ENGLISH

Unit 1
Making friends in the
neighborhood

Objectives:
At the end of the unit you will be able to:
Recognize combinations of oral and written language related
to professional and academic background. Make plans for the
weekend and invitations by listening and reading content-related
texts within a multiple time framework.
Produce oral and written sentence-level texts, by the combining and
recombining of acquired vocabulary. Know how to state information
on professional and academic background. Make plans for the
weekend and invitations to neighbors within multiple time frames.
 Unit 1
Making friends
in the
neighborhood

Listening Grammar
Speaking Vocabulary
Reading Pronunciation
Writing

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5

Professional Plans for the Expressions to make Directions in the Locations in the
and academic weekend formal and informal neighborhood neighborhood
invitations,
background of expressions to
relatives and accept and refuse
neighbors formal and informal
invitations

Unit guidelines
In this unit, you will learn to give information and to ask questions about professions and occupations. You will also
learn expressions used to make formal and informal invitations and how to accept or refuse those invitations. This
unit will focus on the neighborhood setting. Throughout the unit you will have the opportunity to create your own
resume in English, as you will be given ideas in each of the five lessons.

Introduction: Hands on!

In this unit you will work on the project called “My resume”. You will collect personal information throughout the
unit in order to make your resume. The final product of this project will be your resume, written in English. It will be
useful for you when applying for a job position in which English is required.

192 English - Ninth Grade

 Unit One Lesson 1
What do you do?
Getting started!

Qué ocupación te gustaría tener en el futuro?

¿
¿Qué habilidades necesitarás para desempeñarte en
esa ocupación?
¿Qué oportunidades deberás buscar para llegar a
desempeñar esa ocupación?
¿Para que necesitas un curriculum vitae?

Achievement indicators
I can select, give and elicit information about people’s professional I can identify information about people’s professional and academic
and academic backgrounds. backgrounds in job application forms, records and resumes.

Conversation and more

Listen to and read the conversation between Doris and
Activity 1
Fred as they talk about their jobs. Look up any new Decide whether the following statements are true or false.
words in a dictionary.
1. Fred is a flight attendant.
A: Where do you work, Fred?
2. Doris is a teacher.
B: I work for TACA International. I’m a
flight attendant. 3. Doris is a student, too.
A: How do you like your job?
B: I love it! What about you? Do you have a job?
A: Yes, I do. I have a part time job. I’m a receptionist at
a lawyer’s office. I’m a student, too. Don’t forget!
B: That’s great! And what are you studying?
A: Literature. I want to be a teacher in the future.
Remember “a” is used before nouns beginning with a
consonant. For example: a doctor, a secretary, a nurse.
“An” is used before nouns beginning with a vowel. For
example: an accountant, an engineer, an actor.

Ninth Grade - English 193

UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

What do they do?
Study the following ocupations.

architect receptionist
waiter

nurse doctor teacher

Activity 3
Complete the sentences based on the pictures above.
1. Daniel is a __. He sells computers.
2. Ricky is a __. He operates on patients at a hospital.
3. Elizabeth is a __. she works at a bilingual school.
graphic designer taxi driver She teaches English.
4. Karla is a __. She designs books.
5. Judy is a __. She helps peolple organize their vacations.
6. Angie is a ___. She answers phone calls and
greets visitors.

travel agent salesperson

2 Activity

Complete the sentences. Follow the examples.

Examples: Flight attendant: Fred’s a flight attendant.
He works in American airline.
Receptionist: Doris is a receptionist.
She works in an office.
Waitress: Betty is a waitress. She works
in a restaurant.

1. Nurse: Carlos’s a __. He __.

2. Doctor: Frank __ a __. He __.
3. Taxi driver: Luis __ a taxi driver. He __.
4. Graphic designer: __________________.
5. Architect: ______________________.
6. Teacher: _______________________.
7. Salesperson: _____________________.
8. ___________ : I__ a/an __. I work __.

194 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Time to read
Read the following passage. Look up any new words in
a dictionary.
Activity 5
Fill in the blanks with the words given below. You’ll use one
What’s a resume? word twice.
Your resume is the single-biggest factor that will
cover letter interview resume
determine whether you will even “get your foot in the
door” or have the possibility to be considered for that
all-important job that you so desperately want. 1. You have to write your __ to apply for a job.
In fact, your resume, or curriculum vitae, combined with 2. You need to include a __ with your resume.
the cover letter are the keys to opening the prospective
employer’s mind so that you can proceed to the next step 3. During the __ you can speak about your
in the process - the big interview! experience and ask questions about the position
you’re applying for.
4. The first step is to write a resume, and the second
step is the __.

Activity 6
Complete the following sentences. Follow the example below.
Example: Elizabeth works at the hospital. She’s
a nurse.

1. Daniel works in a computer center. He’s a __.

2. Carmen works in the Trade Center. She’s an __.
3. Ricky works at a school. He’s a primary school __.

Activity 7
Describe your relatives’ and friends’ occupations. Follow the
4 Activity examples below.
Examples: My wife is a nurse. She works in the
Decide whether the following statements are true or false hospital. She takes care of sick people.
according to the previous passage.
My neighbor is a salesperson.
1. Writing a resume is important to get a job. He sells computers.
2. It’s necessary to write a cover letter for the resume.
3. Everybody needs a resume in order to get a job. 1. My daughter/ son
4. A prospective employer is a possible employer. 2. My brother/ sister
5. A resume is the same as a curriculum vitae. 3. My friend
4. My neighbor

Ninth Grade - English 195

UNIT 1

Conversation and more Activity 9

What do you need a resume for? Listen to and read the
following conversation. Look up any new words in Answer the questions using information from the
a dictiorary. previous conversation.
1. What’s the manager’s name?
A: Good afternoon, my name’s Robert Clark. I’m the
manager here. What’s your name? 2. Is Ruben interested in working as a janitor?
B: Nice to meet you! My name’s Ruben Brown. I’m 3. Do you think he’ll get the job?
here for an interview. 4. Why do you think so?
A: What position are you applying for?
5. Do you think Ruben fulfills the requirements for
B: I’m applying for the janitor position. I read in the
the position?
newspaper that you need one for the afternoon
shift. I thought it was a good opportunity for me 6. Is Mr. Clark going to call Ruben?
since I’m available at that time. 7. Would you like to be in Ruben’s place?
A: I have your resume here, and I see you have some
previous experience. You have studied up to ninth
grade. Do you have any references? Don’t forget!
B: Yes, I do, but not with me. I can send them to you if
it’s necessary.
A: No, thank you. We’ll call you in two weeks. I still “I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you” means “I’ll
have to interview some other applicants. Thank be excited and waiting to talk to you.”
you very much! It was nice talking to you.
B: Thank you. I’ll be looking forward to hearing
from you.
Hands on! 1A

8 Activity The heading of a resume includes all necessary contact

Fill in the blanks with the words given below.
applicants apply
available previous
1. Why don’t you talk to the manager again because
the secretary position is still __. Don’t forget to tell
her you’re bilingual.
2. I plan to study next semester, but I need to change
my work __ first.
3. What positions did you __ for?
4. Getting that job seems very difficult because there
were about 40 __ for the position.
5. I think I have an advantage over the rest of the
applicants because I have __ experience.
information. It is placed at the top of your resume,
usually in the center. The heading should include:
your full name
shift your address
your home and cell phone numbers
your email address
What for?
To ask about an occupation or profession use the
questions “What do you do?” or “What’s your
occupation?” For both questions you can answer
“I’m a nurse” or “I’m an accountant” or any
other occupation.

Glossary: Employer: the person, organization or company that offers jobs and hires
Job interview: the formal meeting a person has with the prospective employer in new employees.
order to exchange information related with the applicant’s information and the
job description.

196 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Conversation and more Activity 10

Decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. This conversation takes place in a classroom.
2. The student is asking for a copy of his diploma.
3. The student needs the transcript because he’s
applying for a scholarship.
4. The transcript will be ready in 5 days after paying
the fee.
5. The student is a graduate from the medicine school.

What does an academic record include? Listen to and What for?

read the following conversation that takes place in a
registrar’s office. Look up any new words in a dictionary. A transcript is a grade certification which
contains academic information and it can be
A: Hello! May I help you? attached to your job application. Normally
B: Yes, please. I just graduated from law school, and I it contains:
need a copy of my transcript. How can I get it?
A: There is a fee of $3.25 for transcripts, so you have the number of hours of study for each course
to pay the fee first. for each term or year,
B: How long will the process take? I’m applying for a the grades obtained for each course,
scholarship and the due date is in two weeks.
A: Don’t worry. The process takes 5 days after the name of the degree and the date (day,
paying the fee. If you bring the receipt today, your month, year) on which it was granted,
transcript will be ready by Friday. the dates which the student attended school.
B: Thank you very much!
A: You’re welcome! Academic documents must come directly from
the institution or university and contain the
official seal of the school.

11 Activity

Match the following words on the left with their meanings on the right.
Words Meanings
1 registrar A To give or concede, especially officially; “grant a degree”.
2 seal B To be present at, go to.
A device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol or word used especially to certify a
3 mark C signature or authenticate a document.
4 degree D A symbol used to represent a teacher’s estimate of a student’s work or conduct; grade.
An officer in a university who keeps enrollment and academic
5 grant E achievement records.
A title given to students by a college, university or professional school on
6 attend F completion of a program of study.

Glossary Scholarship: a grant of financial aid awarded to a student for the purpose of
Fee: charge for professional services. attending a university.
Registrar: the person in charge of keeping a university enrollment and academic
achievement records.

Ninth Grade - English 197

UNIT 1

Language in use
Information questions
To ask questions about professions, occupations and work places, you can use the following forms:

Questions Answers Questions Answers

What do they do? They’re football players. What do you do? I’m a dentist.
Where do you work? I work in a clinic. What’s your occupation? I’m an engineer.
Where does she work? She works in a drugstore. What does Maria do? She’s a pharmacist.
Where does he work? He works for a famous What does Luis do? He’s a soccer player.
soccer team.
Who does Natalia work She works with her
When does Adan work? He works from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. with? mother.

12 Activity

Write 5 sentences asking about the tasks of professions and

occupations. Then write 5 sentences answering the questions
like the examples above.

13 Activity

What’s your opinion about these jobs? Complete the following chart by putting an “x” in the boxes that describe the occupations.
After completing the chart, write 5 sentences of your own. Follow the example below.
Example: I think that working as a painter is relaxing and easy.
Jobs dangerous easy difficult boring stressful relaxing exciting
painter X X
fire fighter
cashier
nurse
doctor
engineer
welder
brick layer
singer
soccer player

198 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

14 Activity

Look at and study the example resume. Use this format to begin making your own resume in English.

Rodrigo Quinteros
Calle Principal, Casa # 8, San Vicente
home: (503) 2389-1234
cell: (503)7123-4567
email: rquinteros@gmail.com

Education and Training

Centro Escolar San Antonio, San Vicente, 2002-2006.
Computer Training Course, Infocentros, San Vicente, 2007.

Work Experience
Sales Associate, The Retail Store, San Vicente
June 2005 – Present
Maintain and restock inventory.
Provide customer service.
Operate computerized cash register system.

Child Care, San Vicente

2002 – Present
Provide child care for several families in afternoons, weekends and during school vacations.

Achievements
National Honor Society: 2004, 2005, 2006
Academic Honor Roll: 2002 - 2006

Computer Skills
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the internet

Lesson core

Has aprendido cómo preguntar y responder sobre ocupaciones, profesiones y

lugares de trabajo. También sabes ahora ,qué es un resume, su importancia en el
proceso de búsqueda de trabajo y la información que debe contener. Igualmente,
aprendiste qué es una certificación de notas academic transcript.

Ninth Grade - English 199

UNIT 1

Self evaluation

Choose the letter that best answers each question.

1 What do you do?

a) I’m sick. 3 What does your mother do?
a) She’s here.
b) I’m a student. b) She’s home.
c) I’m at the bank. c) She’s a nurse.
d) Yes, I am. d) She’s at the park.

2 Where do you work?

a) At a bank. 4 What does your father do?
a) He’s a pilot.
b) Yes, I do. b) He isn’t here.
c) No, I don’t. c) He needs money.
d) I study English. d) He’s at work.

4. a 3.c 2. a 1. b Answers:

MISSION AND CULTURE OF A JOB

Your job exists for a reason – this will

ultimately be determined by the strategy of the
organizational unit you work for. This strategy is
often expressed in a mission statement. In some
way, what you do should help the organization
achieve its mission (and if it does not, you have
to ask yourself how secure the job is!). Make
sure you understand and perform the tasks that
contribute to the strategy. Check to see that
your priorities are consistent with this mission
statement and the company culture.

200 English - Ninth Grade

 Unit One Lesson 2
What are you doing this weekend?
Getting started!
E
¿ n qué actividades puedes participar los fines
de semana?
¿Es importante participar en actividades recreativas?
¿Por qué?
¿Crees tú que es importante que los jóvenes se
involucren o participen en actividades recreativas?
¿Por qué?

Achievement indicators
I can identify and express plans for the weekend stressing the I can write about plans for the weekend using proper grammar and
relevance of socialization among peers and neighbors and the practice assertive language.
of meaningful activities.
I can recognize plans for the weekend in a simple text.

Conversation and more Activity 1

Listen to and read the following conversation. Look up
any new words in a dictionary.
A: Hi, Elizabeth! What are you doing for
the weekend?
B: Hi, Lucy! I don’t have any plans for the weekend
yet. What about you?
A: My parents are going to leave for Guatemala on
Friday, so I’m going to watch movies with some of
my friends on Saturday evening. Why don’t you
join us? We’re going to have fun.
B: That’ll be great! Thank you.
A: See you then.
Choose the word that completes the following sentences.
1. (Lucy / Lucy’s) parents (is / are) going to go to
Guatemala for the weekend.
2. Lucy (is / isn’t) going to have fun with her friends.
3. Elizabeth (is /isn’t) going to come to Lucy’s house
on the weekend.
4. Elizabeth and Lucy (are /aren’t) going to have a
great time together.
Don’t forget!

To speak about future activities use: I’m, he’s, she’s, we’re, they’re + going to + verb.

Ninth Grade - English 201

UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

Do you feel like going out this weekend?
Look at the following activities. Can you think of any
other activities to do on weekend?
3 Activity
Look at the pictures with the different activities that can be
done on the weekends. Then choose 5 of them and write what
you and your friends are going to do. You may use the time
expressions from the box.
Example: We’re going to have a picnic in the
park on Sunday.

on Saturday on the weekend tomorrow

tonight next weekend on Sunday

go to the movies go to a concert

go to a museum wash laundry

2 Activity

Answer the question using the information below. Follow

the example.
What are you going to do?
Example: Buy birthday gift/ tomorrow
I’m going to buy a birthday gift for my
girlfriend tomorrow.

1. Go dancing / Friday
2. Study for an exam / on the weekend
3. Visit my sister / next vacation
4. Go to bed early / tonight
5. Stay home and clean my room / next weekend

202 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Time to read
Read the following passage. Look up any new words in
a dictionary.
Activity 4
Find the meanings of the following words in a dictionary.
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
1. shorten (v.)
Have you seen leaves with different colors? Which is
your favorite color? Brown? Yellow? Red? If you are 2. crisp (adj.)
lucky, you live in one of those parts of the world where 3. palette (n.)
nature has one last fling before settling down into 4. foliage (n.)
winter’s sleep. In those lucky places, as days shorten and
5. fall off (v.)
temperatures become crisp, the quiet green palette of
summer foliage is transformed into the vivid autumn
palette of reds, oranges, golds, and browns before the
leaves fall off the trees. On special years, the colors are
truly breathtaking. Activity 5
Answer the following questions with information from the
previous reading.
1. What happens to the leaves before they fall off
the trees?
2. What do you understand from the expression “the
colors are truly breathtaking”?
3. Do trees exist with leaves of colors other than green
in our country?

What for?
The weather is a very important topic for English
speaking people, and this topic is often used
to break the ice, that is to start a conversation.
People use expressions such as: “What a lovely
day! Right?” or “The weather´s terrible, isn`t it?”
Activity 6
Listen to Peter, Susan and Ann talking about their
plans and decide whether the following statements are
true or false.
1. Peter and Ann are going to go to the beach
with Susan.
2. Ann isn’t going to go to the beach with Peter.
3. Susan is going to go to the theater.
4. It’s going to be a boring evening for all of them.

Hands on! 1B

A resume should include a section that lists your education and training. In it you should list
the schools you attended with the year you graduated and the city where the school is located.
Include the degree or diploma you received. You may also include in this section any trainings
that you participated in. For example: Computer training course, Infocentro, San Vicente, 2007.

Ninth Grade - English 203

UNIT 1

Language in use
Future with be going to and will
Use be + going to + base form of the verb to talk about definite future plans. Use will + base form of the verb to talk
about future plans you haven’t made plans yet.
Affirmative statements
Subject Am/ is/ are Going to Base form Complement
pronoun
I am buy the English book tomorrow.
You are need some help to finish this exercise.
She happy as soon as she learns about the news.
be
He is going to tonight. It’s very dark.
It rain this weekend.
They ask for help.
are
We stay home this weekend.

To form questions move the form of the verb be to the beginning:

Are you …? Is he …? Are they …?

Negative statements
Subject Am not / isn’t Going to Base form Complement
pronoun / aren’t
I am not miss classes tomorrow.
You aren’t bring your homework assignment tomorrow.
She
feel comfortable with these comments.
He isn’t going to
It be windy tonight.
They arrive to classes on time.
aren’t
We make comments about this incident.

A contraction is made with “will + not” to form “won’t”.

Use of will
Subject Will Base form Complement
pronoun
I try to do it. What for?
I give you a call.
will
probably by the end of To speak about the future you can add
She expressions such as next week, next month, next
leave march.
weekend, tomorrow, or tonight to your sentences.
The won’t ask for help.
students

204 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

Study the following table about weather.
Asking about the weather
What’s it It’s beautiful outside.
like outside? Oh, it’s lovely weather today.
What’s the It’s horrible. It’s raining and it’s
weather like? extremely cold.
Gosh! Yes! It’s pouring.
Is it raining? Yes, it is. There’s heavy rain and windy cloudy
severe gales.
Is it snowing? Yes, it’s snowing. It’s very cold.
Is it sunny Yes, the sun is shining brightly.
out there?

7 Activity
sunny It’s snowing.

Listen to the following weather reports. Then answer

the following question. What’s the weather like in each
of the reports?

8 Activity
It’s raining.

Match the following words on the left with their meanings on the right.
Words Meanings
1 weather girl /man A Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold
2 fog B Cool or cold enough to cause shivering
3 scattered shower C A strong wind
A person on a television or radio program who gives the weather
4 chilly D forecast
Condensed water vapor in cloudlike masses lying close to the ground
5 sticky E and limiting visibility
6 cool F Isolated shower
7 gales G Warm and humid; muggy

Glossary: It’s pouring: it’s raining very heavily.

Feel like: it’s an expression used to express likes and dislikes. For example: I feel like
going out tonight. I don’t feel like going out tonight.

Ninth Grade - English 205

UNIT 1

Conversation and more

How about planning the activities for the weekend?
Activity 11
Listen to the following conversation between Melanie
and Paul talking about their plans for the weekend and Complete the sentences with a form of be +going to + verb.
the next week. Example: I’m not going to start working early
tomorrow. (Negative)

1. I __ ask for my transcript next week.

2. My sister __ apply for a scholarship after she
finishes high school.
3. The teacher __ give us the scholarship information
in the next class.
4. All of us __ study to become professionals.
5. Some of us __ start working as soon as we finish
high school. (Negative)
6. __ you __ study and work at the same time? Yes, I
am. I need to make some money.

9 Activity
7. Where __ you __ continue studying? I don’t
know yet.
8. __ your friend __ work with you tomorrow?
9. No, he isn’t. He __ take care of his kids.
Listen to the conversation between Melanie and Paul
again and complete Melanie’s diary.

Don’t forget!
10 Activity
Be + going to + verb is used to refer to actions that will
take place in the future.
Answer the following questions about the conversation
between Melanie and Paul.
1. What’s Melanie going to do on Monday?
2. What’s she doing on Wednesday?
3. Is she going out with Paul? Activity 12
4. What do you think Paul is going to do after talking
to Melanie? Prepare a diary with a list of 5 activities that you are going to
perform next week. Then write sentences using those activities.
Example: I’m going to work on my
resume tomorrow.

206 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

13 Activity

Mark the activities that these people are going to do over the weekend.
Your Your brother Your boyfriend
Activities You friend or sister or girlfriend
1 go out for dinner
2 play sports
3 stay home
4 go to an art exhibition
5 go to the theater
6 watch a movie
7 go shopping

14 Activity Activity 16
Write 5 questions and answers using the information from the Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes each
chart above. Follow the example below. statement. Use the words in the box below.
rain cold sunny snow
Example: What are your brother and sister going
to do on the weekend? They’re going 1. A: Are you going to go to the concert tonight?
to stay home.
B: No, I think it’s going to __. I’m not feeling very

well, and I don’t want to get wet.

15 Activity
2. A: Are we going to have the picnic this weekend?
B: Sure. It will be __.
3. A: Are you going out tonight?
Put the following words in the correct order to form sentences
or questions. B: No. It’s going to be too __ for me. I feel like I’m
getting the flu.
1. participate / going / the / Is / Carmen / to / in / 4. A: Are we going to go sledding this week?
drama / ?
2. this / Whose / is / handbag / ? B: Yes! It’s going to __ tomorrow!
3. her / bring / going / Mary / isn’t / to / CD
player / . Lesson core
4. is / weather / The / to / nice / be / next / week/
going / .
Con esta lección has aprendido a hablar de planes
5. am / home / tonight / going /to / I / be / . para el fin de semana y la diferencia entre el uso de
6. afternoon / The / won’t / be / in / the / school / “be going to” y “will” para referirse a actividades
in / the / principal / . que realizarás en el futuro, cuando ya tienes
7. tickets / you / the / for / the / Will / play / planes reales y cuando no los tienes aún. Habrás
reconocido también la importancia que tiene el
get / ? tema del clima para la planificación de actividades.

Ninth Grade - English 207

UNIT 1

Self evaluation

Choose the letter that best answers each question or statement

1 What are you going to do on Saturday?

a) I rest. 3 What are you going to do after finishing
high school?
b) I’m going to rest. a) I study.
c) I do rest. b) I work.
d) I’ll rest. c) I’m going to look for a job.
d) I look for a new job

2 Somebody’s knocking on the door. ___ you

answer it, please. 4 The weather is beautiful outside!
a) Yes, it’s raining.
a) Are b) Yes, it’s snowing.
b) Will c) Yes, it’s dark outside.
c) Is d) Yes, the sun is shining.
d) Do

4. d 3. c 2. b 1. b Answers:

NO TIME TO RELAX

The weekend has long been considered sacred

by many paid workers. It is supposed to be
the golden time when most of us don’t have to
adhere to the company’s schedule or answer our
boss’ demands. However, changes in the way we
live — from more women working full-time to
24-hour just-in-time production schedules and
the growth of self-employment —have changed
many people’s schedules on Saturday and
Sunday. It often seems that the work week has
invaded the weekend, since chores and errands
that are no longer done between Monday and
Friday get deferred to Saturday and Sunday.

208 English - Ninth Grade

 Unit One Lesson 3
Would you like to join us?
Getting started!
S
¿ abes como disculparte cuando no puedes aceptar
una invitación?
¿Con qué frecuencia aceptas o rechazas invitaciones?
¿Qué tipo de actividades recreativas se realizan en
tu comunidad?

Achievement indicators
I can recognize and infer ideas of acceptance or refusal of invitations. I can respectfully accept or refuse invitations.
I can invite someone formally or informally to share meaningful I can elaborate invitations (notes, cards, flyers) with appropriate word
activities for the weekend. choice and grammatical accuracy.

Conversation and more

Listen to and read the following conversation. Look up Activity 1
any new words in a dictionary.
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.
A: Hi, Betty! This is Charlie. How are you?
B: Great. What a nice surprise! How are you? 1. Betty is going to the play with Charlie.
A: Fine, thank you. I have two tickets for a play 2. Betty was expecting Charlie’s invitation.
tonight. Would you like to go? 3. Betty refused Charlie’s invitation.
B: I’m very sorry, but I already have plans for tonight.
I’m having a special dinner for some friends. 4. Betty is staying home tonight.
A: Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe some other day, right?
B: Yes. Thank you. Bye!
A: Bye!

Don’t forget!

You can use the formal phrase “Would you like to go dancing…?” or the less
formal phrase “What about going dancing?” to invite somebody out.

Ninth Grade - English 209

UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

Is it necessary to make a reservation?
Study the following special occasions.

baptism first communion graduation marriage

2 Activity Activity 4
Answer the following questions with your own information.
Listen to the following short conversations and write the 1. What’s your favorite kind of book?
special occasion that they refer to. 2. What’s your favorite T.V. show?
Conversation 1 3. What’s your favorite kind of movie?
Conversation 2 4. Who’s your favorite actor or actress?
Conversation 3
Conversation 4

3 Activity

Write short conversations with the following phrases inviting 1. Listen to pop music
somebody to do the following activities with you. Follow the 2. Go dancing
examples below.
3. Go out and have dinner with me
Examples: 4. Go to a live rock concert with me
See a horror film with me 5. Go to my nephew’s baptism
Question: Would you like to see a horror film with me? 6. Go shopping for a new dress
Answer: I’d love to. Thank you. 7. Study English

Watch a documentary on TV
Question: How about watching a documentary with me?
Answer: I don’t think so. Bob and I have plans for tonight.
What for?

Polite ways to refuse invitations include: I’m sorry, I already have other plans, maybe
some other day, or no thank you.

210 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Time to read
Read the following passage about Lake Coatepeque.
Look up any new words in a dictionary.
Activity 7
Choose the best answer to complete the following statements.
Santa Ana is a cute, little town which is about 10 minutes
from Lake Coatepeque. It’s town square is a snap shot 1. We’re going to go to the Costa del Sol. It’s a
of Salvadoran life outside the big city. There are lots of beautiful ___ in El Salvador.
restaurants lining the square. When you visit Santa Ana, A. volcano
make sure not to miss a trip to the theater, the ancient B. theater
building has been wonderfully preserved. Try to get a C. park
ticket and watch a Spanish play. You may only want to D. beach
take a peek inside, which will cost you $1 and the profits
go to its restoration. 2. We have decided to go to the San Andres ___.
A. beach
Lake Coatepeque is a volcano crater, and it’s a beautiful B. city
weekend destination for many Salvadorans. The lake is C. lake
very large and offers many locations to stop and have a
bite to eat. The best restaurant you’ll find is at the Lake D. ruins
Coatepeque Hotel. This location has a great view of the 3. A: Why are you going to do at the National Theater?
entire lake. The lake also offers great diving. B: We’re going to ___ .
A. see the film “Angels and Demons”
B. watch the play “Les Miserables”
C. buy souvenirs
D. get copies of the latest movie
5 Activity
4. They’re going to go ___ because they need to relax,
breathe clean air and be surrounded by nature.
Answer the following questions about the previous passage. A. dancing
1. What is the passage about?
B. surfing
C. camping
2. If you would go to Santa Ana, who would you go with?
D. hiking
3. What can you see in Santa Ana?
4. Is it a good idea to go to the theater in Santa Ana? 5. He says he’s going to work on his ___. He has a job
interview next Monday.
5. Has the theater been preserved? A. resume
B. project
C. homework assignments

6 Activity
D. mathematics

Answer the following questions with your own information.
1. What are you going to do after you finish the 9th grade?
2. Are you going to look for a job or are you going to
keep studying?
3. What are you going to do during the vacation period?
4. Are you and your friends going to do something
together on Saturday?
5. Are you going to be with your family this For example: English Teacher, Centro Cultural
coming weekend?
Hands on! 1C
The next important part of a resume includes past
work experience. Here you should list 3 or 4 of your
most recent jobs. Include your job title, the name
of the business or company you worked for, the city
you worked in, and length of time you worked there.
If you currently have a job, make this the first entry.
Salvadoreño, San Salvador, 2006 – present.

Ninth Grade - English 211

UNIT 1

Why do you
Conversation Accepts Refuses
Conversation and more think so?
1
2
Accepting and refusing invitations
3
Listen to the following invitations. Check the
corresponding box. Explain your answer. 4

8 Activity Card 1

Identify the topic of the invitation cards from the list. Then
answer the questions for each one. Fill in the blanks with
original information of your own.
A. A wedding
B. A graduation
C. A baby shower

Card 1:
1. What’s the date of the event? Card 2
2. What time is the event going to be?
3. Where’s the event going to be?

Card 2:
4. What’s the date of the event?
5. What time is the event going to be?
6. Where’s the event going to be?

Card 3:
7. What’s the date of the event? Card 3
8. What time is the event going to be?
9. Where’s the event going to be?

9 Activity

Now choose two celebrations and design two invitation cards

on your own.

Glossary:
RSVP: this acronym is commonly used in invitations, and it means please replay.
When this acronym is in the invitations, the person who receives it has to inform the
host whether or not he or she accepts.

212 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

There’s a card for every occasion. Below you’ll find some
cards with their names and what they’re used for.
Activity 11
Choose the letter that best completes the following statements.
Condolence cards are used to express your support to
somebody who’s grieving. 1. Our friends’ son died last night. We should send him
Thank you cards are used to show appreciation to people __ card.
who have been very supportive to you. A. an apology
Apology cards are used for saying sorry to someone special. B. a thank you
Thanksgiving cards are sent to friends on Thanksgiving C. a condolence
Day to share and spread happiness.
Valentine’s cards are sent to your beloved ones on
D. a Valentine’s
Valentine’s Day.
2. You know, Karla has supported me greatly after my
divorce. I want to send her __ card.

10 Activity


A. a thank you
B. a Valentine’s
C. an apology
Read the following sentences and decide which type of card D. a condolence
should be used for each one.

1. For that special someone. 3. I couldn’t go to my niece’s gradation celebration, so

I’m going to send her a gift and __ card.
2. May your Thanksgiving be blessed with the bounty
A. a thank you
of the season!
B. an apology
3. Thank you very much for your help.
C. a condolence
4. My deepest sympathy at this moment of grief.
D. birthday
5. Please, forgive me.

Activity 12
Answer the following questions with your own information.
1. Do you like to receive cards?
2. What kind of cards do you prefer to receive?
3. Do you like to send birthday cards to your relatives?
4. Did you receive any cards for your last birthday?
5. Do you send Christmas cards to your friends?

What for?

RSVP is sometimes included on invitation cards.

It stands for the French phrase “Répondez S’il
Vous Plait”, and it means “please reply” in English.

Ninth Grade - English 213

UNIT 1

Language in use
Uses of “s” to show possession
Use “s” (’s- singular; ’- plural ) to show possession for:
A. Humans and animals. For example: John’s car, the cat’s milk, the dog’s tail.
B. For groups and institutions. For example: the government’s proposals, the company’s policy .

2. Use the “of the” phrase to show possession for non-living things: the door of the house.

To show possession Examples

my dad’s car
Add -’s to a singular noun (the possessor) even if the noun ends in “s”
Ross’s new hat
the children’s room
Add -’s to an irregular plural posserssor that doesn’t end in the letter “s”. the mice’s hole
men’s clothes
Add only the ‘ (apostrophe) to a plural possessor when it ends with the my friends’ letters
letter “s” the students’ notebooks
my sister-in-law’s wallet
For compound words add ‘s to the last part of the noun
my mother-in-law’s
Add -’s or only the apostrophe to the last element when there’s more than one Karl and Anne’s wedding
possessor and they posses something jointly. Jim and Joe’s parents
Add the -’s or only the apostrophe ‘ to each element when two or more the Smiths’ and the
people or things possess something separately. Jones’ houses

13 Activity

Complete the following sentences. Follow the example below. Possessive pronouns
Examples: My dad’s car Subject Possessive Example: Whose
pronouns pronouns glasses are these?
My dad’s car is blue.
I mine They’re mine.
you yours They’re yours.
1. My friends’ letters __.
he his They’re his.
2. The mice’s hole __.
she hers They’re hers.
3. My sister-in-law’s wallet __.
we ours They’re ours.
4. The children’s room __.
they theirs They’re theirs.
5. Jessica and Aaron’s house __.

214 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

14 Activity
Choose the correct possessive pronouns to complete the
sentences below.
1. I love my job, but Carlos is always complaining
about (he’s / his).
2. I found my wallet, but Karen couldn’t find (her / hers).
3. That’s a very old car. (Our / Ours) is brand new.
4. Robert finished his English assignment on time. I
couldn’t finish (my / mine).
5. The teacher lent me Lorena’s dictionary. She didn’t
lend me (her / hers).
6. The boys used the girls’ colors. They didn’t use
(them / theirs).
Activity 16
Answer the following questions by accepting or refusing
1. Would you like to go to the theater to see a play with
me tonight?
2. What about going to the park and have some
ice cream?
3. Would you like to be part of my project team?
4. What would you say if I invite you to the movies?
5. I’d like to invite you to my birthday party. Would
you accept the invitation?

15 Activity

Use the following words in sentences using the possessive form.

Example: witch / hat
The witch’s hat is black and big.
1. woman / waist
2. butcher / knife
3.
4.
Herbert / car
Mrs. Jones / husband
Activity 17
5. teachers / duties
6. dog / hair Think of three things you would like to do with someone else.
Write three conversations inviting someone to do something
with you.

Lesson core

El tema de esta lección ha sido la aceptación o

rechazo de invitaciones formales e informales.
Hemos aprendido que hay formas tanto para
aceptar invitaciones a celebraciones o alguna
actividad en particular como para rechazarlas,
evitando que la persona que invita se sienta
rechazada. Hemos leído también el texto de
algunas invitaciones y hemos creado nuestras
propias tarjetas.

Ninth Grade - English 215

UNIT 1

Self evaluation

Choose the letter or letters that best answer each question.

1 Whose backpack is this?

a) It’s blue. 3 Is this your umbrella?
a) No, it’s new.
b) It’s mine. b) No. It’s Miriam’s
c) It’s big. c) No. I don’t want to buy it.
d) Wow! d) Yes, I need a new umbrella.

2 I have tickets for tonight’s concert.

Would you like to come with me?
a) Uh, I’m afraid I can’t.
b) Yes, I got the tickets.
c) Yes, I’m going to the concert with
my girlfriend.
d) Yes, I would love to.
4 ______________? In Mary’s house.
a) Where does Mary live
b) Where’s Mary
c) Where is the anniversary party going
to be
d) Where is the school located

4. c 3. b 2. a, d 1. b Answers:

CELEBRATION CAKES

Cakes are a must for all sorts of celebrations. In

fact, many times the success of a party depends on
the kind of dessert that is served by the host. To
have a memorable party, choose a cake that is not
just yummy to eat but also “interesting” to look at.
Whether it is a birthday, marriage, or festival, you can
opt for cakes that can pep up the moods of invitees.
For example, for birthdays choose a cake depicting
something that the birthday boy or girl is fond of. It
will definitely make the person feel extra special.

216 English - Ninth Grade

 Unit One Lesson 4
Can you tell me how to get there?
Getting started!

E n tu opinión, ¿Será importante aprender a leer

mapas para tener una mejor orientación?
¿Conoces otros instrumentos que sirvan para
orientarse en determinado lugar?
¿Alguna vez te has desorientado en algún lugar?
¿Qué has hecho para encontrar el lugar que
andabas buscando?

Achievement indicators
I can give directions in the neighborhood and in a building showing I can draw original maps or plans with creativity.
respect, support and friendliness. I can follow written directions and write directions to get to places in the
I can read neighborhood maps and building plans. neighborhood and in a building with accurate vocabulary and grammar.

Conversation and more

Listen to and read the following conversation between
Activity 1
Ann and Lucy. Look up any new words in a dictionary.
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.
A: Hi, Lucy! How are you? 1. Lucy has a serious problem.
B: Just fine. What about you?
A: Great! I was looking for you because I need you to 2. Lucy is going downtown by bus.
help me. 3. Ann knows where the bookstore is.
B: What is it? Is there any problem? What can I do 4. It’s difficult to get to the bookstore.
for you?
A: No, there isn’t any problem. Don’t worry. I just
need you to tell me how to get downtown from
here. I need to buy some books. Don’t forget!
B: Ok. Are you going by bus or on foot?
A: On foot. I prefer to walk as I understand it’s not far
from here. If you want to know where a place is, you can
B: You’re right. It’s a 15-minute walk from here. So go ask questions such as: “Where’s the library?” or
along this street for seven blocks. Turn right. Walk “Where’s the library located?”
two more blocks. The bookstore is on the left in
front of a fast food restaurant. You won’t miss it.
A: Thank you, very much. See you later.
B: Bye. Have a nice day!

Ninth Grade - English 217

UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

Places and activities
Look at the following places and activities that are done there. Can you add more activities to the list?
Gym Bank Office supply store Beauty shop Hotel
exercise deposit money buy pencils get a haircut eat a meal
lift weights cash a check make copies get your nails done stay the night
swim get a loan buy a computer get your eyebrows waxed check in/ check out
buy office/ school
do aerobics pay your bills get a massage go swimming
supplies

2 Activity Activity 5
Choose the letter that best completes each statement.
1. I have to go to the bank to __ the money my
Listen to the following conversations, and decide where brother sent me last week in my savings account.
the people are going and why they‘re going there. A. deposit
B. cash
C. pay
3 Activity
2. Ana always goes to the beauty shop to get __, and
she usually wears acrylic ones.
Answer the following questions with your own information. A. a massage
B. her nails done
1. Where do you buy your shoes?
C. her eyebrows waxed
2. Where do you buy your clothes?
3. Where do you buy the newspaper? 3. The last time we went to Costa Rica, we __ at the
4. Do you work? Where do you work? Hotel Real Intercontinental. The bedrooms were
5. Where do your parents buy the groceries? so comfortable.
6. Where do you pay the electricity and telephone bills? A. ate a meal
B. stayed the night
C. went swimming

4 Activity 4. A: Why are you going to the office supply store?

Complete the following sentences with the names of the places.
You may refer to the table above.
1. I’m going to the __ to pay my bills and cash a check.
2. Why don’t you go to the __. You can find
everything your son needs for school there.
3. You look very tired. Why don’t you go to the __ to
get a massage?
4. We have to check out from the __ before 3:00 p.m.
5. Karla and José are doing aerobics at the Power __.
B: Because I need to __.
A. eat a meal
B. make copies and buy some envelopes
C. get a loan
What for?
It’s important to know where the places in the
community are located. It’s also very helpful to learn the
names of the streets and to understand the street signs
to be able to give or follow directions.

218 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Time to read
Activity 6
Match the words on the left with the meanings on the right.

Words Meanings
a device used in an
aircraft to measure
1 get(ting) lost A how high it is from
the ground
2 surrounding B something that helps
a building or
place that is easily
Read the following article. Look up any new words in recognized, especially
a dictionary. 3 altimeter C one which you can
use to judge where
How to Avoid Getting Lost, by Hal Lillywhite you are
a long walk, especially
How can a person avoid getting lost? This is a good question 4 aids D in the countryside
and there is probably no simple answer, except never leaving
home. However, there are some techniques that help. If you not knowing where
5 hike E you are and how to
learn these and use them, you will greatly reduce your chances get to a place
of getting lost. I divide this subject into two categories:
the place where
1) Developing a “feel” for the land, a sort of mental map. someone or
6 landmarks F something is and the
We all do this more or less with our home territory. We
know which streets intersect and approximately how things that are in it
they relate to each other. Most of us have little trouble
finding our way around in the neighborhood. When we
arrive in unfamiliar surroundings, it helps to quickly
start developing a mental picture of the territory.
Activity 7
2) “Formal” navigation using compass, altimeter or other Answer the following questions based on the previous article.
aids (including some natural ones). This is the technique 1. How can a person get lost?
that allows a person to go from one place to another,
based on information from a map or directions from 2. What will never happen if you never leave home?
someone else. This can be anything from following a 3. How can people find their way around in
road map to an unfamiliar town or to a complicated the neighborhood?
cross- country hike with many intermediate landmarks, 4. What does the article recommend when somebody
requiring compass bearings etc. This type of navigation gets to an unfamiliar area?
seems less natural and usually requires more effort
5. Do you get lost frequently?
to learn.

Hands on! 1D

Additional sections on your resume might include: objectives, achievements, computer

skills, languages, or others. But don’t include all of these sections, choose the ones that
show you are the best candidate for the job. A resume should be no longer than two pages!

Ninth Grade - English 219

UNIT 1

Conversation and more

What’s the name of the place?
Study the names of the places below

8 Activity

Study the position of each of the places on the neighborhood map. Read the following questions and the expressions used to
answer them. Finally, add 3 more questions with their answers.
Questions: Answers:
1. Where is the school? It’s on the corner of Saint Paul street and Third Avenue.
2. Where’s the drugstore? It’s on the first floor, between the bookstore and the theater.
3. Where’s the bakery? It’s in front of the school.
4. Where’s the Post Office? It’s next to the bank on Oxford Street.
5. Where’s the dentist’s office? It’s behind the hospital.
6. Where’s the gym? It’s on the second floor next to the flower shop.

9 Activity

Think about your neighborhood or city. Write the name of the

place that fits the location in each of the following statements.
1. What’s the place located the post office? 3. What’s the place on the corner your street?
That’s the __. That’s the __.
2. What’s the place in front of the park? 4. What’s the place behind the hospital?
That’s the __. That’s the __.

220 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary an office supply store a gym

Places in the neighborhood a laundromat a library
Identify the places in the pictures with the names from a beauty shop a bakery
the list.

What for?
Activity 10
Maps are very useful when trying to find a place in Now rewrite the sentences from Activity 9, including the names
an unfamiliar area. Look at a map before leaving of the places. Follow the example.
your house! Example: The gym is on the second floor next to
the flower shop.

11 Activity

Match the phrases on the left to the phrases on the right to make complete sentences.

1 A beauty shop is a place A where you can buy books.

2 A bookstore is a place B where you can buy office supplies.
3 A stationery store is a place C where you can practice indoor sports.
4 A laundromat is a place D where you can borrow books.
5 A gym is a place E where you can buy baked goods.
6 A bakery is a place F where you can get a manicure.
7 A library is a place G where you can wash your clothes.

Glossary:
Office supply store: a store where one can get things used for writing such as paper
for writing letters, envelopes and school supplies.

Ninth Grade - English 221

UNIT 1

Language in use Asking and giving directions

Adverbs of locations: over there, near here, far How do I get to the Bloom Hospital from Cuscatlan Park?
from here. Walk along 25th Avenue North for about 5 blocks. The
Prepositions: next to, across from/ opposite, hospital is on the left.
between, on, behind, in front of, near, close to. Now answer the question. Use as many expression from
the list as needed.
1. Where’s the school located?
It’s near here. It’s on the corner of Saint Paul Street What’s the best way to get to Metrocentro from the
and Third Avenue. Salvador del Mundo monument?
2. Where’s the post office? Go straight ahead on ….
It’s over there, next to the bank. Turn right / left, . . .
3. Where’s the bakery? Go along Second street until you get to …,
It’s not far from here. It’s on Second Avenue across Take the first /second road …
from the school. Turn back (two blocks) …
4. Where’s the dentist’s office? Go back to . . .
It’s behind the hospital.
Activity 12
Choose the expressions that correspond to the
following pictures.
A. Go straight ahead
B. Go along the street
C. Turn left on the corner
D. Go back to
1. 2.

3. 4.

222 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

13 Activity Activity 15
Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes each Choose the letter that best answers the following statements.
statement. Some words may be used more than once. 1. The traffic light __ the corner is broken.
on far next to A. at
B. in
near between across C. on
A: Hey! It’s nice to see you! Can you help me decide D. between
where to buy a new pair of shoes?
2. I want to go to the department store that is located
B: Sure! Why not? __ the pet store and the shoe store.
A: You know. I saw this beautiful pair of shoes at a store A. across
that is ___ Toto’s Photo Studio and Nanny’s B. next from
bakery, but I don’t remember the name of the place. C. on
B: Well, I love buying shoes at Benny’s store which is D. between
___ the second floor of the shopping center, not
___ from the ice cream stand. We can go together. 3. My father prefers to buy gasoline at the gas station
I have to buy tickets for the piano concert. which is located __ the supermarket.
A: Ok. Are you buying the tickets at this place that is A. in
right ___ the corner of Fifth Avenue and Morazan B. far
Street right ___ from the park? C. next to
D. between
B: Yes! That’s right. Hurry up! Let’s take the bus ___
Saint Paul Street. 4. Which beauty salon did you go to, the one __
Second Avenue or the one __ the corner of St.
Charles Street and Eighth Avenue?
A. on / on
B. in / on
C. at /in
D. on / in

Lesson core

En esta lección hemos aprendido a preguntar

sobre la ubicación de lugares en el vecindario, así
como a dar información sobre el mismo tema.
Hemos discutido la importancia de poder leer
14 Activity
mapas para orientarse mejor en áreas que uno no
conoce muy bien. También ha sido importante
conocer por medio de la lectura lo que es un GPS
Draw a map to explain how to get from your home to y para que se usa. .
your job.

Ninth Grade - English 223

UNIT 1

Self evaluation
Choose the letter that best answers each question or statement.

1 The bookstore is __ the second floor,

__ to the stationery store. 3 Walk __ Second Avenue for 5 blocks.
Then turn __. The post office is right in
front of you.
a) on / next
b) in / on a) on / between
c) at / next b) on / on
d) far / in c) along / left
d) far / in

2 The barber shop is __ Maple Street __

the beauty shop and the gym. 4 __ is the theater located?
a) Whose
a) on / between b) How
b) on / on c) Where
c) at / next d) What
d) far / in

4. c 3.c 2. a 1. a Answers:

WHY LEARN TO READ PAPER?

“Because your GPS may quit working and you will

need to know how to do this.”
I overheard that while camping out at Hickory
Run State Park last weekend. I had a camp site
next to a group of first year boy scouts. They
had just gotten back from a day of Orienteering
and were complaining loudly about having to
use paper maps and compasses. And what
caught my attention was that a couple of the kids
said it was pointless to learn this because they
could just use a GPS. One of the leaders asked,
“What would you do if you got no signal, or the
batteries run out, or it breaks?”

Glosary:
GPS: is a gadget is an electronic devise with a practical use .

224 English - Ninth Grade

 Unit One Lesson 5
What’s your neighborhood like?
Getting started!
Q
¿ ué características buscas en un vecindario ideal?
¿Culturalmente como se dan las direcciones para
llegar a un lugar en nuestro país?
¿Qué tan diferente se dan las direcciones en inglés?
¿Qué piensas sobre las señales de tránsito en El
Salvador y de las señales para identificar las calles y
las avenidas?

Achievement indicators
I can locate places in the neighborhood and in a building plan. I can write street signs and labels with correct spelling.
I can follow oral directions in the neighborhood and in a building. I can draw original maps or plans with creativity.
I can follow written directions to get to places in the neighborhood
and in a building.

Conversation and more

Activity 1
Listen to and read the following conversation between Answer the following questions about previous conversation.
David and Mary. Look up any new words in a dictionary.
1. Do you think David lives in the neighborhood?
A: Excuse me, miss! 2. Why do you think so?
B: Yes? What can I do for you?
A: Is there a hospital near here? 3. Was Mary kind to David?
B: Yes, there’s one across from the park, next to the 4. Why do you think so?
drugstore. 5. Is David sick?
A: Thank you.
6. How do you know?
B: You’re welcome!

Don’t forget!

To ask for the location of people, places, and things, use questions such as:
Where’s the school located? Where’s Miriam? Where are the keys?

Ninth Grade - English 225

UNIT 1

Conversation and more

Listen to and read the conversation between Wendy and
Activity 4
Carlos. Look up any new words in a dictionary. Fill in the blanks with the preposition that best completes
each sentence.
A: I want to take my kids to the park, but I think it’s
too far from here. in front of near in far from
B: No, it’s not. It’s about eight or ten blocks from here.
You can take the bus or you can walk. If you decide 1. There isn’t a shopping center __ my house.
to walk, go straight ahead for 4 blocks, then turn 2. There is a basketball court __ my neighborhood.
right. The park is right there.
A: Is there a soccer field in the neighborhood? 3. The church is __ my house. I always take the bus to
B: Sure! It’s five blocks away from here. Walk down get there.
the street, then turn left on the corner at the first 4. The hospital is __ my school. We always hear the
traffic light. ambulance.
A: Thank you very much!
B: You’re welcome!

2 Activity
Answer the following questions about the previous conversation.
1. Does Carlos know where the park is?
2. Is Wendy going to the soccer field?
3. Is there a park in your neighborhood?
4. What is it like?
5. How often do you go to the park?
6. Is there a soccer field near your house?
Activity 5
Listen to two short conversations, and then fill in the
blanks to the places the woman and the man are
looking for.
1. What place is the woman looking for?
She’s looking for the __. It’s __ the __, __ of the
bank, on Main Street.
2. What place is the man looking for?
He’s looking for the __. It’s__ the __, __ from
the movie theater. You can’t miss it.

3 Activity
What for?
Match the pictures below with the following words and phrases.
1. highway Prepositions are used to identify the location of people,
2. on ramp places and things. For example: in the house, on the
roof, at the door.
3. traffic light
4. on foot

A. B. C. D.

226 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Time to read
Read the following passage about the Beach House
Barbuda. Look up any new words in a dictionary.
Activity 7
Look at the ads in the newspaper and choose the apartment
or house you want to rent. Write 5 sentences explaining the
reasons for your choice.
Example: I chose the house with five bedrooms
because I have a large family.

Small, modern apartment:

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom; located in
a quiet neighborhood, three blocks
from a metro station1 parking
The Beach House Barbuda is a beachside property,
located on the southern tip of Barbuda. You can get there
by chartering a plane after landing at V. Bird International
Airport in Antigua. Local attractions include snorkeling, Two-story wooden house:
nature tours, and cave tours. Hotel amenities
include beach access, outdoor salt water pools, tour 5 bedrooms, each with a bathroom;
arrangements, boat rental, deep sea fishing, spa, massages, located near a beautiful park, in
free local airport transportation, safety deposit boxes, a nice neighborhood; driveway
24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, DVD player and a 3-car garage.
rentals, movie rentals, multilingual staff, horseback riding, $1,000 per month.
bicycle rental, billiards, water sports, and a beach shower.
Dining options include the onsite restaurant. In the
guest rooms you may find cellular phones, coffeemakers,
hairdryers, air conditioning, and televisions.
Small apartment down town:
2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen
6 Activity
no parking space.
$300 per month
Answer the following questions.
1. Where is the Beach House located?
2. What do the local attractions include?
What do the guest rooms include?
8
3.
Activity

Hands on! 1E
Some recommendations for writing your
resume include:
Don’t make handwritten corrections.
Don’t include: age, marital status, height/
weight, birth date, or a photograph.
Don’t use abbreviations.
Don’t exaggerate or lie on your resume.
Answer the following questions with your own information.
1. Do you live in a house or in an apartment?
2. What’s inside your house or apartment?
3. Do you live alone or with your parents?
4. Is your neighborhood safe?
5. Is there a good relationship among your neighbors?

Ninth Grade - English 227

UNIT 1

Conversation and more

Listen to and read the following conversation between
Activity 11
Frank and Mrs. Burns. Look up any new words in Draw a picture of a house. Then identify the following parts.
a dictionary. You may use a dictionary to find the meanings. Then write a
sentence using each word.
A: Hello? My name is Frank Smith. I’m calling you
for the apartment you have for rent. 1. terrace 4. driveway
B: Yes, it’s an apartment on the second floor. It’s a 2. garden 5. roof
two-bedroom apartment. It has a little kitchen, 3. door 6. stairs
two bathrooms, one with a nice bathtub. It’s very
convenient. There are a few stores, a supermarket,
a library and a theater near by. There’s also a
beautiful park two blocks away. The bus stops in Activity 12
front of the building.
A: Is it noisy around there? I study and I need a quiet Choose the letter that best completes the following statements.
place.
B: I don’t think so. Why don’t you come and see it? 1. The house location is very __. The school’s near
I know you’ll like it. It has big windows with a and there’s a big park in front of it. Besides, you’ll
really nice view. The neighborhood is safe. find all kinds of stores there.
A: I’m going to come and see it tomorrow at 9:30. Is A. inconvenient
this ok with you?
B: Yes, it is. I’ll be waiting for you. Good night.
B. convenient
A: Good night. C. clean
2. There isn’t crime in this neighborhood. It’s
completely __. You can walk in the streets late at
9 Activity night without problems.
A. dangerous
Answer the following questions about the previous conversation. B. noisy
C. safe
1. Why is Frank calling Mrs. Smith? 3. I was told that this neighborhood was __. You
2. Is he trying to rent a house or an apartment? can’t go out after 9:00 p.m. if you don’t want to have
3. What is one of Frank’s requirements for renting problems.
the apartment? A. safe
4. Do you think Frank is going to rent B. dangerous
the apartment? C. quiet
5. Why do you think so? 4. My husband and I do a lot of work at home. We
need to concentrate all of the time, so we want a
house in a __ neighborhood.
10 Activity A. quiet
B. noisy
C. clean
Match the words on the left with their opposites on the right.
Words Opposites
1 quiet A inconvenient Don’t forget!
2 convenient B dirty
3 safe C noisy When people have intentions to move from one
neighborhood to another, they generally look for a new
4 clean D pretty
neighborhood to be safe, clean, quiet, convenient, etc.
5 ugly E dangerous

228 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

Enrich your vocabulary

Sign shapes Activity 15
Signs convey information to travelers not only by their
messages and color, but through their shape as well. Match the following signs with their names.
Special shapes are specifically assigned to certain types A. B. C.
of signs so that travelers can recognize them quickly
and react appropriately. In general, the greater number
of sides on a sign, the more critical a message it conveys.
This is why a circular shape was adopted for the Railroad
Advance warning sign (i.e. infinite number of sides), as a
collision between a train and a typical vehicle will nearly D. E. F.
always end badly. Then next the octagon shape is used for
the STOP sign, since not noticing that sign typically has
unpleasant consequences, and so on down the line.

13 Activity
G. H. I.

Answer the following questions.

1. Besides the message, what else conveys meaning in a
traffic sign?
2. What does the number of sides on a sign mean?
3. Why was the circular shape adopted by the Railroad
Advance warning sign? 1. one way 6. no right turn
2. stop 7. left turn only
3. no u-turn 8. no pedestrians
4. do not enter 9. rail road crossing
5. speed regulation

14 Activity

Mark the boxes of the signs you have seen. Then write sentences describing their locations. Follow the examples.

Signs Yes No Examples

1 stop x There’s a stop sign on the corner at the entrance of the neighborhood.
2 keep silence x There’s a keep silence sign on the hospital wall.
3 no pedestrian
4 no u-turns
5 one way
6 do not enter
7 no right/left turn
8 left/right turn only
9 speed regulation
10 railroad crossing x There are a few railroad crossing signs in San Salvador.

Ninth Grade - English 229

UNIT 1

Language in use
Use “in” for an enclosed space: in the room, in the office, in the box.
Use “on” for an open surface: on the floor, on the ceiling, on the table.
Use “at” for a specific point: at the door, at the bus stop, at the entrance.
Examples
Where do you live? I live in San Salvador.
Enclosed area
Where are the students and the teacher? They’re in the classroom.
Where do your friends work? Many of my friends work at a factory.
A specific point
Where’s Carlos waiting for you? He’s waiting for me at the bank.
Where are the players practicing? They’re practicing on the soccer field.
They’re on the floor near An open surface
Where are Tanya’s notebooks? the backdoor.

16 Activity Activity 17
Complete the sentences with the correct preposition of Look at the picture and identify where the objects are. Then
location: in, on, at. write sentences describing the picture.

1. Do you work ___ an office or ___ a factory? Examples: The dog’s in the box.
(an enclosed space) The umbrella is under the desk.
2. There’s a “no eating” sign ___ the wall of the
laboratory. (a surface)
3. My coworkers are ___ work at this moment.
(a point)
4. There’s a big black butterfly ___ the ceiling.
(a surface)
5. His office is ___ the left of that building in front
of the police station.

230 English - Ninth Grade

 UNIT 1

17 Activity Activity 19
Write a paragraph describing your house or apartment. Draw a map of your neighborhood. Identify the streets,
Mention the rooms it has and the furniture and objects in each avenues, and buildings. Include street signs if you can.
room. Follow the example below.
Example:
I live in a small house in the neighborhood of Santa
Activity 20
Lucia. My house has 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a living
room, a dining room and a kitchen. It doesn’t have a Answer the following questions with your own information.
garden, but my mother has many pots with plants all
around the house. The living room has a television with a 1. Where do you usually place your notebooks and
DVD player. There is a long couch and two big chairs so books in your house?
that my family can watch movies together. 2. Where do you keep your clothes and shoes?
3. Where does your pet sleep?
4. Where do you keep your money?
5. In your classroom, where does the teacher
18 Activity usually stand?
6. Where is the board located?
Write a paragraph describing the house in the picture.
Describe each of the rooms, including their positions.
Examples: The house has 6 rooms: two
bedrooms, a living room …
The big room that is on the second
floor is the master bedroom.

Lesson core

En esta lección hemos aprendido a describir la

ubicación de lugares, dar y pedir información
sobre como llegar a algún lugar También, hemos
trabajado describiendo nuestra comunidad,
las características que podemos buscar en el
vecindario cuando tenemos planes de mudarnos.

Glossary: Neighbor: A person who lives in the same area.

House and home: home means where someone lives. It’s the place where one feels Neighborhood: The area where a group of people live and where they may share
safe and pleasant. House is only the structure. different locations.
Coworkers: people who work together.

Ninth Grade - English 231

UNIT 1

Self evaluation

Choose the letter that best answers each statement.

1 Put the books __ the box. Then close it.

a) at 3 My father’s office is __ the third floor of
that building.
b) in a) in
c) on b) at
d) right c) on
d) near

2 I live __ the corner of Main Street and

Second Avenue. 4 The thief ran to the corner, then he
turned __.
a) at a) up
b) in b) at
c) on c) left
d) left d) in

4. c 3. c 2. c 1. b Answers:

DOWNTOWN L.A. NEIGHBORHOODS

Downtown L. A. is one of the few areas where it’s
better to walk than to drive. Parking spaces are
limited and expensive, shuttle buses serve the area
along with the metro and everything can be seen
in one day. Downtown is largely a commercial area
with office buildings, stores and the like so it tends
to “quiet down” in the evening. Olvera Street is
the oldest area of Los Angeles, although there are
no remains of the first settlement from 1781. The
Plaza is a popular place for street performances,
vendors, and it also hosts the annual Cinco de
Mayo celebrations. On the other side of the Plaza
are other historic buildings, including Pico House,
the first building taller than two stories built in L.A.
Across Main Street from the Plaza is the Plaza
Church, oldest church in Los Angeles.

232 English - Ninth Grade

Answer Key
Lesson 1
Activity 1: 1. True 2. False 3. True
Activity 2: 1. nurse, he works in a hospital 2. is,
doctor, works in a hospital 3. is, drives
a taxi 4.-8. Answers may vary.
Activity 3: 1. computer salesman 2. doctor
3. teacher 4. graphic designer
5. travel agent 6. receptionist
Activity 4: 1. True 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. True
Activity 5: 1. resume 2. cover letter 3. interview Activity 12: Answers may vary.
4. interview
Activity 6: Answers may vary.
Activity 7: Answers may vary.
Activity 8: 1. available 2. shift 3. apply the drama? 2. Whose handbag is this?
4. applicants 5. previous
Activity 9: Answers may vary.
Activity 10: 1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. False
Activity 11: 1. E 2. C 3. D 4. F 5. A 6. B
Activity 12: Answers may vary.
Activity 13: Answers may vary.
Activity 6: 1. False 2. True 3. True 4. False
Activity 7: 1. sunny and warm 2. It’s snowing
Activity 8: 1. D 2. E 3. F 4. B 5. G 6. A 7. C
Activity 9: Answers may vary.
Activity 10: 1. She’s going to go to a job interview.
2. She’s going to have an exam. 3.No,
she isn’t. 4. Answers may vary.
Activity 11: 1. I‘m going to 2. is going to 3. is going to
4. are going to 5. aren’t going to 6. are,
going to 7. are, going 8. Is, going to
9. is going to
Activity 13: Answers may vary.
Activity 14: Answers may vary.
Activity 15: 1. Is Carmen going to participate in
3. Mary isn’t going to bring her CD
player. 4. The weather is going to be nice
next week. 5. I am going to be home
tonight. 6. The principal won’t be in the
school in the afternoon. 7. Will you get
the tickets for the play?
Activity 16: 1. rain 2. sunny 3. cold 4. snow

Lesson 2 Lesson 3
Activity 1: Lucy’s, are 2. is 3. is 4. are Activity 1: False 2. False 3. True 4. True
Activity 2: 1. I’m going to go dancing on Friday. Activity 2: Answers may vary.
2. I’m going to study for an exam on Activity 3: Answers may vary.
the weekend. 3. I’m going to visit my Activity 4: Answers may vary.
sister next vacation. 4. I’m going to go
to bed early tonight. 5. I’m going to Activity 5: Answers may vary.
stay home and clean my room Activity 6: Answers may vary.
next weekend.
Activity 7: 1. D 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. A
Activity 3: Answers may vary.
Activity 8: Answers may vary.
Activity 4: Answers may vary.
Activity 9: Answers may vary.
Activity 5: They are transformed into the vivid
autumn palette of reds, oranges, golds,
Activity 10: Answers may vary.
and browns. 2-3. Answers may vary. Activity 11: 1. C 2. A 3. D
Activity 12: Answers may vary.

Ninth Grade - English 233

 Answer Key
Activity 13: Answers may vary. Activity 4: 1. near 2. in 3. far from 4. in front of
Activity 14: 1. his 2. hers 3. Ours 4. mine 5. hers Activity 5: 1. gym, on, right, in front 2. post office,
6. theirs on, left, across
Activity 15: 1. The woman`s waist 2. The Activity 6: 1. Southern tip of Bermuda 2.snorkeling,
butcher’s knife 3. Herbert’s car nature tours, and cave tours 3. cellular
4. Mrs. Jones’s husband 5. The phones, coffeemakers, hairdryers, air
teacher’s duties 6. The dog’s hair conditioning, and televisions
Activity 16: Answers may vary. Activity 7: Answers may vary.
Activity 17: Answers may vary. Activity 8: Answers may vary.
Activity 9: Answers may vary.
Lesson 4 Activity 10: 1. C 2. A 3. E 4. B 5. D
Activity 1: 1. False 2. False 3. False 4. False Activity 11: Answers may vary.
Activity 2: 1. Beauty shop. She needs a hair do. Activity 12: 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. C
2. Bank. She needs to withdraw some Activity 13: 1. color and shape 2. the more sides the
money. 3. Gym. She needs exercising. more critical the message 3. a collision
Activity 3: Answers may vary. between a train and a typical vehicle will
Activity 4: 1. bank 2. office supply store 3. gym nearly always end badly
4. hotel 5. Gym Activity 14: Answers may vary.
Activity 5: 1. A 2. B 3. B 4. B Activity 15: 1. I 2. C 3. D 4. B 5.F 6. G 7. H 8. E 9. A
Activity 6: 1. E 2. F 3. A 4. B 5. D 6. C Activity 16: Answers may vary.
Activity 7: Answers may vary. Activity 17: Answers may vary.
Activity 8: Answers may vary. Activity 18: Answers may vary.
Activity 9: Answers may vary. Activity 19: Answers may vary.
Activity 10: Answers may vary. Activity 20: Answers may vary.
Activity 11: 1. F 2. A 3. B 4. G 5. C 6. E 7. D
Activity 12: 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A
Activity 13: 1. between 2. on 3. far 4. near
5. across 6. on
Activity 14: Answers may vary.
Activity 15: 1. A 2. D 3. C 4. A

Lesson 5
Activity 1: Answers may vary.
Activity 2: Answers may vary.
Activity 3: 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A

234 English - Ninth Grade

Hands on!

“My resume”

Purpose
The purpose of this project is to guide you step by step towards the aim of writing your resume in English. Now that
you have your resume ready, it’ll be very useful for you when applying for a job position in which English is required.

Theory and practice

This project has been developed in this unit through five phases. By following the directions given, you were
expected to discover how to build your own resume, what to include and what to avoid. Something that you have to
have in mind is that one of the objectives of a resume is to capture the interest of a specific employer so you can not
use the same resume for any position that you are applying for. The resume has to be oriented towards the job you
want to be considered for.

Development
Before writing your resume, you should have a clear idea of the position you are applying for. You may do some
research through the company’s web page, talk to some employees or ask the employer directly before presenting
your application. You should also identify the abilities and skills you have which are related with the job you have
chosen to apply for. Remember to keep your resume simple. It should be written on no more than two pages.

Wrap up
Remember that the resume includes the following information: a heading with all necessary contact information,
a section that lists your education and training, and a section with your past work experience. It may also include
other sections containing objectives and achievements such as your computer and language skills, rewards, or
workshops. Also be sure to include a cover letter.

Ninth Grade - English 235

 Resources
English dictionary:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astonished

For more information related to resume preparation and recommendations before

looking for a job:
http://www.cofc.edu/careercenter/
http://www.mindtools.com/stress/WorkOverload/JobAnalysis.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cover-Letters-Get-Your-Foot-in-the-Door
http://www.realadventures.com/listings/1162394_The-Beach-House-Barbuda

For more on street signs:

http://www.trafficsign.us/signshape.html

For information about the weather around the world:

www.accuweather.com
For more about celebrations around the world:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/hanukkah/
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/

For more about an organization’s strategy, culture, or time to relax:

http://www.mindtools.com/stress/WorkOverload/JobAnalysis.htm
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/

For the complete article on “How to Avoid Getting Lost”:

http://www.1srg.org/Contributed-Materials/

For more on downtown L.A. neighborhoods:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

236 English - Ninth Grade