Conference aims to 'replace English spelling system'

The English Spelling Society plans to host a conference this year to update the traditional English spelling system to make learning easier.

For adult learners and school pupils alike, mastering English spelling can be a daunting task. Silent letters, alternative spellings, and words that simply don’t follow the rules; it’s no wonder that many people struggle. The English Spelling Society is hoping to change this.

Working alongside the American Literacy Council, this weekend the group announced plans to host the first International Spelling Congress. The event, set to take place in late 2015, will aim to draw up a list of proposals for an improved English spelling system, which delegates will then vote on. It follows a separate study published last year which revealed that 40 per cent of Britons rely on autocorrect technology to monitor their spelling and more than one in five would panic if they were forced to abandon this technology.

Commenting on the planned conference, Stephen Linstead, chairman of The English Spelling Society said: “The intention is that the preferred new system should run alongside traditional spelling as an informal alternative and, if it gains sufficient support among English speakers, would eventually replace it.” He continued: “The case for updating traditional English spelling is based on the growing evidence that our extremely irregular spelling system has a substantial economic and social cost. “When you consider the damning statistic that English speaking children take up to two years longer to acquire basic literacy skills than their counterparts in some other European countries and that 1 in 6 people in the UK are functionally illiterate with children no better at spelling than their parents’ generation, then there is a very strong case for re-evaluating English spelling.”

Formed in 1908, The English Spelling Society was created to raise awareness of the irregularity of English Spelling. But, while the group has yet to produce “many concrete results”, Mr Linstead argued earlier in the year that the time could be right for “renewed interest in the subject”.

“The last attempt at statutory spelling change – the Spelling Reform bill of 1953 led by parliamentarian and Spelling Society member James Pitman – failed to elicit change,” said Mr Linstead in his article. Over the next few years, our priorities as a Society, will be to publicize existing evidence for the costs of traditional spelling, while encouraging more research in areas such as the levels of functional adult illiteracy in English speaking countries.”

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. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate learning.

b. There have been other International Spelling Congresses.

c. The new spelling system will replace the traditional one immediately.

d. The reading and writing skills of adults are inadequate to manage daily living.

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

a. What makes English spelling so complicated?

b. How do some British people cope with spelling difficulties?

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

a. modernize (par.1)                   b. similarly  (par.2)                         c. supervise (par.3)

d. help (par.4)                            e. consciousness (par.5)

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

1. “The case for updating traditional English spelling is based on the growing evidence that our extremely irregular spelling system has a substantial economic and social cost.”

Mr. Linstead said …………………………………………..

2. English spelling is irregular. That’s why the English Spelling Society was created.

If  …………………………………………………………….      

3. They will publicize existing evidence for the costs of traditional spelling

            Existing evidence ………………………………………..

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

How can the Internet be a helpful tool when learning a foreign language?

Bono reveals he always wears sunglasses because of glaucoma

Bono, the U2 frontman, has revealed that he wears dark glasses all the time because he suffers from glaucoma. The star said he has had the condition - a build-up of pressure in the eyeball, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness if not treated - for around two decades.

Many had assumed his ever-present sunglasses - even indoors - were a rock star affectation, but he explained during a recording of the Graham Norton Show for BBC One that they are to help with his vision problem. Glaucoma can make the eyes more sensitive to light, causing sufferers to use dark glasses to alleviate difficulties.

Presenter Norton asked whether or not the singer ever removes his shades, to which Bono replied: "This is a good place to explain to people that I've had glaucoma for the last 20 years. I have good treatments and I am going to be fine." He added: "You're not going to get this out of your head now and you will be saying 'Ah, poor old blind Bono'."

The Irish band were on the show to promote their new album, Songs Of Innocence, which was released commercially this week after previously being given away to half a billion iTunes customers, a controversial move which upset some people who said they did not want it automatically added to their music libraries.

Speaking about the future, Bono told Norton: "We wanted to do something fresh but it seems some people don't believe in Father Christmas.”All those people who were uninterested in U2 are now mad at U2. As far as we are concerned, it's an improvement."

The album is expected to go into the top five this weekend, but will be the group's first album since Achtung Baby in 1991 which will not debut at number one in the UK chart.

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. Bono could become blind because of his condition.

b. All U2 fans knew why he always wears dark glasses.

c. All those iTunes users who are now angry were U2 fans.

d. “Songs Of Innocence” will very likely be a hit.

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

a. What does Bono say about his vision problem?

b. Why are some iTunes users upset?

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

a. illness (par.1)                       b. pose  (par.2)                             c. take off (par.3)

d. donate (par.4)                      e. original, new (par.5)

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

a. The song was released commercially after it was added to iTunes musical libraries.

They …………………………………………………………………

           b. "We wanted to do something fresh but it seems some people don't believe in Father Christmas.”

            Bono said that  ……………………………....

c. Bono always wears dark glasses because he has a vision problem.

           If Bono ………………………………………......

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

            What kinds of music do teenagers like?

Rephrasing Revision 1

Rewrite the following sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original.

1. It isn't necessary for us to deliver the order until next month.

We...

2. He felt seasick because he hadn’t taken his pills.

If…

3. Despite having been vaccinated he caught the flu.

Although…

4. 'Can you guess who has just left?' he asked us.

He asked us if...

5. Malcolm was originally going to buy a car, but he bought a motorcycle instead.

Instead...

6. Politics are seen by many ambitious men as a stepping-stone to power.

Many...

7. She had the biggest collection of foreign coins in the school.

Nobody in the school…

8. It was impossible for me to contact him on the phone yesterday.

I...

9. ‘Come home with me,’ Stewart said.

Stewart told…

10. What a pity you can’t see the newborn baby!

I wish…

11. Even though she has an exercise bicycle at home, she is quite overweight.

In spite…

12. They used chemicals so as to kill the insects in the trees.

They used chemicals in…

13. Two new suits are being made for him.

He is...

14. A window had been smashed and everything that was in the car had been stolen.

Someone...

15. ‘Have you seen a red wallet on the pavement?’, she asked me.

She asked…

16. You won’t be employed by this company unless your performance is good.

If your…

17. The authorities are going to isolate the factory because of the atomic leak.

The factory...

18. You can hear a baby crying and you’re trying to study.

You say: I wish…

19. I haven't seen so much rain for a long time.

It's...

20 The meanings of these words are often confused.

People...

21. It's not necessary for you to go.

You...

22. Was it necessary for you to wait a long time for the bus?

Did...

23. If I were you I would marry that girl.

You...

24. It's against the rules to smoke in bed.

You...

25. He knows how to do a cartwheel.

He…

KEY

1. We don’t have to deliver the order until next month.
2. If he had taken his pills, he wouldn’t have felt seasick.
3. Although he had been vaccinated, he caught flu.
4. He asked us if we could guess who had just left.
5. Instead of buying a car (as Malcolm was originally going to do, he bought a motorcycle.
6. Many ambitious men see politics as a stepping-stone to power.
7. Nobody in the school had a bigger collection of foreign coins.
8. I couldn’t contact him on the phone yesterday.
9. Stewart told me to go with him.
10. I wish you could see the newborn baby.
11. In spite of having an exercise bicycle at home, she is quite overweight.
12. They used chemicals in order to kill insects in the trees.
13. He is having two new suits made.
14. Someone had smashed a window and had stolen everything that was in the car.
15. She asked me if I had seen a red wallet on the pavement.
16. If your performance isn’t good, you won’t be employed by this company.
17. The factory is going to be isolated because of the atomic leak.
18. You say: “I wish the baby would stop crying, I’m trying to study”.
19. It's a long time since I have seen so much rain.
20. People often confuse the meaning of these words.
21. You don’t have to go.
22. Did you have to wait a long time for the bus?
23. You should marry that girl.
24. You mustn’t smoke in bed.
25. He can do a cartwheel.

Ponerse

There are different words and expressions you can use in English to translate the Spanish verb “ponerse”. Choose from the ones below and translate the following sentences.

To start           to blush         to stand         to turn                 to put on          to set                 

  to get in someone’s way         to get down to        to stuff oneself          to become      

1. Hacía muy bueno pero ahora se ha puesto a llover.
2. Se estaban poniendo morados y no se dieron cuenta de nada.
   
3. Cuando era pequeña me ponía colorada con frecuencia.
4. No quisieron ponerse la gabardina y se calaron.
5. Ponte ahí y no te muevas hasta que yo te lo diga.
6. El sol se pone mucho más tarde en esta parte del país.
7. El papel se pondrá azul en el agua.
8.  Se puso furioso cuando le conté lo de tu accidente.
9. Vamos a ponernos a trabajar.
10. Destruye a todo aquel que se le pone por delante.
11. Se pusieron a llorar desesperadamente.   

KEY

1. The weather was very good but it has started to rain now.
2. They were stuffing themselves and they didn’t notice anything.
3. When I was a little girl I used to blush very often.
4. They didn’t want to put on their raincoats and they were soaked.
5. Stand over there and don’t move until I tell you.
6. The sun sets much later in this part of the country.
7. The paper will turn blue in the water.
8. He became furious when I told him about your accident.
9. Let’s get down to work.
10. He destroys anybody who gets in his way.
11. They started crying desperately.

Conference aims to 'replace English spelling system'

KEY

Question 1

1. True. “… a conference this year to update the traditional English spelling system to make learning easier.”
2. False. “… plans to host the first International Spelling Congress.”
3. False. “The intention is that the preferred new system should run alongside traditional spelling as an informal alternative and, if it gains sufficient support among English speakers, would eventually replace it.”
4. True. “1 in 6 people in the UK are functionally illiterate with children no better at spelling than their parents’ generation.”

Question 2

1. English spelling is so complicated because there are letters that are not pronounced; there are also different spellings for the same Word and not  all the words are spelt according to the rules.
2. Some British people who find spelling a difficult task use technology to correct their productions.

Question 3

1. Update
2. Alike
3. Monitor
4. Support
5. Awareness

Question 4

1.  Mr Linstead said that the case for updating traditional English spelling was based on the growing evidence that their extremely irregular spelling system had a substantial economic and social cost.
2. If English spelling were not irregular, the English Spelling Society wouldn’t have been created.
3. Existing evidence for the costs of traditional spelling will be publicized.

Poner

There are different words and expressions you can use in English to translate the Spanish verb “poner”. Choose from the ones below and translate the following sentences.

To turn up          to be on              to switch on /turn on                    to put through                 to put

To open               to send                                to lay                                                   to give

1. La mesa estaba puesta para comer.
2. Si estás en apuros, ponme un telegrama.
3. Pon la televisión, va a empezar el partido.
4. Si no pones la radio más alta, no la oirá la abuela.
5. ¿Tú crees que el profesor nos pondrá muchos deberes?
6. ¿Qué ponen en Cinesa?
7. ¿Podría ponerme con el director, por favor?
8. Tuvieron un niño y le pusieron José.
9. Estas gallinas no ponen tantos huevos como ponían.
10. Pusieron una tienda de animales junto al parque.
11. Me gustaría que pusieras tu poema en alemán.

KEY

1. The table was laid for lunch.
2. If you’re in trouble, send me a telegram.
3. Switch / turn on the television, the match is going to start.
4. If you don’t turn the radio up, grandma will not hear it.
5. Do you think the teacher will give us a lot of homework?
6. What’s on at Cinesa?
7. Could you please put me through to the manager?
8. They had a son and they called him José.
9. These hens don’t lay as many eggs as they used to.
10. They opened a pet shop next to the park.
11. I’d like you to put your poem into German.

Epic Sports Fan

Are you a sports fan?  Do you like taking and sharing photos and videos?  Would you like to travel and have the chance to see some fantastic matches and tournaments? 

Then, maybe this competition is for you!

Turkish Airlines is looking for the epic sports fan.

Turkish Airlines continues to support sports and sports fans. This time, the national flag carrier invites the epic sports fan to travel from 28th March to 20th April to 7 different countries for 10 sports events.

The participant will also have the chance to meet Messi and Drogba, who are among the best footballers in the world.

The campaign is a job ad to underline the fact that being a sports fan is a serious issue. For participation, first fans have to fill the form in the web site www.epicsportsfan.com. Then, they must upload a video or photo either to Instagram, Vine or Twitter to prove that they are the epic sports fan using #EpicFan.

Required qualifications are creativity, experience in watching sports, a high level of communication skills, good knowledge of using social media, a sense of responsibility, fast paced and solution oriented, compatible with teamwork, English speaking (preferred) and no restrictions on travelling dates.

Within 24 days, the winner is going to attend basketball, football, tennis and golf events in Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, U.K and U.A.E; and meet Messi and Drogba in person.

The closing date is 13th March 2015. 

Answer these questions about the competition:

1   How many days will the winner travel?

2   Which different sports will they see?

3   Where can fans post their videos or photos?

4   How many countries will they visit?

5   Is it essential to speak English?

Go to the webpage: http://epicsportsfan.com/recent

Which is your favourite picture?  Which tweet do you like most?  Which video would you choose?

Key

1  24 days   2  basketball, football, golf, tennis  3  on Instagram, Vine or Twitter    4  7 countries   5  No, but it would be better if they could

Bono reveals he always wears sunglasses because of glaucoma

KEY

Question 1

1. True. “The star said he has had the condition - a build-up of pressure in the eyeball, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness if not treated.”
2. False. “ Many had assumed his ever-present sunglasses - even indoors - were a rock star affectation.”
3. False. "All those people who were uninterested in U2 are now mad at U2.””
4. True. “The album is expected to go into the top five this weekend”.

Question 2

1. Bono says that he has suffered from glaucoma for twenty years now but he is receiving all the necessary treatments. As a result of the problem, his eyes are more sensitive to light, so he has to wear dark glasses.
2. They are unhappy about how they have got “Songs Of Innocence” in their libraries without having been warned.

Question 3

1. condition                                 b. affectation                           c. removes / to remove

d    given away / to give away         e. fresh

Question 4

1. They released the song commercially after they added it to iTunes musical libraries.
2. Bono said that they had wanted to do something fresh but it seemed some people didn’t believe in Father Christmas.
3. if Bono didn't have a vision problem, he wouldn't always wear dark glasses.

Rephrasing Modals 2

Rewrite the following sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original. Use modal verbs.

1.    It isn't necessary for her to phone me back.

She ……………………………..

2.    Perhaps we'll go swimming tomorrow. 2

We ……………………………….

3.    I think Mary is probably at home because the windows are open.

Mary…………………………………………

4.    Perhaps John knew about the trip, but I'm not sure.

John …………………………………….

5.    Perhaps we'll rent our house in summer.

We ………………………………..

6.    It's absolutely necessary that we finish the article today.

We ……………………………………

7.    You cannot smoke in the underground; it's forbidden.

You ………………………………….

8.    It is essential that we talk before the meeting starts.

We……………………………………….

9.    It isn't necessary for us to book a table; I know one of the waiters.

We………………………………………….

10.  It's forbidden to drive without fastening your seatbelt.

You………………………………….

11.  If I were you I'd do some more exercises.

You………………………………………..

12.  Perhaps I go on holiday to Menorca.

I…………………………….

13.  I'm sure something is happening tonight. Look at those preparations!

Something…………………………………………

14.  It's compulsory for all students to attend lessons

All students ………………………………

15.  It's possible that they move to Australia

They ……………………………………….

16.  I'm sure Helen knows about the accident. She looks very unhappy.

Helen …………………………………….

17.  You are not allowed to use the phone without permission.

You ……………………………………..

18. It's compulsory for all visitors to show their ID card.

All visitors ………………………………………….

KEY

1. She doesn’t need to phone me back.
2. We may go swimming tomorrow.

3.    Mary may at home because the windows are open.

4.    John might have known about the trip.

5.    We may rent our house in summer.

6.    We must finish the article today.

7.    You mustn’t smoke in the underground.

8.    We have to talk before the meeting starts.

9.    We don’t have to book a table; I know one of the waiters.

10.  We mustn’t drive without fastening your seatbelt.

11.  We should do some more exercises.

12.  I may go on holiday to Menorca.

13.  Something must be happening tonight. Look at those preparations!

14.  All students must attend lessons.

15.  They may move to Australia.

16.  Helen must know about the accident. She looks very unhappy.

17.  You mustn’t use the phone without permission.

18.  All visitors must show their ID card.

How to understand the difference between the UK and Great Britain

A. Do this vocabulary task before you watch.

Head of state / Nation / Government / State / Parliament / Prime Minister

1. The group of people who control a country:
2. An area represented and recognised by one government:
3. The leader of the government (in some countries):
4.The official leader of a country – often someone with no real political power:
5. The group or groups of people who make up the government:
6. A group of people who share a common culture.

Read the statements and decide if they are true or false.
1. The woman is English.
2. Scotland is a bit of England-
3. Wales and England are not the same nation.
4. The UK is Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
5. The UK has one head of state, the Queen.
6. The UK has one parliament.
7. It’s complicated.

KEY

1.government 2.state 3.prime minister 4.head of state 5. Parliament 6. Nation

1. True 2.FALSE 3.TRUE 4.TRUE 5.TRUE 6.FALSE 7.TRUE

Rephrasing modals 1

Rewrite the following sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original. Use modal verbs. 

1. Taking my computer without saying a word to me was the wrong thing to do.

You………………..

2. It’s necessary to wear uniform to work with this firm.

You……………………………………

3. Perhaps Jane is in the garden now.

Jane……………………………………

4. It is idiot from her to take so much fat.

She……………………………………..

5. It was obligatory for them to knock at the door before entering.

They ……………………………….

6. He is definitely stressed.

He ………………………..

7. I don’t let my son stay out after 11.

My son ……………………….

8. It is good for us to practice more exercise.

We…………………………………………..

9. There’s a tiny opportunity for her to get that job.

She …………………………………

10. It wasn’t a good idea to leave the mobile on the table while she wasn’t looking.

She ……………………………………

11. We’re sure they will win the next election.

They …………………………..

12. It isn’t obligatory to knock at the door before entering.

You ………………..

13. It is forbidden to play any loud music after 12 at night.

You………………………………

14. It’s possible their parents lent them the money for their new house.

Their parents ………………………………..

15. Laws don’t allow young people to drive before they are 18.

Young people ………………………………………….

16. I’m sure that isn’t Joe; he’s much taller.

That …………………………………………………….

KEY

1. You shouldn’t have taken my computer.
2. You must wear a uniform to work with this firm.
3. Jane may be in the garden now.
4. She shouldn’t take so much fat.
5. They must knock at the door before entering.
6. He must be stressed.
7. My son mustn’t stay out after 11.
8. We should practice more exercise.
9. She might get the job.
10. She shouldn’t have left the mobile on the table while she wasn’t looking.
11. They must win the next election.
12. You don’t have to knock at the door before entering.
13. You mustn’t play any loud music after 12 at night.
14. Their parents may have lent them the money for their new house.
15. Young people mustn’t drive before they are 18.
16. That can’t be Joe; he’s much taller.