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Lesson 18
Module 05 · Skim, Scan, Decide
B1

Module 05 —Matching People to Texts

Reading Part 2 (matching) · scanning for requirements · vocabulary of preferences

60 min Mixed skill · Matching people to texts

PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral

Reading 2VocabularyStrategy

Why this lesson now? Second pass at Reading 2 from Lesson 05.

CEFR Pathway · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get ready · 01

5 min

Get talking

discussion
What matters to you?

If you were choosing a holiday, which three things would matter most: price, location, activities, or comfort? Explain your order.

reflection
Spot the requirement

Read this sentence: 'Maria wants a course she can do in the evenings, after work.' What word tells you the key requirement?

activity
Quick scan

In 20 seconds, scan this line: 'Open daily 6am–10pm, free parking, no booking needed.' What information would answer 'Can I go without booking?'

Grammar for the Exam · 02

8–10 min

Relative clauses for describing preferences (who / that / which)

Grammar Bank: Relative clauses for describing preferences (who / that / which)Jumps straight to this rule — full explanation, examples & practice
Quick rule

Use 'who' for people, 'which' for things, 'that' for either in defining clauses.

Examples

In Reading Part 2, both the people's profiles and the eight texts are full of relative clauses: 'a person who wants...', 'a course that includes...', 'a gym which offers...'. Understanding these clauses quickly is essential because the key requirement is often hidden inside one. Defining relative clauses give essential information about the noun before them, and in spoken and written English we can often drop 'that/which' when it is the object of the clause ('the course [that] she chose'). Recognising this pattern helps you scan faster and match the right person to the right text.

  • → She's looking for a class that meets at weekends.

  • → He wants a job which lets him travel.

  • → This is the person who prefers working outdoors.

  • → The course (that) I chose starts in September.

Question 1.Which relative pronoun is used for people?

Question 2.'This is the club ___ meets on Tuesdays.'

Question 3.Which sentence can drop the relative pronoun?

Question 4.'She wants a hobby ___ she can do alone.'

Question 5.Which word introduces a clause about a person's belongings?

Answer all items, then check.

Quick check 1.In Reading Part 2, how many texts do NOT match any person?

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Vocabulary · 03

5–7 min

Words & phrases to own

Open Vocabulary BankTap any word below to jump straight to its entry
1

to require

to need something as a condition

Use it

What does a good language course require, in your opinion?

2

suitable (for)

right or appropriate for a purpose

Use it

What kind of holiday is suitable for a family with young children?

3

to prefer

to like one thing more than another

Use it

Do you prefer studying alone or in a group? Why?

4

affordable

not too expensive; within your budget

Use it

Is it easy to find affordable places to eat near you?

5

flexible

able to change easily; not fixed

Use it

Why might someone need flexible working hours?

6

to include

to have as a part of something

Use it

What should a good travel package include?

7

beginner/experienced

just starting / having done something for a long time

Use it

Are you a beginner or experienced at any sport?

8

to book in advance

to reserve something before you need it

Use it

Do you usually book restaurants in advance?

9

requirement

something that is needed or demanded

Use it

What's the main requirement for your dream job?

Matching
Match each preference word with its meaning.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check.
Categorise
Sort each phrase under the type of requirement it describes.
Answer all items, then check.
Use it now

Activation · Personalise · Recycle

Use the requirement words to describe real preferences, not just definitions.

Ask your partner
Task 1

Ask your partner

  • What kind of course would be suitable for you right now?
  • Do you prefer fixed or flexible timetables?
  • What's a requirement your ideal job must have?
Useprefersuitableflexible
Complete it
Task 2

"For me, an affordable holiday means..."affordable

Your opinion
Task 3

What is the most important requirement when choosing a language school? Give a reason.

Give your answer + one reason.

Userequirementsuitable
Quick write
Task 4

Write 35 words describing what you look for when choosing a course or club to join.

Usepreferflexibleaffordablesuitable
PET Reading Part 2
Read the profiles of five people looking for an evening class. Match each person to the class (A–H) that is most suitable. There are three classes you do not need.

Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.

The 5 people

The 8 texts

Answer all items, then check.

Pronunciation for Speaking · 04

3–4 min

Word stress in multi-syllable adjectives

Say it like this

Most three-syllable adjectives ending in -able stress the first syllable: AFford-able, SUIT-able.

  • AFfordable
  • SUITable
  • FLEXible
  • reQUIRE
  • reQUIREment

Reading Skills · 05

8–10 min

Reading strategy — matching people to texts

When you do a Reading Part 2 matching task, it can feel like there is too much information to hold in your head. The trick is not to read every word of every text carefully the first time. Instead, read the five people's profiles first and underline the key requirements — timing, price, level, and purpose. These are usually the words that will lead you to the right answer.

Next, scan the eight texts quickly, looking only for those key words, rather than reading for general understanding. If a person needs evening classes, ignore any text that clearly says 'mornings only' straight away — you don't need to read the rest of that text in detail.

Remember that three of the eight texts are tempting wrong answers and will not match anyone. They are often written to sound similar to a correct answer but contain one detail that rules them out, such as the wrong level or an extra cost. Always check the whole profile against the whole text before deciding, because a text can match on three details and fail on the fourth.

Question 1.What should you read first in a matching task?

Question 2.What should you underline in each profile?

Question 3.How many of the eight texts are usually tempting wrong answers?

Question 4.Why can a text seem correct but actually be wrong?

Question 5.What is the main advantage of scanning rather than reading for detail first?

Answer all items, then check.

Listening Skills · 06

8–10 min

Choosing an evening class together

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Nadia:I've been looking at evening classes — do you fancy joining one with me?

Sam:Maybe. What have you found?

Nadia:There's a cooking class, but it needs you to have some experience already.

Sam:That's no good for me, I can barely boil an egg. What else is there?

Nadia:There's a pottery studio that lets you drop in whenever, no fixed days.

Sam:That sounds more flexible. How much does it cost?

Nadia:About eight pounds a visit, which isn't too bad.

Sam:And what time does it run?

Nadia:It's open most afternoons and some evenings, so it should suit both our schedules.

Sam:Great, let's try that one then. Shall we go on Thursday?

Nadia:Perfect — I'll check what time it opens and message you.

Question 1.What is Nadia's first suggestion?

Question 2.Why doesn't the cooking class suit Sam?

Question 3.What is special about the pottery studio's schedule?

Question 4.How much does the pottery studio cost?

Question 5.What day do they agree to go?

Answer all items, then check.
Tick what you hear
Tick the words you actually hear in the dialogue.
Answer all items, then check.

Exam Strategy · 07

5 min

Reading Part 2 — matching people to texts

Strategy

Underline requirements → scan for contradictions → confirm the full match.

Task

Match five short profiles of people to eight short texts (three are tempting wrong answers), based on requirements like price, timing, level and purpose.

Example

Profile: 'wants flexible timing.' Text: 'Fixed classes every Monday at 6pm.' → This is not a match because 'fixed' contradicts 'flexible'.

Writing Task · 08

5 min

Put it in writing

Sentence transformation
Type a short answer (1–3 words)

Q1.Give a synonym for 'need' used often in matching-task profiles.

Q2.Complete: 'This class isn't ____ for beginners.' (opposite of suitable)

Answer all items, then check.
Writing Part 2Write an article
≈100 words

Write a short notice (35–45 words) for an after-school or evening club, including who it is suitable for, the time, and the cost.

Your writing draft

0 words Saved
Show model answer & examiner comment

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EX

Examiner comment

Reward range, organisation and style. Penalise lists, off-topic or under-length answers.
Mark scheme extract
5All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only.
3Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding.
1Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length.

Speaking Task · 09

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open Expressions BankConversation phrases and functional language from across the course

In pairs, discuss what you would each look for in a new club or class, then try to agree on one that would suit you both.

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

Use if the matching practice finishes early. ~14 min total

Homework · 10

Take-home

Take it home

Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.

ReadingReceptive

Complete a matching task at home using the strategy from class.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Task

Person: 'Wants a class that is free of charge and doesn't need booking.' Texts: A) 'Drop-in art sessions, no charge, just turn up.' B) 'Weekly art class, £5, booking required.' Which matches?

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

VocabularyLanguage

Write five sentences using the preference vocabulary from today's lesson.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Words to use

affordable, flexible, suitable, requirement, prefer

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

ListeningReceptive

Listen again to the Nadia and Sam dialogue and note down all the requirement words you hear.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Questions

1. What word describes the pottery studio's timing? 2. What requirement rules out the cooking class for Sam?

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

Recap · 11

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • In Reading Part 2, underline the key requirement in each person's profile before scanning the texts.
  • Three of the eight texts are always tempting wrong answers — check the whole profile against the whole text.
  • Relative clauses (who / that / which) often carry the key information in matching tasks.
  • Useful preference vocabulary: affordable, flexible, suitable, requirement, prefer.