A reading + discussion lesson on three generic topics (not office AP work):
noisy neighbours, healthier habits, and splitting everyday costs.
Aim for about 45 minutes in class. Homework is a 1–2 minute voice message.
Use Show Teacher Answers only after your first attempt.
Understand three short everyday texts (neighbours · habits · money at home).
Discuss opinions using soft language: I see your point, but… · It depends on…
Reuse polite complaint tone when talking about noise (from Lesson 14).
Record a clear 1–2 minute spoken summary for homework.
Warm-up · 3–4 min
Talk with a partner
Is your neighbourhood quiet or noisy at night?
What habit would you like to improve this month?
Do you prefer to split bills 50/50, or pay for what you use?
Reading A · Neighbours & city life · ~8 min
Music after midnight
Marta lives in a third-floor flat near the centre. Most evenings are fine, but last Friday her new neighbour
played music loudly until 01:30. Marta had an early shift on Saturday. She waited until Saturday afternoon,
then knocked politely and said, “Sorry to bother you — would you mind keeping the music down after 22:00 on weeknights?
I have to get up early for work.”
The neighbour, Pablo, looked embarrassed. “I didn’t realise it was that loud. Of course — I’ll use headphones after ten.”
Marta thanked him. Later she told Sofia, “I hate complaining, but I think I’m entitled to sleep if I’ve paid rent like everyone else.”
Sofia agreed: “Be polite, don’t be personal, and say what you want. You did that well.”
Comprehension
Why did Marta speak to Pablo?
What exact request did she make?
How did Pablo respond?
Loud music until 01:30; she had an early shift.
Keep music down after 22:00 on weeknights.
Apologised; offered headphones after ten.
Discuss · 4–5 min
Would you knock the next day, write a note, or speak to the landlord first? Why?
Is 22:00 a fair “quiet time” in a city centre? It depends on…?
Reading B · Health & habits · ~8 min
Phone in bed, tired at work
Diego usually checks messages in bed “for five minutes.” Last week that became forty minutes,
and he slept badly. On Monday he felt slow at his desk. At lunch Elena said,
“In my opinion, you should leave the phone in the kitchen after 23:00.”
Diego smiled: “I see your point, but I use the alarm on my phone.” Elena replied,
“It depends on the phone — get a cheap alarm clock, or use Do Not Disturb.
I’m trying to cut down on screen time too. Shall we both try for one week and compare notes on Friday?”
Diego agreed. By Thursday he felt a little more awake — not perfect, but better.
Comprehension
What habit made Diego tired?
What compromise idea does Elena offer about the alarm?
What do they decide to do for one week?
Phone in bed / long screen time before sleep.
Cheap alarm clock or Do Not Disturb.
Both cut down on screen time and compare notes on Friday.
Discuss · 4–5 min
What is harder for you: sleep, sport, or less phone? Why?
Do challenges with a friend help you, or do you prefer to change habits alone?
Reading C · Everyday money (light) · ~8 min
Who pays for what?
Sofia shares a flat with Ana. They both earn a salary, but their habits are different.
Sofia cooks at home most nights; Ana orders delivery two or three times a week.
At the end of the month Ana suggested, “Shall we just split all food costs 50/50? It’s easier.”
Sofia shook her head politely. “I don’t fully agree. In my opinion, delivery should be personal —
we can split rent, wifi, and cleaning products, but food depends on what each person buys.
That’s fairer for both of us.” Ana thought for a moment: “OK. Let’s keep shared costs shared,
and each pay for our own meals. Compromise?” Sofia smiled. “Compromise. And if we cook together on Sundays, we split that shop.”
Comprehension
What did Ana want to split 50/50?
What did Sofia want to keep separate?
What final agreement do they reach?
All food costs.
Delivery / personal food (pay for what you buy).
Shared bills shared; own meals own; Sunday cook shop split.
Discuss · 4–5 min
Who is closer to your style — Sofia or Ana?
What is a fair rule for streaming subscriptions in a shared flat?
Vocabulary · ~5 min
Words from today’s texts
neighbour — person living next door · vecino/a
keep … down — make quieter · bajar el volumen
embarrassed — feeling awkward · avergonzado/a
screen time — time on phone/laptop · tiempo de pantalla
cut down on — reduce · reducir
Do Not Disturb — phone mode that blocks alerts · no molestar
split (the bill) — divide the cost · dividir / a medias
fair / fairer — reasonable for everyone · justo / más justo
compromise — agreement in the middle · compromiso / punto medio
delivery — food brought to your home · entrega a domicilio
Quick practice · ~6 min
Language from the three topics
Drag the best phrase
Drop keeping the music down after 22:00?
I’m trying to Drop screen time.
Shall we Drop the wifi bill?
Quiet hours? It Drop the building.
Drop, but delivery should be personal.
Let’s find a Drop.
Answers: Would you mind · cut down on · split · depends on · I see your point · compromise
Type the missing word
Polite request: Would you …?
Opinion: In my , …
Agree (verb): I with you.
Reduce: cut on plastic / screen time.
Divide cost: the bill.
Answers: mind · opinion · agree · down · split
Speaking · ~8–10 min
Discussion carousel
In pairs, spend ~3 minutes on each scenario. Soften disagreement; aim for a compromise.
1 · Neighbours
Partner A plays loud music; Partner B makes a polite request. Then swap. End with an agreement.
2 · Habits
One person wants a “no phone in bed” rule for a week. The other disagrees softly. Find a compromise.
3 · Everyday money
Decide rules for: rent, wifi, cleaning products, food delivery, a shared Netflix account. What is fair?
Homework
1–2 minute voice message
Record a spoken message (WhatsApp / phone voice memo is fine) of 1–2 minutes.
Cover all three topics briefly:
Neighbours: Are you more like Marta, or would you wait longer before speaking?
Habits: One habit you want to cut down on, and how.
Money at home: What feels fair to split, and what should stay personal?
Try to use at least three phrases from the useful-language box.
Send the file to your teacher (or bring it to the next class).