Mooc edX 1.3.2 Commonly confusable words

UQx+Write101x+2T2021+type@sequential+block@5a8c81728c5847028210009af4700760/block-v1:UQx+Write101x+2T2021+type@vertical+block@b645fbb752d04e1595a71536fc34862f

actuate: He was actuated by community spirit.

admittance: a No Admittance sign

apprise: apprise/inform/notify A of B

arrant: arrant nonsense

errant: tuck errant curls behind one's ear

bale: a bale of cotton

bated: bated breath in trepidation

cache: a place to store valuables

cachet: an official seal

caret: V

complaisant: I would rather go after what I truly want in life even at the cost of failing than be complaisant because of fear.

continuous: continuous Jim Crow

relegate: relegate a cup to a flower pot

deprecate: Never deprecate your students' achievements.

infuse: infuse the container with the content

suffuse: suffused with lust

disinterested: unbiased

dual: dual fuel

duel: Duel in the Sun

effectual: effectual measures

immanent: Presence of God is immanent in the text of Christianity.

expedient/expeditious: A politically expedient act was passed expeditiously.

farrago: a farrago of fact and myth

faze: not fazed by intimidation

flair: artistic flair

flaunt: flaunt one's wealth

flout: flout the stupid law

flounder: The ship floundered in the storm.

fount: fountain

forbear: forbear with someone's faults

forego: based on foregoing explanation/definition

horde: a horde of atttackers

invidious: put someone in an invidious position

luxuriant: a luxuriant tree

magnate: media magnate

manor: load of the manor, manor house

mete: mete out justice to

militate: Asking the question militated against the anchor's promotion.

mnemonic: mnemonics: AN OSAS COMP

moreish: moorish

palette: palette brush

pallet: pallets for forklifts

pique: pique someone’s curiosity

wrack: wracked by bombing

raze: raze a forest, razer

rein: rein oneself in, rein in antibiotic usage, rein in bloated bureaucaracy

reticent: reticent to express one’s view, a reticent attitude to

riffle: ruffle

scupper: scupper pipe for redemption

sewerage: sewage in the sewerage

spasmodically: My neighbors spasmodically attack me.

spurious: spurious news station

straitened: His father died when he was ten, leaving the family in straitened circumstances.

strategic/tactical: for long term goal / more concrete and more short perm purpose

substantive: substantive adjective as in the gap between the rich and the poor

tack: tack something to a wall with a pushpin

tended: Well-tended house

tendered：tendered price

tenet: religious tenet, basic tenet of Buddhism

wont: It's my wont to walk before breakfasr.  use and wont

wile: wile away the waiting hours

 

Mooc edX UQx: Write 101x Englsih Grammar and Style Activity 1-2: Bow-tie-wearing martinets (prescriptivists) versus flaming liberals (descriptivists)

I would like to take a middle-ground approach to grammar between the poles of a grammar nazi and of Noam Chomsky as the linguist of generative grammar, whose research subject is all human speech. Although knowledge of the standard grammar is indispensable in our language life, being too particular about grammatical rules will put the cart before the horse in communication. Few people, including prescriptivists, stop and correct their speech every time they make a minor grammatical mistake, because it is the message, not the grammar, that is the most important in a sentence. On the other hand, although I accept anything that is uttered by humans as a language, I also believe that following the rules of the standard of a language is indispensable in proper communication, especially in avoiding misunderstanding.

I wrote "Few people, including prescriptivists, stop and correct their speech every time they make a minor grammatical mistake, because it is the message, not the grammar, that is the most important in a sentence. " I agree with the point, but I am not sure if it can be clearly said that it is the message, not the grammar that is the most important in a sentence. Probably the message and grammar are inseparable. The grammar makes the message. Therefore, the sentence above should be ""Few people, including prescriptivists, stop and correct their speech every time they make a minor grammatical mistake, because it is the message, not the minor grammar rules, that is the most important in a sentence. "

Mooc edX UQx: Write 101x Englsih Grammar and Style 1-1 Discussion 1 It is cruel to not teach children grammar.

https://courses.edx.org/courses/course-v1:UQx+Write101x+2T2021/discussion/forum/i4x-UQx-Write101x-course-3T2019_Week_1_Discussions/threads/6125c10a9bd62e045b681a54

I agree with your statement that it is the right of every child to learn their grammar. Children cannot fully understand what is written in their textbook or what their teacher says without assimilated knowledge of grammar. The point of a sentence depends on its structure, as well as on the words and phrases used in it, because grammar is logic on the level of a sentence. It clarifies the relations of the words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence to make the sentence a sold building block of the logic of a passage. Therefore, the ability to understand the language used in class down to the grammar level is the prerequisite of children's academic life, and the same applies to the ability to express in proper grammar. In this sense, it may not be an exaggeration to say that it is cruel to not teach grammar to children, and certainly it is a fundamental right to learn the grammar of the language used in studies, especially for children.

Pre-TOEFL Writing Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future.

Winter 3  Writing Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

以下の意見に賛成ですか反対ですか？その時は困難に思えたほとんどの人生経験は将来の貴重な教訓になる。答えを支持するために理由と具体例を使ってください。

 

☆Let’s Think  考えてみよう

Remember experiences in your childhood that were difficult at that time. Was it only tough for you, or did it do you good in the end? Did you learn anything from it? Did you become stronger than before?

当時は困難だった子供時代の経験を思い出してみてください。それはあなたにとって辛かっただけですか？それとも最終的にはあなたにとってよかったですか？何か学びましたか？あなたは以前より強くなりましたか？

Note: This statement says “most” experiences, not “all” experiences. Thus, traumatic experiences such as disasters and wars are not necessarily included. メモ: この意見は「ほとんどの」経験と言っていて、「全ての」経験とは言っていない。従って、災害や戦争の様なトラウマになる経験は必ずしも含まれない。

 

☆Words and Expressions

1.     You learn that you can cope with it when you face a difficulty and get up to it.

私たちは、困難に直面してそれに立ち向かう時、自分がそれに対処できるということを知る。

2.     We acquire new skills and knowledge through problem-solving.

問題解決を通して、私たちは新しい技術や知識を獲得する。

3.     Some boring practices like piano lessons will give you a skill that is useful to have in the future.

ピアノの練習の様な一部の退屈な訓練は将来持っていて役に立つ技術を与えてくれる。

4.     By going through tough times, you learn that you are not alone and that someone will help you if you ask for help, and you will have a feeling of gratitude.

きつい時の経験を通して、一人ぼっちではないこと、頼めば誰かが助けてくれるということを知り、感謝の気持ちを持つようになる。

5.     You will be more empathetic to others and insightful about their problems.

以前より他人に共感するようになり、彼らの問題に洞察が働くようになる。                                   

 

☆Your Essay Structure  エッセイ構成

【Introduction = Outline】I agree with the statement that most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. There are three reasons and specific examples to support my opinion.

【Point 1】          

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】For the reasons above, most tough experiences become morals for the future.

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development  段落展開例

A.      【Main Idea】By going through tough times, you learn that you are not alone and that someone will try to help you if you ask.

【Reasons and Examples】This is because you become confident about the difficulty because you know you can do it. For example, I moved to a city in the United States when I was seven years old because of my father’s job and went to a public school in my neighborhood. At first, I was anxious because I understood little of what my teacher and classmates were saying, but in a month, I made friends with some classmates and communicating with them. Although I still had many things to learn, I was confident that I would be able to live there, and now I am sure that I can live anywhere in the world.

【Wrap-up】You become stronger than before by overcoming them.

【主張】困難に直面してそれに立ち向かう時、自分がそれに対処できるということを知る。

【理由・具体例】できると分かって、その困難に対して自信がつくからだ。例えば、私は父の仕事のために7歳の時にアメリカのある町に移住し、近所の公立校に行った。最初は、先生やクラスメートの言っていることがほとんど分からず不安だったが、一か月すると何人かのクラスメートと友達になり、彼らとコミュニケーションを取っていた。まだ学ぶべきことは沢山あったけれど、そこで生活できる自信があった、今では世界中どこでも住むことができると確信している。

【まとめ】困難を克服することによって以前より強くなる。

 

B.      【Main Idea】By going through tough times, you learn that you are not alone and that someone will help you if you ask for help, and you will have a feeling of gratitude.

【Reasons and Examples】I have been bullied and abused by many people for a reason I do not know for years. Trying not to take it seriously, I did my best to end it, but it never ended. I got tired, and thought I understand why some people commit suicide, when I asked for help on the Internet. No one replied, but things have gotten better since then. I think some people have been helping me.

【Wrap-up】I thank them, and I am sure I will help others in the same situation.

【主張】きつい時の経験を通して、一人ぼっちではないこと、そして誰かが助けようとしてくれることを知り、感謝の気持ちをもつ。

【理由・具体例】私は長年分からない理由で多くの人にいじめられ虐待されている。深刻に考えないようにしながら、それを終わらせるために最善を尽くした。しかし決して終わらなかった。私は疲れて自殺する人がいる畏友が分かったと思った。その時私はインターネットで助けを求めた。誰も答えなかったがそれ以来物事は良くなった。誰かが私を助けてくれているのだと思う。

【まとめ】私は彼らに感謝しているし、同じ状況にある他の人たちを必ず助けるだろうと思う。

 

Pre-TOEFL Writing The reason why movies are so popular

Winter 2  Writing Topic

Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

映画は世界中で人気があります。なぜ映画がそんなに人気があるのかを説明して下さい。答えを支持するために理由と具体例を使ってください。

 

 

☆Let’s Think  考えてみよう

Most people feel happy when they hear the word movie. What pleasant things do you think of when you hear the word movie?

大抵の人は映画という単語を聞くと嬉しくなる。映画と言う言葉を聞いたとき、どんな楽しいことを思い浮かべていますか？

 

Note: The word actor means both male and female actors. There is also a word actress for female actors.

メモ: アクターという単語は男女両方の俳優を意味する。女性の俳優用にはアクトレスという単語もある。

 

☆Words and Expressions

1.     Watching movies, we enjoy experiencing something special through acts of attractive people.

映画を観ながら、私たちは魅力的な人たちの演技を通して何か特別なことを経験するのを楽しむ。

2.     Movies take us to a world that is different from ours.

映画は私たちの世界と違う世界に連れて行ってくれる。

3.     By watching a movie, we can witness or live a life of another being.

映画を観ることによって、私達は別の存在の生を目撃するか生きることができる。

4.     Movies broaden our views and change our values.

映画は私たちの視野を広げ、価値観を変える。

5.     Documentary films tell us what we should know about that the school and the media seldom take up.

ドキュメンタリー映画は学校やメディアがめったに取り上げない私たちが知るべきことを教えてくれる。

6.     Going to a movie is a special event.

映画に行くのは特別な出来事だ。

7.     Movies give us power to live. After watching a movie, we feel positive about life.

映画は生きる力を私たちにくれる。映画を観た後は、人生に前向きになる。

 

 

☆Your Essay Structure  エッセイ構成

【Introduction = Outline】I think movies are popular for the following reasons.

【Point 1】          

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】For the reasons above, people all over the world love to watch movies.

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development  段落展開例

 

 

A.      【Main Idea】Watching movies, we enjoy experiencing something special through acts of attractive people.

【Reasons and Examples】Movie actors are professionals of acting who have something attractive. They are beautiful, pretty, gorgeous, handsome, or cool. Even actors who are not so-called good-looking people have something that please our eyes or ears, such as stunning expressions or enchanting voice. With such features and acting, actors make us believe that the person they are playing is real and help us experience the drama.

【Wrap-up】Such experiences are special, and thus we like movies.

【主張】映画を観ながら、私たちは魅力的な人たちの演技を通して何か特別なことを経験するのを楽しむ。

【理由・具体例】映画俳優は何か魅力的なところのある演技の専門家だ。彼らは美しかったり、可愛かったり、豪華だったり、男前だったり、カッコ良かったりする。いわゆる見た目の良い人でない俳優さえ、ドキッとさせる表情やうっとりさせる声のような目や耳を楽しませる何かを持っている。その様な特徴と演技で、俳優は彼らの演じている役が本物だと私たちに信じさせ、ドラマを経験するのを助けてくれる。

【まとめ】そのような経験は特別なので、皆、映画が好きだ。

 

B.      【Main Idea】Movies broaden our views and change our values.

【Reasons and Examples】Good movies have eye-opening themes. For example, Michael Moore’s documentary Where to Invade Next shows us that there are countries which have social systems that we believe are only in dreams. Who knows that a country without homework and entrance examination is ranked best in students’ performances? Seeing such a movie, we reflect on our life and society and think what we can do to change the status quo.

【Wrap-up】Movies are popular because there are moments of surprises and deep thoughts in them.

【主張】映画は視野を広げ価値観を変える。

【理由・具体例】良い映画は目から鱗の主題がある。例えば、マイケル・ムーアの「世界侵略のススメ」は、夢の中でだけだと信じている社会制度を持っている国々を私たちに見せてくれる。宿題や入試のない国が学生の成績でベストにランキングされているなんて誰が知っているだろうか？その様な映画を観ながら、私たちは自分たちの人生や社会を反省し現状を変えるため何ができるかと考える。

【まとめ】映画には驚きや深く考える瞬間があるので人気がある。

 

TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Drills 1) Which do you think is worth spending the tax money on, infectious diseases such as Covid-19 than or space exploration? 2) Do you think it is more worthwhile for students to think about today’s vital issues than to prepare for preparing for tests?

Drills

Drill 1  Which of the two answers to the following question is easier to read? How can you improve it? Statement:  Which do you think is worth spending the tax money on, infectious diseases such as Covid-19 than or space exploration?

 

Answer A: I think it is worthwhile to spend the tax money on infectious diseases. When COVID-19 spread around the world in 2020, schools were shut down. I could not see my classmates, and it was frustrating. My mother was worried about my education. I took online courses. Although some were good, but I was not so motivated to continue studies with my tablet, which is tiring. We could not go out to have fun or take a trip, either. I was not able to see my grandparents for two years. I missed them, and they missed me, too. Pandemic causes so many problems and pains. Therefore, I want governments to do enough research on new viruses.

 

Answer B: It is necessary for governments to spend money on wading off pandemic. Governments used to do it before. For example, the Obama administration had spent liberal amount of budget on CDC, the agency for pandemic prevention and control. They even used to simulate operation in case a breakout should happen. Unfortunately, the Trump administration had cut budget and reduced the number of the leaders when the coronavirus pandemic occurred. As a result, almost 800,000 people died in the U.S. alone. Businesses went bankrupt, and suicide rates went up. On the other hand, space exploration is not a pressing matter, and it is funded by the private sector.

 

 

Drill 2  Discuss the following statement, write a short essay on it including expressions below, and write comments on or correct mistakes of each other’s essay. Do you think it is more worthwhile for students to think about today’s vital issues than to prepare for tests?

 

● ～ 名詞 such as 名詞の具体例 ～ 「～ 例えば名詞の具体例の様な名詞 ～」

● It is ～ for 名詞 to do … 「名詞が…するのは～だ。」

 

Hints for Points: climate crisis, fascism, threat of wars, increase of hate, the entrance examinations based on multiple-choice standard tests, Finland ranks the highest in education, and it has neither homework nor entrance examination.

 

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