The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen the neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012. The OED's blog defines this recent addition to the English vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations". It is a noun and is used informally. The word is a combination of the prefix "omni," which means "in all ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "a state of total disorder from every possible angle". The word was first coined in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but rose to prominence earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at least eight politicians in the British Parliament.
Other words in Oxford's top ten include "Eurogeddon" - the threatened financial collapse in Europe - and "second screening" – to watch television and a device such as an iPad simultaneously. The texting acronym "YOLO" – you only live once - also made it onto the list. Oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "stand the test of time". Oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to reflect the ethos of the year and its lasting potential as a word of cultural significance". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" and "credit crunch". This year's American winner is "gif" – the format extension of many images on the Internet.
Sources:
Oxford English Dictionaries - http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/press-releases/uk-word-of-the-year-2012/
BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20309441
WARM-UPS
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1. ENGLISH VOCABULARY: Walk around the class and talk to other students about English vocabulary. Change partners often. Share your findings with your first partner.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.
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dictionaries / neologisms / blog / blunders / noun / shambles / political comedy / "Eurogeddon" / financial collapse / simultaneously / device / guarantee / ethos / gif |
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WORDS OF THE YEAR: What do they mean? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again. (Answers)
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Part of speech |
Possible meaning(s) |
omnishambles |
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Eurogeddon |
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second screen |
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YOLO |
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mummy porn |
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green-on-blue |
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4. VOCABULARY: Students A strongly believe vocabulary will become very easy to learn in the future; Students B strongly believe it will always be difficult. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
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5. NEOLOGISMS: Which of these past new words do you use often? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most used at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
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6. DICTIONARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'dictionary'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a. |
The word "omnishambles" was first used by Shakespeare. |
T / F |
b. |
"Omnishambles" means to do something "better than excellent". |
T / F |
c. |
The word is often found on British coins, especially old ones. |
T / F |
d. |
Eight or more politicians used the word to criticize the UK government. |
T / F |
e. |
"Eurogeddon" describes a possible war between all European countries. |
T / F |
f. |
The acronym "YOLO" means "you only live once". |
T / F |
g. |
"Omnishambles" is not in the Oxford English Dictionary. |
T / F |
h. |
The American winner of Word Of The Year is the image extension "gif". |
T / F |
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1. |
neologism |
a. |
promise |
2. |
comprehensively |
b. |
mess |
3. |
characterized |
c. |
criticize |
4. |
shambles |
d. |
messaging |
5. |
attack |
e. |
spirit |
6. |
simultaneously |
f. |
typified |
7. |
texting |
g. |
new word |
8. |
guarantee |
h. |
mirror |
9. |
reflect |
i. |
at the same time |
10. |
ethos |
j. |
completely |
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. |
this recent addition to |
a. |
is used informally |
2. |
characterized by a |
b. |
acronym "YOLO" |
3. |
It is a noun and |
c. |
string of blunders |
4. |
from every |
d. |
extension |
5. |
rose to |
e. |
possible angle |
6. |
other words in |
f. |
the English vocabulary |
7. |
the texting |
g. |
potential |
8. |
stand the test |
h. |
Oxford's top ten |
9. |
its lasting |
i. |
prominence |
10. |
format |
j. |
of time |
WHILE READING / LISTENING
GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.
The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen the (1) ____________ (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012. The OED's blog defines this (2) ____________ addition to the English vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a (3) ____________ of blunders and miscalculations". It is a noun and is used (4) ____________. The word is a combination of the (5) ____________ "omni," which means "in all ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "a state of total (6) ____________ from every possible angle". The word was first coined in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but (7) ____________ to prominence earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at (8) ____________ eight politicians in the British Parliament.
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rose |
Other words in Oxford's top ten (9) ____________ "Eurogeddon" - the threatened financial (10) ____________ in Europe - and "second screening" – to watch television and a (11) ____________ such as an iPad simultaneously. The texting (12) ____________ "YOLO" – you only live once - also made it onto the list. Oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "(13) ____________ the test of time". Oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to reflect the ethos of the year and its (14) ____________ potential as a word of cultural significance". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" and "credit (15) ____________ ". This year's American winner is "gif" – the (16) ____________ extension of many images on the Internet. |
|
acronym |
LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1) |
The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen the … |
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a. oldologism (old word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year b. neologism (neo word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year c. neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Neologism Of The Year d. neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year |
2) |
… a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged |
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a. mismanaged comprehensively b. completely managed c. comprehensively mismanaged d. managed comprehensively |
3) |
characterized by a ______ of blunders and miscalculations |
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a. string b. ripe c. cotton d. thread |
4) |
a state of total disorder from … |
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a. possibly every angle b. every possible angle c. every angle possibility d. angle possibly every |
5) |
… ______ prominence earlier this year |
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a. roses too b. two roses c. rose to d. to rose |
6) |
the ______ financial collapse in Europe |
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a. threats of b. threatening c. threat of d. threatened |
7) |
The texting acronym "YOLO" – ______ - also made it onto the list. |
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a. youth owes life one b. you only live online c. youth owns life once d. you only live once |
8) |
It said the word first had to … |
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a. "understand the timed test". b. "stand the testing time". c. "stand the test of time". d. "understand the test of time". |
9) |
reflect the ethos of the year and its lasting potential as a … |
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a. word of cultural significance b. word of political significance c. world of cultural significance d. word of significant culture |
10) |
gif" – the format _______ of many images on the Internet |
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a. extensive b. exhaustion c. expansion d. extension |
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
The Oxford English Dictionary (1) _____________________ (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012. The OED's blog defines this (2) _____________________ English vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of (3) _____________________ ". It is a noun and is used informally. The word is a combination of the prefix "omni," which means "in all ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "(4) _____________________ from every possible angle". The (5) _____________________ in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but (6) _____________________ earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at least eight politicians in the British Parliament.
Other words in Oxford's top ten include "Eurogeddon" - the threatened financial collapse in Europe - (7) _____________________ – to watch television and a device such (8) _____________________. The texting acronym "YOLO" – you only live once - also (9) _____________________. Oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "(10) _____________________ ". Oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to reflect the ethos of the year and its lasting (11) _____________________ cultural significance". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" and "credit crunch". This year's American winner is "gif" – (12) _____________________ of many images on the Internet.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. |
What word in the first sentence means "new word"? |
2. |
What is "omnishambles" characterized by? |
3. |
When was the word "omnishambles" used for the first time? |
4. |
Where was the word "omnishambles" used for the first time? |
5. |
How many politicians attacked the British government? |
6. |
What new word means to watch TV and an iPad at the same time? |
7. |
What does "YOLO" mean? |
8. |
What did the OED not guarantee? |
9. |
What does "omnishambles" have to do to get in the OED? |
10. |
Why does the article mention the image format extension "gif"? |
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1. |
The word "omnishambles" is characterized by a string of … |
6. |
Another in Oxford's top ten was… |
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a) beepers b) bounders c) blunders d) bloopers |
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a) "globalgeddon" b) "Eurogeddon" c) "climategeddon" d) "terrorgeddon" |
2. |
"Omnishambles" is a noun that is used… |
7. |
"YOLO" means… |
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a) informally b) formally c) colloquially d) typically |
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a) You only live once. b) You once live only. c) Youth owes life one. d) Youth owes life once. |
3. |
When was the word "omnishambles" first used? |
8. |
What test does "omnishambles" have to stand? |
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a) 2009 b) 2010 c) 2011 d) 2012 |
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a) The Test Of International Vocabulary b) The U.S. citizenship test c) The test of time. d) The test of global acceptance |
4. |
Where was the word "omnishambles" first used? |
9. |
What kind of potential must "omnishambles" show? |
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a) In a BBC political drama. b) In a BBC political comedy. c) In a BBC political documentary. d) In a BBC political movie. |
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a) Basting. b) Wasting. c) Fasting. d) Lasting. |
5. |
How many politicians used the word in the UK Parliament? |
10. |
Which of these is a past Word Of The Year winner? |
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a) Eight, at most. b) Eight. c) Seven or eight. d) At least eight. |
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a) Credit crunch. b) Internet. c) Carbon. d) Shambles. |
ROLE PLAY
Role A – Traditionalist You really don't like new words. Think of three reasons why. English already has the exact word you need for any situation. If we keep making new words, we won't understand each other. People make new words because they don't understand their language properly. They lack intelligence. |
Role B – Word lover You totally love new words. Think of three reasons why. You love the way English vocabulary has developed. The language needs new words to define new situations in life. You think people who create new words are super-cool. You think people who dislike new words live in the past. |
Role C – "Omnishambles" creator You are a very educated and intelligent writer. You have a huge vocabulary. You think English needs more words. Think of three reasons why. There was no other word to describe the situation you wanted to explain. You love Shakespeare because he invented thousands of new words. |
Role D – English learner You think "enough already!!!" You are good at English but don't want more words to learn. Think of three reasons why. You think "omnishambles" is a stupid word and English speakers don't know it. You think it is better to use "total shambles" because everyone can understand this. |
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'English' and 'word'.
English |
word
|
- Share your findings with your partners.
- Make questions using the words you found.
- Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
- Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
- Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:
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ENGLISH VOCABULARY SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about English vocabulary in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
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STUDENT 1 _____________ |
STUDENT 2 _____________ |
STUDENT 3 _____________ |
Q.1.
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Q.2.
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Q.3.
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Q.4.
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Q.5.
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- Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
- Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
ENGLISH VOCABULARY DISCUSSION
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
a) |
What did you think when you read the headline? |
b) |
What springs to mind when you hear the word 'vocabulary'? |
c) |
How happy are you with your knowledge of English vocabulary? |
d) |
Do you know more words than average in your own language? |
e) |
What do you think of the word "omnishambles"? |
f) |
Do you think English has enough words without adding more? |
g) |
What recent neologisms are there in your language? |
h) |
What recent world events might be an "omnishambles"? |
i) |
Could anything you've ever done be described as an "omnishambles"? |
j) |
Do you think "omnishambles" will survive? |
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STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
a) |
Did you like reading this article? Why/not? |
b) |
What's the best way to learn vocabulary? |
c) |
What do you think of the other neologisms mentioned in the article? |
d) |
Have you ever made a new word (in any language)? |
e) |
What do you think of so many English words being part of your vocabulary? |
f) |
What are your favourite / least favourite English words? |
g) |
Are there words in English you still keep forgetting? |
h) |
Is your teacher good at teaching vocabulary? |
i) |
How interested are you in learning neologisms? |
j) |
What questions would you like to ask a neologisms expert? |
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
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STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE
The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen the (1) ____ (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012. The OED's blog defines this recent (2) ____ to the English vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations". It is a noun and is used informally. The word is a combination of the (3) ____ "omni," which means "in all ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "a state of total disorder from every possible (4) ____ ". The word was first (5) ____ in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but rose to prominence earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at (6) ____ eight politicians in the British Parliament.
Other words in Oxford's top ten include "Eurogeddon" - the (7) ____ financial collapse in Europe - and "second screening" – to watch television and a device such (8) ____ an iPad simultaneously. The texting acronym "YOLO" – you only live once - also (9) ____ it onto the list. Oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "(10) ____ the test of time". Oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to (11) ____ the ethos of the year and its lasting potential as a word of cultural (12) ____ ". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" and "credit crunch". This year's American winner is "gif" – the format extension of many images on the Internet.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. |
(a) |
neologism |
(b) |
organism |
(c) |
patriotism |
(d) |
schism |
2. |
(a) |
subtraction |
(b) |
plus |
(c) |
addition |
(d) |
added |
3. |
(a) |
suffix |
(b) |
fixative |
(c) |
prefix |
(d) |
add-on |
4. |
(a) |
box |
(b) |
corner |
(c) |
line |
(d) |
angle |
5. |
(a) |
coined |
(b) |
billed |
(c) |
receipted |
(d) |
paid |
6. |
(a) |
last |
(b) |
least |
(c) |
lesser |
(d) |
lessen |
7. |
(a) |
throaty |
(b) |
treaty |
(c) |
threaded |
(d) |
threatened |
8. |
(a) |
was |
(b) |
as |
(c) |
has |
(d) |
is |
9. |
(a) |
had |
(b) |
did |
(c) |
made |
(d) |
took |
10. |
(a) |
firm |
(b) |
stand |
(c) |
take |
(d) |
be |
11. |
(a) |
redo |
(b) |
revise |
(c) |
report |
(d) |
reflect |
12. |
(a) |
lexis |
(b) |
significance |
(c) |
neologist |
(d) |
vocabulary |
SPELLING
Paragraph 1 |
|
1. |
chosen the gonmeisol |
2. |
this recent tdinoiad to the English vocabulary |
3. |
characterized by a string of dlensrub |
4. |
The word is a bitaonncomi of … |
5. |
a state of total oderidrs from every possible angle |
6. |
rose to eeorcimnnp earlier this year |
Paragraph 2 |
|
7. |
the edtarnheet financial collapse in Europe |
8. |
The texting ronmcay "YOLO" |
9. |
no eugatrena omnishambles would be added |
10. |
its lasting pnleotait |
11. |
a word of cultural cifenacnsiig |
12. |
"gif" – the format xentinseo of many images |
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) |
screening" – to watch television and a device such as an iPad simultaneously. The texting acronym |
( ) |
miscalculations". It is a noun and is used informally. The word is a combination of the prefix "omni," which means "in all |
( ) |
added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "stand the test of time". Oxford selects its |
( ) |
a word of cultural significance". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" |
( ) |
Other words in Oxford's top ten include "Eurogeddon" - the threatened financial collapse in Europe - and "second |
( 1 ) |
The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen the neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year |
( ) |
earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at least eight politicians in the British Parliament. |
( ) |
ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "a state of total disorder from every possible |
( ) |
been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and |
( ) |
"YOLO" – you only live once - also made it onto the list. Oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be |
( ) |
and "credit crunch". This year's American winner is "gif" – the format extension of many images on the Internet. |
( ) |
for 2012. The OED's blog defines this recent addition to the English vocabulary as "a situation that has |
( ) |
angle". The word was first coined in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but rose to prominence |
( ) |
Word Of The Year "to reflect the ethos of the year and its lasting potential as |
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1. |
recent this defines blog OED's The addition. |
2. |
has that situation A mismanaged comprehensively been. |
3. |
from angle state disorder possible A total every of. |
4. |
word The 2009 in coined first was. |
5. |
By eight the least in Parliament at politicians British. |
6. |
such as an iPad simultaneously. Watch TV and a device |
7. |
guarantee omnishambles There would was be no added. |
8. |
had to stand the test of time The word first. |
9. |
Its as of potential word significance lasting a cultural. |
10. |
images Internet format many the The of on extension. |
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen / choice the neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012. The OED's blog definitions / defines this recent addition to the English vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively / comprehensive mismanaged, characterized by a string / rope of blunders and miscalculations". It is a verb / noun and is used informally. The word is a combination of the suffix / prefix "omni," which means "in all / every ways" or "of all things," and "shambles," which means "a state of total / totally disorder from every possible angle". The word was first banked / coined in 2009 in a BBC political comedy but rose to prominence earlier this year after it was used to attack the British government by at last / least eight politicians in the British Parliament.
Other words in Oxford's top ten/ list include "Eurogeddon" - the threatened financial / finances collapse in Europe - and "second screening" – to watch television and a device such has / as an iPad simultaneously. The texting acronym / synonym "YOLO" – you only live once - also did / made it onto the list. Oxford said there was no warranty / guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary. It said the word first had to "stand / sit the test of time". Oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to reflect / refract the ethos of the year and its listing / lasting potential as a word of cultural significance". Past winners include "podcast," "carbon footprint" and "credit crunch". This year's American winner is "gif" – the format / formal extension of many images on the Internet.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.
INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)
Th_ _xf_rd _ngl_sh D_ct__n_ry h_s ch_s_n th_ n__l_g_sm (n_w w_rd) "_mn_sh_mbl_s" _s _ts W_rd _f Th_ Y__r f_r 2012. Th_ __D's bl_g d_f_n_s th_s r_c_nt _dd_t__n t_ th_ _ngl_sh v_c_b_l_ry _s "_ s_t__t__n th_t h_s b__n c_mpr_h_ns_v_ly m_sm_n_g_d, ch_r_ct_r_z_d by _ str_ng _f bl_nd_rs _nd m_sc_lc_l_t__ns". _t _s _ n__n _nd _s _s_d _nf_rm_lly. Th_ w_rd _s _ c_mb_n_t__n _f th_ pr_f_x "_mn_," wh_ch m__ns "_n _ll w_ys" _r "_f _ll th_ngs," _nd "sh_mbl_s," wh_ch m__ns "_ st_t_ _f t_t_l d_s_rd_r fr_m _v_ry p_ss_bl_ _ngl_". Th_ w_rd w_s f_rst c__n_d _n 2009 _n _ BBC p_l_t_c_l c_m_dy b_t r_s_ t_ pr_m_n_nc_ __rl__r th_s y__r _ft_r _t w_s _s_d t_ _tt_ck th_ Br_t_sh g_v_rnm_nt by _t l__st __ght p_l_t_c__ns _n th_ Br_t_sh P_rl__m_nt.
_th_r w_rds _n _xf_rd's t_p t_n _ncl_d_ "__r_g_dd_n" - th_ thr__t_n_d f_n_nc__l c_ll_ps_ _n __r_p_ - _nd "s_c_nd scr__n_ng" – t_ w_tch t_l_v_s__n _nd _ d_v_c_ s_ch _s _n _P_d s_m_lt_n___sly. Th_ t_xt_ng _cr_nym "Y_L_" – y__ _nly l_v_ _nc_ - _ls_ m_d_ _t _nt_ th_ l_st. _xf_rd s__d th_r_ w_s n_ g__r_nt__ _mn_sh_mbl_s w__ld b_ _dd_d t_ _ts d_ct__n_ry. _t s__d th_ w_rd f_rst h_d t_ "st_nd th_ t_st _f t_m_". _xf_rd s_l_cts _ts W_rd _f th_ Y__r "t_ r_fl_ct th_ _th_s _f th_ y__r _nd _ts l_st_ng p_t_nt__l _s _ w_rd _f c_lt_r_l s_gn_f_c_nc_". P_st w_nn_rs _ncl_d_ "p_dc_st," "c_rb_n f__tpr_nt" _nd "cr_d_t cr_nch". Th_s y__r's _m_r_c_n w_nn_r _s "g_f" – th_ f_rm_t _xt_ns__n _f m_ny _m_g_s _n th_ _nt_rn_t.
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
the oxford english dictionary has chosen the neologism (new word) "omnishambles" as its Word Of The Year for 2012 the oed's blog defines this recent addition to the english vocabulary as "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations" it is a noun and is used informally the word is a combination of the prefix "omni" which means "in all ways" or "of all things" and "shambles" which means "a state of total disorder from every possible angle" the word was first coined in 2009 in a bbc political comedy but rose to prominence earlier this year after it was used to attack the british government by at least eight politicians in the british parliament
other words in oxford's top ten include "eurogeddon" - the threatened financial collapse in europe - and "second screening" – to watch television and a device such as an ipad simultaneously the texting acronym "yolo" – you only live once - also made it onto the list oxford said there was no guarantee omnishambles would be added to its dictionary it said the word first had to "stand the test of time" oxford selects its Word Of The Year "to reflect the ethos of the year and its lasting potential as a word of cultural significance" past winners include "podcast" "carbon footprint" and "credit crunch" this year's american winner is "gif" – the format extension of many images on the internet
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
TheOxfordEnglishDictionaryhaschosentheneologism(newword)"omnishambles |
FREE WRITING
Write about English vocabulary for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
Learning vocabulary is more important than learning to speak, read, write or listen. Discuss.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about English vocabulary. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. ENGLISH VOCABULARY: Make a poster about English vocabulary. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. OMNISHAMBLES: Write a magazine article about the word "omnishambles". Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to a vocabulary expert. Ask him/her three questions about English vocabulary. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)
a |
F |
b |
F |
c |
F |
d |
T |
e |
F |
f |
T |
g |
T |
h |
T |
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)
1. |
neologism |
a. |
new word |
2. |
comprehensively |
b. |
completely |
3. |
characterized |
c. |
typified |
4. |
shambles |
d. |
mess |
5. |
attack |
e. |
criticize |
6. |
simultaneously |
f. |
at the same time |
7. |
texting |
g. |
messaging |
8. |
guarantee |
h. |
promise |
9. |
reflect |
i. |
mirror |
10. |
ethos |
j. |
spirit |
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)
1. |
Neologism |
2. |
A string of blunders and miscalculations. |
3. |
2009 |
4. |
In a BBC political comedy. |
5. |
At least 8. |
6. |
Second screen(ing) |
7. |
You only live once. |
8. |
That it would put "omnishambles" in its dictionary. |
9. |
Stand the test of time. |
10. |
It won the Word Of The Year" in the USA |
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)
1. |
c |
2. |
a |
3. |
a |
4. |
b |
5. |
d |
6. |
b |
7. |
a |
8. |
c |
9. |
d |
10. |
a |
ALL OTHER EXERCISES
Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)
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