Pre-Intermediate File 12 exam

put the words in the correct order

1. 2011 which actor Oscar an in British won?

put the words in the correct order

2. are exam how the students many taking?

put the words in the correct order

3. house in who that lives?

put the words in the correct order

4. World Cup which hosted last country the?

put the words in the correct order

5. buses how go town many to centre the?

put the words in the correct order

6. happened what last Bill to night?

Complete the email. Put the verb in brackets in the past simple or past perfect.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Write the sentences in reported speech.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Make these two sentences into one. Use the past perfect and the past simple.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

Choose the correct answer

1. Does this bag leave / belong / be to you?

Choose the correct answer

2. I often go / get on / have a swim before breakfast.

Choose the correct answer

3. Who are you going to leave / realize / be your dog with when you go on holiday?

Choose the correct answer

4. It’s time to be / get out / put of the swimming pool now.

Choose the correct answer

5. Will you put / go / free those bags on the trolley?

Choose the correct answer

6. I didn’t get into / realize / have that there was someone in the pool.

Choose the correct answer

7. We have to get up / out of / off the bus opposite the museum.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the past participle of the verb in brackets.

Match the words with the different sounds.

1.         offer   sorry   robber   old

Match the words with the different sounds.

2.          uniform   hurry   rubbish   summer

Match the words with the different sounds.

3.         miss   write   bitten   different

Match the words with the different sounds.

4.         happy   married   football   baggage

Match the words with the different sounds.

5.          letter   message   umbrella   bitten

Choose the stressed syllable.

1.   a|ddress

Choose the stressed syllable.

2.          go|ssip

Choose the stressed syllable.

3.          su|ggest

Choose the stressed syllable.

4.          bu|tter|fly

Choose the stressed syllable.

5.          um|bre|lla

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

1. Question

Lesley started _____ Tony after Alice gossiped to her friends.

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

2. Question

Tony waited for Lesley _____ one day.

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

3. Question

James thinks people gossip because they want to _____.

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

4. Question

James’s neighbours told _____ about him.

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

5. Question

Eric thinks that gossip improves _____ relationships.

Read the article and Choose the correct answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

6. Question

Eric has _____ because his girlfriend gossiped.

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

1. Question

I went to see a band.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

2. Question

I think people are programmed to gossip.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

3. Question

I’ve found it hard to meet a new partner.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

4. Question

I don’t make friends easily.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

5. Question

I’m divorced.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

6. Question

I was too frightened to ask someone out.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

7. Question

I think gossiping is a negative thing.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

8. Question

I went to the cinema.  _____

Write L for Lesley, J for James, or E for Eric.

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Is gossip really good for you?

That’s the question we asked some of our readers this week. Email us and tell us what you think.

Lesley Hartley, age 25

‘There’s a boy in my class at university who I really like. He’s called Tony. I was too scared to ask him out. I told my best friend Alice this secret. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. Alice couldn’t keep the secret, though, and she gossiped to her other friends. Of course, her friends told Tony! Fortunately for me, the gossip was actually a good thing. Tony waited for me after class one day. He told me that Alice’s friends had gossiped about me. And then he invited me to go out to the cinema one night. We’ve been together since then! I think people are probably programmed to gossip. We need to gossip to build connections with other people.’

James Goodman, age 35

‘Unfortunately, I think gossiping is in our genes. And I don’t think it’s a positive thing. People gossip to make themselves feel more important. They don’t think about the effect it has on the people they gossip about. For example, one of my neighbours gossiped about me after I divorced my wife. She said that I had treated my wife badly. Another neighbour told my work colleagues that my wife was going to move to Germany with the children. These are both lies. I’ve found it difficult to meet someone else because people believe the gossip, not me.’

Eric French, age 28

‘We shouldn’t feel guilty about a bit of gossip. I believe that gossiping is good for you. We are people, and people enjoy sharing news – both good and bad – so that they can form and improve their social relationships. I’ll give you an example … I’m quite shy and I don’t make friends easily. My girlfriend told me that I didn’t go out enough, and that I should have a better social life. She complained about this to her best friend, Susan. Then, one night, I got a phone call from Danny, Susan’s boyfriend. He asked me to go out with him to see a band. I had a brilliant night. Since then, Danny and I have seen a band every week. He’s a good friend now and I feel much happier.’

9. Question

I think people enjoy sharing gossip.  _____

Listen to the conversation. Choose the correct words(s).

Listen to five conversations. Match the conversations with the topics (A–G). There are two answers you don’t need.

Read the article and match the questions to the answers.

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Don’t ask me!

A survey of 2,000 parents has discovered that two thirds of them are unable to answer their children’s questions about science. See if you can match the ten most common questions with their answers below.

Question:

How do aeroplanes stay in the air?