Lesson 5- Tuesday, 21st October

 beside (next to) or besides  (as well as)?

1. She sat beside  her best friend during the concert.
2. The lamp is beside  the bed if you need to read.
3. Besides  swimming, what other hobbies do you have?
4. He placed his keys beside the phone on the table.
5. Besides her, there were only three other people at the meeting.
6. Besides the rain, was there anything else that made you late?

 

Which word is missing?  (opposite of active)

1. People who spend most of the day sitting down have a sedentary
2. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems such as obesity and heart disease.
3. Many modern jobs are sedentary which is why regular exercise is so important.
4. Working from home has made people’s lives more sedentary than before.

 

Serene = peaceful, calm

Housewarming parties

 

 

Parties and social events idioms:

• life and soul of the party  –  she’s a social butterfly, the most extroverted and sociable
• call it a night  = Let’s call it a day/a night
• throw a party  She threw a party for her son’s return to Sweden.  A dinner party
• mingle with people
• to be in full swing
• make small talk
• get-together
• enjoy oneself
• break the ice
• host a dinner/a party/a dinner party
• raise a toast
• bring someone along
• join in the fun
• festive atmosphere

 

 Complete each sentence with an idiom from the list above  (finish for homework)

1. The charity dinner was in full swing by 8 p.m. — everyone was chatting and enjoying themselves.
2. Margaret is always friendly and outgoing — she’s the __________ at any event.
3. After a stressful week, it’s good to relax and __________ for a change.
4. It was a lovely evening, but by ten we decided to __________ and go home.
5. The neighbours are planning to __________ for their 40th wedding anniversary.
6. During the reception, guests had time to __________ before dinner was served.
7. At networking events, it’s important to be able to __________ comfortably.
8. We had a small __________ at John’s house last weekend — it was very relaxed and friendly.
9. At the beginning of the party, someone told a funny story to __________.
10. Sarah invited her neighbours and decided to __________ at her home on Friday.
11. Before dinner, the host asked everyone to __________ in honour of the birthday girl.
12. Don’t forget to __________ if you want more friends to come along.
13. Everyone was laughing, dancing, and chatting — it was clear they were __________.
14. The Christmas party had decorations, music, and candles everywhere — it really had a __________.

 

Discussion

• Do you enjoy mingling with people at events, or do you prefer quieter conversations?
• Who is usually the life and soul of the party in your family or circle of friends?
• Have you ever had to break the ice at a party? How?
• Do you prefer hosting a dinner or being invited to someone else’s?
• What was the most memorable party you have ever attended and/or hosted?
• What is your favourite type of party (birthday, holiday, dinner, etc.) and why?
• How do you celebrate milestone birthdays?
• Have you ever arranged a children’s birthday party? How did that go?
• Have you ever met someone interesting at a party? Tell us about it.
• Will you celebrate Halloween and/or All Saints Day this year?

 

Bältros = shingles     I had chickenpox when I was a child.

I had the shingles jab  (BrE)  / a shingles shot  (US)

I had three Covid vaccinations

They developed the Covid vaccine quite quickly

I prefer to go home and hibernate     (like bears in winter!)

 

“Swenglish” 

1. Please write your address on the back of the card.
2. There is a chocolate factory in Upplands Väsby.  fabric = cloth
3. My ankles are sore after my long walk.
4. It is very convenient to live by the main train station. convenient= practical
5. Napoleon was a great big = size
6. The dove is a symbol of peace. Not pigeon
7. It is nice/fun to take a sauna in the winter.
8. She really enjoys tennis. She really enjoys playing/watching tennis  (-ing form needed)
9. I look forward to meeting “-ing” form after prepostions
10. I am writing (to you) to apply for the position of…
11. I was watching TV at 8 o’clock last night. (continuous activity)   What were you doing when I rang?
12. If I had seen him, I would have/would’ve spoken to him  (but I didn’t see him, so it didn’t happen)
13. My children are grown up now plural form needed
14. I went there X three years ago. No “for”
15. I want/I’d like to comment on what Per said.
16. He is in/at a meeting.
17. I am not good at
18. There are not as many students as last week. There are fewer students than last week.  I have less time than before.   (fewer for countable nouns, less for uncountable)
19. I told him I would be there early, but my train was delayed. (should = recommendation)
20. How long does it take to get to Uppsala? (time not needed)
21. I often make mistakes in English. Not “do mistakes”
22. Would you like to follow me to the cinema on Saturday? Would you like to go with me to….  (follow is always physically behind)
23. Parents should be consistent in/with what they tell their children.

 

 Vi är dummare på engelska än vi tror

 

1. Have you ever tried to read a book in English (or another language) instead of Swedish? Why or why not?
2. What are the good and bad things about reading books in their original language? What about reading a translation?
3. How important is it to understand every detail in a book? Do you think it’s possible to understand everything in a second language?
4. Do you think translators can show the real meaning and feeling of a book? Or is something always missing when a book is translated?
5. The writer says it might be “pretentious” (trying to look smarter than you are) to read in English instead of Swedish. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
6. The writer is surprised that many Swedish people feel confident about their English. Do you think Swedes are really good at English, or maybe not as good as they think?
7. Do you agree or disagree with the writer’s ideas in the text? Can you explain why?

 

 

How would you explain “jantelagen” to a non-Swede?

I don’t get all the details but I do get the gist  (“djist”) = main understanding

I bequeath my money and estate to my children  (In my will)

Slurp soup or noodles

 

 

 

   The bird is plumping itself up to insulate itself against the cold

 

       He is installing new insulation.

The house is isolated on a small island.

 

 

 

insulated or isolated?

1. The cabin in the mountains was very isolated with no neighbours for miles around.
2. The village was isolated for several days after the storm destroyed the only bridge.
3. This jacket is well insulated so it keeps you warm even in very cold weather.
4. We need to make sure the pipes are properly insulated to prevent them from freezing.
5. After moving to the countryside, she sometimes felt a bit isolated from her friends.
6. The small island is completely isolated from the mainland — you can only get there by boat.
7. The walls aren’t insulated enough, so the house loses heat quickly in winter.
8. During the pandemic, many people felt isolated at home and missed social contact.
9. The roof has been newly insulated to make the house more energy-efficient.
10. If your attic isn’t insulated you’ll spend more money on heating.