Touchstone 4 EL 701

Seminar 3 World cultures

In Unit 3, you learn how to ….- use the simple present passive to talk about

traditional things. - talk about manners using verb + -ing and to +

verb. - talk about different cultures and customs. - use expressions like in fact to sound more

direct when you speak. - use of course to give information that is not

surprising, or to show you understand or agree.

• Grammar The simple present passive

Active Passive

How do they make kim-bap? They make it with rice and vegetables.

How is kim-bap made? It’s made with rice and vegetables.

Do they eat it hot or cold? They eat it cold. They don’t eat it hot.

Is it eaten hot or cold?It’s eaten cold. It’s not eaten hot.

They carve the sculptures out of rice.

The sculptures are carved out of rice.

Exercise Rewrite each sentence using the

simple present passive.

1. Some Native Americans carve totem poles out of wood.

Totem poles are carved out of wood by some native Americans.

2. They make traditional Spanish dish, paella, with chicken, seafood, and saffron.

3. In Mexico, they celebrate the day of the Dead on the first two days of November.

4. In Taiwan, parents give children red envelopes with money inside on New Year’s Day.

• Grammar

Verb+ - ing and to + verb; position of not

Verb + - ing as a subject

Position of not Not comes before the word it negates.

Eating in public is bad manners. Not shaking hands is impolite.

Be careful not to point at people. You can offend people by not bowing.

Verb + - ing after prepositions

Notice the difference in meaning:

You can offend people by eating in public. People might stare at you for not shaking hands.

It’s acceptable not to tip cab drivers. = /It’s optional/.It’s not acceptable to tip cab drivers. = /You shouldn’t do it/.

To + verb after it’s …….. It’s bad manners to eat in public. It’s impolite not to shake hands.

Exercise Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs.

Good Manners Checklist

1. You can offend people by ___________ (reach) across a table for something.

2. It’s polite __________ (say)hello to your teacher when you arrive in class.

3. __________ (eat) on the subway is considered rude.

4. ___________ (be) five minutes late for a meeting is acceptable.

5. It’s considered rude ________ (shout) at someone.

6. It’s not acceptable ________ (go) to a party uninvited.

7. People are accepted _________ (send) postcards to their friends while they on vacation.

8. Be careful not _______ (leave) work without __________ (say) good night to you co-workers.

9. __________ (give) money for a wedding gift is common.

10. __________ (ask) about someone’s age might be offensive.

11. When a train stops, it’s better ________ (wait) for people to get off before ________ (get) on yourself.

12. It’s bad manners ________ (talk) loudly on a cell phone in public places.

Proverbs

1.Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. • You have to catch the hare before you can roast

him. (German)• You can sell the bear’s skin until you’ve caught

him. (French)

2. A fall into a ditch makes you wiser. (china) //

3. The rattan basket criticizes the palm leaf basket; still both are full of holes. (The Philippines)

4. You are beautiful; but you learn to work, for you can not eat your beauty. (The Congo)

5. There’s no bad from which good doesn’t come. (Argentina) /everything has a positive and negative side/