raft

Everyday

1. A raft is a flat floating platform, often made of logs, planks or barrels tied together, used to travel on water. tree →
2. A raft is also an inflatable rubber boat. tree →
3. A raft of things means a large number of them. tree →
4. To raft means to travel on a raft, especially down a river (rafting). tree →

In the lessons

In stories and adventure books, characters build a raft to escape an island or float down a river. In science (materials and floating): children build rafts from lolly sticks and test how many coins they hold before sinking. In outdoor activities: white-water rafting needs life jackets and a guide. Phrases: build a raft, life raft, rubber raft, a raft of ideas.

Examples

• They built a raft from logs and rope. tree →
• Our lolly-stick raft held twenty coins before it sank. tree →
• The sailors climbed into the life raft. tree →
• We went rafting down the river with a guide. tree →
• Always wear a life jacket on a raft. tree →
• The council announced a raft of new ideas. tree →
• A raft of ducks floated on the pond. tree →
• Dorothy sat down in the middle of the raft and held Toto in her arms. tree →

Note

Countable: a raft, rafts. «Rafting» = the sport. In floating experiments, a wider raft spreads the weight and holds more. Not the same as «rafter» (a roof beam).