The fitness fan
Arthur is really into fitness. He works out regularly, runs frequently, and plays tennis twice a week.
From time to time, he goes rock climbing.Lifestyles
Talk about habits, routines, interests, and how often you do everyday activities.
Habits and routinesFrequency expressionsHow often / how much / how longSurvey and report writing
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1. Different Lifestyles
People spend their free time in different ways. Read the descriptions and notice the expressions that tell how often an activity happens.
The puzzle fan
John hates physical exercise. He enjoys challenging puzzles and spends much of his free time solving them.
He hardly ever goes to the gym.
The health-food fan
Refaa normally eats vegetarian meals. She hardly ever eats meat and never drinks coffee.
Sometimes she drinks herbal tea.The Internet user
Josh spends several hours online. While he chats online, he often checks his phone.
He is online for hours every day.2. Vocabulary: Habits and Interests
Use these words and phrases to talk about everyday routines and free-time activities.
Activities
Work out means exercise. Access the Internet means connect to it. Chat online means talk using the Internet.
I work out at the fitness center after class.Interests
A fanatic is very enthusiastic about something. An addict spends a lot of time doing something.
My brother is a puzzle fanatic.Time and routines
Spend time describes how you use time. Get a haircut is something people do regularly.
How much time do you spend online?Useful expressions
Be into means enjoy or be interested in. Turn someone off means make someone lose interest.
I'm into tennis, but long runs turn me off.3. Grammar Focus: Simple Present and Frequency
Use the simple present for habits, routines, and repeated activities.
Affirmative
Use the base verb with I / you / we / they. Add -s or -es with he / she / it.
I exercise regularly. She works out twice a week.Negative
Use don't or doesn't + base verb.
They don't drink coffee. He doesn't play tennis.Questions
Use Do / Does + subject + base verb?
Do you go to the gym? How often does he exercise?4. Adverbs and Expressions of Frequency
Frequency words tell how often a habit happens, from never to always.
Often
Usually, normally, frequently, often, regularly
I usually walk to school.Sometimes
Sometimes, occasionally, from time to time
We occasionally eat at a new restaurant.Rarely
Once in a while, now and then, hardly ever, seldom, rarely
He hardly ever watches television.Position
Frequency adverbs usually come before the main verb, but after be. Longer time expressions often go at the end.
She often exercises. She is usually busy. He runs twice a week.5. Questions with How Often, How Much, and How Long
Choose the question that asks for the kind of information you need.
How often?
Ask about frequency.
How often do you exercise? Three times a week.How much time?
Ask about an amount of time or money.
How much time do you spend online? About an hour.How long?
Ask about duration.
How long do you study every evening? About two hours.6. Grammar Focus: All, Both, Neither, and None
Use these words to talk about a whole group, two people, or zero members.
All
Use all for every person or thing in a group of three or more.
All of my friends exercise regularly.Both
Use both for two people or things.
Both of my sisters enjoy swimming.Neither
Use neither for not one and not the other of two.
Neither of my brothers drinks coffee.None
Use none for zero members of a group.
None of the students skip breakfast.7. Language in Context: Routines and Screen Time
Ask a partner about habits and explain what you do during a typical day.
Start with frequency
Ask how often an activity happens.
How often do you check your phone?Ask about duration
Follow up with how much time or how long.
How much time do you spend online each day?Explain your habit
Give a reason or an example.
I check it often because I use it to contact my family.Pronunciation
In connected speech, do you often sounds like “d'you”.
How often do you exercise? · Where do you live?8. Real Talk: Exercise and the Internet
Use casual expressions to talk about interests and change the topic naturally.
Ask about a routine
Find out how often someone does an activity.
How often do you go to the gym? I work out every day except weekends.Share an opinion
Say what interests you or what you dislike.
I'm a bit of an exercise freak. Exercise turns me off.Change the topic
Use Anyway to move to a new subject.
Anyway, what are you doing now?Explain your point
Use You see before a reason or explanation.
You see, I can access the Internet almost everywhere.9. Listening: A Healthy Lifestyle
Listen to a short report about everyday habits that support health.
A healthy lifestyle includes good food, enough sleep, and regular exercise. Many students eat quickly between classes, so they do not always get enough fresh fruit and vegetables. Sleep is important because it helps memory and concentration. Students who exercise regularly often feel happier and more energetic. Even small changes, such as walking every day or going to bed earlier, can improve a daily routine.
10. Reading Practice: Do College Students Have a Healthy Lifestyle?
Read about eating, sleeping, and exercise habits among college students.
A student survey looked at eating, sleep, and exercise habits at a local college. Many students ate mostly rice and noodles, along with fried food, and did not eat enough fruit or vegetables. The survey also found that students who slept longer tended to earn higher test scores. Most students exercised for at least thirty minutes on many days, which helped them feel more energetic. The report concluded that good time management can help students eat well, get enough sleep, and stay active.
habitsurveyconcentrationenergytime managementfresh produce
11. Project: Survey Your Group
Ask classmates how often or how long they do these activities. Compare the results and identify common habits.
Daily activities
Homework, chores, Internet use, and time on the phone.
How long do you spend on homework?Free time
Exercise, shopping, watching television, and hobbies.
How often do you exercise?Compare findings
Use frequency expressions and simple present sentences.
Most students exercise twice a week. None of us watches TV every day.12. Writing Lab: A Lifestyle Survey Report
Summarize a survey result and link your ideas with pronouns instead of repeating the same noun.
Writing pattern
Introduce the group and the habit. Give how often or how long. Add a result or comparison. Use pronouns to connect ideas clearly.
Most students exercise twice a week. They say it helps them feel more energetic.13. Check Your Understanding
Choose True or False, or select the best answer.
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