academic vocabulary/ looking at both sides
Choose one of the statements below that you think it is impossible to contradict, and say it to your partner. They must try and make a true sentence with a concession expression like those in the box, then take turns doing the same.
| Useful language of concession But, (and) yet However, nevertheless, nonetheless Although, even though Despite, in spite of, notwithstanding You could also argue that…/ It could also be argued that… Another point of view is that… Looking at it another way… On the other hand, a substantial minority of people think that… However, it is no contradiction to say that… Notwithstanding…, we shouldn’t forget that… |
Statements to try to contradict
- There are a large number of people in the world
- Pets are good company for lonely people
- Immature people do not make good parents
- Governments need to maximise economic growth
- Mediation can help a couple who are in conflict
- Immigration causes difficulties for the welfare state of the receiving country
- Most governments try to minimalise poverty
- The law in every country needs to be modified
- Being around negative people is depressing
- Most sexual attraction is not mutual
- You can’t be objective about your own children
- The norms of societies vary from culture to culture
- Wealth for all people is not obtainable
- It is not possible for everyone to work in professional occupations
- The odds in a casino are always against you
- Voluntary carbon offsetting cuts into the profits of companies which are green whilst leaving the selfish companies free to do what they like
- There is an overlap between the powers of the World Bank and the IMF
- There is little scope for governments to put up taxes in a recession
When your teacher stops you, ask about any language in the box you aren’t sure about, working together to use it to contradict statements from above each time.
Ask about any sentences above you aren’t sure about, working together to contradict them each time. Then change partners. Do the first activity again, but this time with your own ideas for incontrovertible sentences, if possible without looking above.
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