Warm-Up Video

Watch this video about the most common things people find annoying in everyday life.

Annoyances video
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Reflection Questions

  1. What is your biggest pet peeve — the one thing that annoys you most?
  2. Do you usually say something when someone annoys you, or do you keep quiet?
  3. Are there habits that are acceptable in your culture but annoying in others?
  4. Do you think you have any habits that annoy other people without realising it?

Exercise 1 · Reading Gap-Fill

Word bank:A) rudeB) inconsiderateC) tolerateD) pettyE) confront

Everyone has things that annoy them. Some people find it very difficult to people who are — for example, those who talk loudly on their phones in public. Some people choose to the person directly, while others consider this and prefer to walk away. At its worst, being deliberately in public can lead to serious conflicts.

Exercise 2 · Vocabulary

not polite or respectful:
to make someone feel frustrated:
to say you are unhappy with something:
to face someone directly about a problem:
to accept something without complaining:
to pretend not to see or hear something:
showing care for others around you:

Exercise 3 · Common Expressions

drive someone up the _____ (annoy someone greatly)

get on someone's _____ (irritate someone persistently)

a pet _____ (a personal annoyance that really bothers you)

lose your _____ (become very angry)

let it _____ (stop being bothered by something)

Exercise 4 · Grammar Focus

Complete each Third Conditional sentence with the correct verb forms.

(Hint: Third Conditional = If + had + past participle, would have + past participle — for unreal past situations)

If she _____ (not / talk) so loudly, I _____ (not / ask) her to be quiet.

We _____ (not / miss) the bus if he _____ (arrive) on time.

If I _____ (know) it would upset him, I _____ (not / say) anything.

She _____ (feel) better if she _____ (say) something at the time.

Speaking Practice

😤 Your pet peeve
What is your biggest pet peeve? Describe it and explain why it annoys you so much.
📱 Phone etiquette
What mobile phone habits do you find rude? Talking on the bus? Phones at dinner? Loud videos?
🚌 Public behaviour
What behaviour in public spaces annoys you most? Queue-jumping, loud music, littering?
🏠 Living with others
What habits of housemates or family members can cause conflict? How do you resolve it?
🗣️ Speaking up
Do you confront people who annoy you or stay quiet? Which approach is better?
🌍 Cultural differences
Are there things that are rude in your culture but acceptable in others? Or vice versa?
🧘 Staying calm
How do you stay calm when you are annoyed? What techniques do you use to avoid losing your temper?
🪞 Self-reflection
Do you think you have habits that annoy others? What would they be? Has anyone ever told you?