I really want to know how to solve a Rubik's Cube. The Rubik's Cube is a complicated puzzle that was around when I was a kid. Now, it has made a come back. My daughter recently got one as a birthday gift and she can do it. I popped on You Tube to see if there was a step by step process I could easily follow. There are videos that are long and complicated, but I did find another way.
What is the main idea of this news report?
1. Write a one sentence introduction to this video.
Discussing the Video:
2. Write 5 to 7 factual questions about this news report.
3. Write 3 or 4 questions to solicit another person's opinion or personal experiences on topics related to this video.
Are you still curious about the solution? Here's the secret. Press on Rubik's Cube .
There are several patterns of organization. Which pattern does describing a process belong to?
1. Listing
2. Sequencing
3. Comparison/Contrast
4. Cause/Effect
5. Problem/Solution
6. Extended Definition
A process uses sequence organization. Describing a process requires using steps that follow one after another in time order. Common time words or phrases used are first, then, next, after that, finally and the next step.
Steps in a Process
Listen to the following video. Then complete the exercise.
1. What is the topic?
2. What is the main idea?
3. What is the pattern of organization?
4. What does the presenter say in her introduction? List the parts of her introduction.
5. Listen for time words. For each step, write a signal word or phrase and the detail that follows.
For example,
Step 1: Then - fold the paper.
6. Does the presenter offer any warnings? Can you give an example?
When we talk, we do not separate every word. This is difficult to understand. We join several words together to form a complete idea. One idea is a thought group.
Here's an example. ( / ) is used to separate thought groups. ( / ) is for a pause or a short stop. At the end of the sentence ( // ) is used. ( // ) is for a longer pause or full stop.
Yesterday, / I went swimming / with my friends / at the community centre. //
Why are thought groups important?
It is easier for people to understand you when you speak.
It is easier to hear people when you listen.
Thinking in thought groups improves your reading speed and comprehension as well.
How to use thought groups?
Thought groups are part of the rhythm of the language. The last word in each thought group is stressed. To stress a word, you must say it louder, longer and clearer. Here's the example sentence again with the stressed words in colour.
Yesterday, / I went swimming / with my friends / at the community centre. //
Pausing and stressing are just part of the natural rhythm of the language, but they help a lot.
Would you like to learn more about pausing and thought groups?
Watch the video below to understand when to pause and how to group words. Remember, thought groups can improve your listening, speaking and reading comprehension.
Canadians are always talking about the weather? Why?
We have four seasons about three months each. March 20th was the first day of spring!
The change from one season to the next can be gradual or abrupt. It's never the same each year. This spring, we had a few warm days, but now its cooler again.
We have a lot of extreme conditions. Too hot. Too cold. Too much snow....
The precipitation changes year to year. This year, we shovelled a lot of snow! Last summer, it rained a lot.
The weather can change from morning to afternoon, day to day and week to week.
Small talk: Weather is a great opener for small talk or short two or three minute conversations. Here's some common questions to ask about the weather.
What's the weather like? or What's it like out?
Is ithot/cold enough for you?
Is itgoing to rain/snow today?
Is it going to warm up today/ this week?
What's theforecast for this week/ the next few days?
What's the temperature?
Isn't it beautiful?
Now it's April, and it's colder than usual for April. Yet, it's not unusual to see snow in late March or early April. Take a look at April 7th in Toronto.
So, when will spring arrive in Toronto? I hope earlier than in 2008. That year, it seemed like it was never going to stop snowing and I remember skiing in late March. Follow the change from winter to spring in 2008. At least, spring started a bit earlier this year.
One thing for certain. Spring means rain. Here's some vocabulary and expressions for rainy conditions.
There is a light drizzle: very light rain
There are showers: light rain
It's pouring: heavy rain
It's raining cats and dogs: heavy rain
There is thunder and lightening: usually during a storm, you see light and hear noises in the sky
But remember, April showers bring May flowers!
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