The sharing economy: using cleft sentences for emphasis

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for C1 learners explores The sharing economy: using cleft sentences for emphasis through a real article. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Cleft sentences with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for constructively debating a controversial topic
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (11 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study Cleft sentences — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for constructively debating a controversial topic — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
9. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
10. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• Disruptive innovation — an innovation that significantly alters the way consumers, industries, or businesses operate, often displacing established market leaders.
• To monetize an asset — to generate revenue from something you own, especially something that was not previously earning money.
• Regulatory grey area — a situation where the law is unclear or does not specifically address a particular issue, making it uncertain what is legal.
• To lower the barrier to entry — to make it easier for new individuals or companies to start providing a service or participating in a market.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) — relating to a network in which individuals share resources or services directly with one another without the need for a central intermediary.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Cleft sentences.

Cleft sentences are used to add emphasis to a particular part of a sentence by splitting a single clause into two. They are especially useful in discussions about complex topics like the sharing economy, as they allow you to highlight the most crucial aspect of your argument or clarify a specific point.

Examples from the lesson:

• It's the potential for income generation that attracts so many people to the sharing economy. — Use 'It is/was...' to emphasize the subject or object. This structure focuses on 'the potential for income generation' as the primary motivator.
• What critics often overlook is the impact on traditional industries and local regulations. — Use 'What...' to highlight the action or concept. This form brings attention to 'the impact' as the key point being missed.
• The reason why these platforms have grown so quickly is their ability to leverage underutilized assets. — This structure specifically emphasizes the cause or reason for a situation, making your explanation more direct and forceful.

Key rules:

• Cleft sentences change the focus of a sentence, not its fundamental meaning.
• The most common structures begin with 'It...', 'What...', 'The thing that...', and 'The reason why...'.
• Avoid overusing them in writing or speech; their power comes from being used selectively for emphasis.

Practical English

Constructively debating a controversial topic

When discussing complex, multi-faceted topics like the sharing economy, it's essential to do more than just state your opinion. The following phrases will help you navigate a formal debate or meeting, allowing you to acknowledge others' points, introduce nuance, and disagree respectfully.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "I take your point about [specific issue], but we also need to consider..." — Acknowledges the other person's argument before introducing a counter-argument.
• "Granted, [concession], but that shouldn't overshadow..." — Strategically agrees with a part of the opposing argument to strengthen your main point.
• "I think the issue isn't quite so black and white." — Signals that you are about to introduce a more complex or multifaceted perspective.
• "Ultimately, it all comes down to..." — Refocuses the discussion on what you believe is the most fundamental aspect of the topic.
• "If we follow that line of thinking, we could inadvertently..." — Explores the potential negative long-term consequences of a particular viewpoint.