4 What happened?

Hey, I just downloaded this incredible app. I used it this morning and I think you’re going to love it. While I was working out, it calculated exactly how many calories I burned. The bad thing is, it tells me I still need to run about 4 miles to burn off last night’s dinner.

As scientists were doing some research on the effects of sleep deprivation, they discovered that women need about 20 more minutes of sleep a night than men do. They think the reason is that women tend to do several tasks at once, which makes their brains work harder.

Hi, Jeff. We’re canceling our meeting in the downtown office this morning. We just learned that the police have closed all the streets in the area. It seems that a man was looking for his lost cat when he found a suspicious package inside a trash can. In the end, it was just an old box of chocolates.

In our digital world, we encounter many different types of messages. Today, we'll tackle the task of identifying three common ones: messages from co-workers, messages from friends, and podcasts.

B Which is a message from a co-worker? a message from a friend? a podcast?

1. Here Are the 5 Must-Have Apps for Runners

2. Women Need More Sleep Than Men Because They Use More of Their Brains

3. Several Streets Closed after “Suspicious Package” Was Found

Check

1. a friend 2. a podcast 3. a co-worker

⬜ 3 GRAMMAR FOCUS Past continuous vs. simple past

Learning Objective: use the past continuous and simple past to describe past events

▶ Use the past continuous for an ongoing action in the past.

▶ Use the simple past for an event that interrupts that action.

Past continuous

While I was working out,

As scientists were doing research,

A man was looking for his cat

Simple past

it calculated how many calories I burned.

they discovered that women need more sleep than men.

when he found a suspicious package inside a trash can.

A Complete the stories using the past continuous or simple past forms of the verbs. Then compare with a partner.

1. Bad memory, bad luck: Marcia Murphy ________ (donate) her old pants to a thrift shop. As she ________ (walk) home, she ________ (remember) she ________ (leave) $20 in her pants pocket.

2. Good intentions, bad interpretation: Jason Clark ________ (walk) home one day, when he ________ (see) a little puppy crying on the sidewalk, so he ________ (stop) to help. As he ________ (pick) him up, a woman ________ (come) from nowhere screaming: “Stop that guy. He’s trying to steal my puppy.” Jason ________ (end) up spending three hours at the police station.

3. A bad ride, a bad fall: On her birthday last year, Diane Larson ________ (drive) to work when she ________ (have) a bad accident. This year, just to be safe, she decided to stay home on her birthday. Unfortunately, that night while she ________ (sleep) in her apartment, the floor of her living room ________ (collapse) and she ________ (fall) into her neighbor’s apartment.

B GROUP WORK Take turns retelling the stories in part A. Add your own ideas and details to make the stories more interesting!

Check

1. Marcia Murphy donated her old pants to a thrift shop. As she was walking home, she remembered she left $20 in her pants pocket.

2. Jason Clark was walking home one day, when he saw a little puppy crying on the sidewalk, so he stopped to help. As he was picking him up, a woman came from nowhere screaming: “Stop that guy. He’s trying to steal my puppy.” Jason ended up spending three hours at the police station.

3. On her birthday last year, Diane Larson was driving to work when she had a bad accident. This year, just to be safe, she decided to stay home on her birthday. Unfortunately, that night while she was sleeping in her apartment, the floor of her living room collapsed and she fell into her neighbor’s apartment.

⬜ 4 PRONUNCIATION Intonation in complex sentences

Learning Objective: use correct intonation to sound more natural when using complex sentences

A Listen and practice. Notice how each clause in a complex sentence has its own intonation pattern.

As Marcia was walking home, she remembered she left $20 in her pants pocket.

A man was looking for his cat when he found a package.

B PAIR WORK Use your imagination to make complex sentences. Take turns starting and finishing the sentences. Pay attention to intonation. Each clause has a falling intonation pattern.

A: As Lee was coming to school today . . .

B: . . . he saw a parade coming down the street.

Practice working in pairs to make complex sentences with while or as and the past continuous. Take turns starting and finishing the sentences using falling intonation.

⬜ 5 LISTENING Crazy but true!

Learning Objective: listen for and take notes on the details of stories in the simple past

A Listen to three news stories. Number the pictures from 1 to 3. (There is one extra picture.)

B Listen again. Take notes on each story.

Check

X 2 3 1

Where did it happen? When did it happen? What happened?

1. Australia; Saturday; bull ran onto soccer field and started chasing a soccer player

2. Missouri; last Thursday; tornado carried 19-year-old boy over 1,300 feet and dropped him in an abandoned field

3. Ontario; early Tuesday morning; A thief rescued two police officers after they lost control of their vehicle and drove into a river while chasing the thief.

⬜ 6 WRITING A personal account

Learning Objective: write a story using the past continuous and simple past

A Think of a story that happened to you or to someone you know. Choose one of the titles below, or create your own.

A Scary Experience I’ll Never Forget That Day

I Was Really Lucky I Can’t Believe It Happened

B Write your story. First, answer these questions.

Who was involved? Where did it happen?

When did it happen? What happened?

I Was Really Lucky Last year, I took a trip to see my grandparents. I was waiting in the airport for my flight when a storm hit, and all the flights were cancelled. Luckily, I . . .

C GROUP WORK Take turns telling your stories. Other students ask questions. Who has the best story?

You may use the 5 Ws and H questions used by journalists: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

CYCLE 2 ▶ Tell stories

⬜ 7 CONVERSATION That’s terrible!

Learning Objective: use the past perfect in a conversation about past events.

Listen and take notes

A Listen and practice.

B Listen to the rest of the conversation. What did Milo have stolen once? Where was he?

Check

Milo once had his carry-on bag stolen, with his wallet, his credit card, and his phone. He was overseas, waiting for a bus to take him to the airport.

⬜ 8 GRAMMAR FOCUS Past perfect

Learning Objective: correctly use the past continuous, simple past, or past perfect to describe past events.

Use the past perfect for an event that occurred before another event in the past.

Past event Past perfect event

I was having lunch with a friend, and I had parked my bike on the street.

When I came back, someone had stolen it.

They were able to steal it because I had forgotten to lock it up.

A Write the correct verbs to complete the sentences. Then compare with a partner.

1. I __________ (took/had taken) a trip to London last year. I was a bit scared because I __________ (didn’t travel/hadn’t traveled) abroad before, but everything was perfect.

2. I __________ (visited/was visiting) the British Museum one afternoon when I __________ (ran/had run) into an old school friend who I __________ (didn’t see/hadn’t seen) for over 10 years.

3. One weekend, we __________ (were driving/had driven) to Liverpool when we __________ (ran/were running) out of gas on the highway because we (forgot/had forgotten) to fill up the tank before leaving. Fortunately, a truck driver __________ (stopped/had stopped) and __________ (helped/had helped) us.

4. On the last day, as I __________ (was going/had gone) up to my hotel room, I __________ (got/had gotten) stuck in the elevator. After I __________ (was/had been) stuck for an hour, someone (started/had started) it again.

B PAIR WORK Complete the sentences with your own ideas.

Until last year, I had never . . .

One day, as I was . . .

When we are talking about two events in the past, we use the past perfect to express the earlier one.

Check

1. I took a trip to London last year. I was a bit scared because I hadn’t traveled abroad before, but everything was perfect.

2. I was visiting the British Museum one afternoon when I ran into an old school friend who I hadn’t seen for over 10 years.

3. One weekend, we were driving to Liverpool when we ran out of gas on the highway because we had forgotten to fill up the tank before leaving. Fortunately, a truck driver stopped and helped us.

4. On the last day, as I was going up to my hotel room, I got stuck in the elevator. After I had been stuck for an hour, someone started it again.

⬜ 9 WORD POWER Exceptional events

Learning Objective: describe different types of events .

A Match the words in column A with the definitions in column

A B

1. coincidence a. an unexpected event that brings good fortune

2. dilemma b. a situation that involves a difficult choice

3. disaster c. something puzzling or unexplained

4. emergency d. an event that causes suffering or destruction

5. lucky break e. a great success or achievement

6. mishap f. an accident, mistake, or unlucky event

7. mystery g. a sudden, dangerous situation that requires quick action

8. triumph h. a situation when two similar things happen at the same time for no reason

B PAIR WORK Choose one kind of event from part A. Write a situation for it.

A man bought an old house for $10,000. As he was cleaning the attic of his new home, he found an old painting by a famous painter. He had never collected art, but when he took it to a museum, he found out it was worth almost one million dollars. (lucky break)

C GROUP WORK Read your situation. Can others guess which kind of event it describes?

Check

1. h 3. d 5. a 7. c 2. b 4. g 6. f 8. e

⬜ 10 SPEAKING It’s a story about . . .

Learning Objective: tell stories using various past tenses.

GROUP WORK Have you ever experienced the events in Exercise 9, part A? Tell your group about it. Answer any questions.

A: It’s a story about a coincidence.

B: What happened?

A: My sister bought a new dress for her graduation party. She had saved for months to buy it. When she got to the party, another girl was wearing the exact same dress!

C: Wow! That’s more than a coincidence. It’s a disaster! And what did she do?

⬜ 11 ACTIVITY Spin a yarn

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: to help you understand and correctly use the idiom "Spin a yarn" in context; to encourage creativity and storytelling skills.

"Spin a yarn" means to tell a story, often an interesting or imaginative one, even if it may not be entirely true.

Behind the Scenes of Shaping Public Perception

While the phrase "spinning a yarn" refers to telling an untrue but potentially interesting story, "spin yard" describes a symbolic space where information undergoes twisting and shaping to serve a specific goal, typically influencing public opinion or perception. This concept is rooted in the idea of spinning, which refers to the deliberate act of presenting information or events in a particular way, often to benefit a specific cause or agenda.

In fields like politics, media, and public relations, "spin yards" can be understood as centers where messages are crafted, honed, and delivered to the public with the intention of swaying their opinions or perceptions regarding specific individuals, organizations, or issues. Imagine it as a figurative space where spin doctors work their expertise, twisting or manipulating information to achieve their desired outcomes.

The Enchanting Tales of Thomas

A Journey Through Yarns

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled amidst rolling green hills, there lived an old storyteller named Thomas. Every evening, as the sun dipped behind the horizon, the villagers would gather around a crackling fire, eager to hear Thomas spin a yarn.

Thomas, with his twinkling eyes and silver beard, would begin his tales with a mischievous grin. He would regale the listeners with stories of mystical creatures, daring adventures, and far-off lands. One night, he spun a yarn about a brave knight who embarked on a quest to rescue a captured princess from the clutches of a fearsome dragon.

As Thomas wove his tale, the villagers were transported to a world of magic and wonder. They hung onto his every word, enchanted by the vivid imagery he conjured. With each twist and turn of the story, Thomas captured their imaginations and filled their hearts with hope and excitement.

When the tale reached its thrilling climax, the villagers erupted into applause, their faces glowing with delight. They thanked Thomas for another captivating evening and eagerly awaited the next installment of his storytelling magic.

What did Thomas do every evening in the village?
How did the villagers feel when Thomas told his stories?
Can you recall a specific example of Thomas spinning a yarn in the story?
Why do you think storytelling is important in a community?

Check

What did Thomas do every evening in the village?

Thomas, the old storyteller, would gather the villagers every evening around a crackling fire to tell them stories.

How did the villagers feel when Thomas told his stories?

The villagers felt enchanted and captivated when Thomas told his stories. They hung onto his every word, transported to a world of magic and wonder. Their faces glowed with delight, and they erupted into applause at the end of each tale.

Can you recall a specific example of Thomas spinning a yarn in the story?

One specific example of Thomas spinning a yarn in the story is when he told the villagers about a brave knight who embarked on a quest to rescue a captured princess from the clutches of a fearsome dragon.

Why do you think storytelling is important in a community?

Storytelling is important in a community because it fosters a sense of togetherness, preserves cultural heritage, and encourages imagination and empathy. Through stories, people connect with one another, share experiences, and pass down wisdom from generation to generation. Additionally, storytelling stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, enriching the fabric of the community.

The Lighthouse Keeper's Yarn

The old lighthouse keeper, Silas, sat hunched on his porch, rocking gently in his chair. He squinted at the lone figure approaching, a young journalist named Emily, clutching a notepad and recorder.

"Mr. Silas," Emily greeted, her voice bright. "I'm here to hear about the ghost ship."

Silas chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Ghost ship, eh? Now that's a yarn I haven't heard in years."

Emily's eyes widened. "You mean it's not true?"

Silas winked. "Let's just say the sea has a way of spinning its own stories." He paused, gazing out at the crashing waves. "Years ago, there was a storm, the likes of which I'd never seen. A ship, caught in the fury, lost its way. We never saw it again, but the folks on shore..."

He leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "They swore they saw a ghostly vessel appear every full moon, its sails tattered, its crew forever lost. Quite the dramatic tale, wouldn't you say?"

Emily scribbled furiously, a mix of disappointment and curiosity etched on her face. "So, there's no ghost ship?"

"No, just a tall tale," Silas admitted with a grin. "But sometimes, a good yarn can bring comfort in the face of tragedy. It reminds us of the power of the sea, and the stories it whispers to those who listen."

Later that night, as Emily sat on the beach, the full moon unveiling a spectacular sight, she saw it. A ship, shrouded in mist, its outline barely visible. Her heart pounded. Could it be...?

She hesitated, then raced back to the lighthouse. Silas was still on the porch, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Mr. Silas!" she called, breathless. "There's a ship... a real one!"

Silas turned, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Ah, the sea weaves a tapestry of truth and fiction, doesn't it, Miss Emily? Now, that's a story worth writing."

Emily stared at the disappearing ship, unsure if what she saw was real or a figment of the sea's storytelling. One thing was certain: Silas, the old lighthouse keeper, had spun her a yarn, and the sea had added its own twist to the narrative.

Identify instances of "spinning a yarn" in the story you just heard or read.

Silas spinning a yarn about the ghost ship: This is the most prominent instance. Silas, through his storytelling and descriptions, creates a dramatic and captivating tale of a ghost ship appearing during full moons. However, he later admits it's just "a tall tale" meant to offer comfort and remind people of the sea's power.
The sea itself "spinning a yarn": This instance is more subtle. While Silas initially debunks the ghost ship myth, the final scene leaves Emily questioning whether the ship she sees on the full moon is real or just a figment of her imagination. The sea, with its unpredictable nature and ability to create illusions, could be seen as further blurring the lines between truth and fiction in the story.

What's the the importance of "spinning a yard" and the role it plays in capturing people's imaginations?

Spinning a yarn, like Silas's ghost ship story, can offer comfort and capture imaginations by weaving narratives that resonate with our sense of curiosity, wonder, and even fear. It fuels our fascination with unknown possibilities, even when the truth may be different.

Create you own short story using the "spin a yarn" idiom in context. Incorporate elements of imagination, adventure, and creativity into your story.

⬜ 12 READING Believing More Than We Should

Learning Objectives: skim and read news articles for specific information; identify the meaning of words in context.

Is everything you read or see on the Internet true?

Why or why not?

Where do you go to find trustworthy information?

A Skim the article. Was the story about lice true or false.

Believing More Than We Should

Is everything you read on the Internet true? If your answer is “no,” you are absolutely right. Many stories and even photos are not to be trusted. And don’t believe that because a good friend or a well-known news source has posted something that it is necessarily trustworthy.

There are many reasons for the spread of inaccurate content on the Internet. One reason is that satirical websites can create very believable stories, which they invent in order to make a point or to make people laugh. Other reasons might be an attempt to gain more readers, a desire to damage someone’s reputation, or simple curiosity about how far a fake story can spread.

One story that spread throughout the media before anyone had checked the facts involved teenagers, selfies, and head lice. The article claimed that when teenagers were posing together for selfies, their heads often touched and the tiny insects were jumping from head to head. The article went on to say that this was causing a massive outbreak of lice. Some major websites and news outlets picked up the story, not even bothering to consult the experts. It turned out that

some entrepreneurs who were marketing a new treatment for head lice had made up the story and posted it. Their motivation was to get attention and more business.

The spread of this story is understandable. It involved one epidemic (selfies) causing another (lice), and the “ick” factor was irresistible. Because there is so much false information online, there are now websites, such as Snopes and Factcheck, which exist specifically to find out if stories are true or not. So the next time you see a story that sounds too good to be true, at least you have somewhere to turn for verification before you spread false information to all your friends.

B Read the article. Find the words in italics in the article.

Then check ✅ the meaning of each word.

1. inaccurate ⬜ not exact or true ⬜ shocking or disgusting

2. satirical ⬜ humorously critical ⬜ completely factual

3. reputation ⬜ hurtful news about someone ⬜ public opinion of someone

4. massive ⬜ small ⬜ very large

5. irresistible ⬜ hard to prove ⬜ hard to fight against

6. verification ⬜ proof of truth ⬜ another opinion

C PAIR WORK Discuss these questions.

Do you think you would have believed the story about selfies and head lice?

Do you think the creation of the story was justified or not?

Who do you think is most responsible for the story being so popular?

Do you think there should be a penalty for spreading false information? If so, what should it be?

D GROUP WORK Have you ever read a story that turned out to be false?

How did you find out the truth?

VOCABULARY

trustworthy: able to be trusted

spread: to cover, reach, or have an effect on a wider or increasing area

lice: small insects that live on the skin of mammals and birds and cause itching

outbreak: a time when a disease or something dangerous suddenly begins

“ick” factor: an amount of shock or dislike that makes you feel sick

Check

1. not exact or true

2. humorously critical

3. public opinion of someone

4. very large

5. hard to fight against

6. proof of truth

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