Leap year 2016

Why do we have leap years?

A leap year, where an extra day is added to the end of February every four years, is down to the solar system's disparity with the Gregorian calendar.

A complete orbit of the earth around the sun takes exactly 365.2422 days to complete, but the Gregorian calendar uses 365 days.

So leap seconds - and leap years - are added as means of keeping our clocks (and calendars) in sync with the Earth and its seasons.

Why does the extra day fall in February?

All the other months in the Julian calendar have 30 or 31 days, but February lost out to the ego of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus.

Under his predecessor Julius Caesar, February had 30 days and the month named after him - July - had 31. August had only 29 days.

When Caesar Augustus became Emperor he added two days to 'his' month to make August the same as July.

So February lost out to August in the battle of the extra days.

Is February 29 a bank holiday?

It's not - but there is a campaign to make February 29 a bank holiday.

Workers have realised that every leap year, they have to work one extra day for no extra pay.

If a person earns the national average salary of £26,500 a year, that works out at £2,208.33 per monthly payslip – which breaks down to £71.24 per day in a 31-day month but a daily wage of £78.87 in February.

This realisation prompted Karl Savage, who was a high school teacher from Maryland, to try and kick-start the “No Work on Leap Day Revolution” in 2008, when the extra day fell on a Friday.

Parkinson's: Woman who can sniff out disease inspires new research

Scientists have begun research to see if a person's odour can be used to diagnose Parkinson's, an incurable disease of the central nervous system which causes progressive tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement.

The study was launched after a Scottish woman, Joy Milne, successfully identified sufferers by smelling T-shirts they had slept in. She could even detect subtle changes in smell in people who had not yet developed the condition.

Mrs Milne's husband Les died after living with Parkinson's for 20 years. Mrs Milne, 65, said: "I've always had a keen sense of smell and I detected that there was a change in how Les smelled. It's hard to describe but it was a heavy, slightly musky aroma. I watched how research had uncovered distinctive smells associated with certain diagnoses.  A few years ago, when I was attending a Parkinson's UK lecture at the University of Edinburgh, I mentioned it to the researcher, Dr Tilo Kunath. Tilo was interested and together we worked out ways to see if I could detect it from other people with Parkinson's.  I could."

Parkinson's UK, which is funding the research, estimates there are around 127,000 people with the disease in the UK. Dr Arthur Roach, director of research at the charity, said: "Funding pioneering studies like this has the potential to throw Parkinson's into a completely new light. If it's proved there is a unique odour associated with Parkinson's, particularly early on in the condition, it could have a huge impact not just on early diagnosis. It would also make it easier to identify people to test drugs that may have the potential to slow, or even stop Parkinson's, something no current drug can achieve."

Scientists believe that Parkinson's may cause changes in the sebum - an oily substance in the skin. Professor Perdita Barran of the University of Manchester will lead a team trying to identify differences in the skin surface of people with Parkinson's. The team will recruit up to 200 people with and without Parkinson's to have a skin swab taken and fill in a brief questionnaire, before the samples are analysed by the "supersmeller" and experts from the food and drink industry.

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. Joy Milne can only detect changes in smell in people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

b. If scientists find there is a smell characteristic of the disease, it will help with the treatment of it.

c. At present, there is no drug that can stop Parkinson’s.

d. Professor Barran has already identified differences in chemicals on the skin of people with Parkinson’s disease

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

a.  What does Parkinson’s disease cause?

b. What did Joy Milne and Tilo Kunath do to find out whether she could recognize the disease?

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

a. trembling (par.1)     b. to begin, to initiate (par.2)   c. very small, trivial, irrelevant(par.2)

d. sharp, acute, extraordinary (par.3)            e. to calculate, to consider (par.4)

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

a.       Mrs Milne said: "I've always had a keen sense of smell and I detected very early on that there was a very subtle change in my husband’s smell”.

Mrs Milne said ..................................................

b.       Research had uncovered distinctive smells associated with certain diagnoses.

Distinctive smells ...........

c. The samples are analysed by the "supersmeller" and experts from the food and drink industry.

The “supersmeller” ......

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

Alternative medicines (homeopathy, kinesiology, naturopathy ...) use different ways of diagnosing and treating patients.

What are the arguments for and against alternative medicines?

LINKERS – contrast, addition, reason and result.

LINKERS – contrast, addition, reason and result.

Look at the pairs of sentences below and decide on the relationship between them. Match them to the groups of linkers below. Then join the sentences with as many of the linkers as possible.

1. Oxford Street is popular with shoppers. Oxford Street has excellent public transport.

2. Most tourists go to Beijing, when they go to China on     holiday. Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in the country.

3. He’s going to do a course in German next year. He’s going to improve his Arabic next year.

4. I'm not very good at languages.

I'm going to do a course in Italian next year.

 5. I’m quite good at languages. I'm going to take courses in Chinese, Japanese and French next year.

6. The traffic was terrible this morning. I managed to get to work on time.

7. The traffic was terrible this morning. I was about 25 minutes late for work.

8. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking is anti-social because many people find it unpleasant. Smoking is a waste of money.

9. I don't think Simon Green would be a good candidate for this job. He is hard working and reliable. He has no experience in this area. He has never shown the slightest interest in this kind of work.

CONTRAST

However, in spite of, despite, although, even though

REASON

Because, because of, due to, owing to

RESULT

Therefore, so, as a consequence, as a result, that’s why

ADDITION

Also, as well as, in addition, besides, moreover, furthermore

SOME POSSIBLE ANSWERS

1. REASON: because/because of/due to owing to

1. Oxford Street is popular with shoppers, because it has excellent public transport.

Oxford Street is popular with shoppers, because of its excellent public transport.

Oxford Street is popular with shoppers, owing to/due to its excellent public transport.

2. CONTRAST: however, in spite of, despite, although, even though

Most tourists go to Beijing, when they go to China on holiday.

However, it is one of the most polluted cities in the country.

Most tourists go to Beijing, when they go to China on holiday,

Although/ Even though  it is one of the most polluted cities in the country.

Most tourists go to Beijing, when they go to China on holiday, despite/in spite of it being one of the most polluted cities in the country.

3. ADDITION: Also, as well as, in addition, besides, moreover, furthermore

He’s going to do a course in German next year.

In addition, he’s going to improve his Arabic next year.

In addition to/as well as doing a course in German next year, he’s going to improve his Arabic too.

He’s going to do a course in German next year.

Moreover/Furthermore, he’s also going to improve his Arabic.

Besides doing a course in German next year,

he’s also going to improve his Arabic.

He’s going to do a course in German next year.

He’s also going to improve his Arabic next year.

4. and 5. RESULT: So, as a result, consequently, that’s why

I'm not very good at languages, so I'm going to do a course in Italian next year.

I'm not very good at languages. That’s why I'm going to do a course in Italian next year.

5. I'm quite good at languages. Consequently, I'm going to take courses in Chinese, Japanese and French next year.

6. CONTRAST: However, in spite of, despite, although, even though

The traffic was terrible this morning. However, I managed to get to work on time.

Despite/ in spite of  the terrible traffic this morning. I managed to get to work on time.

Although /Even though the traffic was terrible this morning. I managed to get to work on time.

7. RESULT: So, as a result, consequently, that’s why

The traffic was terrible this morning, so I was about 25 minutes late for work.

The traffic was terrible this morning. That’s why I was about 25 minutes late for work.

8. Smoking is bad for your health. In addition/Moreover,/ Furthermore, it is anti-social because many people find it unpleasant.

Besides, it is a waste of money.

9. I don't think Simon Green would be a good candidate for this job. Even though/ Although he is hard working and reliable,

he has no experience in this area. Moreover, he has never shown the slightest interest in this kind of work. 

Dejar

Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Ella me dejó conducir su coche.
2. Mi amigo Ben me dejó cinco libras.
3. Ellos dejaron la ciudad por la mañana temprano.
4. Deja de hablar y escúchame.
5. No dejes de visitar el Museo del Prado cuando estés en Madrid.
6. No dejes que se apague el fuego.
7. Dejamos a mi hermano a cargo de la casa
8. Dejaré el asunto en tus manos.

Key

1. She let me drive her car.
2. My friend Ben lent me five pounds.
3. They left the town/city early in the morning.
4. Stop talking and listen to me.
5. Don’t fail to visit the Prado Museum when you are in Madrid.
6. Don’t let the fire go out.
7. We left my brother in charge of the house.
8. I’ll leave the matter in your hands.

Coger

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

to pick up                          to catch                              

to gather                            to take

to hold                               to get

1. Se le ha caído el lápiz. – Yo se lo cojo.
2. No sé cómo se las arregló porque no había cogido un fusil en la vida.
3. La policía por fin le cogió cuando se rompió la pierna.
4. Ya he cogido el billete de avión y las llaves.
5. ¿Cogemos el tren o vamos en autobús?
6. Le cogí in fraganti. Estaba robando las fotos.
7. Cuando estábamos cogiendo leña cerca del río vimos una ardilla.
8. Era más fácil coger Radio París que Radio Luxemburgo.
9. Fran cogió el sarampión cuando estábamos en Roma.
10. No se le olvide coger el paraguas.
11. Mi madre siempre me coge las cerillas.

KEY

1. You’ve dropped your pencil. – I’ll pick it up for you.
2. I don’t know how he managed because he had never held a gun in his life.
3. The police finally caught him when he broke his leg.
4. I’ve already got the plane ticket and the keys.
5. Shall we take the train or shall we go by bus?
6. I caught him red-handed. He was stealing the photographs.
7. When we were gathering wood near the river, we saw a squirrel.
8. It was easier to pick up Radio Paris than Radio Luxembourg.
9. Fran caught measles when we were in Rome.
10. Don’t forget to take an umbrella.
11. My mother always takes my matches.

Modal Verbs Rephrasing

Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs in brackets.

1. It’s possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. (could)

2. I’m thinking about taking Spanish lessons. (may)

3. I’m sure they’ll be home by now. (must)

4. James definitely isn’t eighteen yet! (can’t)

5. It’s possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow. (might)

6. I’m sure that Mrs Smith didn’t leave home. (can’t)

 Mrs Smith …

7. Perhaps she’s gone to stay with her mother. (might)

 She …

8. It’s possible that Mr Smith committed a crime. (may)

 Mr Smith …

9. I’m certain that he buried something in the garden. (must)

 He …

10. Perhaps he won the lottery. (could)

 He …

11. I’m sure he bought a new car. (must)

 He …

12. Perhaps Mr Smith murdered his wife. (might)

 Mr Smith …

13. I'm sure she's at home. (must)

14. I know that isn't Janet-She's in America. (can’t)

15. I'm sure she thinks I'm stupid. (must)

16. I bet I look silly in this coat. (must)

17. They're always buying new cars. I'm certain they have a lot of money. (must)

18. I'm sure he's not a teacher. He's too well dressed. (can’t)

19. You're an architect? I'm sure that's an interesting job. (must)

20. I'm sure you're not serious. I know you're joking. (must)

21. I'm sure he's got another woman. He keeps coming home late. (must)

22. This water is possibly dangerous. (could)

23. Politics is sometimes really boring. (can)

KEY

1. Jane could visit Switzerland next year.

2. I may take Spanish lessons.

3. They must be home by now.

4. James can’t be eighteen yet!

5. The weather might be sunny tomorrow.

6. Mrs Smith can’t have left home.

7. She might have gone to stay with her mother.

8. Mr Smith may have committed a crime.

9. He must have buried something in the garden.

10. He could have won the lottery.

11. He must have bought a new car.

12. Mr Smith might have murdered his wife.

13. She must be at home.

14. I know that it can’t be Jane-She's in America.

15. She thinks I must be stupid.

16. I must look silly in this coat.

17. They're always buying new cars. They must have a lot of money.

18. He can’t be a teacher. He's too well dressed.

19. You're an architect? It must be an interesting job.

20. I'm sure you're not serious. You must be joking.

21. He must have another woman. He keeps coming home late.

22. This water could be dangerous. 

23. Politics can be really boring.  

EU nurses face English language checks

Nurses and midwives coming to Britain from the EU will now need to prove they are fluent in English, under new rules. Until now, checks have only been applied to nurses outside the EU. It means any nurse who is unable to show they have sufficient language skills will need to have an English language assessment.

The move by the Nursing and Midwifery Council brings the profession in line with doctors, who are already vetted in this way for patient safety. The risk of a doctor not being fluent in English was highlighted by a lethal mistake made by Dr Daniel Ubani, a German doctor doing an out-of-hours shift who gave a lethal dose of a painkiller to patient David Gray in 2008. As a German citizen he was able to register to work in the UK without passing a language test.

NMC Chief Executive Jackie Smith said: "From now on all nurses and midwives applying to join the register from outside the UK, including the EU, will have to demonstrate they can communicate effectively to a high standard of English. The ability to communicate effectively with patients is fundamental to patient safety and a principle that is central to our code." Tests will check listening, reading, writing and speaking fluency. And if an allegation is made that a nurse or midwife already working in the UK does not meet the necessary English language skills, they could be investigated under fitness to practise rules.

The NMC has more than 690,000 nurses and midwives on its register. Around 66,000 of these come from non-EU countries and 33,000 from the EU. The UK is looking to recruit more foreign nurses.

Katherine Murphy of The Patients Association said: "Nurses from other countries make an extremely important contribution to healthcare in the UK. However, we hear from patients on our National Helpline that there can be real issues with some overseas health professionals; including problems with communication and a lack of understanding of processes and procedures. The Patients Association calls on all Trusts to ensure that their staff meet these new requirements, and that all overseas nurses have the necessary support and training to be able to offer patients safe and effective care."

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. Nurses have never had to prove their fluency in English.

b. Checks have already been applied to doctors.

c. There is no real need of foreign nurses in the UK.

d. The lack of fluency in English has a negative effect on nurses’ work.

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

a. Why will nurses and midwives have to prove their English is fluent?

b. What happened to Doctor Daniel Ubani?

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

a. evaluation (par.1)                   b. deadly (par.2)                               c. prove (par.3)

d. hire (par.4)                             e. guarantee (par.5)

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

a.  Despite making an important contribution, overseas health professionals have problems with communication.

Although  ……………………………………

b.  A German doctor gave a lethal dose of a painkiller to David Gray.

David Gray …………………………………        

c. The nurse was investigated because she didn’t have the necessary English language skills.

If the nurse ………………………………..

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

Would you like to work abroad?

Parkinson's: Woman who can sniff out disease inspires new research

Question 1

            a) false. Joy Milne, successfully identified sufferers by smelling T-shirts they had slept in.

            b) true. if it's proved there is a unique odour associated with Parkinson's, particularly early on in the condition, it could have a huge impact not just on early diagnosis

            c) true. even stop Parkinson's, something no current drug can achieve

            d) false.Professor Perdita Barran of the University of Manchester will lead a team trying to identify differences in chemicals present on the skin surface of people with Parkinson's

Question 2

            a)  Over time, sufferers tremble, are less flexible and take longer to move around         

            b )  Using her sense of smell to analyse T-shirts worn in bed, she could pick up differences in body odour both in people who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and those who had not yet shown signs of the disease.

Question 3

a)    tremor

b)    to launch

c)    subtle

            d) keen

            e) to estimate

Question 4

a)    Mrs Milne said she had always had a keen sense of smell and she had detected very early on that there had been a very subtle change in her husband’s smell.

b)    Distinctive smells associated with certain diagnoses had been uncovered (by research)

c)    The "supersmeller" and experts from the food and drink industry analyse the samples.