NEW THAT’S ENGLISH. Module 6.
106.61a How do you feel?
Grammatical aspects:
Present Perfect Simple (Describing experiences with a result in the present) & Continuous (Talking about actions that started in the past and are still happening now) She’s been having acupuncture since last autumn.
FOR & SINCE
Reflexive pronouns (referring to oneself) : I hurt myself playing football last week.
Vocabulary:
Alternative therapies: acupuncture, osteopathy, cranial sacral therapy, hopi ear candle. I can’t stop scratching myself. It’s really annoying. I’ve had this rash for a couple of weeks. It has got worse since the school term started. It’s probably stress (it must be very stressful teaching a class of thirty children). The staff are the problem. They are always arguing with each other. We couldn’t cure her. You’re making me itch.
Most practitioners want your money.
The placebo effect: when you feel better, simply because you expect to feel better.
A herbal tea, help yourselves to sugar over there, eczema > cream, practitioner, useless pills for sick people
There’s no proof that those remedies work. What’s wrong? It’s my back. This pain. By the end of the episode. I made a fool of myself. It was very stupid to laugh at your work. They can complement one another. How relaxing!
Yoga is just stretching with a fancy name. What on earth does...mean? It’s a gentle, effective treatment that helps your body to heal itself. There’s a need for both // but in the long run. I think I’m in favour of traditional medicine rather than alternative.
Serious injury, heart conditions, serious medical conditions
Functions:
Giving advice: You should try yoga /You ought to see the doctor. Why don’t you go to the doctor? If I were you, I would try homeopathy.
Expressing sympathy: That’s terrible! What a shame! I’m sorry to hear that, but don’t scratch.
Describing doing things together: we spend a lot of time with one another, talking to each other.
107.61b Alternative therapies
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Take pills / injections, little needles, make an appointment, witch doctors (curanderos), chronic back pain, who has also benefitted from an alternative therapy
Coffee percolator. Remind me later.
Holistic remedies/treatments. The National Health Service (NHS) in Britain does not usually subsidise alternative medicine. State health system. They are not supplied by the government, although they are accepted. When a patient is advised to use both conventional medicine and an alternative therapy, the process is called ‘complementary medicine’.
That’s Britain:
Tunbridge Wells (Slimmeria): spa, health farm, to lose weight, energetic activities, a brisk countryside or seaside walk, hot stone massage
Above all, .... // Our guests relax and chill out and enjoy a wide range of our spa treatments.
108.62a I really like your lifestyle
Grammatical aspects:
Indefinite pronouns: Somewhere.... + noun (somewhere nice), more important than anything else, Can you imagine anywhere more peaceful than this? , I’m meeting somebody else after the programme
Expressing general ideas : no definite article is required (I like lettuce)
Vocabulary:
Alternative lifestyle: Those strawberries look delicious. They are from my neighbours’ allotment (a small piece of public land where people grow their own fruit and vegetables) Can I try one? Lettuce, I love gardening
A schoolfriend has just popped up, a steady income, business is still booming. I was married, but it didn’t last long. I’m happy being single again. I’ve got a top-of-the range company car, a luxurious office and a personal assistant (PA) who looks after me and makes me coffee.
You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. I could get you a more challenging and well-paid job. I want to be around for Siena. Here’s a fork if you want to do something useful. I’m not really dressed for gardening. To follow the national curriculum. Please make yourself at home. Schools concentrate on exam results. They are not really interested in the child.
A child of the 80s. Things aren’t as good as I told you the other day. I’m sorry to hear that. One sparkling water. Oh, my goodness! Heart attack. It’s good he’s got someone to talk to.
Radical, materialistic, greedy, ambitious, content (satisfecho), helpful, thought patterns
Functions:
Talking about choices between two possibilities (either ... or ...): either communists or anarchists,
Saying the same thing about two people or things (both...and...., neither....nor....): Neither Zack nor I like the education system in this country,
109.62b Cruising through life
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
A day in the life of a cruise ship worker, an apron, you must be exhausted, the days at sea were very tiring. If I wanted to talk to my family or my girlfriend, I had to queue up at a payphone
Night-shift, long shifts, you get used to it, it must be very hard working long hours, rush hours, traffic jams, crowded buses and trains
Single-parent families, gay marriages, less understanding and less acceptance, blended families (with children from the husband and from the wife), same-sex marriages, open-minded, divorced families are becoming more and more common.
That’s Britain:
South Downs (National Park): paragliding, hang-gliding, to go paragliding. A beacon (baliza, faro) is a huge fire, built on a hill, used to send messages. What is it like living and working in the National Park?
110.63a Do you own or rent your house?
Grammatical aspects:
Expressing negative quantity: none of my brothers have/has children, neither of my two cousins own/owns their house
Vocabulary:
A run down house >>> to do it up: they’ll do a make-over on the house. Then they can sell it for a profit. In need of modernisation. It needs a lot of work. It looks like quite run down. It’s a good residential area, convenient for the shops and the station. There are a couple of tiles missing there. The windows aren’t double-glazed. This staircase and hall will need a bit of work. We’ll have to re-wire this room and a large piece of plaster needs to be repaired. It’ll need a complete make-over. We’ll need to install a new washbasin, a shower and a toilet. It’ll look much better with a coat of paint. I think we’d have to strip the wallpaper and re-plaster the walls and ceiling
A terrace house, a detached house in a nice posh area, considerable charm and character
We could build a conservatory (invernadero) and extend the kitchen into part of the patio. We’d need planning permission. You could open up the kitchen into the living room. It’s already quite spacious and airy. If you knocked this wall down, we could build an arch through to the dining room. I don’t think we can afford to make any major alterations. Nice pieces of furniture.
Have you decided on the asking price? None of the estate agents think that it will fetch that. You’ll have no trouble selling it. None of them have any potential buyers for the property. I hope it’s OK if I have a quick look round. I used to live here when I was a boy. It brings back memories. This is where my brother and I slept (a bag of marbles).
We’ve exchanged contracts! And I’ve brought you a bunch of flowers. That’s sweet of you. After the estate agent’s fees and stamp duty (impuesto de timbre), we made a £42,000 profit.
Currently, the housing market, a mortgage within the next kind of years (eviction), purchasing with the help of my parents, in the near future
Functions:
Expressing approximate numbers: thousands/hundreds of ideas, just over/under £1,000
Describing parts of whole things: a bit/a piece of...., a couple of... (a few), a pair of...
111.63b My home is my castle
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Houseboats, seasick, life on a houseboat, a semi-detached house, to be well off, a loft appartment // unusual places like lighthouses, windmills or medieval towers
I argued with my flat mate about space, to move out of my flat in a hurry, I can’t stay there any more, he filled all my cupboards with his things, unbelievable, the maintenance costs are very high
There’s not much room, What kind of accommodation do most people in your country live in?, to live in ghettos in kind of ramshackle (destartalado, ruinoso) huts, one-storey house, two-storey house, posh mansions, slums (favelas, barrios marginales), high-rise flats, bungalows.
That’s Britain:
Wield & Downland (open air) Museum: the walls are made of flint (piedra, sílex), and this type of roof is called thatched roof (techo de paja), it was heated by an open fire, a cot (cuna) for the baby, my shirt is made of linen (lino)
112.64a Fact or fiction?
Grammatical aspects:
RELATIVE CLAUSES (Defining) >>> Identifying people and things (which is set in the 22nd Century, whose fingerprints were on the knife), identifying time using when and place using where.
Vocabulary:
Books : genres (sci-fi, horror, thrillers), plot, scary, creative writing class, script, fictional story telling, the first draft, thrilling, credible, autobiographical, intriguing, frightening, the main character wasn’t convincing, You must be credible
We have been asked to recommend you this book. It is supposed to be funny. It takes place at.... They let her down. Who are you writing it for? How strange! What a great ending! I like the way you keep the suspense, Have you decided on a book yet?
As she approached, stabbed, roar, heart disease, I felt sad when I went back to Liverpool last year because the place where I grew up had changed a lot
Functions:
Expressing emotions: terrified, thrilling, Good heavens! You’re right, You are kidding
113.64b Generation e-reader
Grammatical aspects:
Relative clauses and passive voice (Her book ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ was first published online in 2011)
Vocabulary:
Publishing books >>> business of making books (publishing houses), our viewers are waiting, you can download books directly into this little device. Digital books are here to stay. Buy the print version online.
More and more people are reading books on electronic devices such as eReaders, tablets and mobile phones
Self-publishing, it might be...., But on the positive side, writers will no longer have to go round trying to find a publisher for their book, it’s clear that....
Downloadable books are here to stay, products available online // So, for the moment (being) // How popular is reading in your country among young people? , An excellent state funded public library service, Reading is very popular amongst young people.
I would say it is shockingly low, disappointingly low. We now have a generation that has been raised completely online. There has been a big push for reading lately. Young kids have really jumped on the band wagon for reading.
That’s Britain:
Chatham (Rochester) >> the place where Charles Dickens lived, in your Dickensian costumes, guided tours, skill workers, dockyard, it depends on the time of the year. There’s a Dicken’s World nearby. It’s a theme park where you can see, touch and smell Dickensian England.
114.65a Getting around the city
Grammatical aspects:
Making spontaneous decisions with WILL >>> I won’t do that again, We’ll take a taxi
Giving information about timetables and schedules using the PRESENT SIMPLE
Vocabulary:
Travelling around the city: nephew, rush hour, traffic jam, to hire a car, we got two tickets (fines), air fare, to take a ride on the London Eye
That sounds good! A return ticket, a one-way ticket, too noisy and polluted, we can’t fit that into our schedule, How can transport be improved in your city?
Functions:
Asking for information: How far is it from the airport? How long does it take? How often do they run? What is the quickest way to get there? What time....? When....?
Giving warnings >>> I wouldn’t wear those clothes in Paris.
115.65b How far ist?
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Couriers in big cities: What’s wrong with you? I had a flat tyre, a van, reliable, short-cuts, How long does it usually take you to come here?, three things that can be annoying for a courier, keeping a customer satisfied, to deliver the package, our working day is really long, a daily or weekly wage
Replacement parts for a machine, taxi drivers or cabbies, warnings to people visiting your country
That’s Britain:
Brighton >>> the beach, The Lanes, the pier, fun fair, rides, day trippers
116.66a What do you think of him?
Grammatical aspects:
Hypothetical conditionals
Vocabulary:
Relationships: I wouldn’t say that to Louise if I were you. Reliable, untidy, ambitious, impatient, rude, calm, unprofessional, helpful, unfriendly, mean, dishonest . What does s.o. think of s.o.? A friend of mine, to get on well with s.o., trust your first impressions
I moved house, stuff, what’s your place like? A flat, airy, spacious, modern, flat mate, the asking price, central heating, her tenant, landlady
It’s a waste of time, I’ll bring them over, to behave badly, to get rid of s.o. , I do apologize, final warning
Functions:
Asking for confirmation: (...., isn’t it?) Tag question, question tag
Showing approval or disapproval
Asking for opinions & giving opinions
Talking about possession: A friend of Faisal’s, a colleague of my brother’s/mine
117.66b More than words
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Body language: non-verbal communication, expressions and gestures
Job interview, when they’re sitting still, to run training courses, interviewer/interviewee, sitting down up straight, leaning backwards, a victory clasp, hand-rubbing
That’s Britain:
The Royal Standard of England (Beaconsfield) a pint of bitter/lager, do you mind if I join you?
118.67a The games people play
Grammatical aspects:
Both/Neither : they both sat on the same chair
Vocabulary:
Games: Lego, marbles, Rubik’s cube, skipping (saltar a la comba, skipping rope), board games (chess, checkers, Pictionary), musical chairs, twister, childish games
Birthday party, annoying, he spoilt the party, you’re cheating, it’s not fair, competitive
Not in a million years! No way! If you insist
Just a taste of it! I give in! Team work, I went on a training day one day, blindfolds, a waste of time, hold on to the rope, hold it loosely/tightly
Functions:
Accepting/refusing things
Describing annoying habits >>> Present Continuous + always
Asking for instructions, giving instructions and commands >>> Keep walking, go on searching
119.67b Fun for all the family
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Holiday camps, Cluedo (parecido al juego del rol), outdoor games (hide and seek), activity camp, residential camps, they are also run during the summer time, kayaking, archery
To provide lots of activities, a wide variety of activities, rock climing, different backgrounds/neighbourhoods, social skills, benefits
When they try sth for the first time, enjoyable, a win-win situation
That’s Britain:
Eton & Windsor (Windsor castle) >> family activity trail leaflet
120.68a Do you enjoy art?
Grammatical aspects:
EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES: What + noun, noun phrase! How + adjective, adverb! (How ugly! What an awful picture!)
Vocabulary:
Art: What is supposed to be? They are surprisingly good, stunning, appalling (espantoso), astonishing, canvas, I’m exhibiting here at the gallery, the same taste in art, moving, art school
Functions:
Expressing interest (Is there? With rising intonation) and disinterest (is there? With falling intonation)
Expressing preference >>> I prefer to stay, I’d rather stay
Describing actions >>>> waiting patiently, I’m seriously thinking
121.68b The buildings around us
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
How long have you been going to art classes? Do you ever display? Art for everyone, auction, to bid (pujar), a bargain, unbelievable, Affordable Art Fair, an ice sculpture
That’s Britain:
Oxford >>> spires, colleges, what’s it like living in Oxford?
122.69a What a great performance!
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
Theatre (play) >>> The importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, comedy, badly-acted play, to raise money for a children’s charity, a terrific script, to play the role, Here’s a critic, the direction is quite appalling, to book tickets online, review, a talented street performer, very critical, let’s go to the matinee (an afternoon performance)
Do come and see the show! , a white coffee, outstanding, I overacted, hopeless, playwright (dramaturgo), it’s so over the top (por encima de la media), Maybe he’ll cast you, underrated, go with an open mind
Parts of a theatre for the audience: balcony, circle, stalls, box, stage
Functions:
Expressing hope >>> I hope so / I hope not / Hopefully
Expression of satisfaction
Congratulating and praising >>>> amazing, awesome
Criticising >>> use of modifiers quite, absolutely, extremely, totally... dreadful, hopeless
123.69b Come and see the show
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
I’ve got to learn the lines, the Shakespearian tradition, when is the play on? , open air theatres, the Globe Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Bard of the Avon, birthplace, a full house, box office
All that glitters is not gold
That’s Britain:
Chichester >>> famous for its cathedral, harbour, theatre festival, in the heart of the city
124.610a It’s an urban myth, Bill!
Grammatical aspects:
Narrating past events >>> past simple, past continuous, past perfect
Past habits >>> USED TO, WOULD
Vocabulary:
Druids, local history, ancient graveyard, a nervous breakdown, a cup of tea and some toast, on stage, costume and make-up, most of the stories, so many urban myths, an ordinary life
Talking about...., if has any tickets left, you’re kidding!, around the campfire, fairy tales, Red Riding Hood, childhood, to put up a tent (to put up with someone)
He’s reported to be living..., I don’t want people to find out where I am, I made them all up
Functions:
125.610b Do you believe in ghosts?
Grammatical aspects:
Vocabulary:
A fancy dress party
Robin Hood, King Arthur, Greek Legends
Documentary on Jack the Ripper: forensic detection, finger-printing, serial killer, lanes and alleys, narrow streets, the police should have caught the criminal, unlikely, ever since he committed those murders, the police interrogated 3,000 people, haunted by his ghost
That’s Britain:
Canterbury: the ducking stool, the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer, pilgrims, a bit late by then, a witch, a ghost hunter, you don’t expect me to believe that