Read about a German exchange student's year at an American high school, then practise gerunds, infinitives and object + infinitive structures.
Read the text carefully, then answer the questions below.
Lena, a 14-year-old student from Munich, spent a year at a high school in Portland, Oregon. She was surprised by many differences between German and American schools.
"The first thing I noticed was the school day. Classes start at 7:45 and finish at 2:30. American students eat lunch at school — there's a big cafeteria where everyone meets. I enjoyed trying different foods like tacos and pizza slices."
"In Germany, I'm used to walking or cycling to school, but in Portland most students take a yellow school bus. My host family lived quite far from school, so I had to get up at 6:15 every morning."
"American students love their extracurricular activities. My host sister, Emma, played on the soccer team and was in the drama club. I decided to join the school newspaper. It was a great way to make friends and practise my English."
"One thing I really missed was the German grading system. In America, they use letters — A, B, C, D and F. I found it strange not to get a grade between 1 and 6! But my teachers were very friendly and always willing to help."
"The best part of my year was Thanksgiving in November. Emma's family invited all their relatives for a huge dinner. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Everyone went around the table saying what they were thankful for. I said I was thankful for my American family and the chance to experience something completely new."
1 What time do classes start at Lena's American school?
2 How does Lena usually get to school in Germany?
3 Which extracurricular activity did Lena join in America?
4 What grading system do American schools use?
5 In which month is Thanksgiving celebrated?
6 What did Lena say she was thankful for at the Thanksgiving dinner?
Choose the correct verb form: gerund (-ing) or infinitive (to + verb). Think about which verb pattern each sentence uses.
1 Lena enjoyed different American foods in the cafeteria.
2 She decided the school newspaper to make friends.
3 Most American students avoid to school because the distances are too far.
4 Lena hoped her English during the exchange year.
5 She didn't mind up early to catch the school bus.
6 At first, Lena refused pumpkin pie because it looked strange.
7 Emma suggested the drama club together, but Lena preferred journalism.
8 After a few months, Lena managed lots of new friends.
Complete each sentence with the correct form. These sentences all use the pattern: verb + someone + to do something (e.g. asked her to help).
1 The teacher asked the students their homework by Friday.
2 Emma's parents expected her good grades in all subjects.
3 Lena's host mother told her warm clothes for winter.
4 The coach wanted the team every day after school.
5 Lena's German teacher encouraged her a diary in English.
6 The school didn't allow students their phones in class.
7 Emma persuaded Lena to the homecoming dance.
8 Lena's parents reminded her home every Sunday.
Write a short paragraph (60–100 words) comparing your school in Germany with an American school. Use information from the reading text and your own ideas.
Think about these differences: school hours, lunch, transport to school, extracurricular activities, grading systems, and school rules. Try to use some gerund and infinitive structures, for example:
"I enjoy going to school by bike." / "German students don't have to eat lunch at school." / "I would like to try joining a club."
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