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978-1-107-49353-7 — Uncover Level 4 Student's Book
Ben Goldstein , Ceri Jones
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1

Tell Me

About It!

BE

Real or Fake?

What music andfashion were yourparents into?

Milan’s Fashion
Week

1. How much information can you see in this photo? How does it make you feel?

2. How do you get information about local or world events?

3. What important things are happening in your area right now?

UNIT CONTENTS
Vocabulary Media; Time expressions
Grammar Past tense review; Review of used to + infinitive and would
Listening Cell phones were huge!

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Ben Goldstein , Ceri Jones
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Vocabulary: Media5
1. Complete the sentences.

articlebloggerheadline3

interview✓ news / the news
paperreportreporterreview

1

2

Zoo-mania

Escape to Wonder
Mountain

4

Escape to Wonder
Mountain is an
exciting action filmthat takes place inCanada.

A tiger escaped from the zoo yesterday,

1. I watch the news on TV every night. My brother gets his
2. Did you see the big
tiger escaping from the zoo.
3. Thedid an4. I’m going to read the5. Theincluded a
1.02

in today’s

? The

news

online.
is about awith a local teen about a neighborhood fire.
before I go see that movie.

wrote about common trends in teen fashion on her website. She
about the most popular places to shop.

2. Listen, check, and repeat.
3. Work with a partner. Put the words from Exercise 1 in the correct categories. Somewords can go in more than one category.

Things you read Things you watch Things you listen to People
articleSpeaking: My news
4. YOUR TURN Work with a partner. When was the last time you did each of thesethings? Explain what each one was about.
watched the news on TV
watched the news online

read a review of a product,
movie, or music album

read an article in the paper

read or watched an interview

I watched the news on TV last night. I saw a report about . . .

Workbook, p. 2

Reading Finding the Facts; Crazy About Comics; Cinderella’s Closet
Conversation Expressing interest and disinterest
Writing A blog post about an event

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It isn’t always NEWS.
FINDING THE

Y

ou worked hard on your report for school. You read articles online. You evenwatched online videos. You thought you did well, but you got the report backfrom your teacher, and she said that you had to do it again. What did you dowrong? Well, when you were doing your research, you believed everything that was
written on the Internet!

FACTS

A lot of information on the Internet isn’t true. Anyone can post information online.
A lot of news looks real, but contains false information. Sometimes, an article isentirely false. Fake photographs have even been posted with some news stories.
Because of this common problem, many websites have been developed to give
people true information.
Snopes.com gives people information about urban legends, myths, and other false
stories. Many people have used the website to find out whether a story is true or
false. For example, there have been a lot of stories online that said that Bill Gates
was giving people free laptops. However, Snopes.com reported this wasn’t true.
Factcheck.org gives true information about what leaders in the United States sayand do. It tells readers when stories aren’t true. People who work at Factcheck.org
believe that reporters should be honest all of the time and that the news should
always be true.
Do you want true information about a person or event in history? WhoWhatWhen
gives information about famous people and events from 1000 AD to today.
You can even create a timeline of events based on a famous person’s life.
Do you want to know if the television was invented during Gandhi’s lifetime?
WhoWhatWhen can tell you!
Be careful when you write reports and use the Internet for research. Check yourfacts on websites like these and other sites that you know have true information!

DID YOUKNOW . . .?
Reading: An article about checking facts
1. Look at the title and the pictures. Why do you think theboy might have to write his report again?
1.03

Some websites
create false news
stories as a joke.
These are calledsatire websites.

2. Read and listen to the article. What should students do
before they write a report?
3. Read the article again. Answer the questions.

1. Why is there a lot of false information on the Internet?

2. Which fact-checking website would you use to find out if something the current
US president said were true?

3. Which website could you use to find out if it were possible for Elvis Presley touse a computer?

4. Which website tells whether an urban legend is true or false?

4. YOUR

TURN

Work with a partner. What false stories have you read or heard about?

I read that you can charge your smartphone with an onion, but it isn’t true.

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Grammar: Past tense review
5. Complete the chart.
Simple past
Use simple past statements to talk about past events and activities.
Regular

Irregular

What did you believe?
I
everything on the Internet.
We didn’t believe the story.

What
she write?
She wrote a report for school.
She didn’t write a blog post.

Past continuous
Use the past continuous to talk about activities that were in progress in the past. To form thepast continuous use was/were + present participle (-ing form).
Whatyouwrong?
I was using incorrect information. I wasn’t checking my facts.
Present perfect
Use the present perfect to talk about experiences that happened at an indefinite time in thepast. To form the present perfect, use has/have + the past participle.
Who has used Snopes.com?
Many people

the website! I haven’t used it before.

Check your answers: Grammar reference, p. 106

6. Complete the conversations with the correct form of the verbs in the questions. ✓ = yes, ✗ = no.

1. A: What were you watching last night?
B: I was watching (✓) the news. I(✗) a movie.

2. A: Who has seen my keys?
(✓) them. He

B: Peter(✗) them today, though.

3. A: Where did Jackie go?
B: She(✓) to the store. She(✗) to the market.

4. A: What were Tom and Jill posting online last night?
B: They(✓) a video. They(✗) photos.

7. Write sentences. Use the form in parentheses.

1. the TV show / recorded / in April (past passive)
The TV show was recorded in April.

Past passive and present perfect passive
Use the passive when it is not important who does theaction, or when you don’t know who does it.

2. the papers / not deliver (present perfect passive)
3. the report / file / in the main office (past passive)

Past passive
To form the past passive, use was/were + past
participle.
The television was invented during Gandhi’s lifetime. It
wasn’t invented during Abraham Lincoln’s lifetime.

4. the letters / open (present perfect passive)
5. the name of the reporter / not give (past passive)

Present perfect passive
To form the present perfect passive, use has/have +been + past participle.
Fake photographs have been posted online. They
haven’t been printed in our newspaper.

Speaking: A newsworthy event
8. YOUR TURN Work with a partner. Talk about a time you did
or saw something special on vacation.

BE

Find out about fake news andphotos. How has technology
changed the way we share
information? (Workbook, p. 73)

I went to a music festival last summer. It was in . . .

1.1 REAL OR FAKE?

Workbook, p. 3

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Ben Goldstein , Ceri Jones
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What LifeWAS LIKE
Listening: Cell phones were huge!
1. Have you ever talked to your parents about what technology was like when they
were young? How was it different from today?
1.04

2. Listen to Brandon talk to his mom about technology in the past. Check (✓) thethings his mom DIDN’T have in high school.
a smartphone

1.04

a phone in her room

a computera color TV

3. Listen again. Are the sentences true or false? Write T (true), F (false), orNI (no information).

1. Brandon and his mom often watch old movies.
2. Brandon’s mom’s best friend had a cell phone.
3. Brandon’s mom has a smartphone now.
4. Brandon’s mom had a computer in college.
5. Brandon’s mom did research at the library.
6. Brandon’s mom watched the news by herself.

Vocabulary: Time expressions
4. Underline the event that happened first. If the events happened at the same time,
underline them both.

1. I bought a new phone after I lost my old one.
2. As I was watching a movie, my brother was playing a video game.
3. I called Rick as soon as I found out the game was canceled.
4. Before my dad left for work, he read the paper.
5. By the time I got to the party, my friends were gone.
6. Every time I had difficult homework, I asked my sister for help.
7. I’ve watched video clips since my friend started posting them.
8. I studied at the library until it was dark.
9. When I got to the café, I sent Julia a text.
10. Whenever I get together with my best friend, I feel happy.
11. I read some reviews while I was online.
5. YOUR TURN Complete the sentences with a time expression from Exercise 4 andyour own information.

1. I’ve had a smartphone

since I was 12.

2.

something exciting happens, I call

3.

I turn 20, I

4.

I see my best friend, we

5. I do research online

.

.
.

.

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Ben Goldstein , Ceri Jones
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Grammar: Review of used to + infinitive and would
6. Complete the chart.
Use used to or would for things that happened repeatedly in the past but don’t
happen now.
Where did she use to do research?
Sheto do it at the library.
She didn’t use to have a computer.

Did you
Yes, I did.
No, I didn’t.

When would you watch the news?
it at 6:00.
I
I wouldn’t watch it online.

they watch the news every night?
Yes, they would.
No, they wouldn’t.

to go to the library?

Use used to, not would, for situations that happened in the past.
I used to live in Los Angeles. (NOT: I would live in Los Angeles.)
Check your answers: Grammar reference, p. 106

7. Complete the sentences with would when possible. When not possible, use used to.
My cousin 1 used to live (live) on a farm when he was a boy. As soon as he got up, he(feed) the animals. He 3
(not have) a computer or a smartphone(go) to thewhen he was young. Every time he wanted to use a computer, he 4
(not talk) to my cousin very much, but I 6(visit) him inlibrary. I 5
7(not play) inside – we were always outside. My sister
the country sometimes. We(help) him with the animals. He 9
(come) to our house in
and I 810
(love) playing my video games. When we got older, wethe city, too. He
11(not see) each other very much. I moved to the country, and my cousin moved tothe city! Now, we both live in the city and see each other whenever we can.
(you / live) when you were young?
Where 122

8. Rewrite the sentences. Change used to to would. If it’s not possible, write ✗.

1. I used to swim every summer.

I would swim every summer.

2. Ellen used to be on a soccer team.
3. Jack and Terry used to play video games for hours.
4. I didn’t use to have a phone in my room.
5. We didn’t use to sleep late on the weekends.
6. Did you use to walk to school every day?
7. Where did Sara use to live?

Get it RIGHT!
Do not use would or used to for an
event that happened once.
I watched the news at 6:00 last night.
(NOT: I would watch the news at 6:00
last night. I used to watch the news at
6:00 last night.)

8. When did they use to go on vacation?

Speaking: My life in the past
9. YOUR TURN Work with a partner. Talk about your life 10 years ago.
How does it compare to now? Use the ideas in the box and your own ideas.
how you got to school

what technology you used/had

activities you did at school

what you did on the weekends

I used to walk to school every day because I lived close to
the school. But then we moved, so now I take the bus.
I used public transportation when I was a kid. I would
take the subway, and I take it now, too.

Workbook, pp. 4–5© in this web service Cambridge University Press

1.05

Say it RIGHT!

In sentences with used to, the d inused is often not pronounced andthe s makes the /s/ sound.
With used in the simple past, the d is
pronounced and the s makes the /z/sound. Listen to the differences in thesentences.
She used to walk to school every day.
He used public transportation.
Pay attention to the way you say
used to in Exercise 9.

Unit 1 | 7

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Ben Goldstein , Ceri Jones
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REAL TALKInterests

1.2 WHAT MUSICAND FASHION WEREYOUR PARENTS
INTO?

NOWandTHEN

Conversation: Interests change.
1.06

1. REAL TALK Watch or listen to the teenagers talk about their parents’ music andfashion in the past. Number the topics in the order you hear them.
liked Michael Jackson

liked the Beatles

liked punk music

liked pop music

used to wear dresses with bows

probably liked disco

didn’t like anything popularused to have pink hair

2. YOUR TURN What music and fashion were your parents into when they weregrowing up? Tell your partner.
1.07

3. Listen to Liz and Ivan talk about music. Complete the conversation.
USEFUL LANGUAGE: Expressing interest and disinterest
crazy about✓really into

all aboutnot crazy about

not that into

can’t standI like your hair, Ivan.
Ivan: Thanks. I’m 1 really intoLiz:

the punk look right now. The music, too.

What bands do you listen to?

Liz:

the punk bands today. My mom used to listen
Ivan: Well, I’m 2
to punk music, so I listen to all the bands she liked in the 1970s.
That’s cool.

Liz:

Ivan: What kind of music do you like?
pop music, but this year I’m
Well, last year I was 3
4
it. I listen to a lot of rap these days.

Liz:

Ivan: I see. It’s funny how interests change. Last year, I didn’t know whatit!
punk music was, and now I’m 5
So what did you listen to last year?

Liz:

Ivan: Rap music! Sorry, Liz, but now I 6

it!

That’s OK.

Liz:

4. Practice the conversation with a partner.
5. YOUR TURN Work with a partner. Talk about your interests in the past and today.
Use the situations in the chart or your own ideas.

What

When

music

last year and this year

fashionfive years ago and this year

sports/gameseight years ago and now

I’m really into rock music.
What bands do you listen to?
Last year, I really liked this local band, Volcanic Fire. But this year, I’m allabout rock bands from the ’80s like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

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CRAZY ABOUT COMICS
by Brian Campbell

I went to Comic-Con International in San Diego by myself last Saturday. It’s an event for people
who are crazy about comic books.
As soon as I got there, I went to a discussion group. Five comic book writers were talking about
their comics. As I was leaving the room, I met one of the writers. It was an amazing experience
because I myself hope to be a comic book writer someday! After that, I met a friend, and webought comic books for ourselves. Some people who go to Comic-Con dress up as their favorite
characters. I used to dress up as Rocket Raccoon, but this year, I went as Spider-Man.
Comic-Con International is an amazing event. The best thing about it is meeting new people withsimilar interests.
Next year, Comic-Con International is in July. There are also Comic-Con events all over the world.

Reading to write: A blog post about an event
6. Look at the photo. What event do you think Brian went to?
Read his blog post to check.

Focus on CONTENT
When you write about an event, present the
information in this order:
1. Give general information about the event.
2. Give details about what you did or saw.
3. Give your opinion about the event.
4. Give information about the event in the future orsimilar events.

Writing: Your blog post
about an event
PLAN
You are going to write a blog post
about an event. Think of an event you
went to and write notes about it.
Name of the event

7. Read Brian’s blog post again. What is the event? What
did Brian do there? What does he think about the event?

Brief description of
the event
What you did or saw

Focus on LANGUAGE
You can use reflexive and emphatic pronouns in blogs.
Use emphatic pronouns to emphasize a noun.
Reflexive
Emphatic
myselfI myself
yourself / yourselves
you yourself / you yourselves
herself / himself
she herself / he himself
ourselves
we ourselves
themselves
they themselves
I made dinner myself. My mother herself said it
was delicious!

8. Find the reflexive and emphatic pronouns in Brian’s blog.
9. Complete the sentences with pronouns from the Focus on
Language box.

1. The comic book writersaid that he wasgoing to introduce a new character.
2. I bought

5. YouInformation about
future or similar events

WRITE
Write your blog post. Use your notes
to help you. Write at least 125 words.

CHECK
Check your writing. Can you answer“yes” to these questions?
• Is information from the Focus onContent box in your blog post?
• Do you use reflexive and emphatic
pronouns correctly?

three new video games.

3. Lauren and Rafa learned about the problem
articles online.
4. We watchedYour opinion of it

by reading

in a video last night.
said that the concert was boring.

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Cinderella’s ClosetP

rom is a big dance that students in the United States go to in theirlast two years of high school. Girls usually wear beautiful dresses
and boys often wear tuxedos. Prom can be very expensive, andsome students can’t afford the dresses and tuxedos. Two high school
students, Stephanie Tomasetta and Katie Adams, wanted to change that.
Stephanie and Katie’s organization, Cinderella’s Closet, provides
dresses and tuxedos for high school students in New Jersey who don’t
have enough money for prom clothes. They now have over 1,200 prom
dresses. Each year, boys and girls come to “shop” for dresses and tuxedos.
They wear them to prom and then return them. They also get shoes andjewelry. In 2014, over 500 students borrowed clothes for prom. Stephanieand Katie knew how to make the event special. Over 150 volunteers
helped with the event. Most of the volunteers were high school students.
Some of them were “personal shoppers.” They helped other teens pickout clothing. Other volunteers gave girls advice on makeup.
Cinderella’s Closet needs a lot of money for the dresses and tuxedos.
For the past several years, Stephanie and Katie have become experts at
raising money. One way they raise money is with a fashion show every
year. People who attend the fashion show donate money. In 2014, theyraised $40,000. It was a special event because teenagers designed andmade the outfits for the show. About 40 high school boys and girls
modeled the fashions for a big crowd. The audience voted on the best
design. People who work in fashion also voted and gave several awards
to the student designers.
Stephanie and Katie say that Cinderella’s Closet isn’t just about
beautiful clothing. It’s about making teenagers feel good about
themselves, too.

DID YOUKNOW . . .?

Culture: An organization for prom fashions

For some proms,
students decorate
their high school
gyms for thedance. Other
proms are at
fancy hotels.

1. Look at the photos and the title of the article. What do you
think Cinderella’s Closet is?
1.08

2. Read and listen to the article. Why did Stephanie and Katie
start Cinderella’s Closet?
3. Read the article again. Check (✓) the things that teenagers
do for Cinderella’s Closet.
They sell dresses and tuxedos to students.
They lend dresses and tuxedos to students.
They volunteer and help other teens look for dresses.
They donate money to the organization.
They design clothes for the fashion show.
They model at the fashion show.
They work in fashion and voted at the fashion show.

BE

Find out about the Milan
Fashion Show. Does the blogger
want to be a model? Why or why
not? (Workbook, p. 74)

4. YOUR TURN Work with a partner. What special dances orother events do you have at your school? What do teens wear
or do for the events?
1.3 MILAN’S FASHION WEEK

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UNIT 1 REVIEW
Vocabulary
1. Circle the correct answers.

1. As soon as I got home, I watched the news /the article on TV.
2. After I wrote a report / a reporter for class,I emailed it to my teacher.
3. I want to be a headline / a reporter for theschool paper / review next year.
4. My brother only reads the headlines / paper,
but I like to read the entire article / blogger.
5. Before I buy something online, I always readthe interview / reviews.
6. My aunt is a report / a blogger, and she doesinterviews / news with community members
and then writes posts about them on her
website.

Grammar
2. Rewrite the sentences. Use the tense inparentheses.

1. I worked a lot yesterday. (past continuous)
I was working a lot yesterday.
2. Tara didn’t pass her test. (present perfect)

3. They wrote the story in two days. (pastpassive)

3. Complete the sentences with would whenpossible. When not possible, use used to.

would watch
1. When I was younger, I(watch) videos online. I(look) at them all day long. I(be) crazy about animal videos.
(live) in San
2. My cousin
Diego, but now he’s in Denver. In San Diego,he(go) to Comic-Con every
year. He
(have) a comicbook collection, but he sold it a few years ago.
3.

(you / be) a reporter foryour school paper?
(you /
write) articles about important issues?

Useful language
4. Circle the correct responses to complete theconversations.

1. A: Do you like punk music?
B:

a. I’m crazy about it.
b. I’m not crazy about it.
2. A: What do you think of big sunglasses?
B:. I have three pairs!

a. I’m really into them.
b. I’m not really into them.
3. A: What sports do you like to watch?
B:

4. Ricky works for a TV station. (simple past). It’s too loud, and I don’t understandthe words.

. I like all the games, and I especiallylike the World Cup.

a. I’m all about soccer.
b. I can’t stand soccer.
5. Are you reading an interesting article? (pastcontinuous)

6. They have written the report in threelanguages. (present perfect passive)

PROGRESS CHECK: Now I can . . .
■ talk about my news-watching habits.

■ express interest and disinterest.

■ talk about experiences in the past.

■ write about an event.

■ talk about habits in the past.

■ talk about a special event.

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