EF Writing Examples: Hope and Dreams for the Future | English Writing Practice

Subject: Hope and Dreams for the Future

From: Anny89
Date: September 5, 2026

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Dear Sister,

How are you? I haven't written to you for a long time. Today, while I was cleaning my desk, I found the letter we wrote about our dreams when we were little. Reading it again made me think about how much our dreams can change as we grow older.

When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I thought being a lawyer was fascinating. Lawyers are able to find evidence, defend people, and help uncover the truth when someone tries to escape justice. At the same time, they can change people's lives by fighting for what is right, whether the story has a happy or difficult ending.

However, lately, I have been thinking about pursuing a diploma in animal grooming. I have always loved animals, especially dogs. I believe they are our true friends for life.

Nowadays, many young people prefer having dogs or cats instead of having children because of their busy lifestyles. For this reason, I think learning more about animal grooming could allow me to help people take better care of their pets. It could also become a good business opportunity for my future.

I don't know exactly where this new dream will take me, but I think it is exciting to discover new possibilities and imagine a different future.

What do you think?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Love you,

Your baby sister,
Ping

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✍️ Writing Focus: Hope and Dreams for the Future

This writing example is useful for practicing how to talk about:

• Past dreams: When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer.
• Present hopes: Lately, I have been thinking about pursuing a diploma in animal grooming.
• Future possibilities: It could become a good business opportunity for my future.
• Personal opinions: I think it is exciting to discover new possibilities.
• Questions: What do you think?

Useful vocabulary:
dream, hope, future, career, lawyer, evidence, justice, animal grooming, pets, opportunity, lifestyle, possibilities.

Unit 1 - Lesson 3 Review: Time expressions.

There are many ways to talk about time. Use on to state the day an event takes place.

We're going to Vegas On Friday. 

Use AT to state the time an event takes place.

Our plane leaves at 6:40. 

Use For to talk about a complete amount of time.

Dan's lived there for six years. from and to to talk about a

Use From and to to talk about a complete span of time. 

I work From 2 pm To 10pm 

Use until to talk about the time leading up to an event. 

They're going to play until 7. 

Certain time expressions, such as where and by the time, allow you to connect two events.

I was gardening when I heard the phone ring. It was late by the time Lucy got home. 

Use while to talk about two events that happened at the same time.

Christie slept while I watched the movie. 

Use as soon as, to talk about a completed point in time. 

As soon as we're finished with this project, I'm going to take a vacation.

UNIT 1. ADJECTIVES FOR HEALTHY AND NATURAL EATING.

Use adjectives like these to talk about food:

Waiter: ¿Would you like some fruit?

Client: No, thanks. i`m on a low-carb diet.

Client: I`d like a salad dressing with no oil, and ¿do you have any fat-free or low-fat milk? 

Client: ¿Do you grow organic vegetables?

Waiter: Yes, we do.

Waiter: Good Eats buys everything from local farms. 

Waiter: this crab is wild, from the atlantic ocean.

PRONOUN REFERENCE.

After you use a noun, such as restaurant or server, you can use a pronoun such as it or she to refer back to the noun. For example, it and that can be used as subject pronouns.

The organic restaurant gets five stars for its atmosphere. It 's my favorite.

We ate at 10 pm, but that was fine.

It and that can also be used as object pronouns.

I like this dish. I ordered it last time I was here.

The restaurant had very slow service. I hate that.

She and he are subject pronouns. they refer back to a person previously mentioned. Use her or him as object pronouns.

My aunt is on a low-carb diet. She's losing weight.

The server was very polite. I gave him a bigtip.

You may also want to ask questions about the food:

¿Are the oysters fresh?

¿Do you have any local red wine?

¿What does lasagna come with?

COUNTERS

You can use the container a food comes in to state the food's amount. Counters such as a bottle of and a package of are especially useful when quantifying an uncountable noun, like water or bread, since these nouns have no plural. Use a bottle of or a liter of to identify some liquids.

A: -I'd like a T-Bone steak and a bottle of Sparkling mineral water. 

B: Certainly. A T-Bone, and would you like a liter of Sparkling mineral water or just a small bottle?

CULTURE NOTE: These are Five main categories of steak 'doneness":"

Well done 

Medium well

Medium well

Medium rare 

Rare

¿Which one do you prefer?

Making Your Language more Polite 

You can use continuous forms or a model such as would, could or may - to make your language more formal and polite. 

I'm wondering if you serve food that's locally grown.

We were hoping for a 6 o'clock reservation. 

I would like to make a reservation for Sunday evening. 

How may I help you?

Six Fifteen would work just fine. 

Could You give us a non-smoking table?

Culture Note: Of course, it is always best to be polite, but when you are booking a table, or ordering your meal, you'll find that you get better service if your language is polite and respectful.

Use a package of, to identify amounts of some solids. 

We didn't have dessert at the restaurant, so after dinner we bought a package of cookies.

Use a carton of, to identify amounts of some liquids. 

You're still thirsty? I think you' De had a carton of milk already. 

They brought out four huge cartons of ice cream and let us choose What we wanted.

Use a loaf of, to state an amount of bread that's baked in the Piece. 

She served a loaf of bread hot from the over.

Another useful counter is a dozen. It means 12 of something. 

The chef puts a dozen fresh local cops in each quiche. We'd like a dozen oysters, please.

Gender Issues

TASKS

- Talking about traditional values

- Discussing gender differences

- Talking about rude behavior

- Gender differences in your country

VOCABULARY

Able-bodied  adj. physically healthy, fit and strong in contrast to sb who is weak or disabled

Cab [UK] [kæb] [US] [kæb] noun a taxi

Angel [UK] [ˈeɪndʒl] [US] [ˈeɪndʒl] noun a spirit who is believed to be a servant of God, and is sent by God to deliver a message or perform a task. Angels are often shown dressed in white, with wings.

Cater To Sb/sth to provide the things that a particular type or person wants, especially things that you do not approve of

Embarrassing [UK] [ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ] [US] [ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ] adj. making you feel shy, awkward or ashamed

Enlist [UK] [ɪnˈlɪst] [US] [ɪnˈlɪst] verb to persuade sb to help you or to join you in doing sth

Independent [UK] [ˌɪndɪˈpendənt] [US] [ˌɪndɪˈpendənt] adj. confident and free to do things without needing help from other people

Excuse [UK] [ɪkˈskjuːs] [US] [ɪkˈskjuːs] noun a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour

Generalize [UK] [ˈdʒenrəlaɪz] [US] [ˈdʒenrəlaɪz] verb to make a general statement about sth and not look at the details

Glass Ceiling  noun the way in which unfair attitudes can stop women, or other groups, from getting the best jobs in a company, etc. although there are no official rules to prevent them from getting these jobs

Striking [UK] [ˈstraɪkɪŋ] [US] [ˈstraɪkɪŋ] adj. interesting and unusual enough to attract attention

Innermost [UK] [ˈɪnəməʊst] [US] [ˈɪnərmoʊst] adj. most private, personal and secret

Insinuate [UK] [ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt] [US] [ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt] verb to suggest indirectly that sth unpleasant is true

Support [UK] [səˈpɔːt] [US] [səˈpɔːrt] noun sympathy and help that you give to sb who is in a difficult or unhappy situation

Male Chauvinist  noun a man who believes men are more important, intelligent, etc. than women

Narrowly [UK] [ˈnærəʊli] [US] [ˈnæroʊli] adv. in a way that is limited

Thoughtful [UK] [ˈθɔːtfl] [US] [ˈθɔːtfl] adj. showing that you think about and care for other people

Irresponsible [UK] [ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbl] [US] [ˌɪrɪˈspɑːnsəbl] adj. not thinking enough about the effects of what they do; not showing a feeling of responsibility

Overseas [UK] [ˌəʊvəˈsiːz] [US] [ˌoʊvərˈsiːz] adj. connected with foreign countries, especially those separated from your country by the sea or ocean

Questionable [UK] [ˈkwestʃənəbl] [US] [ˈkwestʃənəbl] adj. that you have doubts about because you think it is not accurate or correct

Raise [UK] [reɪz] [US] [reɪz] verb to care for a child or young animal until it is able to take care of itself

Rhetorical [UK] [rɪˈtɒrɪkl] [US] [rɪˈtɔːrɪkl] adj. asked only to make a statement or to produce an effect rather than to get an answer

Rigid [UK] [ˈrɪdʒɪd] [US] [ˈrɪdʒɪd] adj. not willing to change their ideas or behaviour

Salary [UK] [ˈsæləri] [US] [ˈsæləri] noun money that employees receive for doing their job, especially professional employees or people working in an office, usually paid every month

Sarcastic [UK] [sɑːˈkæstɪk] [US] [sɑːrˈkæstɪk] adj. showing or expressing sarcasm

Shame [UK] [ʃeɪm] [US] [ʃeɪm] exclamation used to express sympathy, or to show that you like sb/sth

Shock [UK] [ʃɒk] [US] [ʃɑːk] verb to surprise and upset sb

Shut Up To Stop Talking (often used as an order as a rude way of telling sb to stop talking)

Single [UK] [ˈsɪŋɡl] [US] [ˈsɪŋɡl] noun people who are not married and do not have a romantic relationship with sb else

Snore [UK] [snɔː(r)] [US] [snɔːr] verb to breathe noisily through your nose and mouth while you are asleep

Stereotype [UK] [ˈsteriətaɪp] [US] [ˈsteriətaɪp] noun a fixed idea or image that many people have of a particular type of person or thing, but which is often not true in reality

Support [UK] [səˈpɔːt] [US] [səˈpɔːrt] verb to like a particular sports team, watch their games, etc

Tip [UK] [tɪp] [US] [tɪp] noun a small piece of advice about sth practical

Traditional [UK] [trəˈdɪʃənl] [US] [trəˈdɪʃənl] adj. following older methods and ideas rather than modern or different ones

Value [UK] [ˈvæljuː] [US] [ˈvæljuː] noun beliefs about what is right and wrong and what is important in life

Weirdo [UK] [ˈwɪədəʊ] [US] [ˈwɪrdoʊ] noun a person who looks strange and/or behaves in a strange way

Workforce [UK] [ˈwɜːkfɔːs] [US] [ˈwɜːrkfɔːrs] noun all the people in a country or an area who are available for work

Feminist [UK] [ˈfemənɪst] [US] [ˈfemənɪst] noun a person who supports the belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men

Personal Finances

TASKS

- Talking about personal finances

- Giving a friend financial advice

- Talking about the cost of living

- Writing about your personal finances

VOCABULARY

Afford [UK] [əˈfɔːd] [US] [əˈfɔːrd] verb to have enough money or time to be able to buy or to do sth

Benefit [UK] [ˈbenɪfɪt] [US] [ˈbenɪfɪt] noun an advantage that you get from a company in addition to the money that you earn; money from an insurance company

Borrow [UK] [ˈbɒrəʊ] [US] [ˈbɑːroʊ] verb to take money from a person or bank and agree to pay it back to them at a later time

Broke [UK] [brəʊk] [US] [broʊk] adj. having no money

Budget [UK] [ˈbʌdʒɪt] [US] [ˈbʌdʒɪt] noun the money that is available to a person or an organization and a plan of how it will be spent over a period of time

Circumstance [UK] [ˈsɜːkəmstəns] [US] [ˈsɜːrkəmstæns] noun the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action

Claim [UK] [kleɪm] [US] [kleɪm] verb to ask for money from the government or a company because you have a right to it

Utility [UK] [juːˈtɪləti] [US] [juːˈtɪləti] noun a service provided for the public, for example an electricity, water or gas supply

Tax [UK] [tæks] [US] [tæks] noun money that you have to pay to the government so that it can pay for public services. People pay tax according to their income and businesses pay tax according to their profits. Tax is also often paid on goods and services

Construction [UK] [kənˈstrʌkʃn] [US] [kənˈstrʌkʃn] noun the process or method of building or making sth, especially roads, buildings, bridges, etc

Cost Of Living  noun the amount of money that people need to pay for food, clothing and somewhere to live

Daily [UK] [ˈdeɪli] [US] [ˈdeɪli] adj. happening, done or produced every day

Gradually [UK] [ˈɡrædʒuəli] [US] [ˈɡrædʒuəli] adv. slowly, over a long period of time

Look Up   to become better

Man [UK] [mæn] [US] [mæn] exclamation used to express surprise, anger, etc

Medicare [UK] [ˈmedɪkeə(r)] [US] [ˈmedɪker] noun (in the US) the federal insurance system that provides medical care for people over 65

No Big Deal   used to say that sth is not important or not a problem

Ongoing [UK] [ˈɒnɡəʊɪŋ] [US] [ˈɑːnɡoʊɪŋ] adj. continuing to exist or develop

Owe [UK] [əʊ] [US] [oʊ] verb to have to pay sb for sth that you have already received or return money that you have borrowed

Pay Sb Back (sth)|pay sth back (to sb) to return money that you borrowed from sb

Pension [UK] [ˈpenʃn] [US] [ˈpenʃn] noun an amount of money paid regularly by a government or company to sb who is considered to be too old or too ill/sick to work

Mortgage [UK] [ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ] [US] [ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ] noun a legal agreement by which a bank or similar organization lends you money to buy a house, etc, and you pay the money back over a particular number of years; the sum of money that you borrow

Policy [UK] [ˈpɒləsi] [US] [ˈpɑːləsi] noun a written statement of a contract of insurance

Remain [UK] [rɪˈmeɪn] [US] [rɪˈmeɪn] verb to continue to be sth; to be still in the same state or condition

Salary [UK] [ˈsæləri] [US] [ˈsæləri] noun money that employees receive for doing their job, especially professional employees or people working in an office, usually paid every month

Savings  noun money that you have saved, especially in a bank, etc

Selfish [UK] [ˈselfɪʃ] [US] [ˈselfɪʃ] adj. caring only about yourself rather than about other people

Set Sb Back Sth   to cost sb a particular amount of money

Stable [UK] [ˈsteɪbl] [US] [ˈsteɪbl] adj. firmly fixed; not likely to move, change or fail

Strapped [UK] [stræpt] [US] [stræpt] adj. having little or not enough money

Take Sth Out (of sth) to obtain money by removing it from your bank account

Thrifty [UK] [ˈθrɪfti] [US] [ˈθrɪfti] adj. careful about spending money and not wasting things

Water [UK] [ˈwɔːtə(r)] [US] [ˈwɔːtər] noun a liquid without colour, smell or taste that falls as rain, is in lakes, rivers and seas, and is used for drinking, washing, etc

Loan [UK] [ləʊn] [US] [loʊn] noun money that an organization such as a bank lends and sb borrows

Loaded [UK] [ˈləʊdɪd] [US] [ˈloʊdɪd] adj. very rich

Little By Little   slowly; gradually

Lend [UK] [lend] [US] [lend] verb to give money to sb on condition that they pay it back over a period of time and pay interest on it

Landlord [UK] [ˈlændlɔːd] [US] [ˈlændlɔːrd] noun a person or company from whom you rent a room, a house, an office, etc.

Ironic [UK] [aɪˈrɒnɪk] [US] [aɪˈrɑːnɪk] adj. strange or amusing because it is very different from what you expect

Independent [UK] [ˌɪndɪˈpendənt] [US] [ˌɪndɪˈpendənt] adj. having or earning enough money so that you do not have to rely on sb else for help

Income [UK] [ˈɪnkʌm] [US] [ˈɪnkʌm] noun the money that a person, a region, a country, etc. earns from work, from investing money, from business, etc

Half [UK] [hɑːf] [US] [hæf] noun either of two equal parts into which sth is or can be divided

Get By (on/in/with sth) to manage to live or do a particular thing using the money, knowledge, equipment, etc. that you have

Gas [UK] [ɡæs] [US] [ɡæs] noun a particular type of gas or mixture of gases used as fuel for heating and cooking

Factor [UK] [ˈfæktə(r)] [US] [ˈfæktər] noun one of several things that cause or influence sth

Extension [UK] [ɪkˈstenʃn] [US] [ɪkˈstenʃn] noun an extra period of time allowed for sth

Electrician [UK] [ɪˌlekˈtrɪʃn] [US] [ɪˌlekˈtrɪʃn] noun a person whose job is to connect, repair, etc. electrical equipment

Dude [UK] [duːd] [US] [duːd] noun a man

Deduction [UK] [dɪˈdʌkʃn] [US] [dɪˈdʌkʃn] noun the process of taking an amount of sth, especially money, away from a total; the amount that is taken away

Deductible [UK] [dɪˈdʌktəbl] [US] [dɪˈdʌktəbl] noun the part of an insurance claim that a person has to pay while the insurance company pays the rest

Deduct [UK] [dɪˈdʌkt] [US] [dɪˈdʌkt] verb to take away money, points, etc. from a total amount

Debt [UK] [det] [US] [det] noun a sum of money that sb owes

Turn Around / Round | turn sth around/round if a business, economy, etc. turns around or sb turns it around, it starts being successful after it has been unsuccessful for a time

Unemployed [UK] [ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd] [US] [ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd] adj. without a job although able to work

Unpleasant [UK] [ʌnˈpleznt] [US] [ʌnˈpleznt] adj. not pleasant or comfortable

Unit 3 , Lesson 1

 Repeated actions in the past with 'would'

Use would + verb to talk about habits or repeated events in the past.

 

Glen and I would explore old buildings in the city.

We wouldn't come home until dark.

You can also use used to + verb to talk about habits or repeated events in the past. Notice that used to also emphasizes that a past state no longer exists.

I used to be a troublemaker.

I used to live near the woods.

I used to have a detective hat. I would put it on and solve imaginary crimes.

Language note: Pay attention to context when you're using would for past actions and events. It has the same structure as would for desires, possibilities, advice and future states. For example, notice the difference in meaning between these two sentences:

When I was young, I would hang out with friends at the golf course.

 

REMINISCING

Use expressions like these to reminisce:

Remember when we would make believe that we were married?

Those were the days. I'd swim all summer!

Life was simpler back then.

 

Notice that for past events that only happened once, you can't use would.

Gale took her first step when she was 10 months old. She would walk and fall around each room of the house, and then she'd start again.

I would hang out with friends more if I weren't working so much right now.

I used to have a detective hat. I would put it on and solve imaginary crimes.

When she'd play make-believe with her friends, she would always been.

Level 10, Unit 6, Lesson 3

 Use expressions like these to support (support) someone's opinion.

 I really like that idea.

That's it exactly!

I get it.

Use expressions like these to gently reject (reject) an opinion. Notice that using modals or - ing verbs can help soften the rejection.

Kara would prefer a brighter color scheme.

We're actually thinking of something more minimalist.

Another way to soften a rejection is to add I'm sorry, but.

I'm sorry, but I'd rather go with something more subtle.

Use more dramatic expressions like these to forcefully reject an opinion. Notice that phrases with how and absolutely, and the negative words no and can't stand, are all used for emphasis.

 

Beige wallpaper? How unimaginative!

There's no way I'm buying a lava lamp!

I absolutely cannot stand pastels.

Be careful: Some rejections can actually seem like genuine questions. Listen to the tone and intonation of the following examples, all of which are definitely rejections:

 

Who likes silver wallpaper?

A purple rug? Seriously?

Are you kidding me?

I'm sorry, but I'd rather go with something more subtle.

Talking about increases and decreases

 There are a number of verbs to describe increases. For example:

 

Bad news. Taxes are going up again.

My rent has increased twice in three years.

Oil prices have risen again.

My savings have grown a lot these last few years.

Oil prices have risen again.

There are also a number of verbs to describe decreases. For example:

The cost of transportation has gone down recently.

My savings are decreasing every month. I have to get a better job.

The price of gasoline has fallen again.

Deductions for my retirement plan reduce my salary every month.

Here are ways to describe a situation where there has been no change:

Oil prices remained stable.

There has been no change in the cost of utilities.

We can be more specific describing the changes by modifying the verbs with an adverb. Notice how the adverb can come either before or after the verb.

 

Prices are continually going up.

The cost of living is rapidly increasing.

The cost of technology has gradually decreased.

My taxes have gone up dramatically.

My salary has increased slightly.

Deductions for retirement reduce my salary significantly.

Describing regular expenses

The words daily, weekly, monthly and yearly describe things that happen on a regular schedule.

A monthly budget can help you manage your finances.

We have a weekly meeting in our office.

We pay our rent monthly.

How much do you earn yearly?

Use per or a + time to talk about ongoing income and expenses.

My rent sets me back $1,400 a month.

Her salary is $4,000 per month. That's $48,000 a year.

I pay taxes on my house twice a year.

We get paid two times per month.

   

You can also use the words each and every to describe regular expenses.

   

I pay $2,000 every month in insurance.

Food costs me around $200 each week.

How much do you earn yearly?

Deductions for retirement reduce my salary significantly.

Unit 5, Lesson 3 Disaster verbs

DISASTER VERBS

Use verbs like these to describe disasters:

The fire spread quickly through the forest.

The emergency services did everything they could.

Firefighters eventually managed to control the fire.

Many people donated money to help the survivors.

 

 

Use verbs like these to describe the aftermath. Notice the passive forms.

Over 100 people were killed in the fire.

Many people have been hospitalized.

Thousands of buildings were destroyed.

People have been evacuated from their homes.

REVIEW: ARTICLES

Indefinite articles 'a' and 'an'

Use a and an before a non-specific, singular noun or the adjective that comes before that noun. These articles mean 'one.' Also, use a and an when identifying something.

 

The victims are in a hospital.

Did you feel that shaking? It was an earthquake!

He was killed in an avalanche.

It was an awful disaster.

 

 

Use the indefinite article with there + be.

 

There's been an earthquake.

There was a tornado.

DEFINITE ARTICLE 'THE'

Use the before a specific noun or the adjective that comes before that noun. Use the for unique places and for things that are named, like the Red Cross.

 

My home was destroyed in the flood last year.

They were rescued by the Coast Guard.

The injured victims were hospitalized.

ZERO ARTICLE

No article is used with indefinite plurals and mass nouns.

 

Firefighters came from many different counties.

First vs. subsequent use

Use a and an to introduce a noun the first time it's mentioned. After that, use the.

 

There was a large earthquake in Alaska. The earthquake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. Luckily, all people in the area were evacuated before the earthquake occurred.

Airplanes were used to drop water on the fire.

People have been evacuated from their homes.

LESSON 3. REDECORATING

When redecorating, there are a number of things you have to consider. 

Style And Color Scheme.

• I want a minimalist style, clean and subtle. There's is too much stuff in here.

• How about pastel colpis? That would make the place. warmer and Brighter

• Ooh, I love the color scheuce Sauf lover yellow? that's Very cool!

FURNITURE. 

• I'd like more cushions. This room iswt. comfortable enough. 

• This chest of drawers was my grandmother's.

• My friend likes 1960s style, with rugs and lava lamps everywhere. 

DESCRIBING A ROOM. 

• I love the subtle colors- nothing bright or strong, but calm and clean. 

• The blue and yellow colors are very soothing. They make me feel relaxed.

• The silver and gold design is a little old-fashioned and unimaginative. 

TIME CONNECTORS

Time connectors indicate when something happens. Use until to indicate something continuing up to a specified time or event.

• Until you liven up this place, you'll be depressed. 

• Let's wait to buy the ung until we choose the right combination of colors.

Use by the time to emphasize the period of time leading up to an action or event. It is often used where two points in time are compared.

• By the lique you visit, we'll have redecorated the entire house. 

• They'd already finished painting by the time I arrived.

Use as seen as or once to say immediately after aue event. 

• We can paint as soon as you decide on a color scheme. 

• Once we finish, the room will have a minimalist look.

Use while to say at the same time as another event. 

• You cau watch TV while I make huuch.

• Do you want to lake down that old wallpaper while I move the furniture.

Use before to indicate something that happens previous to another action or event.

• Before you paint the living roome, think about what colors you would like. 

• You should finish painting the walls before you bring in the rug.

Use after to indicate something that follows another action or event.

• She had a dinner party after she'd finished redeco- rating.

• After she'd changed the color schewe, she was much happier in her apartment.

Use expressions like these to support someone's opinion.

• I really like that idea. 

• That 's it exactly! 

• I get it.

Use expressions like these to gently reject an opinion. Notice that using modals or - ing verbs can help soften the rejection.

• Kara would prefer a brighter color scheme. 

• We're actually thinking of something more minimalist.

Another way to soften a rejection is to add "I'm sorry but."

 

• I'm sorry, but I'd rather go with something more subtle.

Use more dramatic expressions like these to forcefully reject an opinion. Notice that phrases with how and absolutely, and the negative words No aud Can't stand, are all used for emphasis. 

• Beige wallpaper. How unimaginative!

• There's no way I'm buying a lava lamp!  

• I absolutely can't stand pastels.

Be careful: some rejection can actually seem like genuine questions. Listen to the tone and intonation of the following examples, all of which are definitely rejections.

• Who likes silver wallpaper»

• A purple rug? Seriously?

• Are you kidding me?

LESSON 4. TALKING ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE.

Here are some expressions for talking positively about your lifestyle. 

• What a good life I have! 

• I have everything I ever want.

• I'm active, and I have no real money worries. 

• I have a certain amount of stress, but I'm healthy.

Here are some expressions for talking negatively about your lifestyle. 

• I've realized there's something missing in my life. 

• I thought I had everything I ever wanted. 

• I Live from paycheck to paycheck.

• I'm wondering if my decision was a mistake. 

Here are some expressions to support someone who is worried about their lifestyle.

• It's normal to stop sometimes and think about your life. 

• Don't Let work influence your decision or lifestyle. 

• Are you thinking about making a change? 

• It's never too late.

SENTENCE VARIETY.

To make reading more interesting writers vary the length and types of their sentences. Notice the the length and types draugtic effect of the different sentence leughs. in this paragraph.

"I thought it would be easy to find a good job and support myself once I graduated from college. Now that I've applied for more than 100 jobs, I realized I was mistaken. Tobs don't come easy. Rent is unreasonable. And I live from paycheck to paycheck. In fact, I'm no longer sure where I want to be in life. Life cau be hard, but I'm not giving up."

Interesting texts include a combination of sentence types: simple, compound and complex Here are examples of simple sentences, which have just one clause. 

• Jobs don't come easy

• Rent is unreasonable.

By a comma (,) or words like and, but, however or so. 

• Rent is unreasonable, and I live from paycheck to paycheck. Life can be hard, but I'm not giving up. Jagtm not giving up.

Here are examples of complete sentences, which may have one independent clause joined to one dependent clause, a clause that is not a full sentence with words like once, now that, although, because or that. 

• I thought it would be.

LESSON 2. Transitive And Intransitive Verbs.

Some verbs are followed by an object; and some aren't. look at the following examples..

I Ran -I picked

I ran does not need to be followed by an object, what did the man do? He ran. We don't need any extra information for it to make sense.

I picked, however, needs an object.

What did the womare pick? We don't know. It's not until we add an object that it makes sense: I picked oranges.

TRANSITIVE VERBS.

Transitive verbs must be followed by an object. 

Rick asked theue to lake the survey.

She invited hive to the party. 

I'll fill the glasses.

They picked strawberries to eat for dessert.

INTRANSITIVE VERBS.

Intransitive verbs are never followed by an object, but they are often followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase - carefully or in Paris, for example.

I was working in Paris. 

I listened carefully.

Most sense verbs - like watch, see, and hear - may or may not have an object

Let's watch the news. 

She watched as I worked. 

Yes, we've seen the survey. 

You can't see out of the window. 

I heard the phone. 

She can't hear very well.

Talking About Work Atmosphere. 

Use expressions like these to talk about work atmosphere.

I'm trying to create a lively atmosphere.

It makes a difference when you work with nice people. 

I'm feeling totally burned out.

Use expressions like these to talk about changes in your work over time. 

Job satisfaction fell steeply last year.

Things were amful before because of the long days.

This job's turned into a good thing.

LESSON 3. REDECORATING.

When redecorating, there are a number of things you have to consider. 

Style And Color Scheme.

I want a minimalist style, clean and subtle. There's is too much stuff in here.

How about pastel colpis? That would make the place. warmer and Brighter

Ooh, I love the color scheuce Sauf lover yellow? that's Very cool!

FURNITURE. 

I'd like more cushions. This room iswt. comfortable enough. 

This chest of drawers was my grandmother's.

My friend likes 1960s style, with rugs and lava lamps everywhere. 

DESCRIBING A ROOM. 

I love the subtle colors- nothing bright or strong, but calm and clean. 

The blue and yellow colors are very soothing. They make me feel relaxed.

The silver and gold design is a little old-fashioned and unimaginative. 

TIME CONNECTORS

Time connectors indicate when something happens. Use until to indicate something continuing up to a specified time or event.

Until you liven up this place, you'll be depressed. 

Let's wait to buy the ung until we choose the right combination of colors.

Use by the time to emphasize the period of time leading up to an action or event. It is often used where two points in time are compared.

By the lique you visit, we'll have redecorated the entire house. 

They'd already finished painting by the time I arrived.

Use as seen as or once to say immediately after aue event. 

We can paint as soon as you decide on a color scheme. 

Once we finish, the room will have a minimalist look.

Use while to say at the same time as another event. 

You cau watch TV while I make huuch.

Do you want to lake down that old wallpaper while I move the furniture.

Use before to indicate something that happens previous to another action or event.

Before you paint the living roome, think about what colors you would like. 

You should finish painting the walls before you bring in the rug.

Use after to indicate something that follows another action or event.

She had a dinner party after she'd finished redeco- rating.

After she'd changed the color schewe, she was much happier in her apartment.

Use expressions like these to support someone's opinion.

I really like that idea. 

That 's it exactly! 

I get it.

Use expressions like these to gently reject an opinion. Notice that using modals or - ing verbs can help soften the rejection.

Kara would prefer a brighter color scheme. 

We're actually thinking of something more minimalist.

Another way to soften a rejection is to add "I'm sorry but."

 

I'm sorry, but I'd rather go with something more subtle.

Use more dramatic expressions like these to forcefully reject an opinion. Notice that phrases with how and absolutely, and the negative words No aud Can't stand, are all used for emphasis. 

Beige wallpaper. How unimaginative!

There's no way I'm buying a lava lamp!  

I absolutely can't stand pastels.

Be careful: some rejection can actually seem like genuine questions. Listen to the tone and intonation of the following examples, all of which are definitely rejections.

Who likes silver wallpaper»

A purple rug? Seriously?

Are you kidding me?

UNIT 6. LESSON 1

Be careful when using words that label people. These labels may be offensive and inaccurate. However, people may also use them affectionately when referring to friends. 

My friend Tammy spends all her time playing computer games. What a nerd.

John's a real bachelor. He doesn't want to settle down, or ever have a steady girlfriend.

Look at this place. It's a mess, you're such a slob sometimes.

I wish Cathy would socialize more, she seems to spend all her time at the office. She's a workaholic.

Here are some labels used less endearingly. Notice the different tone of the speakers' voices. 

Stop watching TV and come with. me for a run. You're such a couch potato.

He thinks he's an intelectual, post because he reads a few books.

He 's such a jock. All he talks about is football So boring! 

He spilled my drink, then didn't even apologize. What a jerk!

IF AND WHETHER IN CUBEDDED QUESTIONS. 

Use the words if and whether to insert a yes - no question into a longer sentence. In the first example, Are you okay? charges to if you're okay. 

A: Honey, I'm calling again to see if you're okay. 

B: yeah, I'm fine. Really, I'm feeling better.

In the following example, the question: Did he go to the movies? Changes to whether he went to the movies. 

A: Do you know whether he went to the movies?

B: No, I'm not sure.

Use if to insert a question, that acts as a condition. In the example below, the question Do you want me to? changes the condition if you want me to. 

A: I'll clean your poow, if you want me to. 

B: Sorry I'll do it. I'm such a slobe

Whether can introduce a choice between alternatives. In the sentence below, the question Is she are llectual or a verd? changes to whether she's an intellectual or a nerd

A: I'm not sure whether she's an intellectual or a nerd.

B: I think she's a nerd.

Compare these Yes - No questions and sentences with if and whether.

Do you want me to throw a party? 

I Can throw a party, if you want.

¿Car Aaron come?

Tell me whether Aaron cau comes