4.7 To use language forms and structures to communicate orally and

English first additional language

Grade 6

Module 49

To use language forms and structures to communicate orally and in writing

Activity 1:

To use language forms and structures to communicate orally and in writing

[lo 6.2]

There are many idioms in the English language related to fire. Study the pictures and the meanings below very carefully. Then use the idioms to complete the sentences that follow.

Out of the frying pan into the fire

means : to be in deeper trouble now than before

Where there’s smoke there’s fire

means : there is some truth in every rumour

Too many irons in the fire

means : to have too many things to do

The fat is in the fire

means : now there is going to be a big quarrel

(a) It is difficult to believe that Janet stole money, but where _____

(b) Do not trust Peter. He will help you ______

(c) Our dog bit the neighbour's cat. Now the _______

(d) You can't take up tennis too. You already have ______

The following idiomatic expressions also have to do with fire, flames and heat. Read through them carefully, and then fit them into the sentences to explain their meanings.

add fuel to the flames; spread like wild fire; to fire; burn the midnight oil; go through fire and water; breathed fire and brimstone; playing with fire; out of the frying pan into the fire; fiery speech; the sparks really flew; a bright spark.

1. Your sister is angry. Don't _________ by teasing her.
2. Jenny ought to get full marks in the test. She is such _______ .
3. The news of the president's death ______ when Sue and

Anne quarrelled over the new rugby captain.

1. You will have _______ James if he keeps on coming to work late.
2. The sergeant made a ________in which he urged the soldiers to fight bravely.
3. If I don't________, I won't pass the examination.
4. Your poor advice helped Patrick _______ .Now he really is in deep

trouble.

1. Peter is the only friend who will _______ for me.
2. Come away from that vicious dog! You are _______ .
3. My mother ______ when she saw that we had tied tins to the dog's tail.

Well done! You are now going to work in a group again. Your educator will allocate an idiom or idiomatic expression to each group. In your group, decide on the best way to illustrate your idiom. Draw your idiom on a sheet of paper.

Educator’s Assessment Chart:

Assessment

Memorandum

This activity focuses on idioms and idiomatic expressions. The first part of the activity requires learners to match the idiom to the correct sentence. The illustrated idioms and meanings are provided. Read through these with the learners. Discuss the illustrations and how they help to communicate the meaning of the idiom. Then allow learners to complete the sentences on their own.

The answers are as follows:

1. It is difficult to believe that Janet stole money, but where there’s smoke there’s fire .
2. Do not trust Peter. He will help you out of the frying pan into the fire .
3. Our dog bit the neighbour's cat. Now the fat is in the fire .
4. You can't take up tennis too. You already have too many irons in the fire .

The next part of the activity is very similar, but now the meanings and pictures have not been provided. Learners will have to read and think very carefully about the answers. This could be done in groups or individually.

The answers are as follows:

1. Your sister is angry. Don't add fuel to the flames by teasing her.
2. Jenny ought to get full marks in the test. She is such a bright spark .
3. The news of the president's death spread like wildfire .
4. The sparks really flew when Sue and Anne quarrelled over the new rugby captain.
5. You will have to fire James if he keeps on coming to work late.
6. The sergeant made a fiery speech in which he urged the soldiers to fight bravely.
7. If I don't burn the midnight oil , I won't pass the examination.
8. Your poor advice helped Patrick out of the frying pan into the fire . Now he really is in deep trouble.
9. Peter is the only friend who will go through fire and water for me.
10. Come away from that vicious dog! You are playing with fire .
11. My mother breathed fire and brimstone when she saw that we had tied tins to the dog's tail.

The next part of the activity must be completed in groups. Allocate an idiom or idiomatic expression to each group. The group must discuss the idiom, and then decide on the best way to illustrate the idiom. The group must all draw the same picture in the block provided. This could be taken a step further into an art lesson. Learners could illustrate or paint the idiom onto large pieces of paper that could be displayed around the class.

Remember to read through the Educator’s Assessment Rubric with the class.