Vocabulary and reading skills

Examples

A The government has spent a lot of money on building bridges to improve transport.

B Many realised that it was necessary to build bridges between Palestine and the West.

1 Look at the examples. Then answer the question.

In Period 3, we saw how the phrase building bridges can be used in two ways:

1. literal (the words mean exactly what they say)
2. non-literal or figurative (the words have a wider or symbolic meaning)

Which of these two meanings are used in the examples? Example A ___ Example B

2 Look at the pictures, which show the literal meanings of phrases from the text you read in Periods ⁦3 and⁩ 4. Then, in pairs, choose one picture and discuss how the literal meanings are related to their figurative uses in the text.

1. ⁦2 Ah⁩, at last a landmark! Now I know where we are and the direction we need to follow.

Don’t worry. I think the tide is turning.

The actor looked nervous just before he stepped onto the stage.

‘Yassir Arafat stepped onto the world’s political stage.’

‘This landmark speech showed the world two things.’

‘There is hope that the tide has finally turned.’

He was given an award for playing the role of Romeo.

‘They played a vital role in bringing the cause to the world’s attention.’

3. 4

3. Explain your ideas to the rest of the class.

4 Look at the sentences, which contain other figurative phrases related to the theme of this Unit. Explain the literal and figurative meanings of the phrases.

1. ‘We need to draw a line under everything that’s happened so far and think about the future.’

Literal meaning: Figurative meaning:

2. ‘There’s no point thinking about how things might have been different. You can’t turn back the clock.’

5 Complete the sentences with the figurative phrases in Activities ⁦2 and⁩ 4.

1. He wants to his father’s ___ by becoming a Professor.
2. It’s time to these events and decide what should happen next.
3. She wasn’t the person involved in the discussions, but she definitely in making them successful.
4. I wish I could ___ and have that chance again.
5. It’s been a difficult time for the economy, but there are signs that the ___ .
6. She’s been a very popular singer ever since she first over twenty years ago.
7. This was a event in our history. Things were never the same afterwards.

5

It’s all right, just follow in my footsteps.