Week 4 to 5

Week 4 - 5

A. Alternative transportation options

Imagine an electric vehicle that can get you to work — or anywhere in a six-mile radius — quickly, without traffic frustrations or gasoline. Now imagine you can pick it up and carry it with you. Yes, this skateboard could change the face of morning commutes.

Watch the following video and we'll discuss it at the end:

DISCUSSION

• Do you think that skateboarding is a good form of transport? Why/why not?

• Can you think of any other types of lightweight, easy to use methods?

• Do you think it is important to create new types of transport? Why/why not?

COMPREHENSION

1. The electric skateboard can run for 1000 kilometres.
2. The parts for the skateboard were bought at a toy store.
3. The skateboard is too heavy to hold and carry around with you.
4. It is really expensive to build.
5. The skateboard cannot easily go up a hill.
6. The battery last longer than a day before recharging

VOCAB

VOCAB	DEFINITION
1. Perspective	A. To describe something that can be used without consuming a lot of energy or damaging the environment.
2. Novel concept	B. To describe something that can change direction easily
3. Range	C. To describe something that can easily be moved.
4. Has gotten	D. The total effect something has on the environment/energy use.
5. Performance	E. A point of view, opinion
6. Portable	F. The distance (Kms) that something can travel
7. Maneuverable	G. A new idea
8. Sustainable	H. The ability of a machine to do something
9. Footprint (energy)	I. Has become

GRAMMAR

• Comparatives and Superlatives

ADJECTIVE	COMPARATIVE	SUPERLATIVE
Fast	Faster	Fastest
Big	Bigger	Biggest
Easy	Easier	Easiest
Efficient	More efficient	The most efficient

Focus on the use of “than” with comparatives. Make sure to give examples. Brainstorm a set of adjectives used for transport and build a comparative/superlative chart on the board with students.

GAP FILL

• Students to complete comparative/superlatives sentences by changing the adjectives into their correct form and filling the gaps.

Fast	Than	Slow
Good	More (x2)	Boring

1. Bicycles are ____________ than skateboards.
2. Planes are much ___________ efficient than ships
3. I think that traveling by bus is more _________ than traveling by ship.
4. Skateboarding is easier to learn _________ rollerblading.
5. Trains are __________ than planes.
6. Cars are ___________ than busses, because they are faster, smaller and more comfortable.

• Brainstorm as many examples of superlative sentences on the board with both superlative adjectives and the use of most.

DISCUSSION

• Would you like to skateboard everywhere? Why/Why not?

• Do you think it is too dangerous?

• Is skateboarding practical as a form of transport?

• How much do you think a skateboard like this should cost?

• Is it better than an electric bicycle? Than an electric car?

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B.  Do we 'do' or do we 'make'?

Do

We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an action, activity or task.

do a crossword 

do an exercise

do sports

do the ironing

do the laundry

do the washing

do the washing up

'Do' is often used when referring to work of any kind.

do your work

do homework 

do housework

do your job

do a choret

Note - these activities do not usually produce a physical object.

'Do' for General Ideas

Use the verb 'do' when speaking about things in general. In other words, to describe an action without saying exactly what the action is. This form is often used with the words 'something, nothing, anything, everything, etc.'

I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing.

What are you doing today?

Important Expressions with 'Do'

There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'do'. The best solution is to try to learn them.

do badly
do business
do the dishes
do a favor do well
do your best
do your hair
do your nails
do nothing

do the shopping

do an exam

do some work

Make

We use the verb 'make' for constructing, building or creating

make a dress
make food
make a cup of tea / coffee

'Make' is often used when referring to preparing food of any kind.

make a meal - breakfast / lunch / dinner

Note - these activities usually create something that you can touch.

Important Expressions with 'Make'

There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'make'. The best solution is to try to learn them.

make arrangements 

make an appointment
make a choice
make a comment
make a decision
make a difference 
make an effort
make an inquiry 
make an excuse 
make a fool of yourself 
make a fortune
make friends 
make a fuss or a big deal
make a journey 
make love 
make a mess 
make a mistake 
make money 
make a move 
make a noise 
make a payment 
make a phone call
make a plan
make a point 
make a profit 
make a promise 
make a remark
make a sound
make a speech
make a suggestion
make time 
make a visit
make your bed - (to prepare the bed for sleeping in)

Exercises:

1. What do people usually do to lose some weight?
2. What do you have to do before visiting a doctor?
3. When people are wrong, what do they usually say? Sorry, I....
4. What's the main reason people work?
5. What's one of the main objectives of a company?
6. When someone is not trying hard enough, you tell him/her to..........
7. You are in front of many people and you decide to tell everyone something.  You...... (a hard thing to do; it takes practice to be good at it)
8. When it is someone's birthday, there is always someone ready to ..............a cake rather than buy it.
9. When you do something for someone, it is to.............
10. I am typically ready to..............after having a good cup of coffer upon arriving to the office.
11. People at work are not very happy when someone does not ................ (perform her duty at the company)
12. I ....... a lot of sports during the summer.  I like the ones I can do outdoor.
13. On the weekend, if I am really tired, I like to .....................  That's relaxing.
14. When one moves to a new town, it is always hard to ..............new friends.
15. I have to .............  for my boss with all the information about the results of the pilots we conducted this week.

B. Inspiration: Set your sight high

Need to get inspired? Watch the following video about what one can do in 30 days. What would you do?

Using the following phrases, come up with professional and personal short and long term goals. REMEMBER to set your sights high when doing this

I hope to.....

I would like to...

I wish to...

I want...

I will...