12th October 2020
Let’s hit the ground running … my recent tests highlighted key areas on which all students, without exception, need to work, namely:
fluency
complex sentences
pronunciation including intonation and stress
Not forgetting, to constantly increase and expand their vocabulary. A reminder of some recent language:
gritty / industrial
quite / safe / residential
boring / peaceful / suburban
bustling / vibrant / city centre
apparently – something you believe to be true
conversely – the opposite, on the other hand, however
actually – saying something that is surprising or is the truth
New idioms
bear with me – please wait a very short time
bit of a sore point – something that makes you sad or angry
hit the ground running – to start something immediately and with all your energy.
like a madhouse – a place or area that is crazy, too noisy, too busy etc
run of the mill – ordinary, typical, normal, usual, boring
you take your life in your hands – doing something that is extremely dangerous
Exercise 1: Using the new vocabulary. Fill in the blanks:
I live near some factories in a ___________ , ________________ area.
The traffic is my neighbourhood is a nightmare, I __________________ every time I go out or try to cross the road.
I was rather disappointed in the latest Bond film it was merely a ____________________ spy movie.
This is a library ? With all this noise ! It’s _______________________ here.
Let me check my files, __________________ a moment.
Don’t ask him about his test score, it’s a bit of a ____________ . He only got 65% although he was expecting to ace the test.
China is the biggest country in the world, oh, no, sorry ________________ it’s Russia.
The lockdown has affected many urban areas. What used to be a _________________ , ____________ city centre is now a ghost town.
Exercise 2: what is a ghost town ? Can you understand these lyrics ? The Specials with ‘Ghost Town’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2oXzrnti4
Ghost Town
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place (town) is coming like a ghost town
Bands won’t play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place (town) is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can’t go on no more
The people getting angry
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Songwriters: Jerry Dammers
Exercise 3: What do you know about The Specials. Here’s some facts. Arrange them in the form of an IELTS-standard paragraph.
The Specials were formed in Coventry, in the British Midlands.
Formed in 1977. They had two main singers, Terry Hall and Neville Staple.
Their music is a mix of punk and reggae.
They had a number 1 song in 1980.
‘Ghost Town’ was also a number 1. It was released in 1981. This song is about the recession in the UK. Many people had no work, no money and no hope.
The Specials broke up (disbanded) in 1984 but later reformed. They still perform together.
Next blog will focus on pronunciation. To my classroom students, be prepared for a lot more speaking and practising so, yes ! You DO have to say it again … and again …
Attaining 8 1/2 … a piece of cake.
Thay Paul's Notes 
Idioms? Poppycock I say! 😀
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