Nicklas spent three fantastic weeks in Ireland with his friend Helena. They flew to Dublin and spent a week there sightseeing and enjoying the nightlife. Then they rented a car and spent two weeks driving around the beautiful country, staying in bed and breakfasts. Nicklas' favorite place was the west of the country, where they went walking in the mountains of County Mayo for a few days. The weather was good and it didn't rain once during their holiday.

1. Vocabulary Going on holiday Reading Grammar Past simple questions
go on holiday: If you go on holiday, you You are going to read an email from a Danish man to his For the verb be, make questions with was /
To mauro1990@shotmail.it
stop working and go away to a different Italian friend. were.
place to relax, usually for a few days or Subject Re: Ireland How was your summer?
more. A Read the email on the opposite page. Answer these questions. How long were you there for?
1 Where did Nicklas go?
A Match the verbs 1–6 to the groups of words 2 Did he go on his own? Hi Mauro, For other verbs, use did.
they go with in a–f. 3 How long was he there for? How are you? I hope you and your family are well. How was your Where did you go?
1 fly 4 Was the weather good? trip to Korea? I’m sure it was great. Did you have a good time?
2 stay 5 What did he do there?
3 take Helena and I spent three fantastic weeks in Ireland and had a A Use the notes below. Write past simple
4 spend B Complete the sentences with one word in each gap. Look at really great time. We flew to Dublin, the capital, and spent a week questions you could use to ask a friend
5 rent the email if you need help. there. It’s a beautiful city. We went sightseeing every day and about their holiday.
6 go 1 We ……………………… to Dublin. saw all the old buildings. Then in the evenings, we went out and 1 you / go on holiday anywhere?
2 We ……………………… a week there. enjoyed the nightlife. It’s a fun city! You’d love it. 2 where / go?
a a day in Rome / the week relaxing / lots of 3 It’s a ……………………… city. 3 who / go with?
money 4 I was ……………………… about the weather, but it didn’t rain once! Next, we rented a car and spent two weeks driving round the 4 have a good time?
b to Helsinki / with British Airways / first class 5 My ……………………… place was the west of the country. country. It’s really beautiful! I was worried about the weather, but 5 how long / there for?
c the train / the bus / a taxi 6 We went ……………………… in the mountains. it didn’t rain once. We stayed in little bed and breakfasts and met 6 where / stay?
d with friends / in a hotel / in a bed and 7 We didn’t see ……………………… on the first day! some really lovely people. 7 it very expensive?
breakfast 8 How ……………………… your summer? 8 the weather good?
e sightseeing / out for dinner / swimming 9 ……………………… you go on holiday anywhere? My favourite place was the west of the country. We went walking 9 the food good?
f a car / a boat / a flat in the mountains in County Mayo for a few days. It was lovely and
quiet. We didn’t see anyone on the first day! B Match the answers a–i to the questions in
B Work in groups. Discuss these questions. Write the sentences in your language. Translate them back exercise A.
• How often do you / does your family go on into English. Compare your English to the original. Anyway, now we’re back in Copenhagen and back at work! How a Yes, I did. It’s a great country.
holiday? We didn’t see anyone the first day. was your summer? Did you go on holiday anywhere? Did you have b Yes, great. They eat lots of fruit, lots of rice.
• Do you usually go to the same place or do I didn’t go anywhere last weekend. a good time? It’s lovely.
you go to different places? I didn’t do anything last night. c I stayed with friends in Rio and then in a
• What do you usually do when you are on We didn’t try any of the food. Please write and tell me everything! hotel.
holiday? d Yes, I did. I went to Brazil.
Your friend, e Two weeks.
Speaking Nicklas f I went on my own.
g No, not really. Most things are quite cheap
A Work in pairs. Tell each other the best place in your country: there.
• to go sightseeing. • to spend a week relaxing. h Rio de Janeiro and Salvador in the north-
• to go walking. • for nightlife. east.
• to go swimming. • for driving around. i It was great, yes. Really hot and sunny.
Need help? Read the grammar reference on
page 153.
Speaking
A Choose one of the things below to talk about.
last weekend
the last public holiday
the last time you went on holiday
your last birthday
a special day in your life
B Write five past simple questions for
your partner to ask you about your day /
weekend / holiday.
C Work in pairs. Swap questions and
interview each other.
40 OUTCOMES 04 HOLIDAYS 41