Rowing on a wintry weekend
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your blog comments and thanks again to Xiaowei for her latest blog, which was jam-packed with brilliant photographs. Your dad clearly has a keen eye for a picture!
It's interesting to read about the changing seasons in Anshan, in the north east of China, particularly as winter can last nearly five months! I wonder how people in England would cope with snow for long periods of time.
In 2010, the UK experienced a huge amount of snowfall which brought the country to a standstill for days, with very few planes or trains able to operate. Suddenly the beauty of the snow was replaced by a close study of the weather forecasts to find out when it might melt.
In contrast, this winter has been exceptionally mild so far, which is great for me, as one of my favourite sports involves being outdoors on the river in all weather...
I started rowing last year to try and take advantage of living near the River Thames. Everyone has to pitch in to help carry a boat onto the water, and wash it afterwards - it's a real pain sometimes, but it's a necessity unfortunately. Another disadvantage of rowing is that it's a very early morning sport - I have to wake up at 5.45am in order to get to the river for 7.00am.
So why do it at all? Firstly it's a great discipline, it teaches you a lot about teamwork. Secondly, you get a full-body workout - even on chilly winter mornings, it really blows the cobwebs away. Perhaps the best feeling about rowing is on a hot summer's day, when the sun is beating down on you on a beautifully still river. It's second to none.
Have you tried rowing before? Keep an eye out for it at the Olympic Games and see if it tempts you!
Once again, Xiaowei's blog is colourful and descriptive, with lots of interesting facts and anecdotes. I love the "tomatoes on sticks"; I've never tried hawthorn before so I couldn't imagine what they taste like. And as for the orange fruit, could they be kumquats? Just a guess!
Let's take a closer look at your blog and the language in it...
LANGUAGE
1) Tenses
There are a couple of instances in your blog where your tenses are incorrect. For example, you say:
"I came from a city called Anshan which is in the north east of China."
In English, we use the present tense to talk about where we come from, even if we don't live there any more. So the correct phrase to use is:
"I come from a city called Anshan which is in the north east of China."
Similarly, be careful when talking about the past. You write:
"When I was in primary school my favourite sport is to jump into the snow cover by the roadside on the way home..."
As you use the simple past tense in the first part of your sentence, you need to follow that with the same tense in the second part, so your sentence should read:
"When I was in primary school, my favourite sport was jumping in the snow."
2) No plurals for months
When talking about months, we don't use plurals to suggest it happens every year. You write:
"You always find something delicious and fresh to eat there in Septembers and Octobers."
which should be:
"You always find something delicious and fresh to eat there in September and October."
3) "Definitely I grew taller, but I mean the snow isn't as big as before..."
I love the humour in the first part of this sentence, but it would sound more English to say:
"Obviously I grew taller..."
Also, when we refer to snow, we wouldn't use the word "big", but we would talk about it being "deep" (if it's lying on the ground) or "heavy" (if it's falling from the sky)
HOMEWORK
Well done to everyone who tried the homework and got it right! The answers are below. Remember that using phrases like this in your writing will help you to sound more "English"!
Answers
1. to bad mouth = (e) to speak badly about
2. to put your foot in your mouth = (d) to say something stupid or embarrassing
3. to look like butter wouldn't melt in your mouth = (b) to appear to be innocent
4. to shut your mouth = (a) to stop talking
5. to mouth off = (c) to moan
This week:
Fill in the gaps with words from this week's vocabulary list.
My sister Wendy moved house at the weekend, so all of the family had to come and _____________. She had lots of boxes which were _____________ with books and ornaments - they were really heavy! I was really tired after a late night on Friday, but lifting boxes early in the morning really _____________! She couldn't manage on her own, so having the family around to help was a real _________. After we moved everything to the new house, I was surprised at how quickly Wendy unpacked and had the place looking fantastic - she's got ___________ for interior design!
VOCABULARY
jam-packed - crammed full
a keen eye - good visual judgement
pitch in - help out
necessity - something essential
discipline - training regime
blows the cobwebs away - makes you feel awake
second to none - the best
anecdotes - short, amusing stories
Comment number 1.
At 25th Jan 2012, seva wrote:Hie Jennifer
You seem to make the most of living by the river Thames and enjoying yourself.I have tried rowing before but only for half an hour or so in the nearby park, where there is a lake.It is very calming and peaceful sport.
I like the vocubulary you have written and it is very helpful.My answers are
1.pitch in
2.jam-packed
3.blows the cobwebs away
4.necessity
5.a keen eye
I loved the photos ,by the way
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 25th Jan 2012, mansi wrote:HI jennifer
Again we got knowledge with one of beautiful part of the nature by your blog. That river was really fascinating.
The word "anecdotes" is very difficult to pronoun.
Here is my answer :
1) pitch in
2) jam-packed
3) necessity
4) blows the cobwebs away
5) second to none
Thanks
Mansi
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 25th Jan 2012, Xiaowei wrote:Hello Jennifer,
Thanks again for the corrections. Now I realize it sounds like ghost story if I use past tense to introduce where I COME from. Thanks for the wonderful pictures with various color tune of the day as well, and I learn many vivid expression as usual in your post.
My answer to this week's homework:
My sister Wendy moved house at the weekend, so all of the family had to come and (pitch in). She had lots of boxes which were (jam-packed) with books and ornaments - they were really heavy! I was really tired after a late night on Friday, but lifting boxes early in the morning really (blows the cobwebs away)! She couldn't manage on her own, so having the family around to help was a real (necessity). After we moved everything to the new house, I was surprised at how quickly Wendy unpacked and had the place looking fantastic - she's got (a keen eye) for interior design!
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Comment number 4.
At 26th Jan 2012, Wisarut wrote:Hello Jennifer,
First of all, I like one of your pictures shows on the post dealing with the winter season and a canoo sport. I hope to face some snow and go in for this type of sport in the years to come. More interestingly, I prefer reading your written styles which are rich in vocabulary and sense of happiness. Anyway, I am looking forward to see the Olympic Games. Have a nice day....
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Comment number 5.
At 26th Jan 2012, Rajeeb wrote:Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your informative blog and pointing out the small but significant mistakes that we, the non-native speakers tend to make. Usually, those nitty-gritty information could not be found in a single book, at least I am not aware of such a book.
I look forward to learn more from you.
Have a great day.
Rajeeb
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Comment number 6.
At 26th Jan 2012, bomsan wrote:Hi Jennifer,
After reading your post I could recall the UK news about the heavy snow in 2010.
They were mostly the chaotic situation of daily lives of people living there. From the news I learnt one interesting vocabulary, 'mayhem'. It's interesting to see this picturesque scenery taken by you from the very mayhem. It looks not mayhem at all though....
well...I have to admit that I am not good at playing sports, but I like to watch playing sports. Especially the one which needed a good teamwork, so everyone at the team has to pitch in to help and make the most what they have. It's always nice to watch players doing their best and making great cooperation at the same time. I agree with all your thoughts about the rowing. It sounds a wonderful sport to practise.
Here are my homework,
My sister Wendy moved house at the weekend, so all of the family had to come and pitch in. She had lots of boxes which were jam-packed with books and ornaments - they were really heavy! I was really tired after a late night on Friday, but lifting boxes early in the morning really blows the cobwebs away! She couldn't manage on her own, so having the family around to help was a real necessity. After we moved everything to the new house, I was surprised at how quickly Wendy unpacked and had the place looking fantastic - she's got a keen eye for interior design!
Thank you very much.
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Comment number 7.
At 26th Jan 2012, Esther wrote:Dear Jennifer:
It's so cool to take rowing as a sport! Seldom do I hear any of my friends go rowing, perhaps because it's not popular in Taiwan yet.
I have only rowed once in my freshman year in college, and it was a inter-club competition. After the competition ends, I found my arm out of control for a day! But it was fun anyway^ ^
BTW, isn't it burning to row in the sun? Especially rowing on a hot summer's day...
Here are my answers:
1.pitch in
2.jam-packed
3.blew the cobwebs away
4.a necessity
5.a keen eye
Looking forward to your reply and modification :))
(I am not sure whether my verbal usages are correct or not >
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Comment number 8.
At 26th Jan 2012, rainyman wrote:hello dear jennifer
i haven't tried rowing!as a matter of fact before reading ur post i hadn't thought about it!may be because my home town is in the heart of desert ,we have a lake near our town but it 's saltlake!
1.pitch in
2.jam-packed
3.blows the cobwebs away
4.necessity
5.a keen eye
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Comment number 9.
At 26th Jan 2012, Marcio wrote:Hi Jennifer,
I'm from Brazil and it's my first time here. I'd like to congratulate you for yours blogs they are really enjoyable and helpful, excellent way to improve my english skills.
I've read the blog above and it seems to me that rowing is an enjoyable sport.I've never rowing before but i'll try some day.
The weather in my country is very different. Brazil is a tropical country which is sunny most part of the year even in the winter in some states it continues warm.
I'm looking forward to read more about your blogs and please don't hesitate in correct my writing mistakes.
Thank you!
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Comment number 10.
At 27th Jan 2012, Liu wrote:Hi Jennifer~
It's so helpful to refer your comments about writing, which I had not even acknowledged the part while I was reading Xiaowei's blog. Your anecdote about rowing is fabulous, of course. the refreshing description on a wintry day blows the cobwebs away. In addition, the pictures(especially the first one) make me peaceful. I think you are the one who has a keen eye for a picture!
the answer of mine is...
1) Pitch in
2) Jam-packed
3) Blows the cobwebs away
4) Necessity
5) A keen eye
Have a fresh day, Jennifer!
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Comment number 11.
At 1st Feb 2012, Jorgendrix wrote:Hi Jennifer,
I never tried rowing in a river or lake but i did in the gym and i love it, unfortunately there´s no rowing machine anymore.
Here are my answer:
1. pitch in
2. jam-packed
3. blows the cobwebs away
4. second to none
5. a keen eye
Thanks for your help
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Comment number 12.
At 20th Nov 2012, Sarah Jane wrote:Hi Jennifer, are your images available for us to use on an eCard please? I work for Cambridge International Examinations and we are looking for a winter image of the University, ideally with students also in the shot. Let me know, thanks. Sarah R.
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