Impersonal verbs

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Es mejor que nos vayamos ahora.
2. Es imposible que ella llegue a tiempo.
3. Es fácil ir a Londres en avión.
4. Estudiar el examen me llevó siete horas.
5. ¿Cuánto se tarda en ir en coche a Madrid?
6. Cuando llovizna, me siento muy triste, especialmente si hace frío.
7. Hace sol, pero hace más frío que ayer.
8. Durante la tormenta de ayer granizó y tronó durante bastante rato.
9. Hace años que no la veo.
10. Hace dos semanas que no leo un libro. He tenido demasiado trabajo.

KEY

1. It’s better for us to go now. / We’d better go now.
2. It’s impossible for her to arrive in time.
3. It’s easy to go to London by plane.
4. It took me seven hours to revise for the exam.
5. How long does it take to drive to Madrid?
6. When it drizzles, I feel very sad, especially if it is cold.
7. It’s sunny, but it’s colder than yesterday.
8. It hailed and thundered for a long time during yesterday’s storm.
9. It’s ages since I last saw her.
10. It’s two weeks since I last read a book. I’ve been too busy.

High-protein diet 'as bad for health as smoking (2 versions)

KEY   for Test 1

Question 1

            a) FALSE “Eating too much animal protein could be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people” or “ This trend appeared to reverse for those aged over 65”

            b) TRUE “ the first time research has measured the risk of death caused by regularly eating too much protein”

            c) TRUE “Yet, Prof Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist, said: “Further research is needed“

            d) FALSE “he World Health Organisation will announce a consultation today suggesting that guidelines on sugar consumption should be lowered, but there have few warnings about excess protein“

Question 2

                a) -thousands of adults tracked

                -in a period of 20 years

            b) -because of their dramatic weight-loss results

                -bad long term consequences

Question 3

a)       tracked / to track

b)       trend

c)       lowered / to lower

d)       warning

e)       overall

Question 4

a)       Although further research is needed, previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat.

b)       Eating too much animal protein is said to be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people.

c)       Dr Valter Longo said that they provided convincing evidence that a high-protein diet was nearly as bad as smoking for (y)our health. 

Key for Test 2 

Question 1

                a) False. The risk is nearly as high as the danger of developing cancer by smoking 20 cigarettes each day.

                b) False. But there have few warnings about excess protein

                c) True. The researchers define a “high-protein” diet as deriving at least 20 per cent of daily calories from protein.

                d)True. We also propose that at older ages, it may be important to avoid a low-protein diet to allow the maintenance of healthy weight and protection from frailty

Question 2

                a)Eat more protein.

                b)Paragraph 6

Question 3

a)track

b)cut down

c) raises

            d)intake

            e)quit

Question 4

a)     A link…between cancer and red meat has been shown.

b)     Dr Eileen said (that)…that research showed that a low-portein diet could be useful    for preventing cancer.

           c)     It… has been proven that cutting down on red meat lowers the risk of cancer. 

London West End

Watch the video and answer the following questions

1. What are the limits that West End streches from?
2. What did Covent Garden use to be?
3. When did Covent Garden move to its current location?
4. What is Covent Garden now and what does it hold?
5. Which is the oldest London restaurant?
6. What is the name of London's oldest pub?
7. Whose statue is in the centre of Leicester Square?
8. How long is Oxford Street?
9. How many shops are there in Oxford Street (aprox)?
10. Which museum is mentioned in the video?
11. Where do English people "unofficially" celebrate New Year's Eve?
12. What monuments / buildings can you see in Trafalgar Square?

KEY

1. Charing Cross, Hyde Park Corner and Euston Road.
2. The fruit and vegetable market for Westminster Abbey.
3. In 1974
4. A shopping area, and holds the Royal Opera House.
5. Rule's
6. Lamb and Flag
7. Shakespeare's
8. One and a half miles
9. 300 shops aprox.
10. The British Museum
11. In Trafalgar Square
12. Nelson's column, The National Gallery and the Admiralty Arch.

BRITISH and AMERICAN ENGLISH 13

Are these sentences British or American English? Decide, by reading the whole sentence, if you have to use the British or the American word, which is given in brackets.

1. Juliet spends her time with the Girl Scouts and Chuck spends his leisure time playing (football / soccer) or watching TV.

2. As I was driving down the motorway, I noticed that my (motor / engine) was overheating.

3. The radiator was empty, so I drove carefully to the nearest (gas station / petrol station). There was a long line of automobiles waiting at the (gasoline / petrol) pumps.

4. Steam was coming from under the (bonnet / hood) as I drove up the water tap.

5. Mr. Wilson was driving into town .Suddenly the traffic lights changed and he stopped the car at the (pedestrian crossing / crosswalk).

6. Just then an (articulated lorry / trailer truck) passed him and scraped the fenders on the driver’s side of the car.

7. Soon a cop arrived and questioned several witnesses who were on the (sidewalk / pavement).

8. The lorry driver was convicted of driving without care and attention and was (sacked / fired) by his boss.

9. Henry’s son was running in from the yard, while his wife was going into the kitchen to (wash / wash up) the dishes. Henry shouted at him: “You shouldn’t come into the house with those muddy (rain boots / Wellington boots)”.

10. The smart government employee was waiting at the bar to order a (lager / beer) and a glass of (whisky / whiskey).

KEY

1. soccer
2. engine
3. gas station – gasoline
4. bonnet
5. pedestrian crossing
6. trailer truck
7. sidewalk
8. sacked
9. wash – rain boots
10. beer – whiskey 

Connectors chart

Use this chart to help you do the exercise below

Contrast	Addition	Cause and Effect	Condition
but, whereas, while, on the other hand, unlike, although, though, despite the fact, however, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, instead of	and, in addition, additionally, furthermore, moreover, not only...but also, as well as, besides	because, since, as, therefore, as a result, consequently, due to, thus, so that, in order to	if, unless, only if, even if, even though, otherwise (negative condition)
Time	Example	Conclusion	Emphasis
First, Next, eventually, instantly, before long, when, while, meanwhile, as soon as	For example, for instance, To illustrate	In conclusion, to conclude, in summary, to summarize, as we have seen, in short	in fact, as a matter of fact, indeed, in other words, that means, actually

Rewrite the sentences using the connectors in parenthesis. Make the necessary changes:

1.Isabel apologized several times. Paul wouldn’t speak to her. (but)

2.We decided to walk even though it was raining. (in spite of)

3. Roger works very hard to help his parents. He’s also a good student. (In addition)

4.I love Ice cream. In addition, I love chocolate. (as well as)

5.I’d love to come. I really haven’t got the time. (However)

6. Rome is a great place to visit, but it has got terrible traffic problems. (despite)

7.Miguel was very busy yesterday. He helped me. (Even though)

8.Sinem exercises vigorously. She can’t lose weight. (However)

9.Visitors are not allowed to park here. It is a private parking area. (since)

10.Jack can’t lift the box. He is very strong. (But)

11.Joanne booked a babysitter because she wanted to go out for the evening.(in order to)

12.Brenda does a lot of exercise. She is fit. (therefore)

13.Mark heard the news on the radio. He was driving home. (while)

14.Despite its popularity, the group hasn’t reached any gold record yet. (In spite of)

15. John bought a couple of exercise-books. He wanted to catch up with the rest ofthe class. (so as to)

16. The accident was very serious but nobody was badly injured.(Even though)

Is your brain male or female?

Watch the video just for fun before doing the PAU test


                

Do you have a "male" or "female" brain? Are there really significant brain differences between the sexes and if so, do these differences matter? BBC Horizon investigates.

When it comes to the tricky and explosive question of how much, if at all, male and female behaviour is driven by brain differences, Professor Alice Roberts and I sit on different sides of the fence.

I believe that our brains, like our bodies, are shaped by exposure to hormones in the womb and this may help explain why males tend to do better at some tasks (3D rotation), while women tend to do better at others (empathy skills), although there is, of course, an awful lot of overlap and social pressure involved.

Alice, on the other hand, thinks these differences are largely artificial, the result of how the tests are carried out. She worries that such claims may discourage girls from going into science. "We live in a country where fewer than three out of ten physics A levels are taken by girls, where just 7% of engineers are women" she points out, before adding "and where men still earn on average nearly 20% more than their female colleagues." So the BBC's Horizon programme asked us to go and explore the science, put forward research that would support our different views, but also look for common ground.

One of the scientists who has most strongly influenced my beliefs is Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University. He argues that, broadly speaking, there are two different "brain types". There are empathisers, who are good at identifying how other people are thinking or feeling, and there are systemisers, people who are more interested in trying to take apart and analyse systems i.e. people who are a bit nerdy.

We are all a mix of the two, but most of us are more one than the other. Men tend to sit more along the systemising end of the spectrum, women at the empathising end, though there are plenty of exceptions.

 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 writer and Professor Alice Roberts share the same opinions.

b. The writer believes that all the differences between male and female brains are merely   genetic.

c. The BBC wanted answers to the questions .

d. We could make mistakes thinking the rule applies to everyone equally.

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

a.What does the writer think about the difference in our brains?

b. What does Alice Roberts fear?

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

a. relevant (par.1)                                              b) to be inclined (par.3)

c) usually (par.4)                                              d) to back up (par.4)

e) very interested in technical matters (par.5)

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

a.   “Are there really significant brain differences between the sexes? Do these differences matter?

       BBC’s Horizon asked ……………………………………………………

b. The BBC’s Horizon programme asked us to go and explore the science.

       We ……………………………………………………………………………..

c. People believe that men are better tan women at some tasks.That’s why women earn 20% less tan men.

            If ………………………………………………………………………………

  

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

            What differences can you see between men and women?

Warren Buffett's son glad not to have father's money

         

   Peter Buffett knows his message — that limiting or eliminating an inheritance actually benefits children more than if they receive it — might be met with some pushback. But the 52-year-old son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett contends he is living proof that withholding money is the only way to help young people truly reach their full potential.

            Buffett does not stand to inherit any of the $37 billion his famous father has made. And that, the younger Buffett maintains, is a priceless gift, one that has pushed him to become an Emmy-award-winning musician and composer of film scores, commercial jingles and songs.

            In fact, Buffett is adamant that denying an inheritance is the only way to build character and "durable confidence" in heirs.” There’s not a minute that I would choose the money over the experiences and lessons I've had," Buffett said. "My life has been so much richer, and that's dead-on true."

            "If you have a credit card in your pocket, it's very easy to buy a kid a toy," Buffett wrote. “That will make her happy for a few minutes — and, maybe more important to certain kinds of parents, will keep her occupied, so they can return to their own preoccupations." More demanding, and rewarding, is the act of getting "down on the floor" and playing, Buffett argues. "But that takes real involvement, and not just an American Express card," he writes.

            Buffett acknowledges that his life has been privileged. He fully admits that he has received financial benefits from being the son of one of the world's wealthiest men. When he was 19, for instance, Buffett received $90,000 from his father. The more meagre amount, however, allowed him to "buy time" and devote himself to music, Living in San Francisco and composing with little tangible success, Buffett had a chance meeting with a neighbour while washing his car. The neighbour’s son worked for a start-up cable television channel that needed quick splashes of music to punctuate their logos. MTV paid $1,000 for just 10 seconds of music. That work led to commercials and eventually, albums on major record labels

            The irony of Buffett's story is that today, he is flush with more money than he might be able to reasonably spend in his lifetime, thanks to his father. "I've never felt entitled to my dad's success," Buffett said. "And that was a great motivator to me, that I needed to pay rent and put food on the table, rather than pondering that my father has a bunch of money, and why doesn't he give some to me?"

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. Having little money makes your talent rise.

b. Buffet feels happy about not having inherited his father’s fortune.

c. Spending time with your children is better than buying them things.

d. Buffet considers his father gave him a lot of money.

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

a. How did Buffet’s father help him?

b. How did Buffet start his profitable business?

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

a. really (paragraph 1)                                      

b. advert (paragraph 2)                                     

c. richest (paragraph 5)

d. finally (paragraph 5)                                      

e. consider, think (paragraph 6)

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

a. He fully admits that he has received financial benefits

            Financial benefits…

b. Buffet said: “There is not a minute that I would choose tha money over the experiences I’ve had”.

            Buffet said that…

c. Buffet was very motivated because he needed to pay rent and put food on the table.

            If…

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

            “Money gives no happiness”. Do you agree with this statement?

Rephrasing - Reported speech 1

Rewrite the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first.
 

1. 'What do you think of the college?'
She asked .........................................  .
2. 'I'll call you later tonight,' Keith promised.
 Keith promised that ................................................  .

3. 'I didn't break the window,' said the boy.
 The boy denied..................................................... 

4. 'Why don't you come this evening?'
 She suggested........................................................ .

5. 'You look really tired,' he told her.
 He said .......................................................  .

6. 'You must do your homework tonight.' the teacher said.
 The teacher told ......................................................  .

7. 'What's your name?' he asked.          
 He asked ........................................................  .
8. 'I might be late for work.' he told me.
 He told ........................................................  .

9.‘Please don’t smoke in here!’  the waiter said to the customers.

 The waiter told......................................................

10. ‘Will it be alright to come over tomorrow?’ he wanted to know.

He wanted........................................................................

11. ‘What has she been doing while I was out?’ asked Susan

 Susan asked.........................................................................

12. ‘Who ate the last piece of cake?’ Sue asked.

Sue asked............................................................................................

13. ‘The students were standing outside the classroom, waiting for the teacher to arrive.’ commented Graham.

Graham commented............................................................................

14. ‘I’ve been thinking about buying a car’, said James.

James said that.............................................................................

Essay Writing

First look at the list of school subjects and discuss how you think they could be useful in the future on a personal or professional level.

Not everything we study at school is useful. Discuss.

Read and punctuate the following essay. Then divide it into the correct paragraphs.

it is said that education is one of the most important aspects of a young persons development throughout their school life pupils are obliged to study many subjects in this essay i will argue whether everything we study at school is useful or not school touches on a wide range of skills and knowledge which i believe will be useful to a greater or lesser extent depending on the career you choose to follow there is evidence that  much of what we learn at school will not only be applied in our daily lives in the future but will also provide us with a rich cultural level English for example is vital as it allows us to communicate with people from all over the world thus opening up a lot of academic and professional opportunities indeed learning subjects we find challenging is also part of our training and teaches young people to be disciplined and persevere in the face of difficulties therefore school is also about teaching life skills like socializing team work thinking skills and good manners i believe these aspects of education are vital because they create well rounded individuals ready to contribute in a positive way to society in conclusion whatever we learn at school makes us what we are and as a young person we will never know how this will influence the decisions we make or the paths we choose in life it is only in retrospect that we can see the usefulness of everything we learn

Do you agree with this essay? Is there anything you would change?

Clauses of result

Translate the following sentences into English

1. Hay tanta contaminación aquí que no se puede respirar bien.
2. Era una obra de teatro tan buena que fue a verla otra vez.
3. Era una pianista tan maravillosa que se hizo mundialmente famosa.
4. La sorpresa fue tan grande que lloré.
5. Eran unos coches tan caros que nadie los compraba.
6. Era un orador tan brillante que se ganaba la vida haciendo discursos.
7. Había sido un día tan agotador que me fui a la cama pronto.
8. Llevaban unos sombreros tan cursis que todo el mundo se reía de ellas.
9. Es un escritor tan bueno que todo el mundo la admira.
10. Era una estudiante tan brillante que era siempre la primera en los exámenes.
11. Es un futbolista tan bueno que va a jugar en el Manchester United.
12. Había una niebla tan espesa que tuvimos que ir conduciendo muy despacio.
13. Es un hotel tan caro que no creo que podamos pagarlo.
14. Era un conductor tan temerario que tuvo un accidente.

KEY

1. There is such thick pollution here we can’t breathe properly.
2. It was such a good play that she went back to see it again.
3. She was such a wonderful pianist that she became world-famous.
4. It was such a big surprise that I cried.
5. They were such expensive cars nobody bought them.
6. He was such a brilliant speaker that he earned his living making speeches.
7. It had been such a tiring day that I went to bed early.
8. They were wearing such silly hats everybody laughed at them.
9. She’s such a good writer everybody admires her.
10. She was such a brilliant student she always came first in exams.
11. He’s such a good football player that he is going to play for Manchester United.
12. It was such thick fog that we had to drive very slowly.
13. It’s such an expensive hotel I don’t think we can afford it.
14. He was such a careless driver that he had an accident.

Warren Buffett's son glad not to have father's money

                      KEY

                        Question 1

            a) True. withholding money is the only way to help young people truly reach their full                            potential.

            b) True. Buffett does not stand to inherit any of the $37 billion his famous father has                          made. And that, the younger Buffett maintains, is a priceless gift

            c) True. More demanding, and rewarding, is the act of getting "down on the floor" and                      playing

            d) False. Buffett received $90,000 from his father. The more meagre amount

          Question 2

                a) Not giving him money. Making him confident and responsible.

                b) Paragraph 5.

             Question 3

            a)         actually

            b)         commercial

            c)         wealthiest

            d)  eventually

            e)  pondering / ponder

                  Question 4
            a)         Financial benefits are fully admited to have been received. 
            b)         Buffet said that there was not a minute he would have chosen the money over the                          experiences he had had. 
            c)         If Buffet hadn’t need to pay rent and put food on the table, he wouldn’t have been                           so motivativated.