Thursday, October 26, 2006

Bienvenidos al blog para los profesores de inglés de 2º de Bachillerato LOGSE de la Comunidad Valenciana

Queridos profesores de inglés de 2º de Bachillerato LOGSE de la Comunidad Valenciana:

Hoy, 26 de octubre de 2006, inauguramos este nuevo espacio de comunicación para poder intercambiar ideas, opiniones, propuestas, etc. relacionadas con las clases de inglés de 2º de Bachillerato.

Como sabéis, ayer celebramos la asamblea general de profesores y me dió la sensación de que se quedaron muchas cosas en el tintero, que a muchos de vosotros os hubiera gustado hablar pero las condiciones acústicas de la sala y la cantidad de gente que había no lo propiciaba.

En fin, que queremos animaros desde aquí a que nos enviéis sugerencias a los especialistas y a que utilicéis este foro para hablar entre vosotros.

¡Podemos aprender mucho los unos de los otros!

Saludos cordiales,
Ana

31 comments:

Ana Gimeno said...

Hi, Frank!

Thanks for your contribution to the blog. I've had a look at the websites that you suggest and they're really good. The urban dictionary, I found particularly interesting, specially because it has all the sound recordings.

E-twinning is a fantastic opportunity for schoolteachers to establish links with other European teachers and set up joint projects with EU funding.

My favourite, though, is the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire online Game. It's brilliant!! It could be a great class activity.

I think it's great that we can recommend websites here for colleagues to have a peek at. A 2º de Bachillerato teacher from Castellón has developed his own ELT resource website. It's located at:
http://www.miguelmllop.com/index.php

If anybody out there has developed similar materials, please let us know!!!

That’s all from me for now...
All the best,
Ana

Victòria Codina said...

Como podéis ver, la idea de incluir un blog en la página web de nuestra materia es ya una realidad gracias a ANA.

Desde aquí, os animo, especialmente a aquellos que ya me habéis hecho llegar vuestros materiales, proyectos, etc., a compartir vuestro trabajo con todos nosotros.

mark campbell said...

I have found BBC World Service Learning English very useful to make up PAU type exams. The articles they publish (and which are renewed every couple of days) usually correspond with the prerequisites of level and size for the Selectivo English exam. Difficult words are printed in bold. At the end of each text there is a simplified definition in English for each of these words. You also have the option of listening to the text. The EOI used material from this site for their exams last May esp the Listening. Most of the published articles have additional material for teachers to work with in the classroom. It is worth having a look to see if any of the material is useful. There are also many interesting links to other BBC sites and one can spend hours searching around.
I have quite a few articles which I have adapted to create PAUs. I am going to look through some of them today just to make sure I have not made any "silly" mistakes and will try and download them. I still recommend you to proofread the exams in case there are errors. Hopefully they will be of interest and good use. Look forward to seeing any material that other teachers may have produced.
PS: I have just been playing "Do you want to be a millionaire"!

mark campbell said...

Testing ... testing .. testing!
This article appeared last week and I hope my students will find it interesting. My questions may not be found suitable by other colleagues so feel free to adapt, change, modify or whatever!

By the way ... I am testing because I don´t know if this is the best way to send a text. Can it be sent as an "adjunto" ?(how do we say that in English?!)


16th century royal letter for sale

A letter from the 1500s which tells part of the story of how the church of England began is expected to sell for a high price. It was written by Catherine of Aragon, the 1st wife of King Henry VIII, while he and the Pope were struggling for power.
It has always been said that British schoolchildren don't know much about British history, but one thing they all know is that Henry VIII had six wives - as the saying goes "divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived".
Catherine of Aragon was the Spanish first wife who was divorced when she failed to give the King a son. The letter for sale is dated February the 8th 1534, in the middle of this tumultuous and gripping period. King Henry wanted the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine so that he could have a child with another woman.
This autographed letter, signed 'Katharina', is to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In it she pleads - in Spanish - for Charles to press the Pope to stand up to Henry saying that the [quote] "sufferings, surprises and affronts which every day puts on us, are of universal notoriety". Catherine was successful, the Pope supported her, but of course Henry defied the Pope, divorced Catherine, and set up the Church of England.
The letter is enormously rare and could fetch over 100,000 dollars when it's sold in December. The price reflects an intimate glimpse into a brutal and totalitarian society. (254 words)

Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) According to the author, what did King Henry want the Pope to do?

b) According to the text, what does the price reflect?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. Catherine of Aragon´s letter is dated in the 15th century.
b. Catherine wanted Charles V to oppose King Henry.
c. The Pope did not agree with Catherine.

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

glimpse defied pleads stand up to
affronts gripping period


a) begs, makes a very strong request
b) offensive words
c) a very quick look
d) refused to respect


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)



1. British school children …
a) know a lot about English history.
b) have studied about King Henry VIII.
c) only know one thing.

2. Catherine was successful because…
a) the Pope agreed with her
b) she was not beheaded.
c) King Henry VIII divorced her.

3. Catherine of Aragon was divorced because…
a) she had the flu
b) she couldn´t have a baby boy
c) she was Spanish


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. What can we do to help Spanish students enjoy history classes?
2. What are the advantages of studying history?

mariali said...

I couldn´t attend to the last meeting of COORDINACIÓN . please let me know if there were some changes from the previous one .
Marian

joan ripoll said...

En el ies Sedavi llevamos algún tiempo subiendo ejercicios de gramática, listenings y otras cosas en
grammar index
. Esperamos que os guste.

mark campbell said...

Interesting meeting! Shame that individuals can spoil something which has always meant to be positive. As teachers we should always promote positive (constructive)criticism and be an example of that same virtue in front or our students. Cannot believe that there are still teachers who give opinions and have not attended meetings! Not exactly the thing our students want from us. They trust that we are well-informed and can give them valuable advice. OK ...

I also feel a little bit guilty because I have not used the blog as much as I should have .... basically because I believe this is an excellent iniciative.

To try and make amends I will send a few pseudo-PAU exams. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed trying to get into an examiner´s skin and be as devious as possible in the search of distractors. Highly recommend this activity ...

Do I dare and send solutions! Just kidding! :-)

The McCanns still hope to find their missing daughter

The parents of a missing British girl, Madeleine McCann, are back in Britain more than four months after their daughter disappeared in Portugal.
Madeleine McCann disappeared more than four months ago from an apartment in the small Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz. Kate and Gerry McCann say they returned from eating in a restaurant a short distance away, to find their daughter missing - she's not yet been found.
The McCanns have stayed in Portugal since Madeleine's disappearance, where they have at times been the focus of close media scrutiny. They seemed to use that interest to their advantage, launching an international campaign to keep the story in the public eye. Pictures of Madeleine were posted on a special website, in airports and police stations around the world.
The McCann's have found strength in their own religious faith in the past months, even though admitting times of doubt. Travelling to the Vatican weeks after Madeleine's disappearance, they where given a brief audience with the Pope.
In this and all public appearances, the McCanns have always seemed calm, even after the dramatic turn of events of recent days which saw them being named as official suspects by Portuguese police. In interviews with British newspapers, the McCanns have accused the police of trying to frame them in the case. Officers say Portuguese law prevents them from responding to that accusation.
The McCanns have said they wanted to return to Britain for the sake of their twins. But on Saturday a family friend said, they were determined that the focus of the investigation does not shift away from trying to find Madeleine.

Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What do officers say about Portuguese law?

b) Why did he McCanns want to return to Britain?






II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. The parents of Madeleine McCann have been back in Britain for more than 4 months.
b. They managed to have a long meeting with the Pope.
c. The McCanns had a meal in a restaurant which was not near the hotel.


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


shift strength suspects launching scrutiny frame

a) move
b) detailed examination
c) beginning
d) make sb feel they are guilty


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. The McCanns have found strength …
a) after visiting the Vatican.
b) because they believe in God according to their faith.
c) because they work out in a gym .

2. The McCanns have accused the police of …
a) killing Madeleine
b) making them feel guilty of a crime they did not commit.
c) preventing them from responding to the accusations.

3. The McCanns …
a) returned to England when their daughter disappeared
b) have never wanted to return to Britain
c) seem to have used media interest to their advantage


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. What do you think of the McCann case? (OPINION)

2. What can we do to make sure children are safe? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having children?
(ARGUMENTATIVE)

mark campbell said...

I have added possible solutions: It is important to understand that the questions may be modified in any way .... It is also true that there may be mistakes and that possible solutions are open to improvement or that there may be better options ...

The McCanns still hope to find their missing daughter
The parents of a missing British girl, Madeleine McCann, are back in Britain more than four months after their daughter disappeared in Portugal.
Madeleine McCann disappeared more than four months ago from an apartment in the small Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz. Kate and Gerry McCann say they returned from eating in a restaurant a short distance away, to find their daughter missing - she's not yet been found.
The McCanns have stayed in Portugal since Madeleine's disappearance, where they have at times been the focus of close media scrutiny. They seemed to use that interest to their advantage, launching an international campaign to keep the story in the public eye. Pictures of Madeleine were posted on a special website, in airports and police stations around the world.
The McCann's have found strength in their own religious faith in the past months, even though admitting times of doubt. Travelling to the Vatican weeks after Madeleine's disappearance, they where given a brief audience with the Pope.
In this and all public appearances, the McCanns have always seemed calm, even after the dramatic turn of events of recent days which saw them being named as official suspects by Portuguese police. In interviews with British newspapers, the McCanns have accused the police of trying to frame them in the case. Officers say Portuguese law prevents them from responding to that accusation.
The McCanns have said they wanted to return to Britain for the sake of their twins. But on Saturday a family friend said, they were determined that the focus of the investigation does not shift away from trying to find Madeleine.

Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What do officers say about Portuguese law?

0.5 ANSWER:
Officers say Portuguese law prevents them from responding to that accusation.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Officers say that Portuguese law does not allow them to answer that accusation
Officers feel that Portuguese law does not help them to respond to that accusation

b) Why did he McCanns want to return to Britain?

0.5 ANSWER (Be careful! Past simple question … notice “did”)
The McCanns wanted to return to Britain for the sake of their twins.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
The McCanns went back to England because they wanted to look after their twins (reason)
The McCanns returned to England in order to look after their twins (purpose)
The McCanns went back to England so that they could look after their twins (purpose)
The McCanns returned to England to take care of their twins (purpose)






II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. The parents of Madeleine McCann have been back in Britain for more than 4 months.
F … are back in Britain more than four months after their daughter disappeared in Portugal

b. They managed to have a long meeting with the Pope.
F … they where given a brief audience with the Pope

c. The McCanns had a meal in a restaurant which was not near the hotel.
F … they returned from eating in a restaurant a short distance away








III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


shift strength suspects launching scrutiny frame

a) move shift
b) detailed examination scrutiny
c) beginning launching
d) make sb feel they are guilty frame


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. The McCanns have found strength … B
a) after visiting the Vatican.
b) because they believe in God according to their faith.
c) because they work out in a gym .

2. The McCanns have accused the police of … B
a) killing Madeleine
b) making them feel guilty of a crime they did not commit.
c) preventing them from responding to the accusations.

3. The McCanns … C
a) returned to England when their daughter disappeared
b) have never wanted to return to Britain
c) seem to have used media interest to their advantage


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. What do you think of the McCann case? (OPINION)

2. What can we do to make sure children are safe? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having children?
(ARGUMENTATIVE)

mark campbell said...

Spain resizes clothes for women




Spain is to change its clothing sizes for women. This is part of a Government decision to prevent eating disorders in young girls and women.
It's a source of frustration for customers and shop assistants alike that in Spain women tend to go into the changing rooms with an armful of different sizes never knowing which one will fit this time or whether any will fit at all.
But by 2008 those days could be over. Spain's biggest fashion retailers have bowed to Government pressure to standardise their sizes and reflect the real size of Spain's growing population. For the first time ever the National Consumer Institute will measure Spanish females -- more than eight thousand of them to be exact -- between the ages of twelve and seventy. Spanish fashion houses will then try to fit them, rather than the other way round.
They've also agreed to decorate their shop windows with slightly bigger manikins. The Ministry of Health described the current ones as unreal dolls of alien dimensions which it sees as directly encouraging eating disorders such as anorexia. The move is likely to affect women and girls all over the world as international brands such as Mango and Zara have signed up to the agreement.
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) Why is Spain to change clothing sizes for women?

b) What have Spanish fashion houses agreed to do?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. The move is likely to affect women and girls in Spain as well as abroad.
b. Sizes in Spain may have become standardised by 2008.
c. It is normal for Spanish women to take lots of items of clothing into the changing rooms.


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

bowed to a source of fit retailers disorders manikins


a) models of the human body.
b) be the right size.
c) agreed to do something unwillingly.
d) a reason for.


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1.Spain´s biggest Spanish retailers …
a) have accepted that the Spanish population is growing.
b) have pressured the Spanish Government to standardise sizes.
c) refuse to bow to Government pressure.

2.The Ministry of Health describes the current manikins as …
a) from another planet.
b) dolls whose dimensions correspond with reality.
c) directly promoting eating disorders; for example, anorexia.

3. The NCI will measure…
a) exactly eight thousand females
b) only girls
c) over eight thousand females


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. What do you think about the world of fashion?
2. What can we do to avoid eating disorders in young people?

mark campbell said...

India's media reaction to Big Brother

Since the eviction of Jade Goody from the British reality TV show "Big Brother", according to the British press, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is now the most popular housemate. But in India, the media is telling a very different story.
Mumbai is no stranger to the world of glitz and glamour but the home of Bollywood is starting to question the motives of one of its most established actresses, Shilpa Shetty, who is currently starring in the British reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother".
Faced with racist bullying by other housemates, first there was sympathy, but now the media here in India is becoming increasingly negative. Despite her claims of representing Indians, media reports here accuse her of only trying to revive a failing career and of taking part in the reality show for the money.
Although Jade Goody, the housemate who made the racist comments about Shilpa, has apologised, the knock-on effect may be felt long-term in India. As British companies withdraw Jade's top-selling perfume from the shelves, it's losing work for people in Mumbai where the perfume bottles are manufactured.
I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)
a. What do media reports accuse Shilpa Shetty of?
b. What is happening to people in Mumbai and why?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)
a. Shilpa Shetty is a famous Californian film star.
b. Jade Goody is still participating in Big Brother.
c. British companies are removing Jade´s perfume from the supermarkets.

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)
sympathy motives long-term withdraw revive manufactured
a. take away
b. for a long time
c. refresh
d. the feeling of being sorry



IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1.- Mumbai ….
a) is one of the housemates in “Big Brother”
b) is a very popular Indian Bollywood actress
c) is the place where Bollywood is situated

2.- Jade Goody has apologised …
a) but has lost her job selling perfumes in Bollywood
b) and has lost a lot of sales
c) and knocked Shilpa Shetty out in a racist fight

3.- The British press …
a) says Shilpa Shetty has become the most popular housemate
b) agrees entirely with the Indian press
c) says Shilpa Shetty is not as popular as Jade Goody after the eviction

Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1.- What is your opinion of programmes like Big Brother?
2.- What can we do to improve the quality of programmes on TV?

mark campbell said...

School bullying in Japan

In Japan two more children have had emotional breakdowns after being bullied at school. 5 children have had psychiatric treatment since August. A head teacher has also been questioned after he was criticised for his response to a bullying incident in his school.
Both of the children who had nervous breakdowns this weekend had been bullied. A twelve year old girl considered seeing a psychiatrist after her classmates teased her for being short. A fourteen year old boy escaped from school after his classmates tried to extort money from him.
It's not new of course. Japan's schools have long had a problem with bullying. After these serious problems of five young children in less than four months, there is more attention being paid to the problem, but no-one can agree what to do about it.
More attention, of course, can create its own difficulties. The head teacher was questioned by police after giving a news conference in which he was criticised for his handling of an extortion incident involving a pupil at his school.
Seeing a psychiatrist in Japan is not just seen as an easy way out. Traditionally, it was regarded as a responsible way to deal with a problem when faced with no other option. But last week, several schoolchildren wrote to the Education minister threatening to kill themselves because no-one would help them. He responded by urging students not to write to him, but instead to try find people they could talk to about their difficulties.
It's awkward. Some fear publicising such cases increases the likelihood others will try to copy them. Others though, say the failures in the system need to be exposed.
I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into
account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)
a. According to the text, what does the Education minister recommend students to do?
b. According to the text, why did classmates tease a twelve year old girl?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact words on the answer sheet. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)
a. Bullying is a new problem in Japanese schools
b. The girl who was bullied was in her early teens
c. A teacher criticised the police for not handling an extortion incident correctly





III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

teased urging extorted likelihood exposed threatening
a. strong probability
b. encouraging
c. revealed
d. warning someone that you will do something violent

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. After the serious problems of five young children ….
a) there is more interest in the problem.
b) children are paying for psychiatric treatment.
c) people do not know what to do

2. The Education minister responded by …..
a) saying he would talk to them about their problems
b) saying he had difficulties with students
c) suggesting they should talk to someone else

3. Publishing such cases …
a) will probably give other children the same idea
b) is likely to bring about more failures
c) will expose similar failures in the system

Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. How can we avoid bullying at school?
2. What is your opinion about the role of teachers in today´s schools?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a teacher?

mark campbell said...

Fears over Greek olive 'cure'
The Greek Health Ministry is concerned about public faith in a new 'miracle cure' for cancer. Doctors have warned patients against taking a blend of olive tree leaves and water.
The Health Ministry's anger over the new olive elixir is mainly directed at the country's populist television chat shows which have been whipping up a frenzy. Several elderly cancer sufferers have been paraded on screen to recount how the mixture of raw olive leaves and water had healed them. The Central Medical Council has warned that the so-called 'miracle cure' had not been tested and expressed fears that sufferers will abandon conventional medicine and die as a result.
Even though Greece is covered with olive trees, profiteers have been convincing the gullible to part with forty five to sixty euros for a kilo of the 'magic' leaves. In southern Greece at the weekend, two middle aged brothers had a furious argument over whether they should give the beverage to their third brother who is sick with cancer. The eldest brother grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his forty year old sibling three times in the chest and stomach. He rushed him to hospital but it was too late
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What does the Central Medical Council fear?

b) Why did the two brothers have a furious argument?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)

a. The Greek government is mostly angry with the people who have bought the “miracle cure”.
b. The leaves cost more than sixty euros a kilo.
c. The man who was stabbed recovered after he was rushed to hospital.




III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


elixir sibling profiteers beverage the gullible part with

a) People who are easily cheated.
b) Spend money.
c) A medicine believed to cure diseases.
d) Brother or sister.


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. Several elderly cancer sufferers have been paraded on screen…
a) in order to criticise the “miracle cure”.
b) so that they could show people how to mix the leaves and water.
c) because they had been miraculously cured.

2. In southern Greece …
a) Two brothers stabbed and killed each other
b) had a terrible row.
c) killed their third brother.

3. The Central Medical Council has warned that …
a) they feared sufferers would not try the “miracle cure”
b) sufferers would die if they did not take conventional medicines
c) sufferers should not abandon this “miracle cure”


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. “Most Spanish people medicate themselves without seeing a doctor”
What is your opinion?
2. What are the advantages of olive oil?
3. What can we do to convince people to eat more healthily

mark campbell said...

The 275 million dollar man




David Beckham's move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy has been called the biggest sports deal in history. The deal is worth $250 million over five years.
Lots of sports stars endorse sports products for money, but few have become brands that appeal way beyond the stadium. The two best examples come from half a century ago: Fred Perry and Rene Lacoste were tennis champions who created fashion clothes companies. If David Beckham did the same, moving to the US would help enormously because it's the one big market where his name's not yet mega.
His appeal is obvious with his blond hair, perfect body and winning smile, what some people call "metrosexual". Marketing people say his "key brand values" are "physicality, sexuality, sensitivity and success" He has a smooth image that already has huge female appeal in Japan, for example, and which led Gillette to use him as its clean-shaven face.
According to the business magazine, Forbes, the top earning sports star last year was Tiger Woods on ninety million dollars. But Beckham's closing fast by turning himself into what seems like a Hollywood image, aided by his wife, Victoria, who's famous as a pop star.
There's some life in Beckham, the sportsman, yet but much more in Beckham, the image. As they say in the business: "When the legs have gone, the brand plays on"

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)
a. Why would moving to the US help David Beckham?
b. What do lots of sports stars do?


II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)
a. According to Forbes, Beckham has now become the top earning sports star.
b. Beckham will make 250 million dollars a year for the next five years.
c. Beckham is very successful with Japanese women..







III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)
mega female appeal endorse metrosexual
key brand values smooth image

a. has qualities women like
b. say in public you support something
c. very, very, very good
d. non-gay who looks after himself

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. Victoria, Beckham´s wife, …
a) has a lot of secrets.
b) has aids.
c) is a pop music celebrity.

2. Fred Perry and René Lacoste …
a) used to play tennis very well.
b) still play tennis.
c) know Victoria´s secrets

3. In the US Beckham …
a) hasn´t yet succeeded in becoming a big name
b) is already a big name
c) has huge female appeal


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. Do you think a football player should earn so much money?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a famous
football player?

mark campbell said...

Italy to campaign at UN for death penalty ban


Italy's Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, says that Italy will plan a set of activities at the United Nations to help make it illegal for any country in the world to carry out the death penalty.
Romano Prodi, the leader of the current centre-left coalition, said Italy will lobby actively at the United Nations for an end to capital punishment worldwide. The Italian ambassador to the UN has already called upon the General Assembly to re-examine a document already presented for debate last month. Italy took up one of the ten non-permanent seats on the Security Council this week.
Mr. Prodi said at the weekend that no crime can justify one person killing another. This is a principle which all civilisations and religions share, he said. Italy presented proposals for a moratorium on the death penalty at the UN assembly in 1994 and again in 1995 and last July the Italian parliament approved a cross-party motion urging the government to table yet another moratorium proposal but this came to nothing because of disagreement among Italy's EU partners.
Politicians from both left and right have been expressing disgust at the execution of Saddam Hussein. The former prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, called his hanging "a political and historic error". The outcry has also been reflected by almost universal condemnation in the Italian press of the press leaks and videos of the hanging of the former Iraqi leader. The semi official Vatican daily, L'Osservatore Romano, said the transformation of the final moments of Saddam Hussein's life into a public spectacle was a violation of a fundamental human right.
The Iraqi government has said that Italy has no right to criticise Saddam Hussein's execution when, at the end of the Second World War, the fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, was killed by partisans and left hanging by his feet in a Milan square to the derision of the crowds. Mussolini's granddaughter, Alessandra, a right-wing MP, joined in the argument saying she found the killing of Saddam Hussein disgusting and shameful.















Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What did Berlusconi call Saddam Hussein´s hanging?

b) What has the Iraqi government said about Italy?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. All of the Italian press has condemned the press leaks and videos of the hanging.
b. There are only ten seats on the Security Council.
c. The Iraqi government says Mussolini hanged partisans in a Milan square.


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


moratorium leaks justify spectacle condemnation derision

a) give a good excuse.
b) strong disapproval.
c) private or secret information which is given to the media.
d) an official period of delay ..





IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. “No crime can justify one person killing another” is ….
a) one of Mr. Prodi´s principles.
b) an Italian proposal.
c) a principle shared by many.

2. L´Osservatore Romano…
a) is published officially by the Vatican every day
b) says that Saddam Hussein´s execution was a violation of his human rights.
c) says that Saddam Hussein had violated all fundamental human rights.

3. Roman Prodi…
a) is currently the leader of the centre-left coalition
b) is the Italian ambassador to the European Union
c) is planning a set of illegal activities at the UN


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. What do you think of capital punishment?
2. What are the disadvantages of capital punishment?

mark campbell said...

I insist that I have chosen texts from bbclearningenglish which I hope are of interest and especially politicaly correct. I feel that students should be able to express opinions about happenings which are part of the world which they are about to enter eg. reality.
I also realise that there may be mistakes or that questions may be altered according to teachers needs. I sincerely hope that these texts are of help and look forward to seeing texts from fellow companions which I will gladly use in my classes or use to increase available files.

Kisses and hugs ....

mark campbell said...

politically!!!

mark campbell said...

Argentina's first elected woman President
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner won Argentina's Presidential elections and will take over as the country's first elected woman President from her husband, Nestor Kirchner. She won a clear victory with more than 40% of the vote - enough to avoid a second round of voting.
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called her victory a triumph for all Argentines. Addressing supporters at her campaign headquarters in a hotel in Buenos Aires, she urged the whole of society to work together. A country, she said, could not be built by a government alone.
Mrs Kirchner also thanked her husband, Nestor, who she will replace as President, before being drowned out by the cheering crowd.
With more than forty percent of the vote she's won an outright victory with no need for a second round next month. The former economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, finished a distant second, and the ex-beauty queen, Elisa Carrio, was third.
Some of the candidates alleged fraud but the official results merely confirmed what the opinion polls had been saying for several months - that Cristina Kirchner would be the first elected woman president of Argentina.
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What did Cristina Kirchner tell supporters at her campaign headquarters?

b) What has Cristina Kirchner won with more than 40% of the vote?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. Nestor Kirchner was President before Cristina.
b. Cristina Kirchner is not the first elected woman president of Argentina.
c. Cristina is Nestor Kirchner´s sister


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

outright merely triumph urged headquarters drowned out

a) purely
b) great success
c) strongly advised
d) complete


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. With more than forty percent Cristina Kirchner…
a) has won the right to vote.
b) does not need a second round.
c) has got the vote of the right.

2. The official results merely confirmed …
a) Cristina Kirchner´s victory.
b) Cristina Kirchner´s opinion.
c) what Cristina Kirchner had been saying for months.

3. Some of the candidates …
a) were not happy with the results
b) confirmed what the opinion polls had been saying.
c) were ex-beauty queens


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. What do you think of politics? (OPINION)
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a politician?
(ARGUMENTATIVE)
3. Describe a Spanish politician (DESCRIPTION)
4. What can we do to encourage young Spanish people to vote in the next
General Elections (PROBLEM SOLVING)


Argentina's first elected woman President
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner won Argentina's Presidential elections and will take over as the country's first elected woman President from her husband, Nestor Kirchner. She won a clear victory with more than 40% of the vote - enough to avoid a second round of voting.
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called her victory a triumph for all Argentines. Addressing supporters at her campaign headquarters in a hotel in Buenos Aires, she urged the whole of society to work together. A country, she said, could not be built by a government alone.
Mrs Kirchner also thanked her husband, Nestor, who she will replace as President, before being drowned out by the cheering crowd.
With more than forty percent of the vote she's won an outright victory with no need for a second round next month. The former economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, finished a distant second, and the ex-beauty queen, Elisa Carrio, was third.
Some of the candidates alleged fraud but the official results merely confirmed what the opinion polls had been saying for several months - that Cristina Kirchner would be the first elected woman president of Argentina.
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What did Cristina Kirchner tell supporters at her campaign headquarters?

She told supporters to work together because a country could not be built by a government alone.

She told supporters that it was important to work together in order to build a country

She told supporters that a government could not build a country alone (by itself / on its own)


b) What has Cristina Kirchner won with more than 40% of the vote?

She has avoided a second round of voting
She has managed to avoid a second round of voting
She does not need a second vote
She has won the elections without needing a second vote



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. Nestor Kirchner was President before Cristina.
T … Nestor, who she will replace as President
b. Cristina Kirchner is not the first elected woman president of Argentina.
F … will take over as the country's first elected woman President
c. Cristina is Nestor Kirchner´s sister
F … Mrs Kirchner also thanked her husband, Nestor


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

outright merely triumph urged headquarters drowned out

a) purely merely
b) great success triumph
c) strongly advised urged
d) complete outright


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. With more than forty percent Cristina Kirchner… B
a) has won the right to vote.
b) does not need a second round.
c) has got the vote of the right.

2. The official results merely confirmed … A
a) Cristina Kirchner´s victory.
b) Cristina Kirchner´s opinion.
c) what Cristina Kirchner had been saying for months.

3. Some of the candidates … A
a) were not happy with the results
b) confirmed what the opinion polls had been saying.
c) were ex-beauty queens


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)
1. What do you think of politics? (OPINION)
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a politician?
(ARGUMENTATIVE)
3. Describe a Spanish politician (DESCRIPTION)
4. What can we do to encourage young Spanish people to vote in the next
General Elections (PROBLEM SOLVING)

Anahí Seri said...

Hola,
entro por primera vez en esto que han denominado blog pero entiendo que está para que lo utilicemos como un foro. (Yo pienso que quedaría mejor en formato foro, como los foros de Yahoo, por ejemplo, pues así se podrían ver los mensajes por fecha, por autor y por asunto.)Veo que Mark Campell ha insertado examentes tipo PAU, está muy bien, enhorabuena! Yo podría hacer lo mismo, podría coger mis examenes antiguos y cambiar las preguntas un poco para que se ajusten al nuevo modelo. pero lo más cómodo sería que se pudieran adjuntar como documentos Word, así quedarían bien formateados, ¿no?
podrías dar una dirección de email para mandar ahí nuestros materiales como documentos Word.
un saludo
Anahí

Anahí Seri said...

Hi Mark!
it's a great idea you've had, to use this blog, or rather this bulletin board, to exchange materials. I have tried to copy one of your exams into a Word file, but it gets all messed up, the formatting is not preserved. I understand the problem is that you cannot attach files to the messages here. Maybe you could send me your exams as Word files to my email address?
I would be really grateful, and I promise I send you mine in exchange. My address is
anahiseri (at) ono.com

Anahí Seri said...

'Gay bomb' scoops Ig Nobel award
Ese es el título de un artículo de la BBC que a mis alumnos les ha motivado bastante. El original está aquí:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7026150.stm

Yo lo he editado un pelín, quitando algún pasaje difícil, y he planteado un ejercicio de vocabulario. Lástima que los formatos no queden bien al no poder adjuntar el documento Word.

Pioneering research into a "gay bomb" that makes enemy troops "sexually irresistible" to each other has scooped one of this year's Ig Nobel Prizes.
Other winners included work on treating hamster jetlag with impotency drugs, extracting vanilla from cow dung, and the side-effects of sword swallowing.
The awards, founded in 1991, mark achievements that "first make people laugh, and then make them think".
The prize ceremony took place at Harvard University, US.
Genuine Nobel Laureates handed out the much-envied awards to the winners, who took away no cash, but instead received a hand-made prize, a certificate, and, of course, the glory of such an illustrious win.
Unfortunately, said the organisers, nobody from the US military who carried out the research on chemicals that could prompt homosexual contacts among rival troops (a research project called Harassing, Annoying and "Bad Guy" Identifying Chemicals) attended the ceremony because the study's authors could not be tracked down.
Real research
The Ig Nobel Prizes were created by the Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), a science magazine.
The awards, now in their 17th year, are intended to "celebrate the unusual, honour the imaginative - and make people interested in science, medicine and technology".
Like their more serious counterpart, the Nobel Prizes, the Ig Nobels are split into several categories and all research is real and published.
2007 Ig Nobel Winners
Medicine - Brian Witcombe, of Gloucestershire Royal NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and Dan Meyer for their work on the health consequences of swallowing a sword.
Physics - A US-Chile team who ironed out the problem of how sheets become wrinkled.
Biology - Dr Johanna van Bronswijk of the Netherlands for carrying out a census of all of the mites, insects, spiders, ferns and fungi that share our beds.
Chemistry - Mayu Yamamoto, from Japan, for developing a method to extract vanilla fragrance and flavouring from cow dung.
Linguistics - A University of Barcelona team for showing that rats are unable to tell the difference between a person speaking Japanese backwards and somebody speaking Dutch backwards.
Literature - Glenda Browne of Blue Mountains, Australia, for her study of the word "the", and how it can confuse those trying to put things into alphabetical order.
Peace - The US Air Force Wright Laboratory for instigating research and development on a chemical weapon that would provoke widespread homosexual behaviour among enemy troops.
Nutrition - Brian Wansink of Cornell University for investigating the limits of human appetite by feeding volunteers a self-refilling, "bottomless" bowl of soup.
Economics - Kuo Cheng Hsieh of Taiwan for patenting a device that can catch bank robbers by dropping a net over them.
Aviation - A National University of Quilmes, Argentina, team for discovering that impotency drugs can help hamsters to recover from jet lag.
Story from BBC NEWS (slightly adapted)







Identify the synonyms for the following words:

scoops attended ironed out award
dung achievements took place device
tracked down split sheets prompt

a) found
b) large pieces of cloth
c) solved
d) was celebrated
e) solid waste
f) were present at
g) successes
h) divided
i) wins
j) prize
k) machine
l) cause

mark campbell said...

Excellent job on the new link ! Makes things easier. How can we complain about our beloved "especialistas" who look after us in a such a kind way! Look forward to receiving other exams. Hi Anahí and thanx for kind words. Look forward to being in touch. Will let you know about the "Gay Bomb". You will have a giggle when I tell you. Must go!

mark campbell said...

Excellent job on the new link ! Makes things easier. How can we complain about our beloved "especialistas" who look after us in a such a kind way! Look forward to receiving other exams. Hi Anahí and thanx for kind words. Look forward to being in touch. Will let you know about the "Gay Bomb". You will have a giggle when I tell you. Must go!

mark campbell said...

Dilema! Does Tuesday 13th affect Brits living on Spanish territory? Any comments on the subject welcome! Black cats: good or bad? Wish you all a safe "martes y trece"!

mark campbell said...

I have heard thru the grapevine that the exams posted have been useful to at least one colleague. It has made my day.

Here goes another one:

The Great Storm 20 years on
On 16th October 1987, southern Britain was hit by hurricane force winds, the worst storm to occur in Britain since 1703. Twenty years on, Britain is remembering the devastation caused by what came to be known as 'The Great Storm.' 15 million trees were uprooted due to the wind, as well as the fact that a wet autumn in general had made the ground very muddy.
The falling trees caused destruction to buildings and vehicles, and blocked roads and railway lines, causing everyone from commuters to school-children to stay at home. There were also black-outs across the area, as power lines were damaged by falling trees and flying debris. People resorted to candles and torches for light, and gas stoves and open fires to cook food.
The storm raged for 4 hours before dawn and claimed 18 lives. The effects of the bad weather were heightened by the fact that most people were completely unprepared because the weather forecasters were caught out.
Earlier that week, weather forecasts had predicted severe weather. But forecasters thought it would miss Britain and only affect the English Channel.
The freak storm caused damage of more than £1billion pounds and hundreds of people sustained injuries.
But could the same thing happen today in Britain? Well, as a result of climate change many people think that sudden and severe weather changes are more likely. However, meteorological technology has improved and now uses satellites to get a much more accurate picture of future weather. So if another Great Storm comes along, the British public should be better warned and prepared!
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:


I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What did the freak storm cause?

b) What does meteorological technology use satellites for?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. “The Great Storm” refers to the storm which has just hit Britain.
b. Weather forecasts predicted the storm in 1987 with precision.
c. A lot of people think that severe weather changes are improbable.


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


black out made worse uprooted debris commuters caught out

a) taken by surprise.
b) pulled out of the ground…
c) broken or torn pieces.
d) heightened.


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. The worst storm in Britain…
a) happened in 1987.
b) has happened recently.
c) took place in 1703.

2. Many people in Britain think that…
a) another “Great Storm” is unlikely.
b) severe weather changes are probable.
c) meteorological technology has improved.

3. School children stayed at school…
a) since rail lines and roads had been blocked
b) because of trees which had fallen
c) due to destruction caused by commuters


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. Freak storms could become more normal in Spain. What do you think?(OPINION)
2. What can we do to stop global warming? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

mark campbell said...

Enjoying some very cold crisp weather up in Scotland. A frosty wonderland.

Picked up yesterday's Sun newspaper (in search of culture and broadening my intellect!) .... Discovered a page where they mentioned the horrific massacre in Gaza at the hands of the Israelis. The column beside this awful piece of news read: Goldfish survives 13 hour ordeal after having been left for dead under sofa by its owner!!!

Some things will never change!

By the way ... Merry Xmas and a Prosperous 2009 where the average PAU mark for all of us is well over 7!!!!

Will the Wise Men bring a lot of coal this year!

mark campbell said...

Clocking in to Vatican
The Vatican has reintroduced a system of clocking in, nearly fifty years after it was last phased out. Now, even senior clerics have to swipe plastic cards when entering and leaving, all in a drive to improve efficiency.
It was Pope John 23rd, fondly known as the Good Pope, who phased out clocking machines in the early 1960s. Now the Vatican has brought back a high-tech version.
Around 2,000 lay and ecclesiastical staff working in the tiny city state are using electronic swipe cards. The cards have been issued to everyone, from the lowest office staff to the heads of departments, even if they're priests and archbishops, though there's been no mention if the Pope carries one.
According to some reports, elder clerics in the Vatican have complained clocking in and out is a headache, especially when they have to leave on pastoral duty.
It's all part of a drive to increase efficiency and to make the Vatican more meritocratic. Next year there are plans to introduce performance related pay.
I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) Why has the Vatican re-introduced a system of clocking-in?

b) What are the plans for next year?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. Everybody has been issued with the swipe cards.
b. Everybody is happy about this new measure.
c. In the future, Vatican workers are going to be paid according to merit.


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


swipe cards phased out lay elder clerics a headache meritocratic

a) gradually removed.
b) senior priests.
c) involved with a church without being a priest.
d) focussed on people’s achievements.


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. Nearly 50 years ago, clocking in …
a) was phased out by senior clerics.
b) was state-of-the-art using a high-tech 1960s version
c) was stopped by Pope John 23rd.

2. Priests and archbishops…
a) needn’t use swipe cards.
b) have not been issued with swipe cards.
c) are also obliged to use swipe cards.

3. The clock-in system has been introduced …
a) in order to improve performance
b) with a view to increasing pay
c) so that all Vatican workers can learn to drive


Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. Do you think personalised swipe cards should be introduced to control students at school?(OPINION)
2. What can we do to stop students from not going to school (playing truant)? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

mark campbell said...

The answers to previous text should come out in colours and italics with comments.If it desn't work out on the blog I would be quite happy to re-send to an e-mail address which you forward.

As always suggested answers and would love feedback especially if there are any queries or mistakes.

Clocking in to Vatican
The Vatican has reintroduced a system of clocking in, nearly fifty years after it was last phased out. Now, even senior clerics have to swipe plastic cards when entering and leaving, all in a drive to improve efficiency.
It was Pope John 23rd, fondly known as the Good Pope, who phased out clocking machines in the early 1960s. Now the Vatican has brought back a high-tech version.
Around 2,000 lay and ecclesiastical staff working in the tiny city state are using electronic swipe cards. The cards have been issued to everyone, from the lowest office staff to the heads of departments, even if they're priests and archbishops, though there's been no mention if the Pope carries one.
According to some reports, elder clerics in the Vatican have complained clocking in and out is a headache, especially when they have to leave on pastoral duty.
It's all part of a drive to increase efficiency and to make the Vatican more meritocratic. Next year there are plans to introduce performance related pay.
I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) Why has the Vatican re-introduced a system of clocking-in?
The Vatican has re-introduced a clock-in system to improve efficiency
in order to improve efficiency
so that things are made more efficient
with a view to making efficiency better
in order that they can do things more efficiently

The objective is to allow students to use the purpose clauses which they have studied for exams set at school. They can aso discover how to use adjectives and adverbs and also how to use synonyms. Students should really know the meaning of “improve” “make better” and “efficient”

b) What are the plans for next year?
The plans are to introduce performance related pay
They are going to introduce pay which is related to performance
They are planning to / They are thinking about introducing pay which is related to how they perform

The objective is that they pick up on their future tense grammar. This is future intention. They also can use noun and verb wordbuilding and should know the meaning of “performance”.



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. Everybody has been issued with the swipe cards. F though there is no mention if the Pope carries one
This is very borderline and students should protest. Nowhere does it say that the Pope hasn’t got one. It is too ambiguous. I feel however that this type of question wakens students up. However, they should demonstrate politeness and be able to express doubt in a constructive way. If students do not pick up on this then it means they are too passive and should be made aware of this.

b. Everybody is happy about this new measure. F elder clerics have complained ….
c. In the future, Vatican workers are going to be paid according to merit. T there are plans to introduce performance related pay

It is important to point out to students that they MUST make a big effort to look after their spelling especially if copying directly from the text. NB: Any spelling mistakes made by myself are totally the fault of my Word corrector and nothing to do with me!!!!


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


swipe cards phased out lay elder clerics a headache meritocratic

a) gradually removed. Phased out
b) senior priests. Elder clerics
c) involved with a church without being a priest. Lay
d) focussed on people’s achievements. Meritocratic


IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. Nearly 50 years ago, clocking in …
a) was phased out by senior clerics.
b) was state-of-the-art using a high-tech 1960s version
I have introduced the term state-of-the-art as I feel it is quite interesting to discuss with students. Used a lot in English society at the moment
c) was stopped by Pope John 23rd. OK

2. Priests and archbishops…
a) needn’t use swipe cards.
b) have not been issued with swipe cards.
c) are also obliged to use swipe cards. OK

The objective here is to play with “obligation” and “lack of obligation” grammar which they should have learnt in class

3. The clock-in system has been introduced …
a) in order to improve performance OK
b) with a view to increasing pay
c) so that all Vatican workers can learn to drive I hope NO student picks this choice. Most awful distractor!!!

The objective, once again, is to allow students to be more aware of “purpose clauses”.

Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics (4 points)

1. Do you think personalised swipe cards should be introduced to control students at school?(OPINION)
2. What can we do to stop students from not going to school (playing truant)? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

mark campbell said...

With all due respect …. and realising that most teachers will have already done this many times … me permito el lujo ….. of a few reading strategies which can break the tedium of standard reading comprehension skills. Any tips from you would be hugely appreciated to make me better.

Most texts I have written out may be adapted to the following well-known strategies. The teacher should prepare the exercises previously in order to steer students to a safe result.

As a “fun” or “curious” skim-reading exercise ( a good party trick to impress students) you could get students to look for repeated words or concepts (basically words which are repeated 3 or more times). When they have annotated these words then ask them to write a summary of the text based on them (Strong students should write the summary in English and weaker students could be allowed to write in Spanish in order to build up confidence) . A lot of these words will or may stem from the title. NB: words which are repeated twice in some texts could be important!)

Young teenagers 11-18 year olds
Britons Britain UK British people
Learning languages foreign language second language
Abroad foreign Italy, Spain, China and France
Economy global market trade customers
exports
Negative effects suffering big implications
Do not speak no foreign language skills
Two out of three 58% two thirds

Two thirds of young English people do not speak a second language even though they wish to work abroad. This could have a negative effect or big implications on the British economy.

Another “curious” exercise could be to get students to write out topic sentences. (Start with first sentences only). Then ask them to write a very short summary. These two exercises could be done simultaneously …. often with the same or similar results. Topic sentences are usually quite simple to understand and give a brief summary of the contents of a paragraph
Two out of three teenagers in Britain are keen to work abroad but most of them don’t speak foreign languages
Those views on the streets of London are backed up by figures out this week
We are in a competitive global market and we need to be able to speak to our customers and our potential customers.

Two out of three teenagers in Britain want to work abroad but do not speak a foreign language. This a problem because we need to speak to customers in a global market.


Young Britons shy away from learning languages
Two out of three teenagers in Britain are keen to work abroad but most of them don't speak foreign languages. Government figures show that 58% of 11-18 year olds in the UK have no foreign language skills, and this has a negative effect on the economy.
Fact or fiction? Most British people are lazy when it comes to learning a foreign language.
VOX POPS:
- Fact.
- Why do you say that?
- 'Cos we don't need to. 'Cos everybody else speaks English.
- Fact. Foreigners make it too easy for you because they speak English when you're abroad.
Those views on the streets of London are backed up by figures out this week. The British Government found that 58 percent of 11-18 year olds in the UK do NOT speak a second language. However two thirds of teenagers in Britain want to work abroad when they're older - the countries of choice being Italy, Spain, France or China. The British Government admits there is a problem - that not enough young people continue learning a second language when they leave school. Teresa Tinley from the country's national centre of languages says it has big implications for the economy:
TINLEY:
We are in a competitive global market and we need to be able to speak to our customers and our potential customers. Our trade is very much geared towards English-speaking countries. Our research shows that our exports are suffering.
The research is seen as further evidence that most young people assume they can get by in a foreign country by speaking English - something the authorities in London want to change.

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a) Why don’t young British people need to learn a second language?

b) According to the British Government, what problem exists when young people leave school?



II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)


a. The economy suffers because many 11 – 18 year olds do not have any foreign language skills.
b. Even though 58% of young English people do not wish to learn a second language, they still want to work abroad.
c.The British Government admits that young people start learning a second language when they leave school .


III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)


fiction backed up out geared towards assume get by

a) believe sth is true without question or proof.
b) survive.
c) aimed/directed at.
d) published.




IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. Two out of three young people in Britain …
a) are keen to speak foreign languages.
b) are interested in working abroad.
c) do not wish to work in a foreign country.

2. Not enough young English people continue learning a foreign language and …
a) this could affect the economy negatively.
b) this could affect the economy positively.
c) so they will only find jobs in Italy, Spain, France and China.

3. British trade…
a) is mainly aimed at countries whose mother tongue is English
b) is directed towards potential customers
c) is very competitive in the global market


Part B:

a) What are the advantages of learning a second language?

b) Do you think young English people should learn a second language?

c) What suggestions would you make to a young English teenager to learn Spanish?

mark campbell said...

Is there anybody out there?

Ana Gimeno said...

Hiya Mark!!

Yes, at least I'm out here! Mark, you're attaching your comments to a very old post (26th Oct. 2006) so they're a bit hidden for the others to see. Could you please give me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the list of contributors. That way you'll be able to publish posts on the front page. My e-mail is agimeno@upvnet.upv.es.

Thanks!!
Bye for now,
Ana

Ainhoa said...

Hola, buenas tardes.
El otro día haciendo el examen de "The Great Storm 20 years on" me surgió una duda. En el cuarto ejercicio, una parte de la clase puso como respuesta correcta la c pero otros pusieron la a. Me gustaria, si pudierais, aclararme cual seria la respuesta correcta o que alguien me dejara el examen ya corregido para verlo.
Muchas gracias.