✓ Exercise 7

Block 20. Linking words: speak in connected sentences

Word bank

• Add: and, also, besides, as well as
• Contrast: but, although, however, on the other hand
• Reason / result: because, so, that’s why, as a result
• Order: first, then, after that, finally
• Example: for example, for instance, such as

1. One idea, three ways. Say it with because, so, although:
   I am tired. I am going to the party. → Although I am tired, I am going to the party.
   Do it for 8 pairs from your own life.
2. Never stop at one sentence. Take the sentence I like my city and keep going with a new linking word each time:
   I like my city because it is small. Also, it is quiet. However, there is not much work. That’s why many people leave. For example, my cousin…
   Do 5 topics: my city, my job/school, my phone, my home, my best friend.
3. Story with order words. Tell how you cook your favourite dish or get to work: First… Then… After that… Finally… (6 steps, without stopping).

Block 21. Fillers and thinking time

Fluent speakers pause too, but they fill the pause.

• Thinking: Well, … / Let me think… / That’s a good question. / How can I put it?
• Correcting yourself: I mean… / Sorry, I meant… / Or rather…
• Checking: Do you know what I mean? / You know? / Right?
• Buying time: Actually, … / To be honest, … / As far as I know, …

1. Question with a pause. A asks, B must start with a filler:
   What did you do last Sunday? → Well, let me think… I went to my aunt’s house.
   Ask 10 questions, swap roles.
2. Self-correction game. Say a sentence, then correct one detail: I went there on Monday, I mean, on Tuesday. Do 8 times.

Block 22. Giving opinions, agreeing, disagreeing

1. Ping-pong. A gives an opinion, B reacts with a phrase from the table and adds a reason:
   A: I think books are better than films.
   B: I see your point, but films are more exciting because…
   Topics: city or village, tea or coffee, summer or winter, phone or book, study alone or in a group. 2 minutes per topic.
2. Take a side. Draw a topic. You must defend it for 1 minute, even if you do not agree. Then say the opposite for 1 minute.
3. Opinion + reason + example. Use the formula: I think… because… For example… Make 8 mini-talks of 3 sentences.

Block 23. Asking and answering: keep the conversation alive

1. Answer + extra information.
   ❌ Do you like music? — Yes.
   ✅ Yes, I do. I listen to it every day, especially in the car. What about you?
   Rule: answer, add one detail, return the question. Practice with 10 questions.
2. Follow-up questions. A says a sentence, B asks 3 questions:
   A: I went to Batumi last summer. → B: Who did you go with? How long did you stay? What did you like most?
   Do 8 rounds.
3. Interview a partner for 3 minutes about hobbies, work/school, plans. Use at least 6 different question words and 3 follow-up questions.

Block 24. Describing people, places and things

1. Four-step description.
   • What is it? → This is my grandmother’s house.
   • Where is it? → It is in a small village near the mountains.
   • What is it like? → It is old, but very comfortable.
   • What do I feel about it? → I love it because I spent my childhood there.
   Describe 6 things: a person, a house, a street, a dish, a trip, a favourite object.
2. Guess who/what. Describe a thing without naming it: It is small. It is in your pocket. You use it to call people. The partner guesses.
3. Photo talk (1 minute). Look at any photo and say: In the picture I can see… In the background there is… The people look… I think they are…

Block 25. Telling stories and experiences

Structure: Background → Event → Result → Feeling.

Last year I was on holiday in Greece (background). One day I lost my passport (event). I called the police and they found it (result). I was so relieved! (feeling)

1. Story builder. Tell 5 stories (1 minute each): a funny moment, a scary moment, a lucky day, a mistake, a surprise. Use when, while, suddenly, in the end.
2. Past Simple vs Past Continuous. I was walking home when it started to rain. Make 8 sentences, then tell a story that uses at least 3 of them.
3. Retell. Listen to a partner’s story, then retell it: She said that she was…
4. Chain story. Each person adds one sentence: Yesterday I was walking to work. → Suddenly I saw a cat. → … Continue for 12 turns.

Block 26. Role-plays: real situations

Use the word bank and phrases from earlier blocks. Do each role-play twice with swapped roles, then once without notes.

1. At the doctor: What’s the matter? I have a headache. How long have you had it? You should…
2. In a shop (returning): I’d like to return this. What’s wrong with it? Do you have the receipt?
3. Asking for directions: Excuse me, how can I get to…? Go straight, turn left, it’s next to…
4. Job interview: Tell me about yourself. What are you good at? Why do you want this job?
5. Complaining politely: I’m sorry to bother you, but… Could you…? I would really appreciate it.
6. Making plans: Are you free on Saturday? How about…? That sounds great! What time shall we meet?

Block 27. Speaking marathons (fluency, not accuracy)

1. 60-second talk. Choose a topic and speak without stopping for one minute. Do not correct yourself. Topics: my day, my family, my dream job, my favourite place, a film I like.
2. Repeat, improve. Talk for 1 minute → talk again to a new partner in 45 seconds → again in 30 seconds. Same content, faster and smoother.
3. Record and listen. Record yourself. Listen once for mistakes and once for pauses. Say it again, better.
4. Shadowing. Listen to a short English audio (30 sec) and repeat each sentence immediately after the speaker, copying the rhythm and intonation.
5. Ten-topic circle. Put 10 topics in a list. Speak 30 seconds on each, one after another, with no break.

Block 28. Pronunciation and intonation (for natural speech)

1. Word stress. photograph, photographer, photographic; present (noun) / present (verb). Say each word and clap the stressed syllable.
2. Sentence stress. Stress the important words (nouns, verbs, adjectives):
   I want to BUY a NEW BAG. Say 10 sentences with the stress on the right words.
3. Intonation. Falling for statements and wh-questions ↘, rising for yes/no questions ↗:
   Where do you LIVE? ↘ / Do you like TEA? ↗
4. Weak forms and linking. going to → gonna, want to → wanna, a cup of tea → a cuppa tea, What do you do? → Whaddya do? Say them fast, but understand the written form.
5. Tongue twisters. She