martes, 20 de diciembre de 2011
Christmas Traditions Explained
What does the word 'Christmas' mean?The word Christmas is taken from 'Christ's Mass' or, in the original Latin, Cristes maesse. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day.
Is Christmas only a religious holiday?
Certainly, for practicing Christians around the world, Christmas is one the most important holiday of the year. However, in modern times traditional Christmas festivities have become much less related to the Christ story. Examples of these other traditions include: Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and others.
Why is Christmas so important?
There are two reasons:
There are approximately 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making it the largest religion worldwide.
And, some think more importantly, Christmas is the most important shopping event of the year. It is claimed that up to 70 percent of many merchants' annual revenue is made during the Christmas season.It is interesting to note that this emphasis on spending is relatively modern. Christmas was a relatively quiet holiday in the USA until the 1860s.
Why do people give gifts on Christmas day?
This tradition most probably is based on the story of the three wise men (the Magi) giving gifts of gold, incense and myrrh following the birth of Jesus.
However, it is important to note that gift giving has only become popular in the last 100 years as figures such as Santa Claus have come to be more important, and emphasis has been shifted to giving gifts to children.
Why is there a Christmas Tree?
This tradition was begun in Germany. German immigrants moving to England and the USA brought this popular tradition with them and it has since become a much loved tradition for all.
A. What does the word 'Christmas' mean?
1. Christ's Mass
2. Many Christians
3. Birth of Jesus
B. Is Christmas only a religious holiday?
1. Yes, it is strictly a religious holiday.
2. No, it is based on religious traditions, but there are also other traditions.
3. No, it is strictly a non-religious fun holiday.
C. Which is NOT a reason for Christmas' popularity?
1. It is celebrated by one of the largest religions worldwide.
2. It is an important holiday for business.
3. It is a traditional exam period at universities.
D: Why do people give gifts on Christmas day?
1. Christ suggested it.
2. The tradition was probably based on the story of the three wise men.
3. Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer started the tradition.
E. Why is there a Christmas Tree?
1. It is a tradition introduced by the American Indians.
2. The pilgrims brought the tradition with them from England.
3. It is a tradition begun in Germany.
Key
A 1, B 2, C 3, D 2, E3
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve, also called Old Year's Night, is celebrated on December 31st, the final day of the year. It is celebrated all over the world with parties and social gathering with usually a lot of fireworks and noise.In the United States of America, New York is the place where this celebration is associated with. People gather in the Times Square just before midnight in the last minute of the countdown to see the "ball dropping".
The celebration is also associated with parties in other parts of the world. In France, for instance, the celebration is called le Réveillon. Special food is prepared accompanied with champagne. People also go to the Eiffel Tower in Paris to see fireworks display. In Japan, people traditionally clean their home. Buddhist temple bells are rung 108 times at midnight. In Brazil, the beach of Copacabana is considered by many to be the place of the most beautiful fireworks show in the world.
On New Year's Eve, people commit themselves with resolutions. These are made to reform a habit and should go into effect and remain until fulfilment.
Questions
1. What "drops" at midnight in Times Square?
a. a ball
b. a clock
2. Where in The USA is the biggest New Year's Eve party?
a. New York b. Los Angeles c. Washington Square
3. Where do temple bells ring 108 times?
a. Japan
b. Brazil
c. France
4. Countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve
a. In the same way
b. in different ways
KEY
1.a
2.a
3.a
4.b
a. a ball
b. a clock
2. Where in The USA is the biggest New Year's Eve party?
a. New York b. Los Angeles c. Washington Square
3. Where do temple bells ring 108 times?
a. Japan
b. Brazil
c. France
4. Countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve
a. In the same way
b. in different ways
KEY
1.a
2.a
3.a
4.b
2011 Boxing Day Activities and Celebration
Boxing Day is celebrated as a public holiday or a bank holiday in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, United Kingdom and many countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. In South Africa this holiday is popular as the Day of Goodwill.Boxing Day Public Holiday
Boxing Day is usually celebrated on 26th December as St. Stephen's Day, the day following Christmas Day. Boxing Day is a worldwide holiday but it is not always celebrated on 26 December: If 26th December is a Saturday, the public holiday is commonly moved to next Monday. And if 25th December falls on Saturday, both the following Monday and Tuesday might be public holidays. Moreover, the actual date of Boxing Day celebrations differs between countries.
In Ireland, the 1871 UK Bank Holidays Act set up the banquet day of St Stephen as a non-moveable public holiday on 26th December. Since Partition, the name "Boxing Day" is employed only in Northern Ireland (which remained part of United Kingdom). Boxing Day is a movable public holiday like in the rest of the United Kingdom.
The Banking and the Financial Dealings Act of 1971 launched "Boxing Day" as a public holiday in Scotland. And In the Australian state of South Australia, 26th December is a public holiday celebrated as a Proclamation Day.
Boxing Day is commemorated in Canada, Britain and some other countries. There is not much participation in the United States because it is not an American Holiday.
Boxing Day Customs
• Bear in mind the people who have granted a service to you throughout the year. The person who delivers your newspaper, the post, and staff of your business or household ought to be remembered and rewarded with a gift basket, tip or bonus.
• Bear in mind those in need. Custom has it that on the Boxing Day in Victorian England, the poor went from house to house and were given boxes that were full of clothing, gifts and food. Give canned clothing, goods or your time to associations that assist the needy.
• Sporting events. In England football games, regattas, horse racing and Brighton Swimming Club's yearly dip into the icy English Channel are just some of those events that occur on Boxing Day.
• Shopping is a main part of Boxing Day activity. Malls are full with people capitalising on the benefits of after Christmas deals.
• Commemorate with friends. Make food and drink available. Make it low-key, as Boxing Day ought to be less frantic and more comforting than Christmas day.
Boxing Day Activities
Apart from recovering from an overload of turkey, pudding and additional substances, Australians have a few typical activities connected with Boxing Day.
The Boxing Day Test Match is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and is between the Australian cricket team and the team that is touring Australia that summer. For several years, the test was held in Adelaide. Numerous Aussies watch or attend the match live.
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts and this race is famous for the hazardous conditions frequently encountered. Deaths have occurred over the years.
In a few capital cities, the yearly post-Christmas sales start, with masses of shoppers speeding through the doors at opening time.
True/False
1. Boxing Day is always celebrated on the 26th December.
2. They celebrate Boxing Day in America.
3. People usually go shopping on Boxing Day.
4. Boxing Day meals with friends are not as formal as Christmas celebrations.
5. The Boxing Day Test Match is always played by Australian teams.
Complete the sentences and answer the questions
1. In Australia it is called ……………………. Day
2. Name three sporting events celebrated in England on Boxing Day.
3. Name three countries where Boxing Day is celebrated.
4. Name two Australian cities where the Boxing Day Test Match has been played.
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given
1. happen
2. introduce, start
3. pay supplement
4. plunge
5. distribute
If you want to do some more activities on Boxing Day, click here
• Bear in mind those in need. Custom has it that on the Boxing Day in Victorian England, the poor went from house to house and were given boxes that were full of clothing, gifts and food. Give canned clothing, goods or your time to associations that assist the needy.
• Sporting events. In England football games, regattas, horse racing and Brighton Swimming Club's yearly dip into the icy English Channel are just some of those events that occur on Boxing Day.
• Shopping is a main part of Boxing Day activity. Malls are full with people capitalising on the benefits of after Christmas deals.
• Commemorate with friends. Make food and drink available. Make it low-key, as Boxing Day ought to be less frantic and more comforting than Christmas day.
Boxing Day Activities
Apart from recovering from an overload of turkey, pudding and additional substances, Australians have a few typical activities connected with Boxing Day.
The Boxing Day Test Match is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and is between the Australian cricket team and the team that is touring Australia that summer. For several years, the test was held in Adelaide. Numerous Aussies watch or attend the match live.
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts and this race is famous for the hazardous conditions frequently encountered. Deaths have occurred over the years.
In a few capital cities, the yearly post-Christmas sales start, with masses of shoppers speeding through the doors at opening time.
True/False
1. Boxing Day is always celebrated on the 26th December.
2. They celebrate Boxing Day in America.
3. People usually go shopping on Boxing Day.
4. Boxing Day meals with friends are not as formal as Christmas celebrations.
5. The Boxing Day Test Match is always played by Australian teams.
Complete the sentences and answer the questions
1. In Australia it is called ……………………. Day
2. Name three sporting events celebrated in England on Boxing Day.
3. Name three countries where Boxing Day is celebrated.
4. Name two Australian cities where the Boxing Day Test Match has been played.
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given
1. happen
2. introduce, start
3. pay supplement
4. plunge
5. distribute
If you want to do some more activities on Boxing Day, click here
KEY
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
1. Proclamation Day
2. Football, regattas, horse racing, swimming, cricket
3. Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, United Kingdom.
4. Melbourne, Adelaide
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
1. Proclamation Day
2. Football, regattas, horse racing, swimming, cricket
3. Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, United Kingdom.
4. Melbourne, Adelaide
1. occur
2. launch
3. tip, bonus
4. dip
5. delivery
2. launch
3. tip, bonus
4. dip
5. delivery
The giant Christmas tree made entirely out of Lego
A very unusual Christmas tree has been unveiled in London - it's made out of Lego bricks!
The 12 metre high tree is made out of a whopping 600,000 bricks and has taken two months to build. It's so tall that the builders needed to use a crane to put the star on the top !
The 1200 baubles are also made of Lego and have been made by kids at local schools and Scout groups.
The tree is on show at St Pancras International rail station in London and will be there until the new year.
The tree was created by Duncan Titmarsh who is the UK's only Lego Professional. Duncan has built many weird and wonderful things out of the plastic bricks, including a Lego house, but this is his most ambitious project yet.
Match the words below to their definitions
ambitious / baubles / crane / professional / unveiled / whopping
showed something new for the first time
very large
ball-shaped Christmas decoration for hanging on a tree
tall metal machine used for lifting heavy things
person who does a job that people usually do as a hobby
something that needs a lot of skill and effort to do
True or false?
1. The baubles were made by Duncan Titmarsh.
2. The tree took a long time to build.
3. The tree will be taken down right after Christmas.
4. St Pancras International station is in London.
5. There are 1200 baubles hanging on the tree.
6. This was Duncan Titmarsh’s first Lego project.
7. Children put the star on top of the tree.
8. There is only one Lego Professional in the UK.
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. weird
a) the same as familiar
b) the same as peculiar
c) the same as missing
2. unusual
a) the same as uncommon
b) the same as expected
c) the same as ordinary
3. created
a) the same as destroyed
b) the same as forecast
c) the same as made
4. project
a) the same as decision
b) the same as undertaking
c) the same as thought
KEY
True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
Vocabulary
unveiled showed something new for the first time
whopping very large
baubles ball-shaped Christmas decoration for hanging on a tree
crane tall metal machine used for lifting heavy things
professional person who does a job that people usually do as a hobby
ambitious something that needs a lot of skill and effort to do
What is the missing word?
1. peculiar
2. uncommon
3. made
4. undertaking
martes, 13 de diciembre de 2011
Advertising
How good is your memory?
Match each of the slogans below to the brand that used it in their advert:
1. Driving quality
2. Impossible is nothing
3. The future’s bright, the future’s …….
4. Because I’m worth it.
5. Shift the way you move.
6. Just do it
7. I’m lovin’ it
8. New thinking, new possibilities
9. We've run out of capsules up there
10. Leave an impression
L’Oréal
Nike
Macdonalds
Nespresso
Hyundai
Orange
Ballantine's
Adidas
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Key
1 Mitsubishi 2 Adidas 3 Orange 4 L’Oreal 5 Nissan 6 Nike 7 Macdonalds 8 Hyundai 9 Nespresso 10 Ballantine's
Match each of the slogans below to the brand that used it in their advert:
1. Driving quality
2. Impossible is nothing
3. The future’s bright, the future’s …….
4. Because I’m worth it.
5. Shift the way you move.
6. Just do it
7. I’m lovin’ it
8. New thinking, new possibilities
9. We've run out of capsules up there
10. Leave an impression
L’Oréal
Nike
Macdonalds
Nespresso
Hyundai
Orange
Ballantine's
Adidas
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Key
1 Mitsubishi 2 Adidas 3 Orange 4 L’Oreal 5 Nissan 6 Nike 7 Macdonalds 8 Hyundai 9 Nespresso 10 Ballantine's
‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’
Do you agree or not?
Can we make people or animals change the way they do things?
You supposedly can't teach an old dog new tricks, but the marketing industry has come up with a novel way to sell pet food – by designing an advert that only canine consumers can understand.
The advert, which at first looks like a standard commercial for pet food, uses high-frequency squeaks and signals to grab the attention of any dogs in the room. The idea is that they will become so excited they will jump up and wag their tail at the screen, until the owner relents and buys the promoted product.
The advert has been created for Nestlé, the world's largest food company which owns the Purina brand of pet food.
Georg Sanders, a nutrition expert at Nestlé Purina PetCare in Germany, said: “Dogs’ hearing is twice as sharp as humans. They can pick up frequencies which are beyond our range and they are better at differentiating sounds.”
“Dogs who often play with a squeaky duck as they are running around with their owner will certainly react most strongly to this sound,” he added.
The advert is being aired in Austria this weekend and could hit Britain next year if successful. It features various scenes of a golden retriever and his owner frolicking about a field, interspersed with shots of falling bunches of vegetables.
However, the soundtrack contains various squeaks and bells as well as some high-pitch sounds which humans cannot hear.
This is not the first time that Purina has experimented with this form of advertising. Last year in Germany it put up a series of billboards which gave off the smell of pet food, hoping to catch the attention of dogs out for a walk.
However, advertising executives pointed out that adverts designed for animals had been tried before with limited success. Whiskas cat food tried a similar experiment more than a decade ago, when it screened a 40-second promotion during Coronation Street, featuring pictures of fish, mice and birds in an attempt to grab the attention of cat watchers.
However, none of the cats monitored during the advert appeared interested, or energetic enough, to rouse themselves from their owner's warm lap and approach the screen to investigate.
1 Choose the best title for this text
a) Animals get some exercise outside.
b) Animals get their own adverts.
c) Animals in TV programmes
2 Match the correct answer to each question:
a) How does the advert try and attract dogs’ attention?
b) How should dogs react to the commercial?
c) Which dogs are expected to respond more to the advert?
d) What will viewers see on the screen during the advert?
e) What technique did advertisers use last year in Germany?
f) Why was the Whiskas advert not a success?
i. Dogs which regularly play with high-pitched toys are predicted to respond more.
ii. It uses sounds that humans do not detect but dogs do.
iii. The animals did not express any interest in the advertising.
iv. They should express their interest in the dog food by moving their tails and bodies.
v. They will see shots of a dog and a person enjoying time in the countryside.
vi. Adverts in the streets produced aromas to attract dogs.
Key
a) ii b) iv c) i d) v e) vi f) iii
Match each word to its meaning:
a) A slogan is
b) A logo is
c) A jingle is
d) A billboard is
e) A brand is
i. A short verse or song used in an advert on the radio or TV.
ii. A very large board showing an advertisements, usually at the side of a road.
iii. A short, easily remembered phrase used to advertise a product.
iv. A product made by a particular company.
v. A symbol used to represent a particular company or product.
Key
i. jingle ii. billboard iii. slogan iv. brand v. logo
Here is the advert:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/purina-commercial-targets-dogs-owners-14656222?playlist=1363932§ion=1206834&tab=9482931
What is Purina’s slogan?
Answer: ‘Your pet, our passion’
Now, watch the advert with Harvey the dog and decide what the advert is for.
1 Is it?:
a) How useful dogs are.
b) How effective TV adverts are.
c) How easy it is to adopt a dog.
2 Which of these things does Harvey NOT do:
a) cut the grass
b) collect the children from school
c) play chess
d) turn on the TV
e) go for a walk in the park
f) iron clothes
g) cook
h) clean the windows
i) switch off the light
Key: 1 b) 2 e)
Ireland
Play the video and answer the following questions
1. What’s Ireland nickname?
2. Name the provinces Ireland was divided into.
3. Name of a famous Irish College.
4. What’s Newgrange?
5. When was it built?
6. Who supposedly visited the fortress of Cashel?
7. How high are the cliffs of Moher in Galway?
8. How many shades of green can you see in Ireland?
9. Name of the pub in Dublin
KEY
1. Emerald island
2. Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster.
3. Trinity College
4. A tomb
5. 5000 years ago
6. St Patrick.
7. 650 feet from sea.
8. 40
9. Blazing saddles
What's a Hen Party?
In England, it is custom for the bride to have a 'Hen-do' and the man to have a 'stag-do'.
Read the article about hen and stag do's and try and fit the vocabulary in the correct gaps.
Note:
A hen night/party - a party for women only, usually one held for a woman before she is married.
A stag night/party - a party for men only, usually one held for a man before he is married.
A do is casual British English for party. "We're having a do this weekend for my son's birthday."
Missing Words
• Couple - two persons considered as joined together, as a married or boyfiend/girlfriend.
• Extravagance - spending more money than you need to.
• Stages - parts of an activity ; periods of development
• Emerge - to appear; start.
• Elaborate - containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts.
• Expert - a person with a high level of knowledge.
• Hotspots - popular and exciting places.
1. While stag parties have long been a pre-marital ritual, the hen do seems to be a more recent custom that began to _____________ in the mid-1980s.
2. Cities such as Brighton and Newcastle have become _________ for gaggles of young women, shuttled around from pub to pub in rented limousines, dressed with veils and L-plates.
3. Wedding etiquette _________ Peggy Post says in recent years, the tide has actually started turning in terms of what women want from a hen do.
Where once it was seen as a "last night of freedom", as life has become ever-more hectic for today's career-focused female, the hen night is instead about spending time with friends.
4. "It once had the reputation for being the one last fling but it's now more a last chance to bond with close friends before you're part of a ________," she says.
As someone who has been organising stag and hen parties in the UK since 1997, Ian Lucas of 5. Redseven can comment on how the occasion has evolved. He says that there have been three noticeable _________ in the development of the modern-day hen:
"What started off as a night with friends at home with a few bottles of wine in the 80s became a night on the town in the 90s and a weekend away in the 00s."
6. Over the years, as women have had more money through careers and marrying later, so hen parties have become increasingly __________.
"Alcohol forms a massive part of these celebrations. It's the key thing, the socialising. But it's not like it used to be with groups of girls and guys turning up in a town to get drunk and fall down in the streets," says Mr Lucas.
7. Of course, there are always those who can, and will, push it to the limit in ______. Before of her wedding to England footballer Wayne Rooney, Coleen McLoughlin spent £20,000 on a weekend with her friends.
Key
1. emerge
2. hotspots
3. expert
4. couple
5. stages
6. elaborate
7. extravagance
Scientists try to bring woolly mammoth back from dead
It sounds like the film, Jurassic Park but scientists in Russia and Japan are experimenting to see if they can bring a woolly mammoth back from the dead.Their starting point could be a fossilised thigh bone found in August which contains well-preserved bone marrow cells.
They'd be cloned and inserted into an egg of an African Elephant, the mammoth's closest surviving relative.
The woolly mammoth became extinct over 4000 years ago.
Experts think that might have happened when climate change affected the vegetation they ate.
Bringing a mammoth back won't be easy.
The Russian and Japanese scientists will need to find a suitable female elephant to have the calf but woolly mammoths were much bigger than modern elephants, so this may not be possible.
The calf would also actually be half-elephant, half-mammoth, so it wouldn't look exactly like a pre-historic mammoth.
On the other hand, we know cloning can work. The first animal to be cloned was a sheep named Dolly, in 1997, who lived to the age of six. And an extinct Pyrenean ibex was brought back from 10-year old DNA, though it didn't survive very long.
Vocabulary
Match each words to its definition
cloned / experimenting / fossilised / ibex / marrow / prehistoric / suitable
performing scientific procedures to find something out.
when a dead animal or plant has turned into rock
soft, fatty tissue in the centre of a bone
when an animal of plant has been created using the genes from another one.
acceptable or right
describes the period before there were written records
type of wild goat
True or false?
1. The cells came from a mammoth’s leg bone.
2. No one has ever cloned an animal before.
3. The scientists have found a suitable female elephant.
4. The clone would be exactly like a mammoth.
5. Woolly mammoths ate plants.
6. Mammoths and elephants are closely related.
7. The Pyrenean ibex was called Dolly.
8. Over 4,000 years ago, the climate changed.
What is the missing word?
9. They'd be cloned and __________ into an egg of an African Elephant.
10. Climate change affected the __________ they ate.
11. Woolly mammoths were much bigger than ___________ elephants.
12. The __________ would also actually be half-elephant, half-mammoth.
KEY
experimenting
performing scientific procedures to find something out.
fossilised
when a dead animal or plant has turned into rock
marrow
soft, fatty tissue in the centre of a bone
cloned
when an animal of plant has been created using the genes from another one.
suitable
acceptable or right
prehistoric
describes the period before there were written records
ibex
type of wild goat
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True
inserted
vegetation
modern
calf
Penguins filmed bathing in mud spa to keep cool
Penguin chicks move from a river dip to mud-bathing to try to cool down.
You might think life as a penguin is all about keeping warm in freezing cold temperatures, but cooling down in the sunshine is just as important.
A group of king penguin chicks have been caught bathing in a load of mud to do just that. Summer temperatures in St Andrews Bay, South Georgia, can reach 17C so the birds use streams and thick, cooling mud to stop their large, fluffy bodies from overheating.
They were filmed for the Frozen Planet series. The crew said that although they were expecting to see the chicks paddling in rivers and streams, their mud-bathing display was "unexpected".Penguin chicks move from a river dip to mud-bathing to try to cool down.
VOCABULARY
Match each word to its definition
bathing / fluffy / overheating / paddling / spa
place where people go to become more healthy, by doing exercises, eating special food and so on
going for a swim
soft and woolly or like fur
becoming too warm
swimming in shallow wáter
True or false?
1. Penguins need to cool down when it is cold.
2. The mud cools the penguins.
3. In winter, temperatures can reach 17C in St Andrew’s Bay.
4. Young penguins have fluffy feathers.
5. The sunshine helps the penguins to cool down.
6. The penguins only use mud to cool down.
7. The penguins were filmed for the series “Frozen Planet”.
8. All the streams are full of thick mud.
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. freezing
a) the same as icy
b) the same as humid
c) the same as stopping
2. unexpected
a) the same as anticipated
b) the same as surprising
c) the same as early
3. chicks
a) the same as adults
b) the same as females
c) the same as infants
4. load
a) the same as heavy
b) the same as pool
c) the same as pile
KEY
spa place where people go to become more healthy, by doing exercises, eating special food and so on
bathing going for a swim
fluffy soft and woolly or like fur
overheating becoming too warm
paddling swimming in shallow water
True or false?
False
True
False
True
False
True
True
False
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1 icy
2 surprising
3 infants
4 pile
martes, 29 de noviembre de 2011
Advent Calendar
Here is a link to an Advent Calendar you can use with your students:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/
The Streets of London
Fill in the gaps
1 Have you seen the _____________ man
2 In the closed-down market
3 Kicking up the paper,
4 In his ____________ out shoes?
5 In his eyes you see no pride
6 Hands held loosely at his __________
7 Yesterday's ______________ telling yesterday's news
CHORUS
Put the lines in the correct order
8 Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
9 and say for you that the sun don't shine?
10 I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
11 So how can you tell me you're lonely,
Correct the wrong words
12 Have you seen the cold girl
13 Who walks the streets of London
14 Dirt in her hair and her clothes in bags?
15 She's no time for walking,
16 She just keeps right on talking
17 Carrying her clothes in two plastic bags.
CHORUS
Underline the words you don’t hear
18 In the all night old cafe
19 At a quarter past eleven,
20 The same old man is sitting there on his own
21 Looking at the world outside
22 Over the rim of his dirty tea-cup,
23 Each cup of tea lasts an hour
24 Then he wanders home alone
CHORUS
Correct the wrong words
And have you seen the good man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory falling with
The metal ribbons that he wears.
In our awful city,
The rain drops a little pity
For one more abandoned hero
And a friend that doesn't care
KEY
The Streets of London
Fill in the gaps
1 Have you seen the ____old_________ man
2 In the closed-down market
3 Kicking up the paper,
4 In his ____worn ________ out shoes?
5 In his eyes you see no pride
6 Hands held loosely at his __side________
7 Yesterday's ___paper___________ telling yesterday's news
CHORUS
Put the lines in the correct order
8 Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London c
9 and say for you that the sun don't shine? b
10 I'll show you something to make you change your mind. d
11 So how can you tell me you're lonely, a
Correct the wrong words
12 Have you seen the cold girl old
13 Who walks the streets of London
14 Dirt in her hair and her clothes in bags? rags
15 She's no time for walking,
16 She just keeps right on talking walking
17 Carrying her clothes in two plastic bags. carrier
CHORUS
Underline the words you don’t hear
18 In the all night old cafe
19 At a quarter past eleven,
20 The same old man is sitting there on his own
21 Looking at the world outside
22 Over the rim of his dirty tea-cup,
23 Each cup of tea lasts an hour
24 Then he wanders home alone
CHORUS
Correct the wrong words
And have you seen the good man old
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory falling with fading
The metal ribbons that he wears. medal
In our awful city, winter
The rain drops a little pity cries
For one more abandoned hero forgotten
And a friend that doesn't care world
Shopping in London
Read this article about the different shopping areas in London and complete the gaps with a correct missing word.
Missing words:
• Alternative
• Groceries
• Bargain
• Traffic
• Legends
• Revitalised
• crowds
• Market
:
Covent Garden
Originally a monastery garden and then a fruit and vegetable _1_, Covent Garden has been reinvented in recent decades as a shopping and tourism attraction. Saved from demolition, the main, glass-covered market building serves as the centerpiece of a revitalized piazza. These days, _2_ wander the streets, browsing for clothing, antiques, crafts, books and souvenirs. Plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes cater to visitors, and talented street musicians add lively ambience to the whole district.
Camden Town
Set in a bohemian, _3_ neighborhood north of London's center, Camden Market promises lots of cool, hip merchandise, often at _4_ prices. It's also a favorite of students and tourists, who relish the idea of getting terrific buys on leather goods, shoes, funky clothing, CDs and jewelry. Ethnic items, crafts, and all manner of souvenirs can also be found, along with a bounty of food shops and other local market venues. Great for people-watching too. TUBE: Camden Town
Knightsbridge
A neighborhood rife with upscale designer shopping venues, Knightsbridge prominently features two London _5_Not only are Harvey Nichols and Harrods (where the Queen gets her _6_ popular — they've also become tourist attractions. Accompanying them are plenty of historic attractions and boutiques, not to mention popular restaurants and bars.
Carnaby Street
What was, in the '60s, London's fashion epicenter has been _7_ as a pedestrian-friendly area offering the odd souvenir shop amongst the many trendy boutiques. Off Oxford Street and parallel to Regent Street, Carnaby gets a lot of foot _8_ and its bars and restaurants serve as gathering places for lunchtime and evening socializing. After you've braved the crowds on Oxford, step into this also-busy neighborhood for something more offbeat and contemporary-minded.
KEY
1. market
2. crowds
3. alternative
4. bargain
5. legends
6. groceries
7. revitalised
8. traffic
Viking buried in a ship found in Scottish Highlands
Archaeologists discover remains of a man buried in a thousand year-old Viking ship surrounded by valuable items in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands.
The 16ft-long grave on the west coast's Ardnamurchan peninsula contained the remains of the high-status Viking, laid to rest inside his boat and buried with an axe, a sword and a spear. He was surrounded by valuable artefacts including a knife, a whetstone from Norway, a ring-pin from Ireland as well as Viking pottery.
"They probably belonged to him many of them, but certainly what they really tell us is about what the people who buried him thought of him," said Dr Oliver Harris from the University of Leicester, who co-led the excavation.
"What did they want him to be remembered as and what did they think he would need for the afterlife, and they thought this guy would need weapons.He needed his axe, his sword, his spear, his shield; he needed things that he could defend himself with and attack others.So he was obviously someone of really high status to have all these different kinds of weapons. Someone really important in his local community."
Most of the body parts have decomposed over the years. Only two teeth and a few bone fragments are still intact.
Dr Harris described the discovery as a "dream come true for an archaeologist."
The 16ft-long grave on the west coast's Ardnamurchan peninsula contained the remains of the high-status Viking, laid to rest inside his boat and buried with an axe, a sword and a spear. He was surrounded by valuable artefacts including a knife, a whetstone from Norway, a ring-pin from Ireland as well as Viking pottery.
"They probably belonged to him many of them, but certainly what they really tell us is about what the people who buried him thought of him," said Dr Oliver Harris from the University of Leicester, who co-led the excavation.
"What did they want him to be remembered as and what did they think he would need for the afterlife, and they thought this guy would need weapons.He needed his axe, his sword, his spear, his shield; he needed things that he could defend himself with and attack others.So he was obviously someone of really high status to have all these different kinds of weapons. Someone really important in his local community."
Most of the body parts have decomposed over the years. Only two teeth and a few bone fragments are still intact.
Dr Harris described the discovery as a "dream come true for an archaeologist."
Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) Ardnamuchan peninsula is in Norway.
b) Dr. Oliver Harris is the only leader of the excavation.
c) It is not sure the things around the Viking were his.
d) All Vikings had a good variety of weapons.
Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What have archaeologists just discovered?
b) Why, according to Dr. Harris, were there weapons surrounding the body?
Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) tomb (par.2) b)world beyond death (par.4) c) complete, entire (par.5)
Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Archaeologists discover remains of a man buried in a ship.
Remains ......................
b) “The weapons probably belonged to him. He needed them to defend himself.”
Dr. Harris said that ..........................................
c) He was buried with valuable items. He was a man of high status.
If he had ..........................
Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Would you like to discover something?
Viking buried in a ship found in Scottish Highlands
KEY
Question 1.
a. False. “ ... a remote part of the Scottish Highlands. The 16ft-long grave on the west coast's Ardnamurchan peninsula.”
b. False. “Dr Oliver Harris from the University of Leicester, who co-led the excavation.”
c. True. “He was surrounded by valuable artefacts .... They probably belonged to him many of them... .
d. False. “this guy would need weapons ..... he needed things that he could defend himself with and attack others.So he was obviously someone of really high status to have all these different kinds of weapons. Someone really important in his local community."
Question 2.
a. Archaeologists have discovered what is left of a Viking man and some of his belongings inside a boat buried in the ground.
b. Dr. Harris says that the fact that there were different kinds of weapons surrounding the man reflects that the people who buried him thought he might need them to fight after death since he probably belonged to high class in his community.
Question 3.
a. grave b. afterlife c. Intact
Question 4.
a. Remains of a man buried in a ship are discovered by archaeologists.
b. Dr. Harris said that the weapons had probably belonged to him. He had needed them to defend himself.
c. If he had not been a man of high status, he wouldn’t have been buried with valuable items.
Question 1.
a. False. “ ... a remote part of the Scottish Highlands. The 16ft-long grave on the west coast's Ardnamurchan peninsula.”
b. False. “Dr Oliver Harris from the University of Leicester, who co-led the excavation.”
c. True. “He was surrounded by valuable artefacts .... They probably belonged to him many of them... .
d. False. “this guy would need weapons ..... he needed things that he could defend himself with and attack others.So he was obviously someone of really high status to have all these different kinds of weapons. Someone really important in his local community."
Question 2.
a. Archaeologists have discovered what is left of a Viking man and some of his belongings inside a boat buried in the ground.
b. Dr. Harris says that the fact that there were different kinds of weapons surrounding the man reflects that the people who buried him thought he might need them to fight after death since he probably belonged to high class in his community.
Question 3.
a. grave b. afterlife c. Intact
Question 4.
a. Remains of a man buried in a ship are discovered by archaeologists.
b. Dr. Harris said that the weapons had probably belonged to him. He had needed them to defend himself.
c. If he had not been a man of high status, he wouldn’t have been buried with valuable items.
martes, 15 de noviembre de 2011
Health risk from fish pedicure
Questions have been raised in recent months over the beauty craze which sees customers place their feet in tanks of water containing dozens of tiny Garra Rufa fish which nibble on dead skin.
While the pampering carries a "very low" risk for healthy clients, those with conditions including diabetes and psoriasis have now been advised against the indulgence.
The pedicures - which are popular in Asia - have been banned in some US states, including Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Washington amid fears that infections could spread through open wounds.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) today issued new guidance after a panel found fish tank water contained a number of micro-organisms and that infections could be transmitted either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria which can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and the fish).
Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, said: "Provided that good standards of hygiene are followed by salons, members of the public are unlikely to get an infection from a fish spa pedicure, however the risk will be higher for certain people."This is why we feel it's important for salons to ensure the client has no underlying health conditions that could put them at risk, and that a thorough foot examination is performed to make sure there are no cuts, grazes or existing skin conditions that could spread infection."
Garra Rufa fish - a type of toothless carp - have become increasingly popular in salons across Britain, in part because of their novelty value.
Dr Paul Cosford, director of health protection services at the HPA, said the risk posed by the fish tanks could be kept to a minimum if spas followed "strict standards of cleanliness". "If a member of the public is concerned about the level of cleanliness of a salon they visit, they should report this to their local environmental health department," he said. Clients are also urged to wait at least 24 hours after having a leg wax or shaving to minimise the chances of contracting an infection.
Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) If you suffer from diabetes, you shouldn’t use this kind of pedicure.
b) There are no fish spa pedicures in Washington.
c) You can get infected in three different ways.
d) There is no control of clients’ skin conditions.
Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) How does the Garra Rufa pedicure work?
b) What does the HPA advise people to do before using this treatment?
Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) illness, disease (par.2) b) complete, exhaustive (par.5) c) worried (par.7)
Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) The pedicures have been banned by the Health Protection Agency.
The Health Protection Agency ....................
b) Wait at least 24 hours after depilation or you can contract an infection.
If you don´t ...................
c) Dr. Cosford said that the risk could be kept to minimum if spas followed strict standards of cleanliness.
Dr. Cosford said “ ....................................”
Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Spas are becoming increasingly popular. Give reasons.
20 million bees escape from a lorry in the USA
About 20 million bees were set free after a lorry carrying them overturned in Utah in the United States.The bees were being taken to California so they could pollinate an almond crop next spring, but they escaped after the accident. Local beekeepers worked through the night to capture the bees, but most were lost or died.
People think that the accident happened when the driver lost control of the lorry, which rolled over. The driver and his wife were swarmed by the bees, but managed to escape with just bruises and a few stings.
The trip was among the last of 160 truckloads of bees being sent south from a honey farm in South Dakota.
The highway has now reopened but drivers have been warned to keep their windows closed.
Match the words below to their definitions
almond /crop / highway / pollinate / swarmed
take pollen from a male plant to a female plant so that the female plant produces seeds
oval nut with a hard shell, which you can eat
plants that are grown so that they can be eaten, such as fruits, vegetables and grain
when insects come together in a large group
an important road
True or false?
1. The driver was alone in the lorry.
2. Bees are used to pollinate plants.
3. The bees were being taken from California to Utah.
4. The driver was seriously injured.
5. Beekeepers could not find most of the bees.
6. The highway has remained closed.
7. Bees could fly in through drivers’ windows.
8. The accident happened when the driver was stung by a bee.
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
lorry
the same as car
the same as truck
the same as trailer
capture
the same as release
the same as find
the same as catch
overturned
the same as reversed
the same as dropped
the same as rolled over
taken
the same as removed
the same as transported
the same as lost
KEY
True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False
Vocabulary
pollinate
take pollen from a male plant to a female plant so that the female plant produces seeds
almond
oval nut with a hard shell, which you can eat
crop
plants that are grown so that they can be eaten, such as fruits, vegetables and grain
swarmed
when insects come together in a large group
highway
an important road
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
b) the same as truck
c) the same as catch
c) the same as rolled over
b) the same as transported
Queen Victoria's old pants sold for thousands of pounds
A pair of pants that used to be owned by Queen Victoria have been snapped up at auction for thousands of pounds. A mystery bidder paid £9,735 for the large silk bloomers at an auction in Edinburgh.
The underpants were on sale with other Royal belongings, including a pair of the Queen's silk stockings, which sold for more than £5,000.
The sale included more than 500 royal paintings, letters, furniture and other items from the Forbes home. Two paintings owned by Queen Victoria, who was Britain's longest serving monarch, were also sold for more than £500,000 each.
All of the items were owned by a family called Forbes, who publish magazines in the US. The auction made more than £3m in total.
Vocabulary
Match each words to its definition
auction / bidder / bloomers / furniture / publish / stockings
someone who offers to pay a specific amount of money for something
public sale where things are sold to the person who offers the most money
large loose underwear worn below the waist by women
things such as chairs, tables, or beds
tight-fitting clothing made of thin material that women wear on their legs
make and sell books, newspapers or magazines
True or false?
1. The silk stockings sold for £9,375.
2. The sale was held in Edinburgh.
3. Everyone knew who bough the bloomers.
4. The underpants were the most expensive item in the sale.
5. One bidder paid £500,000 for two paintings.
6. Queen Victoria reigned longer than any other British king or queen.
7. The Forbes family publish books in the United States.
8. All of the items sold were owned by the Forbes family.
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. paintings
a) the same as brushes
b) the same as canvases
c) the same as pictures
2. snapped up
a) the same as torn
b) the same as stretched
c) the same as bought
3. mystery
a) the same as wealthy
b) the same as unknown
c) the same as public
4. belongings
a) the same as wanting
b) the same as belongs
c) the same as possessions
KEY
bidder
someone who offers to pay a specific amount of money for something
auction
public sale where things are sold to the person who offers the most money
bloomers
large loose underwear worn below the waist by women
furniture
things such as chairs, tables, or beds
stockings
tight-fitting clothing made of thin material that women wear on their legs
publish
make and sell books, newspapers or magazines
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True
1. c) the same as pictures
2. c) the same as bought
3. b) the same as unknown
4. c) the same as possessions
Health risk from fish pedicure
KEY
Question 1
a) True. “those with conditions including diabetes and psoriasis have now been advised against the indulgence”.
b) True. “The pedicures - which are popular in Asia - have been banned in some US states, including Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Washington”.
c) True. “ infections could be transmitted either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria which can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and the fish)”.
d) False. “that a thorough foot examination is performed to make sure there are no cuts, grazes or existing skin conditions that could spread infection."
Question 2
a) People put their feet into tanks of water filled with lots of Garra Rufa fish which have no teeth. The fish “bite” small amounts of dead skin leaving the skin nice and smooth.
b) They advise clients to make sure the spas are absolutely clean. They also warn them not to use this practice if they have open wounds or suffer from some skin problems. Finally they tell them to wait 24 hours if they have removed their legs hair with wax or by shaving.
Qu3stion 3
a) conditions b) thorough c) concerned
Question 4
a) The Health Protection Agency has banned the pedicures.
b) If you don´t wait at least 24 hours after depilation, you can contract an infection.
c) Dr. Cosford said “The risk can be kept to minimum if spas follow strict standards of cleanliness.
Question 1
a) True. “those with conditions including diabetes and psoriasis have now been advised against the indulgence”.
b) True. “The pedicures - which are popular in Asia - have been banned in some US states, including Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Washington”.
c) True. “ infections could be transmitted either from fish to person (during the nibbling process), water to person (from the bacteria which can multiply in water), or person to person (via water, surrounding surfaces and the fish)”.
d) False. “that a thorough foot examination is performed to make sure there are no cuts, grazes or existing skin conditions that could spread infection."
Question 2
a) People put their feet into tanks of water filled with lots of Garra Rufa fish which have no teeth. The fish “bite” small amounts of dead skin leaving the skin nice and smooth.
b) They advise clients to make sure the spas are absolutely clean. They also warn them not to use this practice if they have open wounds or suffer from some skin problems. Finally they tell them to wait 24 hours if they have removed their legs hair with wax or by shaving.
Qu3stion 3
a) conditions b) thorough c) concerned
Question 4
a) The Health Protection Agency has banned the pedicures.
b) If you don´t wait at least 24 hours after depilation, you can contract an infection.
c) Dr. Cosford said “The risk can be kept to minimum if spas follow strict standards of cleanliness.
The Amish
AMISH HISTORY Amish belong to a Protestant-based religious group that originated in Switzerland and Germany in 1500s. Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church. Consequently, the Protestant Reformation, putting heavy emphasis on personal faith and the authority of the Bible, swept through northern Germany and Scandinavia.
Not satisfied with conservative reform, many sects developed other forms of worship. One point of contention for the reform movement was baptism which, it was believed, should only be performed on adults who consciously accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ. Adult baptisms became identified with the so-called Radical Reformation movement. Its reformers were called Anabaptists, meaning "Rebaptizers" because they had already been baptized in the Catholic Church as infants. They also believed in separation of church and state.
This Swiss Anabaptists became known as Mennonites, after a Roman Catholic priest, Monno Simon, who led them in the Netherlands and Northern Germany in the 1530s. The Mennonites, regarded as heretics, were persecuted with torture, burning at the stake, jailing, drowning and general harassment during the 1600s. At the same time, a sect of stricter Mennonites, who followed Jacob Ammann, broke off from the group and became known as Amish.
Why did many sects develop from Protestantism? Many people believed that Protestantism was not enough conservative. They wanted their Religion to be stricter than the current one.
What religious observances are the most important for the Amish? The most important observances for the Amish are the belief in personal faith and the authority of the Bible.
Who Was Jacob Ammann? Jacob Ammann was a very strict Mennonite who founded the Amish Sect.
What did Protestants think of Baptism? They thought that it should be performed on adults, not children.
Listen to this song and fill the gaps
"Wonderful World"
Don't know much about ...................
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the ..................... I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love ................ too
What a wonderful world this would be
Don't know much about ......................
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about ........................
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I do know that one and one is ...................
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be
Now I don't claim to be an "A" student
But I'm trying to be
So maybe by being an "A" ..................... baby
I can win your love for me
Don't know much about history
Don't know much ...........................
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(History)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Biology)
La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(Science book)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(French I took)
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a ............................ this would be
AMISH LIFESTYLE
Amish, often referred to as plain people maintain a very distinct lifestyle. They use few modern conveniences and keep a horse and buggy as their means of conveyance. Buggies are a common sight in Lancaster as they clip-clop down country roads as well as more travelled routes.
Amish easily are identified by their manner of dress, which, they feel, is a symbol of their separation from the world and a constant reminder of their commitment to God and their religion.
Men and boys wear dark suits, coats without lapels, pastel-coloured shirts, a straw or black broad-brimmed hat and black shoes. Women wear skirts with long sleeves and high necks topped off with caps and white or black aprons. They also wear select pastel colours. Wire hook-and-eye fasteners, straight pins and velcro are used as fasteners. Women and men do not wear jewellery or embellishments such as buttons (although, some buttons are worn on winter coats) on their clothes in order to maintain humility and disavow anything that might gain them recognition, such as distinctive dress. Likewise, Amish do not style their hair, wear makeup, manufactured clothing or anything to alter God’s creation.
Black is the dominating colour for Amish life but, ironically, Amish are buried in white. Married men wear a beard. Moustaches are taboo since they were once associated with military officers and Amish are pacifists. Men keep their hair trimmed in a single layer, parted cut that dips to the earlobe on the sides and above the collar in the back of the head.
QUESTIONS
1. Match the following words to the definitions.
Fastener
Conveyance
Commitment
Disavow
_______________: Strong belief in an idea or system, especially when it is shown by your actions and behaviour.
_______________: Vehicle.
_______________: When you say that you are not connected with it or responsible for it.
_______________: Device such as a button or a zip or safety pin that fastens something, especially clothing.
2. Answer the following questions.
a. Why are Amish referred to as plain people?
b. When do Amish people wear clothes in white?
c. Why do they not wear luxurious things?
3. Put the following sentences into the passive.
a. We have a table for dinner at the Hilton
b. The white-fly is destroying melon crops in USA
c. Everybody in the city knows him well
4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning of the original.
a. Despite the age of the house, we managed to sell it.
b. Her children have long conversations on the phone. Consequently, the phone bills are expensive (Result).
c. Helen is very busy at work. Andrea is on holiday (whereas).
d. The temperature was freezing. The children were sent home (reason)
e. Although the tickets were expensive, we went to the concert (In spite of)
5. Composition. Write 130 words about fashion and models.
martes, 25 de octubre de 2011
Halloween History
1 What can you see in the picture below?
How do people make things from patchwork?
http://brbaracabrera.blogspot.com/2011/05/patchwork.html
2 Read the first sentence from a video about Halloween. What do you think the man means by ‘a patchwork holiday’?
‘From communion with the dead to pumpkins and pranks, Halloween is a patchwork holiday, stitched together with cultural, religious and occult traditions that span centuries.’
Now, watch the video to find out why he calls it ‘a patchwork holiday’.
3 Now, watch the video again, and match the different names that have been given to October 31st and November 1st.
October 31st November 1st
Samhain All Saints’ Day All Hallows’ Eve Hallowmas Halloween
4 What did each of these groups of people do regarding Halloween?
a) the Celts
b) the Catholic church
c) Irish immigrants to the USA
5 Which of the below are Halloween customs mentioned by the narrator?
* bubbing for apples
* baking pumpkin pies
* playing pranks
* asking for candies
* playing soccer
* having costume parties
* hanging jack-o-lanterns
* lighting bonfires
Halloween History - Document Transcript
From communion with the dead to pumpkins and pranks, Halloween is a patchwork holiday, stitched together with cultural, religious and occult traditions that span centuries. It all began with the Celts, a people whose culture had spread across Europe, more than 2,000 years ago. October 31st was the day they celebrated the end of the harvest season, in a festival called “Samhain”. That night also marked the Celtic new year, it was considered a time “between years”, a magical time when the ghosts of the dead watched the Earth. “It was the time when the veil between death and life was supposed to be at its thinnest”. On “Samhain”, the villagers gathered and lit huge bonfires to drive the dead back to the spirit world and keep them away from the living. But, as the Catholic Church’s influence grew in Europe, it frowned on the pagan rituals like “Samhain”. In the 7th Century, the Vatican began to merge it with the Church Sanctum holiday, so November 1st was designated “All Saints’ Day”, to honor martyrs and the deceased faithful. “Both of these holidays had to do with the afterlife, and about survival after death. It was a calculated move on the part of the Church, to bring more people into the fold. All Saints’ Day was known then as “Hallowmas”. “Hallow” means “holy” or “saintly”, so the translation is -roughly- “Mass of the Saints”. The night before October 31st was “All Hallows’ Eve”, which gradually morphed into “Halloween”. The holiday came to America with the wave of Irish immigrants during the potato famine of the 1840s. They brought several of their holiday customs with them, including “bubbing for apples”, and playing tricks on neighbors, like removing gates from the front of houses. The young pranksters were masked, so they wouldn’t be recognized. But over the years, the tradition of harmless tricks grew into outright vandalism. “Back in the 1930s, it really became a dangerous holiday, and there was such hooliganism and vandalism. “Trick-or-treating” was originally an extortion deal: “Give us candy or we’ll trash your house”. Store keepers and neighbours began giving treats or bribes to stop the tricks, and children were encouraged to travel door to door for treats, as an alternative to trouble-making. By the late thirties, “trick-or-treat” became a holiday greeting.
Big Ben becoming leaning tower of London
Surveyors have found that the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster has developed a tilt, which is getting worse every year. The top of the tower is now almost one-and-a-half feet off the perpendicular – so far off that experts say the tilt is visible to the naked eye.
If the movement was to continue uncorrected, the tower would one day topple. However, MPs can breathe easy: at its current speed it would take some 4,000 years to reach the angle of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and even longer to hit tipping-point.
In the unlikely event that the tower falls, it will land on MPs' offices over the road in Portcullis House – which may at least offer some compensation to architectural purists unimpressed by the modern building.
Civil engineers believe that the tower - known colloquially as Big Ben after the main bell it houses - is gradually "sinking" or settling into the land on which it is built. But the pattern is uneven, with the sinking occurring more quickly on the north side than the south.
The problem has been blamed on decades of building work that have gone on around the foot of the structure since it was completed in 1858, which have ranged from a sewer built in the 1860s to the District Line the following decade and an underground car park for MPs in the 1970s. When the Jubilee Line was extended through Westminster in the late 1990s, special techniques were used to create a concrete barrier under the tower, in a bid to secure it.
Yet a new survey, completed in 2009 but only just published by the parliamentary authorities for London Underground and the Parliamentary Estates Department, has found that the rate of movement has accelerated in recent years.
The engineers conclude that no single known factor can fully explain the "event". Since 2003, the monitoring instruments suggest the tilt has continued to increase by 0.04in (0.9mm) a year, compared to the long-term average rate of just 0.025in (0.65mm) a year.
Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) Special devices are needed to notice the inclination of the tower.
b) It is quite possible that the tower will fall in the future.
c) Some people would be glad if the tower fell.
d) There have always been uncontrolled construction works.
Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What are the possible reasons for the tilt of the tower?
b) What are the conclusions engineers have reached?
Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) to fall over (par.2) b) to vary (par. 5) c) speed (par. 6)
Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Civil engineers believe that the tower is sinking.
The tower...
b) Special techniques were used to create a concrete barrier under the tower.
Engineers...
c) The tower is tilting slowly. Yet a new survey has found that the movement has accelerated.
Although...
Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Do you think it is a good idea to build replicas to protect the originals ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onb09wiRtVA
Bear cub wanders in the veg section of a US supermarket
A little bear cub decided to go exploring and found itself in a supermarket.
Perhaps he was feeling peckish, but shoppers in Ketchikan, Alaska in the US were surprised to see the bear climbing across the fruit and veg.
The bear had wandered into the store through the automatic doors and hopped into the display.
It managed to disrupt the fruit display before a brave customer managed to catch the cub and let it free outside.
Black bears are common in this part of America and live happily in the wild but do occasionally head towards towns in search of food.
Vocabulary
decided / display / exploring / hopped / occasionally / wandered
chose something after thinking about it
searching in a place to discover things
walked slowly without any clear purpose
jumped quickly
place where things are put so that people can look at them
sometimes but not often
True or false?
1. Alaska is located in Ketchikan.
2. Black bears are often seen in Alaska.
3. The cub came into the supermarket through the doors.
4. The cub wandered out of the supermarket again.
5. The bear climbed under the fruit display.
6. The fruit display was damaged by the cub.
7. No one was brave enough to capture the bear.
8. Black bears never come into towns.
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
1. peckish
a) the same as confused
b) the same as tired
c) the same as hungry
2. common
a) the same as normal
b) the same as unusual
c) the same as scarce
3. managed
a) the same as tried
b) the same as told
c) the same as was able to
4. surprised
a) the same as alarmed
b) the same as confused
c) the same as astonished
KEY
Vocabulary
decided: chose something after thinking about it
exploring: searching in a place to discover things
wandered:walked slowly without any clear purpose
hopped: jumped quickly
display: place where things are put so that people can look at them
occasionally: sometimes but not often
True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. False
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics
hungry
normal
was able to
astonished
Big Ben becoming leaning tower of London
KEY
Question 1
a) False “ so far off that experts say the tilt is visible to the naked eye”
b) False “In the unlikely event that the tower falls,”
c) True which may at least offer some compensation to architectural purists unimpressed by the modern building“
d) False in the late 1990s, special techniques were used to create a concrete barrier under the tower, in a bid to secure it.
Question 2
a) The possible reasons are the construction works which have been made around the tower, including the development of the underground system and a parking space for the Members of Parliament.
b) Engineers have reached the conclusion that there is more that one factor which can explain the leaning of the tower and that the speed at which the tower is tilting is increasing every year.
Question 3
a) topple / to topple
b) ranged / have ranged / to range
c) rate
Question 4
a) The tower is believed to be sinking.
b) Engineers used special techniques to create a barrier under the tower.
c) Although the tower is tilting slowly, a new survey has found that the movement has accelerated.
Question 1
a) False “ so far off that experts say the tilt is visible to the naked eye”
b) False “In the unlikely event that the tower falls,”
c) True which may at least offer some compensation to architectural purists unimpressed by the modern building“
d) False in the late 1990s, special techniques were used to create a concrete barrier under the tower, in a bid to secure it.
Question 2
a) The possible reasons are the construction works which have been made around the tower, including the development of the underground system and a parking space for the Members of Parliament.
b) Engineers have reached the conclusion that there is more that one factor which can explain the leaning of the tower and that the speed at which the tower is tilting is increasing every year.
Question 3
a) topple / to topple
b) ranged / have ranged / to range
c) rate
Question 4
a) The tower is believed to be sinking.
b) Engineers used special techniques to create a barrier under the tower.
c) Although the tower is tilting slowly, a new survey has found that the movement has accelerated.
martes, 18 de octubre de 2011
We're back
At the start of another school year 2011-2012, we hope to have even more visitors and to share some useful and interesting materials and activities with you.
So let's get started with the new stuff !!!!!!!!!
The man who founded Apple, Steve Jobs, dies
Steve Jobs, the man behind gadgets like the iPod and the iPhone, has died.
The 56-year-old had been receiving treatment for cancer and stepped down as the boss of Apple in August as he had been unwell for several years.
Apple, the company he co-founded, said in a statement that it had lost "a visionary and creative genius".
Steve was also interested in animation and founded Pixar which produced films like Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
President Obama called him one of the great American innovators.
He said he was "brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it".
Earlier this year, Stephen Fry, paid tribute to him, saying his legacy would never be forgotten.
True or false?
1. Steve Jobs had headed up Apple since August.
2. Steven Fry said that Jobs’ accomplishments would be remembered.
3. Jobs was one of the people who started Apple originally.
4. President Obama had no comment on Jobs’ death.
5. The iPod and iPhone are both made by Apple.
6. Toy Story was a film made by Pixar.
7. Monsters Inc. is an animated film.
8. Stephen Fry paid tribute after Jobs died.
Match the words and the definitions
animation / creative/ gadget/ genius/ talented / tribute / visionary
small device or machine
person who can imagine what the future will be like
having original or unusual ideas
someone who is very smart
making films using drawings, not real photographs
very skilled or capable
something you say to show you respect and admire someone
What is the missing word?
The 56-year-old had been ___________ treatment for cancer.
Steve was also interested in animation and ___________ Pixar.
He had been ____________ for several years.
He said he was ____________ enough to think differently.
KEY
False / True / True / False / True / True / True / False
gadget small device or machine
visionary person who can imagine what the future will be like
creative having original or unusual ideas
genius someone who is very smart
animation making films using drawings, not real photographs
talented very skilled or capable
tribute something you say to show you respect and admire someone
receiving
founded
unwell
brave
PS3 Network back up and running
Good news for PlayStation Network users - the system's back up and running in the UK after being turned off for four weeks.
The network was closed on 20 April after hackers broke into players' accounts, stealing personal info.
Gamers are being asked to reset their passwords.
Loads of people tried to log on after the restart at the weekend - which meant the network had to be turned off for 30 minutes to clear the queue.
The network is being started up region by region - and the US and Europe is back online now.
It's thought about 100 million users had their details taken after the hacking attack on the PlayStation Network and the Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) PC games network.
Sony is still looking into how the security breach was possible. The hacking is worrying because information from the accounts could allow someone else to buy an item using a credit card, even though it's not their own.
The games company says it has now put in "new and additional security measures" that would give users with better protection.
Match each word to its definition
breach / details / hackers / measures / protection / queue / region
people who break into other people’s computers without permission
line of people who are waiting for something
particular area or part of the world
information about someone or something
when someone breaks into something that is supposed to be guarded
ways of achieving something, or methods for dealing with a situation
method of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss
True or false?
1.The network breach was limited to the UK.
2.The hackers stole credit card information.
3.Sony knows how the hackers broke in.
4.Sony has not changed its security measures.
5.Two Sony networks were affected by the attack.
6.Few people tried to log into the network once it was restored.
7.People play games on the network.
8.Sony restarted the network all at once.
What is the missing word?
1.Gamers are being asked to __________ their passwords.
2.Sony is still looking into how the security breach was __________ .
3.It has now put in "new and __________ security measures".
4.Loads of people tried to log on after the __________ .
KEY
hackers people who break into other people’s computers without permission
queue line of people who are waiting for something
region particular area or part of the world
details information about someone or something
breach when someone breaks into something that is supposed to be guarded
measures ways of achieving something, or methods for dealing with a situation
protection method of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss
True or false?
1.False
2.True
3.False
4.False
5.True
6.False
7.True
8.False
What is the missing word?
1.reset
2.possible
3.additional
4.restart
The network was closed on 20 April after hackers broke into players' accounts, stealing personal info.
Gamers are being asked to reset their passwords.
Loads of people tried to log on after the restart at the weekend - which meant the network had to be turned off for 30 minutes to clear the queue.
The network is being started up region by region - and the US and Europe is back online now.
It's thought about 100 million users had their details taken after the hacking attack on the PlayStation Network and the Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) PC games network.
Sony is still looking into how the security breach was possible. The hacking is worrying because information from the accounts could allow someone else to buy an item using a credit card, even though it's not their own.
The games company says it has now put in "new and additional security measures" that would give users with better protection.
Match each word to its definition
breach / details / hackers / measures / protection / queue / region
people who break into other people’s computers without permission
line of people who are waiting for something
particular area or part of the world
information about someone or something
when someone breaks into something that is supposed to be guarded
ways of achieving something, or methods for dealing with a situation
method of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss
True or false?
1.The network breach was limited to the UK.
2.The hackers stole credit card information.
3.Sony knows how the hackers broke in.
4.Sony has not changed its security measures.
5.Two Sony networks were affected by the attack.
6.Few people tried to log into the network once it was restored.
7.People play games on the network.
8.Sony restarted the network all at once.
What is the missing word?
1.Gamers are being asked to __________ their passwords.
2.Sony is still looking into how the security breach was __________ .
3.It has now put in "new and __________ security measures".
4.Loads of people tried to log on after the __________ .
KEY
hackers people who break into other people’s computers without permission
queue line of people who are waiting for something
region particular area or part of the world
details information about someone or something
breach when someone breaks into something that is supposed to be guarded
measures ways of achieving something, or methods for dealing with a situation
protection method of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss
True or false?
1.False
2.True
3.False
4.False
5.True
6.False
7.True
8.False
What is the missing word?
1.reset
2.possible
3.additional
4.restart
Lost pyramids spotted from space
Lots of pyramids, tombs and ancient settlements, hidden under the ground in Egypt, have been spotted - from SPACE.17 pyramids and over 3,000 ancient settlements were found using satellites more than 400 miles above the Earth. The satellites had powerful infra-red cameras that enabled them to see the underground buildings.
Archaeologist Dr Sarah Parcak and her team in the US made the discoveries. "I couldn't believe we could locate so many sites all over Egypt," she said. Sarah travelled to Egypt to see if excavations of the sites could be done to uncover what her photos were showing.
In the area of Saqqara in Egypt, the authorities weren't interested in Sarah's findings at first. But after making test excavations, they now believe it's one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
Match the words below to their definitions
Archaeologist / authorities / excavations / findings / settlements / tombs
large stone buildings or underground rooms where people are buried
places where people live
someone who studies how people lived in the past
places where people dig to find things from the past
government officials who enforce rules
information which is discovered during a study
True or false?
1. This is the first time that pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.
2. You can see things from space that you can’t see when you are on the ground.
3. The team also discovered ancient sites in the US.
4. The authorities made test excavations at the sites Sarah found.
5. Authorities already knew about the sites and so weren’t interested.
6. Sarah could not get permission to travel to Egypt.
7. Some of the sites the team found were in Saqqara.
8. Many of the ancient sites that were found were buried.
What is the missing word?
1. The satellites had ___________ infra-red cameras.
2. I couldn't believe we could ___________ so many sites.
3. The authorities weren't ___________ in Sarah's findings at first.
4. It's one of the most ___________ archaeological sites in the country.
KEY
True or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. True
8. True
Vocabulary
tombs large stone buildings or underground rooms where people are buried
settlements places where people live
archaeologist someone who studies how people lived in the past
excavations places where people dig to find things from the past
authorities government officials who enforce rules
findings information which is discovered during a study
What is the missing word?
1. powerful
2. locate
3. interested
4. important
Twelve giant panda cubs born in China
Twelve giant panda cubs born in China have been shown off to the public for the first time.
The furry friends were brought outside to enjoy a bit of sun at the research centre where they live.
The centre breeds the black and white bears to encourage their survival. Giant pandas are endangered animals because of forests being destroyed where they live.
The research centre was started in 1987 with just six pandas, but the new arrivals bring the total up to 108. The staff also breed red pandas and monkeys which are also threatened in the wild.
They may look small here but giant pandas can grow up to 1.8 metres in length!
Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?
1. No one has seen the panda cubs so far.
2. Pandas are endangered in the wild.
3. Giant panda cubs don’t have any fur.
4. The centre only breeds giant pandas.
5. The number of pandas at the centre has grown since 1987.
6. Giant pandas live in forests.
7. Giant panda cubs are small.
8. Giant pandas are the only type of panda.
Match the words to the definitions
arrivals survival endangered breed research
when someone or something continues to live or exist
detailed study of something
babies which have been born recently
describes animals or plants which may not exist in future because there are very few alive now
keep animals so you can produce young animals
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
forests
a) the same as forages
b) the same as fields
c) the same as woods
destroyed
a) the same as defamed
b) the same as protected
c)the same as wiped out
encourage
a) the same as discourage
b) the same as promote
c) the same as ensure
threatened
a) the same as protected
b) the same as at risk
c) the same as lost
The furry friends were brought outside to enjoy a bit of sun at the research centre where they live.
The centre breeds the black and white bears to encourage their survival. Giant pandas are endangered animals because of forests being destroyed where they live.
The research centre was started in 1987 with just six pandas, but the new arrivals bring the total up to 108. The staff also breed red pandas and monkeys which are also threatened in the wild.
They may look small here but giant pandas can grow up to 1.8 metres in length!
Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?
1. No one has seen the panda cubs so far.
2. Pandas are endangered in the wild.
3. Giant panda cubs don’t have any fur.
4. The centre only breeds giant pandas.
5. The number of pandas at the centre has grown since 1987.
6. Giant pandas live in forests.
7. Giant panda cubs are small.
8. Giant pandas are the only type of panda.
Match the words to the definitions
arrivals survival endangered breed research
when someone or something continues to live or exist
detailed study of something
babies which have been born recently
describes animals or plants which may not exist in future because there are very few alive now
keep animals so you can produce young animals
Which word or phrase means the same as the one in italics?
forests
a) the same as forages
b) the same as fields
c) the same as woods
destroyed
a) the same as defamed
b) the same as protected
c)the same as wiped out
encourage
a) the same as discourage
b) the same as promote
c) the same as ensure
threatened
a) the same as protected
b) the same as at risk
c) the same as lost
KEY
FALSE / TRUE / FALSE / FALSE / TRUE / TRUE / TRUE / FALSE
survival when someone or something continues to live or exist
research detailed study of something
arrivals babies which have been born recently
endangered describes animals or plants which may not exist in future because there are very few alive now
breed keep animals so you can produce young animals
WOODS / WIPED OUT / PROMOTE / AT RISK
martes, 10 de mayo de 2011
CU after summer
Now that the "busy days" are coming, here are our last posts of this school year.
Hope that you find Our Blog useful. We'll see you again in September.
In the meanwhile, let's listen to some music to get ready for the summer hols.
“Summercat” – Billie the Vision & The Dancers
I kissed you good bye at the airport. I held you so close to me. I said ‘So here we are now and I can’t stop from crying Lilly’. And you said ‘Hey hey hoo, you know this is the way to go. You will forget about me when I’m on that plane. Forget about me when I’m on that plane.’
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
The plane took off and my love went with it. The chilly wind whipped my both cheeks hard. And the man next to me said ‘Everything is gonna be alright’. I said ‘Nothing is gonna be alright, but thank you anyway’. And then I saw your face in the airplane window. I waved my hands and I shouted to you:
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
I wore a T-shirt and my worn out hat. Abandoned as a summer cat. And as I stood there as a broken hearted I realized you got the car keys still. So I broke into my own old car. I fell asleep on the passenger seat. I dreamed of summer sex with you and you whispered in my ear:
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
Why can’t you leave me tomorrow instead?
And above the clouds she said to herself ‘I can’t believe how naive a man can be. That’s why I love you so and that’s why I can’t be with you…’
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
..... and some others for you to enjoy.
Now that the "busy days" are coming, here are our last posts of this school year.
Hope that you find Our Blog useful. We'll see you again in September.
In the meanwhile, let's listen to some music to get ready for the summer hols.
“Summercat” – Billie the Vision & The Dancers
I kissed you good bye at the airport. I held you so close to me. I said ‘So here we are now and I can’t stop from crying Lilly’. And you said ‘Hey hey hoo, you know this is the way to go. You will forget about me when I’m on that plane. Forget about me when I’m on that plane.’
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
The plane took off and my love went with it. The chilly wind whipped my both cheeks hard. And the man next to me said ‘Everything is gonna be alright’. I said ‘Nothing is gonna be alright, but thank you anyway’. And then I saw your face in the airplane window. I waved my hands and I shouted to you:
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
I wore a T-shirt and my worn out hat. Abandoned as a summer cat. And as I stood there as a broken hearted I realized you got the car keys still. So I broke into my own old car. I fell asleep on the passenger seat. I dreamed of summer sex with you and you whispered in my ear:
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
Why can’t you leave me tomorrow instead?
And above the clouds she said to herself ‘I can’t believe how naive a man can be. That’s why I love you so and that’s why I can’t be with you…’
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you Tonight tonight tonight tonight
I wanna be with you tonight
..... and some others for you to enjoy.
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