Lifelines 4: Coping Skills In English

1. How have you been?

Present perfect tense



Skills

Talking about family news

Greeting friends

Discussing time management



2. Used Cars

Present tense

Present time clauses

Question formation



Skills

Describing car problems and repairs

Understanding a used car ad

Researching used car information



3. Money

Present Tense

Present time clauses

Comparative adjectives



Skills

Analyzing your own diet

Comparing fat and calorie content of foods

Suggesting exercise options

Explaining a recipe



4. Credit Cards

Past tense



Skills

Checking a credit card statement

Expressing opinions about credit cards

Solving math word problems about interest



5. A Car Accident

Past tense

Past continuous

Past passive

Should



Skills

Explaining an accident

Describing damage

Advising a driver on procedures to follow in case of an accident



6. Thank you/I'm sorry

Gerunds

Past tense



Skills

Expressing thanks

Apologizing

Making excuses

Writing a thank-you note



7. Housing Problems

Present perfect tense

For / Since



Skills

Complaining about an apartment problem

Understanding a tenant's rights

Writing a letter of complaint



8. A Medical Checkup

Present perfect tense

For / Since

How long questions



Skills

Describing symptoms

Inquiring about a diagnosis

Suggesting home remedies



9. Medical History

Present perfect/past contrast

Question formation

Recently / Lately



Skills

Explaining persistent medical problems

Answering a doctor's questions during and exam

Completing a medical history form



10. College Choices

Present tense

Comparatives



Skills

Understanding the college application process

Comparing colleges

Choosing a college



11. Community Resources

Present perfect continuous

Could

Would



Skills

Understanding local mental health agencies

Explaining personal problems

Suggesting appropriate hotlines



12. The Job Interview

Tense contrast-present, past, present perfect

Should



Skills

Understanding the interview process

Explaining job, educational, and character strengths

Analyzing classified ads

Developing a job resume



13. A Robbery

Past passive

Should have



Skills

Reporting a robbery

Protecting your home against a robbery



14. The United States Government

Present tense

Past tense



Skills

Understanding the Bill of Rights

Describing the three branches of government

Understanding the Constitution



15. The Telephone

Embedded questions



Skills

Asking for information

Leaving a message





Appendix

Common Irregular Verbs