Chicago City Guide

Watch the video and complete the following sentences.

1.       Chicago stands on the southern _______________ of  ___________ Michigan.

2.       The city is ______________ to some of the most ________________ _____________ in the Americas.

3.       To see the _________________ building in the USA check out the ____________ __________ formerly known as the _______________  _______________ .

4.       It has ________________ floors.

5.       Millenium Park is the city's hub of ______________ __________ and __________ design.

6.       The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a _____________ collection of more than ______________ works.

7.       ...... some of the city's ________________ like the much-loved Chicago ________ _____ .

8.       The city's Magnificent Mile on ____________ Michigan _________ is lined with big-name __________  _______ .

 

KEY

1.       shore / Lake

2.       home  /  impressive  / skyscrapers

3.       tallest  /  Willis Tower / Sears  /  Tower

4.       108

5.       public  /  art  / urban

6.       permanent  /  300.000

7.       favourites  / hot  /  dog

8.       North  /  Avenue /  luxury  / stores

Isle of Man Viking jewellery found by metal detectorist

A "stunning" collection of 1,000-year-old gold and silver Viking jewellery has been discovered on the Isle of Man by a metal detectorist. Retired police officer Kath Giles made the find on farm land in the north of the island. 

The horde includes a gold arm ring and a "massive" silver brooch dating back to 950 AD.

It was unearthed in December but has been revealed for the first time during a coroner's hearing. Manx National Heritage's curator of archaeology Allison Fox said the arm ring in particular was a "rare find".

Ms Giles said she immediately knew she had found "something very special" and was "thrilled" at the discovery, which is likely to be worth several thousand pounds. "I knew straight away that it was a significant and exciting find. 

The findings were declared treasure in an inquest at Douglas Courthouse. Discoveries of archaeological interest on the island must be reported to Manx National Heritage within two weeks. If items are legally classified as treasure, they belong to the crown and the finder is rewarded.

Precisely how much this latest finding is worth has not been determined, but similar items of Viking jewellery have been valued at £1,500 each. A larger horde of Viking treasure found in Lancashire in 2011 was valued at £110,000.

Ms Fox said the gold arm band was rare because silver was a far more common commodity for trading during the Viking era. "The arm ring, brooch and cut armband are all high-status personal ornaments and represent a large amount of accumulated wealth," she said. "Finding just one of these items would be of significance. The fact that all were found together suggests that whoever buried them was extremely wealthy and probably felt immediately and acutely threatened."

Question 1: Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE OR FALSE and write down the sentence or the part of the text that justifies your answer.

1. The jewellery was first shown to the public in December.

2. The person who discovers a treasure cannot keep it but gets some money in exchange.

3. It is the first time that Viking jewels have been found.

4. The person who hid the jewels was afraid to lose them.

Question 2: Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

1. What was Ms Giles' attitude when she found the jewels?

2. What is the experts' opinion about the discovery?

Question 3: Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. awesome (p.1)

2. uncover (p.2)

3. custodian (p.2)

4. pay back (p.4)

5. group, number (p.5)

Adapted from BBC news

Key

Question1

1. False. " It was unearthed in December but has been revealed for the first time during a coroner's hearing."

2. True. " If items are legally classified as treasure, they belong to the crown and the finder is rewarded."

3. False. "  similar items of Viking jewellery have been valued at £1,500 each. A larger horde of Viking treasure found in Lancashire in 2011 was valued at £110,000."

4. True. " whoever buried them was extremely wealthy and probably felt immediately and acutely threatened."

Question 2

1. Ms. Giles was really excited when she discovered the jewels and she soon realized it was a very important finding.

2. They were surprised to see the gold arm band since Vikings used silver more than gold. They also appreciated the significance of having found all the items in the same place.

Question 3

1. stunning

2. unearthed / to unearth

3. curator

4. rewarded / to reward

5. horde

 

Confusing words

Choose the correct word for each sentence

1. They went on a long journey / travel around Africa.

2. The students had some English homework / housework to do.

3. He laid / lay down on the sand and went to sleep.

4. Don’t wear green. It doesn’t match / suit you.

5. He put up a big note / notice advertising the concert.

6. It’s quite / quiet difficult to understand what he says.

7. This weather reminds / remembers me of home.

8. They robbed / stole him of all his money.

9. The bus leaves from the station / stop nearest the office.

10. That’s the man whose / who’s dog bit me.

Key

1. journey

2. homework

3. lay

4. suit

5. notice

6. quite

7. reminds

8. robbed

9. stop

10. whose

Describing personality

Use the adjectives and the reasons to write a sentence about each of the occupations below.

curious sensitive     independent calm friendly confident

 He/she has to sing to large numbers of people.

 He/she has to be on his/her own, away from home a lot of the time.

 He/she has to help students with their problems.

 He/she should ask lots of questions, to learn about his/her subject.

 He/she has to meet lots of people.

 He/she has to take very quick decisions.

1. A teacher ………………….

2. A wildlife photographer ……………….

3. A student …………………..

4. An opera singer………………………….

5. A travel courier ……………………………..

6. A policeman …………………………

Key 

1. A teacher should be sensitive because he/ she has to help students with their problems.

2. A wildlife photographer should be independent because he/she has to be on his/her own, away from home a lot of the time.

3. A student should be curious because he/she should ask lots of questions, to learn about his/her subject.

4. An opera singer should be confident because he/she has to sing to large numbers of people.

5. A travel courier should be friendly because he/she has to sing to large numbers of people.

6. A policeman should be calm because he/she has to take very quick decisions.

Long Numbers

There are about fifty-six million (56,000,000) people living in Britain

1. Write these numbers in words

572…………………………………………………

150,000 ………………………………………….

2,393,620 ……………………………………….

2. What do you say between hundred and the rest of a number?

Do you add s to hundred, thousand and a million when there is more than one of them?

Key

1. Five hundred and seventy-two

    A hundred and fifty thousand

    Two million, three hundred and ninety-three thousand, six hundred and twenty.

2. You say and

    No, you only add s when you are saying hundreds of people, etc.

WH-WORDS+EVER

 

Translate the following sentences into English 

1. Por muy difícil que sea trataré de aprenderlo.

2. No puedo hacerlo por mucho que lo intente.

3. Digas lo que digas no habrá ninguna diferencia.

4. Por mucha antipatía que le tengas, no debes mostrarla.

5. Lo haré, sea lo que sea.

6. Niños, comed lo que os guste.

7. Suceda lo que suceda, estaré allí contigo.

8. Quiera lo que quiera lo tendrá.

9. Le preguntaré a usted cualquier duda que tenga

10. Vencerás cualesquiera que sean las dificultades que encuentres.

11. Esto no nos causará ninguna molestia en absoluto.

12. Quienquiera que sea el que lo quiera, lo puede guardar.

13. Quienquiera que sea el que dijo eso es un mentiroso.

14. Sal fuera, quienquiera que seas!

15. Debes decir eso a todo el mundo quienquiera que sea.

KEY

1. However difficult it is, I’ll try to learn it.

2. I cannot do it, however much I try.

3. Whatever you say will make no difference.

4. However much you dislike him, you must not show it.

5. I will do it, whatever it is.

6. Eat whatever you like, children!

7. Whatever happens, I’ll be there with you.

8. Whatever he wants he will have.

9. I’ll ask you whatever doubt I may have.

10. You’ll overcome whatever difficulties you may encounter.

11. This will be no trouble whatever for us.

12. Whoever wants it, he can have it.

13. Whoever said that is a liar.

14. Come out, whoever you are!

15. You must say that to everybody, whoever may be

Linking words

 

Young people are getting fatter not fitter

Young people today do not do enough exercise, __________ (1) they are becoming fatter, says a report published today. The report, carried out over the last ten years, shows that children have become stronger __________(2) have put on weight.

The director of the study, Dr Hellman, says the results of the report are worrying __________(3) there is a connection between heart disease __________(4) inactivity.

A pupil, trying to find an explanation, said: “__________(5) it was cool to be sporty and fit. It was always the sporty children who were the most popular. __________(6), you can become popular in other ways, by wearing the right clothes, for instance.”

Children, of course, are not lazier than they were __________(7) their spare time activities do not give them proper exercise. They may spend more time on computer games tha on outdoor sports. You use less energy sitting at a computer than playing football, for example, __________(8) children put on weight.

KEY

1. So

2. But

3. Because

4. And

5. Before

6. Now

7. But

8. so

“If I were a boy” by Beyonce

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO AND COMPLETE THE LYRICS

If I …………………….. a boy

Even just for a day

……………………..  roll outta bed in the morning

And throw on what I wanted and go

…………………….. beer with the guys

And chase after girls

I'd kick it with who I …………………….. 

And I'd never get confronted for it

'Cause they'd stick up for me

CHORUS

If I …………………….. a boy

I think I …………………….. understand

How it feels to love a girl

I swear ……………………..  be a better man

……………………..  listen to her

'Cause I know how it hurts

When you lose the one you ……………………..

'Cause he's taken you for granted

And everything you had got ……………………..

If I …………………….. a boy

I …………………….. turn off my phone

Tell everyone it's broken

So ……………………..  think that I was sleepin' alone

……………………..  put myself first

And make the rules as I go

'Cause I know that ……………………..  be faithful

Waitin' for me to come home (to come home)

CHORUS

It's a little too …………………….. for you to come back

Say it's just a mistake

Think ……………………..  forgive you like that

If you …………………….. I …………………….. wait for you

You thought wrong

But you're just a boy

You don't ……………………..

Yeah, you don't…………………….., oh

How it feels to love a girl someday

You wish you …………………….. a better man

You don't listen to her

You don't care how it hurts

Until you lose the one you wanted

'Cause you've taken her for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

But you're just a boy

KEY

If I were a boy

Even just for a day

I'd roll outta bed in the morning

And throw on what I wanted and go

Drink beer with the guys

And chase after girls

I'd kick it with who I wanted

And I'd never get confronted for it

'Cause they'd stick up for me

CHORUS

If I were a boy

I think I could understand

How it feels to love a girl

I swear I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her

'Cause I know how it hurts

When you lose the one you wanted

'Cause he's taken you for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a boy

I would turn off my phone

Tell everyone it's broken

So they'd think that I was sleepin' alone

I'd put myself first

And make the rules as I go

'Cause I know that she'd be faithful

Waitin' for me to come home (to come home)

CHORUS

It's a little too late for you to come back

Say it's just a mistake

Think I'd forgive you like that

If you thought I would wait for you

You thought wrong

But you're just a boy

You don't understand

Yeah, you don't understand, oh

How it feels to love a girl someday

You wish you were a better man

You don't listen to her

You don't care how it hurts

Until you lose the one you wanted

'Cause you've taken her for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

But you're just a boy

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

Co-living in a pandemic: how I'm surviving life with 48 roommates

With Bay Area rent soaring, Mario Koran moved to Starcity, where kitchens and bathrooms are shared. Is socially distancing possible in ‘a college dorm for grown-ups’?

I’m living with 48 roommates in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Co-living makes physical distancing all but impossible: we touch the same door handles, awkwardly navigate shared spaces and binge-watch Tiger King in the same TV lounges. The fear of coronavirus hasn’t so far driven me to move out or reignite a grueling apartment search. But neither can I say with authority just how safe co-living is in the middle of an outbreak.

Before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in September,I bounced between temporary rooms until I could find a more permanent place, living out of a suitcase, storing frozen meals in strangers’ refrigerators. When I found Starcity – a tech-enabled real estate company that’s part of a new generation of co-living spaces – it was, by all measures, an improvement to my living situation. It looks and feels a lot like a college dorm for grown-ups. The building is clean and well-lit, with a low-key, budget-trendy style. Beds and kitchen appliances are new. Showers don’t inexplicably scald or give me frostbite. Laundry, soap and internet fees are included in rent. My room is my own space. The flexible lease was a major selling point and the price was right, too. This is how, at the age of 38, I effectively returned to my freshman year of college. I made a new group of pals and began to settle in. Then came the coronavirus.

In spite of the pandemic, new residents continue to move into Starcity. But I’ve also seen a good number of residents leaving with packed bags – some for good, others planning to wait out the worst of the pandemic with friends or family. In a co-living environment, refrigerator handles, faucets and elevator buttons are all common touch-points. Even a trip to the kitchen to fetch a cup of coffee could put you in close proximity to your neighbors.

Roshan Ramankutty, a software engineer in the sales department of Square who has become a friend, decided the best option for him is living with nearby family members. “For me, it came down to: if the worst-case scenario was to happen, how would I best be able to support and be supported? And that’s ultimately with my family,” he said. So is it actually possible to protect yourself from an outbreak in a place like Starcity?

Adapted from “The Guardian”

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.

1. The writer´s panic to a future lockdown has made him look for this way of living.

2. Koran has experienced an increase in his way of living.

3. This way of sharing started after the pandemic.

4. Ramantutty decided to be surrounded by his closest relatives.

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

1. How did the writer feel before living in this type of community and how does he feel after?

2. Explain the sentence from the text: “ the building is clean and well- lit, a low-key, budget- trendy style.

3. Are Starcity´s settlers worried about sharing common spaces?

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.

1. Strangely ( p.1)

2. Move from place to place (p.2)

3. Burn ( p.2)

4. Friend, mate ( p.2)

5. To get, to grab (p.3)

6. Most-terrible (p.4)

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. The text is about….

a) A new trend on a way of living among adult people in order not to stay alone.

b) A new trend on a way of living among adult people as a commune.

c) A new trend on a way of living among adult people because of being homeless.

d) A new trend on a way of living among adult people due to economic problems.

2. The flexible way of paying…

a) Made the writer take the decision.

b) Didn´t convince him at the beginning and had to negotiate.

c) Allows the owners to exchange the price for common works in the community.

d) Must be regularized.

3. For many different reasons…

a) All people can´t move out from the community until the pandemic improves.

b) Some people have decided to abandon the dwelling.

c) None of the residents have argued so far.

d) Strong family bonds are only permitted right now.

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) OPINION: What´s your opinion on living and sharing places? Would you prefer to stay on your own forever? Explain your reasons.

b) FOR AND AGAINST: Write an essay explaining the advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat with any person.

KEY

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.

1. FALSE: “ The fear of coronavirus hasn´t so far driven me to move out or reignite a grueling apartment search”

2. TRUE: “it was, by all measures, an improvement to my living situation”

3. FALSE: “ Then, came the coronavirus”

4. TRUE: “ decided the best option for him is living with nearby family members”

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.

1. AWKWARDLY

2. BOUNCE

3. SCALD

4. PALS

5. TO FETCH

6. WORST- CASE

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. The text is about….

a) A new trend on a way of living among adult people in order not to stay alone.

2. The flexible way of paying…

a) Made the writer take the decision.

3. For many different reasons…

b) Some people have decided to abandon the dwelling.

Polite requests

Match the requests and the answers

1. Do you think you could close the window, please?

2. Would you mind changing this shirt, please? It’s too small.

3. Would you mind getting the manager, please?

4. Could you turn the stereo down, please?

a. Yes, OK. I didn’t realise it was so loud.

b. No, I’m sorry. He is not there at the moment. 

c. Certainly. Have you got a receipt for it?

d. No, I’m sorry. It’s too hot in here.

Key

1. D

2. C

3. B

4. A

A Brief History of the Red Carpet

Click on the image below to learn about the history of the Red Carpet

 

Watch the video and answer the following questions

1. How old is the red carpet?

2. When was the modern red carpet first used?

3. What happened in 1961?

4. Why is 1966 relevant in this history?

5. How long does it take to install the red carpet?

KEY

1. It goes back 2,000 years ago.

2. It was first used in 1922.

3. A red carpet was installed in the Oscars.

4. The ceremony of the Oscars was first broadcast in colour.

5. It takes two days to install.

From cnnstyle

Confusing words

Choose the correct word for each sentence

1. The others can’t come so you’ll have to go alone / lonely.

2. She’s sitting over there among/ between those two boys.

3. He was very asleep / sleepy so he went to bed early.

4. Can I borrow / lend £10? I’ll pay you back tomorrow.

5. They were delighted / delightful that she had won.

6. She’s been away for / since two days now.

7. I was very interested / interesting in what he said.

8. I’m looking for a job / work with a higher salary.

Key

1. alone

2. between

3. sleepy

4. borrow

5. delighted

6. interested

7. job

Adjectives: Opposites

 

 

Positive or negative? 

Put the adjectives in the correct columns

Positive	Negative

 

safe     bitter     comfortable    fine    fast    ugly    bad    interesting    smelly

easy    rude        foggy    good    dangerous    awful    pleasant    smooth

tidy    beautiful    stupid    friendly    boring    marvelous    dirty    noisy

embarrassing    terrible    careless    useful    lazy    polite    tired    true

perfect    mad    lucky    worst    useless    modern    clever

 

Key

Positive                                                        Negative

safe    comfortable  fine    fast                       ugly    smelly          bitter  rude

easy   interesting    tidy    pleasant                 foggy dangerous    weak  awful

smooth        beautiful       friendly                  boring stupid   careless     dirty

useful          lucky            perfect                   mad   lazy    tired   worst

modern        clever           true                       embarrassing         terrible

polite           marvellous                                 noisy            useless