WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
103
10.4
5
b
Check your answers in Audio script 10.4 on page 179.
5
c
Look at the phrases in the box and decide whether
each phrase is strong, neutral or tentative (not very strong).
GIVING ADVICE
I’d advise you to …
I think you need to …
Why don’t you … ?
You could also …
You might consider …
If I were you, I’d …
It’s vital that …
It’s essential that …
It might be a good idea to …
It’d be advisable to …
It might be worth …
REACTING TO ADVICE
Yes, that could be helpful.
OK, it’s worth trying.
I like the idea, but I don’t think it’d work.
I’m not sure, I could try it.
What’s the point of doing that?
That sounds like a good idea to me.
That’s really good advice.
Yes, I like that idea.
6
a
Choose four sentences from Exercise 5a that give
advice. Use different phrases from the box to give the
same advice.
6
b
Work with a partner. Listen to each other’s sentences
and comment on the language and intonation.
TASK
AN ADVICE PHONE-IN
7
a
You are going to do a role-play between Professor
Bright and a caller who first writes to her, then phones
her show.
Student A:
choose one of the problems below. Make
notes on your problem so you are ready to talk about it.
Student B:
choose one of the problems on page 159. Make
notes on your problem so you are ready to talk about it.
7
b
Role-play the situation.
Student A:
you are the caller. Describe your problem to
Professor Bright, and respond to the professor’s advice.
Student B:
you are Professor Bright. Listen to your
caller’s problem and give him/her advice.
Now change roles and Student B describes
his/her problem.
8
Now work in groups. Discuss which problem
was the most interesting and which was the most
difficult to solve.
To: Professor Bright
Subject: Favouritism
Dear Professor Bright,
I’m 22, my brother Paul’s 24. My problem is
my parents. Since I was very young, they have
always preferred Paul to me. The problem is that
he has always excelled academically. He always
got excellent reports from school and did well in his
exams. I was hard-working but always struggled at
school. I was very good at repairing things around the
house but my parents didn’t appreciate it. They said
I was wasting my time when I should be studying.
Paul’s now studying to be a doctor and my parents
always talk about him proudly whenever they meet
people. Meanwhile, I left school as soon as I could
and got a manual job. I love it and I’m very good at it.
My boss has given me more responsibilities and I now
study twice a week at evening classes. I’m careful with
my money and am saving up to buy my own home.
I still get criticised, though, or simply ignored. No-one
asks me how my day was or how I’m getting on with
my studies. In a way, I’d like to move out and find a flat
or a room to rent but it would make it more difficult to
save for a place of my own.. What advice can you give
me?
To: Professor Bright
Subject: Defeated by nerves
Dear Professor Bright,
My name’s Alison. I’m a university student in my final
year of studying Oriental languages. My knowledge
of Japanese and Mandarin Chinese is excellent
but I am finding it difficult to find work. I have had
three interviews so far and each time, when the
interviewers have tested me on my language abilities,
I have completely frozen with fear. I find it difficult
to understand what they are saying and, when it is
my turn to speak, I feel dizzy start sweating and am
unable to speak without stammering badly.
Before my last interview, I had a long chat in
Japanese with the receptionist of the company. When
I came out again, I was able to tell her exactly what
had gone wrong during the interview. Between those
two chats, I couldn’t even answer simple questions
about my family and hobbies. The interviewer even
asked me if I was ill because I had gone deathly pale.
It isn’t only interviews where I have problems like this.
I have failed my driving test twice even though my
instructor was convinced I would pass easily. How
can I learn to conquer my nerves, Professor Bright?
I’m worried that they are going to affect me more and
more.
