Package 2 – Word Building & Recording Strategies
Activity 1
This activity gives you the chance to apply the above strategies.Read the passage below and then answer the questions.
Text 1: Population density of Hong Kong
There are many ways of recording new vocabulary. Once you have learnt the meaning of a new word, you should try to record it in one of the ways set out here.
Memorising and consolidating new words
The following activity gives you the chance to learn how to record new vocabulary in your vocabulary notebook using the word-mapping technique.
Activity 2
1.Look at the word map and then complete Text 2 by dragging and dropping the appropriate words.
Text 2: Family types
Activity 3
Now go to the following website:
Use vocabulary items in Activity 1 and enter each word to create a series of word-map.
Package 3 – Dictionary Skills
Activity 1
Do you have a dictionary? Is it mono-lingual or bilingual? Do you use an electronic dictionary? Do you think that you have already developed some good dictionary skills? The following quizzes will help you to determine how well you know your dictionary.
Package 4 – Roots and Affixes
Activity 1
Activity 2 Roots
Here are some common Latin roots and examples. Drag and drop the meaning word into the box below. If you choose the wrong answer the word will bounce back to the box.
Package 5 - Synonyms
Activity 1
In the box there are clusters of synonyms for the underlined words in the sentences that follow. Drag and drop the synonym clusters in the box on the corresponding words in the sentences.
If you want to find synonyms for key words in your assignments, you should consult a thesaurus. This is a reference book which lists words with similar meanings. You can also check the thesaurus on your word processing programme. However, you need to remember that no word ever has exactly the same meaning as another. There is always a difference in emphasis, suggestion or use. Words that a dictionary lists as synonyms cannot always be interchanged in every context. If a thesaurus states that two words, say, start and commence, are synonymous, it does not necessarily mean that they are always interchangeable. In this case, the former tends to be used in everyday communication whereas the latter tends to be restricted to formal contexts. A useful online thesaurus is:
Activity 2
Since synonyms are not always interchangeable, it is important to select with care the word that exactly expresses your idea/thought or fits the context.
The following activity helps you to develop the ability to discriminate among synonyms.
Click on the more suitable word in the following sentences. In pairs, discuss the differences between the two words.
Activity 3
Package 6 - Antonyms
Knowing the antonym(s) of a word helps you understand and remember the word itself. In certain cases, the meaning of the word is specified by its antonym.
Activity 1
Prefixes with negative meanings
After discussing roots and affixes earlier, you know that prefixes are often used to give words a negative meaning. The opposite of convenient, for example, is inconvenient, the opposite of agree is disagree and the opposite of lock is unlock. Unfortunately, there is no easy way of knowing which prefix a word will employ to form its opposite. When you learn a new word, note down whether it has an opposite formed with a prefix and, if so, what it is. Note, however, that the words formed in this way are not always exact opposites and may have a slightly different meaning.
The following is a list of prefixes which are useful in helping you to understand and record words. Pay attention to the fact that some of these words are not antonyms.
| Prefixes | Meaning | Examples |
| a | not, without | amoral atypically |
| anti | against, opposed to | anti-war antisocial antibiotic |
| mal | bad, badly | malnutrition maltreat malfunction |
| counter | against | counteract countercurrent counteragent |
| pseudo | false | pseudo-scientific pseudo-intellectual |
| in im il ir |
not | inefficient ineffective inconsistent impossible immature impatient illegal illegible illiterate irregular irresponsible irreversible |
| de | to remove, to make less | decentralise demotivate demoralise |
| mis | bad, badly | misbehave miscalculation misunderstand |
| non | not | nonsense nonstick nonsmoker |
| un | not | unfair undress unblock |
| under | too little | undercooked understated |
Activity 2
Complete the sentences by dragging the words below and dropping them in the correct gap in the sentences.
Package 7 – Mid-course Test
Section 1
Look at the sentences. Then write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the
original sentence, using the word given in the brackets. The word in brackets must
not be changed in any way, but you may change the other words.
Section 2
Underline the best word to complete the sentence:
Example:
Cheung Tze-keung “Big Spender” was a celebrated/notorious/familiar criminal who was executed in China in1998.
Section 3
Match each word with its synonym or near-synonym. Put the letters (a to j) in the box provided.
Section 4
Put the correct form of the word in brackets into the sentence.
Example: The government are investigating new types of …………. energy
(sustain)
The government are investigating new types of sustainable energy.
Section 5
Choose one word from the list below to complete the sentence. Do not use the same word twice.
Package 8 - Causes and Effects
Activity 1a
Read the following essay on increasing life expectancy and the problems associated with it China.
The increase in life expectancy is causing problems in many countries. This problem is particularly serious in China because of the government’s inconsistent population policies and the changing attitudes of young couples towards having children. Combatting this problem requires immediate measures by the government as well as the co-operation of the public.
The major cause of this problem is the government’s inconsistency in its population policies since 1949. Responding to the call to have children, women in the 1950s gave birth to large numbers of children (Moody, Ramson, & Roberts, 2010). These children are now becoming a major sector of the senior population. This situation could trigger a surge in the demand for services by the elderly, such as homes and health centres for the aged. In the mid-1970s, however, the government began to realise the serious impact the policy was having on society and in 1979 decided to adopt a completely different policy: the family planning policy (Moody et al. 2010). This policy, which continues to this day, requires that each married couple have only one child. While the implementation of the regulation has dramatically reduced the birthrate, the consequences of this policy could cause a significant labour shortage in the near future.
In addition to the population policies, the changing attitude towards family life among young Chinese couples is another major factor contributing to this problem. Due to a rise in the cost of living and education expenses, many couples choose to maintain their high standard of living by not having children. Wang et al. (2009) observe that such behaviour has resulted in an increasing number of DINK (double income, no kid) couples. The rising number of DINK couples has further led to a reduction in the birthrate in China and is pushing China towards a population imbalance in which there are “more pensioners than workers” (Lu, & Kan, 2009, p. 66).
To face these challenges, the Chinese government should take some immediate measures. To address the issue of labour shortage, the government should consider both short and long-term strategies. In the short term, the government could consider extending the retirement age to encourage those over 60 years of age, who have the ability and are willing to work, to remain in the workforce. This could help to maintain the existing labour pool. In the long run, however, Moody et al. (2010) suggest that the government might have to relax the one-child policy in order to enable parents with sufficient means and motivation to have larger families. Zhou (2011) believes that tax breaks to reduce the costs of parenthood are necessary in some big cities to encourage young couples to have children. This long term strategy will offset the population imbalance and increase the amount of productive labour available for the country in the future.
Regarding the increasing demand for services for the greying population, the government and local communities should collaborate to provide more effective services. The central government should, first of all, adopt policies to ensure the life quality of the elderly. One way to achieve this, according to Davis (2011), is to increase the elderly’s financial independence through the promotion of private pension funds and health insurance. Rod (2010) proposes that money for these funds could be collected both compulsorily and voluntarily. This could help to relieve the economic burden of caring for the old in the future. Meanwhile, the government should provide more homes and centres for the elderly. To operate these homes and centres effectively, the participation of the public, including charity organisations, will also be vital. The upshot of their participation would not only help to collect funds but also provide manpower to support elderly homes and centres.
The ageing population in China has created looming labour shortages and a surge in demand for care services for the elderly. To alleviate these problems, both the government and the public should take immediate action. Only when the government and society act in concert can this serious problem be dealt with effectively.
References
Davis, K. (2011). Private pension penetration in China. Journal of Financial Product Promoters, 12(7), 35-44.
Lu, J., & Kan, F. (2009). China’s Population Policies. Hong Kong: Blackstone Publishing.
Moody, G., Ramson, K., & Roberts, M. (2010). The socio-economic impacts of China’s Population Control Laws. Liverpool: Liverpool John Moores University Press.
Rod, P. (2010). Modern Chinese Attitudes to Parenting. Journal of Chinese Population Studies, 12(8), 101-164.
Wang, K., Aitken, L. W., Smith, A., Tung, P. M., Wong, K. P., & Evans, S. (2009). Black future for China’s grey heads. Asian Journal of Aging, 12(4), 13-22.
Zhou, W. (2011). Dealing with the grey menace. Sino Octogenarian Quarterly, 47(3), 12-18.
Activity 1b
Now read the text again and type any expressions related to expressing ‘causes’ or ‘effects’ in the boxes below.
Activity 2
For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible to the original sentence, but using the word given. This word must not be altered in any way.
Example: There have been several changes in education as a result of the new law.
led
Answer: The new law has led to several changes in education.
Package 9 - Similarities and Differences
Activity 1
Cultural differences may lead to misunderstandings. When the assumptions or behaviour of one party do not accord with those of another party, the result may be communication breakdown. The activities below give you a chance to explore differences in patterns of cultural behaviour between Chinese and Americans which might lead to misunderstanding.
You are going to read an essay which discusses different aspects of North American and Chinese cultures. It refers to Chinese society as collectivist and North American society as individualist.
It also contains a variety of expressions relating to similarity and difference. Read the text for content and then underline the words and patterns that show or express similarity and difference and transfer them to the appropriate boxes after the passage.
Text 1: Collectivist Vs. individualist
The values held by one culture are apt to differ from those of another. Generally speaking, individualism is characteristic of Western cultures, while collectivism is a feature of Eastern cultures. Individualism is the belief that each person is distinct and ought to achieve independence from others. Individualists believe that society is only the means for an individual to reach his personal goals. In a society based on individualism, self-reliance and self-affirmation are encouraged. People can freely express their feelings without outside interference and can state different views publicly. An individual has the right to protect his privacy, to make his own choice and to lead his life in his own way. The individual is permitted to pursue his self-interest on the condition that he does not violate other people's rights or the laws and social moralities which protect the equal rights of all the people.
The society which most clearly exemplifies individualism is that of North America. For the average American, an individual's most important concern is his self-interest and in this respect he is concerned much more about his own career and his personal success than about group interests. American individualism cannot be separated from freedom. By freedom, Americans mean the ability of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference. Americans expect freedom of choice in almost everything. They are free to choose a college and what to study there. They are free to choose a job which they are interested in, and free to marry the person of their own choice without interference from their parents. Americans believe that children should be encouraged to make decisions for themselves, develop their own opinions, solve their own problems, and have their own points of view on different topics. Independence is seen as a product or result of freedom. Their independence in turn makes American people self-reliant and they regard relying on other people as rather shameful.
Collectivism emphasizes the welfare of the organization or group. Individuals are not encouraged to pursue self-interest since this may be considered a threat to the conformity and harmony of the social group. Individuals are viewed only as members of a group and are expected to sacrifice their own interests and meet the demands of the group whenever there is a conflict. Collectivists are reluctant to attract other people's attention and they do not state views which conflict with accepted social values.
Chinese culture is based on collectivism and a great deal of social behaviour centres on the need for properly ordered social relationships. It is assumed that if every person plays his designated role properly, then society will be well run, and happiness and harmony will be achieved and sustained. Consequently, a uniform set of values is required and self-discipline, restraint and moderation are the basic ways of dealing with other people in the group. With such an emphasis on social order and consensus, the notions of individualism and inalienable rights never flourished in China. Of course, striving for individual achievement and excellence is highly valued, but success is seen as the result of the support of one's family or other influential groups.
Privacy is perhaps one of the most distinctive features deriving from the individualism of American culture. In contrast, close proximity from an early age means that Chinese people have less need for privacy and personal space than Americans, who tend to avoid close physical contact and keep at least an arm's distance when they talk with each other. Differing concepts of privacy can cause problems in intercultural interaction. For example, many Americans living in China complain that they are too often asked by Chinese about their personal matters. Questions such as "Are you married?" or "How old are you?" are common. It is not, of course, the intention of Chinese to be offensive. The Chinese inquisitiveness about other people's private lives is usually motivated by their desire to establish a more intimate personal relationship or closer friendship and this is possible because the concept of privacy is not strong in China. In Chinese culture, an individual is a member of a group within which he is exposed to constant concern or enquiry. Privacy, then, is often ignored because Chinese tend to be interested in others and are used to living in close proximity.
Patterns of family behaviour and interpersonal relationships also reflect the enormous differences between American individualism and Chinese collectivism. Chinese people respect groups and are inclined to reserve their greatest respect for their families. Chinese families are based on mutual help. Parents bring up their children and in return the children when mature will support their aged parents. This is a never-ending cycle of security and sacrifice. Although the Chinese family pattern has been changing in recent years and there is a trend towards the nuclear family system, it is, nonetheless, the children's responsibility to take care of their aged parents. For an individual, the family is actually a refuge for life, albeit a rather inquisitive one. The Chinese believe that "East or West, home is best." Each member of a family will try very hard to maintain the ongoing stability of the family and increase its prosperity. The status of the family is always the greatest concern and in return, the individual gets all the basic necessities of life from his family.
The American family pattern is quite different because of Americans' desire for independence and freedom. American society is competitive and as a result, independence is the prerequisite for success. Children cannot live with their parents all their lives. When they get married and have their own family, the treasure their privacy so much that they cannot tolerate the idea of living with their parents. Similarly, older Americans generally prefer to live independently of their children and grandchildren. Some of them even prefer to live alone in retirement houses or "old folk's homes" rather than relying on their children. They love their independence so much that they think it shameful to depend on others.
Age seems to be viewed as a negative asset in Western societies and, generally speaking, older people are shown little respect. In comparison, Chinese people believe that people age just like wine: the older they are, the more mature and revered because they have experienced a great deal which, by itself, is a great fortune. The belief holds that a great deal of time and energy can be saved if younger people accept the guidance of older people. This respect, or filial piety, is the basis upon which other traditional values rest. It ensures a stable family, harmonious relationships between generations and a sense of security for the old. It is of special meaning at present when people tend to be increasingly self-centered and more and more apathetic to the old and weak.
Words expressing similarity and differences
Activity 2
To widen the range of words you can use to express the concepts of similarity and difference, you will need to go beyond basic terms such as similar, different and comparative adjective phrases like greater than. The following table contains some of the most common words in this area.
Learn the words in the table below. If you do not know the meaning of some words, you should look them up in a dictionary. Then complete the exercise by dragging a word from the table and dropping it into the gap in the sentences below.
Package 10 – Post-course Test
Section 1
In this section, you should choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Section 2
Fill the gaps with the appropriate word. The first letter has been given to you.
Section 3
Complete the sentences by using one of the words in the box.
