A Speaking or Writing Exercise for Students Learning English Quite a few people on italki find it difficult to write a note, or when they speak to a native English speaker they struggle to speak. Here

Andi

A Speaking or Writing Exercise for Students Learning English Quite a few people on italki find it difficult to write a note, or when they speak to a native English speaker they struggle to speak. Here is a photo I took in Estepona, Spain, of some boats in the marina that might give you some ideas. Estepona is a small city on the south coast of Spain, and is very popular with tourists because of its beaches, restaurants and bars, theme parks, and nature activities that can be enjoyed. The marina is small but very picturesque, and the nearby restaurants offer delicious fresh seafood menus. Try to describe what you see in the photo, and mention the type of boat you see, and some of the features of the boats. Beginner Student: 1) Write a list of 10 words of things you see in the photo. 2) Can you write a sentence to describe the boats? 3) Who do you think owns these boats? 4) What are the boats used for? Intermediate/Advanced Students: 1) Make a list of 15 words of things you see in the photo, or feelings you have when you look at this photo, and then find at least two synonyms you could use to describe the photo. 2) How do you feel when you see a photo like this? Describe your feelings and emotions. 3) Are you able to write a story (150 words) about your dream day on a yacht? Who would you take with you? Where would you go, and what would you do?

Oct 1, 2014 11:18 AM

Corrections · 17

15 words:

Warmth,

Tranquility,

Blue sky,

White boats,

Clear water,

Silence,

Gentle breeze,

Shadows,

Sunbeams,

Meditating,

Summer,

Anchor,

Resort,

Clean atmosphere,

Travelling,

Holiday destination,

Mediterranean.

Two synonyms:

The moment I looked at this photo I felt calmness and tranquility.

This holiday destination is a beautiful place to think deeply and to meditate.

My feelings and Emotions:

When I look at your photo Andi, I fear water more and more. Yet I wish I was different and that one day I'll be able to concentrate on the beauty of the Mediterranean coast instead of how deep the water is ;)

October 1, 2014

My words are:

sky
calm
blue
clear
water
sea
ocean
still
clean
boat
sailing
snorkeling
fishing pole
boating
raft
anchor
waterskiing
seafood!

boat/vessel/watercraft/

gulf/bay

I would arouse to go trip as soon as possible!

October 3, 2014

It was a cloudless day. Warm wind was brushing over the water surface and at the same time trying to smoothen it, creating some ripples on the sea surface.
Little white boats were moored/anchored and idled near the pierside/shore, swaying slightly as the waves splashing against their hulls/bodies.

(Notes: I wonder you can understand what I mean, especially the last sentence. In the last sentence, I am trying to say the boats are not stationery, it always sways a bit from time to time because of the wave.)

October 2, 2014

calm sea, placid sea, quiet sea
pleasure yacht
racing yacht
yahth, vessel, craft
hull, body
cabin, compartment, quarters, superstructure
porthole, cabin window
life ring, life buoy, flotation device
deck,platform
railing, banister, handrail
fenders, cushion, buffer
standing rigging, stay, support (i.e. shrouds, braces)
running rigging, ropes (i.e. halyards, sheets)
mast, pole
boom

A vessel on the foreground of the picture is a pleasure yacht.
The hull is broad and roundish. It has a very large superstructure with huge cabin windows.
A life ring is attached to a reiling on the bow.
The destination of this yacht is to pleasure people and to have fun from sailing.

The fourth craft on the background is a racing yacht.
It has narrow and straight body. The cabin is low and has small portholes.
There is nothing superfluous on the deck. A life bouy is usually fixed on the stern.
The racing yacht is intended for taking part in competition. The main goal is being faster.

When I look at this picture I feel nostalgia. I used to go sailing when I was at school.
I still remember the jingle of rigging when the weather is windy and yachts are rocking.
But on the picture the weather is placid. There is no wind and waves. It should be very silently.
And tedious because you can't sail, you are becalmed.

October 6, 2014

Intermediate/Advanced Students:
1) Make a list of 15 words of things you see in the photo, or feelings you have when you look at this photo, and then find at least two synonyms you could use to describe the photo.
2) How do you feel when you see a photo like this? Describe your feelings and emotions.
3) Are you able to write a story (150 words) about your dream day on a yacht? Who would you take with you? Where would you go, and what would you do?

boats, water, sky, yacht, blue, white, pole, reflection, rope, strings,

When I look at the photo I involuntarily start imagining that I'm there feeling the breeze and the sun burning my skin. I like the smell of the sea or the ocean which always gives me the sense of freedom and makes me want to pack up my rucksack and wander towards adventure.

The blue colour radiating with positive energy brings calmness to my mind and assures my soul of a safe journey towards infinity. The reflections of the boats are happily dancing on the surface of the water and looking at this it's hard to belive that there is order in that disorder. But there is.

I could trip out by just imagining dephts of sensual impressions when I'm inspired by images like this.

But there's something else that comes to my mind. There could be a drunken artist sitting on one of those yachts, enjoying the weather and astonishing view, finishing his third bottle of Scotch. Unaware of his nearest future he would sing, and laugh, and swear, until he would end up in welcoming embrace of azure water, gently rocking his powerless arms to the sound of a cosmic lullaby.

October 8, 2014

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