S
S
t
u
d
e
n
t
A
d
v
i
c
e
C
e
n
t
r
e
Got a problem? We’re here to help.
Come and see us with any problem, big or small.
We deal with emotional matters, financial difficulties,
problems with studies, problems between flatmates
... anything you want.
Just make an appointment
Westfield University
w
university
SCENARIO
FLAT-SHARING
12
1.4
SITUATION
1
Look at the poster below and discuss the questions
with a partner.
1
What services does the Advice Centre offer?
2
Have you ever used a service like this? Would
you use it?
3
What kind of problems do you think the Advice
Centre has to deal with?
2
1.3
Two counsellors from the Advice Centre are
discussing the financial problems of Marco, a student at
the university. Listen and answer the questions.
1
What are the reasons why Marco cannot pay his rent?
2
Why is Marco in a ‘difficult situation’?
3
What solutions does Carol propose to solve
Marco’s problems?
KEY LANGUAGE
OUTLINING PROBLEMS, OFFERING SOLUTIONS,
REACTING TO SUGGESTIONS
3
a
Listen to the counsellors again and tick the
expressions in the list that you hear.
1
The problem is, he’s been spending too much money.
2
Well, the way to sort it out, surely, is to tell him to
get a loan.
3
I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do, Carol.
4
The trouble is, it’s the third time he’s run out of money.
5
He can’t go on like that.
6
One way of dealing with this could be to look at his
weekly expenses.
7
Mmm, great suggestion.
8
Well, there’s an obvious solution.
9
We could talk to the owner of the flat.
10
That seems the best way to deal with it.
3
b
Match the expressions in Exercise 3a with these
language functions.
•
outlining problems
•
offering solutions
•
reacting to suggestions
3
c
Practise saying the expressions.
3
d
Match expressions a–g with the functions in Exercise 3b.
a
That seems to be the best way forward.
b
It’s a tricky situation because …
c
The best way to deal with it is to …
d
It’s a vicious circle.
e
That might well solve the problem.
f
The trouble is …
g
That makes sense to me.
4
Work with a partner to discuss the situation
below and suggest solutions. Try to use some of the
expressions from the Key language.
Marco works every evening in a cafe to make more
money. As a result, he often oversleeps and misses early-
morning lectures.
