21.8 Holidays

Practice

В has just been to London. A is asking him about it.

Example A: Did it rain very much while you were there ?

B: Yes, it did. In fact, it rained so much that I had to stay indoors all the time.

or

No, it didn’t. In fact it was such nice weather that I got quite brown.

Have similar conversations, using these ideas:

food good ? many foreigners ? go out a lot?

hotel clean? clothes cheap? travel much?

meet people? speak English? buy books?

Free practice

Work in groups. Talk about a real holiday you had recently. Use any of the language you have learnt in this unit where you think it is appropriate.

21.9 The ugly nature of earth’s twin sister

Reading

Read the newspaper article below and answer the questions.

(adapted from an article by V. Axel Firsoff in The Guardian)

1. a) Why might you expect the surface of Venus to be fairly cool ?

• b) Why in fact is the surface of Venus hot ?

2. If you tried to walk on Venus, what problems would you have ?

3. a) Why might you expect the surface of Venus to be bright ?

b) Why in fact is there very little sunlight on the surface ?

c) How did the Russians manage to take TV pictures ?

4. What is the most unusual thing about Venus compared with other planets ?

5. Explain the meaning of the following:

a) retain (line 32) d) absorb (line 47)

b) dense (lines 34 and 42) e) gloom (line 49)

c) swimming stroke (line 35) f) inhospitable (line 56)

6. ‘V. Axel Firsoff lifts a corner of the veil which covers Earth’s neighbour.’ What different things does this sentence suggest about Venus?

7. If Venusians existed, what would you imagine them to be like ?

Writing

In a paragraph (about 100 words), compare conditions on Venus with those on Earth, and explain why they are different.

Talk about:

light

heat

atmosphere

Unit 21 Summary of language

In this unit you have learnt how to:

• talk about excess and inadequacy

• say what is wrong with things

• express degree by talking about results

key points

1. ‘Too’ and ‘enough’

The classrooms are too cold in winter.

The classrooms aren’t warm enough in winter.

There are too many American films on TV.

There aren’t enough educational programmes on TV.

2. ‘Too’ and ‘enough’ + infinitive

I feel too tired to go out this evening.

The water was much too dirty to swim in.

The office is too busy for me to take any time off.

He’s not nearly old enough to get married.

The ice isn’t thick enough to walk on.

There isn’t enough food for everyone to eat.

3. ‘So’ and ‘such’

The hotel was so comfortable that we stayed another week.

It was such a bad film that we left half way through.

He has so many children that he can’t remember all their names.

Unit 22 Setting a scene