Personal Best B2

Upper Teen 1 Unit 1

1A – Grammar

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Lenny __________ (always / try) to communicate effectively with his

colleagues.

2. No, that’s not what I said. I don’t think you __________ (listen) at all!

3. Dana ____________ (usually / have) breakfast in the office.

4. (you / ever / raise) _______________ your voice when you get angry?

5. It _______ (sound) as if you _______________ (really study) hard for the exam.

6. What _______________ (she / do) for a living?

7. That _______________ (not / sound) like a good idea!

8. It _______________ (look like) Rashid’s English _______________ (get) better.

9. (he / consider) _______________ switching to another class?

10. (you / think) _______________ he will pass the exam?

Answer key: 1 - always tries / 2 - ’re listening or are listening / 3 - usually has / 4 - Do you ever raise / 5 - sounds / ´re
really studying or are really studying / 6 - does she do / 7 - doesn´t sound or does not sound / 8 - looks like / is
getting / 9 - Is he considering / 10 - Do you think
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1
1A – Vocabulary

Read the clues. Complete the crossword with words for body language and
communication.

 Across
1. When you meet up with friends, you
often ________ each other on the cheek
when you first see them.
3. When you put your arms around
someone, you are giving them a ________.
4. When you ________ at someone, you
are looking at them closely and for a long
time.
8. To ________ your shoulders means to
move them up and down to show you don’t
know or don’t care about something.

 Down
2. Many people ________ hands when they meet each other for the first time.
5. To get someone’s attention, you can ________ them on the shoulder.
6. To ________ your voice means to speak loudly so people can hear you.
7. When you ________ , you move your eyebrows down to show you are annoyed
or worried.

ACROSS 1. kiss / 3. hug / 4.stare / 8.shrug

DOWN 2. shake / 5. tap / 6. raise / 7. frown
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1
1B Interview Part 1

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Eric: Hello. I’m Eric Maduro and welcome to the show. This week the nominees for the
unique ‘CoolTube’ awards were announced. Aimed at discovering the world’s coolest
social media superstars, these awards got us thinking - what exactly is cool?
Cathy: Cool? That’s a hard one! In a way, I think cool is just being yourself. It’s about
being comfortable with who you are – which isn’t always easy!
Tom: To be cool, it’s really important not to care about being cool. But that’s really
hard! I mean, most people care about that kind of thing!
Sara: I generally think that cool means different things to different people, so it
changes all the time. That’s why you shouldn’t take it too seriously. If you’re not cool
now just wait a few years!
Eric: Today, we’re meeting one of the CoolTube nominees, the highly-respected social
media star Albany Summers. But before we do, let’s hear her thoughts on being cool.
Albany: Hi guys! So... apparently, I’m cool, which is weird! As some of you might
already know, I’m one of the nominees for a ’CoolTube’ award. So firstly, I want to say
a big thank you to all of you! I have no doubt that you’re the ones who really deserve
the award. But secondly, I want to say – what?! If you know my Back in School videos,
you’ll know for certain that I was not cool! Back then, it felt like cool meant popular or
good-looking. ’Cool’ people wore the same clothes, had the same expensive gadgets
and liked the same music as everybody else. I definitely wasn’t cool – I was a math
geek! But then I did a little research and found out that coolness is hard to define! I
mean, first it just meant ’not warm’ then, in the 1920s, jazz musicians used it to
describe something or someone they liked. From then on, ’cool’ changed as fashions
changed. And it feels as though it’s changing again. Now it seems like cool is about
being yourself – and I think that’s pretty cool!
Eric: And I’m delighted to welcome Albany to the show!
Albany: Thanks for having me.
Eric: OK, let me see if I got this right. The world thinks you’re cool, but you think you’re
definitely not. Doesn’t that make you more cool?
Albany: I’m not so sure! It’s difficult. I tend not to use the word ’cool’ very often. It
suggests other people are ’uncool’ and I’m totally against describing people that way!
Eric: But your videos are very popular.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1B – Interview
Part 1

Albany: Yeah, but I definitely don’t think that’s because I’m cool. I tend to think it’s
because I’m warm! It’s always really important to build a personal connection with the
viewer.
Eric: And it’s definitely worked! You now have over 2 million subscribers! I mean
you’re worldfamous!
Albany: Not bad for a geeky high school kid, I guess.
Eric: Not bad at all! And we’ll find out more about how you went from a geeky high
school kid to a social media sensation right after this break.

1. Who thinks that the definition of "cool" varies from person to person?
a. Cathy b. Tom c. Sara

2. Who is Albany Summers?

a. The creator of CoolTube
b. A popular social media figure
c. A movie star

3. What is Albany’s reaction to being called "cool"?

a. She thinks it’s strange.
b. She thinks it’s cool.
c. She isn’t surprised.

4. When did musicians first use "cool" to describe something or someone they liked?
a. In the 1930s b. In the 1920s c. In the 1940s]

5. How many subscribers does Albany have?

a. Less than 2 million b. More than 2 million c.Over 3 million]

6. How does Albany describe her personality when she was at school?
a. Cheeky b. Geeky c. Cool

Answer key: 1c / 2b / 3a / 4b / 5b / 6b
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1
1B Interview Part 2

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Eric: Hello and welcome back to the show. We’re speaking to Albany Summers. She’s
been nominated for a ’CoolTube’ award and her YouTube channel has over 2 million
subscribers. Albany, becoming famous so quickly must be life-changing. Did you expect
to be so successful?
Albany: No, definitely not – not in my wildest dreams! I mean, I just create videos
about my everyday life. Of course, I hoped that my friends and co-workers would
watch them and give them a thumbs-up. But when my channel hit 10,000 subscribers, I
knew I was on to something, so I just decided to keep going.
Eric: And why do you think your channel is attracting so many viewers?
Albany: It’s hard to tell. It might be that my videos are natural and unrehearsed.
There’s no acting, no camera crew, and there are no special effects – it’s literally just
me so it feels as though I’m friends with my viewers.
Eric: And some people now describe you as a ’social media influencer’. What is that?
Albany: I’m really not sure about that label! Basically, if you have a lot of followers you
can use social media to talk about trends, brands or products you believe in. For
example, I mentioned a brand of soap I love made by a really forward-thinking
company. I didn’t think anything of it but then the company contacted me and said we
should do business together.
Eric: And will you?
Albany: Absolutely, but only for things like that. Things I really identify with. It could
allow me to produce these videos full-time and that’s what I’m passionate about!
Eric: Sounds like a dream job and leads me to my next question. What advice would
you give to someone who wants to do what you do?
Albany: Don’t expect instant success – it can be slow-moving at first and it can feel as if
nobody is watching but stay with it. Always be open-minded too. There are lots of
opportunities out there, but they might take you by surprise. The last thing – and this
is probably the most important – always be yourself.
Eric: Very useful advice. Thank you, Albany.
Albany: Thanks, Eric.
Eric: You can vote for Albany at the CoolTube awards and there’s a link to her videos
on our website. But from us, that’s all for today. Thanks for watching and goodbye!
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1
1B Interview Part 2

1. Where can you watch Albany’s videos?

a. On YouTube b. On CoolTube c. On a TV channel

2. What are Albany’s videos about?

a. Her working life b. Her day-to-day life c. Her unusual life

3. Who did Albany think would watch the videos?

a. Her family b. Her colleagues c. Her boyfriend

4. How many subscribers did Albany have when she realized that she would be
successful?
a. 10,000 b. 100,000 c. 12,000

5. Why does she think her videos are so popular?

a. Because she does a lot of preparation for them
b. Because they aren’t rehearsed
c. Because they have special effects]

6. What kind of companies is Albany happy to work with?

a. Video production companies
b. Cosmetics companies
c. Companies that she can relate to

Answer key: 1a / 2b / 3b / 4a / 5b / 6c
 Personal Best B2
Unit 1
Upper Teen 1 1C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct

 1. Audio communicators like listening to people.

 2. I didn’t really know her, although we had spent months texting each other.

 3. Tim has had another exhausting day. He studies too hard right now.

 4. The weather was absolutely terrible! It had been raining for days.

 5. It sounds like Susan wants to drop out of school.

 6. My cell phone rang while I had breakfast.

 7. He isn’t needing to use many words to get his point of view across.

 8. How long did you have your car when you sold it?

 9. We weren’t enjoying dinner at that new restaurant last night.

 10. Were you feeling a little nervous during the interview?

 11. Somehow it feels like though I’ve been here for a long time.

 12. Do you think of changing your job?

13. Last year, we traveled to Costa Rica. I’d been saving money for the trip for
 years.

 14. Does it sound as though I need help?

 15. I tried to call her, but she didn’t answer the phone.

Answer key: 1 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 10 / 13 / 14 / 15
 Personal Best B2
Unit 1
Upper Teen 1 1C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that are correct

 1. I speak very loudly, so I had to raise my voice to be heard in the meeting.

 2. He looked at me and he waved, so I knew he had seen me.

 3. Sally can be very highly respected. She only thinks about what she wants to do.

 4. He’s a world-famous novelist, so everyone knows him.

 5. He’s a very far-reaching person, so he plans for the future well.

 6. Susan is a record-breaking long-distance runner. She’s won several medals.

 7. He’s very well-educated because he left school at a very young age.

 8. I liked Sam when we met. He made a really good impression on me.

 9. Everything went well. The experiment was a total failure.

 10. The restaurant didn’t lower our expectations at all. It wasn’t very good.

 11. The presentation was terrible. It was such a disappoint.

12. This project is extremely time-consuming. I don’t think I will finish it by next
 week.

 13. She was gazing at the sky for hours because the clouds were so beautiful.

 14. I haven’t seen you for ages. Come here and give me a shrug!

Answer key: 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 12 / 13
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 1
1D - Writing

Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

a matter of before long ´d been studying

would happen would like a while
to begin changed at first
didn´t want the next hadn´t been
was feeling in the brought
after a as time got
were

1. ____________ beginning, I ____________ every day, but then I ____________

lazy.

2. I had no idea what ____________ in ____________ few weeks.

3. ____________ while, he decided it ____________ such a good idea after all.

4. ____________ went on, we ____________ all annoyed by our lack of progress.

5. ____________ with, I ____________ to tell you about my biking vacation in

Spain.

6. I must admit that ____________, I ____________ really excited about the new
job! But then everything ____________.

7. I thought we’d have to wait for ____________, but in ____________ minutes,

they ____________ us the food.

8. They ____________ to join us initially, but ___________ they said they’d come
to the party.

1 in the; ’d been studying; got / 2 would happen; the next / 3 after a; hadn’t been / 4 as time; were / 5 to begin;
would like / 6 at first; was feeling; changed / 7 a while; a matter of; brought / 8 didn’t want; before long
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
2A – Grammar

Match the two parts to make complete sentences.

Do you have any idea when

1 A No, I haven’t. Sorry.
the next bus is due?

You haven’t contacted

2 B Sorry, I don’t know.
Linda, have you?

Could you tell me where the Yes, he does. Right

3 C
nearest bus stop is? next to it, in fact.

Sorry, I thought Eric

Who did she send the e-mail
4 D had contacted you
to?
about it.

To Mr. Smith. He’s

The weather’s beautiful
5 E the manager of the
today, isn’t it?
store.

Why didn’t you tell me No, they’ve never

6 F
about the party? heard of him.

Who is the text message Sure. It’s just down

7 G
from? there on the left.

Yes, it’s absolutely

Who lives in that house? 8 H
fantastic!

The Hanssen family.

He lives near the church,
9 I They’ve been there
doesn’t he?
for three years.

Karen. She wants to

Aren’t they familiar with
10 J know about our trip
that Italian painter?
to Paris.

Answer Key: 1B / 2A / 3G / 4E / 5H / 6D / 7J / 8I / 9C / 10F

 Personal Best B2
Unit 2
Upper Teen 1 2A – Vocabulary

Match the two parts to make complete sentences.

I did, and I’m not

Did you hear that ridiculous
1 A surprised. He often says
comment he made?
strange things.

Your boss isn’t a very decisive Yeah, it’s pretty good. It

2 B
leader, is he? lasts about twelve hours.

Yes. He wants to study

I hope everything went well at
3 C medicine and become a
the dentist’s. Was it painful?
heart specialist.

Bernie told me this

smartphone screen cleaner is Yes, and I think he’s
4 D
virtually useless. Have you right. Mine’s still dirty.
tried it?

No, he isn’t. He keeps

Is that new music app useful? 5 E changing his mind every
two hours.

Does this tablet have a I don’t know. I haven’t

6 F
powerful battery? tried it yet.

Jonah’s a very ambitious It must be. It says so on

7 G
young man, isn’t he? the label.

It wasn’t too bad, but I

Are you sure this shirt is
8 H couldn’t eat for a few
machine washable?
hours afterward.

Answer key: 1A / 2E / 3H / 4D / 5F / 6B / 7C / 8G
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
2B – Reading

Complete the text with the phrases in the box.

what they also depict are what people are first struck by when they visit
what most visitors find really impressive its limestone formations
that it’s only about 50 years old what makes this an ideal place for this is
its exotic animals like wild birds,
that many of them are still in excellent
reptiles, lemurs, and more than 650
condition
different species of plants

World Heritage sites

World Heritage sites are areas or landmarks selected by UNESCO because they have an
outstanding natural or cultural importance to humanity. Some of them are well-known like the
pyramids of Giza or the Grand Canyon in Arizona, but there are some you may not have heard
about.

Surtsey

Surtsey is a small island located off the coast of Iceland. What most people don’t know is (1)

______________________________. It was created following volcanic eruptions that lasted

for several years and is now an important area for research into animal and plant life. (2)

______________________________ that it has been a protected area since it formed. There’s

no tourism and visits to the island are highly controlled, so there is very little human influence

on the plant and animal life that inhabit it.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

This is a nature reserve located in central west Madagascar. What it is most famous for is (3)
_______________________________________. It is also known for its incredible landscape.
What makes it so outstanding is (4) _________________________________. These rocks are
called tsingy, which means "where one cannot walk barefoot" or "to walk on tiptoes". They are
extremely sharp and look like needles, which makes it almost impossible to walk around in this
area.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
2B – Reading

Amphitheater of El Jem

This amphitheater, which was built in the third

century, is located in Tunisia. It can accommodate
up to 35,000 people, which makes it the largest
amphitheater of its kind in North Africa. The
resemblance to the Roman Colosseum is (5)
_______________________________________.

Mammoth Cave National Park

This national park can be found in Kentucky and contains a huge cave system – in fact, it’s the
longest cave system in the world. That is why it is called "Mammoth Cave". The many caves in
the park and the fact that it covers such a large area is (6)
_______________________________________.

Dazu Rock Carvings

This is not just one site, but 75, and they’re

located in China. The Dazu Rock Carvings include
more than 50,000 statues, some of which are
more than 2,500 years old. What visitors find
absolutely fascinating is (7)
_______________________________________.
The carvings show different religious beliefs such
as Buddhism and Taoism, but (8) _______________________________________ scenes of
everyday life at the time.

Answer key: 1. that it’s only about 50 years old / 2. what makes this an ideal place for this is / 3. its exotic animals
like wild birds, reptiles, lemurs, and more than 650 different species of plants / 4. its limestone formations / 5. what
people are first struck by when they visit / 6. what most visitors find really impressive / 7. that many of them are
still in excellent condition / 8. what they also depict are
 Personal Best B2
Unit 2
Upper Teen 1 2C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct

 1. Who did text you this message?

 2. Could you tell me how much the headphones do cost?

 3. Excuse me, do you know where is the new museum?

 4. Maria has had a bad day. However, she doesn’t look unhappy.

 5. I bought a new smartphone so that I can stream my favorite music.

 6. Marla likes photography, does she?

7. Curtis waited in line for five hours in order to get a ticket to see his favorite
 band perform.
8. Yeah, I listen to jazz music a lot. My favorite type of music is classical music,
 although.

 9. Why didn’t you tell me about the trip?

 10. In spite the weather, we went to the open-air concert.

 11. I listen to audiobooks to relax after work.

 12. Despite being interested in music, Laura can’t play a musical instrument.

 13. You don’t really like street art, do you?

 14. Do you have any idea when the concert starts?

 15. Even though I like sculptures, I prefer paintings.

Answer key: 4 / 5 / 7 / 9 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 /15

 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
2C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that make sense.

 1. Everyone loves this book. It’s dreadful.

 2. This snake is harmless. It can kill really large animals.

 3. Lisa is usually very cheerful, but today she seems a little unhappy.
 4. It doesn’t help to be so aggressive!

 5. Nobody wants to buy this purse – it’s very desirable.

 6. Sandra has just come over a really nice website! Here – take a look.

 7. I’m trying to figure up how to solve this problem. Can you help me?

 8. I didn’t really want to have dinner there, but my cousin talked me into it.
 9. Why does he always turn in late for the meeting? It’s very annoying!

 10. He’s afraid of trying new things – he’s always been very cautious.
11. When I was eighteen, I was homeless for a while. I had nowhere to live for
 three months.

 12. Tommy really takes after his mother. They are so similar.
 13. I made them a few attractive offers, but they turned them back.

 14. I just can’t put up with people being rude! I won’t tolerate it.

 15. He studied really hard, but it didn’t pay off as he failed the exam.

Answer key: 3 / 4 / 8 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 14 / 15
 Personal Best B2
Unit 2
Upper Teen 1 2D - Dialogue Part 1

Read the dialogue and decide if the questions are (T) true, (F) false or (NM) not
mentioned.

Abigail: Hey!
Ben: Hello. Do you want to watch a movie? I’ve been trying to find something
interesting on Netflix. I’ve been staring at the screen for, like, ten minutes and I can’t
decide. Have you seen any of those?
Abigail: No. Click on 'Trending now.'
Ben: OK.
Abigail: Have you seen A Quiet Place?
Ben: The one where the family’s voices attracts ghosts or something?
Abigail: Yeah, and they all have to communicate in sign language!
Ben: No.
Abigail: Oh... it’s a great movie.
Ben: I’m not really big on scary movies. I saw Paranormal Activity a while ago, and I had
nightmares for, like, two nights straight.
Abigail: Really? OK. Oh, Burn After Reading. That’s a good one.
Ben: I do like George Clooney.
Abigail: Ah, if you like George Clooney, you’re going to love it.
Ben: But it’s like a thriller, isn’t it?
Abigail: It’s more of a comedy, actually.
Ben: Good, I’m not in the mood for anything too serious. Is it funny?
Abigail: It’s both funny and smart at the same time. Oh, and Brad Pitt is in it!
Ben: Oh.
Abigail: What?
Ben: I’m not crazy about Brad Pitt.
Abigail: Oh, come on! You’re so hard to please!
Ben: No, I’m not! Look here’s one that’s definitely worth watching. Mamma Mia – Here
We Go Again!
Abigail: I’m not really into musicals.
Ben: I saw the first one recently. It’s one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.
Abigail: OK, let’s watch it.
Ben: I’m really sorry, but I don’t really feel like watching a movie right now. I'm so tired
Abigail: Are you serious?
Ben: Do you want to catch a movie on Saturday instead?
Abigail: Sure. If we can pick one!

1. Ben likes frightening movies. T F  NM

2. Ben says he slept badly after watching a particular movie. T F  NM
3. Ben likes both George Clooney and Brad Pitt. T F  NM
4. Abigail likes science-fiction movies. T F  NM
5. Abigail isn’t too keen on watching the musical. T F  NM
6. They talk about watching a movie together on the weekend. T F  NM

Answer key: 1. F / 2. T / 3. F / 4. NM / 5. T / 6. T
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
2D – Dialogue part 2

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Ben: Are you ready?

Abigail: Yep. Just checking what’s on. They’re showing Brooklyn!

Ben: Never heard of it.

Abigail: It’s from a few years ago but it’s one of my favorite movies.

Ben: Really? What’s it about?

Abigail: It’s set in the 50s. It tells the story of a young Irish woman who moves to New York,
where she falls in love. But then, well, her past kind of catches up with her, and she’s got to
choose between two countries.
Ben: And?

Abigail: I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I think what I loved was the message. Leaving the
life you know in search of something better.

Ben: Sounds like exactly the kind of thing I need to watch right now. Who’s in it?

Abigail: I don’t remember the actors’ names except for Saoirs...

Ben: Saoirse...

Abigail: Saoirse Ronan, who plays the leading role. She gives such a powerful performance! But
the whole cast is fantastic, and the script is written by Nick Hornby.

Ben: Isn’t he the guy who wrote High Fidelity?

Abigail: That’s the one! But I think Brooklyn is much better. It got great reviews at the time,
and was nominated for two or three Oscars, I think.

Ben: And you wouldn’t mind sitting through it again?

Abigail: Definitely not! I’d love to watch it.

Ben: Sounds great. Let’s go!

Abigail: Wow, that was easy!

Ben: You know me – Mr. Decisive!

Abigail: Sure!

1. What is Abigail doing when Ben enters the room?

a.  Checking her e-mail

b.  Finding out what movies are showing at the movie theater

c.  Checking what time the movie starts

 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 12
2D – Dialogue part 2

2. What does Abigail say Brooklyn is about?

a.  A woman from New York

b.  A woman from Ireland

c.  A woman who moves to Ireland

3. What does the character in the movie have to make a choice between?

a.  Two friends

b.  Two places

c.  Two brothers

4. How did Nick Hornby contribute to the movie?

a.  He directed the cast.

b.  He played the leading role.

c.  He wrote the script.

5. How many awards was the movie nominated for?

a.  One or two

b.  Two or more

c.  Three

6. How does Abigail feel about watching the movie again?

a.  She really wants to watch it again.

b.  She doesn’t mind watching it again.

c.  She isn’t keen on watching it again.

Answer key: 1.b / 2. b / 3. b / 4. c / 5. b / 6. a

 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 2
3A – Grammar

Complete the text with words to express advice, expectation, or obligation. Use one
or two words in each blank.

I love walking, and I (1) _________________ be able to walk

around the city without being afraid of getting run over. The
traffic on the streets where I live is getting worse every day,
and I think the police (2) _________________ to do
something about it! There’s a strict speed limit because it‘s a
residential area, so you’re not (3) _________________ to
drive faster than 30 km per hour, but no one seems to care.
If you want to cross the street, you (4) _________________ use the pedestrian
crosswalk! You (5) _________________ just cross wherever you like.

This is very important. You’d (6) _________________ not try to cross elsewhere – it’s
much too dangerous.

It isn’t just speed that’s an issue – drivers using cell phones is also a big problem. Of
course, using your phone while you’re driving is strictly (7) _________________, but I
see drivers doing that every day. I think drivers (8) _________________ to be more
careful and show more consideration for others. If I were the police, I (9)
_________________ just fine drivers who break the rules – I (10) _________________
ban them from driving.

Answer key: 1. should or ought to / 2. ought or have / 3. allowed or supposed / 4. must or have to / 5. can’t or can
not or cannot / 6. better / 7. forbidden or prohibited or illegal / 8. ought or have / 9. wouldn’t or would not / 10. ’d
or would
 Personal Best B2
Unit 3
Upper Teen 1 3A – Vocabulary

Match the questions and answers.

I’m not sure, but I could give

Where’s Katie’s new office? 1 A
you a ride instead if you like.

There are a few fairly Quite a lot! Some people

expensive residential areas 2 B have started wearing face
around here, aren’t there? masks.

Yes, and there’s a brand-new

Can you see that skyscraper
3 C recycling plant being built
over there?
next year.

Is homelessness a big You’re right. I certainly

4 D
problem in this city? couldn’t afford to live here.

Yes, there is. The streets are

Waste disposal is organized
5 E awfully busy, especially
very well here, isn’t it?
during rush hour.

Is there much congestion It’s in the business district on

6 F
where you live? the other side of town.

Yes, we have hundreds of

How much is your city
7 G people living on the streets
affected by smog?
here.

That’s the Jackson Tower. It’s

Do you know where the
8 H the tallest office building in
nearest taxi stand is?
the city.

Answer key: 1F / 2D / 3H / 4G / 5C / 6E / 7B / 8A
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3B – Interview Part 1

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Tasha: Hello and welcome to the show! I’m Tasha Harris. Today, we’re talking about
the importance of place. Now, we all have our own little hideaways. Those special
places, where we feel totally comfortable and relaxed. For some it’s a cafe, for others
it’s a park. It might even be a library. But wherever it is, it’s somewhere we feel safe.
Where’s yours?

Cathy: My garden! That’s where I go whenever I’m annoyed, usually when I argue,
sorry ‘discuss things’, with my husband. It has a very calming effect.

Rich: I like to avoid going to any busy places. I remember when I was young I always
went to the park. I was disgusted when they turned it into a mall!

Sara: I have a lot of safe spaces. Places affect me a lot. If I’m feeling very sensitive I
need somewhere quiet. If I’m angry, I need somewhere loud.

Tasha: These hideaways are important. According to psychologists, we’re all supposed
to have one. Now programmer David Bard has developed an app to help us find them.
So, David – do you have somewhere you go to get away from it all?

David: Oh, absolutely! Everybody really ought to have somewhere like that. Mine is
Target Field home to the Minnesota Twins baseball team!

Tasha: Sounds good! And why are these places so important?

David: In the modern world, when we’re not at home, we’re at work. Most of us spend
at least eight hours of our day at work. And many workplaces can be unfriendly,
uncomfortable and, above all, stressful. Most experts advise that we’re really not
supposed to live like this. That’s why we all need somewhere to escape to. It can be
somewhere quiet or somewhere you can get the social interaction you might not get
at work. Psychologists call this the ’third place.’

Tasha: And what should a good ’third place’ be like?

David: Now, that’s an excellent question! The short answer is that it’s different for
everybody. You really can’t tell somebody what their safe space should be. It can be
many things. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly quiet or peaceful place. One of
my colleagues, for example, told me hers is at an airport and I totally get that! Sure,
airports are busy and noisy but that doesn’t matter to her. She doesn’t mind the noise,
she loves the excitement! At an airport, there’s always the possibility of going
somewhere new! They can make you feel hopeful, and this is an important emotion to
have when you’re in your ‘third place.’
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3B – Interview

Tasha: And how else should you feel when you’re there?

David: Again, it differs from person to person, but the most important thing is that you
don’t have to be there. At home and at work we all have, you know, responsibilities.
You can’t just come and go whenever you want. If you do, you’d better be prepared to
lose your job or your partner! But in our third place we can go four times a week, or
once a month. There’s no obligation.

Tasha: And how often do you go to yours, David?

David: Oh, around once every two weeks – whenever the Twins play. Except when the
season's over – then I have to find somewhere new. That’s where my app comes in!

Tasha: Oh yes, of course – we’ll talk about that in part two. Please join us then!

1. What’s the hosts’s name?

a. Tasha Harris b. Sasha Harris c. Natasha Harrison

2. Which of these places does the host NOT mention as an example of a special place?

a. A garden b. A library c. A park

3. What has the special place Rich went to as a child changed into?

a. A café b. A parking lot c. A shopping area

4. What is a "hideaway"?

a. A hidden place b. A safe place c. A quiet place

5. What’s David’s job?

a. He’s an app developer. b. He’s a psychologist. c. He’s a baseball player.

6. According to David, how often should we go to our third place?

a. Every two weeks b. Once a month c. Whenever we want

Answer key: 1a / 2a / 3c / 4b / 5a / 6c
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3B – Interview part 2

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Tasha: Welcome back. I’m here with David Bard, creator of the MyThirdPlace app. David, we
know third places are psychologically important. But why do we need an app?

David: Long before I created the app, I knew I had to do something to protect these types of
spaces. In the past, there were always public places, like village squares, town halls, and city
parks. Somewhere you could go that wasn’t your home or your workplace. We call this a ’third
place.’ But nowadays they’re a bit more difficult to find. And don't we all want to keep our
'special places' to ourselves? Of course, I realize there are still town squares and public parks,
but they aren’t separate from work or home. Go outside and you’ll notice that almost
everybody has a device that allows their boss, their partner or their children to contact them...
wherever they are. This has a huge effect on people because it’s so much more difficult to
escape responsibilities and obligations. This affects everyone because a third place must be
obligation-free! Wouldn't you want to be free of your boss or even your mother-inlaw?!

Tasha: So, your solution to a technological problem is more technology?

David: Exactly! If you can’t beat them, join them! Seriously though, the idea came to me when
I had to work in New York for six months. I’m from Minneapolis and I know all my favorite
hideaways here, but in New York I was lost. Everybody knows that New York is busy but for me
that wasn’t the problem. It was all just so unfamiliar! How do you find a hideaway in a city of
over 8 million people? I did what everybody does – I went online. I could find websites for the
best food, coffee, even the best sandwich, but that didn’t help me find somewhere that felt
special to me, personally. So, that’s when I invented the app.

Tasha: And how does it work? Especially when these places are so personal? Isn't it hard for an
app to get to know us as individuals?

David: That’s the million-dollar question! I don’t claim that MyThirdPlace can find you your
third place. Only you can do that so there’s no point pretending. But it can recommend places.
It does this through an algorithm that assesses your personality type. First, you build your
profile. You enter your personal information and answer a series of questions. Then the app
gives you a choice of places. You just choose the ones you like most. The app uses this
information to suggest safe spaces near you. You can even choose the city too. So, right now
my suggested safe spaces in London are Bob’s Cafe in Peckham and The Resthouse in
Greenwich.

Tasha: That’s fantastic! I’ve been living here for seven years and I’m still not sure where my
third place is!

David: You’d better get the app then!

Tasha: Don’t worry – I’m already on it! Thanks, David!

 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3B – Interview part 2

David: Thank you, Tasha. Enjoy!

Tasha: That’s it for this week. Thanks for watching and see you next time!

1. Which public place does David NOT mention?

 a. The town hall b. The library c. The park

2. Why does David say public places and work are not so separate any longer?

a. Because everyone can be contacted at all times

b. Because a lot of people now work in public places

c. Because public places have changed

3. What problem did David have in New York?

 a. It was too busy.

b. He was always getting lost.

c. He didn’t know the city very well.

4. How many people does David say live in New York?

a. More than 8 million b. About 18 million c. Under 8 million

5. What is the first thing you do when you get the app?

a. You enter details about your personality.

b. You upload a profile picture.

c. You create a profile.

6. How many safe spaces in London did the app suggest for David?

a. One b. Two c. Three

Answer key: 1b / 2a / 3c / 4a / 5c / 6b
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct.

 1. If I were you, I’d wear a bike helmet.

 2. Kane loves green tea. He absolutely can’t do without it.

 3. You ought buy the tickets online.

 4. This is no good. We need to come on with a new plan.

 5. Sorry, you’re not allowed to smoke here.

 6. I’m very tired. I should better go home now.

 7. The use of digital cameras is prohibited in this building.

 8. You can’t book your flights online until next week.

 9. Julia has taken up judo and absolutely loves it.

 10. Are you looking forward going on vacation?

 11. There’s no sun screen left. We must have used it up.

 12. By law, you should to have a license to fly a plane.

 13. Excuse me, can you tell us where to get the bus off?

 14. In some countries, you’re supposed to give the waiter or waitress a 20% tip.

Answer key: 1 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 11
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that make sense.

 1. Their factory is in an industrial area outside the downtown area.

2. Vandalism is a huge problem on public transportation. People are always
 writing on the seats.

 3. I usually find a place to park my car there. I think there’s a lack of parking.
4. Poverty is getting worse in some countries. More and more people are low
 income.

 5. Suddenly, she noticed a spider on the wall and started to scream.

6. They agreed on everything, so they didn’t need to argue what to do for very
 long.

 7. Business is going very well right now. Have you seen the current sales figures?

 8. Hannah has always tried to avoid big crowds because she doesn’t like them.

 9. A lot of people have been effected by new technology.

10. My company is reorganizing a lot of things, so my job isn’t very sure at the
 moment.

 11. Amara was very annoyed when she heard about the delay.
12. Tom’s quite an easygoing person. He doesn’t matter when I forget to call
 him.

 13. The customer claims he sent us the letter, but we haven’t received it yet.

 14. I wouldn’t mention this in front of her. It’s a very sensible point!

Answer key: 1 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 11 / 13
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 3
3D – Writing

Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

most delicious not to glance

highly recommend might think simply stunning
at but actually but
without a doubt ask me exceptional
initially fact however

1. From the roof of the hotel you get some ______________________________

views of the city.
2. If you ______________________________, Zorbas has the
______________________________ Greek food in town.
3. I thought the party would be boring, but it was
______________________________ one of the best parties I’d ever been to.
4. I can ______________________________ this restaurant as an
______________________________ place for fish and seafood.
5. The museums and galleries in this town are ______________________________
be missed.
6. ______________________________, I thought it would be too cloudy to see
anything, ______________________________ we saw thousands of stars that
night.
7. You ______________________________, there is nothing to offer music lovers.
______________________________, the new opera house is absolutely world-
class.
8. ______________________________ first ______________________________, there
weren’t many activities, ______________________________in
______________________________there were a lot of additional sports you
could take part in at the local beach.

Answer key: 1. simply stunning / 2. ask me; most delicious / 3. without a doubt / 4. highly recommend; exceptional /
5. not to / 6. initially; but actually / 7. might think; however / 8. at; glance; but; fact
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
4A – Grammar

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in parentheses.

1. Most of my friends _________________________ (not / usually have) enough money

to travel outside of the country.

2. Everyone ___________ (need) a really good friend in their lives.

3. My family ___________ (be) very open to new ideas.

4. ________________________ (the police / stop) drivers who use their cell phones while
driving in your country?

5. Right now, all of my co-workers, other than Sarah, ____________________ (plan) a trip
to Miami.

6. When I arrived at the gate, there _______________ (be) a large group of people in front
of me.

7. Most people in our family, including my husband, ______________ (like) trying the local
food when traveling abroad.

8. I have three co-workers in my office. One of them _______________ (speak) Japanese

fluently.

9. The information you gave me _______________________ (not / be) very useful, I'm
afraid.

10. A few of my friends __________________________ (not / want) to use social media

any longer.

Answer key:
1. don't usually have OR do not usually have 6. was OR were
2. needs 7. like
3. is 8. speaks
4. Do the police stop 9. wasn't OR was not OR isn't OR is not
5. are planning 10. don't want OR do not want
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4A – Vocabulary

Read the clues. Complete the crossword with words for personality and behavior.

2 3
 Across
If you ________ on someone’s nerves, they find
3 you irritating.
Someone who is likeable and friendly can be
4 4 described as ________ .
Someone who never changes their mind is very
5 ________ .
It is very unkind to ________ someone by
7 talking negatively about their appearance.

5 6
 Down
When you are ________ to someone, you are
1 being unkind to them.
7 When something really annoys you, you could
2 say that it drives you ________ .
Someone who constantly breaks things or runs
4 into things could be described as ______ .
When someone orders other people around
6 and tell them what to do, they are _____ .

Answer key:
Across: (3) get / (4) charming / (5) stubborn / (7) upset
Down: (1) mean / (2) crazy / (4) clumsy / (6) bossy
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4B – Reading

Complete the comments with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses

How to get along with other people

Listening is the key to good

communication.

One of the things that often goes wrong in

communication is that people don't really pay
enough attention to what the other person is
saying. If I had a dollar for every time somebody
wasn't listening, I (1) ______________________
(be) a rich woman! People just don't want to wait until the other person has finished until
they start speaking. If you (2) ______________________ (listen) carefully first, it will (3)
______________________ (enable) you to understand what others are trying to
communicate or what kinds of suggestions they have.

Accept people as they are.

If you want to get along with people, (4) ______________________ (not try) to change
them! You need to accept that other people are different and that they may do and say
things you don't like. The only thing you can change is how you interact with them. So if
you (5) ______________________ (not like) someone's behavior, you can just try not to
interact with them too often.

A smile can go a long way.

It's also important to keep your sense of humor. A smile and a little laughter here and
there can ease tensions and create a positive atmosphere. But you also have to be careful
when using humor. Making jokes about yourself is fine, but if you make fun of other
people, you (6) ______________________ (risk) upsetting them. So, if I wanted to avoid
ruining a good relationship, I (7) ______________________ (not make) any silly
comments, no matter how funny I found them.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4B – Reading

Say complimentary things to people.

Most people (8) ______________________ (love) it if you say something nice about them
or their work. People like compliments, but only if they are sincere. So, congratulate
friends or colleagues on things they've done well, such as when they've finished a project
or had a good idea, but remember to be honest.

Offer help and be kind.

Be kind to others as much as possible. This could mean very simple things like offering
someone your phone because they've left theirs at home, or taking care of your friend's
cats while she's on vacation. If you (9) ______________________ (show) that you care
about other people, they will like being around you.

Show people you're interested in what they say.

What would you do if you (10) ______________________ (want) to show somebody that
you're interested in what they are saying? One thing you can do is to make eye contact
and use positive body language. You can also use expressions like "I see" or "really" to
respond to what they are telling you. If you use active listening strategies, people (11)
______________________ (feel) more comfortable.

Answer key: 1. 'd be OR would be / 2. listen / 3. enable / 4. don't try OR do not try / 5. don't like OR do not like / 6. 'll risk OR will risk
OR risk / 7. wouldn't make OR would not make / 8. will love OR love / 9. show / 10. wanted / 11. will feel OR feel
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct.

 1. Everyone in the office wants to talk to the new colleague from Spain.

 2. Did you know that one of them now work at the local university?

 3. How long do you have this computer?

4. Many people, including those who use the website, are unhappy with the
 company's services.

 5. Do the police actually stop drivers who is speeding?

 6. I've finished my report, so let's go to lunch now.

 7. She's already been preparing the agenda for the meeting.

 8. They've visited some important customers yesterday.

 9. Look, I've bought myself a new smartphone!

 10. What's the most exciting thing you've done in the last six months?

 11. The good news are that there is a campaign to install more speed cameras.

 12. Each of the people in my house have a pet.

 13. Wow. I can see you've done some cleaning up. Your desk looks perfect!

 14. She is waiting for this call all morning.

 15. Peter did a lot of Internet research last week.

Answer key: 1 / 4 / 6 / 9 / 10 / 13 / 15
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that make sense.

 1. Jenny is the nicest person I know, but today she's been so bad-tempered.

 2. Jamil must be really happy with his new car. He's very enthusiastic about it.

 3. She's an adult now, but she doesn't behave in a particularly responsible way.
4. Tim's very generous, but Gina takes credit for that and is always asking him for
 money.

 5. It was my idea, but my boss tried to take credit for it!

 6. My colleague keeps boasting about how intelligent he is. It's really annoying!

 7. People believe anything he says – he's very persuasion.

8. Leon's always very careful not to hurt others' feelings. He's not very
 considerate.

 9. When the article was published, it was criticism by a lot of people.

 10. It was very stubborn of Harry to send me a get-well card.

 11. Moira's pretty arrogant. She always thinks she knows everything.

 12. Are you sure this information is correct? Can we reliable on this website?

 13. Have you success in getting the job you wanted?

 14. What we've done this year is a great achievement.

 15. If I talk about the company secret, I'll risky losing my job.

Answer key: 1 / 2 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 11 / 14
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4D – Dialogue p1

Read the dialogue and decide if the questions are (T) true, (F) false or (NM) not
mentioned.

Abigail: You won’t believe what just happened.

Ben: What’s wrong?
Abigail: I was waiting at a traffic light and I guess I was a bit distracted because I didn’t
move immediately when the light turned green.
Ben: That happens all the time!
Abigail: But then the woman behind me gets out of her car and starts banging on my
window, yelling at me.
Ben: No way!
Abigail: I just drove off but I’m still shaking.
Ben: Why are people so aggressive when they’re driving?
Abigail: I don’t know.
Ben: Come. Sit down.
Abigail: I guess it is stressful. When you’re driving, you’re constantly under pressure even
if you’re not aware of it.
Ben: It’s true. I think there’s more to it than that though. Once, I read a study that said if
you think of your car as an extension of your personality, you’re more likely to lose your
temper on the road.
Abigail: I’m not sure I follow.
Ben: If you see your car as part of yourself, then anything that puts your car at risk is like a
threat to you, personally.
Abigail: Hmm... that may be true to a certain extent, but a lot of people who are normally
calm and even-tempered can lose control of their emotions when they get behind the
wheel.
Ben: Yeah, but why?
Abigail: Perhaps it’s because they try so hard to keep control of their feelings in their day
to day lives.
Ben: No, sorry, I don’t get that.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4D – Dialogue p1

Abigail: Like, say your boss is rude to you, but you can’t lose your job, so you keep quiet.
You leave the office and as soon as someone cuts you off, you take it out on the other
driver, who has nothing to do with your problem!
Ben: Hmm... that makes a lot of sense. My father is the sweetest man you’ll ever meet,
but he becomes a whole different person when he gets stuck in traffic!
Abigail: And this sort of behavior is learned too, isn’t it? Children see their parents yelling
at other drivers and they think it’s normal.
Ben: I hadn’t thought of that.
Abigail: Not to mention movies like Fast and Furious, which tend to show aggressive
driving as something exciting... almost positive!
Ben: I think I’ll stick to walking!
Abigail: Good idea!

1. Abigail says she wasn’t paying attention at the traffic lights. T F  NM

2. The woman in front of her started shouting. T F  NM

3. Ben thinks stress isn’t the only reason for aggressive behavior. T F  NM

4. A lot of people find it difficult to control their car. T F  NM

5. Ben says his father’s personality changes when the traffic is bad. T F  NM

6. Abigail thinks that Fast and Furious is a great movie. T F  NM

Answer key: 1. T / 2. F / 3. T / 4. NM / 5. T / 6. NM
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4D – Dialogue – P2

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Ben: Hi!

Abigail: You’re not going to believe what happened today.

Ben: What?

Abigail: You know I started that short course on safe driving this morning?

Ben: After our conversation the other day?

Abigail: Yeah. You’ll never guess who was there!

Ben: Who?

Abigail: Our ‘friend’ – you know, the angry driver!

Ben: No way! Did she recognize you?

Abigail: As soon as she saw me. I couldn’t believe my eyes! And it gets worse – the only
empty seat was right next to her!

Ben: That must have been so awkward.

Abigail: Tell me about it. And what was the first topic of the lesson?

Ben: Let me guess – road rage?

Abigail: Exactly. He showed us a video with some very alarming statistics, but I was trying
so hard not to make eye contact with my ’friend’ I couldn’t pay attention.

Ben: I bet it was really uncomfortable.

Abigail: It was. And she came up to me at the end of the lesson.

Ben: Are you serious? Was she angry?

Abigail: No. She apologized. She said she’d just been fired so she wasn’t thinking straight.

Ben: Which kind of explains it.

Abigail: Totally. Listen, I better go.

Ben: See you later. And drive safely.

Abigail: Thanks!
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4D – Dialogue – P2

1. What was Abigail doing before she phoned Ben?

 Taking her driving test.
 Attending a course about driving safely.
 Running a course about driving carefully.

2. Where did Abigail sit?

 Behind the angry driver
 Next to the angry driver
 In front of the angry driver

3. What was the first lesson about?

 Aggressive behavior on the road
 Traffic accidents
 Traffic jam statistics

4. What did Abigail try to avoid doing during the lesson?

 Looking at the angry driver
 Watching the video
 Speaking to the angry driver

5. What did the angry driver do?

 She shouted at Abigail.
 She said she was sorry.
 She ignored Abigail.

6. What reason did the angry driver give for her behavior?
 She'd just lost her job.
 She didn't give a reason.
 She'd had a headache.

Answer key:
1. Attending a course about driving safely. 4. Looking at the angry driver
2. Next to the angry driver 5. She said she was sorry.
3. Aggressive behavior on the road 6. She'd just lost her job.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 4
4D – Speaking

Complete the text with the phrases in the box.

I bet that was so I couldn’t believe it That must have been

That may be true You’ll never guess No way
I’m not sure I follow I hadn’t thought of I think there’s more to it

Speaker 1: Where’s Sarah today?

1
Speaker 2: She’s not here. (1) __________________________ what happened!
She got fired.
Speaker 1: (2) __________________________!
Speaker 2: I was there when it happened actually. (3) ______________________!
Speaker 1: (4) __________________________ so awkward for you. Why was she
fired?
Speaker 2: Because she often comes to work late. (5)
__________________________ than that though. I think he wants to give the job
to his nephew instead.
Speaker 1: Poor Sarah! (6) __________________________ upsetting for her.

Speaker 1: This job is so frustrating! There’s never enough time to do everything I

2 need to do.
Speaker 2: (7) __________________________ to a certain extent, but maybe you
need to change the way you work, too.
Speaker 1: Sorry, (8) __________________________.
Speaker 2: Well, maybe you should write down everything you do so you know
how you’re using your time.
Speaker 1: That’s actually a good idea. (9) __________________________ that.

Answer key:
1. You’ll never guess 6. I bet that was so
2. No way 7.That may be true
3. I couldn’t believe it 8.I’m not sure I follow
4. That must have been 9. I hadn’t thought of
5. I think there’s more to it
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5A – Vocabulary

Match the two parts to make complete sentences.

Did you know that even the UK has been Yes. Apparently, temperatures regularly
1 A
affected by drought this year? reached over 40°C!

I’m sure it is. Natural processes only

Are whales endangered species, too? 2 B
account for a small part of it.

Do you have many energy-efficient Well, some of them are. It depends on

3 C
household appliances? the type.

Did you read about the heat wave they had in Not yet, but I’m going to buy a new
4 D
Greece? refrigerator soon.

Yeah, it is. They won’t be able to build

Wouldn’t it make sense to stop using plastic
5 E on the land until it’s been
bags?
decontaminated.

Do you think climate change is man-made? 6 F No, but I know it’s been extremely dry.

There have been a lot of wildfires in Southern Of course! Then they couldn’t litter our
7 G
Europe recently, haven’t there? parks, rivers, and oceans!

Toxic waste from old chemical plants is a big That’s true and they’ve also had to put
8 H
problem around here, isn't it? out a lot in California.

Answer key: 1F / 2C / 3D / 4A / 5G / 6B / 7H / 8E
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5B – Interview– P1

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Tasha: Hello and welcome to the show. I’m Tasha Harris. In recent years, extreme weather
events have increased. Hurricanes, floods, heatwaves – the impact of climate change has
been felt by people all over the world.
Rich: We went to New York last winter and it snowed the entire time. This resulted in our
flights being cancelled so we had to stay an extra week. It sounds great, but we were
actually pretty miserable.
Tasha: Last year our whole street was flooded. We’re still repairing some of the damage
and it’s absolutely exhausting.
Cathy: My sister lives in Australia and her house was damaged in a wildfire. Luckily, they
weren’t at home but the damage was so bad that they’re desperate to find somewhere
else to live.
Tasha: As these stories become increasingly common, it affects all of us. This is the subject
of the book Under the Weather and its author, Joel Jones, joins us today from Washington.
Hello Joel.
Joel: Hi Tasha.
Tasha: So, is climate change affecting the way we feel?
Joel: Oh, without a doubt. Weather always impacts mood, but extreme weather can be so
devastating that it can influence every aspect of our lives. This has huge consequences for
our emotional well-being.
Tasha: In what way?
Joel: Well, severe weather events can be very traumatic. They can lead to feelings of
stress and anxiety. Obviously, it’s very distressing for those involved but it has such a
domino effect that even people who have never suffered a snowstorm or a hurricane are
becoming increasingly pessimistic. In a recent survey, 64% of Americans said they were
worried about the climate, with 22% saying they were very worried. And almost
everybody agrees, there’s so little we can do that it’s definitely going to cause bigger
problems in the future.
Tasha: But in your book, there are some positives.
Joel: Yes, climate change has already resulted in many terrible disasters. But these
disasters can lead to acts of extraordinary kindness. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused New
York to shut down. It was so severe in some areas that people’s homes were badly
damaged. They had no access to food, clothes or electricity. But all over the city people
were eager to help. They set up food stalls so people could eat and donated clothes so
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5B – Interview– P1

people stayed dry. And it’s not just in this country. In Japan, people came from all over the
country to help rebuild affected cities after the 2011 tsunami. And in 2016 in Ecuador,
people left their jobs and families to work in emergency camps and hospitals. Of course,
these acts of kindness don’t solve the problem, but they are so important because they
inspire others. They show how people can bring a positive mindset to a negative situation.
Tasha: But do you think a disaster is needed to make people think this way?
Joel: I hope not. It would make such a difference if we could work this way before disaster
strikes rather than afterwards. If we could, I think we’d make big changes happen.
Tasha: Even on a major issue like climate change?
Joel: Absolutely! But also in our everyday life. The weather has such a strong influence on
our mood but that doesn’t mean we can’t do things to help ourselves!
Tasha: Let’s talk more about that in part two. Please join us then!

1. Which weather event is NOT mentioned by the presenter?

 Droughts  eatwaves  Floods

2. Why did Rich stay in New York longer than planned?

 Because he missed his flight
 Because his flight was canceled
 Because his flight was delayed

3. Whose neighborhood was affected by water?

 Rich’s  Tom’s  Cathy’s

4. How many Americans are very worried about the climate?

 Around two thirds  Less than a quarter  Nearly all of them

5. When was New York badly affected by a hurricane?

 In 2012  In 2011  In 2002

6. What did the people of New York NOT do after the hurricane?
 Provide food
 Give people things to wear
 Fix the electricity

Answer key:
1. Droughts 3. Tom’s 5. In 2012
2. Because his flight was canceled 4. Less than a quarter 6. Fix the electricity
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5B – Interview – P2

Read the dialogue and answer the questions.

Tasha: Hello and welcome back. I’m here with Joel Jones, author of Under the Weather. In
part one, we looked at how global warming is changing our moods. But it isn’t just
extreme weather that influences how we feel. From severe storms to drizzly Monday
mornings, weather affects our mood every single day.
Cathy: My mood completely depends on the weather - just ask my friends! I get very
grumpy when it’s cold.
Rich: I actually like cold weather but when it rains day after day, it’s pretty miserable.
Sara: It makes such a big difference to me. The weather here really gets me down. Cold,
cloudy and wet – come on, give me some sun!
Tasha: So, Joel, does the weather change how you feel?
Joel: Oh, absolutely. I hate winter! In some parts of the US, the winters have been so cold
that people just stay indoors for months! And studies show that one in five Americans find
the winter months difficult.
In the most severe cases, people can have what’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder.
People with SAD find different seasons – most commonly winter – make them feel anxious
and on edge. But even for people who don’t have SAD, winter in a cold climate can be a
depressing time of year. It’s so cold and dark that most people don’t go outside. When
you don’t go outside, you quickly become lethargic and start to feel kind of down.
Tasha: How can you fight that?
Joel: It’s difficult. People generally find winter difficult for two reasons – there isn’t
enough light, and you don’t go outside. So, my recommendation is to get out during the
day whenever you can.
Tasha: Does that really make such a big difference?
Joel: Oh, light and being able to go outside can have such a major impact it’s influenced
entire cultures! Study after study shows that people who live in warm climates tend to be
more motivated and optimistic, which in turn makes them more passionate about life.
Tasha: Hmmm, some of our viewers might disagree. Isn’t that just a stereotype?
Joel: Yes, it is but so many scientific studies show that light stimulates our brain. There
must be some truth in it! And people who spend more time outside, exercise more too.
And exercise is good for both your physical and mental health.
Tasha: So, we should all live in warmer countries to feel more dynamic?
Joel: Not exactly but we should all try to get more exercise. Movement makes us happy
and energetic, and the lack of it makes us grumpy and lethargic.
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5B – Interview – P2

Tasha: I think I should go for a run!

Joel: That’s always a good idea!
Tasha: Thanks, Joel, it’s a fascinating topic. That’s it from us. Thanks for watching and see
you next time!

1. What's the title of Joel's book?

 Under the Weather
 About the Weather
 Undo the Weather

2. Who isn't negatively affected by cold weather?

 Cathy  Rich  Sara

3. How many Americans don't find it easy to cope with the winter?
 5 million  5%  20%

4. How often does Joel say people should go outside in the daytime?
 As often as possible  When it's sunny  Once a day

5. How do warmer climates affect people?

 They are usually more positive.
 They are always more passionate.
 They usually live longer.

6. Why should people get more exercise?

 Because they'll lose weight
 Because they'll have more energy
 Because they'll sleep better

Answer key:
1. Under the Weather 3. 20% 5. They are usually more positive.
2. Rich 4. As often as possible 6. Because they'll have more energy
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct.

 1. There's so many work to do if we want to save our planet!

 2. Unless we take further steps, we won't be able to prevent climate change.

 3. It was raining so heavily that we couldn't leave the house.

 4. Thirty years from now, the weather may be more unpredictable.

 5. Spending so many hours on social media seems such a waste of time!

 6. Do you think the summers are hotter in twenty years' time?

 7. By the end of this year, the company will sell 100,000 electric cars in Europe.

 8. I'm absolutely sure that more and more jobs may be lost to robots.

 9. The expert thinks that a lot of people will be working from home.
10. I'm not sure we can win this game, but I hope we'll be faster than the other
 team!

 11. Switching to LED bulbs is so easy!

 12. We use so much energy and waste so much resources.

 13. What will people do when temperatures rise even further?

 14. There are so little people who are willing to change their lifestyle completely.

 15. We're going to see wildfires in the area. There's a 40% chance.

Answer key: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 13
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 5
5C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that make sense.

 1. It's been raining a lot in South Africa this year. It's the worst drought in decades.

 2. I think we'll be fine. I'm very optimistic about the future.

3. Why don't we put more trash cans downtown? Perhaps people wouldn't litter
 the streets then.

 4. Solar energy, such as oil and coal, has a negative impact on our environment.
5. What can we do to stop dangerous species such as turtles and butterflies from
 dying out?

 6. Roberto's very motivated. He goes for a run every morning at five o'clock.

 7. He drives carefully and within the speed limit, which is really irresponsible.

 8. The building is visible from here. It's hidden behind the tower.

 9. Sorry, Dennis is on a business trip, so he is available right now.

 10. It's unbelievable that he passed the test without studying at all!

 11. I wasn't at home when the package arrived, which was very unfortunate.

 12. I'm so tired today. I feel very energetic.

 13. The weather's awful, and I have so much work to do. I feel miserable.

 14. The information we received was misleading, so I'm pretty annoyed.

15. He tends to forget meetings or arrive late. I guess he's a pretty organized
 person.

Answer key: 2 / 3 / 6 / 10 / 11 / 13 / 14
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6A – Grammar

Complete the sentences with one, two, or three words in each blank.

consequently nevertheless in sum similarly as opposed to

1. Peter loves old cars, ____________________ Fred who prefers new cars.

2. People know that cars are bad for the environment. ____________________, many
people use them.

3. There are many positive things to be said about solar energy. ____________________,
there are far more pros than cons.

4. It’s often hard for people to keep to diets. ____________________, it’s difficult to stick
to an exercise regime.

5. You should convince him to go by train ____________________ taking the car.

6. Electric cars will become cheaper. ____________________, more people will buy them.

7. I’m not sure if everything I put in the recycling bin is really recycled by the council.
____________________, I still recycle.

8. Doctors are required to be caring, highly skilled, and very intelligent.

____________________, they need many different qualities.

Answer key: 1. as opposed to / 2. nevertheless / 3. in sum / 4. similarly / 5. as opposed to / 6. consequently

7. nevertheless / 8. in sum
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6A – Grammar

Complete the sentences with the words or phrases from the box.

hated was always trying started

used didn’t have used to go
‘d eaten almost used to live would play
were always
‘d spend didn’t use to like
complaining

When I was a child, we (1) ___________________________ in the country. My brother

and I (2) ___________________________ outside in the yard or in the fields near our
house and we (3) ___________________________ hours climbing trees, riding bikes, or
watching the birds. It was great! We (4) ___________________________ any expensive
toys to play with, but that was OK – we didn’t need any. There was also a lake nearby, so
we (5) ___________________________ swimming in the summer.

When I was a little older, I went to the local school and became interested in science and
reading, but my younger brother Axel (6) ___________________________ going to school
at all. He really (7) ___________________________ studying. What really annoyed me
was that when I was studying or doing homework, he (8) ___________________________
to distract me! He (9) ___________________________ all kinds of tricks to get my
attention. One day, he (10) ___________________________ eating one of the boxes of
chocolates I got for my birthday while I was writing an essay on my computer. By the time
I noticed, he (11) ___________________________ the whole thing!

When we were teenagers, things changed and living in the middle of nowhere didn’t seem
so exciting any more. I remember how we (12) ___________________________ about the
long commute to school and that we wanted to move closer to town.

Answer key: 1. used to live / 2. would play / 3. ’d spend / 4. didn’t have / 5. used to go / 6.didn’t use to like / 7. hated /
8. was always trying / 9. used / 10. started / 11. ’d eaten almost / 12. were always complaining
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6A – Vocabulary

Match the two parts to make complete sentences.

Were you on 1 A no time, didn’t they?

in time for the start of the

Can you make 2 B
concert?

time for the meeting

Will we be 3 C
yesterday?

Peter will get here any 4 D a lot of time, doesn’t it?

time to put the shelves up

They finished their report in 5 E
tomorrow?

Spending hours on social

6 F time now, won’t he?
media wastes

Answer key: 1C / 2E / 3B / 4F / 5A / 6D
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6B – Reading

Complete the text with the phrases in the box.

quite never-ending starving drowning

contrary truth on the matter
true opposite the is true
belief is that bread die

Five myth about diets

Diets never work
The list of diets that have been promoted
over the years is (1) ____________________.
And the latest diet is always the one that
people are convinced is the best thing since
sliced (2) ____________________. However,
after a few weeks of following the diet, many
people give up in frustration, saying that it
didn’t work. The (3) _________________ of
the (4) ___________________ is that you will
actually lose weight if you eat fewer calories
than your body needs. The reason why many
diets are not successful is that people choose extreme diets, which either leave them
feeling like they’re (5) ____________________ most of the time or stop them from eating
the food they like. So, eventually people stop doing the diet and they regain any weight
they lost.

Rice, pasta, and bread make you put on weight

(6) ____________________ to popular (7) ____________________, there is actually no

proof that carbohydrate-rich foods are more fattening than other foods. What is certainly
true is that the more calories we take in, the more weight we gain. Of course, when we
start to add fat to carbohydrates by putting butter on our bread or (8) ________________
our pasta in pesto, then we boost our calorie intake and put on weight.

Dairy products are unhealthy

(9) ____________________ the (10) ____________________ is true – yogurt, milk, and

cheese are full of nutrients that are good for us. Among other things, they contain
calcium, which is particularly important for healthy bones. To reduce your calorie intake,
you can choose from a wide range of low-fat or reduced-fat dairy products. And using
these low-calorie products doesn’t mean you’ll get less calcium. (11) _________________
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6B – Reading

contrary, skim milk and dairy products made with skim milk actually have higher levels of
calcium than standard full-fat products.

If you eat late in the evening, you won’t lose weight

That eating at night stops you losing weight is a myth that just won’t (12) _____________.
The truth (13) _______________________ it’s not eating at night that is bad for your diet,
but taking in too many calories throughout the day! It doesn’t matter when you eat the
calories, it only matters how many you eat.

Margarine is healthier than butter

Many people use margarine instead of butter because they think it’s healthier and lower
in fat. If you look at the facts, you’ll see that (14) ____________________ opposite (15)
____________________. Normal margarines often contain as much fat as butter and,
what is worse, they also contain certain types of oil that are likely to have a negative effect
on our health. It is (16) ____________________ that there are many low-fat or reduced-
fat spreads available these days that help you reduce the calories you take in, but they
may still contain unhealthy vegetable fats.

Answer key: 1. never-ending / 2. bread / 3. truth / 4. matter / 5.starving / 6. contrary / 7. belief / 8. drowning / 9. quite / 10. opposite /
11. on the / 12. die / 13. is that / 14. the / 15. is true / 16. true
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6C – Grammar

Choose the sentences that are correct.

 1. When I was a teenager, I would spend hours listening to music.

2. My sister didn’t used to like romantic movies at all. She preferred action
 movies.

 3. By the time I finished college, I had gotten use to living away from home.

 4. I wasn’t playing tennis when I attended high school.

5. Dennis uses social media a lot. He’s used to checking his account every five
 minutes.
6. In my new job, I have to travel a lot. It’s quite a challenge, but I get used to it
 now!

 7. Jan used to live in Berlin before he moved to Oslo.

8. My little brother could be extremely annoying when we were children. He
 always arguing with me.

 9. Britta can’t get used to her new apartment.

 10. He hasn’t gotten used to not eat meat.

11. The first month on the job was really hard for Samira. She weren’t used to
 getting up so early.

 12. Sorry, I’m not used to being interrupted all the time!

 13. Do you think you’ll get use to the hot summers in South Africa?

 14. Did you use to play soccer when you were younger?

 15. When I lived in Spain, I would walk on the beach every morning.

Answer key: 1 / 5 / 7 / 9 / 12 / 14 / 15
 Personal Best B2
Upper Teen 1 Unit 6
6C – Vocabulary

Choose the sentences that make sense.

 1. Please speak one at a time! I can't understand you if you all talk at once.

 2. I've been playing basketball any time now.

 3. It's only a matter of time before my boss gets impatient and fires me.

 4. Toby drinks too much coffee. I think he's obsessed to it.

 5. I've had enough. I'm really fed up about this job!

 6. Do you think there'll be the possibility of getting a new car next year?

 7. I don't know whether I'll pass the exam. I'm so anxious about it.

 8. I'd like to congratulate you for your retirement!

 9. I insisted to speak to the manager.

 10. The meeting starts at nine thirty. Please be in time.

 11. It's always a good idea to time yourself during practice runs.

 12. We're all concerned of the future of this school due to the loss of funding.

 13. We aren't allowed to eat in the office. My boss doesn't approve of that.

 14. My sisters are obsessed about social media. They can't stay away from it!

 15. What was his reaction to your proposal?

Answer key: 1 / 3 / 6 / 7 / 11 / 13 / 15