Lesson 61: Unit 186 - Linking Expressions

About this lesson

In this lesson you will learn how to use linking expressions to connect ideas and sentences in a natural, fluent way. We will work with an authentic story about an inspiring teacher and fill in the gaps with words such as and, but, so, when, whereas, thus and as a result. You will also learn the important grammatical difference between although (followed by a subject and a verb) and in spite of / despite (followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form). All the examples come directly from the text and the grammar explanations in the lesson.

40 minutes

What you'll learn

• Recognise and use linking expressions: and, but, so, when, whereas, thus, then, as a result, that's why, that's how, though, after
• Understand the difference between although + subject + verb and in spite of / despite + noun / -ing / this / that / what
• Use in spite of the fact that and despite the fact that correctly
• Answer reading comprehension questions at B1 level
• Build more complex sentences by linking ideas of contrast and of cause and effect

Lesson vocabulary

• linking expression We use linking expressions to connect ideas smoothly.
• whereas Whereas my other teachers ignored me, Miss Bean went straight at me.
• thus Thus the teacher began to give me human dimensions.
• as a result The incident became a legend; as a result, I became a person to talk to.
• that's why That's why there was a lot of angry talk among adults.
• that's how That's how I became just another kid in the school.
• though She gave me human dimensions, though not perfect ones for an 8th grader.
• in spite of In spite of the rain, we went out.
• despite Despite what I said yesterday, I didn't mean to hurt you.
• although Although I was tired, I went out.
• pristine Their neighbourhood had previously been pristine in their terms.
• newcomer I was a 12-year-old black newcomer in a school that was otherwise all white.
• dominant culture Here in Grand Rapids, the dominant culture was loudly speaking to me.
• icebreaker That was the icebreaker — I became a person to talk to.
• tentatively 'I guess so,' I replied tentatively.

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