Grammar

1. SPEAKING Read the fact file about Castle Howard, a stately home in the north of England. Would you like to live in a house like this? Why? / Why not?

(Đọc tài liệu về Lâu đài Howard, một ngôi nhà trang nghiêm ở phía bắc nước Anh. Bạn có muốn sống trong một ngôi nhà như thế này không? Tại sao? / Tại sao không?)

• Built around 1700, it has 145 rooms.
• It is the private home of the Howard family, who have lived there for over 300 years.
• It has been open to the public since 1952.

Answer:

• Yes, I would like to live in a house like Castle Howard.

Firstly, the history and grandeur of the house are absolutely fascinating. To live in a home that has been around for over 300 years and has such a rich cultural heritage would be a dream come true. The architecture and design of the building are stunning, with 145 rooms to explore and enjoy. The grounds and gardens are also beautiful, making it an ideal place to relax and unwind.

Secondly, living in Castle Howard would offer a unique and luxurious lifestyle. The Howard family has undoubtedly created a home that is comfortable and full of character. The estate offers a peaceful and secluded way of life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Being able to live in such an idyllic setting would be a privilege, and it would be a pleasure to share it with visitors who come to appreciate the beauty of the house and its surroundings.

• No, I would not like to live in a house like Castle Howard.

Firstly, the size and upkeep of the property would be a significant challenge. With 145 rooms to maintain and keep clean, it would require a large staff to manage the property. The cost of maintenance would also be a significant financial burden, and the property taxes and utilities would be exorbitant.

Secondly, living in a house that is open to the public would be an intrusion on privacy. The constant stream of visitors would disrupt the peacefulness of the estate, and it would be challenging to maintain a private life. It would also be difficult to entertain guests or have friends and family stay for extended periods of time, as the house is already open to the public.

2. Read and listen to the dialogue. What two outdoor and indoor changes do the speakers mention?

(Đọc và nghe đoạn đối thoại. Người nói đề cập đến hai thay đổi ngoài trời và trong nhà nào?)

Alfie: This is an amazing place. I wish I lived here.

Macy: Me too. If only I were a member of the Howard family!

Alfie: But if it were my house, I wouldn't allow people to visit.

Macy: That's mean! You'd get bored on your own.

Alfie: Oh, I'd let my friends visit, of course. But not the public.

Macy: If you had a party, you could invite hundreds of people!

Alfie: I know. The parties would be better if I made a few changes, though.

Macy: What kinds of changes?

Alfie: Well, if those trees weren't there, there’d be room for a swimming pool!

Macy: You could make some changes inside as well. I mean, look at this corridor.

Alfie: The Antique Passage, you mean?

Macy: Yes. If you took away all the statues, you could build a great bowling alley there!

Answer:

The two changes mentioned in the dialogue are an outdoor change of building a swimming pool by removing some trees and an indoor change of building a bowling alley by removing the statues in the Antique Passage corridor.

3. Read the Learn this! box and complete it. Underline all the examples of the second conditional in the dialogue.

(Đọc Tìm hiểu điều này! hộp và hoàn thành nó. Gạch chân tất cả các ví dụ về câu điều kiện loại hai trong đoạn hội thoại)

LEARN THIS! The second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about an imaginary situation or event and its result.

We use the (1) ________________ tense for the situation or event and (2) ________________ infinitive without to for the result.

Answer:

LEARN THIS! The second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about an imaginary situation or event and its result.

We use the (1) past simple tense for the situation or event and (2) would + infinitive without to for the result.

Examples of the second conditional in the dialogue:

• "But if it were my house, I wouldn't allow people to visit."

• "Well, if those trees weren't there, there’d be room for a swimming pool!"

• "If you took away all the statues, you could build a great bowling alley there!"

4. Complete these second conditional sentences using the verbs in brackets.

(Hoàn thành các câu điều kiện thứ hai này bằng cách sử dụng các động từ trong ngoặc)

1. If I __________ (live) in a mansion, I __________ (have) parties every week.

2. If you __________ (visit) me, you __________ (sleep) in a huge bedroom.

3. We _________ (can) go on long bike rides if the weather _________ (be) good.

4. If the weather _________ (not be) good, we _________ (watch) movies in the Great Hall.

Answer:

1. If I lived in a mansion, I would have parties every week.

2. If you visited me, you would sleep in a huge bedroom.

3. We could go on long bike rides if the weather is good.

4. If the weather is not good, we would watch movies in the Great Hall.

5. Read the Learn this! box and complete it. Underline one example of 'I wish...' and one example of 'If only...' in the dialogue.

(Đọc Learn this và hoàn thành nó. Gạch dưới một ví dụ về 'Tôi ước...' và một ví dụ về 'Giá như...' trong đoạn đối thoại)

LEARN THIS! 'I wish...', 'if only...'

a. We use / wish ... and If only ... with the past simple to say that we want a situation to be different from how it really is.

I wish I (1) ____________ a brother. (But I haven't got one.)

If only you (2) ____________ nearer. (But you live far away.)

b. We use / wish ... and If only... with would(n’t) + infinitive without to to say that we want somebody to behave differently.

I wish you (3) ____________ borrow my clothes! It’s annoying!

If only she (4) ____________ spend more time on her homework!

Answer:

LEARN THIS! 'I wish...', 'if only...'

a. We use / wish ... and If only ... with the past simple to say that we want a situation to be different from how it really is.

I wish I had a brother. (But I haven't got one.)

If only you lived nearer. (But you live far away.)

Example in the dialogue:

• "I wish I lived here." (Alfie wishes to live in the amazing place but he doesn't.)

• "If only I were a member of the Howard family!" (Macy wishes to be a member of the Howard family but she isn't.)

b. We use / wish ... and If only... with would(n’t) + infinitive without to to say that we want somebody to behave differently.

I wish you wouldn't borrow my clothes! It’s annoying!

If only she would spend more time on her homework!

Example in the dialogue:

• "I wish you wouldn't borrow my clothes! It’s annoying!" (Alfie wishes his friend wouldn't borrow his clothes.)

• "If only she would spend more time on her homework!" (Alfie wishes the girl would spend more time on her homework.)

6. Complete the first line of each mini-dialogue with the verbs in brackets. Use the past simple or would / could + infinitive without to. Complete the other lines with the second conditional.

(Hoàn thành dòng đầu tiên của mỗi đoạn hội thoại nhỏ với các động từ trong ngoặc. Dùng thì quá khứ đơn hoặc would/could + nguyên mẫu không to. Hoàn thành các dòng khác với điều kiện thứ hai)

A. I wish my dad (1) _____________ (come) home.

B. Why?

A. Because he (2) _____________ (give) us a lift into town if he (3) _____________ (be) here.

A. If only you (4) _____________ (live) near the town centre.

B. Why?

A. Because if your house (5) _____________ (be) near the centre, we (6) _____________ (get) the same bus to school.

Answer:

A. I wish my dad came home.

B. Why?

A. Because he would give us a lift into town if he were here.

A. If only you lived near the town centre.

B. Why?

A. Because if your house were near the centre, we could get the same bus to school.

7. SPEAKING In pairs, talk about what you would do if you

(Theo cặp, nói về những gì bạn sẽ làm nếu bạn)

1. owned Castle Howard.

2. had a swimming pool in your garden.

3. gave a party for hundreds of people.

4. had to allow the public into your home.

If I owned Castle Howard, I would ...

Answer:

1. If I owned Castle Howard, I would make some renovations to improve its energy efficiency and sustainability. I would also create more community-based events and activities on the property.

2. If I had a swimming pool in my garden, I would invite my friends and family over for pool parties and barbecues in the summer. I would also make sure to keep it clean and well-maintained.

3. If I gave a party for hundreds of people, I would hire a professional event planner to help me organize and manage the event. I would also make sure to have plenty of food and drinks, entertainment, and decorations.

4. If I had to allow the public into my home, I would make sure to provide informative and engaging tours, highlighting the history and unique features of my home. I would also take measures to protect my privacy and personal belongings.