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Task 4.1 Independent study (in pairs)
Today we will be working with audio recordings. Your task is not only to listen carefully but also to analyze the material. This will help you improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary.
Steps to Complete the Assignment:
Practice some useful words for this task
1. Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8):
2. Based on the interview, write the phrases in the correct group:
3. Answer the "True or False" questions to check your understanding:
Statements:
1. The book "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is narrated through letters written by Kevin's father. _______
2. The presenter found "We Need to Talk About Kevin" more accessible than "Her Mother's Daughter." ________
3. The text suggests that Kevin's sister is not considered a victim in the story. _____
4. The theme of parental influence on children is explored in both "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and "Her Mother's Daughter." ______
5. The text implies that Kevin's upbringing was in a troubled home environment. _______
6. The presenter questions whether the mother's struggles with motherhood might have influenced Kevin's behavior. ______
7. The text suggests that the concept of 'evil' is universally agreed upon in both books. _______
4. Choose the correct answers for the provided questions:
1. The presenter and Helen differ on ...
a. how they see the characters in the book.
b. What they think about the quality of the writing.
c. how much they enjoyed reading the book.
2. Helen enjoyed Her Mother’s Daughter because ...
a. it’s totally different from the books she writes herself.
b. it’s totally different from her own life.
c. it has a happy ending.
3. What is Her Mother’s Daughter about?
a. The problems a mother has with her husband and children.
b. The way a mother’s childhood affects her when she has children herself.
c. A child who does something shocking that her parents can’t understand.
4. Why are sad books about families popular, according to Anna?
a. They make us feel as if our own families are better than the ones in books.
b. All families have similar problems, they’re just less dramatic.
c. People have small families nowadays so they like reading about other families.
5. What aspect of We Need to Talk About Kevin will people be able to relate to?
a. what it’s like to bring up teenagers
b. how we feel when people we know are killed
c. how it feels to be a victim
6. What do the two books have in common?
a. They’re both about happy homes.
b. They’re both about how parents affect their children.
c. They’re both about how parents worry about their children.
In pairs, perform a dialogue using the vocabulary you have learned.
Instructions:
1. Begin by watching the provided video that demonstrates an interview. Pay close attention to:
• The interviewer's body language and tone.
• The types of questions asked (open-ended vs. closed questions).
• How the interviewer encourages the speaker to elaborate on their thoughts.
• The overall flow of the conversation and how it maintains engagement.
2. Choose any book that you have read recently. Consider selecting a book that you feel comfortable discussing and can provide insightful commentary on.
3. Form pairs with a classmate. Decide who will take on the role of the interviewer and who will be the speaker. You may want to switch roles later to experience both perspectives.
Interviewer Preparation:
• Develop a list of questions that you will ask the speaker about the book. Consider including:
• Questions about the main themes and characters.
• Questions that encourage the speaker to share personal reflections or connections to the book.
• Follow-up questions that delve deeper into specific points raised by the speaker.
• Speaker Preparation:
• Reflect on the book you chose and think about key points you want to discuss. Be prepared to answer questions and share your insights about:
• The plot, characters, and setting.
• Your personal reaction to the book.
• Any relevant themes or messages conveyed by the author.
Conduct the Interview:
• Set up a recording device (a smartphone or camera) in a well-lit area with minimal background noise.
• Begin your dialogue, ensuring that you maintain a natural flow of conversation. The interviewer should ask questions, and the speaker should respond thoughtfully, elaborating where necessary.
• Aim for a duration of 5-10 minutes for your recorded dialogue.
Record Your Dialogue:
• Start recording and ensure both participants are visible and audible in the video.
• Keep track of time, making sure to cover all planned questions while allowing for organic discussion.
Once you have finished recording, upload your video to Google Classroom. Make sure to label your submission clearly with both of your names and the title of the book discussed
Peer Evaluation:
• After all videos have been uploaded, your classmates will evaluate your performance based on the following criteria:
• Clarity of Communication: How clearly did each participant express their thoughts?
• Engagement: Did the interviewer effectively engage with the speaker? Were follow-up questions appropriate?
• Content Knowledge: Did the speaker demonstrate a good understanding of the book?
• Overall Presentation: Was the video well-produced in terms of audio/visual quality? Did both participants appear prepared?
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Task 4.2 Independent study (in groups)
Choose one of the authors mentioned during our classes to compare with Jeffrey Archer. Use links to read about authors:
You need to fill out a fishbone diagram (create a presentation or collage)
Read the article how to work with this diagram: https://www.figma.com/resource-library/what-is-a-fishbone-diagram/
1. Head of the Fish: Write the name Jeffrey Archer
2. Tail of the Fish: Write the name of your chosen author
3. Bones of the Fish: In each "bone," indicate the common features of their works. These can include:
• Themes (e.g., power, love, betrayal).
• Plotlines (e.g., family dramas, political intrigue).
• Character types (e.g., ambitious characters, antiheroes).
4. Discussion: Working in pairs, discuss the similarities you have identified with your partner. Try to delve deeper into the analysis by asking each other questions about why these traits might be common to both authors
5. Prepare a Brief Explanation: Prepare a short explanation of your diagram. Explain why you chose these particular common features and how they reflect the style of each author
6. Consider Influences: Note how these similarities might indicate one author's influence on another or reflect similarities in literary traditions
7. Presentation: Present your findings to the class using your diagram for visual support for your arguments. Be ready to answer questions and discuss your conclusions with classmates
Use platforms:
• https://www.mindmeister.com/app/maps/team
Or google slides \ genially https://genially.com/
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Task 4.3 Continuous assessment (in groups)
Listen to an excerpt from the interview of Jeffrey Archer about his book “Traitor’s Gate” and fill in the gaps.
Fill in the gaps:
Host: Welcome to our studio, Jeffrey! We’re thrilled to have you here. Your new book “Traitor’s Gate” has already garnered __________ from readers. Can you share what inspired you to write this story?
Jeffrey Archer: Thank you for having me! The inspiration for “Traitor’s Gate” came from my interest in history and political intrigue. I’ve always believed that true drama ________ not just on stage but in real life, especially in the context of historical events. This book explores how betrayal and loyalty can intertwine in people's destinies.
Host: That sounds intriguing. How do you go about creating your characters? Do you have a specific method that you follow?
Jeffrey Archer: Each character is a separate life for me, and I strive to make them as _________ as possible. I start with a basic concept and then develop their personal stories, motivations, and inner conflicts. Often, I base characters on real historical figures or events, which helps me create a deeper and more believable narrative structure.
Host: You mentioned historical figures. How do you balance artistic license with historical accuracy?
Jeffrey Archer: It’s always a challenging process. I try to remain true to the facts, but I’m not afraid to add fictional elements to create tension and drama. The key is to preserve the spirit of the time and convey the __________. I do extensive research to ensure that the details are accurate, while still allowing myself the freedom to be creative.
Host: Your career spans several decades, and you’ve written numerous bestsellers. How do you think the perception of literature has changed over time?
Jeffrey Archer: Absolutely, the literary world has changed. With the advent of digital technology and social media, readers have become more selective. However, I believe that great stories will always find their audience. The classic structure of a plot and deep characters remain important, _________of the format.
Host: What do you see for the future of your writing career? Do you have plans for upcoming projects?
Jeffrey Archer: I’m always looking for new ideas and inspiration. I already have a few concepts in mind that I’d like to explore. It may be a continuation of “Traitor’s Gate”or it could be an ___________new story. In any case, I hope to continue writing and delighting my readers.
Host: Jeffrey, thank you for this engaging conversation! We eagerly await the release of your book “Traitor’s Gate” and look forward to your future works.
Jeffrey Archer: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure. I hope readers enjoy my new work.
Use this dialogue as an example for your task
Role play in pairs
Divide into pairs, one of you will be the interviewer, and the other - the author of the book. You can choose the book you will talk about by yourself. But it must be a book that you have studied as part of your studies at the university.
Here I will attach questions that need to be covered in your dialogue:
1. What inspired you to write this particular book, and were there any specific experiences that influenced your storytelling?
2. Can you describe your writing process? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the right mindset?
3. What central themes do you hope readers take away from your book, and why do you believe these themes are important in today’s society?
4. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing this book, and how did you overcome them?
5. Have you received any feedback that particularly resonated with you or changed your perspective on your work?
You have 10 minutes to prepare and then present your dialogue to your groupmates. During the presentation, record yourself on video and post it on the Google Classroom platform so that your groupmates can give you feedback in the comments based on the proposed criteria.
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Task 4.4 Continuous assessment (in groups)
Look through the paragraph and underline the sentences with the main ideas of the text
Beth still wanted to believe the original was hanging in London, and this was nothing more than a superb copy, but her experience of Miles Faulkner over the years didn’t fill her with confidence. Looking around to check the realtor was nowhere to be seen, she opened her handbag and extracted the little compact. Removing a scalpel no larger than a nail file, she carried out the delicate exercise of removing the tiniest sliver of paint from a dark corner of the canvas which she deposited carefully in the box before dropping it back in her bag. She could feel herself sweating as she replaced the compact with a pocket camera and took several photographs of the painting. The ornate gold frame clearly wasn’t the original, but she couldn’t be sure about the canvas.
In pairs match the words and their definitions
Read the text (Chapter 10) and find precedent phenomena and proper names with a sociocultural component
Organize yourselves into small groups of 4-5 members. Ensure that each group has a diverse range of perspectives to enrich the discussion.Revisit the text you have been studying. Pay particular attention to all proper names, including characters, places, events, and any historical references. Take note of their origins and any relevant cultural or historical significance.
Discussion Points:
• Origin of Proper Names: Discuss where the proper names originate from. Are they derived from historical figures, mythological characters, geographical locations, or cultural references? Consider how these origins contribute to the meaning and context of the narrative.
• Functions of Proper Names: Analyze the various functions that proper names serve in the text. How do they help in establishing character identity? Do they evoke specific cultural or historical contexts? How do they enhance the emotional resonance of the story?
• Creation of Atmosphere: Examine how the author uses proper names to create a specific atmosphere. What feelings or moods do these names evoke? How do they influence your perception of the setting and events?
• Reconstruction of Historical Moments: Consider how proper names contribute to the reconstruction of historical moments within the narrative. Do they reference real historical events or figures? How does this impact your understanding of the story?
Based on your discussions, prepare a set of arguments that reflect your group’s insights. Use examples from the text to support your points. When citing proper names, explain their significance and how they relate to your overall analysis.
Each group member should be prepared to justify their viewpoint during the discussion. Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your arguments clearly and convincingly.
After your discussion, each group will present its findings to the class. Be concise but thorough in your presentation, highlighting key insights and examples that showcase the importance of proper names in creating atmosphere and reconstructing historical moments.
Use the vocabulary you have learned
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Module reflection
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