Unit 4. Free Time — Teacher’s Copy

Teacher notes – Unit 4

Learning aim: Students write two short emails — an invitation and a reply — using reference words so they do not repeat the same noun many times.

Before writing: Write on the board, ‘I love the park. The park is beautiful. The park has good paths.’ Then show the improved version: ‘I love the park. It is beautiful. It has good paths.’ Explain: we use it to replace a thing, they to replace people or things (plural), there to replace a place, and him / her to replace a man or a woman. Drill with two or three quick examples.

During writing: Students must write both emails — the invitation AND the reply. Check that both emails have a greeting, a message, and a sign-off. Remind students this is a friendly, informal email — short and simple.

Common errors: (1) Repeating the same noun three or four times. (2) Using it for a person (‘I have a brother. It is kind.’) → should be ‘He is kind.’ (3) Writing a formal letter instead of a casual email.

After writing: Students swap emails and highlight every reference word. Does each one replace a word that came before?

Model emails

Read and analyse

Step 1

Find the reference words

Read the two emails. Click every reference word: it, they, there. Then check.

Hi Amara,
Are you free on Sunday? I want to go cycling at the new park near the city. It is beautiful, and it has great paths. My cousins are coming too. They love cycling! Do you want to come? We can meet there at 11 o’clock. Let me know!
Nina

Hi Nina,
Yes, I’m free! That sounds great. I know the park — it is lovely. I can be there at 11.
See you then!
Amara

6 reference words: It, it, They, there, it, there

Step 2

What does each one refer to?

Choose what each reference word replaces.

1It is beautiful.

the park — a thing.

2… and it has great paths.

the park — a thing.

3They love cycling!

my cousins — people (plural).

4We can meet there at 11 o’clock.

at the park — a place.

5I know the park — it is lovely.

the park — a thing.

6I can be there at 11.

at the park — a place.

it = the park (a thing). they = my cousins (people). there = at the park (a place). Each word replaces a noun to avoid repetition. We also use him for a man or boy and her for a woman or girl.

Extra practice

Build the skill

Exercise 1

Use a reference word

Replace the repeated word with a reference word from the box. Write the new sentences.
Reference words: it / they / there / him / her

1I love the park. The park is very beautiful.

I love the park. It is very beautiful.
it = the park
Also accepted: I love the park. It's very beautiful.

2I have a cat. The cat is black and white.

I have a cat. It is black and white.
it = the cat
Also accepted: I have a cat. It's black and white.

3She has a brother. She calls her brother every day.

She has a brother. She calls him every day.
him = her brother

4The books are on the table. The books are very heavy.

The books are on the table. They are very heavy.
they = the books

5I have a sister. I visit my sister every weekend.

I have a sister. I visit her every weekend.
her = my sister

Assignment A

Two emails · min. 50 words each

Write an email to your friend Lena. Invite her to a film night at your flat on Friday. Tell her what film you want to watch, what time to arrive, and ask her to bring something. Then write Lena’s reply. Use at least one reference word in each email.

Minimum 50 words each.

Your email to Lena

0 / 50 words

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Sample answer · 68 words

Hi Lena,

Are you free on Friday evening? I want to have a film night at my flat, and I would love you to come. The film is called ‘The Intern’. It is really funny, and I think you will love it. It starts at 8 o’clock, so please arrive at about 7.45. Can you bring some snacks? I have drinks and pizza. See you on Friday!

Carlos

Lena’s reply

0 / 50 words

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Sample answer · 53 words

Hi Carlos,

Thanks for the invitation! Friday sounds great. I know that film, and I love it — it is so good! I can be there at 7.45. I will bring some crisps and chocolate, because I know you like them. Can my sister come too? She loves funny films. See you then!

Lena

Assignment B

Two emails · min. 50 words each

Write an email to your friend James. Ask him to visit a museum with you this weekend. Say what the museum is about, where it is, and what time. Then write James’s reply. Use at least one reference word in each email.

Minimum 50 words each.

Your email to James

0 / 50 words

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Sample answer · 61 words

Hi James,

Are you free on Saturday? There is a great photography exhibition at the Arts Centre in the city centre. It is about street life around the world, and the photos are amazing. My friends Mia and Tom are coming too. They love photography! Do you want to come? We can meet there at 2 pm. Let me know!

Yuki

James’s reply

0 / 50 words

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Sample answer · 59 words

Hi Yuki,

Yes, I’m free on Saturday! The exhibition sounds really interesting. I love photography, but I don’t know much about it. I can be there at 2 pm. After the exhibition, we can go to the café near the Arts Centre. It has great cakes! Say hello to Mia and Tom for me. See you on Saturday!

James

✓

Answer key at a glance

Prints with the page

Step 1 — Words	It, it, They, there, it, there
Step 2 — Answers	1 the park · 2 the park · 3 my cousins · 4 at the park · 5 the park · 6 at the park
Exercise 1 — 1	I love the park. It is very beautiful.
Exercise 1 — 2	I have a cat. It is black and white.
Exercise 1 — 3	She has a brother. She calls him every day.
Exercise 1 — 4	The books are on the table. They are very heavy.
Exercise 1 — 5	I have a sister. I visit her every weekend.