Thursday, 14 January 2016

Letter to the Editor

A newspaper that you read regularly is conducting a campaign to encourage schools to teach more relevant subjects, or 'life' skills. Its editor has asked readers to write short articles based on the following question:
What essential topics do you wish had been included in the school curriculum when you were a pupil?

Write the article to the editor of the newspaper. (around 280 - 320 words)

I will be looking for the following:
An introduction that will grab the reader’s attention
2-3 main body paragraphs
A memorable conclusion
A number of the new phrases you have learnt in today’s lesson (at least 10 – and highlight them!)
The appropriate level of formality
Does one paragraph clearly link to the previous one?
Topic sentences, paticularly in the 2-3 main body paragraphs
Are you beginning your sentences in a variety of different ways?

Letter to an Editor: Sample Answer



You are going to produce your own 'Letter to an Editor', but first examine the following response:

Formal vs Informal English



Work through the following exercise on formal vs. informal English. You should add any words, phrases or expressions that you are unfamiliar with to your relevant Quizlet sets.





Thursday, 29 October 2015

Last Week's Writing Task: A Few Key Errors



Copy and paste the following sentences into a Word document and make the necessary corrections. The number in brackets after each sentence indicates the number of errors in the sentence.


1.There are plenty of public buildings that are spectacular, have an amazing architectural structure or are the tallest building in the world. (2)
2.All in all and taking everything into account, I thoroughly recommend this museum. (1)
3.With 443 metres, The Empire State Building is one of the highest skyscrapers in the world. (1)
4.I believe the cathedral is a great architectural acomplishment. (1)
5.The tower was built between the 8th and 9th century. (1)
6.When the christian community conquered Seville it was transformed to a cathedral. (3)
7.The museum’s target public is everyone, people from all ages. (2)
8.It’s one of the highest skyscrapers in the world and very well-known. (1)
9.When we entered the building I was even more fascinated. (1)
10.The main hall had at least 20 metres squared. (1)
11.When I stepped into the building’s terrace. (1)
12.And wide its knowledge about the world. (1)
13.Not taking in account the Eiffel Tower as one of the most symbolic and truely magnificent masterpieces… (2)
14.One of the most recognised is the Eiffel Tower. (1)
15.With its two hundred metres of height, this monument has become the most known symbol from France. (3)
16.There is a very large explanation to why the building was never finished. (2)

Total : ___ / 24

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Listening: Sample Exam


PART ONE

You will hear three different extracts.
For questions 1 – 6, choose the answer (A, B or C) which fits best according to what you hear.
There are two questions for each extract.

Extract One
You hear a man talking about a new project being launched in a group of small Atlantic islands.
1. What is the main objective of the project?
  A) to raise environmental awareness
  B) to encourage tourism in the islands
  C) to follow the movements of tides

2. What is the speaker’s opinion of the new project?
  A) The idea is over-ambitious.
  B) The approach is innovative.
  C) The experiment is unscientific.

Extract Two
You hear part of an interview with an art critic, in which an exhibition featuring the latest work of photographer Tim Fitzgerald is discussed.
3. What is the art critic’s opinion of Fitzgerald’s latest work?
  A) It demonstrates his lack of artistic range.
  B) It compares favourably with his previous work.
  C) It shows his poor understanding of relationships.

4. The art critic says that Fitzgerald’s pictures in the current show
  A) are unsuitable for rounding off the exhibition.
  B) do not manage to engage the visitor’s interest.
  C) lack artistic originality.

Extract Three
You hear a woman talking on the radio about her favourite piece of music.
5. How does the speaker say she feels when listening to her favourite piece of music?
  A) engrossed
  B) nostalgic
  C) inspired

6. The speaker believes that critics of her favourite music are wrong to
  A) doubt the level of its popularity.
  B) disregard the composer’s skills.
  C) underrate it for its wide appeal.

PART TWO

You will hear a nutritionist talking about the production and uses of mastic, a spice that is found in the Mediterranean area.
For questions 7 – 15, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.

Mastic is collected from a tree which looks like a smaller form of the ___________ tree.
Mastic resin will ______________ only in the region around the Mediterranean. 
Basic tools like _______________ are employed to remove impurities from the mastic.
Crystals of mastic have been referred to as ______________ 10 in literature.
The sale of mastic crystals is handled by a _______________ 11 to ensure that the growers get a fair deal.
It is thought that mastic was first used as ________________12 by ancient peoples.
When mastic is added to ________________ 13 it slows down the melting process.
Flavoured drinks are made in _________________ 14 which have had mastic burned under them.
Some people believe that mastic can help in the treatment of health problems, especially some ________________15 conditions.


PART THREE

You will hear a discussion in which two marine biologists, Gina Kelso and Thomas Lundman, talk about an award-winning television film they made about wildlife in Antarctica.
For questions 16 – 20, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.

16. Gina’s interest in marine biology dates from
  A) her earliest recollections of life in Africa.
  B) one memorable experience in childhood.
  C) the years she spent studying in England.
  D) a postgraduate research project she led.

17. The first wildlife TV series they both worked on
  A) made use of a previously untried format.
  B) was not filmed in a natural environment.
  C) was not intended to be taken too seriously.
  D) required them to do background research.

18. How did Thomas feel when he was asked to produce the programmes about Antarctica?
  A) disappointed not to be presenting the series
  B) surprised that people thought he was suitable
  C) uncertain how well he would get on with the team
  D) worried about having to spend the winter there

19. When they were in Antarctica, they would have appreciated
  A) a less demanding work schedule.
  B) more time to study certain animals.
  C) a close friend to share their feelings with.
  D) a chance to share their work with colleagues.

20. What was most impressive about the whales they filmed?
  A) the unusual sounds the whales made
  B) the number of whales feeding in a small bay
  C) how long the whales stayed feeding in one area
  D) how well the whales co-operated with each other

PART FOUR

You will hear five short extracts in which different people are talking about taking a gap year – the time which some young people take off from their studies to gain other experience.

TASK ONE
For questions 21 – 25, choose from the list (A – H) what each speaker did during their gap year.

TASK TWO
For questions 26 – 30, choose from the list (A – H) which benefit of having a gap year each speaker mentions.

You will hear the recording twice. While you listen, you must complete both tasks.

A) taught a language
B) travelled widely
C) worked in an office
D) did voluntary work
E) taught a sport
F) worked in a hotel
G) worked as a tour guide
H) went on an organised expedition

Speaker 1 ___ 21
Speaker 2 ___ 22
Speaker 3 ___ 23
Speaker 4 ___ 24
Speaker 5 ___ 25

A) making long-lasting friendships
B) overcoming financial problems
C) increased independence
D) improved linguistic skills
E) dealing with disappointment
F) a renewed sense of adventure
G) a more mature approach to studying
H) a chance to consider future plans

Speaker 1 ___ 26
Speaker 2 ___ 27
Speaker 3 ___ 28
Speaker 4 ___ 29
Speaker 5 ___ 30