Wild World

1.      Listen to Cat Stevens’ song and complete the lyrics with the missing words. Click on the image of the world to listen to the song.

Wild World

¹.........................that I've lost everything to you
You ² .........................you wanna start something new
And it's breakin' my ³.........................you're leavin'
Baby, I'm grievin'
But if you wanna leave, ⁴......................... good care
I hope you have a lot of ⁵......................... things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out ⁶.........................

[Chorus:]
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a ⁷.........................
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a ⁸........................., girl

You ⁹......................... I've seen a lot of what the world can do
And it's breakin' my heart in ¹⁰.........................

Because I ¹¹........................ wanna see you a sad girl
Don't be a bad girl
But if you wanna leave, ¹²......................... good care
I hope you make a lot of ¹³.........................friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

[Chorus]

Baby, I love you
But if you wanna leave, ¹⁴......................... good care
I hope you make a lot of ¹⁵.........................friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

[Chorus]

2.  Find opposites in the lyrics

1.       Find  ......................

2.      Old  ......................

3.      Repair .......................

4.      Arrive ......................

5.      Easy  ......................

6.      Forget  ......................

7.      Happy  .........................

8.      Hate  ........................

3.  Indicate whether these sentences are TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answers with evidence from the lyrics.

1.     The singer left the girl.

2.    The girl is looking for another boyfriend.

3.    The singer has lived some experiences before.

4.    The singer doesn’t care about the girl.

5.    The singer advises her to be careful.

KEY:

1.     Missing words:

1.       Now

2.       Say

3.       Heart

4.       Take

5.       Nice

6.       There

7.       Smile

8.       Child

9.       Know

10.    Two

11.    Never

12.    Take

13.    Nice

14.    Take

2.     Opposites

1.       Lost

2.       New

3.       Break

4.       Leave

5.       Hard

6.       Remember

7.       Sad

8.       Love

3.     True  / False

1.       False. I’ve lost everything.

2.       True. You wanna start something new.

3.       True. I’ve seen a lot of what world can do.

4.       False. I never wanna see you sad girl.

5.       True. There’s a lot of bad and beware.

Biggest ever project to get rid of rats, on South Georgia

The largest project to get rid of animals the world has ever seen is about to start. It's happening on the small island of South Georgia, in the Atlantic ocean, and the aim is to wipe out millions of rats.

The rodents first arrived in South Georgia over 200 years ago, on sealing and whaling ships. They've become a big pest and are pushing some of the island's bird species to the brink of extinction.

A test to spread poison pellets across part of the island in 2011 seems to have been successful. The team will now spend months targeting other areas with the poison pellets. The team have to use helicopters to spread the pellets because there's so much ground to cover.

Wiping out rats has been tried on other islands around the world, including off New Zealand and Australia - but nothing on the scale that's being tried out in South Georgia.

Rare birds

The island is home to many species of bird, some of which are found nowhere else in the world, like the South Georgia pipit and the South Georgia pintail.

The increase in rats has been a disaster for the birds as the rodents feed on chicks and eggs.

The hope is that getting rid of the rats will mean 100 million pairs of seabirds will come back to the island once more.

Match the words below to their definitions

brink / disaster / pellets / project / rodents / species

carefully planned piece of work that has a particular purpose

animals with long, sharp teeth, such as mice or rabbits

at the edge of something bad

small, hard balls of metal, food or other material

something that causes a lot of harm or damage

groups of plants or animals which share similar characteristics, such as dogs or cats

True or false?

1. The rats are a menace to the local bird population.

2. The team is trying to catch the rats and send them to Australia.

3. Some of the bird species on South Georgia are unique.

4. The team is shooting rats from helicopters.

5. Rats are native to South Georgia.

6. It is hoped the rats will return to the island.

7. Rats eat eggs and chicks.

8. No one has tried poison so far on South Georgia.

What's the missing word?

1. The team will now spend months_________________other areas.

2. The team have to use_____________to spread the pellets.

3. The______________in rats has been a disaster for the birds.

4. It's_______________on the small island of South Georgia.

KEY

project carefully planned piece of work that has a particular purpose

rodents animals with long, sharp teeth, such as mice or rabbits

brink at the edge of something bad

pellets small, hard balls of metal, food or other material

disaster something that causes a lot of harm or damage

species groups of plants or animals which share similar characteristics, such as dogs or cats

True or false?

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. False

6. False

7. True

8. True

What's the missing word?

1. targeting

2. helicopters

3. increase

4. happening

Civilisation is making humanity less intelligent

The simplicity of modern life is making us more stupid, according to a scientific theory which claims humanity may have reached its intellectual and emotional peak as early as 4,000 BC.

Intelligence and the capacity for abstract thought evolved in our prehistoric ancestors living in Africa between 50,000 and 500,000 years ago, who relied on their wits to build shelters and hunt prey.

But in more civilised times where we no longer need to fight to survive, the selection process which favoured the smartest of our ancestors and weeded out the dullards is no longer in force.

Harmful mutations in our genes which reduce our "higher thinking" ability are therefore passed on through generations and allowed to accumulate, leading to a gradual dwindling of our intelligence as a species, a new study claims.

Prof Gerald Crabtree, a developmental biologist at Stanford University, explained in the Trends in Genetics journal that a mutation in any one of 2,000 to 5,000 particular genes could lower our intellectual and emotional ability. 

Our development of intelligence genes "probably occurred in a world where every individual was exposed to nature's raw selective mechanisms on a daily basis," he said, but the same pressures do not apply today.

QUESTION 1 (2 points) Indicate whether these sentences are TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answers with evidence from the text. 

1. Some theories maintain that the most intelligent humans lived about 4.000 B.C.
2. Our Ancestors needed their intelligence to survive.
3. In our modern society, the natural selection provides humans their intelligence.
4. Humans are less clever because of a mutation in their genes.

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

1. Why are humans less intelligent?
2. Why were our ancestors clever?

QUESTION 3 (1,5 points) Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:

1. The point of a highest activity or achievement. (paragraph 1)
2. Developed gradually (paragraph 2)
3. Eradicated (paragraph 3) 

QUESTION 4 (1,5 points) Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

1. Civilisation is making humanity less intelligent, study claims.

It is...

2. Humans are not very clever because they don’t have to fight to survive.

If...

3. Our prehistoric ancestors had to hunt pray. They lived in Africa many years ago.

Use a relative sentence 

QUESTION 5 ( 3 POINTS) Write a short essay (120 – 150 words) on the following topic.

      Life in the past was better. Do you agree?

Jeans That Clean The Air

         An innovative blend of fashion and science has resulted in the design of a new technology in jeans that cleans the air. Helen Storey, professor of fashion and science at The London College of Fashion, teamed up with Dr Tony Ryan, pro-vice-chancellor for the Faculty of Science at the University of Sheffield, to create what could be a ground-breaking solution to our environmental problems. They discovered that when denim is coated with tiny particles of the chemical titanium dioxide, it reacts with air and light to absorb and break down harmful emissions in the environment. The emissions become harmless and are washed away when the jeans are cleaned. This means we can help clean the air simply by going for a walk.

           

            Ms Story and Dr Ryan have created a company to showcase their invention, called Catalytic Clothing. Their website says: "Catalytic Clothing seeks to explore how clothing and textiles can be used as a catalytic surface to purify air, employing existing technology in a new way." The technology is similar to how a catalytic converter in a car helps clean the fuel mix. Ryan makes bold claims about how effective the innovation could be. He maintains that if all of Sheffield's half a million residents wore the jeans to become walking air filters, the dangerous chemical nitrogen oxide in the city would disappear. The improvement in air quality could significantly reduce deaths and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

(22nd October, 2012) adapted from Breaking News 

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

a. The new technique came from a fashion expert and a scientist.

b. The new jeans could break the ground because of their strength.

c. The technology used has never been seen before.

d. The jeans could improve the lives of people with breathing difficulties.

QUESTION 2 Answer the following questions in your own words

a. How do the new jeans contribute to clean the air?

b. What potential effects could the new jeans have, according to Mr. Ryan?

QUESTION 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as

a.      1 pioneering (par. 1)   

b.      2 to look into (par. 2)  

c.      3 considerably  (par.2)  

QUESTION 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning

a. Ms Story and Dr Ryan have created a company to showcase their invention, called Catalytic Clothing.

            A company …

b. The improvement in air quality could significantly reduce deaths and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

            If air quality ….

c. "Catalytic Clothing seeks to explore how clothing and textiles can be used as a catalytic surface to purify air”

            Ms Story and Dr. Ryan said that …….

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

            Would life be different without jeans?

Civilisation is making humanity less intelligent

Question 1:

1. True. Humanity may have reached its intellectual and emotional peak as early as 4.000  B.C.
2. True. Ancestors ... who relied on their wits to build shelters and hunt pray.
3. False. The selection process ... is no longer in force.
4. True. Harmful mutations in our genes which reduce our “higher thinking” ability.

Question 2:

1. Mutation; Natural selection.
2. Survive: build shelter, hunt prey.

Question 3:

1. Peak
2. Evolved
3. Weeded out

Question 4:

1. It is claimed that civilisation is making humanity less intelligent.
2. If humans had to fight to survive, they would be cleverer.
3. Our prehistoric ancestors, who lived in Africa many years ago, had to hunt pray.

Jeans That Clean The Air

Question 1

a)      True. “An innovative blend of fashion and science has resulted in the design of a new technology.”

b)      False. “…to create what could be a ground-breaking solution to our environmental problems.”

c)      False. “Their website says: "Catalytic Clothing seeks to explore how clothing and textiles can be used as a catalytic surface to purify air, employing existing technology in a new way."

d)      True. “The improvement in air quality could significantly reduce deaths and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.”

Question 2

a)      They apply very small particles of titanium dioxide to the fabric the new jeans are made of. The chemical absorbs toxic substances in the atmosphere which are not harmful anymore, and are removed when the jeans are washed.

b)      According to Mr. Ryan, the new jeans could reduce air pollution in big cities, which would be extremely beneficial for those suffering breathing disorders.

Question 3

a)      innovative / ground-breaking

b)      explore

c)      significantly

  

Question 4

a.      A company called Catalytic Clothing has been created by Ms Story and Dr Ryan to showcase their invention.

b.      If air quality were improved, deaths and respiratory illnesses such as asthma could be significantly reduced.

c.      Ms Story and Dr. Ryan said that Catalytic Clothing sought to explore how clothing and textiles could be used as a catalytic surface to purify air.

Downton Abbey

We know Wednesday is not the day to look for new stuff in "Our Blog", but if you are a fan of Downton Abbey as we are, remember Season 3 is on tonight. Anyhow, HERE is a link if you want to enjoy episode 1 in English. Hope you like it!!!!!

And if you want your students to have a look at it as well, maybe this Reported Speech exercise with quotes by Dowager Countess of Gratham is the first step to it.


1) "Sybil is entitled to her opinions.", Lady Mary said

   Dowager Countess of Gratham answered, "She isn't until she is married, then her husband will tell her what her opinions are."

2) Lady Mary Crawley said, "Don't be ridiculous."

3) Sir Richard Carlile said, "I'm leaving the morning and I doubt we'll meet again."

   Dowager Countess Of Grantham replied, "Do you promise?"

4) Cora asked, "Are we to be friends then?"

   Dowager Countess Of Grantham answered, "We are allies, which can be a good deal more effective."

5) Dowager Countess Of Grantham stated, "I'm a woman and I can be as contrary as I choose."

6) Dowager Countess Of Grantham said to Mrs. Crawley, "Your quarrel is with my daughter and not with me."

7) Matthew Crawley said, "The question is what can I say to Cousin Violet?

   Earl Of Grantham answered, "Don't worry about that since I can handle her."

8) Dowager Countess Of Grantham said, "It was a wedding present from a frightful aunt that I have hated it for half a century."

9) Dowager Countess Of Grantham told him, "Give him a date for when Mary's out of mourning as no one wants to kiss a girl in black."

10) Dowager Countess Of Grantham said to Lady Edith, "Don't be defeatist because it's terribly middle class."

Tower of London hit by theft of valuable keys

The Tower of London has been hit by a burglary, it emerged last night. A thief reportedly managed to escape with keys from the leading tourist attraction on Guy Fawkes Night. The unidentified raider, who has not been caught, is said to have managed to scale the Front Gate as well as an inner entrance. He then managed to grab a set of keys from a metal box that had been mistakenly left unlocked at a sentry post, the Sun reported.

Tower officials insisted that the Crown jewels were never at security risk but admitted that staff could lose their jobs over the fiasco. Despite being spotted by guards, he escaped because the security team have strict instructions not to leave their posts. A source told the newspaper: “Security was a total shambles. The box was supposed to be locked at all times and it was open. It went from bad to worse”

The newspaper reported that the pleas for help requesting back-up were ignored during the incident on Bonfire Night. It was claimed that the “heavy” bunch of keys included those to unlock drawbridges, conference rooms and the restaurant.

As a result of the embarrassing security blunder the locks had to be changed, at an estimated cost of thousands of pounds. Scotland Yard tried to radio a night watchman but failed to find the suspect who targeted the tower, which is guarded by Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters. They are supported by a private security firm.

Last night a spokesman for the Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the Tower, admitted that security procedures “were not carried out to the expected standard”. He added: “A staff disciplinary process is underway.” They did not comment further.

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

a) The keys were found at a box that happened to be wrongly open.

b) Guards at the Tower are not allowed to abandon their positions.

c) Scotland Yard broadcast a manhunt to catch the thief.

d) Safety at the Tower is run by the Government.

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

a) Why wasn’t the thief caught?

b) What were the consequences of the theft?

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

a) take (par.1)

b) request (par.3)

c) mistake (par.4)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning

a) The raider is said to have managed to scale the Front Gate.

          It is…

b) Despite being spotted by guards, he could escape.

         Although…

c) A Spokesman admitted “Security procedures were not carried out to the expected standard. And that a staff disciplinary process is underway.”

        A spokesman admitted that…

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

“We should keep our cultural and artistic heritage”. Do you agree?

Rephrasings 2

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

1 Perhaps we'll go to Disneyworld next summer. 
      We ..................................

2 Train fares are expected to rise again. 
      Train fares .........................

3 Do you mind closing the door, please? 
      She asked .........................

4 Why don't we go to a concert tonight? 
      She suggested ..........................

5 A computer technician is going to revise my system. 
      I am .........................

6 They were late because they missed the train.

7 I regret I didn't tell John about the party. 
   I wish......................................

8 Nothing could be done to rescue the crew. 
   You could ......................................

9 It's forbidden to use electrical devices on a plane. 
    You .................................

10 He failed the driving test because he was terribly nervous. 
    He would........................................



KEY

1. We may go to Disneyworld next summer.
2. Train fares may raise again.
3. She asked me to close the door.
4. He suggested going to a concert that night.
5. I am going to have my system revised by a computer technician.
6. If they hadn't missed the train, they wouldn't have been late.
7. I wish I had tols John about the party.
8. You could not do anything to rescue the crew.
9. You mustn't use electrical devices on a plane.
10. He woul dnot have failed the driving test if he hadn't been terribly nervous.

World's biggest marine park created in Australia

Australia has created the biggest marine park in the world to protect its oceans. It will cover around one million square miles and means no overfishing and drilling for oil can take place there.


The ocean around Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef which is the world's largest coral reef system, covering a massive 1,600 miles. Endangered marine animals like green turtles, blue whales and whale sharks all live in these waters.

Some areas of the ocean around the country are already protected but the government to protect more because of worries that it was becoming polluted and the coral reef was being damaged.

Not everyone is happy about it though, fishing groups say it will damage their industry and lots of people will lose their jobs.

Match the words below to their definitions

coral / endagered / industry / marine / polluted / reef

1. relating to the sea
2. hard rocky material produced by a type of very small sea animal
3. line of rocks or sand near the surface of the sea
4. describes types of animal or plants that may become extinct soon
5. when the water, air or soil contains dangerous substances
6. an activity (such as fishing) that people and companies engage in to make money
True or false?

1. Blue whales live near the Great Barrier Reef.
2. Everyone thinks the park is a good idea.
3. This is the first marine park in Australia.
4. The fishing industry depends on the Great Barrier Reef.
5. The Great Barrier Reef is not polluted.
6. Overfishing can damage the ocean.
7. Oil companies can drill in the park.
8. Whale sharks are endangered.

What's the missing word?

1. Some areas of the ocean around the country are already________________.
2. The ocean around Australia is_______________to the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Green_______________, blue whales and whale sharks all live in the waters.
4. The coral reef was being_____________.







KEY

marine relating to the sea
coral hard rocky material produced by a type of very small sea animal
reef line of rocks or sand near the surface of the sea
endangered describes types of animal or plants that may become extinct soon
polluted when the water, air or soil contains dangerous substances
industry an activity (such as fishing) that people and companies engage in to make money

True or false?
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True

What's the missing word?
1. protected
2. home
3. turtles
4. damaged