Grammar - Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

Grammar - Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

This lesson focuses on the differences between the Simple Past and the Present Perfect. 


The Simple Past is used when two specific conditions are fulfilled:

a)  The action (or event) is finished
b)  You know exactly when the action (or event) took place

She phoned me one hour ago.

When did you see her?  / I saw her yesterday.
I met them last night.
How long ago did you write your essay?  I wrote it two days ago.
When did you have your car repaired?  I had it repaired last week.
When did you last go tot he cinema?   I last went to the cinema last month.
When did she meet her boyfriend?  She met him when she was a student.
They got married in 1995.
I didn’t see my friends last weekend when I went to the football match.
He didn’t see his parents for four years. 
How long were you a student?   I was a student for four years, between 1983 and 1987.




 

The Present Perfect is used…

a)  …when at least one of the two conditions used for the Simple Past is missing

 I have met them recently / I’ve met them recently.

 She has been to Paris / She’s been to Paris.

I have seen that film before. / I’ve seen that film before.

 The actions are finished BUT you don‘t know when or it‘s not important to know when. In other words, you talk about something (action / event…) that happened before but you don’t say or don’t know exactly when it happened. 

 

NOTE: Adverbs of time (but indefinite) are used with the Present Perfect.
In the affirmative:  just and already
In the negative: never and yet
In the interrogative: ever and yet

 I’ve just phoned her.

This means it happened recently, not long ago but it’s not important to know exactly when.
So, was it 5 minutes ago? Half an hour ago? One hour ago?  We don’t know or don’t care.

 They’ve already been to London.

This means they’ve been there at least once, maybe twice but it’s of no importance to know exactly when. This emphasises the fact that their trip to London or their presence there has happened before.

 He has never seen the sea.

It means…  it has never happened. He was maybe born 60 years ago, so for the last 60 years, he has never had the possibility of seeing the sea either because he has never been interested in it or because he has never left his village…

 COMPARE WITH:

He never saw the sea.

Also with the Simple Past but this means he never had the possibility of seeing it for example when he still could drive or leave his village but not anymore because he could be too old to do it now or simply because he is dead.

 I haven’t read this book yet.  

This means I may have bought this book one month ago, but I haven’t had the time so far to even start reading it. 
Note the use of YET combined with the negative form of the verb (have not –  ‘ve not –  haven’t  / / has not – ‘s not – hasn’t ) 

 Have you ever been to the USA?

This means the person asking you that wants to know if you’ve been there at any time in your life.
If your answer is yes, they may ask you then when you did it! 

 Have you ever been to the USA?

Yes, I have.
Oh yes? And when did you go there?
In 2008. I was a student then. It was during my Erasmus programme…

 Have you seen the latest Bond film yet?

Not yet, no. And what about you?
Yes, I have. I went to see it when it came out…

b)   …when both conditions used for the Simple Past are missing (the action is not finished and the time of the action is not completed)

 When you want to describe something (action / event…) that started in the past (either quite recently or long ago) and that is connected with the present.

He’s lived in this small town all his life. (→part of the past and up to the present)

NOTE: He lived in this small town all his life.
It means he is now dead and he is now living somewhere else.

 Also with FOR and SINCE

She has been in London for two weeks.
(She arrived in London two weeks ago and she’s still there now)

I have known them for 10 years.
(I met her 10 years ago and I still know her today.)

She’s owned her car for a very long time.
(She bought it a long time ago and still has it now.)

She has been working since 4 o‘clock.

(She started working at 4 o’clock and hasn’t stopped since.)

They’ve been unlucky since they decided to settle down there.

(They started being unlucky at the time they settled down there and now their situation hasn’t changed.)

→ The actions  (or events, states…) aren‘t finished and the time of the actions (or events, states…) is not completed  (→part of the past and up to the present)

NOTE:
She was in London for two weeks.
(She’s elsewhere now or she’s back home)

I knew her for 10 years.

(But I lost touch with her because she moved away or she didn’t want to see me again or simply because she died.)

She owned her car for a very long time.

(and now she owns a new one.)


 

SINCE or FOR?

SINCE of FOR are both used with perfect tenses.

FOR is used with reference to a period of time and SINCE with reference to the start of a period of time.

FOR	SINCE
two seconds / minutes / hours. five weeks / months / years. a long time. ages. …	2 o’clock / 2 am / 2 pm. 2003. January / February… the war. Christmas / Easter… her birthday. I was born. she stopped working. the last time. …

HOW LONG…?    HOW LONG AGO…?       WHEN…?       SINCE WHEN…?

HOW LONG…?	HOW LONG…?	HOW LONG AGO…?	WHEN…?	SINCE WHEN…?
How long have you been working as a teacher?    I have been working as a teacher for 25 years. How long have you known your best friend? I have known him / her for the last 15 years.	How long did you work as a teacher?  I worked as a teacher for 40 years. How long did you live in Brussels?  I lived there for about 10 years and then I moved to Paris.	How long ago did you get your degree? I got it 20 years ago. How long ago did you get married?  I got married 32 years ago.	When did you meet your girlfriend?    I met her when I was a student. When did you buy your laptop? I bought it five years ago and it’s still working.	Since when have you been out of work?  I’ve been out of work since the company I worked for went bankrupt / since 2005. Since when have you been teaching?    I’ve been teaching since I graduated from university / since 1988.
PRESENT PERFECT	SIMPLE PAST	SIMPLE PAST	SIMPLE PAST	PRESENT PERFECT

Exercises

1 Underline the correct verb form.

It’s 10.30. I haven’t seen / didn’t see the boss this morning.

It’s 3 pm. I haven’t seen / didn’t see the boss this morning.

She’s phoned / phoned me yesterday.

They’ve been / went to China twice recently.

I’ve been / went to Canada last year.

They haven’t finished / didn’t finish writing their essay yet.

She has been / was my best friend for 10 years. I can rely on her whenever I’m in trouble.

 2 The following sentences contain errors except for one.  Which one? Correct the others.

1. When have you left school?         

2. The weather has been lovely for the last week but has been awful today.

3. I have gone to the zoo today but I’m sad – poor creatures having to live in cages!

4. Where you went on holiday last year?

5. They have got married two years ago.

6. She is born in 1985.

7. They live in London since they got married.

8. I have this computer since 2009. I’m thinking about buying a new one.

9. I’m here for two years but I’ve only made a few friends.

 3 Find a sentence that is similar in meaning to the one given.

1.       How long ago did you learn to use a computer?	How long have you…                                                ?
2.       He first met his girlfriend in 1998.	He…                                                  since 1998.
3.       He became a surgeon more than 2 years ago.	He …                                                  for over 2 years.
4.       They died in a car accident in 2001.	They …                                                   since 2001.
5.       She started working in 2005 when she got her degree.	She …                                        for a few years now. She...                                         since...
6.       I started learning Chinese three years ago.	I …                                         Chinese for three years.
7.       She worked for 20 years and got the sack 2 years ago – she is now on the dole.	She …                                 on the dole since she lost her job two years ago.
8.       A: How long did she work there? B: I think 35 or 40 years but then she decided to quit and stay at home.	She …                                       at home since she decided  to resign from work.
9.       I bought this computer in 2010.	I...  (have)
10.    I found my first miniature London bus the first time I went to England.	I...  (collect)

 4 Translate the following sentences

1.      Je travaille depuis 25 ans.

2.      Je travaille depuis le 01 juin 1985.

3.      J’ai travaillé pendant 40 ans.

4.      J’ai travaillé pendant les vacances d’été.

5.      Ils habitent à Londres Bruxelles depuis qu’ils se sont mariés.

6.      Ils habitent à Londres depuis 25 ans.

7.      Ils ont habité à Londres pendant 25 ans.

8.      Ils sont morts.

9.      Ils sont morts en 2012.

10.  Ils sont morts depuis longtemps /  depuis 5 ans / depuis le mois dernier.

11.  Ils sont morts il y a deux mois.

12.  Ils sont morts quand on les opérait.

13.  Ils sont en train de mourir.

14.  Quand sont-ils morts ?

15.  Depuis quand / Depuis combien de temps sont-ils morts ?

16.  Il y a combien de temps qu’ils sont morts ?

17.  Ils sont partis récemment.

18.  Ils viennent de partir.

19.  Ils sont partis il y a deux heures.

20.  Ils sont partis ce matin (now = 11am)

21.  Ils sont partis ce matin (now = 1 pm)

22.  Ils sont allés au travail à 8 heures.

23.  Ils sont allés au travail aujourd’hui.

24.  Ils sont allés au travail hier.

25.  Ils sont allés au travail. Je ne sais pas à quelle heure ils rentrent.

26.  Ils sont allés au travail. Maintenant, ils sont à la maison et se reposent.

27.  Pendant combien de temps sont-ils restés à l’étranger ?

28.  Depuis quand sont-ils à l’étranger ?

29.  Depuis combien de temps sont-ils à l’étranger ?

30.  Il y a combien de temps qu’ils sont partis à l’étranger ?

31.  Quand étaient-ils à l’étranger ?

32.  Elle a la même voiture depuis 20 ans / depuis 1993.

33.  Elle a acheté sa voiture il y a 20 ans.

When you are finished, check your answers.

1

It’s 10.30. I haven’t seen / didn’t see the boss this morning.

It’s 3 pm. I haven’t seen / didn’t see the boss this morning.

She’s phoned / phoned me yesterday.

They’ve been / went to China twice recently.

I’ve been / went to Canada last year.

They haven’t finished / didn’t finish writing their essay yet.

She has been / was my best friend for 10 years. I can rely on her whenever I’m in trouble.

 2 

1. When have you left school? When did you leave school?        

2. The weather has been lovely for the last week but has been awful today.  OK

3. I have gone to the zoo today but I’m sad to have seen those poor creatures having to live in cages! I have been... (because I’m back home now, quite logically)

4. Where you went on holiday last year? Where did you go on holiday last year?

5. They have got married two years ago. They got married two years ago.

6. She is born in 1985. She was born in 1985.

7. They live in London since they got married. They’ve lived in London since they got married.

8. I have this computer since 2009. I’m thinking about buying a new one. I’ve had this computer...

9. I’m here for two years but I’ve only made a few friends. I’ve been here for two years...

 3        

1.        How long ago did you learn to use a computer?	How long have you used / known how to use / been able to use /...   a computer?
2.         He first met his girlfriend in 1998.	He has been with his girlfriend / has known his girlfriend since 1998.
3.       He became a surgeon more than 2 years ago.	He has been a surgeon for over 2 years.
4.       They died in a car accident in 2001.	They have been dead since 2001.
5.       She started working in 2005 when she got her degree.	She has worked / has been working for a few years now. She has worked / has been working since she got her degree. / ...since 2005.
6.       I started learning Chinese three years ago.	I have learned / have been learning Chinese for three years.
7.       She worked for 20 years and got sacked 2 years ago – she is now on the dole.	She has been on the dole since she lost her job two years ago.
8.       A: How long did she work there? B: I think 35 or 40 years but then she decided to quit and stay at home.	She has been / has stayed at home since she decided to resign from work.
9.       I bought this computer in 2010.	I have had this computer since 2010.
10.    I found my first miniature London bus the first time I went to England 22 years ago.	I have collected miniature London buses since the first time I went to London 22 years ago. I have collected miniature London buses since I found the first bus 22 years ago. I have collected miniature London buses for 22 years.

4 

1.      Je travaille depuis 25 ans. I’ve worked / I’ve been working for 25 years.

2.      Je travaille depuis le 01 juin 1985. I’ve worked / I’ve been working since 1^st June 1985.

3.      J’ai travaillé pendant 40 ans. I worked for 40 years.

4.      J’ai travaillé pendant les vacances d’été. I worked during the summer holiday.

5.      Ils habitent à Londres Bruxelles depuis qu’ils se sont mariés. They have lived / have been living in Brussels since they got married.

6.      Ils habitent à Londres depuis 25 ans. They have lived / have been living in London for 25 years.

7.      Ils ont habité à Londres pendant 25 ans. They lived in London for 25 years.

8.      Ils sont morts. They’re dead.

9.      Ils sont morts en 2012. They died in 2012.

10.  Ils sont morts depuis longtemps /  depuis 5 ans / depuis le mois dernier. They’ve been dead for a long time / for 5 years / since last month.

11.  Ils sont morts il y a deux mois. They died two months ago.

12.  Ils sont morts quand on les opérait. They died when they were being operated on.

13.  Ils sont en train de mourir. They’re dying.

14.  Quand sont-ils morts ? When did they die?

15.  Depuis quand / Depuis combien de temps sont-ils morts ? Since when / How long have they been dead?

16.  Il y a combien de temps qu’ils sont morts ? How long ago did they die?

17.  Ils sont partis récemment. They’ve left recently.

18.  Ils viennent de partir. They’ve just left.

19.  Ils sont partis il y a deux heures. They left two hours ago.

20.  Ils sont partis ce matin (now = 11am)   They’ve left this morning.

21.  Ils sont partis ce matin (now = 1 pm)    They left this morning.

22.  Ils sont allés au travail à 8 heures. They went to work at 8.

23.  Ils sont allés au travail aujourd’hui. They’ve been / gone to work today.

24.  Ils sont allés au travail hier. They went to work yesterday.

25.  Ils sont allés au travail. (Je ne sais pas à quelle heure ils rentrent). They’ve gone to work. (I don’t know what time they’re back.)

26.  Ils sont allés au travail. (Maintenant, ils sont à la maison et se reposent). They’ve been to work. Now, they’re back home and they’re having a rest.

27.  Pendant combien de temps sont-ils restés à l’étranger ?   How long were they abroad?

28.  Depuis quand sont-ils à l’étranger ?   Since when have they been abroad?

29.  Depuis combien de temps sont-ils à l’étranger ? How long have they been abroad?

30.  Il y a combien de temps qu’ils sont partis à l’étranger ? How long ago did they go abroad?

31.  Quand étaient-ils à l’étranger ? When were they abroad?

32.  Elle a la même voiture depuis 20 ans / depuis 1993. She’s had the same car for 20 years / since 1993.

33.  Elle a acheté sa voiture il y a 20 ans. She bought her car 20 years ago.

Coronavirus: what are the symptoms and what to do if you have them?

Coronavirus: what are the symptoms and what to do if you have them? 
(Level: B1 to B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***)

Picture credit: UNRIC.org 

  
You are going to watch a BBC news report focusing on the symptoms of the coronavirus and on what ill people should do.


Before watching:

The following words could be useful:

to be at an early stage: at an early development    n'en être qu'à ses débuts
phlegm: mucus             sécrétions / mucosités 
gooey: wet and sticky      gluant 
the NHS (National Health Service): the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK                 
healthcare: set of services provided by a country e.g. for the treatment of people who are ill...   soins de santé 
a healthcare provider: someone (or an organisation) providing health care    professionnel de la santé  


While watching:

Are the following utterances true or false? Justify your answers! 

1. The loss of senses like taste and smell is one of the symptoms of the coronavirus. 
2. When you cough, you can have a little phlegm in your tissue.
3. With the coronavirus, you keep coughing all day long. 
4. The person infected and those living with him /her have to stay at home for 7 days. 
5. If your symptoms get worse, you have to go to the A&E (Accident and Emergency) department of your local hospital.

When you are finished, you can check your answers:

1. The loss of senses like taste and smell is one of the symptoms of the coronavirus. 
FAUX: les recherches n'en sont encore qu'à leurs débuts pour pouvoir l'affirmer et d'autres virus peuvent aussi entraîner ces symptômes (le simple rhume etc.).


2. When you cough, you can have a little phlegm in your tissue.
FAUX: c'est une toux parfaitement sèche :aucune sécrétion, aucune substance gluante sur le mouchoir! 


3. With the coronavirus, you keep coughing all day long. 
FAUX: on tousse beaucoup, parfois 2 à 3 épisodes de toux d'une bonne heure chacun.

4. The person infected and those living with him /her have to stay at home for 7 days. 
FAUX: les personnes vivant sous le même toit qu'une personne infectée doivent rester en quarantaine chez elles pendant deux semaines.
La personne malade doit rester calfeutrée pendant une semaine. 


5. If your symptoms get worse, you have to go to the A&E (Accident and Emergency) department of your local hospital.
FAUX: si le malade vit en Grande-Bretagne, il doit former le 111 (service en ligne mis en place par le NHS, le système des soins de santé et suivre les instructions.

Si le malade est toujours à l'étranger: suivre les instructions données par le professionnel de la santé local. 

Song 7: Unfinished Sympathy (Massive Attack)

Song 7: Unfinished Sympathy (Massive Attack) 
(level: B2 / Upper-Intermediate / ***)

Massive Attack
Photo credit: crackmagazine.net

Before listening / watching

The following notes could be useful 

Massive Attack are an English trip hop group formed in 1988 in Bristol, England and consisting of  Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall. Their debut album Blue Lines was released in 1991, with the single Unfinished Sympathy.

The music video for "Unfinished Sympathy" was filmed in Los Angeles, California. It begins with a shot of a real street gang with a dog before moving to follow singer Nelson walking along a dirty pavement unaware or uncaring of her surroundings, which include all sorts of people, most seemingly poor, bikers, a disabled man, drunks, a tramp...

As the video progresses, the members of the band (one of them having finished making a call on a public phone booth) and then former band member Mushroom (pushing a cart) can be seen walking several paces behind her... 

Single sleeve
Picture credit: discogs.com 

If you are interested in knowing more about the band (discography etc.), get to their official site. Click HERE

While listening / watching

Fill in the missing words or phrases in the gaps. 

I know that  .......................................(1) before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have .........................................(2)
You're the book that I .......................................(3)
And now I've got to know much more

The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my .......................................... (4) aching
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a ................................................(5)
You're the book that I .........................................(6)
And now I've got to know much more

Like a soul without a ……………. (7)
.......................................... (8)
I'm missing every part   

(x5)

Now watch the music video! Click HERE

When you are finished, check your answers! 

I know that I've imagined  love (1) before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a day without a night (2)
You're the book that I have opened (3)
And now I've got to know much more

The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my mind and body (4) aching
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a day without a night (5)
You're the book that I have opened (6)
And now I've got to know much more

Like a soul without a mind (7)
In a body without a heart
I'm missing every part  

(x5)

Words you can't really understand!

Words you can't really understand! 
(Level: B1 / Intermediate /  **) 

The Union Jack
Photo credit: ThoughtCo.com 

Before watching:

You are going to listen to (and watch) Greg from Online Language Academy.com explaining why learners of English may have problems understanding British English native speakers. 

As a matter of fact, learners of English are not used to the slang or the  shortened words native speakers commonly use. 

Greg is giving 14 typical British English words. 


After watching:


Look at the following sentences and replace as many words as you can with their shortened counterparts.


1. I want to watch the football on television this afternoon but before that, make me a sandwich with cheese, ham and some vegetables and get me the beverages I got from the off-licence!

2. Congratulations!  You've passed your driving test! 

3. In the morning I never have breakfast but I definitely have a cup of tea with some biscuits at 10.30 when I have a break.

4. It's raining again! Have you seen my umbrella?

For more practice, you can also get to OLA - English with Greg on YouTube: click HERE





When you are finished, you can check your answers.

1. I wanna watch the footy on TV / the telly this arvo but before that, make me a sarnie with cheese, ham and some veg and get me the  bevvies I got from the offie! 

2. Congrats!  You've passed your driving test! 

3. In the morning I never have brekkie but deffo, I have a cuppa   with some biscuits at 10.30 when I have a break.

4. It's raining again! Have you seen my brolly?

Song 6: Faithless - No roots + God is a DJ (live at Alexandra Palace)

Song 6: Faithless - No roots + God is a DJ (live at Alexandra Palace) 
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz
Photo credit: rtbf.be 

You are going to watch two subsequent songs by Faithless: No Roots and God is a DJ. 
They were recorded live in 2005 at Alexandra Palace. 

Before watching: 

The following notes could be useful: 

Faithless : a British band consisting of Maxi Jazz (singer), Sister Bliss (composer, piano, keyboards) and Rollo (producer).

Faithless was formed in 1995  and recorded six studio albums until announcing in 2011 they would split up but they reunited in 2015 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band.

Lead female vocals are performed by Pauline Taylor and Dido.

If you want to know more about the band, get to their official site: click HERE

While watching: 

Watch first the videos, then read the lyrics as you have a second listen.

No questions this time!   Enjoy ! 

Song 1: No Roots.    Click HERE to watch it. 

No roots, no tree, no family, no name
No roots, no tree, no family, no name
No roots

My love is generations old
I was there when trees died as the world went cold
Still there when my people were bought and sold
What's going on? What's going on?

Your love is on a grand scale
Mine is in the detail
Your love is to change the world
We just want to have to hold
Two hearts, both forgivin'
Two ways to see the same thing
One house there's room for all
We just want to have to hold
We just want to have to hold

No roots, no tree, no family, no me
No roots, no tree, no family, no me

Our first, was more planning than luck
I had a deep understandin' of, what makes you hot
I did my homework, till my dome hurt, I was a stone flirt
Hustling for some prone work, and I don't stop
I knew that you were good for me
You an' I fit together so beautifully
But only for three years were we in harmony
Harmony, harmony
I've ended up part you, part me
Love that we agree, not be ugly
And now that we're free to create our own destiny
You will always be a friend to me
My love persists over land and sea
Through centuries I'll fill you up like rice and peas
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there

Lyrics credit : genius.com

Song 2: God is a DJ.    Click HERE to watch it.

This is my church
This is where I heal my hurts
It's a natural grace
Of watching young life shape
It's in minor keys
Solutions and remedies
Enemies becoming friends
When bitterness ends
This is my church
This is where I heal my hurts … for tonight

God is a DJ… 

This is my church

This is where I heal my hurts
This is our church… 

The Queen's message: "We will meet again".

The Queen's message: "We will meet again".
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / *** )

Photo credit: bbc.co.uk 

You are going to listen to a special address to the nation by her Majesty the Queen on the coronavirus pandemic.


Before listening / watching:

The following words could be useful:

a disruption:   a major disturbance                dérèglement / bouleversement 
the NHS (National Health Service): the publicly-funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom
to tackle:to make efforts to deal with ...                  s'attaquer à ...   
a resolve: a firm determination                               résolution / détermination  
fellow-feeling: a feeling of mutual interest / communal feeling            solidarité / sentiment fraternel 
deep down: deep down inside  / basically       en son for intérieur  / au plus profond de soi-même
an endeavour: an attempt / a strenuous effort          effort / initiative / entreprise 


While listening / watching:


Answer the following questions:

1. The Queen's speech is a message of hope: true or false?   Explain! 
2. Who does she thank? 
3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?
4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?



Now watch the Queen as she is addressing her country (BBC video without subtitles):  

You can also get to the BBC website to watch the Queen (video with subtitles) : click HERE








When you are finished, check your answers!

1. The Queen’s speech was a message of hope : true or false?   Explain.

Vrai. La souveraine a laissé entrevoir une lueur d’espoir :  « Nous vaincrons - et cette victoire sera celle de chacun d'entre nous », a-t-elle déclaré. « Alors que nous pourrions avoir à endurer plus encore, nous devrions trouver du réconfort dans le fait que des jours meilleurs viendront: nous retrouverons nos amis; nous retrouverons nos familles; nous nous retrouverons de nouveau ».

2. Who did she thank?

Elle a  remercié le personnel soignant, en première ligne dans la lutte contre la maladie ; également les Britanniques qui œuvrent partout hors de chez eux pour servir la population (les métiers essentiels dans cette crise) et ceux qui doivent rester en confinement pour éviter la propagation du virus, protéger les plus vulnérables et empêcher que d’autres familles aient à déplorer la perte d’êtres chers.

3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?

L’esprit de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale et un souvenir personnel en 1940: sa participation avec sa  soeur à sa toute première radiodiffusion, pour s’adresser aux enfants qui avaient dû être évacués pour leur propre sécurité.  C’étaient des séparations douloureuses mais bien nécessaires. 

C’est encore le cas aujourd'hui à cause du coronavirus car beaucoup  doivent vivre séparés de leurs proches.

4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?

Ce défi est différent de ceux qu’il a fallu affronter dans le passé : ici, le Royaume-Uni se joint à toutes les nations du globe dans une lutte contre un ennemi commun, en utilisant les grandes avancées scientifiques et la compassion instinctive pour guérir.

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Coldplay
Photo credit: concert-france.com

Before listening / watching:

The following notes coud be useful:

Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1996.

The group comprises vocalist/pianist/guitarist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Will Champion.

Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with the release of their single "Yellow", followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000). Its follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won multiple awards. Their next release, X&Y (2005), was well received. 

The band's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), was produced by Brian Eno and earned several Grammy nominations.

In 2011, Coldplay released their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto which was the best-selling rock album in the UK. 

They released their next subsequent albums Ghost Stories in 2014 and A Head Full of Dreams in 2015.

In November 2019, they released their eighth album, Everyday Life. 

If you want to know more about their latest album, get to Coldplay's official site 

"Clocks" is a song which was written for the second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song won Record of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and, to date, is one of Coldplay's greatest career achievements.

The writing of the album as such began a week after the September 11 attacks in the United States, which gave the band a fresh perspective on songwriting.

Vocabulary  

to beg: supplier
to plead: implorer
things unsaid: le non-dit
to tame: apprivoiser
gonna (informal English) = going to
curse: malédiction



While listening / watching:

Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps:

 …………………………… (1) and I can't be saved

Tides that I tried to …………………………….. (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, …………………………………………. (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

………………………………….. (4), closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I ………………………………………….. (5) (singing)

You are [4x]
You are [2x]
And ……………………………………………… (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [2x]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Now watch the music video: click HERE







When you are finished, check your answers!

Lights go out (1) and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

Confusion never stops, (4) closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I part of the disease (5) (singing)

You are [4x] (singing)
You are [2x]
And nothing else compares (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [continues in background]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / **** )

AC/DC
Photo credit: rtbf.be

Before listening / watching

The following notes could be useful:

AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young.

The band is considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

AC/DC released their first album, High Voltage, in 1975 and recorded their highly successful album Highway To Hell in 1979.

Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon a new singer, Brian Johnson, was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their largest selling album, Back in Black.

The band's next album, For Those About to Rock, We salute You, (1981) was also highly successful and was their first album to reach No. 1 in the USA.

AC/DC declined in popularity after that: poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990.

The studio album released in 2008 (Black Ice) was the biggest chart hit since their 1981 album.

"It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" is the first track of their Australian album T.N.T. released in December 1975 and also the first track on the international version of High Voltage released in May 1976. Musically, the song is notable for combining bagpipes with hard rock electric guitars, drums and bass.

A bagpipe player
Photo credit: scotclans.com

Picture credit: ultratop.be 

Vocabulary 

a highway: une route principale / nationale a byway: une route secondaire to get beat up (informal English) = to get beaten up to get took (informal English) = to get taken

you wanna (informal English) = you want to a one-night stand: une soirée / représentation unique the hard-sell: la vente agressive to get ripped off: se faire arnaquer

While listening / watching


1. Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps!

Ridin' down the ...................... (1) Goin' to a ...................... (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' ....................... (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' ....................... (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' ........................ (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off ............................. (6) Gettin' sold Second-hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of ......................................(7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you .......................................... (8) me It's a long way, such a long way

2. What does playing in a rock'n'roll band involve? What is is like? 




Now watch the music video:  click HERE








When you are finished, you can check your answers! 

1

Ridin' down the highway (1) Goin' to a show (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' robbed (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' had (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' old (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off Underpaid (6) Gettin' sold Second hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of stage and screen (7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you should've told me (8) It's a long way, such a long way

2

Jouer dans un group rock…

…implique qu’on doive sillonner les routes (principales et secondaires)… ; qu’on se fasse voler (get robbed), battre (get beaten up), avoir (get had), prendre (get taken), arnaquer (get ripped off), vendre (get sold), sous-payer (underpaid)… / …qu’on soit défoncé (get stoned)

…c’est plus dur qu’il n’y parait : pas facile de faire des représentations uniques / de passer les nuits dans des hôtels ou des motels à vous donner envie de pleurer…

…ça vous vieillit …

…

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp?

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp? 
(Level: B1 to B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***)


How could coronavirus be avoided in an overcrowded refugee camp where people live in excessively unsanitary conditions?


Before watching

You are going to watch a footage filmed in the camp of Moria, Lesbos in Greece. 

Island of Lesbos, Greece
Map credit: showerpower.eu

The situation is horrendous for the migrants in a place where an outbreak of the Covid-19 would cause havoc. 

(to cause havoc: faire des ravages)

The following words could be useful:

a ticking time bomb:a situation that would cause havoc or result in a disastrous outcome.        bombe à retardement 

the trash = the rubbish

Picture credit: theguardian.com

While watching:

Answer the following questions:

Explain why it would be catastrophic on the Island of Lesbos if there was an outbreak of coronavirus!   What is it like for the refugees to live there? 

You can also watch the video (with English subtitles) on the BBC News site by clicking HERE

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Si le coronavirus devait faire son apparition dans le campement, la situation deviendrait très vite incontrôlable parce qu'il serait impossible de s'isoler des autres ou de mettre en place le confinement de rigueur pour endiguer le virus.

- le camp compte 18.000 personnes alors qu'il ne devait à la base en accueillir que 3.000; donc surpopulation et donc aucune possibilité de distanciation sociale

- les gens doivent faire la file pour se procurer de la nourriture, de l'eau potable, aller aux toilettes, prendre une douche...

- les points d'eau ne sont accessibles que durant quelques heures par jour: les attroupements sont donc conséquents à chaque fois... 

- Certaines toilettes sont hors d'usage. 

- Les conditions d'hygiène sont déplorables; les détritus sont partout et même à proximité des points d'eau.

- Les réserves de savons et de produits nettoyants s'amenuisent... Les magasins de l'île en sont presque à court... 

- Il n'y a pas de gants, ni de masques... 

- Il n'y a presque pas de médecins dans le camp...  

Le responsable de Médecins sans Frontières craint que ces réfugiés seront les laissés pour compte de l'Europe en cas de flambée épidémique

...