Discussing topics

Do you agree or disagree with the following topics?

Explain your reasons and discuss in pairs:

1. Young graduates today don’t gain much from work experience.
2. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is such an important tool that those who use it will replace those who don’t.
3. Self-employment is more stimulating than working for a large organisation.
4. Working from home makes life easier for employees.
5. Social networks have rapidly become communication tools for many companies. They will provide even further development for business in the future.
6. Business is a combination of war and sport.
7. In today's business world, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
8. Innovation is different from invention.
9. In the future most companies will be online companies. There will be fewer offices and more call centres.
10. Anyone who has contact with a customer is a salesperson - and that includes the person who answers the phone!
11. Small companies can adapt more quickly to changes in the market place than large corporations.
12. Companies become more efficient as they grow in size.
13. More time is wasted during meetings than during any other business activity.
14. It is impossible to have a successful career and a happy family life. You have to choose one or the other.
15. It is impossible for young people to find a (good) job today without help from someone.
16. Qualifications are more important today than ever before.
17. A successful salesperson knows the strengths and weaknesses of competing products
18. Small companies cannot offer employees opportunities for promotion.
19. There is more creativity in multinational companies than in small firms.
20. Some companies do not adhere to proper rules of conduct.
21. In the business world today, people are more stressed out than they were 30 years ago.
22. It is dishonest for companies to avoid paying income tax in the countries where they are established.
23. Men and women are not always treated equally in the workplace. Women often face discrimination.
24. Whenever possible, employees should be allowed to choose their own working hours.
25. Technology has changed business methods to the detriment of human relations.

26. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy your job or not as long as it's a well-paid job.

27. Young graduates today don’t gain much from work experience.

28. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is such an important tool that those who use it will replace those who don’t.

29. Self-employment is more stimulating than working for a large organisation.

30. Working from home makes life easier for employees.

31. Social networks have rapidly become communication tools for many companies.
    They will provide even further development for business in the future.

32. Business is a combination of war and sport.

33. In today's business world, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

34. Innovation is different from invention.

35. In the future most companies will be online companies.
    There will be fewer offices and more call centres.

36. Anyone who has contact with a customer is a salesperson - and that includes the person who answers the phone!

37. Small companies can adapt more quickly to changes in the market place than large corporations.

38. Companies become more efficient as they grow in size.

39. More time is wasted during meetings than during any other business activity.

40. It is impossible to have a successful career and a happy family life.
    You have to choose one or the other.

41. It is impossible for young people to find a (good) job today without help from someone.

42. Qualifications are more important today than ever before.

43. A successful salesperson knows the strengths and weaknesses of competing products

44. Small companies cannot offer employees opportunities for promotion.

45. There is more creativity in multinational companies than in small firms.

46. Some companies do not adhere to proper rules of conduct.

47. In the business world today, people are more stressed out than they were 30 years ago.

48. It is dishonest for companies to avoid paying income tax in the countries where they are established.

49. Men and women are not always treated equally in the workplace.
    Women often face discrimination.

50. Whenever possible, employees should be allowed to choose their own working hours.

51. Technology has changed business methods to the detriment of human relations.

52. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy your job or not as long as it's a well-paid job.

Small talk

 Starting a conversation

In most English-speaking settings people often use soft openers, which are comments or questions about the situation, yourself or the environment. These  help to create a comfortable and friendly tone before moving on to discussing a deeper topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEZkN0_6R1c

To start conversations, try using phrases like:

In the workplace

• How was your weekend?

• How’s your day / week going so far?

• How’re things with you?

At social or networking events

• What brings you here today?

• Have you been here / to one of these events before?

• How do you know …(name of person/client)?

Casual encounters

• Lovely weather today, isn’t it?

• Have you had a busy day / morning so far?

• I love your jacket / coat / hat – where did you get it?

The goal of English small talk phrases isn’t to exchange deep information, but to establish warmth and mutual interest. It can set the tone for more meaningful interactions later.

Safe small talk topics

It’s important to choose topics that are positive and not controversial (never politics, religion or anything that may make you not feel comfortable). Once you get used to making small talk, you’ll be able to recognise appropriate small talk topics.

Some topic examples are:

• The weather: An easy, straightforward topic to engage with your environment. It’s especially popular in the UK where most people’s small talk refers to the weather.
  Example: It’s quite chilly today, isn’t it?

• Weekend plans: A great way to start a Monday or a Friday conversation, especially with colleagues at work.
  Example: What did you get up to at the weekend? Any nice plans for the weekend?

• Travel plans: A good option if you’re speaking to someone you don’t know very well.
  Example: Have you been anywhere interesting recently? Do you have any holiday plans this year?

• Hobbies or interests: Try introducing your own hobbies and interests to see if you have anything in common with the person you’re speaking to.
  Example: I’ve just started running again and it’s harder than I remember! Do you do any sports?

• Entertainment: A nice option to speak about topical things.
  Example: Have you seen the new series of [name] on Netflix?

Another way to help you remember small talk topics is to follow the FORD framework:

• Family (general, not too personal)

• Occupation (work, studies, projects)

• Recreation (sports, hobbies, interests, free time)

• Dreams (travel goals, future plans)

Generally, the best approach is to keep the conversation light and positive and actively listening and allowing time for turn-taking.

Topics to avoid

As well as safe topics, there are also certain small talk topics that are best left out of conversations, especially with people you don’t know. We’ve mentioned a couple (politics, religion), but you should also aim to stay away from talking about money, personal beliefs, controversial current events, health or other medical issues.

Useful phrases and techniques to keep the conversation flowing

One of the top things to remember is to show that you’re actively listening, and to show genuine interest in what the speaker is saying. You can do this by using some of the following phrases:

• That sounds interesting / fun.

• Really? How was that / How did that go?

• Tell me more about (that).

• I can imagine that it was great / challenging / interesting.

• What happened after that?

These English small talk phrases invite the other person to expand on what they’re saying, and to make the conversation feel natural and engaging.

Follow-up techniques

Asking follow-up questions keeps the conversation moving and shows that you’re interested in what the person has to say. For example:

Person 1: How was your weekend?
Person 2: Great thanks. I went hiking.
Person 1: That sounds fun. Where did you go? OR Do you go hiking often?

Ending a conversation

Just as important as starting a conversation is knowing how to end a conversation well. This can also help you feel less awkward about initiating a conversation in the first place.

To wrap up an exchange, you could say:

• Well, it’s been lovely chatting with you.

• I should let you get back to it / work.

• I hope you enjoy the rest of your day / week.

• Let’s catch up again soon.

• I´m sorry but I have to go now.

By ending a conversation in one of these ways you don’t suddenly disrupt the flow of the talk and you leave a more polite impression.

Circuit Symbols

 

WH Question Words

what?: asking for information about something.
                   Example: What is your name? My name is _______.
                   What do you like? I like video games.

which?: asking about choice.
                     Example: Which colour do you want? I like blue.
                     Which is your favourite animal? My favourite animal is the capybara.

when?: asking about time.
                    Example: When did he leave? He left yesterday.                    
                    When is your birthday? It is in May, on the 15th.

where?: asking in or at what place or position.
                     Example: Where do you live? I live in Vk.
                     Where is Bogotá? It´s in Colombia.

who?: asking what or which person or people (subject).
                 Example: Who opened the door? I did.
                 Who is your best friend? My best friend is Oscar.     

whose?: asking about ownership.
                      Example: Whose are these keys? They are mine.
                      Whose are these glasses? They are yours.

why?: asking for reason, asking what...for.
                Example: Why do you say that? Because I know it.
                Why are you so happy? I´m happy because it´s Friday.

how?: asking about manner.
                Example: How does this work? It needs a key.
                asking about condition or quality.
                Example: How was your exam? It was easy.

how + adj/adv?: asking about extent or degree:

how much?: quantity (uncountable).
Example: How much milk do you want? I want a glass.

how many?: quantity (countable).
Example: How many cars are there? There are three.

how far?: distance.
Example: How far do you live? I live two kilometres away.

how long?: length (time or space).
Example: How long will it take? It will take 2 hours.

how often?: frequency.
Example: How often do you see her? I see her once or twice a month.

how old?: age.
Example: How old are you? I am thirty years old.

what...for?: asking for a reason, asking why.
Example: What did you do that for? Just because!

how come?:  asking for reason, asking why.
Example: How come I can't see her? Because she is out...

 

State verbs

They describe a state, condition, feeling or perception ( not actions) 

Key Rules

No continuous tenses: You do not normally use state verbs with "-ing" forms (like present continuous or past continuous).
Use simple tenses: They are usually used in simple tenses, such as the present simple.
Correct vs. Incorrect: Say "I know the answer" instead of "I am knowing the answer."

Main Categories

Feelings and emotions: Love, hate, like, dislike, want, prefer, need.
Thoughts and opinions: Know, believe, understand, remember, think (when meaning an opinion).
Senses and perception: See, hear, smell, taste, seem, sound.
Possession and measurement: Have (when meaning own), own, belong, possess, weigh, measure.

Verbs That Can Be Both (State and Action)

Some verbs change their meaning depending on how they are used. They can be a state in one context and an action in another: 

Have: "I have a car" (state of possession) vs. "I am having lunch" (action of eating).
Think: "I think it is good" (state of opinion) vs. "I am thinking about the problem" (active mental process).
Taste: "The soup tastes good" (state of perception) vs. "The chef is tasting the soup" (action of testing). 

You can review a full breakdown and test your skills with exercises on the British Council Stative Verbs Guide. 

Repaso 1º Bach Extraordinaria

A

SECTION 1 – Tense Review: Mixed Tenses

Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence. More than one answer may be possible; choose the most appropriate one.

1. By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient had already lost (already / lose) consciousness.

2. She had been working (work) at that company for over a decade when they suddenly let her go.

3. I had never seen (never / see) such a breathtaking landscape before in my life.

4. They had been arguing (argue) for hours before they finally reached an agreement.

5. Don't call me at noon — I will be sitting (sit) my final exam at that time tomorrow.

6. By next December, this cathedral will have stood (stand) for five hundred years.

7. The suspect claimed he was sleeping (sleep) at home when the robbery took place.

8. She has been studying (study) abroad, which is why her accent sounds so different now.

 

SECTION 2 –Complete the Passage

Complete the text using the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the most natural tense.

 

   My grandmother has always been / was always (always / be) the most resilient person I have known / knew (know). When she was (be) a young girl, she had to (have to) leave her hometown due to the war that broke out (break out) in the region. She has never complained (never / complain) about those years; instead, she chose / has chosen / chooses (choose) to focus on the future. Nowadays, she still volunteers / is still volunteering (still / volunteer) at the local community centre every Saturday, despite being in her eighties. She always had said /says (say) that people need / will need (need) each other — especially in times of hardship.

 

SECTION 3 – Future Forms

Complete each sentence using the most appropriate future form: will, going to, present continuous, present simple, or future perfect/continuous.

1. Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain (rain) any minute now.

2. The conference starts / will start (start) at 9 on Monday, so don't be late.

3. By the time you read this letter, I will have left (leave) the country.

4. I am meeting / will meet / am going to meet (meet) the director tomorrow — it's all arranged.

5. Don't worry, I will help / can help (help) you move the furniture this afternoon.

6. This time next year, she will have completed / will be completing (complete) her degree.

 

SECTION 4 – Modal Verbs: Rewrite & Identify

A) Rewrite the sentences using the modal verb in brackets without changing the meaning.

1. I'm certain he didn't cheat — that's not like him at all.  (can't)

→ He can´t have cheated in the exam.

2. It would be a good idea for you to get more sleep.  (ought to)

→ You should / ought to sleep more.

3. Perhaps they took the wrong exit on the motorway.  (might)

→ They might have taken the wrong exit.

4. She was able to escape the building before the fire spread.  (managed to)

→ She managed to scape / She was able to scape.

 

B) Choose the correct modal verb to complete each sentence.

1. You (mustn't / don't have to) smoke in this area — it's forbidden by law.

2. He (could / was able to) swim across the lake without stopping. It was incredible.

3. She (should have / must have) told us earlier — now it's too late to change the booking.

 

SECTION 5 – Phrasal Verbs in Context

Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the phrasal verbs below. Use each verb only once.

   deal with  /  come up with  /  put up with  /  get over  /  turn down  /  set out  /  come across  /  take in  /  stick to  /  make up for

 

1. The explorers set out  at dawn, hoping to reach the summit before nightfall.

2. She came across an old diary while cleaning out the attic.

3. He found it very difficult to deal with the loss of his best friend.

4. How do you put up with such rude behaviour from your colleagues every day?

5. The company decided to turn down the merger offer, citing ethical concerns.

6. We need to come up with a plan before the meeting tomorrow morning.

7. I've decided to stick to my diet plan, no matter how hard it gets.

8. There was so much information to take in that I had to take notes.

9. She worked extra hours to make up for the time she had missed.

10. The government must get over the housing crisis urgently.

 

SECTION 6 – Word Formation: Adjectives

Complete each sentence an adjective form of one of the words below. Do NOT repeat any word.
organise  /  responsible  /  involve  /  worry  /  honest  /  annoy  /  confuse  /  frighten  /  scare  /  rely

1. The instructions in the manual were so confusing that nobody could follow them.

2. It is dishonest to lie to someone who trusts you completely.

3. I find it extremely annoying when people talk loudly on their phones in public.

4. She is a highly  unreliable / irresponsible / disorganized employee — she doesn´t care much.

5. The documentary contained some frightening / scary scenes that disturbed many viewers.

6. He is deeply involved in the local community, volunteering every weekend.

7. It is worrying / disorganized / irresponsible to leave personal documents on public computers.

8. Parents are often worried about their children's use of social media.

9. Leaving young children home alone is deeply irresponsible.

10. The new filing system is very organized — everything has its own place.

 

SECTION 7 – Writing Task

Choose ONE of the following tasks and write 100 /120 words. Use a variety of tenses, modal verbs, and linking expressions.

 

   ▪  Opinion essay: 'Social media does more harm than good for young people.'

   ▪  For and against essay: 'Should gap years be compulsory before university?'

   ▪  Blog post: 'The most shocking piece of news I have ever heard.'

   ▪  Short story beginning with: 'Nobody had expected the announcement that morning…'