Shetland that moon-walks to Fleetwood Mac is an internet smash

An advert for mobile internet firm 3, which sees a pony tapping its hooves to Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, has been lauded as 'the best thing ever' by fans on Twitter.

The clip has had more than two million YouTube hits in less than a week.

Mrs Williamson, 42, who runs the Benston stud farm on Shetland, said she was amazed at the five-year-old's new found fame.

Mrs Williamson was approached last year to supply the ponies for the advert, which was filmed on the cliffs of Eshaness on the islands. She said: 'The reaction has been incredible, we have had phone calls and emails from all over the world.’

'Socks just loves attention and I think that's why he was picked out to be the star.’  'It's gone viral now with millions of people watching him but he is blissfully unaware and is keeping his hoofs firmly on the ground.'

Socks was prepared for his starring role for two weeks by local animal trainer Elaine Tait, who told how she taught him to 'moonwalk' by giving him carrots as gifts.  She said: 'Since I only had two weeks in order to get Socks ready to moonwalk, I had to work quickly to gain his trust.’

One of Mrs Williamson's other ponies, Hugh, also starred on the advert.

However, she insisted that despite his fame she will not be selling Socks. She added: 'He has never been for sale and I won't be selling him no matter what the price.  'He's a very special little pony.'

Answer these questions in your own words.
1   Who are they?
a)    Hugh
b)    Elaine Tait
c)    Socks
d)    Mrs Williamson
e)    Fleetwood Mac

2   Where does the pony live?
3   Which part of the island was used to film the video?
4   What has happened to the video on Youtube?
5   How have fans contacted Mrs Williamson?

Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a)   Mrs Willamson said she was amazed at the five-year-old’s new found fame but that she would not be selling Socks.

      “I ………………………………… but I …………………………………..” said Mrs Williamson

b)   Mrs Williamson was approached by the producers last year to supply the ponies for the advert, which was filmed on the cliffs of Eshaness.

       The producers ………………………………………….. to supply the ponies for the advert and they …………………………….. on the cliffs of Eshaness.

c)   Socks just loves attention and that’s why he was picked out to be the star.

      Since Socks ………………………………………………………………. the star.

You can make your own version of the pony mixer. Here

EASTER VIDEO

Watch this video about Easter and answer the questions below

a) According to the Gospels, Jesus and his Apostles entered Jerusalem

1. to observe the passing of birds
2. to observe Passover
3. to observe pastures

b) With the Passover, the Jewish celebrate

1. the Hebrews release from slavery
2. the Hebrews going to Egypt
3. the holy season

c) Jesus was crucified

1. on Good Friday
2. on a Thursday
3. on what is now called holy Friday

d) Pesach is a Jewish word for

1. crucifiction
2. resurrection
3. passover

e) When was it decided that Easter should fall on a Sunday?

1. in 355 AD
2. in 325 AD
3. in 385 AD

f) It was decided that Easter Sunday would be

1. The first Sunday with full moon
2. The first Sunday to follow the full moon after the spring equinox
3. the first Sunday of the spring

g) Where does the word "Easter" come from?

1. It comes from the name of a pagan goddess of fertility
2. It relates to the east
3. It's related to eastern religions

h) Why are eggs related to Easter?

1. Because they are beautiful when coloured
2. Because they are a symbol of birth
3. Because they are a symbol of fertility

i) When did the rabbit become related to Easter?

1. Around the 16th century
2. Around the 6th century
3. Last century

j) Egg-shaped chocolate began to be made...

1. in the 20th century
2. not long ago
3. in the 19th century

Fron ESL.about.com

KEY

a) 2

b) 1

c) 1

d) 3

e) 2

f) 2

g) 1

h) 2

i) 1

j) 3

Easter Rhymes

Find rhyming words that match the clues:

1. A season that rhymes with bring.

2. A flower that rhymes with silly.

3. What birds lay that rhymes with legs.

4. A holiday that rhymes with fur.

5. A meal that rhymes with winner. 

6. Something you send that rhymes with hard.

7. Another word for rabbit that rhymes with honey.

8. Something to hold things and rhymes with gasket.

9. The opposite of find that rhymes with side.

10. What you do to eggs that rhymes with late.

11. A kind of design that rhymes with burn. Hint: It begins with P.

12. A place to pray that rhymes with lurch.

13. A search that rhymes with bunt.

14. A jelly candy that rhymes with seen.

15. Coloured water that rhymes with by.

KEY

1. Spring
2. Lilly
3. Eggs
4. Yom Kippur
5. Dinner
6. Card
7. Bunny
8. Basket
9. Hide
10. Decorate
11. Pattern
12. Church
13. Hunt
14. Jelly Bean
15. Dye

Easter Trivia Quiz:Easter and Easter Traditions.

1.Easter is a celebration of...

a) The Resurrection of Christ

b) The crucifixion of Christ

c) The Last Supper

2.The word "Easter" comes from...

a) The white Esturian Flower that blooms this time of year  

b) "Ostara" the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility

c) The word "East," referring to the rising sun and to spring

3.Lent, the period that comes before  Easter, begins on what day?

a)   Shrove Tuesday

b)   Palm Sunday       

c)   Ash Wednesday

4.The egg is a symbol of...

a)  Rebirth 

b)  Mourning

c)  Fertility

5.When did the rabbit first appear as an Easter symbol? 

a)  In 16th century Germany

b)  When St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland

c)  When the 18th century rabbit population in England reached dangerous proportions

6.Where does the custom of Easter baskets originate?

a)  From the baskets farmers would use to collect their crops           

b)  From the custom of people bringing baskets of eggs to the temple of Ishtar/Estra /Oestra 

c)  From the Catholic custom of bringing Easter food to mass to be blessed

7.Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, celebrates...

a)   The edict in 325 AD by the council of Nice that Easter fall on a Sunday

b)   The commemoration of the Last Supper

c)   The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

8.Where can you find the world’s largest decorated Easter egg?

a)   Romania 

b)   Ukraine

c)   Canada

9. What is supposed to bring people luck at Easter?  

a)  finding a red boiled egg. 

b) wearing new clothes

c) eating hot cross buns

10.In Cyprus they light bonfires at Easter and burn a small figure.Who does this represent ? 

a)  Jesus

b)  the devil 

c)  Judas

11.In Finnland,Sweden and Denmark  children…….

a) dress up as witches and go from door to door asking for sweets. 

b) dress up as rabbits and go from door to door  giving  people boiled eggs.

c) dress up as rabbits and go from door to door and ask people for boiled eggs.

12.In the Netherlands, Belgium and France  bells do not ring for a few days before  Easter and it is said they have gone to ……

a) Heaven 

b) Rome

c) Jerusalem

13.In the Czech Republic, on Easter Monday, in an old tradition men……. 

a) give women a chocolate egg

b) kiss women and dance with them

c) spank women with a special whip

14. On Maunday Thursday,the Thursday before Easter , traditionally the day before Jesus celebrated Passover, the reigning English Monarch i.e Queen Elizabeth gives people ……

a) money

b) boiled eggs

c) Bibles

KEY

Easter Trivia Quiz:Easter and Easter Traditions.

1.a)   The Resurrection of Christ

2.b)  "Ostara," the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility

3.c)Ash Wednesday

4.a)  Rebirth

5.a)In 16th century Germany

6. b) From the custom of people bringing baskets of eggs to the temple of ishtar/Estra

7.c) The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

8.c) Canada

9. b) wearing new clothes 

10.c)  Judas

11.a) dress up as witches and go from door to door asking for sweets. 

12.b) Rome

13. c) spank women with a special whip

14. a) money

Inside an Easter egg

Just for fun........ but tell us what your favourite is.

Burns’ Night

Burns' Night in United Kingdom

Burns Night is annually celebrated in Scotland on or around January 25. It commemorates the life of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born on January 25, 1759. The day also celebrates Burns' contribution to Scottish culture. Burns' best known work is "Auld Lang Syne".

What do people do?

Many people and organizations hold a Burns' supper on or around Burns' Night. These may be informal or formal, only for men, only for women, or for both genders. Formal events include toasts and readings of pieces written by Robert Burns. Ceremonies during a Burns' Night supper vary according to the group organizing the event and the location.

The evening centers on the entrance of the haggis (a type of sausage prepared in a sheep's stomach) on a large platter to the sound of a piper playing bagpipes. When the haggis is on the table, the host reads the "Address to a Haggis". This is an ode that Robert Burns wrote to the Scottish dish. At the end of the reading, the haggis is ceremonially sliced into two pieces and the meal begins.

Public life

Burns' Night is an observance but it is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.

Background

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland, on January 25, 1759. He died in Dumfries, Scotland, on July 21, 1796. He was a bard (poet) and wrote many poems, lyrics and other pieces that addressed political and civil issues. Perhaps his best known work is "Auld Lang Syne", which is sung at New Year's Eve celebrations in Scotland, parts of the United Kingdom, and other places around the world. Burns is one of Scotland's important cultural icons and is well known among Scottish expats or descendants around the world. He is also known as: "Rabbie Burns"; the "Bard of Ayrshire"; "Scotland's favourite son"; and in Scotland "The Bard".

Robert Burns' acquaintances held the first Burns' supper on July 21, the anniversary of his death, in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the late 1700s. The date was later changed to January 25, which marks his birthday. Burns' suppers are now held by people and organizations with Scottish origins worldwide, particularly in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States.

Symbols

The Scottish flag is often displayed at Burns' Night celebrations. It is known as the Saltire and consists of a rectangular blue background with thick white bars on the diagonals. The diagonals form a cross that represents Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

At Burns' Night events, many men wear kilts and women may wear shawls, skirts or dresses made from their family tartan. A tartan was originally a woolen cloth with a distinctive pattern. Particular patterns and combinations of colors were associated with different areas, clans and families. Tartan patterns are now printed on various materials.

Many types of food are associated with Burns' Night. These include: cock-a-leekie soup (chicken and leek soup); haggis; neeps (mashed turnips or swedes) and tatties (mashed potatoes); cranachan (whipped cream mixed with raspberries and served with sweet oat wafers); and bannocks (a kind of bread cooked on a griddle). Whisky is the traditional drink.

Are these sentences TRUE or FALSE?

1.      During Burns’ night people can listen to some of his poems.

2.      Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” is only sung on Burns’ night.

3.      People with Scottish ancestors all over the world know about Robert Burns.

4.      The patron saint of Scotland is represented in the Scottish flag.

5.      The material used for Scottish women’s dresses is called “kilt”

Ask the question to the following answers

1.      On January 25, 1759.

2.      The “Address to the Haggis”

3.      Many poems, lyrics, and other pieces about political and civil issues.

4.      In Scotland, parts of the UK, and other places around the world.

5.      In Ayrshire, Scotland.

6.      Saint Andrew.

7.      They wear kilts.

8.      Soup, haggis, turnips, mashed potatoes.

Schools Ask: Gifted or Just Well-Prepared?

Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times

Natalie Viderman, 4, was tutored at Bright Kids NYC for an assessment test. 

Assessing students has always been a fraught process, especially 4-year-olds who are vying for increasingly precious seats in kindergarten gifted programs.  In New York, it has now become an endless contest in which administrators seeking authentic measures of intelligence find it difficult to keep ahead of companies who aim to bring out the genius in every young child.

The city’s leading private schools are even considering doing away with the test they have used for decades, popularly known as the E.R.B..

For the 2012-13 school year, nearly 5,000 children qualified for gifted and talented kindergarten seats in New York City public schools. That was more than double the number five years ago. Last year, the Education Department said it would change one of the tests used for admission to public school gifted kindergarten and first-grade classes and focus more on cognitive ability.  Test prep companies leapt to action, printing new books tailored to the new test and organizing classes.

Natalie Viderman, 4, spent an hour and a half each week for six months at Bright Kids NYC, a tutoring company, working on skills like spatial visualization and serial reasoning, which are part of the new test. She and her mother, Victoria Preys, also worked every night on general learning, test prep and workbooks.

“It is my philosophy that if you can get more help, why not?” Ms. Preys said. She prepared her son the same way and he benefited, she said.

“Every time these tests change, there’s a lot of demand,” Bige Doruk of Bright Kids, said. She said she did not accept the argument that admissions tests had been invalidated by test prep. “Parents will always do what they can for their children,” she said.  And not all children who take preparation courses do well, she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/nyregion/new-york-city-schools-struggle-to-separate-the-gifted-from-the-just-well-prepared.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a)  The E.R.B is a new test.

b) The number of children in New York who pass the gifted public school tests rose by 50% in just one year.

c)  Victoria was taught only by her mother.

d)  Tutoring companies have more work when the authorities modify their tests.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a)       What different ways of preparing children for the tests are mentioned?

b)       How does Ms Preys react to the criticisms made of people who prepare young children for the tests?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as:

a) to complete (para. 1)

b) designed for (para. 3)

c) logic (para.3)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) “It is my philosophy that if you can get more help, why not?” Ms. Preys said.

      Ms. Preys said that it …………….

b)   Administrators seeking authentic measures of intelligence find it difficult to keep ahead of companies who aim to bring out the genius in every young child.

      Although administrators try to keep ahead ……….., they …………………. do so.

c) The city’s leading private schools are even considering doing away with the test they have used for decades.

     Doing away with the test which   ……………………….... is even ……………………

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

“Exams are the best way to test someone’s knowledge.”  Discuss.

Spend the night in a chocolate shop

A chocolate shop in Yorkshire is offering sweet-toothed travellers the opportunity to spend the night in their factory during Easter.

The “chocolate suite” – on offer from today until April 8, courtesy of the Little Chocolate Shop in Leyburn – features edible furnishings, a chocolate fountain and a fancy dress box filled with Wonka-esque accessories, aprons and toques.

Guests will be free to watch chocolate being made in the factory, before ending their stay with a chocolate breakfast.

However, they are advised to be out of bed by 10am, when the factory begins accepting visitors on regular tours. The chocolate furnishings, which include plants and ornaments, are restocked each day.

The suite is located in the factory’s “seminar room”. There is a bathroom for the use of guests, although there is no radio or television.

Jim Hogg, general manager of The Little Chocolate Shop, said: “Easter gives us all a great excuse to indulge in chocolate, so why not immerse yourself totally during the holiday? Any family or chocoholic will have a totally unforgettable experience, and we’ve stocked up on extra chocolate to meet demand.”

One night in the suite, which sleeps four people, costs £100, and all proceeds will go to Breast Cancer UK.

A-    Find words in the text that mean the same as:

1. Person who likes sweets                        
2. Household goods                                 
3. Chef’s tall hat                                     
4. Treat yourself to                                   
5. Person who loves chocolate                   

B-    Decide whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE

1. The visits to the factory start at 10.
2. There are private bathrooms for the people who stay in the seminar room.
3.Once you’ve eaten what’s in the chocolate suite, you won’t be able to eat any more chocolate.
4. The money they raise will go to a charity.
5. You can see how chocolate is made while you’re in the factory.


KEY

A. 1. Seet-toothed         2. Furnishings       3. Toque       4. Indulge (in)                5. Chocoholic
B. 1. True         2. False                        3. False                        4. True  

Rephrasings 5

Re-write the sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original.

 

1 Messi scored the first goal.

It was ………………………………

2 You'd better forget about buying that car.

 If I ………………………………….

3 Shall we buy him a present?

Sean suggested……………………..

4 I had to go to school although I wasn't feeling well.

I had to go to school …………………………….

5 They say that the flu is not as dangerous as other infectious illnesses.

The flu is ………………………………….

6 Perhaps my mother starts working again.

My mother ………………………………….

7 I’m sure I've met this man before.

I ………………………………………….

8 Nobody can open the door to the back garden.

 The door …………………………………………

9 It's forbidden to light a fire in the countryside.

You ………………………………………….

10 It's not necessary for you to attend the meeting.

You ………………………………………….

KEY

1. It was Messi who scored the first goal.
2. If I were you I would forget about buying a car.
3. Sean suggested buying his a present.
4. I had to go to school despite / in spite of not feeling very well.
5. The flu is said not to be as dangerous as other infectious illnesses.
6. My mother may start working again.
7. I must have met this man before.
8. The door to the back garden can’t de opened.
9. You mustn’t light a fire in the countryside.
10. You don’t have to attend the meeting. 

Shetland that moon-walks to Fleetwood Mac is an internet smash

Key
1
a)  Hugy is another pony from the Benston stud farm who was in the advertisement.
b)  Elaine Tait trains animals and lives nearby.
c)  Socks is the pony who dances in the video.
d)  Mrs Williamson is the manager of the farm where Socks lives.
e)  Fleetwood Mac sing the song used in the advert.

2   The pony lives on a stud farm on the island of Shetland.
3   They used the cliffs of Eshaness.
4   The video has been seen by millions of people – over 2 million visits in less than a week.
5   They have phoned and emailed her from all around the planet.

Rewriting

a)    “I am amazed at the five-year-old’s new found fame but I will not be selling Socks” said Mrs Williamson

b)  The producers approached Mrs Williamson to supply the ponies for the advert and they filmed it on the cliffs of Eshaness.

c)   Socks just loves attention and that’s why he was picked out to be the star.

      Since Socks just loves attention, he was picked out to be the star.

Schools Ask: Gifted or Just Well-Prepared?

Key

Question 1

a)  False. The city’s leading private schools are even considering doing away with the test they have used for decades, popularly known as the E.R.B..

b)  True. For the 2012-13 school year, nearly 5,000 children qualified for gifted and talented kindergarten seats in New York City public schools. That was more than double the number five years ago.

c)  False.   Natalie Viderman, 4, spent an hour and a half each week for six months at Bright Kids NYC, a tutoring company, working on skills like spatial visualization and serial reasoning, which are part of the new test. She and her mother, Victoria Preys, also worked every night on general learning, test prep and workbooks.

d)  True. “Every time these tests change, there’s a lot of demand,” Bige Doruk of Bright Kids, said.

Question 2

a)  Organisations publish materials and run sessions to prepare for the tests. These focus on the development of abilities covered by the tests.  Parents are also involved in this process.

b)  Ms Preys believes that the preparation does children good and that parents are right to take advantage of the aid available.   She followed the same approach with her son

Question 3

a) (to) vie for/vying for        b) tailored      c)  reasoning

Question 4

a)   Ms. Preys said that it was her philosophy that if she could get more help,  why not?

b)   Although administrators try to keep ahead of companies who aim to bring out the genius in ever young child, they find it difficult to do.

c)   Doing away with the test which the city’s leading private schools have used for decades is even being considered.

Police threaten to arrest people throwing snowballs

It may be a centuries-old winter game, but police in County Durham are cracking down on anyone caught throwing snowballs at people who do not want to be involved in the game.

The North East was blanketed with snow yesterday and is braced for more showers today. Anyone caught throwing snowballs at vehicles, houses or people who don’t want to get involved could be arrested for anti-social behaviour, a County Durham neighbourhood policing team has said.

Posting the message on Facebook the department said: “Crook Beat Team are aware that it has been snowing and that people are going to have fun in it, however if anyone is caught throwing snowballs at vehicles or onto the road, they could be arrested”. “Likewise, if anyone throws snowballs at person’s homes or at people who do not want to be involved in the snow games, they could be arrested and it will be classed as anti-social behaviour.”

They put the message on the social networking site to try and target the younger generation who might get carried away.

There have been no arrests as yet and the message is pre-emptive rather than a response to an unusually high volume of snow-related crimes, the force confirmed.

The seriousness of the snowballing, the age, and the background of the offender will all have an impact on whether they are charged or reprimanded, a spokesperson added. The warning received a mixed reaction online, with some residents branding it a “joke” and others pointing out that they behaved in the same way when they were young.

But the post, which received 34 “likes”, received some support. User Stuart Shogun Smith commented: “Not a joke when they damage cars, or load snowballs with stones, that’s how people loose teeth.”

A spokesperson for Durham police said: “The problem in Crook is no worse than anywhere else, but the team thought they would head the problem off at the pass.”

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a)      It snowed in the North East.

b)      Crook Beat Team are going to arrest those people throwing snowballs.

c)      Several cases have already been reported.

d)      All offenders will have the same charges.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) Why is it dangerous to throw snowballs?

b) What group of people are they trying to get to and how?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as:

a) Goal par. 3

b) Criminal par. 5

c)  Lead par. 7

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a)The department said: “Crook Beat Team are aware that it has been snowing tonight and people are going to have fun with it”.

The department said that...

b)  They would head the problem off at the pass

The problem...

c) They load snowballs with stones; that's why people loose teeth.

If they...

             

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

            Do you like winter? Why?