Современный английский для подростков. Лексика, грамматика и общение

Level: A2—B1

Topic: School, friendship and first impressions

Grammar Focus: Present Simple and Present Continuous

Before You Read

Изучите слова и ответьте на вопросы.

new student — новый ученик

first impression — первое впечатление

classmate — одноклассник

introduce yourself — представиться

feel nervous — нервничать

make friends — заводить друзей

Is it easy for you to make new friends?

How can classmates help a new student?

What makes a good first impression?

The New Student

It is Monday morning, and sixteen-year-old Mia Carter is standing outside her new school. Students are walking through the main entrance, talking to their friends and checking their phones. Everyone seems to know where to go. Mia does not.

Her family has recently moved to Brighton because her mother has started a new job there. Mia usually enjoys new experiences, but today she feels nervous. She is holding a map of the school, but the building still looks confusing.

«Are you looking for something?» a boy asks.

Mia turns around. The boy is carrying a basketball and wearing a bright green jacket.

«I’m trying to find Room 14,» she says. «I’m new here.»

«That’s near my classroom. I can show you the way,» he replies. «I’m Leo.»

«I’m Mia. Thanks.»

As they walk along the corridor, Leo points out the library, the science laboratory and the school café. He talks quickly and seems to know everyone they pass.

«Do you always carry a basketball?» Mia asks.

«Almost always,» Leo says. «I play for the school team. We practise on Mondays and Thursdays.»

When they reach Room 14, the teacher is already writing on the board. Mia quietly enters the classroom, and everyone looks at her.

«You must be Mia,» the teacher says with a friendly smile. «Welcome to Westbrook School. Would you like to introduce yourself?»

Mia hates speaking in front of large groups, but she takes a deep breath.

«My name is Mia Carter. I’ve just moved here from Bristol. I enjoy drawing, photography and reading. I don’t play basketball, but perhaps Leo will teach me.»

Several students laugh, including Leo. Mia immediately feels a little more relaxed.

The teacher asks her to sit next to a girl called Sofia. Sofia has curly dark hair and a notebook covered in colourful stickers. During the lesson, the class discusses a group history project.

«We’re preparing presentations about important local places,» Sofia explains. «Our group is researching the old cinema. Would you like to join us?»

«Yes, definitely,» Mia answers. «I love old buildings, and I can take photographs for the presentation.»

«That’s perfect! We need someone who is good at photography.»

At lunchtime, Sofia invites Mia to sit with her friends. Leo is already at the table with two other students, Ben and Chloe. They ask Mia about her old school, her hobbies and the move to Brighton.

At first, Mia gives short answers because she is worried about saying something embarrassing. Soon, however, she realises that nobody is judging her. Chloe loves reading, Ben is interested in art, and Sofia wants to learn photography. They have more in common than Mia expected.

After lunch, Leo shows Mia the sports hall. The basketball team is practising, and their coach is giving instructions.

«You should come to our match on Friday,» Leo says. «It’s the first game of the season.»

«Maybe I will,» Mia replies. «But only if you promise not to make me play.»

Leo smiles. «No problem. You can be the team photographer.»

At the end of the day, Mia sends a message to her mother:

My first day was much better than I expected. The school is huge, but I didn’t get lost. I’m working on a history project, and I think I’ve already made some friends.

As Mia leaves the school, she notices that she is no longer holding the map. She does not need it now. For the first time since the move, Brighton is beginning to feel like home.

New Words and Expressions

confusing — запутанный, непонятный

The school building looks confusing at first.

corridor — коридор

Students are talking in the corridor.

point something out — показывать, обращать внимание

Leo points out the school library.

take a deep breath — глубоко вдохнуть

Mia takes a deep breath before speaking.

feel relaxed — чувствовать себя спокойно

The friendly welcome makes her feel more relaxed.

be good at something — хорошо уметь что-либо делать

Mia is good at photography.

have something in common — иметь что-либо общее

The students have several interests in common.

judge somebody — осуждать, оценивать человека

Mia realises that nobody is judging her.

make a good first impression — произвести хорошее первое впечатление

Being friendly can help you make a good first impression.

join a group — присоединиться к группе

Mia agrees to join Sofia’s project group.

expect — ожидать

The school day is better than Mia expected.

begin to feel like home — начинать казаться родным местом

Brighton is beginning to feel like home.

Grammar Focus

Present Simple

Используем Present Simple для регулярных действий, привычек и постоянных фактов.

Mia usually enjoys new experiences.

Leo plays for the school basketball team.

They practise on Mondays and Thursdays.

Chloe loves reading.

Present Continuous

Используем Present Continuous для действий, происходящих сейчас или в текущий период.

Students are walking through the entrance.

Mia is holding a map.

The class is preparing presentations.

The basketball team is practising.

Слова-маркеры

Present Simple:

usually;

always;

often;

sometimes;

every day;

on Mondays.

Present Continuous:

now;

at the moment;

today;

currently;

this week.

Exercise 1. Reading Comprehension

Ответьте на вопросы.

Why has Mia’s family moved to Brighton?

How does Mia feel outside her new school?

Who helps Mia find Room 14?

What hobbies does Mia mention to the class?

What is Sofia’s group preparing?

How can Mia help with the history project?

Why does Mia become more relaxed during lunch?

What does Leo invite Mia to do?

What role could Mia have at the basketball match?

How have Mia’s feelings changed by the end of the day?

Exercise 2. True or False

Определите, верны ли утверждения.

Mia has moved to Brighton because of her father’s job.

Leo plays for the school basketball team.

Mia enjoys speaking in front of large groups.

Sofia’s group is researching an old cinema.

Mia is good at photography.

Ben is interested in sport.

The basketball match is taking place on Friday.

Mia gets lost at the end of the school day.

Exercise 3. Choose the Correct Word

Mia feels nervous / disappointed before entering the school.

Leo shows her the way along the corridor / entrance map.

Mia takes a deep breath / impression before introducing herself.

Sofia invites Mia to join a history project / season.

Mia and her new classmates have several interests in common / home.

Leo invites Mia to attend a basketball match / lesson.

Mia thinks she has already made some friends / groups.

Brighton is beginning to feel like home / a corridor.

Exercise 4. Complete the Expressions

Используйте слова из списка.

breath, common, friends, group, impression, relaxed, something, way

make a good first __________

take a deep __________

make __________

have something in __________

feel more __________

join a __________

be good at __________

show somebody the __________

Exercise 5. Present Simple or Present Continuous

Раскройте скобки.

Mia usually __________ new experiences.

ENJOY

Students __________ through the main entrance now.

WALK

Leo __________ for the school basketball team.

PLAY

The class currently __________ presentations about local places.

PREPARE

Sofia often __________ colourful stickers on her notebooks.

USE

The basketball team __________ in the sports hall at the moment.

PRACTISE

Chloe __________ reading.

LOVE

Mia __________ on a history project this week.

WORK

Exercise 6. Complete the Text

Используйте слова из списка.

common, impression, join, nervous, photography, relaxed, student, welcome

Starting at a new school can be difficult. A new (1) __________ may feel (2) __________ because everyone else already has friends. A warm (3) __________ can make the first day easier.

Classmates can invite the new person to (4) __________ a group or take part in a school project. Shared hobbies, such as reading, sport or (5) __________, can help students discover that they have something in (6) __________.

When people are friendly, the new student begins to feel more (7) __________. A small act of kindness can create a positive first (8) __________.

Exercise 7. Translate into English

Мия нервничает перед первым днём в новой школе.

Лео показывает ей дорогу до класса.

Он играет за школьную баскетбольную команду.

Сейчас класс готовит презентации об интересных местах города.

Мия хорошо разбирается в фотографии.

У неё много общего с новыми одноклассниками.

Лео приглашает её на баскетбольный матч.

К концу дня Мия чувствует себя спокойнее.

Speaking Practice

Ответьте на вопросы.

What can make a first day at a new school difficult?

How should students welcome a new classmate?

What helps teenagers make friends?

Is the first impression always accurate?

How can school projects bring students together?

Would you like to change schools? Why or why not?

Useful Speaking Phrases

In my opinion, a new student may feel…

Classmates can help by…

One effective way to make friends is…

People often have something in common, such as…

A good first impression is important because…

I would feel more relaxed if…

Writing Practice

Напишите сообщение новому однокласснику объёмом 80—100 слов.

В сообщении:

поприветствуйте ученика;

кратко расскажите о школе;

предложите помощь;

пригласите его или её присоединиться к школьному занятию.

Answers

Exercise 1

Her family has moved because her mother has started a new job in Brighton.

She feels nervous and finds the school confusing.

Leo helps her.

She mentions drawing, photography and reading.

They are preparing a presentation about the old cinema.

She can take photographs.

She realises that her classmates are friendly and share her interests.

He invites her to attend the basketball match.

She could be the team photographer.

She feels more relaxed and thinks that Brighton is beginning to feel like home.

Exercise 2

False

True

False

True

True

False

True

False

Exercise 3

nervous

corridor

breath

project

common

match

friends

home

Exercise 4

impression

breath

friends

common

relaxed

group

something

way

Exercise 5

enjoys

are walking

plays

is preparing

uses

is practising

loves

is working

Exercise 6

student

nervous

welcome

join

photography

common

relaxed

impression

Exercise 7. Возможные варианты ответа

Mia feels nervous before her first day at a new school.

Leo shows her the way to the classroom.

He plays for the school basketball team.

The class is currently preparing presentations about interesting places in the city.

Mia is good at photography.

She has a lot in common with her new classmates.

Leo invites her to a basketball match.

By the end of the day, Mia feels more relaxed.

Writing Practice. Возможный вариант ответа

Hi Alex,

Welcome to Westbrook School! I know that starting at a new school can feel confusing, but everyone here is friendly. Our teachers are helpful, and the school has a large library, a modern sports hall and a comfortable café. I can show you around and help you find your classrooms. Some of us are working on a history project about interesting local places. Would you like to join our group? We are meeting in the library after school on Thursday.

See you tomorrow!

Mia

Level: A2—B1

Topic: Online communication, friendship and misunderstandings

Grammar Focus: Past Simple and Past Continuous

Before You Read

Изучите слова и ответьте на вопросы.

group chat — групповой чат

send a message — отправить сообщение

misunderstanding — недопонимание

hurt somebody’s feelings — задеть чьи-либо чувства

apologise — извиняться

sort out a problem — уладить проблему

Do you use group chats to communicate with classmates?

Is it easy to misunderstand a written message?

What should people do after hurting someone’s feelings?

The Group Chat Problem

On Tuesday evening, Sofia was sitting at her desk and working on her history presentation. Her group was preparing a project about Brighton’s old cinema. Mia was choosing photographs, Leo was looking for historical facts, and Ben was designing the slides.

The four students were also discussing the project in their group chat.

Sofia: We still need someone to write the final paragraph.

Leo: Ben can do it. He loves writing long messages.

Ben: Very funny.

Mia: I can write it if nobody else wants to.

Sofia: Thanks, Mia. Let’s finish everything tonight.

At first, the conversation was friendly. Then Ben uploaded the first version of the presentation.

Ben: Here it is. What do you think?

Leo: It looks strange. Did you design it in five minutes?

Ben: No. I worked on it for two hours.

Leo: I’m joking. Don’t be so serious.

Ben stopped replying.

Sofia read the messages and immediately felt uncomfortable. Leo often made jokes, but his tone was sometimes difficult to understand in writing. When people spoke to him face to face, they could see that he was smiling. In a group chat, his short messages occasionally sounded unfriendly.

«Leo, perhaps you should apologise,» Sofia wrote.

«Why?» Leo replied. «It was only a joke.»

Mia did not know what to say. She had joined the group recently and did not want to get involved in an argument. However, she also thought that Leo’s comment was unfair. Ben had spent a long time preparing the slides.

While Mia was trying to write a careful message, another notification appeared.

Ben: If my work is so bad, somebody else can do it.

A moment later, he left the group chat.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the classroom was uncomfortable. Ben was sitting by the window and reading a book. Leo entered the room and greeted everyone, but Ben did not look at him.

During the history lesson, their teacher asked each group to report on its progress. Sofia explained that their presentation was almost ready, but the students were having a small disagreement.

«A good project requires clear communication,» the teacher said. «Messages can easily be misunderstood because we cannot hear a person’s tone of voice or see their facial expression.»

Leo looked at Ben but did not say anything.

At lunchtime, Mia decided to speak to Leo.

«I know you were joking,» she said, «but Ben worked hard on those slides. Your message sounded quite rude.»

«I didn’t mean to upset him,» Leo replied. «I thought he knew I was joking.»

«That’s the problem,» Mia said. «He couldn’t see your expression. He only saw the words.»

Leo was silent for a moment. Then he put his phone in his pocket and walked over to Ben’s table.

«Can we talk?» he asked.

Ben looked surprised but nodded.

«I’m sorry about my message,» Leo said. «Your presentation didn’t look strange. I was trying to be funny, but the joke wasn’t funny. You did a great job.»

Ben closed his book. «I probably reacted too strongly, but I was tired. I had spent two hours working on it.»

«Will you come back to the chat?»

«Yes, but perhaps we should all think before we send messages.»

That afternoon, Ben returned to the group chat. Leo added a new rule to its description:

Read your message twice before you send it.

This time, everyone understood that he was being serious.