Unit 5 · Lesson 2 · Complain About Public Conduct

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Lesson Reference Pages

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Warm-up Activity

1. Which behavior is most likely to annoy people in a theater?

2. Which phrase means “annoys you a lot”?

3. Which public behavior is inconsiderate?

4. What is the best tone for complaining politely?

A

Grammar Snapshot · What ticks you off?

Audio 20 · Grammar Snapshot

LESSON2

Complain about public conduct

What ticks you off?

Wendy Kwon, 23
Chicago, USA

What ticks me off? Well, I can’t understand why people litter. Who do they think is going to clean up after them? Either they should throw their garbage in a trash can or hold on to it till they find one. I think it’s great that people have to pay a fine for littering. Maybe they’ll think twice before doing it again.

Dana Fraser, 36
Toronto, Canada

You know what gets to me? Smoking. It’s such an inconsiderate habit. Secondhand cigarette smoke is neither good for you nor pleasant to be around. I’d like to see smoking banned from more public places. Don’t non-smokers have rights too?

Yuan Yong Jing, 28
Beijing, China

It really bugs me when people spit on the street. Not only do I find it disgusting, but it’s also unhygienic. It’s important to think about other people’s feelings and public health.

Jorge Santos, 31
São Paulo, Brazil

Here’s something that gets on my nerves: I hate it when people use their cell phones in public places. They annoy other people, not only on trains and buses but also in theaters. They should have the courtesy to either turn their phones off or leave them at home. It really makes me angry. I guess it’s kind of my pet peeve.

Snapshot Comprehension

1. What public behavior annoys Wendy?

2. What does Dana complain about?

3. Why does Yuan dislike spitting?

4. What is Jorge’s pet peeve?

C

Detailed Grammar Explanation · Paired Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions connect two related ideas. Use them to connect choices, join two negative ideas, or add a second strong point.

Pair	Use	Example
either ... or	Connects two choices or possibilities.	Either they should throw their garbage in a trash can or hold on to it.
neither ... nor	Connects two negative ideas.	Smoke is neither good for you nor pleasant to be around.
not only ... but also	Adds emphasis or a second important idea.	Not only do I find it disgusting, but it’s also unhygienic.

Important: When not only begins a sentence, use question-like word order in the first clause: Not only do I find it rude, but it is also unhealthy.

Verb agreement: With either ... or and neither ... nor, the verb usually agrees with the subject closer to the verb.

Grammar Concept Check

1. Which pair gives two choices?

2. Which pair connects two negative ideas?

3. Which pair adds emphasis?

D

Grammar Practice

Choose the correct combined sentence.

1. My uncle isn’t willing to give up smoking. My grandparents aren’t willing to give up smoking. Use: neither

2. People should speak up. They should learn to live with other people’s habits. Use: either

3. I don’t like cell phones in theaters. I don’t like cell phones on buses. Use: not only

4. The smell of smoke bothers me. The danger to my health bothers me. Use: not only

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Grammar Exchange · Complain About Public Conduct

Ideas

cutting in line
graffiti on walls
talking in theaters
strong perfumes
gossiping

Useful adjectives

disrespectful
immature
impolite
inconsiderate
inexcusable
unacceptable
unpleasant

Interactive Exchange Practice

In restaurants: talking on cell phones is...

On the street: spitting is...

In movie theaters: cell phones are...

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Final Quiz

1. Which sentence is correct?

2. Which sentence is correct?

3. Which sentence uses “not only” correctly at the beginning?

4. What does “pet peeve” mean?

5. What does “ticks me off” mean?

6. Which complaint is polite and clear?

Great job! You've finished the lesson