Hi! I have a question about some compound adjectives. Is it possible to say white-teethed when describing a person? Or is white-toothed better? And is it correct to say that someone is cheek-dimpled?

The texts consider the role of music in our modern world. Both texts take a stance on the importance of music being undervalued, leaving society at a loss. The first text suggests that music is disregarded in its worth, as it is so easily accessible. The writer is questioning whether enough is done to change that. The reality is that nowadays professional musicians are depreciated and oftentimes encounter difficulties with employment. The second text raises the issue of music’s role in education. From the author’s point of view, music is underrated as a subject at schools and is seen as conceding on the importance when being compared to other compulsory disciplines. In actual fact, learning music aids children’s creativity and collaboration skills, which is a clear plus. Presumably, no one would dispute the fact that music plays an important role in everyone’s lives. It is something that can cheer us up, give energy to fulfill duties and in general keep ourselves occupied in moments of boredom. I also support the idea of music’s ability to enhance our soft skills and creativity. At the same time I’m enclined to believe that music is not crucial in our lives, it is just a source of entertainment. And in terms of school curriculum, students should decide on their own which subjects are of greater importance to them. As everyone’s natural abilities differ, it is essential to give freedom of choice to children and not force them to do things that they might never need in their lives. Moreover, music is not the only secondary subject that can develop students’ creativity and cognitive flexibility. On the whole, music undoubtedly has always been a significant part of people’s lives and for sure will remain in this status in the future, but at the same time should not become something that everyone is pressured to study.

Living in a consumer society we know that a product that could grab audience’s attention automatically becomes a successful one, and TV commercials undoubtedly play an important role in this mission. Nowadays, when so many brands pour out bright commercials on TV screens, it becomes almost impossible to stand out. Still, sometimes we can see real gems of the advertising world. One of the greatest examples of such an advertisement is, to my mind, the well-known Christmas coca-cola ad. I think, many will agree that Christmas Coca-cola commercial became a symbol of the holiday. For decades it aired in many countries all over the globe. At some point the adverts were taken off the air but brought back due to popular demand. Generations of kids grew up seeing this commercial and now associate their childhood with it. So, what made this advertising campaign so prosperous and memorable? First and foremost, it’s the jingle that sets the mood for the magic holiday’s atmosphere. The commercial starts with it and immediately attracts attention, mesmerizes, makes you forget about anything you were doing and look at a tv screen. This jingle resembles a vaguely familiar traditional Christmas song that brings back fond memories from childhood. The composer certainly surpassed their limits and did an impeccable job. When it comes to visual aspect, again the marketing team and the film crew outdid themselves. Winter night scenery, “holiday caravans” decorated with thousands of fairy lights; blissful and raptured faces of people of all ages. After the caravans pass by, all the city Christmas lights turn on, which seems like a miracle. The first Christmas Coca-cola commercial received so much love that the viewers started looking forward to seeing it again every year. Decades later, the same jingle and familiar images invoke feelings of nostalgia and may even make us shed a tear. This type of commercial definitely engages people emotionally and influences their consumer choice

1. I’m rather dubious about “money being the root of all evil”. What is more important is intentions, as money can be used both for good and bad. 2. I’m rather skeptical of the saying “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. Everyone’s sleep patterns are different, I believe it’s crucial to have sufficient amount of sleep, but it doesn’t matter when exactly you have it. 3. I’m quite convinced by the saying “If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but teach him to fish and you feed him for life”. When interacting with others it can be more beneficial to give advice on how to do things rather than giving ready solutions. 4. I’m fairly certain about the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. I think most people make friends with those who they have fun with, but real friends will be there for you even on bad days. 5. I’m quite annoyed by the saying “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”. If we say something like that to others, it implies that they shouldn’t be hopeful about things, which shows our uncaring behaviour and lack of faith.

문법 연습 1. 저는 립스틱을 전혀 안 사용해요. 2. 내 남동생은 생선을 전혀 안 먹어요. 3. 저는 전혀 안 피곤해요. 4. 그림을 잘 그리는 편이에요. 5. 체육관에 가지 않는 편이에요. 6. 군것칠을 자주 먹는 편이에요. 7. 김치는 매운 편이에요. 8. 저는 배가 고플 때 슈퍼마켓에서 음식을 많이 사는 편이에요. 9. 늦게 와서 버스를 놓칠 뻔했어요. 10. 너무 배가 고파서 케이크를 다 먹을 뻔했어요. 11. 저는 게임에서 거의 이길 뻔했어요.

문법 연습 1. 차나 커피를 드시겠어요? 2. 내일은 자연을 즐기거나 당구를 칠 거예요. 3. 직접 하거나 엄마한테 물어볼 거예요? 4. 이렇게 하거나 마음대로 할 거예요? 5. 늦게 잤기 때문에 수업시간에 졸리거나 괜찮을 거예요? 6. 돌아가거나 여기 있을 거예요? 7. 앞에 있는 사람들이 소리치거나 박수를 칠 거예요? 8. 책상 옆에 것을 놔두거나 버릴 거예요?

How to say it better? I’ve been passionate about foreign languages and different cultures all my life, so it was quite easy for me to choose what I wanted to do for life. OR: I’ve been passionate about foreign languages and different cultures all my life, so I chose my career/career path quite naturally. Or something different?

Do you have any scary stories?