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1 Lesson Beginning · Warm-up
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask for someone’s opinion?
Which topic can be controversial?
What should you do when you disagree?
Which phrase helps keep a discussion polite?
2 Conversation Model
Part 1 · Asking about an issue
A: How do you feel about capital punishment?
B: I’m in favor of it. I believe if you kill someone, you deserve to be killed. What about you?
Part 2 · Disagreeing politely
A: Actually, I’m against the death penalty. I think it’s wrong to take a life, no matter what.
B: Well, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree!
Conversation Check
What controversial issue are they discussing?
Speaker B is in favor of capital punishment because he believes a killer...
Speaker A is against the death penalty because she thinks...
Which phrase means they accept that they do not agree?
3 Agreement and Disagreement
Agreement
Use these expressions when you agree with someone:
- I agree with you on that one.
- I couldn’t agree more.
- I couldn’t have said it better myself.
- That’s exactly what I think.
Disagreement
Use these expressions when you disagree politely:
- I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
- Really? I have to disagree with you there.
- Do you think so? I’m not sure I agree.
- Well, I’m afraid I don’t agree.
- No offense, but I just can’t agree.
Expression Check
Choose an agreement expression.
Choose a disagreement expression.
Which phrase is polite when two people still disagree?
Which phrase means “I strongly agree”?
4 Vocabulary · Some Controversial Issues
Vocabulary Check
Which issue is about not allowing certain books or movies?
Which issue means people must serve in the military?
Which issue means people can drive at a younger age?
Which issue means people must wait longer before they can vote?
Which issue means people cannot smoke inside buildings?
5 Listening · Activate and Infer
Listen to people’s opinions about controversial issues. Choose the issue and the correct opinion according to the answers you provided.
Conversation 1: What issue do they discuss?
Conversation 1: Is the speaker for or against it?
Conversation 2: What issue do they discuss?
Conversation 2: Is the speaker for or against it?
Conversation 3: What issue do they discuss?
Conversation 3: Is the speaker for or against it?
Conversation 4: What issue do they discuss?
Conversation 4: Is the speaker for or against it?
Conversation 5: What issue do they discuss?
Conversation 5: Is the speaker for or against it?
6 Grammar · Verbs Followed by Objects and Infinitives
Rule 1 · Object + Infinitive
Some verbs need an object before the infinitive.
advise / encourage / remind / urge / warn / require / permit / allow / invite / persuade / tell
Example: The newspaper reminded all eighteen-year-olds to vote.
Rule 2 · Infinitive without object
Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive.
agree / appear / can’t afford / decide / deserve / hope / learn / manage / need / plan / pretend / refuse / seem / want / wish
Example: We agreed to discuss the issue politely.