Short Texts from Oz

 

Thorold May

© copyright Thorold May 1998
All Rights Reserved

published by

The Plain & Fancy  Language Company
ACN 1116240S, Sydney, Australia

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go to Table of Contents

 

Short Texts from Oz

Thor May

Preface

This little collection of texts has been written for intermediate to advanced learners of English. The texts are of varying difficulty and length, but can be easily edited down or expanded by a competent teacher. One of the nice things about short texts is that they are easy to create, and easy to change for different student needs.

The general background to the material is Australian English and Australian society. However, most of the content is applicable anywhere in the English speaking world. Those texts that deal with Australian instutions (e.g. the tax system) can be usefully contrasted with the situation in a student’s home country. Some excellent discussion can be built around such comparisons.

The author has tried to keep a fairly light touch, so that the learning process is pleasant, or even amusing. Learning a language is hard work. There is no doubt about that, but if we get too serious, the learning can become inefficient. This seems paradoxical, but our brains are designed to remember things that have "emotional colour". The teacher who can wiggle her ears, or the story that makes you laugh, will be remembered long after "serious" text books are forgotten. Therefore, use this book often, but stop when you are no longer having fun! Finally, the author must acknowledge a deep debt to R. O’Neill for his classic text, English in Situations (Oxford: OUP 1970) which has served as both a model and an inspiration for much of what follows.

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Table of Contents

Preface     Introduction 1. Jack Munday is a Soccer Fan. 2. Emily Bell is a Teenager 3. Tom Needed a Car in a Hurry 4. If I Had Been Born in Australia ... 5. She Told Him How To Play 6. A Pain In The Neck 7. The Bike Jockey 8. The Know-All 9. The Near-Miss 10. Crazy Weather 11. What Peter Needs 12. I Need A Miracle Fast! 13. Mary Had A Baby 14. As mad as a Cut Snake 15. As Ugly As Sin 16. "My Country" (extract) 17. "Snow" (extract) 18. "Sea Fever" (extract) 19. New Year Resolutions 20. The Old Country 21. Stood Up Again 22. Let Down Again 23. St Valentine’s Day Kiss 24. Eureka Stockade 25. The Pick Up

26. Connie Finds Voluntary       Work (With Refugees) 27. Old Yank And The Snow       Fish 28. Bushfire 29. Street Party 30. The Chinese Museum 31. Sewing 32. Voodoo Economics 33. Do Your Best 34. Take Care, Won’t You 35. She Stoops To Conquer 36. Ask Me If You Wish 37. Procrastination 38. We Will Never Be Rich 39. Autumn 40. Sad Lady 41. Rubber Chicken Dinner 42. The Job Interview 43. Speaking to win 44. Trang’s Story - Education        and Employment 45. Trang’s Story - Skills 46. Samir’s Story -       Qualifications &       Experience 47. Samir’s Story - Skills 48. The Small Claims Tribunal       (1) 49. Small Claims Tribunal (2)

50. Small Claims Tribunal       (3) 51. Banking (1) 52. Banking [2]: Money 53. Banking (3): Types of       accounts 54. Banking (4): Plastic       Money 55. Money (5): Cheques 56. Astronomy and       Science 57. Taxation Basics 58. Road Accident       Insurance (1): Types 59. Road Accident       Insurance (2): Claims 60. Accident & Injury       Compensation 61. Work Cover Authority      (1): Accident & Injury      Compensation 62. Work Cover Authority       (2): Claims 63. First Aid (1) 64. First Aid (2) 65. Buying Property (1):       Advantages &       Disadvantages 66. Buying Property (2):       The Real Estate Agent 67. Buying Property (3):       Finance 68. Word Index: "Short       Texts from Oz" [2850        new words]

 

 

 

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Introduction

Some Ideas & Principles Behind "Short Texts from Oz"

Uses of Short Texts

1. Fluency

2. Learning

3. Teaching

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TEXTS

Jack Munday is a Soccer Fan.

pattern: do Vs are doing

__________________________________________________

text:

Jack Munday is a labourer, and also a soccer fan. He gets the paper, "Sports World" every week and always checks the weekend match results.

At the moment he is in a pub. His copy of "Sports World" is in an old bag at his feet. The barmaid is asking him for a tip on Saturday’s game.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. Where is Jack Munday?

2. What does he do?

3. What is he doing?

4. Does he read "Sports World"?

5. Is he reading it now?

6. Where is his copy of "Sports World"?

7. What is the barmaid doing?

__________________________________________________

1. Emily Bell is a Teenager

   pattern: do Vs doing

   __________________________________________________

   text:

   Emily Bell is a teenager. She is in a large indoor shopping centre with her friends. Emily often goes there. At the moment she is trying to catch the attention of a particular boy. A cigarette is in her right hand, a mischievous smile is on her face, and the boy is offering her a light.

   __________________________________________________

   response:

   Ask some questions about Emily. Use the following words:

   1. Who..

   2. What..

   3. Where..

   4. Does..

   5. Why..

   6. What do you think is important to Emily?

   7. How old is Emily?

   __________________________________________________

1. Tom Needed a Car in a Hurry

   pattern: would have.. if

   __________________________________________________

   text:

   Tim O’Brien moved to Sydney and needed a car in a hurry. The old Ford Cortina he bought looked OK at first. Then he found that the engine had a cracked block. The mechanic also told him the car had been in an accident, so the chassis was twisted. Later he found that the doors were badly rusted under a coat of fresh paint.

   __________________________________________________

response:

1. What was a priority for Tim in Sydney.

2. Make a question about Tim using the words why and buy.

3. Would he have bought the car after a careful inspection?

4. What advice would you give someone buying an old car?

5. Describe the condition of the engine block.

6. Ask a question about the chassis.

7. What might Tim say to the old owner if he met him at a party?

8. How would the doors look if they were not newly painted?

9. Make a sentence using these words Tom would have...if..

__________________________________________________

1. If I Had Been Born in Australia ...

pattern: I would have .. if..

__________________________________________________

text:

If I had been born in Australia I would have ...

__________________________________________________

response:

Complete the text with the ideas below.

1. learn English as a baby.

[Example: If I had been born in Australia, I would have learned English as a baby.]

2. get a driving licence at 17.

3. own a house.

4. a good job.

5. not understand Chinese/Vietnamese/Russian etc.

6. marry a different person.

7. eat different food.

8. maybe have a different religion.

__________________________________________________

title: Harry is a slob

pattern: "do" Questions

__________________________________________________

text:

Usually Harry Evans doesn’t mow the lawn, but his wife has gone on strike. He loves to watch TV, but she says he is a slob. She says she won’t cook his dinner until he does something useful around the house. Now Harry can’t get the mower to start, and he is swearing under his breath.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What does Harry’s wife think of him?

2. What does Harry usually avoid doing?

3. Make a question using these words: why and dinner.

4. What is Harry trying to do?

5. What is Harry doing?

6. What does Harry love to do?

7. What has Harry’s wife done?

8. What does she want Harry to do?

---

 

1. She Told Him How To Play

pattern: ask to / ask how to / tell to / tell how to

__________________________________________________

text:

__________________________________________________

response:

1. Where did Danny go?

__________________________________________________

1. A Pain In The Neck

__________________________________________________

text:

__________________________________________________

response:

__________________________________________________

1. As mad as a Cut Snake

pattern: x is as y as z; x is like a y

__________________________________________________

text:

__________________________________________________

response:

__________________________________________________

1. As Ugly As Sin

pattern: x is as y as z; x is like a y; when x did y;

__________________________________________________

text:

Timothy learned young that things are not always what they seemed to be. By nature he was as as friendly as a little puppy dog. When some kids said he was as ugly as sin, he shrugged and went off to play marbles. When he was twelve a girl said he was as creepy as a spider, and that hurt. "Stuff her" he muttered, and went off to have a cigarette. When he was twenty-two a drill sergeant said he was as soft as a marshmellow. Timothy blinked, bit his lip, and waited for the drill sergeant to come off duty. He waited outside the guardhouse gate, then thrashed the bastard.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What did young Timothy learn?

2. What was Timothy’s nature?

3. How did the kids taunt Timothy?

4. How did he react to the taunt?

5. What did the girl say to hurt Timothy’s feelings?

6. Make a question using the words why and cigarette.

7. What words did the drill sergeant use to call him soft?

8. How did Timothy sort out the drill sergeant?

__________________________________________________

1. "My Country" (extract)

   author: Dorothea Mackellar

pattern: metaphor and adjectival enrichment; rhyme & rhythm

__________________________________________________

text:

I love a sunburned country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of rugged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel sea,

Her beauty and her terror,

The sunburned land for me.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. How does the poem tell you that the land in Australia is hot and brown?

2. What are two kinds of landforms that the poet notices?

3. What are two kinds of disasters that Dorothea Mackellar mentions?

4. How can you tell that the Australia the poet talks about is not crowded with people and cities?

5. What is the sea compared to?

6. Make a question using the word country.

7. Dorothea Mackellar is attracted by two opposite qualities in Australian nature. What are they?

8. Write two lines to describe two things you remember strongly about the land where you come from.

__________________________________________________

1. "Snow" (extract)

author: Mao Tse Tung; translated by Jock Hoe

pattern: metaphor and adjectival enrichment; rhyme & rhythm

__________________________________________________

North country scene:

A thousand miles locked in ice,

Ten thousand miles of whirling snow.

In an out the Great Wall,

Only one great vastness;

Up and down the Yellow River,

Torrents stopped and stilled.

Hills dance like silver serpents,

Plateaux race like wax-coloured elephants,

Trying to vie with God in their height.

A clear day is needed

To view this whiteness decked in red

In all its incomparable beauty.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What time of the year is it in North China, in this poem?

2. How is the movement of the ice different from the movement of the snow?

3. How does Mao Tse Tung show that everything is buried in snow?

4. Make a question using the words Yellow River.

5. What are the hills compared to?

6. How does the poet describe the plateaux he can see?

7. What do you think Mao Tse Tung is talking about when he speaks of "whiteness decked in red"?

8. Write down a metaphor to describe the sky outside your window at this moment.

"Sea Fever" (extract)

author: John Masefield

pattern: metaphor and adjectival enrichment; rhyme & rhythm

__________________________________________________

text:

I must go down to the sea again, To the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship And a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick And the wind’s song And the white sails shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, And a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the sea again For the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call That may not be denied, And all I ask is a windy day With the white clouds flying And the blown spume And the flung spray And the seagulls crying.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. Where does this poet, John Masefield, want to be?

2. Lonely people are often unhappy. Why do you think Masefield wants to go down to "the lonely sea and the sky"?

3. What do you think makes "the wheel kick"?

4. Make a question using the word star.

5. Why do you think the wind has a special sound on a sailing ship?

6. What time of the day is the poet thinking about?

7. What does Masefield imagine the weather will be like at dawn?

8. Would you like to be a sailor on a square-rigged ship? Why or why not?

9. Write down a line to describe the sea (or river) last time you were in a boat.

__________________________________________________

1. New Year Resolutions

pattern: will /will have V-ed/ be going to V

__________________________________________________

text:

Rex knows that he will never keep all of his New Year resolutions, but he still goes through the ritual. He is going to give up smoking, he says, but his girlfriend, Jean, doesn’t believe him. He says that he will save. He is sure he will have saved $3000 by next Christmas because Jean is making him bank something every payday. He will try to keep this woman happy, but it is going to be a tough year.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What will Rex have trouble with?

2. What is his first New Year resolution?

3. Make a question with the words why and believe.

4. How much does he think he will save?

5. Why is he likely to keep saving?

6. How do you think Rex feels about Jean?

7. What bothers him about the coming year?

__________________________________________________

1. The Old Country

pattern: will /will have V-ed/ be going to V

__________________________________________________

text:

By August Ali will have been in Australia for twenty-five years. He is going to have a reunion with some old friends from the migrant hostel. They will have a lot to talk about. Everyone is going out to the wharf where an Italian ship, the Achille Lauro, first brought them. The kids won’t come because most of them will never have known another country. The Achille Lauro won’t be there either, because she went down off East Africa in 1994.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What anniversary will Ali be celebrating in August?

2. How is he going to celebrate?

3. Make a question using the words talk about.

4. Why does Ali and his friends remember the Achille Lauro?

5. Why won’t Ali’s kids come to the gathering?

6. What has happened to the Achille Lauro?

7. Who could you have a reunion with to talk about past experiences?

__________________________________________________

1. Stood Up Again

pattern: should have known / you couldn’t believe x /

would be x

__________________________________________________

text:

He should have known better. You couldn’t believe anything that Georgia said. The bitch had said she would be here at seven p.m., and it was already seven-twenty. It was the same last time, and the time before that. She would have an excuse, she always did. He was sick of being stood up. It would always be the same, Mike decided. It would be better to make a clean break and finish the affair. Ah, here she came now, all wide-eyed innocence. This was the moment of truth, he thought to himself.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. How does Mike criticize his own judgement?

2. Why has he decided that Georgia can’t be believed?

3. What is the time?

4. What was "the same last time"?

5. Make a question using the word decide.

6. Mike has come to a big decision. What is it?

7. How would you interpret Georgia’s "wide-eyed innocence"?

8. What does Mike think about the next few minutes?

__________________________________________________

1. Let Down Again

pattern: should have known / you couldn’t VERB x / would be x / would have to x

__________________________________________________

text:

She should have known better. Mike was completely unreliable. You just couldn’t trust him. The bastard had promised to book the Honolulu flight. Qantas said there was no record on the computer, and now the flight was overbooked. They were supposed to rendezvous at 7pm. Well bugger him, he would have to wait while she phoned around the other airlines. He would be fuming, but for once he should pay a price for incompetence. In fact, she thought to herself, she should tell Mike get himself another girlfriend.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What does Georgia think of Mike’s behaviour?

2. Why has she decided that she can’t trust Mike?

3. Where did Georgia expect Qantas to have a booking for?

4. What did Qantas tell her?

5. Why does she have trouble making a booking?

6. How is she going to punish Mike?

7. How does she think Mike will feel about the broken rendezvous?

8. Make a question using the words tell Mike.

__________________________________________________

1. St Valentine’s Day Kiss

pattern: hardly ... anyone else; always V; every year

__________________________________________________

text:

Adrian hardly noticed anyone else in the restaurant. He came every Tuesday to have a vegetarian pizza with a stubby of beer. He always told himself that this was his night out, but he always bought a book to read at the table. He hardly ever spoke. The waitresses knew his order and always bought it automatically. He was very surprised tonight when three of them came up behind him giggling. They hesitated, then a dark haired girl stepped forward. "Every year," she said, "we choose one customer." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and whispered "Happy St Valentine". Adrian gasped.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. Did Adrian mix with other people much?

2. Make a question using the words every Tuesday.

3. How did Adrian amuse himself?

4. Why didn’t he have to give an order?

5. What surprised him tonight?

6. Why did the dark-haired girl kiss him?

7. Describe a custom like St Valentine’s Day (February 14^th) from your country.

__________________________________________________

1. Eureka Stockade

patterns: reported event: time, location, catalyst, action, consequence.

__________________________________________________

text:

On 3^rd December 1854 Australia had its first and last armed uprising. This was on the goldfields at Ballarat, where the miners revolted against a licence fee of 30 shillings every month. They demanded representative government and the abolition of the fee. When the police charged the miner’s stockade, thirty men were killed in fifteen minutes and their leader, Peter Lalor, lost his arm. Everyone in Victoria was so angry with the police that Peter Lalor was set free and a parliament was soon established. Many people think that the Eureka flag should be Australia’s national flag.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. When was Australia’s first and last armed uprising?

2. Where did it happen?

3. Why did it happen?

4. What happened exactly?

5. Make a question using the words Peter Lalor.

6. What was an outcome of the Eureka Stockade?

7. Describe the present Australian national flag.

__________________________________________________

/continued…

24. Eureka Stockade [continued]

patterns: reported event: time, location, catalyst, action, consequence.

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

creation exercise:

Prepare a short description of some historical event from your country and be ready to explain it to the class. Your account should answer at least the following questions:

<> What is the name of the event? <> When did it happen?

<> Where did it happen? <> Why did it happen?

<> Who were the main actors?

<> What was the outcome of the event?

1. The Pick Up

pattern: pick up x; pick x up; pick-me-up; pick up a girl

__________________________________________________

text:

Hilda picked up the mail every Wednesday in the pick-up truck. She called it a ute, but the kids watched American TV an said it was a pick-up truck. Anyway, it was a long drive from the farm into town. She would always arrive hot and dusty, dying for a pick-me-up. A cool beer usually went down very nicely, but last time a drunken farmhand had tried to pick her up. She downed him with a quick left hook, and when he picked himself up off the floor, all his bravado had gone. The kids were grouchy that day, but her adventure really picked up their spirits. They also decided not to give her any cheek for a while.

__________________________________________________

response:

1. What does Hilda do every Wednesday?

2. Make a question using the words how far and the farm.

3. How would Hilda feel after driving into town?

4. What is her usual pick-me-up?

5. Why do you think the farmhand propositioned her?

6. How did she cool down the farmhand?

7. How did the kids react to her adventure?

8. What extra precaution did the kids decide to take that day?

__________________________________________________

/...continued

The Pick Up [continued]

pattern: pick up x; pick x up; pick-me-up; pick up a girl

__________________________________________________

dialogue:

Hilda: What’s wrong with you kids anyway?

Brett: Are you all right mum?

Hilda: Of course I’m all right. Don’t I look all right?

Anny: You really laid that fella’ out mum.

Hilda: What?! You brats were supposed to be in MacDonalds. What did you see?

Brett: Jeez mum, we get sick of MacDonalds. Why can’t we come into the pub?

Anny: We saw you through the window mum. I bet he won’t give you any more trouble.

Hilda: You kids see too much for your own good. Don’t you say a word about this to your father.

Brett & Anny: No mum!

__________________________________________________

/continued ....

The Pick Up [continued]

pattern: pick up x; pick x up; pick-me-up; pick up a girl

__________________________________________________

reconstruction a)

(read the story aloud using the vowel-less words as a cue)

Hld pckd p th ml vry Wdnsdy n th pck-p trck. Sh clld t t, bt th kds wtchd mrcn TV n sd t ws pck-p trck. nywy, t ws lng drv frm th frm nt twn. Sh wld lwys rrv ht nd dsty, dyng fr pck-m-p. cl br slly wnt dwn vry ncly, bt lst tm drnkn frmhnd hd trd t pck hr p. Sh dwnd hm wth qck lft hk, nd whn h pckd hmslf p ff th flr, ll hs brvd hd gn. Th kds wr grchy tht dy, bt hr dvntr rlly pckd p thr sprts. Thy ls dcdd nt t gv hr ny chk fr whl.

__________________________________________________

reconstruction b)

(read the dialogue aloud using the vowel-less words as a cue)

Hilda: Wht’s wrng wth y kds nywy?

Brett: r y ll rght mm?

Hilda: f crs ‘m ll rght. Dn’t lk ll rght?

Anny: Y rlly ld tht fll’ t mm.

Hilda: Wht?! Y brts wr sppsd t b n McDnlds. Wht dd y s?

Brett: Jz mm, w gt sck f McDnlds. Why cn’t w cm nt th pb?

Anny: W sw y thrgh th wndw mm. bt h wn’t gv y ny mr trbl.

Hilda: Y kds s t mch fr yr wn gd. Dn’t y sy wrd bt ths t yr fthr.

Brett & Anny: N mm.

__________________________________________________

1. Connie Finds Voluntary Work (With Refugees)

[extract adapted from a real life transcript]

pattern: when I x; I was thinking x; I thought x

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

response:

__________________________________________________

Connie Finds Voluntary Work [continued]

[extract adapted from a real life transcript]

pattern: when I x; I was thinking x; I thought x

__________________________________________________

Live speech versus classroom talk

verbatim extract, Connie Hume transcript: ([] = a pause)

• "I was mainly thinking of going into the Spastics []
• ‘cause like with the daughter teaches psychiatric []
• but then I thought `they get+ so much help’ : there’s this the Miss Australia competition []
• and this is the []
• you know []
• different organ’ []
• I thought []
• if I get into something some smaller organization that really needs help*. I mean []
• a friend of mine suggested []
• oh []
• she knew someone in it or something so I went over there []
• but ha ha it’s so boring. I mean when I can’t..[?]
• .. they brought mail []
• we got+ mail over there for here and I brought it over to Alma and I got+ talking to Alma and here I am."

__________________________________________________

1. Old Yank And The Snow Fish

[extract adapted from a real life transcript]

pattern: anecdotal PAST; reported speech; when x; so x

__________________________________________________

text:

__________________________________________________

response:

7. Give an example from your experience of a trader taking advantage of a customer.

__________________________________________________

Old Yank And The Snow Fish [continued]

[extract adapted from a real life transcript]

pattern: anecdotal PAST; reported speech; when x; so x

__________________________________________________

Live speech versus classroom talk:

Verbatim extract, Connie Hume transcript: ([] = a pause)

• "...But anyhow they um []
• this fella always ordered shark...[]
• As I was saying []
• this old lady next door happened to come out []
• and she was with him []
• and he said to her `oh yeah []
• have yer’[]
• he said []
• `have yer got []
• got me shark for me ?’ He said `yeah’. So he took it out []
• gave it to him []
• wrapped it up and everything. And he always had it []
• uh []
• in fillets []
• in a little box []
• and he used to cut it up the night before. And this old lady sat there and watched him []
• and commented on him getting shark []
• because `she couldn’t eat shark’. She watched him being served []

/continued….

Old Yank And The Snow Fish [continued]

[extract adapted from a real life transcript]

pattern: anecdotal PAST; reported speech; when x; so x

__________________________________________________

• even commented on the nice fish. And when old Yank was finished serving she said `now what’s that nice white fish there ?’ So he looked at her. He said `that’s New Zealand snow fish []
• lady. Three and six a pound.’ He sold shark for ninepence a pound to the other fella. And she bought it []
• and come back the next day and asked if there was any snow fish because that she had the week before was beautiful. She couldn’t stand eating shark ha ha. It just was you really that people you know []
• in what they do it’s funny."

__________________________________________________

1. Bushfire

pattern: Eyewitness description

__________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

Love,

__________________________________________________

response:

__________________________________________________

1. The Chinese Museum

_________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

_________________________________________________

response:

8. How does Panda say goodbye to Kitty?

_________________________________________________

1. She Stoops To Conquer

   pattern: (in order) to expressing purpose.

   note: In speech, we do not usually say "in order"; it is ellipted.

   _________________________________________________

   text:

   Dear Kitty,

   [1] I need you around (in order) to advise me. [2] A certain girl wants my help (in order) to catch a man, but I don’t understand woman’s business. [3] She thinks that all the usual tricks haven’t worked on him. [4] You know what I mean: the lingering glances, the little plans (in order) to be alone with him, and so on. [5] She wants me to invite him to a meeting (in order) to give him a big surprise. [6] He thinks she is a dumb brunette, but she is going to give a witty speech (in order) to win kudos. [7] Then she can make him grovel. [8] You will know this old game plan: it is called "she stoops (in order) to conquer". [9] Personally, I have my doubts about the scheme. [10] I’m attracted to bright women myself, but her bloke is a yob, and will run a mile.

   All the best,

   Panda

   _________________________________________________

   response:

   1. Finish this sentence in two different ways: I need you around (in order) to ....

   2. Why does the girl want Panda’s help?

   3. What does Panda feel about "woman’s business"?

   4. What are some tricks that women use to attract men?

   5. How is Panda supposed to help the girl?

   6. Why is the girl going to give a witty speech?

   /continued…

   36 She Stoops To Conquer [continued]

   pattern: (in order) to expressing purpose.

   note: In speech, we do not usually say "in order"; it is ellipted.

   _________________________________________________

   7. A girl on a pedestal can "stoop to conquer". What does this mean?

   8. What does Panda think will happen when the girl gives her witty speech?

   9. Why does Panda predict a failure for the girl?

   _________________________________________________

2. Ask Me If You Wish

pattern: ask what; ask when; ask whether; ask if

_________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

[1] You asked me whether I knew of a cheap place to store your furniture. [2] I am tempted to ask what you are up to, but I suppose it is none of my business. [3] Anyway, I’m an expert on where to keep junk that you don’t need for the time being! [4] For years I have been asking my mother whether I can leave this or that at her place. [5] That is what mothers are for! [6] But then she asked if she could throw out all those forgotten memories. [6] I was horrified, and asked whether I could build a storage shed in her back yard. [7] Sometimes there is no mother to ask for help. [8]In New Zealand I advertised once for an empty garage. [9] Quite a few people offered to store my stuff for a low rent. [10] Good luck and happy hunting.

Love,

Panda

_________________________________________________

response:

1. What does Kitty want to know?

2. How do you know that Panda is curious about Kitty’s problem?

3. Make a question using the words: what / expert

4. What does Panda often ask his mother?

5. Add a beginning to this sentence: ...... what mothers are for.

6. Finish this sentence: She asked if she could ....

7. Why did Panda want to build a shed in his mother’s back yard?

8. How did Panda solve his storage problems in New Zealand?

_________________________________________________

/continued ...

title: ask me if you wish [continued]

pattern: ask what; ask when; ask whether; ask if

_________________________________________________

Grammar note

a) WH- questions

Words like what and when can be used to ask questions directly. As WH-question words they come at the beginning of the sentence and are usually followed by modal auxiliary verbs (BE, HAVE, DO, can, could, will, would etc.):

[WHAT doauxiliary you know about Australia?]

b) WH- subordinate clauses

WH- words can also be used to talk about questions that somebody asked before. That is, WH- words are used in reported speech. These WH- words have a different grammar from WH- questions. They do not attach to modal auxiliary verbs. They head subordinate clauses, and usually follow matrix clauses containing verbs like ask or tell:

[He told us]matrix clause [what we wanted to know]subordinate clause

_________________________________________________

1. Procrastination

_________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

[1] Doesn’t time fly! [2] I always start the weekend with the best of intentions, but somehow most things never get done. [3] I generally have a list of chores like cleaning the bath or fixing my shoes. [4] Alas, by Sunday night they usually have to be put off until next weekend. [5] Sometimes this sort of thing goes on for months. [6] At last, after procrastinating for nine months, I finally got around to reconciling my bank statements on Saturday. [7] I always hate checking things like bank statements because I generally wind up having less money than I thought I had. [8]Somehow the bank never loses out because the mistakes are always mine. [9] Occasionally the list of chores all gets done by accident, and I can be lazy with a clear conscience. [10] What sorts of things do you put off doing as long as possible?

Love,

Panda

_________________________________________________

response:

1. Try to think of some expressions about time.

2. When did you last start something with "the best of intentions", but fail to get it done?

3. What are a list of chores around your house?

4. Make a question using these words: what / put off / next weekend

1. What "goes on for months" in Panda’s house?

_________________________________________________

title: procrastination [continued]

_________________________________________________

6. How long did it take Panda to get around to reconciling his bank statements?

7. Why does Panda hate checking his bank statements?

8. Why does the bank never lose out?

9. Change the following sentence to active voice: The list of chores gets done (by me) by accident.

10. What sort of things do you put off as long as possible?

_________________________________________________

keywords: (One keyword is taken from each sentence. Use the keywords as cues to re-tell the text)

[1] fly; [2] intentions; [3] chores; [4] put off; [5] months; [6] procrastinating; [7] checking; [8] loses out; [9] gets done; [10] put off

_________________________________________________

1. We Will Never Be Rich

pattern: there is an X [existential]; it is Y

_________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

[1] There is a nip in the air this morning. [2] Soon it will be time to rug up with gloves and a warm coat. [3] It can be miserable around here in winter, but for the moment there are lots of warm, sunny days. [4] It is nice to wander through Fitzroy or Carlton in the evenings where people dine al fresco from cafe tables on the pavement. [5] There are lots of deciduous trees here, so soon there will also be shoals of crackling leaves underfoot. [6] You see, Melbourne was built like a north European city with tree-line boulevards and respectable Victorian building facades.[7] There has always been lots of hanky-panky going on behind the facades of course. [8] Nowadays people are less inhibited than their grandfathers. [9] There is less worrying about what the neighbours think. [10] Some people even have street parties to really enjoy the long autumn evenings.

Love,

Panda

_________________________________________________

response:

1. What time of the year is Panda writing about?

3. Use these words to make two statements about the story: there; lots of

4. Why does Panda think Melbourne is pleasant in autumn?

5. What happens to deciduous trees in winter?

6. How does Melbourne resemble a European city?

1. Sad Lady

pattern: will be doing X; be going to do X

_________________________________________________

text:

Dear Kitty,

[1] On Thursday I’m going to be a guest at a presentation dinner. [2] Some technical college students will be given gold and silver medals for high performance. [3] Most are apprentices and they will be bringing their employers as guests. [4] This will be an important night in their lives, and it will help their careers. [5] As for me, I will just have to eat the rubber chicken and listen to windy speeches. [6] One of my students will be getting a silver medal. [7] He is an older man and he will stand out like a sore thumb. [8] He will be remembering that two years ago he was expecting to die as a sergeant in Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi army. [9] I expect we will be hearing a few jokes about that!

Love,

Panda

_________________________________________________

response:

1. What will Panda be doing on Thursday night?

2. Change this sentence to active voice: Some students will be given gold and silver medals.

3. Who will the apprentices bring to the dinner?

4. Why will the dinner be important for the students?

5. What does Panda think of the food he is likely to get?

6. Make a list of adjectives that could describe various kinds of speeches.

7. Why will Panda’s student stand out from the crowd?

8. Finish this sentence: Two years ago he was expecting...

1. What kind of jokes do you make about your past experiences?

_________________________________________________

41 Rubber Chicken Dinner [continued]

pattern: will be doing X; be going to do X

_________________________________________________

cultural note:

This text is especially "Australian" in its attitude to a formal event, and to recollection. Different cultures have different customs for recalling the past. There are also large personal differences. For example, some people will always present themselves as heroic. Other people will pretend to forget any experience that was not favourable. Some people will claim to have been always right while others will take blame, even for things they did not do. Some people will soften the pain of memory by making jokes about past events, and some will show some modesty by laughing at themselves.

_________________________________________________

discussion task:

In pairs discuss "official" or "traditional" attitudes in your culture to good & bad events., as well as to success & failure. Think of examples from particular events in history, and examples from your own experience. Compare "official" or "traditional" attitudes to your own attitudes on these matters. Note down three points on this topic that you can present to the class.

_________________________________________________

pattern:

_________________________________________________

text:

[1] Before you make a claim you must pay any money which the trader claims. [2] You can pay the trader directly, or you can put the money in trust with the Tribunal. [3] There is a non-refundable fee for taking a case to the Small Claims Tribunal. [4] After you make a claim the trader will be notified and a date will be set for the hearing. [5] The Tribunal will be happy if you settle the dispute privately before the hearing. [6] You must tell the Tribunal in writing if you settle the claim. [7] Give the Tribunal instructions about any money it is holding in trust. [8] The address of the Small Claims Tribunal is 500 Bourke St., Melbourne; telephone (03) 9602 8204. [9] There are also some suburban offices.

_________________________________________________

response:

1 .If the trader claims money, what do you have to do?

2. What does "putting the money in trust" mean?

3. Why do you think the Small Claims Tribunal charges a fee? *

5. Finish this sentence: The Tribunal will be happy if ..

6. How must you notify the Tribunal if you settle the problem privately?

8. What happens to money in trust if you settle privately?

9. What is the Melbourne address of the Small Claims Tribunal?

________________________________________________

Reason for fees:

1. To stop frivolous claims; 2. To discourage spiteful claims; 3. Recoup some of the cost of the Tribunal’s operation.

______________________________________ /continued…

title: Small Claims Tribunal (2) [continued]

_________________________________________________

keywords:

[1] money; [2] trust; [3] non-refundable; [4] notified; [5] privately; [6] settle; [7] instructions; [8] address; [9] suburban

_________________________________________________

1. Small Claims Tribunal (3)

pattern: X is Y, which means Z

_________________________________________________

text:

[1] Money is so familiar that we rarely stop to understand its uses. [2] Money is a medium of exchange, which means that we use it to exchange goods and services indirectly. [3] For example, with money a farmer doesn’t have to offer, say, potatoes for the services of a doctor. [4] Money is a measure of value, which means that we can set the value of most other things against the common value of money. [5] Money is a standard for deferred payments, which means that I can calculate exactly how much you will owe me at some time in the future. [6] Money is a store of value, which means it doesn’t lose its value like, for example, a basket of vegetables. [7] Money comes in denominations of notes and coins, as well as some restricted documents such as cheques and credit card slips. [8] The restricted money documents cannot be used by everyone everywhere. [9] In Australia, coins are legal tender up to $5 and notes are legal tender up to any amount, but cheques are not legal tender [10] No one can refuse legal tender in payment for a debt.

_________________________________________________

response:

1. Why wouldn’t meat make a good medium of exchange?

2. Sometimes people trade goods for other goods. What is this called? *

title: Banking (2) [continued]

pattern:

_________________________________________________

6 .Finish this sentence: Restricted money documents ....

7. What do we mean by "legal tender"?

_________________________________________________

Notes

• Barter is the exchange of goods for other goods.

________________________________________________

1. Banking (3): Types of accounts

________________________________________________

text:

________________________________________________

response:

7. How often do banks pay interest on bank deposits?

1. Why is it better to have interest paid daily than interest paid yearly?

/continued...

title: Banking (3): Types of accounts [continued]

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Keywords

________________________________________________

1. Banking (4): Plastic Money

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

________________________________________________

response:

title: Money (5): Cheques [continued]

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

keywords

________________________________________________

1. Astronomy and Science

________________________________________________

text:

________________________________________________

response:

title: astronomy and science [continued]

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

keywords

________________________________________________

1. Taxation Basics

________________________________________________

text:

________________________________________________

response:

title: road accident insurance (1): types [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

keywords

________________________________________________

1. Road Accident Insurance (2): Claims

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] In Victoria insurance cover is provided for all people involved in road accidents by the Transport Accident Commission. [2] Drivers of Victorian registered vehicles in other states are also covered. [3] The TAC provides "no fault" cover, which means that for insurance it does not matter who caused the accident. [4] The TAC will not make insurance payments if the accident is not reported to police. [5] You may make a property insurance accident claim in two ways. [6] Firstly, you can write a letter of demand, plus a written quote for repairs, to the person who caused the accident. [7] Secondly, you can take the claim to your own insurance company and let them follow up the matter. [8] A letter of demand is the best method if you are not comprehensively insured, or if the amount of damage is small. [9] If the other party does not pay, you can take them to court. [10] It is convenient to go to your own insurance company. [11] However, you will lose your "No Claims Bonus", and also have to pay "Excess" on the claim. [12] The "Excess" will (usually) be refunded if you win the case.

________________________________________________

response:

1. Explain the job of the Transport Accident Commission.

2. When does the TAC cover you in other Australian states?

3. What is the meaning of the term "no fault cover"?

4. Make a sentence using these words: TAC / not / payment / police

5. Make a question using these words: how / make / property / claim

6. What is a "letter of demand"?

7. Who can follow up a road accident claim for you?

8. When is it best to use a letter of demand?

/continued...

title: road accident insurance (2): claims [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

9. What is your remedy if the person who caused the accident does not pay?

10. Why might you make a claim through your own insurance company?

11. What is a disadvantage of claiming through your own insurance company?

12. When will you get an Excess charge on the claim refunded?

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] TAC; [2] states; [3] no fault; [4] police; [5] two; [6] demand; [7] insurance company; [8] small; [9] court; [10] convenient; [11] bonus; [12] refunded

________________________________________________

1. Accident & Injury Compensation

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] Compensation for accident or injury is covered by a general area of the law called the Law of Torts. [2] For example, a visitor to your house may sue you for negligence if they trip over a loose carpet. [3] You may sue the local council for negligence if you fall down a hole in the footpath, and so on. [4] In Victoria there are also special laws for certain injuries. [5] The Work Cover Authority covers accidents at work, the Transport Accident Commission covers road accidents, and the Crimes Compensation Tribunal covers victims of crime up to $50,000. [6] You can take out Public Risk Insurance to protect yourself from claims by visitors to your home. [7] For example, children can hurt themselves in home swimming pools or other places. [8] If you hire domestic help, such as a baby sitter, it is important to get insurance cover. [9] General claims for negligence or intentional injury can be very expensive in legal fees and take a long time. [10] The Crimes, TAC and Work Cover organizations are designed to make payments as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

________________________________________________

response:

1. What area of the law does the Law of Torts cover?

2. When could you be sued for negligence in your home?

3. Why might you sue a municipal council for negligence?

4. Make a sentence using these words: there / special laws / injuries

5. Explain the job of these organisations: a) The Work Cover Authority; b) the Transport Accident Commission; c) the Crimes Compensation Tribunal.

6. How can you protect yourself financially against claims for negligence?


/continued...

title: accident & injury compensation [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

7. What is your responsibility if a neighbour’s child drowns in a plastic swimming pool in your backyard?

8. What is your responsibility if a baby sitter slips and breaks her ankle in your house?

9. Why are people often reluctant to take cases to court?

10. Why do you think the government started the Work Cover Authority, the Transport Accident Commission and the Crimes Compensation Tribunal?

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] Torts; [2] sue; [3] council; [4] special; [5] TAC; [6] public risk; [7] children; [8] baby sitter; [9] long time; [10] quickly.

________________________________________________

1. Work Cover Authority (1): Accident & Injury Compensation

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] The Work Cover Authority in Victoria provides compensation for employees injured at work. [2] It no longer protects you travelling to and from work. [3] You do not have to prove that an accident at work was the fault of an employer. [4] Compensation may be payable even if it was the fault of the worker. [5] Employers have to pay expensive Work Cover premiums, which go up when claims are made. [6] This encourages employers to keep the workplace safe. [7] When there is an accident the employer might want to pay you directly, rather than make a Work Cover claim. [8] Get legal advice before you agree to let the employer pay. [9] Work Cover can provide payments for time off work, medical expenses, and sometimes a lump sum payment. [10] Lump sum payments are limited by certain legal conditions, but you can still sue your employer separately for negligence.

________________________________________________

response:

1. What is the function of the Work Cover Authority?

2. Are you protected by Work Cover while traveling to work?

3. Finish this sentence: You do not have to prove that ..

4. Will you get compensation if a work accident was your fault?

5. Who pays for Work Cover insurance?

6. Why is it in the interest of employers to keep their workplaces safe?

7. Why might an employer want to pay your medical expenses directly, instead of letting you make a Work Cover claim?

8. Why might you be wise to make a Work Cover claim, even if your employer wants to pay medical expenses?

/continued...

title: Work Cover Authority (1): Accident & Injury Compensation [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

9. What are the three kinds of compensation you can get from Work Cover?

10. Make a question using these words: when / sue / employer / negligence.

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] work; [2] traveling; [3] fault; [4] worker; [5] premiums; [6] safe; [7] directly; [8] legal advice; [9] provide; [10] negligence.

________________________________________________

1. Work Cover Authority (2): Claims

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] Act promptly on legal claims: passing time makes action more difficult. [2] Tell your employer about any injury, even if it is small. [3] Ask to record an injury in the employer’s Injury Register. [4] Ask for a Work Cover claim form, fill it in, and return it with any medical certificates. [5] See a doctor immediately to check the nature of injury or illness. [6] Get a medical certificate to cover time off work. [7] See your own doctor even if the company has a doctor, because there may be arguments later. [8] Double check that the employer or insurance company has actually received the Work Cover claim. [9] Find out how long the claim will take to process. [10] The Accident Compensation Tribunal must begin payments no longer than twenty-one days after a claim is made. [11] Keep photocopies of every document involved in the claim, and a written diary record of all spoken exchanges.

________________________________________________

response:

1. Why should you be prompt about Work Cover claims?

2. When should you tell your employer about an injury?

3. Where should the first notice of an injury be recorded in writing?

4. Make a question using these words: what / ask for / and / what / do

5. When should you see a doctor about workplace injuries?

6. Make a sentence using these words: get / certificate / time off

7. Why should you see your own doctor?

8. What should you double-check?

9. What is an important enquiry you can make about your claim?

10. How long does the Work Cover Authority have to start making payments after a claim is made?

11. Why should you keep photocopies and diary records of everything to do with a Work Cover claim?

/continued...

title: Work Cover Authority (2): Claims [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] promptly; [2] tell; [3] Injury Register; [4] claim form; [5] doctor; [6] medical certificate; [7] arguments; [8] double check; [9] how long; [10] twenty-one; [11] photocopies.

________________________________________________

1. First Aid (1)

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] The idea of first aid is to give quick assistance before a qualified medical person has time to fix a problem.[2] Check what is available in the first aid kit at your job before any accident occurs. [3] Find out who has first aid training at your job before any accident occurs; (you may need to find them quickly later!). [4] Be sure that the phone numbers of a doctor, ambulance, hospital, police and fire brigade are always easy to find near a telephone. [5] Here are some first aid hints. [6] For a deep cut, firmly apply a thick, sterile pad or clean towel. [7] Raise the limb to help stop bleeding. [8] For a broken bone, try not to move the limb, and call an ambulance. [9] Anyone who has an accident, or even witnesses an accident, may go into shock. [10] Take a person in shock to a quiet, warm place until medical help arrives.

________________________________________________

response:

1. Why is first aid called "FIRST aid" ?

2. What do you need to find out before any accident occurs?

3. How many of your classmates have some first aid training?

4. What are some phone numbers which you might need quickly?

5. Make a question from these words: what / hint / first aid.

6. Finish this sentence: For a deep cut, ....

7. Why should you raise a cut limb?

8. What should you NOT do when someone breaks a bone?

9. Who might go into shock at the scene of an accident?

10. How can you best help a person in shock?

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] first aid; [2] kit; [3] training; [4] phone numbers; [5] hints; [6] cuts; [7] raise; [8] broken bone; [9] shock; [10] warm.

1. First Aid (2)

   pattern:

   ________________________________________________

   text:

   [1] In 1994 about 2500 people were killed in workplace accidents in Australia. [2] About a quarter of a million people were injured. [3] The cost was several billion dollars in lost production and other expenses. [4] Therefore you need to work safely and understand some first aid. [5] One common workshop accident is electrical shock. [6] Turn off the power source before you touch an electrocuted person! [7] If you can’t turn off the power source, mover them away from the electrical wire with a piece of dry wood or other insulator. [8] Treat the patient for shock, or if necessary, give artificial respiration. [9] Eye injuries are also common. [10] Don’t rub an injured eye, and tell the patient to hold the eye still. [11] Loosely bandage both eyes and take the person to a doctor for checking.

   ________________________________________________

   response:

   1. How many people were killed in 1994 in Australian workplace accidents?

   2. Make a question using these words: how / injured

   3. What is the cost of workplace accidents?

   4. Finish this sentence: At work, you need to ....

   5. What is one common workplace accident?

   6. Before you touch an electrocuted person, what should you do?

   7. How can you help an electrocuted person if you can’t turn off the power source?

   8. What are two ways you may have to treat someone who is electrocuted?

   9. Describe one workplace accident that you experienced or witnessed.

   10. What advice can you give someone with an injured eye?

   11. How should you bandage an injured eye?

   ________________________________________________

   /continued…

   title: First Aid (2) [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] killed; [2] injured; [3] cost; [4] understand; [5] electrical; [6] power source; [7] wood; [8] artificial respiration; [9] eye; [10] rub; [11] bandage.

________________________________________________

1. Buying Property (1): Advantages & Disadvantages

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] About 70% of adults in Australia are buying or own their own property. [2] There are advantages and disadvantages in buying property. [3] People who own a house can do what they like with it [4] They usually take care of it, and feel more secure. [5] Most people say that a house is an investment for themselves and their children. [6] They have to accept long term responsibility to pay off the mortgage. [7] They work hard to keep their jobs, which employers like, and are politically cautious, which the government likes. [8] On the other hand, a mortgage is a major worry if someone loses their job. [9] Home owners find it difficult to move to areas where there is more employment. [10] It also takes time, effort and money to keep a house in good condition. [11] Finally, houses are only sometimes a good financial investment, and the share market can usually give better returns to an informed investor.

________________________________________________

response:

1. How many Australians own property?

2. Make a sentence using these words: advantages / disadvantages / property

3. How would you like to change the place you live in, and what can you actually do?

4. An Australian politician, John Hewson, once said he could always tell the rented houses in a street, because they didn’t have their lawns mowed. What do you think he meant?

5. What do people mean when they say that a house is an investment?

6. Make a question using these words: who / pay off / mortgage

7. Why do you think that people buying a house might make good employees?

/continued...

title: Buying Property (1): Advantages & Disadvantages

[continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

8. What can happen to the home buyer who loses his job?

9. Finding work in hard times often means moving. Why is this a problem for the home owner?

10. What are some of the costs of keeping a house in good condition?

11. Where can a knowledgeable investor often get better returns than on property?

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] 70%; [2] advantages; [3] own; [4] secure; [5] investment; [6] responsibility; [7] work hard; [8] worry; [9] lose job; [10] move; [11] shares

________________________________________________

1. Buying Property (2): The Real Estate Agent

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] Most properties are bought or sold through a real estate agent. [2] Agents are usually hired by the seller to get the best price, and are paid a commission. [3] The agent provides knowledge of the market, and knows what to look for in houses. [4] He has a knowledge of legal documents and how to prepare them, and often has access to finance. [5] Sometimes a buyer hires the agent, and sometimes the seller sells privately. [6] Buyers should always remember that agents and sellers do not have to reveal property faults unless they are asked. [7] Therefore buyers should make a careful list of questions to ask the agent. [8] Buyers should especially ask about restrictions and encumbrances on the property. [9] These can include zoning laws, regulations about fences and building codes, rights of access, council easements and so on. [10] Never be stampeded into signing anything: there will always be other houses to buy!

________________________________________________

response:

1. Who manages most property sales in Australia?

2. Who usually hires agents, and how are they paid?

3. Why do you think that an agent will understand the value of a house better than you do?

4. What special knowledge can a real estate agent provide?

5. Make a sentence using these words: sometimes / buyer / agent / sometimes / seller / privately

6. Why should buyers ask about faults in buildings?

7. Make a question using these words: what / buyer / make / list

8. Explain what the words "restriction" and "encumbrance" mean.

9. Give some examples of zoning laws and building codes.

10. Why should you never rush to sign anything?

/continued...

title: buying property (2): the real estate agent

[continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] estate agent; [2] commission; [3] knowledge; [4] legal; [5] buyer; [6] faults; [7] list; [8] restrictions; [9] zoning laws; [10] stampeded.

________________________________________________

1. Buying Property (3): Finance

pattern:

________________________________________________

text:

[1] Cash is by far the cheapest way to buy property, but few people can afford it. [2] You will have to save a deposit, and take out a mortgage. [3] Deposits are usually between 10% and 25% of a property’s value: the larger the better. [4] Mortgage interest may be fixed or variable, or a combination of both. [5] Lenders often only lend a percentage (say 80%) of the valuation of a property, which is usually less than the market price. [6] You may also take out a second mortgage, at higher interest, to cover any shortfall. [7] Lenders will check your income, and your monthly expenses, before they decide how much to lend you. [8] You can save thousands of dollars by shopping around for loans. [9] If you want to buy for investment, carefully calculate your rate of return. [10] The rate of return will be the value of any rent you get, plus real increase in the property’s value over time, minus costs like maintenance, mortgage interest and principal. [11] Note that inflation decreases the final value of your property, but also decreases the final cost of your mortgage.

________________________________________________

response:

1. Why don’t most people pay cash for a property?

2. What are the steps to buying a house if you don’t have the full price?

3. What is the usual size of house deposits?

4. What are the two different kinds of mortgage interest?

5. Explain what the "valuation of a property" means.

6. Why might you have to take out a second mortgage?

7. Complete this sentence: Lenders will check ........ before they decide how much to lend you.

8. How can you save money when borrowing for a house?

/continued.

title: Buying Property (3): Finance [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

9. What do you need to calculate if you buy for investment?

10. Do a sample rate of return calculation. Show all the necessary credits and debits.

________________________________________________

keywords

[1] cash; [2] mortgage; [3] deposit; [4] interest; [5] valuation; [6] 2^nd mortgage; [7] expenses; [8] shopping around; [9] investment; [10] rate of return.

________________________________________________

/continued...

title: Buying Property (3): Finance [continued]

pattern:

________________________________________________

Property rate of return (over a loan period):

The rate of return is a ratio of the credits divided by the debits over the period in question.

e.g. A house bought for $120,000 and sold four years later for $160,000 seems to show a gain of $40,000 or 33%, which comes to a gain of 8.25% a year. Actually the "gain" might be a loss when you count the cost of interest, losses through inflation, and so on.

DEBITS	CREDITS
loan principal	purchase value of property
loan interest	capital gain
legal & transfer costs	tax credits
rates & charges	rents
maintenance	inflationary credit on outlays
agent’s sale and letting commissions
deposit
other cash payments by buyer
inflationary debit on capital

________________________________________________

1. Word Index: "Short Texts from Oz" [2850 words]