business ?
Yes, I think I would./Yes, I think I would like the responsibility of being in charge of a small business.
b. a group of children ?
Maybe./Maybe I would like the responsibility of being in charge of a group of children.
c. a baby ?
Definitely not./No, I wouldn't like the responsibility of being in charge of a baby.
Q: Who is in charge of your country ?
A: Gordon Brown is in charge of my country.
Q: Who would take over if he/she became seriously ill ?
A: The deputy prime minister would take over.
Q: Give me an example of a film where aliens try to take over the world.
A: Aliens try to take over the world in Independence Day.
Q: What happens in the end ?
A: Will Smith saves the planet from destruction.
phr v. end up phr v. turn up phr v. own up
We use end up to talk about the final result of (doing) something.eg. We waited for a bus for half an hour and ended up taking a taxi instead.
Q: If you fell asleep on your bus/train home, where would you end up?
A: I'd end up in Wimbledon./I'd end up in Wimbledon if I fell asleep on my bus/train home.
Q: Do people who take drugs usually end up addicted ?
A: Yes, they usually end up addicted./Yes, people who take drugs usually end up addicted.
Q: Have you ever promised to meet someone and not turned up ?
A: No, I've never promised to meet someone and not turned up.
Q: How would you feel if you invited friends for dinner and no-one turned up ?
A: I'd feel really disappointed and let down./I'd feel really disappointed and let down if I invited friends for dinner and no-one turned up.
Q: Do children usually own up when they have done something wrong ?
A: No, they don't./No, children don't usually own up when they have done something wrong.
n. amount n/v. limit...
TimRoth