Урок для Intermediate и выше: статьи про волшебство зимы с заданиями

Мы подготовили задания по двум тематическим статьям: в первой ученики обсуждают волшебство зимы, а во второй выбирают себе теплую, но стильную одежду. Задания подходят подросткам и взрослым с уровнем Intermediate и выше.

Статья 1. People in colder countries understand the magic of winter. What’s their secret?

Покажите ученикам фотографию и спросите: 

1. Look at the picture. Do you like it? Why (not)? 
2. Do you find winter magical?
   • If so, what is magical about it? 
   • If not, why? Give some reasons for your denial. 

Откройте статью, попросите прочитать заголовок и подумать над последним вопросом (What’s their secret?). Затем покажите банк слов, дайте время их просмотреть и выделить новую для себя лексику. В подборке лучше использовать слова, которых ваши ученики могут не знать или с которыми могут быть сложности в контексте предложенной статьи.

• curious — strange; unusual — интересный, необычный;
• perceive — to think of something or someone in a particular way — воспринимать;
• dreary — dull and depressing — унылый, тоскливый;
• outlook — general attitude or perspective toward something — взгляд, жизненная позиция, мировосприятие;
• observe — notice or study something carefully and deliberately — наблюдать, внимательно замечать;
• embrace — accept or support a new idea, belief or change willingly — принять, охотно поддержать;
• harness — make effective use of something — эффективно использовать, задействовать;
• thrive — flourish, succeed even in difficult conditions — процветать, успешно развиваться;
• shore — the land bordering a body of water — берег;
• shape — to influence or form something — формировать, влиять на что-то;
• engrained — deeply rooted — укоренившийся;
• winter sucks — a slang and informal way of saying «Winter is unpleasant» or «I don’t like winter.» — зима — отстой / терпеть не могу зиму;
• harsh — severe, unpleasant, or difficult — суровый, жёсткий, тяжёлый;
• regard — consider or think about something in a particular way — рассматривать, относиться к чему-то определённым образом;
• adjust — adapt something so that it fits better or works properly in a new situation — адаптировать, подстраивать, поправлять;
• well-suited — appropriately matching or fitting for a particular purpose or situation — хорошо подходящий;
• recuperation — recovering health, strength, or energy after illness — восстановление сил, реабилитация;
• point out — indicate or draw attention to something — указывать, обращать внимание;
• apply — be relevant to a particular person or thing — относиться, применяться;
• hibernate — spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state — впадать в спячку;
• shed — get rid of something — избавляться от, сбрасывать;
• store up — gather something for future use — накапливать, запасаться;
• profound — deep, significant — глубокий, значимый;
• swap out — replace one thing with another — заменить, поменять;
• comforter — A thick, padded blanket used on a bed — пуховое, тёплое одеяло;
• reclaim — restore or bring back — вернуть, восстановить;
• lethargy — lack of energy — вялость, апатия;
• sluggishness — slow, lazy, or inactive state — медлительность, заторможенность;
• revitalize — give new energy, life, or vitality to something that has become weak, dull, or inactive — оживить, придать сил;
• fire pit — a built or designated area designed to contain a fire safely outdoors — костровая чаша, место для костра;
• charcoal — a black, burnt material primarily made from wood used for grilling or heating. — древесный уголь;
• pastime — an activity or hobby that someone does for enjoyment or relaxation during their free time. — хобби, досуг;
• enhance — improve, increase, or make something better in quality, value, or attractiveness. — улучшать, усиливать;
• inhibition — a feeling of embarrassment or worry that prevents you from saying or doing what you want — скованность, внутренний барьер;
• constraints — limitations, restrictions, or conditions that limit what can be done. — ограничения, рамки;

После этого попросите прочитать статью и сделать первое упражнение.

Упражнение 1. Match the cause with the result

1. People living further north have a more positive winter mindset.
2. Turning off overhead lights and using candles creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
3. Embracing winter activities like walking outside or having a picnic helps combat winter lethargy.
4. Switching from iced coffee and cold breakfasts to hot foods and beverages increases comfort during winter.
5. People from cultures with harsh winters adjust their behavior to align with seasonal changes.

A. It helps people enjoy winter and find it cozy rather than dreary.
B. It makes the darkness more welcoming and encourages relaxation and creativity.
C. It allows humans to adapt healthily to winter’s challenges, similar to plants and animals.
D. It improves physical and mental well-being by embracing natural seasonal patterns.
E. It makes outdoor winter activities more comfortable and enjoyable through proper clothing.

Упражнение 2. Choose the correct option

1. People living further north tend to have a more positive attitude toward winter because 

a) they experience less darkness during the season
b) they develop strategies to enjoy and cope with winter
c) they spend more time indoors and avoid winter activities

2. Turning off bright overhead lights and using candles during winter creates

a) a gloomy and depressing atmosphere
b) an environment that discourages relaxation
c) a cozy and inviting environment

3. Engaging in outdoor winter activities, like walking or having a picnic during the cold months, helps people

a) stay active and positive despite the weather
b) avoid outdoor exposure altogether
c) stay indoors and wait for spring

4. To stay comfortable the author suggests switching from iced coffee and cold breakfasts to 

a) warm foods and beverages
b) cold salads and chilled drinks
c) a total hunger strike

5. To better adapt to seasonal changes cultures that experience harsh winters often 

a) ignore and maintain their routines
b) change and adjust their routines
c) eliminate outdoor activities completely

Упражнение 3. Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets

1. Winter can sometimes seem very dull and depressing. (dreary)
2. Adapting your plans according to the weather can be helpful. (adjust)
3. To stay warm, people gather fuel for future use. (store up)
4. The general perspective on this time of year is that it’s not cheerful, but it can be appreciated for its beauty. (outlook)
5. Many choose to accept the season by trying winter sports. (embrace)
6. Animals sleep through the cold in a dormant state. (hibernate)
7. The way winter influences our feelings and habits is significant. (shape)

Упражнение 4. Read and answer the questions. Use at least two words from the vocabulary list in each answer

1. What are some effective strategies for making the winter months more enjoyable and less gloomy? What kind of changes does the article recommend?
2. How might changing our mindset and habits during winter impact our overall happiness and health?
3. Can you think of any hobbies or activities that help people feel more positive about winter? 
4. Do you believe that changing your environment (e.g., decorating with candles, using warm colors) can impact your feelings during winter? Why or why not?
5. Are suggestions in the article about winter useful or stressful? 
6. What does an ideal winter look like to you? 

Статья 2. How to Stay Warm This Winter

Покажите ученикам две фотографии человека: человека в стильной и нестильной зимней одежде. Задайте вопросы: 

• Which of these pictures do you like? Why? 
• What emotions or ideas do the outfits in the photos evoke for you?
• Which of them do you think best represents winter in your country? Why? 
• How do you think each of these outfits reflects the mood of winter? 
• If you were to pick an outfit for winter, what would it be?
• Do you think it’s important to look stylish? Why (not)? 

Затем выдайте список слов, дайте время его просмотреть и выделить новую лексику. В подборке лучше использовать слова, которых ваши ученики могут не знать или с которыми могут быть сложности.

• elevated takes — refined looks — утончённые интерпретации, более изысканный взгляд;
• essentials — a thing that is absolutely necessary — предметы первой необходимости;
• get through — pass a difficult or testing experience or period. — пережить, пройти через (трудный период);
• slog — period of hard, monotonous work — изнурительная, монотонная работа;
• versus — against — против;
• element — one of the four substances; earth, air, fire and water, which people used to believe everything else was made of — стихия, первоэлемент;
• sartorial — related to the way of dressing, usually having a good taste or relating to a tailor or to tailoring — портновский, относящийся к стилю одежды;
• basics — a necessary commodity for which demand is constant — базовые вещи, основа гардероба;
• eye-catching — immediately appealing or noticeable; striking — броский, привлекающий внимание;
• portable — able to be easily carried or moved, especially because being of a lighter and smaller version than usual — портативный, переносной;
• rechargeable — able to have its electrical energy restored by connection to a power supply. — перезаряжаемый;
• built-in — forming an integral part of a structure. — встроенный;
• hand-spun — handcrafted — ручной работы;
• cashmere — fine, soft wool, originally that from the Kashmir goat. — кашемир;
• tee — a T-shirt. — футболка;
• polished — elegant — изысканный, утончённый;
• slip on — put on with ease or speed — надевать легко и быстро;
• opera length — a long style of accessory, most commonly a necklace or gloves (extending past the elbow), named for traditional formal wear at the opera — оперной длины (очень длинный аксессуар);
• adjustable — capable of being regulated — регулируемый;
• beanie — a small close-fitting hat worn on the back of the head — шапка-бини;
• balaclavas — a close-fitting garment covering the whole head and neck except for parts of the face, typically made of wool. — балаклавы;
• draped — arrange (cloth or clothing) loosely or casually on or round something. — задрапированный, свободно ниспадающий;
• subtle — used to describe a flavour, colour, etc. that is delicate and not strong or bright — тонкий, ненавязчивый;
• saturated — (of colour) being chromatically pure — насыщенный (о цвете);
• moisture-wicking — a fabric pulls sweat away from your skin to its outer surface for quick evaporation, keeping you dry; — влагоотводящий;
• streamlined — made efficient by stripping off nonessentials — лаконичный, обтекаемый;
• take on — a new way of presenting something — приобретать (новый вид, форму);
• mid-calf — the middle section of the lower leg, halfway between the knee and the ankle — до середины икры;
• cream mist — a lightweight, sprayable liquid — крем-мист, лёгкий крем-спрей;
• flaky — dry — сухой, шелушащийся;
• on the go — very active or busy. — в движении, на ходу;
• humidifier — a device for keeping the atmosphere in a room moist. — увлажнитель воздуха;
• counteract — act against (something) in order to reduce its force or neutralize it. — противодействовать, нейтрализовать;
• mood lift — become happier or more cheerful, — улучшение настроения;
• sunlamp — a mercury-vapor lamp used in medical or cosmetic treatments — солнечная лампа, УФ-лампа;
• supplement — add an extra element or amount to. — дополнять;
• tide over — to help someone get through a difficult or short-term period by providing what they need — помочь пережить трудный период;

Откройте статью How to Stay Warm This Winter, попросите прочитать её и сделать первое упражнение.

Упражнение 1. Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones

1. The hand warmers from Aecooly can only last up to 10 hours.
2. Sermoneta’s leather gloves are available exclusively in black.
3. Pien Studios’ balaclavas are made from synthetic materials.
4. Cecilie Telle’s wool ponchos are handmade.
5. The Verilux sunlamp uses traditional incandescent light technology.

1. False — The hand warmers from Aecooly can last up to 20 hours.
2. False — Sermoneta’s leather gloves come in over 60 shades, not just black.
3. False — Pien Studios’ balaclavas are made from a blend of mohair, silk, and wool, not synthetic materials.
4. True
5. False — The Verilux sunlamp uses LED technology, not traditional incandescent light.

Больше интересных заданий:

Упражнение 2. Read the questions and discuss them with your teacher. Use at least three words from the vocabulary list in each answer

1. What are the most important factors to consider when choosing winter accessories like gloves, hats, and scarves? 
2. How can winter clothing be both practical and fashionable at the same time?
3. What materials are best suited for winter accessories to combine comfort and warmth?
4. In your opinion, which winter accessory is most essential for staying warm, and why?
5. Name different accessories that help protect different parts of the body from cold weather.
6. Have you ever sacrificed style for warmth or vice versa when dressing for winter? How did that experience turn out?

Упражнение 3. Design your ideal winter accessory collection

Imagine you are a fashion designer specializing in cozy winter accessories. Using the descriptions and ideas from the text, design a collection of five accessories (e.g., gloves, scarves, hats, etc.) that combine style and practicality.

Give each item a catchy name.
Describe the material, color, and special features.
Explain how they can be styled together for a complete winter look.

Упражнение 4. Design your outfit for a chilly day outdoors

Imagine you are preparing your outfit for a chilly day outdoors. Using at least five items or accessories mentioned in the text, describe your ideal winter look.

Заглавное изображение статьи с сайта Shutterstock.com