Week 4 Course (Studying Online)

Possession with 's

Grammar:

We use apostrophes to show that something belongs to a person or

an animal. We use 's for singular nouns and ' for plural nouns
ending in s.

Nelson Mandela's words

the dogs' blankets
people's busy working days

We don't usually use 's with things. We either use of or a noun

modifier.

The door of the house (NOT the house's door)

The door handle (NOT the door's handle)

However, we can use 's with things:

● when we're talking about a place or group made up of people
different countries' lifestyles
our school's cafeteria
the government's new policies

● with some time expressions

in today's busy world

last week's meeting
a day's journey

● with the word 'life'.

life's stresses and pressures

life's daily challenges
life's little pleasures

Possession with of

For things, ideas, etc. we usually use of between two nouns to show
possession.

in different parts of the world

the lifestyles of other cultures
the demands of daily life

We normally use of to talk about position or to say which part of

something we are referring to. This is true with phrases such as the
beginning of, the end of, the top of, the side of, etc.
the middle of winter
the front of the house

's or of?
Sometimes, both 's and of are possible.

others' work and achievements

the work and achievements of others

In these cases, it is a matter of the writer's or speaker's preference in

that particular context.

Noun modifiers
We often use two nouns together, using the first noun as an adjective.
The first noun is called a noun modifier. We do NOT use a possessive
form for them. The first noun and second noun sometimes become
one word.

a film night (NOT a film's night)

the winter months (NOT the winter's months)
a city bus (NOT a city's bus)
an earring (NOT an ear's ring or an ear ring)

We can use noun modifiers to show what something is made of.

a stone bridge
silver earrings
Or they can show that one thing is a part of something else.

the car door

the chair leg

Sometimes we find more than two nouns together.

London interior designers

a home office chair

Measurements, ages and values can also be used as noun modifiers.

a ten-minute break
a four-hundred-year-old tree
a ten-dollar note
a fifty-kilometer journey

Note that the words expressing units here are singular, not plural.
Exercice 1:
1. Next Friday is _____, thankfully!

pay day

the day of pay

2. I'm going to put a big pile of cushions in the _____.

corner of the room

room's corner

3. When we go on car trips, my brother always calls 'shotgun' so that he can sit in

the _____.

front seat

seat of the front

4. We need to make the final decision without _____.

a delay moment

a moment's delay

5. _____ works in the Forbidden City in Beijing.

My brother's wife

The wife of my brother

6. Sorry, but I dropped the _____ and it broke.

teapot

tea's pot

7. The kitchen renovations should only take two _____.

days' work

days of working

8. Holding a warm teacup between your hands is one of _____.

life little pleasures

life's little pleasures

Exercice 2
1. It's sunny and hot outside. Why are you wearing a _____?

jacket of leather

leather jacket

2. You can learn a lot from _____ when you travel abroad.

lifestyles of other people

other people's lifestyles

3. My friend likes to buy _____ to keep on top of the latest trends.

fashion magazines

magazines of fashion

4. It must be below zero outside. The _____ is frosted up!

kitchen window

kitchen's window

5. My friends' _____ house is a _____ away from the city.

parent's / two-hundreds-kilometres drive

parents' / two-hundred-kilometer drive

6. Since we got a woodstove, our house is never cold, even in _____.

the middle of winter

winter's middle

7. My grandmother gave me her _____, which her grandmother had given to her.

diamond earrings
earrings of diamonds

8. The newspaper published an article criticising the _____.

local council decisions

local council's decisions

Reading:

In recent years, the educational landscape has been reshaped by the

advent of online learning. This mode of education, also known as distance

education or e-learning, facilitates remote interaction between students and

instructors through digital platforms. It offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing

learners to access course materials and participate in classes from anywhere

with an internet connection.

 Online learning comes with a host of benefits. Firstly, it offers flexibility

in scheduling, enabling students to balance their studies with work, family

commitments, or other responsibilities. Additionally, it breaks down

geographical barriers, granting access to education for individuals who may not

have the means to attend traditional on-campus classes. This inclusivity fosters

diversity and enriches the learning experience.

One of the remarkable features of online learning is the wide variety of

courses available. From language courses to advanced certifications, learners

can choose from a diverse range of subjects tailored to their interests and skill

levels. These courses are often digitalized, featuring multimedia elements such

as videos, interactive quizzes, and online forums, enhancing engagement and

comprehension.

Compared to on-campus courses, studying online can be more

cost-effective. With no commuting expenses or accommodation costs, learners

can save money while pursuing their educational goals. Additionally, online
platforms offer the convenience of learning at your own pace, allowing for

personalized learning experiences tailored to individual needs.

Key terminology in online learning includes terms like "remote," which

refers to activities or interactions conducted without physical presence. A

"certificate" is a document awarded upon successful completion of a course,

verifying the learner's achievements and skills. "Digitalized courses" are

delivered and accessed through digital platforms, while "on-campus courses"

are traditional classes conducted in physical classrooms or campus settings.

Navigating online learning platforms requires careful consideration. It's

essential to choose a reputable platform that aligns with your educational goals.

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a wide array of courses

spanning various disciplines. Before enrolling, evaluate factors such as course

content, instructor credentials, and student reviews to ensure a fulfilling learning

experience.
 Despite its numerous benefits, online learning does present challenges.

These may include issues related to self-discipline, technological difficulties,

and limited social interaction. To overcome these obstacles, develop effective

time management skills, stay organized, and actively participate in online

forums to foster a sense of community and collaboration.

In conclusion, studying online opens up a world of opportunities for

learners worldwide. By embracing digitalized courses, individuals can acquire

new knowledge and skills, earn valuable certificates, and advance their careers

from the comfort of their own homes. With dedication and perseverance, the

realm of online learning is yours to explore and conquer.

Writing:

Compound sentences
A compound sentence is two (or more) independent clauses joined by a

coordinating conjunction or semicolon. So a compound sentence is like two

or more simple sentences added together. A compound sentence does not

contain any dependent clauses.

● I like coffee. Mary likes tea. → I like coffee, and Mary likes tea.

● Mary went to work. John went to the party. I went home. → Mary went to

work, but John went to the party, and I went home.

● Our car broke down. We came last. → Our car broke down; we came last.
Joining Compound Sentences with
Coordinating Conjunctions
Usually, we join independent clauses with one of the seven

coordinating conjunctions.

The term coordinating conjunction sounds complicated, but in fact

there are only seven of them and they are all short, one-syllable

words: For—And—Nor—But—Or—Yet—So — remember them

with the mnemonic FANBOYS.

The most common of these coordinating conjunctions are and, but

and or, in that order. Note that a comma (,) must come before the

coordinating conjunction except when the clauses are short (in which

case the comma is optional).

and

The and conjunction is the most common conjunction. It has several

uses.

● We use and to join two clauses that have equal value, for

example: London is in England, and Rome is in Italy.

 ● We use and to join two clauses when the second clause happens

after the first clause, for example: There was a big bang and the

lights went out.

● We use and to join two clauses when the second clause is a

result of the first clause, for example: He went to bed early, and

the next day he felt better.

but

We use the but conjunction to introduce a clause that contrasts with

the preceding clause, for example: Mary ran fast, but she couldn't

catch John.

or

We use the or conjunction to join two alternative clauses, for

example: Will Mary go, or will John go?

nor

We use the nor conjunction to join two alternative clauses when the

first clause uses a negative such as neither or never. In this case both
clauses are untrue or do not happen, for example: Mary never wrote

the letter, nor did she call him. (Note the inversion of subject and

auxiliary: did she.)

for

We use the for conjunction (meaning something like because) to join

two clauses when the second clause is the reason for the first clause,

for example: He felt cold, for it was snowing.

yet

The yet conjunction is similar to but. It means something like but at

the same time; but nevertheless; but in spite of this. As with but, there

is a contrast between the clauses, for example: I have known him for a

long time, yet I have never understood him.

so

The so conjunction means something like therefore; and for this

reason. We use so to join two clauses when the first clause is the

reason for the second clause, for example: He was feeling sick, so he

went to the doctor.