Just for fun, watch this video about the interview of the "above" EBAU text.
miércoles, 8 de febrero de 2017
Time and conditional linkers
1 Choose the correct words.
1 You can’t go to the party unless / as long as you wear fancy dress.
2 I’ll go out for a meal provided that / unless you pay.
3 They can have a party as long as / unless there isn’t too much noise.
4 We’ll play football tomorrow provided that / unless it isn’t
raining.
5 We’re going to Seville in July as long as / unless Mandy changes her
mind.
6 I’ll lend you the money as long as / unless you promise to pay me back.
7 I’ll be there at eight o’clock unless / as long as the train isn’t
late.
8 We won’t be able to get into the flat provided that / unless we find our
keys.
9 He’s going to get a job as soon as / while he leaves school.
10 I saw a strange girl as long as / while I was waiting for the bus.
2 Complete the advertisement
with the correct words.
Skydiving for beginners!
Ever wanted to jump out of plane at 10,000 metres? As long as you’re over eighteen and
under sixty, you can.
Skydive offers parachute courses for beginners. 1……………… you are fit and
healthy, you could be jumping from a plane in just two days. 2……………… you do
your first jump, beginners complete an
intensive training course. 3……………… you know how to land correctly, you’ll be
ready for your first jump. 4……………… the weather is bad, you’ll do your first jump on day two. We’ll film
you 5……………… you do it! Interested?
Contact Skydive on 0897 6754.
3 Combine the sentences using
the words in brackets.
1 Rob
will phone us. He’ll arrive. (as soon as)
………………………………………………
2 I’ll
get ready. You’ll decide where to go. (while)
………………………………………………
3 He’ll
let you see the painting. He’ll finish it tomorrow. (when)
………………………………………………
4 Let’s
do something. It’ll be too late. (before)
………………………………………………
5
………………………………………………
KEY
1.
1. as long as
2. provided that
3. as long as
4. provided that
5. unless
6. as long as
7. unless
8. as soon as
9. while
2 Suggested answers
1. if
2. when
3. as soon as
4. if
5. while
3
1. Rob will phone us as soon as he arrives.
2. I’ll get ready while you decide where to go.
3. He’ll let you see the painting when he finishes it tomorrow.
4. Let’s do something before it is too late.
5. I’ll tell Sue the news when I see her this evening.
Passive/Active
Complete the sentences with the correct active or passive form of the
verbs in brackets.
1. People
stood and watched while the building ……………………… (destroy).
2. I
love this guitar. My father ……………………… (give)
it to me for my last birthday.
3. That
man was driving carelessly. He ……………………… (should
/ blame) for the accident.
4. Can
we play, or ………………… someone …………………… (use) the tennis court?
5. My
car isn’t working. ……………………… it ……………………… (repair) soon?
6. You
don’t need an X-ray. We’re sure your leg ……………………… (not
break).
7. Ingrid
hasn’t come out of the room yet. …………………… she
still ……………………… (examine)?
8. This
is a great phone. Lots of apps ……………………… (can
/ download) on it.
KEY
1. was being destroyed
2. gave
3. should
be blamed / should have been blamed
4. is
… using
5. Will
… be repaired
6. isn’t
broken
7. Is
… being examined
miércoles, 25 de enero de 2017
Piccadilly Circus Goes Dark
The advertising screens at Piccadilly Circus, central London, after they were switched off in preparation for redevelopment on Jan. 16, 2017.
The iconic array of advertising will be under construction until late 2017
The billboard lights at Piccadilly Circus, London’s answer to Times Square, have been switched off for what will be the longest period of time since World War Two.
Land Securities, the real estate company which has owned the iconic advertising site since the 1970s, said on their website that a new “cutting edge’ single screen is scheduled to be switched on in fall 2017, replacing the six current screens.
The distinctive curved shape of the present lights will be retained, with the new design set to be Europe’s largest sole digital screen. The boards have typically attracted high-profile brands, such as Samsung and Coca-Cola, with Perrier being the first to advertise there in 1908. The original bulbs were replaced by neon lights, which in turn gave way to LED displays by 2011.
The site, set in the heart of London’s West End, will be covered by a protective banner, which will be used for further advertising during the redevelopment. Since World War Two the boards have only darkened for the funerals of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.
Are these senteces TRUE or FALSE
- The screens have never been switched off for so long.
- They will reduce the number of screens.
- The pattern of the screen will remain the same.
- There will be no publicity during the works.
Read the text and answer the
following sentences
- When were the lights first switched off?
- Which was the first company advertising its product in the panel?
- How many screens are there?
Vocabulary
- display panel
- planned
- actual
- preserved
- painted
- sign
Want to watch more videos?
KEY
True or false?
- False “ what will be the longest period of time since World War Two”
- True “a new “cutting edge’ single screen [...]replacing the six current screens”
- True “The distinctive curved shape of the present lights will be retained”
- False “The site, set in the heart of London’s West End, will be covered by a protective banner, which will be used for further advertising during the redevelopment”
Questions
- The lights were first switched off for Winston Chruchill's funeral.
- The first company which advertised its product in the panel was Perrier.
- There are six screens.
Vocabulary
1.
billboard
2.
scheduled
3.
current
4.
retained
5. banner
Rephrasing 10
Rewrite
these sentences. (Passive)
- Susan was given a lovely present for her birthday.
I...
- People think that the weather will improve next month.
It
...
- My hairdresser is cutting my hair.
I...
- My grandmother used to tell me beautiful stories at night.
Beautiful....
- They believed that Paul cheated in the exam
Paul
...
- The mechanic repaired Ann’s car last week.
Ann
...
- A very dangerous criminal is thought to be committing those crimes.
They
...
- Children will have done their homework when their parents get home..
Homework...
- I have to see it to believe it.
It...
- They didn’t serve cold drinks in that shop.
Cold
drinks ...
KEY
- I gave Susan a lovely present for her birthday.
I
gave a lovely present to Susan for her birthday.
- It is thought that the weather will improve next month.
- I am having / getting my hair cut.
- Beautiful stories used to b told to me by my grandmother at night.
- Paul was believed to have cheated in the exam.
- Ann had / got her car repaired last week.
- They think a very dangerous criminal is committing those crimes.
- Homework will have been done when the children’s parents get home.
- It has to be seen to be believed.
- Cold drinks weren’t served in that shop.
Rephrasing 9
Complete the sentences
without changing their original meaning.
1. People think he’s a brilliant musician.
He ........................................................................................................... .
2. The organisers of the event will provide the
refreshments.
The
refreshments ........................................................................................ .
3. He didn’t tell me the truth.
I .............................................................................................................. .
4. The airline gave each passenger a free
ticket.
A free
ticket ................................................................................................ .
5. You
didn’t give Sam a chance to speak.
Sam ......................................................................................................... .
6. Someone painted our flat.
We .......................................................................................................... .
7. Have
you set the table?
Has .................................................................................................................. ?
8. We
have to put the meat in the oven by 7 o’clock.
The meat
............................................................................................................ .
9. Their
rooms aren’t kept tidy.
They ................................................................................................................. .
10. Everyone
knew that that road was dangerous.
That road ......................................................................................................... .
KEY
1. He
is thought to be a brilliant musician.
2. The refreshments will be provided by the organisers of the event.
3. I wasn’t told the truth (by him).
4. A free ticket was given to each passenger.
5. Sam wasn’t given a chance to speak.
6. We had / got our flat painted.
7. Has the
table been set
8. The meat has to be put in the oven by 7 o’clock
9. They don’t keep their rooms tidy
10. That road was known to be dangerous
Fifth skyscraper to join Madrid’s landmark ‘Four Towers’
Spanish construction company OHL has announced plans
to build a fifth skyscraper alongside the four towers that were completed at
the northern end of Madrid’s main Paseo de la Castellana thoroughfare in 2008.
The proposed structure will sit on the part of the
Cuatro Torres Business Area site originally assigned for an international conference center. City Hall will charge the owners €2 million a year
for 75 years for using the land, after which the building will become the
property of the city. City Hall has spent around €82.8 million on the
foundations for the conference center.
City Hall has approved zoning for the 33,325-square-meter
plot of land, on which OHL proposes to construct a tower providing 70,000
square meters of space. The new tower will also offer parking for 2,000 cars.
Financial daily Expansión says the building
will cost €200 million to construct and it is expected to be completed by the
end of 2019.
The tower will house a private hospital, along with
areas for research and teaching and a homeopathy center. A shopping mall and
leisure area are to be built around the foot of the tower in the form of a series
of gardened terraces and green areas.
Are these statements TRUE or
FALSE?
1.- OHL has started building a fifth skyscraper in
Madrid.
2.- After 75 years the building will belong to the
city.
3.- The new tower will only be used as a conference
centre.
4.- New laboratories and educational areas will be
created.
5.- There will be a shopping centre inside the
building..
Can you find synonyms for these
words in the text?
1.- close by(par.1)
2.- base (par.2)
3.- area (par.3)
4.- to hold (par. 5)
5.- spare time (par. 5)
KEY
True or false?
1. False. “OHL has announced plans to build a fifth
skyscraper.”
2. True. “City Hall will charge the owners €2 million a
year for 75 years for using the land, after which the building will become the
property of the city.”
3. False. “The proposed structure will sit on the part of
the Cuatro Torres Business Area site originally assigned for an
international conference center.”
4. False. “A shopping mall ………..are to be built around
the foot of the tower.”
5. True. “leisure area are to be built around the foot of
the tower in the form of a series of gardened terraces and green areas.”
Vocabulary
1.-
alongside
2.-
foundations
3.-
plot
4.-
to house
5.- leisure
miércoles, 11 de enero de 2017
Priceless paintings threatened by Italian gallery's broken air conditioning
A series of Renaissance paintings is threatened
after the Borghese Gallery's air conditioning system broke two months ago.
Priceless
masterpieces by Renaissance masters including Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio
could be seriously damaged by excessive heat and humidity following the
collapse of the air conditioning system at the Borghese Gallery in Rome. The
renowned gallery is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions with more
than 500,000 visitors a year, but appears to be the latest casualty from
dramatic cuts in arts funding. Two years ago one of the motors had to be
repaired but it wasn't fixed due to a lack of resources.
Anna
Coliva, gallery director, said precious art works were now facing serious risk.
"We have been dealing with this emergency for two months. The air
conditioning system, built in 1997, is completely run down and damaged due to
years of chronic lack of maintenance. We requested new air conditioning several
years ago." Ms Coliva said.
Among
the works under threat are The Deposition of Christ by Raphael, Titian's Sacred
and Profane Love, and Madonna and Child with St. Anne by Caravaggio. Fine
marble sculpture such as the gallery's signature statue of Paolina Borghese by
Antonio Canova could also face damage.
They
are trying to resolve the emergency with action to control the atmosphere while
waiting to replace the system. The museum is leaving the windows open, but
Elisabetta Giani, expert from the Superior Institute for Conservation and
Restoration (ISCR), warned a move could cause further damage. "You have to
limit that as much as possible because of what comes inside," she said.
"I am talking about chemical and biological pollutants which are not
controlled."
Ms
Giani said temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius or humidity above 50-55
per cent could deform or damage the art works and both had to be monitored
constantly.
In
2012 several rooms were closed inside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence due to
excessively high temperatures, while the Vatican Museums are currently
installing a new air conditioning system in the Sistine Chapel after years of
debate about the damage caused by 20,000 visitors a day.
Adapted from The Telegraph 11 May 2014
Question
1: [2,5 POINTS] indicate whether the following statements are true or false and
write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) The air conditioning at the Borghese Gallery had
broken down before.
b) The system has been well maintained for the last
years.
c) The Gallery asked for a new air con system years ago.
d) The action taken to control the atmosphere at the
gallery is also dangerous.
e) The temperature and humidity at the gallery needn’t be
controlled at all times.
Question
2: [2,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words
and definitions given.
a) breakdown (paragraph 2)
b) to repair (paragraph 2)
c) to confront (paragraph 4)
d) more (paragraph 5)
e) to control (paragraph
6)
Question
3: [2 POINTS] Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) The Borghese Gallery is
one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. It is visited by more than
500,000 people a year.
The Borghese Gallery....
b) "I am talking about chemical and
biological pollutants which are not controlled", she said.
She said that...
c) Several rooms were
closed at the Uffizi Gallery in 2012 by experts.
Experts…
d) The Uffizi Gallery
closed because there were high temperatures in 2012.
If there had not…
Question
4: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
Do you think it is important to
preserve the culture of a country?
Amazon just opened a grocery store without a checkout line
Amazon is testing a grocery store in downtown
Seattle that lets customers walk in, grab food from the shelves and walk out
again, without ever having to stand in a checkout line. The Seattle-based
company calls it, "Just walk out technology."
Customers tap their cellphones on a turnstile
as they walk into the store, which logs them into the store's network and
connects to their Amazon account through an app.The service is called Amazon
Go. It uses machine learning, sensors and artificial intelligence to track
items customers pick up. These are then added to the virtual cart on their app.
If they pick up an item they later decide they don't want, putting it back on
the shelf removes it from their cart. When the customer leaves, the app adds up
everything the customer has taken and charges their Amazon account.
Amazon said it began to work on the project
in 2012. It is currently being tested by Amazon employees at the location at
2131 7th Ave., near Amazon's offices, but will open to the public in
early 2017, the company said.
The technology "is amazing,"
said Phil Lempert, a food marketing expert based in Los Angeles. He's
even more intrigued by the multiple images of "meal kits" show in
Amazon's video. These "everything you need to cook a quick,
high-quality dinner" kits have become popular, but the economics of
delivering them has meant they're difficult to make economically viable. Stores
such as Amazon Go may provide a sweet spot for them.
"When you look at the store itself in
the video (and presumably it is the actual store), they have done a great job
of merchandising, and having "meal kits" available is simply
brilliant. As the meal-kit industry struggles due to the shipping/logistics
aspect," Amazon Go could be a venue where they could succeed, said
Lempert.
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. You don’t need to wait for change at the new store.
b. The customers’ bill is calculated by an app.
c. The store has been opened to the public recently.
d. Shoppers don’t have access to meal kits at the actual store.
Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following question in your own words.
a. What advantages does the new-concept store have for the customers?
b. What great job have they done at the store and why?
Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that
correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a. follow (par.2) b. at present
(par.3) c. distribute (par. 4) have problems,
fight (par.5) d. have problems, fight
(par5) e. ready for use (par. 6)
Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without
changing the meaning.
a. The store is called Amazon Go and is being tested in Seattle.
They …………………
b.
“We ackowledge some people may never be
comfortable with the idea”
The analysts said that ……..
c.
The
grocery store markets are tough nuts to crack. Profit margins are low and
competence is intense.
If profit margins …………
Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the
following topic:
What is your favourite store, and why?
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