#WOTD Week 3

Here are week three's Word of the Day. Click on the tweets to respond to them and write some of your own example sentences.

KEEN

 

FEAT

BOTHER

BAN

THOROUGH

PURCHASE

OWE


 
Don't worry. I don't expect you to answer all the following questions. Just answer a few.

  1. What are you particularly keen on doing during your free time, and why?
  2. Have you ever been keen to visit a specific country or city? What attracts you to that place?
  3. What would you like to see banned? Can you think of a ban that you disagreed with?
  4. How do you feel about the idea of banning junk food advertisements? Would it make a difference?
  5. In your opinion, is it better to ban things outright or to educate people about their dangers?
  6. Do you believe that achieving great feats requires natural talent or hard work?
  7. What feats do you admire in others? Is it their talent, perseverance, or something else?
  8. Do you think people owe society anything, like following the law or helping others?
  9. Is there a time when you felt you owed yourself something, like a reward or a break? What did you do?
  10. Do you consider yourself a thorough person? How do you ensure you don’t miss any details?
  11. When was the last time you thoroughly enjoyed an activity or event? What made it so special?
  12. What country would you thoroughly recommend visiting: Why?
  13. Is there something that bothers you about social media or technology? What is it, and why does it bother you?
  14. Are there things you don't bother to do that perhaps you should really do?
  15. Do you prefer to purchase things online or in person? Why?
  16. Have you ever regretted a purchase? What was it, and why did you feel that way?

The Loyal Companion

Charlie was an ordinary dog, but to his owner, Emily, he was everything. From the moment she brought him home as a pup, Charlie had been her constant companion. He was keen on making her happy, always wagging his tail whenever she entered the room. They shared a bond that was unbreakable, one built on trust, love, and countless shared experiences.

One day, Emily decided to take Charlie on a special trip to the local market. She needed to purchase some fresh vegetables and thought Charlie would enjoy the outing. The market was bustling with people, but Charlie stayed close by her side, not bothered by the noise or the crowds. He was thoroughly enjoying the adventure, his nose twitching at all the new scents.

As they wandered through the stalls, Emily noticed a sign that read, "No Dogs Allowed." The market had recently imposed a ban on pets due to health regulations. Emily hadn’t realized this before coming, and she felt a pang of guilt for not checking. She knew she had to leave, but Charlie seemed so excited to be there.

“I’m sorry, Charlie,” Emily said, scratching behind his ears. “We have to go. They’ve banned dogs from the market.”

Charlie didn’t seem to mind. He was just happy to be with Emily, wherever they went. They left the market and headed to a nearby park instead. As they walked, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that she owed Charlie something special for cutting their trip short.

The next day, Emily decided to make it up to him. She had heard about a new dog park that had just opened on the other side of town. It was a long walk, but she knew Charlie would love it. The park was designed specifically for dogs, with wide open spaces, agility courses, and even a small pond.

It wasn’t an easy feat to get there; the walk was long, and they had to cross several busy streets. But Charlie trotted along beside her, his enthusiasm never waning. When they finally arrived, his eyes lit up with excitement. Emily let him off the leash, and Charlie took off like a rocket, running and playing with other dogs.

Watching him, Emily felt a deep sense of satisfaction. She had been thorough in her planning, ensuring that Charlie would have the time of his life. As she sat on a bench, watching him splash in the pond, she knew she had made the right decision.

After a couple of hours of play, it was time to head home. Charlie was exhausted but happy, his fur damp from the pond and his eyes drooping with tiredness. Emily couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, her loyal companion who never seemed to be bothered by anything as long as they were together.

That night, as they curled up on the couch, Emily whispered to Charlie, “I owe you so much, buddy. You bring so much joy into my life.”

Charlie, too tired to respond, simply rested his head on her lap, content and at peace. He didn’t need grand gestures or special outings—just being with Emily was enough for him.

Local Community Rallies Against Proposed Ban on Pet-Friendly Parks

In a move that has sparked controversy among local pet owners, the city council is considering a ban on pets in several public parks. The proposed legislation comes in response to recent complaints about cleanliness and safety, with some residents claiming that the presence of pets is becoming a bother. However, the ban has been met with strong opposition from the community, particularly from those who owe much of their daily happiness to their loyal furry companions.

Many dog owners have voiced their concerns, stating that this ban would unfairly punish responsible pet owners who already take thorough care to clean up after their animals. Emily Parker, a local resident and dog enthusiast, shared her thoughts: "I find this proposed ban extremely disheartening. I’ve always been keen on taking my dog, Charlie, to the park. It’s where he gets his exercise and social interaction. We shouldn’t be penalized for the actions of a few irresponsible individuals."

The discussion around the ban has also highlighted the need for more pet-friendly spaces in the community. Advocates are calling for a more balanced approach, suggesting that instead of a complete ban, the city could invest in designated pet areas within parks. This could be a feasible solution, with some pointing out that the recent purchase of new land near the river could be developed into a dedicated dog park.

City officials have promised to conduct a thorough review before making any final decisions. They recognize that enforcing such a ban would be no easy feat and would require significant community support. A public hearing has been scheduled for next month, where residents will have the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns.

In the meantime, local pet owners are rallying together, collecting signatures for a petition that opposes the ban. Many are hopeful that their voices will be heard and that a compromise can be reached that benefits both pet owners and those concerned about park conditions.

"We just want to ensure that our pets have a place to run and play," said Emily. "After all, they’re a part of our families, and we owe it to them to fight for their rights."

As the debate continues, it’s clear that the community is eager to find a solution that balances the needs and desires of all residents, both human and canine alike.

Generated by Chat GPT

Comments

Sir Joseph said…
Hi Graham,

I´m keen pacifist and I´m not keen warlike. I´m keen to get finish all wars. I bother to listen constantly that a lot of people die in consequence of all wars which there are in almost all continents of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa and American continent. Who can ban rage? There is too much hate in the world. The discovery of law was a big feat. We should spread law of the individual country all over the world. However, the problem is who compel those who don´t obey it? This achievement is thoroughly impossible for the moment. It seems as democracy, but if there are not democrats it´s very difficult that there is democracy.

1.- I like red wine but I am not so keen on white wine.
2.- He was banned from the pub for his bad behaviour.
3.- Running ten marathons in a month is an incredible feat.
4.- He owes me €30. I hope he remembers.
5.- The police did a through search of the area but found nothing.
6.- Tickets can be purchased in advance on the internet.
7.- Don´t bother her on her day off.

See you.
Graham said…
Evening Joseph,

I've RESORTED TO my friend Mr Chat GPT to help me again. This is what he suggests:

I am A COMMITTED PACIIST, and I am NOT IN FAVOUR OF WAR. I am EAGER to SEE ALL WARS COME TO AN END. IT BOTHERS ME TO CONSTANTLY HEAR that MANY PEOPLE DIE AS A RESULT OF wars, which OCCUR ON ALMOST EVERY CONTINENT, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Who can PUT AN END TO HATRED AND VIOLENCE? There is too much hate in the world. The CREATION OF LAWS WAS A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. We should SPREAD THE RULE OF LAW ACROSS the world. However, the problem is: who WILL ENORCE THE LAWS FOR THOSE WHO REFUSE TO obey THEM? FOR NOW, THIS GOAL SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE. It IS SIMILAR TO democracy—WITHOUT DEMCORATS, it is very difficult TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY.

Feedback:

Great job expressing your thoughts about pacifism and war! I can see that you are passionate about these issues. You used clear examples, like mentioning specific continents and highlighting the importance of law and democracy.

A few areas to work on:

Try to use more natural expressions. For example, instead of saying "I’m keen pacifist," you could say "I am a committed pacifist" or "I strongly believe in pacifism."
Make sure the verbs match correctly with their subjects (e.g., "get finish" should be "see all wars come to an end").
In some sentences, it’s important to clarify ideas, like "compel those who don’t obey" — this could be worded as "enforce laws for those who refuse to follow them."

Overall, your message is clear, and with a bit more attention to grammar, you can make it even stronger! Keep up the good work!

What's the difference between eager and keen?

The words eager and keen are quite similar in meaning, but they have subtle differences in usage and connotation.

Eager:
Indicates a strong desire or excitement to do something.
Often conveys a sense of anticipation or impatience.
Common in everyday English.
Example: She is eager to start her new job.

Keen:
Implies a strong interest or enthusiasm.
Often used in British English and can sound a bit more formal.
Can suggest not just excitement but also sharpness or intensity in interest.
Example: He is keen to learn more about philosophy.

In summary:

"Eager" suggests excitement or anticipation.
"Keen" suggests enthusiasm or a strong interest, often in a more focused or intense way.

For example, "I’m eager to finish this project" conveys excitement about completing it, while "I’m keen to finish this project" suggests a more thoughtful or sustained interest in doing so.

What's the difference between a feat and an acheivement?

The words achievement and feat both refer to accomplishments, but they have distinct nuances in meaning and usage:

Achievement:
Refers to something successfully completed, typically through effort, skill, or perseverance.
Often highlights the result or outcome of a process.
Can relate to personal, academic, professional, or general accomplishments.
Example: Graduating from university is a significant achievement.

Feat:
Refers to an extraordinary or impressive action, often one that requires great strength, courage, or skill.
Emphasizes the difficulty or remarkable nature of the action itself.
Often used to describe physical or daring actions, but can also apply to intellectual or creative challenges.
Example: Climbing Mount Everest is an incredible feat.

In summary:

An achievement is often a broad, goal-oriented success (the outcome of effort), while a feat is a remarkable, often challenging, act (focused more on the action or difficulty).
You might say winning a Nobel Prize is an achievement, and swimming across the English Channel is a feat—both involve effort, but the latter highlights the extraordinary nature of the act itself.

The seven sentences you gave are correct.