Here are some activities about Easter, for your intermediate students, click here
or some games for young learners, click here
miércoles, 31 de marzo de 2010
Easter
Here are some activities about Easter, for your intermediate students, click here
or some games for young learners, click here
Here are some tips for surfers to stay safe on social networking sites
1 LIMIT IDENTIFYING DETAILS
According to research by Sophos, the data protection experts, 41pc of Facebook users will divulge personal information – such as email address, date of birth and phone number – to a complete stranger, which increases their susceptibility to identity theft.
Details such as phone numbers, pictures of your home, your address, birthday or full name could be used to identify you or locate you offline.
Mr Sinclair said: "Never put sensitive details like your address or banking details on a site. You should also only ever accept to be 'friends' with people you know and trust."
Little bits of information can be used to build up a picture of you that could be misused. A good is only to put on your profile any information you would be happy to have on a park bench – this will help you keep your personal details safe, and private.
2 SET UP A NEW EMAIL ACCOUNT
Set up a separate email account that does not use your real name and use it to register and receive mail from the site. That way, if you want to shut down your connection, you can simply stop using that email account.
To set up an email address, there are free services that are simple and quick to use such as hotmail.com or yahoo.co.uk But try to avoid using an email address that gives away too much information, such as your full name or date of birth.
3 BE CHOOSY ABOUT ACCEPTING FRIENDS
When you join a social network online, it may be tempting to add lots of friends and acquaintances. But approve only friendship requests of people you know and trust, as sometimes fraudsters will set up fake profiles in order to glean information. This is known as social engineering and can be avoided by using the rule – when in doubt, check them out.
4 BE CAUTIOUS OF THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS
Many websites of this type offer a range of third-party applications, from games to widgets. But some of these have been shown to be completely fraudulent.
These have been created to install bad software on your computer and access your personal information. A good thing to watch out for is applications that bait you with learning a piece of information by clicking on a button as this generally will initiate a program or virus to install. For example: "Kate has written some personal information about you. Click here to find how what she said."
Remember that when you click to install an application like that, it not only puts your computer and network at risk, but also potentially sends the same invite out to everyone on your friend list.
5 AVOID USER-GENERATED SPAM
Social networks rely on users to post content such as photos, videos and links and then sharing the content with their contacts. However, there are spam-based programmes that will install bad software if you click on them but may look very innocent, for example leaving a link on your page as a comment.
If it doesn't sound like your friend who left a comment on your social networking page, it very well might not have been, so double check with your friend before you click on
the link
6 SET YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS
Social networks are designed to make it very easy for other people to find you. Make sure that your privacy settings are set correctly.
Facebook offers users control of their privacy setting within the "My privacy" section of the site. This can be reached by clicking on the "Privacy" link in the upper right-hand corner of any page on the website. From within the privacy section, you have control of all of your privacy settings and can fine-tune who will have access to your profile and activity on the Facebook website.
7 DON'T BROADCAST YOUR SCHEDULE
Social networking websites allow users to publish their whereabouts to their network of friends. Whether it is a simple status update or detailed itinerary, fraudsters can use this information to victimise you in a number of ways.
One of the biggest mistakes by users is to announce that they will be out of town for a holiday. Criminals use this information to determine when your home may be most vulnerable.
8 BE WARY OF GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORKS
Facebook is made up of thousands of networks worldwide, and users are encouraged to join them in order to meet and make friends with people in their area.
For example, Facebook allows users to join networks which are groups of individuals that share a common trait such as having attended the same school or living in a certain metropolitan area. That means that if you join the network for the city you live in, every other member of that city-based network will have access to your profile information.
Even if you have set up your privacy settings to ensure that only friends can view your information, joining a network automatically opens your profile to every other member of the network. Make sure you change your privacy settings accordingly.
9 CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT REGULARLY
By frequently monitoring your credit record, you can spot if someone has been using your identity to obtain credit and then rectify your credit history as soon as possible.
According to research by Sophos, the data protection experts, 41pc of Facebook users will divulge personal information – such as email address, date of birth and phone number – to a complete stranger, which increases their susceptibility to identity theft.
Details such as phone numbers, pictures of your home, your address, birthday or full name could be used to identify you or locate you offline.
Mr Sinclair said: "Never put sensitive details like your address or banking details on a site. You should also only ever accept to be 'friends' with people you know and trust."
Little bits of information can be used to build up a picture of you that could be misused. A good is only to put on your profile any information you would be happy to have on a park bench – this will help you keep your personal details safe, and private.
2 SET UP A NEW EMAIL ACCOUNT
Set up a separate email account that does not use your real name and use it to register and receive mail from the site. That way, if you want to shut down your connection, you can simply stop using that email account.
To set up an email address, there are free services that are simple and quick to use such as hotmail.com or yahoo.co.uk But try to avoid using an email address that gives away too much information, such as your full name or date of birth.
3 BE CHOOSY ABOUT ACCEPTING FRIENDS
When you join a social network online, it may be tempting to add lots of friends and acquaintances. But approve only friendship requests of people you know and trust, as sometimes fraudsters will set up fake profiles in order to glean information. This is known as social engineering and can be avoided by using the rule – when in doubt, check them out.
4 BE CAUTIOUS OF THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS
Many websites of this type offer a range of third-party applications, from games to widgets. But some of these have been shown to be completely fraudulent.
These have been created to install bad software on your computer and access your personal information. A good thing to watch out for is applications that bait you with learning a piece of information by clicking on a button as this generally will initiate a program or virus to install. For example: "Kate has written some personal information about you. Click here to find how what she said."
Remember that when you click to install an application like that, it not only puts your computer and network at risk, but also potentially sends the same invite out to everyone on your friend list.
5 AVOID USER-GENERATED SPAM
Social networks rely on users to post content such as photos, videos and links and then sharing the content with their contacts. However, there are spam-based programmes that will install bad software if you click on them but may look very innocent, for example leaving a link on your page as a comment.
If it doesn't sound like your friend who left a comment on your social networking page, it very well might not have been, so double check with your friend before you click on
the link
6 SET YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS
Social networks are designed to make it very easy for other people to find you. Make sure that your privacy settings are set correctly.
Facebook offers users control of their privacy setting within the "My privacy" section of the site. This can be reached by clicking on the "Privacy" link in the upper right-hand corner of any page on the website. From within the privacy section, you have control of all of your privacy settings and can fine-tune who will have access to your profile and activity on the Facebook website.
7 DON'T BROADCAST YOUR SCHEDULE
Social networking websites allow users to publish their whereabouts to their network of friends. Whether it is a simple status update or detailed itinerary, fraudsters can use this information to victimise you in a number of ways.
One of the biggest mistakes by users is to announce that they will be out of town for a holiday. Criminals use this information to determine when your home may be most vulnerable.
8 BE WARY OF GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORKS
Facebook is made up of thousands of networks worldwide, and users are encouraged to join them in order to meet and make friends with people in their area.
For example, Facebook allows users to join networks which are groups of individuals that share a common trait such as having attended the same school or living in a certain metropolitan area. That means that if you join the network for the city you live in, every other member of that city-based network will have access to your profile information.
Even if you have set up your privacy settings to ensure that only friends can view your information, joining a network automatically opens your profile to every other member of the network. Make sure you change your privacy settings accordingly.
9 CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT REGULARLY
By frequently monitoring your credit record, you can spot if someone has been using your identity to obtain credit and then rectify your credit history as soon as possible.
Now for a bit of light entertainment
Do you have a Facebook page?
Be careful about what you put on it!!!!!!!
Facebook profile 'could damage job prospects'
Jobseekers have been warned that their Facebook profile could damage their employment prospects, after a study found that seven in 10 employers now research candidates online.
According to new figures released by Microsoft, the computer firm, Facebook and Twitter checks are now as important in the job selection process as a CV or interview. The survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, found that 70 per cent admitted to rejecting a candidate because of their online behaviour.
But HR bosses also said that a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. Peter Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something to be proactively managed.” "These days, it's essential that web-users cultivate the kind of online reputation that they would want an employer to see." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about worklife.
Farhan Yasin, of online recruitment network Careerbuilder.co.uk, said: "Social networking is a great way to make connections with job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the internet. "People really need to make sure they are using this resource to their advantage, by conveying a professional image."
But Mr Yasin cautioned job seekers to be aware of their online image even after landing the perfect job, after their own research found that 28 per cent of employers had fired staff for content found on their social networking profile. He added: "A huge number of employers have taken action against staff for writing negative comments about the company or another employee on their social networking page."
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) In the study, people who were looking for jobs at 100 important American and European companies were asked questions.
b) People are always careful when they add photos or texts to their personal pages.
c) If you manage the content of your Facebook page, it can help you get a job.
d) Some people have lost their job because of things that they wrote on their personal pages.
Question 2 Find and underline all the words in the text starting with the letter ‘r’.
Question 3 Now, match each of the words staring with ‘r’ to the correct definition.
a) to make public
b) not to choose or select
c) a thing which is available
d) definitely
e) to investigate
f) the opinion that others have of you
Question 4 Use each of the words beginning with ‘r’ to complete these sentences:
a) No details of the President’s visit have been ...................... yet. It is still a secret.
b) Doctors are still ................................ the symptoms of the illness.
c) The situation is ........................ serious. We must take action.
d) For your homework, you can use any ........................... you have available: the internet, encyclopedias, textbooks. Just make sure that you include references.
e) His .......................................... as a specialist in this subject is widely accepted. He has written numerous articles and spoken at international conferences.
f) I’m not going to make any more suggestions. They have ........................ all my previous proposals.
Question 5 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) 70% of human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, admitted to rejecting candidates because of their online behaviour.
Candidates ………………………………………………………………… in the UK, US, Germany and France because of their online behaviour.
b) Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something that you can manage proactively.”
Cullen of Microsoft claimed that …………………………………………………………
c) But Mr Yasin cautioned job seekers to be aware of their online image even after landing the perfect job.
Although job seekers …………………………………………, they still need to be aware of their online image.
Key
1
a) False The survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, ...
b) False ." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about worklife.
c) True ... a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. "Social networking is a great way to make connections with job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the internet.”
d) True 28 per cent of employers had fired staff for content found on their social networking profile.
2
research, release, resource, reject, reputation, really
3
a) release b) reject c) resource d) really e) research f) reputation
4
a) released b) researching c) really d) resource(s) e) reputation f) rejected
5
a) Candidates h ave been rejected by 70% of the top companies in the UK, US, Germany and France because of their online behaviour.
b) Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something that you can manage proactively.”
Cullen of Microsoft claimed that our online reputation was not something to be scared of and that it was something that we could manage proactively.
c) Although job seekers have landed the perfect job, they still need to be aware of their online image.
Do you have a Facebook page?
Be careful about what you put on it!!!!!!!
Facebook profile 'could damage job prospects'
Jobseekers have been warned that their Facebook profile could damage their employment prospects, after a study found that seven in 10 employers now research candidates online.
According to new figures released by Microsoft, the computer firm, Facebook and Twitter checks are now as important in the job selection process as a CV or interview. The survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, found that 70 per cent admitted to rejecting a candidate because of their online behaviour.
But HR bosses also said that a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. Peter Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something to be proactively managed.” "These days, it's essential that web-users cultivate the kind of online reputation that they would want an employer to see." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about worklife.
Farhan Yasin, of online recruitment network Careerbuilder.co.uk, said: "Social networking is a great way to make connections with job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the internet. "People really need to make sure they are using this resource to their advantage, by conveying a professional image."
But Mr Yasin cautioned job seekers to be aware of their online image even after landing the perfect job, after their own research found that 28 per cent of employers had fired staff for content found on their social networking profile. He added: "A huge number of employers have taken action against staff for writing negative comments about the company or another employee on their social networking page."
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) In the study, people who were looking for jobs at 100 important American and European companies were asked questions.
b) People are always careful when they add photos or texts to their personal pages.
c) If you manage the content of your Facebook page, it can help you get a job.
d) Some people have lost their job because of things that they wrote on their personal pages.
Question 2 Find and underline all the words in the text starting with the letter ‘r’.
Question 3 Now, match each of the words staring with ‘r’ to the correct definition.
a) to make public
b) not to choose or select
c) a thing which is available
d) definitely
e) to investigate
f) the opinion that others have of you
Question 4 Use each of the words beginning with ‘r’ to complete these sentences:
a) No details of the President’s visit have been ...................... yet. It is still a secret.
b) Doctors are still ................................ the symptoms of the illness.
c) The situation is ........................ serious. We must take action.
d) For your homework, you can use any ........................... you have available: the internet, encyclopedias, textbooks. Just make sure that you include references.
e) His .......................................... as a specialist in this subject is widely accepted. He has written numerous articles and spoken at international conferences.
f) I’m not going to make any more suggestions. They have ........................ all my previous proposals.
Question 5 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) 70% of human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, admitted to rejecting candidates because of their online behaviour.
Candidates ………………………………………………………………… in the UK, US, Germany and France because of their online behaviour.
b) Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something that you can manage proactively.”
Cullen of Microsoft claimed that …………………………………………………………
c) But Mr Yasin cautioned job seekers to be aware of their online image even after landing the perfect job.
Although job seekers …………………………………………, they still need to be aware of their online image.
Key
1
a) False The survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, ...
b) False ." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about worklife.
c) True ... a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. "Social networking is a great way to make connections with job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the internet.”
d) True 28 per cent of employers had fired staff for content found on their social networking profile.
2
research, release, resource, reject, reputation, really
3
a) release b) reject c) resource d) really e) research f) reputation
4
a) released b) researching c) really d) resource(s) e) reputation f) rejected
5
a) Candidates h ave been rejected by 70% of the top companies in the UK, US, Germany and France because of their online behaviour.
b) Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something that you can manage proactively.”
Cullen of Microsoft claimed that our online reputation was not something to be scared of and that it was something that we could manage proactively.
c) Although job seekers have landed the perfect job, they still need to be aware of their online image.
martes, 30 de marzo de 2010
A Facial Expression Is Worth a Thousand Words
A Facial Expression Is Worth a Thousand Words
People exchange information, not only with words, but also using their face and body. A facial expression can state a lot. A nod indicates understanding, a frown may say: "Please explain that again!"
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics discovered that we are able to classify an expression much better when it moves naturally rather than when it is "frozen" in a photograph. We need to see the expression moving for at least 100 milliseconds. If the video sequence is shorter, our brain is less capable of interpreting the facial motion. Some expressions rely on changes in head orientation, for example, a nod or a shake of the head, others depend on the complex deformation of facial parts, such as wrinkling our nose to signalize disgust or a frown.
The scientists showed participants pictures of humans with various different expressions. Among them were simple, emotional expressions, such as "happy" and "sad," but also more complex ones such as agreement, confusion, or surprise. In order to investigate whether these expressions are recognized more easily in motion or in static pictures, a short video sequence was shown to the participants. The frame used in the static conditions was the last frame of each dynamic sequence. The participants were asked to identify the expressions based on the sequence or single frame.
In further experiments, the video sequences were converted to a series of photographs. In order to figure the degree to which facial expression recognition relies on natural movement, the frames were presented as a movie, but in a random order. Comparisons of the performance in this scrambled condition to the original video sequence shows that the recognition rates were still higher in the original than in the scrambled version.
Dr. Christian Wallraven, co-author of the study, stated: "Our results also have implications for the area of computer animation, since its goal is to create facial animations that are able to communicate realistically and believably", says the physicist and perception scientist.
Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) People need to see facial expressions in action for 100 milliseconds or more to be sure of what they mean.
b) Participants in the study were shown a variety of positive and negative expressions.
c) The people who saw photos saw the first picture from the video sequence.
d) Changing the order of the different stages of the expression does not affect people’s ability to understand them.
People exchange information, not only with words, but also using their face and body. A facial expression can state a lot. A nod indicates understanding, a frown may say: "Please explain that again!"
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics discovered that we are able to classify an expression much better when it moves naturally rather than when it is "frozen" in a photograph. We need to see the expression moving for at least 100 milliseconds. If the video sequence is shorter, our brain is less capable of interpreting the facial motion. Some expressions rely on changes in head orientation, for example, a nod or a shake of the head, others depend on the complex deformation of facial parts, such as wrinkling our nose to signalize disgust or a frown.
The scientists showed participants pictures of humans with various different expressions. Among them were simple, emotional expressions, such as "happy" and "sad," but also more complex ones such as agreement, confusion, or surprise. In order to investigate whether these expressions are recognized more easily in motion or in static pictures, a short video sequence was shown to the participants. The frame used in the static conditions was the last frame of each dynamic sequence. The participants were asked to identify the expressions based on the sequence or single frame.
In further experiments, the video sequences were converted to a series of photographs. In order to figure the degree to which facial expression recognition relies on natural movement, the frames were presented as a movie, but in a random order. Comparisons of the performance in this scrambled condition to the original video sequence shows that the recognition rates were still higher in the original than in the scrambled version.
Dr. Christian Wallraven, co-author of the study, stated: "Our results also have implications for the area of computer animation, since its goal is to create facial animations that are able to communicate realistically and believably", says the physicist and perception scientist.
Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) People need to see facial expressions in action for 100 milliseconds or more to be sure of what they mean.
b) Participants in the study were shown a variety of positive and negative expressions.
c) The people who saw photos saw the first picture from the video sequence.
d) Changing the order of the different stages of the expression does not affect people’s ability to understand them.
Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What different emotions were participants asked to recognise?
b) How will the results of the research help the computer animation industry?
Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) indicate (paragraph 2)
b) extent (paragraph 4 )
c) objective (paragraph 5 )
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) indicate (paragraph 2)
b) extent (paragraph 4 )
c) objective (paragraph 5 )
Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) We are able to classify an expression much better when it moves naturally than when we only see a photograph.
If we only see a photograph,
b) The scientists showed participants pictures of humans with various different expressions.
Participants
c) Dr Wallraven stated “Our results also have implications for the area of computer animation, since its goal is to create facial animations that are able to communicate realistically.”
Dr Wallraven stated that
Question 5 (5 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Not everyone shows their feelings in the same way. Do you agree?
Self-Access Group. CEP Santander
Abbey Road studios become listed building
Abbey Road studios become listed building
Abbey Road studios have been granted Grade II listed status following a public outcry over plans to sell the world's most famous recording venue. The 1830s villa situated in north-west London was purchased by the Gramophone Company - later EMI - in 1930 and turned into studios.
The Government fast-tracked the application in response to reports that EMI was seeking a potential buyer in order to reduce the company's £2.6bn debt. Listed status was granted "overwhelmingly on the historic merit of the studios", the Government said, and should secure the future of the building as a music venue.
While changes to the interior are not prohibited, the grade II listing means that "care must be taken to ensure that any alterations with respect to its character and interest are fully considered". Any efforts to turn the building into residential apartments would be rejected, although plans to open a museum there would be considered.
Margaret Hodge, the Culture Minister, said: "Music - of whichever genre - is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It is a testament to both the importance of music in people's lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up.
The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Sir Edward Elgar are among the artists who have recorded there.
At the weekend, EMI backed away from the sell-off plans and said it was in discussions with potential investors about a "revitalisation" of the studios. A "Save Abbey Road" campaign has won the public support of Sir Paul McCartney, while Lord Lloyd-Webber expressed an interest in buying the venue.
English Heritage recommended the building for listed status in 2003, and welcomed the Government's announcement. Simon Thurley, its chief executive, said: "Some of the most defining sounds of the 20th century were created within the walls of the Abbey Road studios”.
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) There’s been a national protest against selling the studios.
b) The final part of the process to list the building has been really slow.
c) One of the projects is to create an exhibition on the premises.
d) EMI has reconsidered their idea to sell the building
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why did the Government stop the selling of the studios?
b) What effects does Grade II have on the building?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Setting (par.2)
b) Provoke (par.4)
c) Likely, possible (par.6)
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) English Heritage recommended the building for listed status in 2003, that’s why they welcomed the announcement.
If the building…
b) Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It is a testament to the importance of music in people's lives.
Abbey Road Studios…
c) The villa had been purchased by the Gramophone Company in 1930 and it was turned into studios.
The Gramophone Company…
Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Have you ever visited any historic buildings? Write about your experience.
Self-Access Group. CEP Santander
The Government fast-tracked the application in response to reports that EMI was seeking a potential buyer in order to reduce the company's £2.6bn debt. Listed status was granted "overwhelmingly on the historic merit of the studios", the Government said, and should secure the future of the building as a music venue.
While changes to the interior are not prohibited, the grade II listing means that "care must be taken to ensure that any alterations with respect to its character and interest are fully considered". Any efforts to turn the building into residential apartments would be rejected, although plans to open a museum there would be considered.
Margaret Hodge, the Culture Minister, said: "Music - of whichever genre - is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It is a testament to both the importance of music in people's lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up.
The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Sir Edward Elgar are among the artists who have recorded there.
At the weekend, EMI backed away from the sell-off plans and said it was in discussions with potential investors about a "revitalisation" of the studios. A "Save Abbey Road" campaign has won the public support of Sir Paul McCartney, while Lord Lloyd-Webber expressed an interest in buying the venue.
English Heritage recommended the building for listed status in 2003, and welcomed the Government's announcement. Simon Thurley, its chief executive, said: "Some of the most defining sounds of the 20th century were created within the walls of the Abbey Road studios”.
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) There’s been a national protest against selling the studios.
b) The final part of the process to list the building has been really slow.
c) One of the projects is to create an exhibition on the premises.
d) EMI has reconsidered their idea to sell the building
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why did the Government stop the selling of the studios?
b) What effects does Grade II have on the building?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Setting (par.2)
b) Provoke (par.4)
c) Likely, possible (par.6)
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) English Heritage recommended the building for listed status in 2003, that’s why they welcomed the announcement.
If the building…
b) Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It is a testament to the importance of music in people's lives.
Abbey Road Studios…
c) The villa had been purchased by the Gramophone Company in 1930 and it was turned into studios.
The Gramophone Company…
Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Have you ever visited any historic buildings? Write about your experience.
Self-Access Group. CEP Santander
viernes, 26 de marzo de 2010
martes, 23 de marzo de 2010
Google Streetview to cover every UK road
Google Streetview to cover every UK road
Pictures of nearly every street in the country are to be made available via Google. From Thursday, Streetview will feature 360-degree images of more than 99 per cent of the United Kingdom’s roads, both rural and urban, covering a total of approximately 238,000 miles.
The company launched Streetview in 25 UK cities in March last year and since then has been working on surveying the rest of the country using specially designed cars fitted with cameras. Hard to access areas have been captured using tricycles. Spain, France, Italy and the USA are already covered.
Google uses automatic technology to blur faces and car number plates, and allows users to request that their property be removed from the service. Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has asked for his house to be taken off the site, for instance.
A survey commissioned by Google indicated that Streetview’s launch has coincided with a 30 per cent increase in people using the website’s mapping technology, available at maps.google.co.uk. Six out of ten of those users had consulted Streetview to find out what a place they were going looked like, while one-third had used it to look at locations abroad and 21 per cent had used it to help while house hunting.
Sandie Dawe, the chief executive of the official website to promote UK tourism, VisitBritain.com, welcomed the launch of the nationwide service. She said that Streetview was one of the “first places people turn to when planning a visit to one of Britain's many world-class attractions.”
Future applications for Streetview technology could include shopping; cameras have already been spotted photographing American supermarkets.
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) Different forms of transport were used to photograph Britain for Streetview.
b) Britain is the first country that Streetview has included on its website.
c) Paul McCartney does not want people to be able to see where he lives on Streetview.
d) Streetview is bad for tourism.
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) How does google streetview protect individual privacy?
b) What do people use streetview for?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) include par.1
b) equipped par.2
c) discover/learn par. 4
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Streetview allows users to request that their property be removed from the service.
If you do not want your house to be on Streetview, .......
b) There has been a 30 per cent increase in people using the website’s mapping technology
The number of people using the website’s technology………………………………….
c) Six out of ten users had consulted Streetview to find out what a place they were going looked like.
Streetview ......................................
Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Nowadays, there are so many ways of finding out about places we would like to travel to. Which do you use?
Self-Access Group CEP Santander
Londoners lose 10,000 mobile phones a month in taxis
Londoners lose 10,000 mobile phones a month in taxis
Londoners lose an average of 10,000 mobile phones in the back of taxis every month, with Christmas the worst time. Mobile phones and laptops are regularly left in the back of cabs.
A further 1,000 other portable technologies like laptops or iPods are also left in black cabs each month, according to a survey of cab drivers in the capital.
Steve McMenara, a spokesman for TAXI, the magazine of the Licensed Taxi Driver Association, said: "It’s a known fact that this is the worst time of year for forgetting 'property' in the back of cabs, but especially mobile phones and laptops as they slip onto the floor or get forgotten on the seats as passengers rush onto their next destination with their hands full.
"More people travel into London to buy their Christmas presents during this period who are not regular cab users, they hop a cab to get back to their train stations – and it’s always about an hour later we get a panicked call on their mobile phones asking for them to be returned."
The survey was carried out on behalf of a security firm, Credant Technologies. Sean Glynn, vice-president, told The Register: "We carry out our taxi survey regularly and it’s clear that none of us are infallible, especially at this busy time of year, when it’s all too easy to forget things when you’re travelling.”
"It used to be small items like brollies and briefcases stuffed of boring office papers. Now it’s laptops, smartphones and thumb drives, all chock-full of valuable information to an identity thief."
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) The fact that people carry many things makes losing things a lot easier.
b) People do not try to recover the lost items.
c) This is the first time the survey has been made.
d) People have always forgotten items in cabs.
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why is Christmas the time when people forget more things in taxis?
b) Why are phones and laptops easier to lose?
a) Why is Christmas the time when people forget more things in taxis?
b) Why are phones and laptops easier to lose?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Hurry up. par 3. b) catch. par 4. c) full. par 6.
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Other portable technologies like laptops or iPods are also left in black cabs each month.
People……………………………………………………………………..
b) Steve McMenara said: "It’s a known fact that this is the worst time of year for forgetting 'property' in the back of cabs.
Steve McMenara said that ……………………………………………………………………..
c) London visitors don’t use cabs regularly, that’s why they forget their gadgets.
If London visitors..............................................
Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
"Once you have lost something, you will never get it back". Do you agree?
Self-Access Group. CEP Santander
KEY
Question 1
1. TRUE ………… as passengers rush onto their next destination with their hands full.
2. FALSE……… and it’s always about an hour later we get a panicked call on their mobile phones asking for them to be returned."
3. FALSE ….."We carry out our taxi survey regularly
4. TRUE…."It used to be small items like brollies and briefcases stuffed full of boring office papers.
Question 2
1. More people travel into London to buy their Christmas presents during this period who are not regular cab users, passengers rush onto their next destination with their hands full.
Over the Christmas period, people who do not usually travel by taxi come into London to do their Christmas shopping and then continue their trip with lots of bags.
2. These objects fall onto the floor or remain on the car seat when their owners leave the taxi..
Question 3
a) rush
b) hop
c) stuffed
Question 4
1. People leave other portable technologies like laptops or iPods in black cabs each month.
2. Steve McMenara said that it was a known fact that that was the worst time of year for forgetting 'property' in the back of cabs.
3. If London visitors used cabs regularly they wouldn’t forget their gadgets.
martes, 16 de marzo de 2010
R U online?
In the past month, which of the following have you done online?
1 Used a search engine to find information.
2 Used online banking.
3 Looked up the news.
4 Paid bills.
5 Looked up the weather.
6 Researched a product before buying it.
7 Watched a video clip.
8 Listened to an audio clip.
9 Visited a social networking site.
10 Downloaded music.
11 Looked up sports scores.
12 Shared photos.
13 Viewed or contributed to a blog.
14 Sold something online.
These questions were used in a recent international survey.
Now read the results of the survey in a PAU test.
Time spent online
A recent survey has highlighted the amount of time people spend on line throughout the world. More than 27,000 internet users, aged between 18 and 55, in 16 countries were surveyed by global market information group TNS. The information was also broken down into different sections of society to gain an accurate view of worldwide internet usage.
The findings show that the Chinese spend the largest amount of their leisure time online but also threw up an interesting statistic: While one might expect students (39%) or the unemployed (32%) to spend above average time on the web, the group that spends the highest proportion of their leisure time on the internet is housewives. In this, Britain beats every other country surveyed, with housewives recording almost half (47%) of their free time on the net. The younger the user it seems the more time was spent online. On average under 25s spend 36% of their leisure time online, this rises to an incredible 50% amongst the Chinese.
Another interesting finding was that, on average, internet users had 17 online friends although the Chinese, the biggest web users, were less likely to actually meet any of these friends in person while 76% of Germans topped that poll saying they had arranged to meet people they had first encountered on the net.
What the study also reveals is that a lot of activities which we traditionally did in our spare time are now being done online. Over three quarters of us (76%) have used the internet for banking in the past month and two thirds of us (66%) of us have also paid bills online. General search engine browsing (80%) is the most popular activity. Three quarters of us have used one of the many news sites (75%) in the last month whilst 62% of us have now checked the weather online, all suggesting that the internet has become our ‘one stop shop’ for multi-tasking in minimum time. Interestingly, arguably more pleasurable activities such as using a chatroom (13%) or downloading a film (12%) are far less popular.
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) The results of the survey confirmed our suspicions that people who are at school or university use the internet the most.
b) People in China are in contact with people via the internet that they will probably never meet.
c) People are changing their way of banking.
d) There are fewer people who chat on the web than people who access the news on the internet.
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) How did TNS analyse its research?
b) How does the text say we can save time by using the internet?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Result par.2
b) Reveal par. 2
c) Change in opinion par. 5
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) More than 27,000 internet users, aged between 18 and 55, in 16 countries were surveyed by global market information group TNS.
TNS, which ………………………………………………………………, surveyed more than 27,000 internet users from 16 countries who ……………………………………
b) The younger the user the more time was spent online.
Older people ………………………………………………………………………………. .
c) “A lot of activities which we traditionally did in our spare time are now being done online”, said TNS.
The survey showed that a lot of ……….
Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
“The internet is not always a good thing. It is also dangerous.” Do you agree?
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