SESSION 7: EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT

SESSION 7: EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT

NOTE: IN ORDER TO WORK WITH THE TEXT, UNDERSTAND AND PREPARE IT BETTER I RECOMMEND THESE EXERCISES.


THERE WILL BE TWO TYPES OF EXERCISES:
1. EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT: THESE ARE EXERCISES FOCUSING ON THE READING COMPREHENSION, WORKING WITH VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS.
2. EXERCISES FOR DISCUSSION: EXERCISES FOCUSING ON THE PREPARATION FOR THE DISCUSSION.


1. EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT


1.1 TRUE FALSE: Look at the article and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or False (F):
a. Many children in Mumbai, India have become millionaires.
b. The two child stars from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" live in a slum.
c. The two children are moving to Los Angeles.
d. Movie studios are interested in the children acting in Bollywood films.
e. "Slumdog" director said children would rub the shoulders of stars.
f. The director is looking after the education of his two young stars.
g. One of the children said she was afraid of going to the Oscars.
h. The actors who played Jamal and Latika are dating in real life.


1.2 SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:
1. movie ...................... a. gossip
2. attend ..................... b. exchange
3. imitating .................. c. wonderful
4. swap ....................... d. go to
5. tale ......................... e. pay for
6. fantastic ................... f. story
7. fund ........................ g. film
8. fate ........................ h. relationship
9. rumours ................... i. copying
10. romance ................. j. destiny

1.3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):
1. The two child ................................... a. the movie was filmed
2. the Mumbai slums where ...................... b. to show her friends
3. an example of life .............................. c. stars from the hit movie
4. swap the poverty of their daily lives for ... d. education
5. It could turn out to be a rags- ................ e. shoulders with the stars
6. the pair would rub ............................. f. the riches and glamour
7. fund all of the children´s ...................... g. to-riches tale
8. your fate is ...................................... h. imitating art
9. she would take lots of photos ................ i. romance
10. on-screen ....................................... j. so good

1.4 GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text:

POOREST - SLUMS - SWAP - ENQUIRIES - WAY - LEAST - ART - RICHES

The two child stars from the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" are on their __________ to Los Angeles to attend the Oscars ceremony. The two children, Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, actually live in the Mumbai __________ where the movie was filmed. Their trip to Hollywood is an example of life imitating __________ . The movie tells the story of how a teenager from one of the __________ parts of India becomes a millionaire. Little Rubina and Azharuddin will now do the same, for a weekend at __________.They will __________ the poverty of their daily lives for the riches and glamour of the movie world´s biggest night. It could turn out to be a rags-to-__________ tale for the young stars. They are already getting many __________ from India´s film studios about acting in Bollywood movies.

SCARED - RUB - ROMANCE - EXCITED - CARPET - REAL - FATE - WAIT

"Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle said he was very __________ for the two young stars. He said it was fantastic that the pair would __________ shoulders with the stars on the famous red __________ . Boyle has already promised to fund all of the children´s education. Nine-year-old Rubina said she couldn´t __________ to arrive in L.A. She told the AP news agency: "I´m very happy that I´m going to the Oscars...My friends are saying, 'your __________ is so good'." She said she wasn´t __________ and that she would take lots of photos to show her friends in Mumbai. Meanwhile, there are more rumours of life copying art. The on-screen __________ between Jamal, played by 18-year-old Dev Patel, and Latika, played by Freida Pinto, 24, may be happening for __________.

SESSION 7: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH

SESSION 7: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH

'SLUMDOG' CHILDREN IN MILLIONAIRE WORLD

Text taken and adapted from:
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

THE ARTICLE:

The two child stars from the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" are on their way to Los Angeles to attend the Oscars ceremony. The two children, Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, actually live in the Mumbai slums where the movie was filmed. Their trip to Hollywood is an example of life imitating art. The movie tells the story of how a teenager from one of the poorest parts of India becomes a millionaire. Little Rubina and Azharuddin will now do the same, for a weekend at least. They will swap the poverty of their daily lives for the riches and glamour of the movie world´s biggest night. It could turn out to be a rags-to-riches tale for the young stars. They are already getting many enquiries from India´s film studios about acting in Bollywood movies.

"Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle said he was very excited for the two young stars. He said it was fantastic that the pair would rub shoulders with the stars on the famous red carpet. Boyle has already promised to fund all of the children´s education. Nine-year-old Rubina said she couldn´t wait to arrive in L.A. She told the AP news agency: "I´m very happy that I´m going to the Oscars...My friends are saying, 'your fate is so good'." She said she wasn´t scared and that she would take lots of photos to show her friends in Mumbai. Meanwhile, there are more rumours of life copying art. The on-screen romance between Jamal, played by 18-year-old Dev Patel, and Latika, played by Freida Pinto, 24, may be happening for real.

'Slumdog' children in millionaire world - 21st february, 2009

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

SESSION 6: EXERCISES FOR DISCUSSION AND FINAL TASK

SESSION 6: EXERCISES FOR DISCUSSION AND FINAL TASK

2. EXERCISES FOR DISCUSSION

2.1 GAMES: Associate the different types of games with their qualities:

1. video games ......................a. fun

2. board games ......................b. educational

3. chess .............................. c. sociable

4. word games ...................... d. easy

5. sports games ..................... e. exciting

6. card games ....................... f. competitive

2.2 MUST HAVES: What is important in a video game? Rank these 'must haves' in order of most and least important.

1. good graphics

2. violence

3. being able to play online

4. sound

5. body movement (like the Wii)

6. shooting

7. an educational message

8. using English

2.3 VIDEO GAMES DISCUSSION: Here are some questions you can try asking yourself before you come to our discussion on Wednesday.

a. What did you think when you read the headline?

b. What springs to mind when you hear the words 'video games'?

c. What was the first video game you ever played?

d. Are video games good for you?

e. What do you think of the Grand Theft Auto video game?

f. What is your favourite video game?

g. Do you prefer playing video games or watching TV?

h. Do you think a video game can really be called a masterpiece?

i. What do you think it is about GTA series that makes them so popular?

j. What do you like and dislike about video games?

k. What can you learn (or children) playing video games?

l. Do video games make people more violent?

m. Should parents limit the amount of time children spend playing video games ?

n. Do you feel good when you kill people and destroy things in video games? Why?

o. Are you addicted or do you know anyone who is addicted to playing video games?

PREPARING A DISCUSSION IS FUNDAMENTAL.

THIS MUST BE DONE IN TWO DIRECTIONS: FIRST, YOU NEED TO LEARN NEW VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO USE FOR THE DISCUSSION. SECONDLY, YOU HAVE TO PREPARE THE TOPIC BY LOOKING UP INFORMATION IN THE INTERNET, BOOKS, ENCYCLOPAEDIAS. THIS WAY YOU WILL FEEL MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL HAVE MUCH MORE TO TALK ABOUT.

FINAL TASK:

THERE IS ONE FINAL TASK THAT YOU MAY DO AND THIS WAY YOU WILL COVER THE FOUR SKILLS YOU MUST IMPROVE WHEN LEARNING A LANGUAGE: LISTENING, READING, SPEAKING AND WRITING.

WRITING:

Write a composition of not more than 180 words and leave it in the blog as a comment to Session 6, I will edit it in the blog so that everybody can learn from other people´s opinions. Choose one of the following options:

- Write a formal letter to Rockstar vice president Dan Houser. Give him two or three pieces of advice on what he should do to make future video games even better. Ask him a couple of questions about his company and his games.

- Express your opinion about whether gaming is dangerous for kids and teenagers.

SESSION 6: ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

SESSION 6: ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

1.1 TRUE/FALSE
a. T / b. F / c. T / d. F / e. T / f. F / g.F / h.T

1.2 SYNONYM MATCH
1.b / 2.h / 3. e / 4.a / 5.c / 6.j / 7.d / 8.f / 9.g / 10.i

1.3 PHRASE MATCH

1.e / 2.g / 3.a / 4.h / 5.c / 6.i / 7.b / 8.j / 9.d /10.f

1.4 GAP FILL
LATEST- SMASH - NETTED - TOP - RATING - REVIEWERS - LITTLE - WORD
ACTIVELY - KNOW - BUYING - WAY - REMARKABLY - PRETEND - INNOCENT - ADULT

SESSION 6: EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT

SESSION 6: EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT

NOTE: IN ORDER TO WORK WITH THE TEXT, UNDERSTAND AND PREPARE IT BETTER I RECOMMEND THESE EXERCISES.

THERE WILL BE TWO TYPES OF EXERCISES:

1. EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT: THESE ARE EXERCISES FOCUSING ON THE READING COMPREHENSION, WORKING WITH VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS.

2. EXERCISES FOR DISCUSSION: EXERCISES FOCUSING ON THE PREPARATION FOR THE DISCUSSION.

1. EXERCISES WORKING WITH THE TEXT

1.2 TRUE/FALSE: Look at the article and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or (F):

a. A new video game is set to sell more than any other game before it.

b. People in the business think it will sell 9 million copies a week.

c. Experts said GTA IV is the best video game ever created.

d. The game´s creators spent lots of money on advertising the game.

e. The creators wanted to keep parts of the game a secret.

f. A lot of the game takes place inside a giant apple.

g. The article says you may become addicted to playing the game.

1.2 SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

1. version ................................... a. ranking

2. hit the shelves .......................... b. edition

3. netted .................................... c. informal conversation

4. rating ..................................... d. happens

5. word of mouth .......................... e. took in

6. promoting ................................ f. incredibly

7. takes place ............................... g. onlookers

8. remarkably ............................... h. went on sale

9. bystanders ................................ i. amazing

10. outstanding ............................. j. pushing

1.3 PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

1. The wait ................................. a. all previous records

2. hit the .................................... b. along the way

3. smash ..................................... c. action driving game

4. They say it is a "masterpiece" and ....d. bystanders

5. The controversial ........................e. is over

6. his company was not actively ......... f. stuff

7. surprises ................................. g. shelves

8. The action in the game takes ..........h. the best game ever

9. kill innocent ..............................i. promoting GTA IV

10. It´s definitely not kids´ ...............j. place in Liberty City

1.4 GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text

RATING / SMASH / REVIEWERS / WORD / NETTED / LITTLE / LATEST / TOP

The wait is over. The __________ version of the world´s best-selling video game, Grand Theft Auto (GTA), hit the shelves on April 29th. Analysts predict worldwide sales of GTA IV will __________ all previous records. Games experts believe it will sell 9 million copies in its first week and make more money than Microsoft´s Halo 3, which ___________ $400 million after its launch. GTA IV has received __________ reviews from games critics around the world. they say it is a "masterpiece" and the best game ever created. Amazingly, GTA IV has an average __________ of 99% from the top games __________. Even more amazing is that GTA IV´s makers, Take-Two Interactive Software and Rockstar Games, have spent very __________ money marketing and advertising its new product. The controversial action driving game could see record sales simply by __________ of mouth, TV news and Internet reports.

PRETEND / WAY / KNOW / ADULT / ACTIVELY / INNOCENT / REMARKABLY / BUYING

Earlier this year, Rockstar vice president Dan Houser explained why his company was not __________ promoting GTA IV around the world. He said: "We want people to be really excited and not __________ everything by the time they play the game." He added: "Of course, we want them to understand what they´re __________, but we want there to be surprises along the __________." The action in the game takes place in Liberty City, which looks ___________ like the Big Apple, New York City. One surprise in the game is the really bad "hero" Niko Bellic, a violent gangster from Eastern Europe. Players can __________ to be Bellic and destroy everything in their sights. They can hijack cars, shoot the police and kill __________ bystanders. The graphics are outstanding and it´s quite addictive playing. It´s definitely not kids´ stuff and carries an __________ rating.

SESSION 6: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

SESSION 6: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV TO SMASH SALES RECORDS

Text taken and adapted from:

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

THE ARTICLE:

The wait is over. The latest version of the world´s best-selling video game, Grand Theft Auto (GTA), hit the shelves on April 29th. Analysts predict worldwide sales of GTA IV will smash all previous records. Games experts believe it will sell 9 million copies in its first week and make more money than Microsoft´s Halo 3, which netted $400 million after its launch. GTA IV has received top reviews from games critics around the world. They say it is a "masterpiece" and the best game ever created. Amazingly, GTA IV has an average rating of 99% from the top games reviewers. Even more amazing is that GTA IV´s makers, Take-Two Interactive Software and Rockstar Games, have spent very little money marketing and advertising its new product. The controversial action driving game could see record sales simply by word of mouth, TV news and Internet reports.

Earlier this year, Rockstar vice president Dan Houser explained why his company was not actively promoting GTA IV around the world. He said: "We want people to be really excited and not know everything by the time they play the game." he added: "Of course, we want them to understand what they´re buying, but we want there to be surprises along the way." The action in the game takes place in Liberty City, which looks remarkably like the Big Apple, New York City. One surprise in the game is the really bad "hero" Niko Bellic, a violent gangster from Eastern Europe. Players can pretend to be Bellic and destroy everything in their sights. The can hijack cars, shoot the police and kill innocent bystanders. The graphics are outstanding and it´s quite addictive playing. It´s definitely not kids´ stuff and carries an adult rating.

Grand Theft Auto IV to smash sales records - 30th April, 2008

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

SESSION 5: FINAL TASK

SESSION 5: FINAL TASK

Write a composition of not more than 180 words and leave it in the blog as a comment to session 5. I will edit it in the blog so that everybody can learn from other people´s opinions.

WRITE A COMPOSITION TITLED: ENGLISH IS TOO HARD TO LEARN FOR SPANISH STUDENTS.

SESSION 5: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

SESSION 5: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

ENGLISH IS TOO HARD TO READ FOR CHILDREN

Text taken from:
http://www.onestopenglish.com/

Just click on http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?catid=58224&docid=156557 and you have the text together with the exercises for you to practise. Hope you will enjoy it!

SESSION 4: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY

SESSION 4: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY

500 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE THEY DIE

Text taken from:

http://www.onestopenglish.com/

For this session I´ve chosen a different source. In this webpage you can find topical news items with worksheets for each level: elementary, intermediate and advanced. For you I´ve chosen the advanced lesson, of course. Each worksheet contains vocabulary, speaking and grammar work, as well as reading practice. All the articles are from The Guardian Weekly, an important newspaper and Onestopenglish´s principal news partner.

Just click on http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?catid=58224&docid=156916 and you have the text together with the exercises for you to practise. Hope you will enjoy it!

Here you can see photos of some of the places and wildlife (in Britain) mentioned in the book: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/gallery/2008/oct/26/endangered-britain-ireland?picture=338973178

This links directly to the book:

http://www.frommers.com/bookstore/047018986X.html

The new book title is an homage to / is inspired by the bestseller 1000 Places To See Before You Die

http://www.1000beforeyoudie.com/

SOME TIPS FOR "HOW TO TAKE PART IN A DEBATE"

SOME TIPS FOR: HOW TO TAKE PART IN A DEBATE

IN ORDER NOT TO REPEAT YOURSELVES ALL THE TIME, HERE ARE SOME STRUCTURES YOU MAY USE IN DEBATES, NEVERTHELESS, IT´S REALLY IMPORTANT

• TO TRY TO USE THEM IN A NATURAL WAY AS PART OF YOUR SPEECH
• NOT TO USE TOO MANY AT A TIME AS THAT WOULD SOUND TOO RHETORICAL

INTRODUCING:

- To begin with, to start with, as an introduction, first and foremost

- Well, let me begin at the beginning

ADDING INFORMATION:

- Adv: besides, moreover, furthermore, what is more, ... too

- Prep: in addition to..., not to mention..., not only ... but also...

SUMMARIZING/SUMMING UP:

- in a word, in short, to put it in a nutshell, on balance, to sum up

CONTRASTING:

- Adv: but, yet, though, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, actually, conversely

- Conj: although, though, whereas

- Prep: unlike..., instead of..., despite..., in spite of...

- Loc: on the contrary, on the other hand, by contrast, in fact, the fact is (that)

REPORTING PERSONAL OPINIONS:

- To my mind, in my opinion, as far as I´m concerned, as I see it, personally, I think, I guess, I believe

EXPRESSING A POINT OF VIEW:

- As far as I´m concerned, the text..., to my mind, in my opinion, my opinion is that, my personal point of view is that..., now I´d like to say what I think about..., I´m going to express my own point of view about...

DISAGREEING:

- Well, I don´t think so really

- Well, my point of view is rather different from yours

- I don´t quite agree with you about this

- I´m afraid I disagree

AGREEING

- Yes, indeed

- Yes, certainly

- Yes, I think so

- Yes, you´re quite right

- Yes, I´ve got the same point of view as you (have)

- Yes, I quite agree with you about ...