Topic Four (1.4): Teenage voices

Objectives for this topic

  • to listen to a conversation about stereotypes of teenagers and give your own views;
  • to revise and use the present simple passive.

Introduction

In this topic, you will consider whether stereotypes of teenagers are true.

Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises:

  • Page 18 – Do you know what a stereotype is? If not, look up the meaning of the word. What are the stereotypes of teenagers? Look at the picture at the top of the page. What stereotype of teenagers do you think it is showing? Can you think of five words or phrases that are used to stereotype teenagers?
  • Page 18, Exercise 1 – Read the introduction to the article describing a study carried out in Chinese middle schools. What do you think the purpose of the study was?
  • Page 18, Exercise 2 – Read the article again and answer the questions.
  • Page 19, Exercise 3 – Look at the blue and green word clouds in this exercise. Which word cloud in this exercise shows positive words and which shows negative words? Do you know the meaning of the words? Look up any you don’t know and write them in your notebook under either a heading of negative words or positive words. When you are ready, listen to Track 04. You will hear two boys discussing these words. Which word in the blue box could also be a positive word? Why?

LISTEN – Track 04

  • Page 19, Exercise 5 – Complete the sentences.
  • Page 19 – Use of English: Present simple passive. Read the explanation and examples. Go to the Grammar section of this topic for further practice.

Review

  • Page 19 – Imagine you have been asked to take part in a study about teenage stereotypes. What would you say to the researchers? Write a response to them discussing whether you think the words in the word cloud on page 19 apply to you and teenagers you know. Try to include some of the sentences from Exercise 5.

 Support activity for this topic

  • In this lesson, you have come across the word ‘stereotypes’. Let’s look at this word but in the context of the workplace. A long time ago, all nurses and doctors were men; however, nowadays men and women can do any job they choose. Some people still believe that some jobs should only be made by one gender. We call these views ‘prejudice’.
  • Have a go at the following vocabulary quiz on stereotypes on the Education Quizzes website. (You can find the login details here.)

PRACTISE – Breaking the mould (Education Quizzes) Links to an external site.

Extension activity for this topic

  • Let’s look at adverbs. Check your knowledge using this link:

CHECK – Where adverbials go in a sentence (British Council) Links to an external site.

  • Put the adverbs in the correct place in the sentences below. Sometimes more than one place is possible!
  1. The film was good. (quite)
  2. I phoned the police. (immediately)
  3. In the middle of the picnic, it began to rain. (suddenly)
  4. I saw Mary at the party. I didn’t see anyone else. (only)               
  5. Jane and I have been friends. We went to school. We were born in the same hospital.   (even / together / always)
  6. ‘I didn’t like it.’ ‘I didn’t like it.’ (either)
  7. The traffic to the airport was bad that we missed the plane. (so / nearly)
  • Now check your answers below.

Download CHECK – Adverbs – answers

Grammar

  • Let’s think about the passive form. Notice how it changes the focus of the sentence:

Millions of tourists visit Barcelona each year.

Barcelona is visited by millions of tourists each year.

  • Look at these examples of the passive in other tenses:

Present Simple passive  am/is/are + past participle.   Most of the parts are imported.

Future simple passive will + be + past participle.  You will be met at the airport by one of our staff.

Present continuous passive am/is/are + being + past participle.  The film is being made in Australia.

Past continuous passive was/were + being + past participle.  Before her death, she was being looked after by her daughter at home.

Past perfect passive had + been + past participle.  When they got back from their holiday they discovered that their house had been burgled.
  • Rewrite these sentences in the passive form. The first word has been given to help you.

Example : They printed this edition in 2001.  This edition was printed in 2001.

  1. A tall man in a leather jacket was following her. ............................................
  2. We will notify you of your results next week. ..................................................
  3. Someone is painting her house next week. Her house ................................................
  4. Where do they produce this wine? Where is ...........................................................
  5. Somebody broke my glasses.............................................................................
Answers:
  1. She was being followed by a man in a leather jacket.
  2. You will be notified of your results next week.
  3. Her house is being painted next week.
  4. Where is this wine produced?
  5. My glasses were broken.

You can find extra practice here:

PRACTISE – Passives (British Council) Links to an external site.

Download Icon.png Check your answers

  • If you would like to check your answers to the exercises in this topic, please consult this document Download here. The section with the answers is highlighted in yellow.
  • If you would like to access the audioscript(s) for this topic, please click Download here.