Blog: Describing a charity event

1. Three newspaper articles.

Choose the correct headline for each of these newspaper articles.

2. Vocabulary.

Match these words to the definitions.

3. Verbs of future expectation.

We use the verbs hope and expect to talk about future expectation. Expect expresses probability and hope expresses a desire.

I expect the weather will be warm at the weekend. (= I think this will probably happen.)
I hope to raise over ten thousand pounds. (= I would like this to happen.)

Put the words in order to complete more sentences with hope and expect.

4. Talking about the future.

We often use be + going to + infinitive to talk informally about a future plan or intention.

I'm going to start doing a lot of exercise.
Are you going to take any special equipment with you?
We're going to take lots of water.
They're not going to stop until they reach their destination.

Type in the missing words to complete sentences about future plans.

5. Read.

Read the short news story.

Across a continent on wheels

James Hunt is roller-skating across Australia to raise money for the Australian Children's Fund. Hunt, 25, started his journey in Adelaide in June, and is due to reach Darwin next week. The sponsorship money will help underprivileged Australian children go to university.

Read this blog entry from James Hunt to a friend in Sydney.

From the middle of Australia

I'm writing to you from the middle of Australia! Did you know that I'm roller-skating across Australia for charity? I hope to raise at least $50,000 for the Australian Children's Fund.

Half of my journey is finished, but I still have about three months more roller-skating until I get to Darwin. I expect to get there before the rains start. I arrive at Uluru (Ayers Rock) Rock in two days' time, and I hope to spend a few days there resting. I did a lot of training before I started this trip, so I am in good shape, but it's very tiring roller-skating all day in this hot weather.

When I get home to Sydney I'm going to have a swim in the sea. All I see here is desert! I'm also going to eat at my favourite Chinese restaurant. I'm tired of eating hamburgers. And most importantly, I'm going to visit all my old friends. It's very lonely making a journey like this on your own. Watch this space for more updates!

James.

6. The blog entry.

Study the blog entry for one minute. When you are ready, click on the Start button. You have five minutes to type in the missing words from memory. Type a word into the box and press Enter (or Return).

7. Write.

1. An unusual expedition.

Imagine that you are on an unusual expedition to raise money for charity. Here are some possibilities:

  • You are rowing down the Nile.
  • You are walking across the Sahara Desert.
  • You are going across Siberia by bicycle.
  • You are flying around the world in a hot air balloon.

Write a blog entry about your expedition and include the following information:

  • the journey you are taking and the charity you are working for
  • the next stage in your itinerary
  • what you are going to do when you get home

Use James's blog entry as a model, and try to include vocabulary and grammar from this unit. For example:

raise money, walk/hike/trek/journey, expect to, hope to, going to

Write about 100 to 150 words. Check spelling, grammar and organisation carefully.

8. Write.

Imagine that you are on an unusual expedition to raise money for charity. Here are some possibilities:

  • You are rowing down the Nile.
  • You are walking across the Sahara Desert.
  • You are going across Siberia by bicycle.
  • You are flying around the world in a hot air balloon.

Send an email to a friend in your home city/town, and include the following information:

  • the journey you are taking and the charity you are working for
  • the next stage in your itinerary
  • what you are going to do when you get home

Use James's email as a model, and try to include the following phrases:

I hope to raise at least…
walk / trek / journey
I expect to…
I hope to…
I’m going to…
When I get home, I’m going to…

Write about 100 to 150 words. Check spelling, grammar and the organisation of your letter carefully.