Work Skills

1. SPEAKING Work in pairs. Which of these activities do you spend a lot of time doing? How often do you do them?

(Làm việc theo cặp. Bạn dành nhiều thời gian cho hoạt động nào trong số những hoạt động này? Bạn làm chúng bao lâu một lần?)

• Checking your phone for messages
• Taking photos of yourself
• Browsing social networking sites
• Playing video games

Answer:

Person A: Hi, what do you usually spend your free time doing?

Person B: Oh, hi! Well, I usually spend quite a bit of time checking my phone for messages. It's become somewhat of a habit for me, especially since I use it for work as well.

Person A: I see. How often do you think you check your phone?

Person B: Hmm, probably every few minutes or so. It's a bit of a distraction, to be honest.

Person A: Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm guilty of doing the same thing sometimes. Personally, I tend to spend a lot of time browsing social networking sites.

Person B: Really? Which ones do you use the most?

Person A: Mostly Instagram and Twitter. I find it interesting to see what people are up to and what they're talking about

Person B: That's cool. I don't use social media much myself, but I do spend a fair amount of time playing video games.

Person A: Oh yeah? What kind of games do you like to play?

Person B: I'm into all kinds of games, really. Action, adventure, RPGs...you name it. I find it a great way to unwind and relax after a long day.

Person A: That makes sense. I like to take photos of myself and my surroundings whenever I have some free time. It's a nice way to capture memories and express myself creatively.

Person B: That sounds awesome! Do you share your photos on social media or keep them for yourself?

Person A: I usually share them on Instagram, but I'm not too fussed about getting likes or followers. It's more for my own enjoyment.

Person B: That's really cool. I might have to check out your profile sometime!

2. Read the messages between a father and his son. Do you think the son was addicted to playing video games? Find evidence for your opinion.

(Đọc những tin nhắn giữa một người cha và con trai của mình. Bạn có nghĩ rằng con trai đã nghiện chơi trò chơi điện tử? Tìm bằng chứng cho ý kiến ​​của bạn)

Dad, I’m interested in playing video games, you know. However, you are always unhappy with that. You get curious about the types of game I play. You're afraid that I'll be addicted to it. You're worried about the amount of time I spend online. Although I'm a teenager, I’m aware of what I should do. I'm responsible enough for my studying. You see, I'm always successful in maths and English. I love you, Dad.

Dear my boy, I feel dissatisfied with your staying up late playing video games. I’m sometimes shocked at your words when I remind you to do homework. I know you're good at maths and English, but I think you need to spend more time playing sports. And don’t be too sensitive to my advice. How about a game of badminton with me next Saturday evening? Lots of love.

Answer:

Based on the messages, it's possible that the son may have a tendency to play video games for extended periods of time, potentially to the point of neglecting other responsibilities such as homework or sleep. The father expresses concerns about the son staying up late to play video games and being shocked at the son's response to being reminded to do homework.

Additionally, the father suggests that the son should spend more time playing sports, which could be seen as a way to encourage the son to engage in more physical activity and have a more balanced lifestyle.

While there is no direct evidence to suggest that the son is addicted to video games, the father's concerns about the son's behavior and the suggestion to engage in other activities could be seen as indicative of potential issues with excessive gaming.

LEARN THIS! Adjective + preposition

Many adjectives are followed by certain prepositions: in, at, of, with, etc.

to be obsessed with / successful in / sensitive to something

You need to learn these adjective + preposition combinations as they do not follow any rules. A good dictionary will tell you which preposition to use with which adjective.

3. Read the Learn this! box. Then underline these adjectives in the messages. Which prepositions follow them?

(Đọc Learn this. Sau đó gạch chân những tính từ này trong các tin nhắn. Giới từ nào theo sau chúng?)

addicted aware curious dissatisfied good interested

responsible sensitive shocked successful unhappy worried

Answer:

1. "Dad, I’m interested in playing video games, you know. However, you are always unhappy with that."

• Preposition: interested (in) / unhappy (with)

2. "You're afraid that I'll be addicted to it."

• Preposition: addicted (to)

3. "Although I'm a teenager, I’m aware of what I should do."

• Preposition: aware (of)

4. "You see, I'm always successful in maths and English."

• Preposition: successful (in)

5. "I feel dissatisfied with your staying up late playing video games."

• Preposition: dissatisfied (with)

6. "I’m sometimes shocked at your words when I remind you to do homework."

• Preposition: shocked (at)

7. "And don’t be too sensitive to my advice."

• Preposition: sensitive (to)

8. "You get curious about the types of game I play."

• Preposition: curious (about)

9. "I know you're good at maths and English."

• Preposition: good (at)

10. "You're worried about the amount of time I spend online."

• Preposition: worried about

11. "I'm responsible enough for my studying."

• Preposition: responsible enough

4. Circle the correct prepositions to go with these adjectives. Use a dictionary to help you.

(Khoanh tròn các giới từ đúng để đi với các tính từ này. Sử dụng một từ điển để giúp bạn)

1. harmful for / to

2. angry about / for

3. obsessed of / with

4. similar at / to

5. pleased to / with

6. familiar in / with

Answer:

1. harmful to

2. angry about

3. obsessed with

4. similar to

5. pleased with

6. familiar with

5. USE OF ENGLISH Complete the text with the correct prepositions. All of the adjectives are in exercises 2 - 4.

(Hoàn thành văn bản với các giới từ chính xác. Tất cả các tính từ đều có trong bài tập 2 - 4)

A teenager in the UK, Danny Bowman, became addicted (1) _____ ‘selfies’ and spent up to ten hours a day taking around 200 photos of himself with his phone. This was a true case of addiction: it was harmful (2) _____ his education and his friendships and responsible (3) _____ several health problems. Experts are aware (4) _____ the condition and say it is becoming more and more common. Danny first posted selfies on Facebook when he was fifteen and soon became obsessed (5) _____ reading his friends’ comments. Although he was pleased (6) _____ many of the things his friends wrote, he was also very sensitive (7) _____ criticism. Before long, he was feeling very dissatisfied (8) _____ his appearance. He took more and more photos of himself. His parents became very worried (9) _____ his behaviour. Because they were both mental health nurses, they were familiar (10) _____ addictions. They knew that Danny needed help. Now, after months of hospital treatment, Danny has been successful (11) _____ beating his addiction. But it’s a growing problem, with many other cases similar (12) _____ Danny’s.

Answer:

A teenager in the UK, Danny Bowman, became addicted (1) to ‘selfies’ and spent up to ten hours a day taking around 200 photos of himself with his phone. This was a true case of addiction: it was harmful (2) to his education and his friendships and responsible (3) for several health problems. Experts are aware (4) of the condition and say it is becoming more and more common. Danny first posted selfies on Facebook when he was fifteen and soon became obsessed (5) with reading his friends’ comments. Although he was pleased (6) with many of the things his friends wrote, he was also very sensitive (7) about criticism. Before long, he was feeling very dissatisfied (8) with his appearance. He took more and more photos of himself. His parents became very worried (9) about his behaviour. Because they were both mental health nurses, they were familiar (10) with addictions. They knew that Danny needed help. Now, after months of hospital treatment, Danny has been successful (11) in beating his addiction. But it’s a growing problem, with many other cases similar (12) to Danny’s.

6. SPEAKING Work in pairs. Tell your partner about something that you are (or have been)

(Làm việc theo cặp. Nói với đối tác của bạn về điều gì đó mà bạn đang (hoặc đã từng)

1. successful in.

2. satisfied with.

3. good at.

4. angry about.

I was really successful in my recent music exam.

Answer:

1. I was successful in completing a project at work that had been causing some difficulties for my team.

2. I'm satisfied with my decision to start exercising regularly. It's been challenging, but I feel healthier and more energetic.

3. I'm good at playing the guitar. I've been playing for several years and enjoy learning new songs and techniques.

4. I was angry about the way my boss spoke to me during our meeting yesterday. I felt disrespected and frustrated with their attitude.