Lesson 4- Thursday, 19th February
Vocabulary review:
tweezers – tea strainer – sieve – They sieved for gold – a colander – a shed – plug and socket – a power outlet – We’ve had a power cut (BrE) a power outage (US) – a blackout – a news blackout
- The cabin was well insulated so it stayed warm even during the harsh winter.
- Good roof insulation can significantly reduce heating costs.
- Prolonged social isolation can negatively affect mental health.
- The pipes need to be properly insulated to prevent them from freezing.
- The patient was isolated from the other patients to stop the infection from spreading.
- The village was completely isolated after the bridge collapsed.
The home counties
The fells
The Swedish mountains
Rightmove – UK’s number one property website for properties for sale and to rent
Mews
A crescent
A crescent moon
Drainpipes
Everyday problems
Based on Unit 12 English Vocabulary in Use upper-intermediate
Have you experienced any of the following problems and situations? What caused them and how was the problem resolved?
Choose some of the following situations to tell your partner about.
- flooded bathroom or kitchen
- leaking pipes
- smashed windows
- batteries that have run out at a bad time
- ordering something online but receiving the wrong item
- a power cut/power outage
- a machine that has broken down
- a computer that has crashed/documents that weren’t saved
- a computer virus
- spilled liquid on the computer
- red wine stains on the carpet
- lost or stolen credit cards
- dropping and cracking a phone screen
- damaging something that belonged to someone else
- locking yourself out of your car or house
- forgotting an important document
- been late for something important
- missing an appointment/meeting
- forgotting someone’s birthday
- receiving a gift that you either don’t like or are not sure how to use it or where to put it
- toddler tantrums to throw a tantrum
- children’s illness or accidents
- bad customer service
- theft
- vandalism
- delays on public transport
- running out of petrol or having car trouble
- trying to assemble furniture but missing instructions
- hard weather conditions
- a problem caused by an animal
- bad manners
- noisy neighbours
- allergies
- a twisted ankle
- blisters
- bumps or bruises
- other injuries
A tow truck
In London you can be towed away if you park illegally
A tow rope
toe
Called the AA, the RAC
She was stuck in heavy traffic.
You’ll be fine, traffic is light today.
There were traffic jams on the motorway
Plumber “plummer”
A plaster cast
A plaster wall
A plasterer
A band aid, put on a plaster
To put on a bandage
It took about 6 weeks to heal properly
A casualty ward
An emergency room
In a wardrobe, in a closet
The cupboard “kubburd”
Raspberry “raazberry”
A peanut allergy
We have a problem with damp (moist)
Humidity = damp air
Wipe the coffee spill with a damp sponge/cloth
The bread has gone mouldy
There is mould on the bread (mold)
Colour – color
We did a renovation in our kitchen
We did up our kitchen = We renovated it
It’s a fixer upper
Oysters can cause food poisoning
A torch (BrE) a flashlight (US)
Underfloor heating
He is content
The contents of the book
He is contented with his life
Förbud
Smoking is forbidden / banned.
The smoking ban
Children’s language development, screen time and reading
- What are your earliest memories of learning new words or reading for fun?
- Can you think of any word games you played as a child and word games you enjoy now?
- How do you think technology has changed the way people learn languages (their own and others) and communicate?
- How much time do you think children and adults today spend reading books compared to using screens?
- Do you have rules for screentime in your family?
- Do you think children (and adults!) should have less screen time? Why or why not?
- The increasing use of screentime among children is often seen as a negative development. Why is this and can you argue for the opposing point of view?
- People have always worried about new technology. What examples does the writer give, and can you think of any other examples from the past?
- How do children learn from the habits of adults?
- How does access to the internet help develop our language?
- Do you think learning a foreign language should be compulsory in schools? Why/why not?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning from screens versus learning from books?
- What do you think is the “sweet spot” between using technology and reading?
- Are audiobooks a good alternative to the printed word?
Vocabulary
to cram
to be eloquent – eloquence
to acquire – acquisition
a chore
Article “Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent”
compulsory
to be immersed – immersion