Letter to Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my view the protection of environment the responsibility of individuals or of the Government.

I think that the responsibility is of both individuals and the government. As for the government, I think they have taken enough responsibility for protecting the environment. They have law and policy to prohibit littering and spitting in the public. They also have educated the public about protection of environment as individual responsibility. We are required to bring our own bags when we go shopping. This helps decrease the use of plastic bags.

For individuals, we have the responsibility too. We can help save water, energy, and even electricity. We also recycle papers, furniture, even some disposed items. This must be done individually.

If the government and individuals can co-operate with each other, the protection of environment will be much better. I hope my view will help us know more about the individual responsibility in protecting environment.

Yours faithfully
Coco Lin

Home work

1. letter to editor
2. readers
3. comprehension task

Gerunds and to-infinitives

Gerunds and to-infinitives

Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.
1. A: Where would you like to sit?
B: I'd prefer to sit (sit) by the window, if you don't mind.
2. I prefer shopping to visiting museums or art galleries.
I'd rather to paly(play) the guitar than sing.
3. I prefer taking (take) my own food to work rather than buy food there.
4. I'd rather you not to criticize (not/criticize) David. He's a friend of mine.
5. A: This hotel looks nice, doesn't it?
B: I'd rather not to stay ( not stay) in one so close to the station. It might be very noisy.
6. I prefer making (make) my own decisions to asking for advice.
7. A: Helen's working very hard for her exams, isn't she?
B: Yes. I'd rather she to work (work) in the library than at home though. We have to be quiet all the time.
8. A: Are you going to get someone to paint your flat, or are you going to do it yourself?
B: I'd prefer to do (do) it myself, but I haven't got time.
9. I'd prefer to go (go) out for a meal for my birthday rather than have a party.
10. My CD player's broken so the shop has offered to repair it. I'd rather they to give (give) me a new one.
11. Linda is always very quiet in meetings. She prefers listening (listen) to speaking.
12. Thank you for your order. However, we regret informing (inform) you that the shirt you ordered is no longer available.
13. A: Do you remember the walk in the mountains we did a few years ago?
B: Yes, I do. I remember seeing(see) a beautiful waterfall.
14. I can't go on pretend (pretend) that there's nothing wrong with me. I must go to the doctor.
15. I've been here three months and I start to understand (understand) the language better.
16. I can't stop worry (worry) about my interview tomorrow. I'm thinking about it all the time.
17. A: Did you remember to ask (ask) Dan to our barbecue on Saturday?
B: I did, but he said he couldn't come.
18. Do you regret not to finish(finish) your trip? If you're in a small boat, don't stand up. You risk turning (turn) it over.
19. After telling me about the music festival, Kirsty went on describe (describe) Sam's party.
20. Lucy refuses flying (fly) anywhere because she doesn't like planes.

Letter of advice

_____________________
Dear Coco

Can you give me some advice?
My parents are very strict and never let me go out in the evenings. They are worried I will get into trouble. My other friends are allowed to go out. I really want to spend time with my friends. But, I don't know how to persuade my parents to let me out, especially in the weekends.

I am worried that if I keep obeying them I will lose my friends. What do you think I should do?

Yours
Coco
______________________


Dear Coco,
I am sorry to hear about the problem between you and your parents.

I think that you need to understand your parent’s thought. Why they didn’t let you go out in the evenings is because they want to protect you. You may think that it is a usual thing to go out with friends. But from the view of your parents, they may think that going out in the evenings is somehow not an obedient behavior. A good teenage would usually go home after school.

My suggestion is you ought to sit down and talk with your parents. You should explain why you need to go out in the evening. It is because you want to have a better friendship with your friends. Your friend’s parent also let them to go out in the evenings.

You ought to know that if you do not go out with your friends, you won’t lose your friend. If your friends do not play with you anymore because you do not go out with them in the evening, they are not your true friend.

I hope my suggestion will help you. Write soon and let me know what is going on.

Yours
Coco

This Week Lesson

1. Chapter 26 - 27 of The Star of Kazan (mark the main incidents/events that signify the develop of the story)
2. Letter of Advice to a friend (social worker about ways to improve the situation)
3. grammar exercises (finish the worksheets)

Homework

1. Writing task
2. Literature Reading - 5 chapters with summary writing.
3. Proofreading Task

The Star of Kazan

Annika is a foundling being happily raised by an unusual family in Vienna. When her “real” mother arrives to claim her, things just don’t seem right. There is an adventure with a trunk full of clothes and jewels, a three-legged dog and a beautiful horse. Annika’s friends in Vienna and her new friend, Zed, help to solve the puzzle and free Annika from a terrible fate.


Plot
Tone of book? - upbeat
Time/era of story - 1900-1920's
Kids growing up/acting up? Yes
Internal struggle/realization? Yes
Struggle over - search for family/history
Crime & Police story Yes
Story of - conman stealing/fraud
Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 11-14
Parents/lack of parents problem? - fighting with bitchy momma

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - servant
Age: - a kid
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality - Austrian
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - wealthy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 (a little)
Europe Yes
European country: - Germany - Austrian
City? Yes
City: - wealthy
Misc setting - fancy mansion

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Homework:
Comprehension worksheet
Proofreading worksheet