UNIT 6: THE SELF

I.       TÓM TẮT LÝ THUYẾT

Vocabulary: Types of people; Introvert, optimist, realist, etc. Key phrases: Comparing personality

Reading: A poem. Vocabulary plus: Idioms and proverbs

Language Focus: Reflexive pronouns

Vocabulary and Listening: Personality and experiences; adjectives, nouns, verbs; adventure, adventurous, benefit, beneficial, etc.

II.   BÀI TẬP ÁP DỤNG

VOCABULARY: Types of people

Read the quiz and check the meaning of the words in blue. Then match five of the words with an opposite personality type in the box

1. Have you got your feet on the ground or your head in the clouds?

    a. I’m a realist. I like facts. I don’t spend all day dreaming.

    b. I love stories and using my imagination.

    c. The real world can be boring! It depends. It’s nice to dream occasionally.

2. Hippies and punks didn’t conform with society. How do you see yourself?

    a. A conformist, and that’s fine. Why fight against everything?

    b. I really don’t like to conform. We need to change the world!

    c. I have a rebellious side, but people don’t always see it.

3. What’s your outlook? Are you generally positive?

    a. Yes, I’m definitely an optimist.

    b. I worry quite a lot and often expect the worst.

    c. It depends on my mood and if the sun is shining.

4. How do you see yourself in a group?

    a. I’m a bit of an extrovert and usually like being at the center of things.

    b. I think it’s better to be a loner sometimes.

   c. Groups can get complicated. I’m OK in groups of people, but I’m more of       a follower than a leader.

5. Do you prefer chilling out at home or being out and about?

    a. I’m a nature-lover. I prefer being by the ocean or in the mountains.

    b. I’m a bit of a couch potato, to be honest. I prefer being at home.

    c. I’m equally happy walking in the fresh air or relaxing on the sofa.

Do the quiz. Then write a list of 4 – 6 words that describe you.

Watch or listen to three pairs of friends talking about their personality. Are they “chalk and cheese” or “birds of a feather”?

birds of a feather (flock together) idiom

people of the same sort (are found together)

chalk and cheese idiom

when two people are completely different from each other

1. Olivia and Tegan

2. Sam and Joelle

3. Daniel and Rob

Study the Key Phrases. Then watch or listen again. What type of person is each speaker?

KEY PHRASES

Comparing personality

I’m more of a …

To be honest, I’m a bit of a …

I tend to …

I suppose so …

I’m the opposite / same …

Me, too.

Work in groups. Discuss personality of a famous people. Use the words from exercise 1.

READING: A poem

Read and listen to the poem. Choose the correct options in the summary below.

Be yourself

(A)

When you’re looking in the mirror, tell me, what do you see?

It isn’t always easy to find your own identity

At times things seem so certain; at times they don’t

Sometimes people lose themselves before they find their way again.

(B)

You might say that I’m a rebel ’cos of how I look

You might say that I’m a nerd for reading all those books

So … Dreamer? Leader? Loner? Lover?

Only I know what I am =

Don’t judge this book by its cover.

(C)

Be yourself – we can’t all be the same

Be yourself’- you’re more than just a name

Be yourself I’ll give respect to you

I’ll be myself, so please respect me, too.

(D)

Just like the landscape changes color between day and night

At different times we see ourselves in a different light

So, if I wear black clothes, it doesn’t make me a poser

And if I never win a race, it doesn’t make me a loser

It’s what’s inside that counts and it’s not always simple

Remember labels are for clothes; they’re not for people.

(E)

And if bullies call you names, don’t listen to their hate

Fall down seven times, stand up eight

Don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd

You yourself know you’ve got reasons to be proud.

(F)

So, I think you should know that I might not conform to

Your ideas about me; it’s best that I warn you

That if you take me as you find me, I’ll be more than happy

But if you don’t, it’s not my fault – I won’t say I’m sorry

To be myself – we can’t all be the same

I am myself – a lot more than a name.

Be yourself, I’ll give respect to you

I’ll be myself, so please respect me, too.

1. The poem is about clothes and image / identity / bullies.

2. The author is afraid / brave / a dreamer.

3. The audience for this poem is bullies / friends / everyone.

Read the poem again. Which of ideas 1 – 6 are in the poem? Write true or false for each idea and explain your answers using lines from the poem.

The writer is sometimes confused. (Verse A)

True – “At times things seem so certain; at times they don’t.”

1. The writer’s identity and personality are clear for other people. (Verse B)

2. It’s OK to be different. (Verse C)

3. Our personalities can have many sides. (Verse D)

4. The writer thinks that clothes reflect personality. (Verse D)

5. You can avoid bullies if you stand out from the crowd. (Verse E)

6. The writer isn’t worried what people think about him / her. (Verse F)

Match phrases 1 – 5 with the correct meanings a – e.

Choose your favorite lines from the poem. Compare with a partner. Say why you feel that way.

Complete these sentences from pages 60 – 61 with the correct reflexive pronouns. What are the other reflexive pronouns?

1. Sometimes people lose ___________ before they find their way again.

2. I’ll be ___________, so please respect me, too.

3. At different times we see ___________ in a different light.

4. You ___________ know you’ve got reasons to be proud.

Read the rules. Which sentence in exercise 1 has an emphatic pronoun?

RULES

1. We use a reflexive pronoun when the object of the verb is the same as the subject.

2. When a reflexive pronoun is used to emphasize the person or thing that is the subject, it is called an emphatic pronoun.

Complete the sentences with the correct pronouns. Then write R (reflexive) or E (emphatic).

Eg: Oh dear. You’ve cut yourself really badly. R

1. My parents enjoyed ____________ at the cinema.

2. Katie told us ____________ that she was leaving school

3. My friends and I enjoy ____________ most when we’re hanging out in the park

4. Did he teach ____________ how to play the guitar?

5. The poem ____________ is pretty good, but I don’t like poetry in general.

6. I ____________ am happiest when I’m reading a book.

7. How would you describe ____________?

8. What activities do you like to do by ____________?

Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions 7 and 8 from exercise 3.

Answer the questions.

How do you enjoy yourself?

What clothes do you wear to “be yourself”?

What have you taught yourself to do?

VOCABULARY AND LISTENING: Personality and experiences

Read the text about summer courses and check the meaning of the words in blue. Then copy and complete the table with the words.

Character-building courses for teens

Are you in the 15 – 18 age group? Do you want to do something different this summer? Here are some examples of summer courses where you can develop beneficial skills like teamwork, confidence and independence.

Tall Ships Adventures: If you’re an adventurous teen who wants a challenge, this might be for you. It’s suitable for people with different physical abilities, andprevious sailing experience isn’t necessary. You’ll be in a small space with all kinds of people, so if you’re sociable and easy-going, you’ll love life on a tall ship.

Conservation Sites of Sea Turtles on Con Dao Island, Viet Nam: These volunteering trips to turtle conservation sites are rewarding for nature-lovers who want to help save sea turtles. You can visit these amazing sites to see mother turtles lay eggs, look after the hatchlings, then release them to the sea safely. You need to be hard-working and responsible because you’ll be doing important tasks alongside professional scientists.

Read the questions below. Then listen to the radio show. Choose the correct options.

1. The first two speakers are …

    a. two presenters.

    b. two experts.

    c. a presenter and an expert.

2. The people who call in are …

    a. teens asking for advice,

    b. teens talking about past experiences,

    c. parents requesting advice for their children

Listen again and answer the questions.

1. What type of student can benefit from a character-building course?

2. What skills can these courses help to develop?

3. What is Andy worried about?

4. What other activities do you have to do on the sailing course?

5. How does Claire describe herself?

6. What doesn’t she want to do?

Discuss the questions with a partner. Explain your answers.

1. Which experience would be more rewarding for you?

2. What chores are you responsible for at home?

3. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

4. Do you like to try new challenges?

LANGUAGE FOCUS: Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Study sentences a – f. Then choose the correct options to complete the rules.

RULES

1. We can use the relative pronoun who or that when we refer to places I people.

2. We can use which or that for people I things.

3. We can use whose for people / possessions.

4. We can use where for places / things.

5. We usually put prepositions at the beginning / end of a relative clause.

a. It’s good to do something that challenges you.

b. You’ll be with people who have similar interests.

c. You’ll visit some amazing destinations where the only inhabitants are wild animals.

d. There are adults on board whose job is to teach you about sailing.

e. That’s something which I’m worried about.

f. People that apply must be hard-working.

Complete the sentences with who, whose, where or which. Which pronouns can be replaced with that?

1. I don’t know _____________ bag this is.

2. Alaska is a place _____________ you can see wild bears.

3. Is there anyone here _____________ can speak Japanese?

4. Tom is the man _____________ lives next door.

5. Sailing is something _____________ I’d like to try.

Read the examples and study the rules.

RULES

1. A defining clause gives information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. Defining clauses do not have commas. We use that instead of who, which in informal style.

2. A non-defining clause gives extra information about the noun or pronoun it modifies and has a commas at the start. In non-defining clauses, we don’t use that

a. The student who (that) won the math contest last year is from Ha Tinh.

b. Ha Noi, which is the capital of Viet Nam, is famous for its landscapes.

Rewrite the sentences using defining or non – defining relative clauses.

1. The book was very interesting. I borrowed it from the school library.

    The book ____________________________________

2. Minh’s bicycle broke down. He had to take a bus to school.

    Minh ____________________________________

3. All the students passed. They studied hard for the test.

    All the students ____________________________________

4. Ha Long Bay is a magnificent natural wonder. It is located in               Quang Ninh province.

    Ha Long Bay ____________________________________

5. We’re going to a place. We can see lions there.

    We’re going ____________________________________

Write definitions for places, things and people using relative clauses. Then read your definitions to a partner. Can they guess what it is?

Write some sentences using defining and non – defining clauses.

SPEAKING: An interview

Read and listen to the dialogue. What type of voluntary work does the interviewer offer Caro? Practice the dialogue with a partner.

Woman:   What kind of summer program are you looking for?

Caro:        I’d like to do something that involves volunteering.

Woman:   Why does voluntary work interest you?

Caro:        I want to do something useful and meet people.

Woman:   Tell me about yourself. What type of person are you?

Caro:        Er … Well, I see myself as an extrovert. And I suppose I’m an optimist.

Woman:   What would you say your strengths are?

Caro:        That’s a good question. I’d say that I’m hard – working and, well, most        people say I’m reliable.

Woman:   Tell me about a challenging experience that you have had.

Caro:        Let me see. Hmm … a challenging experience in my life was when I ran        a 5k race for charity. It was tough but rewarding.

Woman:   That all sounds very positive. Would a project that involves sport interest you? We have some vacancies on our Tennis Mentoring program.

Caro:        That would be great, thanks.

Study the Key Phrases. Which key phrases do we use when we need a few seconds to think about our answers?

KEY PHRASES

Giving answers in an interview

I’d like to do something that involves …

I see myself as / suppose I’m a (n) …

That’s a good question.

Let me see.

I’d say / Most people say (that) I’m …

A (challenging) experience in my life was when …

Watch or listen to the second dialogue. What voluntary work does the interviewer offer Ned? Which key phrases do you hear?

Work in pairs. Choose one of the volunteer opportunities and practice a dialogue: one person is the interviewer and the other person is the student. Use the key phrases. Then swap roles.

Volunteer opportunities

be a volunteer English teacher for poor children in the neighborhood

be an assistant in a local kindergarten

plant trees

clean up the streets of the neighborhoods at weekend

cook for the poor

WRITING: A formal letter

Read Lan’s letter. Find examples of formal writing.

31/1/11 An Duong Vuong Street

District S

Ho Chi Minh City

Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan,

Head, Personnel Department

ABC Travel Group

H6 Chi Minh City          

11^st June 20 …

Dear Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan,

I am Le Ngoc Diep, a year 9 student. I am writing for further information about the volunteer tourism program organized by ABC Travel Group advertised on your website last week.

This program really interests me because I love gaining experience from tourism experts. I plan to study tourism at university so that I can become a tour guide, so it would be rewarding to have hands-on experience.

I was born with skills for problem solving and teamwork, which meets the requirements for a tour guide. Moreover, last summer’s volunteer tourism program gave me precious experiences on travelling software development.

I would be grateful if you could send me further information about the volunteer program. I am about to take exams, but I will be available from 12^nd July.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Le Ngoc Diep

Read the letter again. Put topics a-d in the order they appear in the text.

a. reasons for interest in the program

b. polite request and practical details

c. purpose of letter

d. personality and relevant experience

Find and complete the Key Phrases.

KEY PHRASES

Writing a formal letter

Dear,

I am writing for

I would be grateful if you could

I look forward to

Yours sincerely,

Study the blue words in the letter. Then complete the sentences with the words.

1. I join an online course ___________ I want to upgrade my knowledge.

2. Tourism management is an interesting field of study, ___________ it is quite difficult.

3. He studied hard ___________ he could achieve his ambitions.

4. I love meeting people, ___________ it would be great to work in tourism.

Follow the steps in the Writing guide.

A. TASK. Write a letter (100 – 120 words) requesting information about a volunteer program.

B. THINK AND PLAN. Make notes on the following topics:

What program are you interested in?

What type of person are you?

Why are you suitable for the program?

What are your plans and ambitions?

C. WRITE

Paragraph 1: Who you are and the purpose of your letter

Paragraph 2: The reasons for your interest in the program

Paragraph 3: Personality and relevant experience

Paragraph 4: Practical details and final request

D. CHECK

relative clauses

linkers