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TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

I'm looking for those grammar awareness questions that you find on pre-CELTA assessments and the like. The kind that make you think about grammar and meaning. For example:

What is the difference between start and begin?

Does anyone have any others?

Cheers in advance.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 5:27 am Post subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=35545
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=2229

There are lots of questions being asked all the time on the (Teacher) Applied Linguistics forum (often directly from students themselves) that will get you thinking (of how to explain things or otherwise help; if the questions posed are actually valid - themselves well thought-out - or unhelpful etc etc).

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Thanks for the links. Razz

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject:

It's interesting, isn't it? Start and begin are as close synonyms as we get in English. In most cases, there is really no difference. I wouldn't even bother teaching any difference in register in most cases...

But, languages aren't math(s). My students are always getting frustrated by the fact that even the most exact synonyms aren't interchangeable in all cases.

I like "begin the car," and a student of mine actually said this a few months ago.

Any other examples of synonyms getting into trouble?

Best,

Justin

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject:

Is that "finish" as in "complete" or "terminate," or "finish" as in "polish?"

I realize nobody else finds this kind of thing funny. But it's Friday.

Justin Embarassed

leavingonajetplane · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Europe

I found that funny Laughing

.
There must be a comprehensive list online somewhere because i have been asked in my last three job interviews what the difference is between childish and childlike.
I would just go to one of the TEFL schools websites and download their pre-entry selection tasks for CELTA/ TESOL Wink

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

'I polished my last car,' said Mike.

Did my best worker quit or is he done for the day?

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Yes, Justin, I like this stuff too.... Wink

DIFFERENT
I started the engine.
I began the engine (after creating the body and suspension).

EQUIVALENT
They started the concert.
They began the concert.

DIFFERENT
Don't start with me, mister! (two meanings)
Don't begin with me, mister! (one meaning)

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Ok. Now stop. Lol.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject:

Just as much fun as synonyms that aren't always, are words that, depending on the context, have widely varied meanings.

A George Carlin classic, from "Seven words you can't say on television":

You can *beep* your finger, but you can't finger your *beep*.

Other fun ones can be made up with "polish" (the verb) and "Polish" (the nationality)

I had a great list of these somewhere, but can't find it. Anybody wish to add?

Happy weekend,

Justin