Girl Power
¤ Questionnaire Exercise topInstructions: Complete the following questionnaire. After you have completed the questionnaire, you will be given time to discuss your answers with the other members of your group. 1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why? “Every time we liberate a woman, we liberate a man.” ~Margaret Mead 2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Women make better childcare providers than do men. 3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Girls (ages 8-12) should not participate in rough sports such as ice hockey and soccer. 4. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys (ages 8-12) should be taught basic household skills (such as: cooking, cleaning, and sewing) in school. 5. In your opinion, what are:
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Vocabulary Word |
Word Form |
Definition |
Your Sentence |
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liberation |
noun |
freedom, release |
Abraham
Lincoln is often credited with |
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primarily
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negate
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entrepreneur
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underutilized
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prosperity
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offset
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Instructions: Read the following text. When you have finished reading the article, complete the comprehension questions that follow.
[1] It was once said that “a woman’s place is in the home.” However, since the women’s liberation movement, we have read countless stories about women’s ‘entry’ into the workforce. This notion is not only misleading but also condescending. Women have always been present in the workforce although it was primarily in unpaid childcare and household duties. A recent article in The Economist states that “women are now the most powerful engine of global growth” (April 15, 2006).
[2] In 1950, only 33 percent of American women had paid employment. Today, this number has more than doubled. With the decrease in manufacturing jobs, our North American economy is becoming increasingly service and technology oriented. Consequently, the physical advantage that men had in the manufacturing industry has been negated and women can now compete on an even playing field. Indeed, in most industrialized countries, more women than men enter university. In some countries such as Britain, women now comprise the majority of entrants into medical and law programs. In fact based on global statistics, “since 1970, women have filled two new jobs for every one taken by a man” (April 15, 2006). This growth in female employment is not restricted to the western economies as women are assuming greater presence in Asian countries as well.
[3] With their entry into paid employment, women are now vital players as consumers, investors and entrepreneurs. Although women still occupy a minority in management positions, a study by “Catalyst found that American companies with more women in senior management jobs earned a higher return on equity than those with fewer women at the top” (April 13, 2006). Researchers believe this stems from the fact that mixed gender committees are better problem solvers and foster team building approaches.
[4] Most economists agree that our global economy is on the verge of crisis as our populations age and our birth rates decrease. Immigration can make up for some of the shortfall of labor but more women in the workforce would also help offset this strain. This couldn’t be more relevant than in the developing countries. Underutilized female labor impedes economic growth. Without a shadow of a doubt, educating girls and readying them for the workforce is the best investment in a country’s future prosperity. In order to take advantage of this female talent, governments need to enact legislation that will accommodate mothers who choose to enter the paid labor force. Such legislation includes liberal parental leave, universal and affordable childcare and flexible working hours.
1. The main idea of this article is: (a) Women have achieved equality in the workforce. (b) Women have not made strides in entering the workforce. (c) Girls are better students than boys. (d) Women have achieved some gains in employment equity.
2. The word “global” (in paragraph one) is: (a) a noun (b) a verb (c) an adverb (d) an adjective
3. The word “consequently” (in paragraph two) is: (a) a noun (b) an adjective (c) a verb (d) an adverb
4. The phrase having “more women in the workforce would also help offset this strain” (in paragraph 4) means: (a) Increased female participation in the workforce would help alleviate this problem. (b) When women occupy senior management positions, corporations tend to prosper. (c) Obstacles should be put in place to prevent gender equity in the workforce. (d) Women find increased immigration to be a greater strain than do men.
5. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT: (a) Governments should withdraw legislation that supports women’s entry into the workforce. (b) Increased immigration will help alleviate shortages in labor. (c) A woman’s place is no longer simply in the home. (d) Today more than 50% of women in the United States have paid employment.
6. Find a word in the text that means “changeable/elastic”. ________________
7. Find a word in the text that means “customers/patrons”. ________________
8. Select one of the following quotes and in two or three sentences, explain what the statement means to you.
(a) “Women are the only oppressed group in our society that lives in intimate association with their oppressors.” ~Evelyn Cunningham
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(b) "Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~Eleanor Roosevelt
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ţ Grammar Exercise: Article Usage top
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There are two types of articles: definite (the) & indefinite (a/an) ONE An indefinite article is used: (a) to mean “one” {example} I have a son and a daughter. (b) to mean “per” {example} The car was traveling at 70 km. an hour. (c) in a general statement {example} An earthquake can be devastating. (d) to introduce the subject for the first time {example} Carlos has a dictionary. (e) We use “an” before a vowel sound. {example} a university an hour TWO The definite article is used: (a) when the noun has an antecedent {example} The dictionary is a Spanish to English dictionary. (b) with superlatives {example} The most impressive performance so far. (c) when there is only one example of something, or it is clear what the writer/speaker is referring to {example} Carlos could you please close the door. (d) before species {example} The maple is often associated with Canada. (e) before ordinal numbers {example} Diana was the first to hand in her essay. (f) with quantity expressions using “of” {example} some of the most of the much of the (g) before a nationality or culture {example} The Italians are known for their fine wine. (h) before decades and centuries {example} The 1980s was a period of significant economic growth. (i) before uncountable nouns followed by a modifier {example} The rice on the counter is basmati rice. (j) combined with an adjective to create a collective noun {example} The poor are unhappy with the government’s position on affordable housing. (k) before inventions {example} The internet has dramatically affected the way we conduct business. (l) before most plural geographic terms {example} The Himalayas have attracted mountaineers for decades. (m) before acronyms in which each letter is pronounced individually {example} The UN has approved the humanitarian endeavor . (n) with important/legal documents {example} The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a significant event in American history. (o) with the names of cities and universities containing “of” {example} David attends the University of Toronto. (p) before a position or location {example} Please turn your attention to the middle of the paragraph. They live in the south of France. THREE We do not use an article: (a) with most singular geographic terms {example} Mount Logan attracts many professional and amateur climbers. (b) with cardinal numbers {example} Please read chapter six tonight. (c) with abstract and uncountable nouns which are not followed by a modifier {example} Life in Canada can be both rewarding and frustrating. (d) before a language {example} Spanish is spoken in many Latin American countries. (e) before street names and before names of cities {example} She lives on Yonge Street in the heart of downtown Toronto.
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Exercise One
Complete the sentence using the appropriate article (if any).
1. a/an/the/Ć Korean was his native language.
2. a/an/the/Ć ESL instructor just informed us that he was giving us a pop quiz on a/an/the/Ć Chapter 7. I can’t believe it; I haven’t even finished reading a/an/the/Ć second chapter yet.
3. Go ahead help yourself; a/an/the/Ć coffee on the counter is freshly brewed.
4. I got splashed by a/an/the/Ć car that drove through a/an/the/Ć puddle on the way to class and now a/an/the/Ć essay in my bag is sopping wet!
5. I hope you don’t mind but I borrowed a/an/the/Ć eraser from your bag.
6. She’s been living on a/an/the/Ć Main Street in a/an/the/Ć east end of a/an/the/Ć Toronto.
7. a/an/the/Ć city of Toronto recently conducted a census of a/an/the/Ć homeless.
8. Please pass me a/an/the/Ć cream on the counter.
9. I often have difficulty understanding what my grandfather says because a/an/the/Ć English is not his first language. In fact, he grew up in a/an/the/Ć Poland and didn’t learn a/an/the/Ć English until he immigrated in a/an/the/Ć 1986.
10. a/an/the/Ć USA is a signatory of a/an/the/Ć NAFTA agreement.
Exercise Two
Indicate which article rule(s) applies for each sentence above.
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