IELTS Advantage: Unit 1: Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Look at these popular sayings about home and discuss the questions below.

• Home is where the heart is.

• Home sweet home.

• There’s no place like home.

1. Do you agree with these sayings?

2. Do you have similar expressions in your language?

3. Can you think of any others?

(Page 7) Exercise 2: Complete these everyday questions about living arrangements using the correct form of the verb live. Then write a short answer for each one.

1 Where are you … at the moment?

2 How long have you been … there?

3 Would you rather … on your own or with friends or family?

4 Are you a good person to … with? Why? / Why not?

5 Have you ever … abroad? If so, how did you find …… there?

6 If you could …… anywhere in the world, where would it be?

(Page 8) Exercise 5: Find the words or expressions in the article that have a similar meaning to

these definitions.

2 had jobs organized (paragraph 1)

3 to not hurry (paragraph 1)

4 hurried (paragraph 1)

5 needed to see new places and have new experiences (paragraph 2)

6 give myselfextra time to (do something) (paragraph 2)

7 damage future work opportunities (paragraph 2)

8 exactly the kind of thing I like (paragraph 3)

9 organized programme or course (paragraph 3)

Answer explanation

2 had jobs lined up 3 to take my time 4 rushed into (doing something) 5 needed a change of scenery

6 buy me some time to 7 harm my job prospects 8 right up my street 9 scheme

(Page 8) Exercise 5: Find the words or expressions in the article that have a similar meaning to

these definitions.

10 I couldn't believe the moment was real (paragraph 4)

11 beginning a new life in a different place (paragraph 5)

12 become completely involved in (an experience) (paragraph 5)

13 see more of the world (paragraph 6)

14 easy or without problems (paragraph 7)

15 improve my mood (paragraph 7)

16 remain in touch with (paragraph 7)

17 full of life (paragraph 8)

Answer explanation

10 I had to pinch myself 11 starting afresh

12 immerse myself in 13 broaden my horizons

14 plain sailing 15 cheer me up 16 keep in contact with 17 vibrant

(Page 8) You are going to read an article entitled Getting away from it all. What do you think it is about? (1)

Now read the article (page 9) and complete this table with the positives and negatives of moving away that were mentioned in the article.

1. A: Good points about moving away

B: Downsides of moving away

Add some ideas to the table

(Page 10) Complete the statements below with the correct word from the box.

2 I can … to new situations easily.

3 I'm not worried about losing …… with old friends.

4 I make friends …

5 I am able to … up new languages without much trouble.

6 People say I'm ……-minded and friendly.

7 When I travel somewhere new, I like to …… the local food.

8 I feel I can … with most challenges that life throws at me.

(Page 10) Complete the statements below with the correct word from the box.

9. Starting a new life from … doesn't worry me at all.

10. I have a keen … of adventure.

(Page 10) Look up the collocations of the below words and write your own sentences using these collocations:

adapt, cope, easily, mix, open, pick, sample, scratch, sense, touch

For example: I gradually lose touch with my highschool friends.

(Page 11) Exercise 1 Think about / Discuss these questions.

a. Have you or your friends/family lived overseas for a long period of time?

b. What problems did you/they face?

c. Have you/they adapted to the new culture? How?

(Page 11) Exercise 2: Read the text below about culture shock and match these headings (a-c) to the

three stages (1-3).

a Trouble in paradise ​ (a)  

b The road to recovery ​ (b)  

c The honeymoon period ​ (c)  

• Stage 1
• Stage 2
• Stage 3