Two January stories (2012)

 

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What do you remember about the Concordia?

Was El Corte Inglés' week of discounts on cruises a last minute MARKETING PLOY to TAKE ADVANTAGE OF the big news story?

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) January 23, 2012

Can you think of any other marketing ploys?

Do you remember the difference between "take advantage of sth" and  "make the most of sth"?

Have you ever BEEN ON A CRUISE? What was it like?
Would you GO ON A CRUISE after what has happened? Where would you go?

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) January 23, 2012

Didn't REALIZE that the Concordia tragedy happened on Friday 13th... And the bottle of champagne used to LAUNCH it, didn't break...

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) January 23, 2012

Are you superstitious? 

Seville goes green 

Seville goes green: http://t.co/OEvnXDQO Travel guide SINGS THE PRAISES OF Seville. Do you agree with the description?

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) January 9, 2012

Have you been to Seville? What's it like? Do you recognise its description in the article? 

Which city's transport system impressed you? Why?

Which place that you have been to would you sing the praises of?

Grammar:

We use go + adjective to talk about a change of state, condition, or behaviour, especially when the change is:

• Gradual or noticeable over time, or
• Involuntary / not planned, or
• A shift into a new condition or trend 

In go green, go means “become”, often suggesting a new policy, attitude, or lifestyle (e.g. becoming environmentally friendly).

go green – become environmentally friendly

go red – blush or become embarrassed

go grey – hair becomes grey

go bald - lose your hair

go blind – lose sight

go deaf – lose hearing

go bad – food spoils

go sour – relationships or situations worsen

go wrong – fail or develop problems

go viral – spread rapidly online

go global – expand internationally

go bust – become bankrupt (informal)

go downhill – gradually worsen

go pear-shaped – go badly wrong (BrE informal)

go quiet – become silent

go blank – suddenly forget everything

go crazy – lose control emotionally

go berserk – suddenly become violently angry

go missing – disappear

go unnoticed – not be seen or noticed

We typically use go for:

• Uncontrolled or natural changes
• Often negative or neutral results

Complete the following with a go expression from the list above:

1. The video went ___ within hours of being posted online.
2. Several small businesses went ___ during the economic crisis.
3. The milk must have gone ___ - it smells awful.
4. He’s beginning to go ___ in one ear after years of working in a noisy factory.
5. He went ___ when his mistake was pointed out in front of the whole class.
6. The room went ___ as soon as the teacher walked in.
7. His health started to go ___ after the operation.
8. She started to go ___ in her early forties.
9. His hard work went ___ by management.
10. The government is encouraging companies to go ___.
11. Many men go ___ earlier than they expect.
12. Without treatment, the disease can eventually cause patients to go ___.
13. The event went ___ when the main speaker failed to turn up.
14. He went ___ when he discovered his car had been damaged.
15. I went ___ during the exam and couldn’t remember a single formula.
16. Their relationship went ___ after a serious disagreement over money.
17. Everything that could go ___ during the trip did.
18. The company plans to go ___ by expanding into Asian markets.
19. People went ___ when the band appeared on stage.
20. Several items went ___ during the move.