← Back to C1 General contentsWorkbook · 5B. Not for profit?
Home practice · unreal past tenses & money vocabulary · answer key included
1 · Unreal past — choose the best option
I wish I ______ that shirt — I've hardly worn it.
It's high time you ______ him back — he's called three times.
If only my neighbour ______ playing the drums after 10 pm.
I'd rather you ______ before spending that much on the sofa.
Suppose she ______ the truth back in March — what would you have done?
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2 · Complete with a money expression from the box
- The startup ran for two years drop , and only then found a proper investor.
- They've built a small drop over twenty years — nothing dramatic, but enough.
- We've been drop since December, and the overdraft fees are eating us alive.
- For our tenth anniversary we decided to properly drop on a weekend in Lisbon.
- On his part-time salary, he can just about drop each month.
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3 · Rewrite using the structure in brackets
I regret buying that car. (Use I wish)
He always interrupts and it drives me mad. (Use I wish + would)
She should have paid me back by now — really. (Use It's about time)
I'd prefer it if you didn't mention my salary at dinner. (Use I'd rather)
Imagine we won the lottery tomorrow. (Use Suppose)
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4 · More money language
- to be well offdrop or tap here…
- to be brokedrop or tap here…
- to be paid peanutsdrop or tap here…
- a rip-offdrop or tap here…
- to fork out (for)drop or tap here…
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5 · Voice message · The offer letter
A woman in her mid-thirties leaves a voice message for her best friend, having just received an unexpected job offer from a non-profit.
📄 Show transcript
Speaker: Hi, it's me! Oh my goodness, I just had to call you. I’m still a bit in shock actually. You’re not going to believe what just happened. So, I was in a taxi, on my way home, around four o'clock, just scrolling through emails, and then… this one popped up. From the non-profit! I opened it right there and then. It’s an offer letter! Can you believe it?
They want me to run the whole programme, full-time. Which, okay, it’s amazing, but the salary… it’s probably a good 20% less than what I'm on at the bank right now. And they want me to start on September 1st! I haven’t even told Mum yet, because you know what she’d be like: ‘at your age!’, ‘the mortgage!’, ‘supposing it doesn't work out!’ And honestly, I’d just end up doubting everything I’ve built up these last two years. So, please, please don't say anything to her.
Look, I need you to do me a massive favour. Ask me… ask me the annoying question. You know, ‘and if you don't take it?’ Because I already know the answer to that one. Call me back as soon as you get this! Bye!
- Where and how did she open the offer letter?
- What role and salary conditions does the offer include?
- Why is she not telling her mother yet?
- What specific favour does she ask of her friend, and why?
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6 · A short reflection (200–240 words)
Write a short first-person reflection titled: "If money weren't the point". Use at least four unreal past structures and three money expressions. End with a decision that is honest, unromantic, and specific to your own life.
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