Veganism and climate change

Do these two concepts have anything in common? Read this post about the issue and do this Selectivity exam:

Eating less meat could save 45,000 lives a year, experts claim

Articles related to the issue which are interesting for you to read:

• Eat less meat to avoid dangerous global warming, scientists say (The Guardian)

• Go vegan, save the planet (CNN)

• Is a vegetarian diet really better for the environment? Science takes aim at the conventional wisdom. (The Washington Post)

 

 

Listening exercise to do: Could you go vegan? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

What does 'vegan' stand for? Can you give me a definition?

English with Lucy: Oxford English

Solutions to the REWRITE exercise in the previous post.

 

1. If I didn't have to look after my neighbour's children, I would come.

2. Brian advised Tom not to go swimming on a day like that.

3. It is two years since I (last) went to the dentist.

4. He is said to have been all over the world.

5. I hate having to write letters.

6. Although it was raining heavily, we went out.

7. My father hasn't seen his brother for nearly twenty years.

8. The inspector accused Joe of having stolen the money.

9. In spite of my admiration for Shakespeare's comedies / In spite of the fact that I admire Shakespeare's comedies, I cannot agree....

10. If he hadn't given me a lift to the station, I would have missed the train.

11. Mary asked Peter when America had been first discovered.

12. Unless he starts work right away, he'll never finish it.

13. I haven't played tennis since 1990.

14. He asked me if I had seen his brother recently.

15. She asked me (politely) to wait in the reception / if I could wait.

16. Once Terry gets over his illness, his work will be improved.

17. When you arrive there will be someone to meet you.

18. As soon as she read this letter she burst into tears.

19. I didn’t know when John was leaving.

20. When you phoned me, I was having lunch.

21. I’ve worked for the company for three years.

22. When we arrived, David had (already) gone home.

23. I didn’t use to wear glasses.

24. The last time I was at the cinema was two years ago.

25. When did they get married?

26. I am supposed to take out the garbage every day.

27. I apologized for the misunderstanding.

28. I congratulated her for the tournament / for winning the tournament.

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 170517 / 17 May 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: myth, smuggle & has a knack for.

Shorter attention span, a problem for our students?

Lately, teachers are always complaining of how difficult it is to keep students' attention in class to what is being done. Here may be the cause.

 

Listening exercise to do: Goldfish, brain and phones (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

Some articles to read about the issue >>> 

• Say it quick, say it well – the attention span of a modern internet consumer (The Guardian)

• Is technology and the internet reducing pupils' attention spans? (The Guardian)

• You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish (Neuroscience, Time Health)

• Humans have shorter attention span than goldfish, thanks to smartphones (The Telegraph)

And talking about another problem that affects us these days, here we have some articles concerning attacks that we have suffered:

• Ransomware cyber-attack threat escalating - Europol (BBC)

• Manchester attack: What we know so far (BBC News)

What does 'foyer' mean? Which language does it come from? Can you give me a synonym?

REVISION EXERCISE for 1º Bachillerato  >>>   

Rewrite the following sentences so that they do not change the meaning of the original sentences.

 

1. I can't come because I have to look after my neighbour's children.

- If I .....................................................................................................................................................

2."I wouldn't go swimming on a day like this, if I were you , Tom" -

Brian advised........................................................................................................................................

3. I haven't been to the dentist for two years.

- It is ..............................................................................................................................................

4. People say that he has been all over the world.

- He is ..............................................................................................................................................

5. I have to write letters , but I hate it.

- I hate..................................................................................................................................................

6.We went out in spite of the heavy rain.

- Although ..........................................................................................................................................

7. It's nearly twenty years since my father saw his brother.

- My father.......................................................................................................................................

8."You stole the money, Joe, didn't you!" said the inspector.

- The inspector accused.....................................................................................................................

9.Although I admire Shakespeare's comedies, I cannot agree that they are any superior to his tragedies.

-In spite of.........................................................................................................................................

10.He gave me a lift to the station and I didn’t miss the train.

- If.................................................................................................................................

11.When was America first discovered, Peter?" Mary asked.

- Mary asked..................................................................................................................................

12.If he doesn't start work right away, he 'll never finish it.

- Unless..................................................................................................................................... .

13.The last time I played tennis was in 1990.

-I haven't................................................................................................................................ .

14. “Have you seen my brother recently?” he asked me..

- He asked me ................................................................................................................... .

15.“Could you wait in the reception, please?” she asked me.

- She asked me ................................................................................................................................ .

16. Terry will get over his illness. Then his work will be improved.

-Once..................................................................................................................................... .

17.There will be someone to meet you on arrival.

- When ........................................................................................................................................... .

18. She read this letter and burst into tears.

-As soon as................................................................................................................................... .

19.I didn’t know about John’s departure.

- I didn’t know when ................................................................................................................................ .

20.When you phoned me, it was my lunch time.

-When you phoned me, I.......................................................................................................................... .

21. I started working for the company three years ago and now I’m still working here.

- I’ve ................................................................................................................................................... .

22.David went home before we arrived.

-When we................................................................................................................................................ .

23.I’ve only recently started wearing glasses.

-I didn’t …………………………………………………………………............................................. .

24.I haven’t been to the cinema for two years.

-The last time ………………………………………………………………......................................... .

25.How long have Helen and Robert been married?

-When ………………………………………………………………….................................... .

26.My responsibility is to take out the garbage every day.

- I am ........................................................................................................................................ .

27.The misunderstanding was my fault., so I apologize.

- I apologized .............................................................................................................................

28.She won the tournament, so I congratulated her.

-I congratulated her .........................................................................................................................

How are the people from Manchester called? What is the local newspaper? What TV studios are there in Manchester?

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 170524 / 24 May 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: grieving, overdrive & coordinated.

It won't wash

Sometimes we find that politicians, or anyone else, are not telling the truth, and nothing but the truth, so you use this expression. Read about what it really means.

The English we speak: It won't wash (BBC Learning English)

Articles related with the issue:

• FBI chief James Comey fired by Trump (BBC)

• Trump fires FBI director Comey, raising questions over Russia investigation (The Guardian)

• White House ‘systems failed’ with Comey firing, but Trump pushed the buttons (The Washington Post)

Listening exercise to do: How much food do you waste? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

REVISION EXERCISE for 1º Bachillerato  >>>  

76. Insert the second sentences into the first ones by means of RELATIVE CLAUSES:

1. That is the boy. I borrowed his motorbike last Saturday.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Southampton is a busy sea port. It is on the south coast of England.

______________________________________________________________________________

3. Jimmy Connors was once married to Chris Evert.He was a very famous American tennis player.

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Apolo XI was the spaceship. It took Armstrong and Aldrin to the moon.

______________________________________________________________________________

5. Last year I had to read the book. You are looking at it now.

______________________________________________________________________________

77. CONDITIONALS. Put the vers in brackets into their correct tense and fill in the gaps (...) with     these words:  IF  /  WHEN  /  PROVIDED THAT  /  UNLESS /  AS LONG AS         

1. I am going to Rome next week. ................ I (BE) __________ there, I (SEE)______________    the Colisseum.

2. .................... we (GO) ____________ now, we (MISS) ____________ the train.

3. I (HELP) ____________ ....................... I (FINISH) _____________ first.

4. .............. she (HAVE) _____________  a ticket, she (GO) _________________ to the concert.

5. Albert sr.(PLAY) ________________  with you tomorrow morning ..............  Albert jr. (NOT EAT) ______________ every three hours.

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 170510 / 10 May 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: condition, draw & is down to.

Revolutions

Which verb does the noun 'revolution' come from and what does it mean? What other words have the same changes concerning word formation?

Here are some 'revolutions' going on:

• How to start a social care revolution in seven easy steps (The Guardian)

• Pope Francis gives a surprise TED Talk, calls for a ‘revolution of tenderness’ (The Washington Post)

• Welcome to the social media revolution (BBC)

• How the Internet is changing Cuba (BBC)

 

And talking about revolutions, here's 'Industrial Revolutions' by Danny Macaskill >>>>

English with Lucy:

The Schwa /ə/ Sound - Endings British Pronunciation & Spelling Tips | -er -ar -or -our -ure -re

72. Put the following sentences into INDIRECT SPEECH:

1. "Bring me the newspaper, please", the father to the son.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. "Who put salt in my coffee?", he asked.

______________________________________________________________________________

3. "I'm going fishing with my mother this afternoon", said the small boy.

______________________________________________________________________________

4. "What was she wearing when you saw her last?", the policeman asked me.

______________________________________________________________________________

5. "I'll sit up till she comes in, but I hope she won't be late", said Mrs Pitt.

______________________________________________________________________________

73. Give a piece of advice to each problem:

1. I find it really difficult to get up in the mornings.

_______________________________________________________________

2. My car is not going very well lately.

_______________________________________________________________         

74. COMPARATIVES. Fill in the gaps with the comparatives of superiority and the     superlatives of the adjectives you are given in brackets:

1. For (far) ______________ information on the passive you should revise the grammar revision.

2. Mick Malone's (old) _______________ brother came from Ireland to visit him.

3. This is (bad) _______________ football match I've ever watched.

75. Translate the following sentences into English:

4. Ella no llegó tan tarde como de costumbre.  ________________________________________

5. Cuanto más estudio, menos problemas tengo con el inglés.

______________________________________________________________________________

6. Los exámenes se van complicando cada vez más.

_____________________________________________________

Surfing the death

What chance of survival does a human have when surfing these incredible waves in Nazaré (Portugal)? Have you heard of any other incredible stunts?

 

And here's another amazing video to watch >>>>

Biggest Waves Ever Surfed In The History

 

Tourism in Portugal:

Garrett McNamara on Nazaré: the surfer’s favourite town in Portugal (The Guardian)

 

And talking about miracles....

Listening exercise to do: Miraculous survival (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Word formation: 
'miraculous' is an adjective that comes from the noun ...................?
'survival' is a noun that comes from the verb .................?
Do you know any other words that come from 'miraculous' and 'survival'?

Learn 3 ways to sound more British with Lucy

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 170503 / 03 May 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: trawled through, persuaded & obsession.

REVISION EXERCISE  CLICK HERE for further practice in my site.

69. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:

       I  want  to  tell you something ..........  Arthur. He  lives ..........  21  Gladstone Avenue,.......... Mrs Harrison  and  Mr Smithers.  He  works .......... the library ..........  Middleford High  Street. The Sunny Snack Bar is quite ......... the  library ..........  the other side .......... the road. Sometimes he  goes there .......... a cup .......... coffee.

 

70. TENSES. Put the verb in brackets into their appropriate form:

     

1. She went to the optician and (her eyes / tested) ____________________________ .

2. These shoes need (clean) ____________, because they are rather dirty.

3. I won't know the answer until I (see) ________ him.

4. She (play) ____________ volleyball for two hours.

5. When I was younger he (play) ________________ football, but now he doesn't play any more.

6. When I (get) ________ home, smoke (come)________ out of one of the upstairs windows.

7. My grandfather can remember (go) _____________ to the cinema with my grandmother.

8. Would you like (come) ___________ to a party on Saturday evening?

9. I'm looking forward (meet) ______________ you again next summer.

10. I (not take) ________________ that bus because I have a meeting in Granada at 14.00 and      I'm  afraid I (not arrive) _______________ in time if I take that one.

71. Put the following sentences into the PASSIVE VOICE:

1. They are cleaning your house at the moment.  

2. We call Lieutenant Columbus only in special occasions.

3. Someone stole all the jewels last night.   

4. Nobody will serve refreshments until the match is over.

5. People think they make these artificial flowers of silk.

                                                                                                                                            

Our VII Study trip to the British-Irish Isles: Cambridge 2018????

The group that has participated on our VI Study trip to the British-Irish Isles (Edinburgh 2017) has decided that next year they want to go to Cambridge, so we will be having our ZERO meeting on Wednesday, 10th May in the Language Department. 

A rough idea of our proposal will be given, as well as further interesting details to bear in mind so as to be as quick as possible in the organization of the experience.

Anyway, before talking about our possible study trip for next year, here's the video we have made about our VI Study trip to the British-Irish Isles. I hope you like it:

 

 

and here's also  >>> a Summary report on the answers given to the feedback form by our students and their families.

 

What makes Cambridge a model cycling city? (The Guardian)

And now have a look at what we did in our II Study trip to the British-Irish Isles in 2013:

• My blog (Spanish version) 

• My site   

• Although the school we would be going to is different, here's the report that came out of the experience written by the  TEACHERS' 

• Other interesting material to see: photos, videos (1, 2 )....

Some data about a school trip done this year (2017): flyer & school we would be going to SELECT ENGLISH

Other sites to visit: Visit Cambridge   Cambridge Travel Video And talking about possible announcements, here's Lucy's...     Learn 'How I learned Spanish! My journey to fluency' with Lucy LINGOHACK  >>> Episode 170426 / 26 April 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: solar power, remarkable & sanctuary.

Travelling to Ibiza and Dronies

Do you like travelling and making photographs?

Here's a Selectivity exam the University of Granada proposes to do: Welcome to Las Dalias Hippy Market (you can find a link to download the exam in my site: 2º Bachillerato) and here are some articles related to the issue you can read:

• Holiday guide to Ibiza: the best beaches, clubs, hotels, bars and restaurants (The Guardian)

• Mini-guide to rural Ibiza (BBC)

• Ibiza: Far from the clubbing crowd (The Daily Telegraph)

• The hippy is back: not so cool if you remember it the first time round (The Guardian)

And when travelling, photos are just essential. However, there is a new trend these days that you can read about in this proposed Selectivity exam (Dronies: a new trend to replace selfies  >>  again you can find a link to download a copy of the exam in my site: 2º Bachillerato  ) and in these related articles:

 

• Forget selfies - how 'dronies' could be the next big photography trend (The Daily Telegraph)

• ‘Dronies' may become new trend to replace selfies (New York Daily News)

Discovering Veracruz in Mexico taking dronies, selfies.. Just amazing!!

Is Television helpful or harmful for our society?

Here are some articles to read about the issue:

• Television – not in front of the children? (The Guardian)

• Watching too much TV in your 20s may impact how your brain works in mid-life, study suggests (The Washington Post)

• How soap operas changed the world (BBC)

• Television isn't a bad influence on society after all (The Guardian)

 

Crossword on TELEVISION (BBC Learning English)

Vocabulary and Listening exercise to do: Language to use in research (English at work, BBC Learning English)

 

REPORTED SPEECH. Further practice:

Transform these sentences into Reported Speech using these verbs:    

                               apologize , deny , explain , invite , offer

1. 'I'm sorry I was rude', said Mike.
2. 'I didn't steal John's bike', said Melissa.
3. 'Can I buy you a drink?', Albert to the Austrian teacher.
4. 'Would you like to come to the cinema with me?', replied she after the drink.
5. 'I'm late because I missed the bus', said Joe.

Transform these sentences into Direct Speech:    

1. He invited her to go for lunch.
2. The judge declared that they were guilty.
3. Ari offered to help Michael with his work.
4. He apologized for handing in the composition two days later, but said that he had been ill in bed.
5. The shopkeeper ordered the three boys to leave his shop.

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 170419 / 19 April 2017   >>>  Expressions presented: tunnelling, put a spin on & camaraderie.

Pas le prince, le roi de Montecarlo est Nadal!!!

Latest news: Nadal beats Thiem for 5th Madrid Title 2017

 

Back to clay court, Rafa Nadal is once again here  >>>>>

• Rafael Nadal beats Albert Ramos-Viñolas to win 10th Monte Carlo Masters (The Guardian)

• Monte Carlo Masters: Rafael Nadal beats Albert Ramos-Vinolas for record 10th title (BBC)

And this was when he was just 16!!!!! (This is how all began: interesting documentary)

and 17 against Federer!!!

Listening exercise to do: Why do we sigh? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

REVISION EXERCISE  CLICK HERE for further practice in my site.

Rewrite these sentences using a different structure by saying the same (sometimes the beginnings of your sentences are given):

1. My brother had the habit of playing handball when he was at school.
2. Melissa has planned to go to Malaysia next summer.
3. She has already booked her flights for the 2^nd June.
4. Astronomers do not write horoscopes. Horoscopes....
5. People say Cervantes was buried in a monastery in Madrid. Cervantes...
6. I tried very hard in the exam, but I didn’t pass. I did...
7. Who normally buys the food in your family? Who does...?
8. I don’t know what you have chosen. I don’t know your...
9. Takeshi got up late, so he was very late for work. If...
10. Ricky said: “I want to buy new plants for my garden”. Ricky said that...
11. The hotel receptionist: “Shall I get you a taxi?”. The hotel receptionist...
12. The customer: “I’m sorry. I have left all my luggage up in my room”. The customer....
13. She invited me to come with her. She: “....”
14. It’s important to go to the film premiere. We...
15. It’s advisable to hire bodyguards. You...
16. It’s necessary to watch people carefully. You...
17. My parents want to hire someone to repair the roof this summer. My parents are...
18. It’s not safe to go out on your own at night. You...
19. It is not necessary to leave yet. The limousine hasn’t arrived yet. You...
20. Perhaps I’ll go to Los Angeles this summer. I.....

 

Staying alive...forty years later!!!

Forty years ago when our teacher used to go bananas at the disco!!!

Bee Gees, 'Saturday Night Fever' to get 40th anniversary Grammy salute (Los Angeles Times)

'Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees' Photos (Rolling Stone Magazine)

And here's the link to the full album:

Saturday Night Fever soundtrack full album

And now going back to our days, some interesting videos to watch:

• Question Tags | Easily Speak Like a Native! (English with Lucy)

• Was your English teacher wrong?!  & How to sound INTELLIGENT and SEXY! (Learn English with Papa)

REVISION EXERCISES included in Mock exams (1º Bach) in my site.

65. Put this dialogue into DIRECT SPEECH :

       The policeman wanted to know what time the first man had come, what he looked like and whether Arthur had noticed the number  of his  van.  The detective said that the man had done this trick before. He was well known in Middleford at that time. He said he often came to houses where there were lodgers after the landlady had gone shopping on a Saturday morning. Mrs Harrison told him that she'd only been out for about half an hour when he came. She'd just gone to the local shops to get her coat cleaned and have  her  shoes  repaired  and to do a little  bit  of  household shopping.

66. Fill the spaces with  WHAT  /  WHAT A(N)

1. ...... fantastic bargain!     2. ...... idiot you are!   3. ...... strong tea this is!   4. ...... generosity!       5. ...... speech he made!         

6. ...... attractive face he has!  7. ...... bad news!    8. ...... untidy room this is!      9. ...... scruffy clothes he wears!    10. ...... film!

67. Rewrite these sentences so that they begin with HOW. Omit the word "very" :

    1. You were very lucky to win the prize.

    2. It is very unusual to see a horse in the middle of Middleford.

    3. He was very irresponsible to drive without a driving licence.

    4. It is very disappointing to fail your driving test for the fifth time.

    5. She was very honest to say that she had made a mistake.

68. TRANSLATE these sentences into English:

    1. Compré el coche en la tienda que está en frente de la iglesia.

    2. El solía decir a la gente lo que ellos debieran hacer.

    3. Si tu madre te hubiera pedido que cantaras, ¿lo habrías hecho?

    4. Así que él les preguntó a ambas si querían que él las llevara en coche a casa.

    5. Se le preguntó cual era su empleo.

    6. Mis padres llegaron hace cuatro días.

    7. Yo que tú telefonearía a mi novia y le diría que viniera inmediatamente.

    8. Lo que tú quieres es jugar todo el tiempo.

    9. Nos gustaría hacerle unas cuantas preguntas sobre el robo del banco.

    10. Fuí a la peluquería a cortarme el pelo.

    11. El le sugirió a ella que debiera irse a casa.

    12. Por otro lado, ella apenas dijo una palabra el resto de la mañana.

    13. ¿Por qué estaba tu profesor sorprendido de verte jugar conmigo?

    14. Siento ser tan aburrida.

    15. Se les llevo a habitaciones separadas y se les hicieron muchas preguntas.