B1 Intermediate

Express opinions and tell stories

B1 is the threshold of independence: you can describe experiences, explain plans and handle most travel and work situations.

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Connect past and present with the Present Perfect
Talk about real and unreal situations with conditionals
Give opinions and advice with modal verbs
Grammar

Lessons for level B1

Read each lesson and mark it as complete when you feel confident.

Lesson 1

Present Perfect

Link the past to now: have/has + past participle. Used with ever, never, already, yet, just.

I have lived here for five years.  ·  Have you ever eaten sushi?
She has already finished.  ·  They haven't arrived yet.
Tip: For + period (for 3 years), since + point in time (since 2020).
Lesson 2

Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Finished time = Past Simple. Unfinished time or relevant past = Present Perfect.

I saw that film yesterday. (finished time)
I have seen that film. (I know it — result now)
Tip: If a specific time is mentioned (yesterday, last week, in 2019), use Past Simple.
Lesson 3

First & second conditionals

First conditional = real possible future. Second conditional = imaginary/unreal present.

1st: If it rains, I will stay home.  ·  If you study, you'll pass.
2nd: If I had a car, I would drive to work.
Tip: In the 2nd conditional we use "were" with all subjects in formal style: If I were you…
Lesson 4

Passive voice

Focus on the action or the receiver, not who did it: be + past participle.

Active: People speak English everywhere.  ·  Passive: English is spoken everywhere.
The bridge was built in 1990. (by workers)
Tip: Use the passive when the doer is unknown or unimportant: My bike was stolen.
Lesson 5

Modal verbs

must, have to, should, can, could, may, might — ability, obligation, advice and possibility.

You must wear a seatbelt.  ·  You should see a doctor.  ·  It might rain.
Can I open the window?  ·  Could you help me?
Tip: Modals are followed by the base form — no "to": "I must go", NOT "I must to go".
Lesson 6

Gerunds & infinitives

Some verbs are followed by -ing, others by to + base form.

-ing: enjoy, mind, finish, avoid, suggest.  ·  I enjoy cooking.
to + base: want, decide, hope, plan, learn.  ·  I hope to see you soon.
Tip: After prepositions use -ing: I'm good at swimming. After adjectives: It's easy to learn.
Vocabulary

Work & everyday life — B1

Click any word to see its definition and example on a flashcard.

experiencethings you have done or lived throughclick for flashcard →
improveto become betterclick for flashcard →
suggestto offer an ideaclick for flashcard →
althoughdespite the fact thatclick for flashcard →
environmentthe natural world around usclick for flashcard →
salarymoney you earn each month/yearclick for flashcard →
colleaguea person you work withclick for flashcard →
appointmenta planned meetingclick for flashcard →
promiseto say you will definitely do somethingclick for flashcard →
manageto succeed in doing somethingclick for flashcard →
healththe condition of your body and mindclick for flashcard →
technologymachines and digital toolsclick for flashcard →
opportunitya chance to do somethingclick for flashcard →
stillcontinuing up to nowclick for flashcard →
probablyvery likelyclick for flashcard →
societypeople living together in a communityclick for flashcard →
Test yourself

B1 quiz

Answer the questions, then press "Check answers" to see instant feedback.