• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Words from myth, literature and history (herculean, quixotic, boycott…)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which word or phrase matches this description? excessively harsh, especially of laws (from Draco, a lawmaker in ancient Athens) (mercurial / odyssey / draconian / Pandora's box) → draconianPrompt: Recall the story behind each word: the hero, the god, the place or the person.
2. Type the word or phrase (in English) that matches this description. excessively harsh, especially of laws (from Draco, a lawmaker in ancient Athens) → draconianPrompt: Recall the story behind each word: the hero, the god, the place or the person.
3. Which word or phrase best completes the sentence? After years of losing to her, the champion finally met her ___ in the final. (mentor / maverick / odyssey / nemesis) → nemesisPrompt: What idea does the sentence need: effort, few words, harshness, idealism, temptation, protest, weakness…?

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Borrowed phrases: status quo, bona fide, faux pas, zeitgeist…. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which phrase matches this description? the existing state of affairs (Latin)
• Step 1: English borrows many phrases from Latin, French and German; they are common in academic and journalistic writing.
• Step 2: status quo: the existing state of affairs (Latin)
• Step 3: So the answer is: status quo
• Answer: status quo
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which phrase matches this description? arranged for a particular purpose, not planned in advance (Latin) (ad hoc / status quo / quid pro quo / vice versa) → ad hocPrompt: Spanish speakers often recognise the Latin ones: status quo, de facto, vice versa.
2. Type the phrase (in English) that matches this description. complete freedom to act as one wishes (French) → carte blanchePrompt: Spanish speakers often recognise the Latin ones: status quo, de facto, vice versa.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which phrase matches this description? a favour given in return for something (Latin) (raison d'être / schadenfreude / quid pro quo / fait accompli) → quid pro quoPrompt: Spanish speakers often recognise the Latin ones: status quo, de facto, vice versa.
2. Which phrase best completes the sentence? The committee was set up on an ___ basis to deal with the flood, then disbanded. (avant-garde / ad hoc / bona fide / per se) → ad hocPrompt: What idea does the gap need: genuineness, the current situation, freedom, a mistake, an exchange…?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-12.