5 ALPHA/BETA TRANSLATION 5 Passé Composé

I have just returned from my holidays in Spain. We enjoyed ourselves very much. We caught the plane from London on the 1^st of August. The flight took two and a half hours, too long for me as I am scared of flying! When we arrived at Malaga the weather was superb; the sun was shining and the temperature was 30 degrees.

On the first day of our holiday we stayed at the hotel and spent the day next to the pool. We drank a lot, swam, ate lunch in the hotel dining room and in the evening went into town to look at the shops. Our room had a spectacular view of the sea.

On Sunday we hired a car and did a trip to Granada where there is a beautiful palace with magnificent gardens. We had lunch in a lovely restaurant in the town centre. I had paella and my mother had chicken with salad.

The best moment of the holiday was when we visited the beautiful historic city of Seville. What a fantastic place! I took lots of photos, bought some souvenirs and visited two interesting museums.

5 ALPHA/BETA Translation 6 Articles/pronouns

Shopping – I love it! Each week I go to the supermarket in the car and buy loads of things there. Meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, drinks, bread, cakes, biscuits, as well as frozen food and dairy produce. Last week I bought a kilo of salmon, some lemon and herbs in order to prepare a meal for my parents who were staying with us. My mother particularly likes fish and seafood in general, and I always buy them when she comes to stay. The salmon was delicious, especially with the lemon and herbs.

Last weekend we went out to a French restaurant near the station. I decided to try snails for the first time. They were prepared with garlic, butter and parsley. I can’t say that I particularly liked them. For the main course I had beef, green beans and a green salad – very traditional. For dessert I had chocolate ice cream. I didn’t choose cheese because I don’t like it very much.

My favourite food is Italian. I like it because it’s simple, cheap and tasty. In the evening I often prepare pasta with a sauce which I eat with a nice red wine.

5 ALPHA/BETA TRANSLATION 7 Conditional

If I won an enormous sum of money I would spend it very quickly. I would buy a brand new car, a Ferrari probably, a house in France for my parents and I would have a swimming pool built in our garden. I would certainly put a lot of money in my bank account. However, I would not change my lifestyle. I would continue my studies at school and university and I would find an interesting, well paid job. The only difference is that I would come to school in my Ferrari.

I would give some of the money to a charity which works for the Third World, children or which fights against serious diseases. My parents said that, if they won the national lottery, they would stop working and go to live in Australia. They would also do a tour of the world as they love travelling.

What would you do if you won a million pounds? One of my friends thinks that she would not like to win the lottery because it would change her life too much. I don’t agree!

5 ALPHA/BETA Translation 8 Modal verbs (pouvoir, vouloir, devoir)

- Can you come down Kevin? Your dinner is ready!

- I’ve got to finish my homework, mum. The French teacher

- wants to see this essay tomorrow morning. Can I eat my dinner later?

All right, but I’ll have to put it in the oven. What would you like for dessert? A yogurt, some ice cream or some fruit?

- Ice cream, please, mum.

Kevin wanted to finish his work as quickly as possible, but he had to use the dictionary a lot and couldn’t always find the words he wanted. He knew he would have to spend at least an hour on this homework. What a bore! Eventually he finished his essay, put his books in his school bag and he was able to go downstairs to have his dinner.

- Could you do the washing up after your meal?

- Do I have to? Oh, all right, but I’d like to watch a bit of telly before I go to bed. Can I?

© SPS