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EFL/ESL tests- just a front for Western propaganda?

 
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:23 pm    Post subject: EFL/ESL tests- just a front for Western propaganda? Reply with quote

Have a look at this clip and judge for yourself:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1iiPG8Js8M
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coledavis



Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In order to cover cultural aspects of English, most textbooks and examinations cover positive rather than negative aspects of English-speaking countries, usually Britain or the USA. Having said that, I couldn't see anything particularly spun here. The nearest it got to propaganda was its resemblance to a filibuster: it was difficult to keep my eyes open.
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where is there a text describing how prisoners are renditioned, eh? Or how the Chinese government is formed? Bah! Spin!!!
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coledavis



Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you like doing at the weekend, Sam? (use present continuous)

Water-boarding. Subprime lending. Executing the mentally subnormal.

And Tommy? (past continuous)

Sticking Indians in front of cannons. Sending in the gunboats. Setting up concentration camps.

Well, I suppose they might appeal to ESL students..
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear coledavis,

Your examples are all the 2nd part of the verb (the present participle) used as gerund objects of the verbs.

Were we to extend Sam's and Tommy's answers to complete sentence, this is what they'd say:

Sam: Oh, I like water-boarding, sub-prime lending, and executing the mentally subnormal.

Q: And you, Tommy. What did you (use to) like to do?

Tommy: Oh, I liked (used to like) sticking Indians in front of cannons, sending in the gunboats, and setting up concentration camps.

Regards,
John
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teacheratlarge



Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 192
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sashadroogie wrote:
Where is there a text describing how prisoners are renditioned, eh? Or how the Chinese government is formed? Bah! Spin!!!


China has a government????


Good to know these things...... Shocked

Where is the text talking about the gulags?
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coledavis



Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

so little time, JS, so l.t.
johnslat wrote:
Dear coledavis,

Your examples are all the 2nd part of the verb (the present participle) used as gerund objects of the verbs.

Were we to extend Sam's and Tommy's answers to complete sentence, this is what they'd say:

Sam: Oh, I like water-boarding, sub-prime lending, and executing the mentally subnormal.

Q: And you, Tommy. What did you (use to) like to do?

Tommy: Oh, I liked (used to like) sticking Indians in front of cannons, sending in the gunboats, and setting up concentration camps.

Regards,
John
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

teacheratlarge wrote:
Sashadroogie wrote:
Where is there a text describing how prisoners are renditioned, eh? Or how the Chinese government is formed? Bah! Spin!!!


China has a government????


Good to know these things...... Shocked

Where is the text talking about the gulags?


If you want to learn Russian, I can direct to you to Russian course books which use texts about Stalin and his famous phrases. Similar texts are not something you are likely to see in a TEOFL exam.
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