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Lesson 4
Plants for pleasure
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• discussed the steps in potting a plant
• read a passage on a special type of pot-planting
• written sentences to compare two types of pot-planting
• identified true and false information
A These days most people in cities do not have enough space for a garden. But there is always place for a pot plant. In fact growing plants in pots is a favourite pastime for many.
How much do you know of pot planting? Work in pairs. Tell your partner how you are going to pot a plant. You can use the following nouns and verbs to describe the procedure.
a drip tray (for water running out of the pot)
place
clay or soil
compost
put in
mix
a pot
a plant (bought from the nursery in a polythene bag)
take out
spread
insert
water
pour
B We are used to the idea of keeping small plants in a pot. But have you ever thought of planting trees in a pot? It might sound incredible but planting trees in pots has been practised as an art since ancient times. It is called 'Bonsai'.
Read this passage about Bonsai and then answer the questions that follow. Underline the correct prepositions as you read.
Bonsai
Bonsai is the art of growing trees and other plants into/in small containers in such a way that it becomes the miniature of a real tree. A Bonsai tree may be 10 years old but have a height of one foot only. The art of Bonsai originated perhaps more than 1000 years ago in China. Early Japanese aristocrats also showed a fondness for/ in Bonsai and contributed greatly to its development. Bonsai is different with/from normal pot-planting as it is considered an art form. A Bonsai tree is carefully shaped to remain small but still has the appearance of a large tree. It does not need large pots but small containers and not much of soil. A Bonsai container has holes in the bottom which are covered by/ with small nets so that the soil does not flow out with the water. The plant is then taken out of/for its original pot and one-third of its root is cut out/off. It is then tied to/with the bottom of the pot with the help of wires. Soil is then spread out/over it to cover the container, but about an inch of the root is allowed to stay above/oil the soil to enhance beauty. The soft branches of the plant are coiled by/with wires so that they are compelled to grow the way the planter wants them to grow. This allows the planter to give the tree a particular shape. A Bonsai plant is never allowed to grow too high. In fact Bonsai is classified in two ways- a) the style in which the branches are planted and shaped, and b) their sizes. Plants that are below/under 6 inches are called miniature, 6-12 inches: small, 12-24 inches: medium, and those more than 24 inches are called large. Almost all woody plants can be grown as bonsai. The art of Bonsai is now quite popular at/in many places of the world. For some people, it is not only an interesting pastime but also a moneymaker.
Which of the following sentences are true and which are false? Write T or F. If a sentence is false write the correct answer.
a Bonsai is a new form of pot-planting.
b A Bonsai plant may grow to a height of ten feet.
c Wires are used to force the plant to grow in a particular direction.
d There are holes at the bottom of a Bonsai container to allow extra water to flow out.
e A lot of soil is needed for Bonsai.
f All of the root is not put in the container.
g Beauty of shape is important for Bonsai pot planting.
h Only Japanese aristocrats are responsible for its development.
i Miniature Bonsai plants can be smaller than six inches.
j Some people not only grow Bonsai plants but also sell them.
C In how many ways is Bonsai different from normal pot planting? Discuss in pairs and then write a paragraph giving at least five differences.
Focus :
Skills.
Speaking,
intensive
reading,
writing.
Functions.
Describing process, comparing and contrasting.
Grammar/Structure.
Imperatives and passives for describing a process, prepositions, 'but/however/on the other hand' for comparison. Vocabulary.
Miniature, aristocrat, fondness, coiled, woody.
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Lesson 4
Plants for pleasure
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• discussed the steps in potting a plant
• read a passage on a special type of pot-planting
• written sentences to compare two types of pot-planting
• identified true and false information
A These days most people in cities do not have enough space for a garden. But there is always place for a pot plant. In fact growing plants in pots is a favourite pastime for many.
How much do you know of pot planting? Work in pairs. Tell your partner how you are going to pot a plant. You can use the following nouns and verbs to describe the procedure.
a drip tray (for water running out of the pot)
place
clay or soil
compost
put in
mix
a pot
a plant (bought from the nursery in a polythene bag)
take out
spread
insert
water
pour
B We are used to the idea of keeping small plants in a pot. But have you ever thought of planting trees in a pot? It might sound incredible but planting trees in pots has been practised as an art since ancient times. It is called 'Bonsai'.
Read this passage about Bonsai and then answer the questions that follow. Underline the correct prepositions as you read.
Bonsai
Bonsai is the art of growing trees and other plants into/in small containers in such a way that it becomes the miniature of a real tree. A Bonsai tree may be 10 years old but have a height of one foot only. The art of Bonsai originated perhaps more than 1000 years ago in China. Early Japanese aristocrats also showed a fondness for/ in Bonsai and contributed greatly to its development. Bonsai is different with/from normal pot-planting as it is considered an art form. A Bonsai tree is carefully shaped to remain small but still has the appearance of a large tree. It does not need large pots but small containers and not much of soil. A Bonsai container has holes in the bottom which are covered by/ with small nets so that the soil does not flow out with the water. The plant is then taken out of/for its original pot and one-third of its root is cut out/off. It is then tied to/with the bottom of the pot with the help of wires. Soil is then spread out/over it to cover the container, but about an inch of the root is allowed to stay above/oil the soil to enhance beauty. The soft branches of the plant are coiled by/with wires so that they are compelled to grow the way the planter wants them to grow. This allows the planter to give the tree a particular shape. A Bonsai plant is never allowed to grow too high. In fact Bonsai is classified in two ways- a) the style in which the branches are planted and shaped, and b) their sizes. Plants that are below/under 6 inches are called miniature, 6-12 inches: small, 12-24 inches: medium, and those more than 24 inches are called large. Almost all woody plants can be grown as bonsai. The art of Bonsai is now quite popular at/in many places of the world. For some people, it is not only an interesting pastime but also a moneymaker.
Which of the following sentences are true and which are false? Write T or F. If a sentence is false write the correct answer.
a Bonsai is a new form of pot-planting.
b A Bonsai plant may grow to a height of ten feet.
c Wires are used to force the plant to grow in a particular direction.
d There are holes at the bottom of a Bonsai container to allow extra water to flow out.
e A lot of soil is needed for Bonsai.
f All of the root is not put in the container.
g Beauty of shape is important for Bonsai pot planting.
h Only Japanese aristocrats are responsible for its development.
i Miniature Bonsai plants can be smaller than six inches.
j Some people not only grow Bonsai plants but also sell them.
C In how many ways is Bonsai different from normal pot planting? Discuss in pairs and then write a paragraph giving at least five differences.
Focus :
Skills.
Speaking,
intensive
reading,
writing.
Functions.
Describing process, comparing and contrasting.
Grammar/Structure.
Imperatives and passives for describing a process, prepositions, 'but/however/on the other hand' for comparison. Vocabulary.
Miniature, aristocrat, fondness, coiled, woody.