Review Lab 03 —Linking and gap-fill
Reading & Writing Part 2 · Part 4 · Listening Part 3 · Speaking Part 2 — exam-paced practice. Revision only · recycles Modules 5–6 — no new language.
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Third check-up — gapped text and gap-fill come back with exam timing.
Your level · You are here
Exam Boost · Performance Session
A progress checkpoint, not a test.
Practise the language from this part of the course again. Try challenges, mini-tasks and longer speaking turns. Do not worry about small mistakes. You can replay any part.
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking — no pressure
Point to something near you and something far away. Say 'this is...' and 'that is...'.
Say one thing you usually do, and one thing you are doing right now.
Pick one target: linking ideas smoothly, spotting reference words, or telling a picture story. Tell your teacher.
Grammar recap · 02
8–10 minThis/that/these/those, present tenses and linkers (Modules 5–6 recycle)
This/these = near, that/those = far. Present simple = routines, present continuous = now. Linkers (and, but, because, so, then) join ideas smoothly.
- 1Module 5 introduced this/that/these/those for polite requests, present simple vs present continuous, verb + -ing/infinitive, adverbs of frequency, linkers, and modals for advice.
- 2Module 6 introduced prepositions of place, describing appearance, reference words (this/that/these/it/one), and telling a story from three pictures with consistent tense and reference.
- 3This lab reactivates all of it under exam timing — no new forms.
Could I have this one, please? (polite request with this/that)
I usually walk to school, but today I'm taking the bus. (present simple vs continuous)
I enjoy reading and I want to read more. (verb + -ing/infinitive)
I was tired, so I went to bed early. (linker)
That's exactly what I meant. (reference word)
First, she got up. Then, she had breakfast. (picture-story sequencing)
Challenge 1.Could I have ___ one, please? (pointing at something near you)
Challenge 2.I usually ___ to work, but today I'm walking.
Challenge 3.I was tired, ___ I went to bed early.
Challenge 4.I enjoy ___ to music in the evening.
Challenge 5.___ festival happens every summer, near my house.
Challenge 6.You ___ practise every day if you want to improve.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.Which is a POLITE REQUEST?
Quick check 2.Which linker best joins 'It was raining' and 'we stayed inside'?
Vocabulary recap · 03
5–7 minRecycle your toolkit
next to / behind / in front of
prepositions of place
Describe where your school bag is right now.
reference words for pointing at something already mentioned
Point at two objects and describe them with 'this one' and 'that one'.
first / then / after that / finally
words for telling a story in order
Use two of these words to tell your partner about your morning.
What to do
- 1.Revision only — every word here comes from Modules 5–6.
- 2.Match each one with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
What to do
Sort the recycled words by the module where you first met them.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Reactivate Modules 5–6 language out loud — nothing new here, just faster recall.
Ask your partner
- Ask politely for something in a shop.
- Say how often you do your homework.
- Use 'however' to contrast two ideas.
"Describe where your school bag is right now."next to / behind / in front of
Which recycled linker or reference word from Modules 5–6 do you still forget when speaking quickly?
Write 25–35 words telling a short story about your morning, using BOTH sequencing words.
Pronunciation polish · 04
3–4 minLinking words at the start of a sentence
Give linking and sequencing words (however, so, then, first) a small stress and pause after them.
- • However, / I still think it's worth it.
- • So, / we decided to stay another night.
- • First, / she got up. Then, / she made breakfast.
Reading challenge · 05
8–10 minReading Part 4 — How texts fit together
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
A well-written text is not just a list of sentences — each sentence connects to the one before it. Writers use reference words like 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'one', and linking words like 'however' and 'so', to guide the reader smoothly from one idea to the next.
When a sentence is removed from a text, as in the gapped-text task, the join often breaks: a reference word suddenly has nothing to point back to, or a linker like 'however' appears with no contrast before it. Spotting these broken joins, rather than just the general topic, is the fastest way to find the missing sentence.
Challenge 1.According to the text, what do reference words like 'this' and 'it' do?
Challenge 2.What happens when a sentence is removed from a text?
Challenge 3.What is the fastest way to find a missing sentence, according to the text?
Q1.A well-written text is just a list of unconnected sentences.
Q2.Reference words like 'this' and 'it' point back to earlier ideas.
Q3.Removing a sentence can break the join between ideas.
What to do
- 1.Reading & Writing Part 1 — Read each notice and choose A, B or C.
- 2.About 5 minutes.
SUMMER FESTIVAL
The festival happens every August at the riverside park. This year, however, it starts a week earlier.
1.What is different about this year's festival?
This museum opened in 1890. It's next to the old station.
2.What does the sign tell visitors?
3.What does the guest need to do?
PARKING
This car park is convenient for the station. However, it closes at 11pm.
4.What does the notice warn about?
5.Where should the group meet today?
Listening challenge · 06
8–10 minListening Part 3 — Booking a weekend trip
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Assistant:Thanks for calling. Could I take your booking details?
Caller:Yes — I'd like a room for two nights, please. Does it usually include breakfast?
Assistant:It does, and the hotel is very convenient — it's next to the station.
Caller:Great. What's the exact location?
Assistant:It's on River Street, number 12. However, please note we need a deposit.
Caller:That's fine. How much is the deposit?
Assistant:Twenty pounds. I'll send you the reference number by email.
Challenge 1.What is included in the room price?
Challenge 2.Why is the hotel described as convenient?
Challenge 3.What does the caller need to send to confirm the booking?
What to do
Tick every recycled Module 5–6 word or phrase you hear in the dialogue.
Skills challenge · 07
5 minSpotting the broken join in gapped text
Check the sentence before AND after the gap — the missing sentence must connect to both.
Task
- 1Reading & Writing Part 4 asks candidates to put a missing sentence back into a text.
- 2The fastest strategy is to check reference words and linkers on both sides of each gap, not just the general topic.
Example
...the museum opened again. However, [[1]] you need to book tickets online. → The gap needs a sentence that fits AFTER however (a contrast) and BEFORE you need to book tickets (a lead-in).
Writing challenge · 08
5 minShow what you can do
Q1.Type ONE word: 'The museum opened ___ 1990.'
Q2.Type ONE word: 'The festival happens ___ August.'
Q3.Type ONE word: 'We need a deposit ___ confirm the booking.'
Q4.Type ONE word: 'The hotel is next ___ the station.'
Reading & Writing Part 2 (article, 35+ words). Write a short article about a place in your town, using this/that/these/those, one linker, and one sequencing word (first/then/after that).
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
My town's old bridge is over two hundred years old. It's a convenient shortcut to the market, however it's also just a beautiful place to walk. First, you cross the bridge, then you can visit the small festival that happens there every summer, so it's always busy in July.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
What to do
- 1.Reading & Writing Part 1 — Reply to this message in 25 words or more.
- 2.Cover ALL three notes.
Hi! I'm looking at hotels for our trip. Which one do you prefer? Is the location convenient? Priya
Your reply must cover:
- Name a specific hotel
- Give a clear reason
- Describe the location
Show model answer
Hi Priya, I prefer the River Hotel, because it's much cheaper. The location is really convenient too — it's next to the station, so we won't need a taxi. Let me know what you think! Alex
Communication lab · 09
10–15 minTalk it out
Speaking Part 2 — In pairs, describe a picture and discuss a place you'd like to visit, using this/that, prepositions of place and linkers.
Useful phrases
What to do
Choose the most natural Speaking Part 2 answer.
- ExaminerWhat can you tell me about this place?
- Candidate_______________
- ExaminerWould this place be convenient for a family holiday?
- Candidate_______________
What to do
- 1.Speaking Part 1 — short personal questions (about 3–4 minutes total).
- 2.Answer naturally, then add one extra detail.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "What's your name?"
2.Examiner: "Where are you from?"
Tip: Add one detail about its location.
3.Examiner: "How often do you visit new places?"
Tip: Use an adverb of frequency.
4.Examiner: "Do you prefer visiting cities or the countryside?"
Tip: Give a reason.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about a place you think is worth visiting."
Tip: Say where it is, why it's convenient or interesting, and add an example.
Show model extended answer
I think the old market in my city is worth visiting. It's about a hundred years old, and a small food festival happens there every spring. It's very convenient too, because it's right in the city centre. However, it does get busy at weekends.
What to do
Speaking Part 2 — Describe the picture together, telling the story like a sequence, then discuss the questions.
Picture A
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • Where do you think this is?
- • Would this place be convenient to visit? Why?
Picture B
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • Do you think this place is old or new?
- • Would you like to visit? Why or why not?
Useful phrases
- • In the picture I can see…
- • This looks like…
- • It seems convenient because…
- • However…
- • First…, then…
Show model 1-minute description
In the picture I can see a place with a lot of people. This looks like an old town. First, people arrive at the square, then they usually visit the shops nearby. I think it would be convenient to visit because it looks central.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Run this lab as a brisk, communicative checkpoint focused on linking, reference words and picture stories — not a test. ~30 min total
Keep it going · 10
Take-homeExtend it at home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Reading & Writing Part 1 re-do — repeat the notices task from this lesson in 5 minutes.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Reading & Writing Part 1 mock — reply to Priya's message in 25+ words, covering all 3 notes.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Speaking Part 1 mock — record 4 answers about places, each with one extra detail.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Questions
Gapped-text drill — find and underline 3 reference words in a short text of your choice.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Reminder
Wrap-up · 11
2–3 minWhat you can now do
- Review Labs are memory practice, not tests — Modules 5–6 language returns here.
- This/that/these/those are used for polite requests and pointing at things.
- Linkers and reference words (however, so, this, it, one) join ideas across sentences.
- Reading & Writing Part 4 = find the missing sentence by checking both joins.
- Speaking Part 2 = describe, then give an opinion with 'because', keeping tenses consistent.
- A three-picture story needs a clear order: first, then, after that, finally.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameFuture plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Detail, gaps and cohesion
Practise this exam skill
Course topics in new sentences
Practise this exam skill