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21

Unit 21: When and if
Unfinished conditional sentences

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  1. 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3 If or whether?
  4. 4 5 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5 Let and allow
  6. 6 Passive voice
  7. 7 Unless
  8. 8 Mixed conditionals
  9. 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12 The continuous passive
  13. 13 Future perfect
  14. 14 Need + verb-ing
  15. 15 Have something done
  16. 16 Wish
  17. 17 Word stress
  18. 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19 Passive reporting structures
  20. 20 The subjunctive
  21. 21 When and if
  22. 22 Inversion
  23. 23 Phrasal verbs
  24. 24 The future
  25. 25 Modals in the past
  26. 26 Narrative tenses
  27. 27 Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28 Conditionals review
  29. 29 Used to - review
  30. 30 Linking words of contrast

Session 5

A health inspector is going to visit the restaurant. Can the team clean the place and make it spotless in time? Watch and learn some phrases related to being clean.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Drama: The White Elephant

Episode 21: Clean

The restaurant is about to get a visit from the health inspector. Everyone needs to make the place clean and tidy but Gordon has other ideas. And why does he need to clean up his act? Watch the video and listen out for the phrases used to do with being clean.

Watch the video and complete the activity

Show transcript Hide transcript

Ceilia
Can I have word with you all, please?

Mary
What's the matter Ceilia? You look worried.

Ceilia
I am. That was the council. They're sending a health inspector here to check the kitchen out.

Gordon
Really! Well there's nothing to worry about where I'm concerned. I think you'll find everything over here is spick and span.

Mary
It's your personal hygiene I'd be worried about, Gordon!

Peter
What time is this health inspector coming?

Ceilia
Don't know. It's a spot check – it could happen at any time. So, let's get to work. I want this place as clean as a whistle. There's a layer of grease on that bit. And on that bit.

Gordon
There you go – spotless! You could eat your dinner off that.

Peter
Why would you eat your dinner off the cooker when we've got plates?

Mary
Look, Gordon – are you going to help us clean the rest of the kitchen?

Gordon
Why? I didn't make that area dirty.

Mary
If we don't get a clean bill of health, the council could shut us down.

Gordon
Ahh, yes, then I could work in a proper restaurant where the chefs cook and the cleaners clean.

Ceilia
A car's just pulled up – it could be the health inspector.

Gordon
Well, we've done our best Ceilia – under the circumstances.

Ceilia
 Hmm... doesn't look too bad... oh!

Gordon
Ah... yes, well... I can explain...

Mary
Gordon, looks like you need to clean your act up!

Ceilia
Well said, Mary. Shall we start with a clean slate? Quickly!

Download

You can download the drama from our Unit 21 downloads page.

Vocabulary

spick and span
very clean and tidy

personal hygiene
ability to keep yourself clean

as clean as a whistle
very clean

spotless
very clean

you could eat your dinner off that
it's very clean

a clean bill of health
official statement that something is in good condition

clean your act up
start improving your behaviour

a clean slate
forget the past and make a new start

White Elephant quiz

3 Questions

How much did you understand of The White Elephant: Episode 21?

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End of Session 5

Next time, the restaurant is holding a special sushi night. What can possibly go wrong with a dish that doesn't need cooking?

Session Grammar

View full grammar reference

Session Vocabulary

  • spick and span
    very clean and tidy

    personal hygiene
    ability to keep yourself clean

    as clean as a whistle
    very clean

    spotless
    very clean

    you could eat your dinner off that
    it's very clean

    a clean bill of health
    official statement that something is in good condition

    clean your act up
    start improving your behaviour

    a clean slate
    forget the past and make a new start

View full vocabulary reference

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