Reading and vocabulary. 2.1Read four interviews with first-year students

2.1 Read four interviews with first-year students. Answer the questions.

a. Who has no problems with self-discipline?

b. Who is independent from his/her parents now?

c. Who has to read a lot of books.

d. Who takes part in student projects?

Paloma, St.Martin’s school of art: I’m from London, and my mum decided that I had to leave home and learn to be independent. So, now I’m sharing a flat with four friends in Oxford. My lifestyle is not really normal, because I’m a dancer. It’s all about personal training, so I have to attend classes seven days a week.

Christian, medical student, Stanford: I’m in my first year, and I’m working really hard. This week, for example, I’m getting ready for my Friday seminar in Anatomy and I’ve got five textbooks to read! I also have time to do non-medic things – play my guitar, or take part in student political campaigns.

Jessica, engineering student, Sheffield: I think I’m more organized and self-disciplined than other students because I’m continuing my basketball training at university. I decided that living in halls is not for me, so I’m living in a house with three people from my basketball team. There is a lot of pressure because I have to combine my studies and training, but I’m enjoying my life right now.

Colin, IT student, Leeds: I spend almost all my time at my computer, and always did. I can be really nerdy sometimes. Building professional skills is demanding. I try to get involved in IT projects for first-year students. The only problem is self-discipline – if I work during the night I can skip a lecture or two in the morning.

2.2 Find sentences in the texts which mean the same.

a. Becoming a professional takes a lot of work.

b. In my flat there are four more people, and we pay for accommodation together.

c. Sometimes I can think only about my studies and don’t do anything else.

d. Individual training is everything for my profession.

e. I don’t like living in student halls.

f. I try to take part in student projects.

g. I sometimes don’t attend morning lectures.

h. It’s very difficult to study and do sport training.

2.3 Complete these sentences about yourself.

a. I’m sharing a _____ with _____.

b. I have to attend classes _____ a _____.

c. I’m in my _____ _____ at university.

d. I have/don’t have time to take part in _____.

e. I think I am/am not _____ and self-_____.

f. I think _____ is not for me.

g. I spend almost all my time _____.

h. I try to get involved in _____.

3. Grammar

3.1 Read and listen to a part of Paloma’s conversation with her friend. What is missing?

Friend: How’s London?

Paloma: I’m not ____ in London now. I’m ____ in Oxford.

3.2 What is missing from these sentences?

a. Paloma: I ___ ____ a flat with four friends in Oxford.

b. Christian: This week I ___ ____ ready for my Friday seminar in Anatomy.

c. Jessica: I ___ ____ my life right now.

3.3 Listen to the short conversations and complete the sentences.

- What ___ you ___? – I___ ___ my hair.

- What ___ he ___? – He___ ___ TV.

- ___ I ___ in your seat? – Yes, you ___!

- ___ you ___ to the radio? – No, I___ not.

- ___ the train ___? – Yes, it ___.

3.4 Look at the five men in the picture. What are the men’s names?

Alex is wearing glasses.

Nick isn’t eating.

Peter isn’t talking on the phone.

John and Nick aren’t wearing hats.

Alex and Bill aren’t reading.

Complete the sentences.

a. Nick _________ a book.

b. John _________ on the phone.

c. Bill and Peter ________ glasses.

d. Bill and Peter ________ hats.

e. Peter ________ a sandwich.

f. Alex _________ a hat.

3.5 Describe the picture. What are the people doing? Write sentences.

1. (bark) - The dog is barking.

2. (cry)

3. (argue)

4. (walk)

5. (play)

6. (eat)

7. (jog)

8. (read)

Now cover the words on the right and try to remember the sentences.

3.6 Listen to the description of a picture and draw it.