Can't live with'em, can't live without'em

What are some of the advantages of living with the opposite sex? What are some of the disadvantages? Why? Use some of this week's vocabulary, as well as the phrasal verbs and expressions from Module 7 in the Phrase Builder.

ps We're are meeting in the computer lab at 8:45 on Wednesday, Dec. 17

It takes courage to...

Describe a situation that required courage. It can be a personal situation (something that has happened to you or someone you know), or a general situation (something you've imagined or read in the news. Use some of the vocabulary from this week (check your phrase builder).

Rock On!

Write a review of a concert or a CD from an English-sing artist. Use p.24-25 from your textbook as a model. Use some vocabulary from p.24 and your phrase book (module 2).

How does Vancouver compare to your home city?

What are the similarities between your home city and Vancouver? The differences? Do you think that globalization is making every city the "same"? Why/why not? Use some of the vocabulary you have learnt this week and some of the phrasal verbs from p.4 in your phrase builder.

Tough Times In Vancouver

Write about a challenge you've faced here in Vancouver. How did you handle it? Did you learn anything from it? Make sure to check your verb tenses!

Eavesdropping

Find a comfortable spot in a public place (cafe, restaurant, bus, skytrain), hide behind a newspaper and listen to the conversations around you :) Take notes! Report what you heard using reported speech. You don't have to tell us word-for-word, just summarize.

It's a question of taste.

Look in your textbook at p.77, Question 4. Look at the Would you...? list. Find at least one thing that you would never do, and one thing you would (secretly) like to do and why. Now explain at least one thing you've already done and give us all the juicy details.

If you could do anything in the world....

...what would you do and why? Give us all the juicy details!

Vancouver News

Find an interesting newspaper article about something that has recently taken place in Vancouver. Summarize the article telling only the most important information. Use the passive with reporting verbs where appropriate. (See your textbook p.132 B2&3 for useful grammar points).

What do you do in your free time?

What are your favourite things to do to relax? Do you have any hobbies? Do you practice any sports? Are you an artist of some kind? Give a detailed description of what you do and why you like to do it. Use some vocabulary from your phrase builder if it's appropriate.

How does Vancouver compare to your home city?

What are the similarities between your home city and Vancouver? The differences? Do you think that globalization is making every city the "same"? Why/why not? Use some of the vocabulary you have learnt this week and some of the phrasal verbs from p.4 in your phrase builder.

Tough Times in Vancouver

Write about a challenge you've faced here in Vancouver. How did you handle it? Did you learn anything from it? Make sure to check your verb tenses!

A Canadian Adventure

Write about something exciting that has happened to you here in Canada. Make sure to use a variety of connectors (subordinate conjunctions, coordinate conjunctions, transitions, and prepositional phrases) to link together the ideas in your text. If you can include some pictures, that would be fabulous!

June 18 Assignment

Using direct reported speech, describe a conversation that you overheard (either in real life or something from a tv show or movie). Be sure to use lots of adverbs. Watch for run-on sentences!

June 04 Assignment

Write an anecdote. Be sure to include lots of details and use noun clauses where appropriate.

May 28 Assignment

Write a review of a movie you've seen or a book you've read. Use relative clauses when appropriate.

May 22 Assignment

I'm the type of person who....

...loves lazy Sundays.
...tries to see the good in people.
...hates giving tests. (Sorry, I have no choice there!)
...wishes she could be in a all-girl punk band.
...does her very best to enjoy each and every moment. I know it's cheesy, but it's true.

May 14 Assignment

Pick one of the following assignments:

A) Describe an odd encounter that you had in Vancouver that you didn't quite understand. Perhaps there was some miscommunication that happened in a conversation. Maybe there was some clashing of cultures. Make some speculations about what happened and why. Use perfect modals in the passive voice for speculating about the past (see WS p.102).


B) Recall an interesting conversation you had with someone in Vancouver. Use indirect speech with modals when writing your conversation (see WS p.100)