Marta moved to Porto five years ago. At first she found the city stand-offish: people in the shops barely looked at her, and her neighbours took weeks to say hello. Slowly, though, she discovered a different side of the city — small, laid-back cafés in Cedofeita, lively conversations on the bus, a charming bakery whose owner now knows her order by heart. "You can't judge Porto in a week," she says. "You really need to ask questions, and you need to listen."
Unit 1 · Workbook
1A. First impressions — Workbook
Extra practice for home study · with answer keys
How to use this workbook
- Try each exercise on paper first — don't peek!
- Tap Show answer on a single item, or use the big button above to reveal everything.
- Re-do anything you got wrong the next day. Spaced practice works.
1. Vocabulary — people
Choose the adjective that best fits each description.
She never gets stressed, even before an exam. She's so…
He told three jokes in five minutes and they were all funny. Really…
He's a famous actor, but in person he's so normal and friendly — really…
She barely said hello and walked straight past us. A bit…
He doesn't speak much, but he listens carefully. He's quite…
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2. Vocabulary — places
Complete each sentence with ONE word from the box.
Word bank — drag or tap, then tap a gap
- On Sundays the town is completely drop — even the bakery is closed.
- We hiked along a drop trail above the lake.
- The old fishing port is full of small cafés and flower pots — really drop .
- The market was so drop I could barely walk through it.
- The area near the docks is a bit drop , but full of great street art.
- We rented a cabin drop , two hours from the nearest town.
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3. Vocabulary — discursive writing
Is the first impression of a city always a reliable indicator of its true character? Discuss.
Check your writing
- Use at least 4 adjectives from the 'people' or 'places' sections
- Maintain a formal, discursive register
- Use cohesive devices to link your arguments
- Check for varied C1-level grammatical structures
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4. Grammar — indirect questions
Rewrite each direct question as an indirect one, starting with the words given.
Where is the bus stop?
Start: Could you tell me…
What time does the shop open?
Start: Do you know…
How long does the journey take?
Start: I was wondering…
Why did they cancel the train?
Start: Have you any idea…
Did Anna arrive on time?
Start: Could you tell me…
Who paid the bill?
Start: Do you know…
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5. Grammar — subject vs object questions
Write a question from the prompt. Decide if the question word is the subject or the object.
Someone broke the window. (Who)
You met someone at the party. (Who)
Something woke you up. (What)
She bought something. (What)
One of the candidates won. (Which)
He chose one of the photos. (Which)
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6. Grammar — find and fix the mistake
Each sentence has ONE mistake. Rewrite it correctly.
Could you tell me where can I find a taxi?
Who did wrote this email?
Do you know what time does the museum open?
Why don't we to take the early train?
Haven't you been here never before?
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7. Reading — true / false / not given
Read the short text, then mark each statement T (true), F (false) or NG (not given).
- Marta has lived in Porto for more than three years.T / F / NG
- Her first impression of Porto was very welcoming.T / F / NG
- Her neighbours said hello on the first day.T / F / NG
- Marta speaks fluent Portuguese.T / F / NG
- The bakery owner remembers what she usually orders.T / F / NG
- Marta advises new arrivals to be curious and patient.T / F / NG
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8. Writing — guided task
Write 60–80 words. A friend is visiting your city next weekend. Send a short message including: (a) one indirect question they should ask a local, (b) two adjectives describing your city, (c) one piece of practical advice.
Check your writing
- Greeting / closing in informal style
- At least ONE indirect question (Could you tell me… / Do you know… / I was wondering…)
- TWO adjectives from Lesson 1A vocabulary
- ONE clear piece of advice
- 60–80 words
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9. 🎧 Listening — gist & detail
Play the dialogue. Cover the answers. Listen ONCE for gist, then again for detail.
📄 Show transcript
A: Hey Mike, how was your first day exploring Porto? What was Mike's first impression of Porto?
B: Well, I have to say, it was a bit gritty — the streets near the station felt rough.
A: Oh, I know what you mean. But did you make it down to the river yet? How does Jess describe the riverside?
B: Not yet! Is it worth seeing?
A: Absolutely! It's completely different — really charming. You'll love it.
A: And if you're looking for a drink tonight, which neighbourhood does Jess recommend for a drink?
B: I'm all ears, need a good spot.
A: Try Cedofeita. There's a tiny, off-the-beaten-track place I love. The owner is a bit stand-offish at first, but he warms up fast.
B: Good to know! What about Bolhão market? I was thinking of checking it out.
A: You know what, I'd say skip Bolhão market. It's become a bit of a tourist trap, honestly.
B: Ah, fair enough. Any other food recommendations? I'm craving some seafood.
A: For amazing grilled fish, you have to go to Matosinhos. It's a short bus ride. And before you ask, I've lived here for three years now.
B: Three years! Wow, you're practically a local expert. Thanks for the tips, Jess!
- What was Mike's first impression of Porto?
- How does Jess describe the riverside?
- Which neighbourhood does Jess recommend for a drink?
- How does she describe the owner of that bar?
- Why does she tell Mike to skip Bolhão market?
- Where does she send him for grilled fish?
- How long has Jess lived in Porto?
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10. 🎧 Listening — gap-fill (dictation)
Listen again and write the missing word in each line. Each ___ is ONE word.
📄 Show transcript
A: So, Mike, you've been living in Porto for a while now, haven't you? Haven't you been here for, what, two years?
B: That's right, Jess. Two years this summer. Still loving it.
A: Good to hear! My first impression was that it's a bit gritty, especially the downtown area.
B: I know what you mean. But the riverside is completely different — really charming, isn't it? Very picturesque.
A: Absolutely. Speaking of downtown, if I wanted to find a truly authentic spot for a drink, could you tell me where the locals actually drink?
B: Ah, that's a good question! There's a tiny place in Cedofeita — totally off the beaten track. It's fantastic.
A: Oh, sounds intriguing. What's it called?
B: I can't remember the name, but you'll know it when you see it. The owner is a bit stand-offish at first, but he warms up fast.
A: I'll have to check it out. What about Bolhão market? Is that still worth seeing?
B: Bolhão? Bustling, but a bit of a tourist trap now, to be honest. It's lost some of its authenticity.
A: That's a shame. So, where would you recommend for food then?
B: For fresh seafood, I'd skip it and head to Matosinhos for grilled fish. Best in the region, hands down.
- My first was that it's a bit gritty.
- The riverside is completely different — really .
- Could you tell me where the actually drink?
- There's a tiny place in — totally off the beaten track.
- The owner is a bit at first, but he warms up fast.
- Bolhão? , but a bit of a tourist trap now.
- I'd skip it and head to for grilled fish.
- Haven't you been here for, what, years?
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11. 🎧 Intonation challenge
Play the intonation drill. Decide if each reaction sounds INTERESTED (I) or BORED / SARCASTIC (B). Then practise saying each one yourself.
📄 Show transcript
A: Seriously?
B: Yeah, I know, right?
A: You're kidding!
B: Nope, completely true.
A: That's unbelievable.
B: I thought so too when I heard it.
A: How marvelous!
B: And you won't believe what happened next...
A: No way!
B: Way, way.
- 1. "Seriously? That's incredible!"
- 2. "Oh. Great." (flat, falling)
- 3. "You're joking! No way!"
- 4. "Mm. Fascinating." (monotone)
- 5. "Wait, she actually said that? Wow."
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12. 🔥 Challenge — sentence transformation
Rewrite the second sentence so it means the same as the first, using 2–5 words including the KEYWORD. Do NOT change the keyword.
1. "Where do you live?" she asked me. → She asked me _______ lived. (KEYWORD: WHERE)
2. I don't know the time the film starts. → Do you know _______ starts? (KEYWORD: WHAT)
3. Why don't we take the early train? → How _______ the early train? (KEYWORD: ABOUT)
4. I'm surprised you haven't been to Lisbon. → _______ to Lisbon? (KEYWORD: HAVEN'T)
5. Tell me the price of the ticket, please. → Could you tell me _______ costs? (KEYWORD: HOW)
6. Someone left the door open last night. → _______ the door open last night? (KEYWORD: WHO)
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13. 🔥 Challenge — word formation
Complete each sentence with the CORRECT form of the word in CAPITALS.
She made a really good ___ on the interviewer. (IMPRESS)
Don't ___ a book by its cover. (JUDGE)
Their reaction was completely ___ — they barely smiled. (ENTHUSIASM)
He spoke ___, with a wide pitch range. (EXPRESS)
Lisbon has a very ___ nightlife. (LIVE)
The neighbourhood is full of ___ little shops. (CHARM)
Our first ___ of the city was wrong. (IMPRESS)
She greeted us very ___. (WARM)
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14. 🔥 Challenge — odd one out
Three of the four adjectives are close in meaning. Pick the ODD ONE OUT.
1. Describing a friendly person:
2. Describing a busy place:
3. Describing a quiet person:
4. Describing a rough but interesting area:
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15. 🔥 Challenge — extended writing
Write a 120–150 word blog entry titled "My honest first impression of ___" (your city or a city you've visited). Use AT LEAST: 3 lesson adjectives, 2 indirect questions, 1 negative question.
Check your writing
- 120–150 words
- At least 3 adjectives from Lesson 1A
- At least 2 indirect questions
- At least 1 negative question (Haven't you…? / Don't you…?)
- Clear opening impression and final reflection
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16. Self-check
Tick the things you can now do confidently.
- I can form direct, indirect and negative questions.
- I can tell the difference between subject and object questions.
- I can describe a person using at least 4 new adjectives.
- I can describe a place using at least 4 new adjectives.
- I can use intonation to sound interested, not bored.
- I can transform B2 sentences while keeping the meaning.
- I can hear and write missing words in a B2-level dialogue.
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