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Gun Control. Speaking exercise

Introduction

Gun Control

Gun Control

In this week's English conversation classes we will be talking about Gun Control, and looking at the verbs Make, Allow and Let to express obligation and persmission.

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CLASS 1

It is very easy to get your hands on a gun in the USA.

It is very easy to get your hands on a gun in the USA.

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In this first class we will be looking at a quote based on Gun Control, and discussing some questions based on vocabulary related to the topic. We also recommend that you take some time to study the common pronunciation problems and common mistakes that our students make.

 

Quote:

Discuss the following quote with your native English teacher via Skype:

 

"Guns don’t kill people. People kill people."

— National Rifle Association

 

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Questions to discuss with your teacher:

1. What have you heard about gun laws in the US?

2. What do you think about these laws?

 


Check your pronunciation of the vocabulary with your native English teacher, and discuss the questions below:

Vocabulary Question
Law What are gun laws like in your country?
Crime rate How do you think gun laws relate to crime rates in a country?
Weapon Do you know anyone who owns a gun or another weapon?
Shoot Would you like to shoot a gun?
Violence Does gun ownership increase or reduce violence?

 


Common pronunciation problems

  • Control ControlIn British English

  • Massacre MassacreIn British English

  • Weapon WeaponIn British English

 

Common mistakes

   
If I want to protect me If I want to protect myself
Americans can get guns really easy Americans can get guns really easily

CLASS 2

The #NotOneMore campaign aimed to put an end to gun violence

The #NotOneMore campaign aimed to put an end to gun violence

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In this class we will be looking at more questions and vocabulary related to Gun Control.

 

We also recommend you to watch the video before your English class, so you can discuss it with your English teacher.

 

 

unknown.pngQuestions to discuss with your teacher:

1. Do you think police officers and other security professionals should carry guns with them?

2. Should anyone be able to buy a gun?

 

 

Check your pronunciation of the vocabulary with your native English teacher, and discuss the questions below:

Vocabulary Question
Own What are some problems associated with many people owning guns?
Protect yourself Are guns the best way to protect yourself?
The right to Do you believe in the right to bear arms?
Massacre Can you think of any recent massacres that were the result of gun ownership?
Gunman What would you do if a gunman entered your place of work?

 

 

Now discuss the video with your English teacher in your online conversation classes via Skype:

Click to do the English listening exercise on this video!

CLASS 3

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reading.pngReading Practice:

This article looks into both the pros and cons of owning a gun for home defence. Read and discuss the article with your native-speaking English teacher online via Skype:

 

“Gun ownership is both a basic American right and one of the most contentious social and political issues of the day. There are about 300 million privately-owned firearms in the US‐which works out to roughly one gun for every man, woman and child in America” Read more… 



Questions to discuss with your English teacher

1. How many guns are owned in the USA?
2. What is the reason for most people buying guns in the USA?
3. What pros does the article mention for gun ownership?
4. What cons does the article mention for gun ownership?
5. What does the article tell us about children and guns?

 

Irregular Verbs

Present Past Participle
Shoot Shot Shot
Buy Bought Bought
Hold Held Held

CLASS 4: Grammar Review

English grammar review

English grammar review


Make v Let v Allow

We use these three verbs to talk about permission and obligation.

 

MAKE
We use make to talk about an obligation, and the construction is as follows:

Make + someone + do something

Examples:

  • My boss made me stay at work late today.
  • My parents made me do my homework before I could go out.
  • In some countries you are made to join the army when you turn 18.

 

LET
We use let when we have permission from somebody to do something. The construction is as follows:

Let + someone + do something

Examples:

  • My boss never lets me leave work early.
  • My parents let me invite a friend round for dinner yesterday.
  • You shouldn’t have let him come, he’s a nightmare!

 

ALLOW + TO
We use allow + to when we have permission from somebody to do something, or when we have the possibility to do something. The construction is as follows:

Allow + someone + TO do something

NOTE: We usually use this verb in the passive.

Examples:

  • I’m not allowed to leave work before 5pm
  • You are not allowed to buy a gun without a license in my country.
  • You shouldn’t be allowed to carry arms with you in the street.

 

Writing Practice


Improve your English writing skills by choosing one of the following essay questions on Gun Control, and sending it to us for correction.

 

  • Intermediate essay question
    Some countries have been able to reduce gun violence more than others. What are some of the strategies that a country can use to do this? How has your country handled the issue?

 

  • Advanced essay question 
    The NRA in the US says people need guns to defend themselves from criminals and thieves and other violent people. Do you believe this is a valid argument in favour of gun ownership?


We will reply within 48 hours with the corrected text, clearly marking your mistakes, and a feedback sheet, which you can use to improve your future written work.

 

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Improve your English speaking skills


See our other English conversation lessons, to improve your grammar and vocabulary, and practice your reading and listening skills.

 

And don't forget to book your online English conversation classes with one of our native English-speaking teachers to put into practice what you’ve learned in this lesson.

 

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Practicar inglés avanzado con Greg Pioli

Gregory Stephen Pioli

Owner of OLA Online Language Academy

★Degree in French (University of Kent at Canterbury)
★DELE Superior (Spanish) (Instituto Cervantes, Leeds)
★TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) (i-to-i.com)

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