Introduction
Many people get hurt because of extreme sports. For instance, although a lot of people know that skateboarding is dangerous, they still want to try it. Have you ever done any extreme sports? Ask each other similar questions.
Grammar 1
There are a number of structures which we can use to show contrasting ideas.
(because, although, in spite of, despite the fact)
Look at the difference between the conjunctions although and because.
(Every year many people get hurt because of extreme sports. Although a lot of people know that skateboarding is dangerous, they still want to try it.) What is the difference between although and because?
(because: shows what happens as a result of something else)
(although: indicates that something is unlikely to happen, is unexpected or is the opposite of what happens)
For example:
(I can't speak English well because I never have the time to study. Although I never study, I am still able to speak English well.)
S1, How is your English?
Though, and not although can be used as an adverb to contrast information.
(I enjoy traveling, I'm not crazy about airports, though.)
Have students make similar sentences.
Examples:
I like amusement parks.
(I’m not crazy about roller coasters, though.)
I love rock music.
(I’m not crazy about heavy metal, though.)
I love visiting London.
(I’m not crazy about the weather, though.)
I’m not into extreme sports.
(I quite like skydiving, though.)
I can’t stand romance movies.
(I’m crazy about Titanic, though.)
We’ve traveled all over Europe.
(We haven’t been to France, though.)
They wake up early almost every morning.
(They sleep late on Sundays, though.)
John is great at most sports.
(He’s pretty bad at tennis, though.)
Anna is fluent in nine languages.
(She can’t speak Russian, though.)
Controlled Practice 1
Change the following sentences, into sentences using although.
(He couldn't walk because he was injured. Although he was injured, he could walk.)
The boat sank because it was hit by rocks.
The villagers fled because the volcano erupted.
She quit her job because she won the lottery.
The restaurant closed because of the power failure.
Unemployment keeps rising because of the poor economy.
She passed the exam because she studied hard.
Language in Use 1
Imagine you did these activities recently.
(hiking, scuba diving, restaurants, movies, travel)
Tell us what you did, using a combination of although + because in your sentences.
(camping >>> Although it was raining, we still had a good time because the scenery was beautiful.)
(fishing >>> Although we couldn't catch any fish, we were still able to cook a great meal because we brought along some steaks.)
hiking >>>
Although my feet hurt, I still managed to climb to the summit because I had a lot of energy.
Although it had snowed earlier, we were still able to follow the path.
Although there were many mosquitoes, I didn’t get bitten too badly.
scuba diving >>>
Although we saw lots of coral, we didn’t see many fish.
Although I just bought a new wetsuit, I decided to wear my old one.
Although our diving instructor was experienced, she didn’t warn us about the sharks.
restaurants >>>
Although the service was slow, we still left a big tip.
Although I usually like pasta dishes, I found the lasagna inedible.
Although the dish was made with tofu, it tasted just like pork.
movies >>>
Although the ending was depressing, I still enjoyed the movie.
Although food at the theater was expensive, we still bought popcorn and soda.
Although I asked the people in front of me to be quiet, they still talked through the film.
travel >>>
Although I enjoy flying, I can’t stand airplane food.
Although we booked our hotel months in advance, they couldn’t find our reservation.
Although the trains are fast, they never run on time.
Grammar 2
We can also contrast situations by using language such as despite the fact and in spite of.
What is the difference between these pairs of sentences:
(She didn't graduate because she did poorly on the exam. She graduated despite the fact she did poorly on the exam.)
(She graduated in spite of her poor exam results. She didn't graduate because of her poor exam results.)
(Although she had poor grades, she still graduated. She still graduated in spite of her poor grades.)
Despite the fact is used similarly to although before a subject and a verb.
In spite of and despite are used before a noun/pronoun or an "-ing" verb.
Controlled Practice 2
Change the sentences using because of into sentences using despite the fact that.
(I didn't go out because of the storm. >>> Despite the fact there was a storm, I still went out.)
Monkeys are able to avoid their enemies because of their ability to climb.
Because of the accident, the road will be closed for the remainder of the afternoon.
I quit my job because of the stress.
Because of the warm weather, the farmers will reap a huge harvest.
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words. There might be more than one correct word.
(because, although, because of, despite, in spite of, though)
_____ winning the lottery, she continued to work.
_____ it was summer, I still wore a sweater because I felt cold.
I like Milan. I don't care for the pollution, _____.
_____ the fact that the company was downsizing, he was still able to get a job.
The city hired more tourism staff _____ they expected a busy summer.
Norman had to quit his job _____ a work related injury.
I like drinking. I don't like hangovers, _____.
_____ of the harsh words we had, I think he'll be back.
Language in Use 2
Imagine one of these things happened to you.
(My encounter with a shark, I won the lottery, Why I quit my job)
Describe your experience using:
(because, although, because of, despite the fact, in spite of)