THE DONE THING

the done thing  or  not the done thing  are idiomatic expressions that are used to refer to what is or is not socially acceptable, politically correct.

Photocopies from 19th May 
Answer key to activity from 10th May 

NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT

Not to be sniffed at   good enogh to be accepted or considered seriously 

Photocopies from 17th May 

DOOMED FROM THE START

doomed   adj  somebody or something that is doomed  is certain to fail or be destroyed; destined to an unhappy end.

                   I used to pour time and energy into projects that were doomed from the start.  

                                                    

photocopies from 12th May 

listening test
   QUESTIONS               AUDIO 1   AUDIO 2               ANSWER KEY    

"Chrissie Hynde was right"

    




































   (Source:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/music/chrissie-hynde-no-regrets-about-rape-comments/2015/09/03/de321e0c-5277-11e5-8c19-0b6825aa4a3a_story.html ) 

LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD

Photocopies from 10th May

Who is Mrs Mills? 

Photo

Some of Mrs Mills' pieces of advice  

Lots of different writing tasks for you to choose ONE to be handed on 17th May

Listening (and watching) activity 
   Questions      Videos    answer key   

OPEN AND ABOVEBOARD

open and aboveboard

[also honest and aboveboard] Candid and fair, without deceit or trickery, as in

I'll join you, but only if everything remains open and aboveboard.

Both versions of this expression are redundancies, since they use 'open' and 'aboveboard' in the sense of “honest.” The latter word, dating from the early 1600s, comes from gambling and alludes to the fact that card players who do not keep their hands on the table (board) may be suspected of changing their cards under the table.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/open-and-aboveboard

Listening activity we did on 5th May:  

    questions    audio     answer key    transcript 

Listening activity to do as homework: 

    questions    audio     answer key     transcript

(Both activities are part of the Listening test from the 2013 C1 Prueba de Certificación used in Extremadura) 

CAUTIONARY TALE

A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore, to warn its hearer of a danger. There are three essential parts to a cautionary tale, though they can be introduced in a large variety of ways:

● First, a taboo or prohibition is stated: some act, location, or thing is said to be dangerous.

● Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act.

● Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.

(Source: Wikipedia) 

Photocopies from 28th April 

Photocopies from 3rd May 

Want to hear what Chrissie Hynde said about her controversial comments on her sexual assault? 

Listen to it!