Grammar: Participle Clauses

1. Participle clauses.

A participle clause is a dependent clause which uses a participle form of a verb. These clauses are used to avoid making sentences overly complicated. They are used mainly in written English and they allow us to convey a great deal of information in a shorter form. Participle clauses don’t have a subject because their subject is the noun/pronoun in the main clause.

Getting into the lift, I realised I had forgotten my keys. 
 (participle clause)                 (main clause)

2. Types of participle clauses.

• Condition (in place of an if-condition):
  Looked after carefully, this coat will keep you warm through many winters.
• Reason (in place of words like so or therefore):
  Wanting to speak to him about the contract, I decided to arrange a meeting.
• Result (in place of words like because or as a result):
  I had no time to read my book, having spent so long doing my homework.
• Time (in place of words like when, while or as soon as):
  Sitting at the cafe with my friends, I suddenly realised that I had left the oven on at home.

Vocabulary: Cinema and Television

Cinema and Television Vocabulary

• Televisión (n.): a device shaped like a box with a screen that receives electrical signals and changes them into moving images and sound.
• Program (US) / programme (GB) (n.): a broadcast on television or radio.
• Broadcast (v.): to send out a programme on television or radio.
• Soap opera (n.): a series of television or radio programmes about the lives and problems of a particular group of characters.
• Sitcom (n.): a funny television or radio show in which the same characters appear in each programme in a different story.
• Series (n.): a set of television or radio broadcasts on the same subject or using the same characters but in different situations.
• Documentary (n.): a film or television programme that gives facts and information about a subject.
• News broadcast (n.): a television or radio programme consisting of reports about recent events.
• Episode (n.): one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio.
• Talk show (n.): a radio or television programme on which famous guests are asked questions about themselves.
• Reality show (n.): a television programme about ordinary people who are filmed in real situations.
• Weather forecast (n.): a statement of what the weather is likely to be for the next day or few days broadcast on televisión.

Funtional Language: Expressions and sport idioms

Most used expressions in sports

Drop the ball: to make a mistake, especially when you didn’t complete one of your responsibilities. This idiom comes from the fact that in baseball, dropping the ball is an error in the game.

Run interference: to help someone by resolving problems for them. Football players “run interference” by stopping players from the other team from getting the player with the ball.

Take a shot: the idiom “take a shot at” means to try something (often something difficult).

Give your best shot: to “give it your best shot” means to try your best. In basketball (as well as soccer and several other sports), a “shot” is an attempt to put the ball into the basket or goal.

To show someone the ropes: the idiomatic expression “show someone the ropes” means to teach someone how to do something (such as a job or a process). In sailing, it is essential to know how to use the ropes in order to control the boat.

To jump the gun: the idiom “jump the gun” means to do something too early or too soon, before the correct time. This idiomatic expression comes from the fact that a gun was used to give the starting signal for races, so a person who started before the signal was given was said to “jump the gun.”

To hit your stride: the idiom “hit your stride” means to achieve a good continuous level of performance. “Stride” is a word that refers to the steps taken while walking or running. When a horse “hits its stride” in a race, it maintains a good speed in a comfortable way.

Wide of the mark: this idiomatic expression means “not accurate.” It is often used to describe predictions or estimates. In archery, arrows that fall far away from the target are said to be wide of the mark (target).

To get the blueprint: a seemingly unstoppable team has just been defeated, and the strategy used to do so can now be considered the "blueprint."

Listening Comprehension: Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters: Hurricanes

Listening: https://soundcloud.com/violeta-marin-roldan/natural-disasters-intro-hurricanes

1.- Listen the recording and decide if the following statements are true or not.
1 All natural disasters occur with the same frequency.
2 Hurricanes start at sea.
3 "Tropical cyclone" is how hurricanes are called in the Indian ocean.
4 Tornados are common in Germany.
5 Scientists can stop hurricanes.

2.- Answer the following questions:
1 What is a hurricane?
2 How are hurricanes called in the Pacific Ocean?
3 What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane?
4 Where do hurricanes happen?
5 How do they affect people?

3.- Add the missing word from the listening:
1 "But some of them are __________".
2 "________ in the Atlantic Ocean".
3 "The water evaporates from _________".
4 "More and more hot, _____________"
5 "Scientists can usually ______"

Pronunciation: Word Stress

Word Stress

What is Word Stress? 

In some languages, syllables in each word is pronounced with the exact same stress. However, English is not one of those languages, due to the fact that English has its own rhythm, complete with its own vocal music. This fact means that one part of a certain word is said louder and longer than other parts of the same word, all syllables are not pronounced with the same force or strength. This means that only one syllable is accentuated: English speakers say one syllable very loudly (big, strong), and the other syllables very quietly. So, the syllables that are not stressed are weak, small or quiet. As a consequence fluent speakers of English listen for the stressed syllables, not the weak ones. That's why if you use stress in your speech, you will instantly and automatically improve your pronunciation and your comprehension.

Why is Word Stress important?

Word Stress is a key factor to understand spoken English. Word Stress is something natural in native speakers, they don't even know they use it. However, it is not an optional extra that you can add to the English language, because it is part of the language! It is essential if you want to be understood by a native speaker of English.

Some helpful tips to master Word Stress: 

-A word can only have one stress. Although in a very long word you can have a secondary stress, it is always much smaller than the first one.

-Only vowels are stressed, never consonants.

-There are many exceptions to the rules, so use a dictionary to check the word stress of new words. Soon, and as a consequence of that, you will know English well enough to add word stress naturally.

Listening: Travel and tourism

Reading comprenhension: Travel and Tourism

Read the following text about Explora Patagonia Lodge

How to get there:

            Upon arrival at the airport in Santiago, Chile,  take a connecting flight to the city of Punta Arenas which lasts around four hours. At the airport in Punta Arenas, our staff will be waiting for you and will drive you in our comfortable minibus to Hotel Salto Chico where you can relax or go on an exciting Patagonia adventure tour.

            The minibus journey is just under four and a half hours: The journey from Punta Arenas to Llanuras de Diana, along 200 kilometers (124 miles) of paved road takes two and a quarter hours. From there, the 190 kilometers (118 miles) to Torres del Paine National Park takes two hours and 20 minutes.

Rooms:

            Our lodge has 50 comfortable rooms, all with captivating views, silence and privacy. The sophisticated design incorporates native lenga wood (nothofagus pumilio) and cypress brought from the Guaitecas Archipelago, while the floor is made of almond wood. Each room has a small living area, hydro massage bath and beds designed for deep, pleasurable sleep after a day of exploration. Finally, we provide you with a unique treat: the rooms are television-free.

Culture

SPORT AND EXTREMISM

When I ask Tom Flachett, founder of the Brussels Boxing Academy, how many of his former students have travelled to Syria to join Isis, he gets a little exasperated.

“They always ask the number,” he says, referring, I assume, to journalists. He picks up a book of pictures of academy alumni and points to someone in a group photo. “This guy is there now, he’s very young, you see?”

The main aim of Flachett’s club, set up in 2003, has always been to reach out to youngsters in some of Brussels’ poorest neighbourhoods, including Molenbeek, a small district in the north of Brussels. Boxing is a popular sport among this demographic, and it’s easy to organise and motivating for people with little else in their lives. Plus, having built up a relationship over years, many students turn to their trainers when they’re in trouble.

Brussels has been in the spotlight as a hotbed for terrorism since the Paris and Brussels attacks in late 2015 and early 2016, which involved terrorists from Molenbeek. At least 47 people have left Molenbeek for Syria since 2011. In September of this year, the Brussels security services announced that it had deemed 57 residents of the district radicalised and put them under surveillance.

Healing rifts

Molenbeek is one of 19 municipalities in a city that has 19 mayors and six different police forces. These factions have a reputation for failing to collaborate. Belgium lacks a national framework for preventing radicalisation, so responsibility falls mostly on local authorities to draw up plans. But the approach of former Molenbeek mayor Philippe Moureaux, who presided over the district for 18 years until 2012, was laissez-faire, to say the least.

Vocabulary: Health and Sport

General Sports Vocabulary

Arena: (N) Another word for arena that you’re probably more familiar with is stadium. It’s a flat area that hosts (holds) sporting events like the Olympic Games, soccer and rugby games. It is circular (like a circle) in shape and surrounded by seats for fans to sit.

Amateur: (N/Adj) An amateur is a person who is not a professional or does not get paid for what they do.

Athlete: (N) A person who practices and competes in any sport.

Athletic: (Adj) A person who is athletic and is good at sports.

Athletics: (N) Athletics is the category for any track and field events, such as running (long and short distance), throwing the javelin, long jump etc.

Award: (V,N) Any kind of prize, like a certificate, medal or a trophy. To be awarded something means to be given a prize.

Beat: (V) To win against or defeat another player or team.

Captain: (N) The captain is the team leader.

Cheer on: (Phrasal V) To shout words of encouragement to your favorite team or player.

Coach: (N) A person who is responsible for teaching and training the athletes to improve their skills.

Compete: (V) To take part in a competition.

Court: (N) The rectangle area where games like tennis, basketball and badminton are played.

Course: (N) An area of land that is used for long running events like marathons, car racing and golf.

Defend: (V) Defense: (N) To try and stop the other team from scoring points or goals.

Draw: (N) When two teams finish a game with the same number of points/goals. (also called a tie)

Fan: (N) A supporter of a player, team or sport.

Field: (N) An area of grass that is used to play sports such as field hockey, rugby or soccer.

Gym: (N) The place where you can go and exercise on machines or the inside area where sports lessons are done at school.

Half-time: (N) The short break between the first and second half of the game.

League: (N) A group of sports clubs from one area that play against each other for the season to try and win the championship.

Medal: (N) A small circle piece of metal that can be gold for 1st place, silver for 2nd place and bronze for 3rd place.

Opponent: (N) The person that you compete or play against in a competition.

Pass: (V, N) To kick or throw the ball to another player in your team.

Physique: (N) The strength or shape of a person’s body.

Pitch: (V) To throw the ball to the person batting in softball or baseball.

Vocabulary exercise created with Hot Potatoes

Conditionals: Exercise created with Hot Potatoes

Listening Comprehension: Education

THE BOOKMOBILE: 

How a book changed my life

1. Watch the video and decide if the following statements about the girl in the video, Storm, are true or false.

1 She grew up in a poor family.
2 She owned a lot of books.
3 She found volcanoes really exciting.
4 She didn’t really enjoy reading.
5 When she was 15 she left the migrant camps.

2. Match the opinion adverbs on the left with their meaning on the right. 

Writing: How to Write a Report

 HOW TO WRITE A REPORT

A report is a specific form of writing that is organised around concisely identifying and examining issues, events, or findings that have happened in a physical sense, such as events that have occurred within an organisation, or findings from a research investigation.

These events can also pertain to events or issues that have been presented within a body of literature. The key to report writing is informing the reader simply and objectively about all relevant issues. There are three features that, together, characterise report writing at a very basic level: a pre-defined structure, independent sections, and reaching unbiased conclusions.

Pre-defined structure

At a very basic level, a report can be distinguished from an essay by the creation of headings into which information is organised. Broadly, these headings may indicate sections within a report, such as an introduction, discussion, and conclusion.

Within the main section(s) making up the body of the report (the discussion in the example just given), there is often an opportunity to create your own structure according to the literature you have sourced, your development of ideas, and the task assigned.

Functional Language: Expressions at School

                                   Expressions at School

➜Beginning the class 

• Hello! Hi! Good morning! Good afternoon!
• Take off your jackets, please. Close the door, please. Write the date on the board, please. 
• Take out your books, please. Give out the books, please. Alicia, share your book with Laura, please.
• Exercise one at the top of page three. Activity two at the bottom of page three. Which exercise are we doing? 
• Work in groups of three. Work in pairs. Work on your own. 
• Have you done your homework? 
• Juan isn’t here today. He is not well. 
• Have you got a pencil? Can I borrow your rubber? Can you lend me a rubber, please? 
• Ready? Let’s start. David, you start. 
• What did you say Juan? 
• Just a moment. Wait a minute. Hold on a second.

Vocabulary: Education

EDUCATION

Education:

The process of teaching or learning in a school or college, or the knowledge that you get from this.
Educational systems are established to provide education and training.

Formal education:
Formal education results from a program of instruction in an educational institution leading to a qualification / certification.

Basic Education:
Basic education refers to the whole range of educational activities taking place in various settings (formal, non formal and informal), that aim to meet basic learning needs. According to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), basic education comprises primary education (first stage of basic education) and lower secondary education (second stage). In countries (developing countries in particular), Basic Education often includes also pre-primary education and/or adult literacy programs.Universal basic education is regarded as a priority for developing countries

Thanksgiving Day at School

What is Thanksgiving?

The Puritans were a group of English Protestants emerging around the mid-16thcentury who sought “to purify” the Church of England (Anglican Church) from the influence of the Catholic Church. They were persecuted by different English monarchies for criticizing the religious corruption of the Church of England. When King James I established that it was a crime not to belong to the Church of England, a group of Separatists fled from England to Holland in 1607. Later, they came to America aboard the Mayflower and founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620. This particular group of Separatists are also known as “Pilgrims” or “Pilgrim Fathers".

After signing the Compact, the Mayflower passengers explored the Cape Cod area and decided to settle down in a location they named Plymouth after the harbour in England from where they left. The historic landing took place on December 21, 1620. During the first year the Pilgrims went through all kinds of problems. The diseases, the lack of food, and the harsh winter conditions killed many of them. The Wampanoag Indians teach the Pilgrims good fishing spots and farming techniques which they soon begin to employ.

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest inviting the Wampanoag tribe to three days of feasting. The President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed “Thanksgiving Day” a nationwide holiday on November 26, 1789. Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States “the fourth Thursday of November” to honour the memory of the Pilgrims.

Pronunciation: What Is Intonation?

What is intonation?

Intonation and stress are closely linked. In fact it's impossible to dissociate them. They go hand in hand.Intonation is about how we say things, rather than what we say, the way the voice rises and falls when speaking, in other words the music of the language.

Just as words have stressed syllables, sentences have regular patterns of stressed words. In addition, the voice tends to rise, fall or remain flat depending on the meaning or feeling we want to convey (surprise, anger, interest, boredom, gratitude, etc.). Intonation therefore indicates the mood of the speaker. 

There are two basic patterns of intonation in English: falling intonation and rising intonation.

In the following examples a downward arrow (➘) indicates a fall in intonation and an upward arrow (➚) indicates a rise in intonation.

Again, these are not rules but patterns generally used by native speakers of English. Just remember that content words are stressed, and intonation adds attitude or emotion.

Writing: Formal Letter 2 (Recommendation)

How to Write a Recommendation Letter 

Need to write or request a recommendation letter? Here are examples of different types of letter of recommendations, including letters for employment, academic letters of recommendation, and character / personal reference letters, with writing tips and advice.

• How to write a letter of recommendation

If you’re asked to provide a reference for a specific job, the most effective letter of recommendation will be one that is written with the requirements of that particular job in mind. When you’re asked to write a general recommendation letter, you can still focus on the types or category of jobs for which the person is applying.

First thing you have to do is to collect information. Ask the person for whom you are writing to supply you with a copy of the job posting and their resume (what is a resume?) or curriculum vitae (how to write a CV?) before you begin composing your letter. It can also be helpful to review their cover letter to see how they pitch their qualifications for the job.

When you are writing a more general recommendation, you should still ask the subject of your letter to outline their targets for employment. Ask them for an example or two of jobs they are applying for. Also ask them to share their most marketable assets for that type of work, especially ones you may have observed in your relationship with the person you are recommending.

Culture

Three Headaches for the Recycling Industry

The most advanced recycling operations in the world divert 75 percent or more of community waste away from landfills. In their efforts to achieve 100 percent recycling, or so-called Zero Waste, three products have proved particularly stubborn:

Diapers

The trouble is twofold: Diapers tend to be made of composite materials, including more than one type of plastic, and there is, of course, the organic waste.

Gary Liss, a recycling consultant in Northern California who sits on the board of several nonprofit recycling groups, including Zero Waste USA, said he knew of one model for recycling diapers, still in the trial stage in Santa Clarita, Calif., that involves separate curbside pickup for used diapers and then the pulling apart and cleaning of the constituent parts. But it’s expensive, Mr. Liss said, and economics are a big part of any recycling equation.

One way to pay for an approach like this would be for diaper manufacturers to include in the diaper’s sales price the cost of picking up used diapers and peeling them apart. But that is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Mr. Liss said the diaper problem might get worse before it gets better. The reason: baby boomers. “It’s going to be an increasing amount of material as we use adult diapers,” he said. “We’re all headed that way.”

Plastic Bags

They are inexpensive and great for lugging light loads. But they are a nightmare for recycling plants, because they are so diaphanous that they float and cling and wrap and gum up multimillion-dollar machinery.They’re such a problem at Recology, an advanced recycling operation in San Francisco, that it used to shut down twice a day so that workers with box knives could cut the plastic bags out of the spinning discs that help separate paper from cans and bottles.

In 2012, San Francisco banned plastic bags at retail stores, but they still show up at the recycling plant and force workers to do regular cleanings — “like clearing your lungs,” said Robert Reed, Recology’s spokesman.

A growing number of cities require retailers to charge for bags at checkout, discouraging their use. And Patty Moore, president of Moore Recycling Associates, in Sonoma, Calif., which does recycling consulting and research, says there are roughly 18,000 plastic-bag drop-off sites in the United States, many of them at grocery stores.

From there, the bags — and other plastic “film,” like the plastic used to wrap toilet paper or paper towel rolls — are shipped to recyclers. The material is made into new bags or used for composite decking or other plastic products. (Bags are not alone among the plastic products that present recycling challenges; packing foam peanuts, for example, are also problematic.)

Juice Boxes

They are a perfect example of composites, a vexing category for recyclers that includes a wide range of items, like furniture or consumer packaging that binds different materials together, such as plastics and metal and paper fibers. See, too: diapers. (The juice-box industry says a typical non refrigerated carton, as it’s called, includes 74 percent paper, 22 percent polyethylene and 4 percent aluminum.) Those layers help preserve drinks, but also make the boxes extremely difficult to pull apart.

And to recycle, you must first sort. “It’s like separating an egg yolk from an egg,” Mr. Liss said of the composites problem. “It’s much easier to do before you stir it up.”

One possible solution is to create packaging that allows the materials to be more easily separated. Mr. Liss said an industry recycling group, The Carton Council, had been created to address the problem by developing additional sorting equipment. “The good news is that the industry is trying to figure it out,” Mr. Liss said. “They saw the problem, and they’re stepping up to address it.”

Source: The New York Times