ADVANCED / INTERMEDIATE English lesson: The vocabulary of skiing

Always remember that during the lesson we are continuing our RP practice to be able to improve our pronunciation and diction.

These English lessons contain the following six sections.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. New Vocabulary Section
                                       2. Reading and Pronunciation Section
                                       3. Questions Section
                                       4. Video Listening Section
                                       5. Grammar 1 Section
                                       6. Grammar 2 Section

1). NEW VOCABULARY SECTION:

Here are five advanced / intermediate English words for an advanced / intermediate English student, along with their meanings and example sentences:

• • Here is a list of 10 words related to skiing, along with a sample sentence, a grammar question, and a prompt to construct a sentence for each word:

    1. Slope

       • Sample Sentence: “The skier expertly navigated the steep slope with precision.”
       • Grammar Question: What part of speech is the word “slope” in the sentence?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “slope.”

    2. Goggles

       • Sample Sentence: “She wore goggles to protect her eyes from the glaring sun and flying snow.”
       • Grammar Question: Why is “goggles” used as a plural noun in the sentence?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “goggles.”

    3. Lift

       • Sample Sentence: “We took the lift to the top of the mountain for an exhilarating run down.”
       • Grammar Question: What type of verb is “took” in this context?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “lift.”

    4. Trail

       • Sample Sentence: “The trail was well-marked, guiding skiers safely down the mountain.”
       • Grammar Question: How is the adjective “well-marked” used to modify “trail”?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “trail.”

    5. Powder

       • Sample Sentence: “Fresh powder covered the slopes, making for a perfect day of skiing.”
       • Grammar Question: In this sentence, what role does the word “fresh” play?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “powder.”

    6. Bindings

       • Sample Sentence: “The bindings on her skis were adjusted for a snug fit to ensure safety.”
       • Grammar Question: What is the function of the preposition “on” in this sentence?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “bindings.”

    7. Chalet

       • Sample Sentence: “After a long day on the slopes, the cozy chalet was a welcome retreat.”
       • Grammar Question: Identify the adjective in the sentence and explain its use.
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “chalet.”

    8. Avalanche

       • Sample Sentence: “Skiers must always be aware of avalanche warnings in the area.”
       • Grammar Question: What is the grammatical role of “avalanche” in this sentence?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “avalanche.”

    9. Carve

       • Sample Sentence: “He learned how to carve turns to gain better control on the slopes.”
       • Grammar Question: What is the verb tense of “learned” in this sentence?
       • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “carve.”

    10. Apres-ski

        • Sample Sentence: “The resort offered a variety of apres-ski activities for guests to enjoy.”
        • Grammar Question: What does the hyphenated term “apres-ski” imply in this context?
        • Instruction: Now construct a sentence using the word “apres-ski.”

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2). READING & PRONUNCIATION SECTION:

Skiing has always been a thrilling winter sport that captivates enthusiasts around the globe. Over the years, countless individuals have fallen in love with the exhilarating rush of gliding down snowy slopes. Skiers have consistently sought out the best locations to experience the perfect powder, and many have traveled to remote parts of the world to find untouched terrains. By the time a skier reaches the end of a run, they often feel a profound sense of accomplishment, as they have achieved a harmony between skill and nature. Those who have mastered skiing have dedicated hours to perfecting their technique, continually pushing themselves to new heights. As a sport, skiing has evolved significantly; equipment has become more advanced, allowing skiers to execute more complex maneuvers safely. Many have argued that skiing has not only provided them with physical benefits but has also enriched their lives with memorable adventures and a deep appreciation for the beauty of winter landscapes.

3). GRAMMAR SECTION ONE:

How to pronounce the ‘ed’ sounds in regular verbs.

‘ED’ practice text

In this text remember that we are practicing our RP but at the same time we are going to practice how to pronounce the ‘ed’ in regular verbs. Here is an explanation.

In English, the pronunciation of the past tense suffix “-ed” varies and is determined by the final sound of the root verb:

1. /t/ Sound: We use this sound when the root verb ends in voiceless consonants (except for /t/), such as /p/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʧ / (ch), and /f/. For example:
– “walk” becomes “walked” and is pronounced as /wa: kt/
– “laugh” becomes “laughed” and is pronounced as /laugh: ft/

2. /d/ Sound: We use this sound with root verbs ending in voiced sounds, which include all vowel sounds and voiced consonants (except for /d/), such as /b/, /g/, /v/, / z/, etc. For example:
– “call” becomes “called” and is pronounced as /ca lld/
– “rob” becomes “robbed” and is pronounced as /rob bd/

3. /ɪd/ or just /d/ Sound: We use this sound distinctly when the root verb ends in either a /t/ or a /d/. This additional syllable makes it easier to pronounce. For example:
– “want” becomes “wanted” and is pronounced as /ˈwant: id/
– “need” becomes “needed” and is pronounced as /ˈneed: id/

4). GRAMMAR SECTION TWO:

Here is a comprehensive guide to the grammar rules for all of the perfect tenses in English, along with examples:

Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Rule: The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or an action that began in the past and continues in the present. It is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (have/has) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + have/has + past participle

Examples:

• I have eaten breakfast. (Action at an unspecified time in the past)
• She has lived here for five years. (Action that began in the past and continues in the present)

Past Perfect Tense

Rule: The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action or time in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (had) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + had + past participle

Examples:

• I had finished my homework before the movie started. (Action completed before another action)
• They had left by the time I arrived. (Action completed before another action)

Future Perfect Tense

Rule: The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It is formed by using “will have” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + will have + past participle

Examples:

• I will have finished my project by tomorrow. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)
• She will have travelled to five countries by the end of the year. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and has continued up until now, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “have/has been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + have/has been + present participle

Examples:

• I have been studying for three hours. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)
• She has been working here since June. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and was completed before another past action. It is formed by using “had been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + had been + present participle

Examples:

• I had been reading for two hours when the power went out. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)
• They had been living in Paris for a year before they moved to London. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “will have been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + will have been + present participle

Examples:

• By next month, I will have been working here for five years. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)
• They will have been traveling for 24 hours by the time they arrive. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)
• These rules and examples should help you understand and use the perfect tenses in English accurately.

ANSWERS TO GRAMMAR QUESTIONS:

Let’s break down the paragraph to address each of the grammar questions:

1. Complex Sentence:

   • Example: “These devices, equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities, offer remarkable convenience and accessibility.”
   • Structure: This sentence is complex because it includes a main clause “These devices offer remarkable convenience and accessibility,” and a non-essential participial phrase “equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities,” which provides additional information about “these devices.”

2. Participial Phrase:

   • Example: “equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities”
   • Function: This participial phrase describes the noun “These devices.” It functions as an adjective, providing more detail about the technological capabilities of the devices.

3. Relative Clause:

   • Example: “which can limit creativity in more controlled photographic environments.”
   • Explanation: This relative clause modifies the noun phrase “the control manuals and lens versatility that professional digital cameras offer.” It adds information by explaining the limitation posed by cellphone cameras in comparison to professional digital cameras.

4. Parallel Structure:

   • Example: “the ease with which one can capture and instantly share high-quality images with others, transcending geographical boundaries.”
   • Analysis: The parallel structure in this sentence is found in the phrases “capture and instantly share.” Both verbs are in the same form, creating a rhythm that enhances the clarity and flow of the sentence. The use of parallel structure emphasizes the dual capabilities of modern digital cameras and cellphones in capturing and sharing images.

 

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