3. The Problem Page

A. This is a problem page from a children's magazine. Read the letter.
What is Maria's
problem?
Who is Sonia?

B. Imagine you are Sonia. Send Maria a letter giving her some advice and ideas on what to do (think about placing an advert for a music teacher or visiting the local cultural centre etc.).

Follow the layout

of a letter of advice:

➢ greeting

➢ an opening paragraph

➢ main part

➢ closing paragraph

➢ signing off

Dear Sonia,

I am writing to you for advice because I don't know what to do.

I am 11 years old and I like music a lot. I really want to learn to play a musical instrument… I would like to learn to play the guitar but I live in a remote village and there are neither music teachers nor any musical instruments in my school. The nearest big city is about eighty kilometres far from where I live.

My class visited a music festival in Thessaloniki a week ago and I was so pleased to listen to musicians play so many different instruments. I also heard that if children listen to classical music, they become smarter. I know that if I had money, I would buy many musical instruments for my school.

This is my problem. What could I do? I really want to learn to play the quitar.

Please answer as soon as possible.

Yours,

Maria

Remember to give
advice using

expressions such as:

If I were you, I would…
You could…
You should… if…
Why don't you...

Set phrases for the

opening paragraph:

Set phrases for the closing paragraph:

I am writing to give you some advice about…

I hope I can help you with your problem…

Well, that's what I believe...

I really hope everything goes well. Keep in touch. …

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Put your letter in your portfolio.

A. WHAT AM I? Find the musical instrument each box A-D describes:

I have four strings

Played with a bow.

Can you guess what
I am?

Do you think you know?

I am very large

I have black and white
keys

Can you guess what I am?

Do you think you know?

I have a skin on me

you usually beat me

with two little sticks

Can you guess what I
am?

I have a long neck

You strike my strings

On my wooden body.

You guess what I am?

B. Match the verb on the left with a noun on the right to make set phrases:

1. present

2. write

3. attend

4. play

5. blow

6. sing

a. a trombone

b. an instrument

c. lyrics

d. a music event

e. a song

f. a performance

C. Fill in the blanks with a word from B above (put the verbs in the right form):

1. Don't you think the music event we ________________________ was boring?

2. John Lennon _____________________________ the lyrics to many of the Beatle's best songs.

3. Most musicians ______________________________their instruments up to five hours a day!

4. When my brother __________________________ the saxophone I can't sleep

5. Our class _______________________________ the famous play "A midsummer night dream"

6. Some of the best rock singers don't ______________________ their songs, they shout them!

lend

owe

spend

waste

wealthy

allowance

borrow

pay back

D. Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase from the box on the right:

1. Don't ___________ your money on that junk!

2. I usually _________ my CD player to Dave and he never gives it back on
time.

3. He left as a poor boy and returned as a ___________ man.

4. You can only ___________ six books from the library at a time.

5. His father gives him a monthly ___________ of 20 Euros.

6. Mum never ___________ any money on herself.

7. They ___________ my brother $50.

8. I'll _________ you _________ on Friday, I don't have any money now.

E. Complete the sentences with an appropriate phrase:

1. If you had a million euros, what ? _____________________________________

2.If you buy a car, . _____________________________________

3. If you can't make a reservation for the musical ___________________________________

4. If the performance is boring, _____________________________________

5. If he goes to the festival, _____________________________________

6. If she knew the lyrics, _____________________________________

7. If I were you, _____________________________________

8. He wouldn't miss the show if _____________________________________

9. If you pay for the ticket, _____________________________________

10. He would enjoy the musical if _____________________________________

F. Match the sentences to make short dialogues:

1. I'd like to become a pianist _____________________________________

2. I will spend my pocket money on expensive clothes. _______________________

3. I want to attend the music festival. _____________________________________

a. You should book early.

b. If I were you I would practise harder.

c. Why don't you buy a computer?

See Workbook ___ / 3 points

NOW TICK

WHAT YOU CAN DO

REMEMBER when you match headings with paragraphs in an English text:

Read the headings and the paragraphs and underline the most important words.

I can read

• a music festival leaflet

• a magazine article about pocket money

I can listen to

• different musical instruments

• a song about money

• people talking about spending money

I can talk about

• musical instruments

• festivals

• money

• personal safety

I can write

• an e-mail about a museum of musical instruments

• a letter to an advice page of a magazine