BITTER ORANGES FROM SEVILLE FOR THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND

A box of bitter oranges from the trees of the Real Alcázar of Seville, the oldest palace in use in Europe, will arrive in the form of jam at Buckingham, London, thus recovering a tradition that had been lost at the beginning of the 20th century. The transformation of citrus into jam will take place in Madrid, at the residence of the British ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliot, who last February wrote a letter to the director of the Alcázar Isabel Rodríguez, to thank her for the gift: “I am very happy that this tradition from the beginning of the 20th century that had been lost, fortunately has now been recovered”, says the handwritten letter. 

“When Manuel del Valle was appointed warden of the Alcázar told me that there used to be a tradition of sending bitter oranges to British monarchs and that it would be nice to be able to get it back. Last year we contacted the honorary consul in Seville, Joe Cooper, and prepared a box of oranges, about 20 kilos, for him from our trees. He sent it by diplomatic bag to the ambassador, who was in charge of preparing the jam and delivering it to the Queen of England ", explained this Wednesday Isabel Rodríguez.

"This year, however, it was the Seville consul who visited us last week to collect them directly and, again, send them to Madrid, as has been done”, added Rodríguez. The Alcázar is surrounded by some 7,000 square meters of gardens in which 1,053 orange trees grow. Its fruits have to be harvested every year to favour the new flowering, a task that is done by hand. Without the harvest of ripe oranges, the city would lose part of the characteristic smell of orange blossom that surrounds it every spring.

One legend, of the many that circulates around this palace, says that it was Pedro I El Cruel (1334 -1369) who planted a bitter orange tree in the Alcázar and which according to experts is the oldest in Spain. However, some sources disagree and date this tree to the 16th century. Those who support this second theory assure that the orange tree was planted in March 1526 when the wedding of Carlos V and Isabel de Portugal was celebrated in the palace. What is documented is that these citrus fruits were brought by the Almohads in the 12th century.

All the bitter oranges that are collected each year in Seville, those of the Alcázar and those of the 48,000 trees that adorn city streets and gardens, are used to make compost and cosmetics, as feed for goats in livestock farms or as fuel to generate electricity. However, very little of its production is destined for the food industry, which requires strict quality controls.

From https://thetimeshub.in/bitter-oranges-from-seville-for-the-queen-of-england/14966/

 

Question 1: (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE OR FALSE and write down the sentence or the part of the text that justifies your answer. No points will be given if the evidence is not correct.

a) The Consul visits the Alcázar every year to pick up the oranges.

b) Last year, the jam was sent directly to the Queen.

c) There is a theory that dates bitter oranges in Seville in the 12th century.

d) Oranges follow rigorous checks when they are going to be eaten.

Question 2: (2 points) Choose and answer f the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a) What are the two theories about the arrival of the bitter oranges to Seville?b) 

b) What are Seville oranges used for?

Question 3: (1,5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5.

a) Therefore (par.1)

b) To employ (par.2)

c) To recover (par.2)

d) To help (par.3)

e) Acknowledged (par.4)

f) To demand (par.5)

Question 4: (1,5 points) Choose the correct option- a, b, c or d- for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet.

1) For a better harvest…

a) …oranges have to be collected yearly.

b) …oranges should be left on the tree.

c) …oranges should be harvested by hand.

d) …oranges should be covered.

2) The jam…

a) …might be made at the ambassador residence.

b) …must be made at the ambassador residence.

c) …will be made at the ambassador residence.

d) …has to be made at the ambassador residence.

3) The ambassador…

…emailed the director of the Alcázar to thank her.

…sent the director of the Alzázar a gift to thank her.

…wrote a message to the director of the Alzázar himself.

…sent an automatic message to the director of the Alzázar.

Question 5: (3 points) Written production

Choose ONE of the two options below and write a short essay (120-150 words). Essays up to 200 won´t be penalized.

a) Do you think traditions must be preserved?

b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of bio-food?

 

KEY

Question 1

a) FALSE “This year, however, it was the Seville consul who visited us last week to collect them directly”

b) FALSE “…the ambassador, who was in charge of preparing the jam and delivering it to the Queen of England”

c) FALSE “What is documented is that these citrus fruits were brought by the Almohads in the 12th century”

d) TRUE “…the food industry, which requires strict quality controls”

Question 2

a) One of the theories says that it was Pedro I El Grande who brought the first tree to Seville in the 14th century whereas those who disagree state that it was sowed to celebrate the wedding of Carlos V 200 hundred years later.

b) -As fertiliser

-For beauty products

-To feed animals

-As fuel to produce electricity

Question 3

thus

(to) appoint(ed)

(to) get back

(to) favour

documented

(to) require(s)

Question 4

1.- a

2.- c

3.- c

Vocabulary

Choose the correct answer.

1. If you talk back / over to your teacher, you will be punished.

2. Amanda complained that her older sister always talks out of / down to her.

3. We talked Dad down to / into taking us to the beach on Saturday.

4. She couldn’t talk her husband back / out of going to work although he was ill.

5. The boss wants to talk over / down to the new office rules with his workers.

KEY

1. back 4. out of

2. down to 5. over

3. into

CONDITIONALS

 

Translate the following sentences into English 

1. Si viviera más cerca llegaría a tiempo todos los días.

2. Si yo fuera usted plantaría algunos árboles alrededor de la casa.

3. Si un ladrón entrara en mi casa gritaría.

4. Si dejara la bicicleta fuera alguien la robaría.

5. ¿Llegaría Tom a tiempo si cogiera el autobús de las diez?

6. Tú tendrías éxito si lo intentaras otra vez.

7. Si tuviera carnet de conducir conseguiría un trabajo mejor.

8. Si lo supiera te lo diría.

9. Si cogiera ese avión estaría en casa para las nueve.

10. Si el Sr. Brown viniera temprano irían al teatro.

11. Te lo compraría si me dieras el dinero.

12. Si tuviera un mapa te lo prestaría.

13. Lo haría si pudiera (yo)

14. Si le comprara todo lo que pide me arruinaría.

15. Yo en tu lugar no bebería ese vino.

KEY

1. If I lived nearer, I’d be on time every day.

2. If I were you, I’d plant some trees around the house.

3. If a burglar came into my hose I’d scream.

4. If I left the bicycle outside, someone would steal it / it would be stolen.

5. Would Tom be in time if he got the ten o’clock bus?

6. You would succeed if you tried again.

7. If he had a driving licence, he’d get a better job.

8. If I knew it, I would tell you.

9. If he caught that plane, he’d be home by nine.

10. If Mr Brown came early, they would go to the theatre.

11. I would buy it for you if you gave me the money.

12. If I had a map, I’d lend it to you.

13. I’d do it if I could

14. If I bought him everything, he asked for I’d be ruined.

15. If I were you, I wouldn’t drink that wine.

New York allows revellers at New Year's Eve celebrations

Revellers will be allowed to attend this year's New Year's Eve celebrations in New York's Times Square, the city's mayor has confirmed. The event was closed to spectators last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

People wanting to see the ball drop this year will have to show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test if exempt. The ball drop signifies the start of the New Year with hundreds of thousands of people usually turning up to watch."We can finally get back together again. It's going to be amazing, it's going to be a joy for this city," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. He added that he had been working with the Department of Health and New York Police Department "to get this right".

People over the age of five will need to bring photo ID along with their proof of vaccination in order to gain access to Times Square. Children under five-years-old will have to be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. Those who are unvaccinated will have to wear a mask, head of the Times Square Alliance, Tom Harris said.

People have been celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square since 1904. But last year, celebrations were muted after the Centers for Disease Control urged people to avoid gatherings. Only a few health workers were allowed into the square to watch and they were placed in socially distanced pods.

The US has recorded the highest number of Covid cases in the world, with 2.1 million recorded since the pandemic began. More than 765,000 people there have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

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.       Nobody will be able to watch the ball drop unless they are vaccinated.

 b.       New York's authority is enthusiastic about the celebration.

 c.       All children will have to prove they are vaccinated to enjoy the event.

 d.      There were no people at Times Square to watch last year due to the sanitary conditions. 

QUESTION 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a.       What happened in New York on New Year's Eve in 2020?          

b.        What will the restrictions for the public be this year?          

QUESTION 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the definitions given.

a.       Someone who enjoys partying greatly (paragraph 1)

b.       Be present (paragraph 1)

c.       Arrive (paragraph 2)

d.       Encourage, exhort (paragraph 4)

e.       Crowd (paragraph 4) 

QUESTION 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the correct option, a, b, c, or d for each question and COPY the sentences onto your answer sheet.

1.       The event was closed last year

a.       because Covid-19 pandemic.

b.       since Covid-19 pandemic.

c.       for Covid-19 pandemic.

d.       because of Covid-19 pandemic.

2.       If you want to see the ball drop this year

a.       you would have to be vaccinated.

b.       you will be vaccinated.

c.       you will have to be vaccinated.

d.       you won't be vaccinated.

3.       A child under five

a.       need to be accompanied.

b.       has to be accompanied.

c.       must accompanied.

d.       have to be accompanied. 

QUESTION 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) giving your opinion on the following topic: 

How do you like to celebrate Christmas holidays?

 

KEY

Question 1

a. False. " People wanting to see the ball drop this year will have to show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test if exempt."

b. True. " We can finally get back together again. It's going to be amazing, it's going to be a joy for this city," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

c. False. " Children under five-years-old will have to be accompanied by a vaccinated adult."

d. False "Only a few health workers were allowed into the square to watch"

Question 2

a. In 2020, because of the pandemic, the public was not allowed to see the traditional ball drop in Times Square. There were only some health workers present respecting social distances.

b. Everybody will have to prove they are vaccinated. Those who have been excused will need a negative Coronavirus test. They will also need to show a photo ID. Children under five will need to go with a vaccinated adult. Wearing a mask will be obligatory for those who haven' been vaccinated.

Question 3

a. reveller

b. to attend

c. turning  up / to turn up

d. urged / to urge

e. gatherings

Question 4

a. d

b. c

c. b

Pigs Can Be Trained To Play Video Games With Their Snouts, Study Reveals

 

Pigs might not be able to fly, but give them a joystick and see what happens.

By Jeremy Blum

 

Pigs are highly intelligent creatures, and a study released on Thursday has revealed that they’re skilled gamers, too. Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the paper is the culmination of extensive research into pig intelligence that began in the ’90s by scientists working with Stanley Curtis, a “legendary swine researcher” who died in 2010. It was co-authored by Candace Croney, director of Purdue University’s Centre for Animal Welfare Science, and Sarah Boysen, a professor of psychology at Ohio State University renowned for her research into chimpanzees.

The paper highlights two Yorkshire pigs named Hamlet and Omelette, and two Panepinto micro pigs — often used in research and usually weighing 50-70 pounds — named Ebony and Ivory, all of whom were kept at Pennsylvania State University.  The pigs were trained at a “rudimentary joystick-operated video game task” that had originally been created to test chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys. They learned how to manipulate a joystick with their snouts to move a computer cursor across a screen. Once they manoeuvred the cursor to hit a wall, a treat dispenser connected to the joystick would deliver a snack.

The game had varying difficulty levels, and the number of walls that appeared on-screen decreased from four to one. The pigs, all of whom were far-sighted, eventually excelled at the game, though their performance varied at the higher difficulty levels. Hamlet and Omelette were also forced to retire after 12 weeks of training because “they had grown too large to stand long enough to complete sessions.”

“That the pigs achieved the level of success they did on a task that was significantly outside their normal frame of reference is itself remarkable, and indicative of their behavioural and cognitive flexibility,” the study states, pointing out that even when the joystick broke, the hogs “continued to make correct responses when rewarded only with verbal and tactile reinforcement from the experimenter, who was also their primary caretaker.”

The study notes that the pigs did not perform as well as the chimps and rhesus monkeys, speculating that this was probably because the swine had to move the joystick with their snouts. “Future studies of the cognitive capacities of pigs and other domestic species may benefit from the use of touchscreens or other advanced computer-interfaced technology,” the study concludes.

All the pigs involved in the study — aside from Omelette, who developed health issues and had to be euthanized — lived well following their careers as gamers. Hamlet spent the rest of his life on a bed and breakfast farm, while Ebony and Ivory retired to a children’s zoo, Croney said.

Adapted from “Huffpost”

February 2021

QUESTION 1: [2 points] Indicate whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

    a.     The study was carried out in the 90s.

    b.     If the pigs manipulate the joystick properly, they’ll get something to eat.

    c.     All the pigs could perform the game successfully.

    d.     If the joystick broke, the pigs’ performance was worse.

QUESTION 2: [2 points] Choose only TWO of the following questions and answer them in your own words according to the text.

    a.     Explain what the four pigs kept at Pennsylvania State University had to do?

    b.     What happened when the joystick broke?

    c.     What happened to the pigs after the study?

QUESTION 3: [1,5 points] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5 points. 

    a.     Known and respected. (paragraph 1)

    b.     Animal’s nose (paragraph 2)

    c.     Difficulty seeing near objects (paragraph 3)

    d.     Be very good at (paragraph 3)

    e.     Pigs (paragraph 4)

    f.      Not including (paragraph 6)

QUESTION 4: [1,5 points] Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet. 

    1.     Professor Boysen,

a.     that is known for her research into pigs, teaches psychology.

b.     who is known for her research into swine, teaches psychology.

c.     who is known for her research into chimpanzees, teaches psychology.

d.     that is known for her research into chimpanzees, teaches psychology.

    2.     Hamlet and Omelette…

a.     were allowed to retire after three months.

b.     could retire after three months.

c.     must have retired after three months.

d.     had to retire after three months.

    3.     The swine…

a.     might have done better than the chimps and monkeys if they hadn’t had to use their snouts.

b.     might do better than the chimps and monkeys.

c.     did better than the chimps and monkeys.

d.     could perform as well as the chimps and monkeys

 

QUESTION 5: [3 points] Write a short essay (120 – 150 words) on ONE of the following topics. Essays up to 200 words will not be penalized.

a.   Advantages and disadvantages of doing research using animals.
b.   Pigs can be as good pets as dogs. Give your opinion.
 

KEY

QUESTION 1

        a.     FALSE.  the paper is the culmination of extensive research into pig intelligence that began in the ’90s

b.     TRUE.  Once they manoeuvred the cursor to hit a wall, a treat dispenser connected to the joystick would deliver a snack.

c.     TRUE.  The pigs, all of whom were far-sighted, eventually excelled at the game,

d.    FALSE.  even when the joystick broke, the hogs “continued to make correct responses

QUESTION 2

a.     Paragraph 2

b.     Paragraph 4

c.     Paragraph 6

 

QUESTION 3

a.    Renowned

b.    Snout

c.    Far-sighted

d.    Excelled at

e.    Hogs

f.     Aside from

QUESTION 4

        1.     c. who is known for her research into chimpanzees, teaches psychology.

        2.     d. had to retire after three months.

        3.  a.  might have done better than the chimps and monkeys if they hadn’t had to use their snouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match the words on the left with the correct words on the right. Write your answers in the boxes below

  1.      A ball of                                  a. bread

        2.      A bar of                                   b. cards

        3.      A bunch of                              c. cigarettes

        4.      A jar of                                    d. cotton

        5.      A loaf of                                  e. flowers

         6.      A lump of                                f. ice

                                                                              7.      A pack of                                 g. jam

                                                                              8.      A packet of                              h. pearls

                                                                              9.      A pad of                                  i. petrol

                                                                              10.  A pair of                                  j. scissors

                                                                              11.  A reel of                                  k. soap

                                                                              12.  A string of                               l. string

                                                                              13.  A tank of                                 m. toothpaste

                                                                            14.  A tube of                                 n. writing paper

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14

 

Key

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
l	k	e	g	a	f	b	c	n	j	d	h	i	m

 

ABBREVIATIONS 4

Do you understand these abbreviations? Write them out in full

  1.        BBC

        2.        CIA

        3.        EU

        4.        FBI

        5.        IRA

        6.        MP

        7.        PM

        8.        UN

        9.        WHO

        10.     WWF

 

KEY

        1.        British Broadcasting Corporation

        2.        Central Intelligence Agency

        3.        European Union

        4.        Federal Bureau of Investigation

        5.        Irish Republican Army

        6.        Member of Parliament

        7.        Prime Minister

        8.        United Nations

        9.        World Health Organisation

        10.     World Wildlife Fund