HOMEWORK – SESSION 5

Section 1 - Gerunds: For each sentence, underline the correct word in parentheses.

1. (Starting / To start) a new business can be extremely challenging.

2. Most analysts agree that it is impossible (getting / to get) gun laws changed in the United
States.

3. Virologists are interested in (studying / to study) how the human body fights diseases.

4. (Running / To run) a fever of greater than 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42°C) is extremely
dangerous and can even lead to death.

5. (Writing / To write) an excellent research paper, students should start with a strong research
question.

6. The cost of (advertising / to advertise) on national TV is extremely expensive.

7. A great many educators believe that (being / to be) able to read at an early age is a huge
advantage for later learning.

8. (Learning / To learn) a foreign language well, it is important to practice in realistic situations.

9. Over the next 20 years, climatologists expect (seeing / to see) rising average temperatures.

10. The psychology study involved (testing / to test) three different groups of participants.

Section 2 – Vocabulary – Countryside/City

Write a sentence (your example) with each word or phrase.

S/
Vocabulary Meaning
N

landscape (n) [C or a view or picture of the countryside, or the art of making such
1
U] pictures

 barren, bleak, dramatic, rocky | beautiful | rural, urban + landscape

 conserve, preserve, protect | dominate + landscape

 landscape + design, gardening | painter, photographer | painting

E.g.: The garden has been designed to harmonize with the natural landscape.

Your example: This place has a beautiful landscape.

2 scenery (n) U features of the countryside

 ADJ. beautiful, breathtaking, delightful, dramatic, fantastic, glorious, impressive,

magnificent, spectacular, stunning, superb, wonderful | surrounding | coastal,
mountain, mountainous + scenery

E.g.: The village is charming, and the surrounding scenery is superb.

 admire, enjoy, look at, take in + scenery

E.g.: An observation deck lets you take in the passing scenery.

 PREP. amid/amidst/in (the).

E.g.: The hotel lies amidst spectacular mountain scenery.

 PHRASES: a change of scenery

E.g.: For a complete change of scenery, take a ferry out to one of the nearby islands.

Your example: He can see a breathtaking scenery.

what you can see from a particular place, or the ability to see
3 view (n)
from a particular place

 breathtaking, fine, lovely, magnificent, spectacular, splendid, stunning, superb,

wonderful | panoramic + view

 afford, boast, enjoy, give, have | admire + view

E.g.: Most rooms enjoy panoramic views of the sea. The large windows give fine views of the
surrounding countryside.

Your example: She is enjoying the lake view by the window.

the basic systems and services that are needed in order to

Infrastructure [C,
4 support an economy, for example, transport and communication
singular] [U]
systems and electricity and water supplies

 the country's/nation's/city's infrastructure ; infrastructure project.

 transport | IT + infrastructure
  large-scale | urban | tourist-related + infrastructure

 build/create/develop an infrastructure.

E.g.: More money is needed to maintain the city's infrastructure.

Your example: They are planning to build an infrastructure.

An unspoiled place is beautiful because it has not been changed

5 unspoiled (adj)
or damaged by people

 unspoiled countryside/ beach/ coastline

E.g.: There are very few new buildings so the village is largely unspoiled.

Your example:

6 skyline (n) [C] a shape or pattern made against the sky, especially by buildings

 ADJ: dramatic | city | Hong Kong, London, etc. | northern, southern + skyline

 form/ dominate the skyline.

 PREP: above/over ~ | against the ~ | along the ~ | below the ~ | on the ~

E.g.: You get a good view of the New York skyline from the Statue of Liberty.

Your example:

7 secluded (adj) quiet, private, and not near people, roads, or buildings

 VERBS: be, look + secluded

 ADV. very, wonderfully | fairly, pretty + secluded

E.g.: We managed to find a fairly secluded spot for our picnic.

Your example:

a wide road with trees or tall buildings on both sides, or a wide

8 avenue (n) [ C ]
country path or road with trees on both sides
  ADJ: broad, wide | leafy, tree-lined

 avenue + VERB: be lined with sth

E.g.: The use of tree-lined avenues requires some extra attention.

Your example:

not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such
9 deprived (adj)
as enough money, food, or good living conditions

 VERBS: be, feel

 PREP: of

 E.g.: He took pictures in deprived areas of the city.

Your example:

an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who

10 suburb (n)
work in the town or city often live

 ADJ: outer | inner | northern, southern | prosperous, wealthy | poor | middle-class,

working-class | leafy, quiet | industrial, residential | sprawling + suburb

 VERB: move out to + suburb

 suburb + VERB: grow

E.g.: The middle-class suburbs are growing fast.

Your example:

Section 3 – Presentation (Hannah, Tuan Minh)

What is habit 3 in the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” about? Why is it important?

Section 4 – Writing Task (Other students)

Both the city and the countryside in Vietnam have experienced many changes over the past few
decades. What has changed in your hometown? How do these changes affect the lives of the
people who live there?

Checklist (to be filled out by the teacher)

Items Y/ N/ Other comments

Is there a topic sentence?

Is there a concluding sentence?

Is the paragraph fully developed?

Are there any unrelated sentences?

Are links between sentences smooth and clear?

Are there choppy sentences?

Are there many grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes?

Is the vocabulary used appropriate and varied?

Section 5 – Great Writing 2 – Unit 3 – Activity 4 – 11

Sample texts written by students in the previous batches:

Sample There have been many changes in my hometown. To begin with, there are
Text 1 now many more factories there. As a result, locals can have better jobs, and
(Beenie) they do not have to commute far. The factories also help the local economy
grow; however, the government is working on green policies to reduce the
environmental impact of industrial activities, especially the air pollution issues
caused by these factories. The second change is the new supermarkets that
have been popping up all over my hometown. Thanks to these supermarkets,
citizens can purchase fresher and tastier food according to their needs and
wants. Finally, roads have been upgraded to help people get around more
 easily. Now the streets are much wider, so people can drive to places freely
without being stuck in traffic jams. More traffic signs and streetlights have been
installed, resulting in fewer accidents these days. With all these changes, my
hometown has become a better place to live.

Sample Things have changed in my hometown. Improved infrastructure is the first

Text 2 and most significant change. The village’s roads have been expanded and are
(Dennis) now coated in sleek black plastic. High-rise structures have replaced run-down
buildings, many of which were built in the 20th century. Second, people are
aware of environmental degradation and shoulder collective responsibility for
preserving the environment. An example of how environmental preservation is
a concern shared by all is that households in my village tend to recycle more
often and use fewer plastic products. Additionally, many public facilities have
become better over the years. For example, the elementary school where my
cousin formerly attended has been enlarged many times over. Perhaps
everything in this village needs to be expanded because there are so many
people living in my community right now. Finally, agriculture has seen significant
changes. According to what my father told me, in the past, people sowed crops
and harvested them all by hand. Thanks to machines, gathering and sowing
crops has become easier for farmers in my village these days, so they managed
to increase agricultural output steadily. Because of that, farmers in my
hometown are experiencing unseen prosperity. In conclusion, my hometown
has changed tremendously.

Sample History and time move through the air as gracefully as a swallow twirls and
Text 3 dances through the air. It’s just almost impossible to describe how much our
(Steve) religious country with many historic moments has changed from what it was in
the past into the modern country that we are now.

First, the country’s economy has shown some phenomenal developments.

Although Vietnam had long been well known for its ancient ruins, beaches, rice
terraces, spectacular landscapes and some of the most beguiling and
magnificent cities on earth, few people viewed our country as a significant
economic power. However, our country has experienced unprecedented
transformation since 1986. It transformed from one of the poorest in the world
into a lower-middle-income country by becoming a market economy. Vietnam is
now one of the most dynamic emerging countries in the East Asia region.
 Second, Vietnam has placed a significant emphasis on building infrastructure
for sustainable economic growth. In the past, many parts of our land were
damaged by the continuous bombardment of American bombers, leaving
barren land and dead plants. Now, our amazing country has neatly paved roads
with tall streetlights, imposing bushes, and magnificent tall trees on both sides
of a number of roads in the countryside. In the city, majestic skyscrapers
designed by creative engineers stand proudly against the skyline overlooking
the hardworking population of Vietnam. With such infrastructure in place, many
successful businesses and factories have been established in our market
economy over the years. These businesses and factories have created
thousands of useful items, such as clothing, books, and furniture for the citizens
of Vietnam to use.

In addition, boasting its unparalleled natural beauty, Vietnam has become a

popular destination for tourists and travelers who want to admire the beauty of
many famous attractions. Years ago, our nation was known as a deadly
battlefield where superpowers such as the French and the Americans fought for
their interests. However, Vietnam has now established itself as an attractive
destination on the world's tourism map. For example, the karst seascape of
Halong Bay, one of the most stunning places to visit in the world for spellbinding
sea views and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has mesmerized millions of
tourists.

Finally, the employment market in Vietnam has expanded many folds.

People in our country used to work on farms or in factories. Nowadays there are
tons of jobs for citizens to choose from. If a citizen of Vietnam wants to find
work, there are hundreds of job opportunities including engineering, designing,
teaching, singing, acting, inventing and many more. Vietnam has opened its
citizens' eyes to a vast world filled with robots, coding and technology.

However, among all the changes that Vietnam has welcomed over the years,
I cannot say that I am perfectly content with all of them. Vietnam is one of the
top five most polluted countries in the world. Trash and litter are flowing
through the cities of Vietnam. As I walk through Ho Chi Minh City, I see trash
and litter everywhere. Petrol fumes on the streets cause air pollution while
plastic bags, plastic bottles, rice boxes, and many things fill up landfills. Taking
immediate and drastic action to reduce pollution is the only way to ensure our
country remains a green, clean utopia.

In conclusion, Vietnam has experienced a drastic transformation over the

decades, mostly positive changes. In economic progress, infrastructure
construction, tourism and the job market, we have made significant strides.
However, among these beneficial developments, environmental pollution has
caused problems for the country. To maintain sustainable economic and social
development, I believe this issue should not be neglected.