Unit 2: Influential People

Quick Check

A. Vocabulary. Complete each sentence with a word from the box.

1. Not only was Jake an excellent student in high school, but he excelled in sports as well.
2. He has a reputation for being one of the greatest doctors in the field of neurosurgery.
3. My professor is a prominent economist who is often quoted in magazines.
4. The charity I donate to helps to build schools in impoverished areas.
5. Businessman and philanthropist Sulaiman Al-Rajhi gives millions of dollars to charities each year.

B. Comprehension. Answer the questions.

1. Why was Zara successful?

It sold designer fashion at a reasonable price.

2. Why was Abdul Latif Jameel named “Saudi Volunteer of the Year”?

In recognition of the services offered by ALJCI in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world.

3. How has Abdul Lateef Jameel contributed to the Saudization program in Saudi Arabia?

by offering thousands of job opportunities on an annual basis.

4. What challenges did Li Ka-shing face early in life?

He was poor and had to leave high school when his father died to help support this family.

5. What did Steven Jobs do in his teens that demonstrated his determination, entrepreneurial skills, and foresight?

Although he dropped out of college, he co-founded Apple and developed and marketed personal computers.

6. Which event, in your view, must have given Jobs a great sense of satisfaction and self-worth?

Whereas he argued and resigned from Apple, job was brought back and became Apple's CEO.

3. Grammar

A. Complete the sentences with either use(d) to or be used to. Use the negative in some cases.

1. We used to eat at all the best restaurants, but then we started saving more money.
2. She’s from Costa Rica, so she is used to warm weather all year round.
3. The bed in my first apartment was so uncomfortable that I used to sleep on the couch.
4. Marco used to live with his whole extended family.
5. Even though he loves his apartment, he isn't used to living alone.
6. We used to swim in that pond, but now it’s too polluted.
7. He likes his new job, but he is not used to wearing a suit and tie.
8. She had always excelled in English, so she wasn't used to receiving poor grades.

B. Use the phrases to write sentences about your own childhood, including either would or (didn’t) used to. In some cases, both are possible.

1. go barefoot in the summer

When I was young, I always used to go barefoot in the summer.

2. play with my friends for hours

When I was little, I would play with my friends for hours.

3. like candy

I didn't use to like candies when I was a child.

4. build castles in the sand

When we used to go to the beach, we would build castles in the sand.

5. have a favourite teacher

I used to have a favourite English teacher named Mr. Lincoln.

6. help with the chores

When I was younger, I didn't use to help with the chores.

7. hate going to bed

When I was little, I used to hate going to bed early.

8. make up funny stories

When my brother and I were young, we would make up funny stories.

C. Complete the first part of the sentences. Use was/were going to and your own ideas.

1. . . . but we were too tired.

We were going to watch a film tonight, but we were too tired.

2. . . . but he lost his credit card.

He was going to pay for dinner, but he lost his credit card.

3. . . . but you weren’t home.

I was going to ask you to go out tonight, but you weren’t home.

4. . . . but he didn’t get accepted.

She was going to attend that university, but she didn't get accepted.

5. . . . but we were too nervous.

We were going to drive the new car, but we were too nervous.

6. . . . but she didn’t feel well.

He was going to run in the race, but he didn't feel well.

4. Conversation

About the Conversation

1. What options is Ahmed considering?

He is considering buying a car, going on vacation and putting the money in the bank.

2. How is he driving people crazy?

He can't make up his mind.

3. What do you think he’ll do with the money? Why?

I think he will buy a used car, because that is what I would do.

7. Vocabulary Building

A. You will see the following words in the reading on pages 26 and 27. Match the words with their meanings.

1. a renowned
2. g comply with
3. e hurdle
4. b implement
5. h founder
6. d endowment
7. f dispute
8. c assets

8. Reading

After Reading

Answer the questions.

1. What were Suleiman Al-Rajhi’s life prospects in relation to his early life?

He didn't seem to have much hope of becoming a billionaire.

2. What type of companies has he been involved in?

Banking, agricultural development, organic farming, real estate, investment, health and more.

3. Which business was the most difficult to establish? Why?

Islamic banking in the UK because British officials were not aware of the principles and requirements of Islamic banking.

4. What is notable about Suleiman Al-Rajhi in comparison to other wealthy businessmen?

His work and contribution to education, health and charities worldwide through SAAR, the largest foundation of its kind in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

5. Why did Al-Rajhi decide to donate most of his fortune to charity during his lifetime?

Having been poor early in life, he was not afraid to donate and distribute his wealth so he could gain peace of mind and inner happiness.

6. Why was Al-Rajhi awarded the King Faizal International Prize for Service to Islam?

He was awarded the prize in recognition of his outstanding service to Islam, his role in the establishment of the world's largest Islamic bank and his ongoing contribution to charities.

10. Writing

4. Read the text and fill in the blanks with the words or phrases. Some can be used more than once.
Listen and check your answers.

1. when.
2. since.
3. from.
4. after.
5. once.
6. first.
7. last.
8. by.

5. Identify the topic/theme of each paragraph.

• Paragraph 1: economy growth.
• Paragraph 2: The G20 creation and history.
• Paragraph 3: The strategies, agenda of G20.
• Paragraph 4: The vision of 2030.

11. Form, Meaning and Function

A. Complete the sentences with for or since.

1. Hameed has had the same TV for 15 years.
2. I’ve had my laptop since last June.
3. We’ve worked on this project for a month.
4. My friends haven’t visited me since my graduation.
5. We haven’t used our car for a long time.
6. I’ve been drinking tea for years.
7. Tariq has worn glasses since the age of seven.
8. since when have you had that beautiful watch?

B. Complete the paragraph with the verbs in parentheses. Use the present perfect or simple past tense.

Amancio Ortega

• The son of a railroad worker, Ortega is now Spain’s richest man. When Ortega was (1. be) 13, he worked (2. work) as a delivery boy for a shirtmaker and later became (3. become) the manager of a clothing store.
• He began (4. begin) making clothing in his living room and selling it to local stores.
• Ortega had (5. have) an ability to predict what styles were going to be popular and to create these styles with inexpensive materials.
• Over the last 40 years, the clothing store has gaining (6. gain) a reputation for selling designer fashions at reasonable prices. Today Ortega’s company has more than 2,850 stores in 88 countries.

C. Complete the conversations. Use the present perfect and simple past. Then practice with a partner.

1. A: Have you ever given to charity?
B: No, I haven't. Have you?
A: Yes, I gave some clothes and books.
B: That’s great! I want to make a donation, too.

2. A: I ate tacos in Mexico years ago.
B: What did they taste like?
A: They were spicy.

3. A: Has Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Rajhi always been a billionaire?
B: No, he hasn’t.
A: Has he ever given money to charity?
B: Yes, he has. He gave some of his wealth to charity in 2011.

4. A: I’ve never been in a helicopter.
B: I have. I flew in one over the Red Sea.
A: I’d like to do that one day.