Double negatives in a sentence or clause are often confusing, that is why teachers tell students to avoid using them. They are also considered a taboo in English grammar.
Watch the video then read the article below to know more about the origin of double negatives and how it can be used properly.
1. Explain the two kinds of double negatives. 2. Which double negative should be avoided when taking exams or when applying for school or a job? 3. Give your own examples of double negatives.
K-pop or Korean pop music is big in Asia and is now spreading to some European countries. But, in South Korea, K-pop is more than just music. Read the article below and discover how the government of South Korea treats their music industry.
This resource includes an audio clip so feel free to listen to the audio as well.
1. Are you familiar with K-pop? Describe the music industry in your country. 2. Who are some of the very famous musicians in your country? Talk about your preferences in music. 3. Talk about some of the industries in your country that are doing very well or are being taken care of by the government.
The crisis in food has been foreseen by experts and through this a scientific innovation was developed. This is called GM or Genetically Modified food which resulted in a serious discussion and deliberation whether it will make us healthy or will harm the health of many.
1. What is your thought on GM food? Does it contribute to a healthier society? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this gene modification? 3. Are you now more particular when it comes to buying your food as compared to before?
Smoking is linked to preventable deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease. In America the percentage of smokers has dwindled. How about in your country? Anti-smoking measures help a great deal in educating people about this vice and, in the process, reduces the number of smokers.
1. Do you think that graphic warnings on cigarette packages help in educating people? 2. Are there a lot of smokers in your country? 3. What do you think are good ways to quit smoking?
Office ID cards are a thing of the past. With this futuristic office in Sweden, you wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting your ID at home ever again. You won’t even need some cash to buy coffee in the cafeteria.
Listen and read as Neil and Harry of BBC’s 6 Minute English talk about this ultramodern identification system.
Daylight Saving Time is the practice of advancing standard time by one hour in the spring of each year and of setting it back by one hour in the fall in order to gain an extra period of daylight during the early evening. Many countries observe this change.
Let’s try to know more about its history and significance. Watch the videos and listen to the audio clips with the transcript.
What is daylight saving time?
Every year billions of us around the world observe the familiar ritual of winding our clocks forward in the spring and turning them back again in the autumn.
To the joy of some and the annoyance of others, this biannual time-tampering first steals 60 minutes of our sleep, then gives us all an ‘extra’ hour in bed. Of course, in reality we are neither losing nor gaining time. By shifting an hour of sunlight during the summer months we’re merely making better use of the daylight temporarily available to us in the evenings.
There are many countries worldwide that do not observe daylight saving time (DST) – and in those that do it has had a somewhat chequered and quirky history. Are those of us who meddle with our clocks making time or killing time?
In the UK we observe Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter months, and advance an hour during British Summer Time (BST). From time to time Parliament has debated the idea of adopting BST throughout the year, but a permanent change is yet to happen.
A permanent change
The case in favour
Those in favour of year-long BST say it would benefit our health and well-being. A 2014 study of 23,000 children in nine countries suggested their activity levels were 15-20% higher on summer days. The Automobile Association estimates that around 100 lives each year would be saved by avoiding traffic accidents on dark evenings.
Year-round BST would also bring the UK into line with Central European Time, helping us to do business with the continent. In the view of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions this would increase domestic tourism earnings by £2.5-3.5bn.
Meanwhile, an extra hour of evening sunlight in winter could save £485m a year in electricity bills, as households would require less energy to heat and light their homes.
The argument against
Those against a permanent change to BST say it would delay sunrise in northern Scotland until 10am in the winter months. This would leave children at increased risk of accident walking to school in the dark.
Farmers, postal workers and the construction industry have also traditionally supported lighter mornings.
Some say that even if we did move onto BST all year round, we may still end up changing the clocks twice a year. Proposals have been made to adopt GMT+1 during the winter and introduce GMT+2 in summer.
Discuss:
1. What is the resource saying about Daylight Savings Time? 2. Do you see a drawback to having to adjust your clocks on specific seasons? 3. Do you, personally, think that adjusting is a waste of time? Or is this needed? 4. What is the longest night time you have experienced?
1. How are interracial and multicultural marriages viewed in your country? 2. Do you have friends or know anyone who married someone of a different race or culture? 3. In your opinion, what are some of the challenges that couples of mixed marriages face?
Officials in Iran are planning to build a completely separate Internet called Yooz. Its purpose is to filter objectionable information just like China’s “Great Firewall”, the largest web filtering and censorship operation in the world.
Read the article below to know more about Yooz then express your opinions.
