Dialogues

№1 p.20 Task 2 Choosing a leaving gift for a popular teacher who is retiring

A: Let’s talk about the first option, the silver watch.

B: It seems like a really good idea to me because it’s something our teacher will be able to keep forever as a souvenir of the school and also it’s a traditional gift to give someone when they are retiring.

A: Yes, you’re right. It’s a really special gift to give someone and I’m sure our teacher would be very pleased with it.The only disadvantage I can think of is that it’s quite an expensive gift to buy so we would need a lot of money to buy a good watch.

Well what about the framed photograph? It’s a nice idea because our teacher would have something in his home that would always remind him of us, but it’s not the best gift idea, is it?

B: No, I’m not keen on it at all. It doesn’t seem very personal and I’m sure he must have lots of photographs of the school anyway. I think we should rule this idea out.

A: OK. Would it be better if we got the set of books? I rather like this because it’s a special present that he can keep and he’ll have plenty of time to enjoy reading now that he’s retiring. I think books always make a lovely present.

B: I’m not sure I agree with that completely because although books are a nice present to get someone, I think you need to be sure that you get them the right kind of books that they will really enjoy reading.

A: But everyone loves reading the classics, don’t they?

B: Not necessarily. Perhaps he prefers to read science books or history books. We’d have to be sure he likes reading literature or it would just be a waste if he never read them.

A: I suppose you have a point there. So, what about the camera, then? This would be a very good gift because not only is it a special gift, it’s also a useful one, too.

B:Yes, it definitely is. I think this would make a great gift because it’s fun to take pictures and it’s also a really good hobby if you’re interested in photography. These days, cameras are very hi-tech but they are also very easy to use and take great photographs.

A: That’s true. The only thing is that it might be a bit expensive but I think it would be worth spending money on something useful. So, are we agreed that the camera is the best gift?

B:Yes, that’s the one we’ll choose.

№2 p.21 Task 2 Organising an event to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of your school

B: Well, I’d just like to say that the first option sounds like a brilliant Idea. It would be very interesting to find out about the school’s history. I believe it would make pupils even prouder of the school. Do you agree with me that it would be popular?

A: Possibly, but I’m not sure that everyone would enjoy a lecture. They might find it boring just listening to somebody talking for a long time. It’s not a very lively way to celebrate the anniversary, is it?

B: Yes, I see what you mean. How about the photography exhibition then? That would be a bit livelier because people can look at the pictures and talk about them. It’s also a good way to learn more about the history of the school and what life was like here in the past.

A: I’m not too sure about this either. It’s more interesting than the lecture, but many of the old photographs might be very delicate and it would be a shame if any of them got damaged in the exhibition. We’d need someone professional to organise the exhibition and it could be expensive.

B: I suppose you’re right. I hadn’t thought about that. OK, then. What about having a reunion party because the pupils today would get to meet people who had been at the school in the past and former pupils and teachers would get to meet old friends again.

A: Mmm. That sounds good. It would be popular because it’ll be fun to have a party and lots of people will be able to tell each other all their stories about the past at the school. The only thing is that it will need to be well organised because we would have to get in contact with lots of people.

B: So what about the last option then? Some people might not be too keen on that because we often have concerts at the school so it wouldn’t be anything special for many people. Do you agree with me?

A: Yes I do. And I’m not sure the school orchestra would have time to practice enough before the concert and it would be a shame if the concert wasn’t up to standard.

B: Are we decided on the reunion party then?

A: Yes I think that’s definitely the best option.

№3 (Workbook) p.7 Task 2 Organising your End-of-year Celebration

A: A one-day excursion would make a nice end-of-year celebration. Students would enjoy it. We could also make it educational.

B: Students would like it, but it would be a bit expensive, and maybe some students wouldn’t be able to afford it. It would also be difficult to organise an event like that for so many students.

A: OK, what about a classroom party, then? It would be cheap and easy to do, and everyone would be able to come.

B: You’re right. I’m just worried that it would be boring for some students.An end-of-year celebration should be something special.

A: I agree, a classroom party might be a little boring. How about spending an evening at a disco? That would be exciting for the students.

B: I don’t think the parents would like that idea. How about having dinner at a smart restaurant? That would be a fun experience for the students, and parents wouldn’t mind. It would be fun for the students to eat together.

A: I like that idea, but it’s also a bit expensive and difficult to organise. We should choose something that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Also, the students prefer to eat fast food when they get together, such as pizza.

B: That’s true. Then maybe we should just have a classroom party. We could find ways to make it interesting.We could organise games and contests, for example. We could also order pizza. I don’t think it will be boring, if we combine food and activities.

A: Yes, I agree. I think that’s the best choice.