Approximately level B2/C1
Why this exercise?
The receptive skills (passive skills) are reading and listening, the skills you need to receive and understand. They can be contrasted with productive skills (active skills): speaking and writing.
In the process of learning English you normally begin with receptive understanding of the new items, then later move on to productive use.
Therefore it is perfectly normal that when you see the answers you think: “I knew that, why couldn’t I come up with that answer”? It’s the difference between recognising a word and knowing what it means and being able to come up with the word spontaneously in a sentence when speaking or writing.
See the keys to this exercise at the end of this blog.
Exercise 1. Answer the questions
1. Do you know three different words for something that is required by law?
2. Can you mention three types of masks?
3. Do you know how you can prevent your glasses from fogging up?
Exercise 2. (Try to) fill in the gaps below!
The idea is to “cherry pick”, so think: What’s in it for me?”. In other words skip words that you find too easy, and just do the words from which you think you will benefit.
Among other things, this exercise is meant to either teach you new vocabulary in context, or to help you practice your grammar. Obviously this depends on how much you already know.
1. Many people have been slow to embr………….. face masks. Perhaps one of the problems has been changing advice as ev……….. eme………………….. (accept willingly; proof; appears)
2. In many countries it is ma…………… to wear a mask on public transport. (required by law)
3. In other countries it is re……………., though not obl………. (advised; required by law)
4. The risk of tra………………… the virus outside is low. (Passing on from one person to another --> a noun)
5. There are several types of masks, some dis…….. masks come with an exp……. da….. (you can throw them away; the end of the period for which something is valid)
6. Masks need to have a ti…. fit to be really effective, though this needs to be balanced with wea……….. (fastened firmly; wear --> noun)
7. It’s a good idea to have a mask with a mou….. nose piece. ( mould --> adjective)
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KEY
1. Do you know three different words for something that is required by law? Compulsory, mandatory, obligatory.
2. Can you mention three types of masks? Fabric, disposable and surgical.
3. Do you know how you can prevent your glasses from fogging up?
Submerge them in soapy water
Fill in the gaps below!
1. Many people have been slow to embrace face masks. Perhaps one of the problems has been changing advice as evidence emerges. (accept willingly; proof; appears)
2. In many countries it is mandatory to wear a mask on public transport. (required by law)
3. In other countries it is recommended, though not obligatory. (advised; required by law)
4. The risk of transmission the virus outside is low. (Passing on from one person to another)
5. There are several types of masks, some disposable masks come with an expiry date. (you can throw them away; the end of the period for which something is valid)
6. Masks need to have a tight fit to be really effective, though this needs to be balanced with wearability. (fastened firmly; noun of the verb wear)
7. It’s a good idea to have a mask with a mouldable nose piece. (Adjective of mould)
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