Do you like to bake?
What is your favourite sweet treat?
In this capsule, you will learn the difference between metric and imperial measurements. Maybe you will learn a great recipe too!
Activity 1: Vocabulary development and grammar explanation
Activity 2: Grammar: action verbs
Activity 3: Watch the capsules and answer the questions
Activity 4: Reading: Grandma Janet + comprehension questions
Activity 5: Reading: metric vs. imperial in Canada
Activity 7: Speaking activity
Grammar – Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They give more information about a person, place, thing, or idea.
In English, adjectives usually come before the noun they describe, or after a verb like be, seem, or feel.
Examples:
This is a delicious cookie. (before the noun)
The cookie is crispy. (after the verb “is”)
Adjectives can describe:
Taste: sweet, salty, chocolatey
Texture: gooey, creamy, smooth
Appearance or feeling: lovely, dreamy, divine
Choose the correct adjective.
Grammar – Action verbs
Action verbs are words that describe what someone does.
They show movement, activity, or a process.
In English, action verbs are used in the simple present to talk about habits, routines, or instructions.
Examples:
She bakes cookies every Sunday.
I mix the butter and sugar.
We follow the recipe carefully.
In the simple present third person singular (he, she, it), we add -s to the verb:
He adds the flour. | She uses a wooden spoon.
Complete each sentence using the correct words from the list.
Watch the capsule
Answer the 8 questions that follow.
Reduced Speech | Full Form |
gonna | Going to |
wanna | Want to |
don’t | Do not |
I’ve | I have |
Read this text about Grandma Janet & answer the questions that follow.
Grandma Janet’s kitchen is always busy. Every Sunday, she wakes up early, puts on her lovely apron, and starts to bake. “I’m gonna make something divine today,” she says with a smile. Her kitchen smells sweet and chocolaty before breakfast even begins.
She prepares the ingredients carefully. First, she cracks the eggs and mixes the butter until it’s creamy and smooth. Then, she adds sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. “Don’t forget the secret touch,” she whispers. Max, her grandson, helps her scoop the dough onto a baking sheet. “I wanna eat them all!” he says.
The cookies expand in the oven and come out gooey in the middle and crispy on the edges. Grandma spreads the frosting gently and uses her old wooden spoon to stir the last batch. “This recipe is dreamy,” she says. “It’s not just baking—it’s love.”
Metric vs. Imperial
Canada officially uses the metric system for most measurements, as it is the standard in science, commerce, and education. However, imperial units (such as miles, feet, and pounds) are still commonly used in everyday life, especially in informal settings and certain industries like construction and real estate.
This dual system originated from Canada’s historical ties to the United Kingdom, which used imperial units. After Confederation in 1867, Canada adopted the imperial system. However, in the 1970s, the government began transitioning to the metric system to align with global standards and facilitate international trade.
Today, most official measurements—like road distances, product labeling, and scientific data—are in metric. However, people often use imperial units in daily conversations, such as measuring height in feet and inches or speed in kilometers per hour alongside miles per hour.
This blend of systems can sometimes cause confusion, but it reflects Canada’s unique cultural and historical background.
Speaking activity
Work with a partner. Ask each other these questions and answer using adjectives and action verbs.
- What do you bake with your family?
- What do you mix first?
- What do your cookies taste like?
- What do you use to scoop the dough?
- Are your cookies crispy or gooey?
Example:
Student A: What do you bake with your family?
Student B: I bake chocolatey cookies with my grandma.
Student A: What do you mix first?
Student B: I mix the butter and sweet sugar.
ETC.