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Lesson 33
Module 09 · Reading Between Lines
B1+

Reading forDetail & Reading between the lines

Implied meaning, attitude & writer's purpose

60 min Reading

PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral

Reading 3Listening 2Writing 2 storySpeaking 4Vocabulary

Why this lesson now? Pushes Reading 3 into reading between the lines; recycles Listening 2 and Writing 2 story.

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
Hidden feelings

Has someone said 'I'm fine' when they were clearly not? How did you know?

reflection
Between the lines

Why do writers sometimes HINT at things instead of saying them directly?

activity
Tone test

What words tell you a review is sarcastic, not enthusiastic?

Grammar for the Exam · 02

8–10 min

Words that reveal attitude

Grammar Bank: Words that reveal attitudeJumps straight to this rule — full explanation, examples & practice
Quick rule

Adverbs, adjectives and verb choice signal what the writer FEELS — even when they don't say it.

Examples

Reading between the lines questions reward readers who notice attitude markers: 'unfortunately', 'surprisingly', 'admittedly', 'apparently', 'allegedly', 'sadly', 'thankfully'. The same fact in different words carries a totally different attitude.

  • → 'The film lasted three hours.' = neutral.

  • → 'The film dragged on for three hours.' = bored, critical.

  • → 'The film flew by — three hours felt like one.' = enthusiastic.

  • → 'Unfortunately, the film was three hours long.' = disappointed.

Question 1.'The hotel was charmingly old-fashioned.' The writer is:

Question 2.'The waiter eventually noticed us.' The writer is:

Question 3.'Apparently, the museum is free on Sundays.' The writer is:

Question 4.'Thankfully, the rain stopped before the picnic.' The writer feels:

Answer all items, then check.

Quick check 1.Reading between the lines means…

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 imply

to suggest without saying directly

Use it

What does 'I'm not really hungry' imply at a dinner party?

2

to hint

to give a small clue

Use it

Hint to your partner that you'd like a coffee — without asking for one.

3

tone

the feeling behind the words

Use it

What tone do parents use when they say your full name?

4

attitude

how someone feels about something

Use it

Describe your attitude to Monday mornings.

5

unfortunately

sadly / disappointingly

Use it

Finish: 'Unfortunately, last weekend…'

6

apparently

according to what people say

Use it

Tell us something with 'Apparently…'

Use it now

Activation · Personalise · Recycle

Activate attitude words by USING them about your real life.

Ask your partner
Task 1

Ask your partner

  • When did someone last hint at something instead of asking?
  • What's the difference between 'I'm fine' said happily vs sadly? (tone)
  • Has someone implied something rude at you? What did they actually say?
Useimplyhinttone
Your opinion
Task 2

Tell us one news story this week, starting with 'Apparently…' or 'Unfortunately…'

Give your answer + one reason.

Useunfortunatelyapparently
Rank
Task 3

Rank these tones from MOST positive to MOST negative.

  1. 1enthusiastic
  2. 2neutral
  3. 3sarcastic
  4. 4openly angry

Then compare with a partner — justify your top choice.

Quick write
Task 4

Describe a person whose attitude you admire — and what their words usually imply about them.

Useattitudeimply

Pronunciation for Speaking · 04

3–4 min

Tone of voice reveals attitude

Say it like this

Rising tone = open, friendly. Flat tone = bored. Falling tone = final / unimpressed.

  • • Oh, really? (curious)
  • • Oh, really. (sarcastic)
  • • That's amazing! (enthusiastic)
  • • That's amazing. (unimpressed)

Reading Skills · 05

8–10 min

PET Reading Part 3 — A review of 'Sunset Bistro'

I had heard so much about Sunset Bistro that I'd booked our table three weeks in advance. The website promised 'a magical evening of locally-sourced surprises'. The reality, sadly, was a little less magical.

We arrived at 7:30 to find the host eating his own dinner at the bar. He looked genuinely surprised to see us. After a slightly awkward wait, we were shown to a table that was, in fact, the dessert trolley. The waiter — who was also, apparently, the chef — explained that they hadn't expected anyone on a Tuesday.

The food, when it came, was actually delicious. The starter was a small but beautifully presented salad with edible flowers. The main course (a sea bream with samphire) was the best fish I've eaten in months. The dessert was a slightly nervous tiramisu — but we didn't really mind, given the entertainment.

Would I go back? Honestly, yes. Just not on a Tuesday — and not before warning them.

Question 1.How did the writer feel about the website's description?

Question 2.What does the writer IMPLY about the host?

Question 3.The writer's attitude to the food is…

Question 4.'A slightly nervous tiramisu' suggests the dessert was…

Question 5.The writer's overall purpose is to…

Answer all items, then check.
True / False
Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.The writer enjoyed the food.

Q2.The writer will never return.

Q3.The host expected the booking.

Answer all items, then check.

Listening Skills · 06

8–10 min

PET Listening Part 4 — Interview with the chef of Sunset Bistro

Listening audio

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

Show transcript

Interviewer:Chef, the reviews are… mixed. How would you describe Sunset Bistro?

Chef:Honestly? We're a small kitchen with very big ideas. Sometimes the ideas arrive faster than the staff.

Interviewer:Customers say they've waited over an hour at quiet times. Is that fair?

Chef:It's fair, yes. We're working on it. The truth is, I'd rather serve fifteen perfect dishes than fifty rushed ones.

Interviewer:What's the one thing you want guests to leave with?

Chef:A story. If they tell their friends about us — even the chaos — I've done my job.

Question 1.What does the chef admit about the service?

Question 2.What does the chef value most?

Question 3.What does the chef hope guests leave with?

Answer all items, then check.
Tick what you hear
PET Listening Part 3 style — tick the attitude words you hear.
Answer all items, then check.

Exam Strategy · 07

5 min

PET Reading — answering reading between the lines and attitude questions

Strategy

If the question says 'imply', 'suggest', or 'feel', the answer is NEVER copy-pasted from the text.

Task

Read the question. Find the relevant lines. Then ASK YOURSELF: what is the writer's tone? What word reveals it?

Example

Text: 'The hotel was charmingly old-fashioned.' Q: How does the writer feel? Option A 'unimpressed' → wrong (no negative word). Option B 'fond of the hotel's character' → matches 'charmingly'.

Writing Task · 08

5 min

Put it in writing

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

Q1.PET Reading Part 6 — type ONE word: 'The food, ____ it came, was delicious.'

Q2.Type ONE word: 'He looked surprised ____ see us.'

Q3.Type ONE word: 'I'd rather serve fifteen perfect dishes ____ fifty rushed ones.'

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

PET Writing Part 2 (article, ≈100 words). Write a magazine article: 'A restaurant or café I'll never forget'. Choose your attitude (warmly positive, gently critical, or genuinely surprised). Use at least 2 attitude words from this lesson.

Your writing draft

0 words Saved
Show model answer & examiner comment

I'll never forget my first visit to the tiny pizzeria on Calle Mayor. Apparently, the owner was once a banker — he gave it all up to bake. The place has six tables, no menu and one pizza of the day. Thankfully, we arrived hungry. The pizza was, arguably, the best I've eaten outside Naples. The owner sat with us for ten minutes afterwards, explaining where his flour came from. Unfortunately, we couldn't book again — they only take walk-ins. But honestly, that's part of the magic. Sometimes the best places are the ones you can't plan.

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

PET Speaking Part 4 — Discuss: Are online reviews always honest? When do they help you, and when do they mislead you?

Useful phrases

PET Speaking Part 2 · Photo description
PET Speaking Part 2 — 1 minute per candidate. Focus on guessing how the people FEEL.
Candidate A Photograph 1
A group of young people enjoying a music festival on a sunny day, with a stage and crowd in the background.

Candidate A — At a music festival

Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
  • • What can you see?
  • • How do the people seem to feel?
  • • What kind of music do you think is playing?
  • • Would you enjoy being there? Why / why not?
Candidate B Photograph 2
Two friends hiking with a dog on a wooden footbridge in a green forest.

Candidate B — Hiking in the countryside

Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
  • • What can you see?
  • • Where do you think they are?
  • • How do they probably feel?
  • • Do you like walking in the countryside? Why / why not?

Useful phrases

  • • They seem to be feeling…
  • • It looks as if…
  • • I'd guess they're…
  • • From the expression on her face…
  • • Judging by…

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

Train ears and eyes for attitude. ~32 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

Attitude-spotting drill — read the short film review below. Underline 3 attitude words and say what each reveals.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Review (~80 words)

The new sci-fi thriller *Orbit* is astonishingly beautiful to look at, but the story is disappointingly thin. The lead performance is genuinely charming, and there are one or two truly clever twists. Unfortunately, the second half drags, and by the end you're desperate for it to just finish. It's a shame — with a sharper script, this could have been a real classic. Worth watching once, but I wouldn't rush back.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

WritingProductive

PET Writing Part 2 mock — write a 100-word review of a film / show / book you know well. Use at least 2 attitude words.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Task prompt

You see this notice on an English-language review site: *** REVIEWS WANTED — 'A film, show or book I have strong feelings about.' *** Write 100 words. Say what it is, what's brilliant about it, what's disappointing, and who you'd recommend it to.

Attitude words to try

genuinely · astonishingly · disappointingly · surprisingly · sadly · thankfully · brilliantly · frankly

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

ListeningReceptive

Tone-spotting mock — read the short interview aloud twice. Mark 2 moments where TONE (not just words) shows how the speaker feels.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Interview (~3 min, read aloud twice)

Interviewer: So, your first solo exhibition. How does it feel? Maya: (laughs) Honestly? Terrifying. I mean, of course I'm thrilled — it's what I've worked for. But every single painting on that wall feels like a diary page. Interviewer: And the reviews so far? Maya: (pauses) …Mixed. One critic used the word 'promising' and I'm still not sure if that's a compliment. Interviewer: Would you do it again? Maya: Tomorrow. Absolutely tomorrow.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

Recap · 11

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Reading between the lines = working out what's IMPLIED, not stated.
  • Watch for attitude words: sadly, thankfully, apparently, admittedly, arguably.
  • Adjective choice reveals tone (warm vs tight smile).
  • Match the option's TONE to the writer's tone — not the option's facts.
  • Tone questions are never copy-paste answers.
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