Lesson 2: Then and now

Talking about how things used to be and how they are today

Quick quiz: lesson 1

Fill each gap with the right word or phrase from last time.

Chunks

Read the dialogue

Anna: Do you remember our first office?

Leo: Of course. Back then, we had only ten people.

Anna: It used to be so quiet. These days, there are meetings all day.

Leo: Things have changed. We no longer print anything.

Anna: And I don't use the old tool any more.

Leo: Over time, everyone moved to the new one. It turns out that it saves hours every week.

Anna: But I still miss the old coffee machine!

Tap a card to turn it

Practice

Speaking

Goal: compare how things used to be and how they are now.

1. Then and now

Choose one: your city, your daily routine, a gadget you use, your job, the way you shop. Talk about how it was and how it is today.

Back then, …
It used to be … but these days …
Things have changed: I no longer …
It turns out that …

2. Roleplay: What has changed?

A tells the story. B asks questions and reacts. Then swap roles for the next round.

Round 1. A is visiting the hometown after ten years. The old cinema is now a gym, the main street is closed to cars, and prices have doubled.

Round 2 (swap). A left a company five years ago and is visiting the office. The team moved to a new building, paper reports are gone, and there is a new director.

Round 3 (swap). Invent your own place and the facts. B asks at least one question about each change.

3. Free speaking

Talk about any change you have noticed. Tap each chunk when you use it.

Chunks used: 0

Homework

Writing

Write about one thing that has changed in your life: a place, a tool, a habit or a way of working. Say how it was before, how it is now and what you think about the change. Use at least five chunks from this lesson.

Learn

Study the Quizlet set for this lesson. Then say five sentences aloud with the chunks.