When we look at the structures that surround us in this day and age, the ones that catch our eye are often from a time before most of us were even born. Creations of the modern day do not tend to inspire awe or wonder compared to the gleaming Eiffel Tower, magnificent halls, and even the tiny yet ornate street lamps of the Victorian era. But what has changed from then to now? How has the world become so ugly?
To find out more, watch the video below.
Vocabulary Questions:
What is a “cesspit”? “There would have been open cesspits spilling down the streets, and the stench of sewage boiling in the midday sun would have been unbearable” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
What does “embankment” mean? “Those lamps on the embankment did their job, and even though more efficient and better methods of lighting have been invented, they remain 150 years later.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
What does “exuberance” mean? “And yet, it has been designed with the same ornamental exuberance as any church or palace.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
Have you noticed examples of old structures that look more beautiful than new ones? If so, elaborate on your experiences.
Give your interpretation of this statement: “If you want to understand any society, don’t listen to what it says about itself; look at what it creates.”
Should the aesthetics of public structures be considered more important in modern-day society?
Why do you think designers put less emphasis on the beauty of structures in the modern day?
What does “world-class attraction” mean? “This famous destination transformed an old clay pit into a world-class attraction with domes that house a giant indoor rainforest.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What is “geothermal energy”? “The site even uses geothermal energy from deep underground to keep the tropical plants warm and healthy. ” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “to put something in jeopardy” mean? “Because of these problems, the organization had to cut many staff positions to save money. This situation puts the future of the famous greenhouses in jeopardy.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
Why is the Eden Project so popular place for visitors, especially school children?
Talk about a similar place in your city or country.
What are the effects of the pandemic on the Eden Project?
Do you think adding attractions like a zip wire is a good way to bring more visitors? Why or why not?
How can we protect important places like the Eden Project?
Japan is now punishing bikers who don’t drive properly. This is because accidents have increased. Many accidents involved pedestrians.
A new law will let police give fines. Riders can be fined for using a phone, not stopping at red lights, or riding with earbuds or an umbrella. The highest fine is about $75.
Last year, there were over 67,000 bicycle accidents. Many happened because riders didn’t follow the rules. Some people were badly hurt.
The law is for people aged 16 and older. Small first mistakes may only get a warning.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the new rules for bikers in Japan.
What does “recklessly” mean? “Japanese police are starting to punish people who ride bicycles recklessly, following a record number of accidents that involved pedestrians.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “a record number of something” mean? “Japanese police are starting to punish people who ride bicycles recklessly, following a record number of accidents that involved pedestrians.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “fine” mean here: “It allows officers to issue tickets and fines for breaking rules.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
What is your opinion about these new rules for bikers in Japan?
“The highest fine is about $75.” What is your opinion on this amount?
What is your reaction to this, “Last year, there were more than 67,000 bicycle accidents in Japan.”?
Scientists say tiny plastic particles are everywhere, including in our bodies. Microplastics are small, and nanoplastics are even smaller.
A new study in South Korea found that bacteria from the food kimchi can help remove nanoplastics from the body. The bacteria attach to the plastic in the gut, and it leaves the body as waste. This may stop the plastic from building up in organs.
Nanoplastics are a growing health concern because their effects are still unknown. People may take in thousands of tiny plastic pieces each year. Scientists believe this new discovery could help reduce plastic in the body.
Read the article about how fermented food like kimchi can help expel nanoplastics from our body.
What does “fermented” mean? “A new study has found that bacteria from the fermented Korean dish kimchi can help to take nanoplastics out of the body.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “side effect” mean? “Nanoplastics are worrying the medical community. There are many side effects.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “tackle” mean? “The lead researcher said fermented foods could be “a new biological approach” to tackle the nanoplastic problem.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
What is your opinion about what this study found about kimchi?
What is your opinion and reaction to this, “Our body has 7 grams of plastic. This is about the size of a credit card.“?
What are your thoughts on this, “Fermented foods could be a new biological approach to tackle the nanoplastic problem.”?
Do you worry about microplastics and nanoplastics and their effects on our health? Share your insights.
Germany has a shortage of workers because many older people are retiring and fewer children are being born. There are not enough young workers to fill the jobs.
To solve this, Germany wants to bring in workers from other countries, especially India, which has many young people. It needs workers in engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT, including many nurses and caregivers.
Read the article about how Germany wants to fix the labor shortage problem by asking Indians to come work in their country.
What does “renewable energy” mean? “Germany is also a leader in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “labor surplus” mean? “There’s a huge labour surplus in India.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
What does “area” mean here, “It is struggling to find enough skilled people to work in many areas.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
What are the pros and cons of hiring Indian workers for Germany?
What is your opinion on this, “The government has made it easier for people to get visas to work in Germany.”?
What causes labor shortage?
What are other solutions to labor shortage in a country?
Do you have the same problem in your country? Discuss it.
Negative adverbs are used to limit, restrict, or negate meaning, often adding emphasis, formality, or rhetorical force. At advanced levels, they are especially important for inversion, tone, and subtle distinctions.
1. Core Negative Adverbs
Common forms:
never
rarely / seldom
hardly / barely / scarcely
no sooner
little (formal, meaning “not much”)
not only (paired structure)
in no way / on no account / under no circumstances
These are often called negative or semi-negative adverbials.
2. Inversion After Negative Adverbs
When a negative adverb starts a sentence, we use subject–auxiliary inversion (like a question form).
Structure:
Negative adverb + auxiliary + subject + main verb
Examples:
Never have I seen such chaos.
Rarely does she complain about anything.
Hardly had we arrived when it started raining.
Under no circumstances should you open that door.
Notes:
Use an auxiliary verb (do/does/did) if none exists:
X: Rarely she goes there.
O: Rarely does she go there.
3. “Hardly / Scarcely / Barely” + “when”
These express that one event happens immediately after another.
Structure:
Hardly/Scarcely/Barely + had + subject + past participle + when + clause
Examples:
Hardly had I finished speaking when he interrupted me.
Scarcely had they metwhen they became close friends.
4. “No sooner” + “than”
Similar meaning, slightly more formal.
Structure:
No sooner + had + subject + past participle + than + clause
Example:
No sooner had she leftthan the phone rang.
5. “Little” as a Negative Adverb (Formal)
“Little” can mean “not at all” or “hardly”, often with inversion.
Little did he know that everything was about to change.
Little have we understood the true impact of this decision.
This is very common in storytelling and formal writing.
6. Emphatic Structures with “Not only…”
Structure:
Not only + auxiliary + subject + verb, but also + clause
Example:
Not only did she win, but she also broke the record.
Not only is he talented, but he is also incredibly disciplined.
7. Double Negatives (Advanced Nuance)
In standard English:
X: I don’t know nothing (non-standard, dialectal)
O: I don’t know anything
However, advanced learners should recognize:
Double negatives can be used rhetorically:
This is not uncommon (= somewhat common)
He is not unwilling to help (= somewhat willing)
These create softened or nuanced meanings.
8. Negative Adverbials of Restriction
These add strong emphasis and are common in formal or academic English:
In no way is this acceptable.
At no point did they explain the risks.
On no account should this be repeated.
9. Register and Style
Structure
Register
Never have I seen…
Formal / literary
I have never seen…
Neutral
Rarely does he…
Formal
He rarely…
Neutral
Inversion makes it more dramatic, formal, or rhetorical.
10. Common Mistakes
X: Never I have seen such a thing O: Never have I seen such a thing
X: Hardly I had arrived when… O: Hardly had I arrived when…
X: No sooner I had finished than… O: No sooner had I finished than…
