Issue 5

21st March 2016

Dear reader,
I had an incredible weekend, packed with
loads of local events but most importantly I
celebrated my 40th birthday. Someone said
that it is a real landmark for every woman
and I have just embarked on a new life
journey.
With hindsight last year I thought that I had
realised my biggest dream EVER but here I
am at the age of 40 feeling very confident,
however, with a lot more dreams.
This week Christians are getting ready for
Easter. I cant wait to bake my hot cross buns
and enjoy them with a nice cuppa. In this
issue you will find out more about Easter
along with the tradition of English tea, and a
stunning photo technique which comes from
Taiwan.

From Russie with love

Page 17

Exam practice
FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS
Pages 10 & 11

Emmetts
Garden
Page 7

Easter
2
Pages 3 & 4

Easter
Easter is the most important Christian festival. It is
the time when Christians
remember the last week of
Jesus' life.
The custom of giving eggs
at Easter celebrates new
life. Christians remember
that Jesus, after dying on
the cross, rose from the
dead. This miracle showed
that life could win over
death.
For Christians the egg is a
symbol of Jesus's resurrection, as when they are
cracked open they stand
for the empty tomb. No
one actually knows when
eggs were first used as

symbols at festival times

but it was long before Jesus' time. Eggs were always thought to be special
because although they do
not seem alive, they have
life within them especially
at springtime when chicks
hatch out.
Long ago people gave
gifts of eggs carved from
wood or precious stones.
The first sweet eggs that
were eaten were made in
the last 100 years from
sugar or marzipan. Since
then chocolate eggs have
become popular and these
are given on Easter Sunday.

In some countries parents

tell their children the Easter Hare or Bunny has hidden chocolate eggs and
they race to find them
round the house or garden. Children in other
countries decorate hard
boiled eggs at Easter time
by painting or dyeing them.

AT

rad
i
t
Eas iona
l
ter
son
g

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns,
Hot cross buns,
One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.
If you have no daughters,
If you have no sons,
One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.

One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.
Get them while they're hot
and eat them by the ton,
One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.

If your sons don't like

them,
They're the only ones,
One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.
I don't tell jokes
and I don't tell puns,

English cuisine
HOT
CROSS
BUNS
Ingredients
For the buns
625g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground mixed spice
45g unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus
extra for greasing
85g sugar
1 lemon, zest only
1 tsp fast-action yeast
1 free-range egg
275 tepid milk
125g mixed dried fruit
For the topping
2 tbsp plain flour
vegetable oil, for greasing
1 tbsp golden syrup, gently heated, for
glazing

Method
1 .For the buns, sieve the flour, salt and
ground mixed spice into a large mixing
bowl, then rub in the butter using your
fingertips. Make a well in the centre of the
mixture, then add the sugar and lemon zest
and yeast. Beat the egg and add to the flour
with the tepid milk. Mix together to a form
a soft, dough.
2. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured
work surface. Carefully work the mixed
dried fruit into the dough until well combined. Knead lightly for 5 minutes, or until
smooth and elastic.
3. Grease a large, warm mixing bowl with
butter. Shape the dough into a ball and
place it into the prepared bowl, then cover
with a clean tea towel and set aside in a
warm place for one hour to prove.

4. Turn out the proved dough onto a

lightly floured work surface and knock
back the dough. Shape it into a ball
again and return it to the bowl, then
cover again with the tea towel and set
aside for a further 30 minutes to rise.
5. Turn out the dough onto a lightly
floured work surface and divide it into
12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a
ball, then flatten slightly into a bun
shape using the palms of your hands.
Cover the buns again with the tea towel
and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes.
6. Grease a baking tray with butter and
transfer the buns to the tray. Wrap the
tray with the buns on it loosely in
greaseproof paper, then place inside a
large polythene bag. Tie the end of the
bag tightly so that no air can get in and
set aside in a warm place for a further
40 minutes to rise.
7. Preheat the oven to 240C
Meanwhile, for the topping, mix the
plain flour to a smooth paste with 2
tablespoons of cold water.
8. When the buns have risen, remove
the polythene bag and the greaseproof
paper. Spoon the flour mixture into a
piping bag and pipe a cross on each bun.
9. Transfer the buns to the oven and
bake for 8-12 minutes As soon as you
remove them from the oven, brush
them with the hot golden syrup, then
set aside to cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy them!
5

Quintessentially
English

Afternoon tea
It all started in the 1800's when around they wanted to take

Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bed- this fabulous time of day outford, complained of "having side into their beautiful garthat sinking feeling" during the dens.
late afternoon. She
wanted something
Moving their afsmall to satisfy her
ternoon tea out&
hunger,just to see
side
meant
her through till dineveryone in the
ner time.
house could en-

Classic
elegant

During the 1880s

upper-class women would change into long
gowns, gloves and hats for
their afternoon tea which was
usually served in the drawing
room between four and five
o'clock. The afternoon tea tradition was born inside the
houses of the rich and fortunate but once summer came

joy it. Tea was a

fine delicacy at
this time and the people drinking it wanted the whole world
to know they could afford it. So
rich families would get their
portraits painted with fine china and exquisite teas featured
so people would know their
extreme wealth.

You can enjoy your tea

with any of these:
Scones with clotted cream
and jam
Cucumber sandwiches
Apple crumble
Carrot cake
Raspberry teacakes
Cherry and almond traybake
Victoria sponge

Nowadays afternoon tea is a tradition that is a part of our lives;

it is ever so quintessentially English, classic and elegant, and
an enjoyable occasion for all whoever you choose to celebrate
it with. We buy and collect fine teaware and host our own
parties. You can even buy a lovely tea cosy to keep your tea pot
warm. (featured in the Photo quiz, Issue 4).
My favourite afternoon treat is a nice cuppa and scones with
clotted cream and jam. Mmm, yummy.

ENGLAND
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate located near Sevenoaks in Kent. It

attracts its visitors with the breath-taking views of the North Downs, the splendid
rose garden and a wide range of flora. The garden boasts exotic plants from
around the world and has some splendid examples of magnolias which grow to
an enormous size.
Often described as a hidden gem and plantsmans paradise, Emmetts Garden
is a great place to enjoy with family and friends. You can wander at your leisure
or enjoy a picnic among the lovely spring blue bells.
For opening times and local facilities, please, visit their website:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden

Grammar Corner

INDIRECT QUESTIONS
Last week we talked about how to form QUESTIONS in English. We said that the
following structure has to be followed:
(Question word) + Auxiliary verb+ Subject + Verb +...?
We often use INDIRECT QUESTIONS to ask for information in a more polite way
or to ask personal questions. After the introductory phrase, use the affirmative
form, not the question form.
For example:
Do you know what time the plane takes off?
Not: Do you know what time does the plane take off?
I wonder where Sarah is.
Not: I wonder where is Sarah.
In YES/NO questions, use IF/WHETHER + affirmative form:
E.g. I would like to know whether breakfast is included in the price.

The following phrases

are often used to introduce
INDIRECT QUESTIONS:
Do you know..?
Can I ask you...?
I was wondering...
I wonder...
Do you mind me asking ...?
Would you mind telling me...?
Id be interested to know...
Could you tell me...?

Practice time:
Can you correct the mistakes
in the following questions:
1. Do you know how long
does the the film last?
2. I was wondering if
when he arrives.
3. Do you mind me asking
where have you studied?
4. Can I ask you how much
does it cost?
5. Could you tell me where
is the Post Office?

VOCABULARY CORNER

To give up something

To put someone up

To stop doing or having

something

To give someone a place to

stay

E.g. I have decided to give

up sugar.

E.g. When you come to

Folkestone, we can put you
up in our house.

Phrasal verbs
With

up
To turn up
To appear/ to happen
E.g. You dont need an
invitation for the party,
just turn up when you are
free.

To look someone up
To visit or contact
someone
E.g. When you visit
Kent again, please,
look me up.

EXAM
PRACTICE

For FCE, CAE, CPE

and IELTS students

Read the text and fill in the gaps with an appropriate word:
We now take the first work-break at 10.20 am, (1)to a survey. Half of
us need (2).early breather to get us through the working day and most
of us think weve worked hard (3). by 10.20 am to have a rest, it
seems. The poll (4).1,400 workers found more than half of us use
break time to put the kettle (5), a while quarter of us go online or
text a friend. One (6)..five of us gossip with colleagues. The earliest
breaks are taken in Glasgow, at 9.53 am, while the Welsh wait
(7)after 10.30 before stopping. The results reveal that we value our
downtime to keep motivated, with 40% of us claiming we work faster to get
some free time, and half of us say performance suffers(8) we
dont get a break.

Listening Comprehension
Topic : Building Construction Level : B2 or above
You will hear a radio interview with the works manager of Breem
Constructions,Kent. Listen carefully and answer the questions. Here is a link
to the Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/teacher-russie/james-frost-breem-construction
1. What does the presenter mean by saying that James is a a hard guy to
pin down?
2. What time does the Harbour Arm open on Friday?
3. What was tricky for the builders work?
4. Why did the builders have to be very sensible?
5. What happened last year?
Many thanks to Academy FM for this audio. The best local radio station.

10

EXAM
PRACTICE

For FCE, CAE, CPE

and IELTS students
Help with Word Formation

Read the whole text before you write your answers.

It will help you to to find out the overall meaning of the text.
Read each sentence carefully and think if you need to
write a verb/a noun/an adjective or an adverb
You may need to write a word in a negative form
or in the plural.

Use the word at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the gap:
Ever felt you can't enjoy being happy in case you tempt fate?
If so, you're not alone. Millions of people actively avoid(1)..
happy because they think it will cause something (2)..to
happen to them, research has revealed. New Zealand (3)
have found that we shy away from enjoying the moment because
we fear it leads to unhappiness and other(4).. consequences.
Others - both in Western and Eastern cultures - avoid (5)
because they are convinced it makes them a (6)..person and others bad
may see them as selfish, boring or shallow. People in non-Western
cultures, such as Iran and (7)countries, worry that their
peers, an 'evil eye' or some other supernatural deity may resent
their (8)s and they will eventually suffer any number of severe
consequences, the study found.

feel
disaster
psychology
fortune
happy

neighbourhood
happy

11

True Passion
for
Art
The Inconceivable Ice MacroPhotography World is the unpublished and unique art exhibition
created
by
the
photography art creator, Mr.
Cheng-Yung Chiang. The photographer, who currently lives
in Taiwan, has been engaged

in photography for nearly 40

years. He has worked as a
manager for many wedding
companies and a photography
lecturer in a number of colleges. His photos have been
shown in many competitions.
What makes Cheng-Yung different is his unique approach
to capturing photos. He deliberately creates ice-macro work
by using indoor and outdoor
living surrounding materials.
This unprecedented creative
technique makes viewers un-

derstand and praise the wonders of nature and life. His

work is full of surprises and
vitality and is a true inspiration.
I am pleased to say that
Cheng-Yung Chiangs art will
feature on the POSITIVE
THOUGHT page in the magazine.
Thank you, Mr Chiang!

12

When we share
The impossible becomes
possible.
When we share laughter,
There's twice the fun;
When we share success,
We've surpassed what
we've done.
When we share problems,
There's half the pain;
When we share tears,
A rainbow follows rain.
When we share dreams,
They become more real;
When we share secrets,
It's our hearts we reveal.

If we share a smile,
That's when our love shows;
If we share a hug,
That's when our love grows.
If we share with someone
On whom we depend,
That person is always
Family or friend.
And what draws us closer
And makes us all care,
Is not what we have,
But the things that we share.

13

STORY TIME

The Art of Mistakes

Read the story and decide where the following words go:
Enhance, solution, reminiscing, diligent, dramatically, insecure

Mrs. Hamilton, I need a

new piece of paper. I dont
like my drawing! I drew the
house too small,moaned
the new student standing
at my desk. He showed
me his art work, which reflected twenty
minutes of (1)..
effort and advanced artistic skill for a fifth grader.
You have so much detail
completed already. Lets
see if we can think of a
way to fix it, I
empathized. Mistakes are
often a great opportunity to
(2)
your
art work.
Students Id had the previous year, some since kindergarten, knew two of the
guiding principles in
my art room were creative
exploration and selfexpression. New students
were
often
(3).and
easily frustrated, which
sometimes led to torn-up
papers or smashed clay.
Let me tell you about a
mistake I made while creating wall murals in someones home, I began.

One was a painting in a

little girls bathroom. After
spending the morning
planning and sketching, I
painted a dog. I made him
over four feet tall so that it
looked like he was holding
the bar for her
towel.
Gesturing with a paintbrush in the air for emphasis I went on, While I was
putting the finishing
touch on the black dog collar, the paint dripped on
part of the wall where I
was not supposed to
paint.
Nearby
students
exchanged
smiles
and
stopped what they were
doing to listen.
It was a wall! I couldnt
throw it away and start
over,
I
said
(4).
to
stress the extent of my
crisis. I had to figure out a
way to fix it.
I paused a few moments to
give him time to consider
what he would have done,
then continued:
So I studied the painting
for a while until I thought of

a way to cover the spot: I

added a red heart-shaped
dog tag over it, and included the little girls initials.
Did the little girl like the
painting?
The next day my client
called to tell me her
daughter loved the painting, and she was thrilled
when
she spotted her initials on
the dog tag, I replied, accentuating
the
(5)..to the problem.
So when you make a mistake, make something
good out of it! chanted the
other kids, who had
heard me say this before!

14

STORY TIME

Continues from page 12

Since retiring from teaching art
in the public schools five years
ago, Ive maintained a friendship with some of my students
and their families. I recently
overheard two of my past students,
now
in
college,
(6).. about their
experiences in my classes.
They both chanted, When you
make a
mistake, make something
good out of it!

TEACHERS
WHO LOVE
TEACHING,
... TEACH CHILDREN
TO LOVE
LEARNING

An extract from
Chicken Soup for the
Soul - Think Positive
By Kevin Sorbo and
Amy Newmark

15

THE GOOD LIFE

Penguin swims 5,000 miles every year for reunion
with the man who saved his life

Todays
most
heart
warming story is brought
from a beach in Brazil. Its
the story of a South
American Magellan penguin that swims 5,000
miles each year to be reunited with the man who
saved his life.
Retired bricklayer and
part time fisherman Joao
Pereira de Souza, whos
71, lives in an island village just outside Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, and he
found the tiny penguin,
covered in oil and close to
death, lying on rocks on
his local beach in 2011.
Joao cleaned the oil off
the penguins feathers

and fed him a diet of fish

to build his strength.
After a week, he tried to
release the penguin back
into the sea, but, the bird
wouldnt
leave.
He
stayed with him for 11
months and then, just after he changed his coat
with new feathers, he disappeared, Joao recalls.
And, just a few months
later, Dindim was back.
He spotted the fisherman
on the beach one day and
followed him home.
For the past five years,
Dindim the penguin has
spent eight months of the
year with Joao and is

believed to spend the rest

of the time breeding off
the coast of Argentina
and Chile. Its thought he
swims up to 5,000 miles
each year to be reunited
with the man who saved
his life.
No one else is allowed to
touch him. He pecks
them if they do. He lays
on his daddies lap, lets
him give him showers,
allows him to feed him
sardines.
And, just like that, the
world seems a kinder
place again.
From
http://www.theepochtimes.com/

16

TIDBITS

TRY TESTING THE 3 TRICKIEST

WORDS TO PRONOUNCE

Et cetera
et-set-ter-eh NOT ecc-setter-eh
Bruschetta
Brew-sket-a to be truly Italian NOT Brew-shet-a
Greenwich
Gen-itch NOT Green-witch
or Green-itch

More than three-quarters of

us struggle with common
words and place names, with
espresso and prescription
among the most difficult to
pronounce, according to researchers.
A new study says that 82% of
us regularly trip over our
words, with women getting
most tongue-tied by every
day terminology. And place
names can be particularly
confusing, according to the
study.
The Cambridgeshire city of
'Ely' is the most commonly
mispronounced word, with
more than half of us (59 per
cent) getting it wrong.
And one in six (16 per cent)
speakers dont pronounce
the south-east London district of 'Greenwich' correctly.
The study discovered nearly
half of us can't pronounce
'sherbet' (40 per cent), while
34 per cent stumble over 'et
cetera'.
Nearly a quarter of women
(20 per cent) find common
words such as prescription'
and 'espresso' difficult to say,
and 24 per cent of people get
tongue-tied saying 'often'.
Researchers who have compiled a list of the words we
find hardest to pronounce
say the Italian starter 'brus-

chetta' has 25 per cent of people regularly stumped.

The study found a quarter of
us (23 per cent) feel so worried about getting words like
these wrong they even ask
someone else to say them.
One in six embarrassed
speakers (17 per cent) confess to stopping the conversation and apologising for
getting mixed up.
However, it seems men are
less self-conscious with 35
per cent of males saying they
do not care if they mispronounce something.
Based on my teaching experience, I have to say that English learners find the following
words really hard to pronounce:
Picturesque
Forward
Choir
Penguin
Literature
Which words are
you struggling
with?

17

CROSSWORD

r
e
t
s
a
E
Across
4. a game played at Easter when the children look for hidden eggs(2 words)
6. a container for holding or carrying things
7. a small sweet bread roll eaten in England around Easter (3 words)
Down
1. the time when Jesus Christ returned to life again after his death
2. willing abstinence or reduction from certain or all food, drink, or
both, for a period of time
3. people who believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ
5. a period of 40 days before Easter
6. a childs word for rabbit

18

FUN WITH ENGLISH

WORD
SEARCH
Can you find the
following types of
Landscape
hidden in the
word search?
river
mountain
hill
valley
plain
lake

What is this structure called?

PHOTO
QUIZ

19

FUN WITH ENGLISH

20

SUBSCRIPTION

21

And finally
Answers from Issue 4

Exam Practice- page 10

1-as, 2- been , 3-was, 4-to, 5-after, 6-from , 7-of, 8-then

Listening Comprehension- page 10

1-youth, 2-nets, 3-run , 4-inspected 5- maintenance , 6-facilities, 7-10

Word formation- page 11

1-saddest, 2-present, 3- argument, 4-gracefully, 5-objections,6-patience, 7-viewed

Grammar corner- page 8

1-When did Sarah go?2-How long is ..? 3-Why are the children playing..? 4-How
much does the T-shirt cost? 5-Does Sophie know Peter? 6-Had she been waiting ..?

Story time- page 12

1-c 2-e, 3-b, 4-f, 5-a, 6-d

Crossword
Across 2-earache, 5-sore throat, 7-stomachache, 8-fever Down 1-toothache, 3-cough
4-backache 6-hurt

Photo Quiz
Tea cosy-a cover placed over a teapot in order to keep the tea warm

Brainteaser
S, O, N.- The first letters for the next three months( September, October, November)

Contact details:
teacherrussie@hotmail.com
http://www.englishwithrussie.co.uk/

22

Front coverEmmetts Garden, Kent

Back coverA garden in Canterbury