1. Reading
STARTER UNIT: WELCOME TO RENFORD SIXTH-FORM COLLEGE (p.4)
KEY WORDS
Sixth-form
New challenges
A-levels
University
Common room
School trips
Clubs
SUMMARY
The Renford website informs about the sixth-form. You should know that you will have to face new challenges and there will be a hard part but also a fun part. The hard part: You must choose subjects according to your university plans and must study intensively for your final exams A-levels. The fun part: You don’t have to wear a school uniform and you have a common room for sixth formers for reading, doing homework or just hanging out with your friends. Finally, you have experiences outside the school trips that are exciting learning experiences outside the classroom. And you can join different clubs after school.
UNIT-1: TIGER PARENTING (p.12)
KEY WORDS
Tiger Parenting
Method of parenting
Chines
studying
homework
SUMMARY
Amy Chua, a professor of Law at Yale University, wrote a book about her method of parenting: the Tiger parenting method. She believes parenting styles are influenced by cultures and thinks Westerners are very indulgent with their children. Amy brought up her daughters in a traditional Chinese way. Amy's daughters spent all their free time studying and doing homework. They were forbidden to do the things that other children do. Amy has got her daughters to be excellent at everything they do. Maybe the Tiger parenting method works because the Chinese have come first in recent academic achievement exams and children of Chinese parents often get the highest marks and go to the best universities.
UNIT-2: TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP? (p.26)
KEY WORDS
danger
help
emergency
bystander effect
whole group
heroes
empathy
SUMMARY
How do people act when they see someone in danger? When people are alone, 78% of them help the person in need, but when they are accompanied they only help 10%. This is due to the bystander effect: when you are in a group you tend to act like the rest of the group and not as much as you would act alone. People act heroically depending on how much they empathise or identify with the other person. The bystander effect is stronger than our ability to empathise, and this has caused some countries to implement Good Samaritan laws, which make it mandatory to provide help in an emergency.
UNIT-3: LOST AND FOUND (p.40)
KEY WORDS
Google Earth
find
family
lost
Australian family
village
SUMMARY
Many people use Google Earth to see a particular address or house. Saroo Brierley used it to find his family. Saroo, an Indian boy from a poor family, was lost from his brother at a train stop when he was five years old. He ended up in Kolkata, where he went to an orphanage and from there he was adopted by an Australian family. When Saroo grew up he started looking for his family on Google Earth, but although he is getting closer to finding his village, he doesn't know whether his family is still alive or not.
UNIT-4: THE MEAT YOU EAT (p. 54-55)
KEY WORDS
Meat
Vitro meat
Technology
Scientist
Environmental impact
Hungry
SUMMARY
In vitro meat burgers were recently sold in London, and they were very expensive. Today we use a lot of Earth's land to raise animals and to grow food for them, which has a big environmental impact. Mark Post has invented in vitro meat, which could solve this problem. But this in vitro meat is very difficult to produce as it requires very advanced technology, so it is very expensive. In addition, many people would reject this meat because they may think it is not natural. This meat is not for sale yet but Post is optimistic that it could solve the problem of world hunger.
UNIT-5: NATURE CHEATS (p. 68-69)
KEY WORDS
Cheating
Cuckoo finch
Parasitism
Animals
Young themselves
SUMMARY
Humans are not the only animals capable of cheating. The cuckoo finch, a bird,
lays its eggs in the nests of other birds with similar eggs where the other mothers
look after them until they hatch and in many cases feed them after hatching. This
behaviour is called parasitism and is carried out by more species of animals. They
do this in order to ensure greater offspring, as they do not have to worry about caring
for their young themselves.
UNIT-6: SCRAPPERS (p. 82-83)
KEY WORDS
Documentary
Scrap-metal
Business
Companies
Self-employed
Crimes
SUMMARY
Scrappers is a fresh documentary about the lives of scrap metal collectors. In the UK, the scrap-metal business is booming. The scrap metal business is worth around £10-billion-a-year. Scrappers are self-employed and then sell the metal to scrap-metal industry. In this business, the people who work are very different and work here for several reasons. Many of the scrap-metal businesses are illegal. Metal theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK. Recent laws can fine companies dealing in stolen metal up to £5,000.
KEY WORDS
Tiger Parenting
Method of parenting
Chines
studying
homework
SUMMARY
Amy Chua, a professor of Law at Yale University, wrote a book about her method of parenting: the Tiger parenting method. She believes parenting styles are influenced by cultures and thinks Westerners are very indulgent with their children. Amy brought up her daughters in a traditional Chinese way. Amy's daughters spent all their free time studying and doing homework. They were forbidden to do the things that other children do. Amy has got her daughters to be excellent at everything they do. Maybe the Tiger parenting method works because the Chinese have come first in recent academic achievement exams and children of Chinese parents often get the highest marks and go to the best universities.
UNIT-2: TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP? (p.26)
KEY WORDS
danger
help
emergency
bystander effect
whole group
heroes
empathy
SUMMARY
UNIT-3: LOST AND FOUND (p.40)
KEY WORDS
Google Earth
find
family
lost
Australian family
village
SUMMARY
Many people use Google Earth to see a particular address or house. Saroo Brierley used it to find his family. Saroo, an Indian boy from a poor family, was lost from his brother at a train stop when he was five years old. He ended up in Kolkata, where he went to an orphanage and from there he was adopted by an Australian family. When Saroo grew up he started looking for his family on Google Earth, but although he is getting closer to finding his village, he doesn't know whether his family is still alive or not.
UNIT-4: THE MEAT YOU EAT (p. 54-55)
KEY WORDS
Meat
Vitro meat
Technology
Scientist
Environmental impact
Hungry
SUMMARY
In vitro meat burgers were recently sold in London, and they were very expensive. Today we use a lot of Earth's land to raise animals and to grow food for them, which has a big environmental impact. Mark Post has invented in vitro meat, which could solve this problem. But this in vitro meat is very difficult to produce as it requires very advanced technology, so it is very expensive. In addition, many people would reject this meat because they may think it is not natural. This meat is not for sale yet but Post is optimistic that it could solve the problem of world hunger.
UNIT-5: NATURE CHEATS (p. 68-69)
KEY WORDS
Cheating
Cuckoo finch
Parasitism
Animals
Young themselves
SUMMARY
Humans are not the only animals capable of cheating. The cuckoo finch, a bird,
lays its eggs in the nests of other birds with similar eggs where the other mothers
look after them until they hatch and in many cases feed them after hatching. This
behaviour is called parasitism and is carried out by more species of animals. They
do this in order to ensure greater offspring, as they do not have to worry about caring
for their young themselves.
UNIT-6: SCRAPPERS (p. 82-83)
KEY WORDS
Documentary
Scrap-metal
Business
Companies
Self-employed
Crimes
SUMMARY
Scrappers is a fresh documentary about the lives of scrap metal collectors. In the UK, the scrap-metal business is booming. The scrap metal business is worth around £10-billion-a-year. Scrappers are self-employed and then sell the metal to scrap-metal industry. In this business, the people who work are very different and work here for several reasons. Many of the scrap-metal businesses are illegal. Metal theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK. Recent laws can fine companies dealing in stolen metal up to £5,000.2. Writing
UNIT-1
TEXTUAL MODEL: A for and against essay.
MAIN IDEA OF EACH PARAGRAPH:
UNIT-2
TEXTUAL MODEL: An opinion essay
MAIN IDEA OF EACH PARAGRAPH:
UNIT-3
TEXTUAL MODEL: A Narrative
TITLE: My travel to Switzerland
MAIN IDEA OF EACH PARAGRAPH
✸ Opening:I went to Switzerland with my family to see a friend who moved there five years ago.
✸ Body:
- We were there during the long weekend in Andalucia. We visited the sights of the city of Ginebra and spent some time with my friend.
- First I went to my friend's house where I stayed overnight, then we went sightseeing in the city.
- During our stay there we visited many Swiss landmarks.
- At the end of the trip we went to a village in France to see a street market.
- Remembers and sensations: I remember that even though it was winter, sometimes I walked in short sleeves in the streets. I also saw a lot of luxury cars.
✸ Closing:When we took the plane back it was very bad weather and I remember we had a lot of turbulence. Anyway, it was one of the best travels of my life and I would do it all over again.
CONNECTORS:
⇨ Connectors of sequence: first, before, next, then, finally.
⇨ Times expressions: once, when, as soon as, the next thing, during.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
It all began when…
One afternoon/day…
Last week/year, …
Tow years ago, …
Last summer, …
Before I knew it, …
That’s when …
All of a sudden, …
All in all, it was a …
The other day/night/ …
Suddenly, …
As soon as …
At that moment, …
A few moment, …
I felt …
When
While
At first, …
Then, …
Next, …
UNIT-4
TEXTUAL MODEL: A Summary
TITLE: Summary of Steve Irwin: The Crocodile Hunter on page 76
MAIN IDEAS IN ONE COHESIVE PARAGRAPH
1. Steve Irwin was a wildlife conservationist and love the animals
2. His parents taught loving animals. His parents had a wildlife park where he learned all
about their natural habits and behaviour.
3. He started working on television in order to achieve his objective: protect endangered
species. His show was very popular but in 2006 he died in the sea when he was filming
his show.
4.His passion for animals awaked conservation awareness around the world.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
He/She was born in …
During his/her childhood, …
At the age of …
By the time he/she was …
… grew up to be …
… once said, “ …”
Apparently, …
Finally, …
If …
Clearly, …
Consequently, …
In short, …
Presently, …
… although …
Obviously, …
UNIT-5
TEXTUAL MODEL: A Biography
TITLE: David Sainz
MAIN IDEA OF EACH PARAGRAPH
✸ Opening: David Sainz is an actor, screenwriter, director, singer and producer. He became famous with the web series Malviviendo.
✸ Body: He is a Canarian who came to live in Seville where he works in a local television station. He wrote the script, directed and was the main actor in one of his first series, Malviviendo, which reached 90 million views.
✸ Closing: He has won numerous national and international awards. He has been scriptwriter and director of numerous series such as: El ministerio del tiempo and Grasa, he has also directed video clips and commercials for brands such as Mapfre.
CONNECTORS:
⇨ Connectors of purpose: in order (not) to and so as (not) to
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
He/She was born in …
During his/her childhood, …
At the age of …
By the time he/she was …
… grew up to be …
… once said,”...”
… is one of the world´s most/best …
He/She was famous for …
… known for …
… was born in … (place)
… was born on … (date)
When he/she was …
As an adult/teenager/child, …
… deid in …
Today, …
In the future, …
UNIT-6
TEXTUAL MODEL: A Formal E-mail
TITLE: Summer Job
MAIN IDEA OF EACH PARAGRAPH
✸ Subject Line: Summer Beach Staff Position
✸ Greeting: Dear Sir / Madam
✸ Opening: In response to your advertisement, I am writing in order to apply for the position of Summar Beach Staff.
✸ Body: I believe I am well-suited for this position because I am good at water sports in different situation, for example, Kayak in Descenso del Sella, Guadalquivir and Guadiana rivers and Aracena swamp. In addition, I have practised rowing during three months.I am self-motivated and I am good at working with other people.
✸ Closing: I hope you will consider my application favourably. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
✸ Signing off: Yours sincerely, Nicolás Domínguez. (Adding personal address, mobile number and E-mail)
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Dear Sir/Madam,
In response to your advertisement, I am writing …
I would like to apply for …
I feel I am well-suited for …
I hope you will consider my application favourably.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely, …
It’s a fact that …
It’s true that …
On the one hand, …
On the other hand, …
Although …
In addition, …
Moreover, …
For example, …
I would like to point out …
In my opinion, …
Personally, I think …
Firstly, .../Secondly, …/Finally, …
In conclusion, …
To sum up, …
3. Listening
4. Speaking
I’m going to read the starter unit summary and I’m going to comment on it.
WELCOME TO RENFORD SIXTH-FORM COLLEGE (p.4)
The Renford website informs about the sixth-form (I have clarified that it’s similar to the second year of “bachillerato” in Spain). You should know that you will have to face new challenges and there will be a hard part but also a fun part. The hard part: You must choose subjects according to your university plans and must study intensively for your final exams A-levels (that they are different depending on subjects that you choose) . The fun part: You don’t have to wear a school uniform and you have a common room for sixth formers for reading, doing homework or just hanging out with your friends (I think that this room isn’t useful for a study because the students distract each other). Finally, you have experiences outside the school trips that are exciting learning experiences outside the classroom (that is important for students' learning and for stimulating their brains). And you can join different clubs after school (to spend your free time).
UNIT 1
I’m going to comment on the reading of Unit 1, titled TIGER PARENTING
(pages 12 and 13 of Student’s Book)
This text talks about the Tiger Parenting Method, a method of raising children
created by Amy Chua, a professor of Law at Yale University. This is the parenting
method she has used with her two daughters. Amy's daughters spent all their free
time studying and doing homework. They were forbidden to do the things that other
children do, for example, watching TV, going out with friends or choosing what to
do in their free time. Amy was also very demanding about their marks at school and
reprimanded them if they got less than an "A". In my opinion, although it is a method
that works and achieves its goal, I think it is a very demanding method for the
children and puts them under too much pressure.
UNIT 2
I’m going to comment on the reading of Unit 2, titled TO HELP OR NOT
TO HELP? (pages 26 and 27 of Student’s Book)
This reading talks about the bystander effect. The bystander effect is about
how people behave when they are in a large group and someone needs
help. In this case, people do not help the person in need by waiting for
someone else to do it. However, when a person is alone and sees someone
in need of help, then the bystander effect does not kick in and the person will
help the one in danger without hesitation.
I have to say that I didn't know anything about this phenomenon that happens
to human beings. In my opinion, we have to think a lot, as a society, about
how little solidarity we have. When someone fails to help another person who
has an accident because they don't know or don't care, we have to think that
it could be happening to
UNIT 3
I’m going to read the summary of Unit 3 and I’m going to comment on it.
LOST AND FOUND (p.40)
Many people use Google Earth to see a particular address or house. Saroo Brierley (an Indian-born Australian) used it to find his family. Saroo, an Indian
boy from a poor family, was lost from his brother at a train stop when he was
five years old (The two brothers had got on the train looking for coins on the
floor. Next, two boys got off the train and Saroo, exhausted, fell asleep and
when he woke up, not seeing his brother, Saroo, confused and frightened, got
on a train that took him to Kolkata). He ended up in an orphanage and from there
he was adopted by an Australian family (Saroo was lucky because he hasn’t
become one of Indian children who live on the streets ) When Saroo grew up,
he started looking for his family on Google Earth (As India is the most populated
country in the world, his search took years. Establishing a circular perimeter
based on the length of the journey to Kolkata, he could find a village of Khandwa,
very close to his village), but although he is getting closer to finding his village,
he doesn't know whether his family is still alive or not.
UNIT 4
I’m going to read the summary of Unit 4 and I’m going to comment on it.
THE MEAT YOU EAT (p.55)
In vitro meat burgers were recently sold in London, and they were very
expensive. They were worth 250,000 pounds and, furthermore, they
had no potatoes! Today we use a lot of Earth's land to raise animals and
to grow food for them, which has a big environmental impact. The area we
use to grow their food is larger than the area we use to grow our own! Mark
Post, a Dutch scientist, has invented in vitro meat, which could solve this
problem. But this in vitro meat is very difficult to produce as it requires very
advanced technology, so it is very expensive. In addition, many people would
reject this meat because they may think it is not natural. This meat is not for
sale yet but Post is optimistic that it could solve the problem of world hunger.
In my opinion, in vitro meat would be a step forward, both ecologically and
socially, because it would put an end to hunger in the world. Unfortunately, for
this to happen, there are still many years of research and also of raising public
awareness before people come to believe that this meat is as natural as meat
from animals.
UNIT 5
I’m going to read the summary of Unit 5 and I’m going to comment on it.
NATURE CHEATS (p.68-69)
Humans are not the only animals capable of cheating. The cuckoo finch, a bird, lays its eggs in the nests of other birds with similar eggs (In some cases even if the egg of the new mother bird changes colour, the colour of the cuckoo finch egg changes colour too) where the other mothers look after them until they hatch and in many cases feed them after hatching (The cuckoo finch hatches earlier than the other species. When the other eggs hatch, these birds die, because they are smaller than those of the cuckoo finch, which take all the food.). This behaviour is called parasitism and is carried out by more species of animals. They do this in order to ensure greater offspring, as they do not have to worry about caring for their young themselves (This cheating has been achieved after years of evolution and adaptation to this method of reproduction).
UNIT 6
I’m going to comment on the reading of Unit 6, titled SCRAPPERS (pages 82 and 83 of Student’s Book)
The text talks about a new TV programme that shows the life of people working in the scrap metal industry. It is an industry that moves a lot of money, so some people commit crimes to get scrap metal. I think the scrap metal business is a tough business with little profit. However, I think it is an honest job that also helps the planet by recycling metals. The people who work here often have no other source of income, so I think they should be paid more for doing this important work. On the other hand, I believe that the purchase of metals by recycling factories should be better regulated to ensure that none of the products are stolen and to penalise the seller.
Well done, Nicolás! But you must check that you can say what the texts are about without reading them. It's the only way to make sure that you learn the specific vocabulary and will be able to use it in the future.
ResponderEliminar