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The world today 11

Foreign visitors
Lead-in

1 Talk to a partner or in small groups. How much do you know about your own city / town?
• Where could a visitor go on a free day or at the weekend?
• Which are the best restaurants for typical local dishes?
• Are there any local products (arts and crafts / food / luxury goods) which would make good
souvenirs? Where would you buy them?
• Are there any particular attractions, such as sites of historical interest, museums, art galleries, etc.?
• Do you know how you would get tickets to a show or a concert?
• What’s the best way of getting round (on foot / by public transport / taxi / hired car, etc.)?

Input

1 11.1 Listen to the first part of a meeting between a PR company representative and a tour

organiser acting on behalf of a group of overseas visitors. They are meeting to discuss details of
a trip to the city that the PR company is seeking to promote. As you listen, decide which of these
venues are definitely going to be included in the itinerary and which are doubtful.
1 a full tour of the walls surrounding the city centre
2 a visit to the Minster
3 a visit to Jorvik Viking Centre
4 a rest stop at the Chocolate Room
5 shopping for handicrafts
6 a souvenir hunt at the Shambles
7 a visit to the Blue Bell
2 11.2 Listen to some extracts from the meeting and complete the phrases. Check with a partner.
1 It’s pretty much a draft at the moment, so if anything doesn’t appeal, just .
(3 words)
2 Right, I thought a walk of the walls. (3 words)
3 , providing the weather holds, of course. (2 words)
4 I really need an answer today. (3 words)
5 I’ll have to you on the Minster. (3 words)
6 Well a break at the Chocolate Room? (2 words)
7 I making a stop at the Shambles. (2 words)
8 , we’ll include a trip to the Blue Bell. (3 words)
9 Now ! The good old Blue Bell. (2 words)
10 So about lunch? (4 words)
3 Look at the phrases above and decide which ones are used for:
• asking for a suggestion (A) • making a suggestion (M) • responding to a suggestion (R)
Compare your answers with a partner or in small groups.

1  myClass Advanced 11 PHOTOCOPIABLE © British Council 2014

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The world today 11

Language focus

1 Work with a partner. Look at the expressions for making and responding to suggestions and
decide which are more formal (F) and which are more informal (I).

Making suggestions Responding to suggestions

How / What about …? But what if …?
If I were you, … I would … OK, let’s do that.
I suggest / think you should … Sounds good to me.
Let’s … I suppose so, but …
We ought to … I was thinking that exactly myself.
Why not …? The only thing is …
We’d better … I’m not totally convinced (that) …
Shall we ...? I get your point, but …
Could / Couldn’t you …? That’s fine.
It might be better to … Are you sure?
Why don’t we / you …?
I wonder if it would be possible to …
How do you feel about …?

2 Look again at the ways of responding to suggestions and decide which ones express
agreement (A) and which ones indicate disagreement (D).
3 Look at the phrases below for evaluating suggestions. Number them 1 for strong agreement, 2
for agreement, 3 for disagreement and 4 for strong disagreement.
That’s a brilliant idea.
I think it needs a lot more thought.
Well, yes and no.
I agree up to a point.
I’m not keen at all.
Absolutely.
Maybe. I’m not sure.
Yes, I think you’re right.
I’m really not happy with that.
Let me get back to you on that.
That’s not a bad idea.
Are you sure?

2  myClass Advanced 11 PHOTOCOPIABLE © British Council 2014

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The world today 11

4 Read the script below for the second part of the meeting and decide which phrases from the
exercises above should go in the gaps. More than one answer might be possible.
A So how (you) about lunch at the Bistro? Why (try)
the ‘Grazing Plate’? Fish pâté with a crisp salad to start. Then gazpacho, followed by homemade
pork pie en croute.
B I wonder to see a range of menus from different restaurants: there’s
bound to be someone in the party who can’t eat fish or has an allergy of some kind. It
to leave the choice of lunchtime venue until they arrive.
A Of course. I was . Now, we include the option of a
day trip outside York for those who don’t fancy the National Railway Museum in the afternoon?
B Are ? It could get complicated if we lose any of them en route.
A Well, yes . But Castle Howard is only I5 miles outside York and it really is
worth visiting: one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. There are several organised tours so
there’s bound to be one that fits our schedule.
B Maybe. I’m . Let’s talk about it when we’ve decided what the evening’s
entertainment should be.
A OK, .
5 11.3 Listen and compare what you’ve written with the audio.

Task

1 You are going to work in groups to decide on a basic itinerary for a group of foreign visitors to
Dublin. First discuss these questions in your group:
• Have you ever visited Dublin? If yes, what did you see / do? Tell your partner.
• If you haven’t visited Dublin, would you like to? Why / Why not? What do you think you might see
or do there?
2 Your teacher will give each member of the group a card with some information about famous
sites in Dublin. Share the information that you have with your group and decide together which
four places you’re going to include on your itinerary and in what order.
3 Nominate a spokesperson from your group to report back to the class. Which places did you
choose and why? Did other people choose the same places?

Review

3  myClass Advanced 11 PHOTOCOPIABLE © British Council 2014