Sterling to go plastic, Bank of England decides

        The Bank of England will announce plans on Wednesday to press ahead with switching to plastic banknotes. The decision on polymer notes will mark the beginning of the end for 320 years of paper notes from the Bank. The move by Threadneedle Street follows Bank governor Mark Carney, from Canada, where plastic notes are being rolled out, and Australia, where they have been in circulation for more than two decades.

            Carney launched a public consultation on polymer banknotes, seen as cleaner and more durable, shortly after arriving at the Bank this summer. However, the Bank's notes division has been considering plastic money for several years.

            Bank officials have been touring shopping centres and business groups around the country with prototype notes to canvas public opinion and the final decision is due this week.

            The Bank has promoted its polymer notes, featuring a see-through window and other new security features as tougher to counterfeit. The Bank concedes no note is counterfeit-proof but says the polymer notes will be slower and more expensive to copy.

            The Bank also seeks to silence concerns about the environmental impact of printing on plastic by suggesting they can last up to six times longer than the cotton-paper notes in circulation at the moment. The durability will also compensate for the higher production costs and save an estimated £100m, the Bank claims.

            The initial plan is to introduce polymer notes one denomination at a time, with the Churchill note in 2016 at the earliest and then the £10 note featuring Jane Austen next in 2017. The notes will continue to feature the Queen and retain their current colouring.

            However, the prospect of polymer notes has raised some concerns for the visually impaired as the popular practice of folding or creasing notes in different ways to identify different denominations will no longer be possible. Polymer notes can be folded but will not stay tightly folded in a particular way.

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. Carney's idea is not a new one in European banks.

b. Sample notes have already been produced.

c. Plastic banknotes will be easier to copy.

d. The bank notes will undergo minor changes.

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

a. Why does the Bank consider plastic money environmentally friendly?

b. Who is against plastic money and why?

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

a. to change (par.1)                   b. to start (par.2)                                   c. expected (par.3)

d. to admit (par.4)                      e. actual, present (par.6)

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

a. The Bank concedes no note is counterfeit-proof but says the polymer notes will be slower and more    expensive to copy.

            Although...

b.  The Bank has promoted its polymer notes.

            Its...

c. “ The durability will also compensate for the higher production costs and save an estimated £100m”, the Bank claimed.

            The Bank claimed...

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

Advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards.

Rephrasings

Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning

1.       They didn’t tell me the secret.

I …………………………………………………

2.       I’m sure they are at home. The lights are on.

They ………………………………………………

3.       I didn’t invite Beth. I had forgotten her telephone number.

If I ……………………………………………………………….

4.       Shakespeare was a famous writer. He wrote beautiful sonnets.

Shakespeare, …………………………………………

5.       “I’ll move the piano to the other room,‟ I said.

I offered ……………………………………………..

6.       It is such a pity you can’t come along!

I wish ………………………………………………….

7.       Bananas are more expensive than apples.

Apples ………………………………………………………….

8.       In spite of putting two lumps of sugar in my coffee, it was still bitter.

Although ……………………………………………………………

9.       I last had flu five years ago.

I haven’t ………………………………………………………….

10.   I’m sure she’s telling lies.

She ………………………………………………………………

11.   The teenager in red has broken the window.

The window ……………………………………………………..

12.   In my opinion, taking some exercise would be good for you.

You …………………………………………………………………

13.   The teacher didn’t tell us the answer.

We …………………………………………………………………

14.   I last visited London fifteen years ago.

It’s  ………………………………………………………….

15.   She asked me: “What time does your party start?”

She asked ……………………………………………………….

KEY

1. I wasn’t told the secret.
2. They must be at home.
3. If I had Known Beth’s phone number I would have invited her.
4. Shakespeare, who wrote beautiful sonnets, was a famous writer.
5. I offered to move the piano to the other room.
6. I wish you cold come along.
7. Apples are cheaper than bananas.
8. Although I had two lumps of sugar in my coffee, it was still bitter.
9. I haven’t had flu for five years.
10. She must be telling lies.
11. The window has been broken by the teenager in red.
12. You should take some exercise.
13. We weren’t told the answer(by the teacher)
14. It’s five years since I last visited London.
15. She asked me what time the party started. 

SmartWigs: Sony files patent for connected headgear

            Electronics company Sony says it could make SmartWigs, a fashion statement which would include helpful technology. They have applied for a patent, which would protect their invention in law so that no-one else can copy it.

            The wig would have sensors and cameras in it and could help navigate roads and even collect health information.

            Google and Samsung are among the tech giants who've recently launched wearable technology products, which some see as potentially big business.

            Although the product doesn't exist yet the company has big plans for its potential uses.The wig would go over the person's own hair and would hide all the technology, looking just like a normal wig. It could help monitor the wearer's health by taking their temperature, pulse and blood pressure.

            The company says the wigs would be fashionable as well as intelligent and help in all sorts of high tech ways. A Sony spokesperson said the device could also be used during presentations where a wearer can "move to the next presentation slide or back to the preceding presentation slide by simply raising his/her eyebrows".

 Match the words below to their definitions

monitor / navigate / patent / potentially / preceding / presentation

describes something that came before something else

describes something that could be, but isn't yet

find the right direction to travel by using maps or other equipment

legal right that a person or company receives to make or sell a particular product so that others cannot copy it

watch something carefully and record the results

when someone gives a formal talk to provide information about something

True or false?

1. The wigs would have an abnormal appearance.

2. Sony is not the first one to file a patient for wearable technology.

3. No one believes that there is any profit potential in wearable technology.

4. Sony sees the wig as more than a fashion accessory.

5. Sony has not launched the product yet.

6. The wig could have uses in healthcare.

7. You cannot get a patent for a product that does not exist.

8. The use of the wigs would be limited to presentations.

What is the missing word?

1. The wig would have   ___________    and cameras in it.

2. The company says the wigs would be fashionable as well as  __________________    .

3. They have applied for a patent, which would protect their  _________________    in law.

4. A Sony spokesperson said the   ____________   could also be used during presentations.

KEY

Vocabulary

monitor           watch something carefully and record the results

navigate          find the right direction to travel by using maps or other equipment

patent              legal right that a person or company receives to make or sell a particular product so that                                     others cannot copy it

potentially       describes something that could be, but isn't yet

preceding        describes something that came before something else

presentation    when someone gives a formal talk to provide information about something

TRUE or FALSE

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. False

What is the missing word?

1. sensors

2. intelligent.

3. invention

4. device

Another, other, others

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Voy a vivir en otro país.
2. ¿Dónde están los otros?
3. ¿Quieres otro caramelo?
4. Ya he tomado dos whiskeys. No podría tomar otro.
5. Mi otro hermano era un buen cantante.
6. La película es mejor que otras que ha hecho.
7. Este tipo de cosas no ocurrían en otros tiempos.
8. Uno de los gemelos es trabajador y el otro es un perezoso.
9. Cuando termine este libro voy a leer otro del mismo autor.
10. ¡Eso es lo que tú te crees! Tengo otros planes.

KEY

1. I’m going to live in another country.
2. Where are the others?
3. Would you like another sweet?
4. I’ve already had two whiskies. I couldn’t have another.
5. My other brother was a good singer.
6. This film is better than the others he’s made.
7. This sort of things didn’t happen in other times.
8. One of the twins is hard-working and the other is lazy.
9. When I finish this book I’m going to read another by the same author.
10. That’s what you think! I’ve got other plans.
    
    

Contrast Clauses

Translate the following sentences into English

 

1. A pesar de que no había calefacción central, la casa estaba caldeada.
2. A pesar de haber llegado tarde dos veces la semana pasada, no me dijeron nada.
3. A pesar de llover mucho, salí a correr ayer.
4. No me contó la verdad. A pesar de ello, no me importó.
5. A pesar de ser fuerte, no pudo escalar un acantilado tan escarpado.
6. Aunque fuera rico, Mary no se casaría con él.
7. Aunque se hubiera disculpado, John no le habría perdonado.
8. A pesar del buen tiempo, no salí.
9. A pesar de no seguir las instrucciones que le di, se las arregló para conseguir el trabajo.
10. A pesar de que era una persona muy simpática, apenas tenía amigos.

KEY

1. Despite the lack of central heating, the house was quite warm.
2. In spite of being late twice last week, I wasn’t told off.
3. Despite the heavy rain, I went jogging yesterday.
4. He didn’t tell me the truth. I didn’t mind, though.
5. Despite his strength, he couldn’t climb the steep cliff.
6. Even if he were rich, Mary wouldn’t marry him.
7. Even if she had apologised, John wouldn’t have forgiven her.
8. In spite of the nice weather, I didn’t go out.
9. Despite not following the instructions I gave her, she managed to get the job.
10. Despite the fact that he was a very friendly person, he had very few friends.

Reported orders and requests

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Mary le advirtió a su hijo de que tuviera cuidado al cruzar la calle porque había mucho tráfico.
2. El profesor le dijo a un alumno que le pusiera el libro sobre la mesa.
   
3. Helen le pidió a Jim que llamara a un taxi.
4. El profesor nos dijo que entregáramos los deberes el viernes siguiente.
5. La enfermera les dijo a los que estaban de visita que no hicieran ruido.
6. El policía le dijo al chico que no tirara nada al suelo.
7. El profesor les dijo a sus alumnos que prestaran atención a sus palabras.
8. El policía le ordenó a un conductor que moviera el coche.
9. La enfermera le dijo al paciente que allí no fumara.
10. Le dije que no condujera tan deprisa.

KEY

1. Mary warned her son to be careful crossing the road because there was a lot of traffic.
2. The teacher told a pupil to put the book on the table.
3. Helen asked Jim to order a taxi.
4. The teacher told us to hand in our homework the following Friday.
5. The nurse told the visitors not to make noise.
6. The policeman told the boy not to drop litter.
7. The teacher told his pupils to pay attention to his words.
8. The policeman ordered a driver to move his car.
9. The nurse told the patient not to smoke there.
10. I told her not to drive so fast.

Sterling to go plastic

KEY

Question 1

            a) TRUE “the Bank's notes division has been considering plastic money for several years.”

            b) TRUE “Bank officials have been touring shopping centres and business groups around the country with prototype notes”

            c) FALSE “The Bank has promoted its polymer notes, featuring a see-through window and other new security features as tougher to counterfeit“

            d) TRUE “The notes will continue to feature the Queen and retain their current colouring.“

Question 2

            a) Plastic money is considered to be environmentally friendly because people will be able to use it longer. This long lasting money will also save money although it will be more expensive to manufacture.

            b) People with sight problems are against plastic money. They usually fold notes to identify the different types, which they will no longer be able to do with plastic money.

Question 3

a)       switching / (to) switch

b)       launched / (to) launch

c)       due

            d)   concedes / (to) concede

            e)   current

Question 4

a)       Although the Bank concedes no note is counterfeit-proof, it says the polymer notes will be slower and more expensive to copy.

b)       Its polymer notes have been promoted by the Bank.

c)       The Bank claimed that the durability would also compensate for the higher production costs and save an estimated £100m.

Untidy beds may keep us healthy

Word cloud made with WordItOut

            Failing to make your bed in the morning may actually help keep you healthy, scientists believe. Research suggests that while an unmade bed may look scruffy it is also unappealing to house dust mites thought to cause asthma and other allergies. A Kingston University study discovered the bugs cannot survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed. The average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites. The bugs, which are less than a millimetre long, feed on scales of human skin and produce allergens which are easily inhaled during sleep. The warm, damp conditions created in an occupied bed are ideal for the creatures, but they are less likely to thrive when moisture is in shorter supply.

            The scientists developed a computer model to track how changes in the home can reduce numbers of dust mites in beds. “Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die” Researcher Dr Stephen Pretlove said: "We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body.”Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die."

            In the next stage of their research, the scientists are putting mite pockets into beds in 36 houses around the United Kingdom to test their computer model and will investigate how people's daily routines affect mite populations. Building features such as heating, ventilation and insulation will also be altered to monitor how the mites cope. Dr Pretlove said the research had the potential to reduce the £700m spent treating mite-induced illnesses each year in the UK. "Our findings could help building designers create healthy homes and healthcare workers point out environments most at risk from mites."

            Dr Matt Hallsworth, of the charity Asthma UK, said: 'House-dust mite allergen can be an important trigger for many people with asthma, but is notoriously difficult to avoid." Professor Andrew Wardlaw, of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, agreed. He said: "Mites are very important in asthma and allergy and it would be good if ways were found to modify the home so that mite concentrations were reduced.”It is true that mites need humid conditions to thrive and cannot survive in very dry (desert like) conditions. "However, most homes in the UK are sufficiently humid for the mites to do well and I find it hard to believe that simply not making your bed would have any impact on the overall humidity."

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. Humans breathe in house dust mites during their sleep.

b. The presence of moisture in the air is vital for the bug's survival.

c. Heating, ventilation and insulation do not affect the mites and will not be studied.

d. It is relatively easy for people with asthma to avoid getting it from house mites.

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

a. What is the aim of the research?

b. What might be the effects of the research?

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

a. untidy (par. 1)                                  d. lose moisture (par. 2)

b. eat (par.1)                                       e. manage to survive (par. 3)

c. observe (par. 2)

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

a. The house mites are less likely to thrive when moisture is in short supply.

The house mites probably....

b. Professor Andrew Wardlaw said, "It is true that mites need humid conditions to thrive and cannot survive in very dry conditions.

He said.....

c. The scientists developed a computer model to track how changes in the home can reduce numbers of dust mites in beds.

A computer model....

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

How important is it for children to help with the house work? Why/why not?

Video. Commercial

Say whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones

1. The man is feeding the elephant in a park.
2. The elephant is not the only animal in the video.
3. The man goes home for lunch.
4. The elephant picks up the man’s identity card.
5. The soup is $11.
6. The elephant pays cash.
7. The elephant takes the things to the man’s house.
8.  The man feels happy and surprised.

KEY

1.  False. The man is brushing the elephant at the zoo.
2. True.
3.  False. The man goes home because he isn’ feeling very well.
4.  False. The elephant picks up the man’s credit card.
5.  False. The soup is $4.
6. False. The elephant pays by credit card.
7. True.
8. True

Video. Commercial. (2nd sequence) Yellow Pages

Answer the following questions.

1. What did the boy’s mother tell his father to do?
2. What does the father do?
3. How does the mother feel when she sees the boy?
4. Whose fault is it according to the father?
5.  Where does the father find the solution?
6.  Who does the man say is watching outside?
7. What are the father’s last words?

KEY

She told him to take the boy to the hairdresser’s.

He cuts the boy’s hair.

She feels astonished.

It’s the hairdresser’s fault.

He finds it in the Yellow Pages.

He says his sister is watching outside.

He says “You’re very, very nice people. Thank you”.

The ice hotel that needs a fire alarm

The ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland has revealed it needs to install fire alarms to comply with local building regulations

It may sound like a far-fetched April Fool’s Day joke: the hotel constructed almost entirely of ice that requires fire alarms. But for a hotel rebuilt every winter in northern Sweden using only frozen water, it is absolutely true.

The ICEHOTEL, located in the small Arctic town of Jukkasjaervi, has announced that it would install fire alarms this year. It says it is following a request by the authorities to guarantee the safety of its guests. “We have to apply for building permits every year,” said Beatrice Karlsson, a spokeswoman for the hotel. “When the rules change, we need to adapt to the new rules obviously. We were a little surprised at first, but the reason is that there are things that can actually catch fire, like pillows, sleeping bags or reindeer skins.To us the most important concern is the safety of our clients, so we will comply," she added. “When we explain to people, I think it makes sense.”

The hotel will open from December 6 to April 13, with prices ranging from 1,900 kronor (£178) for a single room to 7,500 kronor (£850) for the most expensive suite. Tourists come from all over the world to sleep on an ice bed in temperatures as low as -8C (18 degrees Fahrenheit).

         This year will be the ICEHOTEL’s 24th incarnation, and includes work from a range of designers from Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, and Brazil. The alarms, which were installed and tested last winter with the local fire department, have made construction of the hotel, even more of a challenge. "The environment is humid, and ice and snow... move, so [that] had to be taken into account," Karlsson said.

As for the fire alarms, Karlsson said there had been “no incidents so far.” “It went off once, but when the supervisor came down it turned out it was just one of our guests who’d snuck off to the cleaning closet and had a cigarette.”

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. Once they get a permit, they don’t need any more permits.

b. The rules about safety have changed recently.

c. The first hotel was built 24 years ago.

d. They have never had alarms before.

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

a. What kind of hotel is it? What kind of guests stay in it?

b. Why are they going to install fire alarms?

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

a. improbable (par.2)                  b  to. request (par.3)                              c. to be obedient (par.3)

d. series (par. 5)                        e. to result (par.6)

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

a. “We were a little surprised at first, but the reason is that there are things that can catch fire.”

Beatrice said  _______________________________________

b. The ICEHOTEL will install fire alarms because the local building regulations require them.

If _________________________________________________

c. It is following a request by the authorities to guarantee the safety of its clients.

It is following a request by the authorities so that  _______________________________

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

What kind of accommodation do you prefer when you travel? Give reasons

ING form after prepositions 1

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Siento tenerte esperando.
2. Tengo miedo de perderme.
3. No merece la pena enfadarse por eso.
4. Prefiero andar en bici que correr.
5. Este cuchillo es solo para cortar carne.
6. ¿Estás interesado en trabajar para esta compañía?
7. ¿Qué tal si dejamos la bolsa en la oficina?
8. Se fueron del restaurante sin pagar.
9. Esa chica es muy buena jugando al tenis.
10. Eso se usa para abrir botellas.

KEY

1. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.
2. I’m afraid of getting lost.
3. It’s not worth getting angry about that.
4. I prefer cycling to running.
5. This knife is only for cutting meat.
6. Are you interested in working for this company?
7. What about leaving the bag in the office?
8. They left the restaurant without paying.
9. That girl is very good at playing tennis.
10. That is used for opening bottles.

Future

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Mira esas nubes, va a llover
2. Vamos a coger la tarde libre
3. Esta maleta es muy pesada. Ya la llevo yo.
4. Para final de curso habré estado 8 años en este colegio.
5. Para la una, habré terminado de cocinar.
6. Para la una, llevaré tres horas cocinando.
7. Dentro de 2 años habré acabado el bachillerato.
8. Dentro de 4 años estaré estudiando en la universidad.
9. Peter quiere hablar contigo. Ahora mismo le llamo.
10. Para Navidades llevaremos 10 años viviendo en esta casa.

KEY

1. Look at those clouds, it’s going to rain.
2. We’re taking the afternoon off.
3. This case is very heavy. I’ll carry it.
4. By the end of this year I’ll have been at this school for eight years.
5. By one o’clock I’ll have finished cooking.
6. By one o’clock I’ll have been cooking for three hours.
7. In two years’ time I will have finished the bachillerato.
8. In four years’ time I will be studying at university.
9. Peter wants to talk to you. I’ll phone him right now.
10. By Christmas time, we’ll have been living in this house for ten years.