Why, why... ways of expressing reason. A deserted London

Hi everyone!

Paired with relaxing images, very suitable for a Monday, this video will enable us to explore different ways of expressing reason and effect/consequence. Only one question, why, but many possible answers.

The video is a collection of photos taken at a very specific time to capture an unusual effect: a hidden city inside the city. Can you find the answers to these questions and tell us how the speaker is expressing cause or effect? You can transcribe the sentence if that helps.

1. Why did he decide to take these pictures?
2. What are the effects of such few cars and people on the streets?
3. Why doesn't he usually have the time to reflect on or play around with images?
4. That day, when did the appearance of the city start to change? Why?


Consider elements like sentence order (why shouldn't one start the sentence with "because"?), alternatives to because like "since" or "as", using nouns instead of clauses (linking in this case with "because OF" or "due to/owing to/thanks to"), or, my favourite, starting the sentence with a present participle clause (which can also be used to express condition, result, time...)

Not a bad idea to start using alternatives, seeing as Spanish learners can reportedly spell because in (wait for it...) 237 different ways! It's not our fault if we're imaginative when it comes to spelling!

Now seriously, variety is the key here. Knowing that these are common ways of expressing cause will also help your comprehension. "Since you're here, we're going to start" has nothing to do with time but with reason (meaning "now you're here" / "given that you're here"), and sometimes the result may be clearly positive, so you may want to use "thanks to" to make this connotation clear.

See you in the comments! Enjoy!

Occupy London protesters evicted

Hello there!

This is the video on Occupy London protesters being evicted from St Paul's on Tuesday. Some of you did this comprehension in class; in that case this will give you the chance to watch it again or check your answers with the key in a couple of days.

There's some vocabulary on law and order here, as well as some interesting expressions like "it's a shadow of its former self". Can you spot it? What do you think it means?

These are the comprehension questions:

1. Why is it certain that they are going to be evicted?
2. When are they going to leave?
3. How do they interpret the eviction?
4. How has the movement expanded?
5. What's the purpose of taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights?

Please give your answers in the comments! Thank you!

Protected area in Poland

Hello again!

A really good video to identify adjectives! Just that, write down the adjectives you understand, if possible, followed by their corresponding nouns.

Some of you have done this activity already, so I'll be posting your answers in the comments. I'll be posting the answers in a week or so, or when I consider you've participated enough. So, come on, don't just wait for the key, and write your exercise in the comments!

The video is on how a protected area in Poland threatened by the construction of a highway was saved by environmentalists.

Enjoy it!

Travel Apps

Hi everyone!

A very short video but with a challenging activity, as some of the vocabulary used is very specific.

1. What cities does Zagat to Go cover?

2.What does Flight Track Pro offer?

3. Can you describe what Trip Journal offers?

Which of these apps is the most useful, do you think?

As usual, answers and doubts in the comments.

Enjoy!

The Berlin Philharmonic

Here we go again with some activities that may ring a bell to some of you. I am posting it here to give you the transcript (in the comments). Thank you very much to Encarna for a transcription of part of the video, and to Irene for astonishing research work on the piece played by Anne-Sophie Mutter on the video.

Sorry for not having been able to subtitle it, I may try again one of these days!

So enjoy it as it is!

As activities, I propose answering the following questions:

1. How do the different people describe the sound of the orchestra from minute 1:30 to 2:00?

2. How does conducting compare to horseriding?

3. How many chief conductors of the Berlin Philharmonic has there been?

4. Where do the people who watch the Berlin Philharmonic come from?

5. Why does Simon Rattle fit in so well with this orchestra, according to the horn?

6. Throughout the 20th century, what has changed and what has remained in the orchestra?

7. Why wasn't this conductor very well received at the beginning?

8. Find an example of a second conditional.

9. What does Simon Rattle compare their work with at the end of the video?

Feel free to ask any questions of comprehension.

Good listening!