Nasa looking for volunteers to stay in bed for ten weeks

You could say it's literally a dream job: getting paid to stay in bed.

            American space agency Nasa is advertising for people to do just that. They need volunteers who are willing to stay in bed, read a book or watch TV. The catch? They have to stay in bed for 70 days without getting up at all.

            Nasa scientists need to study the effects of weightlessness on the human body and they felt one of the easiest ways to do this was to get people to put their feet up.

            In Nasa's Bed Rest Project, volunteers will be placed in tilted beds so their feet are slightly higher than their body. They'll then stay that way - whether going to the toilet or showering, or eating.

After ten weeks they'll be asked to do a number of exercises to see how the lack of exercise has affected them. Lying down for such long periods of time can cause loss in muscle mass and bone density.

            But the Nasa team need very healthy people to take part: they said the volunteers should be as fit and capable as a real astronaut.

Match the words below to their definitions

capable / volunteer / effect / literally / density / willing

able to do things effectively and skilfully

amount of something in a given volume

result of an action

used to emphasize that what you are saying is real

person who does something without being paid or forced to do it

happy to do something if asked to do it

True or false?

1. The beds will be completely level.

2. NASA is looking for people who are fit and well.

3. The volunteers will exercise while they are in bed.

4. The volunteers will not be able to get up for any reason.

5. NASA does not need any more volunteers.

6. Being in space can weaken your body.

7. The volunteers will be served their meals in bed.

8. The volunteers will go on to be astronauts.

What is the missing word?

1.NASA scientists need to study the effects of ____________.

2.Volunteers will be placed in _____________ beds.

3.They’ll be asked to do a number of___________          .

4.The NASA team need very ___________ people to take part.

KEY

capable able to do things effectively and skilfully

density amount of something in a given volume

effect result of an action

literally used to emphasize that what you are saying is real

volunteer person who does something without being paid or forced to do it

willing happy to do something if asked to do it

True or false?

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. False

6. True

7. True

8. False

What is the missing word?

1.  weightlessness

2.  tilted

3.  exercises

4.  healthy

Rephrasings 7

Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning

1.       It’s ages since I last visited Russia.

I ……………………………………………………………

2.       I’ve never seen such a beautiful flower.  

It’s …………………………………………………………

3.       Susan arrived in Paris on Monday.

Susan has ……………………………………………….

4.       They started to live in New York two years ago.

They have………………………………………………..

5.       During the job interview, they asked me to show them my C.V. 

While I………………………………………………………..

6.       I know Paul. I first met him seven years ago.

I …………………

7.       I haven’t heard of yoga and meditation as a school subject before.

This is ………………………………………………………………………

8.       This is the first time Steve has paid attention to his diet.

Steve ……………………………………………………………….

9.       He started to lose weight at the age of twelve.

He has …………………………………………………………

10.   The last time she wrote a letter was last May.

She ………………………………………………………..

KEY

1. I haven’t visited Russia for a long time.
2. It’s the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen.
3. Susan has been in Paris since Monday.
4. They have been living in New York for two years.
5. While I was being interviewed, they asked me to show them my C.V / I was asked to show my C.V.
6. I have known Paul for seven years.
7. This is the first time I have heard of yoga and meditation as a school subject.
8. Steve hasn’t paid attention to his diet before.
9. He has been losing weight since he was twelve.
10. She hasn’t written a letter since May.

Will the new food labelling scheme get the green light?

KEY

Question 1

a)   True Health experts are hoping that yet another "traffic light" labelling scheme in supermarkets  will stop Britain's slump toward obesity.

b)   False a survey last week showing that 41pc of women and 30pc of men would leave a product on the shelf if it had a red traffic light.

c)  False The Food Standards Agency first proposed traffic-light food labelling in 2008, but supermarkets and food companies objected.

d)   True The new system is called a hybrid scheme, which means that it will contain elements of all of the different pack labelling schemes we are used to.

Question 2

a)       It makes a difference/successful in changing behaviour/41 percent of women and 30 percent of men leave red traffic light product on shelf.

b)      The hybrid system includes elements of all the pack labelling schemes/the amount of sugar, salt and fat are shown as a percentage daily amount/ words high, medium and low are written by each category.

Question 3

a)       gist

b)       survey

c)       mishmash

Question 4

a)       If you ever looked at the labels on the food you eat, you would probably already get the general gist.

b)       “ The products are judged on 100g sizes rather than recommended portions, which confuses customers.”, said Kellogg’s and Tesco.

c)       A survey was produced last week by the Cooperative.

What's the point of curved smartphones?

Electronics giant LG has launched its first curved smartphone called the G-Flex. Despite its name the G-Flex does not bend, but has a display which is curved from top to bottom.

            LG says the curve helps the phone follow the shape of your face, putting the microphone closer to your mouth.

Why would anybody want a curved smartphone? "Curved smartphones are a bit of a gimmick at the moment," said Newsbeat technology reporter Jonathan Blake.

            He told Newsround: "They could be more comfortable to hold and companies claim the curved screen makes watching video more impressive. But apart from that the phones are very similar to other smartphones."

            Tech rival Samsung revealed its own curved smartphone on 9 October. It wakes up from sleep mode when you rock it forwards.

            But both smartphones are only going on sale in South Korea for the time being.

            Jonathan said: "Technology companies need to keep up interest in their products and curved smartphones attract a lot of attention. But the fact they're only available in one country at the moment suggests the companies making them are not convinced they will take off."

Match the words below to their definitions

convince / despite / gimmick / impressive / rival / similar

describes something that is admired because of its qualities

certain that something is true

almost the same, but not exactly

without being influenced by something

something that is used to attract people's attention, even though it has no real value

person or thing that competes with something else

True or false?

1.                   Technology companies rarely talk about their products.

2.                   The G-Flex can be bent into shape.

3.                   Curved smartphones may have several advantages.

4.                   LG is certain the curved smartphone will be successful.

5.                   The phones are only available in one country.

6.                   Whether the curved smartphones will succeed is an open question.

7.                   Samsung's curved smartphone cannot detect motion.

8.                   LG was not the first to launch a curved smartphone.

What is the missing word?

1. Tech rival Samsung ________________________ its own curved smartphone.

2. Technology companies need to keep up ________________________ in their products.

3. They could be more ________________________ to hold.

4. Curved smartphones attract a lot of ________________________.

KEY

convinced certain that something is true

despite without being influenced by something

gimmick something that is used to attract people's attention, even though it has no real value

impressive describes something that is admired because of its qualities

rival person or thing that competes with something else

similar almost the same, but not exactly

True or false?

1. False

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. True

What is the missing word?

1. revealed

2. interest

3. comfortable

4. attention

People lie and cheat more during afternoon

KEY

Question 1

a) True. The participants were paid based on which side they chose.

b) True. Even if there were clearly more dots on the left.

c) False. Further tests conducted online.

d) True. Those who were able to “morally disengage”, or behave unethically without feeling guilty, were prone to cheating whatever the time of day.

Question 2

a)  They want to get the reward.

b)   The most honest people.

Question 3

a) back up

b) various

c) claim

Question 4

a)    Our capacity of self-control declines during the day, as we get tired.

b)    They asked: “ Are there more dots on left or the right hand side?”

c)    The psychologists showed a series of word fragments to the participants.

Can you order this Halloween vocabulary as it appears in the video?

All Hallows’ Eve

All Saints Day

Bobbing for apples

Food and wine

Halloween

Mistaken for ghosts

Parades

Poetry

Samhain

Singing

Soul cakes

Souling and guising

Telling jokes

Trick-or-Treating

Match the dates to the historical events

2000 years ago                                                 All Souls Day. The origin of souling and guising

8^th century                                                         Christians turned Samhain into All Saints Day

Medieval Britain                                             Family-friendly and kid-centered activities

19^th century America                                     Irish and Scottish immigrants revived the traditions

1950’s America                                                6 billion dollars spent on costumes and candies

Today                                                                  Celtic festival Samhain

Can you answer these questions about the video?

What is the origin of Halloween?

What did people believe happened on October 31^st?

Why did people wear masks?

Where does the word Halloween come from?

What did people get in return for soul cakes?

What did young people get in return for singing, poetry and telling jokes?

KEY

Can you order this Halloween vocabulary as it appears in the video?

Halloween / Trick-or-Treating /Parades / Bobbing for apples / Samhain / Food and wine / Mistaken for ghosts / All Saints Day / All Hallows’ Eve / Souling and guising / Soul cakes / Singing / Poetry / Telling jokes

Match the dates to the historical events

2000 years ago                                                 Celtic festival Samhain

8^th century                                                         Christians turned Samhain into All Saints Day

Medieval Britain                                             All Souls Day. The origin of souling and guising

19^th century America                                     Irish and Scottish immigrants revived the traditions

1950’s America                                                Family-friendly and kid-centered activities

Today                                                                  6 billion dollars spent on costumes and candies

Can you answer these questions about the video?

It was the Celtic festival called Samhain.

People believed the dead returned as ghosts.

They wore masks to be mistaken for ghosts.

It was shortened from All Hallows’ Eve to Halloween.

They prayed for their dead relatives.

They got food, wine, money and other offerings.

A Cloze for Halloween

Complete the gaps with the words below.

American | bad | costume | don't | eyes | give | holidays | house | I | is | knock | learned | like | making | October | or | out | pumpkins | so | the | too | very

Halloween is one of the most famous …………………. in the U.S., and it is on …………….. 31. People carve …………….  and make funny faces on them. These are called "Jack-O-Lanterns." On October 31, children wear a special ……………… such as a witch, ghost,  ………….clown. They go to many houses and they …………. on the door saying, "Trick or Treat!" It means that if people …………….  give them a treat, they will play some kind of trick on the household. So, usually people …………………. candy to them.

I carved my first Halloween pumpkin at my Friendship Family's ……………. . First, I cut open the top of …………….. pumpkin and pulled the seeds ………... It was not good for me because

it was sticky and smelled …………..  . I had never carved a pumpkin, ……………………. it was interesting for me. Next, …………….. carved the  …………………and the mouth. I wanted to make a face……………  a pirate. When I finished ………………. the face, I put a candle inside. It was ……………………. beautiful, so I was happy.

I had a good experience because I ………………….. one new idea about …………………… culture by taking part in it. I think Halloween ……………………. an interesting American holiday which involves all family members and neighbors ……………………………..!

KEY

Holidays, October, pumpkins, costume, or, knock, don’t, give, house, the, out, bad, so, I, eyes, like, making, very, learned, American, is, too.

What do you know about Halloween?

Read the text and complete the gaps

Where does Halloween come from?

We celebrate Halloween every year on ______________ 31st. But where does this holiday come from?

The holiday originally comes from a people called the Celts. The Celts lived in Europe more than 2000 _______ ago. On November 1st they celebrated the end of summer. They thought ghosts visited the living on October 31st. They dressed up like ghosts so the spirits would not harm them.

Today, many ______________ still remember the dead on November 1st. It is called All Saints day. Another name for it is All Hallow’s Day. The day before, October 31st, is called All Hallow’s Eve, or _________________ for short.

Halloween is an old tradition in Ireland and Scotland. In those countries, _____________ dressed up and carried lanterns made of turnips. When people moved from Ireland and Scotland to the United States, they started using ________________. This is where the jack-o’-lantern comes from.

They also had a tradition of giving __________ to the spirits. Later, they gave the food to poor people. This is where trick-or-treating comes from.

Halloween has changed a lot since its origins. New people have brought new _________________, and changed the old ones. What do you think Halloween would be like in another two thousand years?

Read the text again and answer:

1. What is this story about?

a. Trick-or –treating

b. Ghosts

c. The origins of Halloween

2. When did the Celts live in Europe?

a. More than two hundred years ago

b. More than two thousand years ago

c. Less than two thousand years ago

3. What did they celebrate on November 1st?

a. Halloween

b. All Hallow’s Day

c. The end of summer

4. What did ghosts do on October 31st?

a. They visited the living

b. They dressed up

c. They celebrated All Hallow’s day

5. The word Halloween comes from …

a. All Hallow’s Day

b. All Saints Day

c. All Hallow’s Eve

6. Nowadays, jack-o’-lanterns are made of…

a. Turnips

b. Pumpkins

c. Carrots

7. Trick-or-treating comes from…

a. Giving money to the poor

b. Giving food to the spirits

c. Giving candies to children

Key

October, years, people, Halloween, children, pumpkins, food, traditions,

1. c
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. a

Driving age could rise to 18 under new proposals

            A Government report has set out options which could see new restrictions for newly qualified drivers. Young motorists could have to wait until they are 18 before they take their driving test and be banned from carrying their peers under proposals being considered by the Government.

            The move is triggered by casualty figures which showed that last year a fifth of the people killed or seriously injured on the road were in an accident where the driver of one of the cars was under 24.

            Under the proposals drawn up for ministers by TRL, formerly the Government’s transport research laboratory, nobody would not only have to wait until they are 18 before taking the test but will be required to log 120 hours of supervised practice, including 20 at night. They would be banned from carrying passengers under of the age of 30 or driving between 10pm and 5am unless there was also someone over 30 in the car.

            Then the novice motorist would be on probation for another year. This would entail their having to carry a green P plate, which would make it easier for the police to enforce the restrictions.

            These restrictions would apply in full to any newly qualified driver below the age of 30. Some, such as the ban on night-time driving, using a hands free mobile and a lower drink-drive limit, would apply to anyone 12 months after passing their test irrespective of age.

            “The reasoning behind this is that the evidence shows both youth and inexperience are factors in determining crash risk,” said Dr Shaun Helman, one of the author’s of the report. According to the research introducing these curbs would cut casualties by 4,471 – including up to 41 fatalities a year.

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. Most car accidents are caused by drivers under the age of 24.

b. Young drivers cannot use a car at night under any circumstances.

c. Young motorists only need supervised practice to drive without restrictions.

d. Some of the new restrictions would apply to all drivers a year after passing their tests.

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

a. Why is the Government considering restrictions to new young drivers?

b. What requirements could be introduced to drive without restrictions?

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

a. to cause, to set off par. 2

b. to  involve par. 4

c. control par. 6

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

a.  A Government report has set out options for newly qualified drivers.

            Options..................

b.  These restrictions will apply in full to any newly qualified driver below the age of 30.

            Unless you...............

c. “The reasoning behind this is that the evidence shows both youth and inexperience are factors in determining crash risk,” said Dr Shaun Helman.

             Dr Shaun Helman said...........

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

Does a car always give you independence?

Charity hires hedgehog babysitters

            Poorly hedgehogs in Worcestershire are having their prickles protected - by a group of caring hedgehog nannies!

            Over 200 injured hedgehogs are rescued by Willows Hedgehog Rescue every year. But the volunteers there can't look after them all day, so they've recruited nannies to babysit the recovering hedgehogs during the day.

            Not just anybody can be a hedgehog nanny. Caring for baby hoglets takes a lot of patience and the right equipment.

            Hedgehog helper Charlie told Newsround: "If you see a hedgehog out during the day, you should speak to your local rescue centre."

            So what kind of person makes the perfect hedgehog nanny? "Somebody patient, caring with a love of wildlife" "You'll need to get your hands dirty too - hedgehogs need to go to the toilet!" said Charlie.

True or false?

1.  Volunteers are not available 24 hours a day.

2.  Hedgehogs are soft and silky.

3.  All of the hedgehogs are adults.

4.  You need the right temperament to be a hedgehog nanny.

5.  Anyone can become a hedgehog nanny.

6.  Willows Hedgehog Rescue is located in Worcestershire.

7.  Hedgehogs are sometimes seen during the day.

8.  The charity does not have any volunteers.

Match the words below to their definitions

injured / nanny / patience / poorly / recruit / rescue                      

1. woman who is paid to look after a family's children

2. hurt or physically harmed

3. ability to wait or to continue doing something without becoming annoyed

4. ill or weak

5. persuade someone to work for a company or an organization

6. help someone or something out of a dangerous or unpleasant situation

What is the missing word?

1.  -_____________for baby hoglets takes a lot of patience.

2.  Hedgehogs need to go to the____________!

3.  They’ve recruited nannies to_____________the recovering hedgehogs.

4.  You should speak to your___________rescue centre.

KEY

True or false

1.True

2.False

3.False

4.True

5.False

6.True

7.True

8.False

Vocabulary

nanny               woman who is paid to look after a family's children

injured hurt or physically harmed

patience           ability to wait or to continue doing something without becoming annoyed

poorly              ill or weak

recruit              persuade someone to work for a company or an organization

rescue              help someone or something out of a dangerous or unpleasant situation

Missing words

1.caring

2.toilet

3.babysit

4.local