UNIT 2.1
STREET LIFE
What's the difference between a VILLAGE, a TOWN and a CITY?
Describe the place where you live:
- Is it a VILLAGE, TOWN or CITY?
- What is it called?
. What are the good things about living here?
- What are the bad things about living here?
- Is it a VILLAGE, TOWN or CITY?
- What is it called?
. What are the good things about living here?
- What are the bad things about living here?
Street Art
Edgar Mueller
A master of blending street art with concepts of optical illusions, the name of Edgar Mueller does not require too much introduction to the fans of the urban medium, especially if they are intrigued by the 3D street art scene.
Mueller has been building up a rather impressive Curriculum Vitae over the years by giving birth to some of the most enthralling visual illusions the medium of urban art has seen in the relatively short history it existed.
Ever since the year of 1998, Edgar has held the elite title of maestro madonnari (master street painter), an honor awarded at the world’s largest street painting gala, The Grazie Festival, which is held in the small pilgrim town of Grazie in Italy.
Mueller has been building up a rather impressive Curriculum Vitae over the years by giving birth to some of the most enthralling visual illusions the medium of urban art has seen in the relatively short history it existed.
Ever since the year of 1998, Edgar has held the elite title of maestro madonnari (master street painter), an honor awarded at the world’s largest street painting gala, The Grazie Festival, which is held in the small pilgrim town of Grazie in Italy.
He was born in Germany in 1968, is famous for his 3D pavement paintings and has won a number of awards. His art is large-scale, usually taking more than one day to create. If you stand at a particular point, his paintings give the impression of different dimensions. Like most street art, his creations wash away when it rains.
VOCABULARY
Adjectives to describe a city/ place
Here you can find a list of useful words to describe a city, a town or a country.
- Ancient- A place that has a long history. Synonym: historic.
- Boring- dull not very interested.
- Bustling- full of life. A crowded, busy place. Synonyms: lively, hectic.
- Charming- Nice and very pleasing.
- Contemporary- modern, very up to date.
- Compact- not very big, contained within a small area.
- Crowded- very full of people. Synonym bustling.
- Exciting- fun, thrilling with lots of things to do. Synonym: lively.
- Fascinating- very interesting. Synonyms: captivating, intriguing.
- Inexpensive- Not costing very much. Words with a similar meaning: cheap.
- Picturesque- Charming and interesting in an unusual way.
- Polluted- dirty, contaminated.
- Touristy- visited by lots of tourist. Words with a similar meaning: 'tourist trap'. 'Touristic' is rarely used by native speakers, meanwhile 'tourist' is more commonly used.
Here you will find more vocabulary related to places in the city.
TASK:
Now, work in groups. Describe your town or city using the prompts below.
- There's plenty of things to do/ there's nothing to do...
- It's good for...
- It's famous for...
- There's a huge problem with...
- There are all kinds of...
Now, work in groups. Describe your town or city using the prompts below.
- There's plenty of things to do/ there's nothing to do...
- It's good for...
- It's famous for...
- There's a huge problem with...
- There are all kinds of...
Watch the following video to get some ideas for your presentation when you describe your city/ town.
GRAMMAR
Present simple and present continuous
Watch the following video to understand what are the differences between the present simple and present continuous
Present Continuous or Present Simple
Observe the difference between the present simple and the present continuous.
He usually works in an office, but today he's working in a hotel.
He usually wears a suit, but today he's wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
He usually goes to important meetings, but today, he's working in bedrooms.
He usually finishes work at 6, but today he's finishing at 8.
The Present Simple is used for:
habitual actions
(things which are always true or which happen every day)
I live in Madrid.
Stative verbs:
want
I want to pass the English exams
like
I like pizza
need
I need a new jacket
have (=possession)
I have a big house
know
I know his brother very well
think
I think this book is very expensive.
The Present Continuous is used for things happening now, at this moment:
temporary actions
(things happening now, at this moment)
I am reading a book at this moment.
The Present Continuous Tense
Observe the difference between the present simple and the present continuous.
He usually works in an office, but today he's working in a hotel.
He usually wears a suit, but today he's wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
He usually goes to important meetings, but today, he's working in bedrooms.
He usually finishes work at 6, but today he's finishing at 8.
The Present Simple is used for:
habitual actions
(things which are always true or which happen every day)
I live in Madrid.
Stative verbs:
want
I want to pass the English exams
like
I like pizza
need
I need a new jacket
have (=possession)
I have a big house
know
I know his brother very well
think
I think this book is very expensive.
The Present Continuous is used for things happening now, at this moment:
temporary actions
(things happening now, at this moment)
I am reading a book at this moment.
The Present Continuous Tense
- Choose the correct option: PRESENT SIMPLE or PRESENT CONTINUOUS.Then click on the "answer" button to see the correct answer.
NOTE:
If you talk about things you like to do in general, don't use the continuous. I enjoy movies, I enjoy reading, I enjoy evenings at home, etc.
If you're talking about something that you're doing at the moment, use the continuous. I'm enjoying this movie, I'm enjoying the book I'm reading, I'm enjoying spending this evening at home. But this use is not limited to the momentary: I'm enjoying living in Madrid, I'm enjoying working for this company, I'm enjoying training for my next competition, etc.
If you talk about things you like to do in general, don't use the continuous. I enjoy movies, I enjoy reading, I enjoy evenings at home, etc.
If you're talking about something that you're doing at the moment, use the continuous. I'm enjoying this movie, I'm enjoying the book I'm reading, I'm enjoying spending this evening at home. But this use is not limited to the momentary: I'm enjoying living in Madrid, I'm enjoying working for this company, I'm enjoying training for my next competition, etc.
5c_carteles_clase_verbs_pres_simple_vs_pres_cont_1.doc | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | doc |
So, remember the differences:
REMEMBER: We use the present simple with stative verbs. We can't use any continuous tense (including the present continuous tense, of course) with stative verbs.
SPEAKING
Work in groups and discuss the following questions:
1. How is your city changing at the moment?
In my city, there are more pedestrian areas than there used to be before so, on the one hand it's good for citizens to walk on the street without any traffic problem but on the other hand, there are less parking spaces now.
There are more street performers than in the past because there is more unemployment and people need to do something for a living.
2. What general changes are taking place in your country right now?
In general, the government is trying to improve the way we deal with rubbish, so we are recycling more.
We are developing new ways to collect rubbish.
There are more shopping centers now than in the past.
3. Do you feel positive or negative about these changes?
1. How is your city changing at the moment?
In my city, there are more pedestrian areas than there used to be before so, on the one hand it's good for citizens to walk on the street without any traffic problem but on the other hand, there are less parking spaces now.
There are more street performers than in the past because there is more unemployment and people need to do something for a living.
2. What general changes are taking place in your country right now?
In general, the government is trying to improve the way we deal with rubbish, so we are recycling more.
We are developing new ways to collect rubbish.
There are more shopping centers now than in the past.
3. Do you feel positive or negative about these changes?