Intermediate

English
Course
Programmes 1-10

PROGRAMME 1
Text One
Topic: A Quiet Life
Felix Catt is a typical resident of Siberia
Avenue,
Surbiton. He looks gloomy, but in fact he is
quite
happy, and he leads a quiet life in this suburb
of
London.
His wife Gertie looks after him
carefully;
she cleans the house regularly, and feeds him
daily
on well cooked meat and tinned vegetables.
There
is
always a supply of fresh water for his whisky,
and
plenty of carpet space for putting practice, so
he
is
very comfortable and content with suburban
life.
Felix is very fond of his old dog, Sam. They
go
for walks together on Sundays. Today he is
taking
Sam to the local vet, because he is afraid that
he
is
going blind. However, the vet is confident of
curing
him by means of a small operation. He is giving
Sam
an injection before operating on him, so that he
will
sleep peacefully the whole time and not feel
any
pain. There is even a pretty nurse standing by to
comfort Sam in case he feels unhappy and
lonely in the strange surroundings.
In general, both Felix and Sam think that
they don't have a bad life, and they have no
desire to change it for anything more

adventurous.

Programme1
Text Two
A Date for the Theatre
Mike
Jack

Mike
Jack
Mike
Jack
Mike

Jack

Mike

Jack

Mike

Hello, Jack. Why the rush? Where are you going?

Hello, Mike. I'm on my way to meet Joyce at the
station. We're having dinner at a Chinese restaurant
and then we're off to the theatre.
Do you often go to the theatre?
5
Yes, Joyce and I usually go at least once a fortnight;
sometimes more. Do you ever go?
Yes, but I don't often find time these days. There
are so many other things to do.
True, true.
10
Listen, perhaps Janet and I can arrange to meet you
and Joyce one Saturday evening. We can have dinner
together and go on to a theatre.
That's a good idea. Look, I forget the name of the
play, but there's a good comedy on at the Theatre15
Royal next week. If you like, I can book four seats
for next Saturday.
All right. I'm meeting Janet later this evening so I
can make sure that she's free next Saturday. I'll ring
you tomorrow to confirm if we are coming.
20
Fine. I must fly now. It's six o'clock already and
Joyce's bus arrives at ten past. She hates waiting
around and I don't want to spoil everything by
upsetting her before we start our evening.
I'll phone you tomorrow theft. Give my regards to25
Joyce. Have a good evening.
4

Text Three
A Picnic
Tim
Mary
Tim

Mary

Tim
Mary
Tim

Mary

Tim

Exeter 563.
Tim? This is Mary. I hope I haven't woken you up.
Actually I got up ten minutes ago, but it's only a
quarter to nine. Why are you calling me so early on
a Sunday morning?
5
Because the sun's shining and there isn't a cloud in
the sky, and Alan and I are going for a picnic. Do
you want to come?
It's true we haven't seen the sun lately, but I expect
it'll rain again soon.
10
No, it won't.
Well I've got some work to do, but I suppose I could
put it off till tomorrow. Where are you
thinking
of
going?
Well, there's a lovely spot by the river on the road 15
to Tiverton. There's a big bend in the road
just
before you get to Stoke. You leave your car
and
walk across a field to the left. There are some
tall
elm trees by the river, and that's where we'll
be.
It's very easy to find the place.
20
Yes, I think I know where you mean. I'll come,and
I might even go for a swim. Are you taking any
food or drink? It's a pity you didn't mention it
yesterday; I don't think there's any beer in the
house.

Mary

Don't worry. We've got some bottles of beer and 25

Tim

lemonade and there's half a chicken in the fridge.

Right then. See you there in about an hour.

Notes: Forms and Patterns

1

Verb tenses:

(a) Present Continuous

(b) Present Simple

(a) The sun is shining. (While / am speaking.)

I am studying English at the moment. (An action in progress now.)
I'm meeting Janet later this evening. (A planned future action.)
(b) She cleans the house daily. (Neednot be happening now.)
We usually go once a fortnight. (A repeated action.)
Water boils at 100 degrees Centigrade. (A permanent truth.)
The news bulletin begins at 9 p.m. (Future event on a timetable.)
IM.B.

Do you want to come? (X Are you wanting to come? X)

I forget the name. (X I am forgetting the name. X)

Verbs of the feelings, the senses, the mind, usually occur in

the present simple, not continuous. Study these:
like, love, hate, detest; want, wish; see, hear, feel, smell;
recognise, notice, realise; know, understand, think, believe,
forget, remember, suppose, mean, seem, intend.

a.../some.../any...
Sam is a dog. Felix likes dogs.
He will have an operation. He may need two operations.
'A' is used with countable nounsnouns having a plural.
We need some water. (X We need a water. X X We need two waters. X)
I wanted some information. (X ... an information. X X ... informations.
X) 'Some' may be used with uncountable nouns.
Note also: We need a glass of water. I asked for a piece of information.
I have some work to do. (X ... a work ... X X ... works ... X)
The news is good. (X The news are ... X)
Work, news, information, advice, furniture, weather, luggage, hair:
these words are usually singular and uncountable (without 'a', and no
plural's').
We need some water. We need some bottles.
'Some' can mean 'a quantity of' or 'a number of'.
We've got some bottles, ('some' in the affirmative.)
We haven't got any beer, ('any' in the negative.)
Are you taking any food? Would you like some
beer?
Both 'any' and 'some' are used in the interrogative.

Programme

(a) There is/are...

(b) It is...

(a) There is a bend in the road. (We don't know which bend.)
The bend is near the bridge. (We now know which bend is
meant.)
There are some elm trees by the river. (Trees not mentioned
before.)
The elm trees are very tall. (The trees already referred to.)
N.B. X A bend is in the road. X X Some elm trees are by
the
river. X
'There is/are' introduces new things, usually with 'a' or 'some'.
(b) I think it will be nice to come with you. (X I think to come with you
will be nice. X)
It's true we haven't seen the sun lately, ('we ... lately': all this is 'true'.)
We begin with 'it' instead of a long, complicated subject.
Other examples: It's a pity/a shame
(that) ... It is easy/difficult to
It is possible/probable/certain/obvious that
It is 6 o'clock. It'll rain again soon.
It's hot. It is five miles from here to the river.
We often use 'it is' when we talk about time, weather, or distance.

Position of adverbs
I usually go once a fortnight. Do you ever go? I don't often find
time. I have never seen that film. There is always a supply of water.
On a clear day you can sometimes see the sea from here.
He speaks English very well.
An adverb does not come between verb and object (X He speaks
very well English. X), but many common adverbs are generally
placed between subject and main verb (though they follow 'be' and
auxiliary verbs 'have', 'can', etc.)
e.g.:
still,

generally, usually, often, sometimes, always, ever; already,

just, only, nearly, almost; hardly, scarcely, seldom, rarely,

never.

Programme

Prepositions, Verbs, Phrases, Idioms

c. f. these text lines:
in fact
look after
feed or
content with
go blind/deaf
confident of
by means of
operate on
stand by
on the way
be off
at least
be on
(all) right
(must) fly
wait around
get up
call
go for
put off
get to
see you

He said the job was hard, but, in fact, it was easy.

1.2

Good nurses look after their patients like mothers.

Rich people feed their dogs on the best cuts of meat.
Zoo keepers are usually content with their jobs.

1.4
1.5
1.9 Ws

Our cat went deaf when he was very old.

Tim is confident of finding the picnic spot.
You can do almost anything by means of hard work.

1.13
1.13 Ws
1.14 Ws

A team of surgeons operated on the patient.

The police stood by in case of trouble.
We can stop at Stoke on the way to Tiverton.
"We'll be off as soon as Tim's ready."

1.15
1.17
2.2
2.4 Sw

"I've told you the answer at least five times."

My favourite T.V. programme is on tonight.
"At six then." "(All)right. I'll be there."

2.6
2.15
2.18, 3.27 S

"I'll have to fly or I'll miss the bus."

2.21 S
We won't wait around for anyone who's late.
2.22 S
People who wake up early don't always get up early.
3.3
"Call me before you come; I may not be home."
3.4; 2.19, 25 Sw
We went for a walk in the woods.
3.7, 3.22
They decided to put off the theatre visit for a while.
3.13
The last bus gets to the station at ten to eleven.
"Cheerio then!" "See you tomorrow!"

3.17
3.27 S

Programme

Practice Section
Text One
a
Surbiton
Felix Catt
Surbiton.

is

typical

Siberia Avenue, Surbiton

resident of Siberia Avenue,

a typical

resident of Siberia Avenue,

looks after him carefully

His wife Gertie looks after him carefully;
regularly
she cleans the house regularly,
tinned vegetables
well-cooked meat and tinned vegetables
and feeds him daily on well-cooked meat and tinned vegetables.
suburban life
comfortable and content with his suburban
life
He is very comfortable and content with his suburban
life.

Text Two
Mike:
Jack:
Mike:
Jack:
Mike:
Jack:
Mike:

Hallo, Jack, what's the rush?

Oh, hallo, Mike. / I've got to meet Joyce, actually. / We're off to
the theatre.
The theatre! Do you often go?
Yes, we usually go every fortnight./ What about you?
Well, I don't often find time, I'm afraid. / I'm sure Janet would
like to go, though.
Look, there's a good comedy on next week. / We could all go
together. / Shall I book seats for next Saturday?
That's a good idea. / I'll ask Janet and ring you tomorrow.

Jack:

Fine. I must fly now. 'Bye!

Mike:

'Bye! Have a good time!

11

Programme

Exercise 1
Use Present Simple or Present Continuous, giving the appropriate form of
the verb in brackets
Example:
later?

The sun (shine) now, but you (think) it will rain

The sun is shining now,

but do

you

think

it will rain

later?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

John (go) to the doctor's today because he (feel) ill.

Jack often (go) to the theatre. On Saturday he (go) to see the new play.
In spring the days (grow) longer and the nights (become) warmer.
I (catch) the train to London this evening. It (leave) at eight o'clock.
Ice (float) on water, but iron (not float).
I (hear) you (go) to France next week. you (speak) French?
I (understand) a little, but I never (practise) so I (not speak) very well.
Mr. Laker (come) to tea today. you (remember) him?

Exercise 2
Add 'a' 'some' or 'any', if needed, in the blank spaces
Example:
table.

He put... glass of ... water on the

He put a glass of water on the table.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

I want... paper to write ... letter.

He wants ... milk and ... teaspoonful of ... sugar in his tea.
You need ... sharp knife to cut... wood.
I'd like ... cup of ... coffee and... water, please.
There's... tea in the pot but there isn't... coffee left.
Have you got ... good ideas?
John gave me ... good advice, but I didn't take ... notice.
I went tc the manager to get... information.

Exercise 3
Make plurals where possible
Example:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

A tiger eats meat.

Tigers eat meat.

That boy needs to have his hair cut.

He planted a tree in his garden.
She bought a bottle of wine.
The information he gave me was incorrect.
The furniture in this room is very old; I must buy a new table and a chair.
A bottle is made of glass.
A father can give good advice to his son.
He left his luggage on the chair.

14

Programme 1

Exercise 4
Use 'it...' or 'there...' with the appropriate tense of 'be'
Example:

... a good restaurant next to the cinema.

There is a good restaurant next to the cinema.

1 some glasses in the cupboard. Would you fetch them?

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

very hot when I went out this morning.

difficult to speak English correctly, don't you think?
warm today, but some clouds in the sky.
true that some difficult questions in this exercise.
possible that
another war soon.
difficult to understand why Gertie ever married him.
a fight in the street last week.

Exercise 5
Rearrange these series of words to form sentences
Example:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

it November in often rains.

It often rains in November.

waiting for still answer an I am questions my to.

dogs ever do fruit for breakfast eat?
mother often to theatre not the go my does.
only few have we a got bottles in house the lemonade of.
already he drunk full has a whisky of bottle.
at the rarely weather is this time cold year the of.
school the generally do at their children homework.
old can what say you understand that man hardly.

Exercise 6
Fill the gaps with these words: 'after', 'on', 'up', 'off', 'in', 'at', 'of', 'with', 'to',
for'
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

He thought he was late, but... fact he got... the station before the train left.
It's late; I must be ... to work now.
The doctors operated ... the boy's leg.
He stopped at a shop ... the way; then he went... to the airport.
That man is ... least 80 years old.
I am very c o n t e n t y o u r progress.
Are you confident... finishing the exercise before tomorrow?
Please look ... my luggage while I go to the toilet.
What's ... at the cinema tonight?
It's raining so we'll put... the picnic until next week.
They got... early in the morning and went ...a swim before breakfast.
He feeds his cat... fresh fish.
15

Programme One

EXERCISES

A
Make questions from each sentence as in the
examples,
beginning
with
the
word
or
words at the end of each sentence.
a) Ken always goes to his club on Monday
evenings.
Where
Answer Where does Ken always go on
Monday evenings?
b)
It's Monday evening. He's getting
ready to go now. What Answer What's
he doing now?
c) He doesn't drive to the club
because
it's
near.
Why
Answer Why doesn't he drive to the
club?
d) When he arrives he usually has a drink. What
Answer What does he usually do when he arrives?
1 The club usually opens at 6.30. At what time
2 The club has 200 members. How many
3 Some members always play cards there. What
4 Ken doesn't play cards because he doesn't
like it. Why
5 Ken's talking to Mike at the moment.
What
6 Mike's going to Africa next week on
business. Where
7 They're discussing the economic situation.
What
8 Ken doesn't leave early because he lives
near the club. Why
9 Mike always leaves early because he lives
20 miles away. Why
10 When Ken gets home he usually smokes
a cigar. What

B Here is a conversation between Peter and John. Peter is

going
to
France
on
holiday.
Write out sentences about each part of the conversation,
as in examples a) and b).
a) John: Why are you going by boat?
Peter: Because it's too expensive by plane.
Answer Peter's going by boat because it's too expensive
by plane.

b) John: Does the sea crossing generally take long?

Peter: No.
Answer The sea crossing doesn't generally take long.
1 John: Do you like the
sea
crossing?
Peter: No.
2
John:
Does the sea
ever
get
rough?
Peter: Sometimes.
3 John: Do you ever have a
meal
on
the
boat?
Peter: Never.

PROGRAMME

ONE

4 John: Why don't you buy food

on the boat?
Peter: Because I take sandwiches
with me.
5 John: What do people usually
do on the boat?
Peter: They sit around, talk, eat,
drink or sleep.
6 John: Why aren't you taking
your car?
Peter,- Because I'm hiring one.
7 John: How long does the sea
crossing
take?
Peter: About one and a half
hours.
8 John: Why isn't your son Paul
going with you?
Peter: Because he's studying for
his exams.
9 John: What does Paul want to
do next year?
Peter: Go to university and
study maths.
10 John: Do you think Paul will
pass?
Peter: Yes, because he studies a
lot.
C

Choose between some and any in the spaces in the following.

Let me give you (1) advice about learning a language. Try to do
(2) studying
every day. Even when you think you don't have (3)
time, try and find ten minutes,
and learn (4) words. (5) people think that learning a
language is something we
can do without (6) difficulty. We know that there isn't
(7) truth in that idea. You
have to do (8) hard work, or you won't make (9)
progress. With the Linguaphone
course we've tried to make even the hard work
enjoyable. So you won't forget
(10) of the exercises, will you?

D
Re-write each of the sentences beginning with the
word
or
words
at
the
end,
so
that
the meaning is the same.

Example
We're going by taxi
tonight.
We're taking Answer
We're taking a taxi tonight.
1
This exercise has ten
questions. There are 2 I get to
work at 8.00. I arrive
3 My job is all right. I'm content
4 I'm sure I'll learn a lot from this course. I'm confident of
5 I'll check my answers because it's possible that
there
are
some
mistakes.
I'll
check my answers in case
6 With these exercises I can practise my written English. By
means
7 Immediately I finish this exercise I'll correct it. As soon
8 I'm tired. I'll leave this exercise until tomorrow. I'm tired. I'll
put
9 I find it difficult to understand English on the radio. English
on the radio
10 It's possible that I'll visit England next year. I may

PROGRAMME

ONE

E Find one word which will fit into each space. Many of the
words appear in
Programme 1.
Last week Norman and Brenda went for a picnic in
the
countryside.
They
found
a pleasant (1) in a field, half (2) up a hill. They left
their car at the bottom. The
(3) over the surrounding countryside was lovely, and
it
was
beautifully
sunny.
It's a (4) they didn't listen to the weather forecast
before
they
left
home.
The
forecast was for rain, and more rain. Soon black
clouds appeared. "Oh no, the
weather's (5) worse, it'll (6) our picnic," Brenda said.
"We
(7)
have
any
luck
with picnics, it always rains." "Don't (8)," said
Norman,
"We
won't
get
wet.
We'll get back to the car before it starts." He was
(9). By the time they got back
to the car, they were completely wet. "I've no (10) to go
on a picnic ever again,"
said Brenda. "Don't let it (11) you," said Norman. "In
modern life we sometimes
need an adventure like this. We can't expect to be
comfortable the (12) time.''
F
A word from Programme 1 can be fitted into each
space.
Find
the
word.
The
first
letter of each word is given.
I h (1) getting wet, especially on holiday. I s (2) that's
why I always a (3) to go to
the South of France for my holidays. I go every
summer, in f (4) last year I went
for two months. Lying in the sun is a good way of c
(5) my rheumatism. And
it makes a change from those g (6) winter days. I
always go to the same place.
I'm not an a (7) person, although 1 (8) I've thought of
trying another place. I'm
sure I won't though. I own a caravan near the beach.
It's got a f (9) so I always
have a s (10) of cold drinks. The caravan is in a lovely
s (11), just two minutes
walk from the sea. The problem is that the area is
becoming more and more
popular. If it becomes even more popular it'll s (12)

everything.