C1.2A Class Google Site:
https://sites.google.com/eoipalma.com/c12a/homeC1.2B Class Google Site:
Ready for C1 p 175. Shopping and Consumerism. Speaking Interview. Cloze
Sample dialogue on online shopping:
Student A: I think online shopping has completely transformed my buying habits. The convenience is hard -1- resist - I can browse dozens -2- stores without leaving my couch! But I've noticed I definitely spend more money this way. Those personalized recommendations keep tempting me -3- things I didn't even know I wanted.
Student B: I agree -4- the convenience, but I've become more cautious about my online spending. Those flash sales and limited-time offers create this false sense of urgency -5- makes you buy things impulsively. I've started to resist those marketing tactics by keeping a wishlist instead -6- purchasing immediately.
Student A: That's smart. I'm terrible with impulse purchases, especially -7- I see free shipping offers. And those one-click ordering systems make it dangerously easy to spend money! I've actually had to unsubscribe from store emails -8- the constant promotional messages were too tempting.
Student B: Exactly! -9- have you noticed how physical stores are struggling to compete with online retailers? There's been a real decline in traditional shopping, which is sad in some ways. I miss the social aspect of going shopping -10- friends.
Answers:
1. to2. of
3. with
4. about
5. that
6. of
7. when
8. because
9. And
10. with
____________________________________________________________
1. How has online shopping changed the way we buy things? Do you think it makes us spend more money than shopping in physical stores?
2. What influences your decision when buying clothes - brand names, price, quality, or current trends? How do advertisers try to persuade you to buy their products?
3. Have you noticed how some products don't seem to last as long as they used to? Why do you think companies might design things to break or become outdated quickly?
Alex: So, shall we start with how online shopping has changed the way we buy things?
Sam: Absolutely. To be honest, it’s revolutionised shopping for me. Not only is it more convenient, but it also gives you access to a wider variety of products. Never before have I been able to compare so many options so quickly.
Alex: I couldn’t agree more. Had it not been for online shopping, I would have spent countless hours in crowded shopping centres. But don’t you think it’s made us spend more, almost without realising it?
Sam: That’s a good point. Because everything is just a click away, it’s easy to lose track. Plus, when you’re not physically handing over money, it feels less like you’re actually spending.
Alex: Exactly! If we were forced to use cash, we’d probably think twice before buying things we don’t really need. Also, have you noticed how websites use flash sales and countdown timers?
Sam: Yes! That creates this sense of urgency. It’s clever, though somewhat manipulative. Were they not using these tactics, I doubt people would buy as impulsively.
Alex: True. Moving on, what usually influences your decisions when buying clothes?
Sam: For me, it’s mainly quality and comfort. I mean, what’s the point in buying something trendy if it feels like sandpaper?
Alex: Ha! I totally get that. Although I have to admit, I do sometimes get drawn in by brand names—probably more than I’d like to admit.
Sam: Same here. To be influenced by branding is something I try to avoid, but it’s everywhere. And the way advertisers work—honestly, it's fascinating. They don’t just sell a product; they sell a lifestyle.
Alex: Right? They use celebrities, catchy slogans, emotional appeals… Sometimes it feels like they know us better than we know ourselves.
Sam: Speaking of which, have you noticed how certain products just don’t last like they used to?
Alex: Definitely. My phone started acting up just after the warranty expired. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Sam: I think companies deliberately design products to become obsolete. It’s called planned obsolescence, isn’t it?
Alex: Yes! If things lasted forever, people wouldn’t need to replace them. However, it’s incredibly wasteful. Not only does it affect our wallets, but it also harms the environment.
Sam: Couldn’t agree more. If companies prioritised sustainability over profit, we’d all be better off.
Alex: Well said. Let’s hope more people start demanding change—otherwise, this cycle will never end.
Ready for C1 p 111. Time Expressions in Reported Speech
Direct Speech > Reported Speech
today
that day
tonight
that night
yesterday
the day before /
the previous day
tomorrow
the next day /
the following day
now
then
ago
before/earlier
the day before yesterday/ two days ago
two days before/earlier
this (morning/week, etc.)
that (morning/week, etc.)
last night/week/month/year
the night/week/month/year before /
the previous night/week/etc.
next week/month/year/weekend
the following week/month/year/weekend /
the week/month/year/weekend after
here
there
in two days
two days later
Ready for C1 p 111. Reporting verbs: Verb Patterns. Extra Key Word Transformations
1. “Please wear a suit to the wedding,” said Sarah.
insisted
Sarah ___________________________________suit to the wedding.
2. “Why doesn't he change the name of the company?” she said.
proposed
She ________________________________of the company.
3. “I’ll definitely call you when I arrive,” she told me.
promised
She __________________________________________arrival.
4. “You really should speak to a doctor,” my friend told me.
urged
My friend ________________________________ to a doctor.
5. “Don’t forget to bring your ID,” the security guard told us.
reminded
The security guard _____________________________________our ID.
6. “You broke the window on purpose,” she said.
accused
She _____________________________________deliberately.
7. “I’m sorry I shouted at you yesterday,” he said.
apologised
He ________________________________________day.
8. “Yes, I took the book without asking,” she admitted.
confessed
She _______________________________________without asking.
9. “You should really apply for the job,” she said to him.
advised
She _____________________________ the job.10. It was me who broke the vase,” he said.
admitted
He ______________________________ vase.
11. I’ll help you move next weekend,” Tom said.
offered
Tom ______________________________after.
12. “No, I didn’t take his phone the day before yesterday,” she said.
denied
She _______________________________ before.
13. “Let’s go for a walk tomorrow,” he said.
suggested
He _________________________________________ day.
WITH KEY
1. “Please wear a suit to the wedding,” said Sarah.
insisted
Sarah ___________________________________ a suit to the wedding.
KEY
Sarah insisted (that) I (should) wear a suit to the wedding.
Sarah insisted on me/my/ him/his wearing a suit to the wedding.
2. “Why doesn't he change the name of the company?” she said.
proposed
She ________________________________of the company.
KEY
She proposed (that) he (should) change the name of the company.
She proposed changing the name of the company
3. “I’ll definitely call you when I arrive,” she told me.
promised
She __________________________________________arrival.
KEY
She promised to call me on arrival.
She promised (that) she would call me on arrival.
4. “You really should speak to a doctor,” my friend told me.
urged
My friend ________________________________to a doctor.
KEY
My friend urged me to speak to a doctor.
My friend urged that I (should) speak to a doctor.
5. “Don’t forget to bring your ID,” the security guard told us.
reminded
The security guard _____________________________________our ID.
KEY
The security guard reminded us to bring our ID.
The security guard reminded us that we needed to bring our ID.
6. “You broke the window on purpose,” she said.
accused
She _____________________________________deliberately.
KEY
She accused me of breaking the window deliberately.
7. “I’m sorry I shouted at you yesterday,” he said.
apologised
He ________________________________________day.
KEY
He apologised for shouting/ having shouted at me the previous day.
He apologised to me for shouting the previous day.
8. “Yes, I took the book without asking,” she admitted.
confessed
She _______________________________________without asking.
KEY
She confessed to taking the book without asking.
She confessed that she took the book without asking.9. “You should really apply for the job,” she said to him.
advised
She _____________________________ the job.KEY
She advised him to apply for the job.
She advised applying for the job.
She advised that he (should) apply for the job.
10. "It was me who broke the vase,” he said.
admitted
He ____________________________________ vase.
KEY
He admitted (to) breaking the vase.
He admitted that he had broken the vase.
11. I’ll help you move next weekend,” Tom said.
offered
Tom ______________________________after.
KEY
Tom offered to help me move the weekend after.
12. “No, I didn’t take his phone the day before yesterday,” she said.
denied
She _______________________________ before.
KEY
She denied taking my phone two days before.
She denied having taken my phone two days before.
She denied that she had taken my phone
13. “Let’s go for a walk tomorrow,” he said.
suggested
He _________________________________________ day.
KEY
He suggested going for a walk the next/ following day.
He suggested that they/we go for a walk the next/ following day.
Ready for C1 p 104. Health and Medicine. Speaking Monologue. Sample Answer. Cloze
1. To what extent should alternative medicine be integrated into conventional healthcare systems? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of such integration?
2. Although mental health is just as important as physical health, it is often neglected. Why do you think this is the case, and what measures could be taken to address the imbalance?
3. With increasing access to online health information, many people are experiencing 'cyberchondria' — excessive health anxiety fuelled by internet searches. What are the causes and consequences of this trend, and how might it be managed?
Sample answer:
Health in the Modern World: A Holistic Approach
To begin (1)____________, health – in all its forms – is absolutely fundamental to our well-being, both as individuals and as a society. In today’s fast-paced and highly connected world, we’re no longer just focused on curing illness. We’re increasingly looking at how to integrate alternative therapies, prioritise mental health, and cope with the overwhelming (2)______________ of online health information. So today, I’d like to explore these three key aspects and how they interconnect.
1. Alternative Medicine: A Complementary Approach?
First and (3)________________, let’s take a look at the integration of alternative medicine into conventional healthcare systems. It is generally accepted that treatments (4)________________ acupuncture, herbal remedies, and chiropractic care have grown in popularity in recent years. From my (5)_____________ of view, there is value in incorporating some of these therapies – but only when they’re backed by scientific evidence and properly regulated.
For example, mindfulness programmes and acupuncture are now used alongside traditional treatments for stress and chronic pain – a sign that collaboration can work. However, there can be no (6)______________ that many alternative therapies still lack the rigorous testing that conventional medicine requires. What’s (7)_________________, inconsistent regulation could lead to confusion or even exploitation of patients.
(8)____________ short, I believe we need a balanced approach: openness to new ideas, but always grounded in solid, evidence-based research.
2. Mental Health: Ending the Stigma
(9)________________ examining that, let’s now (10)_______________ on to the topic of mental health – something which, as everyone (11)________________, is just as important as physical health, yet still often neglected.
Why is this the case? I strongly (12)______________ that the stigma surrounding mental illness plays a major (13)_____________. To my (14)______________, many people still feel embarrassed or even ashamed to seek help. On (15)_____________ of that, healthcare systems often prioritise physical conditions, leaving mental health services chronically underfunded.
So what can be (16)_______________? First of (17)______________, we must educate people from an early age – mental health should be (18)_______________ about as openly as physical health. Besides, governments need to invest more heavily in accessible support services. Let’s not forget workplaces either – they can play a crucial role in promoting well-being through supportive workplace practices and mental health days.
All things (19)___________________, a healthy society requires both body and mind to be equally (20)________________ for.
3. Cyberchondria: The Perils of Dr Google
This (21)________________ directly to my next point – cyberchondria, or the anxiety caused by compulsively searching for symptoms online. Have you ever (22)______________ why something so simple can cause so much distress?
It (23)_______________ to me that the combination of easy access to information and a lack of medical training creates the perfect (24)______________. People want answers quickly, and the internet often shows the most extreme possibilities first. As a (25)______________, a mild headache can suddenly seem life-threatening.
The consequences are serious – unnecessary panic, self-diagnosis, wasted resources, and sometimes even delaying proper medical treatment.
So how do we manage this? Firstly, public education is vital – people need to learn how to distinguish between reliable and (26)_______________ sources. In (27)________________, healthcare providers should offer vetted online tools to help guide patients. And finally, tech platforms must take more responsibility (28)________________ how they present health content.
Conclusion
All things (29)_______________, health today is about much more than medication or hospital visits. It’s about finding balance – between traditional and alternative approaches, between body and mind, and between knowledge and anxiety in the digital age.
As I (30)_____________ it, the future of health depends on three key principles: open-mindedness, critical thinking, and collaboration – between medical professionals, policymakers, and the public.
To put it simply: take care of your body, nurture your mental health, and use technology wisely – to empower us, not to overwhelm us.
To (31)_________________ up, health is no longer just a medical issue — it’s a human one.
Well, I truly appreciate you (32)______________ the time to listen, it’s been a pleasure sharing these thoughts with you.
KEY
1. with
2. amount
3. foremost
4. like
5. point
6. doubt
7. more
8. In
9. After
10. move
11. knows
12. believe
13. role
14. mind
15. top
16. done
17. all
18. talked
19. considered
20. cared
21. leads
22. wondered
23. seems
24. storm
25. result/ consequence
26. unreliable
27. addition
28. for
29. considered
30. see
31. sum
32. taking
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