PS Worksheet 27

1. B; breathe 2. A; air
3. The opening of Container A is too small.
There is not enough dissolved air in the
water, so the fish have to come up to the
surface to breathe more often.
4. The opening of Container B is big. There is
enough dissolved air in the water so the fish
only need to come up to the surface to
breathe once in a while.
5. I can use an air stone and connect it to an
air pump. OR I can put in some aquatic
plants.

'though', 'although' and 'even though'

Though, although and even though are used to show a contrast between two clauses:
Our new neighbours are quite nice (this is good) though their two dogs bark all day long. (this isn’t good)

We can use though or although with no difference in meaning. But, some differences are:

Though is more common than although in conversation or writing.
Though (but not although) can come at the end of a sentence:
My new bike is really fast. I don’t like the colour, though.
Though (but not although) can be used as an adverb:
I’m not good at maths but I can help you with your geography, though, if you want.

The meaning of though is similar to however, but though is much more common than however in conversation.

Even though can be used to make the contrast between two clauses stronger:
Dad got back from work really late, even though he had promised to take mum to the cinema.

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They are similar in meaning, yes. They all serve to record something that is surprising or unexpected. But the difference in usage is that although, though and even though are all conjunctions, whilst in spite of and despite are both prepositions.

So usage requires:
in spite of + noun
although + clause
despite + noun
though + clause
even though + clause

Although and though can be used in the same way. Though is perhaps more common in informal speech and writing, whereas although can be used in a wide variety of styles.

Compare:
'Our new neighbours are quite nice, though their dog is a bit of a nuisance.'
'She insisted on keeping her coat on, although it was extremely warm in the house as the central heating was on.'
'Although she was commended for completing the Millennium Dome project on time and within budget, management felt that it was now time for a new person with different talents to take over.'

Though is often used with even in order to give emphasis:
'I managed to get good results in my exams, even though I went out four times a week when I was supposed to be revising.'

Whilst despite might be thought more formal than in spite of - it is, after all, one word rather than three - there is really very little difference in usage between the two:
'Despite the appalling weather, they succeeded in walking to the top of Ben Nevis.'
'They decided to get married in spite of the huge differences in their ages.'

So, to summarise: despite and although: similar meanings, but different syntax required. Compare:
'Although it was raining heavily, we finished the game of football.'
'We finished the game of football in spite of the heavy rain.'
'Despite his strong Welsh accent, we understood most of what he was saying.'
'Even though he had a strong Welsh accent, we understood most of what he was saying.'
One further word. Although, despite and in spite of are normally used as prepositions, they can also be used in adverbial constructions with -ing, thus:
'I managed to pass my exams, despite going out four times a week during the revision period.'
'In spite of feeling terribly sick, I went to work every day that week.'
'Despite being severely handicapped, he managed to complete the race.'

Welcome Note

Dear pupils from 5.6,

Welcome back to school!

Regards,
Mr Chan

Precautionary Measures to Cope With Influenza A (H1N1) When School Reopens

Schools will re-open on Monday, 29 June 2009, as scheduled. To slow down the spread of the H1N1 virus in the school community and in Singapore when school re-opens, MOE will issue a 7-day Leave of Absence (LOA) to all school staff and students returning from affected countries , on and after 22 June 2009, to stay away from school. There will also be stepped up precautionary measures and public education efforts in schools.

Implementation of Leave of Absence (LOA)
Schools will communicate with all parents via multiple channels to obtain the updated travel history of their children, inform them of the implementation of LOA, and update them on any new advisories given out by MOH. The multiple channels include phone calls, emails, postal letters and notices on school websites.

Schools will remind all school staff and students to exercise social responsibility to declare their travel history if they have been to affected countries and to stay at home for 7 days before returning to schools.

Continuity in Learning for Students on LOA
For students who are issued LOA, schools will provide Home-Based Learning (HBL) lessons to them, based on what the rest of their classmates are learning in school. Schools will deliver the materials for HBL and monitor the students’ progress through various channels, such as mail, telephone, hand delivery, email and the school’s learning management system. Schools will also keep parents informed of the learning activities and accompanying study schedule. This will allow parents to play a complementary role by helping to monitor their children’s progress in following the lessons prepared by the teachers. When these students return to school, teachers may also conduct make-up lessons to ensure they catch up with their classmates.

Travel Advisory (from MOH)

In a pandemic outbreak, when the H1N1 virus is all over the world, and may last for a long time, specific travel advisory may become increasingly impractical. We encourage Singaporeans to keep themselves abreast of developments of the country they are planning to visit, and take note of the total number of cases reported, number of deaths and export cases from these countries.

Travellers who have been to countries that have been considered by WHO to have sustained community transmission or to be in transition towards community transmission, as well as countries that have been reported to have exported cases (ie. Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America) should immediately call 993 for medical assistance if they feel unwell within seven days of arrival. If you are feeling unwell, they should avoid travelling and should not engage in extensive community activities such as working, shopping and participating in mass activities.

If travel to these areas is unavoidable, we encourage travellers to take the following precautionary measures:

• Pay attention to announcements from the local government.
• Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
• Avoid crowded areas and contact with anyone who appears unwell.
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene at all times.
- Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, especially before touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
- Turn quickly away from anyone near if they are about to cough or sneeze.
- Cover the nose and mouth with a piece of tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue paper properly in the dust bin after use.

After your return to Singapore from countries with sustained community transmission

Pay close attention to your health for 7 days, watching out for symptoms such as :

• High fever (> 38 deg C)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches
• Runny nose
• Headaches
• Tiredness

If you have any such symptoms, you should call 993 promptly for an ambulance. You should avoid taking public transport or taxi to minimise exposure. To help in contact tracing, the public may find it helpful to keep records of their movements for 7 days (for example by keeping taxi receipts) after their return.

A Very Meaningful Video