Gravity: So x So That

This is an amazing movie. Absolutely innovative and gripping. I truly recommend it.

Books suggest that we should not interchange "so" and "so that". "So" means "therefore", and "so that" means "in order that". Every occurrence of "so that" can be replaced with "so" without losing meanings, but not vice versa. "So that" means "with the result that", "with the aim that", "in order that". "So" is making a conclusion, it is like you know already, or that something "can happen," according to your sentence; it is like the future predicted already.

I. Discuss the questions with a friend:

1. Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut? Why (not)?

2. What moves people who want to go outer space?

3. Would you like to go on a space trip? Why (not)?

4. What makes people want to risk their lives by traveling into space?

II. Complete the sentences with so or so that. When both are possible, use so.

1. Dr. Stone was warned about the telecommunications blackout ______________ she would not be surprised by that event.

2. She wanted to return to Explorer _______________ debris would not hit her.

3. The craft was severely damaged by the debris, ________________ she lost complete control of her movements.

4. Dr. Stone finally detached her suit, ______________ she was thrown into the space void.

5. She couldn't see anything, ________________ she did not manage to  provide any information of her coordinates.

6. She calmed herself down _______________ she could find the visuals and provide the coordinates.

Answer Key:

1. so that
2. so that
3. so
4. so
5. so
6. so that

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - GRAVITY

Creation: So x So That

This movie is about Charles Darwin's life, so it was interesting enough despite the slow pace of the movie. This scene is the beginning of the movie and it is one of the best moments of the film. I used it to contrast the use of SO with SO THAT, which students often misuse.

A. Read the sentences about the segment and choose the best answer - SO or SO THAT. When both are possible, choose SO THAT.

1. The natives had never seen those shiny objects, so x so that they became fascinated.

2. Darwin gave them the objects, so x so that he asked for a few spare children in return.

3. Darwin took the children to Europe so x so that he could teach them civilized manners.

4. He needed to mix the children with the white people, so x so that Darwin took the children to London.

5. The children were taken away from their home, so / so that they got scared.

6. The children were not protected against the white men's diseases, so x so that one of the children died of smallpox.

7. The children were taught proper manners so x so that they could meet the King and the Queen.

8. Two years later, the children were taken back to their homeland so x so that Darwin could see the results of the experiment.

9. As soon as the children saw their people, they remembered their habits, so x so that they took off their clothes and joined their people.

B. Discuss the following questions.

1. What do you think of that experiment? Was it successful? Why (not)?

2. Was it a good idea to conduct such an experiment?

3. What did the scientist learn from that experiment?

4, What about the children?

5. This is a very good example of culture shock. Can you explain what culture shock is?

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - CREATION


WORKSHEET

Answer key:

1. so 2. so 3. so that 4. so 5. so 6. so 7. so that 8. so that 9. so