© Linking devices ‘Prepositions in set phrases * Expressions with light, weather, Turning points © Idioms with ike and as... as ‘© Reading: The midlife crisis ue nea er oe aa eu is the point that must be reached. Linking devices Revision of linkers 1 Choose the correct linkers in the text about a man whose life changed dramatically. Rob McBride was once a software engineer. He was under alot of pressure, and ‘as result seeing ashe pushed himself hard and ‘worked very long hours ~*meanwhile / until the day he had to be carried out ofthe office. ‘Thad what my doctor called a classic burn-out. Infact say that mmyhead exploded since / through modern-day tivng,stres, pressure of work, Family griefall piled ontop.’ For months, Rob struggled with panic attacks “owing to /as «consequence massive anxiety, £05 well as/ what's more depression. ‘Nevertheles,/ Asa consequence he was unable todo any work for 18 months. The medication he was given helped, but al the ‘same, / eventhough he didn’t want to carry on taking tablets month after month. His doctor suggested geting out into the fresh ar and doing some exercise, *as a consequence / so he started doing voluntary work forthe Woodland Trust, a conservation charity. * Even though / Despite he was stil far from well, *until/as oon || ashe entered the woodland, he felt better, and noticed that his | pulse and blood pressure went down" while / by the time he was ‘there, The physical work helped, too. We were absolutely built to be physical and out in the greenery, and Inaticed that "when / ‘meanwhile was doing that, I didn't need tablets.’ However/ Whereas being worn out from mental work had been stressful, being physically tred was pleasure, “While / However Rob's breakdown wasan extreme case, he | thinks most people nowadays should spend far ess time on their computers, phones, and tablets, "in case / othenwisethey never getto relax propery. He also thinks we need to plant milions more trees "in order that inorder to give more people acces to 76 Unit 12 + Turning points Franz Kafka (1883-1924) Writer a are Cert Pee ec prea rites ‘Max Lerner (1902-1992) Journalist and educator woodland. Forests are special places, and "once /by the time anyone enters one, they‘re completely cut offfrom modern urban life, and backin a primeval world that feels both ‘magical, and utterly peaceful. "In the end, / Once Rob found his life had been transformed, and he now makes his tving searching for and recording ancient trees, and giving talks about them. He says he's no tree-hugger’, ™ though / despite he's often teased with that label. *Although, / Nevertheless, he says it’s hard to sit under a 4,000-year-old yew tree and not Find ita spiritual experience. pe —“(i(istsi‘i‘i‘éiaRUsing contrast linkers Some contrast inkes join two contrasting ideas inthe same. sentence, whereas others introduce the second idea in a separate sentence. Although snow and heavy winds were forecast, the climbers decided to goon. Snow and heavy winds were forecast. Nevertheless, the climbers decided to go on Linking in one sentence On the otherhand, 2 Rewrite the sentences using the linkers in brackets. 1 went to bed early last night. All the same, | fel really tired today. (even though) hou ast tired today. 2 Jeff went bankrupt in his 30s. However, he now runs a very successful online business. (despite) 6 Tadmire her, though I find her difficult to get on with. (much as) 7 I don't agree with some of his policies. Even so, think hed make a good prime minister. (while) 3 tend to be a bit lazy. My sister Monika, on the other hand, is always busy — she can't keep still for a minute. (whereas) 8 Even though buying that house should be a good investment, Katie has to remember that the housing ‘market could collapse. (on the other hand) 4 My grandfather can describe in great detail events that took place 50 years ago, even though he often can't remember what he had for breakfast! (however) — ee 5 Despite not being very well off, Sue gives generously to various charities. (even so) 9 Idontt believe in miracles. Nevertheless, his recovery seems to defy medical explanation. (although) 10 Despite it being a bit of a wrench for Gio and Liv to leave Oxford, they are looking forward to living in Barbados. (al the same) Unit 12 + Turning points