April Fool's Day

This is a list of vocabulary items related to April Fool's Day


April Fool
1. A trick played on someone on April Fools' Day, or the person who is tricked

2. Said on April Fools' Day when you have tricked someone

April Fool's Day
Also Called All Fool's Day. It is on the first of April every year. People can play tricks, practical jokes and hoaxes on each other on this day.

Fool
A person who behaves in a silly way without thinking or someone who doesn't understand what's happening around him/her

Hoax
A plan to deceive someone, such as telling the police there is a bomb somewhere when there is not one, or a trick:

The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax

Gullible
easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say:

There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them

Play a joke (on someone)
(Also play a trick on someone.) Do something funny (an amusing trick) that is done in order to make people laugh and that another person doesn't suspect at first.

Practical joke
A playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.

Prank
A trick that is intended to be amusing but not to cause harm or damage:

When I was at school we were always playing pranks on our teachers.
I've had enough of your childish pranks


Prankster
Someone who performs pranks on people

Spoof story
It is a story that's not true, presented as though it were real.



Do the exercise below on the vocabulary related to April Fool's Day and click on the button to check your answers.

Choose the right words:

fool / cracks / play / celebrated / practical / trick / gullible / hoax / prank / prankster

1.April Fools' Day is a day to…………………jokes on people.
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April…………………..
3.April Fools' Day is…………………..in many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A…………………..joke is a ……………………..that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is……………………….
6.He is……………………………….enough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A…………………….is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real.
8.A…………………………..is someone who performs pranks on people.
9.He is very funny. He always……………………………..jokes.


And now you can read more about April Fool’s Day and answer the questions below

April Fool's Day

April Fool’s Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is on the first of April every year. People can play practical jokes. That's why you shouldn't believe what is said to you and you should be doubtful of the people around you on this day. Someone might change the time on another person's alarm to make him wake up very early or very late. Or she / he may put a lot of pepper in another's food. Of course all this is done just for fun. when the trick is played people say "April Fool" to make the poor person realize that it was just a joke.

Some of the well known and most successful pranks or practical jokes were on the media - television, radio stations, newspapers... For instance, a BBC television program ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing Italians harvesting spaghetti from trees. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate spaghetti trees. In 2008, the BBC again reported on a newly discovered colony of flying penguins showing people walking with the penguins in Antarctica, and following their flight to the Amazon rainforest.


Comprehension:

1.April Fool's Day is also called Fool's Day ?
a. True
b. False

2.On this day
a. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do
b. You should wake up early in order not to be hoaxed

3.After you play a trick on someone
a. say April Fool
b. say April Fool's Day

4.After the announcement of the BBC "spaghetti documentary"
a. people believed the piece of news
b. people called the BBC to complain about being hoaxed




KEY

1.April Fools' Day is a day to playjokes on people. .
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April fool .
3.April Fools' Day is celebratedin many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A practical joke is a playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is prank .
6.He is gullibleenough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A hoax is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real
8.A prankster is someone who performs pranks on people..
9.He is very funny. He always cracks jokes

KEY for the Reading

1. False (it is also called All Fool's Day) - b

2. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do - a

3. say April Fool - a

4. people believed the piece of news - a

The Playbutton: a way to wear your music tastes on your sleeve

Look at the woman in this picture. • What is she wearing on her jacket? • What do you think she is listening to?

Read the text and find out!

The Playbutton: a way to wear your music tastes on your sleeve

"The Playbutton is for those of us who still hang on to what's tangible," says its creator Nick Dangerfield, a Spaniard of British origin who lives in New York. After working for a company called Powershovel, where he developed a Super-8 digital camera called Harinezumi, Dangerfield set up his own firm and launched the Playbutton three weeks ago.

The device is a round, button-like music player that only plays one album, in the old-fashioned way: the songs are in the order the band wanted them to be, and cannot be deleted or replaced with other content. It is attached to your clothes via a pin in the back, and the four-hour battery can be recharged using a USB port.

But why would someone want to spend $20 (€14) on this when the same album will be available on iTunes for just 9 euros? "The Playbutton is a way to express your passion for a band and to support it financially," says Dangerfield. "It is a different sound experience from an iPhone, which does not let you know what someone is listening to."

The first band to embrace the technology was Bubbles, a favourite in New York's underground circles. At a recent party, the band introduced its album, released exclusively through Playbutton and produced by Parte LLC.

Dangerfield and his business partner, the Spaniard Víctor Esther, who is also the art director, eventually want to create a small record label that will produce albums in Playbutton format. The Playbutton will soon go on sale at Madrid's Casa Peseta.

Match each verb from the text to what follows it and match each expression to its meaning:1 hang the technology a) keep, not throw away or discard
2 set with other content b) start a business
3 embrace on to something c) substitute with other music
4 attach up a firm or company d) be available to buy
5 replace financially e) fasten onto what you are wearing
6 support on sale f) start using the device
7 go to your clothes g) help by giving money

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) Nick Dangerfield is the owner of Powershovel.
b) It costs more to buy an album on Playbutton than on Itunes.
c) Nick Dangerfield has plans to do more things in the music industry.
d) You can already buy the Playbutton in the Spanish capital.

Question 2 [2 points]
Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) What is a Playbutton?
b) Who are Bubbles and how have they used Playbutton?

Question 3 [1.5 points]
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) inventor (paragraph 1)
b) remove, erase (paragraph 2)
c) connection (paragraph 2)

Question 4Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) ‘Have you ever been to Sydney?’ asked Paul
Paul asked Maria …….
b) We arrived too late to catch the plane.
If ……….
c) That’s my neighbour. He lives in the flat on the fifth floor.
That’s the ……

Question 5 Write a short essay (between120-150 words) on the following topic:
How do you choose the music you listen to?

The Playbutton

KEY

Matching exercise
1 hang on to something - a) keep, not throw away or discard
2 set up a firm or company - b) start a business
3 embrace the technology – f) start using the device
4 attach to your clothes - e) fasten onto what you are wearing
5 replace with other content - c) substitute with other music
6 support financially - g) help by giving money
7 go on sale - d) be available to buy

PAU questions
Question 1
a) False After working for a company called Powershovel, where he developed a Super-8 digital camera called Harinezumi, Dangerfield set up his own firm
b) True But why would someone want to spend $20 (€14) on this when the same album will be available on iTunes for just 9 euros?
c) True Dangerfield and his business partner, the Spaniard Víctor Esther, who is also the art director, eventually want to create a small record label that will produce albums in Playbutton format.
d) False The Playbutton will soon go on sale at Madrid's Casa Peseta.

Question 2
a) A Playbutton is a gadget that plays one album of songs. It is not possible to change the order of the songs or to remove any of them from the Playbutton. You wear it on your clothes. It has a battery that lasts for four hours.
b) Bubbles is a music group that is popular in New York. A short time ago, the group presented its latest album, which is only available through Playbutton at a party.

Question 3
a) creator
b) delete/deleted
c) port

Question 4
a) Paul asked Maria if she had ever been to Sydney.
b) If we had not arrived (so) late, we could have caught the plane. OR If we had not arrived (so) late, we would not have missed the plane. OR If we had arrived earlier, we would have caught the plane. OR If we had arrived earlier, we would not have missed the plane.

Girl, 10, designs Queen's emblem

A 10-year-old girl has come up with the winning design for an emblem for the Queen's official 2012 Diamond Jubilee.
Katherine Dewar's artwork was picked from tens of thousands of entries in a nationwide competition run by CBBC's Blue Peter.
Her design of a crown above the Union Flag with diamonds down either side, will appear on everything from official Jubilee posters to tea towels!
Katherine said she was really excited to win.
"I'm looking forward to seeing people waving flags with my design on to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee," she said.
Katherine's design was chosen by a panel of judges that included Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood and Tracy Beaker illustrator Nick Sharratt.
The competition was split into three age categories - six to eight-year-olds, nine to 11-year-olds and 12 to 14-year-olds.
The creators of the top 30 designs across the competition have been invited to a special tea party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate their achievements.

True or False?

1. Katherine’s design will be put on flags for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
2. The Queen said she was really excited that Katherine had won.
3. The contestants came from all over the United Kingdom.
4. The design includes a picture of a crown.
5. Katherine was one of three winners, one from each age group.
6. People are going to print tea towels for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
7. There were thirty people who entered the competition.
8. There were only two people on the panel of judges.

Match these words to their definitions

achievements / categories / celebrate / competition / emblem
Illustrator / official / panel / posters

a badge or sign that is used to represent an organisation, event, person or group
a contest where which people try to win something or do better than others
mark a special occasion or day by festivities or ceremonies
a group of people who discuss or judge something
someone who creates artwork to go in a book, either to decorate it or to explain things
groups of things that share common characteristics
things that somebody has succeeded in doing, usually through hard work
large printed pictures used for decoration or for advertising
approved by a government, public body, or some other authority






KEY

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. False

emblem a badge or sign that is used to represent an organisation, event, person or group
competition a contest where which people try to win something or do better than others
celebrate mark a special occasion or day by festivities or ceremonies
panel a group of people who discuss or judge something
illustrator someone who creates artwork to go in a book, either to decorate it or to explain things
categories groups of things that share common characteristics
achievements things that somebody has succeeded in doing, usually through hard work
posters large printed pictures used for decoration or for advertising
official approved by a government, public body, or some other authority

Police find £12 million of stolen jewels in gutter!

Police have found a stash of mega expensive jewels hidden in a gutter in France!
19 rings and three sets of earrings were found - estimated to be worth... wait for it... about £12 million.
The precious sparklers were discovered in a plastic container in the drain of a house in Paris.
They're thought to be from a collection of jewellery stolen from a posh shop in Paris back in 2008.
The robbery of the shop is really famous in France because thieves made off with over £50 million worth of rings, necklaces and watches.
It was also unusual because the shop is in one of the smartest areas of Paris - and some of the robbers were disguised as women!
Police have found the man who they thought was in charge of the theft - who was already in prison!
Three-quarters of the missing jewellery has been found - but some is still missing.
So this unusual find in a gutter in the outskirts of Paris means more of the missing stash can be returned to its smart home!

True or false?

1. The jewels were found in a posh shop in Paris.
2. The stash included 19 rings and six earrings.
3. All of the robbers were women.
4. No necklaces were found in the container.
5. The jewels were found in the centre of Paris.
6. None of the people involved in the robbery have been caught.
7. This is the only jewellery which has been recovered from the robbery.
8. The jewellery was found in a gutter by the side of the road.

Match these words to their definitions

container / disguised / famous / gutter / outskirts / posh / precious / sparklers / stash

secret store of something valuable
channel on a roof or road to carry away rainwater
elegant, expensive and fashionable
altered to prevent recognition
the areas at the edge of a town or city
very well known and recognised by many other people
slang term for jewels or gems
highly valued, loved or worth a lot of money
something you put things in, such as a box or bottle




KEY

False
True
False
True
False
False
False
False


stash secret store of something valuable
gutter channel on a roof or road to carry away rainwater
posh elegant, expensive and fashionable
disguised altered to prevent recognition
outskirts the areas at the edge of a town or city
famous very well known and recognised by many other people
sparklers slang term for jewels or gems
precious highly valued, loved or worth a lot of money
container something you put things in, such as a box or bottle

Letter of Complaint

Here's a guided exercise on how to write a letter of complaint

Complete the letter of complaint by writing one of these words in each space

begin finally faithfully discount so misleading because complain forward above but attention point refund advertisement

Dear Sir/Madam,

I feel I must __________(1) about the lunch we had at your restaurant on Thursday 17th December. Unfortunately, both the food and the service were not satisfactory.

To __________(2) with, the dishes we ordered were inedible __________(3) of heavy seasoning. There was __________(4) much salt and pepper on the food that it was impossible to eat the whole meal.

I must also __________(5) out that your advertisement was __________(6) as there were only two vegetarian dishes on the menu.

__________(7), when we asked for the bill, we were surprised at the staff's ignorance of the 10% __________(8) for group bookings. Again, this was something highlighted in your __________(9). We could have made a fuss about it, __________(10) we decided not to.

Considering all the __________(11), I believe I am entitled to a partial __________(12). I am confident that this matter will receive your prompt __________(13). I look __________(14) to hearing from you.

Yours __________(15),

Opening paragraph:

I am writing to complain about…..

I feel I must complain about……

I am writing to you in connection with…..

It was completely different from…..

I am dissatisfied with…..

Unfortunately, it was nothing like what I expected.

Expressions for middle paragraphs:

I must mention / point out …..

To make matters worse….

I was shocked / surprised / disappointed…..

As if that was not bad enough…

To my surprise / amazement…

Closing paragraph:

I demand a full refund / immediate action / a replacement.

I would be grateful if you dealt with this matter immediately.

I would appreciate if we could sort this matter out as soon as possible.

I am afraid that if this matter is not dealt with immediately, I will….

I look forward to hearing from you.

I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

Thanking you in advance.

Police to send warning letters to parents of Facebook bullies

The parents of Facebook bullies will receive letters from police in the first crackdown on social networking taunting which has led youngsters to commit suicide.Detectives will start sending messages to cyber bullies using the social networking site, warning them they are breaking the law and could face prosecution.Their parents will also be sent a letter alerting them to the fact that their child is an online bully and what the consequences of their actions could be.

It is hoped that informing the internet tormentors of the seriousness of their actions at an early stage will stop them from using the web to harass others and keep them from entering the criminal justice system.

"By sending a police warning notice on Facebook, students will be made aware they could be prosecuted," he said."By alerting their parents to the problem, we are aiming to nip the problem in the bud and prevent it becoming something more serious."Social networkers, whatever their age, often don't think about what they are writing in the same way they would think about what they write in a letter or an email.

"If we have to investigate Facebook messages as harassment or public order offences and the young person gets charged, it could seriously affect their future."While we want them to realise how serious the matter is, we also want to avoid that and keep young people out of the criminal justice system if possible."

Under the scheme, Pc Thomas will work with young volunteers to investigate and deal with reports of bullying or harassment on Facebook.

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether these sentences are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Cyber bullies will receive letters from the police.
b. Some of the victims of Facebook bullying have killed themselves.
c. Only teen social networkers don´t realise how offensive their messages on social networks are.
d. Only professional policemen will investigate online bullying.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How are the police going to try to stop online bullying?
b. What could happen to these bullies if they don´t stop their actions?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a. campaign against (par.1) b. continually annoy (par.2) c. accused (par.4)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. The parents of Facebook bullies will receive letters from the police.
Letters .........................................
b. "We want them to realise how serious the matter is.“ he said.
He said that ..................................................
c. The police will investigate social networkers who send disturbing messages.
If social networkers didn´t .............................................

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:

What do you think about social networks like Facebook, Twitter?

Police to send warning letters to parents of Facebook bullies

KEY

Question 1.

a. False. “ Detectives will start sending messages to cyber bullies.“
b. True. “ the first crackdown on social networking taunting which has led youngsters to commit suicide.“
c. False. “Social networkers, whatever their age, often don't think about what they are writing in the same way they would think about what they write in a letter or an email.“
d. False. “ Pc Thomas will work with young volunteers to investigate and deal with reports of bullying or harassment on Facebook.“

Question 2.

a. The police are going to inform facebook parents’ bullies by mail and they are also going to inform the bullies themeselves by sending them messages through the social network site. They want to make them aware of the seriousness of their online actions and the possible consequences these actions may have.

b. Cyber bullies might be considered criminals, get charged and taken to court, which would have bad effects on their life in the future.

Question 3

a. crackdown on b. to harass c. charged

Question 4.

a. Letters from the police will be received by the parents of Facebook bullies.
b. He said that they wanted them to realise how serious the matter was.
c. If social networkers didn´t send disturbing messages, the police wouldn´t investigate them.

WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book Day will be celebrated in the UK and Ireland on 3rd March this year.

If you want to have a look at the official website CLICK HERE

There are plenty of links you can use with adults, young people or kids, including a section called "Story Telling Online" with videos

World Book and Copyright Day

World Book and Copyright Day is on the 23rd of April every year. It is also called International Day of the Book or World Book Days. UNESCO started it in 1995 to promote reading, publishing and to raise awareness of and protect copyright. There are several theories to explain why it falls on April 23. One is because William Shakespeare was born and died on this day. Another is because of a festival held since 1923 in Spain to honor the death of Spanish writer Cervantes. Part of Spain’s festivities include a two-day ‘readathon’ of Cervantes’ book Don Quixote. UNESCO wants to encourage young people in particular to discover the unique pleasures of reading and respect the authors who have helped shape and change our world.

World Book Day UK began in 1998. Then Prime Minster Tony Blair gave several million schoolchildren a special £1 World Book Day token they could use to buy any book in any bookshop in the UK. What happens in your country on World Book Day? What do you think should happen? It’s fantastic that we have a day to celebrate books and authors. They have certainly enriched our lives, from childhood to the day we can no longer read. People say that everyone has a book in them. What would you like to write a book about? Most authors who write their first book do so thinking no one will ever read it. Many publishers were not interested in J.K. Rowling’s first story about a boy called Harry Potter. Didn’t he become famous?

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1.	It is also called	a.	copyright
2	raise awareness of and protect	b.	died on this day
3.	There are several theories to	c.	change our world
4.	Shakespeare was born and	d.	of reading
5.	discover the unique pleasures	e.	International Day of the Book
6.	authors who have helped shape and	f.	explain why

Paragraph 2

1.	buy any book	a.	our lives
2	It’s fantastic that we have a day to	b.	first book
3.	They have certainly enriched	c.	a boy called Harry Potter
4.	People say that everyone has	d.	celebrate books and authors
5.	authors who write their	e.	in any bookshop
6.	J.K Rowling’s first story about	f.	a book in them

MULTIPLE CHOICE

World Book and Copyright Day is on the 23rd of April (1) ____ year. It is also called International Day of the Book or World Book Days. UNESCO started it in 1995 to promote reading, (2) ____ and to raise awareness of and protect copyright. There are several theories to explain why it (3) ____ on April 23. One is because William Shakespeare was born and died on this day. Another is because of a (4) ____ held since 1923 in Spain to honor the death of Spanish writer Cervantes. (5) ____ of Spain’s festivities include a two-day ‘readathon’ of Cervantes’ book Don Quixote. UNESCO wants to encourage young people in particular to discover the unique pleasures of reading and (6) ____ the authors who have helped shape and change our world.

World Book Day UK began in 1998. Then Prime Minster Tony Blair gave several (7) ____ schoolchildren a special £1 World Book Day token they could use to buy any book in (8) ____ bookshop in the UK. What happens in your country on World Book Day? What do you think should happen? It’s fantastic that we have a day to celebrate books and authors. They have certainly (9) ____ our lives, from childhood to the day we can (10) ____ longer read. People say that everyone has a (11) ____ in them. What would you like to write a book about? Most authors who write their first book do so thinking no one will ever read it. Many publishers were not (12) ____ in J.K. Rowling’s first story about a boy called Harry Potter. Didn’t he become famous?

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1.	(a)	every	(b)	all	(c)	some	(d)	even
2.	(a)	publish	(b)	publisher	(c)	publishing	(d)	published
3.	(a)	fails	(b)	falls	(c)	fells	(d)	feels
4.	(a)	festivities	(b)	festive	(c)	festiveness	(d)	festival
5.	(a)	Part	(b)	Party	(c)	Particular	(d)	Partner
6.	(a)	respected	(b)	respect	(c)	respectful	(d)	respects
7.	(a)	millionth	(b)	millions	(c)	million	(d)	millionaire
8.	(a)	some	(b)	all	(c)	many	(d)	any
9.	(a)	enrich	(b)	enriching	(c)	enriched	(d)	enriches
10.	(a)	know	(b)	now	(c)	not	(d)	no
11.	(a)	bookish	(b)	book	(c)	booked	(d)	booking
12.	(a)	interested	(b)	interests	(c)	interest	(d)	interesting

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1
1.	UNESCO tredsta it in 1995
2.	to omotper reading
3.	theories to xlaniep why
4.	Spanish rtweir Cervantes
5.	the ueqinu pleasures of reading
6.	pseah and change our world
Paragraph 2
7.	rvsleae million schoolchildren
8.	buy any book in any osoopbhk
9.	It’s itcfsanat that we have a day to celebrate books
10.	we can no lonerg read
11.	htuoasr who write their first book
12.	a boy leacdl Harry Potter KEY You can check your answers in "THE READING" section at the top of this page.