WORKSHOP #1 - An overview of the structures of the English Language

Our first PRODOCÊNCIA workshop was given by Mrs. Beatriz Ribeiro Ferreira Pucci, who is a teacher at UNIUBE. During one afternoon (Friday, 04/04) she discussed strategies, methods and possibilities for structure teaching with PRODOCÊNCIA particpants, who, on the other hand, shared classroom experiences and student's points of view. The exercises and activities Beatriz showed us proved that it is possible to teach grammar with fun and joy, and that the exercises must be in tune with your student's life. At the end of her presentation, Beatriz asked us to post here two exercises which could be used to teach structures of the English Language, according to the techniques and experiences exchanged in class. So, here they are!

Before you take on the exercise, read the following text, adapted from http://www.cnn.com/entertainment.

SIDNEY POLLACK DIES OF CANCER

[...]Last fall, Pollack played Marty Bach opposite Clooney in "Michael Clayton," a drama that examines the life of a fixer for lawyers. The film, which Pollack co-produced, received seven Oscar nominations, including best picture and a best actor nod for Clooney. However, Pollack was no stranger to the Academy Awards. He had already been awarded. In 1985 his film "Out of Africa," a romantic epic of a woman's passion set against the landscape of colonial Kenya, captured seven Oscars, including best director and best picture.
In addition to directing "Out of Africa," "Tootsie," "The Way We Were," and a host of other Oscar-nominated films, he appeared in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives," and his own "The Electric Horseman." He recently appeared in "Made of Honor," playing Patrick Dempsey's father. He co-starred with Tom Cruise in "Eyes Wide Shut"; he had previously directed the actor in "The Firm."
"I first met him while he was in the midst of editing 'Tootsie,' " Cruise said in a statement, according to the AP. "I'd seen every one of his pictures and he generously took the meeting. ... He spent over six hours, with the patience of Job, answering all my questions. ... He was a Renaissance man and a great friend. I will miss him dearly." [...]

Now that you've read the text, it's time to get to work!

Exercise 1. Read the parts in colors.

a) Observe the purple sentences. Do these sentences represent simultaneous actions? Did they happen at the sime time?
b) What happens first: Pollack co-stars with Cruise or Pollack directs Cruise. Check the sentences in red.
c) Is the edition of "Tootsie" simultaneous to the meeting of Tom Cruise and Sidney Pollack? Follow the blue sentence.
d) Does "I saw all his movies before the meeting." replace the orange sentence without changing its original meaning?
e) The expression in black is very famous and similar to the Portuguese coresponding. Can you tell it in Portuguese??
f) What is the meaning of "a host of", colored in pink.

Exercise 2. Go back to the text and find:

a) a sentence in the simple past.
b) a sentence in the present perfect.
c) a sentence in the past perfect.
d) a synonymous expression for "besides".
e) the name of a film director.
f) the name of an actor.