'The Arts' in discussion for the 25th of October

1. Do you think that the tax payer should have to support the Arts?
For example, why should a football fan have to pay for opera?

2. Does your country have any well-known artists who are famous for
cinema, theatre, literature, ballet, opera, classical music or painting?


3. What are your "top three" art forms from the above list?
Explain the reasons for your order of preference.

4. In what ways were you encouraged to appreciate the Arts at home and
at school? What jobs in the Arts world would be suitable for you?

5. Give the names of your favorite novel, author, play, dramatist, film,
film director, musical composition, composer, painting and painter.
Why do you like them?

6. Which country would you visit to appreciate the Arts?
What would you plan to see?

7. Do you think there should be greater or less censorship of the Arts
in your country?

Grammar Tip!!! Idiomatic expessions

Idiom Definitions for 'At death's door'

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Meaning 1:

If someone looks as if they are at death's door, they look seriously unwell and might actually be dying.

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Meaning 2:

If someone is at death's door, they are very ill and close to death.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Bet the farm'

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If you bet the farm, you risk everything on something you think will succeed.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion'

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This means that it is better to be the head or at the top of something that isn't very important or prestigious than a small or unimportant member of something big.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Who has eaten of the pot knows the taste of the broth'

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Experience is the best teacher.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Father figure'

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A father figure is an older man, often in a position of power or authority, who commands great respect and inspires feelings like those for a father.

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Idiom Definitions for 'If worst comes to worst'

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This isused to show the worst that could happen in a situation: If worst comes to worst and the hotels are full, we can sleep in the car.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Have-nots'

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People without wealth or power are the have-nots.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Post-haste'

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Post-haste means as quickly as possible.

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Idiom Definitions for 'Pile it on thick'

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To pile it on thick is to exaggerate or overstate something, usually flattery or praise.  ('Lay it on thick' is also used.)

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Idiom Definitions for 'Late bloomer'

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When someone does not obtain success with their interests, talents, or personality until later in their lives, we say they are a late bloomer.

This week in conversation for the 11th of October, No articles!! :-)

I thought it would be interesting to discuss the iLife and iDeath of Steve Jobs. If you don't know much about him, Google him on your iPhone or iPad;-).

We will also be discussing some basic philosophical questions, which you can organize thoughts about before class. Here are the 'big' questions:


How can I, a mere physical being, have thoughts and emotions?


Who should get what?


By what moral authority does the state rule over me?


Why should I be true to my word?


How does science progress and can I trust it?


Should my sole goal in life be happiness, mine and that of others?


Should I be punished for things I did many decades ago?


If I want to live a happy retirement, should I pay into a pension fund?


Should I get what I deserve?


Could my entire life be a dream?


See you on Tuesday!!! Have a great weekend.