Unit 4:

Home
Writing
 TASK 1

- Each pair has 2 cards.

- Each member writes:
1. On one side of your card the city you
Speaking: would like to live in.
2. On the other, the factors that inform your
Dream Home Match-Up
choice (like culture, attractions, climate,
lifestyle, or personal interests).
- Look for others with the same chosen place.
- The majority group wins and will give a
short presentation on their choice.
 TASK 2

Read the email.

Do you think Ellie is
happy or unhappy
with her new home?
Find evidence in her
email.
 TASK 2
Read the email below. Do you think Ellie is happy or unhappy
with her new home? Find evidence in her email.
Hi Anna,
Hope everything is OK with you. We’ve just moved to a new flat nearer the centre of town. It’s brilliant being
so close to the shops, and the flat is bigger than our old one. It’s quite noisy, though, as there is a lot of
traffic. I’d rather it was further from the main road. I met one of our neighbours yesterday. She is about my
age and she is very friendly. She has invited me to a party next weekend. Can you go with me? I hope so. To
be honest, I’d rather not go alone. Also, would it be OK if I used your bike for a few days? Mine is at the bike
shop and I’d rather cycle to school than get the bus.
Got to go now. I’d better finish my homework before bed. I look forward to receiving your reply.
Love,
Ellie
US E F U L
I T E M S
 Matching pairs
Match the words/phrases on the left with their uses on the right.

would it be okay if to express positive approval

had better to give an opinion sincerely

to be honest to ask for permission

look forward to to express urgency

It’s brilliant to express eagerness

 TASK 3

Does the email cover all four points in

the task? Match sentences in the email
with each point.
1. Say why you like your new flat.
2. Mention something you would like
to be different.
3. Mention meeting a new neighbour
and describe him / her.
4. Ask permission to use something
belonging to your friend.
 TASK 3
Hi Anna,
Hope everything is OK with you. We’ve just moved to a new flat nearer the centre of town. (1)
It’s brilliant being so close to the shops, and the flat is bigger than our old one. (2) It’s quite noisy,
though, as there is a lot of traffic. I’d rather it was further from the main road. (3) I met one of
our neighbours yesterday. She is about my age and she is very friendly. She has invited me to a
party next weekend. Can you go with me? I hope so. To be honest, I’d rather not go alone. Also,
(4) would it be OK if I used your bike for a few days? Mine is at the bike shop and I’d rather cycle
to school than get the bus.
Got to go now. I’d better finish my homework before bed. I look forward to receiving your reply.
Love,
Ellie
 TASK 4

Read the Writing Strategy.

 TASK 4

Read Ellie’s email again and underline.

1. A piece of formal language.

2. Three different contractions.
3. An example of a sentence with
words omitted at the start.
 TASK 4
Hi Anna,
Hope everything is OK with you. (2) We’ve just moved to a new flat nearer the centre of town. It’s
brilliant being so close to the shops, and the flat is bigger than our old one. (2) It’s quite noisy,
though, as there is a lot of traffic. (2) I’d rather it was further from the main road. I met one of our
neighbours yesterday. She is about my age and she is very friendly. She has invited me to a party
next weekend. Can you go with me? I hope so. To be honest, I’d rather not go alone. Also, would it
be OK if I used your bike for a few days? Mine is at the bike shop and I’d rather cycle to school
than get the bus.
(3) Got to go now. I’d better finish my homework before bed. (1) I look forward to receiving your
reply.
Love,
Ellie
 TASK 4

1. How could you make it informal?

More informal: Looking forward to
hearing from you! Write soon!
2. Can you find any more places where
Ellie could have used contractions?
She could have used:
Hope everything’s OK with you; There’s
a lot of traffic; Mine’s at the bike shop.
3. What exactly has been omitted?
‘I’ve’ has been omitted.
 TASK 5
Read the Learn this! box. Circle three examples of would
rather in Ellie’s email.

Check your answers:

Line 6. I’d rather it was … further from the main road.

Line 10. I’d rather not go alone. …
Line 12. I’d rather cycle to school than get the bus.
 TASK 6
Read the task below. Make notes for each of the four
points in the task.

You have recently moved to a house in the country. Write

an email to a friend. Include the following:
• Describe the advantages of being in the country.
• Mention something you would change.
• Mention something that went wrong during the move.
• Ask if you can stay a night at your friend’s house.
 TASK 7
Complete the useful phrases for starting and ending a letter
or email. Find two more in Ellie’s email.
Key phrases

1. hope 2. all
3. going 4 are
5. from 6. touch
7. write 8. hi
9. love
 TASK 8
Write your email (150–180 words) using your notes from
exercise 6 and phrases from exercise 7.

Check your work

Have you …
• included all four points from the task?
• used appropriate language (see the Writing Strategy)?
• included appropriate phrases for starting and ending
the email?