Country Music
I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language each week. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Country music is an American-made genre of music that began in the southern regions of the United States. First produced in the 1920s, country music is primarily focused on singing stories about working-class and blue-collar American life.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B1
The rise to prominence of the genre of Country music is not only significant to the music industry. But it also holds impeccable value to American culture, history, and tradition. Read more of the article here: https://www.homesweetcountrymusic.com/article/country-musics-impact-on-american-culture/
Listening Tip
Language Level – B1
Listen and read along with Beyoncé – TEXAS HOLD ‘EM (Official Lyric Video)
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B2
Subordinate Clause = Dependent Clause
A subordinate clause (also known as a dependent clause) supports the main clause of a sentence by adding to its meaning. Like all clauses, a subordinate clause has a subject and a verb.
There are three main types:
Today, we will focus on Adverbial Clauses.
An adverbial clause is a group of words that plays the role of an adverb. It modifies (changes) the verb or adverb in the main clause.
Example: Keep writing the newsletter until I tell you to stop.
Adverbial Clause of Time (When) – states when something happens or how often.
Example: After the game has finished, the king and pawn go into the same box. (Italian Proverb)
Adverbial Clause of Place (Where) – states where something happens.
Example: Anywhere the struggle is great, the level of ingenuity and inventiveness is high. (Economist Eleni Zaude Gabre-Madhin)
Adverbial Clause of Manner (How) – states how something is done.
Example: Except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did. (Comedian Robert Benchley)
Adverbial Clause of Degree or Comparison (To what degree) – states to what degree something is done or offers a comparison.
Example: A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with. (Playwright Tennessee Williams)
Adverbial Clause of Reason (Why) – offers a reason for the main idea.
Example: I don’t have a bank account because I don’t know my mother’s maiden name. (Comedian Paula Poundstone)
Adverbial Clause of Condition (If, Then) – states the condition for the main idea to come into effect.
Example: If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts. (Physicist Albert Einstein)
Adverbial Clause of Concession (In spite of) – offers a statement which contrasts with the main idea.
Example: A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it’s a whisper. (Author Barry Neil Kaufman)
Let’s practice!
Identify the adverbial clauses in the sentences below:
- As soon as one project is finished, I go straight on to something else.
- When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
- Although it’s cold and raining, it is still nicer than the city.
- I started writing as soon as I started reading.
- You are taller than I am.
- He acts like it is a joke.
- She is smarter than him in every way.
- If the shoe fits, wear it.
- Although I live in Europe, I am still voting in the US election.
- Since you don’t want to do your homework, you can wash the dishes.
Vocabulary Tip
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Bush (n)
- But (prep)
- Cable (n)
- Calculate (v)
- Cancel (v)
- Cancer (n)
- Capable (adj)
- Capacity (n)
- Capture (v, n)
- Cast (v, n)
You will find the definitions for this list of B2- level words in this quizlet.
Each week new words are added to the same quizlet, so all of the B2 level words will be in one list for practice.
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – B1
Put each sentence below in the correct word order:
- to change / their / like / many women / from time to time / appearance.
- in the office / papers / some / there / on my desk / are.
- in her room / Janet / the book / left / somewhere.
- to work / football / go /game /Joe / to the / he / has / because / can’t.
- this morning / than / happier / he / looks / George / did.
- more / seems / the last one / this test / difficult / than.
- make / she / possible / to / little / noise / as / as / tried.
- every / eight hours / sleeps / night / my / dad.
- beautiful / is / in / Europe / Venice / of the / cities / one / most.
- harshly / to / has spoken / her students / never / the teacher.
Questions?
