METU /SFL Fall 2022/23
DBE
WHO4
Unit 5 – HOME
PRE-INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(Instructor’s Copy)
Note to the Instructor: It is suggested that you do this handout after pg. 62 ex. 10.
TASK 1. Read the text, and answer the questions that follow.
Dancing House — Prague
The Nationale-Nederlanden office building, more often known as ‘The
Dancing House’ modernized commercial building sitting on the corner plot,
looking over the magnificent Vltava river and the surrounding historical
structures. Constructed in 1996, the structure was itself a bold statement that
stood out in the monotonous neighbourhood defined by the typical “Art
Nouveau” buildings. The curved building also houses a rooftop restaurant
offering amazing views of the city, making the Dancing House a popular
tourist attraction.
The two parts of the building clearly resemble a pair of dancers. Named as an honour to dancers Ginger Rogers
and Fred Astair (the legendary dancing couple from the 1930s), the building was developed as an analogy of a
feminine Ying, which balances a masculine Yang’ and is even nicknamed as ‘Fred and Ginger’.
The Dancing House has been greatly criticised since it’s construction
itself. First off, placing a modern building in a Baroque-Gothic
neighbourhood attracted severe reviews from the locals and even some
architects. By challenging the typical concepts of traditionalism,
symmetry, geometric and rectangular structures, Dancing House gained
the nickname ‘The Drunk House’ by the public.
Now, after some 25 years of its construction, the controversies have calmed down, and the building is accepted
as a work of art, which adds value and beauty to the skyline of Prague, and is a step in its modern architecture.
Adapted from: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a901-10-things-you-did-not-know-about-dancing-house-prague/
1. How many different names does this building have and what are they?
Four names. The Nationale-Nederlanden office building, The Dancing House, Fred and Ginger and The
drunk house.
2. According to the text, what makes this building so special? Write at least two features.
It is totally different from typical “Art Nouveau” buildings/ “The way it challanges traditionalism and
symmetry, / Its geometric and rectangular structures ___.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR WRITING BETTER
If you want to make your writing more descriptive, you need to learn how to use adjectives. Adjectives
add information about number, color, type, and other qualities about the nouns and pronouns in your
sentences. Adjectives help your reader get a fuller picture of the things you are writing about.
It is a big city. vs. It is one of the largest provincial cities in the country.
The food is cheap vs. The cost of food is fairly reasonable.
Here are some adjectives to describe places: vibrant, lively, enchanting, calm, homey, cosmopolitan,
picturesque, unspoiled, bustling, quiet, fast-paced, vast, amazing, popular, thriving, compact etc.
Try to find a few more adjectives that you can use to describe places.
TASK 2. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A RESPONSE
This semester, you are expected to answer the question given in the prompt in your written work. It is
important that your response:
is well-connected through relevant additional ideas that give explanations and examples,
is organized,
uses language and linkers accurately (be careful about the language structures you study in the relevant unit
of the course book),
includes a variety of vocabulary items,
is within the word limit.
Now, read the prompt and the sample response. Do the task that follows.
Which building left an impression on you and why?
In a text of about 130-140 words, explain why a building left an impression on you.
Anıtkabir left a huge impression on me. When I first saw it, the architecture of Anıtkabir impressed me greatly.
The colors of the stones, the design and the shapes of the building are beautiful. Also, open windows let the
wind in and this creates an airy atmosphere. The second reason why Anıtkabir impressed me was the love
Turkish people show to Atatürk. Although this place is a grave and graves are generally gloomy, Anıtkabır is a
place of happiness, celebration and respect. I felt the love in the smiles of children who were posing for photos
with guards or in front of the tomb. I also felt the love in the prayers or the patriotic songs people were singing
together for Atatürk. I don’t think I could ever feel more love anywhere other than Anıtkabir and therefore this
feeling impressed me so much. (143)
Does the text start with an opening Yes. There is an opening sentence.
sentence?
What is the opening sentence? Anıtkabir left an impression on me when I first saw it.
Does the writer answer the question? Yes. The writer explains why Anıtkabir left an impression on the
What are the reasons? writer.
The architecture
The love of the people and how they show it
TASK 3. WRITING
Which place left an impression on you and why?
In a text of about 130-140 words, explain why this place has left an
impression on you.
In your response, make sure:
you have an opening sentence (that answers the question directly) and supporting ideas that give additional
details,
all your ideas are relevant to the topic,
you use linkers and transition words where necessary (and, or, so, but, etc.),
you pay attention to the ideas, the order you put them, the vocabulary and the accuracy of the language.
Answer the questions below, and you can use these ideas in your response.
Have you ever been to famous or historic places/cities? If yes, what are these places?
___________________________________________________________________________.
Are there any images of places that you saw and left an impression on you? What are these places?
___________________________________________________________________________.
What generally impresses you about places? The size, natural beauty, architecture or the feelings the
place gives you?
___________________________________________________________________________.
What did you feel when you first came to METU campus?
___________________________________________________________________________.
You can use this space for planning.
Write your text here:
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SELF-EDITING:
* After you write your text, check your paper yourself using the self-checklist below. Put a tick () in the
relevant box.
In order to self-edit your writing, the guidelines will help you. Tick the relevant box.
The writing answers the question. □
The writing has a clear opening sentence. □
All the ideas are relevant to the topic. □
The language doesn’t contain any errors (run-on sentence, fragment, subject-verb □
disagreement, etc.).
All the sentences have a subject and a verb. □
The writing uses Present and Past tenses correctly. □
The writing includes adjective and adverb structures. □
The writing is within the word limit.
Now, submit it to your instructor on ODTÜClass.
Your instructor will check your work and give you feedback.
