UNIT Proficiency

4
Describe
Speaking family
about andevents
future home

Money and Finances

Describe your neighborhood
Expressing hopes and plans
Giving directions

READING: How are you with money?

A. Read about Carlos, Diana, and Rachel’s spending habits. Which character are you most
similar to? Which character’s money habits are most different from your own?

Carlos

FPO
I don’t have a part-time job. I get an allowance from my family. Some people
think that because my parents have a lot of money, I can have whatever I want,
but that’s not the case. My parents don’t want to spoil me. I just get enough
money to go out to eat, go shopping for clothes, and do other things like that. If
I want to buy something a little more expensive, I have to ask them for the money,
and they usually say no! As for saving money, I don’t know. I never really think
about it. I pretty much spend my money as soon as I get it.
Diana
I am really careful with my money. I used to work part-time as a salesperson
in a department store, and I saved most of that money. I don’t work during the
semester because I want to focus on my studies, but I always get part-time work
during the winter and summer breaks. I have a budget and stick to it. I can save
most of the money I earn because I live at home. When I shop, I look for bargains.
I sometimes buy used things. I keep all my receipts in case I want to return
something. So yes, I think I’m pretty good with money.
Rachel
I have to have a part-time job. My parents help me with money. They buy all
the basic things that I need, but if I want to buy the things I really want, I need
to earn my own money. I’m a cashier in a bookstore, at least for now, anyway.
Who knows when the store will go out of business? I like the job I have now
because I don’t have to pretend to be nice and happy. I worked in a coffee shop
before, and my manager always told me to smile more. That was extremely
annoying. Anyway, if I want to buy the clothes that I like, I need my own money. Also, I just had
my car repaired, and the bill was pretty big. I try to keep about $300 saved in the bank just for
emergencies. I could save more, but right now I really don’t think about it.

B. Complete the following sentences:

Example: I am similar to Diana in that I usually have a part-time job, and I try to save money.

1. I am similar to ___________________ in that I ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2. I am quite different from ________________ in that I ______________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

33
46
 UNIT 4
3
A. SPEAKING & VOCABULARY: Money

A. In a dictionary, look up the vocabulary words in bold that you do not know.
B. Ask and answer the questions with a partner.
Read again. Fill in the chart. Some information is not given in the listening.
1. Do you have a budget? Do you save your money? Or just spend it quickly?
2. Do you ever buy or sell things online?
Possessive
3. Do you adjectives Possessive
usually buy cheap clothes or expensive nouns
clothes?
I → my Maria is my friend. Sam → Sam’s This is Sam’s brother.
4. What
you → wasyour What ispurchase
the biggest your name? you have ever made?
Maria → Maria’s This is Maria’s sister.
he 5. Do→ you sometimes
his Thisbuy
is histhings
book. that are used? OrMaria
Sam and do you only buy and
→ Sam newMaria’s
things?
she → her I am her friend.we
6. Do→ you have
our a part-time
This is our job to earn money? That
home. Whois isSam andemployer?
your Maria’s house.

7. Do you usually keep your receipts?

LISTENING: Plans for a purchase

Complete the
A. Listen to chart.
Ellen andUse
Tomthe model
talk sentences
about to ask
Tom’s plans. and answer
Answer the questions.
the following questions.

Q: How many
1. What ____________
is Tom are in your family?
going to do tonight?_______________________________________________

2. What does_______
There are Tom want to family.
in my buy in the future?________________________________________
I have only one __________ in my fami-
There much
3. How is onlymoney
one _______
does Tomin my family.
save ly.
each month?____________________________________
There aren’t any _______ in my family. I don’t have any _________ in my family.
4. How will Tom’s parents help Tom?______________________________________________
I have _________ people in my family.
B. Listen again for details and answer the following questions.

1. What
How is Tom going to
many ________ do before he goes to work?__________________________________
You Student #1 Student #2 Student #3 Student #4 Student #5
are in your family?
2. How long has Tom worked at the restaurant? ____________________________________
brothers
3. How
sisters much money does Tom make per hour? _____________________________________
aunts
4. How much money does Tom make each night? ___________________________________
uncles
5. How
cousins much money will Tom’s parents pay? _______________________________________

6. What three things will Tom need to pay for after he buys the car? ___________________
Prepare your report. Follow the examples.
____________________________________________________________________________
Example:
7. Why
Maria does
has theTom
mostwant a car?There
brothers. ____________________________________________________
are 4 brothers in her family.
Vinnie and Maya have the most sisters. There are 3 sisters in their families.
____________________________________________________________________________

8. What does Ellen say is the reason why Tom wants a car? ___________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

34
47
UNIT 4

SPEAKING: Money and transportation

trasportation
A. Answer the following questions with a partner.
1. Are you working now?
2. Do you usually save money? Or do you usually spend it all quickly?
3. What do you usually spend your money on each week?
4. Do you drive?
5. Is transportation in your city convenient for you?

GRAMMAR: Be going to

Statements
Statements Negative
II am
am going
going to
to save
save up
up money
money for for aa new
new car.
car. I am not going to go tomorrow.
He is going to be angry about
He is going to be angry about this. this. He is not going to listen to you.
She is
She is going
going to
to meet
meet meme for
for lunch.
lunch. You are not going to like this.
It is going to rain later today.
It is going to rain later today. They are not going to give us a discount.
You are
You are going
going toto be
be late!
late!
We are going to study
We are going to study at at the
the library.
library.
They are going to wash
They are going to wash their car
their car today.
today.

Yes/No Questions Wh- Questions

Am I going to have enough money?
Is he going to call you back soon?
Is it going to rain tomorrow?
Are you going to finish that pasta?
Are we going to have class on Thursday?
What am I going to wear tonight?
Why are you going to go home so soon?
How is she going to arrive?
When are they going to stop singing?
Where are we going to have the test?

A. Correct the mistakes in the following be going to sentences:

Example: My father going to start a new job. → My father is going to start a new job.
1. I am going to watching a movie tonight with a friend.
2. My little brother is go to graduate from high school next year.
3. We are no going to finish this on time.
4. My mother and father is going to buy me a new phone.
5. Are going you to get a part-time job this summer?
6. It is going to rains tonight.
7. They going to have a big party this Christmas.
8. She no is going to come to class tomorrow.
9. Are you going come to my house to pick me up?
10. Is your parents going to help you buy a car?

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 UNIT 4
B. Ask and answer the following questions with your partner. Answer with short answers
(Yes, I am. No, he’s not. etc.). Then add one or two sentences to explain your answer.
1. Are you going to go home right after class?
2. Is your professor going to give a test next week in your class?
3. Is your best friend going to come to your house this week?
4. Are you going to buy a car this year?
5. Is it going to rain tonight?
6. Are you and your family going to go on a trip this year?
7. Are your friends going to play sports this weekend?
8. Are you and your friends going to meet tonight?
C. Answer the following questions using be going to. Try to use a different verb for each sentence.
1. What are you going to do after class today?________________________________________
2. What is your partner going to do after class? ______________________________________
3. What are you probably going to do this weekend? __________________________________
4. What are your parents probably going to do this weekend?___________________________
5. What’s the weather going to be like later today? ____________________________________
6. What are you and a friend going to do in the near future?____________________________

SPEAKING: Plans
A. In the chart below, reorder the words to form questions using be going to grammar.
B. Make a note (key words only) of your own answers to the questions in the ‘You’ column.
C. Survey three students in the class and make notes of their answers.

You Student 1 Student 2 Student 3

1. What/classes/take/next semester
→ What classes are you going to take next semester?

2. When/you/graduate
→ ____________________________________________?

3. How/you/go/home/tonight
→ ____________________________________________?

4. How late/you/stay/at school/today

→ ____________________________________________?

5. Where/you/travel/next
→ ____________________________________________?

6. What kind of job/you/have/in the future

→ ____________________________________________?

49
UNIT 4

SPEAKING: Pronunciation

A. Listen to how going to is pronounced in natural speech.

I’m going to make us dinner.

We’re going to get home at 8.
Are you going to buy a car this year?

going to → /gonna/

Note: Only use the /gonna/ pronunciation with the future aspect (be going to). Do not say
gonna when using go as a verb in the progressive.
• I’m going to London next year. I’m gonna London.
• I’m going to travel to London next year. /I’m gonna travel to London/

B. Think of five things you are going to do after class finishes today.
Share your answers with a partner. Use the /gonna/ pronunciation for each sentence.

C. Listen to how want to is pronounced in natural speech.

Do you want to come with us?

I want to eat out tonight.
They want to cancel their tickets.

want to → /wanna/

D. Think of five things you want to do this weekend. Share your answers with a partner.
Use the /wanna/ pronunciation for each sentence.

SPEAKING: Sam’s schedule

Student A: Turn to page 149. Student B: Turn to page 150.

A. Sam’s schedule is incomplete. Complete Sam’s schedule by asking
your partner for the missing information. Ask questions using be going
to sentences. See the example.

Student A: What is Sam going to do at 11a.m. on Thursday?

Student B: Sam is going to go to his math class. What is Sam going to do at 12 p.m. on Thursday?
Student A: He’s going to eat lunch at 12.

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 UNIT 4
WRITING & SPEAKING: Predictions
A. Make three predictions using be going to with each picture. Use the vocabulary words in the
box to help you.

be angry burn eat get punished have an accident get hurt

Picture 1:__________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Picture 2: __________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Picture 3:__________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Picture 4:__________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

GRAMMAR: Plural
Count count
nouns:nouns
Singular and plural

shoe → shoes For most nouns, we just add -s to make a noun plural.
toy → toys
dish → dishes For words ending in -sh, -ch, -ss, and -x add -es.
dish → dishes For words ending in -sh, -ch, -ss, and -x add -es.
watch → watches
watch → watches
dress → dresses
dress → dresses
box → boxes
box → boxes
tomato →tomatoes For words ending in -o, sometimes add -es.
tomato
hero →tomatoes
→ heroes For words ending in -o, sometimes add -es.
hero →heroes
video →videos And sometimes only add -s
video
kilo →videos
kilos And sometimes only add -s
kilo →kilos
activity →activities For words ending in consonant+ y → -ies
party
activity →parties
→ activities For words ending in consonant+ y → -ies
party
shelf →parties
→shelves Irregular forms*
person →people
shelf
sheep →shelves
→ sheep Irregular forms*
person →people
sheep →sheep

* See page 153 for more information on irregular noun forms.

51
UNIT 4
A. Write the plural form of nouns for each sentence.
1. He bought two ________ (table) and eight _________ (chair).
2. It’s a story of a magic lamp that gives three ______ (wish).
3. I’ve been to many birthday ________ (party), but this is the best one!
4. Don’t forget to pay your ______ (tax) by the 15th!
5. He has five ________ (child) from three _______ (wife) so far.
6. He weighs 181 _______ (pound), which is about 82 ______ (kilo).
7. My father caught three _______ (fish), but I couldn’t catch any.
8. She has lived in seven _______ (city) in three _________(country).

Note: When speaking about topics in general, English speakers often use the plural form of
count nouns.
• I like dogs more than cats.
• Apartments are much more expensive in big cities.

GRAMMAR: Non-count nouns

Non-count nouns do not have a plural form. Nouns that describe a group of items are often
non-count. The types of items within that group are often count nouns.

Non-count nouns describing a group Things in the group (count nouns)

money coins, dimes, quarters, dollars, bills, etc.
furniture chairs, tables, beds, sofas, etc.
traffic/transportation cars, taxis, buses, trains, airplanes, etc.
jewelry rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.
fruit apples, peaches, blueberries, bananas, etc.
time seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.

See page 151 for more noncount nouns.

A. Correct the following sentences:

1. We don’t have enough monies to buy expensive jewelries.
→ We don’t have enough money to buy expensive jewelry.
2. I need to buy some new furnitures. I want go get a new tables and four chair.
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. There is too much traffics in this city. Look at all the car!
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. She doesn’t wear much jewelries, but she always wears earring.
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. We don’t have a lot of times. The movie starts in just 20 minute.
_________________________________________________________________________________

52
 UNIT 4
READING: Are You a Spender or a Saver?
A. Imagine that you have just received $30,000. What will you do with the money?
1. _____________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________________
B. Share your answers with your partner.

C. Answer the following 10 questions about money. Choose the answer

that is closest to what you usually do or think.

1. If you suddenly received $30,000, what would you most likely do?
A. Spend most of it on things I really want right now
B. Save most of it in a bank or pay off a debt
2. What are your thoughts about money for the near future?
A. I just think about how I’m going to spend my money now.
B. I am saving money for something I need or want to do in the future.
3. What do you do for a budget?
A. I don’t really have one. I just figure things out on a weekly basis.
B. I follow a budget closely. I plan my budget often to figure out ways to have more
money to spend and save.
4. Do you often have debt?
A. I do. I often spend more money than I have.
B. Almost never. I generally do not spend more money than I have.
5. Do you save money?
A. I have trouble saving. I usually spend money as fast as I make it.
B. I usually save money and spend time thinking about how to make
and save more.
6. Do you ever borrow money?
A. I borrow money often. I try to pay it back, but sometimes this is hard to do.
B. I try not to borrow money from others. If I do, I pay it back as soon as I can.
7. What do you do if you want to buy something, but you don’t have enough money?
A. I usually buy it anyway. I get it on credit or borrow money from someone.
B. I make a plan to earn and save money for it. I won’t buy it until I have enough money.

8. Do you spend money when you are depressed?

A. I do. Buying things makes me feel better.
B. I usually don’t.

53
UNIT 4
9. How often do you update or upgrade your computer and/or phone?
A. I always try to have the newest model.
B. Once every 3-4 years and sometimes even longer.

Number of A answers: _________ Number of B answers: _________

D. Read the following to see what the survey means for you.

Are You a Spender or a Saver?

Like it or not, money is an important issue to almost everyone. How we handle our money has a
big impact not only on our lifestyles but also our relationships. Countless families, marriages, and
friendships have been damaged and even completely destroyed because of conflicts over money.
Is money going to be a problem for your life? What does your survey results mean for you?

Mostly A answers: The spender

You are a spender. As long as you have a lot of money, you might be OK. Be careful, however. If
something goes wrong (and in life, things often go wrong!) you can find yourself in a lot of trouble.
Too much debt ruins lives. Research has shown that in many countries, problems with money cause
20-25% of all divorces. Work on being a little more patient and careful about spending your money.
Realize that the good feeling you get from buying something does not last long.

Mostly B answers: The saver

You control your money well. You won’t always have the newest and best possessions, but you’ll
probably be OK for money throughout your life. When you retire, you may actually be quite
comfortable financially. Don’t forget, however, that it is OK to treat yourself and spend a little
money sometimes! Life isn’t only about playing it safe, right?

E. Share and explain your answers to the questions with a partner.

1. How similar are you and your partner for spending habits?
a. Exactly the same b. More or less the same
c. More or less different d. Completely different

2. What does the reading mean to you?

a. It is important information for me. I need to make some big changes.

b. I might need to change my money habits a little, but not too much.
c. My spending and saving habits are already OK.

54
 UNIT 4
LISTENING: Weekend plans
A. Listen to Pete and Ann talk about their plans for the weekend. Complete the sentences.
Pete will definitely _____________________________
Ann is pretty sure she will __________________________
Pete will probably _____________________
Pete probably won’t ________________________________
Ann might _________________________________
Ann probably won’t _________________________

GRAMMAR: Will/might

Statements
Statements Contractions
I Iwill
willcall
callyou
youback
backtomorrow.
tomorrow. I’ll call you back tomorrow.
We will have
We will have atest
a testnext
nextweek.
week. We’ll have a test next week.
You will never know how much
You will never know how much I loveI love
you.you. You’ll never know how much I love you.
Theymight
They mightvisit
visitus
usnext
nextweek.
week.
She might be
She might be worried aboutyou.
worried about you. [No contractions for might]

Negative
Negative
I will not have time. Contractions
I willwill
notnot
have I won’t have time.
They betime.
here.
They willnot
notbelieve
be here. They won’t be here.
He might you.
might not believe
We might not arrive onyou.
He time.
We might not arrive on time.
Questions
Questions
Will you have enough money for the trip? Short answers
Will you
youhave enough money for the trip? Yes, I will.
Won’t be tired after the game?
Won’t youbebesnacks
tired after
at thethe game? No, I won’t.
Will there meeting?
Will there be snacks at the meeting? Yes, I might.
No, I might not.
Wh- Questions
Wh-classes
What Questions
will you take next semester? Common mistakes
Whatwon’t
Why classes willtell
they you take
you thenext semester?
answer? I will to help you. → I will help you.
How won’t
Whywill wethey tell you the answer?
get there? I might to go. → I might go.
How will
Where willwe
theget there?
party be held? He will meeting you. → He will meet you.
When might the party be
Where will the party be held?
finished? She might staying. → She might stay.
When might the party be finished?
A: Will you help me?
B: Yes, I’ll. → Yes, I will

I will can go. → I will be able to go.

55
UNIT 4
A. Correct the mistakes
1. I will to go soon. → I will go soon.
_____________________________________________
2. They might waiting for us. → _____________________________________________
3. I no will go to school tomorrow. → _____________________________________________
4. She might comes to the party. → _____________________________________________
5. A. Will you helping me? → _____________________________________________
B. Yes, I’ll. → _____________________________________________

B. Complete the following sentences. Share your sentences with a partner.

Tomorrow,
I will definitely _______________________________________________________________ .
I’m pretty sure I will __________________________________________________________ .
I’ll probably _________________________________________________________________ .
I might ______________________________________________________________________ .
I probably won’t ______________________________________________________________ .
I definitely won’t ______________________________________________________________ .

This weekend,
I will definitely _______________________________________________________________ .
I’m pretty sure I will___________________________________________________________ .
I’ll probably__________________________________________________________________ .
I might______________________________________________________________________ .
I probably won’t______________________________________________________________ .
I definitely won’t______________________________________________________________ .

Next break,
I will definitely _______________________________________________________________ .
I’m pretty sure I will___________________________________________________________ .
I’ll probably__________________________________________________________________ .
I might______________________________________________________________________ .
I probably won’t______________________________________________________________ .
I definitely won’t______________________________________________________________ .

56
 UNIT 4
SPEAKING: Predictions
A. What do you think about the following predictions? Discuss your answers with a partner.
1. Technology
Almost all cars on the road will be electric cars in 20 years.
a. That will definitely happen. d. That probably won’t happen.
b. That will probably happen. e. That definitely won’t happen.
c. That might happen.
2. Global politics
China will be the most powerful country in the world by 2030.
a. That will definitely happen. d. That probably won’t happen.
b. That will probably happen. e. That definitely won’t happen.
c. That might happen.

SPEAKING: Predictions survey

A. Write five predictions for the future.

Probably Definitely
Your prediction Definitely Probably Might
not not

B. S
 urvey at least 10 people in your classroom. After stating each prediction, mark student answers
on your sheet and get a follow-up comment (usually one simple reason for their answer).
C. After completing your survey, return to your group and summarize your findings.
1. Begin each finding with some of these sentence styles:
• Most students answered ________ to the prediction: “____________________.”
• To the prediction “_____________,” the majority answered ________________.
• To the prediction “___________________________,” the responses were mixed.
• There was no clear majority response to the prediction “___________________.”
• Only a few people answered ________ to the prediction “__________________.”
2. N
 ext, add your own comment on each of your findings. Talk about any one or two of
the following:
• What were some of the common reasons for their answers?
• What was surprising to you?
• What is your own opinion on the prediction?

57
UNIT 4
READING: The Simple Life
A. Circle your answer for each of the following questions.
1. What do you do for money?
a. I have a job.
b. I occasionally do small jobs for money.
c. I get money from someone (parents, relatives, etc.).
d. I have money that I saved from a previous job.
2. How often do you upgrade your phone?
a. At least once a year
b. Once every 2 years
c. Once every 3-4 years
d. Once every 5 or more years
3. How often do you buy used goods?
a. never
b. rarely
c. occasionally
d. often
4. Are you going to go shopping this week?
a. No, I doubt that I will go.
b. I don’t know yet.
c. I might go shopping.
d. Yes, I am going to go shopping.
5. Will you buy something expensive in the next 30 days?
a. I don’t know.
b. Yes, I’m going to buy something really expensive in the next 30 days.
c. No, I’m not going to buy anything really expensive in the next 30 days.
d. I might, but I’m not sure yet.
6. Do you think you will buy a car in the next five years?
a. I really don’t know.
b. I’m pretty sure that I won’t.
c. I probably won’t.
d. I probably will.
e. I definitely will.

B. Share your answers with a partner.

C. Discuss the following with a partner

How often do you feel it is necessary to replace or upgrade the following possessions?
• computer
• mobile phone
• wardrobe (clothes)
• car

58
 UNIT 4

The Simple Life

In the age of consumerism, many people have more things than they really need and, for some
reason, a strong desire for even more! How many possessions do we need to be happy? How often
do we need to upgrade or update our mobile phones, computers, and wardrobe?

In 2006, a group of ten friends in San Francisco decided to make a special kind of contract. They
all agreed that they would live as cheaply as possible for a year. They put this agreement online,
and soon thousands of other people across the world joined them.

The contract followed two general rules: 1) Don’t buy new products of any kind from stores or
websites, and 2), either borrow items or buy used goods as much as possible.

They allowed for several exceptions to the rules:

• Food, drink, and necessary medicine
• Cleaning products (but not cleaning equipment, like a vacuum cleaner)
• Socks and underwear
• Basic essential services (plumbers, electricians, veterinarians, etc.)
• Magazines and newspapers (but try to do more reading for free online)
• DVD rentals

Although a few members failed to follow the rules at times, the group generally succeeded, and
many of them keep up this way of living even today. They found that it wasn’t really difficult to
do, and they saved quite a bit of money. One member saved about $4,000!

Though living more simply may not solve all of the world’s problems, there are certainly many of
us who can benefit by spending less for things that we don’t really need.

How about you? Could you survive without buying anything new for a year?

C. Select the right answer to complete the following sentences.

1. These friends made a decision to ______________

a. find a way to make money.
b. try to live without buying unnecessary things.
c. save money to help poor people.

2. Most people in the group _____________.

a. failed to follow the rules.

b. followed the rules.
c. saved about $4,000.

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UNIT 4
3. It was probably OK for these people to___________________.
a. spend money on a doctor’s visit.
b. take a short vacation.
c. see a movie in a theater a few times during the year.

4. It was probably not OK for these people to ___________________.

a. buy a used car.
b. pay money to take the bus.
c. buy a new bike to save money on gas.

D. Complete the sentences with your own answers. Share with a partner.

1. In my case, following this kind of contract in the reading would be _____________

for me to do. (very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, very difficult)

2. Something I could probably spend less money on is ____________________.

3. It would be very difficult for me, however, not to spend money on ____________.

E. Match the following definitions with words from the reading.

Possessions
1. Anything that you own (Paragraph 1): ________________________________

2. The clothes that someone owns (Paragraph 1): ________________________________

3. A written agreement between two or more people (Paragraph 2): _____________________

4. Special things or situations that do not follow the usual rules (Paragraph 4):

___________________________________

5. Continue to do something (Paragraph 5): ________________________________

6. Get help or an advantage from something (Paragraph 6): _____________________________

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 UNIT 4

WRITING & SPEAKING: 5-minute conversations

A. Write at least four sentences for each question. See page 143 for tips on how to think of
things to write and say on a topic.

1. Are you a ‘saver’ or a ‘spender’? _________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. If you suddenly received $30,000, what will you most likely do with the money? ________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. When was the last time you earned money? What did you do? _______________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is your schedule for tomorrow (or this weekend)?

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. If you achieve all of your goals and dreams, what will your life be like in 10 or 20 years
in the future? ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

61