A one-page guide to the unit — for the learner, and for anyone at home following along. Guia da unidade — para o aluno e para quem acompanha em casa.
The grammar of the unit: present perfect with for and since — the tense of Grace's whole life. For + a length of time (“for thirty years”, “for donkey's years”); since + a starting point (“since 1962”, “since March”). The deliberate trap: “She worked in one hospital for thirty years” takes the past simple, because that chapter is closed — for and since only take the perfect while the door is still open.
The 18 words and phrasal verbs of the unit (the monarchy):
Ask them in English — B1 answers should come in full sentences, with reasons. Faça em inglês — no B1 a resposta vem em frases completas, com motivos.
1How long have you lived in our town?
Expected shape: “I have lived here for … / since …” — Grace's grammar, at your own table.
2What has been on your list for donkey's years?
The idiom of the unit put to work — everyone has an answer, and it usually starts a real conversation.
3Who is our head of state — and what is that person actually allowed to do?
The unit's Talking Point, rehearsed: head of state vs head of government, in your own country's terms.
In “Grace's List” you walk the story yourself — the wet Tuesday, the persuasion (free, no ticket, no queue), the flag, the hymn — and every wrong option is a mistake B1 learners really make (“since twenty minutes”, “is owning”). On the unit page the full script is highlighted: the monarchy words in amber, every for/since and perfect form in teal.
The vanishing “have”. In “She's lived here since 1962”, the 's is HAS — not is. Your ear must catch which one it is from what follows: 's + past participle = has (“she's lived”); 's + -ing or an adjective = is (“she's living”, “she's happy”). B1 Listening hides the difference in fast speech on purpose. Drill the pairs aloud: she's worked / she's working · he's gone / he's going.