Unit 2: Influential People

A. Match the words to their definitions.

1. excelled d
2. founded g
3. impoverished a
4. philanthropist h
5. prominent b
6. reasonable c
7. reputation e
8. influential f

C. Complete the conversation, using the correct form of used to, be used to, or would.

Jenny: Did your father grow up around here?
Emily: No. He used to live on the east side.
Jenny: He did? That’s a bad area!
Emily: I know. It (1) used to be even worse! My father (2) would/used to have to walk home from school with a group of friends in order to stay safe.
Jenny: Wow. That’s terrible.
Emily: Yeah. His family (3) used to be really poor, so he (4) was used to it.
Jenny: He’s lucky that he was able to become a doctor and move out of there.
Emily: I know. He (5) would/used to study a lot every day. He (6) would/used to read the dictionary at night to learn more vocabulary!
Jenny: So, I guess he (7) is used to working hard.
Emily: That’s true. The long hours at the hospital don’t bother him. When he first became a doctor, he (8) wouldn't/ didn't use to get any days off. He (9) would/used to offer to work extra hours on weekends and when other people took vacations.
Jenny: I couldn’t do it. I (10) am used to sleeping all weekend long!

D. Complete the sentences about yourself.

1. I used to hide and seek game with my friends.
2. I’m not used to talking in front of groups of people.
3. One hundred years ago, people would have to travel riding a camel and horses.
4. My friend is used to giving a presentation in front of groups of people.
5. My country didn’t use to use Fuel too much.
6. People in my city are used to speaking English Language.
7. My first teacher would have to explain in details.
8. The students at my school are used to helping each other.
9. When I was a child, I wouldn’t have to hang out.
10. My grandparents didn’t use to spend too much money.

E. Write a short dialogue for each picture. Use was/were going to in each.

1. What did you buy at the store?

Bread and cheese.

I thought we were going to have chicken.

We were, but I changed my mind.

2. Where are you?

Still at home.

I thought you were going to come over.

I was going to call you. I don't feel well.

3. What did you get on the pizza?

Vegetables.

I thought we were going to have pepperoni.

Sorry. The vegetables taste better.

4. How did you get here?

I took the bus.

I was going to give you a ride, but you didn't answer your phone.

You called me? I didn't hear my phone.

F. Correct the errors in the sentences.

1. I would know her name, but now I can’t remember it. used to
2. They are used to live in a small place. living
3. I was going to call my sister, but she called me first. was
4. They aren’t use to the cold weather, because they come from a warm climate. used
5. When he was a child, he would study very hard. study
6. Bill has lost a lot of weight. He didn’t used to be thin. use
7. I knew the radio wasn’t going work. going to work

G. Complete the conversation with the words and phrases from the box.

Ahmed: This computer (1) drives me crazy! It always freezes up. It’s so annoying! I

Ibrahim: Maybe you should get a new one.

Ahmed: Everyone says that, but I just can’t decide. I (2) go around in circles. Sometimes I think it’s a good idea to buy one, and other times I think I should just use this one and save some (3) cash.

Ibrahim: I guess you should save your money, but only if you (4) don’t mind using an old computer.

Ahmed: Sometimes I do mind it. Last week I was so frustrated that I decided I would buy a new one. I went to the computer store and picked one out. I was ready to buy it, but then at the last minute, I (5) got cold feet and left.

Ibrahim: Wow. It sounds like you want to save your money instead. Maybe you should (6) put it aside for a rainy day. Your computer isn’t so bad. Maybe we can fix it.

H. READING

Three students from different parts of the world were asked about their goals and dreams.
Read about each student. Then complete the chart below.

Write each student’s goal and the steps the student will take to achieve that goal.

I. Read the text and complete the blanks with the right words or phrases from the list.
Then answer the questions.

• When I was three, I wanted to be a (1) fireman. I had watched the fire brigade put out a (2) blazing fire in a store, and I was very impressed; I wanted nothing else for about a year or so.
• That was when I was given my red fire engine and a fireman’s costume and tools.
• Fortunately, all the fires I (3) put out were make-believe!
• Between the ages of four and six, I kept changing my dream for the future from becoming a fireman, to becoming a farmer, then a pilot, then a fireman again, and so on. But when I was seven, I became really (4) obsessed with the idea of becoming an astronaut and a space scientist.
• I had seen some (5) amazing photos of stars and astronauts in a capsule in a colourful children’s encyclopaedia and could think of nothing else.
• For the next few years, I collected newspaper and magazine clippings, photos, spaceship replicas, and all kinds of other mementos and souvenirs that I could (6) lay my hands on.
• So, when I finally decided to study (7) industrial design at the age of 17, my family and friends were really surprised.
• They had all thought that if not space, at least the sky would (8) win me over, and I would probably become a pilot or flight mechanic, or some other related profession.
• This change was quite unexpected and not altogether (9) explicable. They tried to find out if my (10) change of heart had been prompted by discouraging or unkind comments, if I had lost my confidence, or if anyone had scared me off.
• It took some time to convince them that I had actually (11) come to this decision on my own, and that industrial design was what I had been researching and finding out about for at least two years.
• I am now a successful designer, and I have managed to earn some (12) acclaim for innovative ideas and designs.
• I am committed to my work and get a lot of satisfaction out of it.
• One of the reasons I like it so much is that I can keep on learning, observing, developing new ideas, and discovering new materials.
• This, naturally, means that I can keep on setting new goals and challenges for the rest of my life; my most recent goal!

1. List the stages that the writer went through before making his final career decision.

a. At three he wanted to be a fireman.
b. Between the ages of four and six he kept changing his mind.
c. At seven his mind was set on becoming an astronaut.
d. At seventeen he chose to become an industrial designer.

2. Why do you think the writer’s final decision was met with surprise and concern?

Because he had spent years, up to that point being obsessed by space and everyone expected him to pursue a related career. So they were worried that someone might have discouraged him from pursuing his life's dream.

J. Write as many words as you can about the actions (verbs) you see in the picture. Write sentences about the picture using used to, would, and was/were going to.

1. The two young men were texting some friends.
2. When they were boys, they didn't have phones.

K. WRITING

2. Now use your notes from the chart to write your essay.

• My goal is to study in India and become a successful computer programmer, so I need to study hard in order to get excellent so that I can get a scholarship.
• I have heard that the common language in India and professors give their lecture in English language, so I should learn how to speak English.
• I also need a background of computer science before I travel to India so that I can go to a university with some basics of computer science and information.
• I need to research for the universities there in India the cities and places, then chose the most appropriate one after that I should do the arrangements of travelling to India as soon as I finish my last year in high school.
• My vision is to work in a very important company in my country and serve that company by building new applications and database systems that improve the performance of both myself and the company, after I finish my bachelor's degree in India, I will apply for a job in Aramco company.

L. Write complete sentences. Use the present perfect.

1. my cousin / buy a house / in Riyadh

My cousin has bought a house in Riyadh.

2. Samir / begin / to study economics at college

Samir has begun to study economics at college.

3. we / go shopping / in the mall

We have been shopping at the mall.

4. my parents / live / in Makkah for all their lives

My parents have lived in Makkah for all their lives.

M. Write two sentences for each situation. Use the present perfect plus since and for.

1. Faisal used his new laptop on Monday for the first time. Today is Friday.

He has used his new laptop since Monday.

He has used his new laptop for four days.

2. Sabah and Amal studied English in sixth grade for the first time. They’re now in ninth grade.

They have studied English since sixth gra.

They have studied English for three years.

3. My parents bought their restaurant when I was three years old. I’m sixteen years old now.

They have owned their restaurant since I was three years old.

They have had owned their restaurant for thirteen years.

N. Write questions. Use How long.

1. they / live / in Jeddah

How long have they lived in Jeddah?

2. she / work / in this school

How long has she worked in this school?

3. Omar / own / supermarket

How long has Omar owned the supermarket?

4. Tariq / be / taxi driver

How long has Tariq been a taxi driver?

5. you / study / English

How long have you studied English?

O. Circle the correct words.

1. Have you (once / ever) flown in a helicopter?
2. Noura has made five phone calls (so far / yet) this evening.
3. We have seen this film (twice / never) this year.
4. I haven’t finished my project (yet / recently).
5. Have they (already / lately) closed the shop?
6. The company hasn’t been very successful (recently / already).

P. Use each group of words to write two sentences. Use the present perfect for one sentence and the simple past for the other sentence.

1. we / make a donation / to charity // last Friday morning

We have made a donation to charity.

We made a donation to charity last Friday morning.

2. Frank and James / go sightseeing / in China // during their vacation in 2012

Frank and James have gone sightseeing in China.

They went sightseeing during his vacation in 2012.

3. I / buy / many books online // this past year

I have bought many books online.

I bought several many books online this past year.

4. Our teacher, Mr. Simpson, / study Arabic / at evening classes // five years ago

Our teacher, Mr. Simpson, has studied Arabic at evening classes.

He studied Arabic at evening classes five years ago.

Q. Write questions for the statements in P.

1. Have you ever made a donation to charity?

When did you make a donation to charity?

2. Have Frank and James ever gone sightseeing in China?

When did they go sightseeing in China?

3. Have you ever bought books online?

When did you buy books online?

4. Has your teacher, Mr. Simpson, ever studied Arabic?

When did he study Arabic?