Lessons 5A–7A wish, if only and past modals, advantages and disadvantages, a com

• I can use I wish/If only/should/need/could to talk about present and past regrets.
• I can discuss advantages and disadvantages.
• I can write a competition entry / a letter of application.

What would you change in your life?

Look at the title of the article. How would you answer this question?

• In pairs, read the online article. What advice would you give to the people?

Regrets: wish, if only and past modals

Which verb form shows a regret about now, and which one about the past?

• I shouldn’t have listened to my friend
• I should have played more sports.

• I think I could have got a better job if I had a degree.

• I needn’t have worried

• wish / if only + would talks about how we want someone else’s behaviour to change.
• I wish my best friend would stop telling everyone my secrets.

Look at the underlined examples in the text (1–5) and complete rules 1–3 below.

We use wish/if only + ___ tense to talk about present regrets, or things we would like to change.

We use wish/if only + ___ to talk about how we want someone else’s behaviour to change.

We use wish/if only + ___ tense to talk about past regrets.

a I think I could have got a better job if I had a degree.

b I should at least have tried.

c I shouldn’t have listened to my friend d I needn’t have worried e I should have played more sports.

Match the examples of past modals in bold in the text (a–e) with the meanings 1–5.

I did something, but it wasn’t necessary.

I didn’t do something because it wasn’t necessary (or I thought it wasn’t).

It was a good idea for me to do something, but I didn’t do it.

It wasn’t a good idea for me to do something, but I did it.

Something was a possibility, but I didn’t do it.

Choose the correct verb forms to complete the sentences. Sometimes both answers are correct.

Your room is a mess! I wish you would pick up / picked up your clothes from the floor!

I didn’t need to wait / needn’t have waited long for him because he arrived a couple of minutes later.

You should have had / needn’t have had breakfast; then you wouldn’t be hungry.

If only he knew / would know the truth!

I wish I had bought / bought her a nicer present – she looked a bit disappointed when I gave it to her.

Pros and cons: how to argue both sides

In pairs, read the information about visiting Britain and discuss the questions. Which of the places would you want to visit and why? Which form of transport would you want to take to visit these places? Why?

Complete the Speaking box with the prepositions. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.

• advantage of
• benefit of
• positive aspect of
• disadvantage of/to
• negative aspect of
• minus point of

• Starters: A … / One … / Another … / The first …
• Adjectives: major, minor, obvious, possible, potential, significant
• … is that …
• On first consideration, this seems …
• Ultimately, there are arguments ___ both sides.
• Having looked ___ both sides of the argument, I think/believe …
• Although some people might disagree, I can’t help feeling that …

Which phrases let you praise one option and then criticise it?

Use these words in the task below.

Writing a letter of application

In pairs, read the advert for a competition. Discuss which of these opportunities would appeal to you the most.

Read an application for one of the competitions and answer the questions.

Which opportunity does Maha want to be considered for?

Do you think she has a good chance of winning? Say why.

Complete the Writing box with examples from Maha’s letter.

Combine the sentences using the words in brackets.

I am interested in teaching. I also have experience in this area. (as well as)

I am fluent in English. I also speak some Spanish and Portuguese. (not only)

I believe I would be an asset to the team. I would be willing to commit for at least a year abroad. (furthermore)

I have experience. I also have relevant qualifications. (in addition to)

I am physically fit. I enjoy cycling. (besides)

I am hard-working. I am dedicated. (not only)

• ___ to enter the competition to …
• With reference to your competition to win …, I would like to apply …

• Give details of any relevant experience you have; say why it is relevant:
• I was ___ for …
• My duties included …
• I am passionate about …
• I was in charge of …
• As part of my role, I …
• Mention any relevant qualifications:
• I gained a qualification in …
• I am a fully qualified …

• Closing paragraph: Please find my CV attached/___.
• I ___ to hearing from you.
• If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

• If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should begin and end:
• Dear Mr/Mrs … Yours sincerely,
• If you don’t know their name, begin and end like this:
• Dear ___ Yours faithfully,

How do you say why you deserve the job, in a formal letter?

• I wish I had a car. (I don’t have a car.)
• If only I was/were taller. (I’m not tall.)

• I wish you’d told me what sort of house it was. (You didn’t tell me.)
• If only I’d left my car at home today. (I didn’t leave my car.)