HOMEWORKING
3.2
29
5
b
Complete the text with the words and expressions
from Exercise 5a.
I’ve got a full-time job and I’m tired all the time. I
don’t need to improve my
1
skills as I organise
my time efficiently. But I do have to
2
a lot of
commuting to work, and it’s very
3
. One way I
could save time would be to look at homeworking. My
boss might like that as she could reduce the number of
4
. I could stay in touch with the office by email
and phone. I’m not a workaholic. What I want is a better
5
so I can be with my family more of the time.
GRAMMAR
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
6
a
Look at the three highlighted phrases in the text.
Which of these statements about the present perfect
continuous are true?
1
It is formed with
have/has
+
been
+ -
ing
.
2
It is used to talk about an action that finished a long
time ago.
3
It is used to talk about an action that continues to the
present.
4
It is often used with the time expressions
since
and
for
.
5
It is often used to focus on the duration of an action
(e.g. in answer to the question
How long
?).
6
b
Look again at the highlighted phrases. Complete
the rule with
for
or
since
.
We use
+ a point in time (when the activity
started) and
+ a period of time.
GRAMMAR TIP
Remember that we do not usually use state verbs in
the continuous form, e.g.
be know understand feel
Ê
Language reference and extra practice pages 130–131
6
c
Write sentences using the present perfect
continuous where possible. If it is not possible to use
the verb in the continuous, use the present perfect
simple. Use
since
and
for
when appropriate.
1
Cristina / work as a designer / she graduated.
Cristina has been working as a designer since
she graduated.
2
I / know Yukiyo / six months.
3
How long / Mohammed / study engineering at
university?
4
Fuat / live in Istanbul / he got a job there.
5
Marianna / work at home / two years.
6
I / not live here / very long.
7
Ji Hyun / feel sick / yesterday morning.
8
Mark and Julie / teach / same college / a year?
6
d
Which of the following phrases go with
for
and
which go with
since
?
just a few days Monday hours we moved
two weeks 2011 8 o’clock
7
Work with a partner. Talk about things you’ve been
doing for some time, using
since
and
for
.
I’ve been revising for my exams since Monday, and I
haven’t been sleeping properly. I’m really tired at the
moment. So far, I’ve revised English and Arabic.
LISTENING
8
a
3.2
Listen to four people talking about working
from home. What is each person’s job?
8
b
Listen again. How long has each person been working
from home? Do they like it? What reasons do they give?
9
Complete the extracts with the present perfect simple
or present perfect continuous of the verbs in the box.
be take learn live work not work
translate pay
1
I
from Italian to English for most of my career.
2
We
in Milan for nearly five years.
3
How long
you
from home for?
4
I
a lot more for heating.
5
I
never
a morning person.
6
I
a new language since January.
7
I
lessons for the last six months.
8
He
at home much recently.
PRONUNCIATION
10
a
3.3
Correcting politely
Listen to this short
dialogue. Underline the main stress in what B says.
A:
So, you’ve been working from home for eight years?
B:
No, actually I’ve been working from home for six
years.
10
b
Listen again and repeat the dialogue with a
partner. Then practise some more dialogues.
Student A:
turn to page 155.
Student B:
turn to page 163.
SPEAKING
11
Work with a partner to discuss this question.
What would be your ideal pattern of working hours?
I’d love to work long shifts for six months of the year and
then travel for the other six.
I can’t get up in the mornings, so I’d like to work from
after lunch till 8 p.m.
