Breaking the ice The time capsule pages 12-13
A) Speaking
1) Describe the various items sticking out of the trunk and guess how old they are.
The various items sticking out of the trunk are:
- a flashy old-fashioned red platform shoe
- A yellow smiley badge
- a bulky old computer (Apple II) with a floppy disk drive
- an issue of Time with the fast-food giant, McDonald's, on its cover page
- a Beatles record: Let it be
- a poster of the film Star Wars.
I'm sure that the Apple II was devised in 1977….. The first Smiley badges must have been brought out
in the 1950s. Platform shoes may have been sold in the 30s, 40s, 60s and 70s…… I think that Star
Wars was released in 1977
The flower power movement was popular in the 60s and 70s (Woodstock festival in 1969)
2a) Describe the film poster
The Star Wars poster shows the main protagonists of the famous saga. In the middle of the picture,
the three heroes (Luke Skywalker, in the foreground, Princess Leia and Han Solo on the other side)
are shooting laser beams from swords or pistols. They seem to be defending themselves. The
threatening figure of Darth Vader is easy recognisable with his black helmet and mask and he is
towering above them. He is holding a light saber.
The famous droids R2-D2 (the smaller one) and C3-PO can be seen in the right hand corner next to a
Wookie, Chewbacca, a huge character covered with a thick coat of hair. Intergalactic spaceships, a
star, the “Black Star”, can also be seen in the background. Even though this is the fourth episode of
the saga, it was the first to be released in 1977.
2b) What event are the people on the photo certainly attending? Look at the clothes ! Can ou guess
when the photo was taken ?
The young people in the photo seem to be attending a show, certainly a music festival. They have
spread colourful blankets in front of their minibus, which means that they probably intend to spend a
nice listening to music. They are both long-haired and dressed like hippies. The young woman is
wearing a long gypsy skirt and the man has an Indian shirt and a pair of striped trousers. They look
happy and relaxed. They are typical of the flower power generation.
B) Reading
- London Times: Ulster, Bloody Sunday
Where? = Ulster/ Northern Ireland, Londonderry
Who? = Army paratroopers - marchers
What? = 13 people were killed by the army while marching
On January 30, 1972, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the British army opened fire on unarmed
protesters, killing 13 civilians and injuring 29. The demonstrators were taking part in a civil rights
march to protest against internment without trial of Catholic activists.
Saint Louis Dispatch: Pact to end Vietnam war reached. Ceasefire begins today.
Where? =Paris
Who? = President Nixon
What? =The agreement to stop the Vietnam war was signed.
The Paris peace treaty which ended the Vietnam war and put a stop to US military involvement in
Vietnam was signed on January 23, 1973. The ceasefire began on January 27, 1973.
The Tribune: Death captures crown of rock and roll. Elvis dies apparently after heart attack.
Where? Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
Who? = Elvis Presley the “king” of rock 'n' roll
What? = He was found dead.
Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977
C) LISTENING ( CD 1Track 4)
a) What is the Beatles’ nickname? The Beatles’ nickname is “The Fab’ Four.”
b) What problems did they have at the time? There were all sorts of tensions among the Beatles in
the late 1960s and they didn't feel like making music together any more. However, even though it
was rumoured they would break up soon they released another single: Let it be
c) Who wrote the song and when was it released? Paul McCartney wrote a song in 1969 and the
single was released in March 1970.
D) DISCUSSING: Interaction
1) When was the time capsule buried?
2) You have decided to make your own time capsule. What representative items of the 2010s are
you going to put into the trunk?
Giving one's opinion
- To my mind/ In my opinion
- It seems to me that
- I feel/ I believe that ....
- I can't help thinking that....
- My feeling is that ................
-As a matter of fact, I am convinced that ...............
- For my part, I consider that .................
Suggesting and convincing
- How/ What about + V+ -ING?
- Why don't you? Why not ?
- I suggest + V+ -ING
- We should definitely + V
-I am convinced that ……
-It seems to me that ………………….
- I'm sure you will/ Won't + V ……………………..
E) Writing (voir méthodologie pages 165-166): You put a note in the time capsule to explain why you
have chosen to bury these items
ECRIRE UNE LETTRE OU UN COURRIEL
Pour commencer une lettre : (formel) Dear Sir, Dear Madam, To whom it may
concern, Dear Paul, My dear(est) Jenny (informel)
Pour finir: Yours sincerely, yours truly, yours faithfully (formel) et All the best, Love
from, I can’t wait to see you, I can’t wait to hear from you (informel)
Respecter le niveau de langue et le ton employé dans le texte
Utiliser le contexte : période, personnages, lieux, événements
Se demander : Quelle est la relation entre la personne qui écrit et le destinataire ?
Dans les courriels, respecter le niveau de langue en fonction du destinataire