Real Life Pre-Intermediate

Common European Framework (CEF)

Can do
Exam Skills
Real Life Pre-Intermediate will give students considerable fluency in all the communication skills
required at A2 level, preparing students for the KET examination. The quantity and quality of the material
is excellent throughout. The topics are appropriate to teenage learners but look forward to future needs in
every day, employment or academic contexts. Students learn to describe objects, places and processes, as
well as routine functions such as shopping. Students are trained in precise listening, error correction and
note taking. They are trained to expand from notes and summarise audio and written texts as well as real
life events. They are also trained to express and justify their opinions with reasons and evidence when
describing faults in goods or services and making complaints. Students learn how to discuss and present
their opinions on both every day topics and matters of international importance.
The materials treat learners with respect and encourage them to think carefully about topics in an adult
way (see Unit 7) which relates to Citizenship training.
Pearson Longman 2010

Page 1

The thorough training in the use of grammatical structures and vocabulary is integrated with the topic
material so that students can see the relevance and communicative value of the new language.
Skills strategies are listed on the back cover and are both trained and exercised throughout the book.
The input materials from websites, phone calls, voicemail, radio discussions, phone-ins, notes, postcards,
letters, advertisements and short magazine articles are appropriate to the communication media used by
this age group. The practice materials are organised in developmental chains maximising the learning
benefit from the input materials. Grammar2know, Words2know and Phrases2know highlight key
learning points in short, memorable bites. Learners are trained skill strategies and given a good basis in
grammar and vocabulary.
Real Life Pre-intermediate will give students a firm foundation for continued study of English at higher levels.

3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0-7.0

0-245
246-500
500-650
650-720
720-910

57 86
110-120
-

PTE

KET
PET
FCE
CAE

TOEFL
iBT

0
1
2
3
4

TOEIC

A1
A2
B1
B2
C1

IELTS

UCLES

Pearson Longman 2010

ALTE

Elementary
Pre-Intermediate

CEF

LEVEL

1
3
4
5

Page 2

Unit 1
Your
life
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

can do

Listening

I can understand interviews with time twins.

I can understand Zoe answering website questions.
I can understand a list of questions and correct errors.
I can give key facts about myself.
Express opinions and give reasons.
I can describe my regular habits.
I can write a paragraph about myself.
I can complete a list of varied questions.
I can correct errors in questions.
I can describe my family in a paragraph.
Meeting and greeting

Speakin
g
Writing

Real
Time

Present simple and continuous,

Questions and question words
Social life, Family and relationships
I can read a magazine article about time twins.
I can complete a quiz about my personality.
I can read 6 postings on a website about teenage life.

Pearson Longman 2010

Exam Skills

Gender classify words for family

members.
Checkboxes
Multiple choice.
Predicting from pictures.
Matching questions and
responses. Guessing meaning
from context.

CE
F

Page

A2

4-9

A2

4-9

A2

4/5
6
8/9

A2

5
7
7
4

Taking notes.
Careful listening.
A2
Follow a model text.
Using question words.
Error correction.
Writing from notes.
Speculate from photo, t/f
statements
Dialogue completion, Filling
forms. Role Play

A2

A2

5
7
7
9
10/1
1

Page 3

Unit 2
The
greats
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

Listening

Speakin
g

Writing

can do

CE
F

Page

Past simple, Past simple and continuous

A2

Life events, Famous people, Personal characteristics

A2

1217
1217
12/1
3

I can read and complete articles about three icons.

I can scan a page reporting results of a survey.
I can study read the survey and complete notes.
I can
gaps
I can
I can
I can
I can

listen to articles about three icons and complete

in the text.
listen and check facts.
listen, check facts and correct errors.
listen and check information.
listen to a short biography.

I can ask and answer questions about famous people

giving reasons.
I can ask and answer questions about past activities.
I can propose a great person and give my reasons.
I can write true and false statements about my past life.
I can write questions to find out about peoples lives.

Pearson Longman 2010

Exam Skills

Guided prediction
Identify topics.
Note making
Detailed listening.

A2

A2

Detailed listening.
Error correction.
Detailed listening
t/f statements
Justifying statements with
reasons.

A2

16/1
7
12/1
3
14
15
16
16
13
15
16

Reporting states and activities.

Reporting life stories, giving
reasons to persuade others.
A2

13

Page 4

Active
Study 1

Revision of grammar and vocabulary.

Reading Skills: Read for specific information

Listening Skills: Listen for general

understanding
Speaking Skills: Appropriate
functional language

A2

18/1
9

3 Your
style
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

can do

Exam Skills

CE
F
A2

Page

Listening

Speakin
g

Comparatives and superlatives too and enough

Describing a place, Describing personal style,
Money and spending
I can read descriptions of four bedrooms and speculate
about the people who use them.
I can complete a quiz about my shopping habits.
I can read three texts and identify the text genre.
I can skim the texts and summarise the gist.
I can study read and complete M/C statements.

I can understand a description of furnishings in a coffee

shop.
I can listen to street interviews and summarise peoples
opinions.
I can say if I agree or disagree with statements in the
reading text and give my reasons.
I can talk about different rooms in my house.

Pearson Longman 2010

A2

2027
2027
20

A2

24
24/2
5
24/2
5
24/2
5
21

A2
Photo matching
Careful reading
Genre, writing style.
Gist reading
M/C statements.

Note making, Photo matching.

Summarizing

23
A2

Using comparatives and

20
21
Page 5

I
I
I
I

can
can
can
can

discuss age, fashion clothes and body decoration.

make comments using too and (not) enough.
answer who said that questions.
suggest further questions for the interviewees.

superlatives.
Describing people.
Expressing opinions

Writing
Real
Time

I can write true and false statements about photographs.

Shopping for clothes.

Creative production
Descriptive writing
Writing personal e-mails.

Unit 4
Your
goals
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

can do

Exam Skills

Listening

22
22

A2
A2

24/2
5
21
26/2
7

CE
F

Page

Wishes and intentions, Gerunds and infinitives

A2

Education, Getting a job, Describing jobs

A2

2833
2833
28
29
30

I can read a Fact File about UK and US education.

I can read an interview about future education plans.
I can read a questionnaire about part-time jobs.
I can read an internet discussion board with postings
about employment in different countries.
I can read an article about two experiences of work.
I can read an advertisement for an au pair job.

WH questions and discussion.

Write questions.
Respond to questionnaire.

I can listen to an interview.

Underline correct words in

answers.
Match subjects with comments.
Comment on subjects.

Speakin
I can discuss my success and feelings about school
Pearson Longman 2010

A2

T/F statements
Complete a form.
A2
A2

32/3
3
33
28
28
Page 6

Writing
Active
Study 2

Unit 5
Stay
well
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

subjects.
I can ask and answer questions about my wishes and
intentions.
I can discuss qualities required for different types of
work.
I can describe people and their qualities.
I can discuss candidates for an au pair job and choose
the best.
I can complete two postings for the discussion board.
I can write sentences about my wishes and intentions for
a posting on the discussion board.
Revision of grammar and vocabulary.
Text completion (choose correct verb form)
Describe and compare photographs.

Express wishes.

can do

29
Express detailed opinions
Express detailed opinions and
give reasons and evidence.
Correct verbs.
Written expression.

I can read a quiz about a healthy lifestyle.

I can read articles about a football player, a ballet dancer
and a sumo wrestler.
I can read a text about meals and meal times.

Pearson Longman 2010

33
33
A2

31
31

Read about students looking for

work, read about jobs. Match. /
Listen to job interview. M/C
statements.

A2

34/3
5

Exam Skills

CE
F

Page

A2

3641
3641
36
38/3
9

should and must, Articles

Healthy lifestyle, Food & drink, Meals and meal times

32

Put food words in groups.

A2

Respond to the quiz.

From photographs speculate
about what they eat. Complete
texts with articles.
M/C statements

A2

40/4
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Listening
Speakin
g
Writing
Real
time

Unit 6
The
rules
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

I can understand an expert answering questions on a

radio show.
I can listen a check the rules about running.
I can say what I would choose to eat or drink.
I can discuss eating habits in my country and other
countries.
I can match parts of rules about running.
I can write advice for two people.
Writing invitations to parties
Text message abbreviations

T/F statements

A2

1
36

Careful listening.
Expressing choices.

A2

37
38

Giving advice.

A2

41
37

Making arrangements,
accepting and refusing

A2

42/4
3

can do

Exam Skills

CE
F

Page

A2

4449
4449
44

Obligation and permission in the present

Obligation and permission in the past
Rules & behaviour, Domestic tasks, Society & the law
I can read part of a text about a dysfunctional teenager
and identify his problems.
I can read contrasting opinions about the teenager.
I can read the second part of the text.
I can scan a multi-part text about rules in different
countries.

Pearson Longman 2010

A2
Analytic reading / note making to
form opinions.
Choose the opinion you share.
WH questions.
Sentence completion.

A2

44
44
48/4
9
Page 8

Listening

Speakin
g

Writing

Active
Study 3

Unit 7
Time
out
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

I can study read the text for details.

I can label paragraphs with topics.

Complete sentences.
Text analysis.

I can understand an interview with the teenager and his

mother.
I can listen to a discussion with 3 speakers.
I can listen to an interview with Ivy.

Check boxes: choose correct

statements.

I can describe and discuss rules in my family.

I can describe family rules at different ages.
I can describe roles and responsibilities in my family.
I can discuss ideas contained in pictures.
I can compare rules described in the text with rules in my
country.
I can write a set of rules for a camping trip.
I can write sentences summarising experiences.
I can describe roles and responsibilities.
Working with a partner, I can write six new rules I would
like to see.
Revision of grammar and vocabulary.
Read article about cooking in schools.

can do

47
Check boxes: Who says?
Summarise her experiences.
Compare with partner.

A2

46
47

WH questions: speculate
answers.

48/4
9

Writing clear rules.

Summarising.
Compare with partner.
Formulating and expressing
opinions.
Listen to discussion about food
for a party.
Role play making an
arrangement with suggestions,
acceptance and refusal.

A2

Exam Skills

CE
F

Future arrangements, will, may and might

A2

A2

Holidays, Flying, Describing holidays

I can read a brochure about 3 family holidays.

I can read an opinion article about the future of cheap
Pearson Longman 2010

A2

48/4
9
45

Make notes in a table.

T/F check boxes.

45
47
47
48/4
9
50/5
1

Page

5257
A2
5257
A2
52/5
3
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travel.
I can read an amusing magazine article about complaints
received by travel companies.
I can guess the meaning of unknown words and phrases
in the article.

Listening

I
I
I
I

can
can
can
can

listen to a discussion about holiday plans.

understand details in airport announcements.
listen to a discussion about future travel.
listen to a description of a holiday.

Speakin
g

I can discuss what I like and dislike doing on holiday.

I can choose a holiday from the brochure and explain
reasons for my choice.
I can describe the sequence of actions when checking in
at an airport.
I can agree or disagree with opinions and predictions I
have heard.
I can make predictions with different degrees of certainty.
I can describe in detail different aspects of a holiday I
have had.
I can react with interest to my partners description of a
holiday.
I can describe an imaginary holiday to my partner using
prepared notes.

54/5
5
M/C statements
M/C options
56/5
7

WH questions. Put extracts in

order.
Detailed and selective listening.
Complete summary text.
Underline correct information.
Express simple opinions.
Express and justify opinions.

A2

A2

56/5
7
53
54
55
56
52
52/5
3

Narrative: sequencing skills

54
Responding to opinions and
predictions.

55

Expressing detailed opinions.

55

Detailed description: reporting

skills

56
56

Showing interest
56

I can discuss the fairness of complaints in the reading text.

Extended speaking
57
Unit 7
Time

can do

Pearson Longman 2010

Expressing moral opinions.

Exam Skills

CE
F

Page
Page 10

out
Contd

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Writing

Real
Time
Unit 8
Just do
it!
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

I can write sentences from diary notes.

I can write predictions about my future obligations and
opportunities.
I can prepare notes to describe a holiday.
Listen to a discussion about travel arrangements
Ask for and give advice
can do

Expanding notes.
Share and compare with others.
Note making
Compare and contrast
language, content and layout
of a postcard and a letter
Exam Skills

Present perfect with ever and never

Present perfect with just, already and yet
Sports, Sports equipment
I can read questions from a sports quiz.
I can read descriptions of different sports and match
them to pictures.
I can read a website for a new TV programme about
sport for unfit teenagers.
I can read a magazine article about athletes with
disabilities.
I can read about Kelly Holmes and make notes.

Pearson Longman 2010

A2

A2

T/F check boxes.

Match people to sentences.
Make notes.
Make notes in a table.

56
58/5
9

CE
F

Page

A2

6065
6065
60

A2
Answer the questions.
Picture matching

53
54

A2

62
62/6
3
64/6
5
64/6
5
64/6
Page 15

Listening

Unit 8
Just do
it!
Contd

I can listen to an extract from the TV sports quiz.

I can listen to an interview with an athlete.

can do

Pearson Longman 2010

Check if contestants answered

correctly.
Correct factual mistakes in
printed version of interview.

A2

Exam Skills

CE
F

5
60
60

Page

Page 16

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Page 18

Speakin
g

I can ask questions about my partners experience of

different sports.

Pearson Longman 2010

A2
Extend conversation with

61
61
Page 19

I can describe my experience of different sports.

I can report my partners experience to the class.
I can try to guess the sport from my partners
description.
I can use my notes to choose one I admire and explain
why.
I can discuss national sporting heroes and explain why I
admire my favourite.
I can use notes to make a presentation to the class about
my sporting hero.
Writing

comments and questions.

Reporting.

61

Express opinions give reasons

and evidence.

62
64/6
5

Express opinions give reasons

and evidence.

64/6
5

Formal presentation

64/6
5
62
64/6
5
65
66/6
7

I can write a description of a sport.

I can make notes from the reading text.
I can make notes for my presentation.

Using model texts.

Active
Study 4

Revision of grammar and vocabulary.

Use given words to complete an email. (cloze)

Read an interview and choose

best answers.
Read text about transport in
Paris.
Describe, compare and contrast
photos.

A2

Unit 9
Cool

can do

Exam Skills

CE
F

Pearson Longman 2010

A2

Using forms.

Page
Page 20

tech
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

Listening

Defining relative clauses,

First conditional and future time clauses
Machines and how they work
I can match extracts from instructions to technical
gadgets.
I can understand a text about 3 different gadgets.
I can read a blog about banning mobile phones from
schools and the comments which follow.
I can scan a long text to find detailed information.
I can read the text for general understanding.
I can find words in the text to match given definitions.

I can listen to check instructions for a gadget.

I can understand a radio discussion programme about
gadgets.
I can understand a repeat various long numbers,
fractions, percentages and year dates.
Speakin
I can describe how to use a gadget.
g
I can define things by their function.
I can describe my three most important possessions and
explain why they are important.
I can explain how I use technology in my life and
participate in a discussion.
Writing
I can write sentences about things Id like to invent.
I can write dialogues explaining why you must delay
actions.
I can write sentences making promises to do things.
Real
Describe photographs. Listen to dialogue about the
Time
problem. Listen to Zack making a complaint in the shop
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A2
A2

6873
6873

A2
Matching
Definition by function.
Summarising sentences.

68
69
70/7
1

Scanning
T/F statements.
Understanding words from
context.

Detailed listening.
Who says ...? What are they
talking about? Do you agree?
Saying numbers.

A2

Describing a process.
Explaining.
Justifying a preference.

A2

72/7
3
72/7
3
72/7
3
68
70
72

Discussing behaviour.

68
69
70
72

Explaining.
Write lines in sequence.

A2

Writing a formal letter of

complaint explaining the

A2

69
71
71
74/7
5
Page 21

Unit 10
Out
there
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

Listening
Speakin
g
Writing
Active
Study 5

can do

problem and requesting

action
Exam Skills

used to, Present perfect with for and since

The natural world, Global warming
I can read a text about Pangea and climate change in
history.
I can read Five reasons to worry about global warming.
I can complete a text about a drought in Australia.
I can read an article and diary extracts about Krakatoa.

I can understand a radio programme about people

escaping from the effects of climate.
I can describe different landscapes.
I can discuss actions to reduce energy consumption.
I can prepare notes and role play an interview with a
survivor of a tsunami.
I can use pictures as a stimulus to write sentences about
past states and habits.
I can describe a place I used to visit.
Revision of grammar and vocabulary
Words and definitions / collocations / word families
Listening: word families

Pearson Longman 2010

Continents, countries and

geographical features,
Summarise the text in sentences.

CE
F

Page

A2

7681
7581
77

A2
A2

Add headings to each paragraph.

(identify topic)

78
79

Contrast points in time and

periods of time.
List events in sequence.
List heard items in order.
T/F statements.
Prepared public speaking
Discussion
Prepared narrative and role play
Describing people and habits.
Describing places.
Pronunciation: syllable stress in
words
Reading skills: inserting phrases
(topic) deducing meaning from
context
Speaking: role play making a
complaint.

A2
A2

A2
A2

79
79
76
79
80/8
1
77
77
82/8
3

Page 22

Unit 11
Must
see
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

Listening

can do

CE
F

Page

Past simple and present perfect passive

A2

Making a film, TV programmes, What we read

A2

8489
8489
85
86/8
7

I can read
I can read
shows.
I can read
I can read

Exam Skills

an article about subtitling or dubbing a film.

an article about popular and long-running TV
an introduction to an extract from a novel.
an extract from About a boy.

I can understand a programme about how a film is made.

I can listen to the answers in a TV quiz.

Write summary sentences.

Using pictures, scanning for
specific information.
WH questions
Match descriptions to characters.
Discuss WH questions.
Make predictions about the story.

A2

Description of a process. WH
questions

A2

88
88/8
9
88/8
9
88/8
9
84
87

Speakin
g
Writing

I can give an oral summary of the film making process.

I can guess the answers in a TV quiz.
I can write sentences which summarise a text.
I can complete gaps in a review of About a boy.
I can write a review of a book or film in 3 paragraphs
using a given plan.
Pearson Longman 2010

Correct your own answers.

Oral summary.
Compare answer with a partner.
Summary writing
Book review style

A2

85
87
A2
85
88/8
9
89
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89
90/9
1

Real
Time

Read short advertisements for guitar lessons,

concert tickets and a lost ipod

Making phone calls. Writing

phone messages
Find mistakes in voicemail
massages

A2

Unit 12
Stay
safe
Gramma
r
Vocabula
ry
Reading

can do

Exam Skills

CE
F

Page

Second conditional, Reported requests and commands

A2

Crimes, Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing

A2

9297
9297

I can read a short newspaper extract containing crime

figures.
I can read and respond to a quiz about personal honesty.
I can read 3 short newspaper reports of events.
I can read a newspaper report about teenagers as the
victims of crime.
I can read an advice column about staying safe from
crime.
I can read a newspaper article about pensioners fearing
hoodies.
Listening I can listen to 5 teenagers talking about crimes.
I can understand a radio phone-in about teenagers and
crime.
Pearson Longman 2010

A2
Compare with knowledge of
home country.

92
93
94
96

Compare answers with a partner.

Match direct speech to reports.
T/F statements
Comment on advice given.
WH questions
Identify the crimes they are
talking about. (topic)
Identify speakers and summarize.

96
97
A2
93
96/9
Page 24

Speakin
g

Writing

Active
Study 6

I can understand the 2nd part of the phone-in about

staying safe.
Describe pictures taken with CCTV cameras.
I can talk about different crimes.
I can say what I would do in a given situation.
I can describe my likely feelings in hypothetical
situations.
I can rewrite direct speech as reported speech.
I can report imperatives and prohibitions.
I can complete a letter written in response to the article.
I can write a 4 paragraph letter expressing my own
opinions using a given structure.
Revision of grammar and vocabulary.
Reading Skills: Reading for gist.

Tick the advice mentioned.

Describe, predict what may
happen.
Number in order of seriousness.
Making hypothetical statements.

A2

Reporting speech

A2

Topic sentences
Writing an opinion letter using a
given structure.
Listening: Listening for specific
information
Speaking: describing pictures,
speculating
Expressing opinions about TV
viewing.

7
97
92
92
93
94
95
97

A2

97
98/9
9

Mini-workbook 104/121
Wordbank 123/129
Wordlist 130-135
Irregular verbs back cover
Skill and Exam strategies back cover

Pearson Longman 2010

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