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Hi teachers,Which one is better?a) Fill in the blanks choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the given glossary’s numbers.b) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the given glossary’s numbers.Thanks in advance

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

by choosing.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi CalifJim,

I knew it. Thank you so much.

I'll give just a paragraph of one of the readings, to see which are the most appropriate directions according to the exercise.

Now (at this moment) Robert is taking his wallet out of his jacket pocket. How much money is there in Robert’s wallet? There isn’t a lot of (a big quantity of) money, in fact (in reality) there's only (simply, just) a little (a small quantity of) money.

After the reading the students do some questions about it.

Then, there is a glossary of the explained vocabulary between paretheses in alphabetical order, something that I'm going to ignore here, due to the example.

Glossary

Synonyms for and Explanations to some English Words

1.- A synonym for now is at this moment.

2.- A synonym for a lot of is a big quantity of.

3.- A synonym for in fact is in reality.

4.- Synonyms for only are simply and just.

5.- A synonym for a little is a small quantity.

Then comes the fill in the blanks exercise according to the reading.

Which onecoud be better? Is there a better one?

a) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the glossary.

b) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the given words or phrases (something should be written in here. I don't know what) glossary’s numbers.

1.- At this moment. 2.- A big quantity of. 3.- In reality. 4.- Simply and just. 5.- A small quantity.

(1) _____ Robert is taking his wallet out of his jacket pocket. How much money is there in Robert’s wallet? There isn’t (2) ___________ money, (3) __________ there's (4) _________ (5) ___________ money.

I should tell you that the given synonyms are explained in a a table much simpler that the way I wrote it, but I don't know how to paste tables in here.

CalifJim · Answer

This is far too daunting. I take it that the following is the question:

Which one would be better? Is there a better one?

a) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the glossary.

b) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the given words or phrases (something should be written in here. I don't know what) glossary’s numbers.

________________

a) is much better. There's no point in using a lot of words when the reader can figure out the meaning from fewer words.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimWhich one would be better? Is there a better one?

Thank you for the correction. As soon as I saw 'could' I knew it was wrong, but this time the web didn't let me edit the original post. Anyway, as always I appreciate your concern.

CalifJima) is much better. There's no point in using a lot of words when the reader can figure out the meaning from fewer words.

Ok. I completely agree with you. The thing is since I give the students the synonyms or explanations with numbers, I thought I should also include somehow, this information: 'the numbers' in the directions.

a) Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate synonyms from the glossary (according to the given numbers).

Is it unnecessary the information between parentheses?

TS

CalifJim · Answer

Let me ask this. Are you indifferent as to whether the students write out the word(s) or provide the code number?

Or are you insisting on the number?

CJ

Is it unnecessary the information between parentheses?

This will amuse you.

It's

Is the information between parentheses unnecessary?

It's not what you wrote. You're accidentally using Spanish word order there!

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimIs the information between parentheses unnecessary?
It's not what you wrote. You're accidentally using Spanish word order there!

It certainly amuse me. How come you know so much about Spanish?

'Verb + subject + complement' of course!

CalifJimLet me ask this. Are you indifferent as to whether the students write out the word(s) or provide the code number?
Or are you insisting on the number?

I am just insisting on the number. You are making fun of me, aren't you?

My idea, possibly wrong, is to give them the numbers, just in case they don't remember the words, they can look at the glossary.

Regards

TS

CalifJim · Answer

Thinking SpainHow come you know so much about Spanish?

I had a Cuban-American housemate while in college. And I've taken a few Spanish courses.

Thinking SpainYou are making fun of me, aren't you?

On the contrary. The answer to "What's the best way to word this?" depends on knowing exactly what you are requesting the students to do.

- although, now that you mention it, I suppose it's a little odd in an English course to provide students a means by which they won't have to remember English words.

Given your preference, I would write the instruction thus:

Fill in the blanks with the code numbers of the appropriate synonyms from the glossary.

Or

Fill in the blanks with the numbers corresponding to the appropriate synonyms from the glossary.

You can also use in the glossary if you want.

Fill in the blanks with the numbers corresponding to the appropriate synonyms in the glossary.

There are probably several other variations that are acceptable. (But don't use the possessive glossary's, please.)

CJ

Out of curiosity, is this for teaching children or adults?

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimAnd I've taken a few Spanish courses

If I can ever help you in Spanish, please do ask me. I don't think I will be as good as you are in English, but try me, I'll do my best.[A]

I wish I can post here some of the exercises, but it's impossible, they are in tables and so far I don't know how to post tables here.

Maybe I should open a gmail account and from time to time, just from time to time, ask you to check the exercise there. Don't you think so?

TS

CalifJim · Answer

Sorry. I really don't have time to do one-on-one.

Just continue to post what you can here.

Thinking SpainIf I can ever help you in Spanish, please do ask me.

I will. But you have to realize that I live in California, where Spanish is spoken quite widely. My next-door neighbor is a native speaker of Spanish, for example, and she and I occasionally speak Spanish together. Well, she speaks Spanish, and I speak something like Spanish.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimSorry. I really don't have time to do one-on-one.

Just continue to post what you can here.

Hi again,
... and I speak something like Spanish. Well, is never too late to learn.

1.- A synonym for now is at this moment.

2.- A synonym for a lot of is a big quantity of.

3.- A synonym for in fact is in reality.

4.- Synonyms for only are simply and just.

5.- A synonym for a little is a small quantity.

Then comes the fill in the blanks exercise according to the reading.

a) Fill in the blanks by choosing (selecting) the appropriate synonyms from the glossary (according to the given numbers).

1.- At this moment. 2.- A big quantity of. 3.- In reality. 4.- Simply and just. 5.- A small quantity.

(1) _____ Robert is taking his wallet out of his jacket pocket. How much money is there in Robert’s wallet? There isn’t (2) ___________ money, (3) __________ there's (4) _________ (5) ___________ money.

Sorry. I really don't have time to do one-on-one.

No problem. You always help me a lot and with patience.

Sleeping time in this part of the world. Have a nice day and life.

Best Regards.

TS

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