V4 CPE Unit 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Objective Proficiency: Unit 1

Life-changing experiences

The objectives of this unit are: being able to speak about key changes in life and using appropriate vocabulary, establishing difficult grammar areas, learning to summarize concisely and practising with Use of English CPE.

Mention some life-changing events
people can experience.

7 idioms to talk about change!

Let’s start with two idioms that you likely know, or at least have heard before:

To change your mind

To change your tune

They may seem the same, but in fact there is a little difference in meaning and use:

Can anyone explain the difference?

Nrs 1 and 2

Change your mind means that you change your opinion about something:

When I first started reading 1984 I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I thought it was a bit slow and too depressing. But I soon changed my mind once I got into it and now I think it’s a fantastic book.

Change your tune similarly means to change your opinion, or your behaviour changes. We use it slightly differently to change your mind. We usually use change your tune when the opinion or behaviour goes from a negative to a positive.

Imagine you have a friend who has been moaning about her boyfriend for weeks. Really negative about him … they are arguing and they are not in a good place. Then suddenly, your friend starts saying how amazing her boyfriend is, she’s really in love with him, he can’t do anything wrong ….

In this context you wouldn’t say to your friend: You’ve changed your mind!

You would say: Well, you’ve changed your tune!

Change your mind means that you change your opinion about something:

When I first started reading 1984 I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I thought it was a bit slow and too depressing. But I soon changed my mind once I got into it and now I think it’s a fantastic book.

Change your tune similarly means to change your opinion, or your behaviour changes. We use it slightly differently to change your mind. We usually use change your tune when the opinion or behaviour goes from a negative to a positive.

Imagine you have a friend who has been moaning about her boyfriend for weeks. Really negative about him … they are arguing and they are not in a good place. Then suddenly, your friend starts saying how amazing her boyfriend is, she’s really in love with him, he can’t do anything wrong ….

In this context you would say: Well, you’ve changed your tune!

No. 3: to have a change of heart

The next one, is to have a change of heart and again there is a difference in meaning to change your mind:

 

  

To have a change of heart really means that you’ve had a change in the way you are feeling about something or a change in attitude towards something or someone:

No. 4: Change out of (all) recognition

Idiom number 4 is to change out of all recognition: we can use this one when someone something has changed so much or so dramatically that now they are completely unfamiliar or unrecognisable.

For example, Pete has lost so much weight he’s changed out of all recognition.

No. 5: to change tack

If you change tack or try a different tack, you try a different method for dealing with a situation:

So when I first moved to Florence in 2013, I originally tried to set up business English courses. But I soon realised that the Florentines that I knew, they weren’t interested at all in business English! So I changed tack completely and started a conversation class and wine night! (Which by the way worked much better, it was a hoot!)

No. 6: to turn over a new leaf

Number 6 is to turn over a new leaf: On Monday, I’m going to turn over a new leaf and only drink one coffee a day!

This idiom means that you want to change a habit, and start to act or behave in a better or more responsible way: 

Mark has really turned over a new leaf – he is really committed to the project now and giving it 100%.

No. 7: to take shape

And lastly, idiom number 7 to take shape. This means to change and develop into something definite or tangible. 

For example:

I have been working on English Digital Academy for a while now, but it really started to take shape about 6 months ago. So it really started to change into something clearer and tangible a few months ago.

Assignment: Work in pairs. Talk about the subjects for 3-4 minutes, using the expressions. Take turns and give each other feedback.

1.  Friendships/relationships
2.  School
3.  University
4.  Moving house
5.  Family
6.  Hobbies
7.  Future plans/ambition

Assessment grid

Uses all expressions accurately  and appropriately          3 points

Uses a wide range of grammatical forms                               3

Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary                      3

Produces extended stretches of language with ease      2

Pronunciation (natural and light)                                                2

Total                                                                                                          13

On page 10 (ex. 2) you are asked to tick any grammar area that you feel you need to work on. When this is not listed, you should add your main grammar problem.
Assignment: 1.) list the areas below that you find difficult.
2.) mention what action is needed to bring yourself up to speed

Weekassignment OP

• p. 10/11  ex. 1, 2 + corpus spot + ex. 3, 4, 5

• p. 12/13 reading into writing: ex. 2, 3, 4, 5