Passages 1
Level 1
Unit 1 – Friends and family
Topics
A. What kind of person are you?
B. Every family is different.
Functions
Describing personalities
Expressing likes and dislikes
Describing personal change
Stating advantages and disadvantages
Grammar
Verbs followed by gerunds
Noun clauses after be
Vocabulary
Personality collocations
Compound family terms
Speaking
Finding out what personality traits you have in common with your classmates
Comparing personal profiles
Talking about how you have changed or how you would like to change
Comparing families
Listening
Two people describe how they have changed
Two people compare similarities and differences between their families
A young man describes his recent family reunion
Writing
Identifying the topic sentence in a paragraph
Writing a paragraph about your most positive or negative quality
Reading
“From Circle of Friends to Modern Tribe”: A group of friends can function as a family
Unit 2 – Mistakes and mysteries
Topics
A Life lessons
B I can’t explain it!
Functions
Describing rules and obligations in the past
Giving advice about the past
Speculating about past events
Offering explanations about past events
Grammar
Past modals and phrasal modals of obligation
Modals with multiple uses
Vocabulary
Collocations with problem
Verbs of belief
Speaking
Talking about past mistakes
Comparing reactions to a news story
Discussing what might have caused three mysterious events
Making guesses about unusual questions
Comparing opinions about a real-life unexplained even
Listening
A man talks about a bad decision he made
Three people talk about how they dealt with their problems
Two people talk about everyday mysteries
Writing
Identifying the topic sentence in a paragraph
Writing a paragraph about your most positive or negative quality
Reading
“Amnesia Spoils Newlyweds’ Bliss”: A man loses his memory after his wedding
Unit 3 – Exploring new cities pages
Topics
A. Popular destinations
B. My kind of town
Functions
Describing and giving information about places
Stating preferences
Presenting contrasting information
Categorizing and evaluating issue
Grammar
Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Order of modifiers
Connecting contrasting ideas
Vocabulary
Features of cities
Compound terms for towns
Speaking
Describing and giving information about places
Stating preferences
Presenting contrasting information
Categorizing and evaluating issues
Listening
A TV show introduces two exciting cities
Two foreign students explain what they like about their host city
Two Sydney residents talk about the city
Writing
Organizing ideas with a mind map
Writing a paragraph about a place you know
Reading
“Rivals with a Lot in Common”: The rivalry between two major Australian cities
Unit 4 – Early birds and night owls
Topics
A. It’s about time!
B. Tossing and turning
Functions
Describing routines and habits
Giving advice
Explaining reasons and conditions
Giving interpretations of meaning
Grammar
Reduced time clauses
Clauses stating reasons and conditions
Vocabulary
Phrasal verbs related to energy and sleep
Expressions related to sleep
Speaking
Discussing personal energy levels
Talking about how to deal with stress
Giving advice on sleep and energy levels
Talking about sleeping habits
Interpreting dreams
Listening
Three people describe methods they use to lower stress
Two people describe their dreams and try to interpret them
Writing
Choosing the best topic sentence
Writing a paragraph giving advice on good habits
Reading
“To Sleep or Not to Sleep?”: People are sleeping fewer hours han ever before
Unit 5 – Communication
Topics
A. Making conversation
B. It’s personal.
Functions
Describing types of conversationalists
Talking about appropriate behavior
Starting a conversation
Making small talk
Reporting what someone else has said
Grammar
Infinitive and gerund phrases
Reported speech
Vocabulary
Terms to describe behavior
Expressions for reported speech
Speaking
Discussing conversational styles
Discussing awkward social situations
Determining appropriate topics for small talk
Comparing who you confide in
Recounting an interesting conversation
Listening
People make small talk at parties
Two people tell some interesting news
Writing
Making an outline
Writing about a cultural rule
Reading
“Cell Phone Personality Types”: What kind of cell phone user are you?
Unit 6 – What’s the real story?
Topics
A. That’s some story!
B. Storytelling
Functions
Presenting information in chronological order
Narrating news events
Organizing and presenting information
Grammar
Present perfect vs. simple past
Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous
Adverbs with the simple past and past perfect
Vocabulary
News events
Storytelling expressions
Speaking
Determining if a story is true or false
Presenting a recent news story
Discussing how you follow the news
Telling stories about uncomfortable situations
Listening
A radio news broadcast
Two people describe complicated experiences
An actor describes some embarrassing moments
Writing
Putting events in chronological order
Writing a narrative paragraph
Reading
“It Happened to Me!”: Two comical personal anecdotes
Unit 7 – The information age
Topics
A. A weird, wired world
B. Information overload
Functions
Talking about trends
Participating in a debate
Giving opinions
Grammar
Passive of present continuous, present perfect, future
Negative and tag questions for giving opinions
Vocabulary
Technology buzzwords
Expressions for connecting ideas formally
Words for forms of communication
Speaking
Talking about Internet trends
Debating whether social networking is a positive or negative influence
Giving opinions on modern information technology
Discussing potential future technologies
Listening
Three people talk about social networking
A news report describes health problems caused by technology
Writing
Writing a product or service review
Reading
“Can you spare a dime for my Gucci bills?”: A woman uses the Internet to get money to pay off a frivolous debt
Unit 8 – Putting the mind to work
Topics
A. Exploring creativity
B. Ideas that work
Functions
Describing job qualifications
Offering solutions to problems
Commenting on facts
Analyzing reasons
Grammar
Reduced relative clauses
Non-defining relative clauses as sentence modifiers
Vocabulary
Qualities of creative people
Collocations for problem solving
Speaking
Discussing jobs that require creativity
Taking a creativity quiz
Suggesting new uses for everyday items
Talking about creative thinking habits
Choosing the inventions that have had the greatest impact on modern life
Listening
Three employees explain how their jobs are creative
Two descriptions of important business and product ideas
Writing
Choosing when to begin a new paragraph
Writing a composition about a creative or unique person
Reading
“The Man Who Taught the World to Sing”: A profile of the man who invented karaoke
Unit 9 – Generally speaking
Topics
A. How typical are you?
B. Problems and solutions
Functions
Comparing customs and habits
Presenting contrasting information
Making generalizations
Talking about past habits
Grammar
Clauses and phrases showing contrast and exception
Past habitual with used to and would
Vocabulary
Expressions related to accepting or changing things
Expressions with keep and stay
Speaking
Talking about what is typical
Discussing what makes you typical or not
Discussing the effect of major life changes
Giving advice in a role play
Listening
Three people discuss how they’re unique or typical
Three people describe how they solved a problem
Writing
Identifying supporting statements
Writing a paragraph with supporting statements
Reading
“Painting and Problem Solving: Four Lessons”: How problem solving and the dynamics of painting are alike
Unit 10 – The art of complaining
Topics
A. That really bugs me!
B. Let’s do something about it!
Functions
Describing everyday annoyances
Describing complaining styles
Making and responding to complaints
Identifying ways to avoid problems
Discussing advice
Grammar
Relative clauses and noun clauses
Simple and complex indirect questions
Vocabulary
Expressions with drive, get, and make
-ed words that describe feelings
Speaking
Discussing how to handle irritating situations
Comparing styles of complaining
Role-playing complaints
Describing how difficult situations make you feel
Stating consumer complaints
Listening
Two people describe irritating situations
A man uses an automated phone menu
Writing
Writing a message of complaint
Reading
“Dave Carroll Airs a Complaint”: A musician posts music videos to complain about an airline
Unit 11 – Values
Topics
A. How honest are you?
B. Taking stock
Functions
Discussing hypothetical situations
Talking about values
Expressing wishes and regrets
Grammar
Present unreal conditional with unless, only if, and even if
Wishes and regrets
Vocabulary
Forming antonyms with prefixes Adjectives that describe ethics and attitudes
Adjectives and nouns referring to personal values
Speaking
Discussing the results of a survey on ethical behavior
Comparing what you would do about different ethical dilemmas
Discussing your experiences with unreliable people or services
Talking about values that are important to you
Explaining what you’d choose if you were given three wishes
Listening
Two people describe being confronted by an ethical dilemma
Three people talk about the values that are most important to them
Writing
Writing a thesis statement
Writing a four-paragraph composition about a happy memory or a regre
Reading
“New York Honors a Hero”: How a construction worker became a hero
Unit 12 – Moving around
Topics
A. Culture shock
B. Traveler or tourist?
Functions
Predicting the future
Comparing and contrasting customs
Making hypotheses
Giving advice
Describing preferences
Grammar
Future perfect and future perfect continuous
Mixed conditionals
Vocabulary
Expressions ending with prepositions
Compound adjectives
Speaking
Describing the benefits and challenges of living abroad
Comparing customs between Canada and your country
Sharing bad travel experiences
Planning a trip with your group
Listening
Three people talk about their experiences living abroad
Two people describe travel mishaps
Writing
Writing conclusions
Writing a composition about living or traveling abroad
Reading
“Get Yourself Lost”: The best way to experience a foreign destination
Passages 2
Level 2
Unit 1 – Relationships
Topics
A The best of friends
B Make new friends, but keep the old . . .
Functions
Defining and describing friendship
Expressing opinions
Disagreeing politely
Stating preferences
Sharing advice about friendship
Grammar
Phrasal verbs
Gerund and infinitive constructions
Vocabulary
Adjectives and verbs to describe friendship
re- verbs
Speaking
Talking about what friends should have in common
Talking about the best way to meet people
Discussing ways to maintain friendship
Listening
A talk about differences between friendships among men and friendships among women
A young woman describes a chance encounter
Writing
Developing a thesis statement
Writing a composition with paragraphs supporting a thesis statement
Reading
“How Social Media ‘Friends’ Translate into Real-life Friendships”: Does social media encourage people to connect in real life?
Unit 2 – Clothes and appearance
Topics
A The way we dress
B How we appear to others
Functions
Discussing approaches to fashion
Describing style and trends
Expressing opinions about clothing
Talking about first impressions
Describing outward appearance
Grammar
Review of verb patterns
Cleft sentences with what
Vocabulary
Adjectives to describe style
Adjectives to describe outward appearance
Speaking
Discussing different opinions on fashion
Discussing how first impressions are formed
Discussing tips for making a good first impression
Discussing how people respond to appearance
Listening
Three people describe their taste in fashion
Three people explain what is important for them when forming an impression
Writing
Writing a composition about a personal belief
Giving examples to support a thesis statement
Reading
“Overcoming a Bad First Impression”: How to change a bad first impression
Unit 3 – Science and technology
Topics
A Good science, bad science
B Technology and you
Functions
Talking about scientific advances
Analyzing the effects of science and technology
Expressing caution and confidence
Describing technology troubles
Grammar
Indefinite and definite articles
-ing clauses
Vocabulary
Adjectives to discuss technologyrelated issues
Collocations to express different attitudes
Speaking
Discussing the positive effects and negative consequences of technology and science
Discussing your feelings about new technology
Taking a survey about your relationship with technology
Listening
A reporter and technology editor talk about the impact of driverless car technology
A comedian talks about difficulties he has had with technology
Writing
Identifying essential information for a summary of a text
Writing a summary of an article
Reading
“I Took My Kids Offline”: A mother bans all technology at home for six months
Unit 4 – Superstitions and beliefs
Topics
A Superstitions
B Believe it or not
Functions
Talking about personal beliefs
Comparing beliefs
Reporting what other people believe
Expressing opinions
Grammar
Reporting clauses
Reporting clauses in the passive
Vocabulary
Expressions with luck
Adjectives to describe truth and fabrication
Speaking
Describing superstitions from your country or culture
Discussing superstitions
Taking a survey about luck
Telling stories
Discussing hoaxes and why people create them
Listening
Three people give explanations for some superstitions
Two people discuss a journalistic hoax
Writing
Restating the thesis in the last paragraph
Writing a composition about superstitions
Reading
“Do Good Luck Charms Really Work in Competitions?”: The effectiveness of superstitious rituals in sports
Unit 5 – Movies and television
Topics
A Movies
B Television
Functions
Discussing movie trends
Expressing your attitude about trends
Discussing movie genre aspects and preferences
Discussing TV show preferences
Explaining the popularity of TV show
Grammar
Sentence adverbs
Such . . . That and so . . . That
Vocabulary
Adjectives to describe movies
Types of TV programs
Speaking
Talking about movie trends
Talking about the results of a survey on movie genre preferences
Discussing aspects of different movie genres
Discussing what makes a TV show popular
Discussing and presenting an idea for a new TV show
Listening
Four people describe what makes some movie genres effective
TV network employees brainstorm and present ideas for new TV shows
Writing
Identifying essential information for a movie review
Writing a movie review
Reading
“One Day on Earth: A Time Capsule of Our Lives”: A movie shot in every country of the world on the same day
Unit 6 – Musicians and music
Topics
A A world of music
B Getting your big break
Functions
Sharing views on music
Expressing preferences
Comparing and contrasting
Defining success
Grammar
Double comparatives
Will and would for habits and general truths
Vocabulary
Collocations to describe music
Idioms used in the entertainment industry
Speaking
Talking about personal tastes in music
Talking about styles of music
Discussing the role of music in different contexts
Discussing advice for success
Listening
Two people share their opinions on different types of music
A young woman gives her friend advice on his music career
Writing
Writing a compare-and-contrast essay
Describing similarities and differences
Reading
“On the Trail of Sixto Rodriguez”: Searching for a musician who was famous and didn’t know it
Unit 7 – Changing times
Topics
A Lifestyles in transition
B A change for the
better
Functions
Discussing changes in lifestyles
Analyzing how changes affect different people
Discussing attitudes toward change
Grammar
Optional and required relative pronouns
As if, as though, as, the way, and like
Vocabulary
Prefixes to create antonyms
Collocations with change
Speaking
Discussing trends
Talking about personal changes
Talking about the results of a survey on coping with change
Listening
A corporate executive speaks about the attitudes of different generations in the workplace
Two people talk about a volunteer program
Writing
Writing about a personal experience
Providing background information and giving details
Reading
“Leaving the Rat Race for the Simple Life”: Reflections on a major change in lifestyle
Unit 8 – Consumer culture
Topics
A What’s new on
the market?
B Consumer
awareness
Functions
Talking about bargain shopping
Comparing shopping preferences
Comparing shopping experiences
Stating reasons
Giving and asking for advice
Discussing effective advertising
Grammar
Placement of direct and indirect objects
Verbs in the subjunctive
Vocabulary
Expressions to discuss shopping
Marketing strategies
Speaking
Talking about the best ways to shop for different items
Discussing compulsive shopping
Discussing the ethics of undercover marketing strategies
Listening
Two people talk about their shopping preferences
Three radio advertisements
Writing
Supporting an opinion
Writing a composition
using details and
examples to support an
opinion about shopping
Reading
“Word-of-Mouth Marketing”: Testing the power of word-of-mouth as a marketing strategy
Unit 9 – Nature
Topics
A Animals in our lives
B In touch with nature
Functions
Discussing the role of animals
Talking about specific and undetermined time
and location
Talking about categories and features of animals
Expressing opinions about animals
Discussing careers in nature
Grammar
Whenever and wherever contrasted with when and where Noun clauses with whoever and whatever
Vocabulary
Physical features of animals
Nature-related idioms
Speaking
Discussing the ethics of using animals in different fields
Discussing a survey on ethics associated with animals
Discussing ways of being in touch with nature
Listening
News reports on animals that help people
The manager of an eco-resort describes its features to a reporter
Writing
Organizing information
into clear categories
Writing a classification
essay
Reading
“A Summer Job that’s a Walk in the Park”: The daily tasks of a park ranger fellow in New York City
Unit 10 – Language
Topics
A Communication
skills
B Natural language
Functions
Talking about effective communicators
Comparing attitudes toward public speaking
Talking about language
Discussing correct language use
Grammar
Overview of passives Subject-verb agreement with quantifiers
Vocabulary
Discourse markers
Idioms related to the use
of language
Speaking
Discussing the qualities of effective communicators
Discussing a survey on public speaking
Discussing opinions about language issues
Talking about “text speak” and its appropriateness
Role-playing different ways of speaking
Listening
An expert gives advice on how to make effective presentations
Three one-sided conversations
Writing
Persuasive writing Supporting a position
Arguing against the opposing position
Reading
“Slang Abroad”: Different varieties of English
Unit 11 – Exceptional people
Topics
A High achievers
B People we admire
Functions
Talking about people who have had an impact
Describing values
Organizing events chronologically
Describing the qualities of a good role model
Grammar
Compound adjectives Superlative compound adjectives
Vocabulary
Compound adjectives related to
the body
Phrasal verbs
Speaking
Discussing people who have had an impact on the world
Discussing the qualities and values of exceptional people
Discussing quotations from high achievers
Talking about heroic behavior in everyday life
Listening
A motivational speaker talks about the qualities of high achievers
Two people talk about others who have made a difference in their lives
Writing
Organizing information in chronological order
Writing a biographical profile
Reading
“Ann Cotton, Social Entrepreneur”: Advice from a successful NGO executive
Unit 12 – Business matters
Topics
A Entrepreneurs
B The new worker
Functions
Talking about successful entrepreneurs
Talking about hypothetical situations
Comparing and contrasting personal preferences
Expressing values and preferences in work and
business
Grammar
Subject-verb inversion in conditional sentences
Adverb clauses of condition
Vocabulary
Prepositions following work
Expressions related to success
in the workplace
Speaking
Discussing successful companies
Discussing job advertisements
Discussing a survey on ideal working conditions
Analyzing the qualities of the ideal job
Discussing the qualities of a successful worker
Listening
Two people discuss unsuccessful business ventures
Three people talk about workshops they attended
Writing
Understanding the parts of a formal letter
Writing a formal letter
Reading
“The Value of Difference”: Individual differences in the workplace