Elementary Stories for Reproduction Series. A 2.

B2.1 Homework for Thursday 1st February.

You are going to read an article about the making of an unusual television commercial. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

A  Then the falling dominoes head out of the room into the streets, causing progressively larger objects to tumble.

B  These were all chosen to suit the town and fit in with the people’s way of life.

C  Getting there involved driving along 48 kilometres of dirt roads and crossing twelve rivers.

D  Iruya is situated 3000 metres above sea level and the film crew was not used to working in such conditions.

E  The prop department did construct a small version on site, but most of the work was done in a studio in London.

F  Added to this was the total of one hundred and thirty 'actors' who were recruited from a five neighbouring towns.

G  Not so with the famous Irish drink company Guinness.

The Making of 'Tipping Point'

Many of the most expensive commercials ever made are those in which an A-list celebrity flashes a beautiful smile at the cameras. _________ Their recent television advertisement, the most expensive in British history, cost ten million pounds, and it features, not the rich and famous, but villagers from the mountains of Argentina.

The advertisement features a game of dominoes. It begins in a darkened room where several thousand ordinary dominoes are set up on a specially-designed table. _________Dominoes knock over books, which in turn knock bigger household objects such as suitcases, tyres, pots of paint, oil drums and even cars. The final piece in the chain reaction is a huge tower of books. These flutter open to reveal a structure in the shape of a pint of Guinness. 

The location chosen for the commercial was Iruya, a village high up in the mountains of north-west Argentina.  _________The journey there could take up to ten hours. Asked why this remote destination was chosen for the shoot, the director said that even though it was the most difficult location they could have picked, it was perfect.

For one month, the village, population thousand, increased in size by almost thirty percent. One hundred and forty crew members descended on the village. These included the world record holders in domino toppling, Weijers Domino productions from the Netherlands. ________

Creating this film was no easy task. Preparations for filming took well over a month. Twenty six truckloads of objects were brought in.  ________They included 10,000 books, 400 tyres, 75 mirrors, 50 fridges, 45 wardrobes and 6 cars. Setting the objects up took skill and patience. They needed to be arranged so they would fall over easily, and this involved balancing them on stones. Some of the sequences had to be reshot 15 times and 24 hours of footage was captured. However, the sequence in which six cars fell over was successfully shot in just one take.

Filming in this location was not without its difficulties. Firstly, being so isolated, it was hard to obtain resources at short notice. The second problem was the high altitude.  ________ It was also hard working with the villagers who had no experience of film-making. Finally, setting and resetting the props caused a good deal of frustration. 

Director Nicolai Fuglsig said about the project : ‘Despite all the challenges, the cast was fantastic and it was a really amazing experience.’ Whether or not the effort put into the advert pays off is another matter entirely.

Reading Comprehension Exercise C2.2.

Tips for the C2 Gapped Text 

This exercise focuses on how texts are structured. Here are some tips to follow when attempting the Gapped Text task:

• Read the whole text first before you attempt to answer any questions. This will give you an idea of the overall structure.
• Read the paragraphs to get a general idea of the topic of each one.
• Look out for cohesive devices that help link ideas. These could be things like time phrases, cause and effect or contrasting linking words and expressions, pronouns or synonyms that refer forwards or backwards in the text. 
• Make sure any paragraph you chose fits both with what comes before and after. You will often find one that flows logically from the preceding paragraph but which does not fit coherently with the following paragraph.
• As you work through the task, be prepared to change your opinion on an earlier choice. If you don't do this and your original choice is wrong, you are limiting the choice of remaining paragraphs.
• Don't simply choose a paragraph because it contains a similar word or words to the paragraph before or after. You will need to match paragraphs based on the development of ideas or opinions.

 Homework for Thursday, February 1st

Reading Comprehension

You are going to read an extract from an article. Seven paragraphs have been removed from the extract. Choose from the paragraphs A-G the one which fits each gap. There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.

The Do-gooders
The people who changed the morals of English society.

In the last decades of the 18th century, the losers seriously outnumbered the winners. Those who were fortunate enough to occupy the upper levels of society, celebrated their good fortune by living a hedonistic life of gambling, parties and alcohol. It was their moral right, they felt, to exploit the weak and the poor. Few of them thought their lives should change, even fewer believed it could.

________

But the decisive turning point for moral reform was the French revolution. John Bowlder, a popular moralist of the time, blamed the destruction of French society on a moral crisis. Edmund Burke, a Whig statesman agreed. 'When your fountain is choked up and polluted,' he wrote, 'the stream will not run long or clear.'  If the English society did not reform, ruin would surely follow. 

________

Englishmen were deeply afraid that the immorality of France would invade England. Taking advantage of this, Burke was able to gain considerable support by insisting that the French did not have the moral qualifications to be a civilised nation. He pronounced 'Better this island should be sunk to the bottom of the sea that than... it should not be a country of religion and morals.'

_________

Sobering though these messages were, the aristocracy of the time was open to such reforms, not least due to fear. France's attempt to destroy their nobility did much to encourage the upper classes to examine and re-evaluate their own behaviour. Added to this was the arrival of French noble émigrés to British shores. As these people were dependant on the charity of the British aristocracy, it became paramount to amend morals and suppress all vices in order to uphold the state.

________

Whether the vices of the rich and titled stopped or were merely cloaked is open to question. But it is clear that by the turn of the century, a more circumspect society had emerged. Styles of dress became more moderate, and the former adornments of swords, buckles and powdered hair were no longer seen. There was a profusion of moral didactic literature available. Public hangings ceased and riots became much rarer. 

________

One such person was Thomas Wackley who in 1823 founded a medical journal called 'the Lancet'. At this time, Medicine was still a profession reserved for the rich, and access to knowledge was impossible for the common man. The Lancet shone a bright light on the questionable practices undertaken in medicine and particularly in surgery, and finally led to improved standards of care.

________

How though did changes at the top affect the people at the bottom of the societal hierarchy? Not all reformers concerned themselves which changes at the authoritative and governmental levels. Others concentrated on improving the lives and morals of the poor. In the midst of the industrial revolution, the poorest in society were in dire straits. Many lived in slums and sanitation was poor. No-one wanted the responsibility of improvement.

________

Could local authorities impose such measures today? Probably not. Even so, the legacy of the moral reform of the late 1800s and 1900s lives on today. Because of it, the British have come to expect a system which is competent, fair to all and free from corruption. Nowadays everyone has a right to a home, access to education, and protection at work and in hospital. This is all down to the men and women who did not just observe society's ills from a distance, but who dared to take steps to change it.

Paragraphs

A  But a moral makeover was on the horizon, and one of the first people to promote it was William Wilberforce, better known for his efforts in abolishing the slave trade. Writing to a friend, Lord Muncaster, he stated that 'the universal corruption and profligacy of the times...taking its rise amongst the rich and luxurious has now ... spread its destructive poison through the whole body of the people.' 

B  But one woman, Octavia Hill, was willing to step up to the mark. Hill, despite serious opposition by the men who still dominated English society, succeeded in opening a number of housing facilities for the poor. But, recognising the weaknesses of a charity-dependent culture, Hill enforced high moral standards, strict measures in hygiene and cleanliness upon her tenants, and, in order to promote a culture of industry, made them work for any financial handouts. 

C  At first, moralists did not look for some tangible end to moral behaviour. They concerned themselves with the spiritual salvation of the rich and titled members of society, believing that the moral tone set by the higher ranks would influence the lower orders. For example, Samuel Parr, preaching at London's St Paul's Cathedral, said 'If the rich man...abandons himself to sloth and all the vices which sloth generates, he corrupts by his example. He permits...his immediate attendants to be, like him, idle and profligate.'

D  In time, the fervour for improved morals strayed beyond personal behaviour and towards a new governance. People called for a tightening of existing laws which had formerly been enforced only laxly. Gambling, duelling, swearing, prostitution, pornography and adultery laws were more strictly upheld to the extent that several fashionable ladies were fined fifty pounds each for gambling in a private residence.

E  So far, however, circumspection in the upper classes had done little to improve the lives of those in the lower classes. But that was to change. Against a backdrop of the moral high ground, faults in the system started to stand out. One by one, people started to question the morality of those in authority.

F  The attitudes of the upper classes became increasingly critical during the latter part of the eighteenth century. In 1768, the Lord of the Treasury was perfectly at ease to introduce his mistress to the Queen, but a generation later, such behaviour would have been unacceptable. Such attitudes are also seen in the diaries of Samuel Pepys, who, in 1793 rambles without criticism about his peer's many mistresses. A few years later, his tone had become infinitely more critical.

G  Similar developments occurred in the Civil Service. Civil servants were generally employed as a result of nepotism or acquaintance, and more often than not took advantage of their power to provide for themselves at the expense of the public. Charles Trevelyan, an official at the London Treasury, realised the weaknesses in the system and proposed that all civil servants were employed as a result of entrance examinations, thus creating a system which was politically independent and consisted of people who were genuinely able to do the job.

H  These prophecies roused a little agitation when first published in 1790. But it was the events in 1792-93 which shocked England into action. Over in France, insurrection had led to war and massacre. The King and Queen had been tried and executed. France was now regarded as completely immoral and uncivilized, a country where vice and irreligion reigned.

Unleashing The Magic: Epic Beauty And The Beast Cover By Minniva Ft. Dan...

Tale as old as time

True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
And ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Oh
Oh

Mmm, oh-oh-oh
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Oh, oh, oh

Tale as old as time (ooh-ooh)
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast

Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast

Reading Comprehension Exercise. A2.

Jack was a young sailor. He lived in England, but he was often away with his

ship. One summer he came back from a long voyage and found new neighbours near his mother's house. They had a pretty daughter, and Jack soon loved her

very much. He said to her, ‘My next voyage will begin in a few days’ time, Gloria. I love you, and I’ll marry you when I come back. I’ll think about you all the time, and I’ll write to you and send you a present from every port.’

Jack’s first port was Freetown in Africa, and he sent Gloria a parrot from there. It spoke five languages. When Jack’s ship reached Australia, there was a letter from Gloria. It said,

‘Thank you for the parrot, Jack. It tasted much better than a chicken.’

Source: Elementary Short Stories For Reproduction. QUESTIONS 1. What was Jack's job? 2. Where did he live? 3. How did he feel about Gloria? 4. What did Jack promise Gloria? 5. What could the parrot do? 5. What did Gloria do with the parrot? Note. Sorry about the weird formatting. For some reason I cannot change it.

Fool Me Once Official Trailer

We are going to watch part of the first episode of this TV series based on a book by American author Harlan Coben. The show takes place in England, but I'm not sure about the book because I haven't read it.

Now please answer the questions below: 

1. What is happening in the first scene? What word is used to describe that kind of situation?

2. What word do you use to describe the second scene? Tell me every detail you can remember.

3. 'Military?' No, I'm in .............................'

4. What does Joe consider ridiculous?

5. He offers to buy her a drink, but she thinks that's funny. Why?

6. 'You can have whatever you want. ........................'

7. What is the meaning of ominous?

8. 'Who is the man with the beard? Who invited him?

9. What does Maya tell the detective before she goes out?

10. Why was the detective invited?

Learn an English Proverb: Fool me once, shame on you…

Joke & Vocabulary

What is the real name of the board the girls are using? 

What is a seance?

Heavy metal joke

 

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

A2 English Listening Practice - Travel

This is very useful for A2 and, if you watch it on YouTube, you'll see that there are a lot more videos for you in the same channel.

Joke

 

Can you understand the joke? Can you summarise it using your own words?

Vocabulary video: I hope you find this helpful. 100 Most Common English Words (Pronunciation & Example Sentence)

Don't overthink it.

The link below will take you to an interesting C1 article (appropriate for C2.2 as well) and for those of you in B2.1 who are feeling brave.

You can read and listen at the same time.

https://www.speakup.es/magazines/current-affairs/dont-overthink-it_857

Very useful grammar and vocabulary lesson.

Please remember that as Emma herself says, people don't usually speak like this,  but the vocab and structures can be very useful for the written exam.

This video is good for C2.2. If you are in B2.1, you can watch it with subtitles if you don't understand well.

Her PDFs are usually very good.

English Grammar Quiz .Advanced (C1 - C2)

English Vocabulary Quiz - Intermediate Level (B1 - B2) .25 Questions

English Grammar Quiz - Intermediate (B1 - B2)

Concrete Angel (lyrics)

Martina McBride - Concrete Angel

English Vocabulary Quiz - Beginner Level (A1 - A2)

Can You Pass A2 Level Grammar Quiz?

Andy Stewart sings Donald Where's Your Troosers (Trousers) with lyrics

1. Where is the Isle of Skye?

2. What is a lassie? What's the masculine?

3. What do the lassies ask Donald?

4. What does he always wear even if it is windy?

5. When he went to the ball, the floor was .................

6. Where did he have fun when he went to London?

7. What does he know is right?

8. All the lassies want to .................. him.

9. What are breeks?

The school canteen will now be open in the afternoon and evening. And it's not expensive at all.

 

C2.2 (or anybody in a different level who is feeling brave enough).

Click on the link and read the article.

Microplastics are everywhere: Is it possible to reduce our exposure? - BBC Future

Then, please share your opinion.

Recipe

On Thursday, my daughter Iris came home for lunch, and I cooked this new recipe. Apparently, she enjoyed it very much. It's a bit blurry, but I hope you can read it. 

Speak Up Magazine

If you click on the link you'll be able to read and (hopefully) listen to an article about Bigfoot:

Bigfoot: Cryptozoology (speakup.es)

And, incidentally, can you tell me what cryptozoology is?

Idiom

The character in a movie who saves the day is

 a. the director

 b. the hero

 c. the victim

What's the correct answer?

What does this idiom mean?

IMPORTANT FOR ALL LEVELS : Exam Samples

I recommend you keep the link below as it is very useful:

Certificación de nivel en idiomas | Comunidad de Madrid

Amelia Dyer

 

The lady in the picture is Amelia Dyer, also known as the Angel Maker. What do you know about her. Do you know the meaning of the expression 'baby farming'?

This is the beginning of a very famous book. Can you tell me which one?

I WILL NOT

Drink more than fourteen alcohol units a week.

Smoke.

Waste money on: pasta-makers, ice-cream machines or other culinary devices which will never use; books by unreadable literary authors to put impressively on shelves; exotic underwear, since pointless as have no boyfriend.

Behave sluttishly around the house, but instead imagine others are watching.

Spend more than earn.

Allow in-tray to rage out of control.

Fall for any of following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, people with girlfriends or wives, misogynists, megalomaniacs, chauvinists, emotional fuckwits or freeloaders, perverts.

Get annoyed with Mum, Una Alconbury or Perpetua.

Get upset over men, but instead be poised and cool ice-queen.

Have crushes on men, but instead form relationships based on mature assessment of character.

Bitch about anyone behind their backs, but be positive about everyone.

Obsess about Daniel Cleaver as pathetic to have a crush on boss in manner of Miss Moneypenny or similar.

Sulk about having no boyfriend, but develop inner poise and authority and sense of self as woman of substance, complete without boyfriend, as best way to obtain boyfriend.

I WILL

Stop smoking.

Drink no more than fourteen alcohol units a week.

Reduce circumference of thighs by 3 inches (i.e. 11⁄2 inches each), using anti-cellulite diet.

Purge flat of all extraneous matter

Give all clothes which have not worn for two years or more to homeless.

Improve career and find new job with potential.

Save up money in form of savings. Poss start pension-also.

Be more confident.

Be more assertive.

Make better use of time.

Not go out every night but stay in and read books and listen to classical music.

Give proportion of earnings to charity.

Be kinder and help others more.

Eat more pulses.

Get up straight away when wake up  mornings.

Go to gym three times a week not merely to buy sandwich. 

Put photographs in photograph albums.

Make up compilation 'mood' tapes so can have tapes ready with all favourite romantic/dancing/rousing/feminist etc, tracks assembled instead of turning into drink-sodden DJ-style person with tapes scattered all over floor.

Form functional relationship with responsible adult. 

Learn to programme video.

Grammar Tests for A2

If you subscribe to this channel, you'll find many more useful tests.

Can you add some new items to this list?

 Source: Instagram

Can you watch this short video and summarise it?

 

The Rise of the No-Wash Movement

Please the BBC article and share your opinion:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230529-the-people-who-dont-wash-their-clothes

Pregnancy and giving birth in arctic. North nomads life

Would you be able to live like this? Why? Why not?

What would be the toughest part for you?

What doesn't Vera know about other pregnant women's diets?

Do you think Vera and her family are happier or less happy than city people?

Where is the baby finally born?